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José Pedro Dias Locked account

JosePedroDias@velhaestante.com.br

Joined 1 year, 3 months ago

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José Pedro Dias's books

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Simple passion (2003, Seven Stories Press) 3 stars

Review of 'Simple passion' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

I didn’t like reading this book. The character seems completely out of control and has no respect for herself - this sentiment is painfully clear. The prose is direct. Written as a diary of love and despair. The last few pages show some insight which leaves me breathing a bit better but overall it was a short and painful trip.
(I wonder whether the original french prose is better than the portuguese translation)

The Storyteller (Hardcover, 2021, Dey Street Books) 4 stars

Having entertained the idea for years, and even offered a few questionable opportunities ("It's a …

Review of 'The Storyteller' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

I found the book particularly interesting for the early years in David’s career and the awesome musicians he met and played with along the way. The prose is simple and it sometimes feels like he tried too hard to be polite and avoided raising waves - a solid contrast to Dave Mustaine’s autobiography I’ve read long ago. The Nirvana era takes about one chapter - you’ll probably find other better suited books if that’s what you’re looking for.

Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics (2017) 5 stars

Review of 'Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

The audiobook version is very well narrated, particularly the parts by Jeff Warren. The encompassing story about the tour per se is not super relevant but the chapters are built around common struggles and the authors maintain a dialog addressing them. The meditations are great not only per se but also so we can better understand the attitude one can have toward living in a mindful manner.

The sleep solution (2017) 5 stars

Draws on cutting-edge sleep science and time-tested techniques in a guide to understanding what contributes …

Review of 'The sleep solution' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

The book goes on building a knowledge framework about sleep, its intrincacies and how to better diagnose and minimize them. It develops in a very casual way, addressing you and your fears in a soothing manner, many times pointing out ways to know more. Very worthy read.

2001 (Paperback, Penguin) 5 stars

A novel that proposes an idea about how the human race might have begun and …

Review of '2001' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

The book has several parts. Loved the part in the ship with the stress and helplessness. The repairs tasks are awesome. Some more abstract parts resonated less with me.
I can finally comprehend how seminal this script was. Just the fact that it was written prior to humans reached the moon. So precise and well written, hasn't aged a day!

Summary: Sapiens: A brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari 4 stars

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind (Hebrew: קיצור תולדות האנושות, [Ḳitsur toldot ha-enoshut]) is a …

Review of 'Summary: Sapiens: A brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Loved the author's perspective, the way he built history with a refreshing detachment, as if seen from an alien. Some chapters were particularly fertile in making me think, such as the social constructs that drive us, the way we have instrumented dairy animals... Politics weren't deeply discussed but I guess that's fair, all things considered. I must point out I am not a regular history books reader either. It's more of a 4.5 rating.

Brave New World (Paperback, 1956, Modern Library) 4 stars

Originally published in 1932, this outstanding work of literature is more crucial and relevant today …

Review of 'Brave New World' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

I find the book fascinating in all the reality that the author created. I felt it as if I was in a nightmare. The pace of the book shifts a bit... I do like some of the moments. The audiobook version narrated by Michael York is very very good.
I couldn't help comparing it to 1984, maybe because my reading of that one is still fresh. In comparison I find this less beautiful and more frightening. The usage of England and the vocabulary of the era strikes as an odd thing. :) I guess this book feels closer to current western civilization than 1984 and I couldn't detach from that feeling. Kudos to Aldous