November 2024 Reading Roundup
From Indigenous Americans discovering Europe to Voltaire destroying my last shred of optimism, here's a summary of my reading this month.
Borges Marathon, Part 15: A Survey of the Works of Herbert Quain
Join me as I survey Jorge Luis Borges's survey of the works of the non-existent writer Herbert Quain.
Review: The Other Side by Alfred Kubin
What would a dream world look like? A world in which the normal rules of cause and effect don't exist, in which…
There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak
Why was I disappointed by a novel that everyone else seems to love? Follow me as I try to find the answers.
Review: 912 Batu Road by Viji Krishnamoorthy
A Malaysian debut novelist combines a contemporary love story with a historical narrative of Japanese occupation. I enjoyed one much more than…
Norng Chan Phal: The Mystery of the Boy at S-21
A harrowing true account of a small child surviving the Cambodian genocide.
Pluralistic Ignorance and Climate Change
How can most people support serious action on climate change and yet continue to believe we are in the minority? The answer:…
July 2024 Reading
Will AI destroy us? Why do some novels not quite work despite having all the right ingredients? Can a bad title ruin…
Review of Eclipse by John Banville
My thoughts on Eclipse, a beautifully written novel by Irish writer John Banville.