Archive for the '5 stars' Category
How I Write
June 29, 2008
The Reluctant Fundamentalist
June 29, 2008
I’ve just finished reading ‘the reluctant fundamentalist’ and must type a review whilst it is still fresh in my mind.
The cover states that its been nominated for a ‘booker prize’. I do not know what a ‘booker prize’ is, but sense that it would do well to award this book the title, rather than muck about ‘deciding’ on who else should be awarded the merit.
‘The reluctant fundatmentalist’ is an astounding read. The first I have ever experienced – I hope it is the only one like it in the world and it becomes internationally recognised for conversational viewpoint. Argh. I’m spoiling the surpirse!
The title is the conversation of one man – not so much written from the first perspective (which indeed that is true) but more than that, it is written with no other characters or conversations other than that from within the memory of our teller.
All the conversation is directed towards one man, that never speaks throughout the entire book, and we only recieve splashes of description from other people about the scenery.
The story – if I had to plot its shape on a piece of paper – would resemble a steady inclination rising from left to right, building and building, and not indicating at all where it is leading – we can guess, as I did, but I failed to see how it would end. But end it did, and the story finally revealed within the last few pages, and the tale is literally wrapped up only in the final sentences.
This is a rare read. I can see why it was ‘nominated’ – and I can also see why it deserves to win. I don’t know if it has already, but if not, then I am certainly interested to know who on earth can better a plot like this one.
This book has restored my faith in simple ideas told really well, are better than all the complex plots you can think of. I say to anyone that is wrestling with a complex script or novel, to read this and you’ll instantly understand where you’re going wrong.
A short read, double line spacing and only 200 pages – this is worth your hard earned cash and is memorable and re-readable.
No Plot? No Problem!
November 7, 2007
I have the feeling that most readers, secretly (or publically) want to be writers… and if you agree, then you like me, could do with the right read to write right. Enter this title. I dug through an entire shelf before settling, as i really liked the different approach it took. NP?NP! takes on the angle of ‘finishing’. The hardest challenge any writer will face. And it does it beautifully. So if you’re thinking ‘I could do this’ but have never gotten round to actually commiting yourself, then be sure to check out this book first. Its the perfect kickstarter… trust me!
The formating is really good, its a small sized book, not quite pocket sized, but that’s okay, the paper is really good quality, nice and flickable /thumbable, great font, loads of excellent formating… and at around 175pages its no struggle to get through. If only all novels were written with this degree of formating! 5stars.
the average american male
July 29, 2007
the average american male
Wow, this is a good’un. A cool front cover, not that many pages (250ish), tiny chapters (the first is called ‘Christmas with Mom and Dad’ and the word count is 3 ‘Same old bullshit’) perfect. It gets better. Apparently it sparked a youtube storm… which is probably a load of bollocks as I haven’t had chance to check it out yet… but the story is about a guy thats young enough to know what he wants in life (sex) and old enough to know what he doesn’t want in life (commitment… and a partner with a fat ass). This book is absolutely incredible, I only bought it today and have read half of it already and I don’t want it to ever end. If this was a blog or a channel on youtube, I’d check it out every day for years. Women need to read this to know how we (men) think… and men need to read this to laugh at how fucking ridiculous we are and confirm that we’re not alone. Oh and the paper is average, loads of dialogue (makes for quick reading), smallish font (boo!) … standard margins… nothing special on the formating front but the subject matter is worth it.
A full 5 stars awarded. If you don’t buy this book, you are an arse.
Edit: a youtube frenzy? uhh no. However the clips are funny:
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
July 13, 2007
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
wow, this is a stunning book, its perfect. small enough to fit in your pocket, cheap enough to buy if you’re skint (£6), good paper, great formatting, only 87 pages and half of them are full page photos, can be read in under an hour… and… it has the best story ever.
I first grabbed this offa my mate about 16yrs ago… then I was 17 or so, I thought I knew everything, yet hadn’t actually achieved anything, loved skateboarding and wanted to help people in life. Now I’m 34, know I know nothing, achieved a few things, love skateboarding and still want to help people in life…. and this little book hit me in the face like a wet trout. Seriously, its the sort of book that russell grant could have written, because it applies to everyone that has a dream to achieve something in their life… and for those that have a passion that needs constant effort and commitment to continue working towards that dream. This is beautiful fiction imo… click the picture to read the amazon comments. I very often give this book as a gift to my friends. A truely golden book.
Nanotales
June 8, 2007
Nanotales
For ages, I’ve had in my head that I’ve always wanted a book that could be opened at any page and you wouldn’t be lost. A good coffee table book whereby a story could last for as long as you had time, even if it was only a few minutes. Well Nanotales appears to be just that. Firstly the title grabbed me. Nanotales, sound contemporary, which appealed to me instantly. The cover quote says it all. It instantly drew me into opening it, where I found the paper was great, the font was a decent type and the kerning made each letter and word ‘breathe’ with space. Very refreshing for the eyeballs. Add to this the gorgeous layout of almost double line spacing and you’ve got yourself a very ‘non-reader friendly’ bucket of freshly sliced tree ink.
I read a coupla ‘chapters’ (if you can call them that) … and bought straight away. This is what all books should be like, if I had my way. Read this book if you hate reading, you’ll love reading it.
