Choice Australia have just announced the ten winners of The 2006 Shonky Awards. Even as an iPod owner, I have to be amused by its picking up the coveted Choice iShonky for Dual-level Shonkyness. I wonder if they sent the award to Steve Jobs. I hope so.

Above all others, the book I am most looking forward to reading is William Gibson’s Spook Country. According to his blog it’s done, finished and delivered. I spoke with Jack Womack about it back in August, and it was maybe three quarters done then. Jack’s description left me wanting a lot more. I think Pattern Recognition is the best thing he’s done, so I can’t wait to see this one. If it’s as good as I think it will be, it’s going to be extraordinary.

I’ve not read every book by my pal Sean Williams, but I have been reading his work pretty much from the beginning. I also think I’ve seen every edition of each of his books, which means that I’ve seen every one of his book covers. He’s just posted the latest – the cover for Astropolis: Saturn Returns by Stephan Martiniere – and it totally rocks! Sean has had covers by some of the best in the business, but this is the first one where just seeing the cover makes me want to read the book. I honestly can’t wait to get the chance to read the book. Very cool indeed.