New Age Top 5 Books

1. Magic Bus: On the Hippie Trail from Istanbul to India - Rory MacLean
July 2007 ISBN: 0141015950 £6.99

The author retraces the hippie trail of the sixties and seventies, visiting such infamous places as the Pudding Shop in Istanbul and Chicken Street in Afghanistan. The book reveals a cultural and social history, and is fascinating for those who trod the silk road and also for those of us who are too young to have enjoyed the hedonistic sixties.

The world has sadly changed and the shangri-la of then, is now the war zone of today. This book is well written and is a gripping read. We will never experience the excitement that the 'Intrepids' enjoyed as they discovered a new and secret destination - the world has now been mapped. 3.99

This is a heart-wrenching but very uplifting story of friendship, betrayal, loyalty and redemption, set in the war-torn location of Afghanistan. The author grew up near Kabul and his descriptions conjure up a vivid picture of his homeland, as his epic tale covers lives across two continents. The narrator is Amir and the story begins with his memories of 1975 when he was 12 years old. The novel covers the war and destruction, but focuses on Amir's relationship with his best friend, Hassan, and his undemonstrative father. We read of love, betrayal, fear, guilt and atonement. Amir is tormented by guilt and we follow his journey to redemption and the day he flies his kite once more.

4. The Wicker Man - Robin Hardy, Anthony Shaffer

April 2000 ISBN: 033039018X £5.49

If you enjoyed the cult 1973 film 'The Wicker Man' you'll find the book really interesting, and if not you'll be dashing off for the video as soon as you've finished. The 2006 re-make film doesn't come close to being as good.
The Wicker Man story is of a Highlands' policeman searching for a missing girl on the remote Hebridean island of Summerisle. We gain much more insight into Sergeant Howie's character and life in the novel, and the book really captures the island atmosphere and the horror that lies ahead. The devoutly religious policeman from the mainland finds the older Pagan beliefs of the locals unacceptable but sensual at the same time. It's fascinating too to be able to read the words of all the songs.