Reading in 2024, it is a bit dated now, but it amusing to see how the stories of some of the people he mentions (like Liz Truss, Nick Clegg) have played out.

The conclusion is probably the best bit. Parts almost read like a manifesto.

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Mr Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

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adventurous funny lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Breakout: Pilgrim in the Microworld by David Sudnow

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inspiring reflective slow-paced

5.0

Baleen by Josephine Croser

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dark mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

The illustrations, a series of etchings of the key moments of this story of whales, are beautiful. Sometimes dark and forboding, other times more reflective.

But the text and the story and weak. The book’s story is a battle between two whales, and explains the great split in the two groups of whales: the baleen whales of the title, and the toothed wales (although it is an entirely non-scientific fictional explanation).

A commendable appendix, only slightly dated, has lot of fun facts about both groups of whale and a small amount about krill; good scale pictures.

Content Warnings

The Geometry of Type: The Anatomy of 100 Essential Typefaces by Stephen Coles, Erik Spiekermann

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informative inspiring slow-paced

4.5

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drj's reviews 31 reviews

drj's reviews
31 reviews