Books I've Read This Month AUGUST 2023

[@yada_anna]

I listened to your video while working from home and really enjoyed it! A bit like a book club. I like that you read books that are interesting to you, that are relevant to what you want to learn more about. I don't know how much sense it makes to recommend a 1000 page book, rather I'll just share that I'm reading American Prometheus right now (haven't seen the film yet). I loved that you can look at the early 20th century, WWII, the scientific community, and the development of physics from such a personal lens of one man's life. Robert Oppenheimer was an incredibly intelligent man, yet I get the deceptive feeling that I know him personally because I "saw" how he was so miserable at Cambridge that he would sometimes lie on the floor and roll from side to side, or the way he tried to read thermodynamics on the train but the people across were making out. Or how he loves Mexico, and what books he read, who he corresponded with, what he thought about. Also makes you wonder how much personal decisions affect world history, and that no one has much control over where we're going. If you're interested in seeing history through one man's eyes, I'd highly recommend it.

[@TheSelador]

Thank you for watching I'm glad you enjoyed it, and don't worry I appreciate every suggestion! I haven't seen the film yet either but seriously need to get around to it. I know at some point I'll get some random desire to sit through it and I'll probably be ordering the book on the way out of the cinema. Thanks again for the suggestion, I've added it to the list.

[@Axios-Lux]

As a slow reader that absorbs pages and their concepts over time, in an effort to read it "once"... Death with interruptions by José Saramago is a book of modest length but massive depth. It took me quite some time before I felt like I had explored the concepts to what, to me at least, is a conclusion. It is in my top 3 of all time. The title itself is very well chosen and illustrates the themes in many different ways, which become more apparent as you read.

[@HarryF1997]

Love your content mate! I’m not a big reader myself but your channel is definitely encouraging me to pick it up again. Would love to see you discuss Le Carre at some point!

[@kappak7782]

Love your videos mate, keep up the great work. Here are some recommendations you may like: On the road - Jack Kerouac, Journey to the end of the night - Louis Ferdinand Celine, Perfume - Patrick Susskind, Flowers for Algernon - Daniel Keyes, The Sirens of Titan - Kurt Vonnegut, Tender Is The Night - F Scott Fitzgerald, My Struggle Series - Karl Ove Knausgaard, The Rum Diary - Hunter S Thompson, Siddhartha - Herman Hesse, Portrait of an artist as a young man - James Joyce, The Picture of Dorian Grey - Oscar Wilde, The Master and Margarita - Mikhail Bulgakov, Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoevsky, Great Expectations - Charles Dickens, No Country For Old Men - Cormac McCarthy, The Sun Also Rises - Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast - Ernest Hemingway. If you have read any of the books listed, what were your thoughts on them?

[@TheSelador]

hey mate, thanks for the kind words and suggestions. I'm going to add them all besides the ones I've previously read. On those I have read, here are my thoughts: Perfume by Patrick Susskind: Prose won me over. Discovered the book after hearing it was Kurt Cobain's favourite. Been considering reading it again. Best bit was when he was in the cave describing his heart as a pink castle wherein all of his scents were stored. May be remembering that a little wrong cause it's been a while, but that's what stuck out to me the most. The Rum Diary by Hunter S. Thompson: Wasn't massive on it. I think Thompson is at his best with Hells Angels, Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72, and The Proud Highway. Location of the story didn't do much for me either, unfortunately. Hope Prince Jellyfish gets published someday. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky: great book but a little dry at times. Keeping up with all the Russian names can be a pain in the arse too haha. Besides that, I thought it was great. Dostoevsky conveys suffering well. The Idiot still ranks as his best, however, the only Dostoevsky book I haven't read is The Brothers Karamazov, so that might change cause I've heard nothing but good things. The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway: Gets better with each read. Totally did not get it when I read it at 16. Thought it was too blunt. Nowadays I like it a lot. Love the early Paris scenes, his descriptions of Jake looking out at the scenery whilst on the bus to Pamplona, and the ending lines with Brett. For Whom The Bell Tolls will forever be my favourite Hemingway though. Thanks again mate, much appreciated.

[@VoodooDuck]

​@@TheSeladorCeline is rough man, took me 7 attempts and about 2 years to push through, the nihilism and self loathing is so hard to bear, because it is selfmade as fck haha, but the ending scene alone was worth it

[@josepharmand6117]

Les Chants de Maldoror by Comte de Lautreamont (real name: Isidor Ducasse) was one of the primary texts of Surrealism and widely praised by most of the artists in the movement. It was published in the 1860s. It's influence also spilled over into Dada before surrealism and symbolism. It's the only major work by Ducasse. I think it's a brilliant work of sustained imaginary and transgressive power. It also has a plot of sorts. There are various translations which can be quite different. I think I favour the Paul Knight one...though that was also the first that I read.

[@TheSelador]

Cheers mate, I've looked it up and it does sound intriguing. I appreciate the suggestion, hopefully, I can get around to reading it sometime soon.

[@DinkSmalwood]

In my experience Dick has a hard time with ending his stories in a narratively satisfying way. He's great with premises and concepts but he's almost adverse to actually tying up the knots. The concepts might reach some sort of conclusion, but the actual story rarely does.

[@TheSelador]

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who felt this way, It's a shame cause I was excited for Do Androids. Like I said, I might give it a second read sometime and see if anything changes. Also thanks for the suggestion, it's on the list :)

[@ZagrebBundist]

Three suggestions: 1. In Dubious Battle- John Steinbeck 2. The Jungle- Upton Sinclair 3. Invisible Man- Ralph Ellison

[@Dudenobody]

Please read Factotum by Charles Bukowski, I’m interested in what you think.

[@TheSelador]

Let me know what I should read next! Follow me on Goodreads:www.goodreads.com/user/show/169774508-the-selador

[@DinkSmalwood]

My favourite book by Dick is The Man in the High Castle. It stands out compared to the rest of his works, I highly recommend it!

[@Genny-Zee]

Not Like in the Movies by me. If a fiction book about fame and philosophy floats your boat, I can email a free PDF copy to you :)

[@tristanheffernan7369]

The book I find myself thinking about most is Wanderer by Sterling Hayden, an autobiography but definitely worth a read

[@TheSelador]

just looked it up, sounds really interesting. Thank you.@@tristanheffernan7369

[@MiloGDJextraordinaire]

Have you read catch 22, I’m sure you have but it’s the best book I’ve read by a mile

[@Azzazell10]

1. I think it's pretty good when people don't try to read fast, just for the sake of reading more books .Although seeing your nr of books read increase can boost your confidence , and make you read more , reading slowly and trying to understand and enjoy your books seems much more rewarding (to me). [ that is especially so for harder , more challenging literature ] 2. Do you have a Goodreads that you'd like to share? 3. Some books I'd recommend: a)Solenoid (or the other books by Cărtărescu) b) The Tartar Steppe by Buzzati c) Hunger by Knut Hamsun

[@helenapupkess3192]

I‘m pretty ambivalent about Solenoid. It‘s a Postmodern oddity: many quite fascinating ideas, but also extremely tiring I think

[@TheSelador]

1. Yeah man I've always been a painfully slow reader but it does have its benefits. I find myself googling every word I don't know and trying my best not to skim-read. The most I've ever read in a year was 33 books, but I can't see myself beating that anytime soon. 2. I didn't until now (I've linked it in the description). I didn't think of having a Goodreads for the channel until I saw your comment so thanks for that haha. 3. Cheers for the suggestions, I've added them all.

[@Azzazell10]

@@helenapupkess3192 fair criticism

[@Ralphoifyful]

I'm maybe a little bit late to the party, specially considering the f*ckton of books you have already been suggested to read. But I'd like to break a spear in favour of science fiction because there are some books out there that are really, really worth it. I thought about this the moment you said you are "naturally inclined to realism" as I've always felt the same. There are nonetheless some excellent works that changed my mind about this genre: - We (Y. Zamiatin) - Star Diaries (S. Lem) - Solaris (S. Lem) Some very interesting feelings about the essence of humanity put to paper in the first two, and the same goes for the third one regarding our relationship with material reality and the Universe. Cheers and congratulations for your work here in this channel, probably the only bonafide literature content there is in youtube.

[@benmakin9156]

The Crow Road - Iain Banks - sharp, scottish humour and an interesting exploration into death and grief, as well as the dynamics of family and relationships throughout the generations about 500 pages so a bit of a longer read but i felt the prose was engaging and the humour kept it fresh and intresting to read. very good video as per usual excited to hear your thoughts on other books ive read the first section on brighton rock was fantastic keep up the good work.

[@TheSelador]

Sounds interesting, I'll stick that on list. I actually enjoy longer books more often than shorter ones, so 500 wont be an issue at all. Thanks for the continued support man, doesnt go unnoticed.

[@steppenw8lf]

I suggest reading Demian by Hermann Hesse!!

[@somethingnotidiotic1629]

I love book recommendation videos, but please change the background animation, it’s way too bold and distracting for something on in the background or another monitor. I’ll also recommend the Hotel New Hampshire, very funny book that is the best portrayal of certain familial inside jokes or phrases I have ever seen.

[@TheSelador]

I'll keep that in mind, thanks for the feedback. Also thanks for the suggestion, it's on the list!

[@Axios-Lux]

@@TheSeladorI love the background animations.

[@ghostboy7545]

The war of the world

[@nancyberry3655]

If you enjoy unreliable narrators (I do), try "The Unconsoled" by Ishiguro.