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ish-i-ness

ish-i-ness@bookwyrm.social

Joined 2 years ago

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Heather Radke: Butts (2022, Simon & Schuster) 4 stars

Review of 'Butts' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

. There’s a lot of good information here, and it’s all connected together nicely, and gives the reader a lot to think about. There isn’t much of a conclusion, which I guess isn’t necessary but it makes the book feel a little unfinished. I’ll still be recommending it. It’s a smooth reading experience if not necessarily an “easy” read, as Radke does call tackle some more difficult subjects later on: appropriation and racism.

Scott Hawkins: The Library at Mount Char (2015, Crown) 4 stars

After she and a dozen other children found them being raised by "Father," a cruel …

Review of 'The Library at Mount Char' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Until about half way through, I was pretty sure this was only going to get 3 stars from me. I already knew it was innovative and inventive (there is no other book quite like this) but it was just too dark and miserable and I couldn’t see a reason for that. BUT… the last half changed my mind. I’m still not entirely sure what the message is (something about power) but the sheer craft of the plot and ideas is truly amazing. I can’t think of any other book I’ve had quite this reaction to.

Kate Eichhorn: Content (2022, MIT Press) 4 stars

A concise introduction to the content industry and its ejecta, from the early internet to …

Review of 'Content' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Pretty good overview of the current state of culture theory in terms of the internet especially, with some good background on the ideas from Frankfurt school forward. I’d probably recommend this over a bunch of other books to someone who was curious about theories of that sort.

Alexander Zaitchik: Owning the Sun (2022, Counterpoint Press) 5 stars

Review of 'Owning the Sun' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Great explanation of the history of patents and monopolies in the United States. Obviously the focus is on pharmaceuticals but a lot of the information applies to anything. I don’t how how you could read this book and think our current system should continue. All of this needs to be dismantled. But no one pays enough attention to actually know what’s going on. Read this book and find out.

Franny Choi: World Keeps Ending, and the World Goes On (2022, HarperCollins Publishers, Ecco) 5 stars

Many have called our time dystopian. But The World Keeps Ending, and the World Goes …

Review of 'World Keeps Ending, and the World Goes On' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Somewhat reluctant five stars because I’m not sure it fits what I want from poetry, but five stars anyway because: as an exploration of the many ways in which we (not entirely sure who I’m including or excluding from that “we”) have failed, have been failed, and will continue to fail and be failed, it’s endlessly necessary and meaningful. Everyone should read and work at understanding what is being said here. It’s almost certainly already too late to change anything, but at least you’ll know. Finally.