Dubravka Ugrešić

ull of candid, personal, and opinionated accounts of topics ranging from the baffling worldwide-pop-culture phenomena to the detriments of conformist nationalism. Sarcastic, biting, and, at times, even heartbreaking, this new collection of essays fully captures the outspoken brilliance of Ugresic's insights into our modern world's culture and conformism, the many ways in which it is ridiculous, and how (deep, deep down) we are all true suckers for it.

Karaoke Culture

Zoe Smolen

I received this book as part of the Goodreads, Firstreads giveway contests, but sadly I can't say this book really did much for me, but I thought the premise was interesting so I'm going to give it three stars anyway. For me, it just really wasn't my cup of tea, even though I usually love books like this. 

The title essay was fascinating, but I found there to be lots of lengthy explanations for things that really didn't need be explained in such detail. I decided that this might have to do with the cultural barrier, and that things that an American might be familiar with, someone from Europe, and especially Eastern Europe might not be familiar with. 

The rest of the book was much more poetic and philosophical than I expected, and am used to. Though some of the content was interesting, I personally felt like the book was dragging due to the style in which it was written, it was beautiful, but much more academic and challenging than what I want in a book that I'm reading in my free time. I also found that as an American reader I couldn't relate to, or didn't know enough about some of the items or situations which were addressed in some of the essays, and that it was sometimes hard to keep my focus on the page. 

Overall, I think that it was beautifully written, and that there were many interesting ideas, but that I just wasn't the target audience. I think it would be a great read for those who love more academic books and those who have a deep background or knowledge of Europe.

Karaoke Culture

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