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edelstein's reviews
33 reviews
The Tragedy of Heterosexuality by Jane Ward
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
adventurous
dark
funny
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
3.75
All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
2.75
All About Love is filled with Hooks' signature prose, of drawing on many other poems, stories, and memoirs to tell a strong story; this one being about how love is seen in our society. However, it is not her best. She offers many interesting perspectives on the aspects of love, from how we think of it to how it is executed, and those are explored in-depth. Yet I found myself wincing as she veered off to offering a critique of capitalism and following it up with religious love. They were important aspects of love, yes, but it felt out of place among the more carefully crafted sections. The book is solid, but I would recommend another work of Hooks above this any day.
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It is almost unbelievable how real the world crafted in Game of Thrones feels. An incredible medieval fantasy story driven by the strong characters of the Starks, with the occasional Targaryen to offer the changing world outside of the North. The book has a heavy focus on fantasy politics, especially that of war. There does exist Jon, who spends the majority of the story amongst the Night Watch, who follows a more traditional boyish knight storyline. The first book sets the series in motion beautifully, and I can't wait to see everything there is to come.
Paying for the Party: How College Maintains Inequality by Elizabeth A. Armstrong
informative
medium-paced
4.25
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty
dark
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
3.25
Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology of Deviance by Howard S. Becker
informative
medium-paced
2.75
Becker, despite his clear knowledge in the field, seems to be writing in circles throughout this book. Perhaps it was the fact that it was dated, or my being inexperienced in sociology, but constantly throughout reading this I felt that there were so many words yet nothing was being said. Nonetheless, he presents interesting ideas on how 'deviants' are labeled as separate from the common man in society, and how structure & power play into it.
Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst by Robert M. Sapolsky
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
"Individuals no more exceptional than the rest of us provide stunning examples of our finest moments as humans."
Coming in at 800 pages, this book is a wealth of knowledge for anyone looking to understand just about anything related to the fascinating and unbelievably complex thing that is a human. In the first half, Robert Sapolsky works his way up from the atomic level of neurobiology, to the echoing effects of trauma throughout multiple generations. He describes the fundamental ideas of the level, connects effects and patterns by showing how they are reflected in everyday behavior, and hints towards the implications of the cog towards the ever-greater machine. Each section is written beautifully, with strong pacing and a perfectly seasoned blend of humor and wit to lighten the darker themes presented. The second half, after establishing the biological fundamentals of a human, takes to the scale of society. What it means to feel empathy, to wage war, to have family beyond blood, and more. Once again, he presents a swath of scientific fields in easily digestible manners for everyone, even those with no former experience. The consistent presentation, analysis, and reflections on the limitations throughout the entire book is a masterful feat, one naturally coming from a PhD lecturer at Stanford.
I would recommend this book for anyone with an interest in science, behavior, or being a better person. A strong theme hammered upon time and time again is that humans are not perfect, and we never will be; but that doesn't mean we can't try.
Coming in at 800 pages, this book is a wealth of knowledge for anyone looking to understand just about anything related to the fascinating and unbelievably complex thing that is a human. In the first half, Robert Sapolsky works his way up from the atomic level of neurobiology, to the echoing effects of trauma throughout multiple generations. He describes the fundamental ideas of the level, connects effects and patterns by showing how they are reflected in everyday behavior, and hints towards the implications of the cog towards the ever-greater machine. Each section is written beautifully, with strong pacing and a perfectly seasoned blend of humor and wit to lighten the darker themes presented. The second half, after establishing the biological fundamentals of a human, takes to the scale of society. What it means to feel empathy, to wage war, to have family beyond blood, and more. Once again, he presents a swath of scientific fields in easily digestible manners for everyone, even those with no former experience. The consistent presentation, analysis, and reflections on the limitations throughout the entire book is a masterful feat, one naturally coming from a PhD lecturer at Stanford.
I would recommend this book for anyone with an interest in science, behavior, or being a better person. A strong theme hammered upon time and time again is that humans are not perfect, and we never will be; but that doesn't mean we can't try.