Thanks to my parents, who have an amazing library of books, I’m an avid reader, particularly of classical and mediaeval literature. Ooh, aren’t I the pseudo-intellectual one? I’m actually quite proud of my collection of world mythology, Viking sagas and Greek/Latin classics. But I also read more mainstream books - Michael Moorcock, when he wants to be, is fantastic, and Terry Pratchett is always an enjoyable read.

Like 99% of the UK population, I have read the Harry Potter novels and, like 99% of the UK population, think they’re overrated. I have also read a decent proportion of the ‘classic’ novels - such as Wasp Factory, Animal Farm, Pride and Prejudice, The Shape of Things to Come and A Tale of Two Cities. If pushed, I would have to say that my favourite books would have to be Slaughterhouse 5, Catch-22 and 1984. If you’re really interested, I’ve been doing short reviews of the books I have recently read.

Art of War - Sir Charles Oman’s classic study of Mediaeval Warfare. Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Brave New World - Aldous Huxley’s bleak version of the shape of things to come. Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Buddenbrooks - Thomas Mann’s fictional narrative of the decline and fall of a German merchant family. Tuesday, June 29, 2004

Casino Royale - Ian Fleming’s first novel about the world’s most famous spy. Saturday, April 29, 2006

Decisive Battles of the Western World - JFC Fuller's 3 volume history of western warfare Monday, July 16, 2007

Dracula - Bram Stoker’s paradigm, that spawned all things Gothic, much to the delight of the Acme™ Black Lipstick Company and counselors the world over. Saturday, April 29, 2006

Froissart's Chronicles - John Froissart's contemporary account of life in 14th Century Europe. Tuesday, February 17, 2004

Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad’s chilling tale of a man forming his own society in the Congo circa 1910. Tuesday, February 17, 2004

Les Liaisons Dangereuses - A genre setting tale of debauchery in the French aristocracy by Choderlos de Laclos. Wednesday, February 16, 2005

Love in a Cold Climate - Nancy Mitford’s askance look at the English eilte circa 1930. Tuesday, February 17, 2004

Oblomov - Goncharov’s tale of Russian petit-bourgeoisie life in the 1840/50s. Wednesday, February 16, 2005

Passage to India - E M Forster’s tale set in the inter-war Raj. Friday, September 10, 2004

The Lyric Age - Greek history from the emergence of the Hellenes up to the beginning of the golden age. By A. R. Burn. Tuesday, May 31, 2005

The Middle East - Bernard Lewis' account of 2,000 years of middle Eastern history. Monday, July 16, 2007

The Source of the Nile - Richard Burton’s account of his travels into East Africa. Sunday, April 24, 2005

The Time Machine - The world’s first Science Fiction novel penned by the masterful H G Wells. Wednesday, July 06, 2005

The Tin Drum - Gunther Grass’s narrative of the bizarre life of Oskar Bronski/Matzerath/Koljaiczeck. Tuesday, June 29, 2004

War of the Worlds - H G Wells’ famous novel about the million-to-one-chance Martian invasion of Earth. Wednesday, July 06, 2005