Life of a Good For Nothing by Joseph von Eichendorff

"She took some too and we sat together happily cracking nuts and gazing out into the silent landscape."

So your dad tells you that you are a lazy sod and off you trot, playing your guitar to pick up chicks, lying a garden sprouting poetry and eating nuts with the love of your life. Such is the life of a good for nothing.

This novella, at a lovely little 110 pages, was a quick win on the 1001 books I am really trying to get through list. It is also a blissfully meandering work that is gorgeously written and certain to put you in a dream like mood.

5 out of 5 meandering journeys are what life is all about.

The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins

"Females followed a simple rule: look all the males over, and go for the one with the longest tail."

It took me an absolute age to finish reading this sprawling book. The fact that it was on my iPhone was probably a contributing factor. Let me start by saying this was not the book to be reading as a divorced non-breeder around a milestone birthday that hints at the end of fertility, while engaged in a  tumultuous and most likely ill-fated romance. One doesn't need to hear the suggestion that playing coy might be the way to go for the female sex.

Despite that, there are some very interesting conceits included. Of particular interest was the notion of the "Nice guys finish first" chapter which looked at cautious benevolence as the most effective survival method, that is be nice, but don't take any crap if you want to come up trumps.

4 out of 5 genes like memes.

Malice Aforethought by Francis Iles

"It was not until several weeks after he had decided to murder his wife that Dr Birkleigh took any active steps in the matter."

It is hard to believe that this little corker was published way back in 1931 by Anthony Berkeley, there is something delightfully quirky and somewhat timeless about it. Certainly divorce is more acceptable today, however, it can still bring difficulties in relation to financial and social standing and murder of a spouse is sadly, still a possibility today. That being said, this tale is more of the comedic style.

 The pathetic lovelorn Dr Birkleigh, a notorious trouser snake, meets his match in lady player, Madeleine. Clearly in thrall, he begins to plot the murder of his annoying wife, Julia when she refuses to divorce him. His chemistry experiments prove lethal. The inner monologue of the beleaguered Dr Birkleigh will have you turning the pages with glee and will no doubt illicit the odd chuckle or two.

Getting away with his wife's murder might just be the start of Dr Birkleigh's complications, as you will discover should you read this yourself.

5 out of 5 opiates should only be consumed in moderation.

Questions of Travel by Michelle De Kretser

“Rome, like paradise, would gather her in”.

Lying on a beach chair on the idyllic island of Kerkyra with a button to attract the attention of the wait staff is probably the most decadent and wonderful way to lose yourself in a book about travel. Have I made you jealous yet? Fear not, I also spent plenty of time lodged firmly in an economy size aeroplane seat devouring the  same pages.

Winner of the 2013 Miles Franklin award, this novel has been sitting in my must read pile for quite some time and I admit my own travels have gotten in the way of me reviewing it. It involves an interesting exploration of travel through the divergent stories of its cast of characters, Laura a travel writer who has escaped from Sydney and Ravi, who is fleeing the torment of his murdered wife and child in Sri Lanka. Whereas other novels might have brought these two together in a romantic context they exist as a strange convergence of cultures, orbiting the same places, drawn together by their work and yet always apart through their very different perception of the world through which they travel.

Do not expect an upbeat ending; instead enjoy the journey and commentary.

 5 out of 5 times a thick novel is what will get you through a long haul flight.

Two Years Eight Months and Twenty-Eight Nights by Salman Rushdie

"Why do you imagine your kingdoms - your fathers, your husbands, your sons and you yourselves - are safe?"

I had been eagerly anticipating another jaunt in Rushdie's fairytale worlds. Somehow this just left me a little cold. Sexually promiscuous jinn and a war between the dark and the light. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this. There are passages of beautiful writing, there are torrents of words. To be completely honest, I kept on getting distracted and just wanted it to end. So not exactly in love here.

3 out of 5 stars

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

"These people are amateurs. The ones in here as well as the ones outside"

Perhaps reading a book about a kidnapping by terrorists was not the best choice of reading material before jetting off to Europe for a holiday. Notwithstanding, Bel Canto,  is an intriguing novel that draws you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Part thriller, part musical odyssey thanks to the transformative voice of opera singer, Roxane Coss - one of the key characters of the tale.
Successful businessman, Katsumi Hosokawa is drawn to a South American country's Vice President's house for a birthday party in his honour. His presence is based solely on the ability to meet and be entertained by the world renowned soprano, Roxanne Coss. When the party is taken over by terrorists an atmosphere of guilt, fear and unexpected romantic interludes takes over and the story wafts through the air ike any grand opera.

I am not going to give any more away on this one. You will just have to seek it out. I think perhaps I took off 1 star, because the idea of armed crazy people is something peppering the news of late and not an idea I wanted to spend much time considering.


4 out of 5 parties end badly.

These things happen by Greg Fleet

"But once, twenty-seven years ago, for a brief few hours, I was the king of Gay Mountain."

I remember seeing Greg Fleet one comedy festival ( I miss that about leaving Melbourne) and feeling slightly underwhelmed. "He seems like a junky", I thought to myself. Chances are at that time he was. Fast forward a good 7+ years ( I'm rubbish at time-keeping) and my good friend Nicki sent me a care package of must-reads including this one (signed by the author no-less).

Fleet is an engaging, self-deprecatory writer who takes his readers on a journey through the dark and often ridiculous times in an amazingly engaging manner. I was surprised at how much I related to his story and admired the mix of hilarity and pathos.

I really could not put it down, which is amazing given I was quite reticent to begin with.

While the author takes delight in some of his antics, he is perhaps at his most effective when he considers the impact of some of his less than savoury antics on his daughter and other relationships.

5 out of 5 comedians can even make you cry.