The concept behind this app (putting the ‘prod’ in productivity) is enormously useful. It kills writer’s block, forcing you to write a defined amount of words and destroys procrastination in the process.

I came across the Write or Die web app from the twitterverse. I have a book review to write (Stillwater Creek by Alison Booth) so I will definitely be giving it a whirl then.

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In the process of updating the firmware on my Bebook to the latest version of Open Inkpot. It’s still still at release candidate stage but I have high hopes for it. Unless it bricks my Bebook. It is in fact taking a verrrrrry long time. Should I restart it? Give it another hour? Argh!

Ellis’ 1991 cult hit, which the 2000 movie of the same name was based on, is an adventure into the inside workings of the mind of Wall Street yuppy serial killer Patrick Bateman. I found this first person narrative piece of transgressional fiction hard to read at times, not for the gory scenes,* but because of the utter banality involved in the detailed clothing descriptions** and, oh, those passages on music, which I quickly flipped through. But it’s all okay, because that’s the point of the book – it’s not a traditional narrative but is more akin to art, the sort that evokes an emotional response, not through direct visuals but through text. The very fact that one feels such utter boredom*** is a success on its part.
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I’m currently reading The Omnivore’s Dilemna by Michael Pollan. The book asks the question “what are we eating?” (A: corn, basically). In it, Mr Pollan traces the origins of three different types of meals – fast food, “organic” food and a huntered/gathered (yay for making up words) meal.

It’s shaping up to be a truly delightful read.

P.S. I didn’t realise the scientific name for chicken was gallus gallus. It sounds kind of silly.

Choke, by Chuck Palahniuk (the author of Fight Club), is strangely uplifting. The writing style is pure Palahniuk. Disjointed, minimalist, every word packing a punch.
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From the creator of the website Stuff White People Like comes this spot-on reference guide for American yuppy/hipster Caucasian culture.

It’s pretty funny how much of it is completely applicable to me – organic food, not owning a TV, Apple products, Sigg metal water bottles, etc.

According to the book I’m roughly 43% white.

P.S. Mary Martin bookshop is the coolest bookshop ever. Books I’d actually want to *buy*, and where having an ebook copy would be insufficient.