audhdylan's reviews
246 reviews

Bad Gays: A Homosexual History by Ben Miller, Huw Lemmey

Go to review page

dark informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

Do you like history? Do you love messy queers up to no good? (Don't give an affirmative answer on that second question... yet.)

It's not the representation we wanted, but it's the representation we... needed? Hey, we all have our flaws.

These queens had a lot, but some of them had good intentions, at least. From King James to Ronnie Kray, this is a good history lesson for the drama-loving gay.
Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture by Kyle Chayka

Go to review page

informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

Heard about this book and watched an interview with the author, Kyle Chayka, on Factually! with Adam Conover.

Definitely a "makes you think" type of read when it comes to the horrors (and triumphs) of the modern media/social media landscape, algorithms, curation, AI, and some unexpected sources of "filtering" like radio DJs or how Instagram greatly influenced the now ubiquitous gentrified coffeeshop aesthetic.

Worth checking out, especially if you're willing to accept the recency of the topic, your complicity in cultural homogeneity, and how you respond to knowing what you learn.
The Old Gays Guide to the Good Life: Lessons Learned about Love and Death, Sex and Sin, and Saving the Best for Last by Mick Peterson, Robert Reeves, Jessay Martin, Bill Lyons

Go to review page

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

4.75

Really cute. A little raunchier than I anticipated based on their social media content I've seen, but that made me love them even more. Gays young and old will appreciate this, and younger gays might discover a new perspective along the way.
I Feel Love: MDMA and the Quest for Connection in a Fractured World by Rachel Nuwer

Go to review page

hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

If you liked Michael Pollan's books, you'll love this one. It's a great mix of exploring research and interviews with experts, first-hand accounts, and all sorts of stuff you probably never thought of with MDMA.

Particularly loved the octopi story, and really appreciated the moment of focus on adults with autism and social anxiety.