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noahtato's reviews
89 reviews
The Watcher and Other Stories by Italo Calvino, William Weaver, Archibald Colquhoun
medium-paced
3.75
Three really interesting stories about futility. Smog was probably my favorite. The era and location give it an otherworldly feel.
The Upanishads by Eknath Easwaran
medium-paced
4.0
I don't have much to criticize about this text outside of the translator's obsession with comparing it and attributing its ideas to western philosophy that it predates. That being said, I am most interested in reading Schopenhauer now.
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Problematic for a number of reasons--honest and honestly fucked up--really revelatory account of culture at the dawn of modern commercialism of art and culture--interested in connecting this book to its legacy in the basis of beat culture--want to know what he grew into--not a very compelling or likable cast of characters--
The Analects by Confucius
slow-paced
2.25
... Maybe I'll get more out of this work when I live before the time of Christ...
Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In by Roger Fisher
2.75
A very straightforward and fundamental description of principled negotiation tactics... Not revolutionary but well organized and explained with helpful examples and metaphors.
The Sun My Heart by Thích Nhất Hạnh
4.0
Beautiful read with much wisdom to carry forward. A look at buddhist thought (and non thought) through a blend of the lenses of philosophy, science, traditional practice, and experience. Thich Naht Hahn writes with a personal verve and passion for his teaching. He even reads his own book to meditate, he says.
Gravity & Grace by Simone Weil
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
Gravity and Grace is a very confusing book; it reads almost like a compilation of unrelated journal entries bounded by certain themes. The through line can be hard to track, but there are some wonderful moments that shine through:
"To love a stranger as oneself implies the reverse: to love oneself as a stranger."
"To desire friendship is a great fault. Friendship should be a gratuitous joy like those afforded by art or life."
"That which is and that which cannot be are both outside the realm of becoming."
Like, ok. Interested in how any of these ideas will reverberate. I will definitely pick this up again later...
"To love a stranger as oneself implies the reverse: to love oneself as a stranger."
"To desire friendship is a great fault. Friendship should be a gratuitous joy like those afforded by art or life."
"That which is and that which cannot be are both outside the realm of becoming."
Like, ok. Interested in how any of these ideas will reverberate. I will definitely pick this up again later...