In The Shadow of the Sword: The Birth of Islam and the Rise of the Global Arab Empire by Tom Holland

There was some really interesting content in here... most notably the dubious origins of what we think we know about Muhammad's life... but this book was far too long, covering too much minutiae in a narrative that was long-winded.

Lustrum by Robert Harris

Accidentally reread this -- I thought it was going to be the third of the trilogy, not the second. Even second-time round, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Thrilling, fun, action-packed. All non-literary novels should aspire to be this good.

Eva Luna by Isabel Allende

A catalogue of bizarre stuff happening that nonetheless felt humdrum. Little sense of climax, suspense.

The Divine Comedy: Purgatory by Dante, translated by Clive James

It's a rollicking, picaresque tale about going through hell and back. Plus there's a bunch of highbrow references and allusions to the Bible, theology and Graeco-Roman mythology, which keeps academics employed debating minor points of long-forgotten arcana when not writing copious footnotes and prefaces and indexes to new translations. But essentially: it's a rollicking, picaresque tale that Clive James translates exceptionally well.

The Little Book of Economics by Greg Ip

The Battle for God by Karen Armstrong

Offered too much detail, not enough overview for my liking. Also a little repetitive about the difference between mythos and logos, which was a little frustrating because the explanation of mythos was a little lacking. Nevertheless, the rise of literalism in exegeses of holy books being due to the reign of logos was an eye-opening thought.

Latham at Large by Mark Latham

He's crazy. He's also compelling.

The Right Attitude to Rain by Alexander McCall Smith

What muzak should aspire to be.