A new website called The Paranormal Report has given The Universe Wants to Play: The Anomalist 12 a five alien heads rating, which we assume is the equivalent of five thumbs-up. The book, the reviewer writes, “is a stellar, highly engaging affair, yet to be even remotely rivaled by any this year, thus far. The volume’s biggest strength is a distinct gift for conjuring a vivid, palpable image of the unfamiliar, within the span of just a few pages. There is much to enjoy here, both eloquently written insights and investigative accounts of fortean topics make up the eclectic 212 page volume. Very highly recommended.” Our heads are swelling, like aliens!

In the July 2007 issue of of Fortean Times, Bob Rickard gives The Universe Wants to Play, which is really volume 12 of The Anomalist journal, a rousing welcome back to print from its one-issue venture into the digital universe. “This edition,” he writes, “boasts 11 papers of the expected variety and excellence.” He describes each paper after slotting them into one of four general categories: fortean-related philosophy, social psychology, extrasensory perception in the sense of Fort’s “wild talents,” and the grey area between forteana and science. Rickard ends his review of this “touchy-feely/dead tree” issue with a few words of praise: “This is essential and quality reading for serious forteans.” Thank you, Bob!