hfglen's reading thread, mark 2

Just finished Three hearts and three lions by Poul Anderson. It's conceivable that I may have read other of his works while in high school (way back when computers occupied vast amounts of space, cost a fortune and didn't, in truth, do very much; and long before the idea of an internet, let alone LT or the GD existed), but I don't remember doing so. I do recall that the house "library" consisted of a shelf of self-proclaimed sf, 90% of which was direst dreck. This isn't, and I shall certainly keep an eye peeled for more Anderson -- at least the local libraries acknowledge his existence!

I'm pretty sure I've read a Poul Anderson, many eons ago and I can't remember the title, but my mind remembers it favourably otherwise. *rolls eyes at self*
I need to pick up another of his books one of these days. I see that I have The Boat of a Million Years wishlisted, from someone's recommendation on LT. Again my memory fails me and I can't remember who did the recommending.

Just finished Pint-sized Ireland by Evan McHugh. It's his adventures in Ireland in search of the perfect Guinness, told with a great deal of Green-Dragonish humour. For example, his travelling companion apparently rejoices in the name of Twidkiwodm, which we are told is The-woman-I-didn't-know-I-would-one-day-marry, pronounced Michelle. The country they visit is definitely the one I saw all too long ago, and would now love to see more of. Highly recommended to Dragoneers who like a good laugh, or at least a warm smile; 4 or 4-1/2 stars.

(Incidentally, seeing Evan and Twidikwodm are Australians, do our Australian Dragoneers know any other books of his? If so, can they recommend any?

Can't find a January new arrivals thread, so here's what the book sale produced this morning:

By Hook or By Crook, by David Crystal -- hilarious; I don't think @Choreocrat is the only other Dragoneer who'd love it!
Lost English by Chris Roberts -- also fun
Latin Love Lessons by Charlotte Higgins -- cleaner than it looks, but with clear directions to the blue bits of Ovid and Catullus
The Undercover Scientist by Peter J. Bentley -- looks good, but no higher than no. 4 on Mount TBR. Touchstone visible on entry panel but actually not working
Vredefort Dome by David Fleminger -- tourist guide to the world's oldest and largest meteorite crater. Also on Mt. TBR, but a quick skim suggests the geology is over-simplified but the practicalities are excellent. Possibly one for @DaynaRT as well.
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park by Philip Briggs -- as above, but touchstone not working.

Ah, so half of Durban wasn't enough to keep you from buying books! :)

MrsLee! what a thought to have about a Dragoneer! Mercifully the Pavilion is a big place, and so there were more crowds and squalling toddlers outside the bookshop than inside. Greatest inhibitory factor was actually the relatively poor selection this year :)

Adding By Hook or By Crook to my wishlist - sounds really good!

Pint-Sized Ireland sounds interesting!

Just finished a re-read (more like a re-skim) of Foundation by Isaac Asimov. The book is nearly as old as I am! The manoeuvring still rings true, but oh dear! the technology! Interesting to see the museum-piece artifacts that that truly were at the outer limits of imagination (or maybe credibility) sixty years ago. When it comes out of copyright it'll be steampunk.