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vikingvisuals's reviews
62 reviews
Animal Farm by George Orwell
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I am ashamed to admit that it took me until my 30s to read my first Vonnegut book and perhaps more ashamed that it took me over 2 years after to read the next one.
The writing is so dark, reflective, and contagious in a way that is hard to describe. It's a great commentary on humanity, science, religion, and politics that is executed in such a whimsical way.
One of the first books that enthralled me enough to essentially read it in one sitting. Like Slaughterhouse Five, there is much material and countless sentences that will be whirling through my head for a long time to come.
The writing is so dark, reflective, and contagious in a way that is hard to describe. It's a great commentary on humanity, science, religion, and politics that is executed in such a whimsical way.
One of the first books that enthralled me enough to essentially read it in one sitting. Like Slaughterhouse Five, there is much material and countless sentences that will be whirling through my head for a long time to come.
A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science by Barbara Oakley
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Although seemingly aimed more towards students of math and science, the book contains a lot of useful information that applies to anyone that wants to get the most out of learning anything new.
I appreciate that the book was structured in a way that reflected the teachings, such as key points repeated at the end of each chapter, points of reflection to recall information presented thus far, and action items through questions to help one reflect.
As someone with ADHD I also appreciate how ADHD was explicitly mentioned multiple times when discussing areas that may be both challenging but extra beneficial to those with it. I feel most books about improving habits or the like tend to overlook this demographic so I appreciate when it is mentioned.
I would have appreciated this book a lot more when I was younger to help develop more beneficial learning habits, but as the book also states, it's like any muscle that can be trained.
The last few chapters are really more relevant to students, but I think even the first half makes the book worthwhile.
I appreciate that the book was structured in a way that reflected the teachings, such as key points repeated at the end of each chapter, points of reflection to recall information presented thus far, and action items through questions to help one reflect.
As someone with ADHD I also appreciate how ADHD was explicitly mentioned multiple times when discussing areas that may be both challenging but extra beneficial to those with it. I feel most books about improving habits or the like tend to overlook this demographic so I appreciate when it is mentioned.
I would have appreciated this book a lot more when I was younger to help develop more beneficial learning habits, but as the book also states, it's like any muscle that can be trained.
The last few chapters are really more relevant to students, but I think even the first half makes the book worthwhile.
10% Happier by Dan Harris
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
Decided to read this after coming across a few recommendations for it and as someone who is always put-off by the air of religion that often accompanies meditation practice while also recognizing its benefits I thought I would enjoy it.
Unfortunately what I was hoping to be a bit more detailed look at meditation and its benefits turned out to be largely autobiographical and takes until about halfway into the book to truly even start mentioning the first acquaintance with meditation.
I think it could be helpful to people who have absolutely no understanding of meditation and who may benefit from a more personal encounter and transition to the practice, but if you like motivation to come more from scientific research and studies or much broader anecdotes, then you may also find this to be overly verbose.
I appreciate some of the insights given through his interviews with more serious practitioners and highlighting the work of those utilizing meditation and Buddhist practices in a scientific setting, such as Mark Epstein, has lead to new sources. They, as well as the small introduction and FAQ to meditation at the end were the most beneficial portions.
Unfortunately what I was hoping to be a bit more detailed look at meditation and its benefits turned out to be largely autobiographical and takes until about halfway into the book to truly even start mentioning the first acquaintance with meditation.
I think it could be helpful to people who have absolutely no understanding of meditation and who may benefit from a more personal encounter and transition to the practice, but if you like motivation to come more from scientific research and studies or much broader anecdotes, then you may also find this to be overly verbose.
I appreciate some of the insights given through his interviews with more serious practitioners and highlighting the work of those utilizing meditation and Buddhist practices in a scientific setting, such as Mark Epstein, has lead to new sources. They, as well as the small introduction and FAQ to meditation at the end were the most beneficial portions.
Algorithms To Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions by Tom Griffiths, Brian Christian
informative
slow-paced
3.0
Although the book is informative, extremely well researched, and at times witty, it was way to slow for my taste and missed, in my opinion, the mark of its very title.
Given the title I was expecting much more insight into leveraging various algorithms for daily life, but instead each chapter seems to delve more into how certain algorithms came to be and what technical or other challenges they were formulated around, then a competitively abrupt note on more practical applications. The insight is more inferred in the texts than actually highlighting meaningful and actionable insights.
I feel the book caters to a general audience with the title, but then goes overly in depth into aspects of the algorithms that may put the general audience off while also being likely too general for people with a more technical/philosophical/statistical background.
I would recommend to someone interested in the subject that may be somewhat more new to it, but otherwise feel a lot of the main points that could be pertainant to daily life could be either summed up or expanded with less emphasis on the historical background.
Given the title I was expecting much more insight into leveraging various algorithms for daily life, but instead each chapter seems to delve more into how certain algorithms came to be and what technical or other challenges they were formulated around, then a competitively abrupt note on more practical applications. The insight is more inferred in the texts than actually highlighting meaningful and actionable insights.
I feel the book caters to a general audience with the title, but then goes overly in depth into aspects of the algorithms that may put the general audience off while also being likely too general for people with a more technical/philosophical/statistical background.
I would recommend to someone interested in the subject that may be somewhat more new to it, but otherwise feel a lot of the main points that could be pertainant to daily life could be either summed up or expanded with less emphasis on the historical background.
Maus: A Survivor's Tale. My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegelman
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Reread this for the first time since having read it the first time at a Third Reich Literature course at University. I've wanted to read it again for awhile now, but given the recent news and it's being (ridiculously) banned in Tennessee schools, I knew it was definitely time.
The book is a very unique and personal telling of the experiences his Father and his family had before and leading up to the holocaust. Putting this history into comic form makes the retelling even more visceral.
It's such an impactful book and one that I believe everyone should read in their lifetime. The symbolism that the comic medium provides really sticks with you. I can't put it sufficiently into words, but it has a large impact.
The book is a very unique and personal telling of the experiences his Father and his family had before and leading up to the holocaust. Putting this history into comic form makes the retelling even more visceral.
It's such an impactful book and one that I believe everyone should read in their lifetime. The symbolism that the comic medium provides really sticks with you. I can't put it sufficiently into words, but it has a large impact.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Racism, and Antisemitism
How to Argue with a Racist: History, Science, Race and Reality by Adam Rutherford
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
This is a very informative and fascinating book delving into the science that easily dismisses some common beliefs of white supremacists as well as some more widely stated bits of racist thinking, some of which are more widely expressed.
For someone who is interested in antiracist activism or getting more into it, this is a wonderful book for the toolkit. It provides enlightening insights into genetics that go beyond what one would typically learn in a basic biology course. Some explanations are a little dry or more charged with scientific jargon so as to not always be easily followable, but I can certainly partially chalk that up to my own misgivings.
The book doesn't actually discuss "how to argue with a racist", but the information given can easily be utilized in any such possible setting. For me what is a bit unfortunate is how the focus is generally towards blatant expressions of racism, generally as one would hear it from a white supremacist. I always think it's important in the context of racism to repeat that racism isn't a simple attribute that can be applied to someone, but instead one that is applied to thoughts and actions, including those of people you see every day (including oneself). It is still present, but not the main focus.
Personally I found some parts of the book to be hard to follow and think it would have helped to divide the four main chapters up in further smaller sections or multiple chapter themselves. This to me would have made my expectations of the coming pages more... expectable... and would have provided for an easier place of reference when wanting to go back to a particular section without having to rely on one's own notes or highlights.
All in all a truly great book, one with a wonderful goal and message and one that I hope will help many people to recognize where they may themselves have some unfounded beliefs and stear them further towards antiracism.
For someone who is interested in antiracist activism or getting more into it, this is a wonderful book for the toolkit. It provides enlightening insights into genetics that go beyond what one would typically learn in a basic biology course. Some explanations are a little dry or more charged with scientific jargon so as to not always be easily followable, but I can certainly partially chalk that up to my own misgivings.
The book doesn't actually discuss "how to argue with a racist", but the information given can easily be utilized in any such possible setting. For me what is a bit unfortunate is how the focus is generally towards blatant expressions of racism, generally as one would hear it from a white supremacist. I always think it's important in the context of racism to repeat that racism isn't a simple attribute that can be applied to someone, but instead one that is applied to thoughts and actions, including those of people you see every day (including oneself). It is still present, but not the main focus.
Personally I found some parts of the book to be hard to follow and think it would have helped to divide the four main chapters up in further smaller sections or multiple chapter themselves. This to me would have made my expectations of the coming pages more... expectable... and would have provided for an easier place of reference when wanting to go back to a particular section without having to rely on one's own notes or highlights.
All in all a truly great book, one with a wonderful goal and message and one that I hope will help many people to recognize where they may themselves have some unfounded beliefs and stear them further towards antiracism.
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
For years I had always enjoyed the small bits and pieces of Vonnegut that I read and for years had always intended to actually read one of his books in full. Given his presence at the Writer's Workshop of my alma mater, their was always a weird sense of undeserving pride I felt with that association and such a feeling deserved proper investigation years ago. Anyway, this is the first full book of Vonnegut I have read and I am kicking myself for not having done myself the favor sooner.
If someone asked me to explain Slaughterhouse-Five, I am not sure how I would go about it or if it would even been possible. Describing the writing style and the plot seems an impossible challenge. "It's a book reflecting his experiences in WWII and his witnessing the bombing of Dresden" just barely scratches the service. It has so many things going on: sci-fi elements, time-travel, adventure, political commentary, etc. Some of which are barely touched upon yet somehow still hold a large weight.
Surely one thing the book is not is a typical novel with a clear storyline. Reading it you are taken on an adventure not due to the plot, but due to the diverse shifts in time and place. Having some understanding of trauma and PTSD, reading this book sort of transported me into the very mind of Vonnegut, errr... Billy Pilgrim and his experiences.
The sudden teleportation through various timeline brings up emotions of survivors of war being brought back to a traumatic experience from even the seemingly simplistic of triggers. When going back to the experiences of WWII in the book, often it seems the knowledge of experiences that happened to Billy Pilgrim after WWII are also present, reflecting potential new interpretations or emotions becoming attached to a memory upon its further inspection.
War and death in this book do not seem super "vivid" in a way that I can't quite describe. Certainly there are scenes that are graphic, but these scenes are often combined with shockingly beautiful descriptions. But I don't think that alone is the reason for this feeling, more-so that the perspective of Billy Pilgrim conveys the feeling survivors of war themselves develop towards death. It becomes a constant of sorts throughout the book. With each death being marked by the Traflmadorian "So it goes" it becomes clear that each occurrence of death is both very much present and recognized whilst still being so 'insignificant' that a simple 'so it goes' becomes the only way to process it.
Billy Pilgrim being described so negatively and weak yet surviving while other more "fit" characters perish brings the sense of the futility of war and the complete randomness / luck involved in it. It is not something you see in typical action movies where the strong and "good" survive while the weaker and "bad" perish, yet it very much is a feeling veterans often cope with, having seen countless friends killed right next to them while they survive.
This book has so many layers and I feel like if (or better said, when) I read this again, I may uncover a new understanding or a new interpretation of it.
One thing to me that was also quite jarring is how Vonnegut can manage to make you laugh in one sentence only to make you somehow feel guilty about it in the very next one. Or as stated above even with oddly beautiful descriptions of terrifying scenes. I really loved the writing style and surrealistic descriptions.
Other reviewers have also mentioned it, but the hardest part for me was also the attitude/descriptions of women in the book revolving around them as little more than sexual objects. That alone is an aspect of the book that I am still struggling with, as so many other aspects of the book were so great in my eyes that it makes you feel a bit uneasy loving them and the overall book itself so much.
If someone asked me to explain Slaughterhouse-Five, I am not sure how I would go about it or if it would even been possible. Describing the writing style and the plot seems an impossible challenge. "It's a book reflecting his experiences in WWII and his witnessing the bombing of Dresden" just barely scratches the service. It has so many things going on: sci-fi elements, time-travel, adventure, political commentary, etc. Some of which are barely touched upon yet somehow still hold a large weight.
Surely one thing the book is not is a typical novel with a clear storyline. Reading it you are taken on an adventure not due to the plot, but due to the diverse shifts in time and place. Having some understanding of trauma and PTSD, reading this book sort of transported me into the very mind of Vonnegut, errr... Billy Pilgrim and his experiences.
The sudden teleportation through various timeline brings up emotions of survivors of war being brought back to a traumatic experience from even the seemingly simplistic of triggers. When going back to the experiences of WWII in the book, often it seems the knowledge of experiences that happened to Billy Pilgrim after WWII are also present, reflecting potential new interpretations or emotions becoming attached to a memory upon its further inspection.
War and death in this book do not seem super "vivid" in a way that I can't quite describe. Certainly there are scenes that are graphic, but these scenes are often combined with shockingly beautiful descriptions. But I don't think that alone is the reason for this feeling, more-so that the perspective of Billy Pilgrim conveys the feeling survivors of war themselves develop towards death. It becomes a constant of sorts throughout the book. With each death being marked by the Traflmadorian "So it goes" it becomes clear that each occurrence of death is both very much present and recognized whilst still being so 'insignificant' that a simple 'so it goes' becomes the only way to process it.
Billy Pilgrim being described so negatively and weak yet surviving while other more "fit" characters perish brings the sense of the futility of war and the complete randomness / luck involved in it. It is not something you see in typical action movies where the strong and "good" survive while the weaker and "bad" perish, yet it very much is a feeling veterans often cope with, having seen countless friends killed right next to them while they survive.
This book has so many layers and I feel like if (or better said, when) I read this again, I may uncover a new understanding or a new interpretation of it.
One thing to me that was also quite jarring is how Vonnegut can manage to make you laugh in one sentence only to make you somehow feel guilty about it in the very next one. Or as stated above even with oddly beautiful descriptions of terrifying scenes. I really loved the writing style and surrealistic descriptions.
Other reviewers have also mentioned it, but the hardest part for me was also the attitude/descriptions of women in the book revolving around them as little more than sexual objects. That alone is an aspect of the book that I am still struggling with, as so many other aspects of the book were so great in my eyes that it makes you feel a bit uneasy loving them and the overall book itself so much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Violence, and War
Minor: Racial slurs