A new way to read the Bible...

Most of us know that the Bible has been published in many forms and editions. The Gutenberg Bible, Good News for Modern Man and the King James version are familiar to most.

Now there is a new version, The Bible in Limerick Verse. The Reverend Christopher Goodwins has transformed the New Testament, the Old Testament and the Apocrypha into a form he hopes will be more popular.

He describes his book:
An Isleham Vicar called Chris
Wrote Scripture in limericks.
"This should help people read,
About Jesus, indeed,
And enjoy it, - not give Him a miss!"

see his website for more information http://www.limerick-bible.com/

Atomic Bombing: How to Protect Yourself

Published in 1950 by the "Science Service" this book contains helpful information including survival tips such as this one for surviving an atomic bombing:
Stay in a ball for ten seconds. Both the heat and the blast wave will pass over you in that time. Then, if you can, stand up. You will be among the survivors -- provided you can move fast enough to avoid falling rubble and fire.

It is also realistic. I appreciate the up-front way it exposes this topic that is often only discussed in hushed tones:
It is far easier to talk about such weapons as the A-bomb than it is to discuss, realistically, measures that might keep the world at peace and save us from the horrors of atomic war.

Planning a Funeral?

Being Dead is no Excuse: The Official Southern Ladies Guide to Hosting the Perfect Funeral

"Folks in the Delta have a strong sense of community, and being dead is no impedimpent to belonging to it. Down south, they don't forget you when you've up and died--in fact they visit you more often. But there are quintessential rules and rituals for kicking the bucket tastefully, and having a flawless funeral is one of them." (from inside book cover)

Need to know if "you can be properly buried without tomato aspic? Who prepares tastier funeral fare, the Episcopal ladies or the Methodist ladies? And what does one do when a family gets three sheets to the wind and eats the entire feast the night before a funeral?" (from insed book cover)

If you find yourself in the unexpected situation of planning your funeral don't be caught dead without this book!!

(special thanks to DM for the find!)

Interesting relationships...

When standing in line at the bookstore yesterday I noticed an unusual take on the regular relationship books.

The title?: How to tell if your boyfriend is the Antichrist (and if he is, should you break up with him?) by Patricia Carlin.

According to www.quirkbooks.com, "there’s a fine line between endearing quirks and severe personality disorders. Is he a pedophile or is he simply good with kids?"
This guide will help you decide.

Don't leave home without it!

Perhaps this isn't a bizarre title, but it is very useful for expanding your vocabulary -- especially on a road trip! The dictionary is CB-English and English-CB. It is my personal goal to be able to incorporate CB slang in my every-day conversations once I commit this dictionary to memory. ("Put an eyeball to the quasar driving the Pregnant Roller Skate!")

Strange book titles, new stories

Unusual book titles were used for a contest at the BBC site. Listeners wrote in a few paragraphs for a book using a real (odd) book title. Results were judged by Alexander McCall Smith.

Check it out at BBC Radio Today Reports.

For the Nature Lover:

The Stray Shopping Carts of Eastern North America: a Guide to Field Identification by Julian Montague.

If you are interested, the WI State Historical Society owns a copy.