Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 25/09/2026When Jack is killed, his spirit returns to his body. He’s thrust into a world where music has real power, where the spirits of the past dwell, and where factions struggle to define the future. To survive he needs to face his own demons. A story about family and the power of music. #books #booksky 050
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 25/09/2026A follow-up to A Reluctant Spy where the protagonist of the first decides to more formally become part of the secret services. While on the final exam, Jamie and his fellow recruits need to demonstrate their capabilities but it soon begins to feel more real than it should… #books #booksky 130
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 25/09/2026A re-read of some of my favourites; the opening trilogy of the Thursday Next series. Thursday is a Spec-Ops officer investigating an impossible literary crime. Her former teacher, Acheron Hades, is prime suspect and her pursuit will lead her into the works of literature themselves. #books #booksky 140
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 25/09/2026An Agatha Christie double. 1st, a group of strangers are invited to a remote island. As one and then two of them are killed, the rest begin to fear for their own lives . 2nd the Poirot classic; when a passenger is murdered, everyone seems to have both motive and alibi. #books #booksky 180
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 13/08/2026A dark buddy comedy, this is set in a world where aliens (“grays”) have nearly wiped out the human race, keeping the remnants as bondsmen. Martok, a gray, wagers John’s bond in his latest business venture and so begins their battle to turn enough profit to save his life. #books #booksky 041
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 13/08/2026Connie, single mum and casino owner sees her struggles spiral out of control when her former business parter is killed and holographic clones of Connie appear through the city. Her panic and fear over losing her child are palpable throughout but somehow remains a fun read. #books #booksky 040
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 13/08/2026A dark but humorous tale of a widow who becomes an assassin. Told from multiple viewpoints, the story gradually pulls together in to a cohesive whole centred around revenge and betrayal. #books #booksky 240
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 13/08/2026The usual impossible crime and elaborate set ups, counter balanced with complex familial disputes and politics are all here. Told through the eyes of a writer visiting his patron’s family estate, events take a turn when a headless body is found in a cottage on the grounds. #books #booksky 140
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 13/08/2026Set in a post-apocalyptic world where much of Earth’s population have de-camped to colonies on Mars. Rick Deckard is tasked with hunting and “retiring” a group of escaped androids. Touching on themes of humanity, religion and empathy, it’s ambitious but delivers on its promise. #books #booksky 150
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 13/08/2026A gritty near-future where drugs are rife and anonymous agents are sent undercover to uncover where Substance D, a dangerous new drug, is coming from. The story telling itself twists and turns as the protagonist is affected by the drug. My favourite so far of the PKD stories. #books #booksky 130
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 13/08/2026Been a while since I shared what I’ve read. As usual, hope they give you some ideas for your own TBR list. First up, a beautifully written collection of poems and short stories. A creative collection of original fairy tales that had me hooked from the first page. #books #booksky 160
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 09/07/2026Not many things I’d say Mbappe needs to learn from Julian Dicks (hard man defender for West Ham in the 90’s), but the beauty of a thunderous penalty is one of them. 000
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 20/06/2026After a famous writer dies on the verge of completing his final book, six authors are invited to his home on a remote Scottish island to finish the manuscript and win £1m and a publishing contract. As tensions build, it soon becomes clear that not all of them are there to play fair. #books #booksky 030
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 20/06/2026Second in the Natural Engines series. A beautifully written book following Lufeng as she looks to escape the palace and meet up with her sister. The perspective alternates between Lufeng and Sangshu, contrasting their struggles in both past and present. #books #booksky 162
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 20/06/2026A group are gathered to investigate paranormal activity at an isolated house with a tragic background. A brilliant example of a slow build psychological horror, blurring the lines between the paranormal and the tricks played by our own minds. #books #booksky 110
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 20/06/2026First book in a new series, and a tale of samurai, gods and revenge. Set years after an unsuccessful rebellion, it focuses on the children of the chief rebel and a servant girl found with the son. As war becomes inevitable they are drawn into following their father’s footsteps. #books #booksky 150
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 20/06/2026Had mine a couple of weeks ago. The assessor was calming and made it all as comfortable as it was ever likely to be. Hope you are as lucky and that you get what you need from it. 110
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 18/05/2026An interesting tale of obsession and loneliness. Eriko is struggling to make meaningful connections to those around her when she latches on to the social media account of Hallie B. Recognising the areas mentioned in her posts, Eriko decides to go and meet Hallie and befriend her. #books #booksky 030
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 17/05/2026Night Watch by Terry Pratchett Piranesi by Susanna Clarke After Dark by Haruki Murakami 000
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 13/05/2026Agreed. There were some difficult concepts to get across to lay down the foundations for the rest of it. I found them interesting as short stories but enjoyed it more when they started to come together. 000
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 12/05/2026There Is No Anti Memetics Division by qntm. I saw a couple of posts on it, had a look and swooped. Not all recommendations I’ve seen have been winners but that one was a success. 150
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 04/05/2026A beautifully crafted story exploring death, tragedy, and mourning. We follow Kyungha as she travels to the home of her sick friend, Inseon. In the middle of an enormous snow storm, she learns of the Jeju massacre, as experienced by Inseon’s family. #books #booksky 030
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 29/04/2026Murakami at his most dream-like, mixing a seemingly typical coming-of-age story with the absurd and the wondrous. Magical and evocative prose mixes with memorable and unique characters and even some disturbing scenes. #books #booksky 010
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 29/04/2026Set in an alternative timeline, where the Nazis won WWII, Fatherland sees a tired detective investigate a murder. He is soon dragged into a much wider and more terrifying plot, clashing with the SS and some very senior party officials. #books #booksky 110
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 29/04/2026A fascinating and compelling study of how interaction with arts has been demonstrated to have numerous positive effects on our overall health and wellbeing. A positive and uplifting journey that encourages us to make small, but meaningful, changes to benefit our long-term health. #books #booksky 141
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 29/04/2026First up, stories of the flawed detective Kurt Wallander. Faceless Killers sees a double murder lead to a wave of xenophobia, while The Dogs of Riga explores the paranoia present as Latvia emerges from under the cloak of the Soviet Union. #books #booksky 130
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 04/02/2026This is an astonishing novel. To deliver such a compelling story from such an abstract idea is incredible. A must read. It centres around a division within the Organisation which investigates phenomena that cause people to forget. Some are benign, some not so much. #books #booksy 040
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 27/01/2026Classic sci-fi featuring time travel and otherworldly clones, this is a fast-paced and fun thriller. When a billionaire is found dead, twice, a former policewoman is brought out of retirement to investigate. And it only gets weirder from there. #books #booksky 010
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 27/01/2026Another collection of short stories, though the titular story accounts for over half of the book. Sci-fi horror themed, exploring potential horrors of space exploration and our own greed, hubris and anger. Well worth a read. #books #booksky 172
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 27/01/2026A collection of strange and unsettling short stories. There are some interesting ideas in here, taking the everyday and mundane and twisting it slightly. The titular story is a perfect introduction to what to expect, telling a tale of a man’s growing obsession with the chamber. #books #booksky 110
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 27/01/2026Latest reads started with a history of the World Cup and its interwoven history with (mainly right wing) politics. It’s a fascinating read, charting the big moments, the famous - and infamous - players, and how it grew into the commercial behemoth it is today. #books #booksky 130
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 02/01/2026The third in the Pleiti and Mossa series - a collection of Holmesian mysteries based on Jupiter. This is my favourite so far. The stakes seem relatively low to begin with but quickly step up, while the challenges faced by the lead couple also add another dimension to each of them. #books #booksky 1111
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 02/01/2026Next a series of explorations on art, humanity and society, all viewed through the lens of gaming. It’s a fascinating and well-written book. Previously YouTube scripts, the annotations add colour to how Jacob’s thoughts have since evolved. I’ll be watching out for volume 2. #books #booksky 020
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 02/01/2026Latest books on my video game-based reads, first with a history of JRPGs. It’s an interesting run through their rise, to the late 90s/early 2000s peak and how they have evolved and influenced gaming to date. Also a great nostalgia trip for those who grew up playing them. #books #booksky 110
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 08/12/2025The third in a series. Fern, a timid bookstore owner, suffers something of an existential crisis and stows away with a legendary hero and her bounty, falling into a world of adventure. Wider in scope than prior instalments, but more intimate in its story, it’s an enjoyable read. #books #booksky 040
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 04/12/2025A fun, frolicking fantasy featuring time travel, magic and undead assassins. Only my second P. Djeli Clark book (after Ring Shout) but I highly recommend both and will be adding more to the TBR list. #books #boosky 000
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 19/11/2025And finally, a nostalgic trip through my gaming history. While I hadn’t experienced (or even heard of) all, there were plenty I was familiar with. For each, you are taken by the hand and guided through the author’s experience of playing for the first time. #books #booksky 051
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 19/11/2025The second Mossa and Pleiti story. This Holmesian duo are this time investigating a missing persons case that quickly develops into much more than they were expecting. Charming and engaging, this builds confidently on the world and relationship established in the first book. #books #booksky 2115
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 19/11/2025My second foray into Adrian’s works (after The Hungry Gods), but it’s won’t be my last. Another post-apocalyptic world but this time featuring a team sent on a rescue mission to an equatorial zone where heat and humidity are intolerable to humans. #books #booksky 110
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 19/11/2025From same world a We Are All Ghosts in the Forest, this is a new tale in this post-apocalyptic setting where digital information roams the world as potentially deadly ghosts. I enjoyed the high stakes action even more than the first and am keen to see where this goes next. #books #booksky 110
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 19/11/2025Keeping the quirky theme going, this Bob Mortimer novel starts with a missing girlfriend and spirals through pungent body odour, spying on a crazed yoga instructor and the titular long shoe. So reflective of Bob’s humour you can practically hear him narrating. #books #booksky 100
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 19/11/2025Next a step into the surreal. This is a short but mind-bending tale of a man who returns home to find a giant talking frog. The green intruder proceeds to ask his host to join him on a quest to save the city. The strangest of Murakami’s works that I’ve read (complimentary). #books #booksky 110
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 19/11/2025Been a while since I’ve shared what I’ve read so there’s a few. Hopefully it gives you some ideas! Recommendations also welcome. First up the latest Thursday Murder Club book. Like the others, it’s a fun jaunt with a now established set of characters. #books #booksky 270
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 10/10/2025A revisit to a personal favourite. I love the seemingly random absurdity, but find particular delight in how it is all so skilfully brought together. Part sci-fi, part murder mystery, all hilarious. As much a reflection of Douglas Adams’ genius as the Hitchiker’s Guide collection. #books #booksky 000
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 10/10/2025A couple of older stories next. The first is new to me but is a classic of the SF genre. Written when the moon landing had everyone expecting to be colonising new worlds within a century or two; elements feel of its time but the mystery of Rama remains engaging throughout. #books #booksky 120
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 29/09/2025The Factory new starters at the titular workplace, and the strange practices and fauna within. It’s a strange, hallucinatory work that meanders through its tale. Despite, or because of, this it’s an interesting read that keeps you hooked. #books #booksky 130
Mark @chimper17.bsky.social · 26/09/2025Set in a London that has been largely deserted after a mini ice age, where much of the population now experiences migraines that they are able to record and share via neural implants. It’s a beautifully written journey that touches on romance, populism and social media. #books #booksky 030
