Not Tonight Josephine

 

Not Tonight, Josephine: A Road Trip Through Small-Town America by George Mahood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A wonderful humourous travelogue from the inimitable tongue in cheek writing of George Mahood.
A great memorable road trip across America in a jalopy. It starts with George and his friend, who incidentally has to return halfway back to England due to visa issues, replaced by George's girlfriend Rachel who joins him in this amazing adventure of a lifetime.
In this travelogue George gives an insight into the culture and lifestyle of Americans in the cities as well as in the rural areas.
A must read for all roadies and all travel enthusisasts. Will keep you entertained from the beginning to the end.

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Humour and travel

 

Don't Forget Your Guidebook by David Ways
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A racy fun read about the travails and travels of a wannabe traveller.

Entertaining and easy read. Well narrated.

A smorgasbord of travel experiences that include romance, street food, street culture, behaviour of the locals towards tourists, and much more to keep you smiling.

Definitely worth a read maybe on your next journey!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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The Case of the Canterfill Codicil - Book review

 

The Case of the Canterfell Codicil by P.J. Fitzsimmons
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I opted to read this as I love all the genres that Fitzsimmons claims to indulge in simultaneously. After reading the book I realized that he does indulge but I found it difficult to manage Wodehouse type humour with armchair mystery solving.
The concentration on the language is so much that almost till I had finished the book I had forgotten that I am reading a mystery book.
My humble opinion is that the author finds it difficult to be flippant and mysterious simultaneously.

I quote below a couple of excerpts to give you an idea of his writing prowess.

Vickers turned from the dresser and looked at me as though I'd come through the door in a suit of armour, carrying my head under my arm.

You show one of the London property developers a tree, they go into a blind rage, they do, and before you know it, they'll have it down and replaced with a terraced townhouse.

The interior of the tavern was of the cool, quiet, eternal twilight found in all the best pubs regardless of the hour or season. The only source of light was slices of sunshine that sneaked through the cracks to find and illuminate lazy particles of dust.

A book that is a conflict between easy reading and wanting to finish to get to the bottom of the mystery. For me, the former won and I read it at leisure.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Notes from Nepal - Book review

 

Notes from Nepal by Joshi Mukard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A very well written book about adventure travel in Nepal. A tongue in cheek account of the Nepali way of life and the typical characteristics of the Nepalis.
I had always been fascinated about the Annapurna Base Camp trek and have read quite a few travel stories about it but this one beat them all hands down. However the tedious and tiresome the trek might have been, the author gets it across with dollops of humour. You will not turn a single page without a smile.

Here are a few excerpts to give you an idea of the laughs that you are in for when you read the book.

Some of the wooden planks from the flooring have gone missing, creating enough gaps for an average sized person to fall through effortlessly, and kill themselves by smashing their heads on round inviting rocks below, which appear to be there just for this purpose.

I even reply with a never before elaboration to forwarded Good Morning messages to people whose messages I never once bothered to even open,...

My odd behaviour is not a side effect of over-drinking. It feels like I'm saying my goodbyes.

I had already compromised on my dream of sleeping in a bag that doesn't have somebody else's fart collection.

Intriguingly, the latest news that's out there on the internet about bear attacks in the area dates back to 2014. I don't know what happened to the bears after 2014. It cannot be like they just called a meeting, held a referendum, and elected to remove humans from their hit list.

It is a one sitting read. Perfect for short flights or lonely evenings or just about anytime you feel like uplifting your spirits.
I bought this book on Amazon Kindle for a measly 99/- Go for it guys. It's worth every rupee spent.

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That bear ate my pants

That Bear Ate My Pants! by Tony James Slater
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A compilation of episodes of the adventures of a young Englishman who has gone to Ecuador to volunteer in an animal rescue facility. The narration is in conversational mode and is like listening to an enthusiastic storyteller at a campfire.

The author seems very keen to inject humour in every situation, almost like he has an OCD to do so.

The 1st half of the book is to set up the circumstances for the adventure and the second half is where he seems to have got his mojo for narration.

It is all about how he overcomes his fear for handling animals though he has an intrinsic love for them and is willing to go to any lengths to prove it.

It would be a good advertisement for people who plan to volunteer in exotic places and will give an idea of how to cope with difficult situations when you have to develop communication skills and in this case animal handling skills, on the job.

Also gives a peep into culture conflict. This excerpt will give you an idea - "He said it's a good idea because around here people don't break in and point a gun at you until you give them your valuables. It's too much trouble. Here they just break in and kill everyone straight away. Then they can take their time robbing the place."

Though the book is touted as a funny book, it would be more appropriate if it is termed an adventure book with a sense of humour.

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Free country - Book review

Free Country: A Penniless Adventure the Length of Britain by George Mahood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After P.G. Wodehouse, George Mahood.
George Mahood's humour is typically British and his writing keeps you in splits all the time, hence if you are reading this book in a public place, be sure to see some raised eyebrows around you as you guffaw!
This book is about his 'Penniless Adventure the Length of Britain' wherein he writes about cycling from the bottom of England to the top of Scotland without spending a penny, along with a friend. They depended on the goodness and generosity of the people on the way for everything (clothes, food, shelter and even cycles). As a matter of fact, they started out wearing just a mere pair of Union Jack boxer shorts!
The hilarious experiences en-route, rather he makes them so, when he relates them, are fun to read.
This book has the capacity to brighten up the gloomiest day.
By the way there is a town called Patna in Scotland! Ha! Imagining our very own Laloo Prasad Yadav gallivanting there!
Go guys! Buy this book! Give it a read and treat yourself to some real good belly laughs!

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Book review

Zen And The Diary Of A B&B Owner by Scott Barfield
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved reading it! Full of British stiff upper lip humour and a very delightful account of the various characters that arrive at the 'guest house' bringing their own idiosyncrasies to add colour to liven up the ambiance.
Why Zen? Read to find out! :)
The perfect companion for your commute as none of the chapters are more than a couple of pages each. A fun read!

Don't miss if you are a fan of British humour. 


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