This book is all common sense but I found it inspiring at the same time. It's really well written so it was a pleasure to read. It contains some reallThis book is all common sense but I found it inspiring at the same time. It's really well written so it was a pleasure to read. It contains some really simple and practical advice that I am going to put into action right away. In some ways it chimes with stuff I already do - like obsessively tracking my cycling/swimming/running/walking etc....more
**spoiler alert** Read because it's in the Observer's list of the 100 greatest novels of all time. The writing is first rate as you would expect - he **spoiler alert** Read because it's in the Observer's list of the 100 greatest novels of all time. The writing is first rate as you would expect - he won the novel prize for literature. I understood that Naipaul himself was a bit problematic and read his Wikipedia page where he describes beating his wife. Then read the description of the main character in the book beating his wife and the similarities in the descriptions made me feel a bit uncomfortable....more
The 2024 Booker Prize winner. Very descriptive short novel set on the international space station. It's nicely written but ends up feeling a bit inconThe 2024 Booker Prize winner. Very descriptive short novel set on the international space station. It's nicely written but ends up feeling a bit inconsequential....more
The 2023 Booker prize winner. It's a very believable near future dystopia in which an authoritarian regime has taken control in Ireland. The descent iThe 2023 Booker prize winner. It's a very believable near future dystopia in which an authoritarian regime has taken control in Ireland. The descent into chaos is seen through the eyes of a mother trying to protect her family after her husband becomes a political prisoner. A very effective novel....more
I have now read all of Murakami's novels. This one is based on a novel he wrote early in his career which he was never satisfied with and hence never I have now read all of Murakami's novels. This one is based on a novel he wrote early in his career which he was never satisfied with and hence never published. That figures as this is classic Murakami, a lot of the themes present here have been revisited in his other novels. The story is similar to Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World but I found it a lot easier to follow than that one. I enjoyed it a lot....more
Murakami's first two (short) novels are highly entertaining and all of the Murakami elements are here. Includes an interesting story essay about how hMurakami's first two (short) novels are highly entertaining and all of the Murakami elements are here. Includes an interesting story essay about how he wrote his first novel. Writing in English (which he was far from fluent in) and then translating back to Japanese. Apparently this helped him to hone his style which relies on using simple language....more
Hugo award winner. Took me a while to get into this but I enjoyed it. It's a decent sci fi with interesting tech. The names of the characters are a biHugo award winner. Took me a while to get into this but I enjoyed it. It's a decent sci fi with interesting tech. The names of the characters are a bit confusing and hard to remember but also sound cool. e.g. Three Seagrass....more
This was a very entertaining read. The second of Adam Roberts' novels I have read. (Jack Glass was ace also.) This is a strange book where animals upgThis was a very entertaining read. The second of Adam Roberts' novels I have read. (Jack Glass was ace also.) This is a strange book where animals upgraded with AI chips have risen up against their human oppressors. It didn't quite work for me but it was still a lot of fun....more
The second book in the Bhurger trilogy. More of the same really but it's a good formula. Not quite as good as the jam fruit tree but still a highly enThe second book in the Bhurger trilogy. More of the same really but it's a good formula. Not quite as good as the jam fruit tree but still a highly enjoyable read....more
This book is jam packed full of practical and useful information if you are looking to decompose a monolithic application into microservices. I read tThis book is jam packed full of practical and useful information if you are looking to decompose a monolithic application into microservices. I read this during a couple of long flights, it's very readable and not overly long. Planning to read Building Microservices next (which I have started a couple of times before)....more
I read this on holiday in Colombo, Sri Lanka in an apartment with a view of the Beira Lake where the novel's opening scene is set. Members of a death I read this on holiday in Colombo, Sri Lanka in an apartment with a view of the Beira Lake where the novel's opening scene is set. Members of a death squad are trying to sink Maali Almeida's body in the lake. Set in a liminal world of ghosts and demons, with the promise that there might be a way to exert influence from beyond the grave and revenge on his killers - if only he could remember. The 2022 Booker prize winner didn't disappoint....more
Was recommended by my work coach. The writing is a little clunky here but the ideas are interesting. Walks a fine line by attempting to create a simplWas recommended by my work coach. The writing is a little clunky here but the ideas are interesting. Walks a fine line by attempting to create a simple and therefore memorable and useful model of an extremely complex system - the mind. As George Box says, "All models are wrong but some are useful". This one seems like it could be useful....more
This is a really well written and intriguing story. The main character is having a mid -life crisis which involves obsessing about her childhood sweetThis is a really well written and intriguing story. The main character is having a mid -life crisis which involves obsessing about her childhood sweetheart, and experiencing feelings of dissociation from reality. Being of a similar age this novel had a lot of appeal and interest for me!...more
Another brilliant collection of short stories by the master of the form. The best stories here are absolutely pitch perfect, without a single duff notAnother brilliant collection of short stories by the master of the form. The best stories here are absolutely pitch perfect, without a single duff note or even an extraneous word. My favourite is Love Letter, a highly affecting story in a little under ten pages. Liberation day and Ghoul are also great fun, set in very weird fantasy worlds....more
Enjoyable but slightly formulaic, English civil war set mystery. Read on holiday and it was a perfect holiday read - not too challenging. Took me a whEnjoyable but slightly formulaic, English civil war set mystery. Read on holiday and it was a perfect holiday read - not too challenging. Took me a while to work out that Milton was *the* John Milton. Should have twigged when they said he lived at Chalfonte, because I have often cycled past Milton's cottage in Chalfont St Giles....more
The ending was pretty cool but I found this one a bit of a slog overall. It is quite different from the first book and for me it never really hits thoThe ending was pretty cool but I found this one a bit of a slog overall. It is quite different from the first book and for me it never really hits those heights. There are some interesting ideas for sure but I found all the wallfacers stuff pretty dull. The ending is great though which very nearly tipped me over into a 4 star review....more
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