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

(Also try Tortilla Flat - a sort of proto-Cannery Row)

Finished 'Blink'. It was extremely interesting, basically about how our unconscious mind takes in all sorts of information that our conscious mind is guided by. Well worth a read.

Now on 'World Prehistory' by Brian Fagan. Does what it says on the tin. Not the most inspired writing, but lots of information. The kinda book to read quickly, get all the info, and read something else I think.

I've read Tortilla Flat, Ed, that's the one with Danny's house and the pirate with his dogs and the buried treasure in the woods isn't it? I get what you mean about it being a proto-Cannery Row. It is another brilliant book; I've never been disappointed by Steinbeck. Doc's trip and the beer milkshake is but it was in Cannery Row

Ten Little New Yorkers, by Kinky Friedman. It's worth it for the bizzare similes and the colourful turn of phrase he has.

>>Doc's trip and the beer milkshake is but it was in Cannery Row

I stand corrected. I think I have both in a single volume.

I love the whole concept of Mack and the boys' 'wining jug'.

Another novel with a similar picaresque feel and support for the little man:
'The Milagro Beanfield War' by John Nichols

I loved the atmosphere of "Tortilla Flat". Loved the way they live for the minute and will do anything for a canister of red wine .

Time to get the others out and dust them off, to remind myself of what went on in Cannery Row, too.

I went out and got a copy of Half-Blood Prince after seeing the trailer to the new movie.

Borrowed it from the library to read it before, was going to do so again but the two copies listed were nowhere to be found so purchased it instead.

Expect to have demolished it in the next few days depending on how many hours I commit to reading.

The books always have more in them and I know I'll enjoy the films for what they are more once I have refamiliarised myself with the story in novel-form.

I've also bought for myself (for christmas)

Pretty girl in Crimson Rose (8) by Sandy Balfour.

&

Ximenes on the Art of the Crossword by D.S Macnutt.

I've just been given a €50 Amazon token. So... what to buy???

'The Book of Dead Pholosophers' by Simon Critchley. That's what I've been dropping hints for.

Francis Bacon dies of Empiricism. Roland Barthes was hit by a laundry van.

sounds interesting.

Oh and, nice to see you around, Ed.

I'm reading Wicked ahead of seeing the musical It's one of the longest books I've ever read.

The musical and the book are very different. Personally, I prefer the story of the musical.

Ballynac...I wont rush reading the then

Finished reading Little Dorrit yesterday. Not giving anything away, but Mrs. Clennam's admission made me gasp. Totally unexpected.

Reading The Leopard Hunts in Darkness by Wilbur Smith.

Gunter Grass's "Local Anaesthetic". I'm not very far in, but so far, so good.

(I had to take a break from bringing "Anna Karenina" to read on the train; with other stuff I've been carting to and from work, it won't fit in my bag!)

Cannery Row is a great book. Have you read 'The log of the Sea of Cortez' ?

Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness by Bhante Gunaratana.

and "Travels with Charley" by Steinbeck is excellent too.

Stardust - Neil Gaimon