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jburkespraker's reviews
185 reviews
Never Caught: The Washingtons' Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge by Erica Armstrong Dunbar
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Living in Philly, I’ve heard Ona Judge’s story many times, but never the WHOLE story. Loved this smart and accessible look at the Black experience in 18th century Philly.
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty
adventurous
lighthearted
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
4.25
The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book was a recommendation from Sarah who makes the macarons. It was a super cozy food mystery book. Absolutely loved it. I was coming off of being sick, and it was the perfect short, easy book to read. I love the audio narrated by Hanako Footman.
I loved the descriptions of Kyoto, the food, and the relationship between the father and daughter who run the Kamogawa diner.
The stories have a bitter-sweetness, to many of them, which I absolutely loved.
Basically I loved this book and will read book 2.
I loved the descriptions of Kyoto, the food, and the relationship between the father and daughter who run the Kamogawa diner.
The stories have a bitter-sweetness, to many of them, which I absolutely loved.
Basically I loved this book and will read book 2.
Imagination: A Manifesto by Ruha Benjamin
5.0
Every year, I choose a word as my intention for the year. This year‘s word is imagination. That’s why I chose Professor Benjamin’s Imagination as my bridge book for the year, the book I started in 2024 and finished in 2025.
Just over four hours and under 200 pages, imagination is a thoughtful exploration of not only our own imaginations, but how we as a society create imaginaries.
Benjamin‘s view of imagination is not inherently positive.
She examines the ways in which we’ve used our imaginations to harm, punish, incarcerate, and kill each other.
Yet ultimately her focus is getting us to society with abolition, equity, and
liberation at its core.
The book includes an appendix with questions that you can answer either individually or as a group. Not surprisingly one activity focuses on the concept of acorn that Octavia Butler uses parable of the sower.
Just over four hours and under 200 pages, imagination is a thoughtful exploration of not only our own imaginations, but how we as a society create imaginaries.
Benjamin‘s view of imagination is not inherently positive.
She examines the ways in which we’ve used our imaginations to harm, punish, incarcerate, and kill each other.
Yet ultimately her focus is getting us to society with abolition, equity, and
liberation at its core.
The book includes an appendix with questions that you can answer either individually or as a group. Not surprisingly one activity focuses on the concept of acorn that Octavia Butler uses parable of the sower.
AI Snake Oil: What Artificial Intelligence Can Do, What It Can't, and How to Tell the Difference by Sayash Kapoor, Arvind Narayanan
informative
fast-paced
5.0
This book was one of my most anticipated nonfiction reads of 2024, and it did not disappoint.
This book builds on conversations they have had on their blog, AI snake oil, which discusses the hype around AI and cuts through the bullshit. I highly recommend that you subscribe to their newsletter and definitely get this book.
I also highly recommend the audiobook because it contains a conversation between Arvind Narayanan and Sayesh Kapoor.
This book builds on conversations they have had on their blog, AI snake oil, which discusses the hype around AI and cuts through the bullshit. I highly recommend that you subscribe to their newsletter and definitely get this book.
I also highly recommend the audiobook because it contains a conversation between Arvind Narayanan and Sayesh Kapoor.