Books that changed your life…

I found this article in the Guardian, where authors (fiction, non-fiction etc) were asked – which book changed your life?  Changed a life.  That’s a pretty big call and I don’t know that I have one myself.  It’s certainly made me wonder.  I’ve come across a few books over the years where the lightbulb has gone on and I’ve thought, this is the book for me.  Or others that I’ve loved so much I’ve read them far too many times.  Maybe I’m just thinking too hard about it.  Anyone out there have one?

Presidential picture book

I don’t know what your thoughts may be on the current American president but he does have good taste in children’s books.  Check out Obama reading the classic “Where the Wild Things are“. 

And if you’re on of the sad sacks who haven’t watched the movie trailer yet, check it out on youtube.  I’m still not sure about the clip but it won’t stop me seeing the movie in the end because I love the book so much.

We’re going on a bear hunt…

Roarrrrr! or is it Grrrrrr? I'm unfamiliar with real bears

Well maybe not so much.  In a previous post I lauded Bill Bryson’s take on Britain, Notes from a Small Island, for its exploration of that rainy Isle.  I’ve also dog eared a copy of his book A Walk in the Woods. 

Overcome by a desire to walk the entire length of the Appalachian Trail, a longish hike taking in fourteen U.S states and approximately 3,500 kilometres, Bryson recruits an old school and travel mate Stephen Katz to accompany him.  Although there has been debate over whether he book is entirely accurate (and what travel memoir is?) It is, as always, amusing, witty and highlights the importance of small packaged cakes on hikes. 

Along with droll hiking anecdotes Bryson manages to convey a lot of information about the Appalachian Trail, it’s history, and it’s future.  Published in 1998 it is also a few years old now, but if you like travel anecdotes and hiking, it’s a must read.

Favoured book vol 2

There are some books which invite multiple re readings.  I have a fondness for travel stories provided they are amusing, give a bit of insight into the country of visitation and don’t focus too heavily on authors with mid life crises who renovate old houses, get off with quirky locals or wax lyrical about how quaint the local people are (in clear comparison to the writer’s obvious sophistication).  Not asking much right?

Scones anyone?

One of my all time favourite travel writers (though I’ve read his other works) is Bill Bryson.  Notes from a Small Island recounts his trip through Great Britain prior to returning to America after a long absence.  Some travelling writers practically swoon over rustic locals and produce in market places but Notes doesn’t follow these cliches (it works more on a tea and scones basis).  Bryson does see the good side of his destinations, marvelling at British people, their lives and their creations. 

This book is lifted by the personal touches – revelations of dislike for fellow hotel guests for eating all the cake, ruminations on just what it takes for one to become an ardent trainspotter and discussions on just how well the British could have done with Communism, if they’d just given it a try.  Published in the mid nineties it may be a few years old now but provides an amusing and witty insight into the Britain of that time.

My favourite 12th century epic (you know you all have one…)

I think if there is any medium for expressing my like for, and interest in, historical epics the web is probably the place.  They’re a little obscure, you may have had to do a degree like mine to have even heard of similar things (either that or you belong to a medieval recreation group), and the web is where obscure interests flourish.  And I’m not talking about the damsel in distress/heaving bosoms/unkempt (yet tameable) wildman type historical epics.  I mean epics that were written during historical periods.

I have a particular fondness for The Song of Roland.  It is a form of epic known as a Chanson de Geste, or Song of Deeds.  These stories told tales of heroes and the very manly and heroic deeds that made them great.  Which curiously enough in earlier years included a few male bonding sessions where they all get together and have a good cry over the unfairness of it all.  This particular Song of Deeds describes a vast battle in northern Spain in the valley of Roncevalles (Roncevaux in French).  Roland and his men valiantly fight for Charlemagne against the Saracen/Muslim/generally un-Christian rulers of Spain.  Although the battle is worthy (or so the verse written at the time indicates), Roland’s rearguard is overwhelmed by the sheer force of the enemy. 

This story has drama, brotherhood, pain, sacrifice, honour, treachery and bloody battle.  I was sold on the descriptions of people being run through with lances or swords and having their spines pushed out the back of their bodies (who says TV is the most violent entertainment medium).  If you can get into the rhythm of the verse and put aside modern ideas of cultural tolerance (and the fact it’s possibly not quite truthful) it’s a good read.

Favoured book vol 1

Many moons ago when I was still in the midst of my first degree I liked to wander through the campus bookstores.  The second hand book mart threw a few good finds my way but the best place to go (when I could afford new books) was Wordsmiths.  It’s a bookstore/cafe on my old campus that housed an enticing selection of books, whether they be sci fi, fantasy, art, history, or Penguin Classics.  During a sale of their old, leftover stock (mish mash piles of books ranging from the sublime to decidedly boring at super reduced prices) I came across what was for me, THE find of finds. 

Doesn't this cover make you want to read his books?

Faces of Fantasy is a photo essay of some of the best known and loved modern fantasy authors.  It includes a full page portrait photograph and a short essay from each of the writers detailing what fantasy means to them.  These snippets of ideas behind the writers are fascinating. Over the years I’ve found myself reading and rereading favourites umpteen times.  Sadly I can’t reproduce them here for fear of copyright laws worldwide but Neil Gaiman’s contribution (his picture also graces the front cover) illustrates the fantastical gap between The Writer and The Man in curious and compelling terms.  George R.R. Martin’s contribution is also a favourite, vividly outlining why he thinks people still seek the ‘other’ in fantasy stories.

This book of beautiful photos and essays cost me slightly more than a cup of coffee would these days and I must say, it was money well spent.