Sapiens combines anthropological history with humor, spicy commentary, and clever paradigm shifts to teach something old and familiar in an engaging wSapiens combines anthropological history with humor, spicy commentary, and clever paradigm shifts to teach something old and familiar in an engaging way. His biases are clear and are part of the charm of this book--he does not pull punches, so to speak, and does not apologize for his educated (but spicy) world view. I happen to share his world view, so the book was charming to me.
It is a rare treat for me to have an author shift my paradigms about everyday things, so this book was enjoyable and stimulating....more
I finished this one a couple weeks ago, so I have forgotten all of the intelligent things I was hoping to say. This book is bizarre and intelligent. II finished this one a couple weeks ago, so I have forgotten all of the intelligent things I was hoping to say. This book is bizarre and intelligent. It is science fiction and political commentary and a bit of a journey back through memories of the recent pandemic all in one. Some chapters are bittersweet and unpalatable, but those chapters are over quickly and are needed for the broader story.
You can read this one of two ways:
1. Really pay attention and try to fit all the moving pieces together (although you will not have all the information you need until the final chapter), or 2. Just go with the flow and let it be kinda weird and focus on the broader messages. The final chapter ties things together nicely, and that may be enough for you.
I went with #2 while my fiancé went the first route--I don't think either of us enjoyed it more than the other, but I was a bit jealous of how satisfying the final chapter was for him while I had tuned out a lot of the small details. On a scale of intellectual Cotton Candy to intellectual Steak, this book is rated Chicken Parmesan....more
Classic and very timely. Live action screenplay would just be a documentary on modern politics. Fairly heavy handed in its messaging, but a very simplClassic and very timely. Live action screenplay would just be a documentary on modern politics. Fairly heavy handed in its messaging, but a very simple and quick read/listen....more
This book was stellar at helping me recognize and understand my own responses to stress, anxiety, and trauma. I've actively used the knowledge from thThis book was stellar at helping me recognize and understand my own responses to stress, anxiety, and trauma. I've actively used the knowledge from this book for several months now and I'm currently rereading to pick up the things I didn't catch the first time.
Highly recommended for anybody, not just those who feel they need to "do the work." It shifted some of my interpersonal paradigms, paving the way for me to really develop a loving attachment to my partner....more
Witches + Suffrage = a fun, if -slightly- heavy handed, look at modern feminism. This novel follows three sisters who have had enough of abusive and cWitches + Suffrage = a fun, if -slightly- heavy handed, look at modern feminism. This novel follows three sisters who have had enough of abusive and controlling men. Driven by the pain of their childhood, they seek out the means to empower themselves and those around them.
Contains some unique and lovable LGBTQ+ characters. All three of the sisters have reasonable and satisfying growth arcs, and the pacing of the book is relaxed but engaging....more
This was fun for the science fiction, but I couldn't get past the fairly toneless voice. The POV was detached enough that it was difficult to really fThis was fun for the science fiction, but I couldn't get past the fairly toneless voice. The POV was detached enough that it was difficult to really feel connected to any of the characters. It was fun, but just not -great-...more
Delightfully readable, this book left me feeling uplifted and happy to be alive. It's actually very similar to a story that I thought about writing a Delightfully readable, this book left me feeling uplifted and happy to be alive. It's actually very similar to a story that I thought about writing a few years ago, but I decided it would be too dark. Matt Haig handled the difficult elements in a balanced way that never got too dark. The book was quite predictable to me, and I was a bit disappointed that it ended in exactly the way I thought it would. However, the treatment made the ending very worthwhile....more
This sci-fi heist book is full of both great science and a twisting plot. The main character is not quite as likable as soon of Weir's other protagoniThis sci-fi heist book is full of both great science and a twisting plot. The main character is not quite as likable as soon of Weir's other protagonists, but I admire her feisty determination. I love the inclusion of many Earth cultures and the diversity....more
This is a promising beginning to a story which clearly has much more to come. I enjoyed the scrappy main character and his struggles to survive. I alsThis is a promising beginning to a story which clearly has much more to come. I enjoyed the scrappy main character and his struggles to survive. I also enjoyed the shape shifting supporting cast with their twists and turns. I was a little concerned about the inconsistencies in the magic system, although the author tried to explain it clearly. The ebb and flow of the main character's strength still felt a bit unreliable at times. Overall a lovely, fun read....more
Reading this book just made me wish I had been in Bree's critique group when she was polishing this. It has so much going for it--twisting plot, love Reading this book just made me wish I had been in Bree's critique group when she was polishing this. It has so much going for it--twisting plot, love triangle, surprises and shocking reveals--but it fell flat in terms of pacing and logic. The beginning went on way too long with teasing hints and foreshadowing, but without much in terms of actual plot for the main character. Also, Grace's actions are very illogical through most of the book. For example, she conveniently doesn't ask questions that any normal person would ask--thereby dragging the reader through 50 pages of unnecessary waiting to get to something that should have just been a simple, straightforward question and answer. As an example, there's no reason the dad would tell her to "discover the answer herself." The only thing that accomplishes is dragging the tension out in an artificial way while furthering other plot points. The book's ending redeemed it a little as we finally got to the point where Grace was an active partner in the story, making decisions and pushing things forward.
Overall: entertaining, but it felt like the author had a great idea for a book premise but never fully developed a plot to match the premise. I would have made her cut about 25% of the book if I had been her editor....more
Entertaining read. Pure "cotton candy" type of book that is sweet and easy to go through, but not ultimately full of too much substance. Howe3.5 Stars
Entertaining read. Pure "cotton candy" type of book that is sweet and easy to go through, but not ultimately full of too much substance. However, I think that's exactly what the book wanted to be--Whipple isn't trying to rewrite Grapes of Wrath here--so it effectively delivered on the implicit promise to the reader.
I'm not a huge fan of the Perfect Girl trope, so that annoyed me a bit. Not every heroine has to be the most beautiful girl in town dating the hot guy. Everyday people are okay, too, and I'd rather see a witch who is plain but powerful.
The magic system worked well and gave a good framework to the story at hand. The idea of sacrifice was well incorporated throughout, albeit a little nauseating at times.
My biggest pet peeve is definitely the ending. A poorly executed final scene can absolutely destroy trust in an author. The final scene felt like the author was running out the door and just scrapped together the fewest words possible to tie things together. Where's the payoff? We've read through the entire book, gotten emotionally invested in these two characters, and we're rewarded with a half hearted nod to closure. The conversation between them makes no sense on any level and I just wish I was in her critique group (since she's local to my area) so I could have said, "Oh, honey, we deserve a hell of a lot better than that for denouement."...more
This story was supposed to highlight the courage of an extraordinary woman, but the author missed every opportunity to show real danger about the situThis story was supposed to highlight the courage of an extraordinary woman, but the author missed every opportunity to show real danger about the situation. The dressmaker constantly worried about what would happen if her business was discovered, but the author states clearly that they were doing nothing wrong. The few moments of real drama are washed over in summary instead of being shown as part of the narrative. The writing was fine and the ideas admirable, but the lack of storytelling skill was disappointing....more
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