Books

Print books and audiobooks.

2023

The Secret History by Donna Tartt (1992)9.3/10. Audiobook narrated by Donna Tartt. Such a surreal murder experience akin to Parasite. The characters are so well-written and distinct in each of their own ways. I love the dark academia vibe.

Favorite quotes:

"but how," said Charles, who was close to tears, "how can you possibly justify cold-blooded murder?"
Henry lit a cigarette. "I prefer to think of it," he had said, "as redistribution of matter."

"I like Homer," I said weakly. He regarded me with chill distaste. "I love Homer," he said.

"Death is the mother of beauty," said Henry.
"And what is beauty?"
"Terror."
"Well said," said Julian. "Beauty is rarely soft or consolatory. Quite the contrary. Genuine beauty is always quite alarming."

Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong (2021)6.9/10. Audiobook narrated by Cathy Park Hong herself! I feel bad for rating this book so poorly. I understand the weight this book holds but... her writing (speaking) just didn't do it for me.
Consequences of Capitalism: Manufacturing Discontent and Resistance by Noam Chomsky and Marv Waterstone (2021)7.0/10. Marv and Chomsky do a great job talking about consequences but don't really provide viable solutions or actions on how we can turn capitalism on its head.
The Passenger by Cormac McCarthy (2022)6.9/10. Audiobook narrated by MacLeod Andrews and Julia Whelan.
Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic by Sam Quinones (2015)8.0/10.
Exhalation (stories) by Ted Chiang (2019)6.9/10. Audiobook narrated by Edoardo Ballerini, Dominic Hoffman, Amy Landon and Ted Chiang.