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bubblegumfactory's reviews
696 reviews
Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions by Dan Ariely
4.0
** Dan Ariely, I'm in love with you, okay?**
another sexy sexy book by Prof. Ariely.
The hypothesis is intriguing, the intuition is on point, the methods are bulletproof, the studies are fun, conclusions are insightful and his humour is just a giant cheery on top of this big fat juicy cake. if you're going to write book on research and new up and coming ideas, use this as a model, please. not only does he get you involved in this field of Behavioural Economics, he makes you feel the excitement that he carries for the science and joy of research. lucky people who have him as his prof :')
also, absolutely love the fact that he concludes the book with a short biography of all the collaborators of his study. in the cut throat world of academia, this respect for fellow students and colleagues was just so nice :)
my only complaint (I'm nitpicking here) is that I felt two chapters repetitive from his other books but that's prolly because I read the second book before this.
GO READ THIS! relevant for everyone, no matter what field you're in.
another sexy sexy book by Prof. Ariely.
The hypothesis is intriguing, the intuition is on point, the methods are bulletproof, the studies are fun, conclusions are insightful and his humour is just a giant cheery on top of this big fat juicy cake. if you're going to write book on research and new up and coming ideas, use this as a model, please. not only does he get you involved in this field of Behavioural Economics, he makes you feel the excitement that he carries for the science and joy of research. lucky people who have him as his prof :')
also, absolutely love the fact that he concludes the book with a short biography of all the collaborators of his study. in the cut throat world of academia, this respect for fellow students and colleagues was just so nice :)
my only complaint (I'm nitpicking here) is that I felt two chapters repetitive from his other books but that's prolly because I read the second book before this.
GO READ THIS! relevant for everyone, no matter what field you're in.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
4.0
** it breaks my heart. okay? okay. **
I still remember the first time I read this book. It was a birthday gift, I was 17. In the middle of the most stressful summer, the summer before our JEE exams (Indian kids, can I get an amen?) my friend gifted me this. The first page is signed by all the kids in my class, wishing my a very happy birthday and on the last page is a message from my friend, right next to a beautiful doodle she made. This book is a bulky memory. The doodles and the wishes summarise my two years of senior secondary school. So when I picked this up in the middle of feeling lost and anxious (queue: the pandemic), I was transported back not only in the familiar story of the characters but also back to a much simpler and carefree time.
A lot has changed since the first time I read the book. For starters, I am not longer best buds with the woman who gifted me the book. I have read far more John Green and I don't have the optimism and the enthusiasm of my 17 y/o self. When I first read it, I loved Augustus' character. I wanted to be him; always the bright side, always high energy, always carpet diem-ing. But 6 years on, I am more Hazel. Pragmatic, cynical, and still low-key hoping for a love story. My favorite bits from the book have changed. I longer like the poetry bits (17 y/o Sneha was way more pretentious than the 23 y/o ).
What has not changed is the bittersweet cry at the end. I still enjoy the picture of Amsterdam that Green painted for me. I still think kissing in Anne Frank's house is rude. I still find comfort and bizarre solace in this book. Amidst my perpetual state of overwhelm, I paused and tried to empathize with these fictional characters rather than worrying for me, and that felt nice. I still relate with Holden Caulfield (from The Catcher in the Rye)when he said, "... a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it". J.Green, can I have your number? I promise to not call in the middle of the night.
I still remember the first time I read this book. It was a birthday gift, I was 17. In the middle of the most stressful summer, the summer before our JEE exams (Indian kids, can I get an amen?) my friend gifted me this. The first page is signed by all the kids in my class, wishing my a very happy birthday and on the last page is a message from my friend, right next to a beautiful doodle she made. This book is a bulky memory. The doodles and the wishes summarise my two years of senior secondary school. So when I picked this up in the middle of feeling lost and anxious (queue: the pandemic), I was transported back not only in the familiar story of the characters but also back to a much simpler and carefree time.
A lot has changed since the first time I read the book. For starters, I am not longer best buds with the woman who gifted me the book. I have read far more John Green and I don't have the optimism and the enthusiasm of my 17 y/o self. When I first read it, I loved Augustus' character. I wanted to be him; always the bright side, always high energy, always carpet diem-ing. But 6 years on, I am more Hazel. Pragmatic, cynical, and still low-key hoping for a love story. My favorite bits from the book have changed. I longer like the poetry bits (17 y/o Sneha was way more pretentious than the 23 y/o ).
What has not changed is the bittersweet cry at the end. I still enjoy the picture of Amsterdam that Green painted for me. I still think kissing in Anne Frank's house is rude. I still find comfort and bizarre solace in this book. Amidst my perpetual state of overwhelm, I paused and tried to empathize with these fictional characters rather than worrying for me, and that felt nice. I still relate with Holden Caulfield (from The Catcher in the Rye)when he said, "... a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it". J.Green, can I have your number? I promise to not call in the middle of the night.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
4.0
** Medium : Audiobook **
F451 is a cult classic. A sharp critique of the erosion of knowledge and attack on arts and culture. Bradbury's book in the 1950s was a response against the violent subduction of liberal voices rising against the Cold War by the American government. As good books often prove, they stay relevant beyond their time, often for decades and centuries to come. Funny enough, Bradbury wrote a book so significant and timeless that its protagonist in the third act would memorize its content.
The book is full of iconic dialogues. It features less than ten characters panning 200-odd pages, and yet, in such limited space and time, the book forces the reader to ruminate on the words spoken.
Having said this, this book felt a little weird, like it shouldn't have been a book but rather a play. (I later found out that F451 has been adapted as a play with a screenplay written by the author himself) Bradbury doesn't spend much time building characters, introducing the setting, or setting the space. You're kicked right into the dystopic future of Guy Montage and its life.
The book made me a little sad, forcing me to rethink the current media landscape and how the forces of social media are furthering us away from long-form, introspective sources of knowledge. Even tho the style wasn't something I particularly enjoyed, I am glad I read it. What a book, I feel better reading it.
F451 is a cult classic. A sharp critique of the erosion of knowledge and attack on arts and culture. Bradbury's book in the 1950s was a response against the violent subduction of liberal voices rising against the Cold War by the American government. As good books often prove, they stay relevant beyond their time, often for decades and centuries to come. Funny enough, Bradbury wrote a book so significant and timeless that its protagonist in the third act would memorize its content.
The book is full of iconic dialogues. It features less than ten characters panning 200-odd pages, and yet, in such limited space and time, the book forces the reader to ruminate on the words spoken.
Having said this, this book felt a little weird, like it shouldn't have been a book but rather a play. (I later found out that F451 has been adapted as a play with a screenplay written by the author himself) Bradbury doesn't spend much time building characters, introducing the setting, or setting the space. You're kicked right into the dystopic future of Guy Montage and its life.
The book made me a little sad, forcing me to rethink the current media landscape and how the forces of social media are furthering us away from long-form, introspective sources of knowledge. Even tho the style wasn't something I particularly enjoyed, I am glad I read it. What a book, I feel better reading it.
How to Be a Footballer by Peter Crouch
4.0
** literally woke up at 5.30 AM for a week to read this without being judged for constant giggling and boy was it worth it **
You know what I love? Benedict Cumberbatch, yes. But also, books that make a claim, deliver on that and go above and beyond. Peter Crouch's How to be a Football is blockbuster entertainment. It's hilarious without trying hard. Dishing out spicy gossip without ever being mean, spilling the tea without feeling like a TMZ paparazzi. All the while staying true to his skills and love for the game.
It's not your average, borderline narcissistic footballing autobiography. It's heartfelt with stories from his youth club; covering the stories of him being signed for the first time, being let go by another club, dealing with the imposter syndrome of not being good enough and having dry spells of not scoring (goals, not girls or as Crouchy would say "If I wasn't a footballer, I'd be a virgin.)
His writing is so effortless and almost like a seasoned professional (making me wonder if he got any help). He is known for his humour and always seen as someone who doesn't take himself too seriously. He calls out some of the ridiculous attitudes and actions of footballer while also reminding the readers what the sport is truly about. I personally felt that he hit the balance between personal anecdotes through behind the scene and autobiography through factual accounts really well.
It took me mere two pages to feel connected and to feel like he is my bestie (heck, I even DMed him on Instagram like we play 5-a-side on the weekend). What an entertaining work, I am already ready with I, Robot part 2 of how to be a footballer.
Crouchy you're a beaut.
P.S. The last chapter is literally the cutest love letter to Steven Gerrard and it's so all kinds of adorable and beautiful. I admire Gerrard for the player he is, Crouchy made me love him for the man he is. Such adorable bromance, I can't even.
note: I woke up early because due to the pandemic, I moved home and it's really annoying to read something funny, have a chuckle and then be asked "what's written, why you laughing" by everyone else at home. Also, waking up early is fun. No? Just me? Cool cool cool.
You know what I love? Benedict Cumberbatch, yes. But also, books that make a claim, deliver on that and go above and beyond. Peter Crouch's How to be a Football is blockbuster entertainment. It's hilarious without trying hard. Dishing out spicy gossip without ever being mean, spilling the tea without feeling like a TMZ paparazzi. All the while staying true to his skills and love for the game.
It's not your average, borderline narcissistic footballing autobiography. It's heartfelt with stories from his youth club; covering the stories of him being signed for the first time, being let go by another club, dealing with the imposter syndrome of not being good enough and having dry spells of not scoring (goals, not girls or as Crouchy would say "If I wasn't a footballer, I'd be a virgin.)
His writing is so effortless and almost like a seasoned professional (making me wonder if he got any help). He is known for his humour and always seen as someone who doesn't take himself too seriously. He calls out some of the ridiculous attitudes and actions of footballer while also reminding the readers what the sport is truly about. I personally felt that he hit the balance between personal anecdotes through behind the scene and autobiography through factual accounts really well.
It took me mere two pages to feel connected and to feel like he is my bestie (heck, I even DMed him on Instagram like we play 5-a-side on the weekend). What an entertaining work, I am already ready with I, Robot part 2 of how to be a footballer.
Crouchy you're a beaut.
P.S. The last chapter is literally the cutest love letter to Steven Gerrard and it's so all kinds of adorable and beautiful. I admire Gerrard for the player he is, Crouchy made me love him for the man he is. Such adorable bromance, I can't even.
note: I woke up early because due to the pandemic, I moved home and it's really annoying to read something funny, have a chuckle and then be asked "what's written, why you laughing" by everyone else at home. Also, waking up early is fun. No? Just me? Cool cool cool.
Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
4.0
** nuggets of wisdom but from a very witty friend who is like an elder sister with high emotional quotient **
I heard about this book in passing in a random YouTube video and not gonna lie, I was intrigued by the cover. I am def that person who judges books by their cover. I have simple reasoning for it. A book is a labour of love. Every author puts an incredible amount of effort to write and edit it to perfection, publish and market it. So if an author who cares so much would also put in a significant amount of thought and effort in bringing forwards a book cover that is in line with the values and theme of the book. I feel a book's cover is a good proxy of what the book's vibe would be, followed by a blurb. I read this book online (and I wish I had the hard copy for this). This one is definitely the one for annotating and revisiting in bits.
The first 100 pages just felt like a confessional/romanticised chronicle of drug and alcohol use. I pushed through it because it felt like an interesting study of the cultural traits of a British teenager. I could not relate to it one bit. It was the style, the humour and the (lack of) structure of the book. The more the author ventured into her 20s (it's a memoir, if you didn't know), I felt more invested.
It takes courage to recognise and write about your flaws, insecurities, mistakes and bare it all out. For May, the act of facing the truth is hardest, let alone write and publish it for millions to read it too. She is compassionate while she talks about love, loss and friendship. She is witty when she discusses sex, alcohol, drugs and parties. She is wise when discussing adulting, relationship and career. The tone syncs well with the theme and it all flows so effortlessly as a giant big story.
It is like a fun, engaging and non-preachy TED talk from your friend, delivered over multiple cups of coffees. I think this one is worth a repeat telecast and I see myself referring to some of my highlighted bits now and then to remind myself of what's important.
I still don't know who Dolly Alderton is, apart from the 300-odd pages I read about her and I am fine with it. This felt like a more laid-back, chiller version of Tina Fey's Bossypants. (highly recommend the book if you haven't read it)
I love women telling personal stories where they provide a deeply flawed person erring and fixing and still succeeding, makes them feel real (while providing assurance that I am not a complete failure and it's never too late).
I'll end with one of my favourite quotes from the book (there are many).
"I finally grasped the machinations and subtext of that phrase the year I turned twenty-five. When you begin to wonder if life is really just waiting for buses on Tottenham Court Road and ordering books you’ll never read off Amazon; in short, you are having an existential crisis. You are realizing the mundanity of life. You are finally understanding how little point there is to anything. You are moving out of the realm of fantasy ‘when I grow up’ and adjusting to the reality that you’re there; it’s happening. And it wasn’t what you thought it might be. You are not who you thought you’d be.”
Excerpt From: Dolly Alderton. “Everything I Know About Love”.
I heard about this book in passing in a random YouTube video and not gonna lie, I was intrigued by the cover. I am def that person who judges books by their cover. I have simple reasoning for it. A book is a labour of love. Every author puts an incredible amount of effort to write and edit it to perfection, publish and market it. So if an author who cares so much would also put in a significant amount of thought and effort in bringing forwards a book cover that is in line with the values and theme of the book. I feel a book's cover is a good proxy of what the book's vibe would be, followed by a blurb. I read this book online (and I wish I had the hard copy for this). This one is definitely the one for annotating and revisiting in bits.
The first 100 pages just felt like a confessional/romanticised chronicle of drug and alcohol use. I pushed through it because it felt like an interesting study of the cultural traits of a British teenager. I could not relate to it one bit. It was the style, the humour and the (lack of) structure of the book. The more the author ventured into her 20s (it's a memoir, if you didn't know), I felt more invested.
It takes courage to recognise and write about your flaws, insecurities, mistakes and bare it all out. For May, the act of facing the truth is hardest, let alone write and publish it for millions to read it too. She is compassionate while she talks about love, loss and friendship. She is witty when she discusses sex, alcohol, drugs and parties. She is wise when discussing adulting, relationship and career. The tone syncs well with the theme and it all flows so effortlessly as a giant big story.
It is like a fun, engaging and non-preachy TED talk from your friend, delivered over multiple cups of coffees. I think this one is worth a repeat telecast and I see myself referring to some of my highlighted bits now and then to remind myself of what's important.
I still don't know who Dolly Alderton is, apart from the 300-odd pages I read about her and I am fine with it. This felt like a more laid-back, chiller version of Tina Fey's Bossypants. (highly recommend the book if you haven't read it)
I love women telling personal stories where they provide a deeply flawed person erring and fixing and still succeeding, makes them feel real (while providing assurance that I am not a complete failure and it's never too late).
I'll end with one of my favourite quotes from the book (there are many).
"I finally grasped the machinations and subtext of that phrase the year I turned twenty-five. When you begin to wonder if life is really just waiting for buses on Tottenham Court Road and ordering books you’ll never read off Amazon; in short, you are having an existential crisis. You are realizing the mundanity of life. You are finally understanding how little point there is to anything. You are moving out of the realm of fantasy ‘when I grow up’ and adjusting to the reality that you’re there; it’s happening. And it wasn’t what you thought it might be. You are not who you thought you’d be.”
Excerpt From: Dolly Alderton. “Everything I Know About Love”.