Meet New Books
Meet New Books

Books matching: blend of humor and seriousness

90 result(s)

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Showing 1 - 10 of 90 
  1. #1

    Shroud for a Nightingale - Adam Dalgliesh by P.D. James
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    Shroud for a Nightingale is an Adam Dalgliesh mystery surrounding a double murder in a nursing home cum training center. The plot unfolds slowly in a setting filled with seemingly dull characters, but gains momentum as the narrative shifts to Dalgliesh's experienced detective perspective. The book delves into themes of power dynamics and misuse, with a focus on the institution and its staff rather than the personal lives of the characters.

    On the morning of the first murder Miss Muriel Beale, Inspector of Nurse Training Schools to the General Nursing Council, stirred into wakefulness soon after six o’clock and into a sluggish early morn...

    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Adam Dalgliesh )

  2. #2
    Top 10, Vol. 1
    Book 1 in the series:Top Ten

    Top 10, Vol. 1 - Top Ten by Gene Ha, Zander Cannon, Alan Moore
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    'Top 10, Vol. 1' in the series 'Top Ten' by Gene Ha, Zander Cannon, and Alan Moore is set in Neopolis, a city where everyone has some kind of heroic power. It follows the police force of the city as they navigate through a world populated by superheroes, aliens, and gods. The story focuses on different characters within the police station, delving into their backstories and interconnected relationships. The writing style blends traditional comic tropes with humor, touching human moments, and social commentary, creating a unique and engaging narrative.


  3. #3

    Atlantis and Other Places - Atlantis by Harry Turtledove
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    'Atlantis and Other Places' by Harry Turtledove is a collection of twelve alternate history stories ranging from humorous pastiches to deadly serious tales. The stories cover a variety of settings, from the Bronze Age to the far future, exploring scenarios where historical events took different turns. Some stories delve into detective mysteries, while others focus on war, exploration, or scientific discovery. Turtledove's writing style varies in tone and style, with stories that are thought-provoking, engaging, and sometimes whimsical.

    The book includes stories where significant historical events have been altered, such as Goliath winning over David, leading to a world without Judaism, Christianity, or Islam. Another story imagines Sergeant Hitler searching for Communist spies in a world where the Central Powers won World War I. From tales of centaur ships visiting the Bronze Age Tin Islands to alternate outcomes of famous battles, 'Atlantis and Other Places' offers a diverse collection of alternate history scenarios.


    (Also, see 11 recommendations for the series Atlantis )

  4. #4

    Cause Celeb by Helen Fielding
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    Cause Celeb by Helen Fielding is a novel that follows Rosie Richardson, who works at a refugee camp in Africa, showcasing the challenges of running a relief camp while navigating personal relationships. The book intertwines two storylines - one set in London's celebrity culture and the other in the humanitarian crisis in Africa, providing a satirical look at charity work and the impact of fame on charitable efforts. Fielding's writing style blends humor with thought-provoking narratives, offering a unique perspective on the complexities of aid work and the portrayal of celebrities in humanitarian causes.


  5. #5

    The Kraken's Mate - Iriduan Test Subjects by Susan Trombley
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    Abducted from Earth, Joanie finds herself in the arms of Nemon, an alien with tentacles from an ocean-like planet. Despite their traumatic pasts, they fall in love, navigating a world filled with genetically engineered soldiers, alien abductions, and a developing romance. The story explores character development, consent, and a unique take on the alien romance genre, all while hinting at a larger plot unfolding in the series.

    When the pain grew too great, I retreated into memory, but I had to be careful where I tread. There were minefields in my past, and one wrong step on memory lane could send me into deeper suffering t...

    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Iriduan Test Subjects )

  6. #6
    Iron Sunrise
    Book 2 in the series:Eschaton

    Iron Sunrise - Eschaton by Charles Stross
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    'Iron Sunrise' by Charles Stross is a science fiction thriller set in a future where the godlike power known as the Eschaton polices human settled worlds. The plot revolves around a group called the ReMastered who seek to replace the Eschaton with their own god, leading to a series of events including the destruction of a planet and a dangerous interstellar conflict. The narrative style is described as fast-paced, filled with wonders of the post-singularity world, and featuring a clever plot with plenty of twists. The story unfolds through the eyes of key players, including a disaffected teenager, a warblogger, interplanetary spooks, and a godlike singularity intelligence.

    Wednesday ran through the darkened corridors of the station, her heart pounding. Behind her, unseen yet sensed as a constant menacing presence, ran her relentless pursuer — a dog. The killhound wasn’t...

    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Eschaton )

  7. #7

    Snowden by Ted Rall
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    Ted Rall's graphic novel, 'Snowden,' delves into the story of Edward Snowden, a whistleblower who exposed the US government's extensive surveillance on its citizens. Rall uses a comic-like presentation with poignant statements to simplify the weighty subject matter, making it engaging and informative. The book highlights Snowden's courage in standing up against government abuses and prompts readers to contemplate the moral dilemmas of complicity with surveillance activities.


  8. #8

    Defiance of the Fall - Defiance of the Fall by JF Brink (TheFirstDefier)
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    'Defiance of the Fall' follows the main character who is described as aggressive, direct, and morally conflicted in a ruthless multiverse. The storyline starts with Earth being forcibly integrated into the multiverse, leading the main character to navigate magic and leveling systems to find his family and defend himself. As the plot progresses, the main character evolves from a desk jockey to a power-hungry individual, engaging in conflict and striving for strength in a world filled with demons and other powerful beings.

    The writing style of 'Defiance of the Fall' is noted for its worldbuilding, epicness, and subtle humor. The author is praised for their ability to foreshadow events and create a sense of gravitas in the narrative. blends elements of fantasy, LitRPG, and a hint of Sci-Fi, keeping readers interested despite some pacing issues and basic characterizations.

    Information is power. It can both be the sword with which you impale your enemy, or the sword you impale yourself upon. That was what was going through Zac’s head as he walked through the woods, a sma...

  9. #9
    Thanemonger
    by: 
    Book 1 in the series:The Ladyships

    Thanemonger - The Ladyships by Bex McLynn
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    'Thanemonger' by Bex McLynn is a science fiction romance novel set in a rich and intriguing new world where the protagonist, Seph, is mistakenly put up for sale as a sexbot and ends up being hidden on a ship belonging to Zver's family. The story unfolds with complex plot threads involving stolen humans, technopathic abilities, and sentient ships, all while exploring the dynamics of different alien races and the challenges Seph faces in finding her way back to Earth and her son.

    The book is praised for its full-on plot and universe, with multiple subplots that come together to create a rich and amazing story. Readers appreciate the well-developed characters, heart-felt emotions, and the interesting world built by the author, which keeps them engaged and eager to follow the journey of the characters as they navigate through various challenges and relationships.

    Seph grimaced. Nope. She refused to be baited by The Totally Annoying Interrupter. That ever-present, invisible presence was being a jerk. Again. TAI (no way would she nickname it just AI) knew she ha...

  10. #10
    The Mystery Guest
    by: 
    Book 2 in the series:Maid

    The Mystery Guest - Maid by Nita Prose
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    'The Mystery Guest' by Nita Prose is the second installment in the 'Maid' series, focusing on the character Molly Gray, who is now the Head Maid at the Grand Regency Hotel. The plot revolves around Molly's involvement in solving a murder mystery at the hotel, where a renowned mystery writer, J. D. Grimthorpe, is poisoned before revealing a long-held secret during a press conference. The story unfolds with twists and turns, exploring Molly's unique perspective and her interactions with a diverse cast of characters. The narrative style includes flashbacks that provide insights into Molly's past and her special way of looking at things, adding depth to her character and the overall plot.


    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Maid )

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