Soul Music, by Terry Pratchett

Summary: Rock music, or rather Music With Rocks In, has come to Discworld with much the same result as rock music in 1960's America. Also, Death has gone on a mission to forget leaving Susan to take over his job while he's away.

Thoughts: In much the same way that hearing Music With Rocks In made various characters wish to learn to play the guitar, reading about it made me want to make music as well. And elaboration on that topic is being carefully avoided for reasons that probably make sense if ....Anyway, once again, Terry Pratchett has created a masterpiece of amusing comments and gripping storyline and satire (if that's the right word).

Making Money, by Terry Pratchett

Summary: When Moist von Lipwig (remember him from Going Postal?) ends as head of the National Bank and Mint and applies his usual flair to the job, things start getting horribly messy.

Thoughts: Gripping storyline, amusing comments, uncertain ending, unexpected plot twists...what more could a person ask for? This really is an excellent book.

The Hidden Language of Baseball, by Paul Dickson

A history of signs and sign-stealing in baseball. Quite interesting. I didn't realize there was so much going on "behind the scenes". Maybe I should try to look for such things next time I'm at a game.

Murder on the Prowl, by Rita Mae Brown

Summary: Murder has once again come to the small town of Crozet Virginia, this time to the headmaster of a local high school. Harry and her cat Mrs. Murphy are determined to figure out whodunnit.

Thoughts: I don't really have a lot to say other than that this book resembles the other books I've read by the same author in that I had no hope of predicting who the killer was and why they did it. Or maybe I could've, but it was still a shock when they revealed it.

Hogfather, by Terry Pratchett

Summary: The Hogfather has disappeared, and so its up to Susan to find him. Okay, Susan and Bilius, the oh god of hangovers. And meanwhile Death has taken over the role of Hogfather in the absense of the real Hogfather, and Albert has to keep Death from making too much of a mess of things. And meanwhile new gods are popping into existance anytime someone speculates about one that might exist.

Thoughts: Can I blame this book for my random desire to listen to X-mas music? Or does that just get attributed to its being December? Because I'm not sure I care about its being December, and I think I've given up on the X-mas music because you can't find anything worthwhile on the radio. I think it was only ever Classic Country that played X-mas music that was worth listening to.

Um, yeah. As you might've gathered, there's some bloody obvious parallels with the non-religious side of X-mas. And the book has much of the amusing stuff I've come to expect of Terry Pratchett (I seem to remember speculation that most of Earth's population actually consists of aliens who are hiding out and abducting people, mutilating crops, and making cow circles. Or something like that).

The Boy Next Door, by Meggin Cabot

Summary: Boy meets girl. They fall in love. Unfortunately there's this little matter of his claiming to be his friend that might turn out to be a problem.

Thoughts: Woot, chick lit! Um, yeah. Just what I need, a fluffy romance book. Okay, a fluffy romance book comprised of e-mails between various characters. And there's occasionally a hint of a mystery in there. And somehow, the last several pages were rather amusing, but I'm not sure that had anything to do with the actual story or anything. And of course reading a romance book made me reflect on my own love life or lack thereof. And I'm not saying more on that subject.

Okay, this time I'll try to say something analytical. I really enjoyed the style of the book, the fact that it was written as a collection of e-mails between various characters: messages to friend of "OMG we have to talk", messages from boss of "that story better be on my desk soon or else", messages between coworkers discussing the protagonist's love life (and only hers apparently), and so on. And of course there's always the heartwarmingly romantic story line of two characters who have had lousy experience in love finding someone perfect for them. Yeah, I guess that's not too analytical. At least it was actually related to the book for once?

Moving Pictures, by Terry Pratchett

Summary: Victor and Ginger and numerous other people find themselves drawn to Holy Wood, the home of the new clicks industry (silent films, Discworld style). But what is really going on? And, more importantly, how does one stop whatever sinister force is involved?

Thoughts: I love the snide commentary on Hollywood. And the counter-point of Gaspode and Laddie is pretty interesting as well. I kinda feel like Gaspode sometimes: wondering why someone else is getting all the attention. And of course this book has the complicated plot line sprinkled with amusing comments and thinly veiled social commentary that I've come to expect from Terry Pratchett.