"The practice of chaos magic is clearly outlined by Peter J. Carroll in this double …
Pretty cool postmodern magic
4 stars
First actual magic book I read, but I like the way it generalizes ritualistic principles. You can read it literally or not, I think it could be a good guide for gaining a bit more control of one's subjective experience.
Everyone needs to love and be loved -- even men. But to know love, men …
Eye opening
5 stars
This is the kind of book that both articulates what you felt in an eloquent way, while also opening your eyes to things you haven't thought about that much. I feel that this is specially true if you're a man reading this.
I don't know much about "feminism for men" books; this was one of the few at the time of publishing.
The prose is beautiful. As I read it, scenes of my childhood and adolescence came to my mind, moments that I can perfectly recall that shaped my patriarchal understanding of what it is to be a man (and a woman). What we as men are encouraged to do or not to do.
As the book progresses, it questions my current understanding of relating to oneself and to others, aiming at challenging patriarchal values that are so harmful for everyone, regardless of gender.
Highly recommended for any man that …
This is the kind of book that both articulates what you felt in an eloquent way, while also opening your eyes to things you haven't thought about that much. I feel that this is specially true if you're a man reading this.
I don't know much about "feminism for men" books; this was one of the few at the time of publishing.
The prose is beautiful. As I read it, scenes of my childhood and adolescence came to my mind, moments that I can perfectly recall that shaped my patriarchal understanding of what it is to be a man (and a woman). What we as men are encouraged to do or not to do.
As the book progresses, it questions my current understanding of relating to oneself and to others, aiming at challenging patriarchal values that are so harmful for everyone, regardless of gender.
Highly recommended for any man that considers themselves feminist. Before reading this book, I considered myself one. I still do, but this book held up a mirror in front of me, and with care and love pointed out the things that I need to work on to build a better, feminist, future.
After touring the rural areas of Panga, Sibling Dex (a Tea Monk of some renown) …
Beautiful book. I am amazed at Becky Chamber's magic abilities.
5 stars
Content warning
General spoilers
When I finished the first book I wondered why, being the two books so short, were they not just a single book. After finishing the second book I understand.
The second part of the Monk and Robot books is a completely different story. The apparition of Mosscap changes everything, and what was a book centered on Dex and their relationship with the world in Panga transforms into an exploration of the relationship between the monk and the robot.
Cozy as the first book, but slow in a good way. Just like the travelers in it, we have no rush to finish it. There's no big buildup to anything, and that amazes me. Like the first book, the author manages to create an engaging story without resorting to common narrative tools. It makes the book someone who's just sitting on your bedside table telling you "I'm here if you want to cuddle". The feel-good transcends the story and permeates into your everyday life, your imagination, and the things you think are possible.
The theme of purpose in this book made me shed a tear, even while on antidepressants. People telling me it's okay to just be me, I don't listen to them. But if a rusty robot says that to a monk and I'm just eavesdropping, you will be certain that I will heed the robot. And believe that it is ok to just be.
Content warning
General comments but nothing too spoily
I just caught up with this manga. The art is incredibly beautiful and detailed. The author has a way with paneling that I've never seen before -- it feels almost magical.
Highly reccomended. Good pace, cozy, simple but intricate magic system, relatable characters. A great plus is a nice way of approaching themes such as ableism and victim blaming (this last one it's just one chapter and there is a trigger warning in the previous one).
It can get dark though, topics like loss of family members, body horror, sexual assault are touched on, but not in a morbid way.
It’s been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and laid down their tools; …
A breath of fresh air, the wild-built could be us
5 stars
Content warning
Spoilers
The prose is powerful. The attention to detail, opens up our imaginations towards the possibilities of a solarpunk world. High tech only when needed. We're not the center of the cosmos.
This is the kind of science fiction that makes me hopeful. Makes me sad as well. Sad that I will not live to see this world, but it could have been different, if history were to take a different course.
I wish the book was longer. I want to become a tea monk. I want to be a robot that stares at stalagmites for 30 years in a row.
There's a sequel, I know. But I wish there were a thousand sequels.
It’s been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and laid down their tools; …
I'm only one chapter in, and I'm LOVING this. The prose and pacing are soothing. The author strikes the perfect balance between detail that makes things feel real without it being overwhelming. Let's see how it goes.
Earth-scientist Rocannon has been leading an ethnological survey on a remote world populated by three …
As always, beautiful writing. A nice mix of science fiction and medieval fantasy. Not as charged with philosophy as her other works, but still thought-provoking with technological themes.
Over the next generation, humanity will confront a dystopian future of climate disaster and mass …
Content warning
Climate crisis
Made me want to read more about Chile's Cybersin.
It is a nice book to imagine utopias, but I don't see the average Global North citizen giving up their luxuries anytime soon, not even for the sake of other people's lives. This makes me feel a bit hopeless.
Stories of Your Life and Others is a collection of short stories by American writer …
Incredibly creative
5 stars
This is one of those science fiction books that really manage to blow your mind with the possibilities that the writer proposes. As a short story collection, you're always left out wanting more of the stories. But they are as long as they have to be.