Cory Alexander > Recent Status Updates

Only two stories in but a lot of fun. Genuinely unsettling. Very solid prose, for horror. Things left untold only to be imagined. Overall should be a good one! I'm so use to Stephen King and the lessers, I forget about those with real style, Shirley Jackson, Poe, Straub, Kafka and I'm sure a ton more I can't think of. King is the king of telling great stories through horror, there are those who write it beautifully.

There are some beautiful passages. Some interesting parts of the story. But overall I find his character to be too single facetted. Hes good looking, charming, and people just love him. Where he started was interesting, his messed up family but him being a lovable "con man" just isn't enough. I hope he gets a little of his come uppens in the last 150 pages of this book, or is at least more obviously seen through.

Some fun and creative stuff but not really my thing. Not interested enough to keep track of all the characters who don't seem different enough. I'll finish it but a bit long.

Oh yeah. Japan learning good. English learning bad. Not enough acknowledgement of its own bias in this book.

Great for tips on how to be a curious, open minded, and cautious intellectually but the constant mentions of climate change as the easy example of the truth to be recognized is a bit of a turn off. I don't deny climate change but the subject often brings along with it the implication that the government and spending will be the savior. Probably my bias. But recognizing it doesn't mean endorsing the popular strategies

What's the intelligence trap where you keep mentioning the exotic places where you travelled to have discussions? Lol one small thing I notice with books similar to this. It was really bad in Stolen Focus by Johann Hari. This book does it a bit too.

A bit biased even when indicating how to be less bias. Certainly liberal. Obviously that doesn't mean wrong. Good tips though. Real world practical help on "evidence based wisdom."

Many emotions felt in this multidirectional and wide scoped book. While I've always appreciated the biological imperative present and it's explanatory nature, this book has really opened my eyes to what exactly that entails and how much needs to be considered. It's thought provoking. What exactly are the costs and benefits of how and how much we aim our culture at and away from our biological nature? Let's find out.

Confused. Not confused. Reassured. Then a little confused and incredulous. Those have been my states of mind in order so far. Interesting but not an easy read overall.

Behavior is greatly influenced by genetics. So? So we should be weary and watchful. Override it when we can when it is better for us and our species. But also, give ourselves a break sometimes. We are so influenced by our genetics that sometimes we won't be perfectly rational creatures and that is okay because it is the truth. Try. Be kind. Be altruistic when you can. But also be an animal when you have to be.

Not sure If I've read (listened in this case) a book like this before. Technical. But not boring. You can tell an engineer wrote it. It does go into encyclopedic type knowledge but it keeps you with it. And the characters are likable. I hope it turns out well!

I've really grown to love some of these characters. Some chapters are just absolutely amazing. A chapter just now prinarily about Mario was beautiful. Also watched an interview with DFW. Definitely a bit of a tortured genius.

Interesting so far!

There's no way this situation ends well. Lol.

Listening to this one. Seems fun!

What a world is built here. Absurd. Funny. Deep. Confusing at times. And again funny. So glad I am making it through the audiobook and loving it. Again, never would have made it through the book. Whoch apparently only like 7% of readers do. Basically most started without finished book so I forgive myself for audio of a certified classic. Also its more about the story and characters as opposed to prose. Great vocab!

Gosh darn it, I am enjoying this one. Best descriptions of the setting I think I've ever read. Normally I am not so much into those. They're too flowery and without substance. The gothic setting is discussed just enough to remind you of it haunting in the background the whole time. The MC is hateable and yet you feel for him. Solid story so far and this last chapter has been action packed.

Beginning to see the greatness!

I am absolutely loving this writing. The narrator is hateable at times but also speaks so beautifully. His insights into life are only matched by his ignorance with regard to his ironic and frankly distasteful opinions. The gothic vibe is wonderful. Just creepy enough. So far I would say I am liking it more than Rebecca, which I read to start the year off. Similar though.

Oddly enjoyable! So happy the audiobook version is doing the trick. Occasionally I tune in an out during certain chapters but I never would have finished the 1000+ page book. Now that I have an idea of who some of these characters are I am very curious to see how it develops. I can tell a lot more to still establish too. The Canada terrorist? aspect, I have no clue of yet. But tennis academy is great. Drug house too.

Lonesome gothic abode next to the sea. Fuck yeah. Cool vibes.

Not really sure whats going on half the time. Some great sections. Some confusing. It's sometimes referred to as an encyclopedic novel. Fitting. Also so far wouldn't know what to call it. The audiobook version while probably not 100% ideal, while this version has the end notes placed in the audio, but i just would not have taken on the physical book with any success as I haven't already twice. Its that kind of book.

Funny. Some sadness. Some small county vibes. Certainly endearing. Curious to see the wrap up.

As funny as people said. Great small town (county) vibes. Believable characters. Lots of them.