The Anthropocene Reviewed

Not quite what I expected; but then again, I wasn't really sure what to expect. I associate the word “anthropocene” with climate change because that's the context which I've most often heard it in... but I know that John Green isn't a climate scientist so wasn't exactly expecting this to be a book about climate change either. Turns out, it's about a lot of things! I suppose it's somewhat of a memoir, but written through reviews on various things in life. For example, there's a chapter on Diet Dr Pepper, another one on the song You'll Never Walk Alone, and a chapter on Indianapolis.

Overall I thought it was an enjoyable and light read, and I got to learn a few things about John Green as well.

3.75/5

I read this book on the brink of the third wave of COVID-19, thoroughly exhausted and otherwise despondent about humanity as a whole.

I really couldn't have picked a better time to read it - these mini essays reminded me about the beauty and fear and anger and joy and inevitability that comes with being human and existing at this time, on this planet, in our tiny corner of the universe.

I leave these pages with a flicker of hope, and a lighter heart. Thank you, John Green, for reminding me to feel everything instead of numbing myself to it - to dwell in nature and appreciate the little moments and linger in the time I have with the people around me.