Brenda > Recent Status Updates

Look, I enjoy classics. But I’ve read a handful of Dickens and I just…I don’t like it. I haven’t enjoyed anything he’s written. I’ve had a few people recommend this and it’s just not for me. Every character is just a caricature or feels like a trope. Since I dislike all the characters, I’m trying to focus on the overall storyline, but the prose are just so dull and go on and on and on.

Time for the annual read!

I grabbed this book because it was a free book on Audible that was well rated. I didn’t realize it was a YA title. It definitely reads like one and I’m not loving it. The parallels with Beauty and the Beast are obvious and not in a fun way. This may become a DNF.

What an absolute joy this book has been. I’m glad there are more journeys of Carl and Godddamn Donut to look forward to after this one.

The voice actor reminds me of Puddy. So far I really am enjoying this book.

Not sure why most of audibles free science books are about birds. They’re interesting enough I guess but it seems like most of these books are discussing the same topics.

I always said I would read Tolkien’s works to my kids so I’m starting early. Oliver is only 3 weeks but I’m hopeful it stokes a love of learning!

I’ve read many excerpts from this book and Tallamy’s work has changed my perspective on the world, as well as redirecting my career path. So for the first time I am reading this book in its entirety. I’m sure I’ve heard most of it in his lectures and have read it in his articles and scientific work, but I’m still looking forward to reading this!

I was unaware that the scientist who championed and pioneered horizontal gene transfer and symbiosis was 1) a woman and 2) married to Carl Sagan. While Sagan was important for science communication, it’s sad that I’ve heard very little about Lynn Margulis. She’s one I’ll have to read more about eventually.

Not quite what I was expecting. It’s a mostly philosophical approach with very little science. Each chapter is devoted to a color.

I’m enjoying this course, but wow 30 hours is long. I already know most of this information, but I’m enjoying a lot of his metaphors and many of his demonstrations to explain some of these concepts of my chemistry and college level chemistry students. The history aspect is something that’s new to me and a part that I am finding enjoyable. I don’t know that a general audience would find much of nterest here.

I’m approaching the halfway point of the book and finally, finally it’s starting to grab my interest. I’m not sure why but my mind has wandered a lot for the first half of the book and I’ve been unable to concentrate on it.

I have been trying to finish this book for over 2 years. It’s not bad, it’s just not that interesting. I was hoping for more botany information and less biographical information, but that’s not what this book offers. Maybe someday I will get around to finishing it.

Definitely dry. I have to read a bit then sit it down to digest what I’ve read. Very interesting to see all the connections Darwin is making with example after example after example. It’s also amusing that one of the first lines of the book is that he’s been pressured into publishing since Wallace has reached the same conclusions. I get the impression from this book he is incredibly thorough.