chauisauth's reviews
117 reviews

City of Lies: Love, Sex, Death, and the Search for Truth in Tehran by Ramita Navai

emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

4.5

Half-Earth Socialism: A Manifesto to Save the Future by Drew Pendergrass, Troy Vettesse

challenging informative

4.0

The recently published IPCC Report puts this book in earth-shattering context. (both literally and figuratively). The Authors present what I suppose would be called four main ideas to put forth the idea of half earth socialism. I have to, in my very, average-ish person understanding, give props to them for coming up with these ideas, and for encouraging in their own way, radical thinking on how to save the earth from climate catastrophe.

As it happens with almost any other book, there were things that I did not agree with or those that did not make sense to me, but then reading is not for the purposes of reinforcing one's own thought processes. 

I would certainly encourage people to read this book, partly for the ideas the authors present, and partly with the hope that it triggers thoughts amongst its readers, from where we may discover another novel idea which we can set into action, and attempt to, despite a large portions of our own people acting in defiance and in contravention to well-established science and facts, yes, facts that are plain as day. 

Madam President: The Secret Presidency of Edith Wilson by William Hazelgrove

4.0

I liked this book, having read it partly as e-book and partly as audiobook. I went in blind, not knowing pretty mch anything about her, mostly fascinated by a lady having been the President (well, pretty much) so many years prior to our times where an actual Madam President was snatched away from us as the massive load of bull---- we've had to deal with post that. EW came off as a loving wife, but slightly annoying to me, given her stranglehold on what went through to WW. But I guess that's just me. It also baffles me, the loyalty of those in cabinet positions, so different and opposite to the kind demanded by soeone we all know too well. 

It was an experience that greatly educated me, and I would absolutely recommend that people read this book.

(I know this is not a review, but are istead just some thoughts on the book. Don't come after me.)

The Scottish Boy by Alex de Campi

4.0

Are You Enjoying? by Mira Sethi

emotional reflective fast-paced

5.0

Loved the book. Amazing issues to take up and a good reflection of society. 

Fit to Serve: Reflections on a Secret Life, Private Struggle, and Public Battle to Become the First Openly Gay U.S. Ambassador by Erin Martin, James C. Hormel

informative inspiring reflective

4.0

A nice book. Very informative. I knew of him as Amb. to Luxembourg, but I had no idea that he was one of the founders of HRC. The political diffuculties of having him confirmed and the 'putting a hold on it' by someone, is rings of today, Just goes to show that a certain set of people have been hard headed and close-minded twenty five years ago, as they are today.  Should certainly be read for an overview, but then I missed details. I crave details within a biography, and it is true, that a number of thins were 'just mentioned' without going into them as it should.  

How We Met: A Memoir of Love and Other Misadventures by Huma Qureshi

emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

4.5

I loved this book. The way the Author writes about the struggles of balancing culture, her own dreams, and her life in a modern western country, is very effective. A reader can feel through the pages, the emotions and the internal conflict she battles. 

It portrays aptly the habits immigrants have of sticking to their culture as steadfastly as possible- in the current context, the writer's mother setting her up to meet potential husbands through the community, or how in typical Indian subcontinent fashion, news travels by the speed of light through the grapevine, with each and every person feeling that they have an absolute right to make their opinions known to the people in question and so on. It is an interesting read for anyone who has romanticised notions of the 'great lives' people lead- of freedom and of individuality in 'foreign countries'- or for those who speak critically of them for letting go of culture, compromising rather easily with tradition etc. 

I particularly loved the use of a few words of Hindi/Urdu in the book and only wish it was done a bit more. It would have connected the readers a bit more to the people in the book with Amee, saying something in Urdu and the Author responding in broken Urdu (as she writes her Urdu is) and English together. In some areas, I craved more detail- like how it took her brothers (one longer than the other) to come around to her situation, or a few other instances. 

Would certainly recommend. Thanks to Net Galley for ARC

Miseducation: How Climate Change Is Taught in America by Katie Worth

informative medium-paced

5.0

Wow. Let me just start with that. 

This book is amazing. I absolutely loved it. Written in an engaging, direct style, this book takes you in- gives you a touch of history, and takes you on a journey right to the current moment. I knew, as one does if they are willing to think, of the vast differences and divides in approaches to the existence of climate change- but the wide ranging examples and sometimes startling facts- they put the whole thing in another light. For example, the book highlights one survey of 115 teachers where half of them did not even know that there was scientific consensus on climate change. That just goes to show the deep impact that the efforts by big oil, or conservative groups have had. Denying it is one thing, not knowing something that is well established, while you're a teacher, is another. 

Another thing I particularly appreciate about this book is that it isn't afraid to name names. Generally, books on climate change have a way about them- the use of words is so that it conveys the message, but isn't direct 'in your face'. That isn't the case here. States (Idaho), publishers putting out different set of books, unfairly focussing attention on one aspect, when bothering to speak about climate change, while letting the other one slide,  or retaining contrarian language, or even particular individuals, it's all there. 

To a common reader who isn't entirely aware of the politics and games that have got us to the point of a 'red flag for humanity' as per the IPCC's latest report, this book, short, sharp and well researched, will give you the truth straight up, of how our politicians and moneyed interest groups, in their blind desire for money, have led us (almost) to the point of no return. 

Its does make a point that millennials and Gen Z are more aware of the dangers we face, despite the divisions, which I hope is true, but I'm not certain that it is. 

Everyone needs to read this book- realise that they may have been taught bilge in school,  learn  the truth and then put in the work to save us from doom. 

ARC was thanks to Net Galley. They have my utmost gratitude. 

The Making of a Justice: Reflections on My First 94 Years by John Paul Stevens

challenging informative medium-paced

3.5

 

A historically important book, with gaps unfilled

To get the obvious out of the way, Making of a Justice is an important book, when one looks at it from a history perspective, because this is a source first hand thoughts and opinions (of which there are quite a few) of one of the most important people to serve on the nation's highest court.

When one looks at the title however, they naturally end up expecting a lot more from the book than they get. The book is largely a chrnology of his years, and in my humble opinion, misses out by a mile on the emotional quotient. For example, when he is nominated to the 7th Cir. or even to the Supreme Court, the lives of those around him change as much as his does- but there is no mention of any of that; there is very limited mention of his daughters and so on.

The second part of the book is a term by term discussion of cases that he considered important, and that is great, but again, barring a few instances, it lacks the personal touch, thereby giving "Reflections on my first 94 Years, a miss. By virtue of that subtitle, it should also have included his experience of writing Five Chiefs, his first memoir that focussed on the five Chiefs he knew in his time, and the more controversial, Six Amendments, etc., which it did not.

Despite all that, this is a book any law geek would like to have in their collection. 

Writers & Lovers by Lily King

emotional medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes

4.5

 This is an amazing book. Once it began, I couldn't stop. I finished it in one night. As a writer myself, I relate to the character in so many ways- it's unreal. I was surprised at the ending, on the lovers part of the book, obviously, but in some ways I was expecting it also. I felt that *it* deserved a bit more time. Which one *it* is, the readers/listeners wil find out themselves.

Props to the narrator. Well done.

100% recommended.