I was surprised by how analytic this text is, given the subject matter. No, it’s not simply a catalog of sexual positions. This is an unexpected glimpse into the social relations of an ancient and elaborate civilization, and more fundamentally, into the ramifications of love and sexuality. Lengthy sections, for instance, include systematic considerations for courtesans who make a living by shacking up with one or more men. It’s all delivered in a strangely amoral style, completely practical, with little more than a postscript to say, “Act with the good of others in mind.” There is much that is archaic here, but also plenty to learn that is timeless. [New York: E. P. Dutton]

A patchwork of journal entries and story fragments, reconstructed largely from Burroughs’ time in Tangiers. Contains proto-elements of several themes which recur in his later work, sliding through a haze of hashish, heroin, and the intrigue of the “International Zone”. [New York: Penguin]

Just a quick update on the status and evolution of astronomy in the 1990s. Projects begun, pending issues, hot topics, with the occasional focus on pioneering researchers. [New York: Viking]

The classic “Agony in Eight Fits” tells of the daring crew and their leader at the denoument of their Snark-hunting activities. A chilling admonitory tale for young and old. Read it several times, including once standing upon your head. For the Snark was a Boojum, you see… Annotated by Martin Gardner. [New York: Penguin]

You know that hollow, wind-swept feeling when you finish a good novel and everything in the world seems flat for a day or two? Especially if the book dumps you in a post-apocalyptic universe with blasted hopes and monkeys — ah, but I’ve said too much. Kalki was my first introduction to Gore Vidal, and I must say I liked his stream-of-awareness narrative style combined with a pointed portrayal of international politics. Sexy, funny, frightening; I can’t recommend this book enough! [New York: Penguin]

A confident call for humanity to realize its evolutionary potential, provide for all its members in harmony, and set out to explore the universe. It’s rousing and timely, but unclear as to who, exactly, needs convincing. I think I would like to read more by Fuller, perhaps of a bit more technical nature. [New York: Penguin Arkana]

I actually saw the movie before I read the book, and enjoyed it greatly. When a copy of the book came into my possession, I devoured it quickly, and was impressed by how close the movie stuck to it. This is a lot of fun. Thompson does his journalistic duty with a minimum of moralizing, but does take time to satisfy the reader with a few brief editorial observations. Dated now, perhaps, but a necessary archaeology of an ill-understood era. [New York: Warner Books]