I finished Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. Loved the book. There was lots of science, but it was explained well enough that it wasn’t an issue. There were also certain things which may not feel very probable, but it’s a science fiction, so I didn’t care about that, but I can see some people having problem with that.
Started a manga, Jujutsu Kaisen, Volume 1. Just started it yesterday, after finishing Project Hail Mary, and have almost finished it. I have read a couple of small manga before, but it’s my first physical one, so enjoying that. Though, when I got it, I didn’t realise JJK is still an on-going series. Personally I prefer something that has finished. Ah well, already started it, so just going to read them slowly now.
Still reading The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll. The book has been a lot more helpful that I expected it to be. I never thought about the “why” part much, at least haven’t done so in a while. So, all the talk about mindfulness and chapters about living the intentional life are helpful.
What about you guys? What have you been reading?
The Iron Heel, by Jack London
Basically one of the first major political dystopias written in the modern sense. It’s super cool too, basically the book is an old manuscript about an attempted socialist revolution, before the world was taken over by oligarchic tyrannical capitalists. There’s basically two stories being told, one in the socialist narrative itself occurring in the past, and one in the footnotes, showing glimmers of some of the capitalist horrors in the “present time”. Super neat way to tell a story, and I’m really enjoying it so far. It’s super heavy handed, and I would maybe call it similar to a socialist version of an Ayn Rand dystopia, like Anthem, but you know… Actually good. And thematically opposite to any coherent thought Ayn Rand tried to impart onto her readers.
I’m about halfway through and enjoying it quite a bit. It a LOT different than anything else by Jack London I’ve read (just his Yukon/Alaska stuff)
Paved Paradise, How Parking Explains the World, by Henry Grabar
A book about parking. The history of parking, parking policy, and how it has basically ruined American cities over the past 80 years. Sounds boring but I have really been getting into city planning books recently so I’m enjoying it.
The King of Elfland’s Daughter, by Lord Dunsany
As a huge Tolkien fan, it has taken me far too long to read this one. Considering Lord Dunsany was a huge influence and inspiration for JRR Tolkien, I don’t think it’s that controversial to say this is one of the most influential works on the fantasy genre of all time. It’s beautifully written, with very poetic prose. Story is fine so far, not much to write home about but plot doesn’t really matter when the writing is this pretty.
Ah, I think you mentioned these books before, right? Though I think the Lord Dunsany book is a new addition.
How is Paved Paradise going? Is it interesting read for someone who doesn’t specifically care about city planning?
I have. Been stuck on them for about a month with not a ton of progress on books.
Paved Paradise would be fairly interesting to someone that knows nothing about city planning and such. It will definitely make you notice just how much useless space is around you for parking, and probably make you mad about it. It also goes into some be interesting history about how the mobs controlled parking in cities like New York and Chicago.
It definitely makes you look at things differently, which is always a good thing.
No worries, there have been months where I have been stuck on one book, without getting much time (or sometimes motivation) to read.
That’s interesting about Paved Paradise, I would add it to my list. Thanks!