Personal Website of Kevin Mears

Read in 2022

Revisited the Foundation series and did a few that weren't published when I last read it. Other highlights were mostly non-fiction

  1. Foundation and Empire Isaac Asimov
  2. Second Foundation Isaac Asimov
  3. Foundation's Edge Isaac Asimov
  4. Me talk pretty one day David Sedaris
    Resolved to get his after hearing him on Adam Buxton, and delivered in spades.
  5. Foundation and Earth Isaac Asimov
    Loved the conclusion of the epic.
  6. Shooting History : A Personal Journey Jon Snow
    Bit slow going in parts, but refreshingly honest about his roots, career and a sense of unbelief at his luck.
  7. Prisoners of Geography : Ten Maps That Tell You Everything You Need to Know About Global Politics Tim Marshall
    Did what lots of books tend to do for me - got me excited enough to bore people with the revelations.
  8. The Accidental Ali Smith
    Lovely writing - interesting voices.
  9. Naked David Sedaris
    Funny and witty.
  10. Arriving Today : From Factory to Front Door -- Why Everything Has Changed About How and What We Buy Christopher Mims
    Really enjoyed the bits on the early part of the early supply chain - the containers and boats. The later parts of the chain were a bit depressing - a story of screwing workers to marginal gains - all to feed shareholders.
  11. The Nowhere Men Michael Calvin
    Good on a subculture that is largely unremarked on, yet crucial to a multi billion dollar industry.
  12. God is not great Christopher Hitchens
    Strong start and compelling dismantling of religious thinking. Did ramble a bit, but worthwhile read.
  13. The Lost Honour of Katharina Blum Heinrich Böll
    Really nicely written and tight little story.
  14. The Thursday Murder Club Richard Osman
    Perfect relaxing beach book - which isn't damning with faint praise. Was charming and enjoyable.
  15. Managing archives : Foundations, principles and practice Caroline Williams
    Work book - plenty to learn - will come back to it.
  16. The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will be Glad That You Did) Phillipa Perry
    Engagingly written with things to try.
  17. Inverting the Pyramid : The History of Football Tactics Johnathan Wilson
    Detailed, but a bit dry and seemed to run out of steam, once some major innovations had been dealt with. Did make me think that one setup seems to inveitably blend into the next.
  18. Record Play Pause Stephen Morris
    Always intersting insight into music making, and a slow reveal about Stephen himself.
  19. Quirkology : The Curious Science of Everyday Lives Richard Wiseman
    Women's personal ads would attract more replies if they were written by a man. The opposite is not true of men's ads.People would rather wear a sweater that has been dropped in dog faces and not washed, than one that has been dry-cleaned but used to belong to a mass murderer. Many more nuggets like that in an enjoyable book.
  20. Kind of Blue : A Political memoir Ken Clarke
    His reasoned opinions on the stupidity of the Brexit referendum made me intrigued to read about him. Working class roots and then steady path through government. A bit of a hagiography, but as with many retiring politicians able to say more interesting things when the urge for power fades.
  21. A Map of the World : According to Illustrators and Storytellers Antonis Antoniou,Robert Klanten,Sven Ehmann, Hendrick Hellige, Lincoln Dexter
    Nice illustrated maps - bit a bit lacking in variety. Was considering buying this - glad I borrowed instead.
  22. Empire of Pain : The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty Patrick Radden Keefe
    Listened to this over the course of two weeks, and I loved the way that he kept the focus on the Sacklers, and painstakingly went back through their history to catalogue what awful venal people they are. He took his time to build up a fair picture and even with that they rightly come across as monstrous. I particularly like how the slippery later generations weren't let of the hook despite their wriggling. It does still sting that they all have got off very lightly for the chaos they caused and profited from.
  23. Becoming a Supple Leopard : The Ultimate Guide to Resolving Pain,Preventing Injury and Optimizing Atheltic Performance Dr Kelly Starrett
    Flicked through and pulled some ideas. Might be good, but haven't drink the kool aid.
  24. Municipal Dreams : The Rise and Fall of Council Housing John Boughton
    A great introduction to a layman like me of the broad sweep of how, housing and economic policies, architecture, design, culture and poltics mix and made concrete (and other materials) in housing. Loved how accessible he made what could easily have been very dry material.

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