I liked the premise of this book and thought the writing was fun. It might have gone on a bit too long since it is a lot of telling and not showing. II liked the premise of this book and thought the writing was fun. It might have gone on a bit too long since it is a lot of telling and not showing. Its a clever idea, but maybe just too long. ...more
I was surprised by how much I liked this book (I read on audio). The story is well told and gives the reader what they're looking for in terms of GrinI was surprised by how much I liked this book (I read on audio). The story is well told and gives the reader what they're looking for in terms of Griner's experiences in Russia. I think this book is aiming toward a very wide audience and at times tries to really explain things (like racism, Black women's hair, queer identity) that feels very basic. I also think Griner was not allowed to divulge center information and also wasn't privy to other things so there are gaps. It is a very smooth and clear narrative that I was engaged with from start to finish....more
This is such a fun cookbook for folks who love to host, want to host, or have to host. I flagged at least 1/3 of the recipes. It’s got gorgeous photosThis is such a fun cookbook for folks who love to host, want to host, or have to host. I flagged at least 1/3 of the recipes. It’s got gorgeous photos and I really liked the writing style. It’s super conversational. A good mix of mains, sides, drinks, snacks, and desserts. Also a lot of help menu planning....more
I really appreciated the idea and effort behind this book. I’m glad there is writing about post Roe abortion care. UNDUE BURDEN is too long, though. II really appreciated the idea and effort behind this book. I’m glad there is writing about post Roe abortion care. UNDUE BURDEN is too long, though. It is extremely redundant. It is detailed in ways that do not add to the story/information being shared. The book is one note. ...more
Started off so strong. A total mindfuck and great world building to kick things. Exciting plot. Engaging characters. So much to like through chapter fStarted off so strong. A total mindfuck and great world building to kick things. Exciting plot. Engaging characters. So much to like through chapter five. The ending (last 75 pages or so) just weren’t for me. I didn’t love the authors choices and am not sure it really fit the first part of the book. ...more
This book is full of beautiful images of folks in drag against the same backdrop. I really loved the images but wish there was more text at least to iThis book is full of beautiful images of folks in drag against the same backdrop. I really loved the images but wish there was more text at least to identify who the queens were in each shot (there is a key at the end) or else to talk about what weee seeing in some images or what the trends are. Just more context. But the pictures are wow!...more
This is so well done. I loved this book and the style of storytelling. By the end I was just hoping they would do the right thing and call off the lauThis is so well done. I loved this book and the style of storytelling. By the end I was just hoping they would do the right thing and call off the launch, though of course they didn't. Really appreciate Higginbotham highlighting the full story of the space program and the astronauts (not just McAuliffe). Really great investigative journalism. Its a page turner....more
This book starts out pretty amazing but fizzles out. Because this is a hypothetical scenario it reads a lot like fiction and allows the author to fillThis book starts out pretty amazing but fizzles out. Because this is a hypothetical scenario it reads a lot like fiction and allows the author to fill in the gaps as she pleases. I know this is all likely and possible but the sheer scope of devastation feels a bit numbing and by the end I was ready for the book to be over. Also, she completely ignores Africa and South America in book which I hated because in a nuclear WW3 scenario those people and places would be impacted as well. ...more
I liked the writing here but am not sure I was ever able to click into the book. It’s sorta a strange memoir (on purpose) and is mostly just musings oI liked the writing here but am not sure I was ever able to click into the book. It’s sorta a strange memoir (on purpose) and is mostly just musings on viruses and death. It is a very good book for a certain type of reader but I’m not sure it got there for me — I think print might be better than audio for this one. ...more
Poetry is always hard to judge because some poems can be stellar while others leave you wanting and how can you know if the thing is as good as the suPoetry is always hard to judge because some poems can be stellar while others leave you wanting and how can you know if the thing is as good as the sum of its parts? This one feels as if it is doing a bit too much and I would've liked less. There are some good ones in here, no doubt. ...more
This is a solid literary version of a true crime memoir. It’s exactly what you think it is. Rushdie gives us his own recollections on the attack alongThis is a solid literary version of a true crime memoir. It’s exactly what you think it is. Rushdie gives us his own recollections on the attack along with his journey toward healing and logistics of it all. He also adds a meta scene where he imagines a convo with his assailant that we didn’t need. Overall it’s good if not a bit surface and perfunctory....more
I saw this on Broadway and read the show while listening to the soundtrack. I liked this play a lot and have questions about who the joke is on. I alsI saw this on Broadway and read the show while listening to the soundtrack. I liked this play a lot and have questions about who the joke is on. I also think the ending falls a part a bit but overall its very good....more
I was really impressed with this one. It moves from one thing to the next and by the end it feels like a different book from where you started, but inI was really impressed with this one. It moves from one thing to the next and by the end it feels like a different book from where you started, but in a good way. It shows growth. The writing is beautiful and the level of vulnerability is impressive....more
This is like two books put together, the book starts off really strong and tells the story of O'Connor's life with so much vulnerability. At about 60%This is like two books put together, the book starts off really strong and tells the story of O'Connor's life with so much vulnerability. At about 60% in (and around the SNL/Pope stuff) the book gets very superficial and digs into the stories of just about each of her songs. She goes into detail about things that aren't super interesting and it feels like a way to fill pages and finish the book....more
I like Amanda Montell a lot and her audiobooks are really great. She is smart but doesn't feel inaccessible as an author. This book is really just aboI like Amanda Montell a lot and her audiobooks are really great. She is smart but doesn't feel inaccessible as an author. This book is really just about the ways our brains convince us of things and how that shapes how we see the world (sunk cost fallacy, confirmation bias) etc. I learned a lot of little things but I think the overall thesis was a little unclear to me. I enjoyed it, though. ...more