A Blog on Books

Listening to The Old Man and the Sea narrated by Donald Sutherland was a real surprise. Typically, I don’t listen to fiction audiobooks, but I was looking for something short while preparing dinner and came across it. Sutherland’s voice suited the story wonderfully, adding great depth to the experience. Although he reads slowly, carefully enunciating each word, this pace gives space to appreciate the simplicity and weight of Hemingway's writing. I didn’t realize the book was so short—the version I listened to was only around two and a half hours. Yet, despite its brevity, it has a timeless, classic feel. The writing is straightforward, not overly descriptive, yet it holds a surprising depth. Told primarily from the perspective of one character, the story pulls you into his mind, letting you feel his inner monologue and sparse responses to his own thoughts. It was reminiscent of The Road by Cormac McCarthy; I wouldn’t be surprised if McCarthy took some inspiration from Hemingway,

I recently finished reading All the Pretty Horses for the second time, and it was nothing short of phenomenal. The first time I read it, I enjoyed it, but compared to other Cormac McCarthy novels I had read, it was my least favourite. However, after my second read, that has changed significantly. It's now one of my favourites by him, probably second only to The Passenger . What a book! Of all the McCarthy novels I've read, this one feels the most relatable. I say "relatable" loosely, because my life bears little resemblance to the characters' experiences, yet their journey feels so tangible and universal in an almost unexplainable way. For this review, I’m going to dive into spoilers— you’ve been warned! The novel is beautifully written and opens with a lost John Grady Cole. His parents are divorcing, and he no longer feels at home in his world. He and his cousin set off on a journey to Mexico, searching for purpose and a new life. What they find there changes th

Let’s get this out of the way: Project Hail Mary is overhyped. It’s a fun read, but it feels like “my first science fiction” novel. Now, that’s not necessarily bad—it’s got fast pacing, a solid story, and some great characters (well, at least three of them, and they get most of the spotlight, so it makes sense). But overall, it felt incredibly familiar, especially if you’ve read The Martian . The vibe is almost identical. Project Hail Mary doesn’t try to reinvent anything—it’s the sci-fi wheel, unchanged, rolling along because it works. And hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? What saved this book for me was the science. That’s what really kept me going. I loved how Andy Weir incorporated the science of space travel, alien biology, chemistry, and physics into the story. It’s well done, and having a background in science definitely helped me appreciate it more. The way he explains complex concepts is clear without being condescending. It’s not boring, and even if you’re not a