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PODCAST

Mere Mortals Book Reviews

Kyrin Down & Juan Granados

Hey we are the Mere Mortals and we review books of all genres/styles but with an emphasis on those that have stood the test of time (the "classics" if you will). Join us on Weekly live episode on Thurs 11am AEST (Thurs 1am UTC+0) plus bonus episodes from my cohost Juan.

education self-improvement

All Episodes

00:22:08

Books That Hit At The Right Time | June 2023 Recap

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2023/06/27

Sometimes you come across the answers you're looking for, even if they aren't what you want to hear.In June 2023 I reviewed 4 books on this channel. This was a month of learning for me and I received some good lessons from these books. It kind of centred around two things. One, if you dwell on negative thoughts and try to use 'feeling like an outsider' as justification for behaving badly, you're going to end up bitter and alone. Two, it is exceedingly easy to believe real evidence but miss the

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00:32:18

When Science Gets Distorted | Merchants Of Doubt...

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2023/06/22

I reject your doubt and substitute my own.'Merchants Of Doubt' by Naomi Oreskes & Erik M. Conway is a historical recount of the scientific debate regarding the effects of smoking, the DDT insecticide, chlorofluorocarbons and burning fossil fuels. The evidence proved there was health and environmental damage but a group of individual scientists waged a campaign to seed doubt against the science.I summarised the book as follows. "It started solid but slid into subjective opinion towards the end

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00:22:29

Intellectual Yet Irrational | Notes From Underground...

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2023/06/15

Gentlemen, I will fight against the stone wall of twice two is four!'Notes From Underground' by Fyodor Dostoyevsky are the semi-insane rambling of an unnamed narrator in St Petersburg during the 19th century. It's split into two parts: a bitter monologue addressed to society and then his miserable life as a civil servant in his younger years. As typical of Russian novels (especially Dostoyevsky) it centres around suffering, morality, cold winters and reason.I summarised the book as follows. "It

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00:26:07

Hysterical Salem Witch Trials | The Crucible (Arthur...

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2023/06/08

There be wicked witchcraft afoot!'The Crucible' by Arthur Miller is a fictionalised play depicting the 1692-93 Salem witch trials. It centres around John Proctor & the accusation against his wife Elizabeth (followed subsequently by his denunciation). There are 4 Acts which take place in various locations across the town. As it was written as a play, it mostly contains dialogue between characters, with some minor introductions to begin with.I summarised the book as follows. "It conveys a sinking

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00:26:37

Deep Torment Followed By Respite | The Temple Of The...

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2023/06/01

If you can burn away all the pain, should you take that path?'The Temple Of The Golden Pavilion' by Yukio Mishima is a fictionalised account of real events concerning a temple in Kyoto in the 1940's. Mizoguchi a young acolyte become enamoured & then disillusioned by the Golden Temple. He experiences growing frustration due to his stutter & lack of connection to females, which leads to a climatic fiery end.I summarised the book as follows. "A book you could analyse thoroughly, perhaps even

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00:24:29

War, Love, Technology & Science | May 2023 Recap

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2023/05/30

Is it possible to choose only the best books to read?In May 2023 we reviewed 4 books on this channel. Love is such a weird word. It seems to mean so many things that I personally find it almost useless. And part of this is due to 'love' stories that seem to me nothing but flighty fancies and lust (looking at you Thomas Hardy). But there are others like 'The Debacle' which I feel actually do showcase what 'real love' is. Super subjective opinion there, but hey, that's basically what love is haha.Big

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00:28:59

The Senseless Franco-Prussian War | The Debacle...

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2023/05/25

In reality war is horrible, in fiction .... it's also horrible.'The Debacle' by Émile Zola is a historical cum realistic fiction (also known as naturalism) set during 1870-1 of the Franco-Prussian war. It follows Jean/Maurice, two French soldiers and Maurice's civilian sister as they endure the privations of war and the suffering caused in the aftermath.I summarised the book as follows. "A heartbreakingly vivid story that hurts to get through. Thankfully it doesn't have the endless feel of something

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00:17:42

Zeal & Great Enthusiasms | Far From The Madding Crowd...

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2023/05/18

Enthusiasms taken too far!'Far From The Madding Crowd' by Thomas Hardy is a small & simple tale of love, betrayal, anger and heartbreak. It's set in Wessex during Victorian England in the farmland countryside. The young, beautiful Bathsheba is courted by 3 suitors: mild-mannered shepherd Gabriel, distinguished farmer Boldwood and dashing sergeant Troy.I summarised the book as follows. "It's a bare bones tale that probably strays into too much simplicity. I found it hard to connect with any

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00:25:46

Innovation & Justified Outrage | The Second Curve...

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2023/05/11

We live in a society .... so let's fix it!'The Second Curve' by Charles Handy is a collection of 16 essays reflecting on societal changes & predicting potential innovations of the future. It has a technology/management focus but is also broad and ties in with human wellbeing. There are a smattering of anecdotes & facts that help to reinforce his personal opinions and thoughts.I summarised the book as follows. "A typical problem with books of essays is continuity, but these were all crafted

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00:15:36

Leaning About Health & Vitality | Life Force (Tony...

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2023/05/04

A short summary this month on Life Force by Tony Robbins and partners. A great, big, thick book that had a lot of promise pre-reading it, but afterwards left me thinking that the sell was slightly better than the product.Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show

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00:23:10

One Of The Most Incisive Critiques Ever Written |...

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2023/04/27

All men are enemies, all animals are comrades.'Animal Farm' by George Orwell is an allegorical satire criticising the USSR regime & Joseph Stalin. A group of talking animals led by the pigs revolt against the human farmers. They attempt to create a paradise called Animal Farm through their ideology of Animalism but this has disastrous consequences for the general animal society.I summarised the book as follows. "If I was a writer this would want to make me give up. It's so tight with it's words

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00:22:50

Hard To Get Much Better Than This | April 2023 Recap

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2023/04/24

Is it possible to choose only the best books to read?In April 2023 we reviewed 5 books on this channel. For some crazy reason both Juan and I just read bangers this month. It could be somewhat predicted as I revisited two authors who are probably in my top 10 writers. Juan was also reading to prepare himself for his baby girl so was also focused intently on trying to get good information.A big thanks to Alwin from Conshax for supporting. Go check out their service for stats & boostagrams.I hope

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00:12:26

Get Connected During Pregnancy | Up the Duff (Kaz Cooke)

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2023/04/20

Kaz Cooke's "Up the Duff" is an informative and humorous guide to pregnancy, covering everything from conception to childbirth and beyond.With its relatable anecdotes and practical advice, I highly recommend reading it alongside your partner.Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show

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00:19:52

A Funny Deluded Social Misfit | A Confederacy Of...

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2023/04/13

When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him.'A Confederacy Of Dunces' by John Kennedy Toole is a picaresque novel of a fat delusional man named Ignatius J. Reilly. He is a bombastic rogue living in a corrupt world and is forced to get a job by his domineering mother. His interactions with other zany characters progressively decline and become more and more outlandish.I summarised the book as follows. "Only a dunce would

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00:22:41

Life In Simpler Times | Cannery Row (John Steinbeck)

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2023/04/06

Who else can create such vivid imagery?'Cannery Row' by John Steinbeck is a short novel of carefree life set during the 1930's in Monterey, California. A set of eclectic characters go about their everyday lives, showcasing their peculiar personalities along the way. There is no real plot as the story is broken into smaller vignettes that combine to form a semi-coherent narrative.I summarised the book as follows. "A beautiful meandering story with no purpose but with plenty of meaning. I normally

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00:07:33

Ready to be a dad? Read this | Dad's guide to...

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2023/03/30

"Dad's Guide to Pregnancy For Dummies" provides a humorous and informative take on the experience of becoming a father, making it an enjoyable and practical read for any expecting dad.I really enjoyed the actionable writing within, and gave it an 8/10. Definitely a "this depends on your place in the world" but well worth the read if you need it.Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram:

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00:27:42

Reading For Learning, Not Pleasure | March 2023 Recap

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2023/03/27

How often do you read a book to learn versus reading for pure pleasure?In March 2023 I reviewed 4 books on this channel. My favourite was Mr Franklin's autobiography, he's a fascinating guy. All the others I was reading to get something out of them. Whether it was learning more about bad psychoanalytical ideas, pondering the grief I will likely feel in the future, grinding through some Peruvian slang or realising just how much I lack creativity even in coding. Lot of stuff to hurt my brain or that

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00:26:46

Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression & Acceptance |...

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2023/03/23

How should you console someone after a loss?'On Grief & Grieving' by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross & David Kessler is a description of the grieving process after a loved on dies. It examines the common variables of what makes each experience unique through the inner and outer world. It's not so much advice perse as how to understand/think about dying and loss. It contains many mini examples of real stories but lacks stats or hard data to back up the 5 stage model of grief.I summarised the book as

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00:27:03

Achieving Greatness Through Moral Perfection | The...

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2023/03/16

Greatness requires self-improvement and a whole lot of striving!'The Autobiography' by Benjamin Franklin are reflections on his life plus notable letters/publications he made. It roughly follows him from childhood to his business dealings in Philadelphia and work as a diplomat in England/France. It's not standard as he skips large events (like America gaining independence) but does give insights into his various professions, philosophy, science, war and money making ventures.I summarised the book as

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00:20:59

What The Psychoanalysts Got Wrong! | The Denial Of...

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2023/03/09

Are you denying your anality?'The Denial Of Death' by Ernest Becker is a psychology theory that posits that civilisation and individuals behave in ways to obscure the knowledge of our mortality. This is done through transference to heroism, becoming immortal by participating in something that is bigger than ourselves.I summarised the book as follows. "From almost the beginning the main theory seemed unclear. If I concentrate I can put a positive spin on it, but required extra materials outside of

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