This Is for Everyone: The Unfinished Story of the World Wide Web

Berners-Lee, Tim. This Is for Everyone: The Unfinished Story of the World Wide Web. 2025. 400p. ISBN 9780374612467.

Sir Tim Berners-Lee is often considered the most influential inventor of the modern world. He stands apart from his contemporaries like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs because he chose to give his groundbreaking creation, the World Wide Web, away for free. This decision fueled its global adoption, transforming humanity into the first fully digital species that uses the web for everything from work and connection to quarreling and dreaming. In This is for Everyone, Berners-Lee recounts the origins of this iconic invention, tracing his journey from a young engineer at CERN, the European Laboratory for Particle Physics, where he conceived the astonishing idea of adding hyperlinks to the nascent Internet.

This is for Everyone not only tells the story of how the web launched an era of creativity and collaboration but also confronts the powerful, negative forces it unleashed, such as the imperilment of truth, threats to privacy, and the polarization of public discourse. Humor and candor to provide a gripping, insider's view of the digital world's rise. Furthermore, the book offers a vital guide for the future, presenting a crucial perspective on the risks and possibilities brought by artificial intelligence and showing how our digital lives can be reengineered for human flourishing rather than simply for profit or power.

This is a must-read for anyone interested in technology history and the origins of the Internet, offering a candid, first-hand account from the person who actually built the World Wide Web. Entrepreneurs and computer science students will find inspiration in his story of invention and his radical choice to forgo personal commercial gain for the greater good. Finally, readers who are concerned about digital ethics, privacy, and the impact of AI on society will appreciate Berners-Lee's vision for reforming the digital world.

DONE - Wankernomics: A Deep-Dive Into Workplace Bullsh*ttery

Schloeffel, James and Charles Firth. Wankernomics: A Deep-Dive Into Workplace Bullsh*ttery. 2025. 256p. ISBN 9781399828482.

Wankernomics is a satirical guide to surviving modern corporate culture, aimed at anyone who feels lost in a sea of business jargon. The book mocks the use of buzzwords like "synergies" and "end-to-end solutions," highlighting how these phrases often obscure rather than clarify meaning. It's for employees who find themselves questioning the purpose of endless meetings and the confusing, jargon-filled language used by their colleagues.

Wankernomics promises to equip readers with the tools they need to navigate this perplexing world. Through humor, it teaches how to master passive-aggressive emails, use catchphrases like "circle back" and "moving forward" effectively, and even leverage a ridiculous LinkedIn profile to get ahead. Designed for those who want to outwit their coworkers and succeed in an office environment without actually understanding the corporate lingo, Wankernomics delivers a not so subtle critique of our current work culture and its propensity to expand the amount of pointless tasks and meetings to justify its own existence. 

Exit Strategy

Wells, Martha. Exit Strategy. Book 4 of the Murderbot Diaries. 2018. 172p. ISBN 9781250191854.

Murderbot is a highly efficient security unit, or SecUnit, that was never programmed with the capacity for empathy or care. Despite this inherent lack of feeling, the SecUnit makes a crucial and deeply problematic decision to help the only human who ever treated it with respect, Dr. Mensah—a choice it suspects must be a significant "system glitch." After traversing the vast expanse of the galaxy to unearth the truth about both its own forgotten murderous history and the illegal activities of the monolithic GrayCris Corporation, Murderbot is now heading back to its base of operations.

Murderbot's critical mission is to assist Dr. Mensah in submitting the damning evidence it collected, which is crucial to preventing the GrayCris Corporation from destroying additional colonial settlements in its relentless, profitable pursuit of resources. However, this high-stakes endeavor is fraught with peril as Dr. Mensah is kidnapped by GrayCris and finds herself trapped on a space station. Despite its misgivings, Murderbot decides to rescue the doctor, while knowing that being captured will mean death or, even worse, analysis in a lab to figure out how it escaped its original programming. With the stake this high, Murderbot is one mistake away from losing the independence it savors!

Readers who enjoy fast-paced, action-packed science fiction and space operas will find Exit Strategy highly entertaining. It is perfectly suited for those who appreciate a unique, snarky, and self-aware AI protagonist whose inner monologue drives the narrative. Fans of stories involving corporate espionage, battles against ruthless megacorporations, and themes of identity, humanity, and found family will be drawn to Murderbot’s reluctant and dangerous mission to do the right thing. The mix of thrilling adventure and deep internal character development offers a satisfying read!

Mystralhaven: The Mossbringer

Kaiser, Ron. Mystralhaven: The Mossbringer. 2025. 262p. ISBN 978-1515458333.

Baz has arrived, a figure prophesied for her immense power, far surpassing that of anyone around her. She has the potential to be a great leader, but with her mother's death, she is left without a guide to help her understand and control her growing abilities. The world around her is a dangerous place, with different factions vying to control her and her abilities. The monks want to use her for their own purposes, the Borderforges seek to enslave her, and the very people she could save fear her.

With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, Baz must decide who to trust. She is drawn to Rendwyll, a being made more of sand than flesh, who offers to help her navigate her newfound powers. But can she truly trust someone so unusual to guide her? The answer to that question could determine the survival of everyone she meets, as she struggles to master her abilities before others can use them for their own ends.

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 28

Kato, Kazue. Blue Exorcist, Vol. 28. 2022. 220p. ISBN 9781974740734. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

Following her withdrawal with the Gregorii in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 27, Shiemi faces her old enemy, Amaimon, the demon king of earth, who drastically underestimates the power she has recently gained. For Shiemi to fully embrace her destiny, she must recognize and utilize her own true strength in this battle. 

Meanwhile, back in the human world of Assiah, the fate of the entire world hangs in the balance as Satan and his demonic forces prepare for a massive showdown against Mephisto and the Knights of the True Cross. To prepare for this decisive conflict, the Exwires receive enchanted power-ups and finalize their battle strategy. Rin, who is committed to defeating Satan, is part of the vanguard team tasked with engaging the enemy directly. The time has finally arrived for Rin to fulfill his long-standing promise and use his unique powers to confront and overcome Satan, marking a critical turning point in the war between worlds ...

The story continues in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 29.

The Coming Storm: Power, Conflict, and Warnings from History

Westad, Odd Arne. The Coming Storm: Power, Conflict, and Warnings from History. 2026. 256p. ISBN 9781250410283.

For decades, the majority of the global population has lived within a remarkably stable and predictable international order presided over by one or two superpowers. However, that era of predictability is over. An increasing number of Great Powers—including the U.S., China, and Russia—jostle for regional supremacy and competitive advantages in AI, nuclear technology, space, and trade. The world has become dangerously fragile, and the outbreak of a global war among today’s powers is becoming increasingly likely. Such a conflict would reach a magnitude of devastation never before seen in human history.

To navigate this combustible new terrain, The Coming Storm examines "eerie parallels" of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This was a time defined by rising nationalism and populism, escalating tariffs, and a widespread feeling that globalization had failed. Much like today, the public discourse was dominated by anxieties over immigration and terrorism, with citizens often blaming foreign nations for domestic hardships. By analyzing these historical echoes, The Coming Storm provides a sobering look at how similar patterns led to catastrophe in the past and offers a vital framework for understanding the existential threats facing the modern world.

Fans of history will enjoy learning about the structural causes of global conflict. The Coming Storm offers a political philosophy that includes a deeply researched warning for policymakers and concerned citizens alike about the precarious state of peace in the twenty-first century.

DONE - What Is Free Speech?: The History of a Dangerous Idea

Dabhoiwala, Fara. What Is Free Speech?: The History of a Dangerous Idea. 2025. 480p. ISBN 9780241347478.

The meaning of "free speech" is a highly contested topic across the globe. While it is celebrated as a core value in Western nations, there is significant internal disagreement about its scope and limitations. In contrast, many other cultures, including those in China, India, and the Islamic world, often suppress unorthodox views on politics, religion, and sex. This global discord is complicated by evolving power imbalances, cultural taboos, rapid technological advancements, and a fast-changing media landscape, making the origin and purpose of free speech critical questions.

Modern ideas of free expression did not emerge as an absolute principle, but were invented in Britain around 1700. The history of this concept is a complex story shaped by the lives of countless individuals over 300 years, from slaves and imperialists to poets and revolutionaries, across Europe, North America, and South Asia. By examining this intricate history, What is Free Speech? leads to better understand our contemporary challenges and move beyond simple platitudes, allowing for a deeper consideration of free speech as a global issue and suggesting fresh possibilities for its future.