Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
This wacky little popular science book caught my eye when the advance copy was sent to me a while ago, and since I started writing this review has reached number one in the US best-selling charts.
From the creator of the wildly popular site xkcd.com, it contains the answers to science’s most intriguing questions, as answered by the web’s favourite geeky scientist, Randall Munroe.
Each week, Munroe’s fans ask him a lot of strange questions: How fast can you hit a speed bump, driving, and live? How many humans would a T-Rex rampaging through New York need to eat a day to survive?
In pursuit of answers, Munroe runs computer simulations, pores over stacks of declassified military research papers and does other similar nerdy things. His responses are masterpieces of clarity (that even I can understand), very hilarious and complemented by little comic drawings.
They often predict the complete annihilation of humankind (or at least a very big explosion) but I now know that eating this book would give me about 2,300 calories (including the cover) and that the odds of acing the SAT by guessing are worse than the odds of every living ex-president and every member of a popular soap opera all being independently struck by lightning on the same day.
Just the right size for stuffing into a large stocking (yes, it’s only a couple of months away) – this would be perfect for those ‘difficult to buy for’ teens and men!
* Read it now in paperback
The Gospel of Loki, Joanne M Harris, ISBN 9781473203167 (Orion) BD4.500 for Gulf Weekly Book Club members.
This novel is a brilliant first-person narrative of the rise and fall of the Norse gods – retold from the point of view of the world’s ultimate trickster, Loki.
You do not need to know anything about the Norse gods to read or understand this book as Joanne Harris (better known as the author of Chocolat) uses her life-long passion for the Norse myths to re-tell the stories in a quirky fashion.
It tells the story of Loki’s recruitment from the underworld of Chaos, his many exploits on behalf of his one-eyed master, Odin, through to his eventual betrayal of the gods and the fall of Asgard.
A witty, fun read which should appeal to fans of Neil Gaiman.
* My favourite read-of-the-week
Makeup is Art , Academy of Freelance Makeup ISBN 9781780972954 (Carlton) BD14 for Gulf Weekly Book Club members.
A beautiful book with a sensational cover, this would, without doubt, adorn any coffee table with grace and be a major talking-point.
Its subtitle being ‘Professional techniques for creating original looks’, this book contains a wide variety of expert advice on; tips, insider secrets and instructions for both specialist and novice alike.
The Academy of Freelance Makeup has schools in both New York City and London. With an unrivalled reputation in training professional artists, their tutors travel all over the world teaching the latest styles and techniques.
This stunning second edition is full of instructions on how to create the desired look; from period glamour, glitter and crystals, to body-art and airbrushing techniques as well as inside knowledge and a section on how to gain entrance into the world of fashion.
It would be suitable for any young woman either thinking of a career in fashion or simply as a wonderful gift for anyone who enjoys spending time on their appearance.
