Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow by Yuval Noah Harari
An interesting listen. Covers both history of humanity and then extrapolates ways things might go in the future. Many plausible ideas (although no doubt some huge misses). 8/10
Higher: A Historic Race to the Sky and the Making of a City by Neal Bascomb
The architects, owners & workers behind the Manhattan Trust Building, the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building all being built New York at the end of the roaring 20s. Fascinating and well done. 9/10
The Invention Of Childhood by Hugh Cunningham
The story of British childhood from the year 1000 to the present. Lots of quotes (by actors) from primary sources such as letters (which is less distracting than sometimes). 8/10
The Sign of Four by Arthur Conan Doyle – Read by Stephen Fry
Very well done reading by Fry. Story excellent of course. 8/10
My Happy Days in Hollywood: A Memoir by Garry Marshall
Memoir by writer, producer (Happy Days, etc) and director (Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries, etc). Great stories mostly about the positive side of the business. Very inspiring 8/10
Napoleon by J. Christopher Herold
A biography of Napoleon with a fair amount about the history of the rest of Europe during the period thrown in. A fairly short (11 hours) book but some but not exhausting detail. 7/10
Storm in a Teacup: The Physics of Everyday Life by Helen Czerski
A good popular science book linking everyday situations and objects with bigger concepts (eg coffee stains to blood tests). A fun listen. 7/10
All These Worlds Are Yours: The Scientific Search for Alien Life by Jon Willis
The author reviews recent developments in the search for life and suggests places it might be found and how missions to search them (he gives himself a $4 billion budget) should be prioritised. 8/10
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
I’m right in the middle of the demographic for most of the references here so I really enjoyed it. Good voicing by Wil Wheaton too. Story is straightforward but all pretty fun. 8/10
