arealswellfellow's reviews
210 reviews

Bullshit Jobs: A Theory by David Graeber

funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

Great book. Starts off like almost any other pop economics book, albeit with a more interesting premise. But as it continues it gets more and more in depth with theory, policy proposals, and actions. It ends up being very radicalizing and complete.

Railsea by China Miéville

adventurous hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Mad Max with trains mixed with Moby Dick but for young adults. This is a very complementary review.

Apostles of Mercy by Lindsay Ellis

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Hobbit: or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Way more singing than I remembered. Why wasn’t all that in the movies?

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

adventurous inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

A great example of how to write fantasy

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

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.0

A good reminder to enjoy the little things. I enjoy John Green’s Non-fiction style so this was a lot of fun.

Be prepared for a lot of early pandemic feelings though.

Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age by Annalee Newitz

informative reflective slow-paced

2.0

The concept of this book seemed right up my alley but I couldn’t get into it. There were a lot of cool facts and I liked the focus on non-European ancient cities. But it didn’t feel too cohesive as a historical study. I couldn’t really get into it :(

Legacy of Honor: The Values and Influence of America's Eagle Scouts by Alvin Townley

emotional informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.5

I’ve been reading a lot of “quarterlife crisis” themed book. This is not one of them but I think more effective at dispelling stereotypes, building community, and encouraging positive life change than any of those books have been for me.

I am sure because I am Boy Scout this resonated more than it would for other. But this book evokes the feeling of a strong role model which I found very empowering. 

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Hits differently after high school

Quarterlife: The Search for Self in Early Adulthood by Satya Doyle Byock

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

3.0

The intro is the best part. I think there is some value to reading about other people, even fictional, going through similar challenges to you. But a lot of those parts in this book read like pyschology fan fiction.

The intro and first chapter are pretty good though. I think the authors own personal quarterlife story was much more helpful and personal than the ones she made up.