This slim book contains two speeches by eminent classicist Mary Beard, focussing obviously on women and power. There are also some updates, including references to the MeToo movement and some contemporary issues. Continue reading
Category Archives: Non fiction
Book review: Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race
Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race by Reni Eddo-Lodge looks at a variety of issues in modern British culture. I think what makes it particularly effective is that it doesn’t try to cover everything, it doesn’t go into theory or the history of race relations (though it does highlight some of them). Continue reading
Book review: The Fifth Risk
Okay, this book was super stressful because it was largely about the impact of an idiot president can have on a country. It was also the third book in the Read Harder Challenge (book about journalism or book by a journalist). I loved it but bloody hell am I stressed and angry about the state of the world Continue reading
Book review: Dear Genius, the letters of Ursula Nordstrom
I’m not sure I would have ever looked or found this book if it hadn’t been for the challenge. Dear Genius is a selection of letters to authors and other people from Ursula Nordstrom, head of the children’s book department for Harpers books from 1940-1973. Continue reading
Book review: The Design of Everyday Things
So what is this book all about? I kind of think of it as a catalogue of how not to design, followed by the better way to design things. It’s about human-centred design or prototyping, testing, getting feedback and iterating. Continue reading
Book review: Inferior
To call it well written would be an insult. It’s brilliant. It’s a compulsive read – which in other circumstances could be trying to other authors given the range of subjects covered, papers mentioned, people interviewed. The narrative is so beautifully crafted that its easily one of the most accessible and fascinating non-fiction books I’ve read in a long time. Continue reading
Book review: The Princess Diarist
Short holiday review of The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher. Continue reading
