Life Changing and Regret Reading!

LIFE CHANGING: Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less(Jeffery Archer)
This was a book about a group of four men who were done over by a conman... they sought revenge by making him pay back the exact amount they had lost. This was Jeffery Archer's first novel and one of his best. But the reason I chose this for my Life Changing experience is that it was the first book I'd ever read cover to cover in 2 days [which was outside the set reading list at school]. My Mum gave it to me on a holiday... and I've never looked back. I went from hating reading to loving it!

REGRET READING: 31 Songs (Nick Hornby)
I was a huge Nick Hornby fan with High Fidelity and About a Boy... but I have to say, this book was a total self indulgent piece of crap.

Biography and Love

BIOGRAPHY: Long walk to Freedom (Nelson Mandela)
Sensational to read the life of one of the world's most influential people! This was one of my top 5 best reads!

LOVE: Chocolat (Joanne Harris)
I am not usually a big love story reader... but I did really enjoy Chocolat. Perhaps even more so after my favourite actor played the romantic hero in the movie. It really did make me what to move to France and indulge in great food and all the simple pleasures of life.

Historical and Enlightenment

THEME: Historical
Sunne In Splendour (Sharon Penman): One of the most amazing books I've ever read - thanks for suggesting it Linda!! It was truly amazing. I now have a much more passionate interest in English history.

EMOTION: Enlightenment
Questions of Life (Nicky Gumbel): This book tries to answer some of the key questions at the heart of Christian faith. It is based on the Alpha course that started at a church in South Kensington which has now spread worldwide. It was written by a guy, that when growing up thought Christian faith was boring, untrue and irrelevant. It sure had an impact on me.

Crime and Nostalgia

CRIME: Killing Pablo(Mark Bowden)
An intriuging book that showed the nasty side of the war against drug. Pablo was such a critical player in the cocaine trade in Columbia. It was very intersting to read how he evaded the police for so long... but finally it all came crashing down.

NOSTALGIA: Pig City -- from the Saints to Savage Garden (Andrew Stafford)
I only bought this a week ago and haven't had the chance to read it... but what better way to bring on the nostalgia feeling than to read a book about the city that is home to me (Brisbane Queensland) through the eyes of the bands that made world renowned music in a city that was ruled by iron fisted policitians.

Travel and Humour

1. TRAVEL
Chocolat (Joanne Harris)

2. LAUGHTER
Hungry Years (William Leith)

Top 5 Books

1. Long walk to Freedom (Nelson Mandela)
Sensational to read the life of one of the world's most influential people!

2. Trinity (Leon Urus)
This is a fictional story about the beginnings of the IRA - kept me captivated throughout the whole book.

3. About A Boy (Nick Hornsby)
Cute little story... Great film too.

4. Chronicles (Bob Dylan)
Another amazing man. He has some really insightful things to say about life.

5. One Child (Tory Hayden)
If you ever thinking of becoming a mother, this is a perfect book to read about the thoughts of a little girl who came out ok after a terrible introduction to life.