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The title and sub-title may give the impression that this is some sort of new fangled business manual, it isn't. Essentially, it's the story of how a bunch of misfits came together to take the track cycling world by the scruff on the neck. I was sort of expecting a bit more detail, or outlines of actual process, but it turned out to be more autobiographical, with lots of stories from other fields to emphasis points. I found it an enjoyable and engaging read and it was probably for the best that it wasn't an attempt at a prescriptive business process.

Split into three parts, this book breaks down how we've got to where we are and charts a path to a better future. One where all of us are engaged, our opinions valued and working together for a better future. It's not the kind of book that I normally read, but I found plenty in it that resonated and was though provoking.

I find Michael Pollan to be a really engaging writer, with the prose easy and enjoyable to read. The fact that I learn so much while reading one of his books is just a bonus. The only real issue, which also relates to books like Ayelet Waldman's A Really Good Day, is that I want to try these drugs to see what effect they have on me; but I'm far too risk averse to try wandering down to the bad area of town to try and score some.

I found the section of Opium to be particularly interesting, as I have Oriental poppies growing in my own garden. The section on mescaline was also very interesting, especially the cultural issues around it's growing areas and usage.

If you enjoyed How to Change Your Mind, this is more of the same, and worth your time.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this "diary", of the authors adventures in micro-dosing LSD. Part diary, part history lesson, part manifesto, there's a lot to get your teeth into. While I knew a lot of the LSD story, having previously read Michael Pollan's How to Change Your Mind, it was interesting to revisit it all from someone else's perspective.

While the contents of the book are still relevant, thee tech world moves fast, so fast that some of the contents felt woefully out of date. It's pretty much the same cast of characters that seem to pop up in lots of books and podcasts at the moment, all of whom were inspired by reading The Sovereign Individual; think Peter Thiel and Co. The book deal with how these tech start up went from small and insignificant, to become the monopolies they are today, and the practices they keep so it stays that way.

While the contents are at times enlightening, it's been five years since publication, and things have only got worse.

This is not a book that details how to fit yourself to your bike, nor is it a training bible. Instead, Phil Cavell has written a manifesto about why you should cycle through middle age, the pros, the cons, with a heathy dose of his personal and professional experiences. You could be cynical and think it's essentially a 288 page advert for getting a professional bike fit from his company, but it's not, not really.

There's plenty of info in there about thinks that can go wrong, why people ride the way they do, and I gleaned numerous insights that I then applied to my own cycling. If you're older, and a cyclist, then it's a worth while read.

The book is a collection of short articles about various aspects of cycling, rather than a full length coherent piece. As such, there's always going to be some that you resonate with and some that you don't, and so it proved. As a keen cyclist, I could relate to some of the tales, but not to others. It was also a shame that it doesn't include some of his bikepacking related shenanigans. Overall it was an enjoyable (ish) read, but unless you're proper into cycling and want to read about someone else's though /on their/ cycling, then I wouldn't bother.

I picked this up agfter listening to The Missing Cryptoqueen and its languished on my Kindle for a while, so it was about time I got round to reading it. While I've already read about some of the things covered, there was more than enough that I didn't know. Even when covering controversial figures like Tommy Robinson, Bartlett is non-judgemental and leaves it up to you to make up your own mind. He points out contradictions and hypocrisy across the board, not just with the people and movements he's covering. Some of his conclusions and thoughts are very insightful and left me pondering my own stance on some of these matters. Recommended.

An enjoyable read, but if you've watched any of her TV shows, especially "The Secret Genius of Modern Life", then you'll already know the contents of the book. It's not pitched at people who know it all already, but more at your ageing Mum who can't work her smartphone. The eBook also seemed to be 35% footnotes, which means you suddenly end the book without realising just how far through it you actually are.

Having watched Pascoe on various and sundry TV shows, I couldn't help but read this in her voice, like an in brain audio book. Entertainingly written, in a lighter and funnier style for subjects that are quite deep and serious. It's also more an exploration of her own assumptions and procedures and those being dispelled during her research and enlightenment.

I listened to the accompanying ten part podacst when the book was first released, where she talks to sex workers. That was enlightening enough, the book just adds more, especially around consent and rape. Not sure I could persuade my seventeen year old son to read it, but he would certainly benefit if he did.

If your blood doesn't boil reading this, then you're part of the problem, it should be mandatory reading for all males. It's page after page of unremitting evidence of the gender data gap, and how it effects every part of a woman's life; some of it simply beggars belief. I was expecting a dry and difficult to engage with wall of text, but it was very accessible and very well written; if you're into evidence, then the last third of the book is links to all the sources of the statistics and what not.

I can remember watching this race on the telly and being glad Lewis was beaten. Shame he refused to participate, so the while it's incredibly well researched and written, there does feel like there's stuff missing. A very enjoyable read none the less and leaves you wishing someone would own up to wither Johnson's post race beers were spiked or not.

I'd heard of Throbbing Gristle, and even own some Chris Carter vinyl, I did not know about Cosey Fanni Tutti. It turns out that was my loss. I was a bit put off by the writing style for the first few pages, but then found myself being drawn in deeper and deeper till I could barely put it down. What an amazing life and an amazing worts and all account of it. An absolute must read.

Quite unlike the other books I've read by Nicola Griffith, mainly as it's not some sort of science fiction. I struggled a bit with the very short passages, but soon eased into it, mainly as the writing is very good. I was wondering where the story was going, as it seem to be a semi-autobiographical tale of dealing with multiple sclerosis, but it did eventually result in an outcome.

If this tale is half the experience and reality of those with dealing with multiple sclerosis, then the anger of the protagonist is fully understandable.