Undead and Unemployed

Undead and Unemployed is the second book in MaryJanice Davidson's series about Betsy, the vampire queen. I read pretty much the entire thing during my long train ride to the South of France and it was great entertainment!

I loved the first book, Undead and Unwed, and was very curious about Betsy's further adventures. She becomes a vampire kinda by chance and then becomes Queen also kind of by accident. And she can't admit that she's actually attracted to her King. Oh and she's sassy. And she loves shoes. And her friends. Think of it as Buffy meets Sex and the City. :-)

If you're looking for some light, fun reading I can totally recommend this vampire chick lit series. Can't wait to get my hands on the next book!

Challenges: 2nds Challenge, A-Z Challenge, 999 Challenge, Celebrate the Author, Chick Lit 2

The Uncommon Reader

I am still trying to ease myself into the world of audiobooks so I cannot hide that I chose The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett not only because I'd heard good things about it but also because it was short. I am so glad I chose it - it's definitely my favorite audiobook so far.

The story (and storytelling) is very simple - one day, the Queen of England notices a mobile library and goes in. She feels its rude not to borrow a book so she does so - and gets hooked on reading. She starts reading all the time and lets it get in the way of her duties. Those around her, her advisors and staff, are not too thrilled about this development, firstly because it's clearly changed her into someone unrecognisable and secondly because she keeps trying to get all of them to read too and makes them feel like schoolchildren with homework. But the Queen perseveres and pretty much reads everything she can get her hands on.

You can say that this short book is about many things - not only about the love of literature. It's also a satire about England, about the upper classes and about people in general. It made me chuckle several times and I found myself walking more - since that's when I listen to audiobooks.

I'm sure the book in its regular form is great too, but I must say that it was a joy to listen to Alan Bennett read it to me. His accent is perfect for it.

I strongly recommend this!

Challenges: A-Z Challenge, Audiobook Challenge, 999 Challenge, Countdown Challenge

Under the Duvet

Marian Keyes' is a well-known Irish writer of women's fiction. I'm sure I've read something of hers in the past and I have something else waiting on the shelf for when I feel like something light. This book, Under the Duvet, is something different though, it's a collection of some short pieces of writing, mostly journalistic in style. Over the years, Marian Keyes had been asked to contribute to all kinds of Irish newspapers and magazines on all sorts of topics. Some of the pieces included in this book are such assignments and others are previously unpublished.

I enjoyed reading it - it's the sort of book you can dip into and out of easily, the pieces are short enough to sit down for a few minutes, read one and then move on to something else. I'd been reading it in bed, actually. Keyes' style is light and chatty - and very, very Irish. I am partial to the Irish style though, I find it funny and real, and it helps that I have it at home every day since my partner is Irish.

Anyway, I'd recommend the book for some light amusing reading and insight into the Irish mind. 4 stars from me and I hope to remember to read one of her novels at some point soon.