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elizlizabeth's reviews
172 reviews
The Disappearance of Childhood by Neil Postman
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
This was a bit dissapointing since I read Technopoly and liked the insights on that one a lot. Here I feel like he takes strong arguments and somehow manages to get to the wrong conclussions. Most of the last half had me dying with laughter at how immature and superficial it was, but I would eventually like to annotate and dissect this book further because there's definitely something if I can only get behind the reactionary attitude and the USAmerican occidentalism.
Despite the arguments practically leading him to it, Postman refuses to acknowledge how the socioeconomic patterns dictate social constructs like CHILDHOOD which he spent so many pages proving to be one. At one point he concludes that "American culture is [the enemy of childhood] but it's not a forthright enemy in the sense that one might say for example, that America is against communism". Dude. My brother in christ I'm begging you to see what the opposite of communism is.
Despite the arguments practically leading him to it, Postman refuses to acknowledge how the socioeconomic patterns dictate social constructs like CHILDHOOD which he spent so many pages proving to be one. At one point he concludes that "American culture is [the enemy of childhood] but it's not a forthright enemy in the sense that one might say for example, that America is against communism". Dude. My brother in christ I'm begging you to see what the opposite of communism is.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia and Misogyny
At a couple of points the author mentions lesbianism and homosexuality as taboos that must be kept from the children until they are of age.
He concludes that protecting childhood is ultimately a responsibility not of the family but of the women since they are the most apt to care and educate for children.
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Lovely collection of short, slice of life stories. I felt very at peace reading them, albeit a little melancholy.
This is my second read of this after some years. Will definitely be reading again in the future as I feel you get something different out of it everytime.
This is my second read of this after some years. Will definitely be reading again in the future as I feel you get something different out of it everytime.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Death of parent, and Grief
Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
4.0
Very compelling story, a mix between true crime and dark academia in its themes. Do heed the warnings though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Alcoholism, Murder, Child abuse, and Eating disorder
Minor: Terminal illness, Police brutality, Homophobia, and Gun violence
Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology by Neil Postman
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
The main ideas were very interesting to me as an educator and definitely gave me food for thought. I'm surprised at how current the critic is given the time this was written and the one we live in now.
I felt that it was very US centric at times and even laughed at some of the more nationalist notions. I would love to read someone picking at this specifically, but it wasn't a big enough problem to me. I enjoyed the writing style and would definitely read this again and look for more books by this author.
I felt that it was very US centric at times and even laughed at some of the more nationalist notions. I would love to read someone picking at this specifically, but it wasn't a big enough problem to me. I enjoyed the writing style and would definitely read this again and look for more books by this author.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Abortion, and Colonisation
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Legit laughed out loud in public transport reading this. I was expecting it to lean heavily on the romance but I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't.
I can definitely see myself re-reading this in the future.
I can definitely see myself re-reading this in the future.
En el tiempo de las mariposas by Julia Alvarez
reflective
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Torture, Police brutality, and Murder
Moderate: Medical trauma
The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
4.0
It's been a while since a book made me feel this shocked, excited and happy at the same time but here we are. I already can see myself rereading over and over, what a beautiful conclusion to the raven boys and Blue's story.
Only thing I'm complaining a bit is how anticlimactic some moments + the epilogue felt, kinda makes me wish that if this book had been longer.
Only thing I'm complaining a bit is how anticlimactic some moments + the epilogue felt, kinda makes me wish that if this book had been longer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, and Death
Minor: Kidnapping and Gun violence
Bunny by Mona Awad
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
4.5
Went blind into it so I didn't really know what to expect: Murder mystery? Thriller? Psychological horror? Horny? Well... Yes.
Magical realism needs to be this or bust from now on, Gabo move aside.
Magical realism needs to be this or bust from now on, Gabo move aside.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Animal death, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, and Murder
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Aside from a couple scenes that I feel were unnecessary, I'm glad that I gave this a chance. Very entertaining, love it when catholics bring to life the gayest most depraved shit to hate on it so I can be horny on main.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Animal cruelty and Confinement
Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater
adventurous
medium-paced
4.0
It felt a bit slow around the middle but the end was... what a cliffhanger!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Death
Minor: Confinement