The new Lego thingy is the AT-AT walker in front, I believe it's one of the command/coastal AT-ATs from Rogue One. You know, the ones with the orange thing in the middle that folded up under blaster fire.
First up today is How To Destroy The Universe (and 34 other really interesting uses of Physics) by Paul Parsons. A curious book, which goes into all sorts of physics theory/practical things like building the ultimate rollercoaster, how to stop a hurricane, invisibility cloak, teleport, recreating the big bang and other theories.
A curious book, acquired as a present a few years ago. (That Lexus letter that's in there as a book mark may well date it !) I read through to about half way, put it aside for other books meaning to go back to it. I really should at some point ......
In the middle is The Martian, which is a book that I think is rather superior to an excellent film. As with most fiction, the book has the scope to go into the thoughts, the theory, the background. Films are very limited by their duration and the need to keep the story rattling along. If it can't be explained visually or in quick explanation between characters, it has to go from the film. Books have far more licence to allow themselves to properly explain the story.
I would thoroughly recommend reading the Martian, it has humour and intelligence throughout but the key factor is that it also has accessibility. It explains its science in a way that hopefully everyone can understand.
(Aside - yes, it's a bluray ! My copy of The Martian is another Kindle book and I only have 1 iPad to show Kindle covers with !)
Last up is an older book, which probably inspired the film Interstellar. It's The Death of Grass by John Christopher.
This one is a contemporary book, which could have been set any time in the last 50 or so years. It's timeless and not bound by time, which is rare for a book like this. Indeed, the time it is set in does not matter, all that matters is its examination of people and their behaviour in crisis situations.
You see, an otherwise unknown germ is having its wicked way with the various grass species and grass worldwide, is steadily being wiped out.
That's a bit of a problem because the animals at the bottom of the foodchain all live on grass. And we do too cos wheat is a grassoid.
It's not the end though, as our motley collection have family that live in an isolated part of the Lake District, so they make preparations to travel there to hole out. Except that the collapse of civilisation comes far quicker than anyone predicted.
Cue a peril strewn trek across the country with potential sudden death around every corner and behind every door.
Another compelling book. Old but definitely still worthy of a read these days. Must watch Interstellar again sometime too.
But not yet because my level of energy at the moment is making me think that when I fall into bed later, I'll be asleep until Friday.
Nite !
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