Reviews and Comments

Anathema Locked account

anathema@bookwyrm.cincodenada.com

Joined 2 years, 7 months ago

They/them. Lemon drop, bruxa, sweet pea, badass, queer, Philadelphian. Lifter of weight; Reader of books; Lover of cats; Knitter of sweaters. Philosopher by training; product manager by trade

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Superficial, somewhat appropriative

1 star

There are certainly non-Japanese people who write with deep care, attention, and respect about Japanese culture, who study carefully and frame their outlook on their sources with transparency and delicacy.

This book is not that! This read as pretty superficial and appropriative to me. Wasn't a fan.

John Bradshaw: Homecoming (Paperback, 1992, Bantam) 4 stars

Dated, so take some things with a grain of salt.

4 stars

Recommended, with some caveats, by my therapist. Feels a little hokey, but in my third reading of this one in 7 years, I have come to see the value in the way that Bradshaw talks about and structures integration of a traumatic childhood.

Queer people, be aware: this was written in 1990, and published in 1992.

There is for sure some clinicalization of homosexuality that may not feel good. I recommend skipping past those references, but it may be too difficult for you to do so comfortably, and that's okay. <3

Kyle Chayka: The Longing for Less 5 stars

New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice "More than just a story of an abiding …

About, not (necessarily) For, Minimalists.

5 stars

Finally, a deeper read on the history of minimalism, its links to the worlds of art, music, philosophy, ethics, and politics. I enjoyed this deeply. It challenged me, asked me to stretch, and rewarded me for doing so.

Aminatou Sow, Ann Friedman: Big Friendship (Hardcover, 2020, Simon & Schuster) 4 stars

CN worthy, but informative and interesting

4 stars

Big content note for alcohol and drug references, near constant in the first quarter of the book. If that content is sensitive for you, I would avoid this one.

That said, tons of very interesting dialogue especially around interracial friendship involving a white person.

Jenny Odell: How to Do Nothing (Paperback, 2020, Melville House) 4 stars

Nothing is harder to do these days than nothing. But in a world where our …

If you want to read philosophy/anthropology that talks about federated social networks...

5 stars

Densely packed with insights and a critical reading of the philosophy of place and of work. Anti-capitalist and introspective. Often surprising in its approach and conclusions. An excellent piece about resistance.

Turned me on to Mastodon and other federated, decentralized and anti-corporate forms of social media, as well as bioregionalism