Read in 2019

Read in 2019

1. The Entrepreneurial State: Debunking Public vs. Private Sector Myths Mariana Mazzucato Finished: Dec 27 Amazon

   I rather whizzed through this, but I think I got the general gist - that the state needs to get a lot more credit for providing funding and strcutures for innovation that the private sector relies on. It's a good reposte to the idea that the private sector is always this dynamic powerful force and that the state is just a drag.

2. Ghost World Daniel Clowes Finished: Dec 15 Amazon

   Really lovely artwork throughout. The story - or the interactions - since there wasn't really much in the way of a plot, was more of a mood piece I guess. It was witty and interesting, but I found it a bit unsatisfying in the meandering around. Maybe that bored, tentative hiatus before adulthood was the point.

3. Homo Deus Yuval Noah Harari Finished: Dec 8 Amazon

   Fascinating and interesting perspective of philosophical thought, related through a technological prism and all the better for it. Felt it ran out of steam towards the end as things got a little more speculative.

4. Literary Life Posy Simmonds Finished: Nov 6 Amazon

   Really liked this - witty, but also loved the deceptive simplicity of her drawings. Full of character, and so economically done.

5. The Dispossessed Ursula Le Guin Finished: Oct 4 Amazon

   As usual, Le Guin lets things unfold in a languid way, and I found it good that it made me take the time. I did sometimes feel that the ideas expressed were a bit beyond me, but then it came together more towards the end. Enjoyable - and perhaps a good book to discuss.

6. Good Omens Neil Gaiman Finished: Aug 3 Amazon

   Really enjoyable fun. Witty, funny and warm - especially liked the interweaving of things

7. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: And Six Other Stories (Penguin Modern Classics) F Scott Fitzgerald Finished: Jul 13 Amazon

   Some smart writing and wry stories

8. The Secret Barrister The Secret Barrister Finished: Jul 16 Amazon

   Revealing, thought provoking and despite the outrage, entertaining.

9. Naked Statistics Charles Wheelan Finished: Jun 30 Amazon

   Abandoned

10. The Pencil: A History of Design and Circumstance Henry Petroski Finished: May 26 Amazon

    Abandoned

11. Epitaph for a Spy Eric Ambler Finished: Apr 17 Amazon

    Nicely put together spy work, which met the need for me to read some fiction. Something solid, with a plot. Job done.

12. Time Warped Claudia Hammond Finished: Mar 26 Amazon

    Great fun and food for thought - huge list of references

13. Cold Comfort Farm Stella Gibbons Finished: Jan 20 Amazon

    Took a while to get going, and the main protagonist wasn't that likeable, but came together entertainingly.