4.5 :( :( :( :( I don't even know how to talk about this
"I should say that at the time, Iran was the epitome of evil and to be Iranian was a heavy burd4.5 :( :( :( :( I don't even know how to talk about this
"I should say that at the time, Iran was the epitome of evil and to be Iranian was a heavy burden to bear. It was easier to lie than to assume that burden." :(
"The more time passed, the more I became conscious of the contrast between the official representation of my country and the real life of the people, the one that went on behind the walls."
"And then, there wasn't any more opposition. The protesters had been executed. Or had fled the country any way possible."...more
Brought me closer to my dad and his family and a history I didn’t know much about. I wish we could always learn about history, politics, and (most impBrought me closer to my dad and his family and a history I didn’t know much about. I wish we could always learn about history, politics, and (most importantly) what ordinary people endure, through this format...more
Content-wise I did find this a bit repetitive and tedious at times... but Maggie Smith's writing is just so lovely. There were lines so beautiful I juContent-wise I did find this a bit repetitive and tedious at times... but Maggie Smith's writing is just so lovely. There were lines so beautiful I just wanted to pop them into my mouth like gumballs to chew on for a while...more
despite never having watched icarly or really being familiar with mccurdy at all, i think her story is important and i don't regret reading it. howevedespite never having watched icarly or really being familiar with mccurdy at all, i think her story is important and i don't regret reading it. however, i really did not like the writing style and i think that reduced a lot of the potential impact for me. overall i think this one is a tad overhyped SORRY...more
i feel bad calling a memoir boring but since no one's reading this but my 5 loyal fans on here this was so boring and i thought it would never end IM i feel bad calling a memoir boring but since no one's reading this but my 5 loyal fans on here this was so boring and i thought it would never end IM SORRY...more
i initially picked this up because i also used to competitively skate, and while i loved being reminded of my life at that time, other parts of waldeni initially picked this up because i also used to competitively skate, and while i loved being reminded of my life at that time, other parts of walden's story resonated with me more. not being able to tell anyone about your deepest thoughts and fears no matter how much you want to. the exhaustion of doing the same thing day in and day out. the nastiness of preteen girls. the pacing was a little strange and inconsistent, but overall this was a compelling and honest memoir that i just loved reading. and i think tillie walden's art style might be my favourite that i've seen in a graphic novel. gorgeous drawings and a gorgeous colour palette....more
Heartbreaking and illuminating and phenomenally written. The first half felt like a written version of greys anatomy, I couldn’t tear my eyes away. AnHeartbreaking and illuminating and phenomenally written. The first half felt like a written version of greys anatomy, I couldn’t tear my eyes away. And the whole thing was overflowing with so many poignant and applicable ways in which we can better connect with and humanize patients in the worst moments of their lives (and what it actually feels like when you become one of those patients). I think I read this at a perfect time in my life. I can only hope to be half as good a doctor as he was.
“As we talked, I could see the enormousness of the choice she faced dwindle into a difficult but understandable decision. I had met her in a space where she was a person, instead of a problem to be solved.”
“The thing about lung cancer is that it’s not exotic. [The reader] can get into these shoes, walk a bit, and say, ‘So that’s what it looks like from here…sooner or later I’ll be back here in my own shoes.’”...more
let's start with the good. i think this was my first time reading from someone who's also half korean, raiI HAVE SUCH MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT THIS ONE...
let's start with the good. i think this was my first time reading from someone who's also half korean, raised in the west, and that made some parts of this book so enjoyable to read. some of the things michelle described made me literally have to close the book and be like, oh my god. because i related to what she said SO strongly. it seems that so many of the experiences of mixed koreans are the same, from our interactions with kids at school to the way we're treated by our moms to just the way we experience the world. like: "unlike the second languages i attempted to learn in high school, there are korean words i inherently understand without ever having learned their definition. there is no momentary translation that mediates the transition from one language to another. parts of korean just exist somewhere as a part of my psyche–words imbued with their pure meaning, not their english substitutes." exactly!!! i couldn't have put it better myself.
i also loved the descriptions of korean food scattered throughout the book. most were foods i love deeply, but some i was unfamiliar with, and it was nice to bring them up to mom and start conversations with her. the same goes for descriptions of places in korea.
BUT... something about this book just fell flat for me. perhaps it was because i'd set my expectations too high, because i'd been so excited about it for so long. it just wasn't as emotional or gripping or beautiful as i'd expected. there was less a focus on her mom and the grief and more on her personal (often selfish, imo) feelings. i also felt that there were a lot of contradictions within her thoughts/feelings. she'd claim something so strongly, and then turn around and claim something completely different. like how can you one moment feel so thankful for your mom's friend who's taking care of her and then the next moment claim that she makes you feel uncomfortable and unsettled? how can you one moment describe a peaceful moment with your dad and the next claim that you are glad to finally be away from him?
it's so tough rating a memoir because i can't fault her if these are her real and raw feelings - in fact, i applaud her for being so honest, even if it doesn't necessarily paint her in a good light. but some parts did definitely rub me the wrong way and wasn't what i was hoping to read.
the writing was also a little disjointed and choppy. perhaps this would have worked better as a series of essays. and i will definitely be listening to the album based on her mother's death and her grief....more
Crazy crazy story. Crazy powerful story. The number of times I had to put the book down because I was literally seeing red with fury. I kept thinking Crazy crazy story. Crazy powerful story. The number of times I had to put the book down because I was literally seeing red with fury. I kept thinking okay it can’t get any worse than this and then a couple chapters later…yep. it would get worse. I’ve never been more thankful that the biggest challenge of my schooldays was being forced to do math over the summer. Kissing my dad on the cheek when I see him...more
i'm so glad that i finally read this. i've never thought about how other people might move through the world in a way that is so different from me. i i'm so glad that i finally read this. i've never thought about how other people might move through the world in a way that is so different from me. i never considered that some people have to look up restaurants and venues beforehand to make sure they can be accommodated. i was self-centered to think that everyone is like me. but now my mind is more open, and that's exactly what i wanted to get out of this....more
As someone who is terrified of death and constantly thinking about my loved ones dying, I don’t know why I expected this to not make me feel miserableAs someone who is terrified of death and constantly thinking about my loved ones dying, I don’t know why I expected this to not make me feel miserable. But what is life without some morbid humour and depressing anecdotes of death and a nice sprinkle of existentialism!
I did actually find many parts of this super interesting and enlightening, especially learning about the history of different practices in the funeral industry and what exactly happens to bodies that are donated “to science”. The chapter ‘The Art of Dying’ was by far my favourite and really made me reflect!
As a whole I didn’t find this life-changing or riveting from start to finish but there were certain passages I really found interesting and I commend and support Doughty’s overarching mission. Oh and also this book helped me decide that when I die I’m going to have a “green burial” and let nature reclaim my body so that is awesome ...more
not only is machado's writing overall very poignant and beautiful, the format of this book was so interesting, the way she weaved cultural references not only is machado's writing overall very poignant and beautiful, the format of this book was so interesting, the way she weaved cultural references and folktales and tropes into her story. however, for me, what stuck out the most were the more non-fic/essay parts, which showed me something i'd previously not thought about: that domestic abuse can and is present in same-sex relationships. i was also struck by the point she made about how, to lessen discrimination towards minority groups, they need to be portrayed in the media as good people, as bad people, as everything in between. as real people. the onlyyyy thing i wanted more of was her inner conflict and rationalization of what was happening to her, and why she couldn't bring herself to fight back, to leave....more
i really enjoyed this! noah has a very expressive and entertaining writing style that i liked a lot. i also learned a lot about apartheid and other asi really enjoyed this! noah has a very expressive and entertaining writing style that i liked a lot. i also learned a lot about apartheid and other aspects of south africa's dark history....more
- GORGEOUS writing - beautiful intertwinement of tales of her life and fascinating facts about plants - filled w/ so many lovely lessons - thanks bio120!- GORGEOUS writing - beautiful intertwinement of tales of her life and fascinating facts about plants - filled w/ so many lovely lessons - thanks bio120! you really blessed me with this gem <3...more
incredibly beautiful and incredibly sad. the fact that it's a true story written by the dad really broke my heart, not to mention that addiction is alincredibly beautiful and incredibly sad. the fact that it's a true story written by the dad really broke my heart, not to mention that addiction is already heartbreaking in itself. addiction frustrates me so much because as david was saying, it's so hard to watch someone you love fall into a downward spiral and ruin their life over something they "voluntarily" do to themselves. but that's the thing, it's not voluntary. and addicts have to watch themselves get hurt and hurt everyone around them against their strongest willpower. it's awful. but this story was ultimately hopeful. and i am overjoyed that nic got himself together. i hope he is still doing well. ...more
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