No Logo - Naomi Klein

No Logo takes on branding from a variety of angles and speaks of the (mostly ill) effects that it has on us individually and as societies. It comes across as an attack on the corporation and builds a strong case. Over a decade since publication many of the movements talked about have faded or changed but the basis for them has not likey improved drastically. Often during the book I wished for a current reader to tell me what has come of things, or what the modern equivalent is. Unfortunately the problems are massive and the solutions aren't clear cut so there is little in the way of concrete steps to take, but more some flimsy (and optimistic) hopes for the future. The most lasting information is definitely regarding the exploitation of workers in developing nations to produce cheap merchandise. Utterly appalling. 

Feb/Mar 2013
6.5

This is Your Brain on Music - Daniel J. Levitin

Two very intriguing topics merged into one book it brings the study of the function of the brain to the forefront while focusing on its reaction and processing of music. Slightly heavy on the jargon from both disciplines some aspects were skimmed over but other pieces were very rewarding. The brain is still an emerging area of scientific study and so there is still much left unknown which makes it exciting. Some of the physiological reasoning behind things like musical expectations and earworms are quite neat to finally have explained. Plenty to chew on here.

6
August-September 2012