The Book Thread Book • Page 187

might take my semi-annual break from fantasy to jump back into the presidential biography project

 

I’ve prob mentioned it before but if you want more like this check out Marlow Murder Club.

 

Taking suggestions for bookshelves! I've never had a nice bookshelf but now that I have my own office, the time is now

 

I use Ikea's Billy. There's several sizes so they can fit in any space.

 

Crazy that you came in here to ask that because I just moved into a new apartment and was going to ask you guys what your bookshelf setup looks like, haha.

 

You inspired me to try and do this. I know with my life and the way I read, this is going to take me the rest of my life, haha. So I'm going to make an Excel spreadsheet and keep track. I finally decided to do it after I saw some tweet about James Garfield's assassination. I was like I don't know nearly enough about the presidents no one ever talks about and I'd kinda like to know, especially since I teach Social Studies in middle school.

 

I will check it out, thanks!

 

hell yeah, I pretty much plan on this taking the rest of my life too haha. I started summer 2023 and have only read up to Jefferson, but each book has been incredible. There are a ton of options out there for the more well-known presidents whereas there aren't many option for someone like Martin Van Buren lol.

I have been using this page as basically written law. This dude read hundreds of presidential bios over the years and is continually updating the list: ***The Best Presidential Biographies***

 

I don't think I've ever bought a new bookshelf, just collected them from friends/family who were getting rid of them, or maybe picked up a couple at yard sales. I have six shelves completely full, but we're in the middle of a big house renovation right now so nothing is in its normal place and I can't take nice pictures. I considered building floor to ceiling built-in shelves in my home office, but I'm glad I haven't yet since I might be moving my office to the basement soon.

 

Two chapters in and I like laughter in the dark more than Lolita. I feel like it’s so much more accessible and weighed down by the prose.

 

I have a built-in bookshelf right by the windows at the front of my house, and it's bursting at the seams with too many books. might be my favorite corner of our home

 

Picked up Farewell Summer by Ray Bradbury on a whim at the library. Apparently it's part of a trilogy of sorts along with Dandelion Wine and Something Wicked This Way Comes. I've read Something Wicked and loved it, but haven't read Dandelion Wine yet.

While his prose is a little saccharine and very flowery, it's often beautiful and extremely evocative. No one can describe late summer and early fall like him. Like King, he has a preternatural ability to evoke nostalgia for a time I never experienced, yet hits on a universality that's undeniable. To put it another way, holy shit his words make me feel a lot.

 

I loved Something Wicked. It does the best job capturing the feeling of childhood fear. The whole thing feels like a nightmare you would have when you're 12 that sticks with you for the rest of your life

 

My reading so far this year. I'm pretty happy with it. Right now I am reading "Summer At Mount Asama" by Masashi Matsuie, which is beautiful novel.

 

I love Elena Ferrante, the Neopolitan Novels were so unique!

 

Yeah I read them last year. This one isn’t as good but definitely very similar.

 

My list for 2025 so far.

 

High Fidelity is an all time fave.

 

Starring Jonathan Franzen’s book of essays “How to be Alone” off of multiple recommendations over the last year or so. Never read a collection of essays before so intrigued to see how I respond to the format

 

Anyone else here a Lispector stan? Reading The Apple in the Dark and it is marvelous. She was able to touch something so far and deep in the human soul that very few others could reach.

 

On Chapter 11 right now and I love this damn book so much. I want an alien best friend. The audiobook is great.

 

Tore through Project Hail Mary in a few days. Looking forward to the movie. Rocky forever

 

I also just finished this!!! Thought the movie would be out sooner given the press that I’ve been seeing for it tbh.

 

Just finished Wild by Cheryl Strayed. I think overall it was okay. Not bad but didn't hook me either. She was wildly unprepared so part of me kept getting annoyed by her but it's not like I know any more than she does. But I also didn't try to hike the PCT solo lol. Tho it works as someone who's in their mid 00s and fairly cocky. And she's more successful than me so what do I know!

Next read is the most recent release from Thursday Murder Club series. Then I'll prob read the Stranger Beside Me by Anne Rule since it's a bit of a book blind spot for me