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  • Music is history by Questlove.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    This is an absolutely amazing book IF you are a big music nerd (which I am). Despite knowing really a whole heck of a lot about the genres and eras of music discussed in this book, I still did not know who many of the musicians mentioned were.

    I super enjoyed the personal and historical contexts Questlove placed familiar songs / artists / albums in, and likewise enjoyed learning about some new (old) music to check out.

    All of that being said, I'd like to reiterate that to get the most out of this book, you really need to have at least a strong interest in, if not a strong knowledge of, hip hop, classic rock, funk, R&B, jazz, soul, etc. It is not uncommon for the author to be discussing a particular sample in a hip hop song and then spend a paragraph talking about how the rhythm guitar player on that osng also played on a different song from earlier in the book, and oh yeah his dad was so and so who was in a band with his dad in the fifties, and so on.

    It is a fascinating web that bounces from pop culture meta narrative, to personal stories about growing up in West Philly. A+ 10/10 book for the right person.

    Reviewed by Kyle P on Oct 4, 2024

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  • Black sun by Roanhorse, Rebecca
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

    This is a good book! In prose and structure it reminded me of a cross between Game of Thrones, but it is less complex than that (not necessarily a bad thing). If you're looking for a compelling fantasy novel in a non European setting this book is enjoyable, intriguing, not too diffictult to read. I enjoyed the second book as well and am looking forward to the thrid.

    Reviewed by Kyle P on Oct 4, 2024

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  • Miles, the autobiography by Davis, Miles.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    This book is a must read for jazz fans and fans of incendiary celebrity autobiographies.

    Be warned though, this book contains graphic descriptions of violence, drug use, sexual content, abuse, and like 20% of the words on every page are swears.

    I read it in college, like 15 years ago, and I'm kinda afraid to revisit it, because it is heavy, and pretty messed up.

    It is probably the best musician auto biography that I have read though, and that is a genre that I truly love.

    Reviewed by Kyle P on Oct 4, 2024

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  • Children of time by Tchaikovsky, Adrian,
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
    This review contains spoilers! Click to reveal...

    Reviewed by Kyle P on Oct 4, 2024

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  • The amazing adventures of Kavalier & Clay : a… by Chabon, Michael.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    This is one of my favorite books. I have read it a few times over the last fifteen years or so and always get something different out of it. 

    In fact, I have since read a few other Michael Chabon novels and deeply loved each of them. His brand of slightly magical realism keeps you on your toes and his compelling characters keep you in your feels.

    There is also often very biting, clear, and insightful social / political commentary.

    This is a must read for anyone interested in magical realism, comics, and historical fiction in general but especially the 20s - 60s in the west.

    Reviewed by Kyle P on Oct 4, 2024

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  • The long way to a small, angry planet by Chambers, Becky
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    Wow! I loved this book!

    Largely composed ot chracter driven vignettes that take place on a starship taking a long journey to creat a new hyperspace tunnel, this book had an excellent balance of drama, humor, romance, world building, and sci fi concepts and tropes.

    It reminded me of a cross between Cowboy Bebop Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, and a Miyazaki film. I really loved most of the characters, and largely empathised with those that I didn't love.

    This book also did a great job of hinting at and giving us some inof about the larger world the author is creating, while staying very focued on the excellent characters. I laughed, I cried, I started reading this on a trip with friends and felt mildly annoyed that I needed to hang out with them instead of reading.

    Great book! Looking forward to continuing the series.

    Reviewed by Kyle P on Oct 4, 2024

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