A mixture of descriptions of exploring semi-wild places within an urban area (Austin) and a memoir of the author’s experiences building an interestingA mixture of descriptions of exploring semi-wild places within an urban area (Austin) and a memoir of the author’s experiences building an interesting home in one of those spaces, with many musings about history, anthropology and politics. I liked the descriptions the best, the memoir parts were ok also, but I could have done with a lot less of the musings. ...more
Great memoir, Navalney was a wonderful writer with a great sense of humor, even (especially) when in prison. Sad book because you know what happens, bGreat memoir, Navalney was a wonderful writer with a great sense of humor, even (especially) when in prison. Sad book because you know what happens, but he is inspirational. It’s shameful that Putin “won� and Navalney wasn’t able to see the changes he fought for. ...more
35 or so short essays explaining phenomena that have scientific explanations but also inspire awe and appreciation. The essays are in alphabetical ord35 or so short essays explaining phenomena that have scientific explanations but also inspire awe and appreciation. The essays are in alphabetical order by title, so basically, no real order in the subject matter. I enjoyed the writing and the photos. ...more
I enjoyed this geologist’s memoir, though some of the geology parts were a bit hard to follow, and the memoir parts were a bit disconnected (mostly abI enjoyed this geologist’s memoir, though some of the geology parts were a bit hard to follow, and the memoir parts were a bit disconnected (mostly about her academic career, but some about her personal life too). But her ardent love for geology comes through loud and clear. ...more
A new author for me. Really enjoyed, besides the romance, the deaths, the annoying and silly relatives, there was a lot about social aspects of socie A new author for me. Really enjoyed, besides the romance, the deaths, the annoying and silly relatives, there was a lot about social aspects of society in terms of class and especially workers and capitalists - both types drawn as full human beings. Listened to as audiobook.
The reason I chose this audiobook is that it was narrated by Juliet Stevenson, a British actress who is a genius at reading books like this. I've listened to at least one other (Middlemarch) and I think a few others). The voices she uses for characters are wonderful, distinct but not cartoonish, they seem exactly right for the text, and always pleasant to listen to....more
I'm really rating the audiobook version, and there might be several of those, so to be specific I'm rating the BBC "full-cast" dramatization. It's supI'm really rating the audiobook version, and there might be several of those, so to be specific I'm rating the BBC "full-cast" dramatization. It's supposedly unabridged, but I have suspicions about that. I assume it was broadcast over many sessions, and there may have even been breaks within the sessions, because the story is constantly interrupted by silly music and "recaps" of what has gone on before. A lot of Wodehouse's great sentences and very funny descriptions of people still come through, but I think I like a simple narrator better with this kind of thing. ...more
First half of book is short stories, followed by a novella. I read the short stories, clever, smooth, sort of witty, but missing something. Soul? FeelFirst half of book is short stories, followed by a novella. I read the short stories, clever, smooth, sort of witty, but missing something. Soul? Feeling? Not sure, but decided I didn’t want to read the longer work. Liked the first two novels of his that I read, but have started enjoying him less and less, I guess it’s not really my kind of stuff. ...more
Mixed feelings, I’m a sucker for beautiful nature writing like this, but there’s a limit to how much finger-wagging and doom-and-gloom I want to read.Mixed feelings, I’m a sucker for beautiful nature writing like this, but there’s a limit to how much finger-wagging and doom-and-gloom I want to read. Even if it’s merited, I just don’t want to wallow in it. ...more
An imaginative time travel story, but a lot of the situations seemed obvious and stereotypical and much of the dialog seemed wooden. Too didactic for An imaginative time travel story, but a lot of the situations seemed obvious and stereotypical and much of the dialog seemed wooden. Too didactic for my taste. I kept on to see what would happen, but the ending was a bit flat.
Listened to the audiobook narrated by actress Kim Staunton, who’d had a bit part in Brother From Another Planet, a favorite John Sayles movie. Sadly, I didn’t care for the narration either. ...more
Impressionistic, hallucinatory and terrifying recounting of life in Port Au Prince in Haiti and events near the end of the 20th century. Short book, IImpressionistic, hallucinatory and terrifying recounting of life in Port Au Prince in Haiti and events near the end of the 20th century. Short book, I didn’t understand much of it, but I certainly got something from it. I liked the way it was told from the perspectives of three different people. ...more
I dunno. These stories are inventive, well-written, very original in many ways. Sometimes there is something a little gruesome but he doesn’t go overbI dunno. These stories are inventive, well-written, very original in many ways. Sometimes there is something a little gruesome but he doesn’t go overboard with it. But there’s something missing, like “heart� - I’m not sure how to put it. A little sterile and cold somehow. I really liked his first several books including of course the “Curious Incident…� novel but now I’m not so sure, and of course I’m also not sure if his writing has changed or if I have?...more
Very well written history of Haiti from the colonization of the island of Hispaniola, to the slave revolts that led to the founding of Haiti in 1804, Very well written history of Haiti from the colonization of the island of Hispaniola, to the slave revolts that led to the founding of Haiti in 1804, and then all the way up until the catastrophic 2010 earthquake. What a sad history, so many external enemies and exploiters, and so many internal leaders who betrayed their citizens. This history really focuses on political and military and economic issues, and does it well. But I would like to find another book that discusses Haitian history in a more cultural way, someday. ...more
Powerful book, a lot of beautiful writing, but I fear I missed a lot. One of those kinds of books that you could read a few times and take a class aboPowerful book, a lot of beautiful writing, but I fear I missed a lot. One of those kinds of books that you could read a few times and take a class about, before you felt you really had a handle on it. A lot of great character names, also all kinds of symbolism and magical realism stuff.
I listened to the audiobook, read by the author, it was great to hear her read her book, I think it really added a lot. ...more
Interesting essays about consciousness, involving several themes. I think there was a sort of a building process towards an overall method of looking Interesting essays about consciousness, involving several themes. I think there was a sort of a building process towards an overall method of looking at consciousness but I’m not quite sure what it was, probably because I didn’t understand bits and pieces within the individual chapters. But there were a lot of interesting discussions that I did feel like I understood. One chapter near the end seemed to be posing the possibility that consciousness actually arises from quantum behavior within “microtubules� within individual neurons, that seemed kind of nuts to me. (Ch.15) But who knows�...more
Loading...
