Books bought in 2009
€1 = $1.45


Eunoia by Christian Bök
Bök wrote 5 chapters on the 5 main vowels in our alphabet. The "E" chapter solely consists of words with an "e". No "a", "o", "u" or "i" in there, because those receive their own chapter. Sources claim Bök used approximately 98% of all words in the English language. Sure, it may be an arty farty experiment, but I'm in awe. (€6.99)

Michael Jackson - De Biografie by J. Randy Taraborrelli
The 2004 Dutch translation of Taraborrelli's Michael Jackson - The Magic And The Myth. An amazing read, filled with anecdotes and facts you never heard before. Well, at least I never heard them before. The book may be dated (especially since 25 June 2009), but it remains recommended. Great price, too, because nobody cared about Michael Jackson in February 2009. (€2.54)

Born To Run - The Unseen Photos by ??
Beautiful coffee table book featuring hundreds of unseen snaps from the Born To Run photo shoot. Expensive at release, but now a bargain in London's HMV. (€8.80)

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
The hype amongst contemporary teenage girls. As a good teenage girl, I wanted to know what the buzz was all about. (€5.99)

Het Jaar van de Olifant 2-8 by Willy Linthout
A heartbreaking graphic novel, in which the author tries to come to terms with the suicide of his only child. I cried a lot while reading it. An English translation has just been released as The Years of the Elephant. Buy it today. (€35)

La Divina Commedia by Dante
Finally, some classic literature on my shelf!
In 2001, I played "the I persona" from this story in a play, so I had to memorize 17 pages from Inferno's Canto IV -- which is actually just a very small part of the entire La Divina Commedia. You could call it my very first acting experience, which has been taped and saved for future generations. But I wouldn't call myself a classic thespian. I don't expect an Academy Award any time now. (€5.99)

The Works Of Alfred Lord Tennyson
My nephew doesn't like my poetry, because "a real 21st century poet doesn't rhyme. Just look at Pernath or Hugo Claus".
Ellen Vermorgen, famous Belgian radiojournalist, told me : "Don't listen to him : real poets do rhyme. Take the great Alfred Lord Tennyson for example." Which I did, in an effort to be influenced by him. (€5.99)




Julian De Backer, 12 January 2009