Tag: book review

Monster Musume Vol 1 & 2 by Okayado

I was browsing on Amazon and having read some One Punch Man samples this manga was recommended to me. I have always thought it too odd or pervy for me to read so never bothered trying or paying attention beyond glancing at the cover. I am between books and decided to try it.

Yes there is gratuitious manga boobs and lots of flesh but in terms of plot and characters its pretty fun and humourous. Quite enjoyed the plot where a guy ends up having a species exhange with a snake-woman and then a bird woman and finally a centaur type woman. All seem to be like bitches in heat and hijinks ensues. Its a light and breezy read and good fun. I have read the first two in the series and maybe I’ll check out the rest.

EDIT 12/11/25

I have since read Volumes 3 to 6 and have really enjoyed them. Not my usual tastes but very funny reads.

Suspicion by Seichō Matsumoto

A short novel in which a woman is accused of her husbands murder. The woman has prior convictions and the court of public opinion against her, presuming her guilt based on circumstantial evidence.

A journalist who stirred the fires is worried that a competent lawyer may get her acquitted and that he may reap what he sowed in her revenge due to her reputation and ties with the Yakuza..

I enjoyed it and the conclusion when it came was surprising and sudden and I would have liked more.

I really have had good experiences when I have read the novels of Seichō Matsumoto.

A Night In The Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny

A fun read and I enjoyed it very much. a lot of fictional characters together like Jack (The Ripper?), Jill, Great Detective, Dracula. involving an opening/closing on Halloween.

It is a book I have to read again, I read it as an October challenge with 31 chapters I read one each day so that I finish it today on the 31st. It made for a slow start as some chapters are very short so you don’t get into it properly until 2 weeks in. Next time I read it I will read it normally.

I do love the very last line, perfect haha. I was hoping it would be in the book.

Jack and Jill went down the hill….

The Power and The Glory by Jonathan Wilson

A wonderful read and a great history of the World Cup, not just the football side of it but the socio-political and economic side.

Each chapter details the build up to each World Cup and how it came to bed and the politics and personalities. Yes the football is the star of the show but the supporting cast are no less enjoyable (sometimes for the wrong reasons).

Politics and using the World Cup as a vehicle to put on a front has never been changed only the Mussolinis, Juntas of yesterday are today’s sportswashing with the recent Qatar and upcoming Saudi World Cups. With all the money spent on World Cups they are essentially white elephants after the Greatest Show On Earth leaves the staidums remain and all the problems of the people and millions (now billions) of debt remains. Especially as the World Cup has gone to countries like South Africa and Brazil where people are dispalced for the stadia and nobody really cares what happens afterwards.

Reading the book the interesting thing for me is two World Cups 1970 and 2002. 1970 was when football and the World Cup went colour and commercial and 2002 is when footballers were truly global.

2002 also happened to be my first World Cup where I paid attention to football and I can remember becoming a teenage expert in the metatarsal bone, loving the Fevernova ball, Anh Jung-Hwan’s goal against Italy, Ronaldinhos free kick and Rivaldo’s play acting. Until 2022 being a Welshman we only saw the World Cup here in the UK through the rose tinted glasses of England. Though as an adult I dislike international football and feel no connection to it.

I digress but the book highlights to me that football has changed as technology and globalisation grows and improves but the politicking and corruption has been ever present. The names change Rimet, Rous, Havelange, Blatter, Infantino but the self-serving rot is always there.