Some book reviews

I’m sorry I didn’t post last Sunday; life got ahead of me and I ran into a writer’s block. I thought about posting random content, but I figured that I should strive to make each blog post meaningful rather than having filler words.

So I’m still currently in a writer’s block because I really don’t have any motivation or inspiration to write anything – that’s just the truth. The last few weeks I’ve been writing so many papers and filling out a lot of applications, and I know that’s not an excuse, but I’ve just come to a point where I’ve run out of things to say… for now, at least. I have a few vlog ideas I could work on too but I need the time and energy to edit them, and with work, I’ve just been getting really exhausted.

Several people now have individually asked me what I would recommend for a good book. I have a few hits that come to mind, and thought it’d be meaningful to share them here. Keep in mind though, I’m really into surrealist novels, though the best ones are like jewels, hard to find.

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1. If on a winter’s night a traveler, Italo Calvino
This book is absolutely one of my favourites. It’s simply ingenious. The plot is intricate and complex, and will have you wondering why such a book exists. If my memory serves me correctly, the novel is half written in second person so it’s even more captivating… because you are the protagonist.

2. Einstein’s Dreams, Alan Lightman

This novel is a quick read, but will leave you wondering about the different concepts of time. I think it could entertain even the most scientific minds to an idealistic, humanities mind like mine. A simple book, and maybe you’ll discover which concept of time you would most like.

“And at the place where time stands still, one sees lovers kissing in the shadows of buildings, in a frozen embrace that will never let go. The loved one will never take his arms from where they are now, will never give back the bracelet of memories, will never journey afar from his lover, will never place himself in danger of self-sacrifice, will never fail to show his love, will never become jealous, will never fall in love with someone else, will never lose the passion of this instant of time.”

3. Lolita, Vladamir Nabokov 
 Yes, it is about a pedophile, but what’s so disturbing and wonderful about this novel is that Nabokov allows you to almost make sense of this nonsense. This novel also includes his poetic prose and allows you to taste spices of his exile throughout the plot. I’m pretty sure I should go back and reread this novel that I’m older, but I almost want to leave it in my innocence (yes, ironic).

4. The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger
This will always be one of my favourite novels. It’s the first book that’s ever really spoken to me from a personal angle, and everything Holden says and does is just golden. This book will forever remain as my favourite go-to novel, though really clichéd.

“Among other things, you’ll find that you’re not the first person who was ever confused and frightened and even sickened by human behavior. You’re by no means alone on that score, you’ll be excited and stimulated to know. Many, many men have been just as troubled morally and spiritually as you are right now.”

5. Cat’s Cradle, Kurt Vonnegut
But in all honesty, I love all of Vonnegut’s novels. They’re pretty amazing. Each plot is so complex, and you just get the feeling that everything just will fall into one coherent piece. I get inspired really easily too, so when my mentor told me that he had the chance to study with Vonnegut and hear his personal stories, I was sold.

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Those are my top five. Pretty generic for the most part I would say, but a solid five. I’ve read too many classics and now find that most of them are just okay (I’m sorry to those who love classics). I don’t know; I appreciate them, but I won’t ever love them.