ghost
cowboy
evil

OK then I will rank them:

1. Ghost Soldiers
2. The Brave Cowboy
3. Deliver Us from Evil

1:Ghost
2:Evil
3:Cowboy

Cowboy
Ghost
Evil

1) Cowboy
2) Ghost
3) Evil

1st choice: Ghost Soldiers
2nd choice: Deliver Us From Evil
3rd choice: Brave Cowboy

*sneeze*

:)
I take back what I said about you NOT being sarcastic.

this is NOT a bet. i repeat, This is NOT a bet.

1 soldier
2 cowboy

You forgot to rank "Deliver us from Evil"

You forgot an ending punctuation on that statement.

That wasn't a statement, it was a straight line.

evil/ghost/cowboy

Election April News Update
 

With over half of the states votes having been tabulated, candidate Soldiers is in a clear lead. It seems the controversies over campaign funding, slanderous commercials, and an alleged kickback scheme in a Soldiers-owned tongue depressor factory, have not diminished this candidate's voting base.

Cowboy is in second place with four states won, compared to Soldiers' seven. Candidate Cowboy has been hampered by a weak debating style, but his youthful vitality and road kill barbequeing skills make him popular with a large audience.

Third party candidate Mr. Evil is not doing so well. With only three states taken so far, it is unlikely he will be voted in, but it is still statistically possible. Candidate Evil was hampered in the early days of campaigning because of rumors of an alleged affair with a chicken sexer from Nebraska.


Stay tuned here, where the news never stops (being made up)...

Work with me Steve.

Its pretty much a toss up for me...
but how about cowboy/evil/ghost....Whatever.

Do I get to vote, even though I picked em? Remember, every vote counts, and count every vote. Being a Gen X'er, I'm typically apathetic when votes are being taken on anything. However, being told I can't vote will whip me into a righteous lather and I'll probably write a song (in the style of Rage Against the Machine). Fear my angst.

I kind of want to vote for Evil, since that book is more likely to induce left wing sputtering, which amuses me to no end. On the other hand, political bickering gets tiresome after about 5 responses, and this has to last a month. Sean's not the best writer in the world either.

Cowboy is fun, because it triggers my nature-boy instincts, which sometimes run contrary to my general political leanings. I'm likely to contradict myself at some point, since I like capitalism and trees almost equally, so I'll actually have to think before I speak. It's also the deepest from a literary standpoint, with lots of bookworm stuff to talk about.

Ghost is also well written; actually, it's one of the best in the WWII genre. It's not a cheerleading exercise, in fact there are several passages critical of American military policy and the racial mindset of the time. Since it's about war, though, a debate about Iraq is bound to surface at some point, which will invoke the 5-responses-till-horse-is-beat law. Maybe, maybe not.

There is, however, one trump card for Deliver Us from Evil. Sean Hannity rules, and when people put their noses in the air at him it makes my right wing flap like mad. So I'm going to invert my vote :D

1) Evil
2) Ghost
3) Cowboy

edited to note that Evil Ghost Cowboy would be an excellent name for a band. As would Vote for Evil. Sincere apologies to Dave Barry.

cowboy
evil
ghost

No! You can't vote!

*ducks behind stacyv*

Does the president vote in his own elections?

Yes.

Evil

Ghost

Cowboy.


Heck, even my vote sounds like the title of a book :)

sorry, unobvious rhetorical question. I was trying to say 'since the prez can vote in his own elections, so can mrnoodle.'

Soldiers is still in the lead, but Cowboy is one vote below. In the event of a tie, it looks like Soldier would still win because he has more 'second choice' votes than Cowboy. Evil is still in the running, having gained some ground.

I'm sorta from Chicago, does that mean I get to vote again, or do I have to be dead for that?

How about first choices get two points and second choices get one?

I should say how I am going to tally the votes. The book with the most votes as first choice will be the winner.

In the event of a tie, I will count up the number of votes for each book as second choice, and the one with the most of those would then be the winner.

In the event of a tie, I would give the Chooser final choice between the two.



I considered giving 1st one value, 2nd another, 3rd another, and then summing up the total for each book, but I'm not a psephologist, so I really don't see the improvement in quality of choice.

If someone can explain to me that it would result in a better outcome for everyone, then sure I'll change to it.

I've been away for a few days, but I don't think that I've missed the end of the vote.

Ghost Soldiers
Brave Cowboy
Deliver us from Evil

Cowboy
Evil
Ghost

I am going with
Evil
Soldiers
Cowboy

Okay,

Soldier is still ahead by one vote, Cowboy is in second place, and Evil is in third.



If noone else votes by midnight, Ghost Soldiers is Book of the Month!


For those of you buying online, this is a good link (a little slow):
http://www3.addall.com/New/compare.c...itle=&state=AK

Overstock.com has the book for $11.54, half.com and others sell it used for cheaper.

so, i guess Soldier won. We haven't forgotten about this have we?

this begins in April, yes?

I'm in like Flynn

Chooser of books for May
 

I have some free time at work today (no school this week, so I get to work in an empty building), and it feels like it is time to pick next month's chooser of books.

So without further delay, the random decay of radioactive atoms at fourmilab have determined that the next chooser is,

Trillian

If Trillian does not come forward by Sunday, which seems very likely as she hasn't posted anything in a month, choosing will fall to the next person in line (which I will now get).

Okay, the following chooser after Trillian will be

Hot Pastrami

If Trillian does comes forward, he will do June

Hot Pastrami!

Put up your selection of three books for the month of May!

We are all waiting anxiously for what comes next...

Well, at least I am :D

I think perhaps someone else should get the pick for this go-around. I had nowhere near enough free time to participate this month, and I don't foresee that changing anytime soon. I've hardly had time to visit the Cellar, let alone read a book and participate in a discussion about it.

I'm not trying to be uncooperative, it just seems silly to have me pick the book on a month where I know I won't have time to finish it. You can throw me pack in the rotation though... I hope to reclaim a little of my free time someday, at which time I'll want to read gobs of books.

Okay then, here it goes again.

The next one that came up is Nekee but that person hasn't posted in a month and might have dropped out. I'm going to skip him (her?) for the moment since we are pressed for time and can't wait around to see if he shows.

So choosing again, we come up with

wolf.

Okay miss wolf, you're up!



Nekee, if you want to claim your chance to choose, get back to me and I'll let you go for June.

Okay ... I have been advised that I am to choose the book o' the month for May ...

I had two choices all ready for this I toyed with the idea of making my third choice either the latest by Hannity, O'Reilly, or Coulter, but I decided not to do that to you guys. Several of my possibilities got nixed by their sheer size. Accessibility of books already in my possession actually became a factor in the choice ... if the book was so far down in the pile that it might cause an avalanche to unearth it, it didn't make the cut. I also avoided the obvious choices ... I still haven't read More Guns, Less Crime or The Bias against Guns by John Lott and didn't want to make you guys my excuse to do so.

Also be grateful that I didn't just throw my current reading selection in the mix ... The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

The choices for May Selection are:

Snow in August by Pete Hamill

(This is a book I read quite a few years ago. I lent it to my boss, probably about five years ago ... he still hasn't returned it. This may be my excuse to get it back!)

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal

(This was actually recommended to me by a cop, who described it as hilarious. As I am generally unused to cops who read (no affront intended to any law enforcement personnel) I took this as high praise, and a very serious recommendation)

Only Forward by Michael Marshall Smith

(First novel by an author for whom good things should happen. I understand one of his later novels is under option by DreamWorks.)

So, there you have it. All three are works of fiction, and of much lighter content than our opening choice, which was still quite a fascinating and enjoyable read.

Have at it. Let the voting commence.

Snow, Forward, Lamb.

I really meant to read Hamill's book when it first came out but I never got around to it, although Forward might be just the kind of speedy read I need right now.

thanks for cutting us a break on Hannity but the Lott book could be interesting

Lamb, Forward,Snow

I voted for Lamb first because it was going to be one of my picks. I read it recently, and it is probably the best and most easily likeable book I've read in like 5 years. (You'll love Biff) I'm not just copping out and picking one that I've already read; I'd really like everyone to read it, because it is hilarious, and straight down the middle about jesus and religion in general. it pokes fun at all of the major religions of the day, but it an oddly respectful way. 17 thumbs up!

Lamb
Forward
Snow

Lamb
Snow
Forward

Forward
Snow
Lamb

Snow
Lamb
Forward

Forward
Lamb
Snow

How long should voting last? I'm thinking Monday sounds like a reasonable deadline.

Sounds good.

Forward
Snow
Lamb


Oh, wait.. can we find out which one has the most gratuitous sex before we vote?

Just a quick aside. For anyone who enjoyed Only Forward, MMS has written some other stuff, one of which I can highly recommend by the name of Spares.

Okay the votes are in, and totalled ...

It's a tie.

Lamb and Only Forward each have three votes for number 1 pick.

The tension mounts, as the individual weighted calculations are done for each book ...

Snow in August ... 15

Lamb ... 16

Only Forward ... 17

So, the Book of the Month for May shall be Only Forward by Michael Marshall Smith

Got mine yesterday at ye olde used book store down the street from my house for a mere $3.25.

I was already pumped about reading the book (my first choice) then I saw that the cover has a great review blurb from one of my favorite authors, Clive Barker. WooHoo!

I read Only Forward a few years ago at my brother's suggestion....Every so often it sends a little shiver down your spine.....in a lyrical sort of a way.

Damn. I guess I have to change the name of my manuscript.
It was "Brave Cowboy Ghost Soldiers Deliver Us From Evil". Now, I don't know what to call it...

Damn. I guess I have to change the name of my manuscript. It was "Brave Cowboy Ghost Soldiers Deliver Us From Evil". Now, I don't know what to call it...

Its time to get started with June's book of the month.

So, here goes, the next chooser is going to be Beestie!

Beestie, find us something good to read!

edit: typos

Fantastic. When are the selections due?

Eh... 24th or so.

???

Clodfobble, we need about a week to vote and a week to order the books.

Beestie, could you have three choices by the 19th (wednesday)? If you think you need more time, just say so, I don't think it's a big deal.

Oops, you're right, the 24th was when the votes were supposed to be tallied and the winner declared. I smoke crack.

Will do. Two down - closing in on the third. Choosing three books is harder than it looks.

It occurred to me after I posted about time travel on the philosphy forum, theres an amazing book which plays with that theme a little. If you guys havent read it yet it's a very strange book. "Behold the Man" by Michael Moorcock. Basic run down;a chap goes back in time to see who/what Jesus really was.....I'll not tell you any more just in case any of you want to read it, wouldnt want to spoil the plot:P

June picks are up
 

Here are the selections for June. Choose 2. Choice 1 gets 2 points and choice 2 gets one point. Most points wins. I'll break a tie. Polls close Monday morning (May 24th) at noon GMT.

Imajica by Clive Barker
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Gates of Fire by Stephen Pressfield
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

DAMN YOU BEESTIE!

they ALL look great.

hmmmmm....

1. Gates of Fire

2. Imajica

...i guess.