Listmania!
Books, Films and Music to inform, entertain and change you.
Geek Love (Abacus Books)Geek Love (Abacus Books) by Katherine Dunn
Buy new: £5.66 / Used from: £2.45
Insane, beautifully written and entirely warped - but ultimately thoughtful and endearing.
Northern Lights: WITH Subtle Knife AND Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials)Northern Lights: WITH Subtle Knife AND Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials) by Philip Pullman
Buy used from: £5.00
This is probably the single most absorbing story ever written. There's a lot of subtle social comment and reference to the great William Blake...
Songs of Innocence and of Experience: William Blake (Oxford Student Texts)Songs of Innocence and of Experience: William Blake (Oxford Student Texts) by William Blake
Buy new: £10.50 / Used from: £0.01
A genius about 200 years ahead of his time. Everyone should read this collection.
The Little FriendThe Little Friend by Donna Tartt
Buy used from: £0.01
This may not have acquired the same amount of gushing critical acclaim as 'The Secret History', but it is just as dense, dark and compelling as her debut.
No Logo: No Space. No Choice. No JobsNo Logo: No Space. No Choice. No Jobs by Naomi Klein
Buy new: £5.17 / Used from: £0.73
Read this and learn to ask questions. Naomi Klein tells it like it is, corruption in the mega brands.
Vernon God LittleVernon God Little by DBC Pierre
Buy new: £10.99 / Used from: £0.01
Loosely based on the horrific Columbine massacre of the late 90's, this darkly comic novel explores the effects of media hyperbole, moral panic and fear.
Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung (Five Star)Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung (Five Star) by Lester Bangs
Buy new: £6.96 / Used from: £4.25
I think this man is the sprit of rock and roll. In depth interviews with the likes of The Clash, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed.
The Bell JarThe Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Buy new: £4.49 / Used from: £1.20
Sometimes difficult to read but always worth it. This is an exploration of the mind of a severely depressed young woman trying to overcome her illness with little success.
The Whitsun Weddings (Faber Poetry)The Whitsun Weddings (Faber Poetry) by Philip Larkin
Buy new: £5.36 / Used from: £0.01
Larkin's poetry reflects with stark and sometimes bitter realism what life is like in a working class northern town. The poems in this volume are both funny and poignant.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Puffin Fiction)Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Puffin Fiction) by Roald Dahl
Buy used from: £0.01
One of the most wonderful children's books ever written in my opinion. It's fantastical, dangerous, wild and completely mad.
Is This ItIs This It by The Strokes
Buy new: £7.77 / Used from: £5.49
My favourite album ever. Clever, thoughtful, sexy pop music. It's pretty much faultless.
LoversLovers by The Sleepy Jackson
Buy new: £13.28 / Used from: £2.44
This record is achingly beautiful in places, insightful in others and always innovative.
Parallel LinesParallel Lines by Blondie
Buy new: £3.98 / Used from: £2.81
It's just genius. Everyone should own it.
LoadedLoaded by The Velvet Underground
Buy new: £6.68 / Used from: £3.94
Maybe the most complete and accomplished Velvets record. Even though they didn't like it. Made after John Cale's departure.
Surfer Rosa & Come on PilgrimSurfer Rosa & Come on Pilgrim by Pixies
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £2.97
The Pixies are probably the most original band there's ever been. Described by Steve Albini as 'blandly entertaining' - but what does he know, he produced Flogging Molly. Buy this album.
Amelie [2001] [DVD]Amelie [2001] [DVD]
Buy new: £3.98 / Used from: £3.00
Stunningly beautiful to watch, and an all round brilliant film.
American Beauty [DVD] [2000]American Beauty [DVD] [2000]
Buy new: £4.38 / Used from: £2.79
Alarmingly good. Never mind Keyser Soze, this is Kevin Spacey's best film.
Donnie Darko [2002] [DVD]Donnie Darko [2002] [DVD]
Buy used from: £0.45
The soundtrack alone makes this worth watching. Richard Kelly's first film is a complete head trip.
Romeo And Juliet [DVD] [1996]Romeo And Juliet [DVD] [1996]
Buy new: £3.98 / Used from: £3.25
Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of Shakespeare's classic tale of doomed love is fast paced, absorbing and heart breaking. Even Leonardo DiCaprio pulls off a fantastic performance as the tragic hero Romeo.