I can't say I understood everything, but I will reread this (someday) until I fully comprehend what CiMy Introduction to Existentialism.
How did it go?
I can't say I understood everything, but I will reread this (someday) until I fully comprehend what Cioran implies about existence. There were moments when I was doubtful and sceptical about the material. From my interpretation, Cioran spoke about life as if it were meaningless. I do not believe in an afterlife, but I firmly believe life should matter. Each of us can have a lifespan of about 80 decades, more or less. It would feel like a long, long, dull time if life were meaningless.
It was fun having inner doubts and clashes with a book.
"Small Things Like These" by Claire Keegan was an exciting read, and I'll probably reread it soon. The novella follows the perspective of Bill Furloug"Small Things Like These" by Claire Keegan was an exciting read, and I'll probably reread it soon. The novella follows the perspective of Bill Furlough, a coal mine merchant. A good, honest man with a problematic trade tries his best to provide for his family of five girls and wife. He uncovers an unsettling secret concerning the Magdalene Laundries. This is the first time I have ever heard about these institutions.
When my friend gave me "The Paper Moon" by Andrea Camilleri, I knew I had to find the time to read it. After I read the blurb, it did feel like one ofWhen my friend gave me "The Paper Moon" by Andrea Camilleri, I knew I had to find the time to read it. After I read the blurb, it did feel like one of the better detective stories, and my interest was piqued. Truthfully, I was in a reading slump, so I needed a book to help me out of it.
As they say, the rest is history.
This is one of the best detective stories I've ever read. I will undoubtedly read more about Inspector Montalbano in the future.
The Paper Moon was a riot, filled with banter and wit that kept me entertained throughout. The suspects, with their own brand of charm, added to the humour. Despite starting with book 9, I found the cast of characters in Vigàta to be engaging and entertaining.
What are you waiting for? Please do yourselves a favour and read it. It doesn't matter where you start; just read one of these books.
I did not appreciate this as much as I wanted to—believe me, I wanted to. It's so different from what I usually read, and I feel I am not doing it jusI did not appreciate this as much as I wanted to—believe me, I wanted to. It's so different from what I usually read, and I feel I am not doing it justice by giving it three stars. But it felt meh. I guess the style was difficult to follow—lots and lots of meandering. I couldn't connect with the characters like Beti and Rosie. To me, characters and dialogue are essential elements of a story. I get bored quickly these days, and I feel that 593 pages were a lot, considering most were about food, philosophy, Indian actors, and Rosie and were not crucial to the story.
There were moments I enjoyed. The last 93 pages flew in three hours. I was shocked at the subject matter—the invisibility and treatment of women in India. The first hundred pages were a mystery about who our protagonist was. She is very likeable. There's a scene involving a hospital. It was hilarious. It's a novel about a depressed older woman and her identity. I adore old characters. I also enjoyed the part about a character's inability to laugh. It made me laugh hilariously.
Geetanjali Shree writes beautifully. The book has piqued my interest in Indian culture. And I will continue to seek out more information, even novels, in the future.
Tomb of Sand by Geetanjali Shree deserves attention and accolades. It's a book that can spark meaningful discussions and a fair amount of important talk. It is not the first novel I should've read by the author.
Not sure why this book is considered one of Hemingway's worst. I enjoyed it. There's a lot to chew about. Especially the way one should face it. ColonNot sure why this book is considered one of Hemingway's worst. I enjoyed it. There's a lot to chew about. Especially the way one should face it. Colonel Richard Cantrell is an inspiration.
I shall try to write a more detailed review, but this is a 4/5...more
It's a terrific story about a private investigator without a license. However, the ending is abrupt. I enjoyed the character of Matt Cordell. I wish tIt's a terrific story about a private investigator without a license. However, the ending is abrupt. I enjoyed the character of Matt Cordell. I wish there was more books about him :) ...more
Fakkarni ħafna fil-passat, kemm meta kont skola sekondarja kif ukoll fiż-żmien meta kont nattendi parties fiProsit, Ryan Falzon! Sajf rumanz tal-ġenn.
Fakkarni ħafna fil-passat, kemm meta kont skola sekondarja kif ukoll fiż-żmien meta kont nattendi parties fis-sajf, meta qbist il-ħamsa u għoxrin sena. Niftakar ħafna nattendi Surfside, Exiles, Liquid u anke Paceville dak iż-żmien.
Tiftakar ħafna f’praspar personali meta taqra dan il-ktieb. Dik in-naqra nostalġija sabiħa.
L-unika dispjaċir hu li ma kienx hemm ħafna djalogu, imma nifhem għaliex il-ktieb huwa miktub hekk għax verament mqassam tajjeb—għandek stil ta kitba unika immens.
Għoġobni ħafna l-użu ta’ apps fuq il-mowbajl, speċjalment l-użu ta’ silta minn Karmnu ta’ Randu u vidjows simili. Vidjows li anke fi żmieni skoprejnihom fi żmien l-O'levels....more
Understanding what the characters said took a while, but Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson was one enjoyable book. It is an adventure novel ofUnderstanding what the characters said took a while, but Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson was one enjoyable book. It is an adventure novel of buccaneers & buried gold with unpredictable twists and grit.
Treasure Island is a coming-of-age story. Its themes of loyalty, duty, and self-discovery resonate with me.
The book is written as a journal. We experience the story as told by Jim Hawkins and Dr. Livesey. Hawkins is the main protagonist—an honest, brave boy. He is also flawed and mischievous.
Each character in the book was a fascinating individual, none falling into the trap of being mundane or predictable.
It left me wanting to know more about Long John Silver. I guess I'll have to watch Black Sails again.
This series (referring to Black Sails) piqued my interest in Treasure Island. But I was familiar with the storyline before actually reading it.
I am glad I read this book. I will reread it again someday.
How should I go about this review? Should I steal some ideas from other people's reviews for my admiration? For the likes of Social Media and the beneHow should I go about this review? Should I steal some ideas from other people's reviews for my admiration? For the likes of Social Media and the benefit of greatness. For I want to be the greatest critic of literature, consequences be damned.
The paragraph above perfectly captures the meaning of ambition. In essence, it captures what the novel is about if you switch "critic" with "author", i.e. an author of fiction. Ambition plays a big part in A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne—the ambition to be known as the most excellent writer ever. This is Maurice Swift's journey to greatness or insignificance. It is a journey where we are introduced to a sociopath.
Boyne gives us an unforgettable protagonist who transfixes his victims and ditches them while pursuing fame. We watch Mr. Swift mangle mentors and sometimes lovers.
The novel is written with clarity, and it is a quick read. It is also humorous and scary.
Everyone should dedicate time to reading this book. It is only a hundred pages.
It is set in Brazil. 'Vista Chinesa' by Tatiana Salem Levy is a very inEveryone should dedicate time to reading this book. It is only a hundred pages.
It is set in Brazil. 'Vista Chinesa' by Tatiana Salem Levy is a very insightful book about rape. The book also covers aspects of facial composites, which I shall not discuss here.
I cannot recommend Vista Chinesa enough.
I read the author's note after I finished this novella. Vista Chinesa is based on the story of a brave woman. I had to go back and reread it again with a newfound respect towards the author and the person the novella is dedicated to.
So please, if you do stumble upon this book, do yourself a favour and read it.
I am not lying when I say this book is brutal in its descriptions. It's not for everyone.
I enjoyed the pop culture references aWTF did I just read...?
I am not lying when I say this book is brutal in its descriptions. It's not for everyone.
I enjoyed the pop culture references and Morrison's tastes for Russian Literature, Brett Easton Ellis, Bukowski, Hemingway, and Chuck Palahniuk.
I found myself disgusted at times but pushed myself forward. Although I felt like I knew where this was going, that shocking ending still surprised me. It was gross. Did I already mention that this book is brutal?
Why would I rate it so high? Easy, this book pulled me out of a massive reading slump. I was intrigued by the narrator's voice and Helen's character. The prose is written beautifully, and everything is relayed through death, an exciting subject.
Make sure you're not eating when you're reading this.
Hands down, 5/5, "Dead Inside" by Chandler Morrison is one of my best reads this year....more
Unfortunately, Lovecraft's Nyarlathotep is one of the worst cosmic horror stories I read. This story ends before the cosmic entity makes an impact. ItUnfortunately, Lovecraft's Nyarlathotep is one of the worst cosmic horror stories I read. This story ends before the cosmic entity makes an impact. It is forgetful.
But I recommend that anyone watch The Empty Man, directed by David Prior. That movie screams Nyarlathotep....more
While reading Straight White Male by John Niven, I consistently meditate about this short novel by Haruki Murakami. South of the Border, West of the SWhile reading Straight White Male by John Niven, I consistently meditate about this short novel by Haruki Murakami. South of the Border, West of the Sun is a tremendous achievement in literature. It reads better than Norwegian Wood (coincidently, my first-ever Murakami book).
South of the Border, West of the Sun is a novel about loneliness, death, and sometimes corruption. The short book has a proclivity for the “girl that got away.” Hajime's emotions towards Shimamoto are expressed so well that readers acknowledge Hajime's heartache for his childhood sweetheart.
This book is written from the first-person perspective, focusing solely on Hajime’s thoughts and encounters with three beautiful women. I enjoyed it because it reads like a personal story of heartbreak warfare.
In the first chapters, Hajime (our narrator) recounts his lonely childhood, remarking on his upbringing as a lonely child/son in Japan. We are introduced to Shimamoto as a polio survivor with incredible talents and an appreciation for Western music. Hajime describes his infatuation for Shimamoto first as a friend and gradually, much later, as a lover.
I would love to hate Hajime's character, but I respect his complexity too much. For a man who does not know what he wants—who hurts people because of that outlook—he embraces the hardships of his emotions and his tormenting loneliness. He grapples with his “suffering” a hundred times better than his relationships with women. Murakami wants us to imagine that being the only child of a Japanese family ascribed to his personality and made Hajime into the narrator he is: the successful, wealthy, middle-aged, married man and father of two daughters.
For me, Yukiko is the novel's stunning character. She stands out from all the women described in this work. She is Hajime's wife and the mother of his two children. She begins as a vague character. By the final chapters, I felt a growing admiration towards her and remarked on how strong a person she is. Hajime does not deserve Yukiko. For all the flowing prose dedicated to Shimamoto, I picture Yukiko as the most beautiful of all women. However, I am not as conflicted as Hajime.
I enjoyed Shimomoto and Hajime’s musical taste. Nat King Cole, a legend, is mentioned in abundance, and his viral song “Pretend” is treated with great delicacy. I assume its lyrics influenced this book immensely. Take a look:
Pretend you're happy when you're blue It isn't very hard to do And you'll find happiness without an end Whenever you pretend Remember anyone can dream And nothing's as bad as it may seem The little things you haven't got could be a lot if you pretend You'll find a love you can share One you can call all your own Just close your eyes she'll be there You'll never be alone
And if you sing this melody You'll be pretending just like me The world is mine it can be yours, my friend So why don't you pretend
Pretend by Nat King Cole is written by Dan Belloc, Lew Douglas, Cliff Parman, and Frank Levere. It was released by Capitol Records in 1952.
The song appropriately encapsulates Hajime's character, so much so that Murakami sculpted his protagonist from the music.
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