to-read
(470)
currently-reading (0)
read (134)
did-not-finish (0)
non-fiction (198)
history (118)
fiction (94)
currently-reading (0)
read (134)
did-not-finish (0)
non-fiction (198)
history (118)
fiction (94)
environmental
(93)
science (93)
upenn-landscape-arch-list (58)
feminist (50)
politics (49)
food (30)
cities (22)
science (93)
upenn-landscape-arch-list (58)
feminist (50)
politics (49)
food (30)
cities (22)
“The journey is part of the experience - an expression of the seriousness of one's intent. One doesn't take the A train to Mecca.”
― A Cook's Tour: Global Adventures in Extreme Cuisines
― A Cook's Tour: Global Adventures in Extreme Cuisines
“I leave Sisyphus at the foot of the mountain. One always finds one's burden again. But Sisyphus teaches the higher fidelity that negates the gods and raises rocks. He too concludes that all is well. This universe henceforth without a master seems to him neither sterile nor futile. Each atom of that stone, each mineral flake of that night-filled mountain, in itself, forms a world. The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy.”
―
―
“Happiness is a garden walled with glass: there's no way in or out. In Paradise there are no stories, because there are no journeys. It's loss and regret and misery and yearning that drive the story forward, along its twisted road.”
― The Blind Assassin
― The Blind Assassin
“Few things are more beautiful to me than a bunch of thuggish, heavily tattooed line cooks moving around each other like ballerinas on a busy Saturday night. Seeing two guys who'd just as soon cut each other's throats in their off hours moving in unison with grace and ease can be as uplifting as any chemical stimulant or organized religion.”
―
―
“Garlic is divine. Avoid at all costs that vile spew you see rotting in oil in screwtop jars. Too lazy to peel fresh? You don't deserve to eat garlic.”
― Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly
― Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly
Allison’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Allison’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
Favorite Genres
Art, Children's, Classics, Contemporary, Fantasy, Fiction, Romance, Science, Science fiction, Travel, and Young-adult
Polls voted on by Allison
Lists liked by Allison




































