5 new books about dessert because SUGAR GOOD obviously

"Have your cake and eat it... there's no other reason to have a cake!"
- Derren Brown

When I was an angry tertiary student, I spent most of my classes with Paul Moon arguing instead of learning. (I had the mostest, craziest respect for Prof Moon and, above any other lecturer I had, he pushed and challenged me the most). So...not much has changed since, then, really. I still argue more than listen :/ I remember in one particular class he and I were debating the concept of iwi being redefined. When I challenged him on something, he said to me, "Oh, you just want to have your cake and eat it, too." Without even thinking, I replied with, "BUT THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT OF CAKE!" That, re-phrased a little, is my outlook on life. After all, what is life without a little cake? Or without a little dessert? "Cake good" is my lifelong philosophy. It sits right up alongside of my other philosophies (I use that word very loosely) "Chocolate good" and "Sugar good" and, really, "Food good." (You get the idea). Quickish post in which I highlight 5 new dessert books we've received because, really, SUGAR FOREVER.

5 strangely named science books

"Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of science."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Remember how in yesterday's post I said that strange and unusual titles manage to find me without my even trying? Today's post is proof positive, yet again, that I meant it. I came across the book A neutron walks into a bar: Random facts and big ideas about our universe and everything in it and, before I knew it, had this list below. It's a gift. A gift that I can't return and/or get a refund on and so I've learned to live with it and revel in it. And so I give you: 5 strangely named science books.

Today is the first day in our (now 3rd) annual 12 Posts of Christmas series, people! We're blogging every day up to Christmas Day with recommendations that will make you laugh, geek out, make grabby hands in trying to get your hands on them and, hopefully, make you want to share them with everyone including strange people you meet on your morning bus rides to work (Please tell me it's NOT just me who does that). Roll on the madness!

5 new foodie DVDs

Will looked horrified. "What kind of monster could possibly hate chocolate?"
― Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Angel

The first day of every month is my favourite library day. I almost wish I could say because something spectacular and wondrous happens, but that isn't the case. (Well, it is to me, but wouldn't necessarily be so for anybody else). It's totally geeky, and you'll probably laugh (go ahead, you have my permission to do so) - the first day of the month is when our new titles lists are updated. It used to be a digital services tradition that when they were posted we'd go through the new romance list and read aloud the best and the worst of the titles (seriously, I adore romance novels, but where do they keep finding all these breathlessly silly virgins and autocratic megazillionaire tycoons?). Post-amalgamation, and with the four of us in different parts of the city, it's not something I do the same way, anymore. Sure, I still heart the lists, and I'll still read them (this one I've saved until the end of this month), I'll just do it at home in the evenings and chortle to myself. (Ok, it sounds more pathetic than it is, trust me). My unabashed love of the DVD documentary list runs a close second to the romance one, and with good reason. Well, five good reasons this month, and all to do with food. More specifically, Spain (oh, how I heart you, Monsieur Stein! You make me want to turn the world into one great, big, long epicurean curiosity), British chocolatiers (WIN!), a cake boss (say it with a New Jersey accent, you know you want to), a bit of River Cottage attitude, and the bad boy of baking. Et voilà, I give you 5 new foodie DVDs. I don't think there's anything I can add to that, really, except bon appétit!