[books 2014] The last Felix Castor

3. The Naming of the Beasts by Mike Carey

The premise for the final volume is set up in the last book. I couldn't put it down, and thought that it tied up the series nicely. A lot of other people didn't, apparently.

What impresses me most is the sense of place, for reasons I am unable to articulate. Not just because it's set in a city I know reasonably well. I think it's because place is very important to the story line, as in this fictional universe spirits tend to be bound to a particular place. The use of locus in books is something I've been thinking about lately

[books 2014] Zealot

4. Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Aslan

An attempt to separate the historical Jesus from the later baggage.

There's a lot more than I thought, actually.

What's fascinating is the examination of Palestine in the first century and the various factions of Jews and their relations with the Romans. Far more interesting than the spin the biblical narrative gives, though the story of how the basic life of Jesus came to be presented the way it did provides lots of food for thought.

The basic book here is quite short and easy to read narrative, but I felt compelled to read the notes as well where Aslan discusses sources and competing viewpoints.

Absolutely fascinating. I should have taken notes.

[film] Mama

I love del Toro but somehow it's taken me all this time to get round to watching this.

It's OK, but I think I've been spoiled by The Conjuring - I didn't find it spooky at all, and wasn't even all that impressed by the visuals (which you can always count on with del Toro).

Might have to watch it again just to make sure I wasn't having a bad day.