
One of the best reading months of the year with new authors and some truly first-rate novels.
6. The Emperor’s Tomb
— Joseph Roth
Another excellent Roth. Next up is The Radetzky March. Thus far, my favorite is Job, my September book of the month.
9. Babylon’s Ashes
— James S.A. Corey
The last 150 pages are very blockbuster, very cinematic, very entertaining. This is the sixth installment (of nine) in the Expanse series. Next up is Persepolis Rising.
12. The Nakano Thrift Shop
— Hiromi Kawakami
A sweet, slow-burn tale. Perhaps my second favorite by this author, after Strange Weather in Tokyo.
13. Porphyry’s Against the Christians
— R. Joseph Hoffmann
Over the years I’ve often seen Porphyry quoted. It was time to read what is extant of his writings (very little). Some of his arguments are still valid today. Although I still think the best argument against Christianity is its trinitarian god: Jesus the failed messiah; Yahweh the lunatic.
15. Beneath the Wheel
— Hermann Hesse
Another journey-to-find-oneself novel from Hesse. A good read but it doesn’t compare to Siddhartha, Demian, and Steppenwolf (three of my favorite novels).
17. The Third Reich
— Roberto Bolaño
First time reading Bolaño. Not sure it was the best place to start. It felt like a very easy read. Enjoyed the simple style. Should I read the 900-page 2666, or the 700-page Savage Detectives next?
DNF: Misunderstanding in Moscow
— Simone de Beauvoir
Only 100 pages, but this one bored me to tears and I gave up just over half-way through. As an older reader I have much less patience with books I’m not enjoying. If you’re new to Simone de Beauvoir, then I recommend the brilliant The Woman Destroyed and All Men Are Mortal instead.
