I ripped this off from The Big Picture blog. It seems apropos.
"Christmas is a time when kids tell Santa what they want and adults pay for it. Deficits are when adults tell the government what they want and their kids pay for it." —Richard Lamm
I just finished reading Bernard Cornwell's Agincourt. It's slightly unusal book for Cornwell, as it doesn't seem to be part of a series. It's well researched. It also had a very similar feel to the Archer's Tale. All in all, I enjoyed the book, but I often felt like I had read certain passages before, in another of Cornwell's book. I really recommend reading The Saxon Stories or The Grail Quest series. Mostly, I am bored in my hotel room and I've been devouring books purchased from Half Priced books in San Antonio. I miss having access to the public library in Edmond.
A book I did not enjoy was Blasphemy by Douglas Preston. The story line was interesting: a massive particle accelerator creates a rip in the space-time continuum exposing God, who communicates with the scientists. Unfortunately, the physics and the staffing levels were not believable. (Imagine CERN staffed with eight scientists, one technician and a gun toting security officer for months on end.) The story was saturated with meaningless sub-plots, and the manner in which the scientists' tried to hide the discovery wasn't believable. Some may enjoy this story, but if you are picky about your particle physics or human behavior, stay away.
A book that is probably going to cost me a library fine (checked out in Edmond but stuck in San Antonio) is State of Fear by Michael Crichton. Parts of the book are enjoyable. There are too many billionaire activists building secret "all powerful" weapons causing mass reader confusion in slimey jungles hidden from satellite view by pervasive mist and clouds. I guess there are folks like the billionare character, but the only one that I've read about was the king and CEO of Broadcom. His tunnels were allegedly dedicated to wild parties and debauchery, not weapons. I guess I would classify this book as "an action packed science fantasy good for summer reading" - if someone gives it to you to read. Save your money.
Thoughts on Marriott Courtyard's iBahn free internet access:
- Awful
- Awful
- Awful
I guess I am giving it a triple-A rating. 
My advice to Marriott: abandon these stupid proxy services and bring in U-Verse, DSL or cable.