Three somewhat average reads (23 - 25 out of 52) in Book Challenge 2016 (52 books to be read in 52 weeks)

The Forever War By Joe Haldeman (240 pages, including Afterword by Peter F. Hamilton) is the story of William Mandella, a private fighting an interstellar war. Relativity makes him isolated - every few months spent on a tour of duty means that centuries have passed on Earth. This was an interesting read, but didn’t quite “wow” me as some of the other science fiction books I’ve picked up recently. It just missed a certain something. Date Read: 18 - 19 March 2016.

This is the Way the World Ends by James Morrow is the story of a tombstone engraver, George Paxman (301 pages). He’s offered a deal - get a free survival suit for his daughter, in case of nuclear war. He just has to sign a document stating that, as he is a passive citizen and did nothing to stop said war, he has a degree of guilt. When it does happen, George finds himself on trial.

This had an interesting set up…the opening chapter has Nostradamus telling the story to a young man, who’s waiting for his pregnant mother to go into labour. A bit hit and miss as a story…I did feel a bit sad by the ending, but struggled a little bit to maintain my interest during the story. Glad I read it. Date Read: 20 - 22 March 2016

The Six Wives of Henry VIII by David Loades (313 pages, including Notes, Bibliography, Acknowledgements, List of Illustrations and Index) is about the six different women who are linked by their marriage to the King. This was a good book for beginners, perhaps. I’m not sure if there’s anything new in this book to add to what I’ve already read before. Having said that, I’m glad I read it. Date Read: 22 - 24 March 2016.

Books Read This Year: 25/52. Pages Read So Far This Year: 6258