Top 5 Books For March 2010
- The People of Paper by Salvador Plascencia
This is one of the most bizarre and enthralling reads ever to grace my bookshelf. It’s also my first encounter with the genre of magic realism. Strictly speaking said genre blends the lines between reality, a science fiction of sorts and emotional metaphors. Mechanical turtles and paper folk constructed by depressed nomads, symbolise (at a guess) the heartache and loss when love, unexpectedly, leaves one’s life. A prime example is the character of Federico de la Fe, a migrating Mexican who flees his former life to bring up his daughter amidst the opportunity riddled streets of America. Federico only finds shelter from the loss of his wife and the all seeing, all controlling Saturn (our god like author) in the empty shells of mechanical turtles, and through self harm. It’s an interesting read and I can guarantee that when you finish it, your interpretation of how the world works in The People of Paper, will differ from my own … and every other review out there.
The People of Paper by Salvador Plascencia is published by Bloomsbury (paperback; £7.99). It is also available through amazon.com and all good booksellers.
- The Rough Guide to Sex by James McConnachie
The in‐a‐nutshell‐promotional‐copy for this one portrays this guide as ‐ Hands‐on ‘how to’ advice that doesn’t shout “faster, longer, harder, wilder” for the sake of it, but provides in‐depth and honest advice on bodies, techniques, orgasms, adventures and accessories. Nothing is too taboo to mention, which makes one wonder just what exactly the research entailed for author, James McConnachie. The evolutionary theories about orgasms are particularly fascinating however, my favourite element of this read has to be the abundance of suggested accessories. In fact this approach to sex as a fun and integral part of our civilisation, is almost enough to make me go out right now and buy McConnachie’s first publication ‐ The Book of Love: in Search of the Kama Sutra. How very refreshing!
The Rough Guide to Sex by James McConnachie is published by Rough Guides (paperback; £12.99). It is also available through roughguides.com and all good booksellers.
- Walks and Treks in the Maritime Alps by Gillian Price
Ahead of a little summer excursion to Genoa and the surrounding area, I thought it would be useful to familiarise myself with the area from a source on the ground, and you don’t get more grounded than a walker’s guide ‐ so here we go. Beginning with the Fontanalba Rock Engravings Circuit, Gillian Price sets out as she means to continue with a round up of the walking times, the distance involved and where you can access all the best bits from! 24 mini guides later and this book becomes everything you need on a saunter through the south of France and the top tip of Italy. Hotels, restaurants, mountain top coffee spots and entertainment ideas abound within these pages, so if you’re a hiker or you simply prefer to see the sights on foot, this is a book for you.
Walks and Treks in the Maritime Alps by Gillian Price is published by Cicerone (paperback; £14.00). It is also available through amazon.com and all good booksellers.
- Conspiracy Theories by Jamie King
It’s always nice to know there’s someone out there who doesn’t take life too seriously and Conspiracy Theory collector Jamie King, is one such person. His collection of tall tales covers everything from Michael Jackson faking his own death in order to escape a pack of dreadful loan sharks, to whether or not the British Royal Family are a bunch of aliens living the high life here on earth. In fact you can read these very comical case studies of the human imagination, in this month’s book extract. Nothing escapes the literary microscope in this one including, rather controversially, the 7/7 Bombings, Lady Diana, a Pope or two and the Lockerbie Bomber. It’s not however heavy throughout and at the end of the day, it is sometimes better to read about Alien Big Cats, than it is to read the real news.
Conspiracy Theories by Jamie King is published by Summersdale (paperback; £7.99). It is also available through amazon.com and all good booksellers.
- Cycle Touring in Ireland by Tom Cooper
You can’t beat a good bike ride and even though it’s tough to read and ride at the same time, this title is essential if you’re planning a two wheeled tour of Ireland. It covers both the Republic and the North rather nicely, with recommended routes from Belfast to Dublin, on to Wexford, through to Galway and back up to Derry. The directions within are accurate down to a centimetre and include clues on where you are, based on when a patch of grass starts and finishes, and where your nearest cycler friendly coffee shop is! More imploringly, many of the nook and cranny locations showcased in this title, can only be reached by bike and on foot.
Cycle Touring in Ireland by Tom Cooper is published by Cicerone (paperback; £14.95). It is also available through amazon.com and all good booksellers.
‐ Rob Savage
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