Book 31: Mao: The Unknown Story by Jung Chang and Jon Halliday. Somewhat disappointing & tedious anti-hagiography. Gives every question about Mao the same answer: “He was a conniving sack of turds. Also, bad hygiene. #%@* that guy!” This one is why I read so few books this year. (Not that I necessarily want “both-sides” “balance” re: Mao—he was awful—but this feels a bit simplistic and doesn’t explain systemic reasons why this sack of turds did so well for himself for so long. DNF. Maybe I just need another multi-year break from it.)