aPriL does feral sometimes ’s review of The Planets > Likes and Comments
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My book club selected it, so I checked it out from the library. I didn't read the Amazon review. I got an email from GR telling me what the monthly book club selection was. So I went on my library website and requested the book. It wasn't until I pulled it out of my library book bag and sat down to read it that what kind of science book it was became known to me. I had never heard of the author before. I'm not a science nerd, though I love reading about science.
I envy your strength of mind though. I don't seem to be really good at anything except reading, even though I was on the Dean's list. I also walk and work out for exercise, but my BMI hovers at 24%, no matter what! even though I'm eating as little and as healthily as I can without getting sick. I frequently get opinionated about the Kardashians, singers, politicians, my neighbors and fast food, but I can't cook, I'm not talented enough at any entertainment and I never possessed much charisma. I certainly can't write well enough or sustained enough to get published.
So, besides knitting, I read a lot and keep my book diary on GR. I never realized that my opinions would matter to anyone but me until I started getting occasional likes and occasional disagreement comments. Unlike many folks here, I'm not connected on any level to the publishing world. In the real world of my life, in fact, I'm the only reader in my extended and near family. GR is the only place I ever have contact with other readers. It still shocks me when my opinions on books stir some people up.
Thank you for your intense comment, Alice.
What you found "asinine," I found astounding. What you found "self-conscious," I found self-actualizing. To write about dead spheres of rock and ice in poetic terms is no mean feat.
Thank you for caring, Douglas. I appreciate the comment.
Hi April! I think comments on GR reviews are absolutely pointless and only seem to cause arguments, so I rarely leave them.
I also don't always write reviews. Sometimes I'll read a book, search fora review I agree with and "Like" it to keep track of the reading experience.
In the case of "The Planets," I completely agree with your review, though I see strengths where you see faults.
Anyway, this post is more to remind me than to persuade you. Thanks for writing!
I've written 700 reviews. The early ones are usually a couple of sentences, but later ones are TLDR. At some point, I got motivated to think harder about the books I read. These reviews are me thinking.
I use GR as a book diary. I was afraid of the public comments until I saw the variety of opinions and the variety of reading levels. I am now insensitive because of the vast noise. Some books have 10,000 written reviews. To my personal revelatory shock, even the personal attacks struck me as funny, but I see other people get hurt feelings or scared. It's all noise to me.
However, I'm still wondering why some reviews attract trolls and offended people, and other reviews gather up hundreds of likes. I don't usually get comments or very many likes. I don't have a clue why. At the same time, I never write a review without the idea of thinking out loud for myself first, and having a record to remind me of what I read second. The rest is just fun.
I can understand your frustration. For breakdowns of scientific concepts in astronomy, I prefer to look elsewhere, but I enjoyed this book mostly for its language. I wouldn't use it as reference material, but it was like a vacation through space.
I thought the writing of 'The Planets' was lovely. However, I also expected a science read, so I was very disappointed to find a Harlequin Romance instead. I'm afraid I had a tantrum as a result.
I have read science books with lovely writing. They created a baseline for me by which I now judge all science books.
Thank you for your comment, Ris. I agree with you, actually.
Great review. I too have an aversion to "fluff" and much prefer real, cold-and-hard science. I haven't read this one yet.
Joel wrote: "Great review. I too have an aversion to "fluff" and much prefer real, cold-and-hard science. I haven't read this one yet."
Thank you, Joel. Inspirational fluff in adult science books simply has become tedious and irritating to read for me. I don’t know why - it isn’t as if I don’t appreciate literary writing, and I certainly like science books - science books with a lot of wry adult joking in particular I enjoy a lot.
But in this book, the literary qualities were entirely yoked into the work of inspiring a reader by awestruck oh my god blah blah blathering on which struck me like a mom insisting her kid admire the Grand Canyon view ffs and gd it put the game app away. The science, when the author got to it, was very interesting though.
If you read ‘The Planets’ and if you dislike it, or even feel just meh about it, and write a review, maybe you should prepare for some rage commentary (see above). GR Members take their favorite literary MFA-approved lyrical flowery fluffy spiritual science books seriously. I’m also an atheist, so, being periodically damned to perdition is something I am used to. Besides, you might like the book!
: )
3 years ago I wrote my above response. I remember your review but have completely forgotten this book. You were right all along.
Sean wrote: "3 years ago I wrote my above response. I remember your review but have completely forgotten this book. You were right all along."
: D
I wish I had read this review before I bought the book.
I agree with Alice. Even two decades old, it still stands as a fascinating intersection of science history and fact, up 2005. I found little new in this, but I'm also an expert in planetary science. I thought it would work as a great introduction to anyone curious on the subject.
Josh wrote: "I agree with Alice. Even two decades old, it still stands as a fascinating intersection of science history and fact, up 2005. I found little new in this, but I'm also an expert in planetary science..."
I’m happy you liked the book, Josh. Thank you for the comment.
It's so easy to be a keyboard warrior and dismiss and/or slight something most people never even try to accomplish in their lifetime. Sure, this is not a pedantic tome detailing all the intellectual facts regarding planetary science, but it is an enjoyable read with enough fascinating information to satisfy those of us (intended readers) with a more casual interest in astronomy. Thumbs up from me.
Brian wrote: "It's so easy to be a keyboard warrior and dismiss and/or slight something most people never even try to accomplish in their lifetime. Sure, this is not a pedantic tome detailing all the intellectua..."
Keyboard warrior! Omg, thank you! I sound so, so, idk, kinda cooler than I am, actually. Ok, I know you were backhanding me, but awesomely, right?
I was a secretary, then an office manager after I got a degree in programming, which I was not very awesome at, which is why I remained in clerical work, that, and the fact I was a woman. When I went for jobs in programming after graduating at age 40, every job site had NO women. I got tours, and after seeing a lot of cubicles full of young men under 30, who stared at this lady old enough to be their mother like deers caught in a headlight, they would offer me a job as a secretary/receptionist/office manager, usually saying something like, “It’s cool you know programming, but you know, you’re not what we expected. But we have an opening in HR/reception/clerical and your 20 years experience in that is awesome.”
Once, when I went on an interview, I walked in and saw only female hotties, I’m not kidding, about 18-25, looking like hookers, who all stared at me. One of them went to get the boss. He took one look, rushed at me, grabbed my arm and hauled me off into a nearby conference room. He said, “The position is filled.” I was a 40-year-old, recently graduated from college. I didn’t look bad at all, if I say so myself, but I was dressed in a business suit and probably looked like the mature female I was. I had long hair though! It turned out the place needed a computer expert to keep the office computer network going. But they had more in mind someone like the girls in the movies. Three men ran the business. All of the clerical help were girls who looked like they stepped out of Playboy magazine. Not exaggerating.
Another place, which was a famous farmer/rancher organization, rejected me because I looked too Big City sophisticated. I was wearing the exact suit I wore to the pseudo-playbody romp room run by the three aging balding men. The employment agency rep who was pimping me out didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I was “too old”, “too female”, “too sophisticated.” Wow. It was 1990.
I ended up going for clerical work. I got a bump up in salary because I had a degree in computer science along with my 20 years of experience of typing, filing and answering phones. I learned that the offers from the computer firms were because they must have had government work and they were required to show they made an honest effort in diversity hiring, even though they absolutely refused to hire any female programmers whatsoever, especially one old enough to be their mother.
Now I can add keyboard warrier! You understand I am an amused simple secretary, a retired elderly secretary, who has earned your irritation. I am not a professional book reviewer, but I admit I admire well-written pedantic textbooks and non-fiction science books.
I wrote this review a long time ago never expecting any comments at all (see my above credentials of expertise - none) but to my surprise, this one seems to really really get to people who don’t like my reaction to the book and respond by getting into a bit of sideways personal commentary against me myself instead of my review. I am fascinated rather than annoyed, so. No worries. But wow! What is it about this book that apparently appeals to admirers’ souls? And really don’t like me stomping on it, taking it personally? I am sincerely amazed and fascinated. I’ve been on GR since 2010, and I rarely get comments, full stop, but this one gets the kind of comments where it is obvious I am hurting other people’s hearts.
Just fascinating….
LOL, my heart's doing just fine. Also, I am not so easily irritated. Amused, ahh, yes! Irritated? By someone who like to read? Nah, it's all good.
Nice little story about yourself by the way. I would share mine but it too damn long LOL. It a nutshell, I've been everything from a simple laborer, to carpenter, teacher, college store manager, college program assistant, bookstore owner, and in a manner of speaking, a writer and musician. And yet I've never been to the moon... but Sobel's little story will suffice!
Cheers,
Brian
Brian wrote: "LOL, my heart's doing just fine. Also, I am not so easily irritated. Amused, ahh, yes! Irritated? By someone who like to read? Nah, it's all good.
Nice little story about yourself by the way. I wo..."
; )
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My book club selected it, so I checked it out from the library. I didn't read the Amazon review. I got an email from GR telling me what the monthly book club selection was. So I went on my library website and requested the book. It wasn't until I pulled it out of my library book bag and sat down to read it that what kind of science book it was became known to me. I had never heard of the author before. I'm not a science nerd, though I love reading about science. I envy your strength of mind though. I don't seem to be really good at anything except reading, even though I was on the Dean's list. I also walk and work out for exercise, but my BMI hovers at 24%, no matter what! even though I'm eating as little and as healthily as I can without getting sick. I frequently get opinionated about the Kardashians, singers, politicians, my neighbors and fast food, but I can't cook, I'm not talented enough at any entertainment and I never possessed much charisma. I certainly can't write well enough or sustained enough to get published.
So, besides knitting, I read a lot and keep my book diary on GR. I never realized that my opinions would matter to anyone but me until I started getting occasional likes and occasional disagreement comments. Unlike many folks here, I'm not connected on any level to the publishing world. In the real world of my life, in fact, I'm the only reader in my extended and near family. GR is the only place I ever have contact with other readers. It still shocks me when my opinions on books stir some people up.
Thank you for your intense comment, Alice.
What you found "asinine," I found astounding. What you found "self-conscious," I found self-actualizing. To write about dead spheres of rock and ice in poetic terms is no mean feat.
Thank you for caring, Douglas. I appreciate the comment.
Hi April! I think comments on GR reviews are absolutely pointless and only seem to cause arguments, so I rarely leave them. I also don't always write reviews. Sometimes I'll read a book, search fora review I agree with and "Like" it to keep track of the reading experience.
In the case of "The Planets," I completely agree with your review, though I see strengths where you see faults.
Anyway, this post is more to remind me than to persuade you. Thanks for writing!
I've written 700 reviews. The early ones are usually a couple of sentences, but later ones are TLDR. At some point, I got motivated to think harder about the books I read. These reviews are me thinking.I use GR as a book diary. I was afraid of the public comments until I saw the variety of opinions and the variety of reading levels. I am now insensitive because of the vast noise. Some books have 10,000 written reviews. To my personal revelatory shock, even the personal attacks struck me as funny, but I see other people get hurt feelings or scared. It's all noise to me.
However, I'm still wondering why some reviews attract trolls and offended people, and other reviews gather up hundreds of likes. I don't usually get comments or very many likes. I don't have a clue why. At the same time, I never write a review without the idea of thinking out loud for myself first, and having a record to remind me of what I read second. The rest is just fun.
I can understand your frustration. For breakdowns of scientific concepts in astronomy, I prefer to look elsewhere, but I enjoyed this book mostly for its language. I wouldn't use it as reference material, but it was like a vacation through space.
I thought the writing of 'The Planets' was lovely. However, I also expected a science read, so I was very disappointed to find a Harlequin Romance instead. I'm afraid I had a tantrum as a result.I have read science books with lovely writing. They created a baseline for me by which I now judge all science books.
Thank you for your comment, Ris. I agree with you, actually.
Great review. I too have an aversion to "fluff" and much prefer real, cold-and-hard science. I haven't read this one yet.
Joel wrote: "Great review. I too have an aversion to "fluff" and much prefer real, cold-and-hard science. I haven't read this one yet."Thank you, Joel. Inspirational fluff in adult science books simply has become tedious and irritating to read for me. I don’t know why - it isn’t as if I don’t appreciate literary writing, and I certainly like science books - science books with a lot of wry adult joking in particular I enjoy a lot.
But in this book, the literary qualities were entirely yoked into the work of inspiring a reader by awestruck oh my god blah blah blathering on which struck me like a mom insisting her kid admire the Grand Canyon view ffs and gd it put the game app away. The science, when the author got to it, was very interesting though.
If you read ‘The Planets’ and if you dislike it, or even feel just meh about it, and write a review, maybe you should prepare for some rage commentary (see above). GR Members take their favorite literary MFA-approved lyrical flowery fluffy spiritual science books seriously. I’m also an atheist, so, being periodically damned to perdition is something I am used to. Besides, you might like the book!
: )
3 years ago I wrote my above response. I remember your review but have completely forgotten this book. You were right all along.
Sean wrote: "3 years ago I wrote my above response. I remember your review but have completely forgotten this book. You were right all along.": D
I wish I had read this review before I bought the book.
I agree with Alice. Even two decades old, it still stands as a fascinating intersection of science history and fact, up 2005. I found little new in this, but I'm also an expert in planetary science. I thought it would work as a great introduction to anyone curious on the subject.
Josh wrote: "I agree with Alice. Even two decades old, it still stands as a fascinating intersection of science history and fact, up 2005. I found little new in this, but I'm also an expert in planetary science..."I’m happy you liked the book, Josh. Thank you for the comment.
It's so easy to be a keyboard warrior and dismiss and/or slight something most people never even try to accomplish in their lifetime. Sure, this is not a pedantic tome detailing all the intellectual facts regarding planetary science, but it is an enjoyable read with enough fascinating information to satisfy those of us (intended readers) with a more casual interest in astronomy. Thumbs up from me.
Brian wrote: "It's so easy to be a keyboard warrior and dismiss and/or slight something most people never even try to accomplish in their lifetime. Sure, this is not a pedantic tome detailing all the intellectua..."Keyboard warrior! Omg, thank you! I sound so, so, idk, kinda cooler than I am, actually. Ok, I know you were backhanding me, but awesomely, right?
I was a secretary, then an office manager after I got a degree in programming, which I was not very awesome at, which is why I remained in clerical work, that, and the fact I was a woman. When I went for jobs in programming after graduating at age 40, every job site had NO women. I got tours, and after seeing a lot of cubicles full of young men under 30, who stared at this lady old enough to be their mother like deers caught in a headlight, they would offer me a job as a secretary/receptionist/office manager, usually saying something like, “It’s cool you know programming, but you know, you’re not what we expected. But we have an opening in HR/reception/clerical and your 20 years experience in that is awesome.”
Once, when I went on an interview, I walked in and saw only female hotties, I’m not kidding, about 18-25, looking like hookers, who all stared at me. One of them went to get the boss. He took one look, rushed at me, grabbed my arm and hauled me off into a nearby conference room. He said, “The position is filled.” I was a 40-year-old, recently graduated from college. I didn’t look bad at all, if I say so myself, but I was dressed in a business suit and probably looked like the mature female I was. I had long hair though! It turned out the place needed a computer expert to keep the office computer network going. But they had more in mind someone like the girls in the movies. Three men ran the business. All of the clerical help were girls who looked like they stepped out of Playboy magazine. Not exaggerating.
Another place, which was a famous farmer/rancher organization, rejected me because I looked too Big City sophisticated. I was wearing the exact suit I wore to the pseudo-playbody romp room run by the three aging balding men. The employment agency rep who was pimping me out didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I was “too old”, “too female”, “too sophisticated.” Wow. It was 1990.
I ended up going for clerical work. I got a bump up in salary because I had a degree in computer science along with my 20 years of experience of typing, filing and answering phones. I learned that the offers from the computer firms were because they must have had government work and they were required to show they made an honest effort in diversity hiring, even though they absolutely refused to hire any female programmers whatsoever, especially one old enough to be their mother.
Now I can add keyboard warrier! You understand I am an amused simple secretary, a retired elderly secretary, who has earned your irritation. I am not a professional book reviewer, but I admit I admire well-written pedantic textbooks and non-fiction science books.
I wrote this review a long time ago never expecting any comments at all (see my above credentials of expertise - none) but to my surprise, this one seems to really really get to people who don’t like my reaction to the book and respond by getting into a bit of sideways personal commentary against me myself instead of my review. I am fascinated rather than annoyed, so. No worries. But wow! What is it about this book that apparently appeals to admirers’ souls? And really don’t like me stomping on it, taking it personally? I am sincerely amazed and fascinated. I’ve been on GR since 2010, and I rarely get comments, full stop, but this one gets the kind of comments where it is obvious I am hurting other people’s hearts.
Just fascinating….
LOL, my heart's doing just fine. Also, I am not so easily irritated. Amused, ahh, yes! Irritated? By someone who like to read? Nah, it's all good. Nice little story about yourself by the way. I would share mine but it too damn long LOL. It a nutshell, I've been everything from a simple laborer, to carpenter, teacher, college store manager, college program assistant, bookstore owner, and in a manner of speaking, a writer and musician. And yet I've never been to the moon... but Sobel's little story will suffice!
Cheers,
Brian
Brian wrote: "LOL, my heart's doing just fine. Also, I am not so easily irritated. Amused, ahh, yes! Irritated? By someone who like to read? Nah, it's all good. Nice little story about yourself by the way. I wo..."
; )
Actually, I'm a hardcore science nerd who appreciated this elegant and shamelessly poetic straying (based on other people's mythos btw) that also incorporated science. Anyone who read the above description and assumed they were getting Stephen Hawking or Brian Greene is the real ass.