Flippin' 'eck it's gonna take you a bit to get through that lot. I'm definitely gonna pick up 'Smoke and Mirrors' at some point 'cause it sounds insane, but good-insane.

Without question I approve of the breadth of your selections. I guess that's what this is about, really...finding the kind of stuff you like. You're off to a good start, and having read just about half of the suggestions, I doubt you've made any bad choices.

>I might do a brief piece on what I thought of each of them

I, for one, would certainly be interested in a book-by-book rundown.

I guess that's what this is about, really...finding the kind of stuff you like.

Indeed.

I don't want to give the impression I'm some kind of illiterate - I read all the time, including books. And I used to read a reasonably wide range. But somewhere down the line, I lost the breadth of material. I'm reading Frank Skinner's autobiography at the moment, for instance, which is fantastic - but I just knew that I'd like it, because I love Frank Skinner.

It's about time I tried some stuff that I don't know anything about again.

Not a half-bad list you've got there, John. It'll take you awhile to get through it all, but - I've got to say it - as a sub-recommendation, get Gregory Benford's Timescape at some point after you're all done with that list. (I knew I couldn't recommend just one book.)

Oh, and I vote yes to a rundown of your thoughts on all those books.

I'll do a couple of articles, then - one for the first five books once I've read them, and one for the second five.

I'm a really fast reader, so it shouldn't take me long... but being a fast reader is *not* a good thing sometimes, especially when it comes to fiction. I have to stop myself from racing forward to find out what happens next, and force myself to enjoy the prose a bit more. Which is hard, but racing through a book is hardly the point.

>I have to stop myself from racing forward to find out what happens next, and force myself to enjoy the prose a bit more.

This will be key with Lot 49. That's it. I'll be quiet now...

I always finish books and go "what the fuck happened there?" and realise it's because I was turning the pages before I'd finished reading them. I did it today with Chuck Palahniuks Haunted, but even after going back I'm still not quite sure what that's all about.

Anyway, yes to the book reviews, John! I look forward to reading them. And have you come to the "if the mountain bike won't go to mohammed..." anecdote in Frank Skinners book yet? I think it's in his book, anyway. It's the best one-liner ever

Frank Skinner's book is fucking brilliant.

You know, I could have saved you some cash by lending you at least two of those at the weekend...

Not a bad list, but I'd read Are You Dave Gorman, by Gorman and Danny Wallace, before Wallace's solo Join Me. (although of the split-sequels, Join Me is certainly better than DG's Googlewhack Adventure)

Is that the order of your reading list as well? Or will that be dictated by availability? Or time? Or fluctuation of interest? O-or factors unknown??

Order will probably be dictated by availability. I can't afford to buy them all at the moment, so it depends on what the library has first. I'll buy the rest, though.

(although of the split-sequels, Join Me is certainly better than DG's Googlewhack Adventure)

This is completely incorrect - Googlewhack is brililant. AYDG? is miles better than any of the solo books, but Dave's solo book is much better than either of Danny's. For starters, it's a better story - and it feels far less forced, far less of an "I want to do something KER-AZEE!" for a while type venture.

Also, John : say the word if you want to borrow Smoke & Mirrors or Yes Man. Although the new paperback of S&M (hur hur) is absolutely lovely, so it's worth owning anyway.

So, how are you coming along with the list?

Nowhere.

Mainly because I actually want to buy the books, and I've had no money to do that yet. (Or buy DVDs, either - I only bought some the other day because I need to review them).

When I get my first pay cheque through my web design, I'll start the list...