on rotation.
a few of the books i'm currently reading -- or at least trying to.
Just Kids by Patty Smith
I won't tell you the real reason I picked this up. But for now, let's tell ourselves that it's Patti Smith, why would anyone not pick this up!
I won't tell you the real reason I picked this up. But for now, let's tell ourselves that it's Patti Smith, why would anyone not pick this up!
Daughters of the River Huong by Uyen Nicole Duong
One thing about me is I love dedications. Be it on worn out park benches or in italicised fonts on the first few pages. I picked this up on a whim at the H Bookstore on a summer afternoon, and it read:
"To my family and the Vietnam I left behind." It stuck with me for a week.
I came back for it. I'm so glad I did.
One thing about me is I love dedications. Be it on worn out park benches or in italicised fonts on the first few pages. I picked this up on a whim at the H Bookstore on a summer afternoon, and it read:
"To my family and the Vietnam I left behind." It stuck with me for a week.
I came back for it. I'm so glad I did.
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
I think my memoir era is starting. With the concept of tethering the lines of life and death close to my heart and head these days, I'm finding that I have to put this book down a lot because it makes me think. And at the same time, it's such a privilege to be able to read something that makes me feel so much.
I think my memoir era is starting. With the concept of tethering the lines of life and death close to my heart and head these days, I'm finding that I have to put this book down a lot because it makes me think. And at the same time, it's such a privilege to be able to read something that makes me feel so much.
Mothers, Fathers, and Others by Siri Hustvedt
In the back corner of a small jazz bar in Hanoi, my friend whom I haven't seen in 3 years whispered "I have something for you -- coffee tomorrow?" Over two mugs of warm Vietnamese egg coffee, she slid handed me her very own copy.
Thank you, P. I've loved it so far.
In the back corner of a small jazz bar in Hanoi, my friend whom I haven't seen in 3 years whispered "I have something for you -- coffee tomorrow?" Over two mugs of warm Vietnamese egg coffee, she slid handed me her very own copy.
Thank you, P. I've loved it so far.
Did I Ever Tell You? by Genevieve Kingston
I picked up running over the summer. Well, that is if you consider a 12 minute mile running. I spent summer afternoons post-coding exploring routes around Cambridge, stopping at every lttle free library for a peek inside -- but really it was to take a breather. I found this on evening, and ran home with it.
I picked up running over the summer. Well, that is if you consider a 12 minute mile running. I spent summer afternoons post-coding exploring routes around Cambridge, stopping at every lttle free library for a peek inside -- but really it was to take a breather. I found this on evening, and ran home with it.
Before Women Had Wings by Connie May Fowler
One of the traditions I have just between me, myself, and I is that on every trip to New York, I shall stop by Strand and just get lost in the shelves. This was a find I made this summer. Here's to New York City, little traditions, and using our wings.
One of the traditions I have just between me, myself, and I is that on every trip to New York, I shall stop by Strand and just get lost in the shelves. This was a find I made this summer. Here's to New York City, little traditions, and using our wings.
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo
Given to me in parchment paper wrapping in my dorm's basement before I blew the candles out for my 21st, S told me this is a book that means a lot to her. Just a few pages in, I can already see it meaning a lot to me.
Given to me in parchment paper wrapping in my dorm's basement before I blew the candles out for my 21st, S told me this is a book that means a lot to her. Just a few pages in, I can already see it meaning a lot to me.
currently reading.
Very rarely do I find a book I read in one go.These are ones that I'm actively (or semi-actively)
reading. Updated October 28th.
Some other titles that I have bookmarked are:
Les Fleurs du Mal by Charles Baudelaire
Somebody's Daughter by Ashley C. Ford
Severance by Ling Ma (reread)
Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett -- giving up on this I fear.
& always.
all time favourites. altered my brain chemistry for the better.
Klara and The Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Changed view on life and how to live. After all, who am I? Who am I without the love instilled in me? Who am I without the love I give? Who do I, then, want to be? And, well, if I hadn't known this before, this book made me realise that all I want to be is simply the embodiment of love.
Changed view on life and how to live. After all, who am I? Who am I without the love instilled in me? Who am I without the love I give? Who do I, then, want to be? And, well, if I hadn't known this before, this book made me realise that all I want to be is simply the embodiment of love.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Bitter. Poignant. Raw. Never have I yet to see an author walk the lines of fictional non-fiction so skilfully. Stunningly impeccable, and powerfully touching, I'm so glad I exist at the same time as this.
Bitter. Poignant. Raw. Never have I yet to see an author walk the lines of fictional non-fiction so skilfully. Stunningly impeccable, and powerfully touching, I'm so glad I exist at the same time as this.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
One of the most nuanced reads, breaking down life, death, and catastrophe in all of its complexity. This book is not just about death; it's about death, and so much else. It's not about calamity; it's about calamity, and so much more. What this book is, is a masterpiece -- a should-be mandatory read, one worthy of a permanent spot on any bookshelf.
One of the most nuanced reads, breaking down life, death, and catastrophe in all of its complexity. This book is not just about death; it's about death, and so much else. It's not about calamity; it's about calamity, and so much more. What this book is, is a masterpiece -- a should-be mandatory read, one worthy of a permanent spot on any bookshelf.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
"If you ever fall in love, you’ll be a person who was in love for the rest of your life," encapsulates this beautifully. It's a powerful reminder that love, once experienced, becomes an integral part of who we are, influencing our actions and decisions long after the initial feeling has faded.
"If you ever fall in love, you’ll be a person who was in love for the rest of your life," encapsulates this beautifully. It's a powerful reminder that love, once experienced, becomes an integral part of who we are, influencing our actions and decisions long after the initial feeling has faded.
The Master and Margarita by Bulgakov, Mikhail
A drunk English major neighbour of some friends recommended this to me one night. I thought it was the alcohol talking; it may very well have been that, but the book really is good, too.
A drunk English major neighbour of some friends recommended this to me one night. I thought it was the alcohol talking; it may very well have been that, but the book really is good, too.
all time favourites.
Here are a few titles I truly and thoroughly andutterly adore. If to be loved is to be changed,
then these books have changed my very being for the
better and continue to do so with every reread.
soon to be.
books i so desperately want to find time to read.
