Book reviews: part 1

I did a little shopping a couple of weeks ago and ended up buying two funny books from Borders. Nothing serious, really - more like coffee table books. Anyway, here we go:

Eats, Shites and Leaves
Author: A. Parody
Price: RM39.30
A book by some fella called A. Parody (right...), it's basically a collection of bullet points - about crap English and examples of English going wrong. As well as just some interesting and not-so-interesting points about the correct use of English.

The problem with this book is, while it's quite funny and interesting in the beginning, it gets really repetitious. By the 100th page, you'll notice a trend in how the book (and humour) is structured.

After completing the book, I started thinking about various ways I could've spent my RM39.90 instead. It's not that bad, but neither is falling down the stairs...

And breaking your teeth...




The Idler book of CRAP HOLIDAYS
Edited by: Dan Kieran
Price: RM59.90
After going through the previous book, I was seriously worried that I had just thrown another 60 ringgit down the toilet.

The good news, though, is that CRAP HOLIDAYS isn't totally rubbish. In fact, I'd say that it does it's job as a coffee table book rather well.

It is a compilation of 50 horror stories from some western travellers (mostly British), as they set out for their dream vacations - only to end up living a nightmare.

Some of the stories are trully hilarious, although the majority are just bad (in a good sort of way, for the reader). There's quite a lot of variation in the stories - some are concise accounts while others are long-drawn epic disasters.

Apart from the horror stories, the book has some sections with some interesting facts too, like how a visit to the Galapagos Islands is in fact one of the most environmentally damaging things you could possibly do. (Which is a shame because I'd really like to go there some day...)

So yes, I kinda like this book. And yes, it's exactly the sort of book I'd want to read while waiting for my dentist to prepare his big, sharp pokey things... But is it worth almost 60 Malaysian Ringgits?

Erm... no.



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Lessons in life: don't buy coffee table books - read them at other people's houses. Or at your dentist.