Into a slump: Foundation by Issac Asimov. I watched the series and was really looking forward to this book but it's quite a slog. Considering it was written in the 40s his predictions about the evolution of society are mostly on point, and it is very clever. Unfortunately it's mostly just people talking. No character development, no women, very little action. Will definitely go back at some point and try to read the last quarter. It's just not a book I can lose myself in so not overly enjoyable for me.

Out of a slump: The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper. The history is amazing - I really love how each chapter starts with a piece of graffiti or writing from Pompeii. Great characters, great plot, emotional stakes are high. World building to get lost in, 10/10.