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

Bomba - I should say so. He has more space to explain ideas than in his column, and the bit on the placebo effect in particular is fascinating. There's some technical bits in, if that puts you off, but they're clearly signalled either with "pay attention, but only for a short while" or an invitation to skip. One list of tricks with stats is, he claims, aimed just at "the doctors who bought this book to laugh at the homeopaths."

Okay, enough proselytising.

I've had a bibliophile day today.

I couldn't sleep roused about 4am, so turned on the bedside lamp and finished off the last two remaining chapters of 'Evolution: What the fossils say and why it matters.' by Donald Prothero.

Then started on 'Into the Silent Land' by Paul Brok.

I Just finished it. I have not put it down since this morning, and despite collapsing back to reading my missed hours of sleep, I resumed reading when I woke up and finished it just after dinner, I have been absolutely gripped by this book. It has been un-put-down-able and represents probably my swiftest completion of a non-fiction title ever (the missing three hour adjustment not withstanding).

It's a modern compendium of tale of neuropsychology, quite distinct from Oliver Sacks, who operates in much the same vein, draws heavily on the idea of consciousness found In Dan Dennet's philosophy as well as other more scientific disciplines.

I thoroughly recommend it.

I think I'll put both of those on my wish list Clive

Yesterday's exam saw the end of my OU music work for a few months so I've some time for reading again. Starting with Icehenge by Kim Stanley Robinson, a bit of sci-fi to relax with.

MC

>> Typical of what, Reddyfreddy? I've never read anything by Michael Chabon but a story of Yiddish police sounds intriguing. <<

Typical of Michael Chabon, is what I was asking. If anyone had read any of his other books. He's won a Pulitzer prize, apparently.

Anyway, finished that. It was OK, but one of the assumptions explained to me in the notes at the end (it's that kind of book) passed me by completely, so with hindsight it makes a bit more sense. I'm not rushing out to buy any more of his, though.

Now I'm reading When We Were Orphans, by Kazuo Ishiguro. Amazingly, I've only read one of his others (Never Let Me Go). I tried to read The Remains Of The Day years ago, but I think it sent me to sleep.

RF

Just started The Dig Tree by Sarah Murgatroyd. It's about the ill-fated Burke and Wills attempt to cross Australia from south to north.

Just bought "Nation" by Terry Pratchett. I'll let you know what it's like after the weekend.

Currently reading Brmm! Brmm! by Clive James - one of the results of a week trawling charity shop bookshelves (and my parents' attic)

Since I last posted I've read a lot more of Snow - which is dreadfully dreary but compelling - and Dead Heat by Dick Francis. I also read a Bernard Cornwell (Sword Song?) the middle one of the Alfred trilogy (I found the first part in a charity shop, so now I can read that one)

Started The Search for Nefertiti by Joann Fletcher.

I'm trying to break my habit of having several books on the go at once. It doesn't help me to get through the books any faster, especially as one of the books is usually in my handbag. At least I'm managing to work my way through the 200+ unread books on my shelves.

Just started We've Got to Talk About Kevin by Lionel* Shriver. I've heard about this, so I'm quite interested to finally read it (it's a charity-shop buy which is why I'm 25 years after everyone else on this one)

Posted too early...

that * in the last post was meant for this

* why did the writer pick Lionel as a pen-name?

Oof. We went back to the very unorganized used bookshop today and once again found a bunch of titles I've wanted. Picked up two Waugh novels- "Work Suspended and Other Stories" and "Brideshead Revisited". Also go one I'd wanted to read but didn't want to pay full price called "Gods Behaving Badly". Got a Gunter Grass called "Local Anaesthetic", a copy of Anna Karenina, "Looking for Mr Goodbar", and three other interesting-sounding titles.

So I'll have lots more to read for the next few weeks.

I've finished "Nation" by Terry Pratchett. It's a good book.

Now reading "Six Sacred Stones" by Matthew Reilly. It's his usual frothy Hollywood nonsense. Another good read (so far).

Diamonds are Forever by Ian Fleming. I found it most notable for Bond finding a racist joke made by Felix Leiter funny. Welcome to the 1950s.

Also reading Crap at the Environment by Mark Watson. Just started it, but it seems well written, interesting and witty.

<>

The racism in Bond books is one of their least appealing features. Dr No is really bad. There's a scene when they go for dinner in Harlem which is toe-curling.

Dante's Inferno. Not started it yet, I'm still reading the translators introduction.

I suspect you mean Live and Let Die, Pedro, though Dr No is certainly not faultless.

yeah, you're right.

Not to mention the Misogeny. I recently re-read Casino Royale (after a gap of about 30 years) thinking I'd be able to take it in my stride, but it's really jarring.

It's a while since I read Casino Royale, but in Diamonds are Forever Bond is actually quite sensitive, worrying about the fact he has to lie to and use Tiffany Case - something I don't think they've ever shown in the films.

Now Bond looks like Daniel Craig I must try those two again then

OK I've been waiting years to post this I'm currently reading

The Poison Throne by Celine Kiernan
it's brill!