The Islamic Enlightenment - Christopher de Bellaigue

An interesting look at modernizers and enlightenment figures in Muslim societies from the 1800's on.  He first looks at early figures country by country, and then in the 20th c., switches to a broader perspective as figures and movements become international in influence.  As you read about these figures, you get a sense of how the religious conservatives have fought this movement for the past two centuries.  You also get a sense of how the West's duplicity, naked pursuit of self-interest, and blatant hypocrisy in the region has played into the hands of the conservative religious leaders, discrediting ideas and movements that have any association with the West and the Enlightenment tradition.
A bit too much detail at times, but it is easy to skim over some sections.

Klingsor's Last Summer - Hermann Hesse

Inspired to reread this after stumbling on a plaque about Hesse's favourite walk in Gubbio, Italy.  One of Hesse's less intellectual works, more riotous, sensual (in an intellectual kind of way).  I like the artist character, and can trace the influence of his approach, even if it is at time a bit over-wrought.  Makes me want to reread some more after all these years.

1Q84 - Haruki Murakami

A complex storyline, but more coherent than the last book I read by Murakami.  Essentially a mystery / detective fiction on many levels.  The characters cross and are woven together in a clever way.  Incorporates some scie. fi., some ESP.  Long, but it holds your interest.  Everything is just a bit off, a bit odd - in a good way.

Firewall - Henning Mankell

Detective fiction again.  Storyline keeps you going but the writing is a bit blunt. 

In the Shadows of the American Century - Alfred W. McCoy

A well-researched catalogue of all the conditions and geopolitical shifts that are easing the U.S. out of its position of dominance.
- a brief examination of how the US become so powerful after WW II (economics in a fractured world)
- fracturing of social cohesion at home
- American loss of status and credibility through support for oppressive regimes, use of torture, covert operations harmful to the populations of other countries
- over reliance on military threat to force other countries to acquiesce the US lead / interests
- decline in economic performance (education failure, investment failure)
-decline in share of world economic activity as other countries' economic performance grows

The sections on China are very interesting.   They have a completely different approach to foreign relations.  They use their enormous reserves to build infrastructure partnerships with other countries and improve economies for both partners.   Some of the infrastructure projects are huge:  rail lines to Europe,  high speed rail lines to Europe (China to Berlin in 2 days!)  Infrastructure to link Europe, China and Africa in one large trading block. 

McCoy spends time at the beginning of the book exploring an old idea - Central Asia as the strategic key to world dominance.  If you can control or create a network linking this area with Europe, the East and Africa, then you have the dominant economy in the world.  He sees much of China's foreign policy as working towards this goal.

A book to reread, as there are many threads.

The Sympathizer - Viet Thanh Ngyen

A novel that begins in the last days of Saigon, and then continues within the expat Vietnamese community in Los Angeles.
A complex story that weaves through questions of loyalty - to national liberation, to friendship, to colonialism.  Through the main character, the book also presents some interesting social criticism of both Vietnamese and American societies, and of both political regimes.  It brings in events from the underbelly of CIA operations in Vietnam, as well as conditions in the "reeducation camps"  post war in Vietnam.
One of the best novels I have read in a while - compelling narrator, good story, some interesting references to and thoughts on history and politics.

The Accidental - Ali Smith

Another puzzle from Ali Smith.  It is always so hard to say what her books are about underneath it all.  Definitely the theme of bullying and exploitation in schools and universities - way ahead of its time in that respect:  published 2005.  Cellphones and the internet as tools for bullying.  Exploitation of power for sex in institutions like universities.  How institutions and people in power create false narratives to hide ugly realities and escape the need to act.  Also, a look at the false masks we overlay on our lives to avoid unhappiness and confrontation.  Maybe a theme of how children are oppressed and alienated in these false atmospheres were nothing is quite real? 
The funny thing is, the catalyst for the stripping away of all of this falseness, is a very free, "in the moment" kind of person, but not particularly a nice person - in fact, rather self-involved and exploitative in her own way.