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jonmichaelnoise's reviews
144 reviews
Woodworking by Emily St. James
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
From Chaos to Ambiguity: A Theology of Noise Rock by Jeremy Hunt
challenging
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Once Removed by Andrew Unger
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
We roast the ones we love.
The Complete Cosmicomics by Italo Calvino
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Strong Female Character by Fern Brady
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
5.0
As a fellow “got diagnosed with autism in adulthood”, I was in lock step with the author’s thought processes all the way through, even as they took her to very different places in life than mine. That she’s a skilled comedian is a bonus to be sure, but it was so refreshing to read someone’s account of autism and go “ya that sounds about right.”
Major Labels: A History of Popular Music in Seven Genres by Kelefa Sanneh
informative
medium-paced
3.0
The breadth of history presented is admirable, but devotees of any one of the genre chapters will realize how shallow those histories are.
The personal reflections are more interesting but not delved into enough to sustain the book’s momentum.
The last parts of the book, especially the pop chapter, seem to shift into what I suspect might be the book’s intent overall, to discuss the importance of genre categorizations.
If I find it tedious when people argue about what is and isnt “metal”, let alone any of the infinitely divisible subgenres within, I can only suspect that other genre’s similar purity tests are likely similarly tedious.
Unfortunately, if this was the point of the book, more of the book should have been about that, and not shoved into the last chapter.
The personal reflections are more interesting but not delved into enough to sustain the book’s momentum.
The last parts of the book, especially the pop chapter, seem to shift into what I suspect might be the book’s intent overall, to discuss the importance of genre categorizations.
If I find it tedious when people argue about what is and isnt “metal”, let alone any of the infinitely divisible subgenres within, I can only suspect that other genre’s similar purity tests are likely similarly tedious.
Unfortunately, if this was the point of the book, more of the book should have been about that, and not shoved into the last chapter.
Remina by Junji Ito
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Probably not the deepest Ito story but it escalates insanely fast and never really lets off the gas pedal. I read it in one sitting. No notes.
A Complicated Passion: The Life and Work of Agnès Varda by Carrie Rickey
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
4.0
Varda famously loved to put herself into her art but it was never straightforwardly herself, and she often kept at least some separation between her public and private selves.
While Carrie Rickey’s book doesn’t remove all of that separation, she does a commendable job in presenting Varda’s life that is compelling and approachable.
While Carrie Rickey’s book doesn’t remove all of that separation, she does a commendable job in presenting Varda’s life that is compelling and approachable.