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blairconrad's reviews
1124 reviews
Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed by Jared Diamond
4.0
Not as much fun as [b:Guns, Germs, and Steel|1842|Guns, Germs, and Steel|Jared Diamond|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1158959888s/1842.jpg|2138852]. Possibly because that was about why certain societies rose to prominence and this one is about why others collapsed – and why the whole world is in danger. The individual sections were educational, but a couple of them (Easter Island and Montana come to mind) tended to drag a little. Overall, though, a very interesting book.
The Scar by China Miéville
5.0
Better than [book: Perdido Street Station]. I've read comments that the characters are less sympathetic, but I didn't find that to be so. Well, some of them, but they more than make up for it by being mysterious. Even though there's more profanity than I tend to enjoy, [author:China Miéville]'s writing is definitely high quality and well worth it.
As in Perdido, a very ambitious plot, but the setting is far and away more interesting.
As in Perdido, a very ambitious plot, but the setting is far and away more interesting.
In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan
4.0
Okay. I’m torn. I started off reading the book and nodding and enjoying myself. Pollan’s easy conversational style appeals to me – I like reading what he writes, and probably would almost no matter what he was writing.
And the tagline – Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly plants. – it’s maybe not Save the cheerleader. Save the world., but it’s pretty darn good. It make sense.
Complaints: while being down on nutritionism, Pollan uses its methods to support his position. He even points this out (kinda late, as I was already annoyed by it) and notes that even though the tools are flawed, they’re the best we have. That may be, but it still rankles.
Also, the book is short. And repetitive – not a great combination, but better than long and repetitive.
So, it’s no The Omnivore’s Dilemma, but still entertaining and more than a little thought-provoking – I found myself counting the number of ingredients in my breakfast cereal this morning (more than 5, but I knew what they all were).
And the tagline – Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly plants. – it’s maybe not Save the cheerleader. Save the world., but it’s pretty darn good. It make sense.
Complaints: while being down on nutritionism, Pollan uses its methods to support his position. He even points this out (kinda late, as I was already annoyed by it) and notes that even though the tools are flawed, they’re the best we have. That may be, but it still rankles.
Also, the book is short. And repetitive – not a great combination, but better than long and repetitive.
So, it’s no The Omnivore’s Dilemma, but still entertaining and more than a little thought-provoking – I found myself counting the number of ingredients in my breakfast cereal this morning (more than 5, but I knew what they all were).
Runaways Deluxe, Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughan
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this book – I liked many of the characters, the story was pretty good, and the art was very nice. I’m taken with the cover-drawer’s work.
I’d’ve thrown this book up to 5 stars, but there were a few things that niggled at me, mostly the predictability. I felt like a few of the minor plot points (and one major one) were set up to surprise me, but nearly nothing did – maybe I just got lucky, or maybe it’s because the book was intended for a younger audience. Still, I enjoyed watching the non-surprising events play out and intend to consume the rest of the series.
I’m particularly looking forward to seeing Whedon’s and Moore’s work when they take over (okay, Whedon’s done, but I’m writing this from the virtual past).
I’d’ve thrown this book up to 5 stars, but there were a few things that niggled at me, mostly the predictability. I felt like a few of the minor plot points (and one major one) were set up to surprise me, but nearly nothing did – maybe I just got lucky, or maybe it’s because the book was intended for a younger audience. Still, I enjoyed watching the non-surprising events play out and intend to consume the rest of the series.
I’m particularly looking forward to seeing Whedon’s and Moore’s work when they take over (okay, Whedon’s done, but I’m writing this from the virtual past).