Mostly a lot of recipes, not much enjoyable/readable info at the start or end. The latter part was a list of different spirits and then bar stuff. Also rated less because the authors have stock looking illustrations instead of photos.

Nice pictures, decent organization, pretty comprehensive. This is my first cocktail book so I could change my mind after getting through more.

While some cookbooks are just a list of recipes, Amboy sets the example by having a lot of interviews and introspections of Alvin Cailan. His journey from a young SoCal boy to a celebrity chef is impressive and tied well to the featured recipes.

My only complaint is that I would have liked more pictures to go along with each recipe.

Recommended by Nate Silver on a podcast, I thought I was getting into a book about Poker. This book is way better than a poker book and instead covers the process of learning something new and mastering the mental side when competing.

Sometimes the science-y stuff was tedious but when Konnikova was talking about her travels, mental game, tournaments, and personal beliefs about poker, the book was fascinating.

A lot of the critiques are about her writing style + the psychology that Konnikova spoke about, but as a person that followed poker casually for a long time and relates to her journey, I didn't really mind those parts.

The pacing of the book could have been better, but Dazai still weaves sadness and beauty together while showing the bygone eras of Japan.

Interesting and very important take on the liberal political experience that mainly involves hobbyism. Due to covid/social media, the rise of useless infographics/used to signal progressiveness has taken over Instagram. Even now, after all the protests it still seems like the book is applicable -> long term organizing is needed to take back power.

"It's when you don't have as much as you need - that's when politics is for power."

I really should have read this book in high school, it really summarizes how systematic cycles of poverty are. It's crazy that calling the police to report domestic violence can result in an eviction. Also crazy that some people reviewing the book sympathize with the landlords that are not only in the uppermost bracket of wealth, but evict tenants on a whim, don't keep up their properties, and penny-pinch their tenants while they enjoy their unearned wealth.

While Matthew Desmond does his best to offer solutions, I think his recognition that it is not just a housing problem but a healthcare (opioid addictions, rehab programs, insurance)and legal (court system/police) problem should be addressed. One thing I had a problem with is that he didn't pay the people he interviewed, while I'm sure he was an invaluable resource for rides + phone calls + child care, I think they deserve pay or compensation in some sense.

I hope that the laws and policies have changed since the time the book was written but from what I gather unemployment has been a useless safety net to prevent evictions and I'm sure some of the other services like reduced housing has been affected due to COVID as well.

I'm applying to a bootcamp on being a podcast editor and tried to find the closest book that would help me learn more about the position.

The book was super informative and the chapters "On Editing General Nonfiction" and "Widening the Gates - Why Publishing Needs Diversity" were my favorites.

A beautifully written book and insight into what was happening around the 60's. I thought Baldwin's insight into France was very interesting and while I was kinda putt off by the story about his coat/the class stuff, working through the whole book gave me more perspective about where he was coming from. The sadness and anger towards all the people he directs his critiques still is shared and felt today.

Very narrative driven and easy to read, just like Assata. This book covers the lead up to the FBI and Chicago police murdering Fred Hampton and the trial that followed years later. Haas does a good job exposing the injustice that goes on in the United States and how the people in power (like Judge Perry, like the police, like the FBI ) always try to defend themselves and uphold the oppressive systems in place.

I liked that Haas acknowledged and was very critical of his role as a lawyer + his own dedication to social movements. Saying that, this book addresses more on the legal proceedings than the work the Black Panthers and Fred Hampton did, but does a good job covering the legal issues.