Highly depressing and well researched non-fiction. I was astonished that a) the fight for women in science was happening while I was in college as I wHighly depressing and well researched non-fiction. I was astonished that a) the fight for women in science was happening while I was in college as I would have assumed all the events would have happened decades earlier and b) that so many events and instances of discrimination feel so relevant and fresh in relationship to my most recent stint in higher ed. If anyone ever wants to know what it's like to be a woman in a fancy university, read this book....more
Quick and pleasant memoir of being a flight attendant in the 1980s. Three stars only because there were some repetitive statements between the chapterQuick and pleasant memoir of being a flight attendant in the 1980s. Three stars only because there were some repetitive statements between the chapters that should have been caught by the editors. Also because I usually reserve 4 stars and above to complex and deep books, and this was a bit fluffy. We learn a lot about the breakup of the unions and demise of TWA in the process, but I wish there was a bit of an update as to how the airline industry has changed for the worse in 2020s....more
I've come to realize i don't like to review non-fiction. Ms. Gay is an excellent writer, and after all, i wouldn't be reading all of her books if i diI've come to realize i don't like to review non-fiction. Ms. Gay is an excellent writer, and after all, i wouldn't be reading all of her books if i didn't like what she has to say. But reviewing what amounts to mirrors of my own opinions about the world? That feels both narcissistic and futile. Good read indeed....more
**spoiler alert** Continuing my theme of reading book by/about sad Gen X being sad (full disclaimer, I *am* Gen X, so these books are pretty much tail**spoiler alert** Continuing my theme of reading book by/about sad Gen X being sad (full disclaimer, I *am* Gen X, so these books are pretty much tailor made for me) I went into this hoping to hear how one actually becomes a tv writer, how a writers room is run, and why someone may change their career path because they either burn out or find something better. What I read instead is that no education or training is seemingly required to write for TV, how the author may have severe anxiety issues that pervade and affect everything they do, and how quite possibly the author wasn’t very good at writing. While I understand not every job was detailed in this memoir, I find it hard to believe that every single gig after Freaks and Geeks was negative and unsuccessful. The message I also received towards the end is you can either be married and happy or writing for tv, and I’m not sure I’m about that life. I’m not sure anyone needed the confirmation how everything in media is a boys club, because that’s glaringly obvious in today’s world....more
For me this was just Meh. I really enjoyed the in-depth profiles of Ryan Murphy, Jenji Cohen and Kenya Barris, but many essays were about shows i've nFor me this was just Meh. I really enjoyed the in-depth profiles of Ryan Murphy, Jenji Cohen and Kenya Barris, but many essays were about shows i've never seen, so it fell flat for me. Definitely some great feminist critique, but not my book....more
Just like with Prince Henry's memoir this year, I just want to give a giant hug to Elliot and say that everything will be all right. Given the dumpsteJust like with Prince Henry's memoir this year, I just want to give a giant hug to Elliot and say that everything will be all right. Given the dumpster fire that are trans rights right now, I can't say that 100% truthfully though, but I do wish he was spared some of the pain and anxiety he went through. I did find myself wondering if taking a break to attend an all-women's college like my alma mater - an inclusive and supportive institution - would have made the process of self discovery Elliot undergone more cohesive and less traumatic. As a memoir, I would only give this 3 stars - it needs some editing, and the overall goal of storytelling is a bit unclear. But as a cultural moment and a personal story - 5 stars. I truly wish that somewhere in Nova Scotia or Halifax or Texas or Ohio there's a trans kid whose life will be saved by reading this, and that they will have the network to get the hell out of Texas or Florida. ...more
Could this BE any more repetitive? I love 90s Matthew as much as the next person, but can we please give celebrity memoirs better editors? I feel bothCould this BE any more repetitive? I love 90s Matthew as much as the next person, but can we please give celebrity memoirs better editors? I feel both very sad for his illness and his inability to conquer it (unlike, for instance, Rob Lowe) and very glad for his eventual honesty. Sometimes I believe that no amount of therapy can fix the gaping voids most of Gen X carry inside, but some of us (not the narcissist insecure ones) have managed to cope without extreme addiction. Of course, being the prime audience for Must See TV Thursday in 1994, I am absolutely the target audience for this fountain of misery, but I want more redemption stories....more
A quick survey of 20th C stage design up until 1968: the book gives a temperature reading at that time, so to speak. Very interesting and somewhat judA quick survey of 20th C stage design up until 1968: the book gives a temperature reading at that time, so to speak. Very interesting and somewhat judgy point of view, but with a fun glossary of british vs american theatre tech terms at the end....more
What a sobering book. So we are all going to die. This is inevitable. The pure fact that so few people think about the way they would like to spend thWhat a sobering book. So we are all going to die. This is inevitable. The pure fact that so few people think about the way they would like to spend their last days, and that the medical establishment doesn't quite have enough people trained in geriatric medicine NOR training in how to increase quality of life vs mechanical lifesaving measures is simply deplorable. Everyone should read this book, make an end-of-life plan, and share it with loved ones. I, for one, am writing a will and end-of-life care plan immediately because once again, we are all going to die. I've been a fan of Gawande's writing for a couple decades now, and I very much enjoy the mixture of anecdote and moral lessons he provides....more
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