Jeff Gardiner

The book was a quick read and filled in a lot about Michael Moorcock's work of which I only really like the Elric novels except for the most recent trilogy. It covers his influences and a quick run-through of his complicated interconnected oeuvre which I appreciated. It does seem to be stuffed with praise however especially when it comes to The Dream Thief's Daughter which I hated. Overall I would recommend this book to anyone who's even mildly interested in Michael Moorcock and his symbol-laden work especially outside of the Elric Saga.… (meer)

How do you know when a book is good? When you just have to sit and read it, forsaking everything else (including writing your own book!)
I’ve just read one the best books I have ever read. It is one of those gems that we can all relate to in some way or other. Written by a school teacher, Myopia is about bullying. It looks at every possible perspective of the effects of bullying and what makes a bully.
The story itself revolves around a group of friends one of whom, Jerry is chronically short sighted. Jerry is the central victim of the story though he is not the only one, and neither should he be. The story unfolds at a good pace without stepping into the impossible. There is no magic or super-powers, just ordinary people which is what makes the book so good. The teenage characters all behave as they should, their fears and loves are genuine as is everything else about the story. I particularly enjoyed the school setting and how the teachers and pupils interact, there is much to be applauded in this book, short as it is, but then if it was any longer I suspect that its intended audience might loosed interest.
I cannot recommend this book high enough, it is touching, amusing and poignant all at once and should become compulsory reading in every school.
A full on five stars.
… (meer)

To me this was a coming of age story with a bit of a YA feel to it. Donny and Hazel, fraternal twins, head off to college. Hazel is a bit of a wild child ready to spread her wings while Donny has been the one to be a parent pleaser and quieter. The landlord of the house they live in is a bit older and filled with a zest for life while their other housemate is a dedicated female that Donny becomes obsessed with. While at college they meet a number of interesting people, party, fall in and out of love and one of them even gets so desperate that suicide seems the best option. There is a happily ever after for some but not for all in this book. There are friends that help both Donny and Hazel to grow and finally move down the life path that opens for them. This story is well written, told from Donny’s perspective and includes drama, happiness, sadness and more. It is a very “British” book and for me that made it even more fun since I am American.… (meer)