My one regret is that; if I lived a thousand years I would never have enough time to read all the books I wanted to read. Every avenue of literary experience I explore leads me to yet another untapped fountain of pleasure, but in doing so also adds to the frustration of hundreds more books that need reading.

These pages are not intended to provide a critical review of the books listed (there are enough people who think themselves better at doing that already), rather a list of authors, their books and some info as to why I have read them. In reading this list maybe you can also suffer the frustration of finding hundreds of books that you really MUST read.

COPYRIGHT: To anyone who's copyright I have transgressed I am sorry. I have attempted to make sure everyone has had adequate recognition for their work however, if you feel aggrieved please send an email to the address below and I will rectify the situation - Thank you

Carl Hiaasen

Carl Hiaasen was born and raised in Florida, although judging by the affinity he expresses in his books for the original population would not class himself as a "native". He has been a journalist at the Miami Herald since 1979 working as a magazine writer, investigative reporter and as a metropolitan columnist. Hiaasen has established himself as a crusader against all that is corrupt in Florida, being described by the Observer news paper as "the blazing conscience of the sunshine state". His brand of satirical crime novels rip apart all that is horrid about power, exploitation and corruption but in demonizing the wicked also bring to life the stupidity and futility of their situation. Some great, larger than life characters that follow through several of the novels (for example Skink, the ex governor turned "Tarzan like" vigilante - Jim Tile, the Highway Patrol man), an excellent selection of hapless villains, the real baddies (the corrupt politicians, land developers, theme park owners), who you cant help but hate and always get their comeuppance and a host of unsuspecting heroes.

If you like satire, have a wicked (and somewhat warped) sense of humor and an affinity for the man struggling just to live life the way he wants to, then these crime novels are for you.

Sick Puppy    Lucky You    Stormy Weather    Strip Tease    Native Tongue    Skin Tight    Double Whammy    Tourist Season    Basket Case    Hoot (a kids book!)

If you're up for a depressing slice of reality, try some of his non fiction consisting of extracts from his news columns. Quite funny but you need at least a basic grasp of Floridian politics to get the best from them. It also provides a good indication of where the themes for his books originate - they say reality is stranger than fiction.

Paradise Screwed    Kick Ass     

For those Disney fans there is also a book entitled Team Rodent: How Disney Devours the World. This will not be on sale at all good Disney stores!!

Also check out the Hiaasen web site at http://www.carlhiaasen.com/index.html or a quick look at some of his books here

Christopher Brookmyre

Christopher Brookmyre was born in Glasgow in 1968 and has worked as a journalist in London, Los Angeles and Edinburgh employed by such epic publications as The Scotsman, Screen International and the Evening News. His first novel Quite Ugly One Morning, won the inaugural First Blood Award for the best first crime novel of the year.

Brookmyre has been described as the British version of Carl Hiaasen (thus the reason for putting him here) although it must be noted that he has a far more "colorful" use of the English language than does Hiaasen. The books are funny, intelligent, gripping but also very thought provoking (and not just a little violent). As with Hiaasen, the books champion the individual and vilify the corrupt establishment. Anyone who has any connection to the national health service should read Quite Ugly One Morning especially those who supposedly manage it. His characters have a real depth and you can't help liking them. He must also take the prize for some of the strangest book titles (along with Robert Rankin who will be listed below - if not already).

Again, not for the easily offended but try:

Quite Ugly One Morning    Country of the Blind    Not the End of the World    Boiling a Frog    One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night    A Big Boy did It and Ran Away     Be My Enemy (new)

 Link to the Brookmyre site at www.brookmyre.co.uk or a quick look at some of his books here

John Case

If one can be entertained and at the same time learn, then the experience must be worthwhile. John Case is one of those authors for whom I scan the book shelves, waiting for their next publication. John case is, in reality, the pseudonym for the husband and wife team of Jim and Carolyn Hougan. Jim Hougan is an award-winning journalist (although which awards he has won, at this point I couldn't say). Given that my previous two favorite authors are also journalists, I guess that must mean I either have a liking for that style of writing or may be the need for a certain critical (read skeptical) intelligence in an author (I am of course referring here to serious journalism, which does not include the majority of British "news" publications). 

John Case (as I will continue to refer to them), manages to combine spine chilling suspense with science (some real some pseudo) in a mixture that kept me turning pages into the small hours of the morning. Publishing News refers to the Genesis Code as "A clever story which mingles modern day science with old belief......a strong thriller" and that seems to sum-up Case's books. Take a science, genetics, nano-technology, virology and weave it into a gripping story line. I thoroughly recommend all of them although my favorites are the first two on the list.

Genesis Code    The First Horsemen    Trance State    The Eighth Day

Michael Moore    Alissa Quart    Max Barry    Eric Schlosser

There are a range of books out now, both fact and fiction, that explore the world of globalization and the roles played by governments and corporations in promoting the consumer culture. My first exposure to these publications was with reading Fast Food Nation: The Dark side of the All American Meal by Eric Schlosser. In this book Schlosser explores the wide ranging effects fast food companies like McDonalds have on, not just eating habits, but the total economy (and indeed society) of a nation. If you thought that the habits of the meat industry exposed during the BSE investigations were bad, have a dip into the world of the American meat packing and slaughter house industry. Thoroughly good read - see if you can enjoy your beef burger after this!!

Branded by Alissa Quart expands on a similar theme detailed in a book entitled No Logo by Naomi Klein. These books investigate the actions of corporations in wooing customers, especially the young, utilizing some very disturbing tactics. Although concentrating on the effects on American society and youth culture, it is not difficult to identify the beginning of exactly the same attitudes in the UK today. As a father of young children I found the influence of corporations on schools and the promotion of products through corporate school sponsorship particularly disturbing.   

On a slightly lighter note: Jennifer Government by Max Barry is a work of fiction that takes corporate control to the ultimate extreme. A satirical (and extremely funny) look at how far it is possible to go in the world of corporate control. In the future, the world will be run by giant American corporations. Everybody will be so happy, tax-free and rich that they will change their name to that of their company. But how far will Hack Nike go to get out of his "negative career equity" situation. A good read and while being a bit of fun still has you thinking.......what if.......?   

Most people have heard of Michael Moore and his one man crusade against the might of America (or perhaps I should say current American government attitudes and policies). What can be said about Michael Moore. I guess you either love or hate this sort of reverse-spin look at politics and government agenda. Well known for his film, Bowling for Columbine, Moore provides information on aspects of world politics in the main revolving around non-information and/or disinformation supplied by the US and UK governments. Stupid White Men concentrates on how Bush won (or lost, depending on your point of view) the US election and on civil rights. The latest book Dude, Where's My Country  relates to issues on the Iraq war. Both books have some interesting facts and little published information. Good for swatting up on some facts before those late night pub arguments.

Fast Food Nation    Branded    Jennifer Government    Stupid White Men    Dude, Where's My Country

Frederick Forsyth

I must admit I haven't read a Frederick Forsyth novel since I read The Odessa File when I was at school. I picked up his current book Avenger at an airport book store as I was rushing to catch a plane (nothing unusual there then). Given the name Forsyth I don't know why I was surprised by how good it was, perhaps it was just my normal predisposition to keep away from "popular" fiction. It is a very good book - from the beginning in the tunnels of Vietnam, through Serbia and ending up in Central America the story keeps you reading. Gets a bit James Bond at the end but a good twist (if you haven't realized by page 200) and good attention to detail. I guess I don't really need to list Forsyth's books but I will anyway (for completeness as they say):

Day of the Jackal    The Odessa File    The Dogs of War    The Devil's Alternative    The Fourth Protocol      The Negotiator    The Deceiver    The Fist of God    Icon    Avenger

Greg Bear

To quote from the cover of his latest novel Darwin's Children, "Greg Bear was born in San Diego, California. His father was in the US Navy, and by the time he was twelve years old, Greg had lived in Japan, the Philippines, Alaska - where by the age of ten he completed his first short story - and various other parts of the US. He published his first science fiction story aged 16. His novels and stories have won prizes and been translated around the world. Bear's novel Darwin's Radio won the Nebula Award for the best novel and was nominated for the Hugo Award".

Bear is another novelist who combines a great story with science fact. I can only comment on the three of his novels I have so far read, but I would certainly recommend than to any one who enjoys an intelligent read. These books also give a scarily believable account of how paranoia and bigotry can be utilised by the "powers that be" in manipulating the general population. Check out some extracts here  

Vitals    Darwin's Radio    Darwin's Children    (not read     Slant    Eon    The Forge of God    Moving Mars    Eternity    Anvil of Stars    Legacy    Queen of Angels    Blood Music    Psychlone    Hegira)

To come but not yet completed:

Robert Rankin

Robert Harris

J.R.R. Tolkien

John Gribbin

Philip Pullman

Mark Haddon

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