I realised with a start recently that I’ve managed to read and listen to quite a few books in the last couple of months.
Since November last year, I’ve read…
Karla’s Choice by Nick Harkaway. (I’m going to review this at ASB later this month).
Titanium Noir, also by Nick Harkaway, because I enjoyed Karla’s Choice so much.
The Midnight Library, Matt Haig.
How to Stop Time, also by Matt Haig.
Pax, by Tom Holland.
300 Arguments by Sarah Manguso.
A Tide of Black Steel, Anthony Ryan.
Dopamine Nation, Dr Anna Lembke
Starter Villain, by John Scalzi.
Making History, Stephen Fry.
The List, Mick Heron.
Dead Lions, Mick Heron.
Project Hail Mary, Andy Weir…
…and My Brilliant Friend, by Elena Ferrante, which I wrote up last Friday for ASB. I was so blown away by MBF that I ran out and bought the rest of the quartet in paperback to read, and I’ve picked up a copy of the first book on Kindle to re-read and take notes. It’s that good.
I’m currently reading Exodus by Peter F Hamilton. (Still halfway through this one). And I’ve just started listening to The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley.
Nobody was more surprised than me when I saw the length of that list. It breaks down about 60/40 between books I read and books I listened to. And I can only attribute it to one thing. Since Trump was elected I’ve been using social media a lot less, and I also cut back on my podcast listening, swapping in audiobooks instead.
I didn't intend to get rid of a bunch of podcasts, but I was listening to quite a few strength training pods, and there is an unfortunate number of MAGA chuds in that space. I'm happy to listen to their deadlift tips, but I'm not much interested in them getting wet for Elon Musk and RFK.
I enjoyed all of those books; otherwise, I wouldn’t have finished them, but obviously, I liked some more than others. So, if anybody is interested, I should probably write a bunch of short reviews.