If..Else Log

The Book Baton

So having just recovered from being hit by a musical baton, I've now been battered by a book baton. Thanks Shawn:)

Number of books on the shelf

I'm a lazy slob so you'll probably find more books on the ground than the shelves. I'm guessing some figure over 100.

Last book purchased

Haven't got this yet but Joel Spolsky's new book should be finding it's way towards my shelf any day now.

Book reading right now

I'm re-reading Games of Thrones in anticipation of the upcoming release of Feast for Crows

5 books that I enjoyed

I've decided to combine two of the sections (Last 5 books read and books that mean a lot to me). Shawn Grime's post has the original meme.

George R R Martin's fantastic series: Games of Thrones, Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow and A Storm of Swords: Blood and Gold.
Quite simply the finest fantasy series written and the only one that can stand shoulder to shoulder with Tolkien's masterwork. Fantastic characterisation, wonderful dialogue and a subtle yet involving plot.

Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything: A wonderful book for anyone who is curious about all the questions that science answers.

New Scientist Last Word and Last Word Vol 2:
These books are a collection of the questions/answers posted to the Last Word section at the back of New Scientistand answer the more important questions in life: What would happen to a pint of beer in space? Why doesn't superglue stick to the inside of the tube? Does it really get warmer when it snows? Why does soap make bubblebath collapse?

J.Michael Staczynski's Rising Stars series:
I'm cheating a bit with this one. The rising stars series is probably one of the best western comic book series around. Fresh and bold, lovely artwork and a wonderful story. Unfortunately, I'm still waiting for the final volume

Simon Singh's Fermat's last theorum.
Simon Singh writes wonderfully as he provides a layman's account of the story behind Fremat's legendary challenge and in doing so, takes you on a tour of wonders of mathematics. If you like this, don't forget to check out Simon Singh's The Code Book.

Passing this along to

Erik Sagen
David Longworth
Matthew Pennell
Ben Gillbanks
Gordon McLean

However, I love books so I think that it's probably a bit selfish to only pass this along to a few people. So anyone is free to take up the baton:)

-30-

2 Responses to “The Book Baton”

  1. Gravatar Ben July 18th, 2005 10:29 pm

    Thanks Phu - you can read my attempt at a book baton on my site

  2. Gravatar btree999 December 27th, 2005 9:28 am

    I am rarely read , i always write , that is the something that i hate on myself :(