Finished norwegian wood but like last week

Salute

how was

Sad but great, quite enjoy Murakami’s style

Finally finished H****Deus after 2,5 months. First 2 parts were kind of boring and tedious to read through. Was basically kicking in open doors on some philosophical and historical questions. Man was using like 100 pages to convince the reader religion was bullshit, which is a standpoint I can accept, but could've been explained in 10. The Third part of the book is where it really shines imo. Some great predictions about how the future could look like for the human race as a whole and some things I've never heard or thought about. Thinking about the future in this way is kind of scary but very thought provoking too.

this is next after ive finished Brief History of Time

finished this a couple days ago, thought it was pretty good but i especially liked the ending and how it reframes the entire book

note: this book definitely showed houllebecq is worthy of his 'enfant terrible' reputation

Iceman Inheritance was a helluva read. Well written with a strong case in explaining the origins of Western sexism and white supremacy; Gives context from prehistoric survival conditions, biological references and transitions smoothly into explaining modern human racial, sexual, & social dichotomies between Western and Eastern arts, cultures, and philosophies.

a friend of mine gave me a book from this guy
gonna start it this weekend

Finished this a few days ago and I'm halfway through my next book but I haven't stopped thinking about this one. I almost didn't give it a chance because I don't pick up books with this type of art style on the cover but I always hear so much praise for Backman (yeah I admit, I judge books by their covers lol). And I'm so glad I gave it a chance because this ended up being one of the best books I've ever read.

At its surface, this is about a bank robbery and a hostage situation but I recommend going into it knowing as little about the plot as possible because the way it all unfolds is great (and I think the synopsis kinda gives too much away). Backman has an amazing way of saying really profound things with really simple language and making seemingly small moments completely fill you up with emotions. I don't think I've ever highlighted as many quotes from a book as I did with this one. I can't recommend this enough!

5/5!!

Nice, which book?

I will warn you that he is pretty overtly pessimistic/soapboxy about society so keep an open mind, but some of his criticisms are apt

Open Water

3.5/5

It's lit fic a lot more than it is a romance, and if you're a hip hop head, you may like the references in this book (author is definitely a Kendrick stan tho lmao)

Written in 2nd person too, if that sort of thing distracts you, but I think it achieves the effect of the story not just being about a black dude in London, but anyone who's black and has struggled with finding their identity in a world that constantly labels you in a skewed light. That aspect spoke to me.

I gave it 3.5 stars because there's not much plot going on and I'm a story first kinda guy, and the writing can get really poetic, so if you love poetry you will appreciate it more.

Visit From The Goon Squad , super good loved her vocabulary and the way the story is pieced together. I love books that I feel like I get a lot out of it and VFGS check that off. the Satire was very relatable and of the times. Last few chapters are some of my favorite chapters I’ve ever read. Super clever and fun. Satasfying af. Highly recommend. Will cherish this for a while.

1Q84. Unfortunately I did not like the book. Felt like a first draft of a cool idea. I couldn’t find it in me to care for any of the characters and their “love story”. There’s moments of Murakami greatness but overshadowed by shallow story telling and over explanation of events and backstory’s that could have been told differently . Never felt like I was figuring out things for myself and he was holding my hand the entire time. I’ve always loved Murakami’s ambiguous story telling and it was quite the opposite. I felt like I was being baby sat and reading plot lines not a story. Not sure why people hold this book to high regard. Very unsatisfied. Super hard to get through because I found it mind numbingly boring (ironically I enjoyed The Pale King). First dud I’ve read this year. Hopefully the next dud doesn’t waste as much time.

This literally been collecting dust on my work desk for like a year now. Imma check it out

been meaning to read A Visit From The Goon Squad for a while now, might start it next month

if you haven't heard, Egan has a new book coming out April 5th called The Candy House. not really a sequel but it's being labeled as a sibling novel. one of the most anticipated releases of the year so if I like AVFTGS I'll probably jump into that next

Saw that the other day i pre-ordered it and can’t wait to dive in. Sounds like she’s sort of going the route where Goon Squad sort of ended as far as themes go and that has me excited.

Haven’t finished it yet but currently reading Charlie Chaplin’s autobiography.

Pretty great so far tbh

no man steps in the same river twice
one day is the same as the next
the beginning is the end

gods live past the deaths of men
men die past the gods ceaseless living

5/5

In The Distance by Hernan Diaz

really enjoyed this book about a young Swedish boy who gets separated from his brother and moves to the USA alone in the 19th century. the plot was a little loose, which usually bothers me, but I loved Diaz's prose and narrative voice. it kept you guessing as well with how the story developed. this was nominated for a Pulitzer prize in fiction and I can see why. Díaz is a very talented writer and I can't wait to check out his highly anticipated new novel Trust that comes out in May. would definitely recommend this for anybody who likes sprawling western or adventure novels

one of Lit Hub's top 20 books of the decade too

9/10

Nice

Alright this sounds like my kinda thing

the highest awakened enlightened mind is not actually the highest, most awakened, enlightened mind, that is why it is called the highest, most awakened, enlightened mind.
10/10

impeccable

It’s been a minute since I been in here because I haven’t actually read anything as of late but I just finished this up today. Very quick and easy read with a lot of easily applicable information. Don’t usually read self help books but I do think I can gain from this as long as I actually take heed of the advice written here. James is a cool guy 👍🏽