Flipfactor. Starman.

Paul Trynka's David Bowie biography Starman has been around for a few years now. Regardless of loving his new album The Next Day, the first Bowie album I've ever listened to from start to finish, I wouldn't count myself as a Bowie fan. Sure, I've adored tracks like Heroes, Sorrow, and Ashes to Ashes among others, but I've never felt the all-adoring ado that many fans have. Starman goes someway to changing that. It's an insightful read, painting an unexpected character in this unputdownable book. I'm marvelling at what Bowie has contributed to the world of music, fashion and much more. It's no wonder London's V&A Bowie exhibition was so popular last year.

Flipfactor. Colors Protests.

The new Colors is out, with this issue looking at the idea of protest. I admire Colors for the way it brings together many stories from across the globe related by theme and how, that while circumstances are very different, the connections are strong. This issue is on the money again, with a host of intriguing, sometimes disturbing tales. Another plus point for Colors is tactility. It plays cleverly with print and the idea the magazine as object in a world ruled by screens giving it great flipability.

Flipfactor. Apocalypse.

I picked up the Apocalypse back issue of Colors in Amsterdam last week, and again I was rapt as I read each story. Aside from looking fantastic with intriguing editorial content, Colors is one of the few magazines that truly covers the globe. The standout tale from this issue was one about a man called Bruce Beach. He has buried 42 old school buses in a small town, covered them with concrete and called the creation Ark Two Shelter. He'll take one thousand of the fittest people underground with him when disaster strikes to keep the human race going. Just one of many astounding stories inside.

Flipfactor. Londoners.

It's little wonder that The Guardian raved about Craig Taylor's book Londoners; it's a riveting read. A great range of characters share their experiences and reflections painting rich and vibrant portraits of London. Highly recommended for locals and visitors alike.

Flipfactor. Arrival City.

Doug Saunder's terrific Arrival City: How the Largest Migration in History is Reshaping our World is one of the most insightful books I've read in a while. It's full of intriguing tales where sadness and hope is peppered with bureaucratic stupidity. I've spent several late nights absorbing it, learning more about cultures and people and the experience of the migrant. It's a fascinating account. I wonder if our world would be better if instead of national service we had international service, a process where all people would be required to simply live overseas for a couple of years to learn about cultures other than their own.

Flipfactor. The Human Part.

Kari Hotakainen's book The Human Part is a compelling tale of an older woman selling her life story to a writer stuck for ideas. Both ferociously funny and dark, it's easy to see why this book has won Finland's Runeberg Prize and France's Prix du Courrier International. It's made me laugh hard, sometimes in shock. Absolutely lovely.

Flipfactor. Colors Looks At Art.

The summer issue of Colors is all about Looking At Art. Coming with a set of stickers so that you can make your own cover, this is one fun issue. Inside you'll find a brief history of the Mona Lisa, learn what work of art has been stolen most often, which artists use shit and who pays for their art to be made. Guardians, Andy Freeburg's photographs of sitting gallery assistants in front of prominent works of art, is compelling; I love it. It's another inspiring issue from Colors.

Flipfactor. Moby Duck.

The review I read for Donovan Hohn's Moby Duck in The Guardian said it was a pretty good read. Other reviews have been equally favourable with Tony Wheeler of Lonely Planet saying “This is a great book.” It's riveting, astounding and at times disturbing making it an amazing book. Thanks to Moby Duck my weekend has passed by in a puff, my head exploding with wonder, new found knowledge and fresh thinking. Can you ask for more than that from a book? I've got a new interest in the ships that pass my window here in Newcastle, and I'd gamble on saying this book is the best I've read so far this year

Flipfactor. Art And.

Art & Australia has a new name — Artand — and a bold new look. The square format and awkward Art & Australia masthead is gone, but a broader range of content is in with this elegantly designed magazine. Look out for an improved web presence later in the year.

Flipfactor. Frankenstein's Cat.

Frankenstein's Cat is a riveting read from Emily Anthes. Her exploration of technological advancement never ceased to astound, charting both successes and ethical dilemmas. Emily has argued a compelling case both for and against resulting in a thought provoking read guaranteed to leave you wanting more. Grab it and ponder the future. 

Flipfactor. A Thousand Splendid Suns.

Before picking up A Thousand Splendid Suns I knew nothing of Khaled Hosseini or his books. I'm so glad I decided to give A Thousand Splendid Suns a go, it's a gripping read. It kept me enthralled through to 5am one morning, and when I finally finished I could do nothing but sit and hold the book. I can't remember ever doing that with a book before, and certainly not for so long. Haunting, desolate, warm, hard and eye-opening, it's the tale of two women's lives over a period of thirty years in Afghanistan's recent tumultuous history. Extraordinary.

Flipfactor. Picture Painting.

Aside from being an interesting and insightful read, What They Teach You at Harvard Business School by journalist Philip Delves Broughton is amusing too. Drawn from his experience of undertaking an MBA, he brings to life some of the characters he encountered. One of my favourite lines describes a silver-haired fund manager with ruddy complexion on page 140: "He was a caricature of dissatisfaction. His breath, which worsened with every gulp of Merlot and slice of roast duck, was paint stripper and his humor barbed." It paints a picture.

Flipfactor. Toxic Love Story.

Susan Freinkel's Plastic, A Toxic Love Story is a riveting read about plastic and its effects. I found Susan's well researched portrayal of plastic hard to put down, and at times I was bewildered at how an educated society can seemingly not care about the impact this material is having on life. Albatrosses are one of many animals affected by a material that is all too often disposed of without thought. Susan's in depth account of various objects including cash cards, combs, monoblocs and bottles, but particularly the ubiquitous cigarette lighter, had my head in a spin. And then there is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Highly recommended.

Flipfactor. Little Miss Fancy Pants.

Yesterday David Jones shares were placed in a trading halt over concerns that earnings would be hit by fewer people using credit cards to shop. That's the story in a nutshell anyway. Before credit, people used to shop using mail order catalogues, like this one from 1973 which I found in someone's recycling in Surry Hills years ago. Flares were in and you could pick up a pair of Levi's jeans for $12.99 that, if pulled on could pull on freedom – that was the gist of the headline, and I'm not sure what it meant. From to cover to cover there are all manner of modern technologies and fabulous fashions including a purple woolen kaftan for dad. About halfway though, the intriguingly named Curiosity Shoppe appears offering pillow speakers, invisible thread for panty-hose and a 'Snatch-n'-Catch box designed to not only hold tissues, but to store used ones in the car. This catalogue is a time capsule from a bygone era.

Flipfactor. Borderline Pass.

It's fair to say that a considerable amount of the discussion in William Poundstone's fascinating book Are You Smart Enough to Work at Google? went over my head. That's not to say it was a waste of time. On the contrary, with every page flipped I found myself deep in thought trying as best as I could to solve the problems offered. I was proud of my response to the helium balloon conundrum, and while I completely glazed over at any algebraic equation, I still gave it a shot – I quickly worked out after a short-lived stint in a three unit maths class at high school that two unit general would suffice for me. I didn't like algebra. Maybe that's why I'm an artist and not an accountant. The best part of William's book wasn't the conundrums so much as the insight into the interview process at giants like Google. The stories and anecdotes are sometimes humorous, sometimes impolite and at other times provoking, and William writes for people like me to understand. Take the challenge, you may surprise yourself.

Flipfactor. Pigeon Fanciers.

I adore magazines, always have and possibly to the point of obsession. My tally for February so far stands at 108 issues, at a retail value of $777.80 weighing in at 37.05 kilograms. Sure, there is a major artwork in the pipeline, with magazines being a fundamental element of that project. All magazines are fair game, the broader the range the better. For example, this month I've scanned and pulped Ita (yes really), Vanity Fair, Wallpaper* and Oprah. I've started on a stack of rather cool, and sometimes sexist, 1960s Art Direction magazines and have just finished with The Pigeon Fancier. I'm rather fond of the much maligned pigeon, learning this week that the reason we don't see baby pigeons, and hence they have no cute factor, is that they leave the nest fully fledged looking like all the others. The youthful ones are easily identified once you know what you're looking for, a few yellow feathers around the neck. On the topic of magazines, Alana House has written a rather prescient piece on her blog House Goes Home about celebrity.

Flipfactor. Cool Collages.

I'm not a fashionista, but I adore Elle Collections. I was quick, and perhaps a little bit cheeky, to ask a friend stranded in London due to freezing weather conditions, to grab me a copy before coming back to Australia. Thanks Jane. Like issues before, this one hits the spot. Not only are they right on trend with deco inspired typography, but the accessories pages are littered with cool collages like the one above. I love those Prada heels.

Flipfactor. Meatpaper.

Issue sixteen of Meatpaper is out. The current issue is all about bones, as is clearly suggested by their cover above. With a purely meat focus, Meatpaper is both richly intelligent and slightly disturbing. I purchased the thirteenth issue of Meatpaper and was astounded to learn that Nanking is a Chinese city as big as New York where dog is on the menu. Intrigued from cover to cover, I'm all for Meatpaper. It's a terrific read with excellent flipability.

Flipfactor. Smith Journal.

It is fantastic to see a new magazine hit the streets with a creative cover that stands well out. The new Smith Journal, from the publishers of Frankie, is elegantly designed, has quirky but smart content and is lovely to hold. It's very flippable with much to read and ogle inside. It was certainly a coup to get Alain de Botton as a contributor, who again astounds with his prescient observations. $11.95 well spent.

Flipfactor. In Love with Elsie.

The gorgeous Elsie arrived in my post box a couple of weeks back and I have to report that Elsie is adorable from cover to cover. Produced by a fellow (this isn't Les as far as I know) called Les Jones all the way from Wales, Elsie surprises with very page flipped and even leaves little gifts within its pages. I was pleased, overjoyed even, to see my cover featured a clown in a skip and that inside articles on Paulo's Circus Americano, Found bits & bobs and British Summer fairs both amused and enchanted. I can't wait for the second issue to drop.