ASKReviews – Page 42 – Cannonball Read 17

Some Scientists Keep Searching for Biological Difference

Superior: The Return of Race Science by Angela Saini

May 16, 2021 by ASKReviews 1 Comment

Best for: Those interested in the history of science used in support of and to further racism. In a nutshell: For centuries, racism has received some support from those who seek to use science to suggest there are biological differences (and inferiorities) among race. This book explores many of the ways they are wrong, and many of the ways they continue their racist work. Worth quoting: (I tried to narrow this down, but there’s so much good in here) “Because of the narrow way Europeans […]

Messy Family Dynamics

Grown Ups by Marian Keyes

May 10, 2021 by ASKReviews Leave a Comment

Best for: Fans of Liane Moriarty’s writing. In a nutshell: CN for book and review: Disordered Eating The Casey family – three brothers and their wives and kids – are at a dinner party when it seems as though a few secrets are about to be spilled. We immediately go back six months in time to see what has led to this. Worth quoting: “As a skinny, knock-kneed eight-year-old, she knew that too much bread and butter would make her fat – and far was […]

Powerful Essays

The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle The Master’s House by Audre Lorde

May 4, 2021 by ASKReviews Leave a Comment

Best for: People interested in some seriously good essays from a poet and activist. In a nutshell: This mini book contains five of Lorde’s essays / speeches on revolution and liberation. Worth quoting: “To encourage excellence is to go beyond the encouraged mediocrity of our society.” “Only within a patriarchal structure is maternity the only social power open to women.” “Can anyone here still afford to believe that the pursuit of liberation can be the sole and particular province of any one particular race, or […]

Abolition, Not Reform

We Do This ‘Til We Free Us: Abolitionist Organizing and Transforming Justice by Mariame Kaba

May 3, 2021 by ASKReviews 1 Comment

Best for: Those interested in learning more about an abolitionist approach to justice. In a nutshell: Author and organizer Mariame Kaba shares a collection of essays and interviews she has written over the years on the concept of police, prison, and surveillance abolition. Worth quoting: “History is instructive, not because it offers us a blueprint for how to act in the present, but because it can help us ask better questions for the future.” “Prison is not feminist.” “The problem with casting militarization as the […]

Giving Money Away Doesn’t Remove Guilt

Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe

April 25, 2021 by ASKReviews Leave a Comment

Best for: Those interested in how corporations and the government have failed us. Those who enjoy a little bit of schadenfreude (though, in my opinion, not nearly enough). In a nutshell: The Sackler family, obsessed with their reputation and ‘good name,’ help 400,000 people to their deaths via the opioid epidemic. Why I chose it: I loved the author’s book ‘Say Nothing’ about The Troubles in Northern Ireland and searched for other work. Saw this was being released in April so ordered it right away. […]

When The Reporters Become the News

Knife Edge by Simon Mayo

April 16, 2021 by ASKReviews Leave a Comment

Best for: People who like thrillers. In a nutshell: In one morning in London the entire seven member investigations team from a national news network is murdered, individually, at knife point. Who did it? And why? Worth quoting: N/A Why I chose it: Paperback sale. Review: Famie is a journalist at IPS in London, and she not too long ago had applied to be a member of the investigations team but lost out on the gig. Lucky for her, because that entire team is murdered […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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