This is such a great book, even though the subject matter is so tough. What I love about Kat’s writing is that it is effortless, and also very funny, even when the subject matter is about cancer. Continue reading
Category Archives: Non fiction
Book review: Because Internet
ecause Internet looks at internet language and culture, from a linguistic perspective. Which seems a bit stuffy, but is in fact, really very interesting. I liked how lots of the way we think about language and the internet fit in neatly with linguistic theory. Continue reading
Book review: Hello World
Essentially, Hannah Fry takes us through where algorithms already exist and how they are currently affecting our lives. She takes on a ride through areas like crime, policing, cars, health and art, highlighting the benefits but also the risks. Continue reading
Book review: Why We’re Polarized
In this book, Ezra Klein sets out his analysis for why the US political system has become polarised. It’s well crafted and persuasive, using a raft of political, psychological and historical evidence to put weight behind his argument. Continue reading
Book review: The Value of Everything
The main argument is that we no longer have a debate about what ‘value’ means in the economy. Because of this, the economy has slowly started to become rent-seeking, maximising extracting wealth from people and companies, rather than making longterm investments. Continue reading
Book review: Difficult Women
It’s not a chronological history, but tells stories about particular fights in the UK to advance the rights of women. I even knew some of the stories as they intersected with my PhD (like Marie Stopes being…eccentric). Continue reading
Book review: The Sarawak Report
The Sarawak Report is the book version of the blog, by Clare Rewcastle Brown. Starting it’s life out as a blog detailing the pillaging of the Borneo rainforest by a a corrupt Malaysian politician, it turns into the investigation of its Prime Minister who was involved in the 1MDB scandal. Continue reading
Book review: The Culture Map
n general, the book is about the different kinds of behaviour in different cultures, and how this can cause frustration if you don’t realise it. Things like how people like to approach meetings, or how people develop trust, or even how they like to receive feedback. Continue reading
Book review: Spam Nation
ut Spam Nation is more of a fun mystery novel as it’s mostly a story about two rival spammers, who probably do as much to undermine their industry (for lack of a better word) as they did to start it. Continue reading
Book review: Superior
Superior is an examination of scientific racism, talking to scientists, anthropologists, historians and a whole host of other people. It also talks to some obvious racists, which is kind of fascinating in itself. Continue reading
