Reviews

The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Green

lukevirgo's review against another edition

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funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

Re-Read: My parasocial relationship with John is going strong. I love getting to hang out with him. It was nice this time to be listening to him even though his voice already comes out in the text while reading. It was just really fun to have storytime with Uncle John. Since my first reading, I had forgotten that I now have life goals to see halley's comet and the Dr. Pepper Museum. 

rperce's review

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funny inspiring slow-paced

4.0

Like most of John Green's work, this is a clear lens onto John Green's life and psyche more, perhaps, than its purported contents. Which the book is rather up-front about, to be clear. Luckily, I like John and I like his ever-hopeful point of view. I loved the podcast version of this work, and while that means I've already heard most of these essays before, it also means I can more clearly feel the humor and vulnerability woven through them. It's unquestionably cliché to review this book on its own terms, but: I give _The Antropocene Reviewed_ four stars.

elizakaspar1988's review

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4.0

4.5 rounded down

Series of "reviews" of different things on earth. Tries to link to deeper meaning and things like that. It's very entertaining, but starts to fell a little repetitive if you read multiple chapters in one sitting (which is how I almost always read). That being said, I'd still like to read another book of reviews written by him.

There are notes for each chapter that are at the end of the book and I definitely wish I would have read those notes immediately after each chapter. By the time I got to the end of the book the notes were kind of useless.

msimmons13's review

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5.0

This book has a little bit of everything. And the fact that it was written during the pandemic means I think it will become part of the narrative of how I remember these years. It's sad, and hopeful, and wonderful. But it also has the trademark Green humor, and earnestness which I admire and love. This book made me want to talk to my best friend again, call my brother, feel my gaze intertwine with my husband's over a mutual third thing. I give the Anthropocene Reviewed 5 stars.

trinityb2021's review against another edition

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funny informative inspiring medium-paced

3.5

I want to give this 4 stars really badly. However, there were too many essays that dragged on just a bit too long and were just a bit too boring for me to give this a higher score.

This is a essay collection but has a lot of elements of a memoir that I really liked. The parts that weren't memoir focused I actually enjoyed more. There were lots of fun facts and philosophical analyses of life that were super engaging and fun to read (and even emotional at moments).

I still think this book is worth reading even if it isn't 10/10 essays all the way through. There is enough in this short book to justify reading. I learned a lot about silly things like Giant Canadian Geese but also about depression, happiness, and the meaning of life.

geeky_andproudofit's review

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5.0

Perfection.
This book was my warm bowl of chicken soup during a flu and I am so completely overwhelmed by it's wonderful optimism.
Listening to the audiobook, read by John Green himself just elevated my enjoyment of this book SO much.
I give this experience 10 stars.

_justlillian_'s review

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emotional funny reflective medium-paced

3.75

mikaylahubbard's review

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5.0

Reviewing a book about the nature of reviews feels silly, but there is something so special about this. I spent the majority of my teenage years learning from John Green; hearing him describe the most mundane things and their magical qualities as an adult was wonderful, and full circle for me. I think this will be a reread for years to come.

I enjoyed each essay as much as the last, and loved every tear, laugh, and quiet moment of reflection while reading. I give The Anthropocene Reviewed 5 stars.

Some favorites: Halley’s Comet, Academic Decathlon, Auld Lang Syne, The Notes App, “New Partner.”

joensign's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

5.0


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italiancarrotfarmer's review

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

Another all timer for this year.