I don’t read a lot of non-fiction, but I decided to finally read this book having had it sit on the shelf for a few years. I’m glad I read it, but as someone who regularly eats in the US I am not sure if I should be glad or freaked out. The book is…
Category: Book
Lock In
I know I like Scalzi stuff, but each series is so different that I like them all in different ways. I don’t think he’s written a murder mystery before, and this book was just as good as Old Man’s War, which is a pretty high bar. This book revolves around a murder being investigated by…
The Decline and Fall of IBM: End of an American Icon?
This book is quite readable, which surprises me for the relatively dry topic. Whilst obviously not everyone will agree with the author’s thesis, it is clear that IBM hasn’t been managed for long term success in a long time and there are a lot of very unhappy employees. The book is an interesting perspective on…
Don’t Tell Mum I Work On The Rigs
I read this book while on a flight a few weeks ago. Its surprisingly readable and relatively short — you can knock it over in a single long haul flight. The book covers the memoirs of an oil rig worker, from childhood right through to middle age. That’s probably the biggest weakness of the book,…
The Hot Gate
This book follows on from Live Free or Die and Citadel. This time we focus solely on Dana as she is transferred to a new unit. The story is interesting, although perhaps it focusses on the dysfunction of the Latin American countries a little more than is really necessary. More interestingly, the book ends the…
Citadel
This book follows on from Live Free or Die. I like the approach of this book, as it follows a couple of relatively normal people trying to get by, and how the main protagonist from the last book’s actions affect them. Its an engaging read, while still progressing the overall arc of the series. I…
The Runaway Jury
This is an older book now, and I read it many many years ago but re-read it this last couple of weeks. I enjoyed this book. Its believable (if a little dated now), and interesting. It certainly made me think more about the first amendment and how it affects dangerous products like cigarettes than I…
Live Free or Die
This book is useful. When the Earth is invaded by evil aliens intent on stripping us of our heavy metals, I now know how to fight back using just Maple Syrup and a Death Star I just happen to have hanging around. That’s education right there. This book is delightfully not sexist compared with some…
A Talent for War
This is my first McDevitt book, and it was a pleasant surprise. A bit of a mystery novel, but set in the far future. Well written, interesting and fun. I enjoyed it. Title: A Talent For War Author: Jack McDevitt Genre: Fiction Publisher: Penguin Release Date: June 29, 2004 Pages: 320 The acclaimed classic novel…
The Long Earth
Lana put me onto this book while on a trip to Texas, and I have to say I like it. This is very unlike the other Terry Pratchett books I’ve read, in that whilst it is occasionally amusing, it isn’t really an attempt at humor. It is instead a relatively methodical examination of the impact…