Readers to this blog (you precious few) may have noticed a more lengthy interval between posts… well you try juggling a wife, a toddler, a 5 month old, and a very intense job!! But hey, since I’ve moved to the countryside and now have a lengthy trainride to the office, at least I can now make my way through the never ending to-read list on Goodreads. I’ve also discovered that I can post on my mobile (writing on coach 8 of 12 en route to London Bridge!) so hopefully I can write a bit more (though always very short) reviews and recover my Netgalley feedback rating.

As such, without further ado, a few brief reviews of recent reads:

Norse Mythology – Neil Gaiman

Wow… what a let down. How was this any different than looking up Norse myths on Wikipedia? Well done publishing house for making us believe this was going to be a novel. I’m a big fan of Gaiman, and for what it’s worth did read the book start to finish, but what a bummer. Was really looking forward to this… (2/5)

Age of Myth – Michael Sullivan

An unexpected surprise. This was actually very good. Epic fantasy at its core, with an interesting take on the typical men, elves and dwarves structure. Solid world-building, laying down the foundations for an interesting saga. Obviously a series, and noting the premise that the author has written all the books already, a refreshing notion to expect a direct story without losing its way. Consider me hooked. 4.5/5

All Our Wrong Todays – Elan Mastai (from Netgalley)

A very interesting take on time-travel, and a fun read at that. From the get-go, all of my foundations on time-travel are shattered by the simple notion that the earth moves (fancy that) and as such the Back to Future premise that you can go back to the same spot in 1955 is completely flawed. So thank you for destroying a beloved classic. In a further interesting take, the premise consists of time travel gone wrong leading from a sci-fi to utopia to our existing present (we are the wrong timeline) which made for fascinating insights into our world. The story could’ve been told better, the characters a bit more rounded, more empathetic, but nonetheless, out of sheer boldness to write a refreshing take on time travel, this book gets high marks. 4.5/5

Gilded Cage – Vic James (from Netgalley)

The Gilded Cage may get lost among the countless books concerning a magician ruling class in England (from Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, to Sorcerer to the Crown, to the excellent Bartimaeus trilogy). However, the unique worldbuilding, and intriguing concept of a set slavery to the “elite” (wizards) made this a good and fun read. The first of a series, ends in such a clever cliffhanger that will have me looking for the sequel when it comes out. 4/5

The Undoing Project – Michael Lewis (via Netgalley)

I’m a big fan of Michael Lewis (I consider Moneyball one of the most influential books I’ve ever read). The Undoing Project is set up as a spiritual sequel to Moneyball, an understanding that stats can’t be everything, and how to account for human behaviour in decision making, told through the lives and work of two of the most prominent minds in behaviour analysis field. It makes for a fascinating take on the way the mind works. The book gets of to a flying start, showcasing the pitfalls of decision making in basketball management… but it then falls more to the generic biographical genre of the lives of Daniel and Amos… it lost its shine for me then. I had come across heuristics during business school, so nice to see how the circumstances under the concept was developed, but towards the end this felt more and more biographical than insightful. Still, good book. 4/5