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Very true, Deerskin. I routinely re-read the "Three Investigators" series, the "Encyclopedia Brown" series, and the books of Jonathan Bellairs. I also just picked up #1-5 of the series written by Lemony Snickett, and am keeping an eye out for Artemis Fowl. BTW, I'm nearly 37.

My copies say that they were published by "WhizzHard Books in association with Arthur A. Levine Books (an imprint of Scholastic Books)". I sort of suspect that both were paper entities created for charity purposes, so they may not have existed when the British editions were published.

Not only that, but, let's face it, the kind of "magical world" we see in Harry Potter simply does not exist . Certainly any child that is old enough to read Harry Potter is old enough to understand the difference between fiction and non-fiction. Besides (and I can't stress this enough), the...

I've never heard of the "system" you mentioned. But then, in my opinion, "speed reading" is rather ridiculous. It strikes me that it would be like chugging fine wine, or not bothering to chew the petit filet (medium) that you just paid $25 or $30 for.

Well, it's nice to know that I am not the only one (compulsive book-buyer, that is). If you can find it, I recommend you start with McCullough's Brave Companions. His other books are longer, though each that I have read has been wonderful.

I don't really think that the ending is a "letdown". It may be that I have an over-developed attachment to neat and tidy endings. But, when you see what's at stake in the plot, a neat and tidy ending was probably impossible. I didn't mean for my reaction to sound tepid. They are wonderful...

It sounds like we may have similar tastes, Vicky, so I would highly recommend anything by David McCullough. He is, for my money, the finest writer of popular history on Earth. The Krakatoa book looks interesting, but I was a little underwhelmed by The Professor and the Madman .

I've read the "Dark Materials" trilogy and his The Ruby in the Smoke . The trilogy is really something. I can't really say what it is about without giving the ending away, but I will say that the "ride" is better than the destination (a common problem in speculative fiction). In any event, it...

Oddly enough, I do most of my reading at work. It doesn't interfere with my job, and it keeps people from talking to me (not that I am anti-social). But, I rarely go anywhere without a book, so I am apt to read almost anytime. For instance, if I am treating myself to a good diner breakfast...

Holden, Unfortunately, I haven't read any of the three books you mentioned. I have the Huxley book, but have never read it. However, I think that you might want to read Kerouac's Big Sur for a "Beat" reaction to the emerging drug culture of the Sixties. I also think that you might be...

Frankly, I think the response would be poor. Any books of the period which would be worth any money would be far more likely to be bought via eBay, or from established book dealers. That is, collectors looking for specific titles would do business with established dealers. The other type of...

Absolutely right, Halo. The ideas of Good and Evil are clearly and carefully demarcated in the Potter books. In fact, Rowling takes care to have characters who might seem evil, but are merely weak, or venal, or something. Only Voldemort is truly evil. But then true evil is rare in real life...

Holden, When I started reading your post here, my first thought was, of course, Kerouac. Don't stop at On The Road . I highly recommend Desolation Angels, The Subterraneans, and Big Sur. You might also be interested in Charles Bukowski (Post Office or Factotum) or John Fante (Ask the Dust )...

Well, I've just finished The Club Dumas and thought it was quite good. It did, in my opinion, get off to a rocky start, and at times ran afoul of my own personal preferences, but I am encouraged to try some of his other novels.

I voted for 1000+, but I might just as easily have said that I don't know. My best guess at this point would be in the 8 to 10,000 range. They really should be thinned out, but the task has mushroomed to the point that I won't undertake it until I am forced to move.

I can't believe I forgot to put "Shawshank" on my list. Thanks for reminding me.

The last book I read that made me laugh out loud was probably A Short History of a Small Place by T.R. Pearson. I also got some laughs out of Haven Kimmel's A Girl Named Zippy . And, of course, almost anything by Bill Bryson.

I'm afraid I can't help you with the magician vs. magician idea or anything scary. That kind of suspense really isn't my cup of tea. But, if you are looking for something from the third category, I'll suggest Little, Big by John Crowley.

I wouldn't say I have a favorite. I do pay closer attention when Tiger is playing because you never know when he'll do something astounding. I think half of my interest is really in the courses rather than the players.

I spend a lot of time on the road, too (about 40,000 miles a year), and really enjoy the few audio books I have. #1 on the list has to be the collected short stories of Jorge Luis Borges. The guy who reads them is great (i.e. his voice matches the material), though for the life of me I can't...