Zane Graham > Recent Status Updates

Updated my monthly progress on my reading for January 2026. Overall it was a slower month than I would have liked as I was doing a lot of work preparing for the full year. But I can now mostly just put my head down and start reading and reflecting.

I am pretty much done with this. I'm reading two different translations, and Goodreads doesn't let me show that I am actually reading two translations... Anyways, I've read the main story, now I am just reading some of the appendices, essays and commentary that the translators have attached to their publication of the Epic of Gilgamesh.

I'm taking this one slow. It is very dense. Honestly downright archaic and frustrating to read sometimes because the authors language is needlessly flowery and downright making the simplest explanations into the most beautiful tapestries. This is one of the most beautiful and hardest books I have read. It's an experience for sure.

I'm finished with this book. Just writing my review. If you want my opinion now, ITS BIG POOPOO DONT READ IT.

I have been reading this on and off on audio for a few months as a background comfort read since I know alot about theology & the Bible, but I was often getting lost or would quit paying attention. So, I decided to restart this book by reading it traditionally. This book has a lot more going on than I thought. It looks like contemporary writing, but it's actually serious scholarship. The first chapter is brilliant!

Much more enlightening in my re-read, especially with some knowledge of platonic philosophy. Doing some quick research I realized the author was an Aristotelian so of course I was going to see some dialectical philosophy going on.

Picked this back up again. Started taking notes as I read. Slowed me down significantly, but helps me keep the firehouse of world History in my mind.

2025 END OF YEAR READING REFLECTION

If you want to read my year end reading reflection, here is the link to my substack. Goodreads isn't allowing me to post a wall of text 🥲🙃

https://open.substack.com/pub/zanegra...

November general update: I did an oopsie and discovered graphic audio books, and before I knew it.... I read 6 books in a month. Don't know how that happened, but it did.

I read a section in "The Earth and It's Peoples" about the levant region, Mesopotamia, and early Babylon/Assyria, in preparation for reading the Epic of Gilgamesh. I am reading two different translations, but the goodreads interface is being funky in displaying that. I also started reading Plato again. and somehow found myself reading "The Universal Christ" with a friend. Overall, a decent month for reading.

Just finished reading chapter 20 and I immediately burst into tears during the last 3 paragraphs because of how closely it mirrors my own experience that is so hard to describe or share with friends and family. How being given access to new and better information, not a college education (but is necessary for any education) can radicalize anyone. This is why my worldviews, my faith, and why my politics changed.

For the total of two people that take the time to read my thoughts. I will take a break from Sanderson as I focus my attention towards other works that I have been poking through. I am currently reading 2 Sanderson books but they are not my focus. I have one reflection ready to post. After that, it may be slim pickings because the other books I am reading take more time to properly appreciate.

Sincerely,
Idiot boy.