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helenaraddock's reviews
36 reviews
Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America by Heather Cox Richardson
4.0
Super informative and well researched book about the rise and decline of American democracy and the evolution of the Republican Party. The chapters about Donald Trump made me want to throw up, but importantly, this book reminded me that democracy rises and falls, and while we are currently in the stage of Democratic backsliding - that does not mean we will stay in this place forever. One of the most heartbreaking parts of this book is remembering every cruel and violent action that Trump has taken and knowing that people continue to support him and believe he is making our country better. I wish these people would wake up and realize how brainwashed and incompetent they really are. Fuck Donald Trump, Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, and all the evil men (and women) who continue to drive our country into ruin while telling themselves they are making it great again.
First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison
This was cute but a little too insta-lovey for me. The characters felt half-baked & I wanted to see more of a relationship between Aidan and Maya. I really liked the radio concept tho!
Educated by Tara Westover
I’ve read a lot of fucked up shit in my life but Jesus Chris this book will haunt me forever. I can’t believe this is real life holy shit. People can be so fucking evil my god.
Cobalt Red: How the Blood of the Congo Powers Our Lives by Siddharth Kara
4.0
This book is a devastating but extremely important read. While thematically imperfect, it reveals the human rights abuses & corporate greed behind the Congo’s cobalt mining operation, which is essentially modern-day slavery.
Cobalt miners--also known as "artisanal miners"--include men, teenagers, women (many of whom are pregnant), and shockingly, children (as young as 6 years old!!!!), who earn an unimaginable dollar or two per day. These children do not go to school, and many die due to sickness, injury, and the collapse of tunnels. Women and young girls constantly face sexual harassment and assault. These individuals are exploited & do not live with dignity or, seemingly, experience true joy. Most face constant risk of death, an unimaginable way to live (can you even call it living?). Hundreds of thousands have been forcibly displaced because their villages were bulldozed over to make room for large mining concessions. Moreover, the mining industry has devastated the natural landscape of the DRC. As the author notes, millions of trees have been cut down, the air around mines makes it difficult to breathe, and the water is largely toxic
Cobalt is a critical part of every lithium-ion rechargeable battery; thus, every person (myself included) who uses a laptop, smartphone, tablet, or drives an EV, is implicated in this horrific abuse. We are all complicit, and, as the author points out, no one/no company (including Apple, Tesla, etc.) is willing to accept responsibility or do anything to change this devastating situation. I wish this book offered more insights into possible large-scale solutions & insights into how everyday individuals can help. What can I do?
"Please tell the people in your country, a child of the Congo dies every day so that they can plug in their phones."
"At no point in their history have the Congolese people benefited in any meaningful way from the monetization of their country’s resources. Rather, they have often served as a slave labor force for the extraction of these resources at minimum cost and maximum suffering."
"This was the final truth of cobalt mining in the Congo: the life of a child buried alive while digging for cobalt counted for nothing. All the dead here counted for nothing. The loot is all."
Cobalt miners--also known as "artisanal miners"--include men, teenagers, women (many of whom are pregnant), and shockingly, children (as young as 6 years old!!!!), who earn an unimaginable dollar or two per day. These children do not go to school, and many die due to sickness, injury, and the collapse of tunnels. Women and young girls constantly face sexual harassment and assault. These individuals are exploited & do not live with dignity or, seemingly, experience true joy. Most face constant risk of death, an unimaginable way to live (can you even call it living?). Hundreds of thousands have been forcibly displaced because their villages were bulldozed over to make room for large mining concessions. Moreover, the mining industry has devastated the natural landscape of the DRC. As the author notes, millions of trees have been cut down, the air around mines makes it difficult to breathe, and the water is largely toxic
Cobalt is a critical part of every lithium-ion rechargeable battery; thus, every person (myself included) who uses a laptop, smartphone, tablet, or drives an EV, is implicated in this horrific abuse. We are all complicit, and, as the author points out, no one/no company (including Apple, Tesla, etc.) is willing to accept responsibility or do anything to change this devastating situation. I wish this book offered more insights into possible large-scale solutions & insights into how everyday individuals can help. What can I do?
"Please tell the people in your country, a child of the Congo dies every day so that they can plug in their phones."
"At no point in their history have the Congolese people benefited in any meaningful way from the monetization of their country’s resources. Rather, they have often served as a slave labor force for the extraction of these resources at minimum cost and maximum suffering."
"This was the final truth of cobalt mining in the Congo: the life of a child buried alive while digging for cobalt counted for nothing. All the dead here counted for nothing. The loot is all."
I Will Greet the Sun Again by Khashayar J. Khabushani
3.75
Still debating on 3.75 ⭐s or 4⭐s. I loved K's story and the simple yet beautiful prose. K's relationship with his brothers, Johnny, and his parents (particularly his father) is deeply compelling and rich. My main critique of this book is its lack of structure and the muddled time jumps. There were also a couple of shocking scenes that were never fully addressed, and I would have loved more introspection from K. This is book that I really enjoyed but was left wanting more...
She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement by Jodi Kantor, Megan Twohey
Phenomenal!!! Another must read. Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey are incredible journalists & storytellers. Can’t believe how relevant this book is nearly 10 years later 🥲 #ihatemen
Foster by Claire Keegan
4.0
I love it when a short story can pack such a fucking punch!!
This book really reminded me of Anne of Green Gables. Claire Keegan is a master at evoking deeply tender emotions while allowing readers the space to draw their own conclusions about what is left unsaid. This is a great story, and my favorite scene is the one that takes place at the sea. So heartwarming.
“My father has never once held my hand, and some part of me wants Kinsella to let me go so I won't have to feel this.”
This book really reminded me of Anne of Green Gables. Claire Keegan is a master at evoking deeply tender emotions while allowing readers the space to draw their own conclusions about what is left unsaid. This is a great story, and my favorite scene is the one that takes place at the sea. So heartwarming.
“My father has never once held my hand, and some part of me wants Kinsella to let me go so I won't have to feel this.”
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
4.0
This book is beautiful... The prose is gorgeous, and the story is compelling. There are so many lines in the story that are achingly stunning. I wish I could take Kaveh Akbar's brain and steal his brilliant thoughts. My main problem with this book was the pacing and the lack of passion I felt for the main character. I love to feel things about a protagonist, even if that's anger or frustration, but unfortunately, I feel pretty ambivalent about Cyrus, which is a shame. I loved hearing bits and pieces of his parent's stories and his uncle's story. Really moving.