I have a hard time picking favorites when it comes to books, which is why lists (that don't have a specific order) are probably my go-to. Stories and other narratives just mean different things to me at different times and yes prose/ideas come into play, but there are plenty of books I like for purely … Continue reading Best of: 2019
Nonfiction
Review: Socialist Realism
The title immediately hooked me and what made me stay was the stark, brutal honesty that Trisha Low offers in SOCIALIST REALISM. This is a book long essay that is part travelogue, part stream of conscious, part art criticism, and part memoir. Low finds herself moving west, searching for home or a utopia or an … Continue reading Review: Socialist Realism
Review: Capitalist Realism
It is easier to imagine an end to the world than an end to capitalism. I couldn't stay away from a book titled, CAPITALIST REALMISM: IS THERE NO ALTERNATIVE? Give whoever came up with that title a medal, maybe that was even Fisher himself. Regardless, this is a brief, but piercing examination of post-modern thinking surrounding our economic and cross cultural … Continue reading Review: Capitalist Realism
Review: The Reckonings
This is another selection from the Between the Covers podcast and this time I chose Lacy M. Johnson's essay collection, THE RECKONINGS. I'm a sucker for a great essay collection and I was utterly obliterated by Johnson's meticulous and careful examination of society's (and her own) motivations, not to mention her intimate vulnerability. THE RECKONINGS … Continue reading Review: The Reckonings
Review: Ballad of the Whisky Robber
Ballad of the Whiskey Robber: A True Story of Bank Heists, Ice Hockey, Transylvanian Pelt Smuggling, Moonlighting Detectives and Broken Hearts, is maybe the longest title ever, but Julian Rubinstein writes a hell of a story, yet it's all true. This was our nonfiction read for this month in my local book club and while it didn't … Continue reading Review: Ballad of the Whisky Robber
Review: We Should All Be Feminists
I've been needing some pallet cleansers of late and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has really been coming through as one as I jump between genres and fiction projects. This was another shorter form work, which is actually an adapted TEDx talk she gave a few years back. It's more of an essay than a full fledged … Continue reading Review: We Should All Be Feminists
Review: The Council of Dads
I haven't come across many books that just don't land with me, but Bruce Feiler's, THE COUNCIL OF DADS is one of those books. I just could not get into it, and maybe it was in part that I listened to it on audio book, which was narrated by Feiler himself or maybe it was … Continue reading Review: The Council of Dads
Review: Dear Ijeawele; or, A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions
I've been waiting to read Ms. Adichie for a long time and I was not disappointed with getting a taste here. It should also not be a secret that I'm a father to a strong-willed daughter, so I'm always looking for insights. Thanks to both maturity and my wife's tireless work to open my eyes, … Continue reading Review: Dear Ijeawele; or, A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions
Review: What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
This was definitely a different sort of memoir. I listened to this as an audio book, performed by Ray Porter and translated by Phillip Gabriel. This was the first thing that I have read from Haruki Murakami and I enjoyed it, even if his thoughts and reflections became tedious and more vague than anything truly … Continue reading Review: What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
Review: Anthropocene or Capitalocene?
I'm going a different route with this review, since this is a heady volume of academic scholarship, but one that is extremely relevant to our times of economic and environmental upheaval. This book was one of the most refreshing pieces of academic literature I have read in months. Moore and co. cut to chase and … Continue reading Review: Anthropocene or Capitalocene?
Pyles of Books 