So one of my reading resolutions for 2018 is to read outside of my comfort zone. I joined a fantasy/sci-fi book club (even though I read very little of both of those genres), and I'm specifically trying to avoid horror (though I have a couple classics on my 2018 reading list) because I don't want it to influence my project too much. I also just think that reading outside of your comfort zone can be good. Now, as a librarian and a writer OF COURSE I have the view of "read whatever you want, don't feel like you can't read something or HAVE to read something else", but for me personally, I'm trying to take in as many different kinds of stories as possible.
So. My first book of 2018 is "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry" by Neil deGrasse Tyson
I gave this book 3 stars, which for me isn't a bad number. 3 stars in right in the middle. I liked it, it wasn't my favorite, I probably won't re-read it, but I've suggested it to a couple of people and I don't regret having read it.
Admittedly, there were parts that were a little too sciency for me. And of course it was. I don't know why I thought "...for people in a hurry" also meant "...for people who haven't taken a science class in almost 8 years." because it doesn't.
However, that being said, it wasn't a textbook. Even though there were concepts that I couldn't quite grasp, it didn't feel like I was doing homework. Neil deGrasse Tyson is a cool guy, and you can feel his passion in his writing.
I also enjoy and respect the fact that he can describe the creation of the universe without also shunning those with faith. For me, I both believe in Science and God (capitalization is purposeful), and this book does a great job of explaining the sciency parts without also shitting on the God part. He leaves it out, which is fine, but I have a feeling that if Bill Nye were to write this book, he would have not only described the sciency part, but would also ramble about how that is proof there is no God. Anyway. I'm rambling.
The book is just over 200 pages so it isn't daunting. It can be read "in a hurry" if you still have some grasp on your science classes from college, but for me, it took me a few weeks to finish it. I do the bulk of my reading in bed before falling asleep, and this book isn't the best for that, I wanted to be more awake to try to process all the science (and there is one mathy bit that I skipped entirely. Library Science is a soft science guys! #sorrynotsorry).
That's it!
Next week is all movie reviews, so get ready for that.
Memento Mori
&;
So. My first book of 2018 is "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry" by Neil deGrasse Tyson
I gave this book 3 stars, which for me isn't a bad number. 3 stars in right in the middle. I liked it, it wasn't my favorite, I probably won't re-read it, but I've suggested it to a couple of people and I don't regret having read it.
Admittedly, there were parts that were a little too sciency for me. And of course it was. I don't know why I thought "...for people in a hurry" also meant "...for people who haven't taken a science class in almost 8 years." because it doesn't.
However, that being said, it wasn't a textbook. Even though there were concepts that I couldn't quite grasp, it didn't feel like I was doing homework. Neil deGrasse Tyson is a cool guy, and you can feel his passion in his writing.
I also enjoy and respect the fact that he can describe the creation of the universe without also shunning those with faith. For me, I both believe in Science and God (capitalization is purposeful), and this book does a great job of explaining the sciency parts without also shitting on the God part. He leaves it out, which is fine, but I have a feeling that if Bill Nye were to write this book, he would have not only described the sciency part, but would also ramble about how that is proof there is no God. Anyway. I'm rambling.
The book is just over 200 pages so it isn't daunting. It can be read "in a hurry" if you still have some grasp on your science classes from college, but for me, it took me a few weeks to finish it. I do the bulk of my reading in bed before falling asleep, and this book isn't the best for that, I wanted to be more awake to try to process all the science (and there is one mathy bit that I skipped entirely. Library Science is a soft science guys! #sorrynotsorry).
That's it!
Next week is all movie reviews, so get ready for that.
Memento Mori
&;
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