Finished reading: Civilisations by Laurent Binet 📚

Quick re-read of this excellent “what-if” historical fiction. What if the Vikings had a larger impact on the New World - sharing both iron-working and diseases, so that the Americas are better prepared for Columbus, with iron weapons, horses, and disease resistance? What if the defeated brother of the Inca Emperor sailed to Lisbon on Columbus’ repaired ships, arriving just after the Lisbon earthquake? What if the Inca adventurers used the divisions of Reformation Europe to their advantage, and conquered the continent?

Highly entertaining, very well written and full of historical allusions. Highly recommended.

Finished reading: The Inheritance by Matthew Lopez 📚

Absolutely breathtaking. Heartbreaking and inspiring. Full of loss, redemption and hope. Essential reading or viewing for those seeking to understand the devastating impact of the AIDS epidemic on generations of gay men right up to the present.

Finished reading: The 7th Function of Language by Laurent Binet 📚

Intellectual mystery by the master of intellectual “what-if” history.

Finished reading: Breaking Hel by Miles Cameron 📚

Fantastic conclusion to an epic story. Love, gods, magic, transformation, rebellion, rebirth - it has it all !

Finished reading: Ten Days that Shook the World by John Reed 📚

“Participant” journalism - a partisan eye-witness account of the October Revolution in Russia. Gripping and very well written.

Finished reading: Storming Heaven by Miles Cameron 📚

Excellent, fast-paced, second book in the Age of Bronze series. Cracking good.

Finished reading: Disorderly Men by Edward Cahill 📚

A wonderful exploration of the horrors of the way gay men were persecuted in the 60s before the Stonewall Riots. Explores their internalised homophobia and how it damaged their lives but also the difficult but liberating journey of self discovery and acceptance in the wake of violent oppression.

Currently reading: El Cid by Nora Berend 📚

A very entertaining and informative review of the life and afterlife of Ruy Díaz (El Cid).

Finished reading: In Youth Is Pleasure by Denton Welch 📚

Languid, lyrical, intoxicating. In youth, pleasure.

#book #queer

Currently reading: Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman 📚

Chapter / Day 13 - “Three Hours” - On finding focus in the chaos.

Basically, many of the most productive people in the world focused their attention and energy on a three hour (ish) period of the day …

Love this :)

Currently reading: The Future is History by Masha Gessen 📚

Prescient book from 2017 - a lot of the reviews at the time criticised Gessen for calling Putin’s regime “totalitarian”.

Finished reading: Don’t Let the Forest In by CG Drews 📚

Dark, queer, twisted.

Finished reading: My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh 📚

Darkly funny and sardonic. Listless tale of avoidance. Not sure about the end, but many memorable vignettes.

Finished reading: Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner 📚

Wonderful multi layered noir philosophic novel.