Eagerly anticipating the first edition (J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher In the Rye, 6:30pm, 29th of April @ Cassette #9) I asked Amber to share three of her favourite pieces of writing with v3 readers.

So, without further ado here are three of her favourite (note: 3 of her favourite, not her 3 favourite) books, along with an excellent commentary as to why:

Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami

Reading Murakami feels a bit like joining a secret club. You’ll get hooked on his words, will start talking passionately about his work; and eventually meet other people who feel the same way (in the pub, on a train, in the park). Voices will be excitedly raised and you’ll all start gesticulating wildly – illustrating your love for one of Japan’s most adored writers. Sputnik Sweetheart is a slim volume that encapsulates Murakami’s signature magic-realism and his wonderful characterization. It chronicles the love triangle of three Tokyo-ites: the unnamed schoolteacher narrator; his best friend Sumire, a Jack-Kerouac loving writer; and Miu, an older businesswoman. The trio find their lives entangled and a trip to Greece sees Sumire – the Japanese word for violet – vanish off the face of the earth. The language simply fizzes (transcending the possible pitfalls of translation) and the anxieties ring true; resulting in an intimate and truly satisfying read.

Pattern Recognition by William Gibson

Published in 2003, Pattern Recognition is Gibson’s first contemporary novel. I had been a long time fan of Gibson’s cyberpunk tomes – especially Neuromancer and the Bridge trilogy; so was keen to pick a copy of this up. I’m thrilled I did. Pattern Recognition is a thriller filled with Gibson’s adjective laden yet laser-sharp prose. It follows the story of Cayce Pollard, a brand strategist with an allergy to logos. She travels to London, Tokyo and Moscow in a quest to hunt down the creators of a series tantalizingly mysterious film clips that have been littered across the web. The novel is all about the innate human need to find (and create) patterns in life, and the infiltration of corporate symbology into our personal lives. If you posses even a passing interest in digital culture, you should read this and the sequels; Spook Country and the soon to be released Zero History.

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind

Perfume is an evocative 1985 literary novel about Grenouille, a Parisian orphan who disturbs and is rejected by other people because of his distinct lack of personal odour. Contrary to this, he possesses the extraordinary ability of being able to discriminate and catalog scents. Süskind too has a remarkable ability – to make you interpret the world differently, using your nose. I read this book one hot, sticky summer while holidaying at a bach. Dry sweat, the yellowed pages of the book, desiccated grass, musty board games, the zest of a Pimms cup, salty fingernails and damp towels; they all became radically distinct scents. You may have heard of a film version, but please, read the book first – it’s infinitely better!

If we were to examine these books from a drinking perspective, we would find wine is central to the plot of Sputnik Sweetheart, Heineken is name checked and Sumire’s love for Keroac suggests a lot of liquor. While I have no specific reference for Pattern Recognition, I’d bet Pollards taste runs to sakes from the tiniest of distilleries and vodka from a minimalist bottle. As for Grenouille, well he drinks in the scent of virgins. Which would not be appropriate or feasible at the Book Club For Drunks.

I have to embarrassingly admit that I am yet to read a single one of these. Perhaps they are candidates for future editions of the Book Club For Drunks? That would surely give me that extra incentive to make sure I knock them back (along with a few stiff drinks).

Hey look! Some links that might be useful

• This is the event listing for the first edition on Facebook. You can RSVP and find out when and where it is, make sure that the people that are already going are attractive enough and everything.
• If you are as excited about this as I am then you probably also want to join the Book Club For Drunks group. All the cool kids are doing it.
• Amber blogs over at Code For Something. You should read it, it is good. Probably especially (but obviously not exclusively) if you are a girl. It’s good for guys too though. I am a guy. It just has more fashion/style type stuff for girls. Probably because Amber is a girl. Just read it.

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I have already written of my fondness for one West Coast beach, Piha. While that is extremely well known, and often crowded during summer, a lesser known and arguably more beautiful beach is Whatipu. A true rugged West Coast beach, Whatipu is not the place to go for a leisurely dip on a Sunday afternoon. In fact large signs warning against swimming because dangerous currents abound. This, combined with the fact is is ‘off the beaten track’ mean it is rare to see more than a dozen or so hardy souls battling the ferocious winds on this rugged little piece of coast line, even in the height of summer. Usually you will spot them at a distance, bodies set at a 45 degree angle to the ground.

Whatipu is worth visiting for the drive there alone. To call it scenic would not do it justice. The last 10km or so are a windy mix of sealed and unsealed roads hugging the coast. Before you get to Whatipu you pass through the tiny picturesque communities of Huia and later Little Huia. I can thoroughly recommend stopping at the general store in Huia to pick up fish and chips for a picnic lunch or dinner on Whatipu beach – true Kiwi al fresco dining.

You should allow a good few hours at least, and maybe a whole day if you can spare it. There are no shortage of things to check out on the road out, and Whatipu itself covers a fairly large area. I am dying to stay one weekend out in the historic Whatipu Lodge, reputedly haunted by the ghosts of sailors whose ships wrecked on this treacherous stretch of coastline.

It is so easy as an Aucklander to forget these beautiful scenic reserves that sit right on our doorstep. It is well worth setting aside a lazy weekend day to explore somewhere like Whatipu, you wont regret it.

Photo credit:

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Roll on summer!

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Look, I am playing at a party where you will also be given an informative presentation on the search for the Mongolian Death Worm from that guy off TV. There are also much better and more famous DJs than me playing, and by the looks of it it will be a pretty varied night of partying. A little something for everyone. I might even play some stuff that is not drum and bass. Maybe.

Celebrities, a giant killer worm, and beer. This is without doubt the highlight of my DJ career.

The party goes down on Thursday 30th July at Sales St. Just a cheeky fiver on the door, with the proceeds going to help fund Dave’s quest to hunt down the death worm.

Find out more about David’s adventure at www.deathworm2009.com

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Auckland is a bit of a multi-cultural melting pot, with many of our Asian and South Pacific neighbors choosing to take up residence in our little slice of paradise.

One of the best things about this is the plethora of Asian food establishments that have sprung up. You name it, you can find it, and usually for less than a tenner. Some of my personal favourites that fit into this category are the Thai place in Ponsonby food court, the Japanese place in the Northcote food court (I think it is called Briotmart Japanese), Renkon, and the numerous Korean BBQ places.

If you are feeling flush and want somewhere a little more upmarket (and where you don’t have to get your own chopsticks/cutlery out of a basket) there are plenty of options too. Give Sawadee, Tanuki’s cave, or Ken Yakatori a go.

And just today I found the Auckland Cheap Eats Reviews blog that does (or at least did do) reviews of some of the fine fare around town.

Super action wok cooking shot from Éole on Flickr.

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Utilising a plethora of ‘North Shore’ style structures they have managed to put together some great freeride terrain. With several significant drops, and a well maintained jump park (the Transition Airfield) you can get stuck into some pretty progressive riding.

It is not just for 8 inch travel bike riding, 30 foot gap jumping young people though. There are also many more sedate trails to entertain those riders who would rather just watch the guys hitting the huge drops and gaps. Indeed most weekends the carpark is overflowing with young families out enjoying the trails.

I end up out at the park most weekends, because it is another thing that I love about Auckland.

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In summer you can smell the burning brake pads as you make the slow winding descent toward the packed Piha beach. Of course you can opt for the more expansive, but less interesting North Piha beach beyond Lion Rock, but for some reason this just doesn’t have the same appeal.

Some of my favourite visits have include a trip up to Kitekite Waterfall in the bush behind Piha, escaping the crowds and enjoying the freezing water above and below the falls on a stinking hot day.

In winter it is still a great destination on a stormy day to watch the rain roll in over the sea, and the wind lash the dunes. It is also a great time to make the trip to the blowhole at the southern end of the beach.

And if you are feeling energetic, a trip up Lion Rock (that divides North Piha from Piha proper) is worth it any time of year. Follow it up with a grease injection from the local fish and chip store, you will have earned it.

All together Piha is awesome, and another reason why I love Auckland.

Beautiful shot of Piha beach at sunset from piotrzurek on flickr

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I drive across the Auckland harbour bridge every day (along with tens of thousands of other Aucklanders). I love it. Especially in the morning when the fog is closing in around the bridge, and you feel like you are driving above the clouds. Or, heading back into town after work in winter when it is dark, the central city is lit up and I get all excited that I live in a real city where stuff is happening.

Even better, I jumped off the harbour bridge. Bungy style. That was rad.

The only thing that would make the Auckland harbour bridge more awesome would be if you could walk or ride your bike across it. Luckily these guys are working on getting that done (although so far with limited success).

Great shot of the bridge at dusk from Chris Gin on Flickr.

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Auckland takes a lot of shit in New Zealand, largely from those that don’t live in Auckland, but also surprisingly often from those who do. It is easy to jump on the JAFA-bashing bandwagon, and forget that there are some really awesome things about Auckland, things that I love. I am not suggesting that Auckland is perfect, or even really good, just that there are some things that deserve some love.

So I have decided to start writing about them as I go along in a series of posts. It is so easy to ignore these things, or take them for granted as you go about your daily life in New Zealand’s biggest city.

Good on you Auckland, you’re all right after all.

Beautiful photo of Auckland from the top of Mt Eden courtesy of Light Knight on Flickr.

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This week sees the return of suave Frenchman Redeyes to New Zealand shores. I am playing support for what is going to be an awesome (free!) gig down at the Carpark on Thursday night. Last time he came down Carpark was packed to capacity, and Redeyes rolled out an awesome set of beautiful liquid drum and bass.

For anyone wondering what to expect check out this Redeyes live set from Club Culture in Bangkok last year, or the Vandal podcast he also recorded last year.

Also, check out the interview I did with him a few weeks back ahead of the tour.

Bonus: Redeyes has just recorded another super tasty hip hop mixtape “I love hip hop“. Get it here [right click, save as].

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