Books
You may have noticed the nice little book role to the left there. Jamie added one to his site and I thought it was a good idea.
I used AllConsuming.net, as did Jamie. Its actually a good way to share book recommendations among friends - as if picking up the phone to have a chat about books was passe already??? Actually you're right, maybe its a way to share book recommendations among strangers... very nifty.

Anyway, I don't want anyone getting excited that they'll be able to track my progress through the literary anals. I am a VERY SLOW reader and I go for whole periods of time where I don't read any books.
For example, Lord of the Rings has been beside my bed since last Xmas (that is, Xmas 2001). I've started it twice - although I'm very proud of the fact that on my second attempt I have passed the 200 page marker, but nonetheless I haven't gotten to any intersting bits with monsters and fire, etc. The other major deterrent, of course, being that that nice man Peter Jackson went and made a series of films. And you know I'm sure he made them for people like me. I don't understand all those people who read this book once every year, it will a life achievement for me if I ever get to the end. So I think Peter Jackson has friends like me who could just never make it to the end and to save them all that distress he made a damn good film....or three.

Hopefully though, having a list that shows the progress I make (or don't make) with books might spur me on to read faster.... Watch this space.