Just finished

Player piano - Kurt Vonnegut
10/10

Next up

Galapagos- Kurt Vonnegut

Everyone should check this book out. I think many view this book as depressing and in some ways it is. The main character, William Stoner, deals with a loveless and toxic marriage, trivial workplace drama, and a distant daughter. Through all that though, there are stark intense moments of joy and happiness scattered throughout his life. He does get to experience love in many different forms. Romantic love, love for his work, love for his child… it’s all there and for me that’s kind of what I was able to take away from it all. Sure his life is “unremarkable” as many readers have put it but there is beauty in the mundane and there are moments in life that make it all worth it.

Sidenote: don’t read the introduction, it spoils the whole book lol

Legit a a fifth or so of the book is dedicated almost exclusively to describing literally over one hundred individual murders.

It’s also arguably the best novel of the 21st century thus far

Perfect book

Two for one today. A mix of a workplace drama and a mystery thriller. It was pretty good! Especially considering it’s the author’s debut. Entertaining all the way through. I do think there could have been more added to the story.. def some loose ends. But it’s looking like there will be a sequel so im in for that.

Homesick for Another World by Ottessa Moshfegh

collection of short stories. more slice of life portrayals of people who aren't too happy with their lives than tightly crafted plots, but Moshfegh's writing was engaging. none of the stories really wowed me but she's an author I'll keep an eye on

7/10

Great book

Read it when I was in a slump thinking it might sell me on a quiet and humble life, but actually it had almost the opposite effect as instead it made me supremely annoyed with Stoner and served as a warning of the dangers of passivity

A quiet and humble life is fine, just don't be a f***ing pushover

I found it hard to be mad at him though, he always did his best

This is the second Ishiguro I've read after Remains of the Day and although I wouldn't put this in the classic pile like that one, it's still a great book.

I actually really struggled with both those novels, I found them slow in parts and initially hated the settings and main characters. But Ishiguro always keeps enough bubbling under the surface to keep me interested. He slowly peels back layer after layer until I find myself incredibly emotionally invested in characters I initially didn't give a f*** about. Guy is a master of subtlety.

Jordan Peele vibes?

this really captured my curiosity, next after I'm done with agot, book got me hooked and i'm devouring it pretty fastly

Drawing of the three by Stephen King

Book 2 of the Dark Tower series

7/10

This was initially an 8, but then for two thirds of the book, we meet a black character in here with multiple personalities, and her other one was an angry black woman stereotype, complete with cringeworthy ebonics and enough n-words to make Tarantino want to film this immediately. Yeah, I just couldn't look past that. It was incredibly off-putting to read.

Otherwise, this was great, crazier than the first book. Not sure if I wanna continue with the series but will see

a little bit but only in one aspect in my opinion. everything black-centric with a suspenseful element gets the peele comparison these days lol

Lmaoo it's just for reference so I know what to expect

Ima read this joint soon enough, I know you rec'ed it to me months ago

Lmao fasho I mean that’s how it’s being promoted.. “Get Out meets Devil Wears Prada” which ain’t a bad combination

Let me know what you think when you finish

The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin

first time reading Baldwin, though he's been on my list for a while. two essays about race relations in the 1960s. a lot of it was in context with what was happening then but a fair amount is sadly still relevant 50 years later

at times it was a bit meandering and I wondered who it was written for, but Baldwin has a very powerful voice and presents his arguments in a convincing and enlightening manner. can see why his writing became so revered and definitely want to read more of his work

8/10

Just started this

Read Go Tell It On The Mountain!

If you want more essays, Stranger in the Village is a really loaded read

will definitely add Go Tell It On the Mountain

might read more of his essays too. would've been very interesting to read his takes on racism in 2021

Enjoy the ride, my friend!
It'll be challenging some times but keep going.

Finally finished 1984

how was