Just Finished, Currently Reading, etc...

The missus is out doing some Xmas shopping. I spent the last little while wrapping some presents and watching some BBC shows on my computer. So while I wait for her to come home so we can have some lasagna she made yesterday, I'm going to take a few moments to update this.

Just Finished

I've finished two books since my previous entry, one fantasy and one science fiction. I much preferred the fantasy.

1. Lost in a Good Book by Jasper Fforde (Thursday Next #2). I enjoyed this very much. My review is below.







"Lost in a Good Book is the 2nd installment in Jasper Fforde's entertaining fantasy series featuring literary detective Thursday Next. I don't know if it's as good as the first book, The Eyre Affair, but it is still a fun read throughout.
We find Thursday 'basking' in the glory of her marriage to Landen, fending off the continual pressure from Special Ops' Cordelia Flakk, their publicity agent as she tries to keep Thursday on a promotional tour for her work saving Jane Eyre (first book). At the same time, evil corporation Goliath wants her to get back Jack Schitt from the pages of Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven. Also, the ChronoGuard want her to help capture Thursday's father, who is wandering through time. Lots going on as well as Thursday learning how to be a Jurisfiction operative from Charles Dickens' Miss Havisham.. Whew, oh yes, she's also awaiting a hearing on changing the ending of Jane Eyre (once again, Book 1)
So much for you to delve into plus all of the interesting characters you meet along the way. Will Thursday be able to save Landen from.. well, you'll have to read it to find out from what? Will she and her father keep the world from ending??? Will Thursday be able to keep herself alive from 'coincidence'? It's all very fantastic and neat and exciting and interesting. (4 stars) Now to find a copy of book three!!!:

2. Venus in a Half Shell by Philip José Farmer. This wasn't as good as the first book but I'm glad I read. I've had it on my bookshelf for 5+ years so it was about time.









"Venus on the Half-Shell by Philip José Farmer is purportedly written by Kilgore Trout. Farmer used that pseudonym in honour of Kurt Vonnegut Jr and a character, Trout, who appears in a number of Vonnegut's books.
The story is about the Space Wanderer, an Earthman Simon Wagstaff, who escapes a destroyed Earth in a Chinese spaceship, accompanied by a dog, Anubis, and an owl, Athena. Along the way, he picks up another passenger, a female robot, Chworktap, who is programmed for sex. Simon begins a 'Gulliver' like voyage across the universe trying to find out the answer to a question that has been troubling him, 'Why are we created only to suffer and die?'
So there you go. And what about the story? Well, it wasn't one of my favourites of the year. It moved along nicely and you get to see different beings on different worlds and follow Simon's adventures. The story didn't enrich my life in any way but I'm glad I read it. I think it had some cult following... maybe. (3 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie (1924). I've enjoyed getting into Agatha Christie's mysteries the past couple of years. The nice thing about this one (I hope anyway) is that it doesn't feature either of her two famous sleuths, Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. The synopsis is below.








"There was a strangeness about him, the man with the bronzed face, and it repelled Anne at the same time it fascinated. She thought, sometimes, she was in love with him; she knew, always, that she was a little afraid of him.
He called himself Colonel Race and it was rumored he was Secret Service.
But for Anne a feeling persisted ... that the Colonel's interest (in a mysterious master criminal whose face was unknown) stemmed from some other motive ... deeper ... more personal ... darkly dangerous ..."

2. How Paul Robeson Saved My Life by Carl Reiner (1999). Looking forward to a nice light read.










"Filled with rich, multidimensional tales, this collection of short stories from one of American's truly great comedic minds is at once poignant, nostalgic, and laugh-out-loud funny. "How Paul Robeson Saved My Life" the story of Reiner's experiences in the army during World War II, is a darkly funny look at racism. "Lance and Gwendolyn" is a modern-day fairy tale with some surprising twists. "Dial 411 for Legal Smut" is a tongue-in-cheek look at phone sex. Whatever topic he tackles, Reiner always manages to capture the highs and lows, the follies and foibles of everyday life."

Great Historical Events

We move into 1800, only 200 years ago!

"-1800.-

1800. Removal of the seat of Government to Washington.
General bankruptcy law passed.
May 13. - Disbanding of the provisional army.
Nov. - The Democratic, or old Republican party elected its first candidate for President.

1801. March 4. - Inauguration of Thomas Jefferson as President of the United States, with Aaron Burr for Vice-President.
June 10. - War with Tripoli commenced.
June 14. - Death of Benedict Arnold.

1802. Port of New Orleans closed by the Spanish Government, and United States vessels were forbidden to pass down the Mississippi River.
First public library founded.
Academy of Fine Arts established in New York.
First patents issued for making starch from corn and potatoes."

Science of Common Things

Today's excerpt of Prof. L.G. Gorton continues with discussion of pressure and flies.. FLIES!!!

"How high will the pressure of the air raise water in a pump? About thirty feet. Why? Because a column of water thirty feet high and one inch area cross section weighs fifteen pounds. How do flies walk on the ceiling? Their feet are so formed that when they attempt to withdraw them from the ceiling a partial vacuum is formed, and the pressure of the air holds the fly up."

3 more days until Xmas!! Getting excited yet? I am a bit now! :0)