Coming end of the year 2020, writing a short post on the books I’ve enjoyed the most out of the 40 books I’ve read throughout this year. All based on personal preference and ranked arbitrarily.
Logicomix; by Apostolos doxiadis Chistros Papadimitriou
A graphic novel on the life story of Bertrand Russell — philosopher, mathematician and logician. I have been in love with Russell since first reading his article, three passions, in high school. I recommend reading that as well.
The importance of being earnest; by Oscar Wilde
Wilde’s play. It’s ridiculously funny and all of the plot just leads up to a really bad (but adorable) pun in the end.
<pun> being earnest </pun>
Lust, Caution; by Ailin Zhang
Ailin’s fictions usually depict a woman and her tragic love affair. The lack of anatomy over their own love life is emblematic of women’s status in the old society.
Reading Lolita in Tehran; by Azar Nafisi
A resigned professor in Iran started a secret literature class with some of her former students. Reading through Nabokov’s Lolita, Fitzgerald’s the great Gatsby and the works of Henry James, as the revolution unfolds in Tehran. This book itself has no less value than the literature works it discusses.
The knot book; by Collin Adams
An introductory text to knot theory, very well written and assumes little prior knowledge. And it has tons of knot-related jokes at the back, though I am surprised none of the jokes are bdsm related. Cuz c’mon, like, knots.
The Washington Square; by Henry James
James’ plots are simplistic and bland at first glance. Our heroine is a wealthy, bland looking girl, she is neither incredibly intelligent nor witty. But there is such dignity and kindness in how she handled betrayal and deception. Reading this was genuinely empowering.
Rebecca; by Daphne du Maurier
A cliche romance story turned into a horror suspense fiction. Major plot twist awaiting somewhere at the end. What’s interesting is that the narrator was never referred to by her name throughout the book, as if she had no identity of her own. My friend and I watched a movie adaptation of this novel directed by Hitchcock, I can confirm that the adaptation does the original work justice.
