[TheBossInTheWall]

Mr. Shivers
Robert Jackson Bennett

In the book a man travels the rails during the Dust Bowl. He's searching for Mr. Shivers who killed his daughter. When the story starts he only has myths and information about where he possibly is/travel towards.

The story sounded very intriguing. The Dust Bowl, hobo life at that time, and a spooky killer. The description made me think a lot more would be about the hobo life, but in fact a lot of the traveling/story takes place away from railroads and Hoovervilles. It did not turn out to be as interesting as I thought it could have been. Most of the main character's search for Mr. Shivers was a kind of filler. They followed the timeline of the plot and did lead from one point to the next instead of side plots without resolution. However it still felt like I was reading unnecessary sections. The beginning was great as was the end. I wonder if the author struggled to put more into the novel to give it more length, ending up, to me, seeming like exactly that. Not necessary.

I'm divided on recommending it. Its probably worth a read, just do not expect much. Though I also think others might enjoy it more than me? My taste in literature does not seem to be mirrored often.

The Amazing Maurice and his EducatedRodents
Terry Pratchett

Maurice is a talking cat. The rats also all talk. Well this particular 'clan.' They ate from a pile of refuse occasionally thrown over the wall of the Unseen University, a university for wizards. So they became much more self aware, much smarter, and learned to speak. The clan leader is Hamnpork, but it is really led by a almost completely blind albino named Dangerous Beans. Also along with them is a musical prodigy who pretends to be a pied piper of rats.

A young adult book with humor, a little bit of adult humor, and surprisingly dark for the Pratchett's discworld books. Its not especially great, but its still enjoyable enough to be a reread to help me relax and fall asleep.