Tower of Glass by Robert Silverberg

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

 Excellent read. It has hints of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? there are androids in this society, along with a fascinating central character developing an interesting philosophy around the nature of life and some obscure motivations to communicate with the stars. That said, this novel is very different from Do Androids…? in almost every other respect. 

It is very well written, with two or three interwoven subplots that gradually come together to form a layered, thematic narrative. At its heart, the novel is concerned with what it means to be human, while also exploring religion, the morality of slavery, family, and the complexities of human relationships. 

I picked this up expecting a message-from-the-stars/first-contact story. While those themes are present, they remain in the background. At first, I thought that might be a problem, but Silverberg’s much more character-driven story in the foreground was so compelling that I simply couldn’t stop reading. Recommend.

Engines of God by Jack McDevitt

🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳 Great fun. Fast read (528 pages!). Gripping story. The kind of writing that sticks you to the book and does not allow you to move until you have finished the chapter, or the book. This is the perfect book to get anyone out of a reading slump. Not that I was on a reading slump but it renewed my inspiration and hunger for more SF. 

Now, this is not a masterwork of SF literature. It isn't very profound on its exploration of philosophical themes or anything like that. But it deals with some interesting topics such as ancient, alien civilisations, space archaeology, and alien languages, which I found fascinating. 

Recommend.

Another End by Vincent King

👍👍👍👍👍 It was the first paragraph of the blurb, along with the weird cover art, that convinced me to pick up this book and give it a read. I’m very glad I did. 

I love stories that stretch across space and time, stories so vast that they seem to reach all the way to the edges of the universe. This novel is exactly that kind of story. 

It follows one human protagonist and an AI/probe/starship as they travel, and travel… and travel, searching for life. But after hundreds of thousands of years, they still haven’t found any. 

The atmosphere Vincent King creates is absolutely perfect. There’s a profound sense of solitude, frustration, claustrophobia, and resignation. A feeling of having wasted a life, or perhaps hundreds of lives. The pilot and the probe continue to wander the universe, driven by their original directives, long after those directives have ceased to make any real sense. This is the first part of the novel, and I loved the bleak, existential mood of it. 

Then the second part takes a complete 180 degree turn and goes completely mad. 

A new character appears and causes all sorts of trouble. I won’t say more because of spoilers, but suffice it to say that this is one of the weirdest and maddest characters I’ve come across in a novel. 

Strange, bleak, enormous, and completely bizarre in the best possible way. Read it.

The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl and C.M. Kornbluth

⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book was published in 1952. It’s a short book at just 186 pages, but not a quick read. 

The story follows an advertising executive who is tasked with creating a marketing campaign to convince people to emigrate to Venus. Obviously, we know Venus is an uninhabitable hellscape, but in this world, nobody seems to know that. 

The executive comes from a wealthy, privileged class, while the people he is trying to persuade to move to Venus are at the very bottom of society. He knows very little about them and is genuinely surprised when things don’t go according to plan. As the story progresses, he is forced to confront the reality of his “customers” and, ultimately, the world outside his privileged bubble. 

What I found less appealing was that the focus wasn’t really Venus, but Earth and its political and social situation. The novel explores themes such as consumerism, corporate power and advertising. To be honest, these aren’t my favourite subjects to read about, which is probably why I had to make a bit of an effort to finish it.

hat I enjoyed, though, was the protagonist’s struggle and the realisation he came to. He became more human and, as a result, less annoying. I also found the ending a bit surprising. Not a happy ending but satisfying. A redemption of sorts.

Eden by Stanisław Lem

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨️ Lem is a great writer. Not only are the plots and characters interesting, but his novels are also packed with so much food for thought. People often say that one of Lem’s main concerns is the nature of knowledge, and the search for it, and if you read this book with that in mind, there’s a lot to take away. 

Eden reminded me of The Invincible (by Lem too), in that both stories involve a spaceship landing/crashing on a strange planet and trying to understand what they encounter. But in both cases, the characters inevitably try to make sense of the unknown through their own human paradigms and assumptions, which is precisely where things become so interesting.

Orphans of the Sky by Robert A. Heinlein

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Nice, quick read. As far as I understand, it's one of the foundational Generation Ship stories. First published as 2 short stories in the 1940s, it was published as a novel in 1963. 

I found myself quite immersed in the world of the book. A world where people have forgotten where they came from and where they are going. Society has decayed and become stratified into upper and lower classes. Although the novel depicts events in the future, I often had the impression that I was reading about 19th-century people. At times, I found myself imagining the generation ship as an old fashioned pirate ship. The problem with this was I had to make an effort to believe they were travelling in deep space. 

Anyways, I recommend this novel as a window into how the concept of generation ships has developed and changed over the decades.

The Sands of Mars by Arthur C. Clarke

🤎🤎🤎💕 This isn’t one of Clarke’s masterpieces, but it was gripping and fun to read. I really enjoyed the plot: a writer travelling to Mars, what he learns on the journey to the Red Planet, and what he discovers once he gets there. I found the characters human and believable, capable of developing relationships and empathy—up to a certain extent, obviously. There is science and technology, which are fun to read about. Like using Typewriter and paper on the spaceship. This isn’t a novel of big ideas. Actually, I didn’t find the big reveal, mindblowing or a "big reveal" at all. It was an enjoyable and engaging read. Recommend.

The Listeners by James Gunn

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book! A Message from Space novel and a classic from 1972. 

Obviously, the story follows a group of scientists, primarily the protagonist Robert MacDonald, as they detect a signal coming from Capella, attempt to decipher it, and eventually uncover the message and its effects on both the scientists and humanity more broadly. 

The novel has a dual emphasis: on the message itself and the situation we can infer exists in the alien world, but also on the philosophical and psychological implications for humanity. At times, Gunn effectively places the two worlds side by side. Two sister worlds separated by light years, vastly different from one another yet strangely similar at the same time. Considering that earth had been broadcasting tv/radio signals for decades (thats how they know about us!) we can take both "messages" (alien and earth's) as cultural imprints and archaeological records from both sides. 

I liked Gunn's writing. It's definitely a product of its time in places, but it never felt stiff or difficult to read. There was some character development, and I particularly appreciated the attention given to the social and political consequences of the discovery. It made the novel feel like more than simply a story about making contact with an alien civilisation; it was also an exploration of what that contact might reveal about ourselves. Recommend.

To your scattered bodies go by Philip José Farmer

⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved the premise. The opening and ending are good, but the middle section dragged. The beginning is full of intriguing science fiction mystery. You can't help but wonder whether these people are on another planet, living in a habitat, trapped in a simulation, or existing in another dimension. The novel builds the expectation that these mysteries will be gradually and satisfyingly revealed. Instead, the story spends most of its time following the characters as they attempt to organise themselves and survive in what feels like a Paleolithic world. I found most of the cast, including the protagonist, Sir Richard Burton, fairly uninteresting. The book doesn't offer meaningful clues about where they are or why they're there until the final quarter, and even then I didn't find the revelations especially science fictional. I didn't dislike the book, but I found it a rather dull reading experience overall. I was hoping for much more science fiction and much less survival.

The Ship who Sang by Anne Mccaffrey

👍👍👍 An OK book for me. I loved the premise. A human brain attached to a spaceship. Initially it did sound a bit strange to me. However as I read the first chapter, the idea made me feel unsettled at times as the brain came from a new born but malformed baby. It also felt claustrophobic thinking of a brain trapped inside a titanium case inside an enormous spaceship. Incapable of walking or scratching it's nose but capable of moving at high speeds and observe things through several sensors across it's "body". 

This book includes 6 stories which work as episodes or adventures. The first story follows the birth and rebirth of Helva, the protagonist, and it was my favourite of the collection. The remaining stories revolve around a series of missions, with Helva travelling to different planets, transporting passengers, and eventually finding a human partner to accompany her on her journeys. I felt the science fiction elements often took a back seat to Helva's coming-of-age story, her search for identity, and her place in the world. There's nothing wrong with that, but it simply wasn't my cup of tea.

Planetes by Makoto Yukimura

🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡 A beautiful manga with a compelling story and unforgettable characters. It offers an inspiring portrayal of humanity taking its first steps into space exploration. More than just a science fiction adventure, it's a heartfelt slice of life journey filled with hope, hardship, triumph, failure, and every emotion in between.

On the Shortness of Life by Seneca

Also includes Consolation to Helvia and On Tranquillity of Mind. 

Extremely valuable messages, thought provoking, worth reading, for all ages, I guess the younger the better. I struggled with the writing style though, which at points felt like never endless stream of blah blah. I thought, if I had been there present with Seneca, I would have pressed pause, gone for a cold coffee, come back and press play again. More than once. It might have been the heat though 😁 

In On the Shortness of Life Seneca argues that Life isn't short but we waste it with distractions and worthless goals. In Consolation to Helvia, Seneca argues that philosophy helps find peace. In On the Tranquillity of Mind, Seneca explains how to achieve calmness through work and service. 

I guess my main takeaway from the three texts, is to do my best without letting stress take over, to accept both the good and the bad in life, to accept the universe as it is, and to remember that my job is to live well within it, not to wish it were different. Reading books definitely helps with this. It brings Tranquillity of Mind and gives meaning to my daily routine. 👍

The Andromeda Anthology (A for Andromeda and The Andromeda Breakthrough) by Fred Hoyle and John Elliot

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It's not perfect but I liked it a lot! 

A message arrives from space, and humanity manages to decode it. The message contains instructions for building a computer, and the novel follows the process of constructing it through multiple iterations, as well as the reactions of governments and other powerful groups. I was completely captivated by the central idea of what was being buil. It felt both original and fascinating. However, I was less impressed by the sections in which the main characters, mostly scientists, become involved in Cold War-style espionage. Those episodes distracted from what I found to be the novel's most compelling aspect: the extra-terrestrial message and its implications.

Mercury by Ben Bova

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fun read but not exactly what I expected. Half of the book takes place on Mercury and space, while the other half is set on earth before the events on Mercury. I really enjoyed the overall story but found the flashback chapters a bit anticlimactic compared to the main storline. Regardless, I recommend this novel. This is the kind of book you should read with popcorn :) ... and I plan to continue with the series.

We are electric. The New Science of our body's Electrome by Sally Adee

⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book explains the role of electricity in our bodies. Apparently, 'bioelectricity' is higher than the genome in terms of priority and evolution. Electricity "predates nervous systems and even humanity itself" and "it is the most ancient thing about us." 

Bioelectricity exists in every cell in our bodies and performs a range of functions. For example "the bioelectric code is the reason you retain that same shape throughout your entire life; it prunes your dividing cells so you keep being recognisably you". Bioelectricity can control the ability to regrow anything we lose to injury or illness. 

Recent research has identified distinct bioelectrical properties in cancer cells that differ from those of healthy cells. Normal, mature cells typically maintain a voltage ranging from −50 mV to −90 mV, with each cell type exhibiting a characteristic voltage profile. In contrast, stem cells voltage is close to 0 mV and develop more negative, cell-specific voltages as they differentiate into specialized tissues. Cancer cells have also been observed to exhibit voltage closer to 0 mV, but unlike stem cells they refuse to grow. 

There are lots of interesting information in this book starting the history of electrical research, as well as discussions on how research on bioelectricity can evolve in the future, to treat disease or to enhance human capabilities. One limitation, however, is that it does not explore the underlying causes of the illnesses it discusses, making it difficult to assess whether manipulating bioelectricity alone could provide meaningful therapeutic benefits.

Metal Hurlant. Old Dreams, Young Visions

🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡 I really, really enjoyed this book (magazine?). It comes with several short stories by well known Classic, European artists (Moebius, Druillet, Dionnet, etc.). I loved the variety of styles and themes, all of them high quality. There are also a few articles about the history of the French Metal Hurlant and Humanoids. Really worth the money and time. 

I loved everything except Alan Moore’s article, which felt somewhat disconnected from the rest. To me, it seemed to lack the distinctive Metal Hurlant spirit. 

Recommend.

Moral AI and How we het there by Jana Schaich Borg, Walter Sinnott-Armstrong and Vincent Conitzer.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book has its highs and lows. I found some topics fascinating and engaging, while other sections were less compelling and I ended up skimming through them. The standout chapters for me were those on AI in the military, the Uber self-driving car accident, and kidney transplant cases. In these examples, the authors explore the capabilities of AI, particularly in situations where complex moral and ethical considerations play a role in decision-making.

Grain Brain. The surprising truth about Wheat, Carbs and Sugars - Your brain's silent killers by Dr David Perlmutter

Informative, easy to read and to the point. Explains the truths about some "healthy" foods that intoxicate and damage our health. It explains how our bodies can become insulin resistant and how from there we can get a series of chronic, degenerative diseases, some of which affect the brain: think anxiety, depression, ADHD, Parkinson's and dementia. Moreover, the author believes our brains are definitely sensitive to gluten, which carry a lot of health problems intersecting with insulin resistance. Most of these issues can be reversed or at least improved. We only need to stop eating grains, breads, pastas, etc. and start eating more saturated fats because that is what the brain needs to function and repair itself. Sugars/carbs are bad, cholesterol is good. 

Recommend.

Schismatrix by Bruce Sterling

👍👍👍 A cyberpunk novel without cyberspace. I found it a bit difficult to read, and while the reading experience itself wasn’t especially enjoyable (except from the final chapter) I’m still glad I read it. Chapter and chapter sections are fragmented and discontinuous with abrupt time jumps and with characters who randomly appear and disappear. The book offers a lot to think about though, particularly regarding posthumanism, evolution, and immortality. The protagonist, who survives across decades (even centuries) undergoes numerous cybernetic and genetic rejuvenation treatments. His natural biology is repeatedly altered, disrupting the normal ageing process and turning his life into a continual cycle of self-reconstruction aimed at extending his life. Yet despite these enhancements and renewals, there remains a persistent sense of physical decline and mental exhaustion accumulating over time. As his body and identity were repeatedly transformed, I wondered if he would still call himself human. There was much more in Schismatrix. The world building is interesting mainly based on politics, political factions, and war. The edition in the photo includes Schismatrix, the novel, and 5 short stories based in the same universe. I only read the novel.

Contrapaso. Mayores, con reparo by Teresa Valero.

(Contrapaso, elders, with reservations) 

🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎 Beautiful, gripping. This is the second part following Contrapaso, the children of others. Part 2 does not disappoint. We meet again Leon Lenoir, Emilio Sanz and Paloma Rios, the main Journalists/Investigators. The story takes place in Madrid in October 1956, once again delving into the bleak and oppressive atmosphere of Franco’s dictatorship. The protagonists investigate a string of murders linked to the Spanish film industry. Both the artwork and the graphic storytelling are exceptional. Valero vividly transports the reader to 1950s Spain, fully immersing us in the analogue, pre-digital world of newspapers and police work. There is so much worth mentioning, but one standout character is Charo, the teenage daughter of a forensic doctor, who skips school to assist her father in examining murder scenes. 😎 

Perfect comic. 

Recommend.

The Web of Life. A New Scientific Understanding of Living Systems by Fritjof Capra

👍👍👍👍👍 In this book Capra argues for a new perspective to understand living systems. Instead of dividing and isolating the parts of a system to study it, systems should be studied as wholes. The system is much more than the sum of its parts, and according to Capra (and the cyberneticists and systems thinkers he bases his proposal on) the qualities that make up a system are not embedded in its parts but they emerge as networks of relationships and interdependent processes when the system is all put together. Capra advocates for an ecological worldview that recognizes interdependence, feedback loops, cooperation, and sustainability as fundamental principles of both nature and human society. 

The Web of Life is an interesting and thought provoking idea but is complex to understand. Capra grounds his work on so many models and theories it felt a bit overwhelming. I can highlight though a couple. The Models of Self-organisation which Capra defines as open systems far from equilibrium, systems that remain stable not by being static, but by continuously transforming energy and adapting and The Mathematics of Complexity where Capra turns to non-linear mathematical tools to model and explain living systems. These mathematical models show how Life is not a random process or phenomenon but a result of complex patterns. 

What struck me most is the way Capra moves from the small to the large scale, beginning with studies of self-organising chemical systems and showing how these systems display remarkable life-like properties that may help explain the origins of life. He then expands the discussion to a range of influential theories, including Maturana and Varela’s Theory of Autopoiesis and Margulis and Lovelock’s Gaia Theory. 

The Web of Life is built upon these ideas to construct a model of the world founded on principles such as interdependence, cooperation, recycling, partnership, flexibility, diversity, and sustainability. This model emphasizes spirituality and interconnectedness, reminding us that human beings are not separate from or above nature, but are themselves part of it.

Excession by Iain M. Banks

🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎 Top of the tops. My favourite Culture book so far but it isn't perfect. Excession is not about the Excession, a mysterious object which randomly appears in our space and which seems to have come from another universe (or reality). Excession is about what happens to the Culture's Minds and outside species once the strange object is discovered. The Minds' behaviour and rationale are super interesting to see and at points reminded me of human politics. Humans are not the protagonists, although there is a story line with humans, which didn't make much sense to me at the end. A great read regardless. 

 Recommend.

The Salt Fix. Why the Experts Got it All Wrong and How Eating More Might Save Your Life by James DiNicolantonio

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

An excellent and extremely important read. For anyone who believes that salt causes high blood pressure, this book offers insight into why that may not be the case. 

What I learned: 

Salt cravings are our body telling us it needs more salt to remain in homeostasis. Those signals are instinctual drives, an evolutionary fact which aims to keep us in an optimal state. 

Our body has the capacity to automatically control the levels of salt and water it needs at all times by eating, reabsorbing and excreting it. 

Evolutionarily speaking, we came from the sea. Even when we left the sea and moved to the land we took part of that sea with us. This is why we have kidneys and salt cravings. “We evolved on a high-salt diet.” Our body needs normal levels of salt to work. 

All those claims about salt causing hypertension are not true. These claims were created either by people with bad intentions or the accumulation of misunderstandings of bad quality scientific studies, or both. (Read about Lewis K Dahl, George Meneely, Harold Battarbee and John D. Swales). 

There is another product which can be blamed for all the illnesses salt has been wrongly accused of causing. Data shows how during the first half of the 20th century hypertension chronic disease levels raised but salt consumption decreased following guidelines based on the mentioned claims. (Also with the invention of the fridge, salt was no longer used to preserve food.) Data also shows that at the same time sugar intake considerably increased. Think. 

Normally, people (who follow their body signals) would consume 3 to 4 grams of sodium per day. This is also true for animals. 

Low levels of sodium (90% of salt is sodium) in our diet and body will cause water going from the blood into our cells to increase the levels of sodium in blood. This generates cellular swelling. High levels of sodium would cause cellular shrinkage. Swelling and shrinkage are harmful. This is why the body has mechanisms to keep our sodium levels normal in the blood.

Sweat contains seven to eighty times more sodium than tap water, so when we sweat, it’s important to rehydrate with both water and electrolytes. Lowering salt content in packaged/ultraprocessed food requires the addition of preservatives. 

This is a list of harms low salt consumption causes: 

Increased heart rate – reduction of blood and oxygen circulation - risk of heart attack. 

Compromised kidney function. 

Hypothyroidism. 

Higher triglyceride, cholesterol, insulin levels. 

Insulin resistance, obesity, type 2 diabetes. 

Blood volume goes down 10-10% - low blood volume. 

Dehydration. 

Contributes to hypertension. 

Sensitises our brains for an excessive reward from refined sugar and drug abuse. 

Anxiety, hypochondriasis, invalidism. 

Decreased fertility. Iodine deficiency. 

Reduced energy and increased fatigue. 

 Recommend - if you are a health conscious person... or not.

Lao-Tzu's Taoteching translated by Red Pine, with selected commentaries from the past 2000 years

This is an ancient poem that seeks to depict the nature of our world. It uses the concept of the Tao, something deeply elusive and difficult to fully grasp, to express all that is harmonious and functions as it should. Even in the 21st century, we still face countless questions and gaps in our understanding of the universe, both at the vast cosmic scale and at the microscopic level. It’s remarkable to imagine how ancient thinkers tried to make sense of the world, expressing their insights through a language shaped by farming and everyday life. The result is a remarkable work of poetry that has inspired generations. It has certainly inspired me to view the world not merely in material terms, but by observing how it functions effortlessly, how everything is interconnected, and how human beings might improve themselves by following the example of the Tao. 

I didn’t fully understand much of the poem or even the commentaries, but I still found it deeply enjoyable to read. Some ideas I’d like to explore further include Dark Virtue, the interplay between existence and nonexistence, noninterference, inner truth, and the cultivation of the Tao.

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨️ I enjoyed this book. It had been some time since I last read Victorian literature, but I approached this novel with curiosity and enthusiasm. The writing is excellent, and it engaged me from the very beginning. The mystery and overall plot were engaging, though there were a few aspects I found challenging. In particular, the characters often seemed unable to say things directly and instead spoke in roundabout ways. I assume this reflects how people, especially in the upper and middle classes, communicated during that period. The same applies to some of the dramatic situations, which were sometimes prolonged by the women in the story and, on a couple of occasions, by the men as well. 

Despite the above, there were several characters I particularly enjoyed. First, Betteredge, the Verinder family’s chief servant, who narrates the first part of the book and cites Robinson Crusoe like it's the bible. There is also a deeply religious woman who tries to convert everyone through her books, and a doctor whose crucial insight proves important in solving the mystery.

The Usefulness of the Useless by Nuccio Ordine

👍👍👍 A short book but a slow read. I’m sure I didn’t grasp most of what this book had to offer. I guess I'd need a stronger background in history, literature, and philosophy to really absorb all the subtle details and nuances surrounding its central idea—the value of what might seem useless. 

A collection of reflections on the value of the arts, literature, mathematics, science, and other pursuits, including forms of knowledge often dismissed as “useless” by modern utilitarian thinking. Ordine argues that things do not need to be useful to be worthwhile. Their value lies in their beauty and in the pleasure and joy they bring. They nourish the spirit, shape our sense of identity, help us understand ourselves, and make us more humane and morally aware. 

In contrast, a strictly utilitarian mindset corrupts us by reducing everything to profit and practical gain, ultimately turning us into slaves of utility and causing us to lose sight of our humanity. The book includes quotes by many notable historical writers, philosophers and thinkers who have expressed similar ideas from a variety of perspectives. At the end, it also includes a short essay titled The Usefulness of Useless Knowledge by Abraham Flexner.

The Notebook : A history of Thinking on Paper by Roland Allen

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨️ An engaging read but with highs and lows, the book is divided into 30 chapters, each focusing on a western-centred story or historical account of notebook use throughout time. Some chapters feature well-known historical figures, while others highlight individuals unfamiliar to me. I particularly enjoyed certain chapters, though I found a few uninteresting and boring. 

My main takeaway was learning about the origins of notebook use in Italy, where bookkeeping was first invented. Over time, notebooks evolved to include copying quotes and passages from major texts as well as messages from friends and family. A major development came when notebooks began to serve as tools for thinking and creativity, this was evident in the practices of famous painters and thinkers, such as Leonardo da Vinci. In the final chapter, the book explores the idea of the notebook not just as a memory aid or thinking tool, but as an extension of the mind itself. 

My favorite chapters focused on Darwin’s use of notebooks during the Beagle voyage. Another chapter examines the diaries and note-taking habits of writers, including Henry James, Patricia Highsmith, and Agatha Christie.

The Solitary Gourmet by Jiro Taniguchi and Masayuki Kusumi.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ A collection of 31 short stories centred on a food-loving man, Goro Inokashira, whose job takes him across Tokyo and other cities. We usually meet him after he’s finished his business negotiations, just as he starts thinking about his next meal. The stories follow him as he selects a restaurant, studies the menu, and decides what to order. As he savours each bite, we share in the simple, infectious joy he finds in good food. 

Satisfying, joyous, contagious and peaceful.

The Stars my Destination by Alfred Bester

👍👍👍 It is an enjoyable read full of interesting ideas but with some flaws. The book is a bit feeble on the science. There are technologies, like new kinds of explosives and new phenomena, like teleportation, which are at the core of the story but which are never explained in any depth. And unsurprisingly, for a book written in the 1950s, its treatment of women is as expected, problematic and appalling. But I'm willing to ignore that. 

The protagonist is the best aspect of the book. He begins as a complete outcast, powerless and unskilled, but gradually transforms into something far more sinister, all while developing a growing philosophical awareness of the consequences of his actions. He’s a deeply layered character: driven by an obsessive thirst for revenge, fueled by rage and ferocity, shaped by the psychological impact of his facial tattoo, and defined by the way he gains new abilities and power. Even his teleportation evolves over time, reflecting his darker transformation. 

I liked the ending. It's fast-paced and chaotic at times. There is a not so unpredictable revelation at the end and a somewhat hazy suggestion of what the future would look like which I enjoyed.

The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt

👍👍👍👍👍 

This book offers a compelling and well-argued exploration of how smartphones and related technologies are harming children’s mental health. 

Haidt begins by examining human evolution in close communities, explaining how early socialisation develops in infancy and why it is essential for well-being. He then traces how these foundations have been disrupted in the 21st century. Haidt frames the modern crisis as a combination of overprotection in the real world and underprotection in the virtual world. While digital technologies have existed for decades, he argues that the widespread adoption of smartphones around 2010 marked a tipping point, after which mental health problems among young people rose dramatically. Central to the book is Haidt’s concept of “phone-based childhood”, describing how children—especially teenagers—now live almost constantly online, with minimal exposure to nature, independence, or real-world experiences. 

He identifies four core harms caused by smartphones: 

• Social deprivation 

• Sleep deprivation 

• Fragmented attention 

• Addiction 

Although the effects differ between boys and girls, both are severely impacted. Girls tend to be more affected by social media due to its emotional and relational dynamics, while boys are more vulnerable to video games and pornography, which can lead to increasing withdrawal from real-world engagement. 

My favourite section of the book is the chapter on spirituality. Haidt explores how spiritual practices and shared meaning have historically helped build trust and social cohesion within societies. In contrast, he argues that smartphones and social media promote values and behaviors that undermine these foundations, negatively affecting both children and adults. 

The book concludes with a series of practical recommendations for governments, technology companies, schools, and parents aimed at reducing—or even reversing—the harms of phone-based childhood. Recommend.

Venus by Ben Bova

This was a really fun read. It’s a solid science fiction adventure packed with engaging science about space travel, the harsh realities of Venus, and what it takes to survive in extreme heat along with some interesting medical insights that follow two of the main characters. Bova’s writing is smooth and accessible. Nothing overly philosophical or literary, but deeply entertaining. 

The main characters are well done: interesting, with compelling backstories and believable motivations. Some of the secondary, background characters feel more like stereotypes and lack depth, but that didn’t bother me that much. 

Overall, the story kept me hooked and eager to find out what happened next. I’m definitely interested in reading more of Ben Bova’s work, especially his Grand Tour series. Recommend.

There are rivers in the sky by Elif Shafak

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

A beautifully written novel that follows three protagonists across different places and timelines. Their stories are linked by recurring themes of water and ancient Mesopotamia. 

The first story (2014) centres on a young girl in Turkey who travels to Iraq to be baptised in an ancient town—one associated both with the discovery of an early civilisation by a renowned Englishman and with more recent atrocities. 

The second (2018) follows a woman living in London with roots in the Near East. A scholar of water, she is also navigating the emotional upheaval of a marriage breakdown. 

The third narrative (1850s–1870s) traces the life of a boy, and later a man, whose passion for cuneiform script and the Epic of Gilgamesh defines him. This storyline is loosely inspired by George Smith, the scholar who deciphered the Gilgamesh tablets at the British Museum in the 1870s. 

For me, it was this final story that truly kept me turning the pages. The other two stories were okay, but marriage breakdowns and fantasy children stories are not my thing. I briefly read about George Smith in The Ark before Noah by Irving Finkel a few months ago. Although the book focuses on the flood texts, not Gilgamesh, it is good to understand all the work required to decipher the scripts and how the stories evolved over time.

Scene of the Crime by Ed Brubaker, Michael Lark and Sean Phillips.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

Outstanding crime-noir comic. I enjoyed this story just as much, if not more, than The Fade Out. The protagonist, the crime, the villains, the setting, every detail oozes noir. It was an immersive, tightly gripping read. I definitely need to read more Brubaker. Recommend!