Library Copy of 'Fifty Shades of Grey" Tests Positive For Herpes

For a laugh two Belgian toxicologists borrowed 10 books from their local public library and put them through toxicological and bacteriological screenings. What they found was quite intriguing.

All books were rife with bacteria. Well that should be a no-brainer, but did they run some background readings on other books, say from their own library?

Another finding was that all showed trace amounts of cocaine. Not enough for a reader to display physiological symptoms, but possibly enough to alert a drug screening.

Also, "Fifty Shades of Grey" tested positive for the Herpes virus. Very low amounts mind you and the experts say not enough to transmit the virus. But what if you have a suppressed immune system?

Anyway, support your local libraries, they do great work. Keep your cocaine away from the books though. And anyone borrowing "Fifty Shades" from the library, well you deserve what you get.

Source: http://www.deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws.english/News/131112_50Shades

Kim Stanley Robinson's New Novel

It's on it's way and I'm getting it for my birthday next week.

Instead of the future Kim is going 32,000 years in the past. Instigated by Otzi and visits to the Chauvet caves in France. And featuring Neanderthals.

2013 Hugo Award Winners Announced

The Hugos, the Academy Awards for science fiction and fantasy literature, were announced over the weekend.
I only tend to follow a few categories, which I have put below. For all categories and winners, check out the tor.com page.

Best Novel

• Winner: Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas by John Scalzi (Tor)
• 2312 by Kim Stanley Robinson (Orbit)
• Blackout by Mira Grant (Orbit)
• Captain Vorpatril's Alliance by Lois McMaster Bujold (Baen)
• Throne of the Crescent Moon by Saladin Ahmed (DAW)

  Seeing as I have only read 'Redshirts' from this list, I guess I cannot offer an opinion on this selection. I should get around to reading '2312' real soon. "Redshirts" is a lot of fun if you're a Trek fan.

Best Graphic Story

• Winner: Saga, Volume One written by Brian K. Vaughn, illustrated by Fiona Staples (Image Comics)
• Grandville Bête Noire written and illustrated by Bryan Talbot (Dark Horse Comics, Jonathan Cape)
• Locke & Key Volume 5: Clockworks written by Joe Hill, illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez (IDW)
• Schlock Mercenary: Random Access Memorabilia by Howard Tayler, colors by Travis Walton (Hypernode Media)
• Saucer Country, Volume 1: Run written by Paul Cornell, illustrated by Ryan Kelly, Jimmy Broxton and Goran Sudžuka (Vertigo)
  
  I am a fan of 'Saga' and 'Locke and Key' and I probably would have like to see 'Locke and Key' win. But oh well. I need to get around to reading 'Saucer Country' as I am a fan of Paul Cornell's Doctr Who work.

Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form

• Winner: Game of Thrones: “Blackwater” Written by George R.R. Martin, Directed by Neil Marshall. Created by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss (HBO)
• Doctor Who: “The Angels Take Manhattan” Written by Steven Moffat, Directed by Nick Hurran (BBC Wales)
• Doctor Who: “Asylum of the Daleks” Written by Steven Moffat; Directed by Nick Hurran (BBC Wales)
• Doctor Who: “The Snowmen” Written by Steven Moffat, Directed by Saul Metzstein (BBC Wales)
• Fringe: “Letters of Transit” Written by J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Akiva Goldsman, J.H.Wyman, Jeff Pinkner. Directed by Joe Chappelle (Fox)
  
  I really don't like the 'Game of Thrones' TV series, but I do understand it's popularity. I would have much preferred Fringe or Doctor Who winning. Being said I have not watched the last season of Fringe yet, and out of the three Who episodes, "The Snowmen" was the better. I really did not appreciate "The Angels Take Manhattan".