Regeneration by Pat Barker [A Review]

Pat Barker's short, exquisite nove Regeneration was my first introduction to her powerful, subtle writing style. The first in her trilogy of WWI novels, it explores to trauma of shell shock, and the social impact of the war

Regeneration is the first novel in Pat Barker’s trilogy on the First World War. Centred around army psychiatrist William Rivers and featuring real historical persons, it is a compassionate examination of the trauma of shell-shock and the social impact of the war on notions of bravery, free expression and traditional masculinity. Dr William Rivers, an army psychiatrist stationed at Craiglockhart…

View On WordPress

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley [A Review]

Frankenstein has lost none of its power to captivate and horrify. I also doubt whether we will ever lose our ability to reanimate it to suit our circumstances. In our post-Enlightenment world it continues to agitate us and remind us of our worst fears.

Frankenstein is a novel that has never left the popular imagination since it was first published in 1818 and it probably never will. A dark gothic fantasy, an early science fiction, or a ‘precursor to the existential thriller’; its arresting power has captured every generation. Possibly it strikes at something disturbing in human nature. Robert Walton can barely contain his excitement. He spent…

View On WordPress

Trick or Treatment by Simon Singh and Edzard Ernst [A Review]

Does Alternative Medicine work? And how can we determine if it does? Singh and Ernst excellent book is an excellent guide to what works and what does not.

Trick or Treatment? Alternative Medicine on Trial by Simon Singh and Edzard Ernst will no doubt be considered controversial to practitioners and believers of Alternative Medicine. But the curious, the openminded and those who wish to avoid misplacing their trust, will find it to a definitive and useful resource. Alternative Medicine (AM) is a huge industry but the lingering question has always…

View On WordPress

Black Swan Green by David Mitchell [A Review]

Black Swan Green is a semiautobiographical coming-of-age novel set in village England in the early 80’s. Evocative of the period and in the difficulties faced by its preadolescent protagonist, it nevertheless contains a subtle optimism

Black Swan Green is a semiautobiographical coming-of-age novel set in village England in the early 1980’s. Evocative of the period and in the difficulties faced by its preadolescent protagonist, it nevertheless contains a subtle optimism that brighter days lie ahead. Thirteen-year-old Jason Taylor feels his life is far from enviable. He lives in a small rural English village with a sister who…

View On WordPress

Where the Rēkohu Bone Sings by Tina Makereti [A Review]

Where the Rēkohu Bone Sings explores a dark period in New Zealand colonial history. A valuable addition to indigenous and colonial lit, it tells a story of how history continues to impact people today

In Where the Rēkohu Bone Sings, Tina Makereti explores a dark period in New Zealand colonial history. With care and different perspectives, she tells a story to show how history continues to impact people today. Iraia has known Mere her entire life. But he has also known from the beginning that he is not the equal of Mere, her brothers or her father. He was not allowed to play with her as a…

View On WordPress

My 2024 Reading List and Poll Results

The poll results are in and my 2024 Reading List has taken shape!

2023 Recap Normally I begin my annual Reading List post with a recap of the year that has been but I know some of you are eager to get to the poll results so I will be brief. 2023 was a transitional year for me. I began this website when I was a stay-at-home parent. This year I returned to fulltime work. Normally, I have no trouble completing my Reading List and I read a few more books besides.…

View On WordPress

Poll: Which Book Should I Re-Read?

y

In this week’s poll I am looking for help in choosing which ‘Reread’ novel to read next year. If you don’t know what is going on, please see my post introducing this effort. As the topic of this poll would suggest, I have already read these four novels. Two of them I consider to be among my all-time favourites. The two others are not, but I thought they were deserving of another read. All of…

View On WordPress

Poll: Which Indian Non-Fiction Book Should I Read Next?

I am seeking your help in choosing which Indian non-fiction book to read next. I have four excellent choices coving historical and contemporary India and the poll is now open for voting

In this week’s poll I am looking for help in choosing which ‘Indian’ non-fiction book to read next year. If you don’t know what is going on, please see my post introducing this effort. I have had some feedback that the poll box below is slow to load. So please be patient or try leaving this page and coming back. If you still have trouble voting below, you can try my polls on Facebook and X…

View On WordPress

Poll: Which 'Indian' Fiction Book Should I Read Next?

I'd like your help in deciding which 'Indian' novel to read next. I have four excellent books to choose from and voting is now open!

In this week’s poll I am looking for help in choosing which ‘Indian’ novel to read next year. If you don’t know what is going on, please see my post introducing this effort. What I mean by ‘Indian’ are novels by Indian writers or at least set in India.   I have had some feedback that the poll box below is slow to load. So please be patient or try leaving this page and coming back. If you still…

View On WordPress

Poll: Which 'Wife's Choice' Novel Should I Read Next?

My wife has selected four books she believes I ought to read. Do you agree? Which one should I read next? They are four difficult to categorise novels and include prize-winners, post-modernism and one you may not have heard of...

In this week’s poll I am looking for help in choosing which ‘Wife’s Choice’ novel to read next year. If you don’t know what is going on, please see my post introducing this effort. What I mean by ‘Wife’s Choice’ is that these are books chosen by my wife; books she has read, has enjoyed and that she believes I ought to read. I have had some feedback that the poll box below is slow to load. So…

View On WordPress

Poll: Which 'Other Non-Fiction' Book Should I Read Next?

Which 'Other' Non-Fiction Book Should I Read Next? I have four options covering writing, economics, humour, pop culture and mathematics. Voting is now open!

In this week’s poll I am looking for help in choosing which ‘Other Non-Fiction’ book to read next year. If you don’t know what is going on, please see my post introducing this effort. What I mean by ‘Other Non-Fiction’ are those books that don’t neatly fit into what I would categorise as history, biography, science or philosophy (for which I have had other polls). Below is the poll where you…

View On WordPress

Funeral Games by Mary Renault [A Review]

Funeral Games showcases Mary Renault’s strengths as an historical novelist. It is entertaining but delivered with reassuring attention to historical facts. It covers a fascinating, turbulent period of history that readers will enjoy seeing brought to life

Funeral Games is the tense, dynamic conclusion to Mary Renault’s Alexander Trilogy. With Alexander the Great in a coma, his empire is under threat of unravelling even faster that it was formed. Allies in battle will quickly turn into enemies as opportunities for enormous wealth and power emerge but the window to achieve them will close just as suddenly. Alexander the Great is on his death bed…

View On WordPress

Poll: Which Contemporary Novel Should I Read Next?

Which Contemporary Novel Should I Read Next? Help me decide by voting in this poll between four novels that may one day be considered classics!

In this week’s poll I am looking for help in choosing which ‘Contemporary Fiction’ novel to read next year. If you don’t know what is going on, please see my post introducing this effort. Below is the poll where you can vote. If you have trouble voting below, you can try my polls on Facebook and X (Twitter). If you need to make a more informed choice, below the poll I share the blurbs of the…

View On WordPress

Poll: Which Philosophy/Religion Book Should I Read Next?

I am looking for help deciding which Philosophy/Religion book to read next. I have four great options to choose from and voting is open now!

In this week’s poll I am looking for help in choosing which book on philosophy or religion book to read next year. If you don’t know what is going on, please see my post introducing this effort. Below is the poll where you can vote. If you have trouble voting below, you can try my polls on Facebook and X (Twitter). If you need to make a more informed choice, below the poll I share the blurbs of…

View On WordPress

Poll: Which Modern Classic Novel Should I Read Next?

This week I am seeking your help in deciding which 'Modern Classic' novel to read next. What do you think of the four options to choose from? The poll is open now for you to cast your vote!

In this week’s poll I am looking for help in choosing which ‘modern classic’ novel to read next year. If you don’t know what is going on, please see my post introducing this effort. If you have trouble voting below, you can try my polls on Facebook and X (Twitter). Below I share the blurbs of the four ‘modern classic’ books of this poll so that you can get a taste of what they are about and…

View On WordPress

The Persian Boy by Mary Renault [A Review]

Mary Renault should be on the radar of anyone who enjoys historical fiction. The Persian Boy, part two of her Alexander Trilogy, is one of her best.

The Persian Boy is Mary Renault’s second part to her Alexander Trilogy. Told from the point of view of Bagoas – a servant to the Persian King Darius and, following his fall, to the Macedonian King Alexander, it is a tale of the brutal realities of war, conquest and power struggles in an ancient world whose codes of morality, politics and sexuality may seem alien to us in the twenty-first century.…

View On WordPress

Poll: Which Science Book Should I Read Next?

This week I am seeking your help to decide which Science book to read next. The options cover the human body and medicine, psychology and the philosophy of science. Vote for the one you think I should read!

In this week’s poll I am looking for help in choosing which science book to read next year. If you don’t know what is going on, please see my post introducing this effort. I have had some feedback that the poll box below is slow to load. So please be patient or try leaving this page and coming back. If you still have trouble voting below, you can try my polls on Facebook and Twitter (X). Below…

View On WordPress