January 2021

Chernobyl

I have had this book on my shelf for well over a year I think and there never seemed a good time to pick it up and read it. It looks potentially a bit boring. It is, however, not so. Extremely readable and, though very detailed, it is written in such a way that is does not become a trial to plough through. I had specifically avoided watching the tv series, which I feel like everyone in the world has watched, until I read this. I suspect the tv series will be even better now I have a bit of background to it.

Mudlarking

Much like some of the finds that the author writes of, this book is a rare gem (I don’t think she actually ever finds a ‘gem’ as such but you know what I mean). An interesting topic brilliantly transformed into a varied and digestible history of London and the Thames itself. The title may sound boring but the book is genuinely interesting!

Twas the Nightshift Before Xmas

This bitesize money-spinner certainly has some funny moments, though it is not nearly as good as its parent book. Can be read in an evening.

Kavalier and Clay

This sprawling epic is an excellent read. Well written and poignant. It will take a while but it is, in my opinion, well worth it.

Deep sea and Foreign Going

An interesting peek into a world about which I know little. Not sure it is truly as revealing as it might be and it certainly isn’t the best book I have ever read. It reads a bit like a newspaper article or magazine feature. Not bad but not amazing. And what a random mouthful of a title.

Endeavour

This is a superb historical account covering one of my favourite subjects – exploration of an unknown world. It is a brilliantly written book although it does jump around a bit. Broader in scope than I thought it was going to be as it deals with a lot of social philosophy of the time rather than just a blow by blow account of one voyage. I preferred Erebus I think, but this is still great.