Books, once more.
Following on from that meme, I thought it would be interesting (to me; probably not to you) to attempt to list books I've read in the past year - academic year, probably, rather than calendar. With helpful notes on what I thought about them, and random recommendations.
When did ignorance become a point of view? - Scott Adams
Shave the Whales - Scott Adams
Journey to Cubeville - Scott Adams
The Joy Of Work - Scott Adams - all Dilbert books, only this last one is a proper wordy book, and despite the title, it's very funny. They all are - pick up anything by Scott Adams, and you will laugh. The one I would really recommend though is The Dilbert Future, which is just great.
Making History - Stephen Fry - on a recommendation from Iona, and yes, it is great. Altering the past and alternate universes and all that, and social commentary and history and politics and speculation. All good things.
Remote Control - Andy McNab - written by an ex-SAS member about SAS stuff. Very good, but a little too gritty and real-life for me - I may go back to his books in the future, but at the moment I kind of want something more escapist.
Doctor Who and the Revenge of the Cyberman
Doctor Who and the Loch Ness Monster
Doctor Who and the Masque of the Mandragora - yay, DW Target novelisations. I never realised how great they are, and am now on the look out for more.
Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson - well, he is the chancellor of my university, and he says nice things about Durham in it. And it's funny, and good; go read it.
Introducing SF - ed. Brian Aldiss - variable, but quite good.
Great Science Fiction by Scientists - ed. Groff Conklin - did not particularly live up to its name, but ok. Some stories gave me really disturbing dreams, but that may have been more the fault of my state of mind at the time.
The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction (vol. 2) - not particularly memorable.
Have I Got News For You (2006) - yay, HIGNFY.
Have I Got News For You (1992ish?) - still yay.
The Time Machine - H G Wells - not bad. One of those things you feel you should read, especially if you really love time travel. Probably the oldest thing I've read (not counting Shakespeare), so a bit hard to get into, but interesting. Must read in German now.
The Last Hero - Terry Pratchett - does this count as a graphic novel? It has pretty pikshurs. And a good story. And pretty pictures, yes; v. good.
I must have read more books than that in the last year, especially as most of those were read in the last term, but this list relies on them being nearby and me spotting them.
Currently I'm reading Doctor Who and the Ice Warriors, Black Holes and Baby Universes (Stephen Hawking), Sophie's World (Jostein Gaarder; yes, still, it's taking me a very long time), Dilbert and the Way of the Weasel (Scott Adams, natch), and as soon as it arrives, I should be starting on Artificial Black Holes for my final year project, although I guess that doesn't count in the same way. ...I need to finish these books so that I can work on reading one book at a time. It's a novel concept, I don't know why but I've never quite been able to manage it.
Well, clearly I would recommend The Dilbert Future, I've already said that. It is hilariously funny and spot-on. 'In the future, life will not be like Star Trek.' - and other such true predictions. And any other book by Scott Adams - the comics are funny, the proper length wordy ones are funny, they are all great. Personally, though, I wouldn't pay full price unless it's for a proper wordy one, because you'll get ripped off - when it comes down to it, the compilations of comics just aren't going to take that long to read, and I don't feel like I'm getting my money's worth. Which is why I inhabit the second-hand bookshops of Worcestershire and the North East.
Also: Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. It is great. One of my favourite books ever. I can't even explain why, really: it's an odd mix of Just William-esque stuff and ... I don't know what. It is kind of thoughtful, but also very very funny and really not requiring effort, and just all around wonderful.
Also on the favourite books list: Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveller's Wife. Many people I know who aren't as nutty about time travel as me love this book, even some who profess not to like skiffy (I know, it's shocking that such people exist, but we must not oppress the minority). Interesting, very well-written, and despite being able to see what's coming at the end, being able to see it approaching from the past and the future, it's still shocking.
Alice In Quantumland - Robert Gilmore. A fantastic allegorical story about quarks and such, very accessible to 'non-scientists' and quite amusing. I should re-read that, actually. *adds it to the ever-increasing list*
And I can see no more books around me that particularly leap out as being awesome, so I shall stop there. That's probably a great relief to you, if you've even read so far. *g* Well, I enjoyed it, anyway; I really am addicted to books.
When did ignorance become a point of view? - Scott Adams
Shave the Whales - Scott Adams
Journey to Cubeville - Scott Adams
The Joy Of Work - Scott Adams - all Dilbert books, only this last one is a proper wordy book, and despite the title, it's very funny. They all are - pick up anything by Scott Adams, and you will laugh. The one I would really recommend though is The Dilbert Future, which is just great.
Making History - Stephen Fry - on a recommendation from Iona, and yes, it is great. Altering the past and alternate universes and all that, and social commentary and history and politics and speculation. All good things.
Remote Control - Andy McNab - written by an ex-SAS member about SAS stuff. Very good, but a little too gritty and real-life for me - I may go back to his books in the future, but at the moment I kind of want something more escapist.
Doctor Who and the Revenge of the Cyberman
Doctor Who and the Loch Ness Monster
Doctor Who and the Masque of the Mandragora - yay, DW Target novelisations. I never realised how great they are, and am now on the look out for more.
Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson - well, he is the chancellor of my university, and he says nice things about Durham in it. And it's funny, and good; go read it.
Introducing SF - ed. Brian Aldiss - variable, but quite good.
Great Science Fiction by Scientists - ed. Groff Conklin - did not particularly live up to its name, but ok. Some stories gave me really disturbing dreams, but that may have been more the fault of my state of mind at the time.
The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction (vol. 2) - not particularly memorable.
Have I Got News For You (2006) - yay, HIGNFY.
Have I Got News For You (1992ish?) - still yay.
The Time Machine - H G Wells - not bad. One of those things you feel you should read, especially if you really love time travel. Probably the oldest thing I've read (not counting Shakespeare), so a bit hard to get into, but interesting. Must read in German now.
The Last Hero - Terry Pratchett - does this count as a graphic novel? It has pretty pikshurs. And a good story. And pretty pictures, yes; v. good.
I must have read more books than that in the last year, especially as most of those were read in the last term, but this list relies on them being nearby and me spotting them.
Currently I'm reading Doctor Who and the Ice Warriors, Black Holes and Baby Universes (Stephen Hawking), Sophie's World (Jostein Gaarder; yes, still, it's taking me a very long time), Dilbert and the Way of the Weasel (Scott Adams, natch), and as soon as it arrives, I should be starting on Artificial Black Holes for my final year project, although I guess that doesn't count in the same way. ...I need to finish these books so that I can work on reading one book at a time. It's a novel concept, I don't know why but I've never quite been able to manage it.
Well, clearly I would recommend The Dilbert Future, I've already said that. It is hilariously funny and spot-on. 'In the future, life will not be like Star Trek.' - and other such true predictions. And any other book by Scott Adams - the comics are funny, the proper length wordy ones are funny, they are all great. Personally, though, I wouldn't pay full price unless it's for a proper wordy one, because you'll get ripped off - when it comes down to it, the compilations of comics just aren't going to take that long to read, and I don't feel like I'm getting my money's worth. Which is why I inhabit the second-hand bookshops of Worcestershire and the North East.
Also: Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. It is great. One of my favourite books ever. I can't even explain why, really: it's an odd mix of Just William-esque stuff and ... I don't know what. It is kind of thoughtful, but also very very funny and really not requiring effort, and just all around wonderful.
Also on the favourite books list: Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveller's Wife. Many people I know who aren't as nutty about time travel as me love this book, even some who profess not to like skiffy (I know, it's shocking that such people exist, but we must not oppress the minority). Interesting, very well-written, and despite being able to see what's coming at the end, being able to see it approaching from the past and the future, it's still shocking.
Alice In Quantumland - Robert Gilmore. A fantastic allegorical story about quarks and such, very accessible to 'non-scientists' and quite amusing. I should re-read that, actually. *adds it to the ever-increasing list*
And I can see no more books around me that particularly leap out as being awesome, so I shall stop there. That's probably a great relief to you, if you've even read so far. *g* Well, I enjoyed it, anyway; I really am addicted to books.