Here is a book that caught my attention because of its title

The Time Traveller’s Guide To Medieval England Ian Mortimer wrote an history book from a different viewpoint. It is almost a Lonely Planet guide for Medieval England. Well documented and well developped, it gives a good idea of what life was like at the time, for all social ranks. I am not 100% agreeing with some of what he said on authors (“What to read” in the last chapter), but globally, the book is very good.

The different information is always based on an array of sources (Chronicles, Accounting books, recorded testimonies, …), and paints a very different country than the one we always imagine with films and such. The author makes a further distinction between the pre-Black Death and the 1400 environment, showing us how, with very different concerns and solutions than us, life was going on from the indentured servant to the kings and princes.

For those of you who like Time Travelling shows like Doctor Who, I would recommend this book as exactly the kind of manual the Doctor might offer to his companions…

Sites:
Official: http://www.ianmortimer.com/ [EN]

This post will not be available in English since the books were and will not be translated.

Psychanalyse (Psychanalyse des Miquets – Psychanalyse du Héros de Western – Psychanalyse du Héros de l’Antiquité – Psychanalyse du Héros de Manga – Psychanalyse du Super Héros) Imaginez que votre psy ait dû s’occuper de Batman, de Oedipe, du cowboy solitaire ou encore Albatros ? Oui, oui, vous imaginez bien. Comme en plus c’est mis en images, c’est vraiment sympa. Tout ce que vous ne vouliez pas savoir sur les héros… Comme en plus c’est un petit volume (plus petit que A6), broché, et pas très cher, profitez en !

Sites:
Officiel de l’éditeur: http://www.vraoum.eu/ [FR]

Here’s a post for a nice little volume.

Le noeud de l’intrigue (the Plot’s knot) I finally got a bit of time for this collection of short stories, most of them 3 pages, that made me go through many different feelings, from enjoyment to sadness through disgust (not against the text, against the atmosphere conjured by the story) and so on. I have a weakness for Un verre chez Roger, that I recommend incidentally to all my whovian and stargatian friends. And I recommend the volume to all French language, humour and poetry (in the broadest sense of the word) enthusiasts.

Sites:
Daniel Fattore’s Official: http://fattorius.over-blog.com [FR]

Again, somthing non fiction. I am a fan of England, its history, and so on, and since I could not go to the theatre, I bought myself the book.

The King’s Speech It is based on the diaries of Lionel Logue, the man who helped the shy and stuttering Duke of York when he had to become King despite all odds. The book that served as scenario for the film was written by his grandson and a specialised biographer. It is very interesting because it tells the story of Logue and of HM George VI, of what Logue did to “cure” stuttering, and of all the historical events and how it affected one or both of them. Do not expect a “romanced” account, it is really more an history book than a biography, and you may find it cold in its style.

Sites
Official http://www.the-kings-speech.com/ [EN]
The Film http://www.kingsspeech.com/ [EN]

Something different to read. As you may know (or not), I am interested in typography.

Just My Type A very good book on types, typographers, creators, the why this or that type was created, big names and “corporate branding”, and so on. A must read if you are interested in typography, the story of printed / electronic language, or even simply curious.

Sites
Official http://www.simongarfield.com/ [EN]
The test which type are you? http://www.pentagram.com/what-type-are-you/ [EN]

[EDIT: Getting this post up because of the death of DW Jones] All right, I am going to write down a few reading ideas, here, grouped by author… Here are the first. The author is Diana Wynne Jones, you know her if you saw the most recent Miyazaki, “The Moving Castle“. And yes, it is based on one of her books, “Howl’s Moving Castle“.

The merlin conspiracy: Two stories, on one side the young Roddy and her friend Grundo, both following the King’s Progress on Blest, and on the other side Nick Mallory’s story, a young man from Earth, and Romanov’s, too, a powerfull magician. The two stories seem unconnected and happen in two different places, but the truth is that in this group of universes, everything is intertwined, and when Roddy and Grundo discover a conspiracy, it is Nick they ask for help, and so as well to Romanov.

The Dalemark Quartet: (Cart and Cwidder – Drowned Ammet – The Spellcoats – The Crown of Dalemark) In the realm of Dalemark, everything is very wrong, since a tyrant has the power. A few resist, other live despite the bad situation. Clennen the singer seems to be of the second category, apparently at least. With his wife and children, he journeys through the realm, presenting his show, and also being a messenger for everyone. Could some messages be dangerous, more dangerous than weapons ?

Chrestomanci: (The Lives of Christopher Chant – Charmed Life – Witch Week – The Magicians of Caprona – Mixed Magic; A few novels more difficult to find) All these books are about the theme of the Enchanter Chrestomanci, a kind of “controler” of magic, who has 9 lives, and both of his past lives and past “missions” he had, as well as about the people who are / were the Chrestomanci.

Fire and Hemlock: Polly is a teenager with a problem. She seems to have two “sets” of memories of her past. One implies a strange painting and a man named Tom Lynn, with whom she has / had epistolary exchange about the mysterious story of Mr. Piper. The other is… rather dull, even dreary. But which is the right one ? And where does the second come from ?

Hexwood: Hexwood Farm is a group of strange buildings, with machines that are at least as unusual. And when one of these machines begins to work anormaly, it is logical that the surrounding woods are the first tainted by the anomalies, isn’t it ? In the woods, Mordion, Ann, and a very strange child named Hume will meet really unsympathetic men called Controlers and Reigners.

Derkholm: (Dark lord of Derkholm – Year of the Griffin) I have only read the second one since my orders did not arrive But this volume alone is beautiful, with magician, an university, griffins (no I am not looking at someone), etc etc etc… A must read.

And now a few Websites:
- http://www.dianawynnejones.com/
- http://suberic.net/dwj/
- http://www.leemac.freeserve.co.uk/

I update this article due to my shopping and reading…

The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency (The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency – Tears Of The Giraffe – Morality for Beautiful Girls – The Kalahari Typing School for Men – The Full Cupboard of Life – In The Company of Cheerful Ladies – Blue Shoes and Happiness – The Good Husband of Zebra Drive – The Miracle at Speedy Motors – Tea Time for the Traditionally Built) Very good detective stories, though I would not recommend these to the faint of heart, taking place in South Africa. Mma Ramotswane opens indeed the first detective agency run by women in the whole of South Africa. She finds missing people, helps people in difficulty, and above all, drinks bush tea (roibos). A dive in the authentic Botswana.

Sunday Philosophx Club (Isabel Dalhousie) (The Sunday Philosophy Club – Friends, Lovers, Chocolate – The Right Attitude to Rain – The Careful Use of Compliments – The Comfort of Saturdays – The Lost Art of Gratitude) A detective story too, but a bit different. If Nr1 is a series that gives a large space to life lessons and country ambiance, Sunday Philosophy Club mixes philosophy and life in Edinburgh. Isabel Dalhousie has a quiet life, editor of a philosophy review, and it is because of her philosophy and morals that she tries to solve mysteries.

Sites
McCall Smith http://www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/ [EN]
Editeur français http://www.10-18.fr [FR]
TV Series http://www.bbc.co.uk/ladies/ [EN] & http://www.hbo.com/the-no-1-ladies-detective-agency/index.html [EN]

I liked them and even Olivier did read them, which is not a small thing ^^;

Wielstadt: (Les Ombres de Wielstadt- Les Masques de Wielstadt – Le Chevalier de Wielstadt) The story of Kantz, exorcist and knight, in the city of Wielstadt, in 1620, who finds himself in a struggle of power who seems even to have surnatural links. The dragon protecting the city even reacted… And Kantz never let his friends down, wathever the reason and the person of the one hunting them.

Ambremer: (Les enchantements d’Ambremer – L’élixir d’oubli) Louis Denizart Hyppolyte Griffont is a mage of the Cyan Circle. Some people ask him for help as councellor, in this Paris of the “Belle Epoque” where fantastical creatures can be found near the Seine, and where winged cats fly around a perfect white wood Eiffel Tower. Between a cheater using magic in a nearby gaming circle and a long time friend asking him to help getting a book not so difficult to getr, Louis Griffont feels like things are far more complicated and moving than they seem.

Les lames du Cardinal: (Les lames du Cardinal) Take the story after The Queen’s Diamonds, add dragons, switch for the point of view of the Cardinal’s side, and you will have the beginning of the story. But it does not stop here, with a Cardinal as politician and crafty as always, and soldiers a bit distraught.

Websites !
- http://www.noosfere.com/heberg/mota/inteview-pevel.html
- http://www.noosfere.com/icarus/livres/auteur.asp?numauteur=-48832
- http://www.actusf.com/SF/interview/itw_pevel.htm

Post modified and updated

Some times ago, I bought a book titled “Jouer avec l’histoire” (Play with History, only in French [for now]) that I just had time to read.

Summary
Various authors from the world of roleplaying games look at the problem of History in the games (Olivier Caïra, Christophe Chaudier, Yann Lefebvre, Romain d’Huissier, Christophe Valla, …). Like you ask yourself “can one laugh of anything”, it is necessary to ask “can one play with anything?” When rpg are looking at difficult times of History (Shoah, …), can they be inserted in the game? In the same way, can we play with History without going into Uchronies or other “parallel worlds”? To what point must we stick to History, for example of medieval times or religion wars, and what is it, since each of us players has a different background and culture.

My advice
Though this books only treats each problem as applied to a precise game and in a small number of pages (160 as a total for the book), it is an excellent basis for thinking both on historical games and their reception, as well as on the way to use our historical knowledge in rpg. I recommand to any DM and player who wants to discover or already plays historical games to try to read this book.

Sommaire

Introduction – Olivier Caïra
I – Trois jeux, trois traitements de l’Histoire

• Te Deum – Jean-Philippe Jaworski
• Pavillon Noir – Renaud Maroy
• Maléfices – Daniel Dugourd

II – Jouer dans un cadre historique

• Ecrire et mener une campagne – Jérôme Larré
• Traiter l’Histoire par le genre – Romain d’Huissier
• Le Moyen Age des rôlistes – Antoine Dauphragne

III – Les plaies vives de l’Histoire

• Traiter les thèmes difficiles – Christophe Chaudier et Yann Lefebvre
• Nazisme et jdr – Olivier Caïra
• Tentacules et Croix Gammées – Christophe Valla

Reference:
“Jouer avec l’histoire”, 2009: Villecresnes, Pinkerton Press, ISBN : 978-2-9533916-0-2

Sites:
Official: http://www.pinkertonpress.com/ [FR]
(Added to the Ludivers bibliography of Games and Gaming)

She is the writer on whose novels the whole True Blood TV Series by HBO is based

Sookie Stackhouse Novels or Southern Vampire Mysteries (Dead Until Dark – Living Dead in Dallas – Club Dead – Dead to the World – Dead as a Doornail – Definitely Dead – All Together Dead – From Dead to Worse – Dead and Gone – Dead in the Familly – …) Sookie Stackhouse is 26 and is waitress in a local bar in Bon Temps. She has a brother, Jason, and lives with her grandmother Adele. Everything would be fine if the summary was finished here, but alas Sookie is a telepath, and must make efforts not to “hear” the customer’s thoughts, and she is single. Vampires are humans victim of an illness that can feed on artifical blood, such as the blood sold in every place where you find beverages (including the bar where Sookie works) and she falls in love with a vampire who came as a customer, Bill Compton. When several young women are killed, apparently by vampires, Sookie has to lead her own inquiry, especially since Bill and Jason are successively under supsicion from the police. But the vampire’s world is very dangerous, even if Bill does his best to protect her.

My advice
It is a bit of Romance (think Harlequin), a lot of fantasy (think vampires / surnatural but contemporary), a lot of detective work (think detective novel), and a pinch of humour. Though it is more for adults (there is a bit of sex and violent or crude scenes), it is neither gory or X rate. Easy to read, I liked it. My problem lies with the series, when I watched the beginning of True Blood. Yes, I can see how some characters (Sookie especially) were used, some situations / plots, but the writer of the series deliberately turned it into a “sex violence blood and a bit of action” thing. I find that it is a pity that he did so, and I must admit (but perhaps because I read first and watched only later) I can not appreciate this series at all.

Sites:
Official: http://www.charlaineharris.com/ [EN]
Interview with C. Harris http://www.sfsite.com/05a/ch175.htm [EN]
IMDB page for True Blood http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0844441/ [EN]

I am in a time where I want to read both mysteries and fantasy. So if I can do it in one book, it is even better !

Dresden Files (Storm Front – Fool Moon – Grave Peril – Summer Knight – Death Masks – Blood Rites – Dead Beat – Proven Guilty – White Night – Small Favor – Turn Coat – Changes – …) Harry Dresden is a Private Investigator and… a magician. They are not mutually exclusive, even the oposite, because in Chicago nowadays there are ghosts, werewolves, vampires, demons, fairies, and so on. He is a consultant for the police, as well as leading his own inquiries. His business card reads as follow:

Harry Dresden – Wizard
Lost items found. Paranormal Investigations.
Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates.
No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or
Other Entertainment.

Unfortunately for him, Harry is a magician who respects the rules of the White Counscil, but also has a tendancy to get into trouble. So much that he is almost executed by the White Council, and later placed under a Damocles Sword though he killed someone only in self-defence.

Sites:
Official: http://www.jim-butcher.com/ [EN]
IMDB for the Dresden Files TV Series http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0486657/
Publisher in French http://www.bragelonne.fr/auteurs.php?id_auteur=75 [FR]
Dresden Files RPG: http://www.dresdenfilesrpg.com/ [EN]

A series of contemporary vampires stories a bit different…

Small warning: books for adults !

Betsy the Vampire Queen (Undead and Unwed – Undead and Unemployed – Undead and Unappreciated – Undead and Unreturnable – Undead and Unpopular – Undead and Uneasy – Undead and Unworthy – Undead and Unwelcome) Betsy Taylor wakes up on the morgue’s table, with old shoes from her step-mother, which angers her. After a while, and a confrontation a bit rough with her step-mother and with two vampires of the place, she realises she is now a vampire, although a strange one: unaffected by the sun, cross/churches/blessed water/… It is a bit The Devil wears Prada meets Dracula meets Gone with the Wind meets Sex in the City. Anyhow, it is very funny, and it is the first time that reading Romance does not nauseate me…

Sites:
Official: http://www.maryjanicedavidson.net/
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/d/maryjanice-davidson/

Here is a (“belgian”) comic for SF / Fantasy / Video Games / … and humour fans

Cover of the second volume

One joke:

Nina is a young girl who has difficulties with everyday life, but it is necessary to add that circumstances do not help: overactive imagination, loves the topics cited above, has an alien (like… not from Earth) in her class, can not decide what she wants to do for a job, … There are many references to movies, books and others, and it is worthwile to buy them. Two volumes are available: le trio de l’Apocalypse and La tête dans les étoiles.

Official site: http://www.ninatonnerre.com/

Here is the result on this blog, anyhow…

Mary Lester (les bruines de Lanester – les diamants de l’Archiduc – la mort au bord de l’étang – marée blanche – …) Mary Lester est Lieutenant de Police, et les romans de Jean Failler sont, en plus d’être de bonnes histoires policières, l’occasion unique de (re)découvrir la Bretagne autrement. Avec des descriptions des paysages, mais aussi des caractères, des métiers, etc., si vous aimez les romans policiers et la Bretagne, c’est à ne pas manquer…

Site
http://www.marylester.com/ Site officiel
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Failler La page wikipédia, avec les lieux d’enquête en correspondance avec le titre…
http://marylester.free.fr/ site non officiel

Petite fiche :
Titre : Monsieur Chatastrophe, une biographie de neuf vies (A cat called Birmingham, a biography of nine lives)
Auteur : Chris Pascoe
Genre : littérature anglaise, roman biographique, animaux, humour
Parution : juin 2007 aux édition Balland (Paris)

L’histoire :
Dans ce livre, Chris Pascoe dépeint sa désastreuse relation, donnée comme vraie, avec Birmingham, un chat très attachant mais à qui manquent singulièrement toutes les qualités habituellement attribuées à la race féline : grâce, habileté et intelligence. “Brum” est capable de tout ! Atterrir d’une hauteur de sept mètres sur le toit d’une voiture en mouvement, mettre le feu à sa tête, subir toutes sortes de vexations d’un bébé armé d’un maillet, perdre une guerre territoriale contre un moineau, provoquer un court-circuit, se mettre K.-O. en utilisant la chatière,…
Bref, Brum n’a pas trop de ses neuf vies pour exister !

Mon avis :
Je remercie mille fois Maciste et Hoth pour m’avoir prêté ce livre hilarant !

Chaque chapitre du livre est consacré à une catastrophe spectaculaire occasionnée par Brum (ou du moins une étape cocasse de sa vie), entrecoupés par des réflexions ou des divagations sur les chats en général (ou parfois encore des anecdotes sur des chats qui ont marqué la vie de l’auteur). Le roman se termine par un dialogue émouvant entre Brum et son maître.
L’écriture simple et agréable permet au livre d’être lu en très peu de temps et de passer de très bons moments !

Même si j’ai par moments trouvé l’écriture un peu maladroite, l’auteur a su suggérer des images tellement comiques qu’on pardonne tout (même le procédé littéraire un peu étrange auquel il recourt trop fréquemment qui consiste à dévoiler l’anecdote en une ou deux phrases et à la détailler ensuite et cassant du coup le suspens de la chute). Surtout que, malgré ces quelques inélégances, l’auteur tombe souvent juste.
C’est un livre vraiment très très drôle (il m’arrive vraiment rarement d’éclater de rire devant un texte), et très touchant… à condition d’aimer les chats bien entendu ! D’ailleurs, si vous avez un chat, vous retrouverez certainement un peu de lui dans ce livre.

Monsieur Chatastrophe va me laisser un bon souvenir !