Informative but mostly lighthearted account of how Black and Brown people have been portrayed in English-language horror movies. Things have gotten beInformative but mostly lighthearted account of how Black and Brown people have been portrayed in English-language horror movies. Things have gotten better but there are still double standards and omissions. The author explains that Black people deserve portrayals in all genres of movies doing all types of things, just as characters of other races do. I burst out laughing when the author brought home this point by saying, "Black people like Etsy too."...more
Appealing, well-sourced account of how all those Marvel movies got made and why some of the ones at the start were bad but some of the ones in the midAppealing, well-sourced account of how all those Marvel movies got made and why some of the ones at the start were bad but some of the ones in the middle were good and some of the more recent ones were bad but maybe the next ones will be good again. When Disney bought Marvel, the mouse people did their due diligence and found out how many characters they were getting. Do you want to guess how many?
s p o i l e r
s p a c e
SEVEN THOUSAND. That's a lot of intellectual property. And they're not all going to be winners. ...more
In a nutshell: Cryptocurrencies are bullsh¡t, and some of them are tied to human trafficking and organized crime. The Visa card that you probably haveIn a nutshell: Cryptocurrencies are bullsh¡t, and some of them are tied to human trafficking and organized crime. The Visa card that you probably have in your wallet is a much better deal—easy and fast to use, widely accepted, and pays you small amounts instead of charging you large fees.
Who were the people who enthusiastically talked up crypto in general and Bored Ape Yacht Club in particular? The same people who snorted ketamine in front of a reporter. So, maybe not the most reliable judges.
Faux is a globe-trotting investigative reporter who in this book travels to Cambodia, Switzerland, El Salvador, and many other places in attempt to figure out how people are using and misusing crypto, particularly a stablecoin called Tether....more
Enthralling. I knew there were scandals, but I didn't know how many there were. At one point one of the players in this saga assembles a list of thirtEnthralling. I knew there were scandals, but I didn't know how many there were. At one point one of the players in this saga assembles a list of thirteen scandals related to the Nixon administration, including the Chennault Affair, illegal campaign donations, the secret bombing of Cambodia, Agnew taking bribes in the White House, the burglary, the cover-up, and so on. He shows the list to a former Nixon staffer and asks if they left anything out. "I think you've got everything," the guy says, "except the tax evasion." (In the early 1970s, Nixon tried and failed to evade half a million dollars in taxes.)
I can't believe Nixon insisted, after he resigned in disgrace, that Watergate was Martha Mitchell's fault. That man was a son of a bitch.
I know there's only so much that can fit into a 700-page book about this many scandals, but I was surprised that Pat Nixon is barely mentioned and there's no mention that her husband beat her. As if we all didn't hate Dick Nixon enough. There's more about the wife beating here: https://www.history.com/news/pat-nixo......more
Well-structured and interesting lectures about some of the most infamous crimes in history. My favorite lectures were about Bridget Cleary, the allegeWell-structured and interesting lectures about some of the most infamous crimes in history. My favorite lectures were about Bridget Cleary, the alleged Irish changeling, and the murderous Papin sisters. I knew the least about those two cases. ...more
Absurdist tale of a llama, a black hole, and turtles in top hats. This has advanced vocab ("proclaimed," "doom"), so it's probably better for a read-aAbsurdist tale of a llama, a black hole, and turtles in top hats. This has advanced vocab ("proclaimed," "doom"), so it's probably better for a read-aloud rather than solo reading time. I had fun reading this, but I worry that some kids might get a fat-shaming message from it. Llama eats a mountain of different cakes, realizes his dancing pants are too tight, and ends up ripping a seam. So there might be some comments in a classroom about who is most like Llama :-/ ...more
Vivid and heartbreaking reportage from extensive visits to Venezuela, with interviews of the rich and well-connected, the used-to-be middle class, andVivid and heartbreaking reportage from extensive visits to Venezuela, with interviews of the rich and well-connected, the used-to-be middle class, and the poor and exhausted. I wonder which of these situations (if any) will start to happen in the United States—power blackouts that last for days, misery and deaths because of a lack of basic maintenance, ambitious projects that get announced but are never completed and leave holes in the landscape....more
The author mentions that it's very difficult to persuade QAnon followers to speak on the record because they believe that mainstream media are evil prThe author mentions that it's very difficult to persuade QAnon followers to speak on the record because they believe that mainstream media are evil presences that are trying to bring about the destruction of society. And I couldn't help thinking, Yes, and they definitely won't talk to YOU because lots of them are anti-Semites and your last name is Rothschild.
This is an in-depth and interesting look at what QAnon is, how it started, and what it may become. The author points out that many Q believers are quite sane and voluntarily choose to follow Q because they get satisfaction and fellowship out of it. Some of what I learned:
• Cult experts disagree on whether QAnon is a cult. It has cultlike aspects but can function and grow even without the participation of Q (whoever that is or was).
• There are definitely grifters profiting from QAnon, but it isn't 100 percent grift. Lots of prominent people within the movement make no money from it.
• QAnon uses many of the newest technologies and techniques, but it unfortunately promotes anti-Semitic lies and slanders that are centuries old.
• Many so-called "pastel QAnon" followers joined the movement after it began emphasizing the dangers of child sex trafficking. However, at least one agency that works to prevent CST has said that QAnon actually hurts their cause because QAnon makes CST a trending topic on social media but just "raises awareness" and doesn't actually fundraise for or provide links to groups that fight sex trafficking. The Q folks generate so much noise about the topic that they drown out the messages from people who are trying to accomplish practical tasks related to this issue. Also, focusing on CST is a great way to get around bans by social media platforms because almost everybody is against CST.
The author is intelligent and talented but could have used a better editor. He misuses a few words, and the Kindle edition has more typos than I would expect from a mainstream, well-marketed, top-selling book....more
White nationalism is not a monolith, and neither are the women who believe in it. Some of them are very focused on religion (which can be different foWhite nationalism is not a monolith, and neither are the women who believe in it. Some of them are very focused on religion (which can be different forms of Christianity or Mormonism or Paganism or entirely new religions such as Odinism), others on being a "tradwife," and still others on scapegoating Jews or Black people or Brown people. Some want to be famous, and others want to work behind the scenes. Honestly, I would be less disgusted with them if they were all just straight-up grifters who would say or do anything to bilk the rubes. But some really do believe in white nationalism—either because they admire its principles or because they think it's the best deal they can get with the money, status, looks, and resources that they have. These women are extremes, but some of their messages get into the wider culture and get repeated by people who consider themselves liberal and tolerant. And then sometimes they get mad when white supremacist males tell them to shut up and get back in the kitchen! Who could have guessed that these men could be so mean and cruel and unsympathetic?????
This book made me sad, but it's worthwhile reading because it's important to know who and what is out there....more
If a T. rex lived in a modern city today, how many people per day would it need to eat to stay alive? The author's answer: Half an adult or one ten-yeIf a T. rex lived in a modern city today, how many people per day would it need to eat to stay alive? The author's answer: Half an adult or one ten-year-old child. Intriguing questions, imaginatively answered. Ably performed by Wil Wheaton, who brings enthusiasm and a delightful California accent. O those oooooo's....more
Very dull unless you looooove Star Wars. There isn't much of a narrative here. Very dull unless you looooove Star Wars. There isn't much of a narrative here. ...more
Experimental science fiction novel with some crime elements and poetic turns of phrase. Most of the characters aren't named, which makes this a disoriExperimental science fiction novel with some crime elements and poetic turns of phrase. Most of the characters aren't named, which makes this a disorienting read....more
“It’s not every day that we have someone come in and say that their wife has threatened their life and that she’s got angels ready to dispose of his b“It’s not every day that we have someone come in and say that their wife has threatened their life and that she’s got angels ready to dispose of his body.”
This is really sad and twisted even for true crime. Includes a doomsday cult, Tasering someone in a parking lot, the infamous "Hold Your Wee for a Wii" radio contest that resulted in one death and a $16.5 million settlement, manipulation, excommunication, communing with the spirit of a dead lawyer, sex tourism, child neglect, child abuse, narcissism, bleaching the hair of an infant, trying to sell the family dog, complaining that your fourth husband is not your spiritual equal, telling people that you expect your wife to die in her sleep soon, getting married after knowing someone for three days and then becoming an FBI informant in an attempt to rescue them, and human burials in a pet cemetery....more
Short, fun, appealingly illustrated. Don't eat that cake that someone offers you! Don't go anywhere with a vicar! Remember that in a Murder Village, aShort, fun, appealingly illustrated. Don't eat that cake that someone offers you! Don't go anywhere with a vicar! Remember that in a Murder Village, a flight of stairs is a "xylophone of death"! And for goodness' sake never say "Oh, it's you"!...more
Drama on an airplane! Also philosophy, mathematics, physics, and theology! But we start out with the drama on an airplane so nobody gets discouraged! TDrama on an airplane! Also philosophy, mathematics, physics, and theology! But we start out with the drama on an airplane so nobody gets discouraged! This won the Prix Goncourt, which is a fancy French literary award. The first 40 percent or so involves introducing characters, building them up, and leading to a big reveal. Then there's another big twist around the 60 percent mark, and then a final twist at the end. Fortunately, the character development is interesting and lively, and the ending is strong. Some people are saying this book is a thriller, but I don't think a thriller would include an entire chapter of debate among religious leaders. (I enjoyed that chapter! It was even funny sometimes!) While I enjoyed this book very much, I don't think I would have enjoyed it if I were from India or Nigeria. The author portrays India as a corrupt, poverty-filled plutocracy, and he portrays Nigeria (perhaps solely Lagos) as a corrupt, poverty-filled plutocracy that is also extremely homophobic. ...more
Apocalyptic murder mystery! This one has some slightly ambiguous aspects that may be supernatural or may be the result of mental illness, extreme streApocalyptic murder mystery! This one has some slightly ambiguous aspects that may be supernatural or may be the result of mental illness, extreme stress, or radiation poisoning. This one kept me reading in a way that the last few novels I have read have not. Solid character development. Almost every character has flaws, which I like. Satisfying ending....more
Loading...
