Cool Cakes for the Geek in your Life

In honour of the Great British Bake Off - which I adore - I have decided to trawl the Intarwebs for the very best in cake art that speaks to the geek in me. Check it!

1. Millenium Falcon

2. Steampunk

3. Dungeons and Dragons

4. Retro Game Cupcakes

5. Nightmare Before Christmas

6. Dragon

7. Discworld

8. Books!

9. Fairy Carousel

10. Release the KRAKEN!

Aren't they awesome? Which is your favourite?

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Best Books of 2011 So Far

Okay, since it is Tuesday and I wanted to do another Top Ten post, I decided to combine it with my half-year report of the ten books I've enjoyed best so far in 2011.

1) The Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness

I think EVERYONE now knows how much I love this trilogy *grins* They were a complete revelation to me and I was stunned by the quality of the characters and the story.

From the review: I honestly don't believe that anything else I read this year will live up to the Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness. This is something incredibly special, and I'm honestly surprised that more people haven't been shouting at me to read it. Well, consider this me shouting to everyone else: READ THE CHAOS WALKING TRILOGY BY PATRICK NESS! It is suitable for all ages, and for both sexes (which I find incredibly unusual). It is brilliantly written, with vibrant voices and very immediate characters. It is a true rollercoaster ride. Just perfect.

2) Memories of Ice by Steven Erikson

The third novel in the Malazan Book of the Fallen, and by far the best and most emotional so far.

From the review: From huge epic sweeping moments, to the mundane talk between soldiers waiting for the next battle, this is a supreme novel and the very finest example of what can be accomplished within fantasy fiction.

3) Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Another real surprise to me. I think this is one of those special novels that can be beloved to both adults and children.

From the review: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is an exceptional tale; one that is destined to become a classic. It is undefinable and entirely beautiful.

4) Before I Go To Sleep by S J Watson

One of the few thriller novels I read and I certainly picked a doozy! This debut novel is receiving a helluva lot of buzz and it is easy to see why.

From the review: This is one of those books where you would pay extra for another copy if your original was missing the last chapter! Before I Go To Sleep is the type of novel where you seriously consider only catching a few hours sleep yourself in order to finish reading it.

It is breathless, highly accomplished and damn near perfect. Go and buy this book today.

5) Zoo City by Lauren Beukes

I waited waaaay too long to read this one - but it was WELL worth the wait!

From the review: In all, Zoo City is both fascinating as a study in modern literature, and exciting to read. It is one of those books that feels incredibly special as you read it, with a timeless quality. I hold my hands up: I should have read this months ago. Zoo City is a wonderful novel, and Lauren Beukes has instantly become a go-to novelist of mine. A stunning achievement.

Ahhhh.... So, this is a little bit of a misadvertisement! I don't have ten books that I would consider superlative. These five (technically, eight) novels above are just so beyond everything else I've read this year that I didn't want to include anything else! Here's hoping for some more five star reads in the second half of the year that can take their place on this list.

Which are your top reads of the year so far?

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Favourite Blogs

Here we are on another Tuesday, and so here for you, my lovely reader, is another of my irregular efforts at a Top Ten Tuesday list (as inspired by The Broke and The Bookish). Today I have chosen to talk about my top ten favourite blogs. These aren't necessarily the best out there, but they are the blogs that I find consistently entertaining, informative and non-political. Hopefully, if you haven't already, you'll check these out and follow them as well. These are my ten in no particular order - except possibly alphabetically.

1) A Fantastical Librarian

I love Mieneke's blog. I enjoy the enthusiasm she brings to her reading. I think her reviews are considered and friendly. I like the perspective she brings as a fairly recent mother to the world of blogging/reading. I always find her to be welcoming, approachable and embracing of all fiction (although she does like her speculative stuff). She is open minded and willing to take recommendations, and is happy to comment on other people's blogs.

2) Bookworm Blues

Sarah is another great speculative fiction blogger (although she has recently split her blogging duties in two, so that she can concentrate on other fiction as well). Sarah brings a more critical eye to her reviews, and has a nice turn in snark on occasion. She brings features to the table as well, and tries to create discussion points around reading. I do love the way Sarah is very happy to support independents and small presses as well as the larger publishing houses.

3) Chick Lit Reviews

Y'all know I love other genres as much as speculative fiction, and this is my go-to site for all matters chick lit. I don't find their reviews to be very revealing, being as they seem enthusiastic about nearly ALL the books they read, but I love the site for the cover spotlights they do, the interviews with chick lit authors, and the highlighting of forthcoming fiction. They really are a treasure trove of chick lit information.

4) My Favourite Books

I picked this crew not just because they are some of my favourite people, but because they approach blogging in such a carefree manner. All fiction is considered on their blog - in fact, they're currently neck deep in an Under 14s month, which is just terrific. I like the military science fiction slant that Mark brings to the party, and I enjoy the fact that they often host slots on blog tours, where we get to hear more about the authors.

5) Civilian Reader

This is becoming one of my top speculative fiction sites - and mostly because of the author interviews. Stefan is doing an incredible job landing interviews with some of the best-known fantasy and science fiction authors around. I first picked up Stefan thanks to his Warhammer book reviewing, but the site has just blossomed since then, with other genres being handled. Stefan's reviews are always excellent to read, even when I haven't agreed with his point of view.

6) Graeme's Fantasy Book Reviews

One of the original and best. Graeme might not get to all the new releases. He might do quite a few giveaways. But I love his thoughtful reviewing style and his general excitement about all things speculative fiction. Also, I know he has gone back and forth about it, and some people hate it, but I ADORE that crazy rating system of his *grin*. Also? One of the most friendly bloggers out there, and always willing to lend a helping hand to new bloggers.

7) The Speculative Scotsman

We sometimes fall out. And sometimes I roll my eyes at his *extravagant* language while reviewing. But there is no doubt that Niall is doing something different and carving himself a true niche in the blogging world. He gets some real exclusives, writes the LONGEST (but most in-depth) interviews in the blogosphere, and is willing to get down and dirty when he doesn't like something.

8) Pornokitsch

This husband and wife team first came to my attention with a review of Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind, which I laughed my ass off at, and since then have followed it up with equal gems (such as the recent review of The Wise Man's Fear, which it seemed as though EVERYONE I spoke to at Alt Fiction had read). Anne's Monsters and Mullets features are just excellent. I don't read their site all the time, but occasional articles are so good. They epitomise snark, but have a gentle affection for what they take the piss out of.

9) Walker of Worlds

Once again, it doesn't hurt any that I'm close friends with the two principal contributors to this blog - Mark and Steve are both top blokes, and share many similar opinions with me. This one is my real go to site when it comes to science fiction. Mark knows his stuff and, although his reviews are not as regular as those from other blogs, he gets to the real meat of a novel. Adding Steve's fantasy reviews earlier this year was an inspired move and has created a really holistic speculative blog.

10) SF Signal

One of the biggies. I don't read everything this gargantuan site produces, but their Mindmelds are ALWAYS worth a read. Plus the daily SF tidbit posts help to highlight some of the best articles being produced on other websites.

Looking at the list above, I reckon I'm probably teaching you to suck eggs when it comes to adding these blogs to your Google Reader!

The other blogs that I would have wanted to add to the list above if it had been more than ten would be as follows:

- A Dribble of Ink
- Adam Christopher
- chasing bawa
- The Wertzone
- Dark Wolf's Fantasy Reviews
- Savidge Reads
- Stella Matutina
- Stomping on Yeti
- The Book Smugglers
- Bibliotropic
- onemorepage
- Iceberg Ink

Which are your favourite blogs? Suggest me the ones I might be missing!

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I'd Want on a Desert Island

Ha, that was so almost a Dessert Island - which I'd far rather be stuck on, to be fair *grins* Here we are in the second week of Top Ten Tuesday, and the topic this time round is 'Books I'd Want on a Desert Island'. I have interpreted this to mean really really big books that I enjoy reading - they'd keep me occupied so that I don't realise I'm slowly starving to death (unless it really is some dessert island...) You're going to see a list of my most favourite LONG books! This fun meme is created by The Broke and the Bookish, remember? Links and love back to them if you join in!

1) Kushiel's Dart - Jcqueline Carey

This beautifully written book is one that I picked up through curiosity more than anything else. I saw a number of novels by Jacqueline Carey on the bookshelves in my local library and figured that if I liked the first I'd be kept supremely busy reading the rest of the series. To my delight, I adored the tale of Phaedre - the politics, the love, the adventure, the magic. The Kushiel series is just spectacular.

2) Deadhouse Gates - Steven Erikson

I've cried over a few books - none of them fantasy. For some reason, either the fantasy I was reading didn't involve enough tension or I didn't care enough about the characters. This all changed with Deadhouse Gates. I read certain chapters of this with tears streaming down my cheeks. In addition to this, it was the first time I "got" Erikson and his Malazan series and could understand why the fans were so very fervent in their love for the series.

3) The Little Country - Charles de Lint

Music and magic wrapped in stunning prose and sympathetic characters. My first Charles de Lint novel - and still my favourite.

4) The Shadow Rising - Robert Jordan

You might not know it from a singular lack of mentions on this blog to date, but I'm actually a big fan of the Wheel of Time. Sure, there are some repetitive characters; yes, the prose is often beyond purple; hmm, is that bearing a remarkable similarity to other fantasy novels? There is a lot wrong with the series, but I've been reading it since I was 14 years old or thereabouts and have a fierce love for it. My favourite of the series is The Shadow Rising - huge and sprawling, with some wonderful scenes out amongst the Aiel and at Rhuidean.

5) Cross Stitch - Diana Gabaldon

Have you not encountered Jamie and Claire? What a treat in store if you haven't! These novels are SO hard to classify, with elements of historical fiction, romance, science fiction (loosely - there is time travel), adventure... It's amazing to realise that Gabaldon wrote this novel as a way to practice writing the "real thing".

6) River God - Wilbur Smith

Wilbur Smith was one of the first adult authors I read as a young teen. His adventure stories are riproaring fun, and this is the one I return to the most. It involves Egypt, one of my favourite historical eras, and a wilful Egyptian princess. Worth picking up if you want a fun historical adventure that keeps the pages turning long into the night.

7) Pandora's Star - Peter F Hamilton

My first "proper" sci fi novel, as recommended by my housemate. What I love about Hamilton's sci fi is that it is incidental to the story. Sure, much of it is set on spaceships and settled planets in the Commonwealth universe, but, at its heart, Pandora's Star is about the people we meet. Their lives, their loves, their losses. Hamilton has an incredible eye for the intricacies of human relationships, and in this sprawling novel, brings all that to bear in spectacular fashion.

8) French Relations - Fiona Walker

There had to be a bonkbuster somewhere in this list *grins* The first tale of Tash and Hugo is by far my favourite - a long summer spent in the luxury of a French chateau. Drink, good food, horses - and more than a few people falling in love. It's sprawling, decadent and very entertaining.

9) The Sunne in Splendour - Sharon Penman

The best historical novelist bar none. Sharon Penman is just supreme at bringing humanity to those people long gone. Here we are presented with a very sympathetic Richard III as he struggles with the idea of taking his brother's throne, and then has to suffer the mystery of the princes in the tower. Penman brings it all to vivid life, and this is a novel that will stay with you long after the last page has been turned.

10) The Lies of Locke Lamora - Scott Lynch

This is mostly to give me a man to drool over in my thoughts as I spend those lonely days on the desert island. Locke Lamora is the perfect male protagonist - suave, clever, mocking and, to be, very sexy!

So those are mine - and they also provide a good insight into some of my favourite genres. Which books would you want if you were stranded on a desert island?

Top Ten Tuesday: Childhood Favourites

Okay, I'm starting a new feature on Tuesdays going forwards - it is a lovely little meme started over at The Broke and The Bookish. Since I am just beginning the Top Ten Tuesday, I will go right back to the beginning of their list and start with my Top Ten Childhood Favourites. I would love you to join in - with them and with me - so it would be great for you to post yours as well, but please send credits and love to The Broke and The Bookish if you do!

Top Ten Childhood Favourites

1) Shadow the Sheepdog - Enid Blyton

This first one is a story about a young boy and his dog, Shadow - their adventures and friendship. I loved this one because it is a very simple story, but showcases a clever and brilliantly-characterised animal in the tradition of tales such as Lassie. I read and re-read my dog-eared copy of this little book and wished that I had a dog like Shadow. Unlike most of Enid Blyton's work, this one courts little controversy and gives a great deal of pleasure.

2) Matilda - Roald Dahl

I simply couldn't have a top ten list of childhood favourites without including one Dahl book and, of them all, this is the one I came back to the most. I adored the character of Matilda, the bright little girl who read too much and made friends with a teacher. I could see a lot of myself in Matilda, although, luckily, my family are MUCH nicer and definitely appreciate reading! Also, the cake scene. So funny.

3) The Silver Brumby - Elyne Mitchell

I've mentioned this one a few times before on the blog. I ADORE this book. It tells the story of Thowra, the beautiful and unusual silver brumby who grows to adulthood in the lovely surroundings of the Australian bush. I was most disappointed to find out that, in reality, brumbies are scrubby little wild horses - in my head, they'll always be flowing grace. Thowra's adventures, his trials and successes against both man and horse, are a great way of introducing children to wild nature.

4) Night of the Red Horse - Patricia Leitch

This is the fourth book of twelve in the series about Jinny and her chestnut Arab mare, Shantih. I love all twelve books to death, but this fourth one was wonderfully mystical as well. The Red Horse is a strange and terrifying character. I ended up having nightmares as a result of this book, but can't help returning to it again and again.

5) Room 13 - Robert Swindells

You want a decent vampire story for kids? This'll be the one. I can't believe that more people haven't read this book, in all honesty! It's funny, scary and leaves a lasting impression. Swindells writes with great pace and humour, and both my brother and I called this our favourite book at times during our childhood.

6) The Animals of Farthing Wood - Colin Dann

For me, this is a lovely little book. It describes the adventures of a disparate group of animals who set out to find a new home - the faraway Reserve - when their own woodland is in danger from redevelopers. It is a great commentary on the various effects that humans are having on the countryside around them, and has some great and very memorable characters.

7) In the Fifth at Malory Towers - Enid Blyton

Another on the list by Blyton, but, truly, she coloured my reading as a child. I devoured her books. Had this been a longer list than just ten, you would have seen plenty more of her books on it! I simply can't understand the reaction to Blyton these days - sure, some of her stories include what we deem to be rather racist references these days, but they were written as a product of her time and should be read as such. At their heart, her books are excellent tales for children. This one is the fifth in the Malory Towers series. As with the Patricia Leitch series, I do love them all, but this is the one I read the most, so onto the list it goes. In this book the girls of Malory Towers have to put on a play and I liked the descriptions of how they produced it all.

8) Mattimeo - Brian Jacques

I was absolutely devastated earlier this year to discover that Brian Jacques had passed away. His Redwall series is just brilliant, and Mattimeo was my absolute favourite of the early books. The descriptions of the feasts still stays with me - how on earth did that man make me want to eat everything he described, even when it was made of acorns and clover?!

9) Deep Wizardry - Diane Duane

This is the second in the Young Wizards series, and was the novel where I became properly invested - and it's all thanks to a shark. The shark character is just fantastic - dark and deadly, but with a surprising amount of compassion. If you're not reading the Young Wizards series, I would urge you to start. These books are deeply imaginative, funny, dark and fantastically written. I think they're enormously under-read.

10) Watership Down - Richard Adams

When the top 100 best beloved books were picked, I voted for this one of them all. I love it. I named Bigwig as my favourite character of all time in the 30 Days of Genre meme. I like everything about it - the journey to the new warren, the fight against General Woundwort, strange Fiver and his prophecies, the dog, and BIGWIG! It's so much fun, and, as with The Animals of Farthing Wood, has a lot to say about our treatment of the English countryside.

So those are my ten childhood favourites! Which of mine have you read and loved? Which books would find their way onto your top ten list?