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lauriemisha's reviews
34 reviews
Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
informative
slow-paced
4.5
An amazing dive into the history of humankind, our evolution and how we’ve become the dominant species around the globe. I enjoy how Harari has divided the book into various ‘revolutions’ leading us to today. Unfortunately I found some parts rather slow and confusing, most likely the parts where I had limited background knowledge which I think is to be expected with a book that covers economics, history and biology. Overall an interesting read but I preference his novel 21 lessons.
The Vaccine Race: Science, Politics, and the Human Costs of Defeating Disease by Meredith Wadman
informative
slow-paced
2.75
Whilst interesting, particularly how the political landscape shaped research and bioethics - this book is dense. It could lose 1/3 of volume and still deliver.
Another reviewer said this book should be retitled to be more reflective of the main ‘character’ - Leonard Hayflick. There are some really interesting political and scientific detail but I almost feel that there could have been more depth in these parts. I think I was disappointed because I expected this book to be more akin to Bad Pharma and less like The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.
I previously knew very little about rubella and the development of the vaccine and that part was fascinating. As was how it impacted families and how vaccines were tested on non consenting children. I think less about Hayflicks trail and more projection about how his work has impacted today would have been more interesting. Do I regret reading this book? No. Did I enjoy reading it? Not really.
Another reviewer said this book should be retitled to be more reflective of the main ‘character’ - Leonard Hayflick. There are some really interesting political and scientific detail but I almost feel that there could have been more depth in these parts. I think I was disappointed because I expected this book to be more akin to Bad Pharma and less like The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.
I previously knew very little about rubella and the development of the vaccine and that part was fascinating. As was how it impacted families and how vaccines were tested on non consenting children. I think less about Hayflicks trail and more projection about how his work has impacted today would have been more interesting. Do I regret reading this book? No. Did I enjoy reading it? Not really.
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoy the way Donna Tart writes, she’s in no rush to get to the point and yet her lengthier descriptions are calculated perfectly to enhance the situation, such as focusing in on details to highlight the anxiety of the main character Theo. Whilst I didn’t love Theo as a character it’s so easy to empathise with him. The contrast between his character and his best friend Boris, cemented what I consider one of the main messages of the book, in that you can’t control the cards that are being dealt to you but you can choose how to play them.
Not 5 starts due to the detached nature of the book, the unsatisfying ending, getting lost in some of the details re Horst and criminal preceedings.
Not 5 starts due to the detached nature of the book, the unsatisfying ending, getting lost in some of the details re Horst and criminal preceedings.
Illness as Metaphor and AIDS and Its Metaphors by Susan Sontag
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
A thought provoking exploration of the literal and conceptual evolution of different diseases, namely TB, cancer and aids, and how our language surrounding them not only influences the treatment of individuals with disease by society but also how it’s been co-opted by society to push different political agendas. I took lots of notes when reading these essays to try and extract the most meaning from what I was reading. While this likely contributed to me taking a long time to read this book, I think having the time to reflect on small aspects has allowed me to appreciate this book for what it is.
Sontags begins by investigating the origin of TB and Cancers societal preconceptions, and how they differ depending on a variety of variables such as the organ of impact and transmissibility. She then goes on to explain how the attitudes of these and other diseases have evolved with the advent of modern medicine.
In aids and its metaphors she goes on to describe how society reacts to epidemic diseases and how their geographical origin and target population further shape the stereotypes that surround them. Sontag also touches on societies weaponising of disease metaphors to further political agendas and justify atrocity.
While I find these essays extremely interesting, I found myself looking for answers, a solution to the problem. I’m not sure if this is because of disease are of scientific nature or because I wanted Sontag to prescribe me the solution instead of provide me with evidence to think for myself.
Would recommend but be warned it’s a bit of a slog, I did a little bit of reading around parts and the end of both essays feels rushed.
Sontags begins by investigating the origin of TB and Cancers societal preconceptions, and how they differ depending on a variety of variables such as the organ of impact and transmissibility. She then goes on to explain how the attitudes of these and other diseases have evolved with the advent of modern medicine.
In aids and its metaphors she goes on to describe how society reacts to epidemic diseases and how their geographical origin and target population further shape the stereotypes that surround them. Sontag also touches on societies weaponising of disease metaphors to further political agendas and justify atrocity.
While I find these essays extremely interesting, I found myself looking for answers, a solution to the problem. I’m not sure if this is because of disease are of scientific nature or because I wanted Sontag to prescribe me the solution instead of provide me with evidence to think for myself.
Would recommend but be warned it’s a bit of a slog, I did a little bit of reading around parts and the end of both essays feels rushed.
Hex by Jenni Fagan
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
I would love for this book to be taught in schools. Although I am familiar with the North Berwick with trials, Fagans narration via the young girl Gellis Duncan, adds so much emotion and relevance to this time in history.
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
dark
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I loved Kurt Vonnegut’s style of writing and am very keen to try out more of his work. In general the topic of war has never kept my interest so for this book to be 2.5/5 isn’t actually a rating. I loved the repetition and humour that made the book feel like it was a letter written to you the reader. I also really loved the perception of time.
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I read piranesi in two days and really enjoyed reading it. I thought some of the plot was weak and personally I didn’t like the resolution. I was expecting Piranesi to be somewhere in between Circe and The Secret History so I had very high expectations for this book but it wasn’t what I thought it was. The fast paced and the mysterious nature of the book kept me reading.
Happy Hour by Marlowe Granados
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Honestly I thought this book was pretentious and not in an interesting way. The characters felt flat, the story was unrealistic and not in a way that was unbelievable but it felt lazy. I can see the comparison to Ottessa Moshfegh but atleast the characters in her book had ‘character’. If the goal of the book was to be disappointing it was.
Natural Causes: Life, Death and the Illusion of Control by Barbara Ehrenreich
challenging
medium-paced
3.0
This book was an interesting read. Her commentary offered a new vantage point on a variety of topics including modern medicine, science and death. Ehrenreich writes well and is clearly knowledgeable but by no means do I agree with (the majority of) what she says. With understanding that her perspective is one stepped in privilege I appreciate more of what she’s saying a ‘thought provoking’ and less of absolute truth - including her theories on macrophages and the immune system. I enjoyed her connection between the concept of self and it’s self destructive nature and immunological conditions in a poetic way.