the caffeinated reader: August 2023

(Sometimes Longer Than) One Liners

Klatchiancoffee's bookshelf: read

The Silence of the Girls

by Pat Barker

Imagine that you're collateral damage to the 10-year Trojan War, imagine that you've been claimed by Achilles as a war spoil, then by the Agamemnon to show his power, and imagine that you are a witness to the final brutal days of Troy - ...

tagged: historical-fiction and mythology

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

by Gail Honeyman

Read this book in one sitting, wholeheartedly rooting all the way that something will turn out joyful for this fiercely independent, hardworking, smart girl with a fantastic vocabulary who's had a rough past (kudos to the lad who saw the...

tagged: contemporary-fiction

Circe

by Madeline Miller

Absolutely lyrical prose from start to finish, pitch perfect, and lines that you'll want to read again and again - high ten to the dialogues between Circe and Medea, Athena, Penelope, and Odysseus.

tagged: mythology

Mythos: A Retelling of the Myths of Ancient Greece

Mythos: A Retelling of the Myths of Ancient Greece

by Stephen Fry

Students, if you're finding yourself stuck in your Greek mythology assignments, this book brings the grandeur, ruthlessness, foibles, and escapades of the gods and goddesses to a wholly entertaining and contextualized level.

tagged: mythology

The Last Hours

by Minette Walters

The Black Plague, which decimated about 60% of Europe's population in the 14th century and created massive cracks in the political, cultural, and religious structures, also brought opportunities to those brave, adventurous, and determine...

tagged: historical-fiction

Becoming

by Michelle Obama

Aspiring, striving, achieving, finding meaning, drawing personal boundaries, celebrating love and family, maintaining the moral high ground, and making one's voice heard even if the significant other is one of the most powerful men in th...

tagged: memoir

Selfie

by Will Storr

And here's the takeaway from the long history of the individualistic view of the perfectible self which has captivated us since 2500 B.C. - stop the war of perfection that's happening in your head; invest and pursue projects that are not...

tagged: non-fiction and motivational

Sister Queens: The Noble, Tragic Lives of Katherine of Aragon and Juana, Queen of Castile

Sister Queens: The Noble, Tragic Lives of Katherine of Aragon and Juana, Queen of Castile

by Julia Fox

Notwithstanding that the full weight of the Establishment was thrown upon them to break their will and spirit, these royal political pawns in the chessboard of European politics showed themselves true daughters of the formidable Queen Is...

tagged: history

The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey Summary & Study Guide

The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey Summary & Study Guide

by BookRags

Scotland Yard inspector investigates a missing persons case from the 14th century: clears Richard Plantagenet from the rumours that he instigated the murder of the Princes in the Tower, unmasks the real true perpetrator, and revises Tudo...

tagged: historical-mystery

The Barefoot Lawyer: A Blind Man's Fight for Justice and Freedom in China

The Barefoot Lawyer: A Blind Man's Fight for Justice and Freedom in China

by Chen Guangcheng

Chinese dissident Chen Guancheng's determination to change his life's course despite his physical disability, grinding poverty, and the cultural stigma against differently-abled persons is inspiring in itself but what makes his personal ...

tagged: memoir

The Rules of Inheritance

by Claire Bidwell Smith

At the end of the dark long tunnel of denial, anger, bargaining, and depression, we all hope that there will be acceptance and a celebration of the life beautifully lived rather than the one lost (warning: this book could give you a few ...

tagged: memoir

Smart Couples Finish Rich: 9 Steps to Creating a Rich Future for You and Your Partner

Smart Couples Finish Rich: 9 Steps to Creating a Rich Future for You and Your Partner

by David Bach

Clear and specified common values underpin the nine steps outlined here to achieve financial security - and yes, bringing lunch to work and making your own coffee do make a difference (don't "latte" your future away!).

tagged: non-fiction and motivational

Brief Answers to the Big Questions

by Stephen Hawking

The bad news is, in the next 1,000 years we are headed towards annihilation just by the present exponential growth in population; the good news is, we have a fighting chance if we are able to explore the solar system and find out where h...

tagged: non-fiction

If I Could Tell You Just One Thing...: Encounters with Remarkable People and Their Most Valuable Advice

If I Could Tell You Just One Thing...: Encounters with Remarkable People and Their Most Valuable Advice

by Richard Reed

A collection of advice from "remarkable" people which, if not for Reed's tongue-in-cheek style, could be easily dismissed as trite, ludicrous, or simply bizarre (check out Pepsico CEO Indra Nooyi's admonition NOT to take holidays).

tagged: self-improvement

Elizabeth's Women: The Hidden Story of the Virgin Queen

Elizabeth's Women: The Hidden Story of the Virgin Queen

by Tracy Borman

Intriguing narrative on the females who revolved around one of the greatest monarchs in history - her loyal supporters, the claimants to the Crown, the sycophants, and the perennial plotters.

tagged: non-fiction and history

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter

by Margareta Magnusson

Decluttering taken to the grim level by asking the guiding principle: "Will anyone I know be happier if I save this?"

tagged: motivational

The Bite in the Apple: A Memoir of My Life with Steve Jobs

The Bite in the Apple: A Memoir of My Life with Steve Jobs

by Chrisann Brennan

Steve Jobs from the perspective of a girlfriend with whom he had a love child - the memoir raises the question whether genius excuses less than ideal behaviour (my answer is a flat NO).

tagged: memoir

The Last Tudor

by Philippa Gregory

A heartbeat away from the throne, this is a gripping tale of the Grey sisters' determination to live meaningful lives amidst the political intrigues and manipulations of Renaissance England.

tagged: historical-fiction