Very seriously, we’re looking at buying a houseboat.

Reasons for:

• They’re detached
• Generally have a fabulous river view
• You can just move your entire house if you hate your neighbours
• Cheap (c. £100k-£200k for 2-3 bedrooms)

Reasons against:

• Mooring fees
• Bottled gas
• Possible problems getting a telephone line 
• If poorly converted, they can be cold & damp
• Having to been replated / repainted in a dry dock every 5 years

So far, the best sites I’ve found are http://houseboats.apolloduck.co.uk/ & http://www.waterview.co.uk/ and these deal in houseboats for sale in London.

Books? Not a lot that I’ve found so far: