Isaacson, Walter (2023) Elon Musk. Simon & Schuster.
Isaacson’s biography of Elon Musk delves into the life of a complex, neurodivergent and brilliant man, from a dysfunctional background, whose ruthless and eccentric behaviour has challenged many. His relentless drive towards envisioning humankind’s future has led to remarkable achievements and incredible feats. A capricious, creative, fanatical and inspirational worker with amazing energy he operates with a constant sense of urgency and expectation that leaves no room for a work-life balance in himself or others. A mind-blowing read. Extraordinary.
Rating: 5/5
Mann, Michael (2023) Our Fragile Moment: How Lessons from the Earth’s Past Can Help Us Survive the Climate Crisis. Berkley.
The conditions that have allowed humans to live on this earth are fragile and in this book climate scientist Mann reviews the science and history that have allowed humans to thrive. Climate variability has narrow parameters and our survival is dependent on us remaining within this range. The seriousness of our situation supports neither fatalism nor complacency, but it is dangerous. Although citizens are now generally supporting concerted climate action having seen it with their own eyes, many policymakers, opinion leaders, and corporations are not yet on board. Disinformation remains strong and accountability weak. However, if we build on the actions we have already taken to decarbonise our civilisation our future is not yet preordained and we may yet be able to preserve our fragile moment. A timely reminder on the gravity of the unfolding climate crisis.
Rating: 4/5
Mitchard, Jacquelyn (2023) A Very Inconvenient Scandal. HQ Fiction.
A year ago Frankie Attleboro fled her Cape Cod home after her family fell apart on the death of her mother. Now engaged and pregnant she returns to share her good news but is met with a shock. Her father is getting married to Frankie’s very pregnant best friend, Ariel. Frankie is conflicted. Then Ariel’s mother, who had deserted her as a child, suddenly appears – with what motive? As Frankie attempts to come to terms with the family drama a sinister edge creeps in. A bit of an eclectic soap-opera that fell short. Holiday read.
Rating: 3/5
Ford, Clementine (2023) I Don’t: The Case Against Marriage. Allen & Unwin.
Marriage is a rort designed to keep women forever a help-mate and under control. The world has not been kind to women. This passionately argued book, whilst incendiary to some (men), urges women to recognise that those glorious white dress and knight in shining armour romantic dreams are just that. The patriarchy has sought to suppress women’s power sexually, reproductively, financially, and domestically throughout the centuries, and marriage remains a corrupt institution for women. If you don’t play the game you are sad, ugly, fat, a slut, a witch…. better to be a cat lady! Love a good rave. Liberating.
Rating: 5/5
Alsop, Peter, Kate Parsonson & Richard Wolfe (2023) Sure to Rise: The Edmonds Story. Canterbury UP.
Edmonds remains one of New Zealand’s best known brands and its products and cookbooks are embedded in the culture of the country. Founder T J Edmonds came to Christchurch, NZ, in 1879 and found early success making baking powder, culminating in a landmark Art Deco factory and gardens. This richly illustrated book is the story of a humble man and an iconic product. Piece of culinary and social history. Stunning production.
Rating: 4/5
Treloar, Lucy (2023) Days of Innocence and Wonder. Picador.
Till’s life has been tormented by the abduction of her childhood friend at a Melbourne kindergarten. The child and her predator have never been found. Till has survivor guilt, lives a quiet existence and is constantly tense and afraid. Now, eighteen years on, she once again senses approaching danger and takes to the road driving west with her dog until she reaches the safety of the remote, and mostly deserted, outback town of Wirowrie. Slowly she begins to build a new life in an abandoned railway station and connects with the reticent locals. Whilst this is mainly a character driven novel about landscape and trauma the constant sense of menace delivers some chilling moments. Delightfully spare and textured writing. Loved it.
Rating: 5/5
Howe, Katherine (2023) A True Account: Hannah Masury’s Sorjourn Amongst the Pyrates Written by Herself. H.Holt.
Hannah, an illiterate Boston barmaid, runs away to sea and becomes a high seas hero in the notorious age of piracy in the eighteenth century. When her manuscript is found in the 1930s it becomes a research subject for a professor and her ambitious student. This often bloody and brutal little tale has alternating dual timelines. We follow both Hannah’s adventures, and academic Marian’s attempts to authenticate Hannah’s journal. All the threads of fact and fiction make this a rather muddled, although rollicking, pirate and feminist yarn. Bit silly.
Rating: 2/5
Keegan, Claire (2021) Small Things Like These. Faber.
After waiting the best part of a year for a library copy I finally got my hands on this novella. It is a succinct little Irish tale that confronts the silences of a small community where the Catholic Church, and the Irish state, are complicit in the incarceration of pregnant young women, and in the forced adoption of their babies. Local coal man Bill Furlong, himself born out of wedlock, in the course of his Christmas deliveries confronts the brutal treatment of a young woman at the local convent aware of the trouble he brings to his own family. A glimpse into Ireland’s notorious Magdalen laundries. A finely nuanced story of kindness and bravery. Haunting.
Rating: 4/5
7:30 Bookclub 