This was a fun and quick read. I love a good revenge build up, but I thought the end, where certain people get their comeuppance was lackluster and noThis was a fun and quick read. I love a good revenge build up, but I thought the end, where certain people get their comeuppance was lackluster and not satisfying at all. With how much the characters were put through in the book, I was craving some better rewards in the end other than what I got.
There were some disappointing parts to it that surfaced when I thought too hard about it. I came into this book thinking it was somewhat historical fiction, but it definitely has a healthy dose of fantasy. Not in the magic and dragons sort of way, but more like the whimsical elements and the magical anachronisms sort of way. Elizabeth, even with her progressive ideas comes off as way too modern for the times, like someone from now time travelled back into the 1950s. In this fantasy world, it's also all on the individual to buck societal norms and lean in to their full potential.
So yes, some of the messaging in the book comes off as patronizing with a side of privilege. It doesn't address any of the problems that happen when people of color rock the boat, but if I put all those things aside, it was a fun little romp after I got over some of the hard parts in the beginning.
Six-thirty was the best character in here and I'm glad he finally got the recognition he deserved....more
Oof, this book. Don't let the title mislead you. Part autobiography, part non-white centered views on growing up in the US. Even if you're not a parenOof, this book. Don't let the title mislead you. Part autobiography, part non-white centered views on growing up in the US. Even if you're not a parent, this book could be read as a guide to parent yourself. It's short, tense, and full of cutting onion moments....more
One of the founders of Goodreads has a saying about the right book in the right hands at the right time. This book came to me at a perfect time in my One of the founders of Goodreads has a saying about the right book in the right hands at the right time. This book came to me at a perfect time in my life.
Sarah Jaffe puts words to how I've felt around work and how we're expected to shape our lives around the idea of a 9-5 job. The first chapter is eye-opening and great setup for the rest of the book, which is broken up into different areas of work. The gist is that the system of work and how people work is broken and needs to be fixed. The nonprofit section really resonated with me and some of my feelings swirling around about it after working in that sector for a few years. She writes:
nonprofits exist to try to mitigate the worst effects of an unequal distribution of wealth and power, yet they are funded with the leftovers of the very exploitation the nonprofits may be trying to combat.
The book is full of knowledge-bombs like that which caused me to look at different things like the Art World, and tech in different ways.
Sometimes when I read books like this, I nod along, going "Ummhmm, yes, these things are all big problems" but end up feeling frustrated at the end because those books don't offer very good solutions. I was concerned I would feel like this after this book, but the last chapter was a ray of hope in an otherwise bleak volume.
Everyone who's ever had a job, and even those who are fortunate enough to never have had a job should read this book. If you can't tell from the title, it's pro-workers, pro-union, and definitely has an agenda, but it's also just a really well thought out and researched book....more
One of the more enlightened bodice rippers I'd read. It uses the whole "I was in love with my friend this whole time!" trope, but does it well.One of the more enlightened bodice rippers I'd read. It uses the whole "I was in love with my friend this whole time!" trope, but does it well....more
Came for the explanation of quarks and black holes, stayed for the discourse on capitalism and feminism.
Okay, most of the science parts of it went wayCame for the explanation of quarks and black holes, stayed for the discourse on capitalism and feminism.
Okay, most of the science parts of it went way over my head no matter how many times I tried to re-read it, but it's fine because the IMO meat of the book comes in the second half of it. Prescod-Weinstein writes beautifully about how working and talking about science in a vacuum, separate from all the other things happening in the world is a disservice.
Prescod-Weinstein is thoughtful at times and angry at others, and I'm here for all of that. What a rollercoaster. This should be required reading for everyone going into college, not just into "the sciences."...more
A quick read about feminism. Nothing really new here for anyone who has read any feminist text, but the writing was enjoyable and made me wonder if I A quick read about feminism. Nothing really new here for anyone who has read any feminist text, but the writing was enjoyable and made me wonder if I should read any of the author's fiction....more
I think I read too much *about* this book before finally reading the book because a lot of what Orenstein brings up, I've read in articles by her. My I think I read too much *about* this book before finally reading the book because a lot of what Orenstein brings up, I've read in articles by her. My main complaint about the book is that it summarizes a lot of (known) problems with how girls are growing up in our culture, but doesn't present a whole lot of answers....more
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