Slightly Peckish Tuesday
7 September, 2010
is here again, so check out what sweets I’ve been scoffing in Paris on Umamimart. I know, it’s been a while since my trip, but I can still dream about it right?
In bookish news, the Hugo Awards for Best Novel has been awarded jointly to China Miéville for The City & The City and Paolo Bacigalupi for The Wind-Up Girl which you can read about here. I guess this means I really have to read Miéville’s book now. No more excuses. And I also want to read The Wind-up Girl which has had some incredible reviews in the sff blogosphere.
The Huffington Post has an interesting post : 13 books nobody’s read but say they have. I can proudly say I haven’t read any of the titles mentioned except for Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time. But then I did study astrophysics.
The Man Booker Prize shortlist for 2010 was announced today. I’m sad David Mitchell didn’t make it. What do you all think? Have you read any of the titles? And more importantly, who do you think will win? I have no clue.
And finally, what’s with James Franco? As well as acting in an eclectic mix of films (Spiderman, Pineapple Express) he’s also in this hilarious trailer for Gary Shteyngart‘s new book Super Sad True Love Story (which I’m dying to read), studying for several degrees, publishing a book, modelling and starring in Howl, a biopic about Alan Ginsberg. Can the man do no wrong?
chasing bawa 
7 September, 2010 at 7:13 pm
you studied astrophysics?? awesome!
7 September, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Thanks for letting me know about the Hugo awards – I missed that in all the Booker talk. I loved The City and the City so am intrigued to read a book that is equally good.
As for the Bookers – I’ve read them all and still have no idea who will win 🙂
7 September, 2010 at 7:40 pm
“I guess this means I really have to read Miéville’s book now.”
Yes, that’s exactly how I feel now too. I mean, how many nudges in a particularly bookish direction does one reader need?!
7 September, 2010 at 11:42 pm
I have read The Satanic Verses! For real! And it was awesome. There are a few others on that list that I’d like to read, though some I know I never will (like The Name of the Rose, which I tried and found horridly painful).
Also, I’ve been meaning to read Miéville for a while now… I guess I’ve got my push!
8 September, 2010 at 12:36 am
Great round up ,I was stunned by Mitchell missing cut ,but happy with ones chosen seem be cream of the bunch ,all the best stu
8 September, 2010 at 2:59 am
As usual I have not read any of the booker shortlist. It will take sometime for me to get my hands on these books. On the other hand my second hand shop turned up some gems just yesterday so lets live in hope! Thanks for the links.
8 September, 2010 at 11:28 am
kayoko: The best part was lab time at the observatory at night!
Jackie: Lots of awards so it’s difficult to keep up, isn’t it? I’ll be checking your predictions for the Booker win.
buriedinprint: It’s strange that although we want to read the books we find lots of obstacles…
Steph: That is amazing, I don’t know many who have. And I heard it’s not exactly an easy read! Actually after reading your comment I realised I lied and have also read The Name of the Rose (which I loved but then I’ve a weakness for anything medieval and mysterious) and A Christmas Carol. Total brain blackout. Regarding Miéville, I read your hubby’s review of Kraken and really want to read that too!
winstonsdad: Looking forward to seeing who you think will win:)
Mystica: I haven’t read any either. I seem to always be late for the party;) I’ll be checking your blog to see what gems you’ve unearthed. That’s the exciting thing about secondhand bookshops isn’t it? You don’t know what you’ll find.
9 September, 2010 at 3:05 am
Where does the Huffington post get off? They think they’re the experts on life itself, and I’d venture to say a lot more people don’t read that blog than say they’ve read a lot of the books in the list.
Sorry, I just got my underwear in a bunch because that blog is anathema to me. Seriously. However, I like yours! 😉
9 September, 2010 at 10:23 am
I was actually a little surprised at the list as there were a number of books I thought would be on it that weren’t. But never mind^^ I hear a lot about the Huffington Post on the web so assumed it was one of the pre-eminent sites that everyone reads, but I’m not that savvy about what’s hot in the States… It’s interesting to see that there are always two sides to a coin (she says wisely stroking her beard).
10 September, 2010 at 3:00 am
It is one of the pre-eminent sites that everyone reads. I’m most certainly in a minority in my opinion of it. Two sides make the world go round, I guess. xo
12 September, 2010 at 4:36 pm
I agree. Dissenting voices make the world more interesting!