Deeply creepy, the Circle is one of those books that is just a little too close for comfort. If you've worked in Silicon Valley, or in tech, or at staDeeply creepy, the Circle is one of those books that is just a little too close for comfort. If you've worked in Silicon Valley, or in tech, or at start ups, you've been to the Circle's campus. You've been to the parties, you've talked about transparency and collaboration, you've gone to bed with sake (or bourbon) to slow your whirling over-engaged brain. You've even rolled your eyes at the paranoia of others, who do not see the beautiful simplicity of this new world that we are creating.
The Circle isn't a perfect book. Mae is an odd choice for the direction that the book wants to go in. She's perfect for Book One, all naive and nerves. However, her growing importance within the circle doesn't make sense. She's not an early employee, not brilliant, not... an engineer. She's just a normal, late hired, low on the totem pole, girl. The end of the book was too predictable. However, none of that takes away the low level tap tap tapping of creepiness that runs through the entire book. Now I'm rethinking privacy yet again. ...more
Heartbreakingly sad and sweet, Sex & Drugs reminded me of the Outsiders (at least from what I remember of reading it over 20 years ago). I'm shocked tHeartbreakingly sad and sweet, Sex & Drugs reminded me of the Outsiders (at least from what I remember of reading it over 20 years ago). I'm shocked that this was Carrie Mesrobian's first book, and I hope that she publishes again soon.
I think this is a good example of a book that would have benefited from a better editor. Part of this could have come from my expectation of the book.I think this is a good example of a book that would have benefited from a better editor. Part of this could have come from my expectation of the book. Knowing very little about Josh Waizkin at a chess player, I was more interested in learning about learning. A third of the way through the book, I started feeling like I should have taken the time to go see the movie about Josh Waitzkin first, as the book is largely about the author's past performances. I didn't get the feeling that he has really thought a lot about how others learn... in fact, the book probably should have been called the Art of My Learning. That said, with a stronger editor who would have been willing to really push to make the flow of the book better, this could have been a much better book. He had moments of very interesting thoughts and concepts throughout the book. ...more
I heard an interview with the author on NPR, and bought the book immediately. Even though it arrived immediately, it has sat on my bookcase for a montI heard an interview with the author on NPR, and bought the book immediately. Even though it arrived immediately, it has sat on my bookcase for a month or so, with various other untouched books. Once I picked it up, I read it in a single sitting.
It's a beautiful book, all in all. Ann balanced her own story, the stories of others, the science, and questions of our culture; engaging and educational all at once. It was interesting reading this book directly after Lean In, and I purchased Can't Buy My Love while reading Drink. They will be interesting bookends to this book.
It's always interesting when books hit you at just the right moment. My Life in France by Julia child, came to my lap right as I was feeling old and unaccomplished (a ridiculous thought to have in one's 30s). I've been thinking a lot about culture, media, work and loneliness as of late. One sentence stood out " We live in an algogenic culture" (And yes, I had to look up algogenic). Yes, yes we do. This was just one part of our current culture that I hadn't spent a lot of time thinking about specifically.
This is one of those books that I know that I will lend out to several people. This is one of those books that I would love to thank the author for writing. ...more
I should start off by saying that I bought Colors Insulting to Nature because I loved Cintra Wilson's previous book, A Massive Swelling. In fact, I loI should start off by saying that I bought Colors Insulting to Nature because I loved Cintra Wilson's previous book, A Massive Swelling. In fact, I loved it so much that I loaned it to someone else and bought another copy just in case I wanted to read it again/ loan it again.
Colors Insulting to Nature makes me wonder about my previous thoughts about a Massage Swelling.
The book started off wonderfully, with great one liners and moments that made you go ah. Unfortunately, Liza Normal and her family are not likable or unlikable. They are just simply vapid, thoughtless dolts that have fed on the teat of celebrity for so long that they too have become as glossy and flat as a People Magazine page. Great commentary about the Hollywood worship for awhile, but it becomes as as dull as I imagine the Keeping up with the Kardashian car wreck of a show is.
I wanted this book to be as great as Freedom was. It was not. ...more
I really enjoyed Fledgling, even though there were several scenes that made me very uncomfortable. This is not just another vampire book, but a book tI really enjoyed Fledgling, even though there were several scenes that made me very uncomfortable. This is not just another vampire book, but a book that will remain me for a long time. I'm looking forward to reading Octavia E. Butler's other books. ...more
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