I didn't know what to expect from this book, but I was still pleasantly surprised. I was compelled to read the book based on its cover, and many of thI didn't know what to expect from this book, but I was still pleasantly surprised. I was compelled to read the book based on its cover, and many of the subjects brought up in the book were somewhat shocking, but really fascinating to explore.
Felix Purat writes like a philosopher, exploring the conversations between three unlikely friends in a way that urges you to think. He doesn't outright tell the reader the point of the book (although some tangents of the Hippie are more clear bouts of wisdom), but instead leaves you to discover it yourself
The story itself is fascinating and kept me reading. I enjoyed the characters, and the themes were intriguing. The only issue for me is that the way some things are revealed about the characters seem too abrupt. There was also some dialogue when two others met up with the gang that was a bit rough around the edges, and pulled me out of the immersion of what happened to Brad. Otherwise, I would highly recommend this book. Especially if you love music....more
I don't know what I expected from this book, but it had me enthralled the whole time. I hope someday to be as good of a husband as Mr Tebrick, hopefullI don't know what I expected from this book, but it had me enthralled the whole time. I hope someday to be as good of a husband as Mr Tebrick, hopefully without the trauma he had to go through. The story was beautiful, tragic, and charming in ways that will stick with me for a long time. I did find parts of the book a bit odd, but it didn't take away from my investment into the story. Mrs Tebrick's slow advances into becoming wild were both tragic and freeing, and I can't help but ponder what the book means and what lessons I can learn from it. I'll definitely re-read this in the future, and daydream a happier ending while studying for my exams....more
I feel like I have a far better understanding of The Great War and what people went through.
I instantly fell in love with the characters and wanted toI feel like I have a far better understanding of The Great War and what people went through.
I instantly fell in love with the characters and wanted to see them thrive. I was thrust into the trenches, unable to take my eyes off the pages. The clinical way the book deals with most deaths (they just kinda happen, other than the first one the main character witnesses up-front) somehow adds to the realism and impact. With so much destruction around you, there isn't much to feel other than numb, suppressed pain.
Reading this book left me with one question that too many people have faced: how do you go on living after experiencing so much destruction? I appreciate the fact that the ending leaves you wondering, and I don't want to read the "sequel" in order to retain the ambiguity....more
When I first read this book, I had to venture to the high-school library as an elementary student to pick up the book I had special permission to readWhen I first read this book, I had to venture to the high-school library as an elementary student to pick up the book I had special permission to read. I was I obsessed with the series for years after that.
Looking back, it really does feel like James Bond do kids. Alex Rider, though a bit brash at times, is conscientious and respectable (especially in contrast to other young spy novels).
Certain scenes from the book were exactly as I remembered them, and it brought me back. I had only forgotten how young the protagonist was. There were times he acted way older than he was, but other times when his age made a lot of sense. I appreciate that he was given the leeways and made the mistakes that someone his age would make.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the audiobook to be brought back to the pst while at work. I might read the next one in the future when I feel nostalgic again....more
An absolute classic. The audiobook narrator had an amazing voice and a mastery of accents, and the author got me both giggling like a fool and crying An absolute classic. The audiobook narrator had an amazing voice and a mastery of accents, and the author got me both giggling like a fool and crying like a baby while at work. I can’t wait to continue the series!...more
I can usually devour an audiobook in about two days, but this one is a real stinker that deserves a much closer reading.
I was suggested this book by aI can usually devour an audiobook in about two days, but this one is a real stinker that deserves a much closer reading.
I was suggested this book by a fellow member of the organisation I write for as a useful book about quality. Upon reading the introduction and the first chapter, I thought it would be a light book of pop philosophy. I put it down to tackle more pressing matters, no figured I’d listen to the audiobook now that it’s summer break.
Listening to this at work was exhausting. The ideas, though still feeling like pop philosophy, commanded greater attention or soared clean over my head. There are a few chapters I plan on rereading (mainly the ones about university with no grades and a few about the Ancient Greeks), but a lot of it really missed what I look for in philosophy.
The true “quality� that he was after, to me, refers to God. Pirsig came so close to this, both overtly and subconsciously. He mentions it as being a holy trinity, said it was similar to God (when talking about gumption he directly states that being filled with “enthusiasm�, with the root of the word being “God� in Greek, was being filled with quality), and evangelises for it with religious vigour. It makes his work feel like sub-agnostic pseudo-truth. There is no truth without God.
His ideas about the academic world and students pursuing university with the goal of knowledge is the most captivating to me. It would have made more sense if the friend who recommended the book put more emphasis on that chapter, as it relates directly to the point that would help me both in work and in school. The overarching storyline was also intriguing, and at times I couldn’t tell whether Pirsig, or “Phaedrus� was a character or a real person. After reading the afterword, I understood a lot more about who the author is as a person. Philosophy works a lot better when it’s personal, and I think Pirsig knows this.
Maybe I’m one of the youth allegedly “corrupted� by Socrates (or more likely, Plato). I see rhetoric as a beautiful way to convey truth when used properly (thanks to Aristotle), but I do stand by dialectic as an important part of finding the truth. Without such opposition to some of the core ideas of this book, I would have enjoyed it a lot more. That being said, I cannot reasonably rate this less than three stars. The engaging style and fascinating ideas ensure the rating (plus you can tell there’s genius behind them), but the afterword is why I’m rating it more than three stars. I hope Pirsig found the true meaning of quality before he died....more
I was looking for a wolf book more to the likes of Jack London, but I got lured by what I thought to be a dumb cover and a cringeworthy description (oI was looking for a wolf book more to the likes of Jack London, but I got lured by what I thought to be a dumb cover and a cringeworthy description (ofc part of me wanted to read it because it was a werewolf novel). I had never read a similar novel, but I’m glad this is what I started with.
My perception of the average werewolf novel was a collection of insufferable tropes, but I found them very sufferable in this book. One might even say tolerable. The characters were likeable and mostly believable. I was surprised by how relatable some of it was, like using random Latin quotes (that I have already started using) and mentioning some songs that I love to listen to and thought were relatively niche. It also had a beautiful amount of theology despite some incompatible aspects.
Overall, if things go well I will not continue this series, mostly because I can’t see myself getting addicted to this genre. I’d rather imagine myself as noble space royalty on an arid desert planet than as a brooding werewolf (for the sake of my sanity)....more
I’ve been listening to audiobooks at work, and this one was perfect for escapism. Listening to this whole doing menial tasks was like a real-life timeI’ve been listening to audiobooks at work, and this one was perfect for escapism. Listening to this whole doing menial tasks was like a real-life time skip.
I love the Atreides family and the depth of the lore. Sometimes Paul and his pride irked me a bit and the Harkonnens were a bit archetypical, but the detailed world and many of the character dynamics made up for that.
I’ve been a bit obsessed with this book while listening. Hearing about the Freman lifestyle while working in the hot sun made my work feel a lot more interesting, and I’ve even started accusing people of enacting Harkonnen treachery. I just wish at least one of my friends understood what I was saying.
Side note: looking up the correct spellings to the names I’ve been hearing is a wild experience. I had to edit almost every name I mentioned -_-...more
I quite enjoyed this book! I listened to an audiobook version on my way back to Canada, and it was the only way to comfortably pass the time on a longI quite enjoyed this book! I listened to an audiobook version on my way back to Canada, and it was the only way to comfortably pass the time on a long airplane ride.
The stories ranged from from funny and exciting to heartfelt and emotional. I really grew attached to both the Witcher and the Bard, and hearing their adventures made me want to go on one of my own. I appreciate that the Geralt is conscientious and always tries to do the right thing, even if it’s harder. In hindsight, however, I find it odd that he would kill three random men in a bar just get a sort of reputation, while at the same time valuing the lives of some of the other less savoury characters. Either way, I appreciate that he’s more than a heartless killer.
Overall, I enjoyed this book enough to want to read more into the series. I doubted I would enjoy it as much as I did, but I was pleasantly surprised....more
It’s incredibly refreshing to read a book a with Catholic characters. Each page left me with a big goofy smile, and I could imaChristie, hold my beer.
It’s incredibly refreshing to read a book a with Catholic characters. Each page left me with a big goofy smile, and I could imagine myself being in a similar situation to the characters.
I will say, you can tell that Mark Goring isn’t an experienced author. Some passages felt novice, but that didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the book. The ending was a bit abrupt, but it makes sense to the overall story. I just wish there was more, because the Goring created loveable characters and a fascinating world. I’ve literally fantasised about being in a similar situation.
If you enjoy Catholic characters and are looking for a super fun and short read, then I highly recommend this book!...more
While I did enjoy the book, the premise was a bit iffy. A lot of suspension of disbelief is required to imagine the events taking place in our currentWhile I did enjoy the book, the premise was a bit iffy. A lot of suspension of disbelief is required to imagine the events taking place in our current timeline.
Many things were very Celeste Ng in this novel. Complications within a nuclear family, tragedy, and the struggles of being an Asian American. What shocked me, however, is how the first half of the book focused on the plot and the setting. When I pick up a Celeste Ng book, I expect a deep look at the inner workings of the family to a point where I almost feel like I live in their house. Parts of this book felt more cold and distant, which hindered my emotional attachment to the characters.
It was thrilling to feel like part of a peaceful revolution. It was genius not to clue us in on what Margaret was doing until the end. I can picture the ending going differently, but it’s openness is probably why the book will live rent free in my mind for a while.
Overall, it’s a fascinating look at what the United States would look like if some of its worst historical policies were combined into one. I might give it a second read in the future if I pick it up in print instead of as an audiobook....more
This is an important book. The ideas Carr presents are convincing and well-written, inspiring me to obsessively recommend this book to colleagues and This is an important book. The ideas Carr presents are convincing and well-written, inspiring me to obsessively recommend this book to colleagues and friends. I’m halfway through writing a 5-6 page essay about why this book is essential reading for university students. The history of technology and language provided in this book is fascinating. Each chapter starts with anecdotes and information and ends with impactful arguments that changed my style of reading while going through the book. Instead of allowing myself to be distracted by my phone between chapters and reading it dispersed in small chunks, I started contemplating it more deeply and allotting ample time to focus without distractions. I highly recommend reading this, especially if you like reading or writing but have found yourself in a creative slump. This will encourage you to build habits that foster creativity and deep thinking, exposing ways that our minds are hindered without us even realising....more
“What do you look for in a good book, Bruvton?�
“Why, I look for books with loveable and relatable characters to engage with, a fully immersive setting“What do you look for in a good book, Bruvton?�
“Why, I look for books with loveable and relatable characters to engage with, a fully immersive setting to lose myself in, and a fun plot that always leaves me coming back for more.�
I first read this novel in pieces as it was released in Pulp Literature, so when I saw it was released as a standalone novel I knew I had to get my hands on it. Reading it brought me back to both a fictional and a real-life yesteryear that filled me with both wonder and nostalgia. The setting is detailed and realistic, and I felt myself fully emerged in the author’s world, smelling like Burma-Shave, smoking Camel Cigarettes, and singing along to “Dora Heart� (which is a song I can not guarantee actually exists). The plot has some suspense, but is cosy enough to be casually read on a beach under the sun.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially taking place in 1930s Hollywood Land. For me, the murder mystery aspect is secondary to the experience of the setting and the adventures of the characters. It’s more of a casual, enjoyable read that will transport you to a different time than a suspenseful “whodunnit�. My one complaint is the ending. It makes a lot of sense and sets up well for a sequel, but part of me wants Frankie to go back to her roots and not send the letter.
I am legally obliged to state that I received a review copy for free and am voluntarily leaving this review. I will admit, there is some bias in my review because I first read it at home and re-reading it made me nostalgic for my hometown. On the other hand, the fact that it is as memorable and enjoyable as it is adds merit to my positive reaction....more
![Lady into fox / by David Garnett ; illustrated with wood engravings by R.A. Garnett. 1922 [Leather Bound]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1699802239l/136360641._SX50_.jpg)
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