I liked this one, pretty fast moving (though the pacing does stall out in sections) and interesting. Presented as a mix of true crime and investigativI liked this one, pretty fast moving (though the pacing does stall out in sections) and interesting. Presented as a mix of true crime and investigative journalism. Enjoyed being embedded in the subcultures of LA gangs, street vendors, and law enforcement. There are moments when I rolled my eyes at the way the author would present certain things, a little copaganda here and there and sometimes little paternalistic. ...more
The writing in this book is the star for sure. Smooth sentences with a touch of bite. The storytelling is a little disjointed. I never really cared abThe writing in this book is the star for sure. Smooth sentences with a touch of bite. The storytelling is a little disjointed. I never really cared about Treska because I couldn't figure out what story she was telling. The subtitle and cover copy are misleading...it isn't really a story of hustlers so much as of Treska, which is fine, but itsn't what I thought I was getting. I just never felt connected to her or anyone in the family. Good book, if you like a true memoir....more
Wow, I really did not like this book and really thought I would. There is a great book in here but this author couldn't (or wouldn't) locate it. The aWow, I really did not like this book and really thought I would. There is a great book in here but this author couldn't (or wouldn't) locate it. The author is extremely biased in favor of frat boys, he won't call out sexual violence, racism, or abuse. The pacing is off, he thinks his readership is not intelligent so he constantly slows down to explain things. Also the big twist of the story is broadcast for so long it feels so obvious once we get there. Great cover. Great title. Disappointing book. ...more
The idea here is interesting but felt this could’ve been much more succinct. The editing by location vs type of disaster led to lots of repetition andThe idea here is interesting but felt this could’ve been much more succinct. The editing by location vs type of disaster led to lots of repetition and story and not much analysis or information. I found myself zoning out a lot. ...more
This felt pretty mid to me. I think it’s a really narrow view of online space. It also felt a little self important or self serving. The first have waThis felt pretty mid to me. I think it’s a really narrow view of online space. It also felt a little self important or self serving. The first have was good but once the author enters the story it gets really hard to decipher objectivity from doing PR for one’s own story. ...more
I mostly think this is really persuasive book with a clear argument and tons of research. I was horrified to learn about how our food works. The book I mostly think this is really persuasive book with a clear argument and tons of research. I was horrified to learn about how our food works. The book left a huge impression on me. It is way too long though and very repetitive. The audiobook also has these interludes between the author and his twin brother about what the author has learned and how it has changed them both, which was cool but also wish it had been saved until the end....more
Loved this book. I can’t wait to cook from it. I especially appreciated the way she explained things I know to do in the kitchen but never understood Loved this book. I can’t wait to cook from it. I especially appreciated the way she explained things I know to do in the kitchen but never understood the why behind. Photo series were extra helpful for complicated recipes. Chefs kiss! ...more
This book is well done and very brief, it is a lot of information I already knew about the history of the 2nd amendment so I found myself zoning out aThis book is well done and very brief, it is a lot of information I already knew about the history of the 2nd amendment so I found myself zoning out a bit (I listened on audio and the reader was bit underwhelming). I liked that the author had a point of view and was brash enough to share his thoughts and cited his opinions with historical texts. Its a good book but didn't fully hold my attention....more
I really liked this book as a mini-history on the early days of influencer culture and how we got here. The first 60% if fantastic, the book fizzles I really liked this book as a mini-history on the early days of influencer culture and how we got here. The first 60% if fantastic, the book fizzles a bit on the way out. I wish the author talked more about why some of this stuff is important and news worthy and what it means for us moving forward. I wish she spent more time on the disparities within influencer culture as well since that is so well documented and impacts the entire culture. Overall really good....more
I love Shakespeare and found this reading of his works interesting. It’s relatively accessible (though knowing the plays helps) and it helps make the I love Shakespeare and found this reading of his works interesting. It’s relatively accessible (though knowing the plays helps) and it helps make the bard more modern. A little clunky and repetitive in spots but mostly very good.
Merged review:
I love Shakespeare and found this reading of his works interesting. It’s relatively accessible (though knowing the plays helps) and it helps make the bard more modern. A little clunky and repetitive in spots but mostly very good....more
This was a mess. Way too long. There was hope at the start of part 2 but she was unwilling to get vulnerable or craft a compelling story. Her editor fThis was a mess. Way too long. There was hope at the start of part 2 but she was unwilling to get vulnerable or craft a compelling story. Her editor failed. It’s fake tell all in the sense she gives tons of details on random boring shit (a spiritual trip to Vietnam) but skims over the reasons we’re here (the slap, her open marriage, her “entanglement”). Oh and there are self-help prompts to really just add chaos to the mediocrity.
Merged review:
This was a mess. Way too long. There was hope at the start of part 2 but she was unwilling to get vulnerable or craft a compelling story. Her editor failed. It’s fake tell all in the sense she gives tons of details on random boring shit (a spiritual trip to Vietnam) but skims over the reasons we’re here (the slap, her open marriage, her “entanglement”). Oh and there are self-help prompts to really just add chaos to the mediocrity....more