Borges Marathon, Part 16: The Library of Babel
An infinite library of every possible book sounds wonderful until you contemplate the realities of it, which Jorge Luis Borges does masterfully in "The Library of Babel".
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 social obligations are subordinate to each individual's ability to dream? In Alfred Kubin's vision, it looks a lot…
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 the other, but would recommend it nonetheless.
Norng Chan Phal: The Mystery of the Boy at S-21
A harrowing true account of a small child surviving the Cambodian genocide.
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 a good book? These are just some of the questions prompted by my reading this month.
Review of Eclipse by John Banville
My thoughts on Eclipse, a beautifully written novel by Irish writer John Banville.