Rec
Any book from the Very Short Introduction series of Oxford University Press
Diverse topics - philosophy, history, literature, art, cultural studies
Jun 29, 2025
Related Recs
Rec
📚there are some books out there that try to do a good job of giving an over of everything. Bill Bryson’s SHORT HISTORY OF NEARLY EVERYTHING comes to mind. I’ve heard lots of people enjoy SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari too.
However, I’d be more inclined to go in a different direction and read essay collections by a few prominent writers. I’d start with Christopher Hitchen’s LOVE, POVERTY AND WAR. Which covers a wide range of topics from war and politics to social commentary and art. Whilst I don’t agree with all his opinions, he is a great writer and draws in allusions from a broad range of domains. if nothing else, it will at least spark curiosity and further research.
I’m also very fond of the VERY SHORT INTRODUCTIONS series from the OUP which mostly do a good job of providing a broad overview a wide range of topics. I often see some in second hand book stores: https://global.oup.com/academic/content/series/v/very-short-introductions-vsi/?type=listing&lang=en&cc=us
Rec
🐧I rec starting small. I love the Penguin Modern series, they’re tiny short books that fit in your pocket for you to take anywhere! Super quick read and VERY interesting publications (Susan Sontag, Kathy Acker, Andy Warhol, Carson McCullers, Franz Kafka etc..) + they’re super cheap 💸
Apr 17, 2024
Rec
🥼seconding the rec of Angela Davis’ ‘Are prisons obsolete?’
Also:
Ejaculate responsibly - Gabrielle Blair
Night - Elie wiesel
on tyranny - Timothy Snyder
A small place - Jamaica Kincaid
The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house - Audre lorde
Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast - Oscar Wilde
Recognizing the stranger - Isabella hammad
Feb 21, 2025
Top Recs from @puck-oberon
May 12, 2025
Rec
🔤One of the reasons I’ve taken to this app
And why I took to a slim volume of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes I owned as a child
And why I took to a slim volume of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes I owned as a child
May 30, 2025