May 25, 2016
This year yet again, Rabid Reader’s Reviews presents 42 books to love for Towel Day. This is a selection of books that have been reviewed on this blog. We hope you will enjoy them.
Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams
nonfiction, environment, humor
Douglas Adams and Mark Carwardine head out on an epic adventure in search of the strange and exotic creatures with whom we share our world. More…
Dr. Who, City of Death by Douglas Adams
Humor, Science Fiction, Serial Fiction
The Doctor takes Romana to Paris for a vacation and instead of landing them in the intended time period, the TARDIS takes them to 1979. There the Doctor finds rogue time travelers, art theft and the resurrection of a dangerous alien race thought extinct. Joined by the rough British P.I. Duggan, they must do what the Doctor does best…save the human race. More…
StrikeStone: Book III of the Dolvia Saga by Stella Atrium
science fiction, space opera
A woman in traditional dress publically executed herself by setting herself on fire in front of the Governer’s mansion in far-away Cylay. Brianna Miller, a half-softcheeks and half-Dolviet woman and savior of the Gouleps (women ostracized from their families) is called to her homeland. Escorted by her cousin, Rufus, and another warrior, Brianna collects students as she travels. Her extensive travel finds Dolvia ravaged by conflict and war and on the brink of something bigger than could have ever been imagined. More…
Then Frederick Ran by Nicolas Budgen
science fiction, short stories
This is a collection of 14 stories with a futuristic theme. Topics range from a man teaching a machine to play chess, to a young woman breaking things off with a longtime love, to a sleep study that explores dreams. More…
2001: a Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
science fiction, exploration
An ancient monolith is unearthed on the moon which sends a mysterious signal toward Saturn. A manned spaceship is sent to investigate the destination of the signal. The AI of the ship was modeled after humanity and has some of its worst qualities. The AI manipulates the crew and takes over the ship leaving the crew to battle their own ship to save humanity. Arthur C. Clarke and Stanley Kubrick worked together on the book while, at the same time, Kubrick wrote the screenplay for the movie. Though developed together, the book and film vary wildly in the order and events and even the destination planet. Critics have posited that the visual impact of the film made the novel shabby by comparison. Let’s face it; unless you’re capable of imagination few possess, seeing the vastness of space on a big screen is not going to be able to compete with the written word. The value of the page is that readers are given background and backstory that the screenwriter could only hope to achieve. More…
Beers in Heaven by Ford Forkum
science fiction, humor
Zach Preston arrives in Heaven after a relatively short life to find his memories gone and a need to regain his memories and readjust through Heaven’s orientation process. Seems Heaven is not as perfect it’s cracked up to be. Zach must adjust to his new life and learn the secrets of enlightenment. More…
Don’t Panic: Douglas Adams & The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Neil Gaiman
nonfiction, memoir
Don’t Panic: Douglas Adams & The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy best-selling author and Dr. Who writer, Neil Gaiman, takes readers behind the curtain to discover the late Douglas Adams through his life and work. More…
A Kiss at Kilhali: A Story of Romance, Mystery And Beauty by Ruth Harris
mystery, romance, rhinos
Zuri is a baby rhino who witnesses the murder of her mother by poachers. She is injured in the brutal attack. When Renny, director of an animal orphanage and Starlite, a young Veterinarian, come upon the injured rhino, they know that they must do whatever they can to save her. More…
Rogue Goddesses by Gary Henry
science fiction
Years have passed since the world came to know the Helpful Ladies—female superheroes with unique powers. The women have set up a Ladies’ Net and the world looks to them to solve difficult problems and save lives. Trish and Megan, the original American Goddesses have thrived and now have their own children, each with a daughter that may or may be on the cusp of realizing their own Helpful Lady powers. When Melinkova returns with an obsession to destroy Trish and Megan and gain indomitable power for herself, is she the one foe the Helpful Ladies cannot defeat? More…
Timer: The Complete First Season by Marc Horn
science fiction, thriller
In the indistinct future people have their expiration dates displayed on their chests. A mysterious killer is stalking people whose Timers are about to run out. D.I. Stewart is on the case but can he track a killer no one remembers? Can he find a shadowy character that may not be of this world? More…
Philosophy and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Nicholas Joll
nonfiction, philosophy
This is a Master’s Course in Adams’s much-interpreted work. The essays are divided into four sections; “Ethics,” “The Meaning of Life,” Metaphysics and Artificial Intelligence” and “Logic, Method and Satire.” Each essayist takes a very serious approach so that for fans of the series, “Philosophy and the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” is a treasure trove of extra time with a favorite topic. More…
Cold Angel Days: The Dica Series Book 4 by Clive S. Johnson
science fiction
Falmead has lost his memory and forgotten his beloved Geran. Presinda, Geran’s sister, decides that she will do what it takes to return Falmead’s memory. No matter the price. More…
The Infinity Bridge by Ross M. Kitson
science fiction, steampunk
Sam and his brother Ben have an ability to see things that others can’t; Nick is a computer genius able to design the sort of computer viruses to end the technological world and Annie is a highly trained fighter. These teens stand between their world and the dark forces looking to find the Infinity Bridge, a device that could destroy everything. More…
Intergalactic Terrorist (New Dimension) by J.F. Monahan
science fiction, humor
Charlie Pinwright is the most forgettable man on earth. As a child, his mother frequently picked the wrong boy up from school simply forgetting his face. After losing his girlfriend to a Spanish cake decorator, losing his job and being forced to share his flat with another family (the landlord leased the bedroom simply forgetting that Charlie was there), Charlie is kidnapped by an alien bounty hunter. Charlie soon finds out that the continuation of existence as we know (and don’t know) it may rest on his shoulders. Can one forgettable man save the galaxy? More…
The Scarecrow’s Brane by D.L. Morrese
science fiction, counter-fantasy
Commander Lisa Chang and the crew of the Brane Child find themselves in Oddz. Their ship crash-lands into the only thing between the Emerald City and the Red Witch of the South, who is trying to take it over. Lisa must travel to the Great and Powerful Blue Wizards of the East to make a new weapon to protect the Emerald City. More…
Zombies of Byzantium by Sean Munger
science fiction, zombies
It’s the eighth century A.D. and Brother Stephen Diabetenos is a religious iconographer who is sent to Constantinople with the elderly Brother Theophilus as he companion. When they come upon a village that seems to have suffered a great attack, they find a human able to pursue them for miles though lit like a torch. What is this horrible plague that God has sent upon them? They soon meet up with young and fierce Michael Camytzes, the son of a military leader and a leader in his own right. Together they head to Constantinople to warn the Emperor. Can they convince him in time? And with the Saracen Army descending, what twists will this story take? More…
For Us The Living: Judgment Day by R.A. Peters
science fiction, thriller, alien invasion
An electromagnetic pulse hits the Earth leaving it in an apocalyptic state. Sergeant Danielle Walker goes from a special ops mission in the Middle East to fighting an unknown force. Her husband, Dixon, knew this day would come but even his preparation might not be enough to weather the end of this world. More…
Vaporized: Apocalypse Adventure by Simon Rosser
science fiction, zombies
Busy lawyer Amber Lee has found time to relax in short supply and is very happy to have an extra day off for a holiday weekend. As the weekend begins the world wakes up to find that following strange objects reported to be heading for the poles that the earth’s water has vaporized. When Amber suddenly finds herself alone can she survive after such a cataclysmic event? More…
Star Cruise: Marooned by Veronica Scott
science fiction, romance
Meg Antille and Simon “Red” Thomsill work as crew on a high-end star cruise ship. Meg struggles to send money home to her family and keep things strictly business while Red is simply looking to get to know Meg better before the time comes when he moves on to another vessel. When the ship stops at a luxury planet and abruptly leaves Meg, Red and some of the guests behind, they know that they’re facing dire circumstances. Can Meg and Red dodge danger and keep their charges alive? More…
Paper Cuts (How to be Dead Book 2) by Dave Turner
science fiction, fantasy, humor
Dave Marwood, Death’s assistant (yes, THAT Death, though he rather likes to be called Steve) for four months and if nothing else, he’s discovered how hard ectoplasm is to get out of clothing. What’s up with the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse? Could there be stranger things in the world that Dave has yet to see in his role as Death’s office help? More…
Particle Horizon by Selso Xisto
science fiction, space opera
A Galactic Holy War begins and unfolds into what is called in the Amazon description, a space opera featuring several key players all fighting toward their own goals. At the heart of the conflict is a new elemental power that can change the game for everyone. More…
Bloq by Alan Jones
psychological thriller
Bill Ingram’s daughter, Carol, moved to London from Glasgow to start her career as a journalist. When she goes missing, Bill will stop at nothing to find her. He finds that his little girl had problems that he couldn’t have imagined and her nightclub-owning Albanian ex-boyfriend looks like a likely suspect in her disappearance. Can he find Carol in time to save her? More…
Jeeves and the Wedding Bells by Sebastian Faulks
historical fiction, humor, literature
Bertie Wooster is an expert of the “country pile” but has never seen it from the perspective of the servant’s quarters. In order to help Woody woo the love of his life, Jeeves posts as an obscure lord of the realm while Bertie is his personal gentleman. Will Woody convince his ladylove he’s worth a shot? Can Bertie serve Jeeves undetected by fellow servants and the lord of the manor? More…
Meddling with Murder by Ellie Campbell
chick lit, mystery
Cathy O’Farrell and her former cleaner, Pimple are the proprietors of the newly formed Crouch End Confidential Agency, a detective agency that badly needs an influx of cash as Cathy. Cathy is too soft hearted to ever be a businesswoman and persists in not charging little old ladies and children when called upon to track lost pets and toys. When Cathy’s husband threatens to relocate in order to live his dream of being a postmaster, she has some choices to make while juggling an increasingly complex case involving sketchy characters and vandalism. More…
Killing Dylan by Allistair Puddick
humor, mystery
Freddie Winters is a mystery writer who spends his days trying to sell his novels while dodging his landlord. When his more successful college roommate, Dylan St. James, says that someone is trying to kill him and that he needs help, Freddie sees a chance to get away from his apartment and make an extra buck. As Freddie starts investigating in an effort to help his friend, he finds a cast of dangerous characters any one of whom could be out to get Dylan. Is this real-life case more than Freddie can handle? More…
The Power of Positivity; Controlling Where the Ball Bounces by Cornell Thomas
biography, self-help
Cornell Thomas is a basketball coach and motivational speaker. In The Power Of Positivity: Controlling Where the Ball Bounces, Thomas gives a look into his life and challenges he’s faced. Through his stories Thomas shows readers a path that looks to the future and helps them control where their ball bounces. More…
Jamie Quinn Mystery Collection by Barbara Venkataraman
adventure, mystery
Jamie Quinn is a lawyer based in Hollywood, Florida. The three short stories in this volume are “Death by Didgeridoo,” “The Case of the Killer Divorce,” and “Peril in the Park.” More…
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
humor, satire
The small English town of Meryton suffers from a plague of unmentionables and Miss Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe it out. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Classic Regency Romance – Now with Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem! is a retelling of Jane Austen’s (the late writer, in fact, gets a co-writing credit) eighteenth-century masterpiece with a twist. More…
Relative Sanity by Martin Reaves
audio, thriller
After years of physical abuse, Babylon escapes her father’s home and sets out to find the people she’s heard on the radio. Purdy Fallon is a child trapped in a man’s body waiting for his mama to come home when Babylon knocks at his door. Detective Nick Grimmer is investigating a case but his heart is at home with his wife from whom he’s becoming increasingly distant. More…
The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle
horror, paranormal, short stories
Charles Thomas Tester lives in New York. To support himself and his ailing father, he delivers items and asks no questions. He is aware of the unpredictability of magic and the danger in what he does. When he delivers a book to a sorceress in Queens, he opens the door to something unpredictable and dangerous. More…
The Church of Fear by John Sweeney
audio, journalism, nonfiction
Former BBC Reporter, John Sweeney, takes readers on a journey into the world of Scientology. Despite intimidation and harassment from church leaders, Sweeney bravely ventures forth to uncover a complex world where high-level members are used as a public face to mask the true insanity of the theology and its members maintained by fear. More…
Goody One Shoe by Julie Frayn
fiction, superhero
Billie Fullalove lost her parents and her leg all on her eleventh birthday. As an adult she’s working in a publishing house and trying to get an editing freelance career off the ground. All around Billie injustice runs rampant but a vigilante is watching and ready to take action. Can Billie find the vigilante? Does she want to find the vigilante? More…
Chef Maurice and a Spot of Truffle by J.A. Lang
cozy mystery
Chef Maurice has a problem. Ollie Meadows has been the mushroom supplier for Chef Maurice’s little restaurant in the Cotswolds for some time but Ollie has disappeared! When Chef Maurice visits Ollie’s home, he finds that his trusted vendor has been holding out and hoarding rare white Alba truffles. With the help of his newly adopted pig, friend Arthur, sous chef Patrick and P.C. Lucy Galveston (why not involve the police), Chef Maurice has a mission. He will solve the mystery of where Ollie found the delightful truffles and perhaps where Ollie has gone. More…
The Celebration Husband by Maya Alexandri
adventure, historical fiction, romance
Baroness Tanya von Brantberg’s husband is fighting with the British in East Africa. It’s the first decade of the twentieth century and Tanya knows that a war rages in Europe but her purpose is to work “for the cause.” Tanya is called upon to lead in a way that women rarely are and when her intelligence is recognized by others will she have the confidence to do what must be done? More…
Match Me If You Can
chick lit, humor, romance
What if you could talk your ex into signing up for a dating service where you find the perfect partner? That’s the concept behind Catharine’s dating website, RecycleLove.com. With her own ex marrying his 23-year-old girlfriend, Catherine could use some of the upcycled love so talks her friends Rachel and Sarah into joining the site. Can these women find their perfect match? More…
The Darkest of Suns will Rise by Brian Sfinas
science fiction
The Earth is in a Golden Age. A pacifist alien race known as The Prognosticate has helped humanity solve its greatest problems. Every Golden Age must come to an end.
A terrorist organization comprised of religious zealots known as The Orphanage, destroys a trade ship. It seems that someone in the Alliance has given the intel and Aiden DeCaro, captain of a near-Earth defense ship is the prime suspect. More…
The Untold Unlocking of Secrets by James Jean-Pierre
memoir
A young man comes of age in Haiti. He chronicles his experiences as a mostly free-range child to adulthood and immigration. More…
Yancy by Tell Cotten
adventure, western
Yancy Landon is losing an election when we meet him again. When he learns that his brother, Cooper, is looking for a boy captured by Apaches, he’s the first to volunteer to join the hunt. In the quest for recovery, how will Yancy react when his values and ethics are challenged? More…
E-Murderer: A Jenna Scali Mystery
mystery
Jenna Scali receives an e-mail revealing the death of a young girl and providing details only the killer would know. Later that day, a dead girl is found near Jenna’s home. As Jenna receives further e-mails and turns them over to the police, her need to know who is committing the heinous crimes, grows. Is Jenna herself in danger? She must help to the police get to the bottom of the crime before she’s the next victim. More…
A Painful Ordeal by Aditi Chopra
contemporary
Namrata is a transplant from India working at AppDev in the Silicon Valley when she reports that a co-worker has been sexually harassing her. Ritu, the investigator from Human Resources, doubts Namrata’s story. Is she telling the truth or using the system for her own ends? More…
The Spy’s Son by Bryan Denson
audio, history, nonfiction
Jim Nicholson was a veteran CIA agent and single father of three when he decided to sell secrets to the Russians for extra cash. While in jail, Jim saw the opportunity to continue his legacy and drafted his younger son, Nathan, in order to continue his association with the foreign power. Eager to please his father and trusting him implicitly, Nathan followed orders to his own detriment. More…
Dalek, I Loved You by Nick Griffiths
memoir, science fiction
Nick Griffiths’ memoir of his life, loves and his continuing love affair with Doctor Who. More…