It's a curious book because it isn't so much a book about Bill Gates as a book about billionaires. Featuring prominently in the story include Warren BIt's a curious book because it isn't so much a book about Bill Gates as a book about billionaires. Featuring prominently in the story include Warren Buffet, Jeffrey Epstein, ex-wife Melinda French Gates, and the rest of the billionaires that have come to shape the economy, politics, and philanthropy like Bezos, Musk, and Zuckerberg. It doesn't mine the work ethic of the billionaires or provide similarities and differences between billionaires and average people. It shares more about the money trail and influence.
While there were focal points that individually fascinated me, as a whole, the book isn't what it sets out to do in the title/subtitle/description. It paints a curious picture of America's richest. It poses the ethical question about using wealth for good whether in other countries or related to scientific development. Though Das does focus on how Gates' worldview has shaped the world because he can put money to shape that influence. ...more
Demonstrating the range of emotions a young girl experiences when her parents divorce, she shares that it's okay to not be okay. She's happy with her Demonstrating the range of emotions a young girl experiences when her parents divorce, she shares that it's okay to not be okay. She's happy with her parents but sad when they split up and while she's moving through those emotions, she finds ways to be happy again. The realism and authenticity work to create a mood for an SEL book about divorce that can be used in classrooms, counseling rooms, and just to understand that some kids parents divorce.
While I wasn't a fan that both parents found someone new (mom was pregnant with another sibling and she roomed part time with an almost-sister at her dad's house with a woman who makes awesome pancakes) to show that happiness can be achieved again, it's a work in process for her each day to recognize that she and her parents are still okay. Well done for a children's book about a sensitive subject. ...more
This was an unbelievable memoir and how-to manual that Ito shares with the world. As the premier horror mangaka, Ito explains his upbringing and life This was an unbelievable memoir and how-to manual that Ito shares with the world. As the premier horror mangaka, Ito explains his upbringing and life and then contextualizes how he approaches creating his art and the stories from character, motivation, fear, etc. It's a peak inside his world and one that every amazing creator must do in their career to pull back the curtain.
It's a beautiful work of art in itself- I just wish that in the earlier chapters when he shares his art and other impactful works that it was bigger. While I recognize I'm reading a digital version, I don't know if it's that much bigger if I had the print version. Thank you, Ito for sharing your genius for all of the lovers of your horror manga. ...more
Framed in a way that makes it accessible for any reader, Brooks lays out examples and understanding about connecting with a person in order to know thFramed in a way that makes it accessible for any reader, Brooks lays out examples and understanding about connecting with a person in order to know them. Like the fact that we regrettably underestimate the power of a conversation, thinking that the person we wish to have a conversation with doesn't actually want to talk to us, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. Similarly, telling life stories provides an opportunity to have someone think about their life from the questions being asked of them and is a conversation most WANT to have with other people.
It's also how to sit with a person experiencing grief or depression. Not every moment requires commentary or suggestions, but simply being there. It could be a note when needed though too.
It's no-nonsense and common sense which is why it's a valuable book to read. Of course, I bookmark passages in the audiobook and return it before I remember that I bookmarked passages. Alas, the takeaways are still working their way around my brain. ...more
Phone-based childhood versus play-based childhood has rewired how kids are growing up and having teens in For educators and parents, a necessary read.
Phone-based childhood versus play-based childhood has rewired how kids are growing up and having teens in this generation (and teaching them as well) makes me stop and think many times over. Haidt shares plenty of data and graphs and explains how this phenomena isn't only an American shift, but a shift of other countries too when specific data is analyzed making it a stark understanding of how a phone connected to the internet and apps is shifting away from a realized community and into the virtual community where are relationships are disposable and tenuous. And it isn't reserved for thinking about how we need to shift parenting and teaching to help save this, but also my personal, adult use of social media and my phone. I, as Haidt explains as well, would go back and change the amount of attention I gave screens while my kids were growing up but it's a far cry from what I see now where every kid travels with a tablet glued to their face and sees little of the awe of nature, enjoys few authentic face-to-face conversations, and can't regulate emotions.
The argument is laid out and the only frustration was the constant recentering of what he was doing and how he was doing it in the book- to the point of distraction. Though I get why he presented it step by step this way. ...more
The storytelling is why McCarthy is who he is. I listened to the audiobook and it was the melodic, dark mood that sucked me in. The conversations betwThe storytelling is why McCarthy is who he is. I listened to the audiobook and it was the melodic, dark mood that sucked me in. The conversations between individuals. The situations which included a vivid and desperate Texas setting, drug money, plenty of death and more blood than you'd see during Halloween festivities, and human motivation.
The cast of characters is what makes the story and then how its told, how it unfolds absolutely makes it next level horrific as wheels are set into motion with deaths, heroin, and money. It just needs to be read to be experienced!
I probably would have enjoyed the book more if I listened to the audiobook version because it is an intricately woven tale of Anderson's depression anI probably would have enjoyed the book more if I listened to the audiobook version because it is an intricately woven tale of Anderson's depression and his nod to nature at every turn for healing, understanding, love, and thoughtfulness. It's a mix of natural wonder, which I adore, with chapters on flowers and plants, animals like squirrels and herons and crows, and fungi like morels.
In particular, when Anderson talked about the walks in his neighborhood cemetery and the trees and animals and quiet solitude, I had to pause because it's so true. His observations were entrancing but his paragraphs and pages of mental health challenges paled in comparison to his nod to nature. ...more
But what is it really saying? Either way, I love the way Watterson's brain works. The art mixed with the story combine admirably to share a world in wBut what is it really saying? Either way, I love the way Watterson's brain works. The art mixed with the story combine admirably to share a world in which "the mysteries" are dominating their world and the king wants to put an end to the mysteries but is outsmarted. Finally they're "tamed" and understood and therefore fade into the background of human existence until they're able to go on their way without so much as a side glance.
I love the folkloric sense of it's mood and quite enjoyed this artistic, creative endeavor from the guy that brought us Calvin and Hobbes. ...more
We're living in it currently, however, as Brockenbrough notes, there was so much before it and so much more to come and we can to look at AI from multWe're living in it currently, however, as Brockenbrough notes, there was so much before it and so much more to come and we can to look at AI from multiple angles.
This book does a superb job of framing the changes AI will bring based on the changes versions of AI changed the past whether it was Alan Turing and codebreaking or Watson challenging Ken Jennings in Jeopardy and how the AI chatbot can talk similarly to the cadence and flow of a human on social media.
The book does not use overly complicated vocabulary or descriptions and sparing but important visuals when needed. It's all spaced out to provide for ample time to digest all that Brockenbrough throws out. ...more
Oh Wind needs to get out of their own way. The book does a lot of historical and religious contextualizing about identities around the world and that Oh Wind needs to get out of their own way. The book does a lot of historical and religious contextualizing about identities around the world and that is super helpful in the same way Queer Ducks did it for the animal kingdom, however the amount of *stuff* on each page is wholly distracting to the content. There are text features, bold sentences, words popping out in various spots, personal commentary, etc. and it's all just too much for the book- it overwhelms the content.
Useful to a degree but I got exhausted by the amount of information being thrown at me. I didn't know where to look, what to read next, or how to ingest it all. ...more
I applaud the topic and the approach with thirteen trials (basically thirteen short stories) to highlight witchcraft over history however the writing I applaud the topic and the approach with thirteen trials (basically thirteen short stories) to highlight witchcraft over history however the writing didn't wow me. I wasn't pulled in by the storytelling because I was already interested in the topic. It read dryly and academic in a way that other nonfiction isn't in the narrative style that I have come to love-- this one had potential because the sensationalism and "witch hunts" over the past few centuries provide enough fodder for a book. The approach needed to change to get me hooked. ...more
An easy to understand and practical book demonstrating that social connection is an extremely important element to thriving in this world just like foAn easy to understand and practical book demonstrating that social connection is an extremely important element to thriving in this world just like food and water. And there are ways to "hack" the connection be it in what and how you ask questions to others, what we do when we approach a new person, or checking our beliefs about social interactions at the door (as studies show, the perception is much different than the reality).
It's lays the foundation for common sense connection that wasn't revelatory for me, but obligatory to write about so people can learn why it's important.
Examples include friendships such as Scalia and Ginsberg (Supreme Court justices that were ideologically on opposite ends but shared a deep appreciation for one another explaining the difference).
A dive into animal intelligence that reiterates that how we capture human intelligence is not the same kind of measurement to use on other animal's inA dive into animal intelligence that reiterates that how we capture human intelligence is not the same kind of measurement to use on other animal's intelligence just like we cannot compare happiness, sadness, anything else.
Gregg offers realistic and humorous insight into studies, understanding, and documented research recognizing how intelligence cannot be compared because the markers are wildly different and humans have created opportunities to annihilate ourselves at regular intervals using our so-called superior intelligence.
Thought provoking to say the least. A fabulous nonfiction listen. ...more
It's a helpful tool but I was actually expecting it to be more focused on note/letter writing and examples of what to say but what you get is actuallyIt's a helpful tool but I was actually expecting it to be more focused on note/letter writing and examples of what to say but what you get is actually way more comprehensive and therefore useful for so much more than is expected.
It uses the white space on the pages well, includes personal information about the authors for context and then has some pop art additional and tables to provide visual interest. A good guide and reminder to always lead with kindness. We all never know what to say or what to expect when the unexpected happens but being there is important nonetheless. ...more
Bought this one from my local indie bookstore to give to my niece who will be starting her school career in just a few short days. I want her to rememBought this one from my local indie bookstore to give to my niece who will be starting her school career in just a few short days. I want her to remember to always be curious and always question, so this book is perfect for inspiring that sentiment. ...more
It serves a purpose and has a message to send but it wasn't moving like others that he's written. Again, it doesn't negate the message it sends about It serves a purpose and has a message to send but it wasn't moving like others that he's written. Again, it doesn't negate the message it sends about the reason for family and home even when/if it's not perfect, but the rhythm and unfolding story didn't need the kind of magical/teleportation that Lucas experienced to come to his conclusion. ...more
It starts off with "to kids who spend most of their time at the library" so what's not to love by the illustrators but when Weaver Jr. endears us all It starts off with "to kids who spend most of their time at the library" so what's not to love by the illustrators but when Weaver Jr. endears us all with his plight as a weirdo/nerd and finding the balance of friendships and believing in yourself.
In Weaver Jr.'s case that meant moving schools somewhat frequently and then eventually after a suicide attempt that is explained, but not in detail, in the story to share what Weaver Jr. went through until he began attending a new school in which he found a literature club and worked through being different as all the kids in the club were different- be it that they liked drama and performance, manga/anime, or were just plain weird like Weaver Jr. who still enjoyed his vivid imagination of superheroes and imagined worlds which plays into the story at various intervals.
There's a bit of unevenness to the story though- at the beginning he relied heavily on metaphors like gardens/planting and others to share what he was feeling and how he was trying to cope which all kind of dissipated when the trajectory of the story changed and then there was the pacing at the end, it felt like it abruptly came to a head with saving the school- the end! The denouement didn't exist the way the seeming buildup did.
But that's a smaller detail compared to the outsized message of owning who you are and feeling supported and being kind to yourself. ...more
Quite a bit to unpack in Twenge's book where she disaggregates and reaggregates data to demonstrate the differences between the generations.
In additiQuite a bit to unpack in Twenge's book where she disaggregates and reaggregates data to demonstrate the differences between the generations.
In addition, there was a slew of other books she recommended that I'd like to eventually read as well but this captured a lot and was organized in a way that made learning about it manageable. Twenge gave background to the generations and then talked about the noise regarding each of the generations and what the data says as well. When it's necessary she shares theories about why something may be the way it is.
The implications of understanding the generations that have come before and are coming after are helpful. She shares that this isn't about stereotyping and it's also that not everyone fits neatly into boxes, but the generalized understanding of time/place in history does lend insight into how we all interact and understand one another whether it's in the workplace, about mental health, or industry. ...more
The second and final in the duology that focuses on Rowan and Neil's relationship at college. They're on the east coast but four hours away. When theyThe second and final in the duology that focuses on Rowan and Neil's relationship at college. They're on the east coast but four hours away. When they got together at the end of the first book on the last day of school they had a blissful summer together and decided to stay together at the start of college. While Rowan is fitting in and finding her groove as a romance writer in a writing-focused college path, Neil is struggling, both with the baggage of his father's imprisonment and adjusting to college life. He's ignoring friends and when he and Rowan are together, it hasn't been fireworks.
The realism in this freshman year college story and instruction manual for how to work through depression and relationship issues (including talking about sex and their feelings) is what works best in this story and it's what was so fun about the first book as well. It's a real awakening for teens graduating high school and moving on to college (or whatever lies beyond as some of the friends demonstrate).
I like the concept of the two books and would recommend. ...more
Another picture book to showcase the importance of learning names and pronouncing them correctly. In this story, Kaveri Thanjavur Jayalakshmi Ganesan Another picture book to showcase the importance of learning names and pronouncing them correctly. In this story, Kaveri Thanjavur Jayalakshmi Ganesan is okay shortening her name because it's hard for people to know how to say it, but her family teaches her about her beautiful name connected to the Kaveri River in India in addition to her family and religion and region.
Plus at the end there's information about the river and culture that is shared in the story. ...more
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