Baumgartner’s Bombay (Anita Desai) — I had heard about this book but never read it. A day in the life of Hugo Baumgartner, who as a teenager was sent as a refugee to India from Nazi Germany. He lives though the war (in an internment camp) and ends up decades later in a run-down flat surrounded by cats. It’s sad and fascinating.

The Light Fantastick (Terry Pratchett) — mind candy. It’s nice to read older Pratchett, which seems less lugubrious than the newer Pratchett.

Privacy (Garret Keizer) — a slim volume which ruminates widely on the notion of privacy. There’s a lot of research in here but it meanders a bit. I found it to be real food for thought and while I don’t always agree with him, the book is certainly a provocation to think and discuss. Recommended for people who like that sort of thing.

Fuzzy Nation (John Scalzi) — mind candy. Reminds me a bit of one of the Aspirin Phule novels.

The Jennifer Morgue (Charles Stross) — someone convinced me to take another chance on the Laundry novels. This one was better than the last one I thought, and held up rather nicely. I liked the Bond-esque ness of it. Recommended for people who like smart and snarky Cthulhu-like novels.