The weeks almost over and with the weekend coming up it’s time to go from reading from a monitor to reading paper. Although this isn’t surf, skate or snow related, I thought I’d give you a run down of ten good reads you can get into while you’re relaxing. I get into quite a few different types of book so there’s sure to be something in this list for everyone. Read more to read more.
The Godfather by Mario Puzo
I was skeptical when I was given this book but it started a lifelong obsession with the American Mafia… these guys make the Underbelly characters look like jay walkers. If you liked the films, this will add to your enjoyment. Million dollar deals, power in the highest levels of government and a code of honor. It’s an amazing book.
Buy it via Amazon here.
Pursuit of Happiness by Douglas Kennedy
This is a book set in 1950’s New York and is one of the saddest books I’ve read but at the same time, I was unable to stop reading. A tragic series of events mark the main characters life leading to one event – Kennedy writes bizarrely well from a female perspective… something he does in all his best books.
Buy it via Amazon here.
Shockwave: Countdown to Hiroshima By Stephen Walker
The story of the nuclear bomb from The Manhattan Project through to detonation. Told from both the Japanese and the Allies point of view. The countdown makes for a pretty compulsive read.
Buy it via Amazon here.
The Fourth Estate By Jeffrey Archer
This book started my love for the media. A fictional tale based on a true life battle between Rupert Murdoch and his one time rival, Robert Maxwell. The story follows their battle of wits around the world and is an extremely easy read.
Buy it via Amazon here.
The Proving Ground By G. Bruce Knecht
Some people hate planes, some hate escalators, despite being a strong swimmer I hate boats. This story of the disastrous 1998 Sydney to Hobart yacht race had me sweating over the pages. Stories of severely injured crews clinging to life rafts, alone in the middle of a storm in Bass Straight and the search and rescue crews that went after them are incredible to read about.
Buy it via Amazon here.
First Light by Geoffrey Wellum
A light fiction about a World War 2 RAF pilot. These guys were just out of highschool, given two weeks training and sent into unimaginable dog fights over the English countryside involving dozens of planes. Their chance of survival was so slim that acceptance of a near finish was the only way to keep going. Incredible book about mental strength.
Buy it via Amazon here.
House of Bush, House of Saud By Craig Unger
I’m no tin-foil-hat conspiracy theorist but Unger makes a compelling case about the deep, long held and nurtured connections between the Saudi Royal Family and the Bush family. This book formed part of the basis for Michael Moore’s 2004 film, Fahrenheit 911. If that shocked you, this’ll give you a coronary.
Buy it via Amazon here.
Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping by Paco Underhill
Paco Underhill can tell you how a customer will react in any store in the world. A few decades of research and often simple common sense has created a book that should be a bible for anyone opening or operating a store. From where the counter should be to the font size on product descriptions – he knows what pleases customers, keeps them coming back and makes them buy.
Buy it via Amazon here.
The Man Who Owns The News by Michael Wolff
I should start with a disclaimer here – I love reading about the media barons of the last few decades and something about Rupert Murdoch makes me cheer for his side in every battle. Michael Wolff’s book is the latest in a very long line of unofficial bio’s done on Rupert over the years but this is the most accurate I’ve read since William Shawcross’ 1997 book, Murdoch. The book follows his machinations to take over the Wall Street Journal and bring in his history, his family and his previous dealings as reference points for his current movements.
Buy it via Amazon here.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
What?!? I know, but this book creates and draws characters and settings in your mind with such clarity that you can’t help but enjoy it. The book was written by Emily Bronte in a time when females couldn’t be published authors so it was written under the pseudonym, Ellis Bell. The Bronte sisters published several great books under similar names – Wuthering Heights is another to read.
Buy it via Amazon here.
