Judging a book by it's cover

One of my greatest pleasures in life is getting lost in a good book. I read a lot and enjoy seeking out my next purchase almost as much as the reading itself. Last weekend I shuffled off into town and found myself in my local bookshop with a crisp tenner burning a hole in my pocket.
 
At this point I'll pause briefly to explain one thing. I am a creature of habit and tend to stick with authors I know and trust. If I read a title from an author and enjoy it then they can be pretty much guaranteed my continued support for life, what can I say I am nothing if not loyal.

I do, however, occasionally like to dabble in the unknown territory of a NEW AUTHOR - please note when I say new author they could have been around for donkey's years it's just that I've never read any of their work. I guess I mean a new author to me. (Just so you know.)
   
After much rummaging and lots of uumms and aahhs I ended up picking up The Age of Zeus by James Lovegrove. Why? Check out the cover below and the answer becomes clear.



It's got fucking Anthony Hopkins on it! With added lighting coming out his chuffing head. How cool is that? If that’s not enough we have some military types and a helicopter flying near a mountain. Also a review of the author on the back by someone called Saxon Bullock. Saxon Bullock FFS what an absolutely epic name. Cha-ching I'm sold. (On a side note I can't believe I  just wrote cha-ching in a blog. I feel like I've just jumped the blogging shark)
 
I had never realised before how much sway an interesting cover has on my book buying, When I buy anything from an unproven author the cover has got to grab hold of my brain. Here's another perfect example.



How could you not want to read this.  I just oozes mysteriousity. Loving the art deco retro 1920/30s feel and it’s just a little bit creepy. I am so buying this.

Now some of you may consider my new book buying policy a trifle devil may care and I suppose your right. It is entirely possible instead of ending up with an exciting new author to enjoy I purchase something incredibly shit just because I was taken in by the shiny promise of the cover. Well so far so good. I’ll live with the risk. It’s a chance I’m just gonna have to take. That’s the kind of extreme bibliophile I am!

 

Now ssssshhhhhh! I’m reading

Mr Cheesecake

FantasyCon 2009: The silent geek perspective

I haven’t blogged in a while. What can I say…real life has gotten in the way. I had a deadline for a project (which I managed to complete in time). I also seem to have been quite sociable of late. Flitting from engagement to engagement.

Last Saturday was no exception. I went to Fantasycon 2009 in Nottingham. Great that it is just along the road from where I live. I love going to these things. Don’t get to do it very often but always a blast when I get to go. There are crowds of geeks from every conceivable genre. Not a criticism I hasten to add. Proud to be a geek and all that.

I got to hear some interesting people speak about some cool topics relating to the state of British Fantasy today. Vampires, The Green Man, Highlander 2: The Quickening. All brilliant to behold. Nothing better than thinking you’ve heard it all and then someone just casually says something new and it blows you away. So many new authors whose work I am now keen to try.

The best part was I got to people watch. I love watching social interaction. I think I am just inherently a nosey sod. I am just so feckin curious about everything. Ironically as much as I love to watch these little tableaus unfold I am also pretty shy so never involve myself in them. I’m the one attempting to be unobtrusive in the corner. Not easy when your 6ft 2 and have bright red hair but I manage it quite well. Now calm down no need to feel sorry for me. Mrs Cheesecake was right there with me and I’ll take her company over anyone else any day of the week.

I guess I am slightly in awe of authors. I’m not really a very creative person. I have attempted and failed to write/draw/create (take your pick) something original on a number of occasions. Now that’s ok. I’ve made my peace with that particular failing. Every time I meet an author though I am just a little bit dumbstruck. Ironic really…in a past life a used too talk for a living. It don’t matter though because I still get to watch/read/enjoy all of this work.

Gosh I think I’ve come over a bit philosophical this afternoon. They really shouldn’t let me have days off if this is what is going to happen.

In other unrelated news my drunken blogging exploits my return soon. I was talking about it in the pub at the weekend and came up with an interesting concept that I think can only fully be explored while inebriated. Which this space.

Till next our paths cross

Cheesecake away