The Great Gatsby
Didn't realise that American tendency to over hype movies also extended to books! The only dramatic tension comes from Gatsby's death at the end of the book.
Lolita (Penguin Modern Classics)
Disturbing book, particularly in the context of abuse stories that are now so common. Well written though.
Religion for Atheists: A Non-Believer's Guide to the Uses of Religion
Formulaic, turgid and pedestrian. Should have been a 20 page pamphlet.
How Music Works: A listener's guide to harmony, keys, broken chords, perfect pitch and the secrets of a good tune
Finally I figured out equal temperament, scales and keys!!! And about time too.
Reamde: A Novel
Brilliant thriller by one of the best. Love the geeky computer stuff in it which is all genuine!!
A Dance With Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire, #5)
By the time he finishes the series there'll be no characters left.
The Diamond Age: Or, a Young Lady's Illustrated Primer (Bantam Spectra Book)
Excellent read. Neal Stephenson is a superb story teller.
The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine
Proof that the capitalist system is based on privatised profit and socialised risk. What a con!!!
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The Map That Changed the World: William Smith and the Birth of Modern Geology
A great book with 2 interesting stories, how William Smith almost single handed figured out the geology of England and also a more important and damning one about how class fixations in mid 19th century England conspired against talented and gifted individuals. Hmmm not much has changed.
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
One of the blackest and most compelling books I have ever read.