Derrida For Beginners   Jim Powell
Good, extensive introduction to Derrida’s work. But only provided more detail on why I have always disliked the ways he bent Nietzsche and especially Heidegger. He should be ignored.

1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created   Charles C. Mann
Fascinating account of the “Columbian Exchange” that resulted from Columbus’ landing on Hispaniola in 1492. Especially good information about the effect on Asia, which is usually ignored in basic descriptions, and the human exchanges. A little more journalistic than scholarly, but excellent nonetheless. Really good.

Introducing Postmodernism   Richard Appignanesi
Outstanding, exhaustive overview of what is meant by the overused term. Covers areas I hadn’t considered such as fundamentalist religions, terrorism, and politics. Written in clear, efficient prose. Very useful.

The Opium Eater   David Morrell
Kindle novella in which Thomas de Quincey explains why he became the infamous user of laudanum, the opium eater of his famous book. Plain but effective prose, good descriptions. Interesting.

The Human Age: The World Shaped by Us   Diane Ackerman
Disappointing, oddly positive, even optimistic, examination of how homo sapiens have affected the planet. Plenty of flowery, even poetic, language that seemed out of place. Didn’t learn anything. Too bad.

The Brothers Karamazov   Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Though considered by many to be one of the greatest novels ever written, I found it, like The Devils and The Idiot, to be emotionally overwrought, concerned with silly aristocratic notions of honor, and ridiculous notions of infantile religiosity. Incredibly stupid ending. I wanted to slap all these stupid people. The whole, enormous, 900-plus page book was a waste of time.

Structuralism and Poststructuralism for Beginners   Donald D. Palmer
Notwithstanding the title, excellent introduction to these two philosophical critical schools. Starts with Saussure and goes through Derrida. Little more information on Foucault the pedophile than I think was necessary, but overall very good explanations and valuable background. Really glad I read it.

Child 44   Tom Rob Smith
Interesting, well-written, and well-plotted novel about a disgraced state security agent trying to solve the serial murders of children in the Stalinist Soviet Union. Emotionally bleak and deeply depressing politically. Harsher than I have read before. Slightly too-optimistic ending, but very enjoyable.