Books - A Perfect Travel Companion

Books are an integral part of many a business and leisure trip, and now that many of us have an e-reader such as the Kindle, it is no longer a burden to travel with more than just the one.

Books are are an ideal way to wind down, relax, and even transport us on an exciting journey away from our work and into an entirely new world.

This page has been relaunched, and unlike before, where we added the picture of the book and a short review, we will now just give the name of the book, the author's name, and a very brief review.

Rather than tell you how bad a book is, we only feature books that we highly recommend. A book that we have read and enjoyed.

 Some of the books below are serious books, others comedy, some fiction and non-fiction. Whatever your preference, all (especially the newer reviews - those at the top) can be purchased online.

 If you have any suggestions on books that you have read and would like us to review, please contact us with details.

Latest Book Reviews

Snowing in Bali by Kathryn Bonella - Bali is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, millions flock there to enjoy the sun, sand and surf, or just to unwind in luxurious villas spread out among the rice paddies, or nestled up against a favourite beach. This book opens your eyes to an entirely new Bali, a world that many know little, or nothing, about. A fascinating read into the life of drug traffickers that made Bali their home, selling narcotics to make themselves rich despite knowing full well the dangers and risks they were taking.

Hotel K by Kathryn Bonella - This book is an amazing insight into life as a prisoner of Kerobokan Jail, Bali's notorious prison. You will learn how the prison works, and how all those prisoners cope - or don't - with the situation they find themselves in. Kerobokan Jail is home to nationalities from around the world, including many that have made headlines around the world.

Much OLDER Book Reviews

The Tao of Health, Sex and Longevity by Daniel Reid - An absolute must have for anyone interested in health, losing weight, and living life to the most. A book, which if read with an open mind, can open a thousand or more doors  which can help lead you in a happier and healthier life.

Uri Geller Magician or Mystic - by Jonathan Margolis - Uri Geller is regarded by some as the most talented magician to have ever lived, by others not as a magician at all but as a human with very unusual paranormal mystic powers and by others as a fraud allowing people to believe one thing while using trickery. This book excellently written by J. Margolis investigates Uri Geller's entire life and offers us an intriguing insight into this amazing mans life and powers. Excellent read if you are interested in magic and or paranormal mystic powers.

Hardship Posting Volume 2 - by Stuart Lloyd - This, the second volume of the popular Hardship posting reviewed below, starts off on a negative note, with the author informing us, that no, for love, nor money we cannot have the telephone numbers of the two girls on the front. Very disappointing and something they should improve on in volume 3. Having said that the book is an excellent read full of stories from present or past expats and their funny experiences within Asia. Some of the stories make you want to hit that particular author over the head with a very heavy hammer but the majority will make you laugh with an understanding of fellow expats. As you can not buy this from Amazon please go to your local bookshop. By the way if you click on the cover you will see a really large version of the cover open in a new window. At least we know what you want !!!

The Blue Nowhere by Jeffery Deaver - WOW. We can highly recommend all of Jeffery Deaver's books for anyone interested in good story lines, and some amazing twists that keep you guessing until the very end. The Blue Nowhere is no exception but is one of if not his best. Based on the internet and the frightening ability of computer wizards this book will leave you quite amazed and you will never be able to look at your computer in quite the same way. Excellent buy.

Pest Control by Bill Fitzhugh - is not a new book, but is outrageously funny, and a great read for anyone looking to have a great time between the pages. The story line is great, and while unbelievable will keep you amused for hours. Great read if you want a good laugh.

Undercurrents by Frances Fyfield - What a beautifully written and well molded book. This is the first Frances Fyfield that we have read but will most definitely not be the last. The characters are excellently portrayed, the plot intriguing and with a couple of surprises along the way it is difficult to put down. The use of the English language also stands out and Frances Fyfield has done an excellent job using her extensive language skills to write this magnificent book. Excellent.

Roses Are Red - by James Patterson - As with all James Patterson's books this is another superb read. One of his Alex Cross novels Roses are Red is exciting all the way through. The end however is an enormous surprise and a bit of a let down as it is completely unexpected, it also has for some unknown reason over 100 chapters ! Great buy though.

Losing My Virginity - by Sir Richard Branson - An incredible read, and a true insight into one of the greatest British entrepreneurs of all time. Can be a little too honest in places, but the passion that can be found in the writing and the real look at the world of business, is outstanding. We can't wait for the sequel!

Girlfriend 44 - by - Mark Barrowcliffe - Comedy is a difficult thing to put on paper and even more so into a book, Mark Barrowcliffe achieved this with side cracking results. A must read, for anyone, and a unique journey into the male mind. Excellent.

Mayan Prophecies - by Adrian Gilbert and Maurice Cotterell - a timeless masterpiece that looks into the hidden lives and meanings of the Mayan people and culture. This deep book, will open your eyes to far more than you would ever imagine possible. Although very heavy in places, the book is an excellent read. Edgar Cayce on Atlantis - A very interesting, but short book on the works of Edgar Cayce, a well known American psychic and his comments on the existence and cross existence of Atlantis - the hidden continent.

The Tutankhamun Prophecies - by Maurice Cotterell - Oh boy, this book, similar in style to the Mayan Prophecies, goes even further into the principles of the intelligence of the Egyptian people, the sun, the Mayans and into the tomb of Tuntankhamun. The book is definitely a must buy. As not only does it dwell into the past, but also brings in factors that we see in every day life today. We only advise you to buy this book if you can read it, with an entirely open mind. Amazing.

Hardship Posting - by Stuart Lloyd - Living in Asia ? Thinking of moving out there ? Have lived life as an expat ? Yes ! Then read this book, it will crack you up and make you realise that you are not as demented as you possibly once believed. Great fun, about the strange lives that expats lead.

The Orion Mystery by Robert Bauval and Adrian Gilbert - A very complicated book in places that looks at the star system and how the Egyptians used it thousands of years ago. Very interesting read.

Culture Shock Thailand - by Robert and Nanthapa Cooper - from the well known Culture Shock series of books, this is definitely as very good read if you are planning to come to Thailand whether it be just for a holiday or to live.

The Empty Chair - by Jeffery Deaver - what a great read, all of Deaver's books are great and this is no exception, it keeps turning with mystery, intrigue, information, and is so captivating you will not want to put it down. Excellent read as are all JD's books.

The Bombmaker - by Stephen Leather - Once again, Stephen Leather has managed to turn out a book that has you turning the pages with great admiration, and excitement, but leaves you wondering when his next book will come out. This book talks with a frighteningly good authority on the subject of bomb making, so let's just hope that all the facts are not too accurate! The book is great, fun and fast paced although there are not as many twists and turns as in his other books this is definitely a great buy.

Pearl - by Frank Delaney - An excellent book written with a beautiful use of the English language. Touching on the issues of post world war crime, and football hooliganism, the book manages to keep you turning the pages, wanting more. There are sufficient twists and turns to keep you reading this, without putting it down. Described by the Daily Telegraph as "something exceptional and utterly gripping".

Private Dancer by Stephen Leather - One of Stephen Leather's first books, and it became so hugely popular as a free .pdf download that Stephen eventually published it properly and started to make some well deserved money from it. Private Dancer is a must read for any guy visiting Thailand (or other parts of south east Asia), especially if they are going to visit some of the more notorious nightlife areas of the country/region. Extremely well written, highly entertaining and frighteningly accurate. An absolute cracker.