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badbrad002's reviews
160 reviews
The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber, David Wengrow
4.0
Examines human history and our
traditional (and inaccurate) attribution to
Western developments, power structures,
& paradigms. Societal evolution is not
linear, nor is it complete.
Academically dry & verbose in spots, but fascinating.
traditional (and inaccurate) attribution to
Western developments, power structures,
& paradigms. Societal evolution is not
linear, nor is it complete.
Academically dry & verbose in spots, but fascinating.
Educated by Tara Westover
5.0
Heartbreaking, infuriating, yet absolutely spellbinding story. Focuses on the tension between unconditional love of family and the evolution of & potential in self-development. Exquisitely-written, considering.
HIGHLY recommend.
HIGHLY recommend.
I Don't Know What You Know Me From: Confessions of a Co-Star by Judy Greer
4.0
Exactly what you’d expect a book by a delightfully innocuous actor to be. If you like Judy Greer (and who doesn’t‽), you’ll like her book! Funny, thoughtful, & honest… and her drugstore-based escapism mimics my own.
A Geography of Time: The Temporal Misadventures of a Social Psychologist, or How Every Culture Keeps Time Just a Little Bit Differently by Robert N. Levine
4.0
Fascinating exploration of subjectivity in the definition of time, implications to all aspects of life, & the cultural differences that contribute to tension in an ever-globalizing World. Lost a half-a-star due to the shaky methodology of measuring/comparing different cities/countries.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
3.0
I got a little lost in the irreverence & complex names, yet simple exposition. Was probably spellbinding when it was first released, but tech (and my mind) has evolved pretty dramatically since then. Admittedly, I'm not much of a fantasy/space story guy.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
4.0
Interesting to read a book not only now with adult perspective, but also with a thorough understanding of life in NYC. I found I didn't like it quite as much as I did years ago, but maybe my perspective has changed and I have a more thorough understanding of the sometimes stagnant, suffocating traps of life.
Plus, as one of my favs in my teens, the copy I read was my original HIGHLIGHTED copy …..and offered an interesting look into the mind of my younger self.
Plus, as one of my favs in my teens, the copy I read was my original HIGHLIGHTED copy …..and offered an interesting look into the mind of my younger self.
Blood, Bones, & Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef by Gabrielle Hamilton
4.0
I loved the expected parts about cooking and eating, but the stories also bleed into parallels that these share with family, maturity, love, travel, belonging, happiness, and self-definition. One of the most descriptive books I’ve read, this style really helps you see, hear, smell, taste, and FEEL the experience —especially the exotic/mundane excursions to Italy. The book is approachable, and feels less written by a chef, and more by a human who loves food.
Unf*ck Your Habitat: You're Better Than Your Mess by Rachel Hoffman
2.0
I’m disappointed. I expected this book to be full of tips & tricks (there are a few), but it spent more time (like, 75%) justifying how things can get out of hand, why you should be more regimented, and how maintenance prevents future situations. If you’ve got things generally under control (like me), stick with Apartment Therapy’s January Cure, or the ubiquitous listicals circulating on the internet.