That's a good one, too. Do you think Huxley makes use of drugs in both books--soma in BNW and the moksha medicine in Island--for a specific reason? Sort of to say drugs can either set you free, in Island's case, or enslave you, as in BNW?

Or was it just because he did most of his writing while high?

Those are two very good books and I highly recommend them, though I did like BNW more.

Brave New World is a better story, but Island is a much better statement.

And I'm sure he does use drugs for just that reason - they can be good or bad, its the use that matters.

So glad lots of SF&F readers here!

Currently revolving around my house, purse, car, work, and brain:

--Several guidebooks on Washington DC since I'll be going there later this month
--Similarly, "1776" and a book on the Supreme Court by Rosen
--Uncommon Grounds by Pendergrast--a book about the history and economic impact of coffee
--Just finished Wolf Who Rules by Wen Spencer. Excellent Urban Fantasy

Wild Fire by Nelson DeMille

I've heard that they exist, and a part of me is tempted to find and watch them. The problem is that I just can't imagine them living up to what my imagination does as I'm reading. I use to get excited whenever a book I had read and enjoyed was made into a film, but I've been disappointed too many times. I'll stick with the books, at least until I've read them all.

I've got them, and they were good. But I hadn't read the books they were based on, so I didn't have any preconceived notions. I have read Hogfather, to that could be a different experience.

I think I'm in love...

...with a man who's been dead for over a hundred years.


I'm now a full-fledged Oscar Wilde fanatic, both of the man and his works. I've read, completely through TWICE in the past week, Dorian Gray, Importance of Being Earnest, and De Profundis (arguably the best letter and best memoir, if indeed it is a memoir, ever).

I MUST go see him when I visit Jim in a couple weeks.

I really enjoyed Anansi Boys. Sent it to my friend in Kenya who was suffering from lack of English language bookshops so I only got to read it once. I might look out for another copy if I can get it cheap. Anansi's story about Tiger's balls is one of my favourite parts of American Gods. "I've got Tiger's testimonials" still makes me laugh.

I hope you find it - again I sent mine to Kenya but I had to go out and buy another set second hand. They get better. SPOILER (seriously, do not read if you haven't finished the trilogy) I always cry at the end of the third book. I mean actually put the book down and cry til my throat hurts.

I'm also a fan - give him my regards if you do go there.

I've just read Haruki Murakami's Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World. He's the guy who wrote Dance, Dance, Dance which is quoted extensively in This is Not Porn.

I really enjoyed it. His prose style is so realistic, but there are sudden flashes of poetry, and the subject matter quickly twists sideways into fantasy. I really feel as if the odd worlds he describes are waiting just around the next corner or in the next train carriage. I'm going to look for his other work - I'd be interested to know if anyone else has read his other books...?

Armed Response - David Kenik

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Here's a sample:

Lesson 1: "Don't criticize, condemn, or complain."

John Wanamaker [says] "I learned thirty years ago that it is foolish to scold. I have enough trouble overcoming my own limitations without fretting over the fact that God has not seen fit to distribute evenly the gift of intelligence."

Criticism is dangerous, because it wounds a person's precious pride, hurts his sense of importance, and arouses resentment.

The resentment that criticism engenders can demoralize employees, family members and friends, and still not correct the situation that has been condemned.

Do you know someone you would like to change and regulate and improve? . . . why not begin on yourself? . . . that is a lot more profitable than trying to improve others--yes, and a lot less dangerous."

Benjamin Franklin: "I will speak ill of no man . . . and speak all the good I know of everybody."

Any fool can ctiticize, condemn, and complain--and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving. That breeds sympathy, tolerance, and kindness.

This is a lesson I need to take to heart.

The Good Fairies of New York, by Martin Millar, as reccommended by Neil Gaiman. I just started, but it's fun so far.

Poe. Nothin' but Poe. Poe all day, Poe all night.

I may be getting a complex.

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clark. Got a hardback copy for $5 at Half Price Books, and so far it's enjoyable. The style of writing is kind of mock-Dickens, so it doesn't exactly let you get lost in the story, but it definitely succeeds at being amusing.

Funny - I saw that in the 2nd hand bookshop this morning and was convinced I'd read it. Having checked out the precis via the link I definitely haven't. I'll pop in tomorrow and pick it up!

I'm still struggling with this book off and on. I feel that if I'm going to be bored with footnotes I'd rather read Eco, or a textbook. Pratchett can keep me interested in his footnotes because they're so short and usually a bit funny.

I don't know why, but it reminds me more of Jane Austen (which I can't penetrate at all) than Dickens.

I really want to like JS&MN, just like I really want to like Eco's The Island of the Day Before.