Great idea for a book, but I just couldn't get into it. Many of the author's points seemed obvious, and the narrator's voice had an unpleasantly sing-Great idea for a book, but I just couldn't get into it. Many of the author's points seemed obvious, and the narrator's voice had an unpleasantly sing-song quality. Feel free to ignore my review because I did not actually finish this book....more
I laughed out loud about two dozen times. This is especially impressive because some of the essays are quite sad. What is it like when your dad is a sI laughed out loud about two dozen times. This is especially impressive because some of the essays are quite sad. What is it like when your dad is a spy? Lonely. What is it like to be a little kid in Florida? Rather shitty, especially when your mom is poor and refuses to get rid of her abusive, erratic boyfriend. What is it like when your mom accidentally burns down the house she was in the process of selling? Well, your relationship with her certainly isn't going to get better.
DeRuiter seems to be a thoroughgoing optimist now, which surprised me given the circumstances of her upbringing. It sounds as if she married a delightful man, which certainly sweetens life. And she has never been on a diet. And she got a book deal! And I think she and/or her husband might be extremely rich?
One of the essay titles made me gasp: "Bikini Body of Christ." So if you find that title blasphemous or otherwise offensive, that may be a sign that this essay collection is not for you....more
Fascinating glimpses of women through the ages—everything from cave art to a specific type of vibrator. I enjoyed learning about the 100 MPH coat, desFascinating glimpses of women through the ages—everything from cave art to a specific type of vibrator. I enjoyed learning about the 100 MPH coat, designed for early motorists, and the bikini, designed for scandal. The audiobook has a stellar array of readers, including Daisy Ridley, Gillian Anderson, Margaret Atwood, and many other notables. ...more
I have met Samantha Irby a few times, and she is always super nice and wears the best glasses. I listened to the audiobook, and she is a terrific readI have met Samantha Irby a few times, and she is always super nice and wears the best glasses. I listened to the audiobook, and she is a terrific reader of her own work (not every author is). My favorites from this collection were the childhood sleepover party gone wrong, the time spent working for a political campaign, and her mother's last words to her, which were bewildering and awful. I also enjoyed the "let me be a guest at your party" essay, which has a great punchline....more
Ambitious history of the United States for all people. Sometimes the mixture of horror and humor is jarring. (Horror: I never knew there was cannibaliAmbitious history of the United States for all people. Sometimes the mixture of horror and humor is jarring. (Horror: I never knew there was cannibalism at Jamestown. Humor: I'm intrigued by the author's argument that the Beatles are inferior to Earth, Wind and Fire.) Also the mix of international events and personal essays is a bit strange. But I enjoyed this book very much, and I hope the author writes more books....more
This started out a bit ponderous, but I really enjoyed these thoughtful and contemplative essays on "art monsters" including Roman Polanski, Woody AllThis started out a bit ponderous, but I really enjoyed these thoughtful and contemplative essays on "art monsters" including Roman Polanski, Woody Allen, Miles Davis, Sylvia Plath, Doris Lessing, and others. I even laughed out loud a couple of times, which is surprising considering the subject matter....more
I try to read at least one banned book per year and at least one work in translation per year, so this is a twofer. This is a brief essay that the autI try to read at least one banned book per year and at least one work in translation per year, so this is a twofer. This is a brief essay that the author admits has nothing new in it, but I enjoyed her writing style and her passionate belief in a better world and in female friendship and solidarity. The afterword explains that this essay was going to be published in France in one run of 450 copies. Then a guy using a governmental email tried to pressure the publisher to not publish the book. In a perfect example of the Streisand effect, the story became international news and the book has been published in 18 languages. Harmange is bisexual and married. To a man. Whom she still likes. So, yes, #NotAllMen.
The next time I get annoyed at male-dominated movies or art or media, I will think of Pauline Harmange and remember that I can seek out works created by women. ...more
The lecturer is that rare bird: a professor of psychology and computer science and electrical engineering. Also, he has an appealingly squeaky voice. The lecturer is that rare bird: a professor of psychology and computer science and electrical engineering. Also, he has an appealingly squeaky voice. This is a relatively brief series of lectures (about three hours total) describing social science experiments that many people today would consider harmful, destructive, or immoral. ...more
McWhorter provides a short, entertaining lecture about each letter of the English alphabet. Some of what I learned:
• A language that doesn't have a wrMcWhorter provides a short, entertaining lecture about each letter of the English alphabet. Some of what I learned:
• A language that doesn't have a written form is still a language. Thousands of languages don't have written forms, and being able to write (and read) is a learned skill. It isn't an innate part of being human.
• Languages that are mostly learned from early childhood tend to become extremely complex and idiosyncratic. For example, a language might have eight genders for different categories of people, objects, and concepts. When large numbers of people start learning a language in adulthood, that language becomes much more streamlined.
• There are different forms of Jamaican Patois. For example, instead of saying "I love him," a speaker of one type of this Patois would say "I love he," while a speaker of a different type of this Patois would say "Me love am." Both versions are correct and are English, even though they may be incomprehensible to many American or English people.
• When you pronounce the letter r in French, you have to wiggle your uvula a little. When you pronounce that same letter in Spanish, you wiggle your uvula a lot. Many English speakers keep their uvulas still while making the r sound.
• The letter z doesn't appear often in written English, but we make the z sound for many, many plurals....more
Why do people shame others and/or feel shame themselves? How do some people and organizations profit from shame? And how does technology spread and amWhy do people shame others and/or feel shame themselves? How do some people and organizations profit from shame? And how does technology spread and amplify shame to sometimes deadly proportions? Cathy O'Neil explores all of these ideas in a blend of rigorous research and personal essays. She mentions that in a few cases, shame can benefit society. For example, the Sackler family got rich by frequently lying about drug side effects and blaming victims. Therefore, they deserve to be publicly shamed, required to pay reparations, and endure having their names scrubbed off museums, universities, and other cultural institutions. ...more
"After Daddy had his leg cut off, I didn't see him laugh again until the pope died."
I read this book because the author's tweets are so hilarious. The"After Daddy had his leg cut off, I didn't see him laugh again until the pope died."
I read this book because the author's tweets are so hilarious. These are essays about growing up in Derry, literally on the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland (a wall on the family property was part of the official border). His mother died of cancer when he was five, and after that his father had to raise eleven children solo. The author reads the book himself, and his accent is lovely—though I had to slow the speed down to 0.8 in some places to fully comprehend what he was saying....more
Combination of personal essays and cultural analysis. The focus is One Direction, a now-dissolved male vocal group (I don't want to say "boy band" becCombination of personal essays and cultural analysis. The focus is One Direction, a now-dissolved male vocal group (I don't want to say "boy band" because that sounds condescending), and its most famous alum, Harry Styles. Most people believe that fan cultures are monolithic, but many 1D members don't fit the stereotype of "teenage white cishet girl who has a crush on someone in the band." The author interviews 1D fans who are black, gay, male, older, not interested romantically in the 1D guys, and so on. Interesting material on the "Larry Stylinson" conspiracy theory. I'm baffled as to why the author says almost nothing about Kpop fans even though they're one of the most numerous, savvy, and powerful fandoms out there....more
Lively and entertaining history of pop music. Probably the most fun part of this is figuring out why Breihan chose the 20 songs he did. I went from saLively and entertaining history of pop music. Probably the most fun part of this is figuring out why Breihan chose the 20 songs he did. I went from saying, "The Twist? Really? Who still cares about the Twist?" to "Ohh, this is an essay about the history of dance crazes. I get it. Let me do the Mashed Potato and the Hustle and the Macarena and some TikTok dances while I'm listening." The audiobook reader has an appealing voice but pronounces a lot of words strangely. Still, I would recommend this book in either audio or print form, depending on what you prefer. The audio doesn't have any samples of the reviewed music, but everything's fairly easy to find on the internet....more
Consistently strong essay collection. Funny but also disturbing. Now that a certain family member has died, Sedaris can reveal more about events from Consistently strong essay collection. Funny but also disturbing. Now that a certain family member has died, Sedaris can reveal more about events from his and his siblings' childhood and teenage years....more
I read the reviews. I know this book is a money grab. So what? Why shouldn't Margaret Atwood grab money with both fists after all she's given us? I reI read the reviews. I know this book is a money grab. So what? Why shouldn't Margaret Atwood grab money with both fists after all she's given us? I read the Anne of Green Gables essay (it's delightful) and skimmed the rest....more
Fifty-two essays on Bogdanovich's favorite films. Almost all are black-and-white Hollywood classics, with the occasional Japanese or French film throwFifty-two essays on Bogdanovich's favorite films. Almost all are black-and-white Hollywood classics, with the occasional Japanese or French film thrown in. I think the only female-directed movie he showcases is A New Leaf, a film by Elaine May that I absolutely love. And I was happy to see my all-time-favorite film represented: The Miracle of Morgan's Creek....more
Gorgeous essays about Patchett's past, her everyday life today, and her astonishing friendships. I wish I could understand how she makes her writing sGorgeous essays about Patchett's past, her everyday life today, and her astonishing friendships. I wish I could understand how she makes her writing so compelling....more
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