Brakketh ROOTs once more

Back again for 2020, the shelves are never ending as new ROOTs seem to arrive every year.




1. The Invasion finished 1st January.
2. Whipping Star finished 4th February.
3. Randomistas finished 11th February.
4. Made by Humans finished 7th March.
5. Such a Fun Age finished 2nd April.
6. The Year's Best Science Fiction: Thirty-Fifth Annual Collection finished 28th April.
7. Augie and the Green Knight finished 8th May.
8. The Red Tree finished 9th May.
9. Kristin Lavransdatter finished 11th May.
10. Tales from the Inner City finished 13th May.

11. Expecting Better finished 12th April.
12. Human, All Too Human finished 5th July.
13. The Green Mile finished 5th September.
14. The Fault in Our Stars finished 7th September.
15. Nucleus finished 2nd November.
16. Fatherland finished 14th November.
17. Pops finished 24th November.
18. New Selected Poems, 1966-1987 finished 28th November.
19. Juju Sundin's Birth Skills: Proven Pain-Management Techniques for Your Labour and Birth discarded 21st December.
20. Helliconia Spring finished 7th December.

21. Helliconia Summer finished 15th December.
22. Mumlife: Witty and Pretty Musings on (the Truth about) Motherhood finished 26th December.
23. Helliconia Winter finished 22nd December.
24. Decision Modelling for Health Economic Evaluation finished 26th December.
25. Cribsheet finished 30th December.
26. Dark Emu finished 27th December.

Not up-rooted.
27 - 30.

ROOT 1. The Invasion by Peadar O'Guiling.

The end of the duology that was a pleasant ROOTs 2019 discovery. Holiday and flights mean this was a ROOT-ful start to 2020 for me.

Welcome back, Kale! And you are the first one to finish a ROOT, I think. I'm just 15 pages to read behind you.

Happy ROOTing in 2020 and a very happy New Year.

Welcome back, happy reading!

Welcome back! Congrats on your first ROOT right out of the gate!

Happy ROOTing!

ROOT 2. Whipping Star by Frank Herbert.

Bizarre world building featuring a Bureau of Sabotage to ensure government doesn't function efficiently. An enjoyable quick read if you're a fan of science fiction from this period.

ROOT 3. Randomistas by Andrew Leigh.

A wide ranging look at the benefits that have accrued from randomised controlled trials with some strong advocacy for greater use of these methods. Inspiring and an easy read for those with interest in policy evaluation.

ROOT 4. Made by Humans by Ellen Broad.

A great introduction and summary to some of the strengths and limitations of the increased focus on using data uncritically to automate decision making. Shows a great breadth of thought and presents complex challenges in accessible ways.

ROOT 5. Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid.

An updated comedy of manners focused on the awkwardness of race-relations in America. Wonderful read and insightful in equal measure.

ROOT 6. The Year's Best Science Fiction: Thirty-Fifth Annual Collection edited by Gardner Dozois.

Dozois continues to amaze with his ability to gather together diverse and interesting short science fiction from the year.

ROOT 7. Augie and the Green Knight by Zach Weinersmith.

Retelling of the Arthurian story of Gawain and the Green Knight. Book is mostly pitched at children though the inclusion of various scientific turns-of-phrase stick out a bit. Enjoyable with a sweet moral woven throughout.

ROOT 8. The Red Tree by Shaun Tan.

Amazing book about depression. Excellent read.

ROOT 9. Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset.

A big and deep ROOT that I started in late 2018 and have read on and off since then.

Amazing, engaging, wonderful and fascinating. A long hard read for me of the Nunnally translation (amazing job by her too). Accessible characters help make 14th century Norway come to life. Kristin is a rich and deep character and I really felt like I'd lived through her life too. Highly recommend and thank you 1001 for bringing this to my attention.

Hi Kale. I hope you are doing fine. Nice to see you are still reading. I have the book in >14 brakketh: on my virtual shelves. 1004 pages! It's the complete trilogy. Maybe it's time to revisit this book. I must have read it in my teens, but that's 40+ years ago. I've added it to my Kobo.

Hey @Connie53, >14 brakketh: was a long read for me and a double treat. Firstly the original author to conceive and write such a massive and coherent life, followed by such an accessible translation. Doing well in these strange times, my best wishes for you as well.

ROOT 10. Tales from the Inner City by Shaun Tan.

Shaun Tan is one of my favourite illustrators with nuance and depth in his simplest seeming images. A peaceful and surreal read.

ROOT 11. Expecting Better by Emily Oster.

A bit heavy handed on how great economists are at understanding research evidence. Useful book for those who want to understand the evidence underpinning many of the recommendations provided around pregnancy.

Hi Kale, back again here to see if you read another Big Book. I did not start in Kristin Lavransdochter yet but I will be soon.

Hey @connie53, no more big books this year I think quite busy in my house so smaller books will work best I think.

ROOT 12. Human, All Too Human by Friedrich Nietzsche.

Not going to lie did have to look up what an aphorism was. I think you may need a deeper appreciation of philosophy than I have to be able to appreciate this piece of work.

ROOT 13. The Green Mile by Stephen King.
A very moving story with a well made film.

ROOT 14. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.
As above, a guilty pleasure but I really enjoyed it.

ROOT 15. Nucleus by Rory Clements.

A standard espionage thriller set in the lead up to World War II.

ROOT 16. Fatherland by Robert Harris.

Potential future if the German's had won and how the holocaust may be disguised.

Thanks @This-n-That, I'm with you on The Green Mile adaption. Hope you've enjoyed a good year with your ROOTs (or any other reading adventures).

ROOT 17. Pops by Michael Chabon.

Chabon's reflections on parenting and being a father, interesting to see the feelings and perspectives he takes.

ROOT 18. New Selected Poems, 1966-1987 by Seamus Heaney.

Beautiful and boggy in places.

ROOT 19. Juju Sundin's Birth Skills: Proven Pain-Management Techniques for Your Labour and Birth by Juju Sundin.

Discarded unread by me.

ROOT 20. Helliconia Spring by Brian Aldiss.

Brilliantly imagined and comprehensive world that draws you in and keeps you there.

Happy Holidays from the Netherlands!

ROOT 21. Helliconia summer by Brian Aldiss.
Further development of the world during its summer cycle.

ROOT 22. Mumlife: Witty and Pretty Musings on (the Truth about) Motherhood by Paula Kuka.
Lighthearted look at the expectations, pleasures and challenges of parenting.

ROOT 23. Helliconia Winter by Brian Aldiss.
An amazing feat of imagination and engaging throughout.

ROOT 24. Decision Modelling for Health Economic Evaluation by Andrew Briggs.
No longer relevant for my work so got rid of this book which I'd been using as a reference.

>28 connie53: Thank you Connie, lovely and relaxing in Australia. Happy Holidays and best wishes for your 2021.

ROOT 25. Cribsheet by Emily Oster.
A considered discussion of an analysis of the evidence base for many of the first year decisions and challenges.

ROOT 26. Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe.
Excellent and accessible discussion of the evidence behind a non-nomadic lifestyle for the Aboriginal people prior to British colonisation.

Missed target by 4 ROOTs, enjoyed many discoveries from my own shelves and glad to have cleared a little shelf space.