Plan – DaneCobain.com

Arthur Conan Doyle – The Tragedy of the Korosko | Review

Title: The Tragedy of the Korosko

Author: Arthur Conan Doyle

Type: Fiction

Page Count: 126

Rating: 3.75/5

This book is definitely a product of its times and there are a few bits here and there which were borderline racist, but it was also a cracking story of intrigue and adventure. Essentially, we follow a bunch of holidaymakers who’ve travelled to Egypt as they’re hijacked by camel-riding Arabs who plan to sell them into slavery and who give them the choice of converting to Islam or being put to the sword.

Overall, probably not worth reading unless you’re a Conan Doyle fan, but I was pretty happy with it and plan to read everything he wrote. Getting there!

Click here to buy The Tragedy of the Korosko.

Louis Sachar – Small Steps | Review

Title: Small Steps

Author: Louis Sachar

Type: Fiction

Page Count/Review Word Count: 266

Rating 5/5

This is essentially the sequel to Holes, except instead of following Stanley Yelnats, it follows Armpit. He’s been keeping busy (digging holes of all things) and squirreling away some money, but then his friend X-Ray comes up with an idea about how to make a little money: ticket touting.

Of course, the plan backfires in several fairly spectacular ways, and it also has unexpected consequences for Armpit. At the same time, it’s a coming-of-age story that deals with everything from racism to pushy parents and attempted murder. So there are a lot of complexities here, and while it is I guess somewhere between middle grade and young adult novel, it’s a genuine joy to read.

If you’re looking for “literature” then you might not find it here, but if you just want a good story with a decent message behind it, you need look no further. It was also super sad in places while simultaneously making me feel warm and fuzzy inside. In that respect, it reminds me of both Holes and Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

So would I recommend this? Of course I would, but I’d also recommend picking up Holes first. Both of them are fantastic and Sachar is a fantastic writer, and even before I’d picked this up I knew I wanted to add all of his books to my wish list. Then I picked this up from a charity shop, so I guess it’s a sign. Awesome!