Something New (to Read) vol. 1

Reading recommendations, and a note on writing amid “all of this”.

This is Something New (to Read), a list of recommendations that I have recently read, that I’m currently reading, or that I have in my To Be Read (TBR) pile. I hope that you feel encouraged to share what you are reading or looking forward to. You can do so in the comments, to my email (rob.p.gough@gmail.com), or in-person, any time we see each other.

Welcome to the first edition of Something New (to Read), a reading recommendation and discussion. I’m excited to talk about the books and newsletters I am reading, but I’m also excited to avoid something else.

I’m working on my experiences with, and reactions to, Dry January (Brain Rot Edition). In short, I have been marginally radicalized with regards to my connection to, and use of, technology and social media. There is a lot to talk about, just on the few apps I experimented with, and with the few media spaces I did and did not use.

I did not plan for the end of the month to include the launching of the most sober and intentional deconstruction of American systems by the president of the United States. It is universally sickening, painfully straightforward, and massively dangerous. It is also exacerbating my negative thoughts towards Big Tech and the hamster wheel that most Americans are trapped in, making it near impossible for me to feel encouraged to create and edit my Dry January reflections. There is so much I want to tell you, and so much advice I want to share that is moving me to make “big” decisions for my sanity, my social life, my work life, my creative life, for my life. I want to help you make ”big” decisions for yourself, too.

Somehow, that leaves me here: unable to penetrate ”big” ideas amid bigger problems, but fully able to make smaller recommendations, hopefully for your joy and education and fulfillment. We can’t, as an individual, stop the bad guys — though we can certainly contribute to a coalition that could. We can, as individuals, stay informed and work towards being healthy and happy.

Anyways, without further ado, here is something new (to read):

Filterworld - Kyle Chayka

This was, as the photo shows, a Lucky Day find: a popular book that my library happened to have available when I walked in on Saturday. I saw “algorithms” in the title, and snached it up. Kyle Chayka is an author I’ve read in The New Yorker, as well, and I find great joy in reading books from magazine feature writers.

Algorithms are at the heart of most of my Brain Rot Dry January experiments, and Filterworld is the perfect book for anyone who wants to know where they came from (a guy hiding in a box in 1796? Lord Byron’s daughter in 1843? Someone trying to stop getting so much junk email in the early 90’s?), what they are trying to achieve, and what they are actually doing to us and our culture.

It is excellent. Informative without badgering you, insightful, and timely (published January 2024). This book will teach you about a technology that has blended into the background of everything you do, and has removed the “maniac fun” of being alive and of being human.

I think you should read it.

Final Cut - Charles Burns

I don’t read a ton of graphic novels, but this one was recommended too frequently and too highly to be ignored.

Filled with long, specific movie references, and based on characters that make their own 16mm movies, Final Cut is a pseudo-horror fantasy fiction graphic novel with beautiful, punchy artwork and an elusive, enchanting story. It reminds me of Japanese works of fiction like The Memory Police or a Haruki Muraki book, or hell, even a David Lynch type joint, in that it feels constantly threatening without revealing the threat itself, a dreadfulness hanging over everything.

What I like most about graphic novels like this is that you can read them in their entirety in one evening, which I did this last Sunday. They are the movies of books. And who doesn’t love movies?

Here’s the rest of my TBR pile from the library — this doesn’t include the many books I own that I have not read:

How to be Normal - Phil Christman

“Erudite riffs on race, religion, masculinity and [more]. . . . A crisp set of essays that bring big social and cultural debates to a human level.” —Kirkus Reviews

Farber on Film - Robert Polito

“Finally, a definitive collection of work by one of America’s greatest film critics. Manny Farber’s approach to movies was utterly unique—he saw elements and values that no one else saw, and he gave us the tools to see them, too.”—Martin Scorsese

Status and Culture - W. David Marx

“[Status and Culture] consistently posits theories I’d never previously considered that instantly feel obvious.” —Chuck Klosterman, author of The Nineties

The Longevity Imperative - Andrew J. Scott

The Longevity Imperative outlines – what individuals and society need to do to make the most of our now longer lives.

Cocktails with George and Martha - Philip Gefter

An award-winning writer reveals the behind-the-scenes story of the provocative play, the groundbreaking film it became, and how two iconic stars changed the image of marriage forever.

And, for fun, here’s the last book that I added to my “to read” section on StoryGraphs (a Goodreads type app that doesn’t have terrible UX/UI):

And for more fun, here’s the last thing I read on Substack:

The Culture Scene Is Total Madness

Questions I would love to hear your answer to:

1. What are you reading and loving right now?

2. What are you excited to read next?

3. What book have you not jived with recently?

4. What is something you would recommend to someone to read at this exact moment in time?

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Thank you, as always, for reading.

I love you, and I’m glad you’re here.

B

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Soundtrack for writing:

The Brazilian Beat (Mondays at 7:00PM) on KMHD.org