and the original European names are also pretty functional:

I believe Amsterdam is just “River Dam”

And York is just “Yew”, presumably named after trees that grew there. (Eburacon -> Eboracum -> Eoforwic -> Jórvík -> York)

But New York in the United States isn’t even directly named after the English city of York, but rather a person (James Stuart) who was the Duke of York when England took control of the territory from the Dutch.

I can’t say…

I haven’t read Shroud. I will put it on the list, thanks.

I recently read (listened to the audiobook actually) Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel.

It’s about the life of Thomas Cromwell. The narration style is not for everyone, but it’s the best historical fiction story I’ve read.

Children of Time is great. I also thought Alien Clay by Tchaikovsky was interesting. Although I’m a little skeptical about how aliens work in that one.

I agree.

ASOIAF is amazing, and If GRRM can’t write a good ending, I’d rather the series stay unfinished than have finished it in a way that detracts from the story.

Wow, it was tough to watch that whole video. I hope things have improved since then, although I’m sure in a lot of places they haven’t.

Eat less meat and if you do eat meat, pay extra for pasture raised animal products.