Ground Control

A though provoking book looking at our broken society and the role that the built envirnment plays in it.
From the increasing prevalance of 'private' public space that excludes anyone who doesn't want to shop, to the fear created within gated communities - you can never have enough security! And the way the whole built environment in the UK has been handed over to corporations to generate a profit.
The book does end on a more positive note, looking at some more successful models from continental Europe.

It's a PC World

Edward Stourton (of R4 Today fame) takes us throug a journey that looks at both sides of the Political Correctness debate.
I bought the book thinking it would be a good rant on PC excesses but it did manage to convert me to the view that PC does have its place when trying to modify the values and behaviours of a society (think of Germany after WWII).
It did have a good crop of examples of the PC police excesses and daft council proclomations though.
A more thoughtful read than I expected, well written and entertaining.

Boringology

77 short reviews of scientific research that cover a wide variety of topics.
The smell of fear (my dog didn't need research to be able to detect it from people who are frightened of dogs)
Measuring breast bounce in teh search for better bras.
Where George W Bush ranks in terms of IQ amongst US Presidents (there was someone dumber)
How Cliff Richard seems to be modelling himself on Jesus
Lesbian Koalas
The declining number of people proud to be British (as opposed to English, Scots or Welsh)