read during CPA exams

Dark, twisted and honestly truly harrowing from start to finish. This wasn't an enjoyable read by any stretch of the imagination but is one that will stick with me for a long time.  The Handmaid's Tale is probably even more relevant and terrifying now–with the world turning to worrying political extremes– than it was when it was first published in 1984. The bodies of women disregarded and exploited and their choices stolen from them...it shouldn't be timely in the year 2024, but somehow it is. 

The book's concept was very well executed, but I think it lacked somewhat from a pacing and world building perspective. The character of Offred was a little bit of a blank canvas, but I gather that she is written to reflect how the everywoman would survive in a society like Gilead, not dissimilar from Winston Smith in Orwell's 1984. 

Beyond that, I think this is an important novel in the dystopian/speculative fiction canon and I'm glad I read it. 

This is the first time in quite a long time that a biography, or more specifically its ending, has genuinely upset me. I obviously knew what was coming from the start but somehow it still didn't make the ending any easier to read. Bobby Kennedy's death was a profound tragedy for both his family and for his country,  a sentiment that becomes increasingly evident through the poignant stories shared by his wife Ethel, their children, extended family members, friends, and political aides and various other associates throughout the 60s. One can't help but wonder how different America might be if his assassination had never occurred. So much has happened since 1968, but so little has changed at the same time. 

In this book, Larry Pye skillfully chronicles Bobby Kennedy's evolution from one of the babies of the Kennedy clan to staunch conservative Democrat and cold warrior to a symbol of liberalism and advocate for peace, global stability and civil rights for all. Pye highlights how Bobby Kennedy was many people at once; a ruthless political campaigner, a doggedly determined law enforcer, his brother's ride or die, a passionate advocate for the disenfranchised and a loving husband and father. 

One of my best reads this year. 

This is the first time in quite a long time that a biography, or more specifically its ending, has genuinely upset me. I obviously knew what was coming from the start but somehow it still didn't make the ending any easier to read. Bobby Kennedy's death was a profound tragedy for both his family and for his country,  a sentiment that becomes increasingly evident through the poignant stories shared by his wife Ethel, their children, extended family members, friends, and political aides and various other associates throughout the 60s. One can't help but wonder how different America might be if his assassination had never occurred. So much has happened since 1968, but so little has changed at the same time. 

In this book, Larry Pye skillfully chronicles Bobby Kennedy's evolution from one of the babies of the Kennedy clan to staunch conservative Democrat and cold warrior to a symbol of liberalism and advocate for peace, global stability and civil rights for all. 

Pye highlights how Bobby Kennedy was many people at once; a ruthless political campaigner, a doggedly determined law enforcer, his brother's ride or die, a passionate advocate for the disenfranchised and a loving husband and father. 

One of my best reads this year. 

read for my corporate sustainability class. 

An engaging narrative detailing the lives of the Kennedy men is presented by Laurence Leamer, who begins with Joseph Kennedy's early years and concludes with the tragic assassination of John F. Kennedy. This account particularly sheds light on Jack's formative years and the numerous health challenges he faced throughout his lifetime. 

The sections discussing the congressional, senatorial, and presidential campaigns are particularly captivating.  The meticulous organisation within the Kennedy clan, where each parent, sibling, and in-law assumed specific roles that leveraged their unique strengths was particularly interesting to read about. 

The main focus was Jack and Joe, with a lesser focus on Bobby and Ted beyond how the events that they were involved in connected to Jack and his political career. Joe Jr's story came into play too, particularly relating to his fierce [kind of one-sided] sibling rivalry with Jack. 

Will come back to this. Forgot too much to pick up from where I was. Remember too much to restart. 

read for college