Mere Mortals Book Reviews

Want a book that can entertain you, tear you up and make you think deeply all at the same time? 'The Grapes Of Wrath' by John Steinbeck is one the classic works of the 20th century. It describes the migration of the fictional Joad family during the Dust Bowl era as they seek a better future in California. Unfortunately their tale is one of woe and suffering. They face intense discrimination, a dearth of jobs and abject poverty in their quest. The underlying rage and frustration seeps out through this book, which won the Pulitzer Prize and was a primary reason for the Steinbeck's winning of the Nobel Prize for Literature.

I summarised the book as follows. "This book really hits home hard. It is entertaining, emotive and impactful all in one fell swoop. Steinbeck creates complex characters that aren't tropes within this huge historical context of mass migration and movement of time, space and lives. Truly deserving of high praise and was duly recognised during its own time and even to this day. Superb in every way."

As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!

Timeline:
(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis
(3:37) - Poverty & Suffering: The linked chains of despair
(7:47) - Discrimination: Unjustified distinctions on 'whatever'
(10:15) - Personal Observations
(13:08) - Summary

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What does one of the most successful writers of all time have to say about perfecting the craft? 'On Writing' by Stephen King is part memoir/part advice of what he has learned from 52 years of living. The memoir focuses mostly upon his early childhood leading up to the publication of his first book 'Carrie', as well as his near death experience in the writing of this book. His advice reflects his humorous personality and contains some very direct tips (keep it short/minimise adverbs/read & write lots!) and indirect musings (tell the truth/story above all else/care about the language).

I summarised the book as follows. "This book didn't bore me, and that is not an insult at all. I am not particularly interested in the writing process or King's style of books but found myself fully engaged with his reflections and ashamed that I have only read one of his books. Reading this book makes you want to be a writer. Would recommend for aspiring writers (obviously) but also for anyone who has a love for language."

As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!

Timeline:
(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis
(1:37) - Memoir & Accident
(3:48) - On Writing
(6:45) - Personal Observations
(8:35) - Summary

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This time around, I got to indulge myself by reading 'Treasure Island' by Robert Louis Stevenson. Treasure Island, originally named The Sea Cook: A Story for Boys, is an adventure novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, narrating a tale of "buccaneers, buried gold, pirates and mutiny."
If you would like to support our channel and grab the book as well, find our amazon link below:https://amzn.to/3w3utjB

As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out!

Timeline:
(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis
(1:25) - Robert Louis Stevenson
(2:00) - What is Treasure Island
(5:30) - Themes of the book
(11:00) - Personal Observations
(12:30) - Summary

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Did you know that the seeds of 'Brave New World' were coming through in the authors head at least a decade before it was published? 'Crome Yellow' by Aldous Huxley is a satirical novel poking fun of the English 'gentry' and their associates. It is set in Crome Manor in the green heart of England and is told from a 3rd person omniscient narrator. The book is silly in its presentation of the eccentric characters but ironically contains some deep themes despite the comical façade.

I summarised the book as follows. "There is absolutely no plot to speak of so the book relies on its wonderful characters to act as the driving force. They are totally outlandish but also entirely believable at the same time. It's mildly thought provoking in places but is definitely a light short read. Worth checking out if you want to see the origins of Huxley's more famous book 'Brave New World'."

As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!

Timeline:
(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis
(2:45) - Satire: Not necessarily always mean-spirited
(4:27) - Irony: Not always humorous
(7:49) - Personal Observations
(8:09) - Summary

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What is it like to be in a place so dark that you see no possibility of escape? 'The Bell Jar' by Sylvia Plath is a semi-autographical novel published in 1963 just before her death by suicide. It tells the tale of *Esther Greenwood (aka Sylvia) and her struggles with mental health that eventually lead to her being institutionalised. Exposed in this book are how depression was treated before the time of readily available antidepressants as well as how expectations (both externally from society and internally from ourselves) can damage us and lead to a breakdown.

I summarised the book as follows. "There's no way around it, this is a depressing book. It details the descent of a typical happy young girls into hopelessness and madness. It's an expose of what a truly dark place looks/feels like but is certainly not pleasant to read about. What makes this story so sad is that it almost seems like Sylvia wrote this book as a form of self-therapy, a light at the end of the tunnel, which unfortunately she never got to see."

As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!

Timeline:
(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis
(2:44) - Depression: Trapped under the bell jar
(4:48) - Expectations: The belief of what 'should' happen
(7:10) - Personal Observations
(9:29) - Summary

*P.S. Just realised the main character is Esther Greenwood not Esthel Rosenberg (confused her name with a real life person mentioned in the book).

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Are we headed for imminent extinction due to climate change or is it all just a false alarm? 'False Alarm' by Bjorn Lomborg is a book designed to dampen the fear and hyperbole surrounding the methods of dealing with a changing environment. The book has 5 sections addressing why alarmism is wrong, what the full story says, how NOT to fix the problem, 3-4 simple workable solutions and a final conclusion with notes supporting his interpretation.

I summarised the book as follows. "I'm a fan of the call to use more rationality and to proceed with moderate action in non-emergency situations. I found the book compelling and easy to understand, much more so than 'Cool It' by the same author. He was reasonable in his presentation of science/facts and wasn't focused on attacking the 'other side' of the debate, simply just trying to make the world a better place."

As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!

Timeline:
(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis
(2:56) - Alarmism: Fear makes us do stupid things
(4:51) - Climate Change: Effective and ineffective solutions
(10:14) - Personal Observations
(12:23) - Summary

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Why is John Keats regarded as one of the finest poets to ever live? 'Selected Poems' by John Keats is a collection of 50 poems written by the English poet. Keats had a pretty rough life as he was an orphan by the age of 15 and himself died at age 25. He is known as a Romanticism poet with the central themes of his poems being around art, beauty, youth, love, mythology and the opposite spectrum of death, sorrow, heartbreak and suffering.

I summarised the book as follows. "I surprisingly quite enjoyed these poems as I always struggled with poetry during high school. It is everything one would imagine from a Romantic poet, high grandiose states of exaltation followed by abject misery and depression. I wasn't particularly swept away with emotion myself but did gain a greater appreciation for the art of poetry. Would definitely recommend others to read them poems out loud and to read them in multiple sittings to get the full ambience of the mood."

As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!

Timeline:
(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis
(1:21) - Style
(3:07) - Personal Observations
(4:44) - Summary

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Is it worth throwing away your good reputation to help those in need? 'Ruined City' by Nevil Shute is a fictional story of a rich banker (Henry Warren) who sets out to save the destitute town of Sharples. The book is set in 1930's England during the Great Depression and is a story of finding purpose when all meaning is lost. The themes of the book reflect upon what happens to people when they experience real hardship as well as how reputation can actually be used as a transactional tool.

I summarised the book as follows. "It's an uplifting story about one man becoming a hero. The era it describes is dark, dreary and quite sad, but the narration of the main character is rather unemotional (fitting in with his general disposition). I felt the whole story was a bit bland and was sort of like the fantasy of an unimaginative banker. Overall, I probably won't remember this book in 10 years time as nothing really made it pop."

As always, we hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Mere Mortals out!

Timeline:
(0:00) - Introduction
(0:10) - Synopsis
(2:16) - The Great Depression: Real hard times
(4:33) - Reputation: Opinions that are context dependent
(6:48) - Personal Observations
(8:03) - Summary

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What do Buddhists believe actually believe what happens when we are reincarnated? 'Meditations On Living, Dying And Loss' by an assorted collection of people including Graham Coleman, Gyurme Dorje, Thupten Jinpa (my man!!!) & the Dalai Lama. It is an examination of some select sections from the larger work of 'The Tibetan Book Of The Dead'. It begins with a bit of history & multiple intros from the editors & Dalai Lama. It's a short book with each section attempting to provide insight on the Buddhist philosophy of reincarnation and how to deal with the death of loved ones.

I summarised the book as follows. "I found this eminently forgettable as a whole. Most of the prefaces were useful but on their own the passages of text are unclear and vague. There was a lot of repetition and I think it might require the whole framework of the religion (chants, clothing, incense, culture, buildings, etc.,) to really make sense."

As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out!

Timeline:
(0:00) - Synopsis
(3:12) - The Big Picture: Why Buddhism is true
(4:12) - The Small Details: Why Buddhism (probably) isn't true
(7:24) - Personal Observations
(8:28) - Summary
(9:35) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Prepare myself for some potentially boring reading

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Looking for a non-serious book by a serious author? 'Sweet Thursday' by John Steinbeck is a fictional story set in Cannery Row, Monterey, California. It contains a humorous set of characters with the main plot to help the Doc from his listless depression. There are prostitutes with elegant table manners, a sneaky Mexican who is a natural lawbreaker, kind hearted buffoons and a skint millionaire. The themes of the book delve into the strange relationships that can be formed between people as well as manipulating someone in the attempt to help them.

I summarised the book as follows. "It's a fun, zany tale of caring but foolish oddballs. It had me laughing throughout at the absolute mayhem of their schemes. The only downside is that I could have easily handled another 50 pages in the middle of the book. The ending as well was a bit 'meh', and only wish it could have been a bit more climactic. It is similar to the enjoyment I got while reading 'Cat's Cradle' by Kurt Vonnegut."

As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out!

Timeline:
(0:00) - Synopsis
(1:48) - Relationships: Improbable and shouldn't work, but they do
(3:40) - Manipulation: Control/influence in a skilful manner
(6:12) - Personal Observations
(8:04) - Summary
(9:13) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Life is too short not to read funny books

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