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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
considering the rising illiteracy crisis all around the world, this is an incredibly needed book, because no reading can be done without critical thinking, without asking questions, without understanding context, without challenging preconceived ideas and notions, without pushing against expectations, etc.
Whatever else, this is the only way to read: always, not just now.
Whatever else, this is the only way to read: always, not just now.
ironically, given some of the (fair) points made, this is probably better taken as a kind of syllabus than as an analysis/argument in its own right.
A couple times author misrepresents the actual content of a piece they reference, whether due to not researching the source references of a random article and just taking it as fact or just misreading the tone and thus the intended message themselves. Other times they reference a piece (ex Playing in the Dark or Woven, Sir) but then inexplicably exclude key parts that would make their point even more strongly than the references they do include.
In short, several great points, several faulty supports. Also a tendency to go off on tangents (especially in regards to etymological play), which I as a ADHD person personally tend to enjoy (or at least look past) but which others without ADHD may find distracting.
A couple times author misrepresents the actual content of a piece they reference, whether due to not researching the source references of a random article and just taking it as fact or just misreading the tone and thus the intended message themselves. Other times they reference a piece (ex Playing in the Dark or Woven, Sir) but then inexplicably exclude key parts that would make their point even more strongly than the references they do include.
In short, several great points, several faulty supports. Also a tendency to go off on tangents (especially in regards to etymological play), which I as a ADHD person personally tend to enjoy (or at least look past) but which others without ADHD may find distracting.
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
medium-paced
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
Few books (especially collections of essays) are genuinely life-changing but this book unquestionably is. We are lucky to live in the same world, intellectually and culturally, as Elaine Castillo.
really useful thoughts to reflect about literature and writing (and reading, naturally), although i will admit that i haven't finished all of the essays yet--i need some time to process each essay and i'll likely go over it again and again over the coming years. i can really see why ive had 2-3 classes rn who have had this essay as required reading, particularly the introductory essay and "reading for empathy is a myth"
Reminded me of Jia Tolentino's Trick Mirror in the way the essay would begin in one location, and then end in another. This is also the book I was hoping Trick Mirror would be. Smart, feminist as hell, and funny (especially the astrology bits, how come this hasn't been mentioned more?!).
I haven't seen this touted as the next big feminist read (BFR), and IDK if that's my corner of the net or what. But I'm mostly seeing this circulated in lit nerd corners, and really this should reach BFR status.
I haven't seen this touted as the next big feminist read (BFR), and IDK if that's my corner of the net or what. But I'm mostly seeing this circulated in lit nerd corners, and really this should reach BFR status.
Stunning. A tour de force. Major Virgo solidarity and admiration.
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
highly recommend, i think everyone should read this. might be the first book i buy on audio (all my other audio book reads have been from the library) and maybe also in print.
my first Castillo but i want to go back to pick up her first book (and she has a new one coming out aug 2025!). love that on the audio, she reads through the whole annotated bibliography (also, makes sense, given the book's title + content).
the book discusses various media and pop culture pieces in depth. it may be a little less relatable if you haven't seen/read the shows/books but i'm always out of the loop on pop culture references anyways so it didn't bother me. Castillo does a good job describing enough context that readers/listeners can still follow along and readily understand what she is talking about even if you've never seen the media piece.
pairs well with: how to hide an empire (for historical context that impact so much of this book)
reminds me of: trick mirror by jia tolentino
my first Castillo but i want to go back to pick up her first book (and she has a new one coming out aug 2025!). love that on the audio, she reads through the whole annotated bibliography (also, makes sense, given the book's title + content).
the book discusses various media and pop culture pieces in depth. it may be a little less relatable if you haven't seen/read the shows/books but i'm always out of the loop on pop culture references anyways so it didn't bother me. Castillo does a good job describing enough context that readers/listeners can still follow along and readily understand what she is talking about even if you've never seen the media piece.
pairs well with: how to hide an empire (for historical context that impact so much of this book)
reminds me of: trick mirror by jia tolentino
informative