Bad Science
Ben Goldacre
Fourth Estate, 2009
I picked up this book on impulse and am glad I did; in a sense you could say it's changed my life. I like to think of myself as a critical thinker, but the extent to which even I accept bullshit especially in the form of media science stories is quite frightening. What this book does is giving you an opportunity to -- at least to some extent -- choose for yourself. It encourages you to chase up data, look at the methods and statistics behind the stories, in order to examine them with a critical eye. I've already managed to puncture two folk science myths since I started reading it, and it feels good to know that I'm at least a little bit harder to deceive now when everything no longer sounds plausible because it's "complicated and sciencey". I strongly recommend this book to anyone who's spent too much money on hyped-up "miracle cures", or who worries sick over "new breakthroughs" showing that previously-thought harmless substances will in fact kill you instantly. Or just anyone who wants to be a bit better-informed.
Rating: Impressive
October 20, 2012
September 20, 2012
Åtta Procent Av Ingenting
Åtta Procent Av Ingenting
Etgar Keret (Kristian Wikström)
Bastion, 2008
När jag var i Israel bläddrade jag igenom ett par böcker på engelska av Keret men blev inte imponerad och lät det vara. När jag sedan plockade upp den här novellsamlingen blev det dock andra bullar. Jag tror det har att göra med språket; svenska är helt enkelt bättre på att förmedla icke-engelska stilar (tycker jag). Jag trodde visserligen när jag började läsa att det skulle vara en roman, vilket gjorde mig lätt förvirrad när jag efter ett par kapitel inte kunde hitta någon röd tråd... Det sagt blev berättelserna bättre och bättre, även om de samtidigt blev mer och mer abstrakta, men de påminde mig lite om den sortens berättelser som jag själv skulle vilja skriva. Lite oortordoxa, tänka-själv, djupsorgsna och med konstiga slut. När jag läst ut boken hade jag en känsla av att ha tagit del av något nästan spirituellt. Så jag rekommenderar definitivt den här boken. Den är lite svår, men lättläst, och (om man släpper taget) riktigt bra.
Utlåtande: Imponerande
Etgar Keret (Kristian Wikström)
Bastion, 2008
När jag var i Israel bläddrade jag igenom ett par böcker på engelska av Keret men blev inte imponerad och lät det vara. När jag sedan plockade upp den här novellsamlingen blev det dock andra bullar. Jag tror det har att göra med språket; svenska är helt enkelt bättre på att förmedla icke-engelska stilar (tycker jag). Jag trodde visserligen när jag började läsa att det skulle vara en roman, vilket gjorde mig lätt förvirrad när jag efter ett par kapitel inte kunde hitta någon röd tråd... Det sagt blev berättelserna bättre och bättre, även om de samtidigt blev mer och mer abstrakta, men de påminde mig lite om den sortens berättelser som jag själv skulle vilja skriva. Lite oortordoxa, tänka-själv, djupsorgsna och med konstiga slut. När jag läst ut boken hade jag en känsla av att ha tagit del av något nästan spirituellt. Så jag rekommenderar definitivt den här boken. Den är lite svår, men lättläst, och (om man släpper taget) riktigt bra.
Utlåtande: Imponerande
August 26, 2012
Språk Och Kön
Språk Och Kön
Ann-Catrine Edlund; Eva Erson; Karin Milles
Nordstedts, 2007
Recension:
I stort tyckte jag att boken lade en bra grund för att tänka på kön och språkbruk i vardagen; inte på det plan att män och kvinnor skulle tala olika, men varför de i så fall gör det, och hur språket och kulturen påverkar varandra i skapandet av könsidentiteter. Den var dock lite förenklande, och jag stördes av att de inte riktigt gick in på djupet i studierna som diskuterades-- det kunde funnits ännu mer utveckling av de tankar som fanns där. Överlag alltså en bra bok att börja med, men den innehöll ganska mycket som jag redan kände till och hade tänkt på, så jag skulle nog behövt något med lite mer fakta och stimulans.
Utlåtande: Bra
Utlåtande: Bra
And God Said
And God Said: How Translations Conceal The Bible's Original Meaning
Joel M. Hoffman
Thomas Dunne Books, 2010
Review:
I'm just testing out my wings when it comes to non-fiction that isn't strictly university related, but as I've cultivated an interest in several of the book's central themes in the last couple of years (Biblical studies, Hebrew, translation) I felt compelled to read it and am glad I did. Even for someone with little knowledge in the field, the book provides a good overview to some important issues in Bible translation, taking the reader by the hand and moving forwards at a steady pace. Hoffman mainly highlights the importance of translating not only the literal, but also the implied and poetic meanings of phrases, showing how certain passages have been terribly mistranslated, and offering better options. My only issue with this was that I sometimes found the suggestions too simplistic, even though the reasoning behind them was sound. Overall, however, it's a deeply interesting work, relevant both to classical language studies and modern translation, and it makes me eager to start translating again.
Rating: Outstanding
Joel M. Hoffman
Thomas Dunne Books, 2010
Review:
I'm just testing out my wings when it comes to non-fiction that isn't strictly university related, but as I've cultivated an interest in several of the book's central themes in the last couple of years (Biblical studies, Hebrew, translation) I felt compelled to read it and am glad I did. Even for someone with little knowledge in the field, the book provides a good overview to some important issues in Bible translation, taking the reader by the hand and moving forwards at a steady pace. Hoffman mainly highlights the importance of translating not only the literal, but also the implied and poetic meanings of phrases, showing how certain passages have been terribly mistranslated, and offering better options. My only issue with this was that I sometimes found the suggestions too simplistic, even though the reasoning behind them was sound. Overall, however, it's a deeply interesting work, relevant both to classical language studies and modern translation, and it makes me eager to start translating again.
Rating: Outstanding
July 23, 2012
The Tragedy Of The Norse Gods
The Tragedy Of The Norse Gods
Ruth J. Pitt
Illustrations by Jacomb-Hood & Brindley
Fisher Unwin, 1813
First impression:
I always find it strange to read Scandinavian literature in English; the tone becomes slightly unconvincing when the roots of the original language are lost. I also get the impression that some spellings have been changed to suit English-speaking readers better (although it may well be that the names I'm used to have been equally Swedified). Nevertheless, it's quite an easy read and an interesting look into Scandinavian mythology.
Review:
In the end I really enjoyed this book and devoured it by means of long, enjoyable stretches. As I love both folklore and traditional storytelling I found it easy on the eye (it didn't send me to sleep as books often do). Another great thing was that all the stories circled around the last, climactic chapter, which meant that there was a constant build-up of suspense and no room for boredom. I couldn't quite get used to the language, but for a book of that age I can't really hold it against it.
Rating: Impressive
Ruth J. Pitt
Illustrations by Jacomb-Hood & Brindley
Fisher Unwin, 1813
First impression:
I always find it strange to read Scandinavian literature in English; the tone becomes slightly unconvincing when the roots of the original language are lost. I also get the impression that some spellings have been changed to suit English-speaking readers better (although it may well be that the names I'm used to have been equally Swedified). Nevertheless, it's quite an easy read and an interesting look into Scandinavian mythology.
Review:
In the end I really enjoyed this book and devoured it by means of long, enjoyable stretches. As I love both folklore and traditional storytelling I found it easy on the eye (it didn't send me to sleep as books often do). Another great thing was that all the stories circled around the last, climactic chapter, which meant that there was a constant build-up of suspense and no room for boredom. I couldn't quite get used to the language, but for a book of that age I can't really hold it against it.
Rating: Impressive
Words In Sheep's Clothing
Words In Sheep's Clothing
Mario Pei
Hawthorn Books, 1969
First impression:
A propos the point made in the previous post, this book appears to be its direct opposite and strikes me as a whiny, petty account of a topic that could otherwise have been incredibly interesting (i.e. how language can be used to disguise meaning rather than convey it in certain contexts). After 16 pages I became fed up and so have decided not to engage with it anymore. So there.
Rating: Awful; abandoned
Mario Pei
Hawthorn Books, 1969
First impression:
A propos the point made in the previous post, this book appears to be its direct opposite and strikes me as a whiny, petty account of a topic that could otherwise have been incredibly interesting (i.e. how language can be used to disguise meaning rather than convey it in certain contexts). After 16 pages I became fed up and so have decided not to engage with it anymore. So there.
Rating: Awful; abandoned
Bad Language
Bad Language
Lars Andersson; Peter Trudgill
Basil Blackwell, 1990
Review:
As much as I think this book treats a very important issue, I can't help but feel that it does so a little trudgingly. I realise that it's written for readers with no linguistic background, but even so, I think the average reader would find the style too belittling. Other than that it's an excellent book; it gives several very good examples of why grammar-nazism is often founded in an irrational fear of change rather than any linguistic motivation, and how it tends to be arbitrary, inconsistent and rooted in snobbery and group membership. For this reason I think it could be a soothing read for those who work themselves up about "incorrect" language use, showing them that this "degeneration" is part of a normal evolutionary process, and that language inevitably sorts itself out.
Rating: Good
Lars Andersson; Peter Trudgill
Basil Blackwell, 1990
Review:
As much as I think this book treats a very important issue, I can't help but feel that it does so a little trudgingly. I realise that it's written for readers with no linguistic background, but even so, I think the average reader would find the style too belittling. Other than that it's an excellent book; it gives several very good examples of why grammar-nazism is often founded in an irrational fear of change rather than any linguistic motivation, and how it tends to be arbitrary, inconsistent and rooted in snobbery and group membership. For this reason I think it could be a soothing read for those who work themselves up about "incorrect" language use, showing them that this "degeneration" is part of a normal evolutionary process, and that language inevitably sorts itself out.
Rating: Good
June 03, 2012
Timequake
Timequake
Kurt Vonnegut
Vintage Books, 1998
First impression:
So far I've been slightly disappointed with this Vonnegut's most autobiographical piece of work. As he points out in the beginning, it consists mainly of shrapnel of a much bigger book that his agent thought to be too indulgent-- and perhaps (s)he was right. I love Vonnegut's mind, but I think he might have been a bit too lenient on narrative coherence for this one. The idea of the Timequake I quite enjoy however.
Review:
Again, I felt that a plotline was lacking, and that the present traces of one didn't quite make the cut. Though I am in love with many of Vonnegut's observations, I must also admit that I picked up on a streak hitherto unknown to me, of some form of social/intellectual elitism. This made me a little uncomfortable as I've always perceived the author as quite humble and, well, nice. I would like to give it a better rating because it made me think about a few things, but on the other hand, so did the Hunger Games.
Rating: Decent
Kurt Vonnegut
Vintage Books, 1998
First impression:
So far I've been slightly disappointed with this Vonnegut's most autobiographical piece of work. As he points out in the beginning, it consists mainly of shrapnel of a much bigger book that his agent thought to be too indulgent-- and perhaps (s)he was right. I love Vonnegut's mind, but I think he might have been a bit too lenient on narrative coherence for this one. The idea of the Timequake I quite enjoy however.
Review:
Again, I felt that a plotline was lacking, and that the present traces of one didn't quite make the cut. Though I am in love with many of Vonnegut's observations, I must also admit that I picked up on a streak hitherto unknown to me, of some form of social/intellectual elitism. This made me a little uncomfortable as I've always perceived the author as quite humble and, well, nice. I would like to give it a better rating because it made me think about a few things, but on the other hand, so did the Hunger Games.
Rating: Decent
American Gods
American Gods
Neil Gaiman
Headline Books, 2002
First impression:
As much as I want to like Neil Gaiman, there is something about the dramaticness and the cinematicity of his style that bothers me slightly. This could be a very good story, but I think it might be a bit too mainstream for my liking. I am concerned with the fact that the main character is an ex-con and I don't think Gaiman has ever been to prison. I'm sorry. We'll see. Review: Being my first piece of fiction in a good while I had a hard time adjusting to the fact that one person invented the whole thing. Though an easy read, it took me a long time to finish, first due to motivation and second due to its impressive length. As I've mentioned before Gaiman has a very cinematic style, which I'm sure enthralls some readers, but for me breaks the fourth wall a little, as I imagine it better played out on screen. In the end I liked the story and the characters, though. It's by no means the most exciting thing I've read, I can see why a lot of people like it and I don't blame them for that. I do however hold on to the idea that it's a bit mainstream for me. Rating: Good
Neil Gaiman
Headline Books, 2002
First impression:
As much as I want to like Neil Gaiman, there is something about the dramaticness and the cinematicity of his style that bothers me slightly. This could be a very good story, but I think it might be a bit too mainstream for my liking. I am concerned with the fact that the main character is an ex-con and I don't think Gaiman has ever been to prison. I'm sorry. We'll see. Review: Being my first piece of fiction in a good while I had a hard time adjusting to the fact that one person invented the whole thing. Though an easy read, it took me a long time to finish, first due to motivation and second due to its impressive length. As I've mentioned before Gaiman has a very cinematic style, which I'm sure enthralls some readers, but for me breaks the fourth wall a little, as I imagine it better played out on screen. In the end I liked the story and the characters, though. It's by no means the most exciting thing I've read, I can see why a lot of people like it and I don't blame them for that. I do however hold on to the idea that it's a bit mainstream for me. Rating: Good
The God Of Small Things
The God Of Small Things
Arundhati Roy
Harper Perennial, 2004
Review:
It's been a while since I read this, and also I did devour it, so I'm just going to get straight to the point. This is an amazing book, completely original and portraying a part of the world which I hitherto have been quite unfamiliar with. As I say for much of Kurt Vonnegut's work, it has one of my favourite qualities - a certain humanness - to it. Beautifully written, observant and well-planned so as to not satisfy the reader's curiosity until the very end. It made me so very sad and happy at the same time. Do your soul a favour and get your hands on this beautiful thing.
Rating: Outstanding!
Arundhati Roy
Harper Perennial, 2004
Review:
It's been a while since I read this, and also I did devour it, so I'm just going to get straight to the point. This is an amazing book, completely original and portraying a part of the world which I hitherto have been quite unfamiliar with. As I say for much of Kurt Vonnegut's work, it has one of my favourite qualities - a certain humanness - to it. Beautifully written, observant and well-planned so as to not satisfy the reader's curiosity until the very end. It made me so very sad and happy at the same time. Do your soul a favour and get your hands on this beautiful thing.
Rating: Outstanding!
February 02, 2012
Förra och denna veckans bibelsnack
January 26, 2012
Hundra år av ensamhet
Hundra år av ensamhet
Gabriel García Márquez (Karin Alin)
Wahlström & Widstrand, 1982
Första intryck:
Jag gillar verkligen att läsa äldre utländska böcker på svenska. Det är något med språket. Sedan kan det vara att just den här boken har något nästan ryskt över sig i sin djupa porträttering av människor som samtidigt har en väldigt bisarr och ofta rolig kvalitét. Jag är riktigt glad att jag blev tipsad om den här, tror att jag kommer tycka mycket om den.
Recension:
Som väntat blev jag väldigt fäst vid den här boken. Jag gillar stilen, och alla de små anekdoterna och personliga mytologierna. Hade lite svårt att förstå de passager som handlade om inbördeskrig och liknande och tyckte även ibland att berättelsen i sig var lite långdragen, men håller absolut inte med dem som haft svårt för boken endast på grund av att den inte "handlar om något". Det enda direkt negativa som jag har att anmärka på (eftersom jag i allmänhet har svårt att hålla reda på personer) är det faktum att alla verkar heta antingen José Arcadio eller Aureliano, vilket i jag i slutändan gav upp med att försöka hålla reda på. Annars är detta en fantastisk roman som jag verkligen rekommenderar!
Utlåtande: Oslagbar!
Gabriel García Márquez (Karin Alin)
Wahlström & Widstrand, 1982
Första intryck:
Jag gillar verkligen att läsa äldre utländska böcker på svenska. Det är något med språket. Sedan kan det vara att just den här boken har något nästan ryskt över sig i sin djupa porträttering av människor som samtidigt har en väldigt bisarr och ofta rolig kvalitét. Jag är riktigt glad att jag blev tipsad om den här, tror att jag kommer tycka mycket om den.
Recension:
Som väntat blev jag väldigt fäst vid den här boken. Jag gillar stilen, och alla de små anekdoterna och personliga mytologierna. Hade lite svårt att förstå de passager som handlade om inbördeskrig och liknande och tyckte även ibland att berättelsen i sig var lite långdragen, men håller absolut inte med dem som haft svårt för boken endast på grund av att den inte "handlar om något". Det enda direkt negativa som jag har att anmärka på (eftersom jag i allmänhet har svårt att hålla reda på personer) är det faktum att alla verkar heta antingen José Arcadio eller Aureliano, vilket i jag i slutändan gav upp med att försöka hålla reda på. Annars är detta en fantastisk roman som jag verkligen rekommenderar!
Utlåtande: Oslagbar!
January 20, 2012
Allmänbildning
Glitt och jag har bestämt att vi ska ta oss igenom Bibeln. Det är ju trots allt en bok som man någon gång i livet har en slags kulturell skyldighet att läsa. För att göra det lite mer intressant tänkte vi också ha informella diskussioner om det vi läst, och igår hade vi vår första session som handlade om Genesis 1-5.
Eftersom vi är i olika land sker de här diskussionerna över Skype, vilket innebär lite bristande ljudkvalitet, men för den som är intresserad finns klippet att ladda ner och lyssna på här (klippet är 1h21m). Fortsättning följer!
Eftersom vi är i olika land sker de här diskussionerna över Skype, vilket innebär lite bristande ljudkvalitet, men för den som är intresserad finns klippet att ladda ner och lyssna på här (klippet är 1h21m). Fortsättning följer!
January 14, 2012
Lolita
Lolita
Vladimir Nabakov
Bonniers, 1955
Första intryck:
Jag har tyckt väldigt länge att jag borde läsa något ryskt och klassiskt, men att det verkar så galet komplicerat och tråkigt. Jag kompromissar lite med en halvgammal bok och tänker att om jag gillar den så kan jag fördjupa mig. Och so far so good - den är ju fenomenalt skriven, och huvudkaraktären är öppen, rak och pervers. Jag tror på den här!
Vladimir Nabakov
Bonniers, 1955
Första intryck:
Jag har tyckt väldigt länge att jag borde läsa något ryskt och klassiskt, men att det verkar så galet komplicerat och tråkigt. Jag kompromissar lite med en halvgammal bok och tänker att om jag gillar den så kan jag fördjupa mig. Och so far so good - den är ju fenomenalt skriven, och huvudkaraktären är öppen, rak och pervers. Jag tror på den här!
January 03, 2012
Last Year's Literature (Tati)
So, here's a list of my accomplished reading of last year. I would say it's about half of what it usually is, I have prioritised differently. Also, reding Vargas Llosa in Spanish took a very long time, being my third language, and I also wasted a lot of time trying to get through a book by García Márquez that I never finished due to it being utterly boring.
Carlos Ruíz Zafón: Vindens skugga
Gabriel García Márquez: Love in the times of cholera
Mario Vargas Llosa: La fiesta del chiv0
Isabel Allende: La suma the los dias
Mitch Albom: The five people you meet in heaven
Frank McCourt: Angela's ashes
Roberto Bolaño: The savage detectives
The Bible, Genesis
Haruki Murakami: Norwegian wood
Jack Kerouac: On the road
Oscar Wilde: The picture of Dorian Gray
Lotta Abrahamsson: Full koll
Carlos Ruíz Zafón: Vindens skugga
Gabriel García Márquez: Love in the times of cholera
Mario Vargas Llosa: La fiesta del chiv0
Isabel Allende: La suma the los dias
Mitch Albom: The five people you meet in heaven
Frank McCourt: Angela's ashes
Roberto Bolaño: The savage detectives
The Bible, Genesis
Haruki Murakami: Norwegian wood
Jack Kerouac: On the road
Oscar Wilde: The picture of Dorian Gray
Lotta Abrahamsson: Full koll
January 02, 2012
The Intimate Adventures Of A London Call Girl
The Intimate Adventures Of A London Call Girl
Belle De Jour
Phoenix Books, 2007
First impression:
Second review of this book (are there any rules on this blog?). Bell lent me this book, and I wasm both curious and suspicious. Can a girl with this profession be a good writer? However, after a couple of pages I confess she is a lot better than many well known authors, although she might not win the Nobel prize. My current concern is whether the story will actually lead somewhere, or just be telling what's up with her at the moment.
Review:
Few books are finished in so little time (about 24h). The language was good, but I agree with Bell that it could have been filthier. The biggest disappointment was that my suspicion about the story not actually leading anywhere. It was just abstracts from a diary. I also missed deeper reflection on several topics - it seemed that the prostitution didn't affect the call girl at all. 'Just sex' got a whole new meaning to me, there was no deeper discussion, no turning point, no catharsis... However, it was a pleasant read, getting a look into someone else's world, no strings attached.
Rating: Decent
Belle De Jour
Phoenix Books, 2007
First impression:
Second review of this book (are there any rules on this blog?). Bell lent me this book, and I wasm both curious and suspicious. Can a girl with this profession be a good writer? However, after a couple of pages I confess she is a lot better than many well known authors, although she might not win the Nobel prize. My current concern is whether the story will actually lead somewhere, or just be telling what's up with her at the moment.
Review:
Few books are finished in so little time (about 24h). The language was good, but I agree with Bell that it could have been filthier. The biggest disappointment was that my suspicion about the story not actually leading anywhere. It was just abstracts from a diary. I also missed deeper reflection on several topics - it seemed that the prostitution didn't affect the call girl at all. 'Just sex' got a whole new meaning to me, there was no deeper discussion, no turning point, no catharsis... However, it was a pleasant read, getting a look into someone else's world, no strings attached.
Rating: Decent
December 31, 2011
Igelkottens Elegans
Igelkottens Elegans
Muriel Barbery
Sekwa, 2009
Första intryck:
Som den bokmånglerska jag är får man mycket sug efter olika böcker, och blivit avskräckt av andra. Denna lilla godbit har jag suktat efter i säkert två år och hittills håller den verkligen måttet. Det kvasifilosofiska och de hel-udda protagonisterna faller mig helt i smaken. Pepp!
Recension:
Jag får använda mitt favoritord Fin. Detta är verkligen en fin bok. Karaktärernas utveckling i sakta mak och inte helt mot sin vilja, en klasskamp, ett socialt förtryck som visar sig vara självpåtaget. En balans mellan olika kulturer, med nudlar och gräddbakelser, med högkultur, en emo-tonåring, en fet katt, och lite ångest. Den tar upp livets stora frågor och är mer intressant än klyschig, samtidigt som den handlar om att våga släppa taget och vara sig själv, även om man råkat hamna på fel plats i samhället.
Utlåtande: Oslagbar!
Muriel Barbery
Sekwa, 2009
Första intryck:
Som den bokmånglerska jag är får man mycket sug efter olika böcker, och blivit avskräckt av andra. Denna lilla godbit har jag suktat efter i säkert två år och hittills håller den verkligen måttet. Det kvasifilosofiska och de hel-udda protagonisterna faller mig helt i smaken. Pepp!
Recension:
Jag får använda mitt favoritord Fin. Detta är verkligen en fin bok. Karaktärernas utveckling i sakta mak och inte helt mot sin vilja, en klasskamp, ett socialt förtryck som visar sig vara självpåtaget. En balans mellan olika kulturer, med nudlar och gräddbakelser, med högkultur, en emo-tonåring, en fet katt, och lite ångest. Den tar upp livets stora frågor och är mer intressant än klyschig, samtidigt som den handlar om att våga släppa taget och vara sig själv, även om man råkat hamna på fel plats i samhället.
Utlåtande: Oslagbar!
December 30, 2011
Eating Animals
Eating Animals
Jonathan Safran Foer
Back Bay Books, 2010
First impression:
I really liked Everything Is Illuminated and enjoy Foer's writing style in general; he has this ability to turn anything into a good story, and also he likes indexing things, just like me. So far I'm enjoying the book, finding it quite compelling, but as I'm getting towards the middle it's becoming a little too statistic-y, like these sorts of books tend to, but I haven't lost hope.
Sad update:
Ironically, I didn't lose hope; I lost the book. As in, I misplaced it in a public place. It's gone. I really liked it, so I will get a new one at some point. But not right now. Sad times.
Review:
So I re-bought the book, I liked it that much. Then again, there is of course the element of preaching to the convinced; we all like to be told that we're doing the right thing, and so with me being a vegetarian, I didn't feel like this book really changed anything in my hands, and the kind of people who I think should read it naturally aren't interested. As I mentioned in the first impression, I thought the first half of the book was very strong, but it started straying a bit towards the end, and eventually became a little too sentimentalised. It did however serve as a great source of knowledge and I would encourage anyone who does eat meat (and/or fish) to read it.
Rating: Impressive
Jonathan Safran Foer
Back Bay Books, 2010
First impression:
I really liked Everything Is Illuminated and enjoy Foer's writing style in general; he has this ability to turn anything into a good story, and also he likes indexing things, just like me. So far I'm enjoying the book, finding it quite compelling, but as I'm getting towards the middle it's becoming a little too statistic-y, like these sorts of books tend to, but I haven't lost hope.
Sad update:
Ironically, I didn't lose hope; I lost the book. As in, I misplaced it in a public place. It's gone. I really liked it, so I will get a new one at some point. But not right now. Sad times.
Review:
So I re-bought the book, I liked it that much. Then again, there is of course the element of preaching to the convinced; we all like to be told that we're doing the right thing, and so with me being a vegetarian, I didn't feel like this book really changed anything in my hands, and the kind of people who I think should read it naturally aren't interested. As I mentioned in the first impression, I thought the first half of the book was very strong, but it started straying a bit towards the end, and eventually became a little too sentimentalised. It did however serve as a great source of knowledge and I would encourage anyone who does eat meat (and/or fish) to read it.
Rating: Impressive
September 14, 2011
Expedition Kon-Tiki
Expedition Kon-Tiki
Thor Heyerdahl
Bonniers, 1952
Första intryck:
På grund av en viss norsk komedigrupp hade jag tidigare inget intresse av Thor Heyerdahl. Men från första raden måste jag erkänna att jag var helt såld på den här boken. Jag älskar den. Jag har inte ens läst halva och jag vill rekommendera den till alla jag känner. Läs den!
Recension:
Äntligen utläst! En otroligt engagerande bok, skriven i sann norsk stil med optimismen på topp även när läget är som mest kritiskt. Heyerdahl tar oss med på en fantastisk resa som faktiskt gett mig mardrömmar under läsandets lopp. Bokens charm ligger i att man knappt kan tro vad man läser; man blir helt fascinerad av människans förmåga att hitta på de mest bisarra idéer och sedan dessutom överleva deras utförande. Definitivt det bästa jag läst på flera år. Man förstår varför Erlend Loe blev peppad på söderhavsöar.
Utlåtande: Oslagbar!
Thor Heyerdahl
Bonniers, 1952
Första intryck:
På grund av en viss norsk komedigrupp hade jag tidigare inget intresse av Thor Heyerdahl. Men från första raden måste jag erkänna att jag var helt såld på den här boken. Jag älskar den. Jag har inte ens läst halva och jag vill rekommendera den till alla jag känner. Läs den!
Recension:
Äntligen utläst! En otroligt engagerande bok, skriven i sann norsk stil med optimismen på topp även när läget är som mest kritiskt. Heyerdahl tar oss med på en fantastisk resa som faktiskt gett mig mardrömmar under läsandets lopp. Bokens charm ligger i att man knappt kan tro vad man läser; man blir helt fascinerad av människans förmåga att hitta på de mest bisarra idéer och sedan dessutom överleva deras utförande. Definitivt det bästa jag läst på flera år. Man förstår varför Erlend Loe blev peppad på söderhavsöar.
Utlåtande: Oslagbar!
August 02, 2011
The Five People You Meet In Heaven
The Five People You Meet In Heaven
Mitch Albom
Timewarner Paperbacks, 2004
First impression:
I didn't like Tuesdays With Morrie very much, mainly because of its exaggerated sympathy. Unfortunately this seems to be one of Albom's signifying traits, but at least this story is fictional and therefore doesn't have the same meek ring to it. More readable, and, I would say, more interesting because of its surreal features.
Review:
In the end, I'm not much of an audience for this type of literature. The only thing I can think of when reading is how it's trying to be Vonnegutian and failing miserably. And I will instantly contradict myself by saying that I think it's too American. The melodrama, for the most part, doesn't touch me, and the book doesn't leave me with much of an afterthought. As far as bestsellers go, it's not below standard, but I don't like the author pressing the interpretation of the story into my palm and I think that's why I wasn't able to enjoy it more than by the satisfaction that I can now pass it on to someone who will like it better.
Rating: Decent
Mitch Albom
Timewarner Paperbacks, 2004
First impression:
I didn't like Tuesdays With Morrie very much, mainly because of its exaggerated sympathy. Unfortunately this seems to be one of Albom's signifying traits, but at least this story is fictional and therefore doesn't have the same meek ring to it. More readable, and, I would say, more interesting because of its surreal features.
Review:
In the end, I'm not much of an audience for this type of literature. The only thing I can think of when reading is how it's trying to be Vonnegutian and failing miserably. And I will instantly contradict myself by saying that I think it's too American. The melodrama, for the most part, doesn't touch me, and the book doesn't leave me with much of an afterthought. As far as bestsellers go, it's not below standard, but I don't like the author pressing the interpretation of the story into my palm and I think that's why I wasn't able to enjoy it more than by the satisfaction that I can now pass it on to someone who will like it better.
Rating: Decent
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