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This a great book on many levels, it looks at the history of cigarettes in popular culture and society. Klein explores it on a deeper level, looking at the way humans love to dance on the edge of danger and how we process death as well as the association of danger with allure. An interesting mix of absurdism and nihilism. Pretty quick read, 8/10.
Apr 4, 2024
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The name dropping will leave you breathless!! the best niche ref is fern mallis. has anyone else read this?? bc I need to know what you think about the mountain of Snapple and mentos consumed and what it felt like for you to be in zoolander’s vacant head for 500 pages and what you think the ice and confetti were all about
Jan 28, 2024
“When I have food in that’s bad for me I’ll bolt some of it then bin the rest and pour bleach over it in the bin so I can’t fish it out later and eat it, then I’ll smoke the first cigarette from a new pack then go to the sink and hold the rest of the pack under the cold tap on full or I’ll have a first few pulls on a cigarette and pluck it from my mouth and flick it some irretrievable place. The expression on my face won’t change; when there’s no one around I needn’t be convincing. This is very realistic; my feelings happen internally. I’ll have half a glass from a bottle of wine then upend the rest of the bottle into the sink. I like making whatever bad thing irredeemable because I don’t trust future me to be consistent with current me. I know I’m inconsistent and this can be frightening. Self-love is an unobservable phenomenon that cavils forever. I should be punished but not killed outright.”
Feb 21, 2025
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F. Scott Fitzgerald's lesser known classic, this one follows Anthony and his privileged life in NYC. It's an exhausting read in the best way. If you loved the extravagance in Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, but want to follow a just as self destructive and even more shallow character, you'll probably enjoy this. It's one of those books that you describe with a bunch of negative adjectives to show how much you like it.
Dec 10, 2020
Top Recs from @marias888
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Read a historic newspaper for class that described midtown Manhattan as both "the great central ulcer of wretchedness" and "the very rotting skeleton of civilization, from which emanates an inexhaustible pestilence that spreads its poisonous influence through every vein and artery of the whole social system". Slay
Apr 3, 2024
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I was born into an ingredient house and to an ingredient house I shall return
Apr 4, 2024
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Sinkhole filled with tar, good family fun
Apr 6, 2024