Pictures at a Revolution: Five Movies and the Birth of the New Hollywood by Mark Harris
The story of the conception, making and release of the 5 Best Picture Nominees at the 1968 Oscars. 4 Classic films and one Bomb. Great book, Highly recommend. 4/5
The Great North Road: London to Edinburgh – 11 Days, 2 Wheels and 1 Ancient Highway by Steve Silk
A mix of travel and history (a 100 year old guide is used and compared). A nice relaxing read. 3/5
Learn Like a Pro: Science-Based Tools to Become Better at Anything by Barbara Oakley
A good general book on learning and study techniques. 3/5
Firepower: How Weapons Shaped Warfare by Paul Lockhart
How weapons developments from 1300 to the end of WW2 shaped how wars were fought at the tactical and operation level. Very interesting, recommended. 4/5
Pietr the Latvian by Georges Simenon
The First Inspector Maigret detective story. A dead body and a live businessman are both match the description of a notorious fraudster. A short interesting listen. 3/5
Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making by Tony Fadell
The author talks about his career (at including helping create the ipod, iphone and Nest) and lessons about building products and companies. 4/5
The Crime at Lock 14 by Georges Simenon
A woman’s body is found in a stable near a canal and Inspector Maigret is called to investigate. Her upper-class but disreputable English husband is suspected. Lots of descriptions of Canal life 3/5
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
An authorised (although with plenty of warts) biography of the Apple Founder and CEO. Well written, detailed and interesting. 4/5
The Farthest Shore by Ursula K. Le Guin
Throughout Earthsea magic is dying and people are sicking or going mad. Archmage Sparrowhawk and young Prince set out to investigate. A very real-feeling story. 4/5
My Audiobook Scoring System
- 5/5 = Brilliant, top 5 book of the year
- 4/5 = Above average, strongly recommend
- 3/5 = Average. in the middle 70% of books I read
- 2/5 = Disappointing
- 1/5 = Did not like at all
