Wow, one of the best nonfiction books I’ve read in a while. I am not Cuban, have never been there and know few Cubans personally (I live in the west cWow, one of the best nonfiction books I’ve read in a while. I am not Cuban, have never been there and know few Cubans personally (I live in the west coast) so I feel removed from the passion people feel towards the island and it’s history. Still, this book was fascinating, well written and well researched, I could hardly put it down. I especially appreciate the author’s focus on women. Afro-Cubans and workers in her narrative. Probably the Miami Cubans will be upset, as will the starry-eyes leftist idealists who see Cuba as some sort of socialist paradise. The reality of Cuba and it’s people and history is far more interesting, complex and real than any ideological telling of it could ever capture. ...more
What a gripping story. It was hard to put this book down, even though the subject is so brutal: a family’s escape from civil War in Liberia. I would hWhat a gripping story. It was hard to put this book down, even though the subject is so brutal: a family’s escape from civil War in Liberia. I would highly recommend this book. ...more
I am judging this book by what it is: the last unfinished work by one of humanity’s most brilliant thinkers. What I loved about this book was the viviI am judging this book by what it is: the last unfinished work by one of humanity’s most brilliant thinkers. What I loved about this book was the vivid description and evocation of the protagonist’s coming of age in a working class Algiers neighborhood. Camus brilliantly creates his characters and their lives as French settlers in Africa. I would definitely recommend this book and look forward to re-reading Camus as I think his works and philosophy are deeply relevant for our time. ...more
This is a gripping read whose plot doesn’t skip a beat. Full of intrigue, violence and excess, it tells the story of the last Sikh queen of Pubjab. I This is a gripping read whose plot doesn’t skip a beat. Full of intrigue, violence and excess, it tells the story of the last Sikh queen of Pubjab. I enjoyed this one much more than the previous book I’d read by this author....more
I didn’t actually finish this book. I lost interest. The section on poppies - why republish something the author wrote in the late 1990s? Why is this I didn’t actually finish this book. I lost interest. The section on poppies - why republish something the author wrote in the late 1990s? Why is this relevant?
I have read many of Pollan’s other books. How to Change Your Mind was an excellent book: well-written, though provoking, memorable. I had high expectations for Your Mind on Plants. The caffeine section was interesting. The mescaline section seemed like a rehash of Pollan’s most recent book. Not even sure where the idea for Your Mind on Plants came from. It’s not a bad idea, the book lacked coherence and relevance. I expected more. ...more
I’ve been reading a lot of historical fiction lately. What I enjoyed most about this book were the characters and the moral dilemmas they faced. SometI’ve been reading a lot of historical fiction lately. What I enjoyed most about this book were the characters and the moral dilemmas they faced. Sometimes, the romantic relationships seemed soap opera-esque. This is a lengthy, epic book that spans tumultuous events in Korean modern history. This book can be hard to read at times as it does not hesitate to depict the brutality of Japanese colonization, which the empire would later unleash on the rest of Asia. There’s a lot to unpack about this book. It does not make my all time favorites list but is definitely worth reading. ...more
As a coherent book, it fell somewhat short, and the final section on identity was not strong. I listened to The audiobook, narrated by Sale, which madeAs a coherent book, it fell somewhat short, and the final section on identity was not strong. I listened to The audiobook, narrated by Sale, which made the book even more similar to the podcast. This book has some real gems though, that I think about daily. Sale is thoughtful and compassionate and this runs throughout the book....more
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