3,196 books
—
11,301 voters
to-read
(81)
currently-reading (7)
read (801)
novels (306)
graphic-novels (116)
popular (111)
classics (108)
currently-reading (7)
read (801)
novels (306)
graphic-novels (116)
popular (111)
classics (108)
philosophy
(90)
history (89)
1800s (78)
favorites (74)
biography (71)
poetry (69)
short-stories (66)
history (89)
1800s (78)
favorites (74)
biography (71)
poetry (69)
short-stories (66)
“When we read, another person thinks for us: we merely repeat his mental process. In learning to write, the pupil goes over with his pen what the teacher has outlined in pencil: so in reading; the greater part of the work of thought is already done for us. This is why it relieves us to take up a book after being occupied with our own thoughts. And in reading, the mind is, in fact, only the playground of another’s thoughts. So it comes about that if anyone spends almost the whole day in reading, and by way of relaxation devotes the intervals to some thoughtless pastime, he gradually loses the capacity for thinking; just as the man who always rides, at last forgets how to walk. This is the case with many learned persons: they have read themselves stupid.”
― Essays and Aphorisms
― Essays and Aphorisms
“Choose a life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a fucking big television. Choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players and electrical tin openers... Choose DSY and wondering who the fuck you are on a Sunday morning. Choose sitting on that couch watching mind-numbing, spirit crushing game shows, stucking junk food into your mouth. Choose rotting away in the end of it all, pishing your last in a miserable home, nothing more than an embarrassment to the selfish, fucked up brats you spawned to replace yourself, choose your future. Choose life... But why would I want to do a thing like that?”
― Trainspotting
― Trainspotting
“The art of not reading is a very important one. It consists in not taking an interest in whatever may be engaging the attention of the general public at any particular time. When some political or ecclesiastical pamphlet, or novel, or poem is making a great commotion, you should remember that he who writes for fools always finds a large public. A precondition for reading good books is not reading bad ones: for life is short.”
― Essays and Aphorisms
― Essays and Aphorisms
Catching up on Classics (and lots more!)
— 15782 members
— last activity 17 minutes ago
The world is made up of two kinds of people: first, those who love classics, and second, those who have not yet read a classic. Be bold and join us as ...more
Pulp Fiction
— 1909 members
— last activity Dec 31, 2025 01:29PM
Hard Boiled detective novels, noir, and great crime novels (old and new)
Joe’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Joe’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
Favorite Genres
Polls voted on by Joe
Lists liked by Joe





































