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#essays
quote
monalyisha
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New mission statement:

“We can still fight emptiness with fullness. Better to order the third plate of pasta. Better to graze each word once.”

TheBookHippie 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 9h
36 likes1 comment
review
monalyisha
Pure Innocent Fun: Essays | Ira Madison, III
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Panpan

In “The Emancipation of Me,” Madison admits he‘s never finished a Franzen book aside from his essay collection, “because who can‘t finish an essay collection?” His self-deprecating response is, “Most of my friends I give my book to probably.” This is obviously meant to be a joke but…WOW, I AGREE.

I shouldn‘t have finished this. I was deeply bored by it. And I‘m exactly his age, which means it should have been a delightful nostalgia trip. 👇🏻

monalyisha 1/3: I was tricked into reading this book by a remarkably cool cover design, a reference to Buffy the Vampire Slayer in the synopsis, and a surface-level similarity to R. Eric Thomas‘ work, which I love. Both writers are gay Black Milennial men writing memoir-style essays, leaning heavily on pop culture references while, ostensibly, offering a deeper societal critique. 15h
monalyisha 2/3: Thomas, though, is a beautiful writer. I can see how Madison might be an entertaining podcast host (and friend) but I do not think the same can be said of him. Madison‘s essays are rambling, repetitive, poorly organized, and self-involved; they don‘t accomplish the task of using self-reflection to comment on grander ideas. Instead, the vibe is “These are the things that made me ME. Ta-da!” 15h
monalyisha 3/3: I‘m glad he‘s found some semblance of self-confidence and I‘m remiss to knock him down but this is the kind of writing perfect for LiveJournal — NOT a formal book. Really, I should have known we wouldn‘t vibe when he proclaimed that “people are mostly just trying to seem cool when they claim [Hercules] is the best animated Disney film. It only has three songs anyone actually remembers.” That soundtrack slaps. 15h
ChaoticMissAdventures I love his podcast. I have listened every week for years (since the beginning I think) but when he said he was putting out this book I had zero interest. It is interesting how the mediums do not cross over for him. He and Louis are a real fun time though if you are looking for a pop culture podcast. 15h
monalyisha @ChaoticMissAdventures I meant it when I said he‘s probably a great host! This format does him no favors. I did appreciate his analysis of “Bring It On,” though. So, at least there‘s that? 15h
44 likes5 comments
review
Rome753
A Collection of Essays | George Orwell
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Pickpick

Really enjoyed this. As its name suggests, the book consists of multiple, separate essays rather than a single narrative. They cover a variety of topics, such as commentary on other authors and personal stories. Throughout, Orwell doesn't shy away from commenting on issues and providing needed insight. High recommend.

bibliothecarivs Orwell's essays are wonderful. I read the collection tagged here a few years ago and it quickly became one of my favourite books. 5d
Rome753 @bibliothecarivs They really are amazing. Very engaging and thought provoking. 5d
TheBookHippie I like these so much. 5d
17 likes4 comments
review
TheDaysGoBy
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Pickpick

My kitty Rory in her favorite spot as I finished up this one. I‘ve been a fan of Alton for years and I found a lot of his essays interesting. He made some great points with stuff while also giving a little peek behind the curtain to some of the projects he worked on. I definitely enjoyed this

#catsoflitsy

Ruthiella 😻😻😻 6d
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 #adorablerory 6d
30 likes2 comments
blurb
trifleneurotic
Complete Works | Michel de Montaigne

Francis Bacon once said that "...some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few are to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention."

I believe I have embarked on a work of the third type, and I know it will take a long while to finish. But when that day comes, that book will truly be mine.

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trifleneurotic
Complete Works | Michel de Montaigne
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We owe subjection...to all kings, for that concerns their office; but we do not owe esteem... Let us make this concession to the political order: to suffer them patiently if they are unworthy, by commending their indifferent actions if their authority needs our support. But, our dealings over, it is not right to deny to justice and to our liberty the expression of our true feelings.

blurb
Rome753
A Collection of Essays | George Orwell
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Trying to read, but can be difficult at times.
#TuxedoCats #catsandbooks #readingcats

Bookwomble Feline life problems! 😼 7d
AnnCrystal ✨😹🐾💫. 7d
Rome753 @Bookwomble Very much so! 7d
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 7d
18 likes4 comments
review
swynn
Immemorial | Lauren Markham
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Pickpick

(2025) The author, gazing on Arctic and mountain ice that she knows will be gone in a few short years, longs for a word to describe her sense of loss over something that isn't lost yet, and her urge to memorialize a climate that is only in the process of changing. From this departure point she muses about memory, memorials, monuments, language, responsibility, and the climate crisis. I recognize her feelings, and am grateful for her voicing them

review
Robotswithpersonality
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Pickpick

An absolute joy to read. Exactly what you hope to find in non-fiction by someone with a poetry background.
Such a warm appreciation for food, connecting to remembrances shared with family and friends, of travel, of being the child of immigrants, of discovering the cultures and places of your family tree. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? The essays about various foods also include trivia and history, and don't shy away from more difficult topics including Nezhukumatathil's own experiences as a person of colour, Asian American, with a mixed-race family.
For those who might also appreciate this angle, I'll add that it is not a foodie book that focuses on recipes or much kitchen experience. It's often the food prepared by others or discovered when dining out.
1w
Robotswithpersonality 3/3 There's no sense of intimidation, even a relatable recognition of when others are more proficient at favoured food prep than yourself.
Truly a wonderful time regardless of your skill level.
Oh, and the illustrations by artist Fumi Nakamura acting as introductions to each new food essay are beautiful and brilliantly colourful. 😍

⚠️Mention of school shootings, enslavement
1w
10 likes2 comments