Minor sci-fi work from the author of "Dune." Good, but really displays his faults.

Funny romp through the history of American political murder.

I've been catching up on the Discworld series. Solid entry.

Solid collection of satire from the contributors to McSweeney's. Occasionally a bit strained and too esoteric for its own good, but often sharp and very, very funny.

A compelling piece of popular science that looks into the effect of geography and enviroment on the advancement of human civilizations. Has been called "geographic determanism," as if that were a valid criticism.

Great piece of historical fiction. Ancient Rome at its bloody, treacherous best.

Better known for its content (specifically the shocking-for-its-time depictions of sex) than its meaning or style, this hardly Lawrence's best work of fiction. However, it's still a lyrically beautiful and incisive novel.

Interesting book by the author of "Lord of the Flies." It tells the story of a meeting between a clan of Neanderthals and a tribe of early Homo Sapiens, told from the perspective of the former. In the end becomes a little confusing as the action needs to be decoded from the protagonist's limited understanding of what is happening.

Great piece of historical fiction centered around a cynical, brilliant hero. I find it interesting that I only seem to get into best sellers 70 or 80 years after they are published.

Carlin's third collection of scattered material, much of it from his routines. The real gold is the original material, especially his deconstructions of American language. Funny stuff.

Interesting little collection of definitions from the author of "Candide." These can also be found in his "Philosophical Dictionary."

I've long since run out of good things to say about Wodehouse. One of my favorite writers. This is the first Blandings story I've read, though not the last.

A solid entry in the Phillip Marlow series, though not the best of the bunch. Nobody wrote hard boiled better than Chandler.

I'm really starting to enjoy the Blandings stories.

Very funny take on modern politics and society. Extends Colbert's persona in an interesting way.