A quiet studio for writing, visuals, and notes.
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In Zero K , Jeffrey Lockhart’s father, Ross, is a billionaire in his sixties, with a younger wife, Artis Martineau. Her health is failing. Ross is the primary investor in a remote and secret compound where death is exquisitely controlled. Bodies are preserved until a future time when biomedical advances and new technologies can return them to life. Jeff joins Ross and Artis at the compound to say “an uncertain farewell” to her as she surrenders her body. These are...
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Heart of Darkness is a novella written by Joseph Conrad and published in 1899. The story follows Charles Marlow, a sailor and narrator, as he recounts his journey into the heart of Africa to find the enigmatic ivory trader Kurtz. Marlow’s quest takes place during the height of European colonialism in Africa. As he travels up the Congo River, he witnesses the brutal and exploitative nature of imperialism firsthand. The novella explores themes of darkness, moral ambiguity, and the corrupting...
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The Peregrine is a nature book written by J. A. Baker and published in 1967. It is a deeply immersive account of the author’s observations of peregrine falcons in the British countryside. Baker divides the book into diary entries spanning several years. During this time, Baker meticulously documents his encounters with these birds of prey. His observations focus on a particular pair of peregrines and their hunting expeditions. Baker’s prose is rich and evocative. It captures the beauty and power...
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Thomas Pynchon wrote The Crying of Lot 49 in 1966. The story follows Oedipa Maas, a California housewife, as she becomes entangled in a complex and bewildering conspiracy. Invararity’s estate names Oedipa the executor of his estate. As she delves into her role, she discovers a series of puzzling and interconnected clues that lead her on a surreal and convoluted journey. Oedipa’s investigation takes her into a world of enigmatic underground postal systems, secret societies, and strange encounters with eccentric...
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King Lear is a tragic play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1603 and 1606. The play tells the story of an aging King Lear who decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters. But the consequences of this decision lead to a series of tragic events. Act I Act I introduces the characters and sets the stage for conflicts that drive the rest of the play. King Lear decides to divide his kingdom among his...
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The Satanic Verses is a novel written by Salman Rushdie and published in 1988. The story revolves around two main characters, Gibreel Farishta and Saladin Chamcha, whose lives become intertwined in a series of surreal and fantastical events. The novel begins with a plane explosion over the English Channel, in which Gibreel and Saladin miraculously survive. However, their bodies undergo a transformation, blurring the boundaries between reality and imagination. Gibreel starts experiencing vivid dreams and visions, while Saladin develops physical...
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Numero Zero is a novel written by Umberto Eco and published in 2015. It is a satirical work that explores themes of media manipulation, conspiracy theories, and the blurred line between truth and fiction. The story is set in Milan in 1992 and follows Colonna, a freelance writer who is hired to work for a mysterious publishing project called “Domani” (“Tomorrow”). “Domani” aims to create a nonexistent newspaper, which would be used to manipulate public opinion and serve the interests...
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William Boyd wrote and published Any Human Heart in 2002. It is a fictional autobiography that follows the eventful life of the protagonist, Logan Mountstuart, during the 20th century. Boyd presents the narrative through Logan’s journal, which Logan keeps throughout his life. The novel spans various periods and locations, offering a panoramic view of historical events. These events include World War I, the Spanish Civil War, World War II, and the Swinging Sixties. Boyd portrays Logan as a complex and...
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In 2007 Anthony Grayling external link (Wikipedia bio) wrote Against All Gods, a collection of polemical essays attacking religion. In To Set Prometheus Free he develops those themes more comprehensively. He unpacks the claims and arguments of religious apologists. He summarizes the views of his fellow secularist Bertrand Russell. In particular, he details the controversy over ‘Intelligent Design’ and outlines his personal, naturalistic worldview. In To Set Prometheus Free , Grayling robustly calls for humanity to choose deliverance from religion....
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Eli Sisters, the more introspective and sensitive of the two brothers narrates The Sisters Brothers . A wealthy man known as the Commodore hires Eli and Charlie to hunt down and kill a man named Hermann Kermit Warm. The Commodore says Harm has stolen from the Commodore. As the brothers travel from Oregon City to California, they encounter a variety of eccentric and often dangerous characters. Among these include rival bounty hunters, sex workers, and gold prospectors. Eli begins to...
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Andy Weir wrote the sci-fi novel The Martian in 2011. It is a gripping and realistic tale of survival set on Mars. Watney’s crew strands him on Mars after they believe he is dead, killed in a giant dust storm. With limited supplies and no means of communication with Earth, Watney must rely on his ingenuity. He turns to his scientific knowledge and resourcefulness to survive in the harsh Martian environment. Watney faces numerous challenges, including finding ways to grow...
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Set in the early 19th century, Traveler of the Century follows the travels of Hans, a young German traveler and translator who arrives in the fictional city of Wandernburg. Hans becomes acquainted with a diverse cast of characters, including intellectuals, revolutionaries, and aristocrats, each representing different facets of society. As Hans delves deeper into the city’s social and intellectual circles, he becomes involved in discussions. He debates on a wide range of topics, such as politics, love, literature, and human...
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“Paterson” is a long poem written by American modernist poet William Carlos Williams and published in five parts between 1946 and 1951. Williams names the poem “Paterson,” as Patterson, NJ is where he lived and worked as a doctor. The poem is a sprawling and ambitious work that was published in four parts and tend in my reading to go from great (Book 1) to so-so (Book 2), and on downward in overal quality. Just a fragment from the first...
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Look Homeward, Angel is a novel written by Thomas Wolfe and published in 1929. It is a coming-of-age story that follows the protagonist, Eugene Gant, as he grows up in the fictional town of Altamont, North Carolina, during the early 20th century. The novel explores Eugene’s tumultuous upbringing in a dysfunctional family. His father, Oliver, is a restless and ambitious stonecutter, while his mother, Eliza, is a controlling and domineering woman. Eugene’s siblings and extended family members also contribute to...
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China Mountain Zhang is a science fiction novel written by Maureen McHugh and published in 1992. Set in a future where China has become the dominant global superpower. The world is one where social and technological advancements have shaped a new society. The novel follows the life of Zhang Zhong Shan, a young man living in New York City. Chinese culture now influences most aspects of life. Zhang is a construction worker with a Chinese heritage who struggles with his...
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All I Asking for Is My Body is a novel written by Milton Murayama and published in 1975. Set in early 20th-century Hawaii, the novel follows the life of Kiyoshi. Kiyoshi is a young Japanese-American boy growing up in a plantation community. Murayama’s novel explores the struggles of the Japanese immigrant community in Hawaii during a time of social and economic inequality. Kiyoshi comes from a poor family. They face discrimination and prejudice from both the white plantation owners and...
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What would any of our high school educations be without Mr. Vonnegut, a ubiquitous favorite among our English teachers. Breakfast of Champions is set in the fictional town of Midland City. It’s where Dwayne Hoover’s life begins to unravel as he becomes increasingly unstable and delusional. Kilgore Trout, unaware of his importance to Dwayne’s situation, arrives in the same city. He’s there for an arts festival. Vonnegut explores a wide range of themes, including free will, mental illness, capitalism, and...
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“The Purloined Letter” begins with Dupin’s friend, the narrator, visiting him at his home. The Prefect of the Parisian police interrupts the investigation. The Prefect seeks Dupin’s assistance in locating a stolen letter. He informs Dupin that the letter contains sensitive information. And potentially has blackmail material against a prominent societal figure. The Prefect explains that the letter was stolen by Minister D—, who concealed it in plain sight. Minister D– placed it among his correspondence. Despite conducting thorough searches,...
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“The Gold Bug” is a short story written by Edgar Allan Poe. It follows the adventure of an unnamed narrator and his eccentric friend, William Legrand, as they search for buried treasure. The story begins with the narrator visiting Legrand on an isolated island in South Carolina. Legrand, who has recently become obsessed with finding buried treasure, shows the narrator a mysterious scarab-like bug (aka “The Gold Bug”). He believes holds the key to discovering the treasure’s location. Legrand describes...
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The Colossus of Maroussi is a travel memoir written by American author Henry Miller and published in 1941. The book chronicles Miller’s experiences traveling through Greece in the late 1930s and his encounters with various people. At its core, The Colossus of Maroussi is a personal exploration of Miller’s deep appreciation for Greece and its people. The narrative is a blend of vivid descriptions, philosophical reflections, and poetic musings. Miller immerses himself in the Greek way of life and the...
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A Contest for Supremacy examines the socioeconomic forces at play in US-China relations. I do not share the author’s conclusion, but it’s an engaging book. According to Friedberg, despite its impressive size and population, economic vitality, and drive to upgrade its military, China remains a vulnerable nation surrounded by powerful rivals and potential foes. Understanding China’s foreign policy means fully appreciating these geostrategic challenges, which persist even as the country gains increasing influence over its neighbors. Andrew J. Nathan and...
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“The Great Wall of China” is a short story written by Franz Kafka. It is a fictional account that explores the construction and purpose of the Great Wall, employing allegory and philosophical themes. The story presents a first-person narrative of an unnamed narrator who joins the labor force building the Great Wall. The narrator describes the immense scale of the project, highlighting the effort and resources required to build such a colossus. As the story progresses, the narrator delves into...
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Let Me Be Frank with You ( LMBFWY ) is a novel by American author Richard Ford and published in 2014. LMBFWY is a collection of interconnected stories featuring Frank Bascombe. Bascombe is a middle-aged retired sportswriter and real estate agent living in New Jersey. The book serves as a sequel to Richard Ford’s previous novels: The Sportswriter , Independence Day , and The Lay of the Land . Following Hurricane Sandy, Let Me Be Frank with You explores Frank’s...
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Kurt Vonnegut wrote Slaughterhouse 5 from his own experiences serving in the armed forces. It tells the story of Billy Pilgrim, an optometrist and World War II veteran. Billy becomes “unstuck in time,” experiencing moments of his life out of chronological order. Vonnegut structures the novel in a non-linear fashion. Billy’s experiences during the war, particularly the firebombing of Dresden, Germany, serve as a central focus. Vonnegut himself was a survivor of the Dresden bombing, and the novel draws from...
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Henry Adams, journalist, historian, and member of the Adams political family, posthumously published The Education of Henry Adams in 1918. It won a Pulitzer the following year. The book chronicles Adams’ personal and intellectual journey throughout his life. He reflects on the changes and challenges he witnessed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Adams recounts his privileged upbringing as a member of a prominent New England family. He explores his experiences in education, from his time at Harvard...
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“The Royal Game,” also known as “Chess Story,” is a novella written by Stefan Zweig. It tells the story of Mirko Czentovic, an uneducated but exceptionally talented chess player. Czentovic becomes the focus of a psychological battle during a transatlantic voyage. The narrative begins with the introduction of Dr. B., a wealthy Austrian who is traveling on a cruise ship. Dr. B. is a chess enthusiast and becomes intrigued when he learns that Czentovic is also on board. Czentovic is...
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Desert Queen: The Extraordinary Life of Gertrude Bell is a biography written by Janet Wallach that explores the remarkable life of Gertrude Bell. She was an influential British traveler, writer, archaeologist, and political figure of the early 20th century. The book provides a comprehensive account of Bell’s life, beginning with her privileged upbringing in a wealthy British family. It follows her journey as she defied societal expectations for women at the time. Bell went on extensive travels and explored the...
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Gerald Murnane published Barley Patch in 2009. It is a contemplative and introspective work that delves into themes of memory, imagination, and the nature of storytelling. A writer and self-described “matchmaker of words” narrates the novel. He shares his reflections on his life, his obsession with the Australian landscape, and his experiences with writing and storytelling. The narrative is nonlinear and fragmented, with the narrator weaving together memories, dreams, and fictional scenarios. At the heart of the novel is the...
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Hunter S Thompson wrote Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas in 1971. It is a semi-autobiographical account of a drug-fueled journey through Las Vegas by the narrator, Raoul Duke. His attorney, Dr. Gonzo, joins him for the ride. The story follows Duke and Dr. Gonzo as they travel to Las Vegas to cover a motorcycle race. However, their trip quickly descends into a chaotic and hallucinatory adventure fueled by drugs, alcohol, and reckless behavior. Throughout the novel, Thompson explores the...
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On California’s fog-hung North Coast, the enchanted redwood groves of Vineland County, a wild assortment of sixties refugees from the “Nixonian Reaction” live on. They’re still struggling with the consequences of their past lives. Aging hippie freak Zoyd Wheeler is revving up for his annual act of televised insanity. The latter typically involving self-defenestration to keep government checks flowing. When news reaches that his old nemesis, sinister federal agent Brock Vond, has come storming into Vineland. And with him a...
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