Reading

Finally, after finishing my thesis, I have more time to read books. In England, I bought and read Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them by Newt Scamander and Quidditch Through The Ages by Kennilworthy Whisp. I liked that the first book is an exact copy of the one that Harry Potter owns, and they even printed what Harry and Ron Weasley (who is using Harry’s copy because his fell apart) scribbled on the pages.

I also bought Generation X by Douglas Adams, which I wanted to read since I saw it on Mr. and Mrs. Simmons’ Favorite Books. I started reading it on the flight back from England.

And yesterday, I visited my favourite bookstore in Bonn – and found they already had a few copies of Otherland IV – Sea of Silver Light! 922 pages, and it was only DM 33,10. Surprisingly, it seems as if the book is not available elsewhere. Amazon.de Amazon.de and Amazon.com list it to be published in April 2001 (and for almost twice as much money, but that’s the American hardcover edition), and Amazon.co.uk says it will be published on April 3. The book is £14.39 there, which is about DM 45,30. I wonder why prices differ so much for the same book.

I can’t wait to start reading the final part of the Otherland series – I’ve been waiting since finishing part three a year and a half ago.

And what does the author think about the book?

“It’s finally over. Five or six years of writing, perhaps more, living with this story for a few years in my head even before I started, and now it’s about to be published. Characters I have lived with longer than I’ve lived with either of my children. (And who have been more of a plus in terms of income, as well.)

… I’ve read this book about six times in four months – all 1100 pages of manuscript. I’m completely sick of it. I have no idea if it’s any good or not. I need someone else to tell me, because as far as I’m personally concerned, it’s the most boring, unnecessary book in the history of this part of the galaxy. If I never had to look at it again I’d be perfectly happy – no, delighted. Of course, I’m desperately hoping that there are readers out there who will feel differently.”

Spring

Yay! Spring has arrived in Bonn! Since yesterday, it’s mostly sunny, it’s quite warm, the birds are singing, and it smells like spring. The temperatures are going to reach 20°C tomorrow and on Monday, says the weather forecast. Wow!