Book #203: Profit Over People
Synopsis: In “Profit Over People,” Noam Chomsky takes on neoliberalism: the pro-corporate system of economic and political policies presently waging a form of class war worldwide. By examining the contradictions between the democratic and market principles proclaimed by those in power and those actually practiced, Chomsky critiques the tyranny of the few that restricts the public arena and enacts policies that vastly increase private wealth, often with complete disregard for social and ecological consequences. Combining detailed historical examples and uncompromising criticism, Chomsky offers a profound sense of hope that social activism can reclaim people’s rights as citizens rather than as consumers, redefining democracy as a global movement, not a global market
Thoughts: I have a couple Chomsky books further down my TBR list which I own are waiting to be read. I’ll give those a shot before picking up this one.
Decision: GO
Book #204: Poland: A History
Synopsis: Adam Zamoyski first wrote his history of Poland two years before the collapse of the Soviet Union. This substantially revised and updated edition sets the Soviet era in the context of the rise, fall and remarkable rebirth of an indomitable nation. In 1797, Russia, Prussia and Austria divided Poland among themselves, rewriting Polish history to show that they had brought much-needed civilisation to a primitive backwater. But the country they wiped off the map had been one of Europe’s largest and most richly varied, born of diverse cultural traditions and one of the boldest constitutional experiments ever attempted. Its destruction ultimately led to two world wars and the Cold War.
Thoughts: I own this book! And, given my current non-existent knowledge about half of my heritage, I’m looking forward to eventually reading this one.
Decision: KEEP
Book #205: The Invisible Library
Synopsis: In 2013, the New York Times published an obituary for Yvonne Brill. It began: “She made a mean beef stroganoff, followed her husband from job to job, and took eight years off from work to raise three children.” It wasn’t until the second paragraph that readers discovered why the Times had devoted several hundred words to her life: Brill was a brilliant rocket scientist who invented a propulsion system to keep communications satellites in orbit, and had recently been awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. Among the questions the obituary—and consequent outcry—prompted were, Who are the role models for today’s female scientists, and where can we find the stories that cast them in their true light?
Thoughts: Women scientists – today and historically – definitely don’t get the recognition they deserve. Books like this are important. But I don’t think I’ll personally read it.
Decision: GO
Book #206: The Warded Man
Synopsis: As darkness falls after sunset, the corelings rise—demons who possess supernatural powers and burn with a consuming hatred of humanity. For hundreds of years the demons have terrorized the night, slowly culling the human herd that shelters behind magical wards—symbols of power whose origins are lost in myth and whose protection is terrifyingly fragile. It was not always this way. Once, men and women battled the corelings on equal terms, but those days are gone. Night by night the demons grow stronger, while human numbers dwindle under their relentless assault. Now, with hope for the future fading, three young survivors of vicious demon attacks will dare the impossible, stepping beyond the crumbling safety of the wards to risk everything in a desperate quest to regain the secrets of the past. Together, they will stand against the night.
Thoughts: I’m tempted to say “go”, but a number of my real-life friends have rated this one quite highly – plus, it has a +4 GoodReads rating. So …
Decision: KEEP
Book #207: The Body Keeps The Score
Synopsis: Falcio is the first Cantor of the Greatcoats. Trained in the fighting arts and the laws of Tristia, the Greatcoats are travelling Magisters upholding King’s Law. They are heroes. Or at least they were, until they stood aside while the Dukes took the kingdom, and impaled their King’s head on a spike. Now Tristia is on the verge of collapse and the barbarians are sniffing at the borders. The Dukes bring chaos to the land, while the Greatcoats are scattered far and wide, reviled as traitors, their legendary coats in tatters. All they have left are the promises they made to King Paelis, to carry out one final mission. But if they have any hope of fulfilling the King’s dream, the divided Greatcoats must reunite, or they will also have to stand aside as they watch their world burn…
Thoughts: … This was also going to be a “go”, until I spotted this fabulous GoodReviews review: “This book is like a fantasy oven that will leave your heart all warm and toasty. “
Decision: KEEP
Down the TBR Hole is a bookish meme created by Lia @Lost In A Story. Here’s how it works:
- Go to your Goodreads to-read shelf
- Order by Ascending Date Added
- Take the first 5 (or 10, if you’re feeling adventurous) books. If you do this weekly, you start where you left off the last time.
- Read the synopses of the books
- Decide: keep it or let it go?
The Geeky Jock 