WEEKEND BOOK PURCHASES

MY YEAR – ROALD DAHL
Illustrated by Quentin Blake
Jonathan Cape – 1993 – pds.8.99

I bought this wee gem for $8 at the bric-a-brac stall across the road from the Matakana Farmers’ Market last Saturday morning.

My Year contains some of Roald Dahl's most remarkable writing and is based on a diary he wrote during the final year of his life. In a month-by-month journey, he reflects on the past and present from many perspectives. He had an abiding love for and interest in nature which shows up very clearly in this slender hardback volume.
Reminiscences of his childhood and adolescence are combined with tips on how to rid your lawn of moles or produce a first-class conker!
All of this is woven into Dahl's observations of the changing seasons. Absolutely delightful and the enchanting, evocative watercolours by Quentin Blake are a bonus.
Somehow I missed this book when it was first published but I am delighted to have it now.

Instead of then heading along to The Black Dog for a coffee and a read of my just acquired book I decided to first pay a social call on Tracey, owner of the splendid Village Bookshop. Half an hour later I emerged with two fascinating books!

HOW TO AVOID HUGE SHIPS
And other implausibly titled books
Introduction by Joel Rickett
Aurum – NZ$28

2008 marks the 30th anniversary of the Diagram Prize, the annual contest to determine the oddest book title of the year. Founded in 1978 by book packagers the Diagram Group to lighten spirits on a dull afternoon at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the prize is a joyous celebration of the barmy side of publishing.

Now, for the first time, 50 of the funniest Diagram winners and runners-up are reproduced in full colour in "How To Avoid Huge Ships", an irresistible anthology of the oddest of the odd.
Here are wildly implausible titles such as "Bombproof Your Horse", "People Who Don't Know They're Dead" and "The Big Book of Lesbian Horse Stories", not forgetting the classic "Greek Rural Postmen" and "Their Cancellation Numbers", voted by the public the oddest title of the past 30 years in the hotly contested Diagram of Diagrams., "How To Avoid Huge Ships" is the perfect Christmas gift for book-lovers especially those with a quirky sense of humour.

AD NAUSEAM
A Miscellany of Latin Words & Phrases
Lorna Robinson – Simon & Schuster Australia-$28

The author introduces us to the fascinating (and humorous) world of the Latin language. Gain a taste for ancient Rome through familiar and not-so-familiar words and concepts - from the more classic Latin of the upper classes to the insults and the everyday 'vulgar Latin' straight from the seedy underbelly of Roman life.
I was amazed at just how many Latin words and phrases are still in use around the world today – I found the word plebeii interesting - meaning common people from which comes the contemporary derogatory term “pleb”.
Appealingly illustrated with original Roman mosaics, Ad Nauseam brings to life the history and humour behind the great Roman empire.

I really must stay away from bookshops now until after Christmas!