September 28, 2005
literature map
If you're an avid book reader, once you've completed a book, you'll probably want to read another, either by the same author (if its a good book) or in the same genre. This neat little site, literature map, allows you to enter the name of an author and then shows you a visual map of other authors who write in a similar style or genre.
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September 24, 2005
Turning the pages
The British Library has developed an excellent way of viewing old manuscripts online. Turning the Pages allows visitors to virtually 'turn' the pages of manuscripts in a realistic way. You can zoom in on the high-quality digitised images and read or listen to notes explaining the beauty and significance of each page. Its absolutely fascinating.
They've alreday completed about 14 manuscripts and the site really brings the documents alive. Heartily recommended.
Note: Turning the Pages needs the Shockwave plugin on your browser
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September 12, 2005
Sci fi Shorts
If you're a sci fi fan, 365 tomorrows is publishing a short story every day for a year.
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June 21, 2005
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
A storm of compulsive story telling, with 6 interlocking narratives spread over a wide time line, all done in different styles. Each story is about man inhumanity to man on differing scales and its resulting effects. Vivid characters with compelling storylines, its a fascinating weave that only jars when the first narrative stops in mid-sentence, half way through the story. The rest of the time it works brilliantly. The 70 odd pages of futuristic pidgin were hard going but the author was on a roll by then.
A good thought provoking read. Recommended 4/5
Posted by weaver at 10:10 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 15, 2005
The Shadow of the Wind
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruis Zafon. Ostensibly about the coming of age of Daniel, our young protagonist, this is a riveting story set in Barcelona during the dark days of Franco's rule in Spain. Its full of well drawn and colourful characters who really bring the book to life.
The initial thread, a father taking his son to the Cemetery of Lost Books for the boy to choose a book to keep alive for a generation, is a fascinating hook. Zafon weaves a mesmerising tale, full of intrigue and action.
Its the best fiction book I've read in the past couple of years. My one tiny criticism is that, during translation, some modern idioms have crept in that detract ever so slightly from the flow of the story.
This is a Richard & Judy Recommended book and rightly so. 5/5
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April 28, 2005
Krakatoa
Krakatoa or 'The Day the World Exploded' by Simon Winchester is an enthralling read in parts. The book is about a nineteenth century natural disaster with eerily prescient echoes of the recent tsunami disaster in the same part of the World. Winchester successfully brings events to life though I feel he struggles to really capture the sheer scale of the final explosion. The background section on plate tectonics alas had an air of smugness about it that detracted from the overall feel of the book. Nevertheless, a good read - 3/5
Posted by weaver at 10:06 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 19, 2005
Web Standards Solutions
Web Standards Solutions by Dan Cederholm is another book on building sites to web standards. There are lots of useful hints and tips and some wonderful code snippets in this book.
This book is probably more accurately aimed at the complete CSS novice and I found its tone just a little patronising in places. The 'quiz questions' that lead to the development of each chapter didn't really do it for me.
Also the black pages separating the chapters are a lame attempt at inducing some feel of style to the book. These are really minor critiscisms of a book that I'd use as an occasional reference.
Not perfect, but a good addition to a growing CSS library - 4/5
Posted by weaver at 11:18 PM | Comments (0)
February 26, 2005
State of Fear - Michael Crichton
State of Fear I can safely say that I've read and enjoyed most, if not all, of Crichton's fiction work. This is a creditable addition to his techo-thriller stable. State of Fear revolves around environmental extremists and a plot about global warming. The characters tend to be rather one dimensional but the sharp writing keeps the plot moving along nicely.
Its an extremely well researched book, widening the reader's knowledge of global environmental issues. However, like the Da Vinci Code, it is a work of fiction, no matter how well presented the 'facts' are, and should be treated as such.
If you like any of Crichton's previous works you'll like this one. Recommended
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January 11, 2005
Reading Material - CSS
In an attempt to master Cascading Style Sheets(CSS) and as a prelude to making the community site web standards compliant, I'm working my way through 2 wonderful books.
The first is Designing Web Standards by Jefferey Zeldman. The book helps to demystify some of the fog surrounding CSS and has given me the confidence to try and build my CSS skills.
The second book is by Eric Meyer and is entitled Eric Meyer on CSS. The book consists of 13 worked projects which build on different CSS techniques and areas. Its fascinating working through the examples and being able to see instant results. Currently, I've reached the sixth project so just about half way through. Definitely not enough hours in the day!
I bought both books through amazon.co.uk but as I don't yet have an associates account, you'll have to find them for yourself if your interested.
Posted by weaver at 10:51 PM | Comments (0)