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Wild Woila

wildwoila@wyrms.de

Joined 2 years ago

I have #mecfs so I have a lot of time for reading, mostly #fantasy and #SciFi but I'm happy to dip into nearly anything.

Ratings: 1 star: I didn't like it 2 stars: it was okay 3 stars: I liked it 4 stars: I really liked it 5 stars: it was brilliant

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Wild Woila's books

avatar for wildwoila Wild Woila boosted
Ed Yong: An Immense World (Paperback, 2022, The Bodley Head Ltd) 5 stars

The Earth teems with sights and textures, sounds and vibrations, smells and tastes, electric and …

I feel like this should be a must-read for everyone.

5 stars

This is one of those books that will change the way you view the animals of the world. We take for granted just how amazing and mind-blowing the animal senses are and just accept them for being the way they are. Or maybe that's just me. But this has absolutely changed my view on a lot of things. I will certainly not look at an animal the same, even my dog.

There is a whole crap ton of information on here, so do not expect this to be a quick read. However, Young does a really great job of giving you the abundance of information in a way that doesn't make you feel like you're in a college class.

I did listen to the audiobook which Young reads himself. He did a really great job with his cadence and pacing so would definitely recommend the audiobook if you would be …

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Kyle Harper: Plagues upon the Earth (2021, Princeton University Press) 4 stars

A fascinating history of infectious disease

4 stars

A fascinating history of infectious disease, from the paleolithic to covid, and how it has evolved to suit the developing human environment. Gave me a much better understanding of the disease burden & character of hunter-gatherers and how different it is today. And made me incredibly thankful for public health & hygiene infrastructure!

Naomi Novik: Spinning Silver (Paperback, 2018, Del Rey) 4 stars

"A fresh and imaginative retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin fairytale from the bestselling author of Uprooted, …

Hard hearts, ice & fire

3 stars

In medieval Russia, three young women, a Jew, a peasant & a noble, harden their hearts and rely on their wits to save themselves & the ones they love. Made much more difficult by the fairy king of winter and a firey demon.

Daniel Chandler: Free and Equal (2022, Penguin Books, Limited) 4 stars

A valuable foundation for considered & effective progressive politics

4 stars

Presents Rawls' philosphical framework for a better & more robust liberal democracy, and real-world policies for bringing it to life. A valuable foundation for considered & effective progressive politics. Convincing & hopeful.

Georgette Heyer: Frederica (Paperback, 2004, ARROW (RAND)) 3 stars

Rich and handsome, darling of the ton, the hope of ambitious mothers and despair of …

An aromantic period romance

3 stars

An aromantic period romance. Not a lot of plot, but a lot of sometimes impenetrable banter. Disappointingly, the strong capable female protaganist gradually becomes more & more dependent on the rich & unflappable lord.

reviewed The Winter King by Bernard Cornwell (The Warlord Chronicles, #1)

Bernard Cornwell: The Winter King (1996) 4 stars

The tale begins in Dark Age Britain, a land where Arthur has been banished and …

Life is squalid & brutal, with Arthur a shining hope

4 stars

A realist telling of the Arthurian legend. With the Romans gone, Britain is failing: its gods weak, its kingdoms squabbling, beset on both side by the conquering Irish and Saxons. Life is squalid & brutal, with Arthur a shining hope, but neither he, nor anyone else, is as perfect as he seems.

Reading time 4 days, 122 pages/day