Rec
Short and enthralling, with prose that is both breezy and profound and a simple yet confounding story. Itās like a snapshot of someoneās heart. I think the scenery and emotion of this book brought about a natural and gorgeous visualization of the story, which is wonderful to experience.
Sep 20, 2024
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James Baldwin's masterpiece reads like a noir film set in 1950s Paris, where the real crime isn't passion but self-deception. An American expat and his Italian lover circle each other in a dingy room, both knowing this can only end one way. Baldwin strips away every romantic illusion to reveal the raw nerves of shame, desire, and the lies we tell to survive. It's brutal, beautiful, and unforgettable and never overstays itās welcome.
Jul 24, 2025
Rec
Lyrical and tender, this is a short book but youāll want to read it slowly simply because every page is packed with something devastating or gorgeous...or both
āFor I amāor I wasāone of those people who pride themselves on their willpower, on their ability to make a decision and carry it through. This virtue, like most virtues, is ambiĀguity itself. People who believe that they are strong-willed and the masters of their destiny can only continue to believe this by becoming specialists in self-deception. Their deciĀsions are not really decisions at allāa real decision makes one humble, one knows that it is at the mercy of more things than can be namedābut elaborate systems of evasion, of illusion, designed to make themselves and the world appear to be what they and the world are not.ā
āFor I amāor I wasāone of those people who pride themselves on their willpower, on their ability to make a decision and carry it through. This virtue, like most virtues, is ambiĀguity itself. People who believe that they are strong-willed and the masters of their destiny can only continue to believe this by becoming specialists in self-deception. Their deciĀsions are not really decisions at allāa real decision makes one humble, one knows that it is at the mercy of more things than can be namedābut elaborate systems of evasion, of illusion, designed to make themselves and the world appear to be what they and the world are not.ā
Jul 8, 2024
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Iām not sure how accurate this is to what youāre looking for, but Giovanniās room definitely has an atmosphere of heartbreaking romance, jazzy, floaty summers and swooning emotion š«¶š½
Top Recs from @katishka
Rec
I really struggled with all the unstructured time post-grad and my body totally flipped like what do you MEAN I have nothing to do and if I do nothing, nothing will happen? This rec is annoying, but as a skilled layabout, it really helped me overcome the whole āwhat do I do all dayā thing and also the āwhy am I falling asleep at 3 AM and waking up at noon?ā thing to make a loose schedule and try to adhere. If youāre applying for jobs, school, or even just pondering what to do next, think about:Ā
At what time during the day do I feel most awake and alive? Then, block out like four hours around that window. I try to do 90 minutes of focused work at a time with like 60 minutes between for chilling.Ā So, if you can start with two little blocks of working on applications or doing some intentional, focused pondering, great. Gradually, you can increase the amount of work if you want.Ā
Then, plan the rest of your day around things you need and want to do - move your bod, eat, socialize. Things like talking a short walk in the morning to get some sunlight, going to the movies, and calling friends, lighten me up!Ā Ā Keep it simple babe!Ā
Post-grad, I laid on a couch for three months in stay at home girlfriend mode totally consumed by fear. I asked a lot of older people how they figured things out and they told me that nobody ever does. I like to do some meditations on intention and listening to yourself (linked). And I agree with capyboppy...try to stay present and pay attention to what you got going on right now! The weight of future is heavy becuase you probably want your life to be sick and meaningfulā¦.and thatās cool.
At what time during the day do I feel most awake and alive? Then, block out like four hours around that window. I try to do 90 minutes of focused work at a time with like 60 minutes between for chilling.Ā So, if you can start with two little blocks of working on applications or doing some intentional, focused pondering, great. Gradually, you can increase the amount of work if you want.Ā
Then, plan the rest of your day around things you need and want to do - move your bod, eat, socialize. Things like talking a short walk in the morning to get some sunlight, going to the movies, and calling friends, lighten me up!Ā Ā Keep it simple babe!Ā
Post-grad, I laid on a couch for three months in stay at home girlfriend mode totally consumed by fear. I asked a lot of older people how they figured things out and they told me that nobody ever does. I like to do some meditations on intention and listening to yourself (linked). And I agree with capyboppy...try to stay present and pay attention to what you got going on right now! The weight of future is heavy becuase you probably want your life to be sick and meaningfulā¦.and thatās cool.
Rec
I have been known to hate on France for no particular reason, but this video convinced me that it is a special place. I donāt know the context nor do I want to. The scene is uncanny yet the emotion is so pure...dare I say, Lynchian?
