ASK Musings

No matter where you go, there you are.

Daily Archive: 17/04/2014

Thursday

17

April 2014

0

COMMENTS

I Remember Nothing by Nora Ephron

Written by , Posted in Reviews

Two Stars

This is my second Nora Ephron essay collection (again an audio version read by the author). Unfortunately I didn’t not enjoy it as much as her previous effort (I Feel Bad About My Neck), mostly because the essays tended to be shorter, a bit more random, and honestly not as well-written. I recall it starting out fairly strongly, and I was definitely into it for a bit. But in the end, I think my favorite part was how short it was.

i-remember-nothing-norah-ephron

My biggest problem really was in the storytelling, which, now that I see that written out, might kind of the biggest problem one can have with book. My feeling about Nora Ephron in the past has been that she has a great skill in telling ordinary stories in an entertaining and interesting way. Honestly, the only story that has stuck with me since finishing this book a few hours ago is an amusing retelling of how she got pushed out of making Christmas desserts after many years of doing it for the giant family and friend gathering.

In fact, I had to check out other reviews to be reminded that another essay, about her entrance into the world of journalism, was and interesting read (or listen). I don’t know – sometimes books stick with you. Sometimes they don’t. If you ask me two weeks if I’ve read this book, I might not be able to answer that with any sense of certainty. Which, given the book’s title, is mildly amusing

Thursday

17

April 2014

2

COMMENTS

What I’m Reading – April 17, 2014

Written by , Posted in What I'm Reading

We paid the equivalent of two paychecks in taxes this week. Not going to complain about paying taxes, but will complain about some of the things the money goes to.

– Remember how last week, Germany prevented some emails after work hours? The French are going full strength on that: When the French clock off at 6pm, they really mean it (h/t @allisonkilkenny)

– I tend to aggressively roll my eyes when I see white people with dreads. Here’s one (white) woman’s take on why she got rid of hers: undreaded: why i decided to cut my locks (h/t @riotcurrrl)

– One of my favorite classes in London was called “Evidence, Objectivity, and Policy.” We spent time analyzing the idea of the “view from nowhere,” and ultimately I came away much more skeptical of it than I had been (especially since that view is usually synonymous with “view from older straight cis white man”). Here is a piece on why the latest new (white guy) news ventures are problematic: Objectively bad: Ezra Klein, Nate Silver, Jonathan Chait and return of the “view from nowhere”

– I had not thought of this – the same rules that protect us as patients also mean that health professionals can’t really defend themselves against online claims. Interesting read: Insult And Injury: How Doctors Are Losing The War Against Trolls (h/t @sherifink)

– Well this is infuriating: Americans Intuitively Judge Atheists as Immoral (h/t @ffrf)

– And speaking of infuriating: When ‘Liking’ a Brand Online Voids the Right to Sue (h/t @AngryBlackLady)

– Why not end on a fantastically infuriating note? “‘Are you sure you want to file a report? It will be very awkward, especially for a female.” Man, people suck. A Star Player Accused, and a Flawed Rape Investigation (h/t @scATX)