There is a book here that could’ve been interesting, so I’ve given this 2 stars for the concept. I suspect in the hands of a serious economic author, for example Stephen Dubner, this would’ve been stellar. Unfortunately, it wasn’t.
]]>Both America and the UK have been hit hard by globalisation, but whereas the UK transitioned into a services-based economy in the late 90s, this hit the USA harder in the social-media age with the hollowing out of the Rust Belt. That loss of manufacturing jobs, and the male career prospects and prestige that entailed, explains a lot of the male malaise that Richard covers.
Definitely an interesting, well-researched and broad discussion of a hugely concerning modern phenomena, but I did find myself sceptical of many aspects of his analysis. 4/5.
]]>Whereas the excellent “The Loss Prescription” by Dr Chloe Paidoussis-Mitchell empathetically uses statistics, actionable activities and habits, and lists of other recommended resources to support your grieving, “On Grief” just wanders around vaguely.
One to avoid.
]]>I personally found this book after an intensely emotional year: a serious heart attack in the autumn was followed by my son’s suicide in the spring. I found this book in the summer, and it gave comfort to those sleepless pre-dawn mornings spent sobbing on the kitchen floor with my dog. Between the floods of tears and the “grief brain” that made concentration difficult, it took over seven months to complete this book. But it helped.
The book covers the full range of grief, and I often found chapters aligned with the timing of my emotional journey. Chloe discusses the immediate aftermath, how nature and mindfulness can offer support, and how to use other techniques to quieten those constant “what ifs”, “could haves”, “should haves” – that destructive inner monologue that can so often become overwhelming.
She goes on to offer practical tips for dealing with life changes that will inevitability follow loss. For me, I now struggle with social anxiety, even when meeting close friends one-on-one, and she recommends mindful grounding techniques.
Importantly, the book doesn’t just focus on your responses, it discusses the societal complexities of grief, such as within the workplace, and the potential indifference of friends and family, and how to be grateful for those pillars who go above and beyond. Towards the end there’s a section on the unique characteristics of suicide, such as navigating the weight and guilt of the self-imposed blame, whether rightly placed or not. And finally, Chloe makes suggestions on legacy, how to honour the loss with dignity and respect.
An excellent book, well written, with compassion, highly recommended for anyone struggling with what life throws at them.
]]>The narrative centers on Jill “Doll” Blaine, a spirit guide whose current charge is K.J. Boone, a wealthy oil tycoon. As Boone lies on his deathbed, he is visited by a series of Scrooge-like ghosts—including a repentant French inventor and a man from a drought-ravaged village—who demand a reckoning for the environmental deceit and corporate greed that defined his career.
Jill, whose own life was cut tragically short by a car bomb in 1976 defends Boone’s life as a series of “inevitable occurrences,” a phrase she uses to offer comfort. In doing so, flipping the anger and frustration she might have felt over her own unpunished death.
While Vigil may not reach the same soaring heights as Lincoln in the Bardo, it is a fantastic, thought-provoking work. Saunders’ blend of humor and imagination makes this a must-read for 2026.
]]>While this book features Shriver’s signature tight writing, the prose didn’t flow as well for me. I also found the characters to be one-dimensional and generally unlikable. It is a solid 4 stars, as it was clearly written by someone who knows their craft, but I certainly didn’t find it as enjoyable as Mania.
]]>