I’m an intrinsically sceptical person, the sort of individual who’s the thorn in the side of marketers, focus group organisers or pollsters. Give an advert saying “The best book of the year” and I’ll immediately think ‘bullshit’. Make me read the reviews on the rear of a paperback, and I won’t believe any of them, even if I end up liking the book.
But today I’m taking all my preconceptions, I’m wrapping them into a ball and I’m throwing them into the virtual dustbin that sits under the writing desk in my mind. Yes, because today, on my way home from work, I finished reading Ninety percent of everything and, ladies and gentlemen, this is my best travel book of the year. Yes, even if it’s only April 19th, even if it’s been published in 2013. And, guess what, I even agree with what the anonymous San Francisco Chronicle journo said in his review, obligingly quoted on my paperback (“If there’s a downside to seafaring, it’s that it comes to an end too soon”).

Courtesy Amazon.co.uk
OK, you’ve hooked me. I will have to read this.
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Do that, and let me know what you think!
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We’ll have to look into it at as well!
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Do that, and let me know what you think! It could be the start of a bit of a book club 😉
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Well … yes, my eyes did glaze over disappointingly when you said what it was about. But how can anyone resist such a plug? I plan to check it out!
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Do check it out. Rose George is a great writer, I followed some of her articles on Slate and she’s managed to make, erm, crap interesting (she’s even got a book about it, which I plan on reading shortly). If you’re into good travel narrative, lots of info and factual prose this is a great book.
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Already ordered!
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Finally starting to read this! Will report back soon …
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You’re really reading it, great!!! Looking forward to hear what you think of it.
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Will have to read this. Definitely.
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Do that!
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