Thursday Thirteen #33

And another challenge from a fellow TTer.  Even though he and I most probably disagree on a number of important issues, I always enjoy a visit to Dane Bramage, and I bet you will too.  Check him out.  A few weeks ago he challenged me to find thirteen books on my shelves with titles of six words or more.  Five or more would have been much easier, but no – he said six or more, so six or more it had to be.  These are what I came up with…

 Thirteen Books With Titles Of Six Words Or More

“In The Heat Of The Night”  by JOHN BALL.  I suspect several of us know the story here.  A black detective from Philadelphia, Virgil Tibbs, visiting his mother in small town Mississippi in the 1960s, is arrested for the murder of a local big-wig, by the town’s police who are at first unable to understand the concept of a black detective, and then very reluctantly accept his help.  The murder story is one strand, the other is the relationship between Tibbs and the bigoted  local police chief.  A story of both crime and entrenched racism.  Unusually, this is an example of a book not being as good as the film that was made of it.   Buy it here

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“The Other Side Of The Moon”  by SHERIDAN MORLEY.  A biography of the actor David Niven, written some years after his death.  Niven’s own two books of reminiscences are masterpieces of easy reading, and make his life seem like one long sequence of laughs and merry happenings. Morley suggests that perhaps not everything was so joyful.  This is not a hatchet job, and he by no means trashes Niven, but he does remove some of the gloss.  Buy it here

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“She’ll Never Get Off The Ground”  by ROBERT J. SERLING.  This seems a bit dated by today’s standards but it’s a fun read anyway.  A woman applies for a pilot’s job with a passenger airline and as well as the hard training she has to contend with the inbuilt prejudices of her instructors, fellow students and the airline executives.  Does she succeed against all the odds?  You’ll have to read it to find out.   Buy it here

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“The Ship That Died Of Shame  by NICHOLAS MONTSARRAT.  Best known for “The Cruel Sea” Montsarrat also wrote this collection of short stories with a nautical flavour.  The title story, about a torpedo boat sold off after the war and used by smugglers, was made into a film that has been all but forgotten.   Buy it here

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“Flashman And The Angel Of The Lord”  by GEORGE MACDONALD FRASER.  This is the tenth book in the Flashman series.  Like all the others, it is a thumping good read!  A great story laced with accurate historical detail.  The Angel of the Lord in the title is John Brown, and Flashman, making one of his visits to the US, gets caught up, much against his will and his instincts as a coward, in the raid on Harper’s Ferry.   Buy it here

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“The Rise And Fall Of The Third Reich”  by WILLIAM L. SHIRER.  For a long time this was regarded as the definitive account of the Nazi regime.  Shirer was an American journalist in Berlin through the1930s, until the Nazis booted him out of the country in 1939, so he saw first hand a lot of what he describes.  Even if it is not now regarded as the best source for historians, it is still an excellent read for people interested in the subject.   Read it here

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“The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾”  by SUE TOWNSEND.  The first of the phenomenally successful Mole books, full of teenaged angst, the heartbreak of a first love and the trials of living with what he sees as rather strange parents.   Buy it here

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“Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less”  by JEFFREY ARCHER.  Archer’s first novel, written quickly in order to stave off bankruptcy.  He has since called it a naïve, immature book, but it’s fun for all that.  A millionaire cons six men out of their savings, so they set about conning it back from him.  A tale from the days before faxes, mobile phones and the internet.  This edition, which I bought in Toronto at Eaton’s, when there was still such a place, is an early one, possibly from the first North American printing, so it may have rarity value. It is obviously from before the time Archer became a best-selling author, not to mention millionaire, politician and convict.   Buy it here

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“Confessions Of A Late Night Talk Show Host”  by GARY SHANDLING.  Or rather, ‘as told to Gary Shandling’ as it says on the cover.  The Larry Sanders Show was one of the best spoof talk shows, and here we have Shandling’s alter ego telling us the story of the show and anecdotes about the people who have appeared on it. A slim volume with a lot of photographs mean you can zip through this is no time.   Buy it here

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“The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe”  by DOUGLAS ADAMS.  Hooray for the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy!  This is the second book in the series, where, among other things, Arthur Dent, Ford, Zaphod Beeblebrox and Marvin the Paranoid Android,  visit Milliways, the restaurant at the end of the universe.  There has never been anyone to touch Adams.  Read all the books in the series, or get hold of the radio shows or TV series.  Just don’t bother with the movie.   Buy it here

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“The Murders of the Black Museum 1879–1970”  by GORDON HONEYCOMBE.  The Black Museum is the department at Scotland Yard, open to police officers and others by appointment only, where they keep evidence, exhibits, documents and photos from notorious murders.  I was lucky enough to visit it once.  This book contains accounts of  fifty-three of them, several with photographs.   Buy it here

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“The Island Where Time Stands Still  by DENIS WHEATLEY.  Wheatley usually wrote novels that dealt with, or at least touched upon, the occult.  There isn’t much of that here.  His hero, Gregory Sallust, finds himself marooned, in the days long before GPS, on an island in the Pacific ruled by a descendant of the Chinese imperial family, in the manner of the distant past.  A far-fetched bit of fun.   Buy it here

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“The Second Coming Of Lucas Brokaw”  by MATTHEW BRAUN.  An elderly millionaire, seeing the end of his life approaching, decides that since he can not take his wealth with him, he will do the next best thing and come back for it, so he arranges to have his money safely stashed in a trust until he, reincarnated, can collect it.  An interesting story.   Buy it here

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And a frivolous bonus, item 13A....

“The Idler Book Of Crap Jobs”  edited by DAN KIERNAN.  A silly book, the sort of thing people give away as gag gifts.  It’s a list of soul destroying, mindless or degrading, underpaid jobs that people have had to take for time to time.  Suitable for reading on public transport or in waiting rooms.   Buy it here

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Comments

[Tink]

I've only read Adrian Mole and The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe. I've written some of the titles down to explore later.
Thanks for visiting my random TT! Mahjongg isn't that hard. It looks that way because of all the Chinese characters and images. Be careful in trying though... you might end up addicted too! ;-)

[shesawriter]

The Heat Of The Night is the only one I've heard of.

[Lori]

OK...so, did you read all of these books or are you a book saleman???lol Happy TT..have a great Thanksgiving.

[Nicole Austin]

I've read the first two. :D

Another cool book list. Happy TT!

[Jill]

I think I went trhough the third reich one for a project!! i think it is the one that my professor wrote that I did desapoint him!!

[No nonsense girl]

happy TT Nicholas!!! And happy thanksgiving!!!

:)

[Janet]

I have not read a one of those!

[Greatfullivin]

Very nice list. Happy Thanksgiving!

[Susan Helene Gottfried]

I didn't get Adrian Mole. I tried. *sigh*

Seeing some of these old editions almost makes me sorry I trade so many books away. Almost, though -- I still have too many!! That, sadly, hasn't changed this week. (I'm trying! I am! I read three of them!)

[sobeit]

Okay...I must admit I haven't read any of those, but I have several of my own that I'm trying to read now! Gosh, I never get to read a lot until summer break! Hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving!

[Holly]

We STILL have different tastes on books, but I do enjoy your posts!

Happy TT!

Smiles,

Holly
http://theabundanceplace.com

[pussreboots]

Thanks for stopping by. I read all the Hitchhiker's series when I was in university. There is a restaurant just off campus that my husband and I have dubbed "The restaurant at the end of the university" in honor of the book.

[stephanie (bad mom)]

This is awesome! I'm now feeling very obsessed, I mean inspired to check out my bookshelves...

(And good luck to you with the CD alphabetizing!)

[Penelope Anne]

Got to love Douglas Adams books, you could have had a fairly good list if you had more of his books on your shelf.
Interesting challenge. Thanks for visiting my T13 this week, have a good holiday!

[susiej]

That was a clever one. I'm sure that one wasn't easy!! One of my favorite books, however is Jeffrey Archer's, Not A Penny More Not a Penny Less. I had forgotten about it -- thanks for the reminder.

[Dane Bramage]

We are so in agreement on Hitchikers: The Movie. Adams was fond of lengthy titles. Didn't he do "Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul? Great list. You rose to the challenge admirably. Happy Thanksgiving! (do you celebrate?) My Thursday Thirteen is up. It's #57 and it's 13 Things My Momma Done Taught Me. Stop by if you get a chance.

[Joely]

Wow, what a difficult and interesting challenge! Happy TT and Thanksgiving if you're celebrating!

[Leslie Dicken]

Exactly HOW MANY books DO YOU have on your bookshelves? LOL! What a challenge...and you met it! Congrats!

[Diana]

Cool! I bet I could do that, too, even though I cleaned out the bookcase two days ago. I love my books! I also love your friends' idea and the way you rose to the challenge. Good job.

[cajunvegan]

I'm Thanksgiving-free too. Check out mine for Shits and Giggles.

[Robin from Israel]

It just doesn't get any better than the Hitchhiker's guide...

The Crap Jobs one sounds worth a look. I like that Worst Jobs series the BBC did so I'd probably like the book too.

[Babyamore (Trish)]

I've only read Adrian Mole - where do dig up these books ? happy thanksgiving

[TopChamp]

ha ha! So we can set you book-related challenges? I'll have a think.

[Coco]

Hmm... haven't heard of any of these books... well, perhaps the Sue Towsend one. They seem like very old books :)

[The Gal Herself]

This is a first! Of all your book TTs, this is the only one where I haven't read a single title. Thanks for visiting my TT.

[Denise Patrick]

Great list. I've even heard of a few of them, too. LOL!

Thanks for visiting my TT!

[zenmomma]

I love Douglas Adams. 42!

[MamaLee]

Great list! I need to get reading. Happy TT!

[Mom Not Mum]

LOL That book about crap jobs sounds interesting.

[tanabata]

What a fun idea for a TT. I'm going to have to have a look at my bookshelves now. Happy Thanksgiving!

[amypalko]

It really is impressive, Nicholas, that you can rise to these challenges. I think this one would be a struggle for me. The only one I can see on my bookshelves is Umberto Eco's The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana. Once again, in awe of your bookshelves!!!

[Michelle]

Great list, a few I have never heard of but will look into getting them. Thanks for sharing and visiting my blog.

[Anglophile Football Fanatic]

I always love your book list. I haven't read any, but the Fraser series looks good! Thanks for all your reading suggestions!

[Adelle Laudan]

I don't think I've heard of most of these. Congrats for taking the challenge.

Happy Turkey Day!

[Melissa]

I'm amazed to say I've actually read a few of these! Congrats for passing the challenge. Thanks for dropping by!

[TeaMouse]

I have yet to read the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy but both my son and husband have - we rented the movie and I was totally turned off. I should probably read the book, and this one also sounds interesting.

[TeaMouse]

I have yet to read the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy but both my son and husband have - we rented the movie and I was totally turned off. I should probably read the book, and this one also sounds interesting.

[Sword Girl]

I've not heard of many of the books, but some of them do sound interesting! Looks like you won the challenge! Great job!

[Joanne]

Do you have 13 books with titles in another language? Another list of books I've never read-man-I haven't read a good book in a long time.

Glad you liked my 13 list. It's amazing how stupid people can be, isn't it? Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

[jayedee]

this is a GREAT list! and of course, i found a couple that will go on my list too!
have a wonderful thanksgiving full of blessings and good food!

[Mommychicky]

Wow, eclectic list!

[YummY!]

I've only read Adrian Mole and the Douglas Adams book.

Do longer titles mean smarter books?

Makes me wonder how many of my books have 6 word or more in the title.

Actually, I think most of mine have one or two word titles.

[Mar]

Haven't read any of those. And now I am curious about my own shelf...
Challenging TT!

[Xakara]

The Restuarant at the End of the Universe!

I'm nostalgic for my Hitchhiker books again. I must hit my used bookstore and get them. They just keep coming up.

Happy Thursday/Thanksgiving Nicolas. :)

~X

[Harlekwin]

Ooops, I bothered with the movie and thought 'meh.' Thank you for letting us know the series is worth reading.

Thank you for visiting my site and for your comment today.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy TT!!

[marilyn]

I love science fiction and I love humor, but I could never get into Adams books... they lack plot. They are good to read a chapter at a time... a month in between. I know I'm pretty much alone in this view.

I have to admit that I haven't read a singe one of the other titles in your list. Right now I'm reading Don't Know Much About the Bible... which has six word in the title, but it's a library book and I don't own it. It's fascinating and not terribly religious.

[Darla]

Oh, I love these! I've only read The Restaurant at the End of the Universe. Now I'm tempted to go through my shelves and see if I can come up with 13 books with 6+ word titles.

[Linda R. Moore]

Did I not comment on this yet? How strange.

I have the Restaurant, used to like Adrian Mole (though I don't any more), and would love to see thirteen of those bad jobs as a future TT13. :)

Thanks for gallivanting around the universe looking at all my TTs :)

[Wylie Kinson]

I've always enjoyed Jeffrey Archer. I always though Cain and Abel was his first. Learned somthing new today :)
I think I've all of his pre-prison work.

[Matthew James Didier]

"The Murders of the Black Museum" - Now on my MUST READ list! Merci!

[shiera]

Hello Nicholas!

And I consider myself a book-lover... I haven't even read a single book from your list! These seem to be very interesting reads... I'll try to look for them. :)

Thank you for dropping by.
Happy Thanksgiving!

[Greg]

I've read two of them.

[cjmr]

Glad you had Douglas Adams in here, otherwise the only book on your list I've read is Rise and Fall of the Third Reich.

Thanks for dropping by.

[Ed]

Great list. I just finished Cat 'o' Nine tails by Jeffery Archer one of my favorite authors. Douglas Adams is always a fun read.

Ed

[Patti]

I haven't read a single one of those, but definitely enjoyed perusing the covers. How about a TT of books that aren't cookbooks, but have food in the titles? :)

Thanks for stopping by!

[iamthediva]

holy guacamole,
have you read all these books?

the only one i've read/heard of is the Dougals Adams book.

thanks for visiting my suspcious meme

[Vicki Gaia]

What a great list. I'm glad to see this, because some of my book titles tend to be rather long! I have one 5 word title: Light In A Hollow Place :) Nice to be in such good company. Vic

[Gina]

I remember the Douglas Adams book! Thanks for stopping by my TT.

[Malcolm]

Way to step up and take Dane Bramage's challenge. It is rare that a movie (In the Heat of the Night) is better than the book that inspired it. I am somewhat intrigued to read it to see in what areas the movie improved upon. I haven't read the last book on your list, but it sounds like a very amusing read.

[Andi & Stien]

Wow, I think I should be ashamed, because I don't think I recognize any of these titles... *oops*
Happy TT, and thanks for dropping by ;-)

[Mary Emken]

Saw the movie ( In The Heat Of The Night) but, didn't read the book. As usual that's quite a list you have.

Do you ever watch Glenn Beck on head line news? He tells it how it is. Try to catch him some time if you haven't all ready.

[Di]

Wasn't sure if it included subtitles or not...but in this caase it doesn't even matter. This is just the most intriguing one from my book journal over the past 10 years:

We're Just Like You, Only Prettier: Confessions of a Tarnished Southern Belle by Celia Rivenbark.

[Candy Minx]

Well done. That must have been tricky. I've read three of them this list. It is cold here today and I'm a little jealous of your Red Rose tea and your warmer weather!

Hey I posted a video you might enjoy from yesterday at my blog today regadring Thanksgiving dinner and other odds and ends...

[Alasandra]

Thanks for visiting my TT. Sorry it to me so long to drop by, I was busy eating and cooking.

Haven't read any of the books this go around.

[e-Mom]

Sorry, I don't recognize a single one of these. Maybe you'll take a look at my list for this week's T-13 when you get the chance. :~D

[Summer Squirrel]

You have quite a selection. Of all I've read Douglas Adams. Thanks for visiting my site!

Cheers!

[Rims]

My fav is Jeffrey Archer...and some of the other books...I would love to read...

Thanks for stopping by...

Cheers!

[Cindi]

Of all your lists I so love to peruse, I have read the most off of this one the challenge list. Figures.

Thanks for another glimpse.

Cindi

[J. Lynne]

Excellent choice with Douglas Adams. :) I wonder if that Third Reich book is available as an unabridged audiobook. I'm currently devouring history during my daily commute and I'm looking for something WWII-ish for 4 books from now.

Happy belated Turkey day. :)

[Sophie]

I'm late as usual, but that's nothing new for me.

Fun list of books! My BIL is so hard to buy Christmas presents for. He is a sailing guy. I wonder if a Montsarrat book would be a good thing for him.

[Smiler]

That's a very interesting challenge. Don't think I have quite enough books here to be able to participate. Neat idea though. Thanks for coming by today.