Now For the Non-Fiction

And now for some memorable non-fiction from last year's reading log:

This was a book that, like me, had good intentions, but fell apart (which is why I gave up halfway through). Desmond attempts to paint a picture of how people living in poverty can't ever climb out, due to economic exploitation. Unfortunately, his case studies don't elicit much sympathy from the reader. I truly wanted to root for the underdog in these scenarios, but it was difficult, due to the cycle of drugs and violence. I seem to be mostly alone in my feelings about this book, because others found it eye opening and shocking. I've always lived in the Rust Belt, so maybe I'm jaded.

I'm a huge David Sedaris fan, and Crosley is the closest I've ever found to be a female version of him. Her essays on life are hilarious. This is her third book and might be her best. My favorite was 'Outside Voices' about Jared, a high schooler who lived in a neighboring townhouse. The way she conveys how annoyed she is by his loud social gatherings, while still wanting to be the 'cool' neighbor lady, describe the juxtaposition perfectly. So relatable!

Well, just shoot me. Someone recommended this book to me, and all I could think was, "How boring does this person think I am?" Early on, the author tries to make her point (see subtitle on book cover) by linking US News & World Report's college ranking system to the increase in college tuition since the mid-'80's. I call that a cause-effect fallacy, but I'm not a big data expert. Another minor annoyance: when discussing minimum wage workers, she describes what she terms a 'recent' phenomenon, "Clo-pening," where the same employee closes and then has to re-open the next day. First of all, I guess she's never held a minimum wage job, because that's been going on for at least the last 40 years. Her point is that it hurts people like single mothers (I don't dispute that), but O'Neil tries to turn it into a "product of data economy" and "efficiency-focused weapon of math destruction." When in all likelihood, schedules like that are devised because it's unfair to make some people close multiple times per week, while others get to work all the day shifts. I often feel as though there are those in academia who have lost touch with reality. The 30+ pages of citations didn't help either.

Is it possible to love a book, but despise the author whose life the book is based upon? Yes, it is! An odd book choice for me, but the topic was fascinating. Hop aboard and learn what it's like to be a 'bed bugger' (term used to describe a cross-country household mover). This guy has an overinflated ego, but he's a good writer. A highly educational and interesting read on a subject I knew nothing about.

Most people have heard of this book. It became popular after the last presidential election, as a sort of 'explanation' of Trump's appeal to factory workers (I never totally saw the connection after reading). My husband heard the author speak at a conference and told me about the book. This is another author who I would have zero interest in getting coffee with, but it was an insightful take on the segment of our population that we call 'hillbillies.' I did agree with Vance's point that in order to combat generational poverty, the key is having at least one adult take an interest in a child's life, whether that be an extended family member or a teacher. For Vance, that was his grandmother. I'd give the book an average rating.