Book Reviews Blog

This page only shows books that have a review. By default in date order of reading with newest at top

Friday 28th November 2025

2024

The God of the Woods

Author : Liz Moore

Summary :
At a summer camp in upsate NewYork in 1961 and 1975 a brother and sister disappear. ...
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Reviewed by rogerco, on 28 Nov 2025

A murder mystery?

Enjoyable read although sometimes difficult to keep track of who was who from the names. Each chapter jumps in the timeline and the character's voice - ("keep up at the back") which could make it confusing if you pause reading for a few days.

At about 80% I felt that I was starting to know what happened and who did it but I couldn't quite put it into words until much closer to the end. Which was good and satisfying.



Sunday 23rd November 2025

2025

Against the Machine

On the Unmaking of Humanity

Author : Paul Kingsnorth

Summary :
The Machine is what others call The System, or Global Capitalism etc.. ...
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Reviewed by rogerco, on 23 Nov 2025

Review Summary :
re-connection

Another really important book

Very powerful argument for continuing the slow opt-out. Disengaging as far as possible from the machine. Rediscovering one's roots. Past, Place, People, and Prayer. The last meaning the re-connection with the spiritual and non-material realms.



Sunday 9th November 2025

2025

Is A River Alive?

Author : Robert Macfarlane

Summary :
Three rivers and nine springs
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Reviewed by rogerco, on 09 Nov 2025

Review Summary :
A compelling work which gives us an insight into both the lives of rivers and the deeper connections which we have as part of the natural world

Yes it is

The ending on the banks of the Meutehekau as it enters its gorge is extraordinary, and there really are not words to describe it. Something happens and it affects us deeply. We are privileged to be alongside Macfarlane as he arrives at the conclusion (or maybe just a significant waypoint in the flow of his life and relationship with the river) but we can only understand wordlessly. An extraordinary ending to an extraordinary book. 

The only slight quibble is I didn't like the epilogue back at the nine strings. It was mawkish and unnecessary.



Saturday 13th September 2025

2017

Carpe Diem Revisited

Author : Roman Krznaric

Summary :
Exploration of the different ways of seizing the day and how they have been hijacked by the machine
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Reviewed by rogerco, on 13 Sep 2025

Practical philosophy

Billed as existentialism for our age it is full of good advice about how to live more fully in the world. Lots of powerful ideas using the theme of "seizing the day"



Friday 12th September 2025

1979

Engine Summer

Author : John Crowley

Summary :
Weird world some centuries after "the storm" when the last elements of industrial civilisation are decaying fast.
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Rated by rogerco, on 12 Sep 2025

Review Summary :
A strangely compelling read. Not quite sure what it means.


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