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novelsinpieces's review against another edition
A sprinkle of Castillo's biography can be seen throughout the book. Best to be read as a physical/digital book than an audio. It is reminiscent of a critical reading in college, sharp-tongued and, at times, angry. As a Filipino living in the motherland, Castillo is typical of a Fil-Am born and raised in America. This book is definitely for the Americans to consume, but there are points to be learned from her work as well if you're not white.
thecozyarchivist's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.0
I went into this thinking it was a discussion on media literacy, but instead I got a 90 minute rant about Joan Didion. (As someone born and raised in California, I’ve never read Didion and never knew she was even considered a “California writer”. 🤷🏻♀️)
These essays just didn’t hit the mark for me. Maybe I expected a more broad take on the topic of how to read, but the subjects were bet laser focused on specific topics (one chapter was just about the Watchmen tv series on HBO).
I’m glad others have learned things from this book around social justice and representation in media. But unfortunately for me there weren’t any new takeaways from this book that I haven’t already read before. But this might be a good jumping off point, just plan on digging deeper.
These essays just didn’t hit the mark for me. Maybe I expected a more broad take on the topic of how to read, but the subjects were bet laser focused on specific topics (one chapter was just about the Watchmen tv series on HBO).
I’m glad others have learned things from this book around social justice and representation in media. But unfortunately for me there weren’t any new takeaways from this book that I haven’t already read before. But this might be a good jumping off point, just plan on digging deeper.
angelafishkin's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
2.25
It was fine :/ I sometimes felt like it was rambly and couldn't follow what argument the author was making. Also its about reading but most of the examples she makes are film/television and almost all of the examples in the book were extremely obscure which also didn't help the clarity of her arguments.
wanderlust_romance's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
My ultimate frustration in reading Monsters: A Fans Dilemma was that while it employed much thought and posed many questions, it was at its core a memoir. One writers reflections on the problematic men and the art they created.
The cutting insight and literary critique I was searching for? I found it in How to Read Now. THIS BOOK is doing the work. And I cannot recommend it enough.
💣 If you are interested in becoming a more critical reader, read this.
💣 If you are interested in how the biography of the writer/artist/filmmaker/etc intersects with the personal, read this.
💣 If you are interested in a decolonized reading perspective, read this.
💣 If you are interested in why corporate “representation matters” media can be problematic, read this.
💣 If you enjoy nonfiction writing that is sarcastic, funny, insightful, and deeply personal, read this.
I could go on and on, but you get the picture. How to Read Now is going to be one of my top reads this year (and likely beyond). Castillo’s book is required reading for anyone claiming to be well read.
obstinateheadstrongcurl's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
medium-paced
5.0
The books, films, articles, etc Castillo discusses here remind me of the type of media Gilmore Girls would always reference. But Castillo dives deep, makes connections, and pulls the pedestal out from under heroes of the Western canon. It was so smart and unexpectedly funny (don’t skip on the footnotes, these are gems). This is one I’ll definitely be referring back to in the future.
chandraleereads's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0