January 2021
        The Discoverers: A History of Man’s Search to Know His World and Himself ~ Daniel J. Boorstin (1983) history (684 pgs) RE-READ
Amazing history of how just about everything was discovered in the world by somebody somewhere at sometime!
        Theft by Finding: Diaries Volume One ~ David Sedaris (2017) essays (551 pgs)
Interesting watching how he slowly became the writer I enjoy so much today. Look forward to the second volume.
        Excavating Kafka ~ James Hawes (2008) biography (234 pgs)
Biography of Kafka that works to dispel some of the "tortured-artist" myths around him. Like the style, too.

    February 2021
        Write More Good ~ The Bureau Chiefs (2011) parody, writing (252 pgs)
Fun parody of guidebooks on how to write for newspapers. The multiple glossary definitions are some of the best parts.
        The Psycho Ex Game ~ Marrill Markoe and Andy Prieboy (2011) (2004) novel (417 pgs)
Interesting idea and format of alternating chapters, but in the end, while not a bad read, just kind of "meh" when it was over.

    March 2021
        The Stories of William Trevor ~ William Trevor (1983) short stories (799 pgs)
Strangely dark little tales of "ordinary" people in England, hard to define, but enjoyable read. Brings together five of his previous collections of stories in one volume, covering several decades of writing.

    April 2021
        Fortysomething ~ Nigel Williams (1999) novel (403pgs)
Another English author, the wacky doings of a man facing mid-life crisis and his strange family. Okay, not as funny as promised.
        Crazy English ~ Richard Lederer (1989) language (211 pgs)
Lederer goes deep into how deeply strange the English language actually is.

    May 2021
        Food: A Love Story ~ Jim Gaffigan (2014) humor (340 pgs)
Gaffigan brings his eye to food across America, and is a fun ride to take with him
        Bed-Nob and Broomstick ~ Mary Norton (1943, 1957) children’s books (189 pgs)
Combines "The Magic Bed-Knob" and "Bonfires and Broomsticks". First one cute, second one quite interesting.

    June 2021
        The Best Time Travel Stories of the 20th Century ~ Harry Turtledove with Martin H. Greenberg (eds) (2005) sf short stories (425 pgs)
18 stories over 53 years really show both range of ideas on subject, as well as style of sf writing changing over time.
        Free Agents ~ Max Apple (1984) short stories (197 pgs)
Weird, funny, thoughtful, different short stories. Very good stuff, I’m going to seek out more of his back catalogue.

    July 2021
        The Geographer’s Library ~ Jon Fasman (2005) novel (372 pgs)
Well written, kept me turning the pages, but ending was kind of a "someone just explains it all" disappointing.
        Agent to the Stars ~ John Scalzi (2005) science fiction (385 pgs)
Easy read, some interesting bits, but not really as clever as I was hoping it would be.
        Shakespeare for Squirrels ~ Christopher Moore (2020) novel (271 pgs)
More wonderful weirdness from Moore, and if I knew Shakespeare better, I’d probably understand more of the jokes!

    August 2021
        Baby, Would I Lie? ~ Donald E. Westlake (1994) novel (303 pgs)
Have liked other Westlake, this one seemed a bit more mean-edged in his treatment of people who like things he does not.
        Alphabetical: How Every Letter Tells a Story ~ Michael Rosen (2015) history, language (414 pgs)
Wonderful collection of essays built around the origins of every letter of the alphabet, endlessly fascinating read.
        All Systems Red: The Murderbot Diaries ~ Martha Wells (2017) science fiction (149 pgs)
Basic plot and action, but what an interesting main character, can see why this has taken off!
        Packing for Mars ~ Mary Roach (2010) science, history (324 pgs)
An overview of the nuts and bolts of our journey into space, with her great depth and humor.
        Grand Theft Octo ~ Niels Saunders (2017) novel (187 pgs)
High weirdness, every character is a character, fast and wonderfully twisted read. Might have to look for more!
        Damnation Alley ~ Roger Zelazny (1969) science fiction (193 pgs)
Padded out the novella to make a book to tie in with the movie release, not his most compelling or interesting work.

    September 2021
        Children of Time ~ Adrian Tchaikovsky (2015) science fiction (600 pgs)
Great high concept sf playing with end of civilization, manipulating evolution, world building, and more. A great read!
        Perfect Little World ~ Kevin Wilson (2017) novel (336 pgs)
Loved his “Family Fang”, but this one never really does much interesting with the core set up. Kind of boring. Disappointed.

    October 2021
        Fast Food Nation ~ Eric Schlosser (2001) history (276 pgs)
History of Fast Food taking over the world. Now I am depressed. I need a hamburger…
        Endgame ~ Andy Secombe (2006) fantasy humor (326 pgs)
God and Devil have a bet, angels show up to help humans, jokes and twists… seen it done before and much better.
        St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves ~ Karen Russell (2006) short stories (246 pgs)
Wonderfully weird views of strangely different lives, full of strange ideas and great writing.
        The Blind Watchmaker ~ Richard Dawkins (1996) science (358 pgs)
In depth but readable defense of the Darwinian view of evolution.
        I Love Everybody (and Other Atrocious Lies) ~ Laurie Notaro (2004) humor (228 pgs)
Love Notaro’s caustic wit and sense of humor.

    November 2021
        The Rapture of the Nerds ~ Cory Doctorow and Charles Stross (2013) science fiction (327 pgs)
Have enjoyed other works by both authors, but this one, I just got lost and lost interest, not sure why.
        Fraud ~ David Rakoff (2001) essays (228 pgs)
Another great collection of clever essays from a writer who passed away much too soon.
        The Genealogy of Morals ~ Friedrich Nietzsche (1887) philosophy (67 pgs)
First time to read Nietzsche, amazed at the free flowing style, though dense as heck to make sense from.
        Spooky Little Girl ~ Laurie Notaro (2010) novel (293 pgs)
Have enjoyed her previous writing, but this novel left me cold. Dumb characters, weak plotting. Should have been better

    December 2021
        Middlesex ~ Jeffrey Eugenides (2002) novel (529 pgs)
Wide ranging story of generations of a family, and the secret one contains that no one knows. Wonderfully written.