Refreshingly different

[Listlessbean]

I've just did this review for Police, Crime & 999 ...and just thought it would be interesting to find out what other books readers have found to be not just a good/great read ...but refreshingly different

I'll start it off with my review and hope you'll join in!

Police, Crime & 999 The True Story of a Front Line Response Officer by John Donoghue

Just fantastic!

When my husband grinned and showed me his latest purchase, it looked to me as if he has bought a gritty men only view of modern policing. Yawn!

However, after I got tired of him giggling away and quoting passages out to me, I stole it off him and had a look myself ... and what a joy to find out what's within.

It's funny, addictive and insightful, packed full of sharp observational humour, witty one liners and all told in a charming self mocking style.

I found it refreshingly different and I can genuinely say I have not read a book like it before. In a time when so many books seem to follow the same old formulaic pattern, it is a delight to find one with such a strong sense of artistic freedom. A true work of passion by someone who loves his job. This is writing created for the joy of creating it rather than any other worldly motivation.

Neither have I laughed so much for a long time. In fact, if you are embarrassed by involuntary bursts of laughter it's probably best not to read this one in public or you could end up red faced.

You don't need to be interested in the police to read this either ...although if you are you'll find some juicy detail to enjoy along the way.

If you are looking for a fantastic light read with something different about it ...this is it... I loved every page of it. I have no problem strongly recommending this to all the mums (and dads) out there.

So you're the author yes?

?

No ... just really enjoyed the book and thought I'd try and get some discussion going about other books that people have found refreshingly different. Any recommendations?

There are plenty of coming of age memoirs. I've read some fantastically funny ones ('Foreskins Lament' by Shalom Auslander is excellent ...and genuinely laugh out loud material) but if I were to choose just one that stands out as being radically different, it would be ...

Shit My Dad Says by Justin Halpern

Easy to read...and very very funny. Everyone has a dad /uncle / grand-dad who spouts fantasically outrageous/ profound/ philosophical / funny / grumpy one liners. Justin Halpern has taken these and woven them perfectly into his life story.

If you enjoy his outburts like: Your brother brought his baby over this morning. He told me it could stand. It couldn't stand for sh*t. Just sat there. Big let down. you'll love this book.

Unlike other memoirs, the chapters seem to be split into episodic themes about the author's relationship with his father, with the classic quotes highlighting each one. Sometimes it needs a US/UK translation, but that doesn't detract from the humour at all.

Quotes at the end of each chapter have sub headings too for ease of reference. EG

On asking to have the candy passed during watching 'Shindlers List'

What do you want - the candy? They're throwing people in the f*cking gas chamber, and you want a Skittles?

...or, as most of us will empathise with:

on Silence

I just want silence ...Jesus, it doesn't mean I don't like you. It just means right now, I like silence more.

This was originally a hit on Twitter, but being a Facebook girl, I missed out on the original buzz. This is the perfect way to catch up ...and is one not to be missed a second time around. Highly recommended.

Fuckityfuckfuckfuck...how cynical!

Just read Ernest Hemingway's 'Death in the Afternoon'.

I guess in its time, that was a radically different book. People didn't travel so much and Hemingway talking of something like bullfighting in a far off country must have captivating.

I enjoyed the book ...but it is strange. There is no real start, middle or end to it and I don't think it has travelled well over the decades since it was written. Some fascinating facts but not one I'll be recommending. 7 out of 10.