A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I read this as part of a 4-book set, and immediately started on the 2nd book so I'm not entirely sure where this book left off and the second one began. This book seems to just introduce the world Martin has created so he can actually get to the story in Book 2, which makes it a little dull. Despite having an entire book to make his introduction, there are a lot of not-too-deeply developed characters in this book. And yet, here I am reading the second book without even pausing in between, so there must be something I love about it.

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American Pastoral by Philip Roth

American Pastoral by Philip Roth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Who am I to review this book? So I won't.

I highlighted half the book, but my favorite sentence is: “He had learned the worst lesson that life can teach - that it makes no sense. And when that happens the happiness is never spontaneous again. It is artificial and, even then, bought at the price of an obstinate estrangement from oneself and one's history.” I kind of wish I was like the early Swede and didn't understand this sentence.

Another sentence I love, but which is a bit less straight-forward is: "A dozen candles burned in two tall ceramic candelabra, and to the Swede, who sat flanked by his mother and by Sheila Salzman, everyone's eyes--deceptively enough, even Marcia's eyes--appeared blessed in that light with spiritual understanding, with kindly lucidity, alive with all the meaning one so craves to find in one's friends."

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The Complete Stories of Anton Chekhov, V1: 1882–1885

The Complete Stories of Anton Chekhov, Volume 1: 1882–1885 by Anton Chekhov
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Very good stories that Chekhov wrote early in his career. There are repeating themes of cowards, hypocrites, and general assholes who easily reveal themselves.

Took me a long time to get through this collection!

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