nere's Reviews (86)

No Spoilers
I’m starting to remember that melancholy feeling all of John’s fiction writing has. I think I prefer his nonfiction writing in that regard. It feels less hopeless.
 

Saturday, January 22, 2022 (Reread) 

No spoilers
I’m going to be honest with you, I’m not entirely sure why I reread this. I remember sort of liking it in middle school. That’s as far as it went. Considering that was my reaction when I was still the target audience, can you imagine now? It’s certainly a cute story. Sodapop, as I recalled, is the most likable and sympathetic character. Otherwise, I forgot it almost as soon as I put it down. Something just does not fully click for me.

Tuesday, January 18, 2022 

Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies performs the rare feat of being a memoir AND a self-help book and being entertainingly effective at both. There are elements of both types of nonfiction that tends to grate with me after awhile but Tara manages to commit to the balancing act fascinatingly well. My only caveat is that it took a little too long for her to mention she was on medication. Not that it needs overemphasis, as it’s certainly not a cure-all but it certainly helps. Regardless, she does have realistic, killer, and practical tips in here anyone can implement all said in a non-patronizing tone that’s refreshing for this genre.

Monday, December 20, 2021 

I’ve never cried so much while reading something (Yes that includes what you’re thinking of, The Fault in Our Stars, obviously.) This book taught me a lot, among them the existence of the word Anthropocene and how the hell to spell it. It provided what I think is essential after reading something: a new perspective and feeling just a little bit changed by it.
 
Each essay was deeply specific but also felt like each encompassed the entirety of the human experience. And if there is any genre I adore, its books inspecting the frailty of the human condition. I recommend it honestly to anyone. Everyone. And since John said he probably had a tendency to over-quote in the book I will also over-quote it. In one of my favorite essays in the book, Sycamore Trees, he writes “What kind of mouth-breathing jackass looks at the state of human experience and responds with anything other than absolute despair?” But he doesn’t instill despair with this book, he instills wonder and the motivation to do the work that awe requires.
 
I give The Anthropocene Reviewed 4.75 stars.

Wednesday, December 15, 2021 

I think if there's one criticism I have is that the structure is all over the place. She blows through a myriad of different examples sometimes with no clear direction or conclusion. Perhaps a summary at the end of each chapter or section would've done well to clear this up. As a scientific writer first and foremost, your point should not be muddled or buried.
 
If you’re in a pinch, I’d suggest reading the first chapter, and subsequent chapters as they pertain to you (if you’re an athlete, teacher, parent, coach, etc.), and then skipping to the last chapter and reading through till the end as she has helpful tips on how to implement it.
 
Regardless, the findings are absolutely invaluable, and implementing the growth mindset in everything I do has changed my life for the better. So for that, I'm forever grateful.

Sunday, December 5, 2021 

This will, in a way, be a dual review. If you can and you are able, I would highly recommend reading Mindset by Carol Dweck alongside this book. Or if you’re the type that can’t read two books at once, read Mindset first and then this one. It’s a match made in heaven. Mindset opens you up to the possibility your intelligence is entirely within your control and Make It Stick gives you the tools to make it so. This book outlines, not only the science for why this works, but also specific tips whether you're a student, a teacher, a coach, or just someone who wants to learn how to play the piano.

I will be sleeping with this by my bed and slipping copies into little drawers in hotel rooms like a second bible. I will find a way to put this in the hands of every student and teacher and everyone anyone that needs it. And even then I will still be singing this book's praises to the high heavens for what it's done for me.  

Sunday, November 7, 2021 (reread)

No spoilers.
Please know the inclusion of this volume in my favorites is meant to be a catch-all for the whole series. And maybe it’s a little premature to do this for a series that is still ongoing, so much so weekly chapters are still being released as we speak. But there’s little, I think, Akutami-sensei could do that could ruin this series for me. I suppose I have that much faith in them and that much faith in this story.

I know JJK is like literally a worldwide phenomenon, to the point the physical paperbacks of the manga are sold out everywhere and are impossible to get your hands on. Regardless, this ever-expanding, sprawling, infinite world still feels very personal to me. The characters are friends. Maybe that’s a weird thing to say about a story that is undeniably a tragedy at its core. (But the same could be said about Hamlet. Yes, I just compared Jujutsu Kaisen to Shakespeare. This is MY storygraph account and I can do whatever I choose.) I don’t think the Shakespeare comparison is entirely unwarranted though honestly. Both Akutami and the Bard explore themes of grief, friendship, power, and family dynamics. And just when you think you have a grasp on the story, you reread it and regain a whole new perspective and appreciation for the material. 

And despite the intricate plots (and goddamn are they intricate), I am a character-driven reader first and foremost. And I can think of a few pieces of media that even BEGIN to rival the size of this cast. Let alone the effectiveness of which Akutami succeeds in actually making me care about any and all of these characters (except Mahito, all my boys hate Mahito). 

Anyways if it isn’t absolutely and completely obvious, I love this tiny little series with its tiny little cast and its even tinier fanbase. I’m sickenly obsessed with this. And you should be too. 

(And since Mappa doesn't want to do marketing for it, I WILL. The movie adaption of this volume is coming out December 24th, 2021 which will be a prequel to the anime which is available to stream on HBO Max, Crunchyroll, and Funimation. GO GO GO.)