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adamgolden's reviews
192 reviews
Drugs - without the hot air: Minimising the harms of legal and illegal drugs by David J. Nutt
4.0
(4/5★)
An insightful and accessible glimpse into the world of drugs; including two of the most common, tobacco and alcohol. As a drug user myself, most of the information in this book was common knowledge, but it's still an important read if you or anybody you know lives a lifestyle which includes taking drugs. All of his findings are backed by mountains of evidence, and covers a wide variety of topics, ranging from addiction and safety measures to common misconceptions of drugs and their diverse history. Highly recommended for anybody that believes alcohol/tobacco is the lesser evil when it comes to other drugs.
An insightful and accessible glimpse into the world of drugs; including two of the most common, tobacco and alcohol. As a drug user myself, most of the information in this book was common knowledge, but it's still an important read if you or anybody you know lives a lifestyle which includes taking drugs. All of his findings are backed by mountains of evidence, and covers a wide variety of topics, ranging from addiction and safety measures to common misconceptions of drugs and their diverse history. Highly recommended for anybody that believes alcohol/tobacco is the lesser evil when it comes to other drugs.
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
2.0
(2.5/5★)
For the time, this book had a remarkably imaginative view of what time travel and the unforeseeable future would look like. That being said, while both the beginning and ending of The Time Machine are particularly enticing and captivating, the adventure that the Time Traveler embarks on in-between isn't nearly as compelling.
For the time, this book had a remarkably imaginative view of what time travel and the unforeseeable future would look like. That being said, while both the beginning and ending of The Time Machine are particularly enticing and captivating, the adventure that the Time Traveler embarks on in-between isn't nearly as compelling.
Sword of Destiny by Andrzej Sapkowski
3.0
(3/5★)
While not quite as entertaining as the first collection of short stories by Sapkowski, there are a couple great stories in here (the one's involving Ciri, and Geralt's mother in particular come to mind). However, the lack of monster slaying in a series about a monster slayer makes this one a bit less of a page turner.
While not quite as entertaining as the first collection of short stories by Sapkowski, there are a couple great stories in here (the one's involving Ciri, and Geralt's mother in particular come to mind). However, the lack of monster slaying in a series about a monster slayer makes this one a bit less of a page turner.
My Twisted World: The Story of Elliot Rodger by Elliot Rodger
1.0
(1.5/5★)
It's hard to give a review to something like this. I was honestly expecting a more insightful look into the life of a man that clearly was mentally unstable, and his reasoning for the atrocious crimes he committed. Instead, it's for the most part a boring, glorified autobiography of a privileged, spoiled brat that had everything he wanted in life except for one thing.
To be fair, a lot of us can relate to that one thing - having a relationship with someone that you love, and what comes along with it. But to do what he did, more out of a seething, jealous rage rather than the actual despair of being alone, is extremely hard to sympathize with (which is what his entire manifesto cried out for; sympathy for his bleak and lonely life).
While interesting because there is really nothing else like this out there, the book is terribly written and exceedingly repetitive in nature. I wouldn't recommend this "book" to anybody. Instead, I'd recommend watching his short, several minute videos that encapsulate everything in his manifesto in a much more digestible manner, without having to read 140 pages of absolute drivel.
It's hard to give a review to something like this. I was honestly expecting a more insightful look into the life of a man that clearly was mentally unstable, and his reasoning for the atrocious crimes he committed. Instead, it's for the most part a boring, glorified autobiography of a privileged, spoiled brat that had everything he wanted in life except for one thing.
To be fair, a lot of us can relate to that one thing - having a relationship with someone that you love, and what comes along with it. But to do what he did, more out of a seething, jealous rage rather than the actual despair of being alone, is extremely hard to sympathize with (which is what his entire manifesto cried out for; sympathy for his bleak and lonely life).
While interesting because there is really nothing else like this out there, the book is terribly written and exceedingly repetitive in nature. I wouldn't recommend this "book" to anybody. Instead, I'd recommend watching his short, several minute videos that encapsulate everything in his manifesto in a much more digestible manner, without having to read 140 pages of absolute drivel.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
2.0
(2.5/5★)
After hearing a lot of praise about this book throughout my life I think I kind of expected more from it. At times clever, excessively imaginative, and humorous to boot, it's an enjoyable read, but lacks in a dedicated plotline. The characters, while fairly unique, didn't have enough time to develop to the point where I could become attached to them. This could possibly be resolved by reading the other books in the series, but apparently the general consensus is that this is the best one, so I don't know if I'll ever get around to it.
After hearing a lot of praise about this book throughout my life I think I kind of expected more from it. At times clever, excessively imaginative, and humorous to boot, it's an enjoyable read, but lacks in a dedicated plotline. The characters, while fairly unique, didn't have enough time to develop to the point where I could become attached to them. This could possibly be resolved by reading the other books in the series, but apparently the general consensus is that this is the best one, so I don't know if I'll ever get around to it.
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
3.0
(3/5★)
Being a pretty big fan of the movie adaption of this book, I really looked forward to reading it. On one hand, the ambiguity of Patrick's credibility (is this all actually happening, or is it all in is head?) and the way the story is left open to interpretation was great, as were the cultural references to the time the story took place in. On the other hand, the exaggerated, gruesome violence was just over the top - I could almost see Ellis writing these scenes, snickering at how much this was going to shock people. We get it, he's a sick fuck! Almost worse than the violence however, are the parts in which Bateman describes 'who is wearing what', which got old really fast. Dial this book back a hundred pages, tone down the violence and excessive details that get repeated every other chapter, and this would have been a much more enjoyable read.
Being a pretty big fan of the movie adaption of this book, I really looked forward to reading it. On one hand, the ambiguity of Patrick's credibility (is this all actually happening, or is it all in is head?) and the way the story is left open to interpretation was great, as were the cultural references to the time the story took place in. On the other hand, the exaggerated, gruesome violence was just over the top - I could almost see Ellis writing these scenes, snickering at how much this was going to shock people. We get it, he's a sick fuck! Almost worse than the violence however, are the parts in which Bateman describes 'who is wearing what', which got old really fast. Dial this book back a hundred pages, tone down the violence and excessive details that get repeated every other chapter, and this would have been a much more enjoyable read.
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
4.0
(4.5/5★)
This is the first novel that I've read by Sanderson, and it surely won't be the last. Writing in a simplistic but enthralling manner similar to authors in the YA genre, Mistborn is a fantastic start to a world that is easy to get lost in, with more adult themes that separates it from the aforementioned Young Adult genre. The characters are all memorable and fleshed out, especially Vin, who has quickly become one of my favorite fantasy protagonists. Perhaps the most interesting excerpts of this book are the ones that delve into the world of Allomancy - the way Sanderson describes the intense martial-arts-like fighting scenes and how each metal has it's own unique power is just fascinating, and easy to visualize. I think it's only a matter of time before the world that he has created will move on to another medium, whether it be comics or films - it's so vivid, easy to digest, and just enjoyable from start to finish.
This is the first novel that I've read by Sanderson, and it surely won't be the last. Writing in a simplistic but enthralling manner similar to authors in the YA genre, Mistborn is a fantastic start to a world that is easy to get lost in, with more adult themes that separates it from the aforementioned Young Adult genre. The characters are all memorable and fleshed out, especially Vin, who has quickly become one of my favorite fantasy protagonists. Perhaps the most interesting excerpts of this book are the ones that delve into the world of Allomancy - the way Sanderson describes the intense martial-arts-like fighting scenes and how each metal has it's own unique power is just fascinating, and easy to visualize. I think it's only a matter of time before the world that he has created will move on to another medium, whether it be comics or films - it's so vivid, easy to digest, and just enjoyable from start to finish.
Still Life by Louise Penny
3.0
(3/5★)
I was looking for a new Crime/Mystery series to read, and after a little bit of poking around I stumbled upon Still Life. While a bit more slow-paced than other books I've read in this genre, I really enjoyed the gradual build up and the "comfy" setting of the small, seclusive village of Three Pines. From what I've read so far, it seems that Penny has a knack for creating complex characters with depth and personality, chief inspector Armand Gamache being no exception. I look forward to learning more about him and his past in the rest of the series.
I was looking for a new Crime/Mystery series to read, and after a little bit of poking around I stumbled upon Still Life. While a bit more slow-paced than other books I've read in this genre, I really enjoyed the gradual build up and the "comfy" setting of the small, seclusive village of Three Pines. From what I've read so far, it seems that Penny has a knack for creating complex characters with depth and personality, chief inspector Armand Gamache being no exception. I look forward to learning more about him and his past in the rest of the series.