Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is unlike any book I've read before. It's essential an expose on high Savannah culture. I say expose because tMidnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is unlike any book I've read before. It's essential an expose on high Savannah culture. I say expose because the book doesn't really follow a plot or a big event. It just ambles from one odd-ball to the next, and somehow, I think it worked. In fact, I had no idea it was non-fiction for the first 75ish pages. The cast of characters is so quirky and out there that it's hard to imagine they all exist in the same setting. You've got multi-millionaires, con-men, drag queens, poison experts, and murderers all attending the same parties as friends, and I'm supposed to believe this all really happened?? Guess I need to visit Savannah.
I was strangely reminded of The Great Gatsby. Berendt is like the Nick studying the elite of Savannah, and rather than one Gatsby, there are many. It definitely makes for an interesting read....more
I'm glad I read this before starting my job. The biggest takeaway is that all you need is hard-work and the belief that you can do the job to3.5 Stars
I'm glad I read this before starting my job. The biggest takeaway is that all you need is hard-work and the belief that you can do the job to survive a male dominated field like hedge funds. I know I can put in the former and I will try my hardest to muster up the latter. ...more
This is an objectively good memoir. Jaouad's writing sucks you in and then sucks all the air from your lungs as she recounts falling ill with serious This is an objectively good memoir. Jaouad's writing sucks you in and then sucks all the air from your lungs as she recounts falling ill with serious cancer at the age of 22. I felt claustrophobic reading this, like my body was seconds away from doing to me what Jaouad's did to her. But at the same time, I couldn't stop reading, no matter how much it disturbed me. I needed to know how Jaouad kept her world from collapsing time and time again.
That is not to say that I liked Jaouad. In fact, I think I disliked her for 90% of Between Two Kingdoms–even at the end. I appreciated that Jaouad was honest about her actions while in the grips of cancer, but jesus, sometimes I just wanted to scream at her for not thinking about a single soul other than herself. (view spoiler)[I also was rubbed the wrong way by her decision to not thank Will in the acknowledgments. It made all the self-realization in regards to their relationship seem fake (hide spoiler)]. But I think that the un-edited selfishness of the narrator makes this memoir all the more powerful. She isn't some tragic hero because she had cancer. Instead, she's a flawed 20-something who has a lot of growing up to do, while also fighting cancer. I, a 20-something, could definitely learn a thing or two about her mistakes....more
I wouldn’t say The Defining Decade is groundbreaking, but I think it spells out some life lessons every 20-something needs to hear. Reading it, I was I wouldn’t say The Defining Decade is groundbreaking, but I think it spells out some life lessons every 20-something needs to hear. Reading it, I was like “okay yeah, I know I should be doing that but I’m glad Dr. Jay is reminding me why it’s so important.” Would definitely recommend to everyone about to graduate from college. Its lessons are maybe less relevant while you’re still in a college mindset. ...more
The Library Book is not a book about the Los Angeles Public Library fire. There are maybe 5 chapters in its 300 page history that even talk about the The Library Book is not a book about the Los Angeles Public Library fire. There are maybe 5 chapters in its 300 page history that even talk about the fire. And The Library Book offers no new angels in that regard. There is no new investigation or evidence brought to light. At the end, Orlean is simply like "well it happened and I have no idea why". Which, like cool, but why write this book??
Well, Orlean wrote this book because SHE LOVES LIBRARIES. I lost count of how many times she told her reader this. She waxes and wanes about the beauty of a library and the knowledge it holds. Look--I too love libraries and reading. I was probably the Allen Public Library's most frequent patron back in the day. But because of that, I don't need 3o0 pages of someone extolling the virtues of a library in purple prose. Orlean is preaching to the choir, and it was tedious.
The remainder of this book is about the daily workings of every single person who has ever worked at the LA library. I am not exaggerating. We get detailed histories of every library overseer who has ever been and way too many anecdotes from present-day staff. Simply, I did not care and remain unconvinced that this is a topic to write a book about. A journal article maybe. ...more
I read this since Elizabeth Holmes' trial is happening right now, and I'm so glad I did. It is absolutely crazy how much she lied and deceived in her I read this since Elizabeth Holmes' trial is happening right now, and I'm so glad I did. It is absolutely crazy how much she lied and deceived in her pursuit to be the next Steve Jobs. Carreyrou does a fantastic job laying out all the evidence -- and there is so much. At times, it felt a little dense but I think that's just the nature of the material and the sheer amount of proof Carreyrou has that Theranos and Holmes were fucked. So glad that Carreyrou was able to bring this story to life, and I hope Holmes and Balwani rot in prison....more
I don't really know where I come down on The Liar's Club. The writing is superb. Karr has such style and her ability to weave in Texas and more worldyI don't really know where I come down on The Liar's Club. The writing is superb. Karr has such style and her ability to weave in Texas and more worldy allusion is unmatched. There's also no doubt that her story is interesting. Growing up in coastal Texas in the 1960s, with alcoholic parents, Karr definitely had something to say. But I think The Liar's Club loses me in its focus on the past. Karr basically narrates her childhood from ages 6is-9ish, and then offers one wrap up chapter on her father's death in her 20s at the end. While her childhood deserves to have a book written about it, I wanted more about how this childhood shaped her into the adult she became. Going from backwards, rural Texas to someone who quotes Yates in her memoir is quite a trajectory. I want more of that story, and perhaps a bit less about random childhood misbehaving. I think Karr got too bogged down in the details of her childhood, adding in too many tidbits and stories, which ultimately made this tedious to read at times. I would love to attend one of her lectures at Syracuse and learn more about who she is now vs who she was at 8....more
A surprisingly engaging read. Ahamed does a remarkable job explaining the complexities of the technical finance concepts without coming across as condA surprisingly engaging read. Ahamed does a remarkable job explaining the complexities of the technical finance concepts without coming across as condescending. I would highly recommend to anyone interested in international finance and will look for similar books on other crises. ...more
I recommend this to anyone who identifies as living. When Breath Becomes Air is the saddest and most inspiring book I've read. At points, it's deeply I recommend this to anyone who identifies as living. When Breath Becomes Air is the saddest and most inspiring book I've read. At points, it's deeply uncomfortable–Kalanithi forces you to confront your own mortality, and it's terrifying. At 20, I strongly identified with the first half of his memoir, the healthy section, and that scared the shit out of me. But Kalanithi's insights about both life and death are well worth reading. Honestly, his memoir is nothing short of philosophical, and it's a philosophy I want to follow. ...more
Super interesting read. Yang's future is bleak, but his solutions are inspiring. Some seem a bit idealistic and far-fetched (social credits, for exampSuper interesting read. Yang's future is bleak, but his solutions are inspiring. Some seem a bit idealistic and far-fetched (social credits, for example), but his arguments for UBI are very solid. Hope he makes a resurgence in the political arena sometime soon......more
Some interesting ideas with lots of studies to back them up. Our present looks pretty bleak in their eyes. I'm less confident than they are that we caSome interesting ideas with lots of studies to back them up. Our present looks pretty bleak in their eyes. I'm less confident than they are that we can fix it, lol....more
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