328 books
—
635 voters
to-read
(2365)
currently-reading (2)
read (1474)
mystery-thriller (349)
science-fiction-fantasy (225)
arc (195)
short-stories (189)
memoir (168)
philosophy (134)
science (121)
first-novels (111)
social-criticism (106)
currently-reading (2)
read (1474)
mystery-thriller (349)
science-fiction-fantasy (225)
arc (195)
short-stories (189)
memoir (168)
philosophy (134)
science (121)
first-novels (111)
social-criticism (106)
brain-matter
(99)
british (99)
film-media (97)
essays (93)
history (93)
classic (79)
biography (77)
nyrb (73)
religion (73)
staff-pick (68)
library (64)
favorite (59)
british (99)
film-media (97)
essays (93)
history (93)
classic (79)
biography (77)
nyrb (73)
religion (73)
staff-pick (68)
library (64)
favorite (59)
“The United States is the wealthiest nation in the history of the world, yet its inhabitants are strikingly unhappy. Accordingly, we present to the rest of mankind, on a planet rife with suffering and tragedy, the spectacle of a clown civilization. Sustained on a clown diet rich in sugar and fat, we have developed a clown physiognomy. We dress like clowns. We move about a landscape filled with cartoon buildings in clownmobiles, absorbed in clownish activities. We fill our idle hours enjoying the canned antics of professional clowns... Death, when we acknowledge it, is just another pratfall on the boob tube. Bang! You're dead!”
―
―
“Do those things that incline you toward the big questions, and avoid the things that would reduce you and make you trivial.”
―
―
“Divided, cut up by borders, frontiers, fences and prohibitions, our wretched planet flew on, spinning into the icy emptiness of space, toward the sharp pinpoints of those stars --and nowhere on its surface was there a place where someone was not keeping someone else behind bars; where one lot of prisoners, helped by other prisoners, was not guarding a third set of prisoners --and themselves-- against the risk of taking an undesirable, lethally dangerous gulp of the bright blue air of freedom.”
― Faithful Ruslan
― Faithful Ruslan
“...There are too many idiots in this world. And having said it, I have the burden of proving it.”
― Black Skin, White Masks
― Black Skin, White Masks
Atheists and Skeptics
— 2217 members
— last activity Aug 16, 2025 12:20PM
This is a group meant for the discussion of atheism and skepticism and the books associated with both. Recommending books arguing for or against relig ...more
Philosophy
— 5748 members
— last activity 7 hours, 57 min ago
What is Philosophy? Why is it important? How do you use it? This group looks at these questions and others: ethics, government, economics, skepticism, ...more
Apocalypse Whenever
— 13819 members
— last activity 1 hour, 23 min ago
The most active group for apocalyptic and dystopian stories! Join a monthly book discussion, get recommendations, or just tell us if you like canned p ...more
Mark’s 2024 Year in Books
Take a look at Mark’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
More friends…
Favorite Genres
Polls voted on by Mark
Lists liked by Mark




































































