You know those films where there are all these supposedly 'intertwined' stories and lives? Quite a cliché concept for both books and movies I suppose, but rarely does it really resonate in either medium. David Mitchell though (not the Peep Show one) manages to spin tales into tightly woven rugs that are quite fantastical yet believable, moving without being overly sentimental, eclectic and incredibly entertaining. He also writes straight narratives too, with just as much panache and verve. I just (re)read Number9Dream though any and all of David Mitchell's books are highly recommended...and he's got a newie coming out this year. EXCITEMENT.

So yes, we've been wayyyy slack in updating the We//R\\Stuffs, which is why I'm going to say now that we began and finished Oscar Wilde's A Picture of Dorian Gray well before we knew it was a film. This is a classic novel about art, vanity, beauty and the consequences of such. 'A Picture of Dorian Gray' is brilliant; exploring and exploiting the potentially corrosive characters of beauty and what beauty can do to a character. Navigating through the deeply dark and light sides of human nature, Wilde's novel is a wickedly good study of society, and echoes with a cackling delight (and despair) at humanity's foibles.

Written by François-Marie Arouet, otherwise known more floridly as Voltaire, the story of Zadig; young, rich, handsome and had everything he needed in life to basically roller that shit. Clever, but never condescending, good to women, generous, academic, friend to everyone and had the pick of the best girls in Babylon to get hitched to. This guy has it all to lead the perfect life. But fate and luck apparently have other plans for his comings and goings. Voltaire's Zadig questions the nature of happiness and what's needed to be so; and how destiny and all that jazz can affect it. It's a classic, yo. Highly recommended.

Haruki Murakami's Kafka on the Shore is his usual
heavy and heady stew of pop culture and everyday surreality (is that a
word? It should be). It's not recommended for bedtime reading though
because Murakami has been known to mess with people's dreams, or mine
at least. 'Kafka on the Shore''s protagonist is a 15 year old that we
know as Kafka, named clearly after Franz; and he's a cool, tall teen
with an Oedipal complex who runs away from home to find his estranged
mother and sister. It'll spin you out, but just know that enjoying the
journey of Murakami novels is incredibly important in understanding the
point of them - because often, there isn't one apparent at the end of
them.

After we caned through the first season in January 09, we just couldn’t get enough. And since we had eye candy like Vampire Bill to bring to life the books with, we decided to take a crack at the series of True Blood books as well on the hunt for spoilers. We ripped through the first book, the second less quickly, the third was harder to swallow…Hate to tell you, despite how enjoyable the books are for a light read, they also become progressively more ridonkulous and featherweight as they progress. So far, the books and the series only have the basic setting in common. This is a case of the television series being derived from the book being waaay better. Except, we do really much prefer Eric above all, in the books…

Word up, ‘Sup Magazine has just celebrated 10 years of being in print - an amazing feat for any publication, specially in this digital age - ‘Sup proves that print ain’t dead…Congratulations ‘Sup! Having hit the 10 year mark is just another one of the many reasons why ‘Sup ain’t no ordinary music magazine – and for the latest issue they’ve got ever more stockists for you to get your hands on number 19. They’ve been throwing parties from NYC to London to celebrate it; and rightfully so with features from Hercules & the Love Affair, cover star Sebastien Tellier, Chairlift, Spirtualized and Little Boots amongst others, PLUS an issue 19 download – so go cop that, AND the mag! Hollerrrr.

We do realise that books are an investment for your mind, right? But sometimes, they can take too much of an outlay; of money and of time, something that in this day and age we’re all a little poor of. The internet provides an over-abundance of reading material, and when you want something light, pretty and satisfying all at once, we turn to one of our favourite fashion blogs: JAK&JIL. Photographer Tommy snaps the real lives and couture of fashion’s most revered faces (and feet), giving us a peek into those who live and breathe what we, mere mortals, can only dream about.

Having been an Ann Rice fan for many years now, I’m constantly re-reading her entire Vampire series. Right now it's The Vampire Lestat being revisited.  When such things as Twilight and True Blood pop up, they too have to be investigated. Despite them enjoying tabloid fame, it must be said that Rice’s Lestat poops on Ed Cullen and Vampire Bill (though both are still beyond swoon-able, no doubt). Rice’s series and leading vamp Lestat will always have a firm fang-hold in my stony little heart as the number one in undead dreamlovers.

Actress director and writer Miranda July's book No One Belongs Here More Than You is a book of short disconcerting, weirdly sexy and oddly heartwarming stories that are stamped with July’s endearingly deliberate awkwardness. If you enjoyed You Me and Everyone We Know, then this book is an extension of weird and wonderfulness that we (or I) wish could be occasionally expressed, but never quite have the courage to.

This classic is about Bright Young Things and their hedonistic pursuit for the next fabulous sensation to fulfill their conscious and unconscious desires - meaning hot, rich kids getting wasted a lot. Sounds kinda familiar doesn't it?