Reading

A record of the books I’ve read since 2010, cunningly arranged in the order in which I read them.

☆ Starred titles are those I highly recommend.

Previous Years
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010

2024

A Murder of Quality by John le Carré ☆ — Returning to my plan of 2012(!) to read Le Carré’s Smiley books in order. A Murder of Quality is the second Smiley book and I feel shows a young Le Carré considering a different path for George Smiley as a detective. A Murder of Quality is at heart a ‘whodunnit’ but is also an exploration of the English class system, in particular around private education. Something Le Carré confirms in his afterwords. Even just a two books in to his career Le Carré is already a stunning writer, with a wonderful turn of phrase and characters so well described you feel you know them personally. I also feel that Alec Guinness so perfectly cast as George Smiley in the BBC adaption of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy it’s hard to visualise him any other way.

Lies Sleeping by Ben Aaronovitch ☆ — The seventh book in the Rivers Of London series and one of the best so far. Focussing on the Faceless Man, ancient temples beneath the streets of London and Mr Punch’s ‘back story’ Lies Sleeping see the conclusion of a key story arc and possibly the beginning of a new one. Highly recommended.

Amongst Our Weapons by Ben Aaronovitch ☆ — The latest and currently last novel in the River of London series is a cracker, Aaronovitch gets more polished and confident with each book I feel. Amongst Our Weapons sees him expanding the roles of what have previously been relatively minor supporting characters and yes the title is a reference to the Monty Python Spanish Inquisition sketch, which I didn’t expect…

2023

Nobody Walks by Mick Herron ☆ — Starting 2023 with another Mick Herron novel. Nobody Walks take solace in the SHU – Slow Horses Universe – but only directly involves JK Coe who is not yet a Slow Horse, but after the events of Nobody Walks is on his way. Nobody Walks would make a great stand alone film or TV series.

Search For A Whisky Bothy by Ralfy — A Christmas gift from my son I enjoyed reading about Ralfy’s early life, his first career as an undertaker and how he stumbled into the world of whisky and YouTube. Ralfy’s YouTube channel is a must watch for anybody that wants to learn more about whisky.

Standing By The Wall by Mick Herron — A quick , entertaining and amusing Christmas visit to Slough House, that pits Roddy Ho with a job to do. Answers about an old friend, and hints of something that’s always been there becoming more prominent.

Never Finished by David Goggins — I expected insights into how to utilise Goggin’s mental approach in every day life but instead it’s a continuation of his autobiography Can’t Hurt me. Goggins talks more about his childhood and how that shaped him, and what he’s done and doing after the period covered by Can’t Hurt Me. Goggins is half hard man, half mad man.

Outlive – The Science and Art of Longevity by Dr Peter Attia ☆ — Fascinating and a must read if you want to prolong both your life span and health span and gain an extra ‘bonus’ decade or even more.

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer ☆ — My son has just spent an amazing 17 days in Nepal which sent me down a reminiscence rabbit hole as twenty years ago I spent a couple of weeks at the other end of the Himalaya in McLeod Ganj India. I’d love to see more of the Himalaya and particularly Everest, Into Thin Air tells the tragic story of the 1996 Everest disaster where 12 people lost their lives. The film Everest covers the same expedition and features Jon Krakauer, but as always the book is so much better, more nuanced and more detailed. You’ve probably seen the photos of people queuing for the summit and thought Everest must be easy to climb these days. It isn’t, and this book reinforces that so very strongly.

The Lost Explorer by Conrad Anker & David Roberts] ☆ — Continuing my Everest rabbit hole (who are you calling an oxymoron?) with the story of George Mallory’s ill fated attempt to climb Everest and the discovery of his body in 1999. A fascinating insight into climbing in the early days of oxygen and without the technical advances of today, building upon which Conrad Anker makes a very strong case regarding Mallory’s chances of having successfully climbed Everest.

The Martian by Andy Weir ☆ — Having enjoyed the film I’ve been meaning to read the book for ages. This was a holiday read, an alternative to all the non-fiction I’ve been reading this year. The Martian is a really good read, even with the extensive and accurate ‘science’. The film is played more for comedy than the novel which has more tension and life threatening moments, although Mark Watney is perhaps even more irreverent.

The Last Devil To Die by Richard Osman ☆ — The fourth book in the Thursday Murder Club series and Richard Osman continues to delight as an author. There’s the expected murder and mayhem in The Last Devil To Die but what really stood out to me was his gentle focus on one of the secondary characters Stephen, Elizabeth’s husband, as he continues to diminish through his increasing dementia. This is possibly due to recent family experiences, but more than one scene moved me to tears and once in particular was heartbreakingly well written.

How To Calm Your Mind by Chris Bailey — One of those books that should really just be half a dozen blog posts or articles. It’s well-written but verbose and because there are only a few central concepts rather repetitive. I found the concept of chronic stress and the clinical definition of burnout very relevant after a particularly intense period at work. I have made changes to my day to day after reading this book, but the value is all in the first half, to be honest. Feel free to skip the second half – you’ll feel calmer.

Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch ☆ — After the worthy but shallow self improvement of How To Calm Your Mind I wanted a lighter read for a week away and decided to continue with the Rivers Of London series. This is book two and apparently I read it in 2017. I’ve spoken before about my inability to remember anything I’ve read, but it does have advantages in that I can reread books without the plot being spoilt and just the merest hint of vestigia at times. This was another fun story involving a group of “jazz vampires”, a faceless magician and a series of rather unpleasant bite injuries. This series of books would make a great TV series, it was due to be made by Simon Pegg and Nick Frost’s production company but another company appears to have since picked it up. I do hope it gets made and with the cast and production to do it justice.

The Rise by Ian Rankin — A short story which appears to be a Kindle exclusive. A decent detective story set in London. It felt as if Rankin was trying a new writing story and I wonder DS Gillian Gish could become a replacement for the aging John Rebus.

Whispers Underground by Ben Aaronovitch — The third book in the Rivers of London series and my least favourite so far. Not enough of the Rivers and their associated deities for my liking.

Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch ☆ — A return to from for the fourth book in the Rivers of London series. A close second top the original book Broken Homes sees the return of the Rivers and the Faceless Man in a great tale centred around a fictitious brutalist tower block. I’ve mentioned that I’ve read these books before and yet can barely remember them (nothing personal Ben I barely remember anything I read) and yet I’m stunned I’d forgotten the twist in this tale. This line made me smile out loud…

“Coffee arrived and the espresso was excellent, like an aromatic electric fence.”

Foxglove Summer by Ben Aaronovitch ☆ — Another cracking instalment in the Rivers of London series. Foxglove Summer takes place in the Hereford Countryside and sees Peter Grant and Beverley Brooks working together very closely to track down two missing girls. It’s difficult to describe more without spoilers so add it to your reading list and enjoy.

The Hanging Tree by Ben Aaronovitch ☆ Back in London and investigating a murder in which Lady Tyburn’s daughter appears to be implicated along with the Faceless Man. A great story with everything from American magical hit squads to a historic London pub imbued with the vestigia of countless criminals that stopped there on their way to the gallows on Tyburn Hill.

2022

Say Nothing: A True Story Of Murder & Memory In Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe ☆ — I saw Patrick Rhone mention this book, thought it looked interesting, took a punt and then couldn’t put it down. Say Nothing spans the period from the beginnings of ‘the troubles’ in 1969 through to recent years as investigations and recriminations continue. This is a history book, but has the sense of urgency and the need to keep reading of a great thriller. It really is brilliantly written. If you have any interesting Northern Island, Belfast or ‘the troubles’ I can’t recommend this highly enough.

Some Thoughts On Writing by Patrick Rhone — I like to read this every couple of years or so and convince myself that I’m a ‘writer’. Based on Patrick’s definition I am, and here you are reading my writing, but given my last blog post was almost 12 months ago, I feel I need to publish a little more frequently before I’m comfortable calling myself a writer.

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman ☆ — This is not a book I’d have picked up out of some unfounded snobbishness as it’s written by that bloke of that TV quiz show, but a friend recommended it and I’m so glad he did – it’s a hoot! It’s the fabulously unlikely, but hugely entertaining, story or four retirees at a posh retirement village that start investigating old murder cases, but soon they are surrounded by fresh murders – some very close to home. I can’t wait to see the film.

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman ☆ — Having enjoyed The Thursday Murder Club so much I had to read the sequel straight away. It’s maybe even further fetched but more confidently written and again such a fun read. So nice to read something entertaining rather than worthy.

There And Black Again by Don Letts ☆ — I’ve been intrigued by Don Letts since I became aware of him through Big Audio Dynamite. Letts’ fascinating autobiography tells his life story from being at the heart of the dawn of punk in the early seventies, through his time as a ‘pop star’ with BAD and onto his career as an award winning video and film director. A charismatic, creative and challenging personality in the truest sense – the one and only Rebel Dread.

Slow Horses by Mick Herron ☆ — I started watching Slow Horses on Apple TV+ for Gary Oldman, loved his performance and Herron’s very different approach to telling a spy story. When Om Malik, I writer I respect, wrote about Slow Horses I had to try the books and I’m glad I did. Slow Horses introduces us to Slough House home of the Slow Horses, rejects from the UK Security Service, overseen by Jackson Lamb – played by Gary Oldman. In Slow Horses they become involved in a bungled ‘security operation’ with far reaching consequences. I won’t say more for fear of spoilers but highly recommend either watching or reading (or both) Slow Horses. Gary Oldman is perfect as Jackson Lamb.

Dead Lions by Mick Herron  — The second Slough House book is a book of two halves. Initially I commented that this felt like a more confident writer, one growing into his craft and his characters. But in the latter parts of the the book Herron starts to rapidly jump between converging storylines, it’s keeps you reading but felt jarring and annoying at times. The story also changes dramatically from the Slow Horses we love to something much bigger. Too big? I’m not sure, but it was a little jarring also.

Real Tigers by Mick Herron ☆ — Slough House book 3. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to review these books without giving too much away with, so I’m going to borrow bits of the official ‘blurb’. Slow Horse and recovering alcoholic Catherine Standish is abducted, but why? It must be about Slough House, and most likely, it’s about Jackson Lamb. Say what you like about Lamb, but he’ll never leave a joe in the lurch.

Spook Street by Mick Herron ☆ — The fourth and probably best Slough House book so far. The blurb – David Cartwright still knows where the skeletons are buried, but when he forgets that secrets are supposed to stay buried, there’s suddenly a target on his back. His grandson, River, is a Slow Horse and with his grandfather under threat, he ditches desk duty and goes rogue to investigate.

London Rules by Mick Herron ☆ — The Slough House books always open with a description of the building and the Slow Horses from unusual perspectives a cat, a ghost or in this case dawn. The book then closes with dawn turning to night – so clever. The fifth Slough House book is another great story from Herron with a few bombshells liberally scattered that should make for explosive subsequent tales.

Rivers Of London by Ben Aaronovitch ☆ — A break from the Slough House series. I first read this back in 2017 and loved it, when my Daughter bought it to read on holiday I thought I’d join her. I love the central idea that the rivers of London are actually Gods and Orisa in mortal(ish) form; the Fleet, the Tyburn and of course the Thames who is both Mama and Papa Thames, and not forgetting the lovely Beverley Brook. Rivers of London follows Peter Grant, a newly qualified Police Constable in London who has ’the sight’ and joins a Police unit focused on magic, yes really. I love that so much of the book takes place in and around Covent Garden allowing me to easily ‘play along at home’.

Joe Country by Mick Herron ☆ — Back to Slough House, although this book starts and concludes very dramatically in South Wales. The blurb says “with winter taking its grip Jackson Lamb would sooner be left brooding in peace, but even he can’t ignore the dried blood on his carpets. So when the man responsible for killing a slow horse breaks cover at last, Lamb sends his crew out to even the score.” Another gripping chapter in the Slough House series, although I still find Herron’s writing style of jumping rapidly between storylines a little tricky to follow at times.

Slough House by Mick Herron ☆ — By far the best instalment in the Slough House series since the first book. I hope the Apple TV series makes it as far as this book as it will make brilliant viewing, especially as there is so much interaction between Jackson Lamb and Diana Taverner played by Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas. Read the series just for this book.

Bad Actors by Mick Herron — The most recent book in the Slough House series and possibly the weakest since book 2. One of the fundamental characters doesn’t appear in this book other than in a brief mention and the overall story arc isn’t really advanced. All a bit meh frankly.

The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman ☆ — Where the latest book in the Slough House series was rather underwhelming the latest in the Thursday Murder Club is fantastic. Osman writes wonderfully and his plots and pacing are perfect. Highly, highly recommended.

How To Build A Car by Adrian Newey ☆ — An inspired birthday present from my Daughter. Adrian Newey’s autobiography covers his life from childhood through to the Aston Martin Valkyrie. Newey’s autobiography is utterly fascinating and confirms his genius in my eyes. Newey still draws all his ideas and developments with a pencil on his drawing board and the book contains many sketches illustrating innovative solutions to ‘gaps’ in the F1 regulations. I would love to see this updated to include the new ground effect cars where Newey’s experience has clearly proved invaluable.

A Heart Full of Headstones by Ian Rankin — The latest in the long series of John Rebus novels. I’ve been reading the Rebus novels since I was first commuting into London. I worked at Amex and my friend and I shared them, reading each in turn. Rankin releases a new Rebus novel each Autumn and has set himself a difficult task in that each year John Rebus is another year older in ‘real time’. Rebus has long retired from the Force, he’s in ill health and so Rankin had to invent an unlikely premise for Rebus to once more be investigating a ‘case’. Whilst it was good to be reacquainted with Rebus, Siobhan Clarke and Big Ger Cafferty A Heart Full of Headstones was ultimately disappointing. I’m not sure how much further Rankin can take Rebus if he continues the real time approach. I’d love to read stories from Rebus’ early career but so far Rankin hasn’t gone in that direction.

The Surfboard: How Using My Hands Helped Unlock My Mind by Dan Kieran — I’ve been interested to read this for a while. Whilst I don’t surf I love the idea of building a wooden surfboard by hand in the Cornish workshop of Otter Surfboards. The book is OK, but it was notable that the text seemed to flow better when Dan was talking about his business Unbound than when taking about his surfboard. I still want to build a surfboard though.

The Drop & The List by Mick Herron — A Slough House novella that fills in some back story and details around ‘Milkman’ John Batchelor and a German spy who appear in later Slough House novels. A fun read with pleasing amounts of Diana Taverner’s ruthlessness and just a little of Jackson Lamb’s world worn street smarts.

The Catch by Mick Herron — A second Slough House novella featuring John Batchelor which features the Government’s suppression of a news story about a prominent member of the establishment. I can’t say much more without giving the plot away, but again it gives detail and backstory to future Slough House plot lines.

2021

Call For The Dead by John le Carré ☆ — After John le Carré’s death in late 2020 I thought I’d read his Smiley books in order, having enjoyed Tinker  Tailor Soldier Spy and the Tailor Of Panama. Call For The Dead is le Carré’s first novel and introduces us to the unlikely protagonist George Smiley. Brilliantly written Call For The Dead vividly conveys post-war London and early Cold War Europe in a tense game of cat and mouse with an unlikely foe.

Craft: An Argument by Pete Brown — I’m a big fan of Pete Brown’s writing, about beer and beyond. This is probably Pete’s most niche book to date, focussing on what Craft is and what Craft means in relation to Craft Beer. More about Craft than Beer so not just for beer geeks like me.

The Apple Orchard – Pete Brown ☆ — A departure for Pete Brown and for me into the worked of apples, orchards and cider. I always thought of apples as being quintessentially English but they originate from much further afield. A fascinating tale of history, horticulture and society.

The Wind At My Back – Paul Maunder ☆ — I’m not sure how I came across this book but I’m so pleased I did. About cycling, writing and the English countryside this book is a delightful journey in many different ways.

Need For The Bike – Paul Fournell ☆ — Written by French poet and philosopher Paul Fournell this is a series of short essays on meditations on cycling in France and its traditions and culture. Delightful.

Neuromancer – William Gibson ☆ — Re-reading for the nth time as part of ‘Cyberpunk Book Club’ with my good friend Blacknotebook. This is possibly the most influential book published in the late 20th Century; coining the terms cyberspace and Microsoft and influencing everything from the Matrix to Inception and beyond. It feels both utterly contemporary and slightly dated at the same time. William Gibson says of Neuromancer that his one regret is that he didn’t see the rise and prevalence of mobile phones, although that lack of mobiles gives us one of the most memorable moments in the book where an AI makes every payphone ring, just once, as the protagonist passes them walking across the lobby of a hotel.

Pattern Recognition – William Gibson ☆ — Following on from Gibson’s first novel I decided to read one of his later works. Pattern Recognition is the first part of the ‘Blue Ant Trilogy’ which I feel is possibly his best work. Set in modern day London, part of its appeal for me, Pattern Recognition follows ‘Cool Hunter’ Cayce Pollard as she tracks down the maker of the footage – seemly random yet connected video clips being released online. It was interesting reading it again, and right after Neuromancer, the writing is so much more fluid and mature yet still full of amazingly prescient ideas and themes.

The Meaning In The Making – Sean Tucker ☆ — I’m a huge fan of Sean Tucker’s YouTube channel, ostensibly about photography but seen through the eyes of a modern day philosopher. Sean’s first book The Meaning In The Making builds on this philosophical approach and presents a series of essays to help ‘makers’ make work that matters to them and to others. Thought provoking and highly recommended.

Can’t Hurt Me – David Goggins ☆ — I never thought I’d read a book by an ex-Navy Seal and Ultra Marathon runner, but YouTube’s algorithm suggested a video featuring David Goggins and I was hooked. Can’t Hurt Me is 80% autobiography and 20% motivational/self-improvement, and it’s a captivating read. David is brutally honest about his tough early life and the mistakes he’s made in his adult life and military career. If you want an idea of what it takes to complete the three toughest elite military selections and then run hundreds of miles with broken bones (really) read this.

Mindfulness For Mere Mortals – Patrick Rhone — A short, but interesting read exploring the benefits of mindfulness and outlining how to start meditating and build a regular practice.

Enough – Patrick Rhone — A collection of essays on the subject of what is enough, for you. Tools and strategies to find what is enough for you right now and provide the flexibility to adjust as the conditions change. A thought provoking reminder.

A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens — I hadn’t read and Dickens until I read A Christmas Carol a few years ago and then understood why he’s so highly regarded. The story we all know I’m sure, but reading it in Dickens’ prose is a treat. This passage makes me smile every time I read it.

They were a gloomy suite of rooms, in a lowering pile of building up a yard, where it had so little business to be, that one could scarcely help fancying it must have run there when it was a young house, playing at hide-and-seek with other houses, and have forgotten the way out again.

2020

The Great Alone by Tim Voors ☆ — A Christmas present from my son, The Great Alone describes Voors’ six month journey as he walks the 2650 mile Pacific Crest Trail from Campo on the Mexican Border to Manning Park on the border with Canada. An extraordinary story beautifully told and illustrated by Voors.

10% Happier by Dan Harris ☆ — Dan Harris was an almost stereotypical American news anchor until he had a panic attack live on air. In 10% Happier Harris describes his journey from war zones to silent mediation retreats via that panic attack and some of the more ‘colourful’ religious experiences the USA has to offer. A very genuine and accessible introduction to meditation and the benefits it can bring.

Ghost Rider by Neal Peart ☆ — Peart’s moving memoir following the loss of his daughter and wife within ten months of each other. Following this awful loss Peart took to the road on his motorcycle, ultimately covering 55,000 miles from Canada, through America and Mexico to Belize. Beautifully written, at times heart rending, but ultimately uplifting.

Longitude by Dava Sobel — Describes the decades long competition to create a tool or technique to accurately determine longitude. Perhaps unsurprisingly this is a little dry, but intriguing nonetheless.

Raw Spirit by Iain Banks ☆ — Yes that Iain Banks. I stumbled across this in a bookshop in Horsham a few summers ago, a perfect demonstration of why books shops will always be wonderful places for serendipitous discoveries. A beautifully written travelogue and journal of Banks’ travels around Scotland in search of the perfect dram.

Pie Fidelity by Pete Brown ☆ — I’m a big fan of Pete Brown’s beer writing and his first foray into food writing doesn’t disappoint. Pie Fidelity sings the praises of British Food, an often unfairly maligned cuisine, and makes a brilliant case that historically we have not done enough to protect our national dishes and food heritage in the way the French have for example. Pete weaves in fascinating stories throughout the book, and describes the link between family and food wonderfully. You’ll never think about a bacon roll in the same way again.

The Little History of Cornwall by Paul Wreyford — Cornwall is one of my favourite places, so thought I’d learn a little more about the County I love. This book is a collection of short, sometimes very short, passages about aspects of Cornwall’s history. Initially fun and accessible, but often I was left wanting more detail. It did however further cement my love of Cornwall and strengthen my pride in my Celtic roots.

The Swordfish And The Star by Gavin Knight — Continuing my literary exploration of Cornwall, The Swordfish and The Star – named after two Newlyn pubs favoured by the local fishermen – describes life on the rugged Penwith Peninsula and the sea around it. Much of the book appears to be transcriptions of interviews with fishermen and artists, which is a shame as the passages of Knight’s prose read very well, or maybe it’s just their contrast to the choppy text from the interviews. Initially fascinating, but the final quarter of the books seems to lose its structure and flow and becomes difficult to follow a times.

A Song For The Dark Times by Ian Rankin — The new Rebus novel has become an annual tradition over the last few years as Rankin tracks Rebus’ life and career in real time. Rebus is now retired but Rankin still managed to create an investigation for him. A little slow to start but builds momentum into acts 2 and 3.

Knots And Crosses by Ian Rankin — Having enjoyed the new Rebus I thought it was time to re-read them all. I discovered Rebus when I first started commuting into London in 2003. A colleague at Amex introduced me and we bought and shared all the available books. Re-reading Knots and Crosses has brought back lots of good memories.

Hide And Seek by Ian Rankin — I have a bad memory, but apparently not as bad as I thought, which is presenting a problem with re-reading the Rebus books. Not far into Hide And Seek I started to remember the plot and sadly ‘whodunnit’. I kept reading as it was interesting to revisit early Rebus, it was also interesting that my mental images of characters and locations was exactly the same as the first time I read it. I’ll wait a while longer before I read any more Rebus I think.

Serpentine by Philip Pullman — A short story originally written in 2004 for a National Theatre fund-raising event, Serpentine is spookily prescient of developments in the The Secret Commonwealth. All too brief but good to be reacquainted with Lyra Silvertongue and The North.

The Spy And The Traitor By Ben Macintyre ☆ — I started this in the summer, got about half way through but then stoped reading it for some reason. Today I picked it back up and couldn’t put it down until I finished it. A brilliantly written account of the life and incredible escape from the USSR of KGB double agent Oleg Gordievsky. As tense and well written as a Le Carré thriller.

2019

2018

2017

2016

  • Cabin Porn by Zach Klein ☆
  • Out of Office by Chris Ward ☆
  • Grounded by Chris Ward
  • Gutenberg The Geek by Jeff Jarvis
  • River Cottage Bread by Daniel Stevens
  • Dark Entries by Ian Rankin ☆
  • Second Variety by Philip K Dick
  • The Golden Man by Philip K Dick
  • Deep Work by Cal Newport
  • Normal by Warren Ellis ☆
  • Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life Volume 1 by Bryan Lee O’Malley ☆
  • Adjustment Team by Philip K Dick
  • Etape by Richard Moore
  • The Travelling Companion by Ian Rankin ☆
  • In the Nick of Time by Ian Ranking & Peter James
  • Racing Through The Dark by David Millar
  • The Art of Travel by Alain de Boton ☆
  • A Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russell ☆
  • Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin
  • Hyde and Seek by Ian Rankin
  • Rather Be The Devil by Ian Rankin
  • A Place of My Own by Michael Pollen ☆
  • Bags of Energy Now by Nicholas Bates

2015

  • Racing Weight by Matt Fitzgerald
  • Hops and Glory by Pete Brown ☆
  • The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway ☆
  • A Man Walks Into a Pub by Pete Brown ☆
  • Three Sheets to the Wind by Pete Brown ☆
  • Elektrograd: Rusted Blood by Warren Ellis ☆
  • Small Wars by Lee Child
  • Killing Floor by Lee Childs
  • Die Trying by Lee Childs
  • Second Son by Lee Childs
  • Tripwire by Lee Childs
  • Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck ☆
  • Mastermind – How Dave Brailsford Reinvented the Sport by Richard Moore
  • Money For Something by Matt Henderson (s)
  • Even Dogs In The Wild by Ian Rankin
  • The Random Walk Guide to Investing by Burton Malkiel

2014

  • On Her Majesty’s Secret Service by Ian Fleming
  • Living Daylights/View to a Kill by Ian Fleming
  • Once Upon a Time In the North by Philip Pullman
  • The Ocean at the End Of The Lane by Neil Gaiman ☆
  • Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman ☆
  • Domestique by Charlie Wegelius
  • Seven Deadly Sins by David Walsh
  • You Only Live Twice by Ian Fleming
  • The Man With The Golden Gun by Ian Fleming
  • James Bond My Long And Eventful Search For His Father by Len Deighton ☆
  • How To Develop Emotional Health by Oliver James
  • The Girl With All The Gifts by M R Carey ☆
  • Octopussy The Living Daylights by Ian Fleming
  • Fighter by Len Deighton ☆
  • Cruel Britannia by Ian Cobain ☆
  • The Beat Goes On by Ian Rankin
  • Inside Team Sky by David Walsh
  • Etape by Richard Moore

2013

  • How To Be Great At The Stuff You Hate by Nick Davies
  • Gun Machine by Warren Ellis ☆
  • Crooked Little Vein by Warren Ellis ☆
  • The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald
  • A Farewell To Arms by Ernest Hemingway ☆
  • To Have and Have Not by Ernest Hemingway ☆
  • The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks ☆
  • Teach Us To Sit Still by Tim Parks
  • The Spy Who Loved Me by Ian Fleming
  • It’s All About The Bike by Rob Penn ☆
  • Put Me Back on My Bike by William Fotheringham
  • Obsessive Cycling Disorder by Dave Barter
  • MidbyLife Cyclists by Chris McHuthison & Neil Blundell
  • The Saints of the Shadow Bible by Ian Rankin
  • A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens ☆
  • Architecture a Modern View by Richard Rogers ☆
  • 137 Books In One Year by Kevin Hendricks

2012

  • Just My Type by Simon Garfield ☆
  • Drive by James Sallis ☆
  • The Manual 2
  • Distrust That Particular Flavor by William Gibson ☆
  • Burning Chrome by William Gibson ☆
  • Crooked Little Vein by Warren Ellis ☆
  • Keeping It Straight by Patrick Rhone ☆
  • Enough by Patrick Rhone ☆
  • 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke ☆
  • The Impossible Dead by Ian Rankin
  • From Russia With Love by Ian Fleming
  • Dr No by Ian Fleming
  • Drive by James Sallis ☆
  • Driven by James Sallis
  • A Good Year by Peter Mayle
  • Goldfinger by Ian Fleming
  • Soldier I SAS by Pete Winner
  • Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury ☆
  • Money For Something by Matt Henderson
  • Standing In Another Man’s Grave by Ian Rankin
  • Thunderball by Ian Fleming

2011

  • Undercover UX by Cennyd Bowles
  • Life by Keith Richards
  • Fat, Forty and Fired by Nigel Marsh ☆
  • The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
  • On Writing by Stephen King ☆
  • The Flood by Ian Rankin
  • The Fry Chronicles by Stephen Fry
  • The Power Of Less by Leo Babauta
  • UX Design by Unger & Chandler
  • The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester ☆
  • The Torrents Of Spring by Hemingway ☆
  • A Moveable Feast by Hemingway ☆
  • Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
  • The Rum Diaries by Hunter S Thompson ☆
  • Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John Le Carre
  • Zero History by William Gibson ☆
  • Thank You For The Days by Mark Radcliffe
  • The Manual 1
  • REAMDE by Neal Stephenson ☆

2010

  • Stirred But Not Shaken by Keith Floyd ☆
  • Bespoke by Richard Anderson ☆
  • Ripley Underground by Patricia Highsmith ☆
  • Ripley’s game by Patricia Highsmith ☆
  • Form Design by Luke Wroblewski
  • Count Zero by William Gibson ☆
  • Mona Lisa Overdrive by William Gibson ☆
  • Up In The Air by Walter Kirn
  • Undercover Economist by Tim Harford
  • The Art of Concentration by Harriet Griffey
  • Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell ☆
  • The Complaints by Ian Rankin ☆
  • Escobar by Robert Escobar ☆
  • Live And Let Die by Ian Fleming
  • Moonraker by Ian Fleming
  • Diamonds Are Forever by Ian Fleming
  • Ripley Underwater by Patricia Highsmith
  • Pattern Recognition by William Gibson ☆
  • Spook Country by William Gibson ☆
  • The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
  • A Cool Head by Ian Rankin
  • Zero History by William Gibson ☆
  • The Girl With Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
  • The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets Nest by Stieg Larsson
  • The Profession of Violence by John Pearson

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