#i'm interested.

Froooooom @squidgilator!

Last book I

Bought: That was a used copy of Paradise Lost which I'd like to pick at over the years.

Borrowed: I borrowed Piranesi. Which didn't touch me emotionally like it did so many other people but I really enjoyed it! I loved the world building. The rhythms of the House was something I never even tried to track, it was one of those things you just read and you're like alright the waves come from the Eastern Hall at six in the afternoon, got it, next. And I enjoyed that, actually. I loved the setting. I liked the man, Piranesi, and I liked the pathos of the book or the life perspective that it argued for.

Was gifted: The Master and Marguerita. Ugh. Such a good book. The devil, the intrigue and scandal, the metaphor for censorship, the blood and guts, the talking cats, the heat lightning, the lovers... the moon.

Gave to someone: Unfortunately, I don't really swap books often. I gave my best friend a hardback of Frankenstein. (<3)

Started: Elektra by Jennifer Saint... Ugh... such an enjoyable read for me. Her prose is not at all flowery, which I'm appreciating, it's very straight forward but still getting the imagery and emotion across. Satisfyingly poignant. It covers the Greek stories stretching from pre to post Iliad and the plot of the Oresteia. Which is right up my ally, I love that section of the myths. It's got the curse of the house of Atreus, it's got the Trojan war, it's got the legend of Achilles and Patroclus unfolding out of sight like an ominous and cutting echo... I wish she'd lean into the natural description even more, because I love when she mentions the sea or the sky or the scents. The three main characters are Clytemnestra, Elektra, and Cassandra. I knew I'd enjoy Elektra because I read the Elektra by Sophocles and I immediately enjoyed the polarizing aspect of her personality and how she refuses to let go of her pain no matter how convenient or good for her that would be. A part of me really resonates with the fact that we all sort of have to let go of some pains at some point and that can feel bad, well not Elektra, she won't let go. Clytemnestra I grew to love even more. And I expected I would be bored by Cassandra but instead she's really a great perspective. I've learned a lot about her and she's compelling enough and she provides the Trojan insight which is what makes that war so evocative. I've never been so softened to Hector. I mean he was sympathetic in the Iliad obviously but yeah. I am a little bit like, everyone was a human being in a war regardless of their side. And so I sympathize more with my side not because the Trojans aren’t good and compelling people but because it’s just my side (the Greeks) because that’s what side the Iliad is written from. And I take all of Saint’s retelling with a grain of salt that it is one person interpreting the myths in their own terms but with that in mind I adore it.

Finished: Oooo. Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal by Jeanette Winterson. Shared that one with a friend, it was quite enjoyable.

Gave five stars to: I'm not going to tell the actual last one, I'm keeping it a secret, mwahaha. Before that it was The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. That was one of the best, most calm insights I've ever read about what makes a human relationship. It was very enjoyable.

Didn't finish: Dang, idk. Norweigan Wood?? Idk. I don't DNF much although I will do it.