springsteen

1y

Started working at Barnes and noble which has really thrown lighter fluid on my passion for buying a s*** ton of books

Just finished Song of Solomon by toni Morrison, absolutely incredible, what a revelation

Before that, Old Man Goriot by Honore de Balzac, absolutely loved it, D***ens before D***ens, such a lovely and heartbreaking book

And before that We Do Not Part by Han Kang, again, magnificent

Think I’m gonna read Gilead next. I want to read some of the poetry I have (Sylvia Plath and Gwendolyn Brooks on my bedside rn) but every time I finish a novel I want to start another right away

HrdBoildWndrlnd

12mo

The Skin by Curzio Malaparte

This book is nasty. In keeping with Malaparte's previous autobiographical novel Kaputt it positions Malaparte as the main character and author, though how much of the novel actually occurred in real life is unclear and frankly unimportant. Malaparte is a liaison to the Allied Forces as they land in and liberate Italy from Axis control in WWII. The book stretches believability and begs the reader to say "this can't possibly have happened", seemingly for the purpose of illustrating how confusing and messy "liberation" is. Civilians who yesterday were helping the Axis war machine are now singing the praises of the Allies as they move their armored columns through the street. Malaparte is in his classic scumbag mode and valorizes the scheming, desperate survival instincts of the Italian citizens and juxtaposes it against the lavish, decadent attitudes of the Allied Forces. It's a nasty book, almost cartoonish in some of its depiction, but it's effective and memorable.

Tomorrow They Won't Dare to Murder Us by Joseph Andras

In 1956 an Algerian man places a bomb in a factory, intending to set it off overnight while the factory is empty to make a statement in favor of Algerian independence. He's caught and sentenced to death. This short historical novel follows his time in prison and asks questions about what place nonviolence has in a revolution. Beautifully written and heart wrenching. Illuminates a period of post-WWII time where colonialism was increasingly unpopular, yet colonial nations were so reticent to let their colonies "slip away" into self determination. Much of the book is devoted to the character forming his anti-colonial ideology and what it means to the Algerian people to win back their nation. It also has interesting footnotes that show the impact of the Algerian independence movement on French politics and the politics of the world at the time. The author has another book about the time Ho Chi Minh spent in France developing his politics before becoming a guerilla leader that sounds fascinating.

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I, Tituba: Black Witch of Salem

Amazing book. This is one I wish I would have read in a literature course because I think there is a lot of comparison to be drawn to contemporary writings and world happenings that would make this book even more impactful. A semi-fictionalization of the life of Tituba, one of the only (maybe the only?) Black woman accused of witchcraft in the Salem trials of the early North American colonies. Tituba's worldview is challenged by various others she meets over her life: other Black slaves in the Caribbean and Americas, free Black radicals, her White owners, and a pantheon of spirits that visit her in her life. It's a cool look at Hoodoo (blanket term) as a pragmatic spirituality, something I think Western literature likes to frame instead as black magic or something of the like. The prose is excellent, there's a lot to dig into, this should be required reading imo.

earthwalka

12mo

so this book follows two art critics who are obsessed with and base their whole life and career around this one painting done by a mysterious 15th (?) century painter. They lecture, write a multitude of books, and debate, every fine detail of this work. Eventually they have a falling out, which as the reader we don't know why until much later. I found the things this book had to say about art and art criticism to be truly profound and ways I did not think of before. I think many might find this book overly pretentious but I think Mark Haber, the author, knows this and intentionally leans into how hilarious it is how serious these two art critics are about the art they love and what that means for their lives. of course, it's always deeper than the art as we find out within the first few sentences of the first chapter that one of the critics is on his deathbed and has summoned his former bestfriend and colleague, now enemy, to Berlin to see him before he dies thus beginning a deep reflection in the narrator.

Mark Haber is a fairly new author and this is the first book I've read by him but I really enjoyed it and found this to be very readable and engaging despite its pretty bare plot. I also really like his writing style. I definitely want to read his other two novels which many say are even better than this one.

HrdBoildWndrlnd

12mo

This sounds awesome, adding to the list. I love when an author just completely gets into the weeds on a topic they know everything about and I know nothing about, but suddenly I have complex opinions by the end of the book. Richard Powers did this for me with trees in The Overstory or Peter Watts with communication in Blindsight

earthwalka

12mo

so this book follows two art critics who are obsessed with and base their whole life and career around this one painting done by a mysterious 15th (?) century painter. They lecture, write a multitude of books, and debate, every fine detail of this work. Eventually they have a falling out, which as the reader we don't know why until much later. I found the things this book had to say about art and art criticism to be truly profound and ways I did not think of before. I think many might find this book overly pretentious but I think Mark Haber, the author, knows this and intentionally leans into how hilarious it is how serious these two art critics are about the art they love and what that means for their lives. of course, it's always deeper than the art as we find out within the first few sentences of the first chapter that one of the critics is on his deathbed and has summoned his former bestfriend and colleague, now enemy, to Berlin to see him before he dies thus beginning a deep reflection in the narrator.

Mark Haber is a fairly new author and this is the first book I've read by him but I really enjoyed it and found this to be very readable and engaging despite its pretty bare plot. I also really like his writing style. I definitely want to read his other two novels which many say are even better than this one.

HrdBoildWndrlnd

12mo

My local bookstore had signed copies of all of Haber's books for used copy price picked up Reinhardt's Garden, excited to start it soon!

kogoyos

12mo

White Teeth by Zadie Smith

British novel about two families and how their experiences with love, immigration, family drama, and politics. first time I've read Zadie Smith and I was immediately impressed by her prose and sense of humor. reminded me a bit of Don DeLillo's White Noise in terms of the comedic social commentary. that being said, I was somewhat underwhelmed by the plot and it seemed like Smith wasn't quite sure what type of book she wanted to write so she bounced around on different topics and storylines a bit too much

7.5/10

Black Wings Has My Angel by Elliot Chaze

underrated noir novel from the 1950's that has gained popularity recently due to a NYBR rerelease. quick read about a man on the run who comes across a dame and unexpectedly falls in love. had everything I was looking for in a noir novel with interesting characters, strong writing, and an engaging story. would definitely recommend for anybody who's a fan of the genre

8.5/10

Los Detectives Salvajes / The Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolaño

read this three years ago in English and loved it so I decided to reread it in Spanish. the prose was even better and this reading cemented the novel as one of my favorite books. I was able to appreciate the structure more on a second reading and was left amazed at what a feat it was for Bolaño to tie everything together. wide ranging narrative that was at times a coming of age novel, travelogue, study of youth movements, the immigrant experience, wanderlust, and musings growing older and looking back on your life with a mix of regret and nostalgia. the multilayered themes made me reflect on my own life, the people I've met, and the person I've become. type of book that stays with you for sure. I sometimes find experimental books like this gimicky but the way Bolaño was able to flesh out the characters through so many different perspectives was spectacular. I know 2666 is considered his best work, and I loved that too, but The Savage Detectives is his magnum opus imo

10/10

King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby

Cosby is an instant buy author for me and one of the best contemporary crime fiction writers out there. this latest one that just came out was no exception and tells the story of a financial advisor who gets pulled into a world of crime and has to get his hands dirty to protect his family. very violent but also some poignant moments on grief, guilt, and family dynamics. Cosby's books are not literary masterpieces, but for an engaging page-turner he gets the job done. feel like this wasn't his best work but it was still very enjoyable

9/10

HrdBoildWndrlnd

12mo

The Skin by Curzio Malaparte

This book is nasty. In keeping with Malaparte's previous autobiographical novel Kaputt it positions Malaparte as the main character and author, though how much of the novel actually occurred in real life is unclear and frankly unimportant. Malaparte is a liaison to the Allied Forces as they land in and liberate Italy from Axis control in WWII. The book stretches believability and begs the reader to say "this can't possibly have happened", seemingly for the purpose of illustrating how confusing and messy "liberation" is. Civilians who yesterday were helping the Axis war machine are now singing the praises of the Allies as they move their armored columns through the street. Malaparte is in his classic scumbag mode and valorizes the scheming, desperate survival instincts of the Italian citizens and juxtaposes it against the lavish, decadent attitudes of the Allied Forces. It's a nasty book, almost cartoonish in some of its depiction, but it's effective and memorable.

Tomorrow They Won't Dare to Murder Us by Joseph Andras

In 1956 an Algerian man places a bomb in a factory, intending to set it off overnight while the factory is empty to make a statement in favor of Algerian independence. He's caught and sentenced to death. This short historical novel follows his time in prison and asks questions about what place nonviolence has in a revolution. Beautifully written and heart wrenching. Illuminates a period of post-WWII time where colonialism was increasingly unpopular, yet colonial nations were so reticent to let their colonies "slip away" into self determination. Much of the book is devoted to the character forming his anti-colonial ideology and what it means to the Algerian people to win back their nation. It also has interesting footnotes that show the impact of the Algerian independence movement on French politics and the politics of the world at the time. The author has another book about the time Ho Chi Minh spent in France developing his politics before becoming a guerilla leader that sounds fascinating.

/0/default.jpg

I, Tituba: Black Witch of Salem

Amazing book. This is one I wish I would have read in a literature course because I think there is a lot of comparison to be drawn to contemporary writings and world happenings that would make this book even more impactful. A semi-fictionalization of the life of Tituba, one of the only (maybe the only?) Black woman accused of witchcraft in the Salem trials of the early North American colonies. Tituba's worldview is challenged by various others she meets over her life: other Black slaves in the Caribbean and Americas, free Black radicals, her White owners, and a pantheon of spirits that visit her in her life. It's a cool look at Hoodoo (blanket term) as a pragmatic spirituality, something I think Western literature likes to frame instead as black magic or something of the like. The prose is excellent, there's a lot to dig into, this should be required reading imo.

Koala

12mo

Did you read Kaputt ? I got that one on the shelf for a minute now but haven't opened it up yet

HrdBoildWndrlnd

12mo

I did! Here's what I had to say about it:

"This book is insane. It was impossible for me to read it and not be just flabbergasted by the anecdotes shared within, constantly going "that can't be true" at everything I read (no one really has any idea what in this book is true to life). The prose is beautiful, although can be meandering at times. Malaparte is so navel gazing it's sickening and he switches sides and cozies up to whoever is the most powerful in the room like it's a compulsion. I imagined Peter Lorre as the author the entire time. I think the pacing of the book is it's strong suit, and really matches the tone as the narrative falls to an unsatisfying, uneasy conclusion in the absence of any resolution of the war.

Malaparte was by all accounts a fascist, which comes up in interesting ways in the story as he protects Jews from Nazi pogroms and criticizes Mussolini, Hitler, Himmler, Rommel, pretty much every fascist leader one could imagine. This book does a good job of showing how complex people can be, especially against my understanding of WWII as a two-sided conflict between nations allied under common goals.

This is a book I will think about for a while for many reasons: the questions of how much and what specifically is true, the horrific imagery of war, the beautiful prose, and the complex and utterly unlikeable characters (real people?) presented within. Also there's a hilarious anecdote of Malaparte trying for all he's worth to avoid a meeting with Himmler. What a bizarre individual Malaparte was."

Koala

12mo

will definitely dive in when I get some time to commit.

Young D

12mo

Been wanting to read this for a long time and finally got around to it… it lived up to the hype so much

The characters are all so fascinating, the storytelling is so creative and has so much variety, and the ending of all the storylines is so well done

I know a lot of people find the middle portion to be slow, and I get how the introduction of a lot of new characters can get tedious in a large book, but I still found it to be just as entertaining— example: Luigi Vampa’s backstory might seem like a huge detour, but I found it to be riveting.

||My favorite chapters:

chapter 6/7: introduction of Villefort and his sudden turn and internal plotting

chapter 30: the exciting first act of the Count in using his new fortune to save his old friend

chapter 82: Edmond revealing himself for the first time and getting his first bit of revenge

chapter 88: The Count shows off how he truly believes he being driven by God, not batting an eye to the idea that Albert could kill him

chapter 111: the most insane sequence of revenge, so much so that it leads the Count to finally question himself and what he has done

Wait & Hope||

0ddJay

12mo

I can’t wait to read this it’s been on my shelf for a couple months just staring at me 😭

springsteen

12mo

Recently:

Old Man Goriot by Honore de Balzac — 10/10 masterpiece

Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison — 10/10 masterpiece

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson — 9/10 profound, a bit dry, but loaded with some truly life changing insight

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka — 10/10 hilarious and touching and perennially relevant

Gilead really showed me how not just unconditional love but unrequited love is Christlike — giving into loving something without any hope of receiving it in return— isn’t that what God is supposed to do? Profound.

Currently more than halfway through East of Eden by John Steinbeck. Good god man. I don’t want it to end. Already one of the best things I’ve ever read. One of the greatest works of art by any human being.

Starting an MFA in creative writing this fall and working at a bookstore been pushing me to have a classics summer so I can hold my own in convos lmaooo