nb_leftist's reviews
371 reviews

Kingdom Come by Mark Waid

dark emotional inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I liked it. Unsurprisingly, my favorite part is Alex Ross’s beautiful artwork. My second favorite part is, slightly more surprisingly, the lettering (oh what I’d do for this lettering to be standard.) Sadly, my least favorite part is the ending. I think there could’ve been so much more done, especially with the fact that prisons and Justice usually don’t go together that well (a fact assuredly well understood by the writers as seen in their portrayal of the prison in the series.) I almost wish it had a darker ending. Definitely worth a reread and, because of that, glad I was able to pick up a solid edition for so cheap (12 USD.)

JSA Compendium One by David S. Goyer, Geoff Johns

adventurous inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This one is a lot of fun. I picked this up because of a recommendation from Near Mint Collection on YouTube. My favorite character is the new Mr. Terrific and I think I’m liking DC more than a lot of the marvel stuff I’ve read.

Memories of My Melancholy Whores by Gabriel García Márquez

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Uncomfortable read but worth it. What I took from it was an interesting commentary on colonialism/power and journalism: that the two are inseparable.

The Punisher by Garth Ennis Omnibus by Garth Ennis

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

Rough read. The first but is good, the rest drags on. For some reason Ennis refused to delve into the most interesting bits of The Punisher and stuck with the mindless killing. His other series, the MAX run, does go into that and I don’t know why he didn’t do it in this one.

Blackshirts and Reds: Rational Fascism and the Overthrow of Communism by Michael Parenti

challenging informative reflective fast-paced

4.0

I think there’s a lot of good stuff here, but I think there is a lack of abolitionist critique throughout.

Joyful Militancy: Building Thriving Resistance in Toxic Times by carla bergman, Nick Montgomery

challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

I think this speaks to a very ingrained set of behaviors and feelings that a lot of people feel, especially those who try to organize. I’ve felt it and I think so many others have; I reflect on my past work and realize how much I and others have done to limit ourselves, how much we HAVE NOT experimented and enjoyed our time. Definitely worth a read.

Smart Machines and Service Work: Automation in an Age of Stagnation by Jason E. Smith

informative reflective medium-paced

3.5

Not too much to say, it updates and clarifies some of Marx’s economic concepts and argues for an updated understanding of the capitalist economy.

Media & Culture: An Introduction to Mass Communication, 13th ed. by Christopher Martin, Bettina Fabos, Richard Campbell, Ron Becker

informative reflective medium-paced

3.0

I think it is incredibly informative, but it is not very engaging. I read this for a class.

The Politics of Chicano Liberation by Olga Rodríguez

informative medium-paced

1.5

Erases indigenous people, also the SWP is very obviously grifters. They focus on boosting their own party rather than the movement, boasting about book sales.

Roadside Picnic by Arkady Strugatsky, Boris Strugatsky

challenging dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

One of the best sci-fi books I’ve read. We are all ants.