@jeremybaker.nz

Finished reading: The World After Gaza by Pankaj Mishra 📚

A challenging but ultimately somewhat nihilistic take on the atrocity of Gaza. Some important points but fails to see a way forward.

Finished reading: Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza by Peter Beinart 📚

An inspiring and surprisingly hopefully assessment of what it is to be Jewish in the aftermath of Gaza (and indeed decades of the denial of Palestinian rights). Suggests that there is still - that there is always - opportunity for collective liberation of both Israelis and Palestinians. That, in fact, this is the only future where liberty is possible.

Finished reading: Change by Édouard Louis 📚

Extraordinary. A brutally honest memoir of the desperate need to change to escape, to be renewed. Hit me like a sledgehammer.

Finished reading: A Radical Act of Free Magic by H. G. Parry 📚

Excellent conclusion to the duology; loved the intertwining of historical events and fantasy elements.

Finished reading: With Love From France by Vlad Zorin 📚

Great photography and social commentary.

Finished reading: The End of Eddy by Édouard Louis 📚

Harrowing story of Édouard Louis’ childhood in dank, grey and poor northern France.

Finished reading: Native Nations by Kathleen DuVal 📚

Brilliant new history of native North America that reveals the resilience, vibrancy, and ongoing self-determination of indigenous North Americans in the face of colonialism.

Finished reading: A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians by H. G. Parry 📚

Excellent alternative fantasy history of the French and Haitian Revolutions. Magic, vampires, slavery, liberty and radicalism make for a tense and dark story, that moves along at a cracking pace. Read it in a couple of days.

Finished reading: The Devils by Joe Abercrombie 📚

A fabulous and hugely enjoyable fantasy romp through an alternative medieval Europe with a female pope, an Empress of Troy, and ravaging hordes of human eating elves. Plus a vampire, werewolf, necromancer and a crusader who can’t die - amongst other treasures.

Finished reading: The Far Edges of the Known World by Owen Rees 📚

An innovative look at the boundaries and intersections of the ancient world and lesser known but equally vital and fascinating regions ‘beyond’.

Finished reading: Proto by Laura Spinney 📚

Extremely well written overview of the development and evolution of Indo-European languages - connecting linguistics, archaeology, history and geography.

Finished reading: Star Wars The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire by Chris Kempshall 📚

An excellent “in-universe” history of the Star Wars Galactic Empire - filled with insights and analysis relevant to any consideration of the emergence and defeat of totalitarianism….

Finished reading: Patria by Laurence Blair 📚

This book is a genuine wonder. It explodes myths and reveals hidden stories of the history of South America and demonstrates the importance of a broader and deeper understanding of this continent, particularly the vital role of its indigenous peoples and the struggles they shared with settlers and slaves seeking liberation and identity.

Finished reading: The Venetian Heretic by Christian Cameron 📚

This book was wonderful. You are transported to seventeenth century Venice, and swept up in a tale of political intrigue, cultural and religious conflict, and some good old-fashioned sword work! The characters are vivid, interesting and well written and developed, the plot(s) are fascinating and move things along at a spritely pace, and the writing is just great.

Highly recommended and can’t wait for the next installment!