Tessa Portuese
Impressive range of stories, some that feel like timeless parables and others like dramatic Black Mirror episodes (of which at least one was based on a story written by Chiang irl).
Side note: my husband and I listened to this on a road trip and due to its disproportionately long length and annoying voices, the Digians have become an ongoing joke between us.
I liked this book more and more as it went on. The setting of the Ivy House is rich, nostalgic and beautifully described, which becomes a contrast to the dark things that happened there beyond Toby's privileged ignorance. Though the pacing was a bit slow, it ended up developing beyond a straightforward mystery into a nuanced piece about the harm that comes from complacency in those with power.
This was one of the quickest reads in a while for me (just forgot to update on Goodreads
A classic obviously but sometimes Junji Ito is just like “what if someone was ugly... wouldn't that be scary?”
Adorable, flawless, visually gorgeous. Jen Wang was made to illustrate 19th century Parisian dresses
Such a cute little graphic novel! The story is simple and classic and the art style is beautiful.
The final in my back-to-back Sally Rooney audiobook binge. Nearly developed an Irish accent
Really wanted to love Moshfegh because it would be cool if I did. The way she writes about people is the literary equivalent of “the ick” and it's cool that she has such a distinct perspective, but it's not for me.
How I cast some of the characters in my mind just for fun
Francis: Casey Cott
Julian: Stanley Tucci
Henry: a younger Rich Sommer for some reason
Camilla: Hunter Schafer
This is sooo good y'all. If you want a short and accessible classic sci-fi book, this is a good pick.
I can see why this book is so famous! It is so effectively unsettling that a page-long footnote has a threatening aura and an asterisk in the margins can feel like a jumpscare. However, it is a LOT of work to read–I felt like I was studying or solving a puzzle for most of it and it took me nearly three months to finish. Somehow worth the effort!
Though it's longer than it needed to be and contains way too many metaphors, the info in here is revelatory. It is mind blowing how society's expectations of female sexuality are so, so wrong because the male experience is used as the benchmark.
Extremely well-written but even as a person who generally likes horror and gore, this was so disgusting and dark I kind of wish I hadn't read it!!
Frankenstein's monster has one of the best villain origin stories ever. Queen Mary Shelley really invented the science fiction genre at age 19
Perfect timing to finish this book just when the chill of fall begins! I really loved 2/3 of these stories, but Deanna's fell short. This is almost always a problem with media that has multiple stories, but it's worth it to weave a larger picture of this small Appalachian community.
Famous for a reason, this is incredible. About to recommend it to everyone I talk to.
Makes a really compelling case for universal basic income and a shorter work week. It definitely lacked intersectionality and dismissed other problems, especially climate change, but overall it is a great book to give you hope for a future with happier people and less inequity.
Good read about how anti-trans rhetoric stems from classic sexism and phallocentrism