So who hasn't quite made the top 10? It's just after Christmas and there are no turkeys to be found on this page!
No 21 - The Human Universe - Brian Cox & Andrew Cohen
An enjoyable summary of how humanity evolved and came to understand our unique place in the universe. A book of the TV series and at times this did have a negative impact on the book. Loved the part about the Drake Equation and his very honest view that we are alone. Quote of the book for me is "One assumes that the submersion of Miami and Norwich by rising sea levels would silence the so called climate change sceptics"
An enjoyable summary of how humanity evolved and came to understand our unique place in the universe. A book of the TV series and at times this did have a negative impact on the book. Loved the part about the Drake Equation and his very honest view that we are alone. Quote of the book for me is "One assumes that the submersion of Miami and Norwich by rising sea levels would silence the so called climate change sceptics"
No 20 - Stuff Matters - Mark Miodownik
The 2014 Royal Society Science Book award winner and it is easy to see why the critics loved it. Very interesting and accessible book about the materials of everyday life we take for granted. This low due to a lack of a wow factor and the fact that it wouldn't be in the first few science books that I would recommend.
The 2014 Royal Society Science Book award winner and it is easy to see why the critics loved it. Very interesting and accessible book about the materials of everyday life we take for granted. This low due to a lack of a wow factor and the fact that it wouldn't be in the first few science books that I would recommend.
No 19 - Killing Kennedy - Bill O'Reilly & Martin Dugard
This bo0k started amazingly and I couldn't put it down. The timeline structure just builds the tension. Could of easily been in the top 5 had the authors decided not to play it safe and stick to the letter of the "official" version of the assassination. This is amplified by the complete contrast in the detail given to Kennedy as a man, warts and all which was electric reading. Such a shame. Makes me want to seek out Jim Garrisons biography as recompense.
This bo0k started amazingly and I couldn't put it down. The timeline structure just builds the tension. Could of easily been in the top 5 had the authors decided not to play it safe and stick to the letter of the "official" version of the assassination. This is amplified by the complete contrast in the detail given to Kennedy as a man, warts and all which was electric reading. Such a shame. Makes me want to seek out Jim Garrisons biography as recompense.
No 18 - Gulp - Mary Roach
Shortlisted for the 2014 Royal Society book award Gulp is a no nonsense, funny and well researched "fantastic voyage" into what happens to food when we begin eating and literally follows it all the way through your body until the body chucks what remains out!! Loved the chapters on taste and the innovative work for curing stomach problems by injecting missing healthy "good" bacteria into the patient by giving them a shot of someone else's poo. It's all described in the best possible taste!
Shortlisted for the 2014 Royal Society book award Gulp is a no nonsense, funny and well researched "fantastic voyage" into what happens to food when we begin eating and literally follows it all the way through your body until the body chucks what remains out!! Loved the chapters on taste and the innovative work for curing stomach problems by injecting missing healthy "good" bacteria into the patient by giving them a shot of someone else's poo. It's all described in the best possible taste!
No 17 - Postcapitalism - Paul Mason
Borrowed from my mate at work Richard as part of our ad hoc book swap. A book that chronicles the history of capitalism and most fascinatingly the history of workers since the Industrial Revolution and the trade unions they formed. Richard and I both agreed this was the best part of the book. There is a lot of well researched detail which didn't make the easiest reading at times and Paul's thoughts on what happens Postcapitalism was as the critics observed a bit Utopian.
Borrowed from my mate at work Richard as part of our ad hoc book swap. A book that chronicles the history of capitalism and most fascinatingly the history of workers since the Industrial Revolution and the trade unions they formed. Richard and I both agreed this was the best part of the book. There is a lot of well researched detail which didn't make the easiest reading at times and Paul's thoughts on what happens Postcapitalism was as the critics observed a bit Utopian.
No 16 - The Rosie Project - Graeme Simsion
Perfect holiday reading and I am saving the follow up for my break this year. Very funny novel about Don Tillman a genetics professor and his quest to find true love. Reminiscent of Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident.
Perfect holiday reading and I am saving the follow up for my break this year. Very funny novel about Don Tillman a genetics professor and his quest to find true love. Reminiscent of Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident.
No 15 - The Adventures of Tom Sawyer - Mark Twain - Audiobook
Another classic that I could never get on with growing up. Chosen mainly the fence scene and the wisdom of Mark Twain. The story paints a bright picture of how it must of been like to grow up in 19th Century America and the plot was rich and interesting.
Glad to say I can see why Mark Twain has survived the test of the harshest critic - time.
Another classic that I could never get on with growing up. Chosen mainly the fence scene and the wisdom of Mark Twain. The story paints a bright picture of how it must of been like to grow up in 19th Century America and the plot was rich and interesting.
Glad to say I can see why Mark Twain has survived the test of the harshest critic - time.
No 14 - This is a Call - Paul Brannigan
The unauthorized biography of Dave Grohl and the music scenes that he has been involved in. A Christmas present this sat on the bookshelf for a long time until I really needed something "different" to read. Not only was it different but it captured the essence of the Foo Fighters front man and how he became the biggest rock superstar of our times. The Nirvana section was illuminating and the only negative was some of the music scene sections felt like padding.
The unauthorized biography of Dave Grohl and the music scenes that he has been involved in. A Christmas present this sat on the bookshelf for a long time until I really needed something "different" to read. Not only was it different but it captured the essence of the Foo Fighters front man and how he became the biggest rock superstar of our times. The Nirvana section was illuminating and the only negative was some of the music scene sections felt like padding.
No 13 - The Martian - Andy Weir
One of my favourite books of the year and so glad I read it just before the film began to get hyped. In fact when I finished it I thought they must make a film of this and when I searched I was able to watch Matt Damon in the trailer straightaway!
I know it was a great book year when this only makes number 13. Happily recommend to anyone.
One of my favourite books of the year and so glad I read it just before the film began to get hyped. In fact when I finished it I thought they must make a film of this and when I searched I was able to watch Matt Damon in the trailer straightaway!
I know it was a great book year when this only makes number 13. Happily recommend to anyone.
No 12 - The Boys in the Boat - Daniel James brown
I found this lying in a doctors surgery pile of books for sale and recognized it from a William Hill Sports Book of the Year list. Similar to finding the modern classic "Birdsong" in a Grimsby hotel this just blew me away with the quality of its narrative and the strength of the true story of Joe Rantz, a young boy left to fend for himself in Seattle. Joe finds himself introduced to rowing at University and becomes part of a team vying for Olympic Gold in Hitlers Germany in 1936. The more I think of it the more I remember how brilliant it is!
I found this lying in a doctors surgery pile of books for sale and recognized it from a William Hill Sports Book of the Year list. Similar to finding the modern classic "Birdsong" in a Grimsby hotel this just blew me away with the quality of its narrative and the strength of the true story of Joe Rantz, a young boy left to fend for himself in Seattle. Joe finds himself introduced to rowing at University and becomes part of a team vying for Olympic Gold in Hitlers Germany in 1936. The more I think of it the more I remember how brilliant it is!
No 11 - Sapiens - Yuval Noah Harari
I really wish this book was in the top 10 as what the author takes on is mind boggling. The whole of human history in 443 pages!! Original thoughts and conclusions are abound. I loved the idea that the change from hunter gatherers to farmers was a lifestyle trap that we can never return from. The chapters of currency and trade also made me look at Civilisation from another angle. My original copy was loaned and got a soaking on a sunny Mediterranean beach and my replacement is on loan in Newcastle. I imagine that won't be its last adventure as I will keep singing this books praises for years to come.
I really wish this book was in the top 10 as what the author takes on is mind boggling. The whole of human history in 443 pages!! Original thoughts and conclusions are abound. I loved the idea that the change from hunter gatherers to farmers was a lifestyle trap that we can never return from. The chapters of currency and trade also made me look at Civilisation from another angle. My original copy was loaned and got a soaking on a sunny Mediterranean beach and my replacement is on loan in Newcastle. I imagine that won't be its last adventure as I will keep singing this books praises for years to come.