Colleen's Cool Opinions

Read. Watch. Repeat. 

[colleenscoolopinions]

I was so so so disappointed with this book. I loved “A Little Life” so much, but this book was not my cup of tea. It is intriguing in the way that it asks questions about ethics and morality among societies, but some parts were too graphic for me. Proceed with caution if you want to read this book. 

[colleenscoolopinions]

I felt very surprised by how much I got out of this book. I don’t agree with Amanda Palmer in every sentence, but her trust and spirit is absolutely inspiring. It speaks to a human truth that is often forgotten: we want to help people. And people want to help us. 

[colleenscoolopinions]

This was another thriller I read that I wasn’t necessarily impressed with. Again, it was a quick, easy read that kept my attention. But it felt like a junk food novel, not leaving a significant impact, but being a relatively enjoyable read. 

[colleenscoolopinions]

I really really enjoyed this novel. Min Jun Lee keeps the reader engaged and interested in a family of Koreans living in Japan, following them throughout the 1900s. This is a time that I have not studied and learned a lot about Korea and Japan. I definitely recommend it to anyone looking to learn more about the Korean experience in Japan, during and after the war. 

[colleenscoolopinions]

Meh. It was fine. I read this on my kindle on the subway as a light read. It was a bit of an empty thriller in my opinion, the ending felt obvious to me but it was also a quick, easy read. 

[colleenscoolopinions]

This is probably one of the best books I’ve read/will read this year. Critics have called it “tragedy porn” and they honestly might not be wrong, but Yanagihara is a master story teller. The way she explores intimacy on a variety of levels is beautiful. 

[colleenscoolopinions]

This is like the definition of a beach read, it’s light, funny, easy and makes you think about the weird awkward joys of first time sex. I like switching up between serious books and non-serious books and this book was an absolute delight. It was just a fun read that kept me engaged. 

[colleenscoolopinions]

I think Chris Hayes is a fantastic reporter, I went to hear him speak about this book before I read it. He basically said everything in the speech that he said in the book. But that didn’t make any of his facts or observations any less important. The gist: America is a lot more racist than the average person realizes. Calling the police as a white person is very different than calling the police as a person of color. This was a short easy read with a lot of good points, but also could have probably just been one really good New Yorker article. 

[colleenscoolopinions]

So I’m hella into true crime. But also the Chicago World Fair is insanely fascinating. Like so many of America’s weird ideas about culture come from the Chicago World Fair. Larson’s writing takes you to the world of the late 1800s when people just kind of disappeared in Chicago. Turns out a lot of it was a really messed up serial killer named H.H. Holmes. But in nowhere does Larson praise Holmes, but rather honors the victims and the historical context of the era. A must read, especially for historic crime buffs.

[colleenscoolopinions]

Holy shit. This book was insane. It follows the story of a man who is a Lost Boy of Sudan and his immigration to America. I remember growing up in the early/mid 2000s and collecting change in school for just what was explained to me as a 7 year old as vague poor kids in Africa. I didn’t understand the severity of the situation, just that something bad was happening somewhere far away. Eggers beautiful writing takes the reader on a sad, tragic, sometimes funny but also hopeful adventure. The already feels like one of my favorite reads of 2018. 

[colleenscoolopinions]

I was reading this and kept thinking “wow this person is such a narcissist... oh right...” It was definitely an interesting read but I think it would have been better just as a really good “The Atlantic” article. But it did make me wonder who around me is a sociopath and gain a new sense of empathy for those who seriously cannot empathize. 

[colleenscoolopinions]

Um... I didn’t get it. That feels embarrassing to admit, but it’s true. I just didn’t get it. That isn’t really to say I thought it was bad, I just didn’t really understand what July was going for most of the time. Maybe that means I’m stupid? But I’m also just being honest.

[colleenscoolopinions]

My mom got me this book for Christmas and I absolutely devoured it. Wasson documents the beginnings of American comedic improv and it’s formation through Second City in Chicago. If you’re not a mildly obsessive comedy nerd, this book is not for you. But if you ARE a mildly obsessive comedy nerd this book is wonderful. It’s introspective about what improv meant at different times, like during the Kennedy assassination and tells the beautiful, but dark tale of improv’s growth. 

[colleenscoolopinions]

I thought this book was touching and beautiful. I loved the first Green Ribbon chapter and what it represented in modern lore relating to todays images of women. Machado is an incredible writer and beautifully captures the trials and intricacies of the female body. 

[colleenscoolopinions]

Jenny Lawson masterfully collects the dark but hilarious side of mental illness. She invites us to laugh at something that is dark, confusing and stressful. Lawson gives the reader permission to understand how hard it is to understand mental illness, all while laughing out loud. 

[colleenscoolopinions]

Carrie Fisher was an absolutely beautiful writer. I have an older brother so I naturally have an interest in Star Wars. But what’s deeper is the portrait Fisher’s diary captures of a young girl in a new scary world trying her hardest not to look naive. Her poems of love and confusion are timeless and speak deeply to the hardships of sex and romance as a young woman. This book was short, but an absolute joy. I can’t wait to read Fisher’s other books!

[colleenscoolopinions]

Lab Girl should be required reading for every woman (or man) entering the academic science world. Hope Jahren is very honest about her struggles and accomplishments in the world of science at a collegiate level. At times the book does drag but I feel that Jahren shares a very important story that resonates strongly with women in STEM fields (and beyond).