stavenatives

The Self Sufficient-ish Bible, now here’s a book! This masterpiece crafted by Andy and Dave Hamilton who run the well respected Self Sufficient-ish website is amazing. I received it for my Birthday and look forward to exploring it further.
Need a recipe for Nettle beer? Look in here… I mean, what else are you going to do with nettles apart from maybe soup or boil them up to mix with your chicken feed, I think beer is a better use for them! Anyway, a superb book and highly recommended.

We Are Now Beginning Our Descent, by James Meek, well… another excellent piece of work! Sometimes I wish I had something other to say than f a n t a s t i c. Could this be better than The People’s Act of Love or just differently superb? It is superb. The story of Adam Kellas, a war correspondent and his journey through life and love during modern day Afghanistan and Iraq. As always, the text is incredible in its character detail and you feel that you are right there with Kellas. I wish I had the imagination and skill to write like this… So finally, an amazing author who is well worth checking out.

The People’s Act of Love, by James Meek, is brilliant! It is mostly set in the small town of Yazyk, Siberia in 1919 during the Russian civil war, and is one truly mesmerising story! If you have never read anything by James, then this book is well worth it. Every sentence has been carefully constructed, the language, the visions… pure genius.

Wiki entry about the Czechoslovakian Legions.

Way to Go, by Alan Spence, another fascinating book by Alan, this time all about death! The main character, Neil McGraw grows up with his father as an undertaker. It confronts the subject in a spiritual, questionable, money making way and will have you giggling as well as touched by some of the more subtle aspects of the text.

Its Colours They Are Fine, by Alan Spence, is utterly brilliant! I hadn’t really read much of anything by this Glasgow born author until now. I now have a fine collection of his work to plough my way through, thanks to my Mum (another fan of his work). So, I confidently suggest that anything you find by Alan will be excellent and well worth reading, I know I’m looking forward to getting lost in another one of his books later on…

The Englishman’s Boy, by Guy Vanderhaeghe, a story set in two different time periods, the old wild west with its trappers, hunters and indians and the early American movie makers in Hollywood. Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and its characters, it really is almost believable as it talks of Harold Lloyd, Chaplin, Goldwyn… throroughly researched and very well written.

Independent People, by Halldór Laxness, is a thoroughly clever and entertaining read! Bjartur, a sheep farmer, needless to say ‘independent’ takes you on his journey of success, failure, love and loss. It truly is one fantastic book and I guess by the style and quality of writing, anything that Halldór has written would be well worth reading! It’s got to be one of the ‘top books’ in my invisible recommendation list. [Wiki about Halldór Laxness]

In the Hanging Valley, a collection of poems by gifted writer Yvonne Gray. I’ve never really been one for poetry but this book with its descriptive language, its characters, its places, will leave you touched, amused and thoroughly satisfied.

In our household we are fortunate enough to know Yvonne and her family and it was a pleasant surprise to receive a signed copy from Yvonne last night (12 March 2008). I have my favourites in the book but going from what I read last night (all of it), I wholly recommend that you purchase a copy.
To Yvonne: Thank you very much indeed. Davy

Illywhacker by Peter Carey, is a story set in Australia, narrated by 139 year old Herbert Badgery! Life, love and lies… well worth checking out this author (this book) if you haven’t already read any of his works. Peter Carey certainly knows how to write a story and I must admit that I’m left wondering whether he has actually experienced any of what he writes about, if so… a strange life!

Shampoo Planet by Douglas Coupland, you’d be forgiven for thinking this is a nancy boy book! It is not. I must admit I was sceptical as to whether I’d enjoy this as much as I enjoyed ‘Hey Nostradamus!’ but I now feel torn as to which is better. This is Douglas’ second novel. Another excellent story, this time about Tyler Johnston, his family, career and travels, recommended reading… very funny in parts!

Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami, is an absolute corker of a book! I’m really fond of this author anyway but this time the story is somewhat ‘real’ in that the story’s narrator Toru Watanabe looks back on his days as a freshman university student living in Tokyo. Through Toru’s reminiscences we see him develop relationships with two very different women — the beautiful yet emotionally troubled Naoko, and the outgoing, lively Midori. An excellent and enjoyable read, perhaps one for the long dark nights…

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer, WOW! What a totally amazing book… I’m left wondering how to follow that. The books narrator Oskar Schell loses his father in the 9/11 World Trade Centre disaster, finds a key and the story begins. I’m reluctant to say anything else, except that it is another marvellous book from this young author! READ it as soon as you can.

Also… just read Generation X by Douglas Coupland, interesting! Not as good as Hey Nostradamus but still worth reading. The author certainly has a knack for telling stories through the eyes of the characters. One of the best things about it being all the great little neo-logisms printed in the margins of the pages, an example of such Anti-Victim Device (AVD): A small fashion accessory worn on an otherwise conservative outfit which announces to the world that one still has a spark of individuality burning inside: 1940s retro ties and earrings (on men), feminist buttons, nose rings (women), and the now almost completely extinct teeny weeny “rattail” haircut (both sexes).

Hey Nostradamus! by Douglas Coupland, four narrators tell their story of faith, love, grief and a few surprises along the way. I reckon you should just read this book, it won’t take you long! Coupland is an excellent writer, thoroughly enjoyable, read it in a few days… couldn’t put it down.

The UXBRIDGE English Dictionary Ever wondered what Hobnobbing means, well according to this dictionary it means, of course, Casual sex with a goblin or perhaps the word Mucus, that would be a swear word used by cats or the meaning of Con allegro which would be a second-hand car salesman. If you’re in need of a great big laugh like you haven’t laughed for ages, then get this little gem of a book!

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff, Utterly brilliant! The best childrens book for adults that I’ve read, tells the story of Daisy, a fifteen year old from America that goes to live with her cousins in England. Just read it…

An ongoing project! Mastering Audio the art and the science by Bob Katz and Sea of Glory by Nathanial Philbrick.

Magical Thinking by Augusten Burroughs, another outrageous memoir from this highly amusing, best selling author. If you think your life is strange, read this and think again…

Tombstoning by Doug Johnstone, a non-stop thrilling adventure of two people, their mates and a class reunion! Highly recommended, an easy read.

Hard Boiled Wonderland and The End of the World, by Haruki Murakami, it’s kind of incredible that a book be absurd enough to be almost believable! This author is amazing, his vivid imagination takes you on a mindful journey of brain and body. Maybe I’m going mad? Anyway, an excellent read to take you far away into another land, space and dimension!

The Sacred Art of Stealing by Christopher Brookmyre, another utterly brilliant book (IMHO). Brookmyre has a canny way with words and I loved this book, set in Glasgow with various landmarks throughout, your taken on a journey of robberies, love, intrigue and deception, artistically, of course!

Divided Kingdom by Rupert Thomson, a vivid and imaginative story portraying the United Kingdom as divided into quarters. More information about this book and its author can be found by visiting Divided Kingdom.

Broken April by Ismail Kadare, a chilling story about the code of the blood feud that operates in the Albanian mountains. The Guardian writes: “The story is plain, the telling plainer, yet the overall effect is mysterious and elusive as only a fable can be”.

Before She Met Me by Julian Barnes, hehehehee, I couldn’t put this book down. You follow Graham Hendrick, the central character, through divorce, re-marriage and jealousy. An excellent author and a book that will only take you an evening to read, un-put-downable!