Happy Thursday! I’ve been on a memoir binge—specifically, a scandalous memoir binge. I also just bought Piranesi and Hamnet and hope to start tonight. What’ve you been reading this week?
Finishing up High Art Lite by Julian Stallabrass. It's nearly 20 years old now but such an excellent evisceration of the 'young British artist' movement in the 90s and that particular flavor of contemporary art more generally. It's my first time going back to book-length art criticism after a long while so it feels really fun to flex those muscles again. Also still ready Tana French--finished The Likeness and onto Faithful Place.
Best scandalous memoir? I need some scandal in my life these days!
"How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe" by Charles Yu! It's about a time machine repairman, and it touches on family, how people tend to live in the past, and growing as a person. Yu plays a ton with language and tense, and the humor reminds me of Douglas Adams. I think I might write about it for my next post. Either way, highly recommend it!
The Zadie Smith essay collection Imitations. It’s 4 brilliant pages hidden away under 100 awful ones. On deck is the Michael Pollan psychedelics book; anyone read it? Worth?
I just finished Death's End by Liu Cixin which is the last book in The Three Body Problem series, absolutely amazing if you're into sci-fi! Also just started Quiet by Susan Cain as it's been recommended by a few people
Henry and June by Anais Nin. Just finished my third book in a row by Joan Didion (The White Album, After Henry and The Year of Living Magically) and in the mood for something a bit spicier.
What are you reading?
Finishing up High Art Lite by Julian Stallabrass. It's nearly 20 years old now but such an excellent evisceration of the 'young British artist' movement in the 90s and that particular flavor of contemporary art more generally. It's my first time going back to book-length art criticism after a long while so it feels really fun to flex those muscles again. Also still ready Tana French--finished The Likeness and onto Faithful Place.
Best scandalous memoir? I need some scandal in my life these days!
"How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe" by Charles Yu! It's about a time machine repairman, and it touches on family, how people tend to live in the past, and growing as a person. Yu plays a ton with language and tense, and the humor reminds me of Douglas Adams. I think I might write about it for my next post. Either way, highly recommend it!
Just started, but so far really enjoying "How Much of These Hills Is Gold"
The Zadie Smith essay collection Imitations. It’s 4 brilliant pages hidden away under 100 awful ones. On deck is the Michael Pollan psychedelics book; anyone read it? Worth?
Piranesi, yes!! Hoping I helped tip the scales. :)
About to start The Weil Conjectures over here...
Sapiens, The Sacred Enneagram, Millones Cajones.
I just finished Death's End by Liu Cixin which is the last book in The Three Body Problem series, absolutely amazing if you're into sci-fi! Also just started Quiet by Susan Cain as it's been recommended by a few people
Henry and June by Anais Nin. Just finished my third book in a row by Joan Didion (The White Album, After Henry and The Year of Living Magically) and in the mood for something a bit spicier.