Thursday, October 09, 2008

Gad, a book review? Surely not!



It's like this. I saw this book at the airport bookshop on one of my many trips to Invercargill. At the time I decided I would finish the book I already had and would buy Don't tell mum etc next trip. Well, couldn't find it next trip or the one after that so eventually put the idea to the back of my mind.

When up in Auckland recently I saw it in a shop there and nabbed it. I couldn't NOT read a book with a title like this, even tho' its not really the sort of travel adventure book I would read. I'm not sure there are ANY travel adventure books I would read. I am too lazy and prefer the DVD, the visual events.

So, I started reading the book on the plane on the way home from Auckland to Christchurch and thoroughly enjoyed the start. It is a "larikins" book really. Full of funny fart jokes and boy-speak but there are some rather insighful passages which made the overal experience worthwhile. I would have liked to hear more about how things went with his dad, but I'm nosy that way.

Don't get me wrong, this won't win any prizes for its language or plot, and its more like a sit down with a mate who is just back from an OE and you've had a beer or three and he's telling you abouot the trip. But some days thats what you need. Some days, you want a good read for the train or plane, and if you're really lucky a charming handsome fella next to you (or felless if you prefer) might strike up a conversation about it and thus add a bonus to your trip!

15 comments:

Brother Tobias said...

It sounds a fun read; I'll look out for it. Ashamed to say I had to look up 'OE'. I think that must be an exclusively Kiwi jfpgdterm!

Brother Tobias said...

(That was not a swear word, but me entering the verification code when the cursor was in the wrong box!)

The Sagittarian said...

Hi BT - I'm not sure about the OE but youo could be right; it's just something we have always used here (and possibly in Australia too). As for the 'term" word, I must be blonde as I spent a few minutes trying to figure out what the acronym was before reaching the conclusion that is contained in your second comment!

Mike said...

Some of the best books I have ever read were books that I picked up in an airport while traveling.

Well maybe not the "best" books, but at least the most fun books.

justme said...

I will think of you eating chocolate ginger! Which is a vegetable AND a fruit in my book!!

Steve said...

It is truly a great title though I can't help wishing it was the other way around...

meggie said...

I rather like those light funny books, they break up the heavy tomes I am reading for months on end.

The Sagittarian said...

Mike - you won't regret the book. There are naughty words.


Justme - it was looooverly!


Steve - I know. It was actually a good read. But moe for the title than the content. Sadly.

Meggie- exactly! I'll let you know when I get mine published.....

Anonymous said...

I am often won over by titles too. Sadly I can never remember them to recommend them to anyone else.

But I often talk to strangers on planes or trains about what they are reading. I suspect that makes me rather annoying!!!

The Sagittarian said...

Gina - annoying? You? Mate, I look forward to the day you sit next to me on a flight! Hopefully I will be the one closest to the drinks trolley tho'...

The Poet Laura-eate said...

That's a brilliant title indeed - shame it was not quite as sharp inside, but glad you enjoyed it Sagittarian.

matty said...

This sounds like an awesome find!!!

I must try to find it!

I am currently trying to get thru Dear Fatty by Dawn French. ...which is a fun read. ...sort of, tho, she slips a bit more into sentiment than I like.

Oh, well! ...It is Dawn French and all must praise her anyway!

The villager: said...

I wish I bought more books purely for enjoyment, but for some reason feel obliged to purchase more worthy, literary efforts, and then have to make myself read them.

The Sagittarian said...

Poet - I agree, I suspect if I ever wrote a book I would struggle with a title as attention grabbing!

Matty - I just read a book review about that very same book! I think Dawn is great, you have fine taste in literature!!

Villager - welcome! Thanks for calling in. I have to say that sometimes I have ended up witha very disappointing read because I ignored that ol' saying "Don't judge a book by its cover...". I have also fallen into the trap of reading books that others rave about, only to find it didn't "do it" for me. Its a personal thing this book reading lark! :-)

VioletSky said...

I want to say something witty about that book title, but must go look up OE and find that Dawn French book I didn't know about till now. Wasted too much time trying to figure out what jfpgdterm meant before reading BT's explanation.