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…
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.
Degrowth Communism vs. Climate Capitalism
Can degrowth communism solve the climate crisis by ending the growth obsession and distributing resources more fairly? Or should we put our faith in climate capitalism instead?
June 2024 Reading Roundup
Can capitalism save the planet? What would a world of dreams be like? How can we start forming better habits? My June reading answered these questions and more.