A GOOD READ

I've spent many hours in recent years sitting in airport departure lounges waiting for flights. Apart from reading the "Go to Gate", "Final Call" or "Flight Delayed" messages on the information screens, I've spent a great deal of time reading a wide variety of books.

You'll see below that (unsurprisingly, perhaps) I'm particularly keen on travel books.
But I also enjoy biographies, humour and most other forms of non-fiction.

I enjoyed the books listed below, and would recommend all of them to you ....

A FÊTE WORSE THAN DEATH
by Iain Aitch
Travel
"A summer journey around England to discover some of its strange places, events and people ..."(JRC)

A LAND OF TWO HALVES
by Joe Bennett
Travel
"A hitchhiking journey round New Zealand's North and South Islands, by someone who has lived in NZ for 15 years, and a great read as I was able to trace back the places I had also visited whilst on the road."(JRC)

A LIFE STRIPPED BARE
by Leo Hickman
Non-Fiction
"An experimental journey, challenging at times, for a young family who make a great attempt to adjust to a more ethical lifestyle. Guided by three 'auditors', all aspects of their lives (food, travel, clothes, cleaning etc) are assessed and practical steps are then taken to live a more 'green' existence. Funny at times, there are lots of hints and tips that the reader can also embrace. It isn't a rule book - but it does certainly make you think how we could all make small adjustments to the way we live."(JRC)

A MONTH OF SUNDAYS
by James O'Loghlin
Travel
"A voyage of discovery around Sydney, of all the places never previously visited from someone who has lived in Sydney for over 20 years. Very amusing tales, and a good insight into the locals' property and locality obsessions which have driven prices through the roof."(JRC)

A SHORT HISTORY OF NEARLY EVERYTHING
by Bill Bryson
History/Science
"A quest to understand everything that has happened from the Big Bang to the rise of civilisation... a travelogue of science, with a witty, engaging, and well-informed guide who loves his patch and is desperate to share its delights with us."

A YEAR IN THE MERDE
by Stephen Clarke
Humour
"A witty tale of life in Paris from the perspective of an English employee. Difficult book to put down once started."(JRC)

ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOUS ADVENTURE, AN
by John Bougen & Jill Malcolm
Travel
"The incredible story of a Kiwi's quest to visit 191 countries in 150 days, enter the Guinness Book of Records and help promote Save the Children. Easy to read, as it's split into short chapters on each country visited, whether the visit lasted 2 days or just 10 minutes."(JRC)

ADVENTURE OF ENGLISH, THE
by Melvyn Bragg
Non-Fiction/History
"A very well written account of the development of the English language, from its earliest days right through to the 21st century. As readable as Bill Bryson's 'Mother Tongue', this informative and thought-provoking book by Bragg provides an excellent insight into how English has absorbed so many words from other languages and how variations such as American English, Australian English, Indian English have taken their natural place alongside 'English English'. For anyone interested in finding out how and why we currently speak the way we do, and how the language might develop further, this book is a must-read. Just make sure you mind your language."(JRC)

ADVENTURES OF SAM CASH, THE
by Barry Crump
Humour
"A funny collection of stories about Sam Cash - a New Zealander who can turn his hands or mind to any situation, so long (as it appears) he can make a fast buck... and he spins more yarns than the Edinburgh Woolen Mill."(JRC)

AMERICA UNCHAINED
by Dave Gorman
Travel
"This is the story of Dave's quest to go coast-to-coast across the USA without giving any money to any big corporations - not an easy task given the spread of chains in the leisure and retail sectors. Not surprisingly, he ends up taking quite a lot of detours and encounters many problems along the way. He also meets a wide range of characters on the journey - some who make him very welcome, and others who lack any concern for their fellow human beings. At all stages, I was willing him onto success. Did he make it? Well you'll have to read the book yourself to find out."(JRC)

ANGELS AND DEMONS
by Dan Brown
Non-Fiction
"Fast-paced, it's real edge of the seat stuff, and very difficult to put down. Work of a secret brotherhood (the Illuminati) is revealed, and its bitter war against its sworn enemy - the Catholic Church - is played out over a day of mystery, intrigue, terror and murder in the Vatican City. All this is set against the college of cardinals assembling to elect a new Pope. Trying to decipher a long-forgotten trail to find the Illuminati lair is Harvard professor Robert Langdon, together with Vittoria Vetra, the daughter whose father's murder sets of the chain of events at the start of the book. There are plenty of twists and turns in the plot, making it an extremely enjoyable journey through each page. This is one book I highly recommend. A few brands make an appearance, but they're not the sort I would want to market! Read the book, and you'll understand what I mean. Enjoy."(JRC)

ARE YOU DAVE GORMAN ?
by Dave Gorman & Danny Wallace
Comedy/Travel
"What starts out as a drunken bet grows into an existential odyssey and a life-affirming, heart-warming chapter in the history of English eccentricity."

BIG YEAR, THE
by Mark Obmascik
Travel/Ornothology
"Recommended to me in Sydney, this is a quirky tale of three people in North America who find themselves taking part in the greatest bird-watching competition of all time. Although I'm not a 'twitcher', this was an excellent read. A great book for your next flight."(JRC)

BILLY
by Pamela Stephenson
Biography
"Written by his wife, this is the story of Billy Connolly, from his troubled and poor childhood in the docklands of Glasgow, to the success he has achieved as a performer. Warts and all, it's an interesting read, so long as you don't mind the abundant bad language."(JRC)

BLINK
by Malcolm Gladwell
Culture/Psychology
"An amazing book, giving insight into why we should trust our gut feelings and how snap judgements can be more effective that a cautious decision."(JRC)

BON APPETIT !
by Peter Mayle
Travel/Food
"Travels through France with knife, fork and corkscrew."

BY THE SEAT OF MY PANTS
by Lonely Planet, edited by Don George
Travel/Humour
"A great collection of 31 short stories from around the globe that illustrate some of the funny and strange experiences that can take place when travelling."(JRC)

CALL OF THE WIERD, THE
by Louis Theroux
Travel/Observation
"An interesting and often humourous read about offbeat characters on the fringes of US society, and Louis' journey to meet them."(JRC)

CHEW ON THIS
by Eric Schlosser & Charles Wilson
Non-Fiction/Food
"An interesting follow-up to Eric's bestseller 'Fast Food Nation', giving a thought-provoking perspective on the world of burgers, chicken and chips. Once you read this book, you too will think very carefully before visiting places like McDonald's/KFC again."(JRC)

CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME, THE
by Mark Haddon
Fiction
"Well-deserved winner of the Whitbread Book of the Year, this book should be a must for everyone. Written from the perspective of a teenager with Asperger's Syndrome, the discovery of a dead dog in his neighbour's garden sets him off on a remarkable journey. Witty, yet often poignant, this is an exceptional murder mystery."(JRC)

DEAD FAMOUS
by Ben Elton
Murder Mystery
"Agatha Christie would never have used half the language in this book (it's definitely not one for the kids, or for those who are easily offended), but this excellent 'whodunit' has a number of great twists and turns, and a brilliant ending. A truly good swipe at modern-day obsession with fame, the story features one house, ten contestants, thirty cameras and forty microphones - sounds familiar?? Oh, it also features one murder... and no evidence!"(JRC)

DO NOT PASS GO
by Tim Moore
Travel
"An amusing and interesting journey round London using the properties on a standard Monopoly board as a guide."(JRC)

DOWN UNDER
by Bill Bryson
Travel
"A typically witty look at Australia and its people".(JRC)

EATS, SHOOTS AND LEAVES
by Lynne Truss
Punctuation/Humour
"You'll like this: a good look at commas, hyphens - even exclamation marks! Any questions? Well, this is worth reading, even if you know what an 'ellipsis' is..."(JRC)

ECONOMIC NATURALIST, THE
by Robert H Frank
Non-Fiction/Finance
"This is an ideal book for anyone who isn't an economist, and definitely for those who claim they are. It throws the light on a number of wide-ranging questions that arise from our day-to-day lives, including: Why might retailers deliberately hammer dents into their own appliances?; Why do the keypad buttons of drive-up cash machines have Braille dots?; Why are child safety seats required in cars but not in aeroplanes?; Why is there a light in your refrigerator but not in your freezer?; and, Why do 24-hour convenience stores have locks on their doors?"(JRC)

FAINTHEART
by Charles Jennings
Travel
"Personal observations about Scotland from an Englishman's perspective. Some preconceptions are reinforced whilst others (thankfully) are overcome. It didn't make me homesick, but was great reading about Edinburgh etc while I was so far away."(JRC)

FRANK SKINNER
by Frank Skinner
Autobiography
"No-holes barred story of Frank's rise to being one of the UK's most well-paid television performers. His struggles with alcohol and relationships are intertwined with his love of Elvis, football and comedy. Not suitable for children!"(JRC)

FREAKONOMICS
by Steven D Levitt & Stephen J Dubner
Culture
"Provides thought-provoking answers to questions such as 'What do estate agents and the Ku Klux Klan have in common?', 'Why do drug dealers live with their mothers?' and 'How can your name affect how well you do in life?'. It's a well-written book, using information from the world around us to get to the heart of what's really happening under the surface of everyday life. A book that's hard to put down once started."(JRC)

HAPPINESS
by Will Ferguson
Fiction/Satire
"When one of those irritating self-help books actually gets it right, then unnatural and worrying times are just around the corner..."

HOME
by Julie Myerson
History/Genealogy
"A fascinating study into the history of Julie's home - she set out with the aim of trying to discover all the residents of 34 Lillieshall Road in London since it was built back in 1872. Although I didn't like the short fictional sections, where the author tried to recreate certain incidents/emotions, the tracing back through the archives for real facts is told in a captivating way. A worthwhile read for anyone interested in British social history."(JRC)

I SHOULD HAVE STAYED HOME
by 51 top travel writers (edited by Roger Rapoport and Marguerita Castenera)
Travel
"An enjoyable collection of mishaps, mistakes, misery and mysterious goings on as experienced during the journeys of travel writers."(JRC)

IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
by Elliott Hester
Travel/Humour
"Whether you've been a frequent flyer between Edinburgh and Gatwick, or just flown occasionally for holidays, this should bring a smile to your face. Written from a flight attendant's perspective, it has loads of funny (and weird) anecdotes. Proceed to departures, and get ready for take-off."(JRC)

INTO THE BLUE : BOLDLY GOING WHERE CAPTAIN COOK HAS GONE BEFORE
by Tony Horwitz
History/Travel
"A book with all the right ingredients ... an interesting and well-researched look at Cook's three voyages of discovery mixed with the author's own encounters during his re-tracing of the journeys"(JRC)

JOIN ME
by Danny Wallace
Comedy
"A book about dreams, ambition and the responsibility that comes with power, it is the true story of a man who started a cult by accident, and is proof that whilst some men were born to lead, others really haven't got a clue..."

KINDNESS OF STRANGERS, THE
by Kate Adie
Autobiography
"It offers a compelling combination of vivid frontline accounts and evocative writing... full of insights into the modern world of news, where reporting the facts is not as simple as it might seem."

LAST JOURNEY OF WILLIAM HUSKISSON, THE
by Simon Garfield
History
"How a day of triumph became a day of despair at the turn of the wheel. As the title suggests, this is ostensibly a book about the famous railway accident in which the MP for Liverpool was killed by Stephenson's Rocket. But it is really about the building of the railway itself - the Liverpool/Manchester route that was the first major railway in the world (well, okay, the first inter-city railway in the world...). It was a titanic effort to construct the 30-mile route, with Huskisson instrumental in bringing it about. Simon Garfield is very good in setting the scene for the need for the railway, and then tracks the whole building of the line. The accident itself, which happened on the opening day, is very shocking when it comes, and described in vivid detail. Recommended to those who are interested in the pre-Victorian era, and those who just like a good ripping yarn."

LIFE ON AIR
by David Attenborough
Autobiography
"Amused and amusing, the working memoirs of one of the most influential, admired and best-liked figures in British television."

LOST CONTINENT, THE
by Bill Bryson
Travel
"Funny as this wonderful book is, it is also a serious indictment of the American way of life and the direction in which it is going..."

LUCKY MAN - A MEMOIR
by Michael J. Fox
Autobiography
"A fascinating story, warts and all, of the Hollywood actor's life, and how it has been affected by the diagnosis at age 30 of (young onset) Parkinson's Disease. He explains that, despite the initial shock and denial, his life is richer because of it, and that he wouldn't want it any other way. Inspiring stuff."(JRC)

MADE IN AMERICA
by Bill Bryson
Language/Humor (!)
"Having already read 'Mother Tongue', I was delighted to find this American follow-up, revealing a history about the English Language in the USA. Many interesting facts written in the author's usual witty style."(JRC)

MERDE ACTUALLY
by Stephen Clarke
Humour
"Further instalments in the life of Paul West, an Englishman in Paris. Mixing tales of his love life together with his attempts to set up an English Tea Shop, this is a humourous follow-up to 'A Year in the Merde'."(JRC)

MOTHER TONGUE
by Bill Bryson
Language
"More than 300 million people in the world speak English and the rest, it sometimes seems, try to... A surprise on every page."

MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD, THE
by Agatha Christie
Murder Mystery
"My favourite AC novel - with a totally unexpected ending."(JRC)

NEITHER HERE NOR THERE
by Bill Bryson
Travel
"Retracing a trip across Europe Bill Bryson undertook as a student - a breezy and entertaining account of what it is like to be utterly at sea in a continent most of his readers will regard as familiar."

NOTES FROM A SMALL ISLAND
by Bill Bryson
Travel
"One last trip round Britain before returning to the USA - not a book that should be read in public, for fear of emitting loud snorts."

NOTES FROM AN EVEN SMALLER ISLAND
by Neil Humphreys
Travel
"I'll excuse the use of Bill Bryson's book title... a very amusing reflection on aspects of life, warts and all, in Singapore."(JRC)

ONE FOR THE ROAD
by Tony Horwitz
Travel
"The story of Tony's hitch-hiking adventure through the Australian outback - some funny moments mixed with sharp commentary on people and places he encounters. I give this book the 'thumbs up'!"(JRC)

OUTPOSTS
by Simon Winchester
Travel/History
"A book written in 1985 (i.e. before the Hong Kong handover), with a recent update, about the remaining parts of the British Empire, and the varying fortunes and misfortunes of those who live there. For those who think the Empire has gone, this is definitely worth a read... but the Empire definitely doesn't strike back!"(JRC)

PEGASUS BRIDGE
by Stephen E Ambrose
History
"From the author of 'Band of Brothers', this is the account of the first British airborne raid on D-Day, 6 June 1944. Based on interviews held with the participants, it's interesting to consider how all the preparations led to its success, as well as contemplating the impact on the Allied invasion of Europe should the raid have failed. A story of heroism and cowardice, kindness and brutality."(JRC)

PLAYING THE MOLDOVANS AT TENNIS
by Tony Hawks
Humour
"Following on from his epic journey round Ireland with his fridge, Tony accepts another bet. A very amusing account of his quest, in one of Europe's least-explored countries. You'll find out exactly why it's not on the tourist trail. An ace read."(JRC)

REVOLUTION DAY - THE HUMAN STORY OF THE BATTLE FOR IRAQ
by Rageh Omaar
History
"A fascinating insight from the award-winning BBC reporter who experienced life in Iraq before and during the 2nd Gulf War. He does not shy away from the horrors he witnessed, nor his perception of the reasons for the conflict. He describes the atmosphere among the people of Baghdad on the night the first bombs hit, the horror they felt as they watched their city burn, and the anarchy that overwhelmed the country in the battle's wake."(JRC)

ROAD TO McCARTHY, THE
by Pete McCarthy
Travel
"Determined to pin down mythical tales of his own clan history and pursue other far-flung Irish connections to their illogical conclusions, Pete McCarthy is thrust into a world-wide adventure that reveals an unsettled and poignant history, while unearthing a good pint in the most unexpected locations."

ROUND IRELAND WITH A FRIDGE
by Tony Hawks
Travel/Humour
"Difficult to put down once started - a very funny tale of a hitch-hiking trip round the Irish coast with a fridge in tow - a real cool story."(JRC)

SCRIBBLES FROM THE SAME ISLAND
by Neil Humphreys
Travel
"A follow-up to his 'Notes from an even smaller island' - this book was impossible to put down, with loads of funny anecdotes on Singaporean life".(JRC)

SHAKESPEARE
by Bill Bryson
Biography/History
"There's been hundreds of books dedicated to the subject of Shakespeare's life and works. This one cuts through all the myths and assumptions in a very readable way, giving you a good insight into one of the least understood figures in British literary history. As usual, Bill uses his wry sense of humour - making it a difficult book to put down."(JRC)

SIXTY MILLION FRENCHMEN CAN'T BE WRONG
by Jean-Benot Nadeau & Julie Barlow
Non-fiction
"What makes the French so French - an interesting look at culture and events that have shaped modern-day France and its people."(JRC)

SOUND OF LAUGHTER, THE
by Peter Kay
Autobiography
"Interesting and, not surprisingly, often funny story of the British comedian's life. Born, raised, and still living in Bolton, we are treated to stories about his childhood, his teen years, his various part time jobs, his struggle to pass his driving test and his eventual arrival into the professional comedy scene. Peter comes across as a decent bloke, who relishes in the fact that his early dream of performing has become a reality."(JRC)

STASILAND - STORIES FROM BEHIND THE BERLIN WALL
by Anna Frunder
Non-fiction
"This book unearths some of the personal accounts of life in East Germany, both before and after the Berlin Wall was demolished. At times a grim journey, it makes you understand just how the country's regime monitored its own people and suppressed their own identities and freedom."(JRC)

STUPID WHITE MEN
by Michael Moore
Satire/Politics
"An extremely interesting and eye-opening read, with occasional ranting, by American author, journalist and film-maker Michael Moore. Gives a lot of food for thought, and some facts about US politicians that may just surprise you."(JRC)

SUCCESS FROM PITCH TO PROFIT
by BBC Dragons' Den
Business/Entertainment
"If you love the TV series, you will enjoy this book. Not only does it give you a profile of each of the Dragons, it gives you some great hints and tips of what will and what won't be successful for those who dare enter the Den. There are some case studies of products that illustrate success (eg Reggae Reggae Sauce) and some that just shouldn't have been there in the first place (eg the glove to remind you to drive on the right side of the road in France). This book is just the business."(JRC)

TALK TO THE HAND
by Lynne Truss
Humour/Observation
"Following on from her highly successful book on Grammar (Eats, Shoots and Leaves), Lynne has produced a superb commentary on the increase in rudeness. Contemporary life is documented perfectly, and explains why we can get so annoyed by many of life's modern-day encounters. Businesses that run call centres, people using mobile phones, and prolific swearers are just a few examples that come in for close scrutiny. At the end of the day, the world WILL be a better place if we all please just try and be more polite to people. Thank you very much."(JRC)

TALK TO THE SNAIL
by Stephen Clarke
Humour
"A great follow-up to 'A Year in the Merde' and 'Merde Actually' and dedicated to the French with the author's sincerest apologies! This book provides you with the ten commandments (there's actually eleven) for understanding the French - covering subjects such as customer service, illness, food, the language and love. C'est fantastique."(JRC)

TERRY FOX - HIS STORY
by Leslie Scrivener
"A biography detailing the courage of one Canadian who, having lost a leg to cancer, decided to undertake the Marathon of Hope - a cross-country run to raise $1 million. He ended up raising $24 million, and money is still being raised today in his name, 20 years on. Many so-called sporting personalities these days are thought of as heroes, but Terry Fox is one person that history will recall as a REAL hero."(JRC)

TESCOPOLY
by Andrew Simms
Current Affairs
"In the UK, Tesco has become the most prominent shop. This book outlines its rise, and provides commentary on how its desire to be a world leader can be at any expense - usually, the suppliers around the world or the town/village communities where the supermarket is located. Well worth reading, even if you can only manage a chapter at a time. Every little helps."(JRC)

TIPPING POINT
by Malcolm Gladwell
Psychology
"If you've ever wondered why trends, products and ideas catch on, and become epidemics, this book is definitely for you. Well written, it certainly makes you look at the world in a different way."(JRC)

TRAVEL DETECTIVE, THE
by Peter Greenberg
Travel
"A book which explains how to get the best deals from airlines, hotels, car rental agencies etc. Written from an American perspective, and written just before Sept.2001, it has some really good tips, making this book 'just the ticket'!"(JRC)

TRAVELS WITH MY ANGST
by Phil Brown
Travel
"A selection of short travel stories, from places such as Hong Kong, Loch Ness and Hamilton Island, recalling some of the odd and funny things which happened en route. A very good read."(JRC)

UNDERCOVER ECONOMIST, THE
by Tim Harford
Non-Fiction/Finance
"A slightly more technical read than Robert Frank's Economic Naturalist, but nevertheless a very good read. With a lot of wit, Tim explains amongst other things why certain poor countries are poor, what supermarkets don't want you to know, and how the UK government couldn't believe its luck with the sell-off of the 3G spectrum licences."(JRC)

UNSPEAK
by Steven Poole
Current Affairs
"If you're interested in the English language, and concerned how it's manipulated by and for governments and corporations, this book is right up your street. This is a great insight in the power of words, and how they can be used to get people blindly accepting certain situations and points of view. 'Words are weapons' is the subtitle of this book - and this is very apt. Wade through the euphemisms and propaganda, and understand what really is going on in the corridors of political and corporate power. Check out the website: www.unspeak.net"(JRC)

WAR ON TRUTH, THE
by Neil Mackay
Current Affairs
"This book takes an in-depth look into the invasion of Iraq and exposes what really lay behind the decision to enter and occupy the country. The book took four years to complete - as a reader, you can immediately tell that everything in the book was very well researched, and is not simply based on hearsay or rumour. As the author is happy for his work to be promoted around the world, I'm going to quote the following summary from the back cover: "The War on Truth reveals: what the UK's spies really make of the war and Tony Blair; how Blair could be legally impeached; how the torture of Iraqis was sanctioned at the very highest levels; how the media manipulated the west into support for the war; how the allies used WMD against the people of Iraq; how two secret spying units were set up by the British and Americans to lie to the public about the threat from Saddam; how the invasion of Iraq was dreamed up by the Bush team long before they took over the White House; and how the US and UK tried to destroy whistleblowers who attempted to expose the lies of the two administrations". The invasion and occupation of Iraq is an absolute tragedy - once you've read the book, you too will be able to decide whether Messrs Bush and Blair ought to be tried at the Hague for war crimes."(JRC)

WHY DON'T PENGUINS' FEET FREEZE?
by NewScientist
Non Fiction
"An excellent book published by the people at NewScientist. It's a follow-up to their highly successful "Does anything eat wasps?" and contains all sorts of interesting (and some uninteresting) facts that people often ponder, such as: What time is it at the North Pole?; Should you pickle your conkers?; Why do boomerangs come back?; Why does hair turn grey? (fortunately not something I've had to worry about yet!) Anyhow, if you have a spare £7.99 available (and especially if you're one of my friends that has a 'grey' issue!) this is worth a buy."(JRC)

WHY MEN DON'T LISTEN AND WOMEN CAN'T READ MAPS
by Allan & Barbara Pease
Science/Humour
"A well-written book highlighting the differences between males and females, made easy to read with its very light-hearted approach. For anyone who worries about so-called political correctness ... don't panic! The authors don't set out to talk down the need for equal opportunities, but instead celebrate the fact that there are real differences, created over hundreds of thousands of years, and that we should understand and appreciate them. You can't argue with science!"(JRC)

WORLD ACCORDING TO CLARKSON, THE
by Jeremy Clarkson
Humour/Observation
"A selection of articles written for Jeremy's column in the Sunday Times. In the book, he reveals his thoughts on why too much science is bad for our health, why we must work harder to get rid of cricket, and other interesting perspectives on 70s rock music, foxes and Germans."(JRC)

YES MAN
by Danny Wallace
Humour
"A story about what happens when Danny decides to say 'YES' more; the people he meets, the places he visits, and the ongoing challenge of avoiding 'NO'. Never dull, the journey is full of surprises, full of humour, and by the last page has a very fitting ending. Hey, it would be daft if the ending wasn't on the last page!"(JRC)