Bananas. Often hard to read, because of its insensitivity and my own second-hand embarrassment…

Totally insane, with a perfectly unsatisfying ending

Unsettling but not distressing

Beautiful and devastating

A California I haven‘t known but have sometimes met

Instant favorite

Mostly true campfire stories

Momentous

An must-read and re-read.

Unexpectedly quirky and schema-shifting. I was forced to be self-reflective and valued my findings

Gruesome and unexpected. I loved it.

Quick, sharp, witty, and perhaps unsurprisingly outdated?

Sweet, nostalgic, and self-deprecating - worth reading for the end.

High Windows felt like a long, gut feeling. We‘d read pieces from this book out loud to each other at parties in LA…

Freeing and heartbreaking, a love (and live) letter

This book forgoes a linear timeline in favor of winding, unforgettable themes. I loved it.

Went straight to Cafe Formosa afterward (Mason rec)

Intense and layered - I felt an urgent need to finish this book once I‘d started. (Evie rec)

I am obsessed with this book. I feel like I‘m reflecting on a short on-and-off fling with someone who probably wasn‘t great for me in the first place but who I seriously enjoyed seeing for their insane comedic timing and spontaneity. I‘m more glad it happened than happy it‘s over.

This book felt meditative to read and cathartic to finish... (Mason rec)

There‘s something about describing complex systems using clever metaphors which never ceases to awe me. I came away with ethical questions and answers, the resolute need to Google several allusions, and a more nuanced understanding of “the big banks.” (Kuba rec)

This book feels experimental, critical, and new. Smith hops between literary styles and formats, exploring her characters from all angles. I guess I couldn‘t keep up.

I carried this book with me everywhere for the few weeks while I was reading it, and I wish to take it with me everywhere now that I‘ve finished it. An absolute must-read.

Frustrating and luxurious; this book is an incredible source of reflection, discussion, and catharsis.(Evie rec)

This book has such rhythm, insight, and justice to it. After just finishing it, I feel like I should read it again.

A lot of build up for an unexpected ending (Henry rec)

The perspective of this book is everything - Rooney‘s descriptions of teenage thoughts felt instinctive and concise, without condescension. (Kuba Rec)

3 amazing cacophanies

This book said everything I‘m afraid to say aloud and made me a little embarrassed to think I‘ve felt anything that hasn‘t already been written... I loved it. (Kuba rec)

I loved V for Vendetta, but I was surprised to prefer the HBO show over the original novel. Need to see the film.

Witty and thoughtful. Equations are sparsely used, but analyses are teased apart step by step

Painlessly entertaining, applicable concepts

A new favorite play

Of love and LA...

Cool concept, not my favorite writing (Katherine rec)

Establishes an unexpectedly charming parallel of worlds

All the praise for this book

Wacky as an audiobook

Surprisingly down-to-earth darkness

Unquestionably powerful and unsettling as a historical document

Super trippy and hard to put down (Katherine rec)

Relatable and powerful - I loved it (Miles rec)

I needed this book

Classic Inspector Montalbano (Giacomo rec)

Racy even today (Paul rec)

Gripping, if you can get through the horrifically graphic beginning (Veohnti rec)