relict.mkv
reading corner
books that have shaped my thoughts // marginalia made digital // slow reading in a fast world //
The Left Hand of Darkness
"Mind-bending exploration of gender and society. Le Guin's worldbuilding is incredible."
Kitchen Confidential
"Raw and honest look at restaurant culture. Bourdain's voice is unmistakable."
Project Hail Mary
Absolutely incredible. Weir's best work yet. The friendship at the heart of this story is beautiful and the science is fascinating without being overwhelming. Made me laugh, cry, and think.
"I'm pretty much the most important person in the universe right now."
The Thursday Murder Club
Charming cozy mystery with delightful characters. The elderly protagonists are well-developed and the mystery keeps you guessing. Perfect comfort read.
"People talk about how nice it would be to live forever. But they never think about how lonely it would be to love forever."
Klara and the Sun
Ishiguro's gentle exploration of consciousness and love through an AI's perspective. Beautiful and melancholic as always.
"Perhaps all humans are lonely. At least, all the humans I ever observed. Are you lonely, Klara?"
The Midnight Library
Interesting concept about parallel lives and choices. A bit heavy-handed with the life lessons but still thought-provoking.
"It is quite a revelation to discover that the place you wanted to escape to is the exact same place you escaped from."
Recursion
Mind-bending time travel story that actually makes sense. Crouch handles complex concepts brilliantly and the emotional core is strong.
"We all live day to day completely oblivious to the fact that we're a part of a much larger and stranger reality than we can possibly imagine."
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Compelling character study with Old Hollywood glamour. Evelyn is a complex, fascinating protagonist.
"People think that intimacy is about sex. But intimacy is about truth."
Station Eleven
Beautiful meditation on art, memory, and human connection in the face of catastrophe. Mandel weaves multiple timelines masterfully.
"Survival is insufficient."
"The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found, but made, and the activity of making them changes both the maker and the destination."
This quote perfectly captures how I feel about building this website - each page I create changes both the site and me as a creator.
"We accept the love we think we deserve."
Simple but profound. Been thinking about this a lot lately in terms of friendships and career choices.
"I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship."
Classic quote but it hits different when you're navigating major life changes.
"Sometimes I can hear my bones straining under the weight of all the lives I'm not living."
Captures that feeling of infinite possibility and choice paralysis perfectly.
"We are all alone, born alone, die alone, and—in spite of True Romance magazines—we shall all someday look back on our lives and see that, in spite of our company, we were alone the whole way."
Dark but strangely comforting. There's freedom in accepting this.
"I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library."
Same, Borges. Same.
2025 Reading Goal
current focus: exploring more sci-fi and diverse voices
milestones
books are rated on vibes alone // quotes transcribed while caffeinated // progress updated sporadically // physical books preferred but ebooks accepted //
