A Novel Ian Likes: It’s Like This, Cat by Emily Neville

Dave Mitchell lives in New York with his parents. He doesn’t think they “get” him or the important things in his world. He also lives with Cat, a stray “given” to him by Kate, the neighbourhood cat lady. Through Cat, Dave gets introduced to a wider world and develops a better understanding of those around … Continue reading A Novel Ian Likes: It’s Like This, Cat by Emily Neville →

A Novel Ian Likes: Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver

Deanna is a biologist, living a solitary life doing research in a forest. Recently married and more-recently widowed Lusa finds herself managing a farm and dealing with unfriendly in-laws. Nannie and Garnett are neighbours and find that their beliefs are perfectly disposed to antagonise each other. Barbara Kingsolver is a bona fide phenomenon. She has … Continue reading A Novel Ian Likes: Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver →

A Novel Ian Likes: A Case Of Conscience by James Blish

An exploration team on the planet Lithia has discovered a world full of valuable resources but which is also inhabited by a race of intelligent creatures who have a rich, vibrant culture but no concept of God or of Sin. It doesn’t bother three members of the team overly much but the fourth, a Jesuit priest, … Continue reading A Novel Ian Likes: A Case Of Conscience by James Blish →

A Novel Ian Likes: The Kraken Wakes by John Wyndham

Mike and Phyllis Watson are journalists who are covering a series of unexplained phenomena. Beginning as a lethal curiosity, a series of unexplained catastrophes are wreaking havoc on the world’s sea lanes and coastal communities and – eventually – on the polar icecaps. Finding themselves increasingly isolated and at risk, they eventually become part of … Continue reading A Novel Ian Likes: The Kraken Wakes by John Wyndham →

A Novel Ian Likes: Empty World by John Christopher

Neil Miller has lost his family in a car accident. He goes to live with his grandparents and begins at a new school. Still in a state of shock, he barely notices the news about a plague beginning in India, one that directly attacks the body at its most vulnerable point and ages its victims … Continue reading A Novel Ian Likes: Empty World by John Christopher →

A Biography Ian Likes: C.S. Lewis by A. N. Wilson

Clive Staples Lewis (1898-1963) is best known as the author of The Chronicles Of Narnia but was also a professor of English at both Oxford and Cambridge. He was also internationally renowned as a lay theologian and Christian apologist. A. N. Wilson is an award-winning novelist, biographer and popular historian. Both men had relationships with … Continue reading A Biography Ian Likes: C.S. Lewis by A. N. Wilson →

A Movie Ian Likes: Galaxy Quest

Commander Peter Taggart is the legendary Captain of the NSEA Protector. He and his crew have had many adventures while exploring the galaxy. And now he’s just been contacted by a race of aliens who need his help to save themselves from an evil dictator. There’s just one catch… Peter Taggart is a character played … Continue reading A Movie Ian Likes: Galaxy Quest →

A Novel Ian Likes: Illusion by Paula Volsky

Eliste is the daughter of a minor noble in the kingdom of Vonahr. She secures a position as a maid of honour to Queen Lallazay, wife to King Dunulas. But Eliste arrives at the palace in a time of political unrest which soon bubbles over into outright revolution. She manages to escape from the palace … Continue reading A Novel Ian Likes: Illusion by Paula Volsky →

A Novel Ian Likes: Heart Of The Comet by Gregory Benford and David Brin

In the year 2061, humanity has launched an inspirational expedition to explore Halley’s comet on the occasion of its lifetime-spanning orbit around the solar system returning it to the neighbourhood of Earth. It’s supposedly a celebration of technology and ingenuity but the crew appears to be comprised largely of political embarrassments, has-beens and troublemakers. And … Continue reading A Novel Ian Likes: Heart Of The Comet by Gregory Benford and David Brin →

A Memoir Ian Likes: Underfoot In Show Business by Helene Hanff

Despite her intentions being laid out clearly in the opening pages of this book, Helene Hanff (1916 – 1997) never made it as a successful playwright (spoiler alert). However, she was a writer who could meet deadlines and create work quickly and relied almost entirely on her typewriter for a living which means that, by … Continue reading A Memoir Ian Likes: Underfoot In Show Business by Helene Hanff →