to-read
(657)
currently-reading (4)
read (808)
international (342)
non-fiction (301)
audiobook (207)
loved (152)
america (137)
classics (121)
british (95)
great-character-alert (91)
favorites (83)
currently-reading (4)
read (808)
international (342)
non-fiction (301)
audiobook (207)
loved (152)
america (137)
classics (121)
british (95)
great-character-alert (91)
favorites (83)
history
(78)
essential (73)
too-many-good-books-to-read-to-wast (70)
overrated (68)
italy (55)
capitalism (51)
shoulda-coulda (51)
politics (48)
american-lit (46)
war (46)
crime (45)
relationships (45)
essential (73)
too-many-good-books-to-read-to-wast (70)
overrated (68)
italy (55)
capitalism (51)
shoulda-coulda (51)
politics (48)
american-lit (46)
war (46)
crime (45)
relationships (45)
“Consulting maps can diminish the wanderlust that they awaken,as the act of looking at them can replace the act of travel. But looking at maps is much more than an act of aesthetic replacement. Anyone who opens an atlas wants everything at once, without limits--the whole world. This longing will always be great, far greater than any satisfaction to be had by attaining what is desired. Give me an atlas over a guidebook any day. There is no more poetic book in the world.”
― Atlas of Remote Islands: Fifty Islands I Have Never Set Foot On and Never Will
― Atlas of Remote Islands: Fifty Islands I Have Never Set Foot On and Never Will
“I keep telling you, you don't pay enough attention to the minor characters. A novel should be like a street full of strangers, where no more than two or three people are known to us in depth.”
― Suite Française
― Suite Française
“I draw a line down the middle of a chalkboard, sketching a male symbol on one side and a female symbol on the other. Then I ask just the men: What steps do you guys take, on a daily basis, to prevent yourselves from being sexually assaulted? At first there is a kind of awkward silence as the men try to figure out if they've been asked a trick question. The silence gives way to a smattering of nervous laughter. Occasionally, a young a guy will raise his hand and say, 'I stay out of prison.' This is typically followed by another moment of laughter, before someone finally raises his hand and soberly states, 'Nothing. I don't think about it.' Then I ask women the same question. What steps do you take on a daily basis to prevent yourselves from being sexually assaulted? Women throughout the audience immediately start raising their hands. As the men sit in stunned silence, the women recount safety precautions they take as part of their daily routine. Here are some of their answers: Hold my keys as a potential weapon. Look in the back seat of the car before getting in. Carry a cell phone. Don't go jogging at night. Lock all the windows when I sleep, even on hot summer nights. Be careful not to drink too much. Don't put my drink down and come back to it; make sure I see it being poured. Own a big dog. Carry Mace or pepper spray. Have an unlisted phone number. Have a man's voice on my answering machine. Park in well-lit areas. Don't use parking garages. Don't get on elevators with only one man, or with a group of men. Vary my route home from work. Watch what I wear. Don't use highway rest areas. Use a home alarm system. Don't wear headphones when jogging. Avoid forests or wooded areas, even in the daytime. Don't take a first-floor apartment. Go out in groups. Own a firearm. Meet men on first dates in public places. Make sure to have a car or cab fare. Don't make eye contact with men on the street. Make assertive eye contact with men on the street.”
― The Macho Paradox: Why Some Men Hurt Women and How All Men Can Help
― The Macho Paradox: Why Some Men Hurt Women and How All Men Can Help
“Collect books, even if you don't plan on reading them right away. Nothing is more important than an unread library.”
―
―
“My library is an archive of longings.”
― As Consciousness is Harnessed to Flesh: Journals and Notebooks, 1964-1980
― As Consciousness is Harnessed to Flesh: Journals and Notebooks, 1964-1980
Being Author
— 694 members
— last activity Jan 24, 2024 05:32AM
Exploring Authors skills, creativity and Book Promotion. Promoting Best Indie Authors. Featuring best Author as Being Author, Author of the Month.
Aspiring Writers
— 189 members
— last activity May 29, 2021 09:47AM
Hey y'all this is just a writing group where we can talk about: - our writing progress - asking for advice - talking to other ppl who are currently w ...more
Guardian Newspaper 1000 Novels
— 553 members
— last activity Dec 06, 2025 11:54PM
The Guardian put together an excellent list entitled '1000 Novels Everyone Must Read', and this group will read books each month from a selection of t ...more
Canadians Club
— 103 members
— last activity Mar 20, 2025 01:38AM
Hey everyone! I’ve created a new group called Booktok & Bookstagram for book lovers who enjoy talking about books, sharing recommendations, and making ...more
Seoul Book Club Hosted by Barry Welsh
— 344 members
— last activity Jul 02, 2025 08:12PM
This is a book club for discussing Korea-related books. Everyone is welcome.
Brendan’s 2024 Year in Books
Take a look at Brendan’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
More friends…
Favorite Genres
Polls voted on by Brendan
Lists liked by Brendan



























































