The past couple of weeks, I’ve been really tired from work and various life happenings. However, I’ve managed to fit in quite a bit of reading, which is a nice change, one I can hopefully keep up with.
The Samurai was really getting slow after chapter 3, so I set it aside again (sigh) and looked around for something new, ideally a bit lighter to balance all the grim books I’ve been reading recently. Fortuitously, a friend of mine had brought over some books that she was getting rid of, and since it doesn’t count as buying books (I’m still on my book buying ban), I decided to adopt a few…
The Secret History by Donna Tartt – currently rereading. I read this a few years ago with my brother Nigel and was absolutely blown away by the atmospheric writing, insights on criminal psychology, and endearing characters (Henry Winter ❤️). I also picked up some Greek and Latin from this, which was a plus—I love that dark academia is so educational.
The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli – I already owned a copy of this one, but I was delighted to get an edition that has the original illustrations and correspondence with Pope Julius II. I can hardly believe my friend was getting rid of this, but it’s clear that many don’t appreciate the classics as I do. An increasingly relevant and inspiring read.
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas – I’ve been wanting to give Maas’s work a try, but if I’m being honest, faeries just aren’t my thing. I’ve been told the Crescent City series is for mature readers, and the romance is even steamier than ACOTAR… what can I say, I’m halfway through this book already. 🫣
East of Eden by John Steinbeck – A couple years ago, I made a pretty scathing video review of this novel. I must have been having a bad day, because I honestly don’t know what my problem was anymore. In delving back into East of Eden, I’m realizing the errors of my ways as I explore the errors of the Trask family. The description of American bean farming is something that will stick with me for the rest of my life. But more importantly, I think the character of Cathy has finally been redeemed for me… upon closer reading, I can see she is misunderstood and totally maligned by the other characters. All the scenes of her alleged violence and manipulation were clearly fabricated by her ex and cleverly woven into the story as evidence of his demented imagination. What a master stroke by Steinbeck—subverted expectations at their finest. I will have to film a new video review soon…
Classics Considered 
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