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hannah_hethmon's reviews
262 reviews
Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Autonomous by Annalee Newitz
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Fit Nation: The Gains and Pains of America's Exercise Obsession by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Extremely thorough, nuanced, and insightful. I really learned so much reading this book. I grew up with a mom who ran and did aerobics at home in the 90s and it was interesting to place her exercise journey in historical context.
Personally, I’ve always struggled to exercise and enjoy exercise without being flooded by weight loss content. Learning this history, with all its highs and lows, positives and problematics, actually inspired me to start and stay exercising in various ways that I enjoyed.
It did take me a while to get through this book because the writing is a bit academic and dense, and kind of jumps back-and-forth in time. So I kind of had to read it in a short bursts, but I always was eager to get back to it, and found a chapter interesting and engaging overall.
Personally, I’ve always struggled to exercise and enjoy exercise without being flooded by weight loss content. Learning this history, with all its highs and lows, positives and problematics, actually inspired me to start and stay exercising in various ways that I enjoyed.
It did take me a while to get through this book because the writing is a bit academic and dense, and kind of jumps back-and-forth in time. So I kind of had to read it in a short bursts, but I always was eager to get back to it, and found a chapter interesting and engaging overall.
The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
I couldn’t get very far into this book before giving up in a huff. The main character, who we quickly learn is an academic mega nepo baby but also a natural genius in her parent’s field of historical maps (hmmm), goes to open a portfolio containing a map she’s taken from the NYPL. I kid you not, she pours a glass of wine then puts on new kitchen gloves to handle it. Is she cleaning a crime scene? Besides the fact that academics haven’t worn gloves to handle manuscripts for many many years, no one who has ever worked with any historical object would ever think kitchen gloves was a better choice than hands. Meanwhile she is drinking wine while examining this document *facepalm.* Anyway, the first few chapters felt like a weirdly cliche fantasy of academia. I could get over a cliche academic book lover fantasy but the character was so inconsistent in a short space of time, but not in a way that felt intentional and I just could’t see it getting any better from there.
The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel
5.0
Raced through it. Couldn't put it down. Gorgeous book. Was really fun to read this right after finishing Sapiens, since it's basically a fictional depiction of many of the same ideas.
Walkaway by Cory Doctorow
5.0
Fascinating look at the choices we'll have to make in the future as a result of increased abundance with increased wealth disparity. An extremely thought-provoking book that will have you absentmindedly thinking about what it means to be human for weeks afterwards. Also, great sex scenes.
Cities, Museums and Soft Power by Gail Dexter Lord, Ngaire Blankenberg
5.0
Fascinating look at how museums are using their influence around the world. Particularly enjoyed the global perspective.