One of the best QOTWs for ages.
Taking up some of the suggestions, and heartened to see Terry Pratchett mentioned so many times. My favourite of his at the moment? Night Watch, sets up an early Vimes, and fills in the gaps in the books- like how Reg Shoe became a zombie.

May I highly recommend for the best war book, Chickenhawk by Robert Mason (ISBN-10: 0143035711 ), a harrowing tale of a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam conflict. Superbly written, I have returned MANY times to this book, just for its sense of swapping back between the cameraderie between the men, and then the sheer bloody futility that they are trying to "make a difference".And yes, it did make a difference in me- I decided when I first read it whilst in 2 Para that I could not shoot a man in the name of the Queen, or some politician, so got out sharpish- 2 months before the Falklands were invaded by Argentina.

Molesworth- I've not seen any mentions so far of this superb piece of writing by Geoffrey Willans, with drawings by the masterful Ronald Searle, an artist who I fervently copied throughout my formative years, as well as Hunt Emerson, who used to draw for NME (when it was good), and then Fiesta (ahem- which was always good, if you catch my drift.) Back to Molesworth- spent my formative years at school going round saying "Chiz", and writing in essays "as any fule no", amongst other sayings, and the only "beak" that got the joke was the best teacher in the school, so used to snort and giggle at the front of the class whilst marking essays if a Molesworth saying popped up, but I used to catch him off guard by letting people copy my work.

Last but not least, Nancy Friday and My Secret Garden: Women’s Sexual Fantasies. Given it by a girlfriend when I was just started going out with her, and was very unadventurous, shall we say. It changed my life as it showed that womens minds were just as dirty, if not more so, than a males mind, and it was ok to try different things, as you could bet your bottom dollar that she had fantasised about it at some time. Bit worrying some of them, mind- especially the one with the gorilla.
No length related jokes toda. Sorry.
( Duke Of Belmsford has got 99 records, but Jay-Z ain't one, Sat 17 May 2008, 10:01, 7 replies)

b3ta book club,
anyone?
( Thinker, Sat 17 May 2008, 11:26, closed)

MOLESWORTH!!!
Fantastic reading. Adored them and soooo wanted my senior school to be like that (and Malory Towers of course).


@ Thinker - what a bloody good idea! Sign me up.
( chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Sat 17 May 2008, 11:59, closed)

Ditto @ Chickenlady
Shall we?
( Duke Of Belmsford has got 99 records, but Jay-Z ain't one, Sat 17 May 2008, 13:18, closed)

Re: b3ta book club
Sign me up too. Now, we just need a b3ta "tips for how to generate more spare time for reading" club.
( mistaspakkaman and the inedible shifting caterpillars, Sat 17 May 2008, 14:07, closed)

Thank You
For reminding me of Molesworth.
I now feel a gap in my life - which I intend to fill as soon as the book shops open in the morning.
I'm all for a book club - How do we make it happen?
(onefishtwofish Redfishbluefish, Sat 17 May 2008, 23:14, closed)

I'll sign up for the book club
I'm always on the look out for new books an authors.

And Mr. Belmsford: yes, women's minds are far dirtier than mens.
( flirting with badgers What? It sounded good at the time., Sun 18 May 2008, 6:58, closed)