Just in case you get through that lot quickly, here are some more:

Non-fiction: The rise and fall of the third chimpanzee, by Jared Diamond (a fascinating read about how genetically different we are to chimps and benobos -- not very, hence the title -- how our biology is totally weird compared to every other mammal, how this affected the evolution of language, and all sorts)

Recent(ish) fiction

The Walled Orchard by Tom Holt -- Tom Holt is best known for his comic fantasy books (Paint My Dragon, Snow White and the Seven Samurai, etc) but this is a historical novel set in ancient Athens. It's quite a 'serious' read, but it's also very funny, as the narrator is a deeply cynical character with a very dry sense of humour

After You'd Gone, by Maggie O'Farrell. Possibly the best first novel I've ever read, and the most convincing modern love story I've ever come across. Beautifully observed.

Oh, and yes I agree that Happiness TM is fantastic. If you liked that, you'll probably like Little Green Men, by Christopher Buckley.

So that makes four . . . well I think that was very restrained of me

(waiting expectantly for anticipated response to certain name mentioned above)

Jon hasn't posted today that I've seen, so he may not be paying close attention to that one LOL

I have so too. And I've actually read 'The Walled Orchard'. It's, erm, all right actually. *cough*. A lot better than his fantasy stuff, certainly. But that doesn't make him a good person.



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I am very interested in the Universe. I am specialising in the Universe and everything surrounding it. - E. L. Wisty

For those who don't know what we're on about, some folks on the Fforum have lowered their opinion of the aformentioned person after reading the following review he wrote of 'The Eyre Affair'.

[www.jasperfforde.com]



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"I've often said that the difference between British and American SF TV series is that the British ones have three-dimensional characters and cardboard spaceships, while the Americans do it the other way around."
--Ross Smith

I didn't like The Walled Orchard, but then again, I wasn't keen on his other stuff. I thought perhaps he was better at more 'serious' novels, but it would appear not. Just my two penn'orth.

Sold it on ebay. People will buy anything on there. Books are dirt @#$%&.

I didn't think I need my opinion of mr holt lowering any further, until I read his review. Strange man.

Yes, what a very unpleasant review-- he seems to have had his sense of humour disconnected. Personally, I find the silly names, puns and whatnot in TEA one of the funniest things about the book. But then if I didn't, I wouldn't be here, would I?

I still like the walled orchard, though . . . it's always a bit of a disappointment to find out that a writer whose work you like is a bit of a **###!?. Which is why it's so nice to hear that Jasper Fforde is such a thoroughly nice chap . . .



Jesus saves; Buddha does incremental backup.

I love that Tony Hawks book too - Round Ireland with a Fridge and his other one "playing Moldovans at Tennis" (or similar title) is also good and there is another one not quite as good about "getting a number #1 hit single where he ends up in Romania? and much other stuff. Excellent.

In similar sort of vein - Joseph O'COnnor (brother of Sinead) - he is quite funny and wry too.

PG Wodehouse - absolutely - most of them are fantastic and I wish my heart out for such a life (as a toff not a servant or "gentleman's gentleman").

Oh, I'd rather be Jeeves than Bertie every time. In fact, isn't that a Simon & Garfunkel song?

#I'd rather be a valet than a fool ...



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I am very interested in the Universe. I am specialising in the Universe and everything surrounding it. - E. L. Wisty

If you're into humourous travel stories, look no further than "Are You Dave Gorman", by Dave Gorman. The tale of one man's quest to meet his namesakes. Absolutely hilarious.

or, "french revolutions" by Tim Moore. Guy decides to cycle the route of the Tour de France. Funny, well written. Especially if you're a fan of le tour...

sarah, where do you get your elizabeth peters books from?

I find them hard to get hold of without buyying new

Andrea

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Sylvester says.... *plock*




actually he says peep, cheep, chirrup, squalk,muttermuttergrumblegrumble, oh and now he falls off his pirch whish is followed by a sheepish peek round to see if anyone was looking and a quick scramble back up

Ooh, humourous travel. Can I put a word in for Harry Pearson, 'Tall Man in a Low Land', about Belgium, and also 'Racing Pigs and Giant Marrows', about visiting north-country fairs. Both very funny (and informative).

Any footie (all right, soccer) fans would also appreciate his 'The Far Corner', about footie in the North-East.



- - -
I am very interested in the Universe. I am specialising in the Universe and everything surrounding it. - E. L. Wisty

btw, hope you like 'only forward'....

I've just ordered William Gibson's new one - Pattern Recognition. £8.49. Bizarrely on amazon, I added it to my basket and it said that people who'd bought pattern recognition (£8.49) also bought .... pattern recognition (£14.50).

hmmm. Ended up buying a used one for £6.50.

I always liked Orson Scott Card, basically anything by him except "shadow puppets" or the homecoming series...but he IS a mormon prick! (no offense to mormons). He doesn't believe in homosexuality...thinks it's a perversion.

And Tom Holt is very conceited, isn't he?


- Currer Bell



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Revolt! Revolt! No matter why or when,
It's novelty--old novelty again.

The Tony Hawks book mentioned is 'One Hit Wonderland' - he scores his second hit record (the first was Morris Major and the Minors with 'Stutter Rap' as any fule kno) in Albania, mostly through the inspired decision to employ Norman Wisdom on it.

If you need to ask, you'd only regret finding out...



PSD

==========

This is the work of an Italian narco-anarchic collective. Don't bother insulting them, they can't read English anyway.

I love Gibson's Necromancer. Read it quite a few times (speaking of which, maybe it's time to do it again...)
Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. Amazing.
For fantasy lovers, C. S. Friedman's Black Sun Rising trilogy. I happened to read the last book first (for a class I was taking) and it got me hooked, so I got others, too.
I love Jules Verne, too. Incredible what a guy could imagine, way beck than. The Captain Grant's Children is my favourite (also Black Indies) but they are not so popular - I can't find a copy anywhere (checked Amazon, Chapters, etc).
If you don't mind long fantasy series, try Glen Cook. I read The Black Company series - his writing is fun, fun, fun!

I forgot to mention all the Piers Anthony books. Xanth is such a fun and cool place! Start at the beginning and read through them all. They're a hoot. Very "punny"! LOL

I liked the first few Xanth books, but they got a bit redundant eventually and I stopped reading them a few books after Ogre Ogre. I've heard a rumor they got better again later, but haven't checked it out.



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"I've often said that the difference between British and American SF TV series is that the British ones have three-dimensional characters and cardboard spaceships, while the Americans do it the other way around."
--Ross Smith

Although it's supposed to be a teenager's book Holes by Louis Sachar is very good I really enjoyed it. My source (15 year old) tells me Disney has made a film of it. Please read it before it's ruined for you by Disney!

Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe has to be my favourite, very tongue in cheek for a 200 year old book.

The Dark House by Minette Walters was a great thriller.