h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Whatever...It's all amelioration.

or masturbation.

I'm reading 'a mind of its own' by Cordelia Fine. It's about how you can't trust your own brain.

Don't knock masturbation, as Mr. Allen said "It's sex with someone I love"

Plus you don't always have to look your best...

It's all abouit the level of committment...

I don't have committment issues.

The next day, when I look in the mirror, I have trouble catching my eye and I'll say things like "That was real nice" and"I'll call you...for sure" Then I don't

I finished Calamity Physics - well worth the effort, although the ending...nah, don't want to spoil it for you! (Cos I know you're all going to rush out and buy it now! )

Now reading The Court Of The Air, by Stephen Hunt. Which is weird. Anyone read it?

RF

Yes, read it a couple of weeks ago. I thought it was an enjoyable enough romp but not one I'd recommend for great writing. Bits of it reminded me of numerous other authors eg China Mieville & Ian MacLeod - but wasn't as well done, or well plotted or thoughtful. Fun all the same.

"The Canon of Judo" by the so-called God of Judo, Kyuzo Mifune.

He was so famous that, in referring to him, the words '10th dan' alone sufficed. Legend has it that in his sixty years of practice he never lost a match and was never thrown.

Link to thread "Judo and the insights of Kyuzo Mifune (1853-1965)" http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/F7154835?thread=4877421

I mean 1883-1965

Current reading is 'Screen Burn' by Charlie Brooker. I bought it after watching his 'Screenwipe' show on BBC2. It's hilarious. Possibly the angriest thing I have had the pleasure of reading or watching since the 'Brass Eye' paedogeddon special.

He also has a great line in indignant similes. In a piece I saw on Youtube about the Celebrity Big Brother racism row, he described Jade Goodie's Mum as looking like "Dot Cotton's face reflected in the side of a dented kettle".

I can't repeat most of what he writes, as it's often very rude.

Recommended, though.

I didn't know there was a book of that. Screen Burn is his column in Saturday's Guardian Guide, which I like for its rather acerbic wit.

I've finally finished Wilbur Smith's River God, having left it for a while during some of the long and boring bits. It picks up once you get about half way through. No I'm starting on Monday Mourning by Cathy Reichs.

Just finished The Quest - Wilbur Smith - yep, it's OK after the other three - seems that it is likely to carry on to another book ....

I'm not sure whether to bother with any more Wilbur Smith, or are there some noted masterpieces there somewhere?

Anyhow, I'm now reading The Cuirous Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, which is a much more interesting read.

The Go Between by LP Hartley. I read it as a teenager, but apart from that hugely famous opening line, I can't remember any of it.

Starfleet Corps of Engineers not sure who has writtten (think that it amy be written by several authors)

I've heard a lot about The Go-between, so I once requested it from a library. I got a completely different book with the same title - that'll teach me to find out authors' names.