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Reading

This is a copy (and slight extension) of my goodreads list.

My ratings: 5 is “Really good”; 4 is “Good”; 3 is “Okay”; 2 is “Bad”; 1 is “Really bad”. The rating is imprecise on purpose. Here’s a list of all the books I’ve rated five stars.

📚 Books read this year: 105. 🎶 Average bpm: 105. ⏪ Rereads: 9.

🎭 Genre stats: Fiction: 22; Science Fiction: 19; Fantasy: 4; Poetry: 10; Buddhism: 8; Zen: 23; Nonduality: 3; Philosophy: 2; Taoism: 1; Stoicism: 1; Nonfiction: 11; Accessibility: 1.
Broad summary: Fiction: 45; Philosophy: 38; Other: 22.

December

  1. The Wholehearted Way by Dōgen. Zen. Read 27-12-2024. Rated 5/5. My noteson The Wholehearted Way.
  2. The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by Clark, P. Djèlí. Fantasy. Read 26-12-2024. Rated 5/5.
  3. The Year of Falling by Freegard, Janis. Fiction. Read 22-12-2024. Rated 4/5.
  4. Alien Clay by Tchaikovsky, Adrian. Science Fiction. Read 20-12-2024. Rated 4/5.
  5. Zen Light: Unconventional Commentaries on the Denkoroku by Barragato, Stefano Mui. Zen. Read 19-12-2024. Rated 4/5. My noteson Zen Light: Unconventional Commentaries on the Denkoroku.
  6. The Heart Sutra: A Comprehensive Guide to the Classic of Mahayana Buddhism by Tanahashi, Kazuaki. Zen. Read 15-12-2024. Rated 4/5. My noteson The Heart Sutra: A Comprehensive Guide to the Classic of Mahayana Buddhism.
  7. The World's Fastest Flower by Simmonds, Charlotte. Poetry. Read 14-12-2024. Rated 4/5.
  8. The Golden Oriole by Bates, H.E.. Fiction. Read 14-12-2024. Rated 4/5.
  9. Yellowface by Kuang, R.F.. Fiction. Read 13-12-2024. Rated 4/5.
  10. When Things Fall Apart by Chödrön, Pema. Zen. Read 07-12-2024. Rated 4/5. My noteson When Things Fall Apart.
  11. The Guest Cat by Hiraide, Takashi. Fiction. Read 03-12-2024. Rated 4/5.

November

  1. The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Murakami, Haruki. Fiction. Read 29-11-2024. Rated 4/5.
  2. After Buddhism: A Workbook by Higgins, Winton. Buddhism. Read 27-11-2024. Rated 4/5. My noteson After Buddhism: A Workbook.
  3. After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age by Batchelor, Stephen. Buddhism. Read 27-11-2024. Rated 4/5. My noteson After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age.
  4. Some Desperate Glory by Tesh, Emily. Science Fiction. Read 22-11-2024. Rated 5/5.
  5. Space Oddity by Valente, Catherynne M.. Science Fiction. Read 14-11-2024. Rated 4/5.
  6. What is this? by Bachelor, Stephen and Bachelor, Martine. Buddhism. Read 13-11-2024. Rated 4/5. My noteson What is this?.
  7. Revamp: Writings on secular Buddhism by Higgins, Winton. Buddhism. Read 09-11-2024. Rated 4/5. My noteson Revamp: Writings on secular Buddhism.
  8. Pins by Morrison, Natalie. Poetry. Read 04-11-2024. Rated 4/5.
  9. Menewood by Griffith, Nicola. Fiction. Read 02-11-2024. Rated 5/5.

October

  1. Understanding Animals by Svendsen, Lars. Philosophy. Read 28-10-2024. Rated 4/5. My noteson Understanding Animals.
  2. The Myth of Freedom by Trungpa, Chögyam. Buddhism. Read 27-10-2024. Rated 4/5. My noteson The Myth of Freedom.
  3. Meditation in Action by Trungpa, Chögyam. Buddhism. Read 25-10-2024. Rated 4/5. My noteson Meditation in Action.
  4. The Book of Bees by Nargi, Lela. Nonfiction. Read 20-10-2024. Rated 3/5.
  5. Music by Ardley, Neil. Nonfiction. Read 18-10-2024. Rated 4/5.
  6. Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage by Munro, Alice. Fiction. Read 18-10-2024. Rated 4/5.
  7. Buffalo Gals and Other Animal Presences by Le Guin, Ursula K. Fantasy. Read 13-10-2024. Rated 4/5.
  8. The Boddhisattva Vow by Gyatso, Geshe Kelsang. Buddhism. Read 06-10-2024. Rated 4/5. My noteson The Boddhisattva Vow.
  9. Tao Te Ching by Dale, Ralph Alan. Taoism. Read 06-10-2024. Rated 4/5. My noteson Tao Te Ching.
  10. A Summary of Existence by Bailey, Darryl. Nonduality. Read 05-10-2024. Rated 4/5. My noteson A Summary of Existence.
  11. The Man In The High Castle by Dick, Philip K. Science Fiction. Read 05-10-2024. Rated 4/5.

September

  1. Death: The End of Self-Improvement by Tollifson, Joan. Nonduality. Read 25-09-2024. Rated 4/5. My noteson Death: The End of Self-Improvement.
  2. How To Live When A Loved One Dies by Hanh, Thich Nhat. Zen. Read 16-09-2024. Rated 5/5. My noteson How To Live When A Loved One Dies.
  3. Very Cold People by Manguso, Sarah. Fiction. Read 10-09-2024. Rated 4/5.
  4. The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories by Carter, Angela. Fiction. Read 09-09-2024. Rated 5/5.
  5. Piranesi by Clarke, Susanna. Fiction. (Re)read 09-09-2024. Rated 5/5.
  6. Right Thing. Right Now. by Holiday, Ryan. Stoicism. Read 07-09-2024. Rated 4/5.

August

  1. Liars by Manguso, Sarah. Fiction. Read 30-08-2024. Rated 5/5.
  2. Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Suzuki, Shunryu. Zen. (Re)read 29-08-2024. Rated 5/5.
  3. Trust in Awakening by Snyder, Stephen. Zen. (Re)read 27-08-2024. Rated 5/5.
  4. The Glass Rooster by Freegard, Janis. Poetry. Read 27-08-2024. Rated 5/5.
  5. A Sorceress Comes to Call by Kingfisher, T. Fantasy. Read 25-08-2024. Rated 5/5.
  6. The Creative Act by Rubin, Rick. Nonfiction. Read 23-08-2024. Rated 4/5.
  7. It's Okay Not to Look for the Meaning of Life by Minami, Jikisai. Zen. Read 16-08-2024. Rated 4/5. My noteson It's Okay Not to Look for the Meaning of Life.
  8. In Ascension by MacInnes, Martin. Fiction. Read 12-08-2024. Rated 5/5.
  9. Family Instructions Upon Release by Kirkby-McLeod, Elizabeth. Poetry. Read 11-08-2024. Rated 5/5.
  10. Vita Contemplativa: In Praise of Inactivity by Han, Byung-Chul. Nonfiction. Read 10-08-2024. Rated 4/5. My noteson Vita Contemplativa: In Praise of Inactivity.
  11. The Saint of Bright Doors by Chandrasekera, Vajra. Science Fiction. Read 07-08-2024. Rated 4/5.

July

  1. A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary by de Botton, Alain. Nonfiction. Read 30-07-2024. Rated 5/5.
  2. The Book of Elsewhere by Reeves, Keanu. Science Fiction. Read 30-07-2024. Rated 5/5.
  3. What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Aoyama, Michiko. Fiction. Read 21-07-2024. Rated 4/5.
  4. Tree: A Life Story by Suzuki, David. Nonfiction. Read 17-07-2024. Rated 3/5.
  5. Quantum Questions by Wilber, Ken. Nonfiction. Read 17-07-2024. Rated 4/5. My noteson Quantum Questions.
  6. Night Horse by Smither, Elizabeth. Poetry. Read 15-07-2024. Rated 3/5.
  7. Against Technoableism: Rethinking Who Needs Improvement by Shew, Ashley. Accessibility. Read 10-07-2024. Rated 4/5. My noteson Against Technoableism: Rethinking Who Needs Improvement.

June

  1. Reflective Meditation by Modaro, Linda and Kaufer, Nelly. Buddhism. Read 29-06-2024. Rated 5/5. My noteson Reflective Meditation.
  2. The Brides of High Hill by Vo, Nghi. Fantasy. Read 22-06-2024. Rated 5/5.
  3. Dogen Zenji Goroku: Sayings of Zen Master Dogen by Dogen. Zen. Read 21-06-2024. Rated 3/5. My noteson Dogen Zenji Goroku: Sayings of Zen Master Dogen.
  4. The Hydrogen Sonata by Banks, Iain M. Science Fiction. Read 16-06-2024. Rated 4/5.
  5. Dropping Ashes on the Buddha by Sahn, Seung. Zen. Read 09-06-2024. Rated 4/5. My noteson Dropping Ashes on the Buddha.
  6. Surface Detail by Banks, Iain M. Science Fiction. (Re)read 02-06-2024. Rated 4/5.

May

  1. Opening to Oneness by Baker, Nancy Mujo. Zen. Read 25-05-2024. Rated 5/5. My noteson Opening to Oneness.
  2. Deep Colour by Bridge, Diana. Poetry. Read 20-05-2024. Rated 3/5.
  3. Matter by Banks, Iain M. Science Fiction. (Re)read 19-05-2024. Rated 5/5.
  4. Cut and Thirst by Atwood, Margaret. Fiction. Read 07-05-2024. Rated 4/5.
  5. Good Life: A Zen Precepts Retreat by Huber, Cheri. Zen. Read 06-05-2024. Rated 5/5. My noteson Good Life: A Zen Precepts Retreat.
  6. Look to Windward by Banks, Iain M. Science Fiction. Read 05-05-2024. Rated 4/5.

April

  1. Essays in Love by de Botton, Alain. Fiction. Read 26-04-2024. Rated 4/5.
  2. Transposium by Yourukova, Dani. Poetry. Read 24-04-2024. Rated 5/5.
  3. What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Murakami, Haruki. Nonfiction. Read 22-04-2024. Rated 3/5.
  4. Inversions by Banks, Iain M. Science Fiction. (Re)read 19-04-2024. Rated 4/5.
  5. Excession by Banks, Iain M. Science Fiction. Read 18-04-2024. Rated 5/5.
  6. Painting the Sidewalk with Water by Tollifson, Joan. Nonduality. Read 18-04-2024. Rated 5/5. My noteson Painting the Sidewalk with Water.
  7. Kensho: Heart of Zen by Cleary, Thomas. Zen. Read 10-04-2024. Rated 5/5. My noteson Kensho: Heart of Zen.
  8. The Sutra of Hui-neng, Grand Master of Zen: With Hui-neng's Commentary on the Diamond Sutra by Hui-Neng. Zen. Read 07-04-2024. Rated 5/5. My noteson The Sutra of Hui-neng, Grand Master of Zen: With Hui-neng's Commentary on the Diamond Sutra.
  9. Cosmicomics by Calvino, Italo. Fiction. Read 05-04-2024. Rated 4/5.
  10. Use of Weapons by Banks, Iain M. Science Fiction. (Re)read 04-04-2024. Rated 4/5.
  11. Tao Te Ching by Mitchell, Stephen. Philosophy. Read 04-04-2024. Rated 4/5.

March

  1. Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet by Hanh, Thich Nhat. Zen. (Re)read 31-03-2024. Rated 5/5. My noteson Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet.
  2. Head Girl by Sadgrove, Freya Daly. Poetry. Read 31-03-2024. Rated 4/5.
  3. The Player Of Games by Banks, Iain M. Science Fiction. (Re)read 24-03-2024. Rated 5/5.
  4. Zen Seeds by Aoyama, Shundo. Zen. Read 21-03-2024. Rated 4/5. My noteson Zen Seeds.
  5. Consider Phlebas by Banks, Iain M. Science Fiction. Read 19-03-2024. Rated 4/5.
  6. The Pocket Thich Nhat Hanh by Hanh, Thich Nhat. Zen. Read 15-03-2024. Rated 5/5. My noteson The Pocket Thich Nhat Hanh.
  7. What Feasts at Night by Kingfisher, T.. Fiction. Read 08-03-2024. Rated 4/5.
  8. Paradise Rot by Hval, Jenny. Fiction. Read 05-03-2024. Rated 4/5.
  9. No Mud, No Lotus by Hanh, Thich Nhat. Zen. Read 04-03-2024. Rated 5/5. My noteson No Mud, No Lotus.
  10. Fully clothed and So Forgetful by Mettner, Hannah. Poetry. Read 02-03-2024. Rated 5/5.

February

  1. The Sea, the Sea by Murdoch, Iris. Fiction. Read 28-02-2024. Rated 5/5.
  2. Ruin by Hislop, Emma. Fiction. Read 20-02-2024. Rated 3/5.
  3. The Zen of You and Me: A Guide to Getting Along with Just About Anyone. by Hamilton, Diane Musho. Zen. Read 18-02-2024. Rated 4/5. My noteson The Zen of You and Me: A Guide to Getting Along with Just About Anyone..
  4. Tate: Sketch Club Urban Drawing by Dean, Phil. Nonfiction. Read 10-02-2024. Rated 4/5.
  5. Rosebud by Cornell, Paul. Science Fiction. Read 09-02-2024. Rated 4/5.
  6. Deep Hope by Rizzetto, Diane Eshin. Zen. Read 08-02-2024. Rated 4/5. My noteson Deep Hope.
  7. The Future by Alderman, Naomi. Science Fiction. Read 06-02-2024. Rated 5/5.
  8. Introduction to Zen Training by Omori, Sogen. Zen. Read 02-02-2024. Rated 5/5. My noteson Introduction to Zen Training.

January

  1. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Jackson, Shirley. Fiction. Read 23-01-2024. Rated 5/5.
  2. No Bad Parts by Schwartz, Richard C.. Nonfiction. Read 22-01-2024. Rated 5/5. My noteson No Bad Parts.
  3. A Haiku Menagerie by Addiss, Stephen. Poetry. Read 20-01-2024. Rated 4/5.
  4. Shards of Earth by Tchaikovsky, Adrian. Science Fiction. Read 18-01-2024. Rated 4/5.
  5. The Eight Gates of Zen by Loori, John Daido. Zen. Read 16-01-2024. Rated 4/5. My noteson The Eight Gates of Zen.
  6. Rational Zen: The Mind of Dogen Zenji by Cleary, Thomas. Zen. Read 13-01-2024. Rated 5/5. My noteson Rational Zen: The Mind of Dogen Zenji.
  7. Fireworks by Carter, Angela. Fiction. Read 08-01-2024. Rated 5/5.
  8. For the First Time, Again by Neuvel, Sylvain. Science Fiction. Read 04-01-2024. Rated 4/5.
  9. Radical Honesty by Blanton, Brad. Nonfiction. Read 02-01-2024. Rated 4/5. My noteson Radical Honesty.

Earlier

Long list of all the books I've read since 2017.