BookieMonster

In no particular order:

Uberwald – has a more than passing resemblance to a movie/TV/book created place called Transylvania. The Dark or Unholy Empire. Home to towns such as Bonk, Bad Blintz, Bugs, Escrow and Porkscratchenz. Also home to vampires, werewolves, trolls and deep-down dwarves. So far has given us Moist von Lipwig, Angua von Uberwald and many, many Igors.
Ankh-Morpork – Ankh-Morpork! Ankh-Morpork! So good they named it Ankh-Morpork! The largest city on the Discworld. On the majestic banks of the mighty (well, mighty polluted) river Ankh. Governed along the “one man, one vote” system (the man being the Patrician, Lord Vetinari). Also has an extensive system of guilds, temples and, of course, the City Watch (commanded by Sam Vimes). Home to the Unseen University (where wizards “study” or mostly eat). May possibly put one in mind of London, but has become something of a character all of its own.
Lancre – a tiny piece of kingdom perched amongst the peaks and valleys of the Ramtop Mountains. For its size seems to be somewhat overrun with witches! Ruled by King Verence II and Queen Magrat Garlick. If visiting Lancre make sure you explore the town of Bad Ass, visit The Long Man (whilst restraining your giggles) and don’t forget The Place Where the Sun Does Not Shine (it’s near Slice).
The Unseen University Library – THE Library. Extremely dangerous collection of books that’s so large it distorts time and space (like all good book collections should). Plugged directly into L-Space – the space-time continuum that contains all books ever written anywhere. Its endless shelves are overseen by the Librarian (ook). Basically, our kind of place.
XXXX – also known as Fourecks and Terror Incognita. A land of hot sands, no rain and animals and plants who are determined to kill you. Bears a suspicious resemblance to our neighbour across the ditch (I’m talking about you, Australia!). Existence was just a rumour until The Last Continent. Known towns include Bugarup and Dijabringabeeralong. Inhabitants are fond of meat pies.

Meet the Beatles

“A volume worthy of its subjects . . . thoughtful, provocative, and valuable” — Washington Post Book World

Description: The Beatles have profoundly touched the lives of millions. But have you ever wondered why? Why did they become the most powerful artists in history and one of the twentieth century’s major symbols of cultural transformation?

Meet the Beatles answers those questions and more as it examines the ways the lives of John, Paul, George, and Ringo were inextricably tied to the cultural revolutions their music helped inspire. From their long hair and interest in India to their drug use and admiration for strong women, the Beatles changed the way we look, the way we feel, and even the way we think.

This is the book for those who have always been infatuated with the Beatles, as well as those who want to learn for the first time what it all really meant.

Purchase Meet the Beatles from BookieMonster for just $20.95!

Right so I’ve given you my five favourite Terry Pratchett books and my five favourite Terry Pratchett characters, and those were recurring characters who appear in more than one book.

I thought I would add to the merriment by choosing my five favourite characters who only appear in one book. And so here they are:

Didactylos – an Ephebian philosopher who specialises in what we might call “common sense philosophy”, i.e. “It’s a funny old world”, “What’s it all really about, when you get down to it?” and “Things just happen, what the hell.” (And technically I realise the name Didactylos appears in more than one book, but he’s really only a full character in Small Gods.)
Mightily Oats (full name: The Quite Reverend Mightily-Praiseworthy-Are-Ye-Who-Exalteth-Om Oats) – a priest from Omnia who faces down the vampires in Carpe Jugulum. And these are no damn sparkling in the sunlight, teenage angsty character metaphors for female ambivalence towards their own sexual identity vampires¹ either, oh no! Oats’ split personality meant that along with Agnes Nitt he was immune to the vampires mind control and helped to throw them out of Lancre and back in to Uberwald (where they belong).
Imp y Celyn – the Llamedosian lead singer of The Band With Rocks In, and basically the inventor of Music with Rocks In (appears in Soul Music). Stage name: Buddy. In Welsh (similar to Llamedosian by all accounts) Imp y Celyn means “bud of the holly” (geddit, geddit?). Constantly gets asked if he’s elvish (geddit, geddit?).
Rosemary Palm – the most successful of Ankh-Morpork’s Ladies of Negotiable Affection, and President of the Seamstresses’ Guild. In Night Watch (yes I’m cheating again as she’s mentioned in several other books, but again is only a complete character in this title) she is involved in the Glorious Revolution of Treacle Mine Road. Because of that she’s had some sort of relationship with the Patrician, Havelock Vetinari, who subsequently created the Guild of Seamstresses. Mrs Palm now runs the most successful house of “entertainment” along with her girls.
Queen of the Elves – nasty, beautiful and reliant on the King of the Elves (who she hates). Appears in Lords & Ladies but has garnered a mention in other titles. Enjoys hurting people. Possibly related to cats (if you’ve ever seen your cat pull legs off insects then interestedly watch them trying to crawl away, whilst giving them a push every so often, you’ll know what I mean).

P.S. I think I might go for an all-Terry, all the time, week-long extravaganza, so watch out for more lists and feel free to chime in with your selections!

¹ Yes, Twilight, I’m looking at you.

I decided to do another list!

My 5 favourite Terry Pratchett characters:

Death – everyone loves Death. Seriously. He is the anthropomorphic personification of death on Discworld. Is fascinated by humans, and usually accompanied by the Death of Rats and Binky (his horse).
Lord Havelock Vetinari – the very cool Patrician of Ankh-Morpork. Not to be crossed. One raised eyebrow from Vetinari and mountains move. Had a dog called Wuffles, and now has another dog called Mr Fusspot.
Esmeralda Weatherwax – resident witch of Bad Ass (the name refers to a stubborn donkey), and the best witch on the Discworld. So good she’s almost a bad witch, except she won’t let herself be bad.
Nanny Ogg – the “fun” witch. Fond of a drink and singing songs like The Hedgehog Can Never Be Buggered At All. Very good at speaking “foreign”. Hilarious, right until you remember she is still a witch.
The Bursar – real name Dr Dinwiddie. Originally mostly insane and had a tendency to hallucinate. Takes many, many dried frog pills. Now hallucinates that he’s sane so acts relatively normal (except for the flying). Only eats with a wooden spoon.

Right I’m going to tackle a difficult decision list – my top five favourite Terry Pratchett books:

Lords & Ladies – a perfect combination of the witches, the wizards and the fairy folk (who turn out to be blood-thirsty, torturous killers).
Jingo – social satire at its absolute best, Pterry approaches Jonathan Swift-like heights with this tale of war and xenophobia. Also, bloody funny.
Nation – not Discworld. Thoughtful, sad, often angry, fun and funny.
Witches Abroad – fairy tale pastiche that’s hilarious on every page. Plus Nanny Ogg is a whole heap of fun, silver plate!
Night Watch – a real sense of history is created in this book, history of Ankh-Morpork and the characterisation is incredible.

Of course how could I miss The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, Reaper Man, Maskerade, Guards! Guards!, Interesting Times…. I had too! I was ruthless.

Your list?