bloom was a huge contributor to the late 1900’s critic scene, and this book is a gleaming exhibit of his strong opinions. very good book to read if you start accidentally enjoying poetry too much and are in desperate need of a reminder that there’s someone out there who hates everything you love. there is a hater out there who ventures into rocky thesis literally just to imply superiority over acclaimedly talented authors. god, i love miserable people. who’s with me?

SUCH an excellent series. red dragon, then silence of the lambs, hannibal rising was a bit of a lower point comparatively, hannibal being genuinely decent. you really do get reminded of who, exactly, your subconscious is rooting for. i grew up with the movies, breezed through the show, and started the book series on a fateful plane ride years ago and could confidently say it's one of my favorite collections, will graham being one of the better characters i've encountered in my lifetime. if serial killer or detective stuff isn't for you, get into this series anyways. i assure you that your mind will be changed forever. it's both a genre-staple and a lovely exception...

a dude sells his soul for extra lifespan and endeavors to pawn off the damnation. super gothic story. the plot is trippy, not the tightest structure, but it's a fun read. and by fun i mean depressing. but also kind of inspiring, like jeez, humanity perseverance, legit nobody wants to give their soul up for this guy. this is about how lonely it feels trying to get someone to hang around with you. one of my favorites from the 1800's in general, i'd wager...

my favorite author, but she's not for everyone. some think her chatty and overly-rational in her narration, but i think it's genuinely perfect, so if you enjoy dry brit humor and have a wide enough vocab, let her charm you into following this book's unlikable, vibrantly written characters. because honestly she excels at character dynamics more than any author i've encountered, and her way of seeing people and the social commentary of her character's psyches matches the way i also see people and their tendencies, and it matches how i think people are SO intensely that her books are sometimes unbearable to me. she's such a genius.

non-linear in a way that made me think of heat wave (which if you know me, you'll know that's my favorite book. if you REALLY know me, you've recieved an annotated copy and get harassed about reading it every few months...). the book follows an architect, who sees the city of london almost as another entire character. penelope lively is the queen of vivid descriptions, and this book is an intelligent indicator of that fact. i love how she'll leave out commas and make her own rules and wordsmith the living hell out of her books, the sheer prowess makes me want to faint off of a bridge. also some ww2 blitz-related gloom, which is spirited.

think of the person you know most hopeless. cynical, negativistic, suicidal, bleak. is it you? an ex-friend? well, once you’ve read this it’ll no longer be either. i’ve recommended this to people who have genuinely clawed out of depressions and overcame themselves just on the basis of wanting to be nothing like this guy. no longer human seems like a happy-go-lucky tale when put up against e.m. cioran. this book is obnoxiously drenched and hilarious.

such a stellar way to collect early western philosophy. even if you’re not super into the classics, or if these types of books aren’t much for you, this is both a great re-immersion, refinement, and also starting point on the subject. he has a sort of slightly negative humor (except on the topic of aristotle, which i sensed some kinda major affection for), and it makes the content feel a whole lot less heavy. muchly recommended

i remember back when i was a hostess this guy wouldn’t leave my stand because he saw me reading this book and wanted to tell me all about how tupac read it in jail, i got smacked with 20 minutes of west coast rapper history as his wife and child watched on in horror. so, beware of bringing your copy of the prince in public, lest you get caught unawares by a tupac fan.

dfw’s best short story comp and it’s not even close. it’s definitely a book for people who already appreciate him. his descriptions are so tactile, criminally so, and if you’re someone who appreciates that and some rambling stylizing, you’ll also love this. there were definitely some i liked more than others, which is to be expected. look, he's a weird guy. i'm not one of those people who worship the air around him.