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Ynte

whylamb@bookwyrm.social

Joined 2 years, 7 months ago

A UK-based book lover with interest in transit, history and science fiction.

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Oliver Burkeman: Four Thousand Weeks (AudiobookFormat, 2021, Penguin Audio)

The average human lifespan is absurdly, outrageously, insultingly brief: if you live to 80, you …

really brilliant book about Time Management that isn't about Time Management

This is essential reading for any person who is a productivity geek or is into the whole productivity "discipline" in general. It isn't, as the subtitle suggests, about time management.

Really this is a philosphy book about how we spend time, how we think about time, and what "time" really is.

Throughout the book Burkeman has nuggets of how to implement the philosphy discussed - these are crystallised into 10 tips that can be found in the appendix.

That said you won't get the benefit of these tips if you haven't read the whole book first. It's a journey, a deeply enjoyable one and one I want to revisit throughout my life. I'm going to buy this book so I can do that.

Stellar read.

Redmond O'Hanlon: In trouble again (Paperback, 1989, Penguin Books)

A bit of a slog, but a worthy trek?

I'm a fan of non fiction "Adventure" and exploration books, like those of Thor Heyerdahl. Ones where there's a journey through a land that's almost alien, unrecognisable to the reader and the protagonist.

This book is like that, but it makes you work for it. Redmond is obsessed with birds, bugs and plants and spends pages on them. He's a seasoned traveller of the jungle, and we identify more with his miserable, city slicker companion Simon than we do with him.

While Simon's banter is mostly funny, I quickly lost my patience both with him and Redmond. I actually put this book down for a long time before picking it back up out of a sense of obligation to finish it.

The last half - or maybe it's a quarter - is much more interesting and engaging, and I would say makes the read just about worth it.

reviewed Spark Joy by Marie Kondo (The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, #2)

Marie Kondo: Spark Joy (Hardcover, 2016, Ten Speed Press)

Japanese decluttering guru Marie Kondo has revolutionized homes—and lives—across the world. Now, Kondo presents an …

An Essential Manual for the KonMari Method

I got this book out from the library because I was recommended it on a podcast. The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up is well known - this is its more practical, refined cousin. It reads more like an instruction manual with a few anecdotes sprinkled in between.

I'm new to Marie Kondo's method, I think there's a lot of value to her philosophy and the mental motivation it gives to tidy up. I certainly feel like tidying up now, and I may pick up my own copy of the book to use as a guide.

One criticism I would have for the book is that it meanders a little in the beginning. If you aren't familiar with the method, it does assume you have a bit of knowledge. It then backtracks and explains the mechanics of tidying up, so it's fine.

Overall a great read, I enjoyed it a …

finished reading Maskerade by Terry Pratchett (Discworld, Book 18)

Terry Pratchett: Maskerade (Paperback, 1997, Corgi Adult)

The show must go on, as murder, music and mayhem run riot in the night... …

I've always really enjoyed Discworld. I bought this book on a recommendation of a friend - it's her favourite Discworld novel - but it sat on the shelf for a very long time. It was only when I decided to make a conscious effort to read again that I picked it up.

Terry Pratchett is brilliant as always in bringing the world of Ankh-Morpork to life, but this time he explores a subject obviously foreign to him - the opera. Nevertheless he manages to capture a broadly accurate depiction of what it's like behind the scenes of the theatre, and weaves in a mystery around it all.

Big fan of this one. Can see myself revisiting the book or introducing it to my kids in the future.

Gareth E. Rees: Car Park Life (2019, Influx Press)

Engaging, dark and funny

No rating

A very interesting read about all of this space we've dedicated to cars in today's world and the secret wonders that can be found there. Rees somehow manages to make car parks engaging and funny, and the sections are short and bite sized. Worth a read!

reviewed Surak's Soul by J. M. Dillard (Enterprise, Star Trek)

J. M. Dillard: Surak's Soul (2003, Pocket Books)

You are alone in the dark reaches of space, surrounded by aliens who do not …

Nailed the characterisation...but a bit predictable

I think for an Enterprise novel they really nailed the characterisation - I could hear the voices of the characters really well. The story - pretty brilliant mystery, but a little predictable. The ending I just wasn't a fan of - felt like a copout. Good read for fans - but others might be disappointed.