This was a fascinating book about the stories our bones tell and what forensic anthropologists do (Black is that and an anatomist). I kept repeating fThis was a fascinating book about the stories our bones tell and what forensic anthropologists do (Black is that and an anatomist). I kept repeating fun little facts over to anyone who would listen. As someone who loves anatomy and the human body, this was a compelling and immersive experience. Do note there is much discussion of physical, emotional, and sexual trauma, so go in knowing that it's not a light-hearted romp.
The audio was fine. Black performs it herself and her Scottish accent meant I had to really listen slowly. That did not detract from the experience but required a little more work on my end. For some readers, that will be the selling point!...more
A beautiful, scrapbook style memoir of the life of an Asian American disabled activist. There are essays, interviews, art, and more, and it's a compelA beautiful, scrapbook style memoir of the life of an Asian American disabled activist. There are essays, interviews, art, and more, and it's a compelling, engaging, and necessary read from a tremendous voice. ...more
The title is inaccurate. This is a book about the One Direction fandom, which is fine! As someone who has no interest or engagement in that world, I eThe title is inaccurate. This is a book about the One Direction fandom, which is fine! As someone who has no interest or engagement in that world, I enjoyed the read fine enough, but I was expecting this to be a bigger look at fandom and the internet. It is not. I'm not actually sure it ever delivers on "how" fangirls created the internet as "we" know it. One Direction fans had a lot of pull and made creative use of meme culture, Twitter, and Tumblr, but that isn't "how" "we know it."
I like Tiffany's work, but I felt very misled here. ...more
Definitely not representative of typical group therapy, this was definitely A Style (and I spent the entire book trying to identify what theoretical bDefinitely not representative of typical group therapy, this was definitely A Style (and I spent the entire book trying to identify what theoretical background it comes from). But I found Tate's story interesting and appreciated how much she got out of her group. A lot of folks will be immediately turned off by how there are no boundaries and there's no confidentiality required, but for Tate, this worked really well. ...more
A fascinating and powerful look at "mothering" and how it manifests across various cultures and how it is uniquely undervalued--derided, even--in whitA fascinating and powerful look at "mothering" and how it manifests across various cultures and how it is uniquely undervalued--derided, even--in white "American" culture, despite the fact every human relies on some form of mothering to live their lives. There's a lot here about the importance of "doing" nothing, which ties into a lot of what I've been thinking about existentialism and even for folks with no interest in parenting/motherhood books, there is a LOT to gain from this one.
My one criticism is it ends kind of abruptly. I was listening--Garbes performs herself--and felt like it just stopped. I'd have listened even longer. ...more
A fabulous (and at times funny) graphic memoir about growing up as a Chinese immigrant in America. Gao talks about "Americanizing" her name early in hA fabulous (and at times funny) graphic memoir about growing up as a Chinese immigrant in America. Gao talks about "Americanizing" her name early in her life as a means of fitting into a very white community in Texas. She went away to college and found a much larger Asian population at her school but fell into stereotyping people from backgrounds like hers, and during that time, had a major reckoning with both her cultural identity and with her sexuality. When she strikes out on her own, she's happy to find such a huge Asian community in San Francisco....and then COVID hits and suddenly, she's the enemy, especially being from Wuhan.
Johnson is one of the best memoirists writing for YA readers right now. This book is an encapsulation of the joys and challenges of growing up a BlackJohnson is one of the best memoirists writing for YA readers right now. This book is an encapsulation of the joys and challenges of growing up a Black boy in America and it's a tremendous love letter to Johnson's grandmother and cousins, who helped shape them to be who they are today. Interstitials from Johnson's cousins written as letters to their grandma are beautiful and poignant. This is a book about grief, but the way it's written is a tremendous celebration of a force of Black womanhood and Black family life. The audio is performed by the author and it is tremendous....more
Eighty percent of this is about the Fyre Festival and the remaining 20% is messily organized. It doesn't really do what the title claims it will, but Eighty percent of this is about the Fyre Festival and the remaining 20% is messily organized. It doesn't really do what the title claims it will, but if it was clear this was about the way people fell for Fyre and other McFarland grifts, it'd be shorter, tighter, and more accurate. ...more
Grabbed this as a Libro.fm ARC, as it just came to audio. The book is super dated and the performer is, how to say, not good. She sounds like she's taGrabbed this as a Libro.fm ARC, as it just came to audio. The book is super dated and the performer is, how to say, not good. She sounds like she's talking with marbles in her mouth and has a deep, nasally voice (mercury, for example, is pronounced merkury). ...more
Skip the audiobook if compelling narration is essential for you but if you don't care, this route is solid enough. The book has some parts which are mSkip the audiobook if compelling narration is essential for you but if you don't care, this route is solid enough. The book has some parts which are more interesting than others, as well as some noticeable repetition (how many times in the last few chapters was it necessary to bring up Trump's Section 230 executive order?).
Pair this with Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right and it becomes very clear how censorship, power, and right-wing money are all interconnected. Note this book is very much an overview, with few deep dives into any particular topic or issue, so if you're looking for names, they're not here (even The Hate U Give's brief mention did not include the author's name). ...more
Surprisingly more enjoyable than I anticipated. Her ghostwriter/collaborator is credited in the acknowledgements, and I suspect Monica really did offeSurprisingly more enjoyable than I anticipated. Her ghostwriter/collaborator is credited in the acknowledgements, and I suspect Monica really did offer a lot of what's here. A little bit of a pep talk book with less behind-the-scenes of Cheer or cheerleading than many fans might expect, but it's there. ...more
Feels like a book that could be revisited today and build upon what's been laid down prior to 2016. Two men with billions run this country. Feels like a book that could be revisited today and build upon what's been laid down prior to 2016. Two men with billions run this country. ...more
A fascinating look at how we use our bodies, nature, and the people around us to think. I was especially taken by how powerful using gestures can be, A fascinating look at how we use our bodies, nature, and the people around us to think. I was especially taken by how powerful using gestures can be, as someone who can be a hand talker and was always taught not to do that. Turns out...that's not only useful for remembering something but it's also extremely helpful for teaching others....more
Definitely weird to read this post-Trebek, but enjoyable nonetheless. I found myself down some rabbit holes, including a delightful Canadian sketch feDefinitely weird to read this post-Trebek, but enjoyable nonetheless. I found myself down some rabbit holes, including a delightful Canadian sketch featuring Eugene Levy as Alex, alongside John Candy and Catherine O'Hara as contestants on the show. ...more
This one is worth skimming, though you don't need to read in depth. Mostly, a nice reminder of the value of doing certain tasks like reading, eating, This one is worth skimming, though you don't need to read in depth. Mostly, a nice reminder of the value of doing certain tasks like reading, eating, walking, thinking, listening, etc., in their own right, without trying to do something else simultaneously....more
This is my third recent nonfiction read that discusses how history can not be explored or understood as history until enough time has passed that we'rThis is my third recent nonfiction read that discusses how history can not be explored or understood as history until enough time has passed that we're no longer "living through" that history. See Music Is History and Major Labels: A History of Popular Music in Seven Genres. It likewise dovetails nicely into the work of podcasts like "History of the 90s" and "You're Wrong About."
Klosterman's book is an exploration of the actual history of the 1990s through politics and pop culture. It's fascinating how he takes disparate stories and weaves the narrative together, with plenty of "why was the media obsessed with Michael Jordan's baseball career that meant nothing, really?"
If this kind of history is your jam, you'll like it. If you're looking for an answer or a thread that unifies the 90s or Gen X, it's there AND not there, for purposeful reasons. I'll be curious what's said about the '00s when that can be seen as history, especially as Klosterman doesn't touch on Millennials much, particularly those Xenniels like myself, who really do straddle the bizarre worlds of "online all the time" and "was never online."
Also: I had that phone and it was my favorite thing. ...more
I feel like I've read this number of times before but because I read a lot of books in this category, I have. It'd be a fantastic pick for someone wonI feel like I've read this number of times before but because I read a lot of books in this category, I have. It'd be a fantastic pick for someone wondering about the power of community over competition and how to develop and strengthen bonds among people, especially those who may be your competition. It's focused on small, creative businesses but much of what Franke says expands beyond that group.
The best little nugget in here for me was the chapter on how people who engage in social media tend to have a better relationship with it than those who simply consume. I wonder about those who, like me, pick and choose their social media engagement vs. consumption for different purposes and maybe it's that -- knowing you're making a choice about that -- is the big secret. ...more
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