I saw an exhibit of Jona Frank's photography a the Bowdoin College of Art, and it hit me in ways that really surprised me. I hadn't been prepared for I saw an exhibit of Jona Frank's photography a the Bowdoin College of Art, and it hit me in ways that really surprised me. I hadn't been prepared for the gut-punch that photos of a suburban childhood would deliver. In this book, which expands on Frank's exhibit, Frank talks about her childhood: her distant mother whom she always wanted to please; the complicated relationships with each of her brothers; her attempts to be what everyone else wanted and expected of her while questioning what--or if--she herself wants. ...more
I listened to an interview with the author on the Depresh Mode podcast, and the combination of mental health, crafts, and a generally accident-prone lI listened to an interview with the author on the Depresh Mode podcast, and the combination of mental health, crafts, and a generally accident-prone life sucked me in. The author has a somewhat self-deprecating tone, but even in making light of some of her struggles, the seriousness still comes through. It's real and raw and vulnerable. There are some things that I wonder about (the specifics of a falling-out with a friend group, for instance), but I recognize that she doesn't owe the reader anything, and she can keep private whatever she wants, and that's okay. I'm not entitled to her story, and I am appreciative and touched by all she was willing to share with her audience....more
While the early parts of this memoir focus on the author's sexual history (sometimes in great detail), it's the latter part that really got me--where While the early parts of this memoir focus on the author's sexual history (sometimes in great detail), it's the latter part that really got me--where it stops being about the who/what of bisexuality and digs more deeply into the why and what it means, at a personal level and in the wider world. They are privileged (white, cis) but don't pretend to have always been aware of that--they freely admit to ignorance and the efforts they've made to correct it, while still recognizing that they are a work in progress. Overall, I appreciated the honesty in this memoir. This is someone who is a flawed person trying to do better, and really, who among us isn't?...more
With each book, Lawson gets more open about her mental and physical health struggles, but still retains her she's of humor. While nothing will ever toWith each book, Lawson gets more open about her mental and physical health struggles, but still retains her she's of humor. While nothing will ever top her story of Beyonce the giant metal chicken, her frankness continues to make me laugh. At this point, though, she seems less interested in entertaining her readers than in connecting with them. Her anecdotes and stories have an undercurrent of hope to them, a "we're in this together" vibe....more
Some parts were very funny, but I had a hard time shaking the feeling that Birbiglia was still a reluctant dad--that he loved his daughter but still sSome parts were very funny, but I had a hard time shaking the feeling that Birbiglia was still a reluctant dad--that he loved his daughter but still sort of wished it were just his wife and cat....more
Not really sure how to describe this. It's part memoir, part encouraging hug. We're not alone.
This book comes out of the podcast by the same name, in Not really sure how to describe this. It's part memoir, part encouraging hug. We're not alone.
This book comes out of the podcast by the same name, in which the author interviews comedians and artists (musicians, actors, etc) about their mental health struggles. I guess it adds credibility to the podcast? But really it's good to know that there are others who do understand.
Now I just need somebody to write The Hilarious World of Anxiety, in which we laugh at the ways in which we are paralyzed by simple decisions like "do you want to eat something."...more
A few pages that I'll scan in and keep, but on the whole, this book falls flat. Part of the issue is that it's over a decade old, so a lot of the bookA few pages that I'll scan in and keep, but on the whole, this book falls flat. Part of the issue is that it's over a decade old, so a lot of the book is concerned with using these new-fangled "graphic novels" in classrooms. A bunch of essays from different people, so there's a range of opinion and practice represented, for better or worse. Skimmed, really, but ultimately I'm glad I got it from the library....more
I read a little better than half of this. There were some pieces that really hit me, and some that fell flat. Maybe it just wasn't the right time for I read a little better than half of this. There were some pieces that really hit me, and some that fell flat. Maybe it just wasn't the right time for me, or the right book. I feel okay about having given this one up....more
I'm a decade or from New Parenthood at this point, but damn if most of these comics weren't startlingly familiar. As usual for Knisley, honesty and huI'm a decade or from New Parenthood at this point, but damn if most of these comics weren't startlingly familiar. As usual for Knisley, honesty and humor blend into a lovely, heartfelt package....more
Uneven, as pretty much any collection will be. Some definite standouts and things that resonated, and also things that didn't at all. But then my own Uneven, as pretty much any collection will be. Some definite standouts and things that resonated, and also things that didn't at all. But then my own issues are not, thankfully, All The Issues, so naturally some will hit closer to home than others. I'd love to see a follow-up with different authors represented, as mental health has become much easier/more acceptable to talk about....more
A collection of essays (mostly humorous). Less political then I'd expected for a former White House staffer Obama, but still light and engaging. I wanA collection of essays (mostly humorous). Less political then I'd expected for a former White House staffer Obama, but still light and engaging. I want to be Alyssa's friend....more
A collection of essays on raising three boys. While it's not something that will stick in my head long-term, it was an enjoyable read and one I'm likeA collection of essays on raising three boys. While it's not something that will stick in my head long-term, it was an enjoyable read and one I'm likely to pass along to other parents. There is some gendering (raising BOYS, with all the implications and connotations that brings along) but mostly it's a pretty balanced collection. I laughed through many of them (some in horror, some in recognition... sigh) and I'd probably follow his blog if I could find one. I'd also pick up another collection from him.
Accessible to all ages, this comic biography is will mostly appeal to adults--just because most kids don't know who Rod Serling is, or would care overAccessible to all ages, this comic biography is will mostly appeal to adults--just because most kids don't know who Rod Serling is, or would care overmuch about heavy smoking and/or other issues relevant to an adult audience. It's engaging but not amazing. I'm a big fan of The Twilight Zone and it's kinda cool to see how Serling got to where he did, but it's not really that compelling a narrative.
The art isn't my style so much--it looks a little generic, a little perfunctory. That could be a taste thing, though.
I loved this. As a layman's-science nerd, this book was absolutely delightful. As someone who follows threads of thought far past logical extremes intI loved this. As a layman's-science nerd, this book was absolutely delightful. As someone who follows threads of thought far past logical extremes into absurdity, this book Spoke to me. And also--I learned stuff!
Some of the entries take a long, winding path to answer the question presented, but I found these trails to be interesting and fun to read. The comics interspersed throughout the entries sometimes helped to clarify the absurdity, and sometimes were just fun little asides.
This is really more high school level and above (the MATH involved here, most of which I admittedly glazed over), but I can think of a few of my middle-schoolers who will enjoy this as much as I did.
3.5 stars. We all know and love Tetris, but it was a struggle to get it to players. Lots of people and organizations negotiating rights to the game fo3.5 stars. We all know and love Tetris, but it was a struggle to get it to players. Lots of people and organizations negotiating rights to the game for various places--American rights, UK rights, handheld vs computer vs console--it gets confusing who actually owns what, which was part of the problem both with the book and the game. One company was selling rights that they only assumed they had; the Russian government hadn't sold many rights at all, and everything was a mess.
For a book that's 250 pages long, it's rushed--the details aren't fleshed out and the reader is left with only a cursory overview of the legal complications. I'd have liked a more fleshed-out, slower-paced description.
The introduction is an extended overview of the history of games from Neanderthal times through the beginnings of Nintendo (back in 1888, as a card game), which feels unnecessarily tangential to the story....more
I'm positive I've read another collection from Notaro, but I can't recall which one and it must've been in my pre-Goodreads days. I remember finding iI'm positive I've read another collection from Notaro, but I can't recall which one and it must've been in my pre-Goodreads days. I remember finding it witty and funny.
But this one wasn't.
The essays here feel more bitter, angrier toward other people and situations. And also judgemental and even racist at times, in the "but some of my best friends are _____!" way. Intolerant and a little bitchy.
I might try some of the older ones, but this collection left me cold....more
I've been having a hard time reading lately--concentrating on a narrative just hasn't been working for me. This collection of essays, relatively lightI've been having a hard time reading lately--concentrating on a narrative just hasn't been working for me. This collection of essays, relatively light and funny, was what I needed....more
Comics addressing emotional labor in relationships, issues of pregnancy (her complaints about the uncivilized French system of only 3 or 4 months mateComics addressing emotional labor in relationships, issues of pregnancy (her complaints about the uncivilized French system of only 3 or 4 months maternity leave made my American uterus weep), workplace harassment, and other topics that form the background hum of women's lives. Worth a read; libraries are, as usual, recommended, unless you'll want to pass this to all your friends....more
This is the first Sedaris I've read in a while that I've honestly loved. This feels open and honest in a way that he hasn't for me in a long time. ThiThis is the first Sedaris I've read in a while that I've honestly loved. This feels open and honest in a way that he hasn't for me in a long time. This time, he's addressing the death of his mother many years back through the context of his sister's suicide a few years back, and really exploring the role he's played in his family relationships. Here, he's writing about his family, yes, but as a way to write about himself and how he's been experiencing the world and engaging with the people around him--different from when he wrote about his family as a punchline, as a way of deflecting from his own troubles. This makes this collection hold together better but also far more heartbreaking than his other collections....more