-
Recent Posts
Recent Comments
Archives
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
- March 2007
- February 2007
- January 2007
- December 2006
- November 2006
- October 2006
- September 2006
- August 2006
- July 2006
- June 2006
- May 2006
- April 2006
- March 2006
- February 2006
- January 2006
- December 2005
- November 2005
- October 2005
- September 2005
- August 2005
- July 2005
- June 2005
- May 2005
- April 2005
- March 2005
- February 2005
- January 2005
- December 2004
- November 2004
- October 2004
- September 2004
- August 2004
- July 2004
- June 2004
- May 2004
- April 2004
- March 2004
- February 2004
- January 2004
- December 2003
- November 2003
- October 2003
- September 2003
- August 2003
- July 2003
- June 2003
- May 2003
- March 2003
- February 2003
- December 2002
- March 2002
- February 2002
- January 2002
- December 2001
- December 2000
- December 1999
- January 1999
Categories
Meta
Monthly Archives: March 2014
March books
Non-fiction 4 (YTD 13) The Assassination of the Prime Minister: John Bellingham and the Murder of Spencer Perceval, by David Hanrahan The Big Finish Companion v1, by Richard Dinnick Essays on Time-based Linguistic Analysis, by Charles-James N. Bailey Companions: 50 … Continue reading
Comments Off on March books
Taking a tip from the spice men – cumin haddock
I caught a couple of episodes of The Incredible Spice Men last year, and while I haven’t yet tried any of their recipes per se, I’ve been thinking about how to make food more interesting. I bought three chunks of … Continue reading
Comments Off on Taking a tip from the spice men – cumin haddock
Links I found interesting for 29-03-2014
How climate change will acidify the oceans Horrifying.(tags: climatechange ) Time to Talk to the Russians A sensible suggestion.(tags: russia blogging ) Missing in Inaction: Where is the African Peace and Security Architecture? How the EU is getting it wrong.(tags: … Continue reading
Comments Off on Links I found interesting for 29-03-2014
Links I found interesting for 28-03-2014
Cameron’s reality check on Europe Michael Emerson is upbeat that Cameron’s demands can be met.(tags: ukpolitics eu ) Why Cameron’s timing on EU reform is off Rem Korteweg thinks Cameron has a scheduling problem.(tags: ukpolitics eu ) Independence from Spain: … Continue reading
Comments Off on Links I found interesting for 28-03-2014
Wednesday reading
CurrentBest Served Cold, by Joe AbercrombieAdventures with the Wife in Space, by Neil PerrymanBuddenbrooks, by Thomas MannTarzan and the Forbidden City, by Edgar Rice Burroughs Last books finished[Doctor Who] The Garden of Evil, by David Martin[Doctor Who] Mission to Venus, … Continue reading
Comments Off on Wednesday reading
Links I found interesting for 26-03-2014
13 of 14 warmest years on record occurred in 21st century – UN Speaks for itself.(tags: climatechange ) What is the first example of a story in which people travel in time to the past? Discuss.(tags: sf ) “Stand Your … Continue reading
Comments Off on Links I found interesting for 26-03-2014
Links I found interesting for 25-03-2014
Olli Rehn: in crisis, we also protected the weakest of society In his own words.(tags: eu ) Groping our way towards Grouping Inside a local Conservative campaign (such as it is).(tags: ukpolitics ) Everest born when Asia was squeezed like … Continue reading
March Books 18) Anthem, by Ayn Rand
Second paragraph of Chapter 3: It is said. Now let us be lashed for it, if we must. The Council of Scholars has said that we all know the things which exist and therefore all the things which are not … Continue reading
Scavenger, by Bill Gallagher
This is the climax to the current Big Finish trilogy of audios featuring Colin Baker's Sixth Doctor and Lisa Greenwood as new companion Flip, by William Gallagher (whose work has generally been pretty good, though I don't seem to have … Continue reading
Comments Off on Scavenger, by Bill Gallagher
Brussels trivia question
Which EU member state is seventh (and last) in this sequence: SlovakiaLuxembourgCyprusFinlandAustriaPortugal???
Comments Off on Brussels trivia question
Links I found interesting for 24-03-2014
Can Europe survive without Russian gas? Yes, if we start planning for the winter now, says @bruegel.(tags: eu russia ) Catholic League president applies to march in Gay Pride parade Publicity stunt backfires.(tags: sexandgenderandsexuality ) The maggots that changed my … Continue reading
Comments Off on Links I found interesting for 24-03-2014
BSFA Non-fiction
Last year I didn't actually vote for the BSFA Award for Non-Fiction; time was short, and I had read only one of the nominees; and though I very much liked it, I felt uncomfortable giving it a vote when I … Continue reading
Comments Off on BSFA Non-fiction
March Books 17) Companions: 50 Years of Doctor Who Assistants, by Andy Frankham-Allen
Second paragraph of the third chapter: During the rest of their travels with the Doctor, we learn very little about Ben & Polly, even though they continue with him for another six adventures. It is a curious thing that from … Continue reading
Comments Off on March Books 17) Companions: 50 Years of Doctor Who Assistants, by Andy Frankham-Allen
Links I found interesting for 23-03-2014
Da li je BiH specijalan slučaj za EU? Nicholas Whyte misli da nije I am interviewed by Bosnian TV.(tags: eu bosnia ) Can Fianna Fail resist temptation? @jasonomahony thinks they might; I am not so sure myself.(tags: ireland ) How … Continue reading
Comments Off on Links I found interesting for 23-03-2014
March Books 16) Essays on Time-based Linguistic Analysis, by Charles-James N. Bailey
Second paragraph of third chapter: There are two obvious reasons why minilectal approaches cannot explain or predict, why the fundamental concept of naturalness (see later) is so vague and shifting, and why linguistics faces something of a philosophical crisis. First, … Continue reading
Comments Off on March Books 16) Essays on Time-based Linguistic Analysis, by Charles-James N. Bailey
March Books 15) Salt of the Earth, by Trudi Canavan
Second paragraph of third section: The man was dressed formally in a long-sleeved white shirt with frilly collar and cuffs. Though his hair was white and bushy, his slim frame moved with an energy that suggested he wasn’t as old … Continue reading
Comments Off on March Books 15) Salt of the Earth, by Trudi Canavan
Links I found interesting for 22-03-2014
Disaster at Xichang The worst space launch accident in history.(tags: space ) Request for Blogs, Answered Alex Harrowell’s reading list.(tags: blogs ) Microsoft just exposed email’s ugliest secret They’re reading your hotmail.(tags: internet privacy ) Twitter usage SOARS in Turkey … Continue reading
Comments Off on Links I found interesting for 22-03-2014
BSFA Short Fiction
An all-female shortlist for the BSFA Short Fiction Award this year, which is refreshing. I had little difficulty in raking the four nominees as follows: 1) March Books 14) Spin, by Nina Allan Second para of third section of narrative: … Continue reading
Comments Off on BSFA Short Fiction
March Books 13) Tales of Trenzalore, by Justin Richards et al
Second paragraph of the third chapter of the first story: “If he’s so keen to find these fireballs,” Mattias grumbled, “Why isn’t the Doctor with us?” Four stories from the Eleventh Doctor’s climactic centuries of battle against the bad guys … Continue reading
Comments Off on March Books 13) Tales of Trenzalore, by Justin Richards et al
Links I found interesting for 21-03-2014
The Book Smugglers The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein Two reviewers give a harsh judgement.(tags: sf race sexandgenderandsexuality ) Tomb of Doom? A *very* small exclave of Turkey in Syria.(tags: maps syria turkey ) Aphra Behn … Continue reading
Comments Off on Links I found interesting for 21-03-2014
March Books 12) Unearthed, eds. John J. Johnston and Jared Shurin
Second paragraph from the third story: “Seeds of some unknown Egyptian plant,” replied Forsyth, with a sudden shadow on his dark face, as he looked down at the three scarlet grains lying in the white hand lifted to him. [from … Continue reading
Comments Off on March Books 12) Unearthed, eds. John J. Johnston and Jared Shurin
March Books 11) Mad Dogs and Englishmen, by Paul Magrs
Second paragraph of the third chapter: Great age ought to have meant being greater and wiser than ever. It should have been about becoming the one to lead others on a wonderful quest. This was hilarious. A group of Cambridge … Continue reading
Comments Off on March Books 11) Mad Dogs and Englishmen, by Paul Magrs
Wednesday reading
Current Brick Lane, by Monica Ali Best Served Cold, by Joe Abercrombie Last books finished [Doctor Who] Mad Dogs and Englishmen, by Paul Magrs Unearthed, eds. John J. Johnston and Jared Shurin [Doctor Who] Tales of Trenzalore, by Justin Richards, … Continue reading
Comments Off on Wednesday reading
Arthur C. Clarke Award: GoodReads / LibraryThing stats
See announcement here. Goodreads Librarything number average number average Ancillary Justice, by Anne Leckie 2432 4.00 351 4.10 Nexus, by Ramez Naam 2041 4.13 179 3.74 God’s War, by Kameron Hurley 1430 3.61 377 3.73 The Adjacent, by Christopher Priest … Continue reading
Comments Off on Arthur C. Clarke Award: GoodReads / LibraryThing stats
March Books 10) The Amber Spyglass, by Philip Pullman
The second paragraph from Chapter 3: Meanwhile, she [Serafina Pekkala] looked down at the melting ice-cap, the flooded lowland forests, the swollen sea, and felt heartsick. Sometimes you shouldn’t revisit former favourites; I have to say that I have been … Continue reading
Comments Off on March Books 10) The Amber Spyglass, by Philip Pullman
March Books 9) The Big Finish Companion vol 1, by Richard Dinnick
The second paragraph of the third chapter: "Big Finish was looking for a way to do stories with the First, Second, Third and Fourth Doctors, and Nick [Briggs] came up with the inspired idea of telling stories from the perspective … Continue reading
Comments Off on March Books 9) The Big Finish Companion vol 1, by Richard Dinnick
March Books 8) Sigurd and Gudrún, by J.R.R. Tolkien
The second paragraph from the third section of the Völsungakviða en Nýja: Long ruled Sigmund, sire and uncle; Sinfjótli sat at his side proudly. There towered the tree, tall and ancient, birds in the branches were blithe again. One (well, … Continue reading
Comments Off on March Books 8) Sigurd and Gudrún, by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Liberator Chronicles, vol 1
The Turing Test, by Simon GuerrierSolitary, by Nigel FairsCounterfeit, by Peter Anghelides Big Finish had a special offer on last month for the first three sets of Blake’s 7 audios, which after a little reflection I decided to go for. … Continue reading
Comments Off on The Liberator Chronicles, vol 1
A St Patrick’s Day story by classic SF writer Murray Leinster
Murray Leinster, whose real name was William Fitzgerald Jenkins, was one of the major figures of mid-twentieth century science fiction. His story “Exploration Team” (1956) won the second ever Hugo for Best Novella; his “First Contact” (1945) established a humorous … Continue reading
Comments Off on A St Patrick’s Day story by classic SF writer Murray Leinster
March Books 7) Christmas on a Rational Planet, by Lawrence Miles
The second and third paragraphs from Chapter 3: They fed from the ship’s structure in the boot-cupboards, and played dice with the universe in the cloisters. Creations, phantasms, aberrations… … why be coy? Monsters. They were monsters, that was all. … Continue reading
Comments Off on March Books 7) Christmas on a Rational Planet, by Lawrence Miles