Reviews and Comments

José Pedro Dias

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Joined 2 years, 5 months ago

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Dave Grohl: The Storyteller (Hardcover, 2021, Dey Street Books)

Review of 'The Storyteller' on 'Goodreads'

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.

Antonio Lobo Antunes: Os Cus de Judas (Paperback, Portuguese language, 2004, Dom Quixote)

Review of 'Os Cus de Judas' on 'Goodreads'

O livro mais difícil que li até aqui. 24 horas de um presente inconformado preso num passado colonial em Angola. Difícil pela seriedade do tema. Faz-nos sentir muitas coisas. Tem por vezes passagens incríveis! Confuso pela constante deriva do presente para o passado - mas acabamos por nos habituar.

Dan Harris, Jeff Warren, Carlye Adler: Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics (2017)

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

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.

W. Chris Winter: The sleep solution (2017)

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

Review of 'The sleep solution' on 'Goodreads'

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.

Alicia Keys: More Myself (AudiobookFormat, 2020, Flatiron Books)

Review of 'More Myself' on 'Goodreads'

took me a bit to grasp it. one chapter at a time. mostly because it deals more with values and self growth than biography and narrative. enjoyed it in the end. a beautiful way to be. having Alicia herself bringing it all alive is a big plus (audiobook version)

Arthur C. Clarke: 2001 (Paperback, 2008, Penguin)

THIS IS A SIMPLIFIED VERSION, NOT THE ORIGINAL TEXT. Pearson English Graded Readers are an …

Review of '2001' on 'Goodreads'

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!

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

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'

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.

Aldous Huxley: Brave New World (Paperback, 1956, Modern Library)

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

Review of 'Brave New World' on 'Goodreads'

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

Trevor Noah: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood (Paperback, Chinese language, 2018, Beijing United Publishing co., LTD)

Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood is an autobiographical comedy book written …

Review of 'Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood' on 'Goodreads'

Very honest and down to earth recollection of Trevor's childhood and youth in South Africa. I fell in love with his mother and her unique character and wit. Trevor himself reading the book is great as well.

Russell Simmons: Success through stillness (2014)

"Master entrepreneur, original hip-hop mogul, and New York Times bestselling author Russell Simmons shares the …

Review of 'Success through stillness' on 'Goodreads'

Well written and accessible. The author makes a point in going over every benefit and possible excuse not to meditate. Let's see what effect it will have on me or not. Only time can tell.