"I missed taking responsibility for another human being. I even missed the pulse of excitement wondering whatever the daft girl would do to irritate me next."

ch 39 The Silver Pigs by Lindsey Davis

this reminded me of a certain flibbertigibbet I know and love

The Jennifer Morgue * * * *

The Jennifer Morgue by Charles Stross

wonderful HP Lovecraft (who I haven't read but am aware of) meets Ian Flemming meets nerding and C compilers

Pure Trance * * */ * * * *

Pure Trance by Junko Mizuno

sexy, weird, odd

this mix of cute, sexiness and quite disturbing nightmare stuff is compelling yet uncomfortable

the rudimentary plot is appalling and half-assed but the art work is extraordinary and the end a shock

an erotic and sensual nightmare/dream of sexy nymphettes, food, violence, eating disorders, drugs, monsters and child birth

Helix * * *

Helix by Eric Brown

don't believe the blurb

enthusiastic blurb quote from Stephen Baxter for what is quite an average novel

all a bit light - there's a bit of pavane , A Canticle for Leibowitz, ringworld and others -- it's all perfectly readable but ultimately not terribly nourishing or particularly exciting - competent but bland

relationships

it occurred to me that relationships are a little like plants some need lots of care and attention, watering, misting, feeding, humidity levels