You'll never guess what I've been reading

he bookshelf at the design studio where I'm currently working has the expected range of books about software. It also has an intriuging mix of books about different subjects, which I assume have been required in the past for reference material.

By far the oddest tome is the 'Russian Criminal Tattoo Encyclopedia', available from all good booksellers. It contains photographs and drawings of complex tattoos, usually accompanied by a translation of any text. Superficially, it seems odd that someone would want to attach a permanent confession to his or her body, but look further and there is a whole sub-culture at work.

Tags: Russian | tattoos | encyclopedia | sub-culture