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Books read in January
Feb. 1st, 2025 05:27 amThe Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
A really excellent variant of a time travel book with some very clever writing. Definitely going on my Hugo nomination ballot.
Doctor Who and the Genesis of the Daleks by Terrance Dicks
A serviceable adaptation of a great story.
The Incredible Story of Cooking by Stephane Douay and Benoist Simmat
Telling 500,000 years of global hominid eating habits in a graphic novel format sounds a bit daunting, but they manage to cover a lot with a bit of humor.
The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard
IDK, I'd seen this highly recommended but it's a guy with little agency bouncing from one bad situation to another following the death of his wife. Do not recommend, but at least I finished it.
I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons by Peter S. Beagle
This was a lot of fun. While I'm familiar with the movie of The Last Unicorn, I'd never actually read the it or anything by Beagle. The Dragon book reminded me of the time in the 1980s when fantasy was my comfort read.
The Secret History of Home Economics by Danielle Dreilinger
In the 1890s when chemist Ellen Swallow Richards helped to create the field of home economics she thought it could be a way "to improve the home, and thus society, through chemistry." And while that is well documented here, Dreillinger also details the work of Black home economists, like Margaret Murry Washington, and the segregation that was baked into the field. The book shows the ups and downs of the field, and the usurpation of commercial and misogynistic forces in the 1950s that sought to drive down the gains made by women earlier in the 20th century.
Why Didn't They Ask Evans by Agatha Christie
I'd only ever read her Poirot stories so I thought I'd give this a try. It started strong with good chemistry & banter between Frankie and Bobby, the main characters. Unfortunately they spend a lot of the book investigating on their own. Things are so muddled that it takes a 7-page letter from the murderer at the end of the book to explain how and why the murders took place. Do not recommend.
A really excellent variant of a time travel book with some very clever writing. Definitely going on my Hugo nomination ballot.
Doctor Who and the Genesis of the Daleks by Terrance Dicks
A serviceable adaptation of a great story.
The Incredible Story of Cooking by Stephane Douay and Benoist Simmat
Telling 500,000 years of global hominid eating habits in a graphic novel format sounds a bit daunting, but they manage to cover a lot with a bit of humor.
The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard
IDK, I'd seen this highly recommended but it's a guy with little agency bouncing from one bad situation to another following the death of his wife. Do not recommend, but at least I finished it.
I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons by Peter S. Beagle
This was a lot of fun. While I'm familiar with the movie of The Last Unicorn, I'd never actually read the it or anything by Beagle. The Dragon book reminded me of the time in the 1980s when fantasy was my comfort read.
The Secret History of Home Economics by Danielle Dreilinger
In the 1890s when chemist Ellen Swallow Richards helped to create the field of home economics she thought it could be a way "to improve the home, and thus society, through chemistry." And while that is well documented here, Dreillinger also details the work of Black home economists, like Margaret Murry Washington, and the segregation that was baked into the field. The book shows the ups and downs of the field, and the usurpation of commercial and misogynistic forces in the 1950s that sought to drive down the gains made by women earlier in the 20th century.
Why Didn't They Ask Evans by Agatha Christie
I'd only ever read her Poirot stories so I thought I'd give this a try. It started strong with good chemistry & banter between Frankie and Bobby, the main characters. Unfortunately they spend a lot of the book investigating on their own. Things are so muddled that it takes a 7-page letter from the murderer at the end of the book to explain how and why the murders took place. Do not recommend.
