Books

Sons and Lovers

A young man works through relationships with the women in his life.

This book lands right in the sweet spot for me. It's ahead of its time, so it's open and direct about the stuff that goes on in the lives of real people. But it's old enough that it's not burdened with all the goofy affectations of modernism.

The prose is strong, it's not shy about its subjects, and the characters are deeply and lovingly portrayed. It feels fresh, vibrant, authentic, and accessible even a century and change after it was written. I will never get tired of reading stories about people and their relationships.

Strongly recommended for all.

A Wrinkle in Time 

A young girl comes of age on an adventure to rescue her father from fantastical forces of evil. 

I found this insufferable. It takes itself so seriously but offers so little to enjoy. A lot of the fantasy felt like tennis without a net. The whole book felt like a cargo cult version of what it attempted to be. 

My 6yo and 4yo enjoyed it, though. 

Not recommended for anyone. 

In before “hey, I loved this as a kid!” Yes. You also loved chicken McNuggets and Kangaroo Jack. I’ll only accept gripes from people who have read it in the last five years.

I read it recently-ish. It's fine. Dr. Who-vian logic, which I attributed to a certain British sensibility. Not for me personally but I can see the appeal.

What's the bar you expected it to clear? What kids books are good?

Founder, designer, & product guy at /basepaint and /eigenlayer

Non exhaustive, off the dome, and in no particular order:

Tuck Everlasting 
Ender’s Game 
Treasure Island
Harry Potter
Holes
The Outsiders
Persepolis
Redwall 
The Tale of Desperaux
Hatchet
Howl’s Moving Castle 
The Wind in the Willows
The Dark is Rising
The Hobbit

I enjoyed all of those as an adult, and my kids did, too. That’s the bar: did I look forward to reading it. My kids like everything lol