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clay1st's reviews
57 reviews
The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett
3.0
Disclaimer: personally I would give this a 1 or 2 stars but have bumped it up to 3 just in fairness to the fact it is a kids book...
Sadly, definitely a kids book. The characters are all silly, the humor mostly childish and slapstick, though I did appreciate the zanier elements. The world-building is quite entertaining, bordering on profound at times, but not quite enough to keep me on board. I'm sure I would have loved this book if I'd read it aged 8-14.
Sadly, definitely a kids book. The characters are all silly, the humor mostly childish and slapstick, though I did appreciate the zanier elements. The world-building is quite entertaining, bordering on profound at times, but not quite enough to keep me on board. I'm sure I would have loved this book if I'd read it aged 8-14.
Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan
1.0
I kept waiting for this book to become exciting (or even, mildly interesting) but it never did. It's a slice-of-life type novel with basically non-existent plotline - sadly I found the main character utterly dislikable and tedious.
Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama
2.0
If it weren't for the fact it was written by someone as important as Mr Obama most of this book would be bafflingly dull.
Nice to learn a little about the POTUS's early life but the narrative is quite boring and focused on Obama asking himself broad political and cultural questions but without much of a story to make these any more than cheesy musings.
He tells a couple of funny anecdotes about relatives in Kenya in the second half. If you're getting too bored in the first half, just skip ahead until he goes to Kenya.
Nice to learn a little about the POTUS's early life but the narrative is quite boring and focused on Obama asking himself broad political and cultural questions but without much of a story to make these any more than cheesy musings.
He tells a couple of funny anecdotes about relatives in Kenya in the second half. If you're getting too bored in the first half, just skip ahead until he goes to Kenya.
Operation Mincemeat: How a Dead Man and a Bizarre Plan Fooled the Nazis and Assured an Allied Victory by Ben Macintyre
3.0
This was a fascinating tale of wartime deception with some amusing insights into the wartime espionage and secret services. However, to me, this story felt like it was rather stretched out. It is, after all, the story of a single operation relatively small operation. Every detail of the plan is discussed and alternate possibilities are discussed and hypothesized along the way.
Tantra Illuminated by Christopher D. Wallis
4.0
Genuinely fascinating. The author very expertly balances comprehensive and scholastic presentation with writing that is readable and approachable to someone totally uneducated on the topic of Indian religion.
Even though this book is very enlightening, I'm left with a sense of the vastness of what I do not know in this field. Christopher focuses on non-dual Shiva-tantra which did leave me with some questions regarding other forms of tantra e.g. tantric buddhism.
I found the lack of in-depth, practical guides/descriptions of religious practices a little sad because I think it would have really added some richness - but it's also clear that this religion, though quite practical in nature, is still highly esoteric and needs to be taught in a way that is not really the author's remit.
Even though this book is very enlightening, I'm left with a sense of the vastness of what I do not know in this field. Christopher focuses on non-dual Shiva-tantra which did leave me with some questions regarding other forms of tantra e.g. tantric buddhism.
I found the lack of in-depth, practical guides/descriptions of religious practices a little sad because I think it would have really added some richness - but it's also clear that this religion, though quite practical in nature, is still highly esoteric and needs to be taught in a way that is not really the author's remit.
The First Crusade: The Call from the East by Peter Frankopan
4.0
I read this because I loved Frankopan's silk roads.
This is a nice little telling of the first crusade.
It's quite a short book yet at times very detailed, 4 stars only because I would've like to hear more about the eastern / Arabic politics on the other side of the equation.
This is a nice little telling of the first crusade.
It's quite a short book yet at times very detailed, 4 stars only because I would've like to hear more about the eastern / Arabic politics on the other side of the equation.
Sophia: Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary by Anita Anand
3.0
This book was enjoyable and interesting but somewhat forgettable.
In my opinion, Sophia herself came hardly came across as a revolutionary character. The account of British Indian relations/politics and of the suffragette movement itself were enjoyable.
In my opinion, Sophia herself came hardly came across as a revolutionary character. The account of British Indian relations/politics and of the suffragette movement itself were enjoyable.
Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story by Arnold Schwarzenegger
4.0
This book is awesome, super entertaining storytelling, and highly motivational! Surprisingly reflective and thought provoking at times.
I would give this a 5 star review in every other aspect but I feel I can't because I just don't believe Arnie is being completely honest about his steroid use. He claims he only started juicing after already winning his first international competition which most bodybuilders agree is highly unlikely if not impossible.
I would give this a 5 star review in every other aspect but I feel I can't because I just don't believe Arnie is being completely honest about his steroid use. He claims he only started juicing after already winning his first international competition which most bodybuilders agree is highly unlikely if not impossible.
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
5.0
This is a short and straightforward story told very simply (an extended fable really). It is up to the reader to read emotional depth into it, which I found that I could - for others this story may not resonate with them. To give yourself the best chance of coming away with more feeling than the words on the page I'd advise finishing this small book in no more than a few days, ideally a just 1-2 sittings.
Is this the story about transition and aging or is the conspicuous 'oldness' of this fisherman distraction? Does the boy represent our youth or more accurately our childhood? Are we all the old man, throughout our entire lives.
I think we all recognize the feelings that old man has along his boat trip even if we don't have cut up callouses on our hands and raw dolphin for lunch.
Is this the story about transition and aging or is the conspicuous 'oldness' of this fisherman distraction? Does the boy represent our youth or more accurately our childhood? Are we all the old man, throughout our entire lives.
I think we all recognize the feelings that old man has along his boat trip even if we don't have cut up callouses on our hands and raw dolphin for lunch.
Head First: A Psychiatrist's Stories of Mind and Body by Alastair Santhouse
This book is written for the general public - it's very well articulated and covers some of the most interesting and oft misunderstood aspects of psychiatric practice.
It is not a great read for someone working in psychiatry however, because all psychiatrists (even very junior ones) will have experience a lot of what is written about already - so reading about it will be rather tedious.
But for the general public, and even medics in other specialties, I think this is a very good book.
I did find some of the cases interesting and the section on Covid interesting.
I have not given it a star rating because I am not the intended audience of the book...
It is not a great read for someone working in psychiatry however, because all psychiatrists (even very junior ones) will have experience a lot of what is written about already - so reading about it will be rather tedious.
But for the general public, and even medics in other specialties, I think this is a very good book.
I did find some of the cases interesting and the section on Covid interesting.
I have not given it a star rating because I am not the intended audience of the book...