This had slight pacing issues. I struggled a bit to keep the siblings straight. They all had month names and it felt very similar. I was about halfwayThis had slight pacing issues. I struggled a bit to keep the siblings straight. They all had month names and it felt very similar. I was about halfway through the book before I was able to easily differentiate between them. I like how the author handled the story. There's a lot of superficiality and shallowness in the characters and their lifestyles. I liked that the followers were collectively given a voice because Influencers don't exist in a vacuum. This really played on the worst aspects of this style of parasitic relationship.
The story touches on racism, colorism, sexism, LGBTQIA+ stuff (can't be specific because spoilers!) without talking at the reader. Some of the 'isms mentioned above are handled so subtly that I imagine this may have been missed by some readers. Those readers may have felt surprised by some aspects of the characters. I say this in response to a few reviews that I've read of this. There is somewhat of a mystery, as in who set the fire and why but it's mostly in the backgroud. Primarily this is an exploration of unhealthy family relationships.
I watched Sister Wives for about a decade. I stepped away from it before Covid and started watching again when the 3rd wife left the marriage. I watched those kids grow up. They seem nice on TV but most of them are extremely conservative. Still, I felt sad when one of the now adult kids died as a result of mental illness. What is the impact of growing up on TV? The parents signed up for this exploitation but the kids did not. I've seen horrifying footage from Influencers who focus on their kids for content. I really only see viral videos. I primarily follow book, crochet, knitting or history videos with the occasional sewing Influencer. Oh and that pretty Black Forager lady, she's hilarious. I digress but none of the Influencers I follow really show their kids if they have any. I prefer that honestly. This was really from the POV of the kids of viral old school Influencers. This was great. I'd definitely read more by this author....more
This was better than I expected. I greatly enjoy Weir's nonfiction but often find her fiction too bogged down. She seems to strug3.5 Stars Rounded Up
This was better than I expected. I greatly enjoy Weir's nonfiction but often find her fiction too bogged down. She seems to struggle with editing her storylines.
This only had a slight bit of that energy. Mostly this moved along rather well.
Oddly I did not like Rosalyn Landor as the narrator. Which is weird because I love when she narrates historical romances. I wish a man had been the narrator....more
This was interesting and light. I quite enjoyed it. Goldstone is a quite good writer but her research is often inaccurate. As I'm familiar with Empress This was interesting and light. I quite enjoyed it. Goldstone is a quite good writer but her research is often inaccurate. As I'm familiar with Empress Sisi, I will say while I enjoyed the picture this author drew of her, it deeply clashes with the biographies I've read on her. The Reluctant Empress by Brigitte Hamann is the best known biography of Sisi. I don't know much about Empress Eugenie. I found a biography on her by Desmond Seward but he struggles to include history that doesn't support his sexist viewpoints. The Last Empress of France by Petie Kladstrup looks promising.
Further studies will make clear the accuracy of the research in this biography....more
This was incredibly thorough as well as interesting. This was written in a contemporary style, as in this didn't have the endless lists that seem to dThis was incredibly thorough as well as interesting. This was written in a contemporary style, as in this didn't have the endless lists that seem to dominate historical texts of this period. At the same time, this balanced a more conversational tone with impeccable research and an overall deep understanding of the time and people covered.
This was accurate to the best of my knowledge and studies. The author points out that much of the modern view of Margaret is a result of sexism on the part of the men who recorded her life and has been upheld by increasingly modern historians. Scotland isn't like England and this author really helps a casual reader of history to understand how and why this is so.
I listened to this on audio and hope more of this author's work manages to make it to audiobook....more
This was interesting and well researched look at a princess I was barely familiar with. While thus does focus on Joanna, it also gives a lot of detail This was interesting and well researched look at a princess I was barely familiar with. While thus does focus on Joanna, it also gives a lot of detail about the other players during this time period....more
This was really engaging and interesting. i don't know much about this period in European history. This is perfect for casual readers of nonfiction hiThis was really engaging and interesting. i don't know much about this period in European history. This is perfect for casual readers of nonfiction history. This is written in an easily accessible style and has a clear cast of characters to help the reader keep all the players separate. The narrator sounded interested in the subject matter and really helped keep the experience light and fun....more
I found this fascinating and information dense. This treats the reader as if they are new to the topic; offering an enhanced outline of the history ofI found this fascinating and information dense. This treats the reader as if they are new to the topic; offering an enhanced outline of the history of psychedelics usage in the West while lightly touching on its historical use amongst Indigenous populations. This focuses primarily on psilocybin mushrooms & LSD. Other substances are covered, explained, and given usage instructions but not expounded upon. The science-based studies largely are self reported usage of psilocybin & LSD. So I gather that has the most information.
I was familiar with the term microdosing but wasn't aware of much more than the name. This explains both macro and micro dosing and explains why each is important and offers different microdosing solutions for different problems. I liked that tolerance breaks are built into the system of microdosing. Various microdosing protocols are discussed along with whatever science-based studies exist and anecdotal experiences.
This offers scientific studies, science-based studies, and anecdotal experiences as evidence that microdosing can safely enhance everyday lives. This does not shy away from controversial topics like using microdosing to address conditions in children or pregnant and/or nursing folks. This is balanced with resources for safe usage and legal usage. This also includes outside resources for an unintended intense trip, guidance for amounts, and even how to acquire testing kits to test substances that may be decriminalized but not regulated. This offers solid guidance on microdosing a multitude of substances. I pretty much consider this the microdosing bible. I saw the authors have an AMA up on the microdosing subreddit this week, so be sure to check it out if interested.
This audiobook is narrated by Kaleo Griffith. I appreciated Kaleo for keeping the subject moving, the tone light, and using voice inflection techniques throughout. This worked to keep the narrative interesting and moving along. This book includes as many personnel narratives as it does science-based studies, and this really keeps the narrative relatable.
Thank you to James Fadiman, PhD, Jordan Gruber, JD, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
Merged review:
I found this fascinating and information dense. This treats the reader as if they are new to the topic; offering an enhanced outline of the history of psychedelics usage in the West while lightly touching on its historical use amongst Indigenous populations. This focuses primarily on psilocybin mushrooms & LSD. Other substances are covered, explained, and given usage instructions but not expounded upon. The science-based studies largely are self reported usage of psilocybin & LSD. So I gather that has the most information.
I was familiar with the term microdosing but wasn't aware of much more than the name. This explains both macro and micro dosing and explains why each is important and offers different microdosing solutions for different problems. I liked that tolerance breaks are built into the system of microdosing. Various microdosing protocols are discussed along with whatever science-based studies exist and anecdotal experiences.
This offers scientific studies, science-based studies, and anecdotal experiences as evidence that microdosing can safely enhance everyday lives. This does not shy away from controversial topics like using microdosing to address conditions in children or pregnant and/or nursing folks. This is balanced with resources for safe usage and legal usage. This also includes outside resources for an unintended intense trip, guidance for amounts, and even how to acquire testing kits to test substances that may be decriminalized but not regulated. This offers solid guidance on microdosing a multitude of substances. I pretty much consider this the microdosing bible. I saw the authors have an AMA up on the microdosing subreddit this week, so be sure to check it out if interested.
This audiobook is narrated by Kaleo Griffith. I appreciated Kaleo for keeping the subject moving, the tone light, and using voice inflection techniques throughout. This worked to keep the narrative interesting and moving along. This book includes as many personnel narratives as it does science-based studies, and this really keeps the narrative relatable.
Thank you to James Fadiman, PhD, Jordan Gruber, JD, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This was fast paced and interesting. This in a surface way deals with the nuanced issue of the intersectionality of privilege in the US. Honestly its This was fast paced and interesting. This in a surface way deals with the nuanced issue of the intersectionality of privilege in the US. Honestly its the best part of the story as its very background and not preachy. Otherwise the basic story is just your average domestic thriller....more
I liked this but didn't love it. I found the story engaging and it kept my interest for the most part. I think this had pacing issues as I felt frustrI liked this but didn't love it. I found the story engaging and it kept my interest for the most part. I think this had pacing issues as I felt frustrated with it towards the middle but the ending was solid....more