"Classic Cocktails - A Modern Shake" - Mark Kingwell

I checked this out from the library after our New York adventures, as I had a newfound interest in the art of the cocktail. Mere recipe lists would not do it for me, I wanted something with more of the history and philosophy behind the mixed drink and I found the perfect resource in this volume. I'll just quote from the book jacket: "When philosophy professor and Harper's magazine contributing editor Mark Kingwell turns his lively mind to the gentlemanly subject of cocktails, he not only mixes the perfect drink but also tells us where it fits into a wider literary and social world."

A quote from the book itself:
"The basic premise of the present book is that you should choose your drink carefully, take some care in its preparation, and enjoy it in moderation." "If inebriation should occur, at least try to stay cheerful - nobody likes a mean drunk. Drink takes people different ways at different times, as Damon Runyon's "Stages of Drunkenness" usefully illustrates. The stages... are these:
1. witty and charming
2. rich and powerful
3. philosophical
4. against the designated hitter
5. f___ dinner
6. witty and charming, part II
7. for the designated hitter
8. morose and despondent
9. invisible
10. bulletproof"

The book is charming; each chapter addresses a different cocktail or family of cocktails, with frequent reference to the historical and cultural importance of the given drink and some information about the proper mixing thereof. Amusingly the chapter on the whisky sour begins, "It's a grown-up drink, and frankly not all of them are despite the liquor laws."

"Only Human" - Gareth Roberts

Another Doctor Who novel, this one featuring the Ninth Doctor and Rose. Just when I was losing faith in Doctor Who novels, resigning myself to not reading every last one... here is probably the best I've read. It has renewed my faith. Not only does it have the Ninth Doctor at his clever and sarcastic best, but Captain Jack is along for the ride. The author captures Jack's insouciance and constant flirting with ease. Also we have an intriguing plot involving illicit use of a "rip engine" for travelling back to prehistoric earth. The challenges our heroes face add just the right amount of danger. Good plotting, nicely drawn characters, believable difficulties.

"Making Sense of IBS" - Brian E. Lacy, Ph.D., M.D.

I would hardly be reading this book if I did not have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome for the uninitiated). I think I've had bowel issues for much of my life - certainly I can remember incidents of painful bowel spasms back in my childhood days. Thanks to my dealings with a gastroenterologist I can now claim to be officially diagnosed with IBS in addition to GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Why all the digestive problems? It's hard to say for sure; according to this book there is some genetic predisposition, but other factors may play a part. There is certainly a brain-gut aspect to it; those with these diseases tend to have a higher incidence of anxiety and certain other health problems such as fibromyalgia. I'd classify myself as a more-anxious-than-average person, although that is certainly not based on any scientific survey.

Anyway, this is a comprehensive overview of IBS, thorough and with much reference to medical research. Still, "they" don't know a lot about it.

"The Good Fairies of New York" - Martin Millar

I saw this in Barnes & Noble; the title intrigued me and it had a recommendation from Neil Gaiman. Nuff said. Got it from the library, and tested it out on Ross. He was not effusive with his praise but he did stick with it. I figured it was worth a go.

Odd book. Written very simply; the prose could easily be for a young adult or children's novel, were it not for the frequent swearing, prodigious drinking and much reference to sex (both human and fairie). I can't recommend it. I didn't hate it, but the whole thing just didn't work for me. Cute ideas, fun, but in the end so meaningless and fluffy that I just don't care.

"Sick Building" - Paul Magrs(?)

Another Doctor Who novel, this one with the Doctor and Martha travelling to a privately owned planet which happens to lie in the path of a Voracious Craw. The beastie seems to be some kind of space version of a sandworm from Dune, but more voracious. The story had its moments, but I really am reaching my fill of Doctor Who novels now; they are simply written for a younger audience. It is a mark of my adoration that I have read so many.

Nice touch, though, with the intelligent machines that fill the Dreamhome from which the Doctor tries to rescue people. The Doctor, predictably, treats the machines like people; the people who have lived with the machines and have been served by them treat them as expendable. The Doctor in this volume is more antic, more unpredictable. It works, with Martha as his companion, because she's not ever quite sure where he's coming from.

"A Dirty Job" - Christopher Moore

Ooops, didn't realize I hadn't blogged about this one yet. My first read by Moore, and it is awesome! He reminds me a bit of Douglas Adams, but with a sarcastic modern edge. Superb dialogue, always snappy and so very funny to read but it feels right coming from his characters. Superb cast of characters; on the edge without being ridiculous. Love 'em. Fun concept for the plot; the main character finds that he has mysteriously become a "Death Merchant" - one of the few who help souls find their next bodies. Yes, it sounds like a crazy science fiction idea, but Moore makes it work so well. The book is funny, sad, often very touching, exciting. As with "Fluke", I felt that as the pace of the plot accelerated toward the end I missed the character development, but it was still a very fun read.

"Fluke - or I know why the winged whale sings" - Christopher Moore

I am now entranced by Christopher Moore. This is the second of his books that I've read, and it's sweet and funny and emotional and true, and also packed full of science and reality and the details of life as a whale researcher in Hawaii... AND packed full of wild science fiction insanity and speculation. What more could one want?

It does feel a bit like two different books at a certain point, and I really can't go into more detail lest I ruin it for someone, but both parts are nicely done. If I were to offer a critique it would apply to this book and to "A Dirty Job"; the character building is so great that I got a little disappointed when the book shifted to straight action. Christopher Moore just has a great feel for the ways in which men and women interact and more specifically the ways in which men react to women. He also does a great job of making the unlikely seem possible.