In between long drives and photo shoots we also read. A lot. Here’s a list of what we have been reading, our thoughts and reviews.
A fascinating read centred around the prevalence of the Culture of Personality versus the Culture of Character. Made me think about how people like Trump and the Kardashians rise to positions of power and influence. Made me realise that my exhaustion by end of play on Friday and complete lack of interest in socialising after …
Continue reading “Quiet by Susan Cain“
I came across this book shortly after Trump came to power. An in-depth interview with the author was featured in the Guardian where the book (published in 2004) was described as prophetic of the current state of affairs in the US. The book is set in the late 1930s and early 1940s and chronicles the …
Continue reading “The plot against America by Philip Roth“
Το βιβλίο μου το πρότεινε ο μπαμπάς μου και ήταν ένα από τα τελευταία πράγματα που πήρα πριν φύγω από την Αθήνα. Μια πολύ ενδιαφέρουσα ιστορία για την Ελλάδα του 20οθ αιώνα, ιστορία που δεν διδαχτήκαμε όσο εκτεταμένα διδαχτήκαμε τους αρχαίους στο σχολείο και για την οποία ξέρω πολύ λίγα. Ευτυχώς τώρα έχω το site …
Continue reading “Νίκη by Χρήστος Χωμενίδης“
Genre: non fiction
Subjects: History
Το διάβασα απνευστί, το μισό στη πτήση Αθήνα – Λονδίνο και το υπόλοιπο στη πτήση Λονδίνο – Μαδρίτη. Όπως πάντα με τα βιβλία του Κορτώ έκλαψα και γέλασα μαζί, ευχαριστήθηκα τη χειμαρρώδη γραφή και σκέφτηκα την επόμενη φορά που είμαι στην Αθήνα να πάω στα Εξαρχεια και να παραμόνευσω στο κεντρικό περίπτερο μπας και πάμε …
Continue reading “Μικρό χρονικό τρέλας by Αύγουστος Κορτώ“
Oof. What a thorough and thought provoking book. I absolutely loved the writting, typical Atwood really and the pace at which the story unfolded. I enjoyed how it took the idea of woman as a vesel for breeding and the much argued sanctity of life from the conservative end of the spectrum and flipped it …
Continue reading “The Handmaid´s Tale by Margaret Atwood“
Genre: fiction
Subjects: feminism
Book 3 on my feminist curriculum. This was a disappointment and I have to be upfront in that I am only 25% in. But I dont see how I will be wrapping this up 🙁 The book focuses on feminist issues from women who are 30 years or younger. And whilst I am not that …
Continue reading “I call myself a feminist”
Another very short read this time by the superbly eloquent Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. It offers a very interesting perspective in African feminism (is that even a term) and some of the struggles that women in countries like Nigeria face; some of which we have long forgotten about in the West. Arguments are building up nicely
Feminism has been a burning topic of conversation in our long drives. Body image issues, my occasional (?) obsessions with food and need to exercise, Sheryl’s ‘Lean In’ book, the Womens Hour Power List 2016 (and Beyonce’s inclusion in that). They are all on the table and have at times prompted Andy to tell me …
Continue reading “Feminism: A very short introduction by Margaret Walters“
I read this book in parallel to Tools of Titans whenever I needed a break. It’s a fast read, funny at times but otherwise uneventful.
Genre: non fiction
Subjects: comedy
A book recommended by many, including many ‘titans’ (see here), this is a brilliant take on the history of humankind told through the eyes of biology. How has evolution affected the choices we have made as a species? What is natural and what is learned / a cultural norm?
This is no easy read. Over 600+ pages, Tim Ferriss outlines all advice, lessons and ideas discussed in his podcasts with overachievers. His guests cover a breadth of different backgrounds and professions. Professional athletes, Silicon Valley serial entrepreneurs, actors, directors, photographers, stand up comedians, CEOs … anyone who’s reached the top of their chosen field has …
Continue reading “Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss“
This is an absolute must-read for anyone travelling in South America. The book covers all aspects of the history of the continent. From Columbus’ discovery, the colonisation by the Spaniards and Portueguese and the resistance offered by the local populations to the struggle for independence in the 19th century and from there to an in …
Continue reading “The Penguin history of Latin America”
Genre: non fiction
Subjects: History
An absolute delight to read. The book starts of in the hallowed halls of the US Supreme Court where our hero is on trial for re-introducing racial discrimination and taking a slave. Only our hero is a black man from LA who appears to be smoking pot in the court. What follows is a hilarious, …
Continue reading “The Sellout by Paul Beatty“
ANDY:- A novel outlining the conversations of Dr Breuer and F. Nietzsche in 1880’s Vienna. Exploration of existenialism. (Again) DAPHNE: This is the third or fourth time I read this book. It’s not so much about the story but the dialogue between Breuer and Nietzsche. Discussions about choosing ones life rather than letting others do …
Continue reading “When Nietzsche wept by Irvin D. Yalom“
Genre: fiction
Subjects: philosophy
ANDY: – Autobiography of concentration camp survivor and psychologist. Explores the fundamentals of the purpose of avoiding suicide. And other light topics
Meh. Airplane reading, though an interesting essay on the externalisation of memory in today’s world, as well as the physiological functioning of memory and memory champions.
Genre: non fiction
Subjects: memory
This was recommended to me by a dear colleague when I asked for books to read when travelling. I did not know what to expect but they introduction outlining a journalist’s perspective in the life and times of the last Shah of Iran peaked my interest. It provides a fascinating account of Iranian politics which I …
Continue reading “The Shah of Shahs by Ryszard Kapuściński“
Genre: fiction
Subjects: History
Have missed John Le Carre – It’s been a while since I ready one of his books. Yet another book read in what felt like a single breath, at least twice a day, Daphne would look up from book and share an interesting (or so she thought?) fact with Andy.
Read over two flights totalling 17 hours. Very quick read, good pace and well written. J.K. Rowling knows how to manipulate the english language. Left Daphne paranoid for a couple of days that someone’s going to attack her down a dark alley.
Genre: fiction
Subjects: Crime
