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You are here: Backpacker Resources > Travel Books > Top 5 Books for May 2010

Top 5 Books for May 2010

1. A Tale of Two Halves by Gary Davison and One Other

   

   This is – as far as I know - a unique concept when it comes to writing competitions. The first half of the book has already been written but for author Gary Davison to finish it, he needs the help of one other. More specifically he needs someone who can finish the second half on a computer or in the book itself, and an individual who wants a shot at their very own publishing contract. There’s no restriction when it comes to the style or the format but the winner needs to get a move on because the top contestant will be getting their award in the summer of 2010! I won’t colour the content for you too much but it’s set on a slightly rough housing estate. Away you go with your imaginations, your pens and your pads of paper.

   A Tale of Two Halves by Gary Davison and One Other is published by Paperbooks (paperback; £7.99). It is also available through amazon.com and all good booksellers.

2. Sexually, I'm More of a Switzerland: More Personal Ads from the London Review of Books

   

   The London Review of Books has been publishing brutally satirical personal ads for many years and now the best of the bunch have been brought together in one book by the mighty, mighty David Rose. The ads speak for themselves so I offer you one of my favourites as an example of what you might fall in love with: “What you gonna do with all that junk? All that junk inside your trunk? I’m gonna get a PhD in Social Sciences and spend Saturday nights alone in Oxted. Desperate Woman, 34, all too aware of the misery caused by poor decision making processes but more than willing to share it with men who don’t have high sexual expectations and enjoy female company that isn’t their mother (which I’m guessing, pretty much covers most of the male readership of this magazine). Box no. 8820.”

   Sexually, I'm More of a Switzerland: More Personal Ads from the London Review of Books is published by the Scribner Book Company (paperback; £7.99). It is also available through amazon.com and all good booksellers.

3. The Life And Opinions Of Maf The Dog, And OF His Friend Marilyn Monroe by Andrew O’Hagan

   

   There was a great extract from this badger in the April edition of Esquire magazine and as you can guess from the title, it chronicles the life of the tragic superstar Marilyn Monroe from the perspective of a pooch. Said pooch, Maf, is a gift to Marilyn from a celebrity pal and the initial meeting between the pair is heart warming even if you’re not particularly animal friendly. Maf is a rare constant in the starlet’s life and from his perspective (pieced together from true events) you begin to see just how lonely the blonde bombshell was and why she made certain desperate decisions in an attempt not to end up with just her dog for company. It’s poignant for the most part but a good read nonetheless.

   The Life And Opinions Of Maf The Dog, And OF His Friend Marilyn Monroe by Andrew O’Hagen is published by the Faber and Faber (paperback; £7.99). It is also available through amazon.com and all good booksellers.

4. Live Fast, Die Young by Chris Price and Joe Harland

   

   The contents of this book can be enjoyed for free – to the extent of 1009 words in the May E-zine book extract. If however you lazy things want a summary before you get stuck in well here you are. Live Fast, Die Young is an endearing tale of two friends who decide to jack it all in, fly to the USA and drive across the country from coast to coast, ticking off items from their To Do in life list, along the way. Highlights include the growing of a formidable Village People-esque moustache (the trade name of which I won’t repeat in polite company) and the distinct failure of fascist forward planning at the hire car, pick up point.

   Live Fast, Die Young by Chris Price and Joe Harland is published by Summersdale (paperback; £7.99). It is also available through amazon.com and all good booksellers.

5. The BBC Good Food 101 Series

   

   It’s nice to take a break from the usual literary fare and the BBC Good Food 101 series is a very nice way to do it. This series of pocket sized publications boast, that’s right, 101 recipes per publication and they specialise in every conceivable culinary topic under the sun, so you’ll be sure to find something to suit your taste buds. The recipes are taken from the BBC’s equally tasty Good Food Magazine, they’re easy to follow, the calorie content and cooking times are clearly labelled, and they always manage to reinvent old classics without losing any of the magic in the process. The page on pork chops with a sweet chilli and peanut butter coating, served with minted apple and rice is particularly notable.

   The BBC Good Food 101 Series is published by BBC books (paperback; £4.99 per book). The titles are also available through amazon.com and all good booksellers.

- Rob Savage