arealswellfellow's reviews
174 reviews

Hegemony or Survival by Noam Chomsky

challenging dark informative sad tense medium-paced

3.0

Chomsky’s message is good, but he’s really hard to read. This book is dense and almost feels like a laundry list of America’s crimes in the past 50 years. 

If you already know about them, you can probably skip this book. I’d recommend it if you want to share it with older people who are overly pro-USA. I feel like my parents would like it, idk.

Tombs: Junji Ito Story Collection by Junji Ito

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

3.0

Junji Ito’s short stories are always fun to read and unique. Not too scary though, and sometimes I wonder if a little bit of the magic is lost in the English translations. There are a few final lines that feel like they could be punchier.

Floaters was my favorite story of this set.

Joe Hill's Rain by David M. Booher, Joe Hill

dark emotional sad fast-paced

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

2.5

First part is really really intriguing. The rest not so much.

Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy by Cathy O'Neil

challenging dark informative sad fast-paced

3.0

Great introduction to the topic of big data ethics. Not recommended if you are looking for something more in-depth or technical.

README.txt: a Memoir by Chelsea Manning

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

Great biography for people interested in Trans rights and/or the “war on Terror”

But I think an even better biography for people growing up in the digital age. Chelsea’s story resonates deeply with those who grew up on the internet and there are not many books documenting that life yet.

How to Live Well Without Owning a Car: Save Money, Breathe Easier, and Get More Mileage Out of Life by Chris Balish

informative fast-paced

4.0

Berserk Deluxe Volume 12 by Kentaro Miura

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

Volume 34: 5 stars
Volume 35: 4 stars
Volume 36: 4 stars

Berserk Deluxe Volume 11 by Kentaro Miura

adventurous dark medium-paced

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

3.0

Blade Runner by Philip K. Dick

adventurous reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card

challenging tense fast-paced

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

4.5