Short notes and quotes from what I'm reading. Mostly history, design and the odd novel.
The Design of Everyday Things — Don Norman Oct 2026 Every door that needs a “push” sign is a small design failure. Since reading this I can't stop noticing them on trains.
The Wager — David Grann Aug 2026 Gripping. The second half, where everyone tells a different version of the same events, is the real book.
A Pattern Language — Christopher Alexander Jun 2026 Reading a few patterns each evening. “Light on two sides of every room” has quietly changed how I think about flats.
Tokyo Ueno Station — Yu Miri Apr 2026 Short, quiet and devastating.