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Rovelli has me intrigued with people he mentions, such as Leopardi. How did this poet know what he knew at age 15?

Twisty book that at times seems way too focused on the macabre so I zone out, only to be upset I've not paid closer attention to who is who. SGJ has me though as we hurl to the end. And end that I bank will be unpredictable for this simple mind.

Listening to this one at 1.8x and cannot get over the reader...so entrancing. I'm not normally a horror reader, however, I'd argue that this horror is akin to Sinners. A crumb just dropped about the pastor's history that has me wondering how this story ends...

Currently my spin book read at local Y. Rovelli is a seamless storyweaver, who keeps one engaged through smart, humorous sidebars while maintaining enough structure to not lose track of the arc of the essay. So far, Dante's descriptive 3-spheres remains a revelatory marvel.

Went to library before it closed to return unread books, and on a whim, did quick scan of 811s and surrounding NR stacks when his one caught my eye. In 100+ degree heat I then walked to a local grocery and then another all the while entranced by this gem. Not read RA before but the man is a smooth writer that has me rethinking how art intersects politics in the US.

Fiction is not my go-to yet this book...it came onto my radar because I know the author's parents. Neither of them have read it...the author told them not to (lol) and that was the right call. It seems so base yet there is a psychological element to it that has me perplexed...why do we let people "undo" us in the name of desire? Are there people that we let in because they are our shadow OR...

Ondaatje poems....I disagree with folks lamenting about name-dropping or opaqueness or____, they are simply tiny word boats in which I wish to sail away on (yeah, as that came to mind I realize spotify keep throwing River into my mix).

I didn't know Dean Young, whom I'd read over the years via blogs, died of Covid in 2022. This is a gem of a book that delves into creativity, not just of poetry but of the visual, and the connections he makes to they "whys" of art cause for pause. Since I only read when on the bike at the gym...it may be a while, actually I will reread once done so I can underline the brilliance.

I swore a week ago I'd call it a day...and yet, I want the punchline. This is one of those books that leaves me with more books to read since I've not a scientific mind. I feel that Carroll is wrong, however, I've no empirical data to back it up.

Carroll has me wanting to throw in the towel and read someone who isn't such a rooster about his own created theory. How many times does he talk about the fact that something cannot be proven only to then say that his poetic naturalism pretty much cannot not be wrong (yet he cannot prove it) but rests in the fact that it is a safe middle ground. Meh..then again, I am a layperson, maybe I got it wrong.

Meh..as a layperson this can be above my pay grade, however, I am also suspicious of anyone who claims they have it all figured out. Carroll's poetic naturalism seems to fit his narrative a little too nicely. Will continue, but I am so far unconvinced, and more convinced that he is just upset that he couldn't move a piece of paper with his mind when a child...

Classic Abudrraqib, but I swear his voice - stylin of line is gravitating to next level. How he makes his lines breathe between emotional tensions is beyond me. I started reading, but the library just came though with audio...I feel blessed because HA reading tears all barriers down emotionally.

Not the hippydippy Watts stuff...have had to backtrack several times. Above my paygrade, and a worthwhile. It is an apt reminder that it boils down to ego...who is asking the question, really.

Hmm my audio loan ran out & im not sure I care to understand the integration of plot lines. It has been an interesting listen here and there. I appreciate a couple of philosophical HM quips but I think HM has an obsession that drifts off the page.

A bizarre book that has me terrible curious when & how the threads will merge...

Bizarre yet addicting. A curious sidebar...now I understand the commentary I read once about HM's obsession with sexuality in his stories. It is odd, often detracts, yet want to believe it is touching upon an unspoken aspect of psyche... listening while doing chores late at night so may never finish

Abdurraqib has penned an unabashed love letter to ATCQ that will makes a non listener curious. For me, it has taken me back to that era when music & culture seemed limitless, expansive. Each chapter contains glimpses into the author's life, the music, and its influence on his person. Appreciative of this latest chapters addressing the senseless killing of Black lives, 2016 election, & how we grieve for people & time.

Abdurraqib...crushes it every time. He is that guy who you'd see at the corner record shop with a vibe that you know he will walk out with gold, a hidden gem. In my day, we'd say he's cool. Fascinating ride down hip-hop | east coast west coast history.

This is my Y book of choice...and it gets me miles down the road. Honestly, Hayes has me revisiting things I've read or watched with complete cultural humility. His commentary on Baldwin...damn. And now I am rewatching, I Am Not Your Negro, just to understand how I do not really understand despite having read his work. This is why white folks like me in the middle of america need a diverse education, need CRT.

A bit like reading a blog written by a sharp-tongued, insightful academic. Hayes addresses the disparity in the poetic cannon & delivers a sample of what we SHOULD know. All the Black voices, the literary greats, that do not get taught or read, then or today.

Come to find that Abdurraqib's insight on music is phenomenal, steeped in a modest delivery that can only be called "cool" by this GenX reader. Tribe fans will be more so upon completion of these pages.

one of the best biographics read...makes me think I could read BR or LW's classics and understand..for a brief moment, at least.

Listening to the 50th anniversary edition and have backed up so many times that it seems text might be wiser. The introduction and first chapter are an unbelievable immersion into a philosophy I think I thought at 20 and lost to "fitting in". I foolishly began to drink the koolaid on gender oppression - this book reminds me of the truth. It is a reckoning to admit that I see the truth of fearing one's own freedom.

This remains a thought-provoking, beautiful immersion into ancient Chinese philosophical text. What is yet to be understood is Red Pine's ability to take writings that one assumes are esoteric and obscure and transform them into modern language. He knows his stuff - is this artistic liberty or a true translation? No matter, the Dao has been a delight with sidebar notations of many ancient sages own interpretations.

Truly a rabbit hole read..arriving to after watching the film, The Man Who Knew Infinity (brilliant actor). BR is in documentary, while brief the point of his role made me realize I wanted to learn more. Enter, Logicomix, a rather inventive dive into BR life as well as a primer on mathematics & philosophy a la BR. It makes me sad that I got sneaky and never learned proper mind-blowing math, ie proofs.

So many thoughts… bottom line, Red Pine captures the beauty & wisdom. Chapter on Laozi is a delight since he includes many summary translation snips from notable sages to accompany each portion of Dao.