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

Up to chapter thirty in 'Earthly Powers' It's like a tour through the twentieth century by a cranky, gay English/French writer. Long, deep discussions on religion, faith, morality and language. Have a dictionary handy. One word, I couldn't find in mine: 'omnifutuant' I'm guessing from the context it's what bonobos are famous for.

His encounter with Havelock Ellis (chapter twenty six) is worth the price of the book

"He would screw up his face so as to exclude the passage of air from his nostrils, at the same time snoring faintly and rapidly; he showed his teeth, which were not good, in unexpected and irrelevant demonstration snarls; he swilled his mouth with beer before gulping it audibly; and he plucked at his crotch as if to extract music from it."

>>'omnifutuant'

Yes - what bonobos do. Burgess is famous for inventing clever new words. He was a show-off...but he knew it.

He said that what he wanted to be rembered for most was the following sentence from his 'Enderby' trilogy:
'His breath smelled strangely of, for no banguet would ever serve, knowing the powerful redolence of onions, onions, onions'.

It *does* make sense, when you unpack the clauses.

This kind of clause within a clause within a clause construction is called, by linguists, 'an onion sentence'. The next paragraph begins 'Onions!'

In his autobiog, 'Little Wilson and Big God', he attributes his show-off tendencies to an inferiority complex about his lowly origins.

Just starting David Brin's "Startide rising".
I have a very peculiar approach to the Uplift trilogy - i started with the last book, now I am on the second...
Looking at the crisp new pages I am really excited at the prospect of a good book! Startide has two SF awards and I read so many positive reviews about it - it can't be bad, right?

Startide Rising is, like all of the Uplift books, brilliant!

Vicky

I believe you! It starts very well in any case! At lunch time today I was waiting at the doctor's office for my last hepatitis jab and I used the time to make some progress on the Startide. It was very crowded, nobody has thought of making appointment before coming, so it took me an hour to get the shot. I honestly didn't mind - Brin eased the waiting very well indeed. And let's face it, skipping and hour from work to read a good book, even if in the doctor's waiting room is not that bad! I actually had troubles leaving...

Has anyone read any of these?
http://people.scs.fsu.edu/~burkardt/fun/wordplay/title_oddest.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bookseller/Diagram_Prize_for_Oddest_Title_of_the_Year

I have a copy of 'How to Shit in the Woods' If you're into camping and hiking it is very useful. The title is both arresting and informative. The author deals with the fact that there are no wild places left on earth. There is no mountain stream that you can just dip your cup into and drink. That's because most people, however much they love the woods, don't know how to dump there so the water is contaminated with wee beasties. The book is about how to enjoy nature without getting sick and without making the next guy sick.

It also has to do with the fact that there are laws in the US about where you're allowed to 'do your business', and what you're obliged to do with it afterwards. I'm willing to bet that a lot of people either don't know about those laws, don't care, can't be bothered... After all, how do you enforce such laws?

We have a copy of that book, being into 'camping wild', i.e. not on authorised camp sites. It's very informative.

-Women and Integrated Pest Managment-

A few years ago, I asked a woman in a bar for her phone number. She smiled and wrote on a matchbook. The next day, I dialed the number.
"PCO pest control, how may I help you?"
She was one of those who are prepared for anything; she memorized that number and probably had condoms in her purse. But not for me

So you were left with the alternative of...

'Celtic Sex Magic: For Couples, Groups and Solitary Practitioners'

I feel so bad about all the kittens I've killed.

I just unpeeled the onion sentence.

In my day, I've spent good money on drugs that don't make my head swim the way reading Burgess does. He's the one who gives me courage to make up words. I've been trying to get 'colospective' into the lexicon with no success.

Tumsup, I'm wondering if that's the same IPM woman I worked with. It's the kind of thing she'd do.

Now reading Lionel Blue's autobiography. Quite entertaining.

It will be a while before I start it (four books on the go as it is), but I bought my 'next book' today. It's The Terracotta Army by John Man. Hubby's taking me to see the exhibition at the British Museum for my birthday, the book was reduced at a local shop, so I couldn't resist it.

I'm taking a break from "I Capture the Castle" because I've finally got a copy of "Gravity's Rainbow" and I can't wait to finish something else before I start. I hope to start in the morning.

" ... I've finally got a copy of 'Gravity's Rainbow'"

I recall having my copy with me at the doctor's office years ago. The doctor noticed it laying on a chair, and said "I remember the day I gave up on that book."

I admit its hardly a "light read" You might consider this:

http://www.amazon.com/Gravitys-Rainbow-Companion-Contexts-Pynchons/dp/0820328073/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203985741&sr=8-6

Only necessary if you want to understand what Pynchon is talking about. If not, then never mind.

I've read Dick King Smith's biography.

I'll save the link just in case, but I haven't had problems with the other Pynchon I've read (V. and The Crying of Lot 49, both of which I really liked). Thanks, Steve K.

Having now read the first *six* Aubrey-Maturin books (all in 2 weeks or so), it's time to say goodbye to the early 19th century Royal Navy for several months, and time to get back to studying.

Cold turkey?

Yeah...since I'm nearing the end of the series, I'm having to ration myself. Bloody good, aren't they? You really do find yourself immersed in their world.