Word has been pretty darn great at a sensible appreciation of comic books but as a bit of a nerd myself (yes, I do follow men in tights) I was wondering whether there were some pretty special books that I had missed over the past few years. I dont need more books- and my FPO wont tahnks me for this- but is there anything else I should be reading? Thoughts and insights very much appreciated around these parts

Can Word readers please help me put together the perfect Christmas playlist please- I will be playing it on Christmas day, likely during Christmas lunch with family (age ranges-32-67) it needs to be thoughtful, soulful and interesting. No cheese please- I will have had enough of that with the port.

Thanks in advance

Football loving Word readers will doubtless have been following the various rumours and counter rumours over the past few weeks regarding their particular team and partaking in the "there's no way he's worth THAT" debates in their local hostelries. With the summer transfer window closing and the debate about Berbatov STILL going on, I was wondering why you dont get this kind of activity in the worlds of Rock and, indeed, Roll. Aside from last minute intermittent substitutions (Joey Jordison from Slipknot filling in for a stroppy Lars Ulrich a couple of years ago) or starry patronage ( Dave Grohl using his power and influence to bring QOTSA to a wider audience), you dont get any BIG SUMMER SIGNINGS to keep us pop punters sated during the long periods between releases. I think there's a missed opportunity here.

It would be intriguing to see how, for example, Edge might fare with a Yorkshire bound move to bring some scope and, well, edginess to kaiser chiefs; or how about Camden's most famous drinking beehive being offered on a "free" to Girls Aloud. It would certainly make for good copy and, I might offer, a better spectacle than some of the unlistenable dross offered to us as "product". Who would be your most coveted signing? Which Bass player could you not give away? what drummer would find themselves in a three-way tug of war? I think we should be told..over to you dear reader.

My mate Gareth- who posts on here- says that invariably the worst song on an album is the penultimate one, whilst the best is the second one on "side two" (yes we are that old); is he right?? it caused a furious debate over pints of Paulaner lager last night- whats does everyone else think?

whilst skulking (and believe you me you do skulk) around my local Zaavi (sorry) I picked up a copy of Mogwai's sublime, mysterious, dark and utterly captivating soundtrack to "Zidane- a 21st century portrait", the excellent documentary of the best football player there's ever been (in my 'umble opinion).Shamefully this soundtrack passed me by and it got me wondering whether there were other lost gems out there that I should skulk around for?

am posting this while on holiday in California: has anyone got some fine- and perhaps underplayed- suggestions for songs that sum up this place?

Ok, here's one for some thought and reflection. If ever a phrase had negative connotations then surely it is "dinner party music" which has had recent associations with bland singer songwriters, washed out insipid bed-wetting indie boys and "tortured" chanteuses. Surely though, just as roast beef loves a good bordeaux, there must be some records that go wonderfully well with different drinks and/or dishes? whilst finishing this evening's pizza I thought that some Pixies or REM wouldnt have gone amiss and rarely does a glass of red wine pass these lips than a hankering for the smouldering alcohol-soaked ballads of Tindersticks also crops up. What do other Word readers think? I am planning a curry for Saturday night so suggestions would be heartily appreciated.

If Rock Stars were biscuits, would Bono be the half coated Digestive? and, if so, what would that make Michael Stipe? I think we should be told...

After chortling at the "he had a good Christmas" pictures of Morissey in the most recent edition of Word, it struck me that those of us who had been too friendly with the Guinness and Mars Bars in the past have tended to get a rum deal when it comes to success on Planet Rock. With the perhaps notable exception of Black Francis, is there anyone else who has noticed this subtle fattism? Am i right or should I just get the next round in?

If anyone knows a funnier, more debauched and outrageously scaborous book than Neil Strauss's Motley Crue biog The Dirt, can they please let me know so I can go and get a copy?

Is it still a criminal offence to say that you "dont mind Nickelback"?