On this day when we celebrate that most mysterious and ecstatic of emotions, I think we should all take a moment to give thanks for that most important discovery of humankind: penicillin.

If you don’t believe me when I say this, I suggest you read Deborah Hayden’s Pox: Genius, Madness and the Mysteries of Syphilis.

Disclaimer: I listened to this book on CDs on my way to work. I count this, though purists may disagree. I’m certain this book is as good in written form.

The Terror by Hugo Award winner Dan Simmons is a historical/horror novel about the Franklin Expedition to find the Northwest Passage to the Pacific. Just to get this out of the way: basically ( Read more... )

Well, on the advice of priscillapuck, I decided to go the pedantic route and take notes on my first impressions of Deathly Hallows.

( Cut for spoilers, swears, length, randomness and blatant abuse of emphasis )

As a long time reader and admirer of Jane Austen’s works, do you know what causes me to lose sleep at night? Why, the thought that she may not have been a total hottie, of course.

You know who else I worry about? This guy. Man, just look at that forehead. Freaktacular. Okay, maybe that’s not a fair picture. No one looks good in an engraving ( Read more... )

I didn’t do as much reading as I hoped this year, but considering the abysmal number of books I read of my own volition last year (i.e., books without names like Managing the Sociological Construction of Public Opinion or The Failings of Public Polling in the New Millennium or Media Relations for the Greater Good of the Glorious Republic at the ( Read more... )

Ever since I heard that Maguire wrote a sequel to Wicked, I’ve been wrestling with the question of whether or not I wanted to read it. Wicked is a brilliant book, and I was very afraid the sequel would be a money-making tie-in to the success of the musical. I finally caved over the weekend, and borrowed the book from the library. I was partly ( Read more... )

Can anyone recommend a good on-line book site? LJ, forums, whatever. Just a place for talking about books; not necessarily a book club, but those would be cool too. Now that I have a public transportation commute of an hour, I find I'm flying through books. Plus I have an actually good library system nearby. I'm looking for recommendations to ( Read more... )

I recently finished this for book club, and figured I would write up a review, thus keeping true to my year-old promise that I would review more books.

( Love Walked In )

Many, many moons ago I promised that I would add book reviews to my movie reviews. And seeing as I haven't seen a movie in ages (not since V for Vendetta anyway), but I've recently joined a book club, I thought I would finally do a write up about a book.

( In a Dark Wood Wandering by Hella Haasse )

I finished HBP a few days ago (yes, slow, I know), but was too busy to say anything about it. In all honesty, I don't have too much to say anyway.

( Cut for the Spoilery Things )