This made my day yesterday.

Although the whole 'boiler possibly producing carbon monoxide' thing did take the shine off the day somewhat (and right at the very end too, we weren't allowed back into the house until half one this morning) Books turn up in the post and sometimes I just have to post about them because I am that excited. No really, I am :o) Take this book for example, a book that I've been waiting for ever since I had an inkling that it was to published.

For thirty years, Area X, monitored by the secret agency known as the Southern Reach, has remained mysterious and remote behind its intangible border– an environmental disaster zone, though to all appearances an abundant wilderness. Eleven expeditions have been sent in to investigate; even for those that have made it out alive, there have been terrible consequences.

‘Annihilation’ is the story of the twelfth expedition and is told by its nameless biologist. Introverted but highly intelligent, the biologist brings her own secrets with her. She is accompanied by a psychologist, an anthropologist and a surveyor, their stated mission: to chart the land, take samples and expand the Southern Reach’s understanding of Area X.

But they soon find out that they are being manipulated by forces both strange and all too familiar. An unmapped tunnel is not as it first appears. An inexplicable moaning calls in the distance at dusk. And while each member of the expedition has surrendered to the authority of the Southern Reach, the power of Area X is far more difficult to resist.

It might not be another 'Ambergris' book, that's ok I can wait, but anything by Jeff Vandermeer automatically jumps to the front of the queue (nudging out of the way all those other books that have jumped to the head of the queue). Vandermeer writes the kind of books that I want to read and he writes them very well indeed, it's that simple.

Just a few more pages of 'Blighted Empire' to read and then I'm ready for 'Annihilation' :o)