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Lavinia@bookwyrm.social

Joined 1 year, 7 months ago

Often found with a book in one hand and coffee in the other.

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Mary Beard: Women and Power: A Manifesto (2017, Liveright Publishing Corporation)

Review of 'Women and Power: A Manifesto' on 'Goodreads'

Mary Beard has written a powerful and beautiful book. A book that you can carry in your bag, read it and then re-read it, and read it once more (I have already read it twice).

We live in an era that women, around the world, have more power than ever before. But women are less represented in the sectors and positions with the most power - men still dominate decision-making and our cultural and mental template for a powerful person remains absolutely male.

Mary Beard’s subject is the ways women get silenced in public discourse. From Ancient Greece to Angela Merkel and Hillary Clinton. From Penelope in Homer’s Odyssey, 3000 year ago, when Telemachus effectively told her to “shut up” to Senator Elizabeth Warren which, on February 2017, was silenced for reading at the Senate, a 30-year-old letter written by Coretta Scott King criticizing attorney general nominee Jeff Sessions. But …

Review of 'Forgotten Girls' on 'Goodreads'

The Forgotten Girls by Monica Potts is a well-written and insightful book that sheds light on the overlooked struggles faced by women in rural areas, particularly in Clinton, Arkansas, where the life expectancy of America's least educated white women has recently been shrinking due to what she terms "diseases of despair" such as suicide, drunken driving, and overdoses. The book is a blend of memoir and research, a profound and empathetic account of the struggles of poor, rural white women in America, and the challenges they face in escaping poverty and addiction.

Potts intertwines her own life story with that of her childhood friend, Darci Brawner, to provide a window into the lives of poor, rural white women in America. While Potts managed to break free from the constraints of her upbringing and pursue a career in journalism, Darci remained trapped in a cycle of despair. By sharing these contrasting …

Friederike Otto, Sarah Pybus: Angry Weather (2020, Greystone Books Ltd.)

Review of 'Angry Weather' on 'Goodreads'

There is evidence that climate change is causing more frequent and severe weather events, but it is still difficult to determine if these two storms or any other extreme weather event is directly caused by climate change. Understanding the link between climate change and these events is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate their impacts. One scientist at the forefront of this research is Friederike Otto, whose work in attribution science has shed light on the extent to which human-induced climate change contributes to extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, droughts, and floods. 

In Angry Weather, Otto introduces attribution science, a field of study that aims to assess the extent to which human-caused climate change contributes to extreme weather events.  Using statistical methods and computer models, scientists compare observed climate data with global climate simulations that include and exclude human influence. 

In the book, Otto argues that attribution science …

Zadie Smith: Fraud (2023, Penguin Publishing Group, Penguin Press)

Review of 'Fraud' on 'Goodreads'

The Fraud by Zadie Smith is a captivating historical fiction novel that transports readers to 19th-century England, delving into the intricacies of a celebrated criminal trial, the Tichborne case. With meticulous attention to detail, Smith weaves a tale that revolves around Eliza Touchet, a Scottish widow who finds herself entangled in the life of William Ainsworth, a popular Victorian novelist.

William Ainsworth, who was Charles Dickens’ friend and a more successful author in their early years, is portrayed as a waning literary figure who is fighting to stay relevant. He serves as a symbol of the challenges faced by writers during Victorian England, as new literary movements and tastes began to emerge.


The big trial and the unfolding social and psychological drama are what drive the plot of the novel. Eliza Touchet's interest is piqued by one of the primary witnesses in the trial, the enigmatic figure of Andrew Bogle, …

Polly Barton, Mieko Kanai: Mild Vertigo (Paperback, 2023, Fitzcarraldo Editions)

Review of 'Mild Vertigo' on 'Goodreads'

Natsumi's life revolves around her family and the mundane tasks that accompany her role as a housewife. From preparing meals to tending to her husband and children, every action becomes a symbol of the monotonous and isolated life she leads.

Originally written in 1997 by Mieko Kanai and recently translated into English by Polly Barton, Mild Vertigo delves into the depths of isolation, the challenges of a monotonous life, and the intricacies of family relationships.

By painting a vivid picture of Natsumi's repetitive daily routine, Mieko Kanai masterfully captures the essence of monotony and the suffocating feeling of being trapped in a never-ending cycle.  The unconscious mental narrative style allows the reader to dive into the depths of Natsumi's mind, experiencing her internal monologue and feeling the weight of each monotonous act in real time. Her musings, fears, and desires reflect the mundane nature of her daily life and provide …

Quinn Slobodian: Zone Fever (2023, Holt & Company, Henry)

Review of 'Zone Fever' on 'Goodreads'

Crack-Up Capitalism by Quinn Slobodian is a fascinating book that explores the phenomenon of “crack-up” capitalism, which is the fracturing of conventionally understood national power and boundaries into distinct zones. Slobodian critically examines the authoritarianism and exploitation that often masquerades as “liberty” within conservative think tanks and online discourse. By delving into the ideas of influential figures like Milton Friedman and the utopian visions of radical libertarians, Slobodian provides a thought-provoking analysis of the changing landscape of capitalism in today’s world. 

David Quammen: Heartbeat of the Wild (2023, Disney Publishing Worldwide, National Geographic)

Review of 'Heartbeat of the Wild' on 'Goodreads'

In David Quammen’s captivating book, “The Heartbeat of the Wild,” readers embark on a transformative journey that explores the intricate relationship between humans and the natural world. Through a collection of twenty narratives, Quammen takes us to remote and magnificent places, delving into the beauty, dangers, and perils of the wildness. 

One of the central themes in “The Heartbeat of the Wild” is the crucial role of biodiversity in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Quammen emphasizes that true wildness thrives on diversity, supporting a delicate network of natural processes such as photosynthesis, pollination, competition, and predation. When these processes are disrupted, the heartbeat of the ecosystem falters, leading to the gradual demise of the wilderness itself. 

One of the key themes of the book is the importance of biodiversity in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Quammen argues that true wildness must be diverse and support a network of essential natural processes, such as photosynthesis, …

Joyce Carol Oates: Zero Sum (2023, Knopf Incorporated, Alfred A.)

Review of 'Zero Sum' on 'Goodreads'

There are several reasons one has to admire Joyce Carol Oates. She is a highly acclaimed and prolific writer, known for her vast literary output that spans a variety of styles and genres. Her work delves into the depths of human nature, exploring dark and unsettling themes that captivate readers.


Zero-Sum is a collection of twelve short stories that revolve around the theme of zero-sum games, where one person’s gain is another person’s loss. Like many of Oates’s other works, Zero-Sum delves into the darkest corners of the human psyche. It explores themes, such as obsession, power, loss, motherhood, manipulation, mental health, and ever-shifting identities. Oates fearlessly tackles complex and often taboo topics, challenging the readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the human condition and their perceptions of the world.

One of the defining characteristics of Oates’s writing is her ability to create complex, flawed, and multi-dimensional characters. In Zero-Sum, …