Book Reviews - Reading Reviews - Opinion on Books

Guerilla Social Media Marketing

2011-03-27T12:06:06Z

Image by Infusionsoft via Flickr

I've been a big fan of Jay Conrad Levinson's books for the last number of years. His "guerilla marketing" handbook and the series of books that it spawned, are well worth reading for anyone who is interested in marketing their business.

So the "social media" title caught my attention.

The book seems to have been written mostly by Shane Gibson, though Jay Conrad Levninson's name is also on the cover.
It covers a wide range of topics related to using social media tools to promote your business and also has a strong focus on measuring success.
If you're already using social media to promote your business then this book will probably open your eyes to some new ideas that you can adopt for your business. If you've never used social media for business, then this will walk you through it.

Definitely worth reading regardless of your level of experience.

Kindle Ebooks Outselling Traditional Paper Ones

2011-01-28T12:24:44Z

Amazon have been a game changing company since they first launched themselves into ecommerce offering books and books alone.

Prior to Amazon's Kindle there had been many attempts to launch ebooks, but none of them met with any real success.

The Kindle changed that dramatically.

And according to a release from Amazon in the last couple of days, the Kindle is having a very big impact on their sales, not only in terms of volume, but also breakdown:

Amazon.com is now selling more Kindle books than paperback books. Since the beginning of the year, for every 100 paperback books Amazon has sold, the Company has sold 115 Kindle books. Additionally, during this same time period the Company has sold three times as many Kindle books as hardcover books. This is across Amazon.com's entire U.S. book business and includes sales of books where there is no Kindle edition. Free Kindle books are excluded and if included would make the numbers even higher.

while the hardware device itself is doing very well, though they're not going to give specifics:

The Company sold millions of third-generation Kindle devices with the new advanced paper-like Pearl e-ink display in the fourth quarter and the third-generation Kindle eclipsed "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" as the bestselling product in Amazon's history.

Some basic figures of what you can get on your Kindle:

The U.S. Kindle Store now has more than 810,000 books including New Releases and 107 of 112 New York Times Bestsellers. Over 670,000 of these books are $9.99 or less, including 74 New York Times Bestsellers. Millions of free, out-of-copyright, pre-1923 books are also available to read on Kindle.

But you're not strictly limited to using the Kindle device, though there are limitations on what the software versions can do:

Amazon added to its growing list of "Buy Once, Read Everywhere" Kindle apps, launching a Kindle app for Windows Phone 7. In addition, the Kindle for Android app was updated to enable users to buy, read and sync over 100 Kindle newspapers and magazines. All Kindle apps let customers "Buy Once, Read Everywhere"--on Kindle, Kindle 3G, Kindle DX, iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, Mac, PC, BlackBerry and Android-based devices. All Kindle apps are free and incorporate Amazon's Whispersync technology, which allows readers to seamlessly switch between devices. With Kindle Worry-Free Archive, books purchased from the Kindle Store are automatically backed up online in the Kindle library on Amazon where they can be re-downloaded wirelessly for free, anytime.

So is this a good thing or a bad thing for books in general?

DH Lawrence

2010-09-11T10:53:14Z

DH Lawrence was born on this day in 1885.

He is best known for his works such as Women in Love, Sons and Lovers and The Rainbow.

Clive Cussler's The Spy

2010-08-28T17:55:46Z

Clive Cussler seems to churn out novels at an incredible rate. While he's unlikely to win the Booker prize, his novels are always a good read.

The most recent of them, The Spy, is part of his series set in early 20th century USA. The stories revolve around a fictional detective agency - the Van Dorn's, with the central character Isaac Bell picking up many of the characteristics of Cussler's most famous creation, Dirk Pitt.

To date there have been three Isaac Bell novels, The Chase, The Wrecker and now The Spy.

In The Spy the story centres around the pre World War One arms race. Bell gets called in to investigate a suspicious suicide and finds himself embroiled in a very complicated tale of international espionage and intrigue.

There's plenty of action, gorgeous women, though no sex, chases, death, blood and of course, a happy ending.

If you enjoy Cussler's style of writing you'll enjoy this.

Garcia Lorca

2010-06-06T13:00:34Z

A day late admittedly, but Garcia Lorca was born on June 5th 1898

While the date of his birth is clear that of his death isn't, as he was murdered during the Spanish Civil War.

Ian Fleming

2010-05-28T09:12:52Z

Ian Fleming was born on this day in 1908.

He would be 102 if he was still alive.

His legacy, James Bond, lives on.

Crush It!

2010-05-02T14:27:43Z

Image via Wikipedia

Gary Vaynerchuk's "Crush It!" makes for a fast and easy read.

I read the book a couple of months ago over a couple of days, as I'd seen someone interviewing the author and it piqued my interest.

Vaynerchuk will never win a Nobel prize for literature, but his "voice" is genuine and full of energy.

Vaynerchuk rose to fame with his online TV show - Wine Library TV and in this book he talks about "cashing in on your passion".

Whether you're already running a business or thinking of starting one, "Crush It!" will probably give you some encouragement and ideas of how you can share your passion with others and make more money while doing it.

Vaynerchuk isn't a social media wannabe guru. He's actually built a real business using social media marketing. He's not a consultant trying to sell you his ideas - he's simply sharing his own experiences and passions, which makes it a lot more interesting and genuine.

Well worth reading.

Dick Francis RIP

2010-02-14T17:34:34Z

Image via Wikipedia

Author Dick Francis has passed away at the age of 89.

Francis, who started out as a highly successful jockey went on to write 40 bestsellers which have sold more than 60 million copies worldwide and have been translated into more than 20 languages.

Francis died in the Cayman Islands where a funeral will be held.

Lost Symbol - Perfect for Airports

2010-01-02T15:37:32Z

Cover of The Lost Symbol

I assume Dan Brown has made a fortune from the royalties for The Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons and the other novels and their film versions. That he's managed to add to his wealth with the release of The Lost Symbol is inevitable.

But is it truly deserving?

The Lost Symbol is not a great work of literature. Sure, it is readable, but so is the back of some cereal packs. Readibility is not the best barometer.

Langdon, who previously appeared in both The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, makes another appearance in The Lost Symbol.

This time round he's exploring the Masonic world in the US capital - Washington DC.

(On a positive note I suspect the tourist office in Washington will probably be thanking Dan Brown for the boost in visitor numbers.)

Langdon is summoned to Washington to give a lecture at short notice. When he arrives he finds himself pulled into the intricate web of an evil mastermind who is hellbent on unravelling the Masons' greatest secret.

The problem is that Brown prefaces the book by stating that all the symbols, science, organisations and rites he describes are real. So he's trying to base a work of fiction on scientific and cultural fact. However his "facts" are, in many cases, more "fantasy" than "reality".
Be that as it may, if the thriller were a wonderful read you'd be able to forgive him.
Unfortunately that's not the case.
Like a bad Hollywood film, Brown is incapable of writing a thriller that actually keeps you on your toes. After the first few chapters you've probably already worked out who the mystery man really is, though you have to patiently wait until the final part of the book for confirmation. When it comes you aren't surprised or even relieved. It's more a sensation of amazement. Not amazement at his skillful prose, but more his complete inability to withhold the surprise. I don't know about you, but I like thrillers that have surprising twists. The Lost Symbol really doesn't

If you like a fairly pacy read and can't get your hands on a Cussler or Lee Child, then maybe The Lost Symbol is a good option to kill a few hours. It would be perfect fare for holiday reading, as you won't feel guilty if you forget the book in the hotel.

Without Fail Does Not Disappoint

2009-07-26T12:37:39Z

Practically every book's dustjacket is covered with reviews and hyperbole. It's refreshing when the book actually lives up to the hyped reviews on the cover.

In the case of Lee Child's "Without Fail" it is truly gripping.

Child is one of those writers that I wish I'd started reading earlier. I like a good thriller, so I have to admit that the character of Jack Reacher really struck a chord with me. He's an oddball character. You know he's got a past and that he's very dangerous, but Child doesn't spell it out for you. Unlike so many Hollywood style novels, Child leaves nice gaps open to your imagination.

So what of the plot itself?

Basic plot is that the vice president elect is under threat from some kind of danger. What type of danger it is isn't 100% clear, but as the plot develops and twists the number of possible sources are eliminated until the book culminates in yet another twist.

Reacher's character is dark and dangerous and thus perfectly fit for the shadowy world he inhabits.

Child populates his "world" with characters set against backdrops that are described in such detail that you can practically smell them

Overall a great read and now I have to admit to being possibly "hooked"

Medusa - Kurt Austin Does It Again

2009-07-12T14:50:37Z

I've been a fan of Clive Cussler for several years.
While none of his books are likely to win the Booker prize, they are what they are - highly enjoyable adventures.
Cussler's male characters are tough, good looking and heroic. They're almost comicbook styled personnages, but that does not make them any less enjoyable.
Kurt Austin, and his "sidekick" Joe Zavala, this time round are up against a deadly virus and the Chinese triads.
The story takes them from the US to a number of exotic locations, with plenty of action, romance and tension.
Of course we know that Austin will save the day, but how he manages to get there is the fun part.
If you're a fan of good clean action then Austin makes a nice maritime James Bond style figure.
A good enjoyable read - perfect for the holiday season.

Always Looking Up

2009-05-17T10:38:27Z

Cover via Amazon

Michael J Fox wrote an autobiography a few years ago which covered his career from the beginning through to when he started coming to grips with Parkinson's, so I was quite surprised that he had written a followup tome - Always Looking Up.

Always Looking Up isn't about Michael J Fox the actor. It's a lot more about Michael J Fox the activist and his work with Parkinson's. It's also about Michael J Fox's personal reality and how his life has been changed and affected by PD.

While this may sound terribly boring and depressing in some respects it's a wonderful read. While other people might be depressed by PD, Fox manages to see the positive side of his new life and is more than happy to share his deepest feelings.

If you're looking for a celebrity biography then you might be disappointed, but if you are interested in a fascinating and heart lifting story then Always Looking Up should be on your reading list.

Ian Fleming First Editions On Her Majesty's Secret Service

2009-05-02T23:41:59Z

Sorry, this isn't a review!

I've been a big James Bond fan since I was a teenager, so now I've decided to get my hands on all of the Ian Fleming first editions.

The first one that I got a few weeks ago was On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

Here are a couple of shots (from the ebay listing):

Dustjacket:

Frontpage showing edition details:

The New Influencers

2009-03-28T14:01:43Z

I came across The New Influencers more or less by accident while browsing Amazon's recommendations.

Social media, social networks and all the other related "buzzwords" are constantly evolving, so reading a book that was written a couple of years ago may seem like a strange choice. It isn't.

The New Influencers is worth reading for a number of reasons.

Apart from anything else it traces the evolution and provides some very interesting background to some of the key players.

It also gives some very interesting case studies of how business have tried to embrace social media. Not all of their efforts have met with success and this book does provide some very interesting insights into why some business failed to "get it" first time round.

Paul Gillin conducted interviews with a very broad range of people in preparation for this book and the stories that they tell make for a fascinating read.

If you are interested in marketing or social media, or maybe both, then I'd heartily recommend getting a copy of this book.

The BBC Top 100 Books

2009-02-22T12:53:54Z

The BBC Big Read list of 100 books is quite a strange list. There are some books on the list that would be instantly recognisable as "Classics", while there are others that would be best described as "pulp fiction".

I've only read a small fraction of this list, so I'm not sure if that's a good reflection on me or not:

1. The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien - read it and loved it
2. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen - I think I read it.
3. His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman - Have a copy, but haven't read it yet
4. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams - Read it and loved it
5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, JK Rowling - Read it
6. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
7. Winnie the Pooh, AA Milne
8. Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell - read it
9. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, CS Lewis - read it
10. Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë
11. Catch-22, Joseph Heller
12. Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë
13. Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks
14. Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier
15. The Catcher in the Rye, JD Salinger - read it, but didn't really like it
16. The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Grahame
17. Great Expectations, Charles Dickens
18. Little Women, Louisa May Alcott
19. Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Louis de Bernieres
20. War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy
21. Gone with the Wind, Margaret Mitchell
22. Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, JK Rowling - read it
23. Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets, JK Rowling - read it
24. Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban, JK Rowling - read it
25. The Hobbit, JRR Tolkien - read it
26. Tess Of The D'Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy
27. Middlemarch, George Eliot
28. A Prayer For Owen Meany, John Irving
29. The Grapes Of Wrath, John Steinbeck
30. Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
31. The Story Of Tracy Beaker, Jacqueline Wilson
32. One Hundred Years Of Solitude, Gabriel García Márquez - read it
33. The Pillars Of The Earth, Ken Follett
34. David Copperfield, Charles Dickens
35. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl
36. Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson
37. A Town Like Alice, Nevil Shute
38. Persuasion, Jane Austen
39. Dune, Frank Herbert
40. Emma, Jane Austen
41. Anne Of Green Gables, LM Montgomery
42. Watership Down, Richard Adams
43. The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald - read it
44. The Count Of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas
45. Brideshead Revisited, Evelyn Waugh
46. Animal Farm, George Orwell - read it
47. A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens
48. Far From The Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy
49. Goodnight Mister Tom, Michelle Magorian
50. The Shell Seekers, Rosamunde Pilcher
51. The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett
52. Of Mice And Men, John Steinbeck
53. The Stand, Stephen King
54. Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy
55. A Suitable Boy, Vikram Seth
56. The BFG, Roald Dahl
57. Swallows And Amazons, Arthur Ransome
58. Black Beauty, Anna Sewell
59. Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer
60. Crime And Punishment, Fyodor Dostoyevsky
61. Noughts And Crosses, Malorie Blackman
62. Memoirs Of A Geisha, Arthur Golden
63. A Tale Of Two Cities, Charles Dickens
64. The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCollough
65. Mort, Terry Pratchett
66. The Magic Faraway Tree, Enid Blyton
67. The Magus, John Fowles
68. Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
69. Guards! Guards!, Terry Pratchett
70. Lord Of The Flies, William Golding - read it
71. Perfume, Patrick Süskind - read it
72. The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Robert Tressell
73. Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
74. Matilda, Roald Dahl
75. Bridget Jones's Diary, Helen Fielding
76. The Secret History, Donna Tartt
77. The Woman In White, Wilkie Collins
78. Ulysses, James Joyce
79. Bleak House, Charles Dickens
80. Double Act, Jacqueline Wilson
81. The Twits, Roald Dahl
82. I Capture The Castle, Dodie Smith
83. Holes, Louis Sachar
84. Gormenghast, Mervyn Peake
85. The God Of Small Things, Arundhati Roy
86. Vicky Angel, Jacqueline Wilson
87. Brave New World, Aldous Huxley -read it
88. Cold Comfort Farm, Stella Gibbons
89. Magician, Raymond E Feist
90. On The Road, Jack Kerouac
91. The Godfather, Mario Puzo - read it
92. The Clan Of The Cave Bear, Jean M Auel
93. The Colour Of Magic, Terry Pratchett
94. The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho - read it. Fantastic book
95. Katherine, Anya Seton
96. Kane And Abel, Jeffrey Archer
97. Love In The Time Of Cholera, Gabriel García Márquez - read it
98. Girls In Love, Jacqueline Wilson
99. The Princess Diaries, Meg Cabot
100. Midnight's Children, Salman Rushdie