Twelve Desperate Miles by Tim Brady
The story of the SS Contessa, a merchant ship drafted into WWII mobilization, loaded with fuel and ammunition, and sent across the Atlantic to supply the invasion of North Africa.
The titular 12 miles was the trip up the Sebou river from the Atlantic coast to an air field.
It’s an interesting history, but I think it’s oversold. The cover text implies this ship was leading the convoy. It was, in fact, late and traveled alone across the ocean trying to catch up. And while the trip up the river was no-doubt harrowing for the crew; in context of the many horrible things that happened in WWII I’m not sure it rises to the descriptor “desperate.”
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
This is one of Jess’ favorite books, so I read it for her. It tells a story of a social worker in the Department in Charge of Magical Children sent to investigate an orphanage.
A story of acceptance in the face of societal oppression. And a personal journey of finding joy and meaning in life.
The Infinity Machine by Sebastian Mallaby
The latest read for the book group at work. This is a story about the current wave in artificial-intelligence research and development which we have all be subjected to whether we like it or not.
Extremely deferential to the people involved and if you were to read this book uncritically you’d believe by the end that the world is now full of sentient, artificial-intelligence systems quickly making humanity obsolete. I found it a bit cloying in its admiration.