Books to read

  1. Fight the Power - Chuck D & Yusuf Jah. (1997)

    This book tells the story of the greatest rap act on the planet, Public Enemy - through the eyes of it's front man and spiritual leader Chuck D. Whether you have a passing interest in hip-hop, are an old skool hip-hop head or are one of those Geordie big pant hip-hop massive types, this is the book to read if you wanna sound like you really know what you're talking about. Written to be more informative than commercial, this is still a gripping and entertaining read and puts a great many hip-hop half-truths into perspective. A work of passion and truth

  2. The Beach - Alex Garland. (1997)

    cover One of the biggest cult novels of modern times, 'The Beach' tells a story of one man's search for paradise and inner freedom on the hippie trail of south east Asia. He joins a remote island community and what follows simply means you cannot put this book down. A massive film with Leo D'C, the book is much deeper, far more packed with suspense, on a west meets east/culture shock in handsome boy's head type style. Most cool people you will meet this year have read this book.

  3. Muhammad Ali in Perspective - Thomas Hauser. (1996)

    "The greatness or the smallness of a man does not depend on his education or his wealth or other outer things. Regardless of how wealthy a man is, regardless of how educated he is; if his heart is not great, then he cannot be great. It is the heart that makes one great or small" - Muhammad Ali. This is the ultimate Ali book, packed with photos and quotes, a v. exciting, large coffee table read that is easy to get into and covers his entire life and times. True greatness.

  4. Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway - Susan Jeffers. (1995)

    cover Everything in life you have to tackle is made easier if you adopt a positive attitude. From interviews, dieting and coming to terms with loss, to ending destructive relationships, learning to enjoy and appreciate your own body, or simply having the bottle to go out and achieve. Anything is possible if you stop being a scaredy cat! If you're suspicious of books like this, you should read this one and keep your suspicions for all the rest! This book will change your life, help you maximise your potential and make you happy and fulfilled, all without turning you into a boring knob.

  5. The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho. (1995)

    The story of an Andalucian shepherd boy and his search to find his destiny. An outstandingly cute and charming book, with a killer twist. This quintessentially human tale is readable, inspiring and packed with life affirming, wisdom gems. Kinda biblical but not tosh. This book means many different things to many different people, but when you cut to the chase it is loved worldwide because it actually is a magical text.

  6. Bridget Jones's Diary - Helen Fielding. (1997)

    cover Big knickers and everyday relationship stress. Better than the film by miles and we all loved that. Unashamedly girlie, it's one of those books the boys should also read if they wanna know what them girls be thinkin' 'bout. Packed with comic scenarios to make you wince! This is the blueprint for a thousand rip-offs and a snapshot of the way we live today. Are all girls really like this…?

  7. The Rachel Papers - Martin Amis.

    cover Could be seen as the boy's version of Bridget Jones's diary. This is a tale of a guy's obsession with a girl and the lengths he'll go to get her in the kip. Unashamedly laddie, this is the book the girls should be reading if they want to know what them boys go on like when they're not around. Super original, funny, rude and way, way ahead of its time. Are all boys really like this…?

  8. Aretha: From These Roots - Aretha Franklin, F.D. Ritz and Ann Duquesnay.

    The story of the life of the greatest female vocalist alive today. From her gospel start with Clara Ward through her troubled marriage to Ted White, the Atlantic years etc. This is Aretha in her own words so you know you best listen up.

  9. Divorcing Jack - Colin Bateman. (1996)

    cover The best comic novel in ages. It's a kind of thriller, comedy, and modern parable type thing mixed into the troubles in Northern Ireland. Another cult novel of it's time that everybody cool you know will have read. Irreverent, fast paced and chokka with twists and turns, you will not put this away 'til it's done.

  10. The Frank Zappa Book - Frank Zappa and Peter Occhiogrosso. (1990)

    An autobiography about the musical genius who refuses to die. This takes in everything about the man himself, his views on his early life in skiffle bands in his dad's garage, the Mothers of Invention years, the establishment's attempts to shut him up and his work on music censorship in the USA. Written in a seemingly haphazard fashion, just like his outstanding music, it's filled with sketches, observations and genuinely dead funny stories. This book couldn't be more representative of the originality, diversity and all round uniqueness of the man himself. Genius with a capital G.