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

well, I "benefit" from the German education system - my two can't actually read books yet...

Most of the children's books we have in the house are either the ones I had as a child, or replacements for the ones I had as a child. And any excuse to read them is welcome. Usually I'll whip through one between reading something heavy and the next book.

This weekend I will finally start Baudolino.

I don't mind reading kids books. Like was said before. I like to know what my kids are reading. And it is youthfulness inspiring.

I started Baudolino, but haven't got around to finishing it.

Baudolino - bear with it, gets good once you get used to it and through the first few pages!

Will definitely read more of Tom Holt's books - thank you for the tips.

I think what Jacobson is railing against is that everyone seems to be *only* reading children's books or (shudder) The Da Vinci Code, and this is being hailed as an exciting upsurge in the popularity of reading. But is anyone going on to read 'proper' books?

The Selfish Gene is rather super. It's been teaching me some really obvious stuff about biology that I hadn't quite got my head around.

I've been alternating with 'And Egg Soup' which is a foodie travelogue about Laos. Apparently you can get tinned ant eggs via the web!

Oops. 'Ant Egg Soup'.

The Selfish Gene is fantastic - not too patronising, but not too over your head either.

I'm currently reading Elfsorrow by James Barclay and thoroughly enjoying it

chickened out of Baudolino, and am now reading The Secret of Happy Children (or something like) and Farenheit 451 - I read it in school but I can't remember it at all (apart from the basic story)

I did warn you to persevere with Baud. - shame - maybe try another time?

Fahrenheit 451 is brilliant!

Shirps, I didn't actually even pick up Baudalino - I'm that much of a

However, I have 7 hours on a train tomorrow. Enough of a run up to it I think.

I'd forgotten how good the writing is in 451 - but then, that's often the case when it is an "English set book". For some reason, though, it's putting me a lot in mind of The Handmaid's Tale. I'll have to reread that one now.

sigh!

A question about when Fahrenheit 451 was first published in other European countries was the title changed to the Celsius degree equivalent?

The Handmaid's Tale, another brilliant one...

M*A*S*H, hilarious book, which spawned a movie and a long running series.

Yes, Fahrenheit 451 is excellent. And no, it wasn't converted into Celsius!

I think Bradbury has a unique position amongst the SF writers of his generation. He wasn't concerned with technical accuracy but with a poetic vision: The Poet of the Space Age.

The shortlist for the Man Booker International Prize was announced recently. http://www.manbookerinternational.com/media/20050218.php I was pleased - but surprised - to see that the much-overlooked SF writer, Stanislaw Lem was included: www.lem.pl

(And also Doris Lessing, some of whose work - but not imho her best - has an SF slant)

(oops) http://www.lem.pl

Bill Bryson - "A Short History of Nearly Everything" Fabulous! Much better than long remembered boring physics and history lessons. Also very handy for picking up answers to pub quiz questions!

I loved that book When I was watching that Supervolcano programme on BBC1 last night I thought about how I learned that Yellowstone was a giant volcano from Bill Bryson

Started Sharpe's Honour (it's Sho's fault!). Haven't read enough to form an opinion yet.

Also reading a dry as dust horticulture textbook.

Horticulture.... I had a friend who did a horticulture course, and is now head gardener at the local City Council.

I have just finished (yesterday evening) Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. Interesting!