BOOK LIST Part One

“The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”

You know who said that? The greatest philosopher all time thats who. Yep, Dr Seuss. Ya know what he got his PHD in? LIFE. OK, yes, he also said "My alphabet starts with this letter called yuzz. It's the letter I use to spell yuzz-a-ma-tuzz."but thats beside the point. What i'm trying to say here, is that during my travels, READING has become the BESTEST thing in the universe. Long gone are my wonderful evenings sitting alone in my room, scratching my crotch whilst engrossed in a movie and eating Nutella straight from the jar with a pencil. Those moments of happiness have been taken away from me by the life i now lead. So, to fill this abyss of escapism, i have taken up reading with ravenous delight. Wanna know what ive read so far? No? WELL GUTTED COZ IM GONNA TELL YOU NOW. But don't worry, it will be in parts so you don't end up hating me even more than you already do.

The Book Thief by Makus Zusak

Awesome, amazing, heartbreaking book. This was the first book i read whilst travelling and it was SO FRICKING GOOD. Narrated by death, it tells the story of a little orphan girl called Liesel growing up in Nazi Germany. Amazingly written and so sad you will weep forever. Read it. Its very important that you do.

The Catcher In The Rye by J.D Salinger

Before i came away i made myself a promise i would read more classic novels. So far im still wandering around with about four classics in my backpack. However, after finishing my first book i moved straight onto this and loved it. Just the funnest book i have read in ages. Really funny, sweet and strange, if you havnt read it (which i hadnt) it follows a kid called Holden Caulfield over 3 days after he quits school and hangs out in New York trying to guide his life in some way that will make him happy. Brilliant stuff.

Alice's Adventures In Wonderland by Lewis Carol

Another classic i picked up. Its funny, most of the books you end up buying in Asia are just large, photocopied versions of the original books. Sometimes the pages are stapled in upside down, and they cost you almost double what they would cost you at home, but i still loved reading this. Its just the most strangest, original, crazy story for kids. Alice east ALOT of food in this. I think Mr Carol was eating ALOT of mushrooms whilst writing it. but whatever creative techniques he used they worked perfectly. Just the best fun.

The Beach by Alex Garland

Yes thats right, i am indeed a walking cliche. But you know what? I DONT CARE. It was bloody brilliant reading this laying on the beaches that Garland writes about. Looking around at the local Thai's with their 'smiles like sharks'. Really made me think about the idea of Paradise and what it meant. The Lonely Planet described Phi Phi as 'paradise so beautiful it would make you cry'. Instead i found endless tour shops crowding the streets so you couldnt even see the sky and drunken British morons throwing up outisde the countless pancake stalls. I found it eventually, but it took a while.

Awesome stuff so far hmm? HMMMM? OK, this is actually all a rouse. You see, i would normally be posting photo's and other exciting little tidbits from the journey so far, but you see, AUSTRALIA IS A HUGE RIP OFF. It's actually proving more difficult to upload photo's and video's here than it was in Asia. They CHARGE you to use the USB ports! i mean, why not just suck all the atmosphere out of the internet cafe's then charge people to use oxygen tanks as they check facebook in a cold, lifeless vacuum? Bah. I'm off. Be back soon!