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Junichiro Tanizaki's essay "In Praise of Shadows" is the top read of my adult life.

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Definitely adding.

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Intriguing recommendations! This is not a novel, but it explores about novels: The Creative Gene by Hideo Kojima. He wrote about each book that made an impact on him and a bit about his life and work and Japan. It's fascinating and moving.

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Ooh, that's lovely! I have a writer friend who is in love with Japan. I may have to pass your rec onto her as well.

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There's so much rich insight into the culture and history and also the books mentioned are unique gems. :)

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Jan 16Liked by Amelia Buzzard

If you haven't already, Dune by Frank Herbert :) one of my favorite sci-fi books. I also really enjoyed the Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov.

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Dune is great! If you liked that, you should check out The Snow Queen by Joan Vinge. I would like to read Foundation at some point. Remember when we were super into the Ender books? I remember you loaned me a couple.

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I'll have to check it out! :D

Haha I remember! I also remember you lending me Ray Bradbury's Martian Chronicles! He is now one of my favorite authors :) good times.

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Jan 16Liked by Amelia Buzzard

My goal is to finish 8 books in 2024, 2 in German (unlike you, I'm really stubborn about finishing and reading entire books, it bugs me if I don't) so here's my proposed list:

Der Richter und Sein Henker

Der Kleine Hobbit

Man and His Symbols

Middlemarch (because someone told me that it gave her insight into the ways young people think and how it can be dangerous)

The Power of Uniqueness (a book about vocation and different types of motivation that drive people)

The Eye of The Oracle (from a Christian fantasy series that my brothers and I once enjoyed, I still find it entertaining and inspiring)

David Copperfield maybe??? Maybe I can appreciate Dickens?

We'll see what else. I also adored Piranesi and Leave it to Psmith in 2023. I'd love to hear your thoughts on Piranesi, and Leave it to Psmith is just entertaining.

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If you’re trying dickens, I recommend Tale of Two Cities! It’s the only novel of his I’ve really liked. Good job with the German 👏 And Middlemarch is good and the protagonist very relatable but soooo long. I’ll check out Piranesi

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Jan 16Liked by Amelia Buzzard

Read recently: "True Grit" Charles Portis

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I’ve read that one! Classic. Someone recently recommended Gringos to me (a lesser known novel of his)

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Jan 16Liked by Amelia Buzzard

I'm definitely adding to the list!

-"Kingkiller Chronicles" by Patrick Rothfuss (watch out, he hasn't released the third in the triology)

-"Lies of Locke Lamora" (The Gentlemen Bastards Series) by Scott Lynch

-"Adopted for Life" by Russell D. Moore

-"Parentinf with Love and Logic" by Foster Cline

I'll comment as I think of more!!

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Thanks! That’s a big variety. Is the adopted one about adoption?

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Jan 16Liked by Amelia Buzzard

Yes!! It's about adoption from the Biblical standpoint of adoption in Christ and it's so beautiful! Would recommend highly!

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I am interested in all your parenting books---how you have that list.

I read that book "When helping hurts" right before I went on the mission trip to Bolivia. Actually it is a book that every team member was required to read.

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Most of the parenting books are recommendations from friends! The Simplicity one I found while investigating hands-off, Montessori-style parenting philosophy.

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Moby Dick and any Jules Verne are good for rereading. lots of details hehe

Hedda Gabler is a short story I really liked.

my friends recommended…

Going Postal -terry Pratchett

We-Yevgeny Zamyatin

atlas shurgged -ayn rand

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You are so weird, Lily. You like books like Don Quixote and Moby Dick and Jules Verne novels. I've never gotten through any of 'em (except maybe 50,000 Leagues). Atlas Shrugged? Seriously? Which friend recommended that? You may have to grill them. Ayn Rand has some sketchy philosophical beliefs. I'll try Hedda Gabler, and Pratchet never fails to amuse. Love, your sister.

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yes! I highly recommend don quixote! my friend mentioned that but i figured you like philosophy. xoxo

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