Sequels, sequels

Hmm - two such dissimilar sequels could not be imagined but both work on their own terms.

Following on from well loved authors must be a nightmare in many respects but both of these authors have been chosen by the executors - so at least they are 'approved' in some sense.

Eoin Colfer has been recognised for his wonderful humour in many of his children's books - especially the Artemis Fowl series (read them if you haven't already), so it shouldn't have been too much of a surprise when he was suggested as the author to follow Douglas Adams and write a sequel to HHGTTG. And Another Thing follows straight on from the last of Douglas' books and offers a fun and fanciful chapter in the plot to exterminate the Earth by the Vogons. I'd like to know more about Constant Mown - and his dilemma - hope there's more to come. If you have enjoyed Douglas, Tom Holt or Pratchett try this as a holiday read - you wont be disappointed. Knowing Douglas in his University days I imagine he would approve too...

Return to the Hundred Acre Wood by David Benedictus is also a success - Christopher Robin returns from school to new adventures with Pooh and Piglet - a delight, especially with the coloured illustrations by Mark Burgess (Shepherd's illustrations colourist). Rabbit is the most eminently sensible soul, Tigger dreams of Africa and Pooh can't help being growly - he is a bear after all! Children will love this as much as our well loved originals.

Artemis Fowl and the Time Paradox by Eoin Colfer

Two Artemis's, two Butlers, two Holly's, all converging on one time - to try to beat Opal before she can stop a cure for Mrs Fowl being found. Great fun - if you've liked the others you'll love the fast pace and the humour here.
http://www.artemisfowl.com/

Ostrich Boys by Keith Gray

Three friends -Kenny, Sim and Blake are about to embark on a strange, ill fated journey. They steal the urn that contains the ashes of their best friend Ross, and they set out to travel from Cleethorpes on the English east coast to the tiny hamlet of Ross in southern Scotland. After a depressing and dispriting funeral they feel that taking Ross to Ross will be a fitting memorial for a fifteen-year-old boy who changed all their lives through his friendship. Little do they realise just how much Ross can still affect life for them even though he's dead.

Keith Gray has written a different take on the usual quest novel - as they travel the boys discover much about themselves, but also more about the friend they thought they knew and loved. Their complete disbelief at the idea that Ross may have committed suicide, and their slow realisation that they may have let down their friend is realistically told. The misadventures they have are all credible, and written with a lot of black humour - a book well worth the read and will strike a chord with many teenagers.

The Last Resort Library by Irving Finkel

This was one of those spur of the moment purchases - I had just discovered the joys of the London Review bookshop and was having a lovely mooch around it's well chosen shelves when I saw this book on the counter. The library on the front cover (and the title) were enough to intrigue me - so I picked it up and started to read the prologue -

"The Library is situated" said the short entry in the Guide to British Libraries A-L, "in pleasant rolling countryside not too far from Hereford, and is perhaps most readily accessible by private motor vehicle."

Well, that was me hooked! I leafed through the book and joy of joys it's illustrated - Jenny Kallin's blocky, naive woodcut (?) illustrations are a delight - full of humorous detail and fun. They add enjoyment to the wonderfully eccentric life of a library dedicated to collecting unpublished works - and all the rejection letters that go with them! This is a darkly humorous read - full of the day to day problems that such an odd institution may expect to see.... read it!

Irving Finkel is a curator at the British Museum and one feels he talks with affection and humour - albeit black humour about some of his colleagues......