In a bid to make ourselves read more, and so you can see some of the literature that inspires our travels, and our London adventures, we’ve decided to do a monthly recap on what we’ve been reading. Here’s May’s for you!
Tim
The Martian by Andy Weir.
So, I was really worried about posting this again and then thought isn’t it worth being honest? So, I didn’t finish The Martian and I’m back reading it again!
JK bought me this as a gift, she had recently read it and thought the science/sci-ti nerd in me would love it. She was correct. I’m sure some of you will be familiar with the story since the story was turned into a Hollywood blockbuster in 2015, but for those of you who aren’t it is about a botanist who after being presumed dead by the rest of his astronaut crew is stranded on mars with only his wits, botanical knowledge, and a meagre amount of supplies to try and survive until he either perishes, or is rescued. It is an intense, journey from two sides, the mind of Mark Watney(the almost certainly screwed botanist) and his team back on earth. As I have said before I am not the greatest of readers, but the way this book flows(partly because of the log entry style shorter chapters) was enjoyably straight forward to get my teeth into. If you are at all a sci-fi fan and whether or not you have seen the movie(I still haven’t) you will love this smart, funny, and intense story.
Jess
Antisemitism: Here and Now by Deborah Lipstadt
Ok, so it’s not the most glamorous book but my word is it important. It details the what whys and how’s of modern day antisemitism, how it still exists, why it’s getting worse and what this rise of the far right across Europe is about. Deborah Lipstadt – the lady that took Holocaust Denier David Irving to court and won, said it wasn’t a book that she wanted to write. She said she felt it was too important not to though. It’s very easy to read, and not at all how I expected it to be – most of it letters between her, a college professor and an ex-student. It really is fascinating and worth a read for anyone interested in geopolitics, religion and traveling to places of history.
What are we reading now?
Tim: Existentialism: a graphic guide by Richard Appignanesi and Oscar Zarate
Jess: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Anne Schaeffer and Ann Barrows
What are you reading? Is there anything you’ve read that you think we should read next? What’s on your bookshelf waiting to be picked up? Let us know in the comments below!
