Wintersmith, Terry Pratchett

Still working my way (deliberately slowly) through the Tiffany Aching books. I really like her, and I really dislike Annagramma. Reading the first couple I suspect that if I lived in Discworld I'd be a witch, but I bet most people who read these books feel that way, too. I thought the Wintersmith was pretty sweet, and just happened to be reading this book as a blizzard hit, so Tiffany can feel free to come take care of that any time she'd like. I love the Feegles although I don't quite understand the bit with the cheese, and while I quite like Roland I have never 100% bought any "romance" Pratchett's written. (And Tiffany shouldn't need saving, she's awesome.)

The scenes with Granny Weatherwax and the kitten, by the way, were clearly written while spying on my dad, who has, in fact, named a kitten, "Hey you!" 

Grade: B

Originally posted 2010

Thief of Time, Terry Pratchett

One of my favorite Pratchetts, because it's hilarious, and a beautiful sendup of Buddhism and human nature. My only complaints are that there is sort of no main character and the denoument requires a lot of chocolate, which makes me crave chocolate. It also contains one of my favorite Pratchett lines ever:

"Things either exist, or they don't," said Jeremy. "I am very clear on this. I have medicine."

Grade: B

originally posted 2006

Going Postal, Terry Pratchett

Now this is my idea of a quick summer read (in other words, I bought it yesterday afternoon). In my experience you are either a Pratchett fan or you aren't, and there are good arguments on either side. I concede that the Discworld books are formulaic (you try and write 900 books in the same universe and keep them all fresh) but I enjoy them. About 90% of them fall in to the "fun, a couple of out-loud laughs, quick read" category, while the other ten percent are split between amazing (Soul Music, Small Gods, and in my opinion any of the Rincewind books) and the utterly unreadable (Pyramids and Moving Pictures). 

This book is in the safe 90%; it made me laugh a bunch of times, particularly when the covert gossip organization turned out to be called The Smoking Gnu. Heh. Basically Our Hero is out to save the Post Office, so on the one hand it's about letters vs. email, and on the other hand it's about the role hope plays, and on the third hand there's something confusing about Angels. None of these books are especially character-driven (by which I mean, no one has a complex story arc; they are one thing, and then they become another, or they are one thing, and then they realize that's who they are and just embrace it) but I really liked the main character in this one and his love interest. 

The more of these I write the more I realize I really enjoy universes with lots of Hey It's That Guys who appear and reappear throughout the series. I admit to cheering when Ridcully and Carrot showed up, and being disappointed at the lack of Cut Me Own Throat Dibbler. 

Oh, and for those of you who've read these, this one has chapters. I know! That's how I managed not to finish it last night; there were stopping points!

Grade: B

originally posted 2006 -- the made-for-tv version of this book is one of my faaaaaaaavorite things to watch