How Democracies Die - Steven Levitsky & Daniel Ziblatt

A very interesting, concise and well-written look at the phenomenon of the elected officials who slide their democratic systems into what is essentially a dictatorship.
The authors clearly outline four essential elements, though every "elected" dictator doesn't necessarily meet all four criteria.
- disregard for the constitution and the value of elections
- willingness to use violence
- delegitimizing of the opposition
- highjacking the institutions of government and the institutions that provide checks and balances

As they look at these points, they draw clear illustrations of the tactics from various historical and present-day scenarios:  Hitler, Putin, Erdogan, Marcos, Chavez, amongst others.

All of this in the first quarter (or third) of the book.  The rest of the book is taken up with an examination of how these elements have played out within the American system at various historical points, including most recently, Trump.  (I didn't read this section - seemed to be of more interest to Americans specifically.)

The Green Man - Michael Bedard

Fourth book in the series that began so many years ago with "A Darker Magic".  I enjoy watching the development of Emily, the main character, over the decades of her life that the series spans. 
Interesting also see the structures and motifs that underlie every book in this series.   Very different from his master work, "Redwork".
I would like to reread the whole series some time.

Land of the Blind - Barbara Nadel

Another crime/detective story by Nadel set in Istanbul.  An enjoyable read, as always.  Like a short visit to Istanbul.  Not the most sophisticated fiction, but still enjoyable.  And she certainly knows her Istanbul geography and history, as she uses it in her stories.

More Money Than Brains: Why School Sucks, College is Crap, and Idiots Think Their Right - Laura Penny

Another brilliant book by this author.  Same serious research and insightful comments in a witty and humorous style.  Social criticism looking at some of the fundamental attitudes working to dumb down our society, and how we buy into it.  Political and social forces.  Chronicles the shift in our society over the past 40/50 years that has led to a society of ignorance at all levels.
Definitely worth rereading for some choice quotable arguments, stories and facts.

Your Call is Important to Us: the Truth About Bullshit - Laura Penny

Brilliant social analysis in a very witty and irreverent style.  Well-researched, both from a historical perspective and a social trend perspective.  No naive suggestions about how to deal with this, as it is a social problem ie. social trends at large underlie it.
Worth rereading.

How to Change Your Mind - Michael Pollan

Basically a look at the history of psychedelic drugs in the U.S. , and an account of some personal experiences.
As a look at the actual psychedelic experience, there are other better books out there, the old classics by Huxley, etc.
In this book though, there are some very interesting facts:
- psychedelics (mostly LSD) were used by psychiatrists in the 50s and 60s to treat alcoholism and some other serious mental illnesses with considerable success
- there was a lot of research done on this topic - for political reasons, during the late 60s, this all ended when these drugs were listed as restricted.
- psychiatrists are now again looking at using these drugs to treat alcoholism and other addictions, depression, anxiety
- the counterculture use of these drugs as spiritual tools has never really died out, just gone underground - there are people who work as guides for this kind of experience if you are interested

Kingdom of the Blind - Louise Penny

A sequel to most recent Gamache book about drug smuggling across the Quebec border.  This is an excellent book, moving between the peculiar peace of Three Pines and the underworld of Montreal's drug scene.  I think it is her best book so far. 

Motherland Hotel - Yusuf Atligan

A Turkish novel from 1973.  Bit of a strange novel - for the time, I suspect both certain aspects of the style, and some of the subject matter, were a bit shocking or controversial.  About a small town hotel clerk who is quite bizarre mentally, a bit obsessive.  In the course of the book, he gets worse, finally has some kind of crisis and commits suicide.  For me, not the most interesting storyline.  What is interesting is the evocation of small town life at that time - the people, the cafes, the mood.  Reminds me of some the small Black Sea towns I stayed in back in the lat 70s.  There is also a fair bit about the main character's family history, so you see how the Greek invasion affected the lives of these people living in the interior, not too far from Izmir.