Raven

I don't think schools and the government should have to carry the can for TV and computer games being more popular. Schools do their best to get kids reading, whether they stick with it is something the book industry has to address by making their product more interesting (they managed it with Harry Potter, after all).

I'll second the recommendation for an iPod, but I would suggest that an iPod Touch may be a bit over the top for just listening to audio books. I've been using an iPod Nano for the last few years, and even with a 4Gb memory I can a dozen or so audio books on it at once, and I believe you can get 16Gb versions now. As for sites for audio books, have you seen Audible?

I would generally say that, for some, reading doesn't get the same look in as films/TV/computer games etc because it requires more effort - it is a lot easier to sit in front of the crystal bucket and switch off, especially of you are tired, than it is to read a book. I wouldn't say reading is unpopular, in fact, I would say that over the last couple of decades reading has become more popular than ever. Regardless of what you think of their quality, look at the success of The Da Vinci Code, the Twilight Novels and the Harry Potter books etc; look at the number of reading groups that have popped up and the success of Channel 4s Book Club (and this forum!). I would say reading today is in rude health! Perhaps you need to improve your sales pitch! They probably do, but I'm not sure how that comment applies in this instance.

Exactly thirteen months to the day after I finished Doctor Who: The Writers Tale, by Russell T. Davis and Benjamin Cook I have finished Doctor Who: The Writers Tale: The Final Chapter, by Russell T. Davis and Benjamin Cook. Spooky . . . Very good it was though, and I shall be posting a review of it shortly!

Amen to that!

From the Earth to the Moon? That's supposed to be one of his classics, or how about The Lost World, by Arthur Conan Doyle?

How about some Jules Verne then?

The section where they went through an author's back catalogue was very good.

How about The War of the Worlds to add a bit of variety? (first published in 1898 if memory serves!).

I used to buy that, before it went bi (or was it tri?) monthly. It was an interesting read, but they never appeared to have the right funding in place and struggled from the outset. I still think there is a gap in the market for a more thoughtful main-stream science fiction magazine.

You shouldn't have told us what it was! Bite Me: For angry secretaries everywhere . . . I buy SFX (sci-fi) and ImagineFX (digital fantasy & science fiction art) every month, and Doctor Who Magazine, Private Eye, New Scientist and National Geographic occasionally. I've been buying SFX since issue 2, waaay back in the early/mid nineties, but I'm starting to think that I might stop because it doesn't really offer me anything I can't get online for free.

(the radio series was the best version!).

Slightly earlier this evening, but a compilation of the best bits of this series of Newswipe. Very good indeed.

And mine! I'd also recommend Enigma, a very good spy novel.

An updated version of Fame?

BBC Three just showed the Doctor Who episode Blink. Mulligan's BAFTA win was obviously part of some conspiracy . . .

Crossed wires. A point I had forgotten, is this trailer is also for showing in cinemas and has been filmed in 3D, which may explain why it looks a bit naff on good ole 2D TV.

My guess is that is the time vortex.

I must admit to being a tad underwhelmed by that trailer; bits on the grass, good. Bits where someone had been smoking grass, not good. And who on Earth though the incredibly naff alien head at the end was a good idea?!

Howl's Moving Castle A charming little film, but I enjoyed Spirited Away more.

Stardust Brilliant! An excellent story and some great performances, but above all a whole lot of fun!

I only caught the end - as I turned on for QI - but I was surprised and impressed that they went for what must have been a very challenging piece to film, rather than go for a safe confrontation in the Vic, or similar. It certainly seemed to be more ambitious than the live Quatermass they did a few years back (though I suspect Eastenders probably had more money thrown at).

Well hell-ooooooooo! Great film, I was lucky enough to see it in the cinema a few years back!

I like the Murakami quote in Weave's signature.

The BBC have apparently confirmed an April air date (Easter Saturday? The episode is an hour long . . .).