20/07/14: Peter Doggett – Jimi Hendrix: The Complete Guide to His Music (2004)

This 160-page book covers every known Hendrix release issued during his life, along with posthumous albums, and officially and semi-officially released material. It really gets into the detail and helps you pick through the vast maze of Jimi's discography. Last updated in 2004 it obviously misses any releases since then, but what you do get is comprehensive indeed.

The author comes across as informed rather than opinionated, and wisely chooses not to take sides with the various factions responsible for these releases. It's a shame that the song index wasn't expanded to include all of the albums as well, as it can be difficult to navigate. But this is still well worth reading.

17/07/14: Nicholson Baker – Room Temperature (1990)

Room Temperature may be the best example of Nicholson Baker's ultra-detailed prose. He takes an idea and lets it unfold, exploring the associated ideas that flow forth (logically and illogically) from it. It's a short book, and beautifully written. Don't expect a "plot". It all takes place in the organic drift of the narrator's thoughts one afternoon as he sits with his baby falling asleep. But in rendering consciousness so vividly, Baker achieves something very rare.