Lots of people have written to tell me about the UK 160 top Books for Boys initiative -- http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article1796075.ece. It's a sort of government sponsored Guys Read initiative. I'm pleased to be on it (three times), but am a bit puzzled by the list -- I suspect because The Times has left out the categories, age groups and so on that it comes with (eg, the first 14 are obviously "Books of Facts"). I think Neverwhere or Good Omens would be better on the list than the Mirrormask book, but there may have been categories I don't know about.
I didn't really like Michael Hearst's Songs For Ice Cream Trucks when I first heard it, but I've discovered it to be the perfect palate-cleanser when iTunes is on random -- the Ice Cream Trucks songs always make me smile and relax when they turn up. I'm not sure I like them as a meal in themselves, but they are amazing at the right time. Much like ice cream.
http://cdbaby.com/cd/michaelhearst
I missed the last visit to the bees this weekend, what with being at Alan and Melinda's wedding, but the Birdchick writes about it at http://www.birdchick.com/2007/05/belated-bee-report-unregulated-comb.html
(you can also read her account of birds spotted out here at http://www.birdchick.com/2007/05/everything-but-oriole.html and her review of the copy of Clan Apis I forced her to read at http://www.birdchick.com/2007/05/clan-apis.html).
Labels: bees, best books for boys, ice cream, jet lag