Andrea > Recent Status Updates

Absolute garbage first three chapters (racist and transphobic arguments) and then a meh chapter on teaching that ultimately reaches the same conclusion women in academia have known perhaps longer than the author due to this issue affecting them more: student evaluations have little merit yet are tied to faculty salary.

I'll be skimming to the end and giving this book the one star tank to its ratings it deserves.

I go hoodwinked by the title of this book. One would think with a title like The University We Need," the book would be looking forward and laying out a clear set of progressive ideals for the future of university education. These first 10 pages of the chapter entitled "Do Universities Matter?" has not only not addressed it's titular question, but it also hasn't resembled Amy form of cogent argument.

I am learning so much and am a better feminist for it.

Although the last few essays I've read have been thought-provoking and engaging, the opening article on Lorde's trip to Russia was a bit of a slog.

It's exceedingly difficult to put down this book! Although I grimaced at the use of the word "tumesence" to describe an erection, I find the story absolutely riveting. Not sure how it's going to end, but I can't wait to find out!

My husband took classes from Shaun at the University, so we were both excited to attend his reading at Prairie Lights this past fall. I'm the first of the two of us to read his book though. Enjoying it thus far.

I've never read Le Guin or much sci fi for matter. Her style and structure of the book remind me a bit of Dune with the gender theme being more akin to Marge Piercy's Woman on the Edge of Time. There's a learning curve for the world, which maybe I'd know more of if I had read the three previous books?

I am blown away by the finesse with which Adichie weaves together her narrative. Each character has a unique perspective, so as the historical backdrop intensifies, it is fascinating to see how each character reacts. Excellent storytelling. I hadn't read any of Adichie's fiction up until now, and I'm sorry to have waited this long!

Just finished the chapter on penises ("Sometimes a Penis Is Just a Penis"), and I actually learned more than I thought I would. Really surprised and saddened by the statistic that men last an average of four to seven minutes, but I suppose that's better than the average seven seconds for a chimp! I'm starting to see more of the authors' overarching argument cone together after sifting through all this evidence .

Still enjoying the informal tone and learning a lot about ancient foragers!

The tone is quite informal for a scientific book, and I haven't quite gotten used to it. That does make it more accessible for a non-STEM field person like me though. I've read in other reviews that the argumentation is flawed, but it seems like the point of this book so far is to point out the flaws in everyone else's arguments. Perhaps people couldn't handle that.

This book has greatly improved my spiritual life and personal relationship with God. So many ways to resonate with your personal life and change how you perceive the world!

I'm really enjoying the spiritual journey Martin leads me through as a reader. I'm Catholic, but I recognize all the ways he is also reaching out not only to people of other faiths, but also atheists and agnostics. His diction allows us to relate to him and ultimately glean more from his message (and God's).

I've already been moved to tears by the ideas conveyed here, and I can't wait to continue opening myself up to the love and action this theology/philosophy advocates!

Enjoying the story, and I'm overjoyed by a possible LGBT romance that seems to be hinted at. Still a little miffed by the relative gap in positive/in-depth portrayals between the rich and poor to favor the rich, but there's still plenty more story to come.

Full disclosure: I know the author from classes we had together in grad school. I also don't read much fantasy.

I'm not sure what to think about this novel, yet. Sometimes there seems to be too much exposition, and I'm watching th unfolding politics warily. I know the title is Torn, but sometimes it seems the upper class has Sophie's ear above all else.

The farther into the book, the more Piercy delves into the felines in her life. I love the way she animates them so that they become fully fleshed out characters with their own mannerisms and spirits. It's exactly how I see my own cats and another reason to adore Piercy and her work.

Also, Piercy is so brutally honest about her life, which, having read her poetry, should have come as no surprise, but it's refreshing

I keep meaning to update my progress, and since I don't have the book next to me, this page number is an estimate. I know I've at least passed it.

Anyway, that's neither nor there. I LOVE Marge Piercy the more I read her memoir! I haven't encountered an author yet with whom I identify in so many areas of life and craft. Piercy is the most interesting person I've ever read about!

Really loving this book. The politics are relevant and the characters, fascinating.

I can't help making parallels between the politics of Vida's age and today's. Makes for a fascinating but uncomfortable read. I certainly hope no one on the left has to go underground :/

I've only read Lamott's books on writing, so this is a change of pace. I've been meaning to revitalize my prayer life, and her candid words help push me in what feels like the right direction.

I tried all summer to get back into a reading mood, and now that I've started donating plasma, I have mandated time to read. Slowly but surely I will finish this novel. It's more disjointed than I'd like, but I do enjoy how Egan develops multiple characters and connects their stories.

Reading this book for the third time in the context of British Romanticism, and it's fascinating.

I am not surprised Jane Austen admired Burney's writing. I am so far delighted by Evelina, especially in the interesting romantic blend of masculinity she develops in so many of the male characters. Surely she hearkens to Charlotte Lennox.

Thus is by far the most boring and confusing book I've ever read. I started skimming around 20 pages in because I'm not at all invested in any of the characters or the plot. White man rambling about his life? No thanks, but I have to finish it for class.

I haven't read Don Quixote nor many other tradurional romances to have the full understanding of the genre, but I like how Lennox portrays Arabella's character and women of romance in general. She flips the traditional gender power dynamics, much to other characters' dismay, and so far sets herself up to be proto-feminist in a sense.

I am convinced E.L. James was influenced by Pamela directly or indirectly because as Richardson overtly tries to make his story a romance instead of a thriller, I'm having flashbacks to Fifty Shades. also, is there a rule where the "heroine" of a romance has to have a name ending in "a"? Pamela, Clarissa, Ana...