Books I read in 2010

The Song is You by Megan Abbott
Unshelved, Vol. 2: What Would Dewey Do? by Gene Ambaum & Bill Barnes**
Wishing Well by Trevor Baxendale
The Wishing Chair Again by Enid Blyton*
The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton*
Storm Front by Jim Butcher
Fool Moon by Jim Butcher
Dog Eat Dog by Jerry Jay Carroll
The Dwarves of Death by Jonathan Coe
Girl from Mars by Julie Cohen
Happy Endings by Paul Cornell
How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell*
How To Be A Pirate by Cressida Cowell*
I, Strahd: The Memoirs of a Vampire by P.N. Elrod
The Boys Vol. 1: The Name of the Game by Garth Ennis**
The Boys Vol. 2: Get Some by Garth Ennis**
The Boys Vol. 3: Good for the Soul by Garth Ennis**
Recess Pieces by Bob Fingerman**
The Fry Chronicles by Stephen Fry
Troublesome Minds by Dave Galanter
Dinner for Two by Mike Gayle
Foop! by Chris Genoa
Paul is Undead by Alan Goldsher
The Pirate Loop by Simon Guerrier
Help! A Bear is Eating Me! by Mykle Hansen
Club Dead by Charlaine Harris
The Conqueror Worms by Brian Keene
Urban Gothic by Brian Keene
The Walking Dead Vol. 1: Days Gone Bye by Robert Kirkman**
The Walking Dead Vol. 2: Miles Behind Us by Robert Kirkman**
Meet the Muppets by Roger Langridge**
Dexter by Design by Jeff Lindsay
Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link
Night of the Humans by David Llewellyn
The Diary of a "Dr Who" Addict by Paul Magrs
Darkness be My Friend by John Marsden
Hellboy Vol. 4: The Right Hand of Doom by Mike Mignola**
Kick-Ass by Mark Millar**
The Forgotten Army by Brian Minchin
After Dark by Haruki Murakami
One Day by David Nicholls
Scott's Pilgrim's Precious Little Life by Bryan Lee O'Malley**
Scott Pilgrim vs the World by Bryan Lee O'Malley**
Scott Pilgrim and the Infinite Sadness by Bryan Lee O'Malley**
Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together by Bryan Lee O'Malley**
Scott Pilgrim vs the Universe by Bryan Lee O'Malley**
Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour by Bryan Lee O'Malley**
Meat Is Murder by Joe Pernice
The Song is You by Arthur Phillips
The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ by Philip Pullman
Apollo 23 by Justin Richards
The Men Who Stare at Goats by Jon Ronson
Meanwhile by Jason Shiga**
Bowie: A Biography by Marc Spitz
Empowered Vol. 4 by Adam Warren**
Dr. Horrible by Zack Whedon**
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Neil Diamond by David Wild
Fables Vol. 5: The Mean Seasons by Bill Willingham**
Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones*
Zombocalypse Now by Matt Youngmark
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon by Crystal Zevon

*read aloud to my youngest
**graphic novel/comic trade paperback

Books Read In December 2010

01. The Forgotten Army by Brian Minchin
02. Happy Endings by Paul Cornell
03. The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ by Philip Pullman
04. Paul is Undead by Alan Goldsher

my favourite family boardgames of 2010

just in time for last-minute gift shoppers: here are my top ten family-friendly boardgames for 2010 (listed in order of number-of-plays, not preference. they're all good!)

Infinite City

Players: 2-6

Ages: 8+ (reading required)

Playing Time: ~45mins

Available from: Milsims (backorder)

Gosu

Players: 2-4

Ages: 10+ (reading required)

Playing Time: ~45mins

Available from: Milsims and Games Paradise

Alien Frontiers

Players: 2-4

Ages: 10+ (reading required)

Playing Time: ~60-90mins

Available from: Milsims (backorder - probably not available until April 2011)

Eketorp

Players: 3-6

Ages: 8+ (no reading required)

Playing Time: 45-75mins

Available from: Milsims and Games Paradise

Railways Of The World: The Card Game

Players: 2-4

Ages: 8+ (no reading required)

Playing Time: ~45mins

Available from: Milsims and Games Paradise

Leaping Lemmings

Players: 2-6

Ages: 8+ (reading required)

Playing Time: ~60minutes

Available from: Milsims

Bohnanza

Players: 3-7 (box says 2 but I think it needs at least three, preferably more)

Ages: 8+ (no reading required)

Playing Time: ~45mins

Available from: Unhalfbricking, Games Paradise and Milsims (backorder)

Idol Hands and the Crystal Monkey Skulls

Players: 3-5 (box says 4 but I've played with 5)

Ages: 7+ (no reading required)

Playing Time: ~20mins

Available from: Small Box Games

Samarkand: Routes to Riches

Players: 2-5

Ages: 8+ (no reading required)

Playing Time: ~45-60mins

Available from: Milsims and Games Paradise

Buccaneer

Players: 3-5

Ages: 8+ (no reading required)

Playing Time: ~30mins

Available from: Games Paradise and Milsims (backorder)

Dweebies

Players: 2-6

Ages: 5+ (no reading required)

Playing Time: ~20mins

Available from: Milsims and Games Paradise (backorder)

and if you're looking for something deep and involved, the game to get this year (in my opinion) is:

Dominant Species

Players: 2-6 (not recommended for 2)

Ages: 12+ (my seven-year-old has played with assistance, but he's an experienced boardgamer)

Playing Time: 3-5hrs

Available from: Milsims (backorder)

Books Read In November 2010

01. Unshelved, Vol. 2: What Would Dewey Do? by Gene Ambaum & Bill Barnes
02. The Walking Dead Vol. 2: Miles Behind Us by Robert Kirkman
03. How To Be A Pirate by Cressida Cowell
04. The Fry Chronicles by Stephen Fry
05. How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Neil Diamond by David Wild
06. Help! A Bear is Eating Me! by Mykle Hansen
07. Girl from Mars by Julie Cohen

Books Read In October 2010

01. The Walking Dead Vol. 1: Days Gone Bye by Robert Kirkman
02. Dr. Horrible by Zack Whedon
03. The Boys Vol. 3: Good for the Soul by Garth Ennis
04. Empowered Vol. 4 by Adam Warren

Books Read In September 2010

01. The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton
02. I, Strahd: The Memoirs of a Vampire by P.N. Elrod
03. Darkness be My Friend by John Marsden
04. Fool Moon by Jim Butcher

Books Read In August 2010

01. One Day by David Nicholls
02. Meet the Muppets by Roger Langridge
03. Scott Pilgrim vs the World by Bryan Lee O'Malley
04. Storm Front by Jim Butcher
05. Scott Pilgrim and the Infinite Sadness by Bryan Lee O'Malley
06. Meanwhile by Jason Shiga
07. The Diary of a "Dr Who" Addict by Paul Magrs
08. Meat Is Murder by Joe Pernice
09. Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together by Bryan Lee O'Malley
10. Scott Pilgrim vs the Universe by Bryan Lee O'Malley
11. Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour by Bryan Lee O'Malley
12. Foop! by Chris Genoa

The COT Bookcrossing Zone has closed!

I established the COT Bookcrossing Zone at my workplace on 21st February 2007. It closed in July 2010.

On this page are a list of all books claimed from the COT BCZ to my knowledge. As I am seldom in the office more than once a week it is possible that some books may arrive and depart in my absence. If a book is still in the zone after 5-6 weeks I will reclaim it for release elsewhere (reclaimed books are not listed on this page)

The following books were available from the COT BCZ at the time of its closure:

Vacation by Jeremy C. Shipp (released 19/07/10)
Troublesome Minds by Dave Galanter (released 12/07/10)
Urban Gothic by Brian Keene (released 11/06/10)
Dinner for Two by Mike Gayle (released 31/05/10)
Dexter by Design by Jeff Lindsay (released 27/05/10)
Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link (released 10/05/10)
Beyond Recall by Robert Goddard (released 03/05/10)
After Dark by Haruki Murakami (released 28/03/10)

The following books have been snagged from the COT BCZ since February 2007:
Diary by Chuck Palahniuk (released 19/05/10)
The Men Who Stare at Goats by Jon Ronson (released 13/02/10)
Odd Hours by Dean Koontz (released 24/04/10)
The Conqueror Worms by Brian Keene (released 13/03/10)
Brother Odd by Dean Koontz (released 19/03/10)
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (released 31/01/10)
Gun with Occasional Music by Jonathan Lethem (released 20/02/10)
The Song is You by Arthur Phillips (released 26/01/10)
Under the Dome by Stephen King (released 20/12/09)
East Is East by T.Coraghessan Boyle (released 08/05/08)
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (released 08/10/09)
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow (released 06/08/09)
Skeletons by Kate Wilhelm (released 27/08/09)
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (released 20/08/09) <-- Journalled!!
Sideshow by Sheri S. Tepper (released 13/08/09)
Flashforward by Robert J. Sawyer (released 14/07/09)
Conjugal Rites by Paul Magrs (released 18/06/09)
Angels and Demons by Dan Brown (released 23/05/09)
Beneath the Skin by Nicci French (released 26/02/09)
Where Late The Sweet Birds Sang by Kate Wilhelm (released 07/04/09)
Rollback by Robert J. Sawyer (released 02/04/09) <-- Journalled!!
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne (released 19/03/09)
The Bro Code by Barney Stinson (released 12/03/09)
Mightier Than the Sword by Tom Holt (released 05/03/09) <-- Journalled!!
Enchantment by Orson Scott Card (released 17/02/09) <-- Journalled!!
Marley & Me by John Grogan (released 12/02/09)
The Deluge by Mark Morris (released 20/01/09)
Mr. Commitment by Mike Gayle (released 01/10/08)
Caught in the Light by Robert Goddard (released 5/11/08)
Silent But Deadly by Mark Tatulli (released 15/10/08)
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult (released 25/09/08)
The Road by Cormac McCarthy (released 09/10/08)
The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett (released 10/09/08)
Footsteps in an Empty Room by Lilly Sommers (released 27/08/08)
The Letter Girl by Andrew Masterson (released 03/07/08)
Faerie Tale by Raymond E. Feist (released 11/06/08)
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult (released 21/05/08)
Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom by Cory Doctorow (released 23/04/08)
Pest Control by Bill Fitzhugh (released 19/03/08)
The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers (released 26/03/08)
Set in Stone by Robert Goddard (released 22/02/08)
Demons Are Forever: Confessions of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner (released 13/02/08)
The Pact by Jodi Picoult (released 24/01/08)
Pastoralia by George Saunders (released 27/02/08)
Life of Pi by Yann Martel (released 31/01/08)
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (released 17/01/08) <-- Journalled!!
Man and Boy by Tony Parsons (released 28/12/07)
Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey (released 03/01/08) <-- Journalled!!
Play to the End by Robert Goddard (released 10/01/08)
A Proper Family Christmas by Jane Gordon-Cumming (released 13/12/07)
Midshipman's Hope by David Feintuch (released 22/11/07)
Stardust by Neil Gaiman (released 26/09/07)
The Regulators by Richard Bachman (released 18/07/07)
Desperation by Stephen King (released 18/07/07)
The Bear Went Over the Mountain by William Kotzwinkle (released 15/08/07)
Cell by Stephen King (released 29/08/07)
My Legendary Girlfriend by Mike Gayle (released 05/07/07)
Heroics for Beginners by John Moore (released 27/06/07)
The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein (released 13/06/07)
Replay by Ken Grimwood (released 02/05/07)
Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner (released 30/05/07)
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (released 23/05/07)
K-PAX by Gene Brewer (released 09/05/07)
In Pale Battalions by Robert Goddard (released 18/04/07)
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris (released 25/04/07)
Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison (released 07/03/07)
Lullaby by Chuck Palahniuk (released 24/02/07)

Books Read In July 2010

01. Troublesome Minds by Dave Galanter
02. Recess Pieces by Bob Fingerman
03. Zombocalypse Now by Matt Youngmark

Books Read In June 2010

01. The Boys Vol. 2: Get Some by Garth Ennis
02. Urban Gothic by Brian Keene

Books Read In May 2010

01. Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link
02. Scott's Pilgrim's Precious Little Life by Bryan Lee O'Malley
03. Dexter by Design by Jeff Lindsay
04. Apollo 23 by Justin Richards
05. The Boys Vol. 1: The Name of the Game by Garth Ennis
06. How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
07. Dinner for Two by Mike Gayle
08. Night of the Humans by David Llewellyn

Books Read In April 2010

01. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon by Crystal Zevon
02. Kick-Ass by Mark Millar
03. The Pirate Loop by Simon Guerrier
04. Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones

Books Read In March 2010

01. The Dwarves of Death by Jonathan Coe
02. After Dark by Haruki Murakami
03. The Conqueror Worms by Brian Keene
04. The Song is You by Megan Abbott
05. The Wishing Chair Again by Enid Blyton
06. Hellboy Vol. 4: The Right Hand of Doom by Mike Mignola
07. Fables Vol. 5: The Mean Seasons by Bill Willingham

Books Read In February 2010

01. The Men Who Stare at Goats by Jon Ronson
02. Dog Eat Dog by Jerry Jay Carroll
03. Club Dead by Charlaine Harris

Books Read In January 2010

01. Bowie: A Biography by Marc Spitz
02. Wishing Well by Trevor Baxendale
03. The Song is You by Arthur Phillips