The Icepick Surgeon by Sam Kean

The author of this book has a podcast; this is something that is iterated at multiple sections of the book. It felt odd to interrupt plotlines to redirect attention to a podcast, so it stuck with me this long after having listened to the book. I think his research probably has the capacity to become…

The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made the World by Virginia Postrel

When I picked this up, I did not realize how much I will take away from it. The innocuous fabric is actually shown to hold large swatches of history together!The author's attachment to the topic and the level of enthusiasm comes through the pages. The book can get a little heavy from time to time…

Extraordinary Insects by Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson

This was an eclectic collection of particulars about insects of all types and sizes. The author is well versed in her field, and her joy with the information flows through. It is told simply and in straightforward language, although I was surprised at the number of biblical references in some of the chapters, which did…

Written in Bone by Sue Black

I have read and reviewed the author's previous work on the blog : here. Also the post where I had the most conversation on comments ever! This book is probably an easier read (despite the contents) for those who like to dabble in True Crime/Forensics than the author's previous work. There is lesser personal information…

Mind Thief: The Story of Alzheimer’s by Han Yu

This is a frightening disease, and the book traces its history from the man it got its name from and the different types. There is no conclusion or speculation about the cures, but detailed information on all the investigations is provided.I felt like it worked as a combination for laypeople and people who have knowledge…

Timeless On The Silk Road: An Odyssey From London To Hanoi

I have read two non-fiction books about the silk road in the years that I have been reading and reviewing advance copies. Both were different, and this third provided a whole other outlook to the journey, especially given the author's mode of transport as well as her own health issues.At the start of the book,…

Gone: A search for what remains of the world’s extinct creatures by Michael Blencowe

I finished this book just an hour or so before my electronic review copy expired. I almost gave up mid-way, thinking I was not going to make it, but ultimately I was glad I persevered!This felt more like a memoir than a book about extinct animals(/birds/insects). The author pours so much of his enthusiasm and…

Why She Wrote: A Graphic History of the Lives, Inspiration, and Influence Behind the Pens of Classic Women Writers by Lauren Burke, Hannah K. Chapman , Kaley Bales

My reading has always been haphazard, ever since I was little. Before Goodreads, I struggled to keep track of authors, both renowned and not, since I have trouble remembering names. I hardly even sound them out. This basically means that most of the content of this book was new to me, as it would be…