[JenB]

Discworld is definitely a specialty taste. If you liked Hitchhiker's Guide, you'll probably love Discworld - same irreverant British humor. And once you start Discworld you'll never read Xanth again. Trust me, it's so much better than Xanth... for one thing, the thirteenth book is actually distinguishable from the first in ways besides character names and the puns. Terry Pratchett, the author, mocks everything - I do mean everything, from opera to war, detective novels, typical fantasy, computer geeks, religion, atheism, politics, people who avoid politics - you get the picture. I'd suggest not starting at the 'beginning' of the series; the first three books are kinda lame, and the series isn't really all that connected. It all takes place on the same world, around the same time, and sometimes involves the same characters. Try "Guards! Guards!" - it's one of my favorites, sort of a mockery of hard-boiled detective story and the idea of "unknown hero saves the day and is the King" sort of thing at the same time.

[HairOfTheDog]

Hullo! - I am home from my horrid day at the office...

Michael Medved talked about the dirty campaign tricks this year for the Oscars today (the trashing of A Beautiful Mind) anyone hear it? I didn't - just the very tail end. Wondered how he/they think it affects FoTR..

[TigerTale]

Trust me, it's so much better than Xanth... for one thing, the thirteenth book is actually distinguishable from the first in ways besides character names and the puns.

I wanted to finish the whole Xanth series--truely I did. But I once I had plowed through three or four books, it just seemed kind of pointless to go on--mostly for the reasons you have mentioned.

I really liked the Gap that everyone kept forgetting about, however.