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chauisauth's reviews
117 reviews
Accidental Presidents: Eight Men Who Changed America by Jared Cohen
Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.
I’ll come back to it. It’s a good book. Just not for now.
Hi Honey, I'm Homo!: Sitcoms, Specials, and the Queering of American Culture by Matt Baume
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
4.5
Pancakes in Paris: Living the American Dream in France by Craig Carlson
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Lata: A Life in Music by Yatindra Mishra
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
2.5
THIS REVIEW IS OF THE AUDIOBOOK
I'm a huge Lata Mangreshkar fan and so, when I saw this book, I knew I had to get it. I got the Audiobook, and that's where I believe my mistake was. It just wasn't good.
A disclaimer -to begin with. I may come off as a bit of a pedant in this review, but that's okay with me.
First off, the way the book was arranged- in these two gigantic sections made it impossible to go back and listen to something again, if one wanted to, to say note down a fact or an incident, so that wasn't too good.
Next, the male narrator. Kudos to him for his effort, and I don't mean to take away from it, but there were some words that just didn't sit right with me. For instance, Lata Ji always sounded like Latta Ji. He said Raga and not Raag; the name Hridaynath appeared to have been mispronounced, by not stretching out the 'a' in nath as it ought to be, a raag name was repeatedly mispronounced etc. There were a few others too.
In the second part, i.e., the selected interview excerpts- the narrator for Lata Ji's parts had such an overt regional while speaking, that (and I admit, this probably is my fault) that I could not reconcile that voice essaying her part of the interview with the persona that we know- being such a clear speaker, conscious of the nuances of language, accents and expression.
For those reasons, I unfortunately could not enjoy it. Maybe after some time, when that voice and the book have been disassociated, I will pick up the book and give it a whirl.
I'm a huge Lata Mangreshkar fan and so, when I saw this book, I knew I had to get it. I got the Audiobook, and that's where I believe my mistake was. It just wasn't good.
A disclaimer -to begin with. I may come off as a bit of a pedant in this review, but that's okay with me.
First off, the way the book was arranged- in these two gigantic sections made it impossible to go back and listen to something again, if one wanted to, to say note down a fact or an incident, so that wasn't too good.
Next, the male narrator. Kudos to him for his effort, and I don't mean to take away from it, but there were some words that just didn't sit right with me. For instance, Lata Ji always sounded like Latta Ji. He said Raga and not Raag; the name Hridaynath appeared to have been mispronounced, by not stretching out the 'a' in nath as it ought to be, a raag name was repeatedly mispronounced etc. There were a few others too.
In the second part, i.e., the selected interview excerpts- the narrator for Lata Ji's parts had such an overt regional while speaking, that (and I admit, this probably is my fault) that I could not reconcile that voice essaying her part of the interview with the persona that we know- being such a clear speaker, conscious of the nuances of language, accents and expression.
For those reasons, I unfortunately could not enjoy it. Maybe after some time, when that voice and the book have been disassociated, I will pick up the book and give it a whirl.
Assignment China: An Oral History of American Journalists in the People's Republic by Mike Chinoy
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
It was an amazing experience. The evolution of journalistic access within the once impenetrable walls of China, the trials and tribulations faced by those tasked with covering this mysterious land, and how over the years- the job and its challenges, moved with the time Right up until the time we are living through. Indeed fascinating. To me, it also gave interesting insight on how the profession has evolved. `A truly enjoyable read for anyone who's interested in world affairs and history. Strongly recommended.
Lady in Waiting: My Extraordinary Life in the Shadow of the Crown by Anne Glenconner
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
NOT A REVIEW, JUST SOME THOUGHTS
I loved this book. It was such a good read. Lady Glenconner's resilience and commitment were nothing short of inspiring. A couple of chapters had me in tears, and the ending, although, if I am honest, I was expecting some version of the sucker punch it was- but it didn't make it any less shocking.
There were so many times one hoped that she would take a lesson from her friend Princess Margret and tell the 3rd Baron Glenconner to shove it, but I suppose that's 21st century sensibilities- we have to account for the fact that in those days, divorce or separation was taboo. (I guess this may qualify as a spoiler- sorry people!)
When the reading in itself was so absorbing generally speaking, I craved slightly more detail- and some depiction of emotion in certain chapters- which was present in some respects in a few chapters, but in others, important themes seemed brushed aside with the flip of a page.
I loved this book. It was such a good read. Lady Glenconner's resilience and commitment were nothing short of inspiring. A couple of chapters had me in tears, and the ending, although, if I am honest, I was expecting some version of the sucker punch it was- but it didn't make it any less shocking.
There were so many times one hoped that she would take a lesson from her friend Princess Margret and tell the 3rd Baron Glenconner to shove it, but I suppose that's 21st century sensibilities- we have to account for the fact that in those days, divorce or separation was taboo. (I guess this may qualify as a spoiler- sorry people!)
When the reading in itself was so absorbing generally speaking, I craved slightly more detail- and some depiction of emotion in certain chapters- which was present in some respects in a few chapters, but in others, important themes seemed brushed aside with the flip of a page.
Will definitely be reading her next book.
State of Disaster: The Failure of U. S. Migration Policy in an Age of Climate Change by Maria Cristina Garcia
challenging
informative
reflective
4.75
As a person deeply interested in environmental law and policy, this book was an important reading experience for me. The in depth research undertaken by the author was visible throughout the book and was particularly reflected in the vast endnotes section. In fact, it even gave me a couple of useful arguments for a piece I was working on, regarding environmental migrants and their protection within law. (See the parts about Hurricane Mitch and the Haiti natural calamity)
This book also provided an interesting look at political responses to these disasters. This becomes even more relevant considering the recent climate related extreme events that are happening- heatwave in Europe, floods in northeastern India and so much more. It is a good and important read- particularly for those who want an insight into responses as I have indicated above.
I will certainly be getting a copy of this when it comes out- to go back to it time and again, benefit from its research and sometimes just for the reading pleasure or infuriation, as the case may be, because generally books like these, that effectively make a point, also highlight the sheer ignorance of humankind towards a monster we have ourselves created.
This book also provided an interesting look at political responses to these disasters. This becomes even more relevant considering the recent climate related extreme events that are happening- heatwave in Europe, floods in northeastern India and so much more. It is a good and important read- particularly for those who want an insight into responses as I have indicated above.
I will certainly be getting a copy of this when it comes out- to go back to it time and again, benefit from its research and sometimes just for the reading pleasure or infuriation, as the case may be, because generally books like these, that effectively make a point, also highlight the sheer ignorance of humankind towards a monster we have ourselves created.
I'm Not In Love by Mia Kerick
3.75
When I first saw this book, the title caught my eye, and immediately, I had a fair idea of what it would entail. I enjoyed the book, which was a quick read for me.
The storyline was great- but I will say this- quite a few things were just there- i.e. they weren't elaborated on enough, which in some places didn't go down so well. The accident (deliberately not saying anymore) for example would have had better effect had that been written. Another example would be Tristian's mother- (spoiler alert! maybe) some more backstory would have given his insecurities a firmer footing in the story of the present day- and there are a couple of more examples like that.
Overall, a good book.
Thanks to NetGalley for ARC
#pridemonthreading
The storyline was great- but I will say this- quite a few things were just there- i.e. they weren't elaborated on enough, which in some places didn't go down so well. The accident (deliberately not saying anymore) for example would have had better effect had that been written. Another example would be Tristian's mother- (spoiler alert! maybe) some more backstory would have given his insecurities a firmer footing in the story of the present day- and there are a couple of more examples like that.
Overall, a good book.
Thanks to NetGalley for ARC
#pridemonthreading