Book 37 of 2023: The Stranger Times by C.K. McDonnell

Just finished The Stranger Times by C.K. McDonnell, the first in a series of novels where the staff of a fictionalised version of the Fortean Times newspaper investigate weird things in Manchester.

I liked a lot about it. The mix of the staff is both effective from a storytelling point of view and often humour inducing. The weird stories that they publish about and then discover some of which may be true are also consistently entertaining.

On the downside the author chose to use multiple points of view (POV) far too much, especially early on. You'd be constantly switching at a new chapter, including to the viewpoint of numerous ancillary characters, and it jarred, and broke the flow and immersion. I hope that he might tone that down later in the series.

However the core mystery was a page turner, and I will definitely be reading more in the series. There are some very interesting back stories of the main characters still to be revealed. So recommended, 4/5 stars, but beware the POV issue.

Discworld special stamp stuff arrived

Our two framed Discworld special stamp collectibles arrived at Martin’s work today. Still to figure out where to put them on the walls around the house! But got. I got a Tiffany Aching signed print (big framed copy of the Tiffany stamp) and a framed set of all the stamps. The framed items on offer sold out quite quickly. No huge surprise, given the large number of eager Discworld fans there are out there.

Almost the wrong cap

Just refilled my main bedroom fountain pen(*) with ink, and in my confusion tried to cap the pen after with the ink bottle lid. Oops. Luckily no mess! As someone with weak neurological hand control I find fountain pens much easier to write with, and smoother than especially ballpoints. But I need to use piston filler or similar to refill, to manage with my hands. But that works. And yes I probably need a fountain pen icon for here ... (**)

* Lamy 2000, medium nib, refilled with Diamine Chocolate Brown ink. My Lamy 2000 fine nib in the sitting room is one of my top 3 favourite fountain pens. But I have a medium nib one for bedroom scribbles.

** P.S. And now added an icon. Of my favourite pen, in use. With a glass of wine beside it.