Ghettoside – A true story of murder in America by Jill Levoy. (5/5) A well written and compelling look at some detectives and some cases, including pursuit of one case from its dry beginnings. Interesting and complicated; the state monopoly on violence is critical.
The Time Traveler’s Guide to Medieval England by Ian Mortimer. Interesting, both broad strokes and specifics. Great as a first book to orient on the period; focused on daily life at various classes. Great specifics. Inn cost 75% food, sleep 25% (4/5)
The Man in High Castle by Phillip K Dick. (3/5) An interesting “allies lose WWII” set a generation later, when the new patterns are well established. Compelling characters resigned to the world as it stands; the insanity of triumphal Germany chills.
The Cooking Gene by Michael W. Twitty. I checked this out before we watched the segment of Taste the Nation about the gullah geechee that featured him. Well written & charmingly rambling — but it goes long on the genes/ancestry angle, which I have an aversion to. Genealogy was Dad’s thing, but too much of it was “names on a chart”, not stories or a reason to care. Without context, I don’t care about even my own ancestors… so the bulk of this book stirred up the same annoyance.
Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (5/5). A fascinating story set within slavery; full of horrors and so many respites that prove false or temporary. Ahistorical in parts, but intentionally– Cora (our main viewpoint character) is dynamic and inspiring.