Reviews and Comments

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boab@bookwyrm.social

Joined 3 years ago

I like beer, and books with spaceships. 🍻

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started reading The Blue, Beautiful World by Karen Lord

Karen Lord: The Blue, Beautiful World (Paperback, 2024, Orion Publishing Co)

The world is changing, and humanity must change with it. Rising seas and soaring temperatures …

I was missing a load of context from the first two books when I read this earlier in the year. So giving it a re-read now that I know what's been going on in the wider galaxy...

reviewed The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

Morgan Housel: The Psychology of Money (2020, Harriman House)

Doing well with money isn't necessarily about what you know.

It's about how you …

Life changing

I'm pretty sure this is one of the most important books I've ever read. The kind of book that should result in most of my other five star ratings loosing one of their stars, that kind of important. Perhaps I was finally at a place in my life where I was ready to accept the wisdom and teachings contained within the pages. Regardless, if you have a troubled relationship with money and you can handle for a few harsh realities about your preconceptions and inbuilt biases, this is the book for you.

I genuinely think reading this has fundamentally changed the way I look at money.

reviewed Old Man's War by John Scalzi

John Scalzi: Old Man's War (2007)

John Scalzi channels Robert Heinlein (including a wry sense of humor) in a novel about …

Not my usual

I'm not generally one for the colonialist war type Sci-Fi, but I really enjoyed this. Easy to read and to drop into, with enough, ah that's novel, type futurism. Will be buying the next one to read what happens next.

reviewed One of Us by Michael Marshall Smith

Michael Marshall Smith: One of Us (Paperback, 2009, HarperCollins Publishers)

A mesmerising SF thriller from a master of the genre. Hap Thompson is a REMtemp, …

Wasn't expecting that level of twist

Another bonkers outing from Michael Marshall Smith, with the usual levels of utter WTF is going on...? Talking, seemingly sentient, AI white goods is a new one on me. Has characters talk about plot twists, then use the exact mechanism a few pages later. Only the 3 stars though, couldn't decide if it was 4 or not, as I'm not sure about the big reveal near the end. Still easy to read, highly enjoyable, and utterly bonkers though.

reviewed Termination Shock by Neal Stephenson

Neal Stephenson: Termination Shock (2022, HarperCollins Publishers Limited)

Neal Stephenson’s sweeping, prescient new novel transports readers to a near-future world where the greenhouse …

Termination Shock

For once a properly thought out, coherent, and well paced (from start to end) book from Stephenson. Given the times we now find ourselves in, the climate discourse is most likely about to be weaponised by the tangerine man baby and his sycophants. This tale is testament to the fact that maybe, just maybe, an individual (albeit one with rather a lot of resource and connections) could make a difference. As usual with Stephenson, lots of ideas and concepts, unlike some of his previous efforts, these all seem eminently achievable in the short term. I found it well written, engaging, and hugely enjoyable to read.,

reviewed The Circle by Dave Eggers

Dave Eggers, Dave Eggers: The Circle (Paperback, 2018, Penguin)

The Circle runs everything — all your internet activity in one easy, safe and visible …

Brilliant

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, even if it's getting on a bit, and some of the characters are a touch heavy handed. What starts out as vaguely sensible, turns rapidly into a dystopian nightmare fever dream. I'd recommend it.

reviewed Uncommon Grounds by Mark Pendergrast

Mark Pendergrast: Uncommon Grounds (Paperback, 2010, Basic Books)

Uncommon Grounds tells the story of coffee from its discovery on a hill in ancient …

Uncommon Grounds

Having previously read Black Gold, this is a far more US centric take on the whole history of coffee. Yes it covers some of the same ground, but is far more about the rise of the coffee barons and the impact from there. Still an interesting read, with lots to learn.

reviewed Against a Dark Background by Iain M. Banks

Iain M. Banks, Iain Banks: Against a Dark Background (Paperback, 1995, Orbit)

Sharrow was once the leader of a personality-attuned combat team in one of the sporadic …

It's Iain M. Banks, of course it's good

I mean... really. What were you expecting me to say...? Is it up there with his best? Maybe not, but it's still better than 99% of what gets published these days.

reviewed Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken

Chris van Tulleken: Ultra-Processed People (Paperback, 2024, Penguin)

An eye-opening investigation into the science, economics, history and production of ultra-processed food.

It's …

Makes for grim reading

Worried about the food you eat...? You should be. Read this and swear off UPF for life. Makes for utterly grim reading.

The book itself, is well written and engaging though, with oodles of foot notes for extra info.

reviewed NeuroTribes by Steve Silberman

Steve Silberman: NeuroTribes (Paperback, 2016, Allen & Unwin)

What is autism? A lifelong disability, or a naturally occurring form of cognitive difference akin …

Phenominal

I picked up this book after I was recently diagnosed with both Autism and ADHD in my fifties. I wanted to know more about the history of Autism, and why I am part of the lost generations. Very well written, and engaging, this account of the history of Autism is well worth a read, regardless of if you're trying to understand your own head, that of someone else, or just want to know more.

Thoroughly recommended.