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jiujensu's reviews
455 reviews
Already Enough: A Path to Self-Acceptance by Lisa Olivera
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
Idk. Self help. *sigh*
The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times by Doug Abrams, Jane Goodall
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
I loved this book. Jane Goodall has been an inspiration from elementary school on. I've always felt her as a kindred spirit in her love of animals and travel so I couldn't wait to see what she had to say most recently.
She talks about hope vs optimism or faith and intellect and intelligence and lots more. She echos another smart woman, Mariame Kaba, in her explanation of hope as a vision for the future as well as action toward it.
One of three questions her co-author put to her was are humans mostly good or mostly evil. Her explanation was perfect - we're both. It's more what we nurture and what our environment demands for our survival.
The bit at the end was surprising though. We aren't such kindred spirits where she talks about not believing in coincidence. I just think there are better, more likely explanations for that, though I understand why people want to believe there's a reason or higher power driving things. It could be a comfort. It's related to her hope, but isn't a reason for mine. She is able to acknowledge we've left the realm of science and doesn't demand we believe as she does, so I even enjoyed that part.
The book is arranged as a discussion so at times it's kind of funny to hear a quote referenced and suddenly she's got to go feed the birds so could Doug look up the exact quote on the laptop, which is kinda funny. But I chose an audiobook, so I did get to hear her parts in her voice. I recommend that.
She talks about hope vs optimism or faith and intellect and intelligence and lots more. She echos another smart woman, Mariame Kaba, in her explanation of hope as a vision for the future as well as action toward it.
One of three questions her co-author put to her was are humans mostly good or mostly evil. Her explanation was perfect - we're both. It's more what we nurture and what our environment demands for our survival.
The bit at the end was surprising though. We aren't such kindred spirits where she talks about not believing in coincidence. I just think there are better, more likely explanations for that, though I understand why people want to believe there's a reason or higher power driving things. It could be a comfort. It's related to her hope, but isn't a reason for mine. She is able to acknowledge we've left the realm of science and doesn't demand we believe as she does, so I even enjoyed that part.
The book is arranged as a discussion so at times it's kind of funny to hear a quote referenced and suddenly she's got to go feed the birds so could Doug look up the exact quote on the laptop, which is kinda funny. But I chose an audiobook, so I did get to hear her parts in her voice. I recommend that.
MaddAddam by Margaret Atwood
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
5.0
The third book is a fine end - a bit rushed maybe toward the end, but as it could really go on forever, one has to close it somehow.
This one left enough loose ends not to be too simplistic but also gave a more or less satisfying resolution to the stories I started to care about within the main dystopia.
Year of the Flood is probably still my favorite but Maddaddam is a strong finish.
If you like the end of the world type genre, this trilogy is top notch.
This one left enough loose ends not to be too simplistic but also gave a more or less satisfying resolution to the stories I started to care about within the main dystopia.
Year of the Flood is probably still my favorite but Maddaddam is a strong finish.
If you like the end of the world type genre, this trilogy is top notch.
Her Own Hero: The Origins of the Women's Self-Defense Movement by Wendy L. Rouse
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
There's a lot of discussion lately about dropping "Brazilian" from BJJ. There are plenty of references in this book directly from Japan to the early 1900s in the US to add to that fray, if you want. Besides that, it's a fun historical look at fitness, jiujitsu and self-defense through the years - the attitudes about, reasons for - suffrage, eugenics, feminism and anti Black and Asian racism, as well
One funny anecdote i can't stop thinking about was that some Washington women were so annoyed with Roosevelt (all that manly art and worry over American masculinity?) that they were determined to best him at all his feats he bragged about - up to and including organizing a women's class when Yoshiaki Yamashita came to teach Roosevelt jiujitsu. One rode a relay of horses for 24 hours, lol. I need more of that!
The conclusion of the book brings in topics discussed tying together feminism and self-defense with an eye towards how racism affected it and also mentions my constant concern (oddly not so much discussed in the book i think?) that certain self-defense classes might enforce patriarchy and gender norms while others can indeed empower.
One funny anecdote i can't stop thinking about was that some Washington women were so annoyed with Roosevelt (all that manly art and worry over American masculinity?) that they were determined to best him at all his feats he bragged about - up to and including organizing a women's class when Yoshiaki Yamashita came to teach Roosevelt jiujitsu. One rode a relay of horses for 24 hours, lol. I need more of that!
The conclusion of the book brings in topics discussed tying together feminism and self-defense with an eye towards how racism affected it and also mentions my constant concern (oddly not so much discussed in the book i think?) that certain self-defense classes might enforce patriarchy and gender norms while others can indeed empower.
The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
emotional
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
3.5
Kind of in the romanticising WWII genre, but still a nice little story in a story - with twists.
The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
This one provided many more characters to get to know, which was a relief. In the first book, I didn't care for Jimmy or Crake at all. They're kind of terrible. TYOTF had a better variety of well developed likable characters and almost love stories.
This book filled in a lot of context for the first book too. It scratches that itch for the ever present question of what happens when all the systems you depend on break down. More plague/pandemic stuff. And we spend time with the cult, which is always fascinating.
This one makes me like the first one more. One more to go. I wonder how that'll shape my opinion.
This book filled in a lot of context for the first book too. It scratches that itch for the ever present question of what happens when all the systems you depend on break down. More plague/pandemic stuff. And we spend time with the cult, which is always fascinating.
This one makes me like the first one more. One more to go. I wonder how that'll shape my opinion.
Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
emotional
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
5.0
I appreciate the book as a whole despite my criticism. It was a surprising and I got more than I bargained for. People are complicated, I guess that's good to remember in any situation.
I liked her accounting of the sexism she faced. Some people still don't believe it happens, so it's always vindicating to see it in print (or through audiobook). She persevered where those forces held me back and shunted me into a less satisfying scientific path. I didn't lean into my stubbornness, I respected authority too much, and listened to the wrong people. It's good to see a woman succeed, even if it reminds me of my failure.
I loved the mini chapters of plant science sprinkled throughout. I think i have to admit the door for me is closed there, but i still love learning and reading anything about biology or science.
One of the unexpected great things was her story of the enduring friendship with a man that wasn't sexual. Other people's effort to categorize/disparage didn't affect their bond. It must be such a gift to have that type of relationship.
It's also uncommon look at manic depression without dwelling on the fact that it's a setback. I wasn't expecting that one either, but this is a plus, unlike what follows.
On another note -- "hungry for science" she says at the end. But she described stealing equipment from another lab at a time she'd finally achieved decent long term funding. I guess it's good she was honest and the drill was broken, but there are better examples of being hungry for science.
She does a little too much anthropomorphism. It makes me cringe a little, but I guess I get it.
It bothered me that crosses a lot of lines with students without really showing any growth or self awareness in that area. But maybe that was mostly starting out, finding her bearings. The many incidents were still sort of surprising - I can't imagine any of the few dozen scientists I knew acting that unprofessionally. But maybe they did. They didn't write a book like this.
I liked her accounting of the sexism she faced. Some people still don't believe it happens, so it's always vindicating to see it in print (or through audiobook). She persevered where those forces held me back and shunted me into a less satisfying scientific path. I didn't lean into my stubbornness, I respected authority too much, and listened to the wrong people. It's good to see a woman succeed, even if it reminds me of my failure.
I loved the mini chapters of plant science sprinkled throughout. I think i have to admit the door for me is closed there, but i still love learning and reading anything about biology or science.
One of the unexpected great things was her story of the enduring friendship with a man that wasn't sexual. Other people's effort to categorize/disparage didn't affect their bond. It must be such a gift to have that type of relationship.
It's also uncommon look at manic depression without dwelling on the fact that it's a setback. I wasn't expecting that one either, but this is a plus, unlike what follows.
On another note -- "hungry for science" she says at the end. But she described stealing equipment from another lab at a time she'd finally achieved decent long term funding. I guess it's good she was honest and the drill was broken, but there are better examples of being hungry for science.
She does a little too much anthropomorphism. It makes me cringe a little, but I guess I get it.
It bothered me that crosses a lot of lines with students without really showing any growth or self awareness in that area. But maybe that was mostly starting out, finding her bearings. The many incidents were still sort of surprising - I can't imagine any of the few dozen scientists I knew acting that unprofessionally. But maybe they did. They didn't write a book like this.
No More Police: A Case for Abolition by Andrea J. Ritchie, Mariame Kaba
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0