Juan Rulfo, one of Mexico’s most notable authors even though he only produced two novels; Pedro Paramo and The Burning Plain; originally called El Llano en Llamas. I chose to read it in its original Spanish to not lose anything with translation. It is part of the 2018 edition of 1001 BYMRBYD list.

The Burning Plain is a collection of short stories that were at times difficult to get through. Rulfo’s point was to show the difficulty and cruelty of life and his short stories so just that. Some stories feature animal cruelty and sexual assault which are always hard to read through.

The book is set in rural Mexico during the Mexican Revolution and times were tough, these stories put you in the shoes of residents and their everyday struggles.

Rulfo was an inspiration for another famous Latin author, Gabriel García Márquez, so if you’ve enjoyed any of his novels then pick up a Juan Rulfo novel.

If you plain to read it in Spanish the Editorial RM edition is on kindle unlimited!

Graham Greene, prolific English writer, is featured a total of 8 times in 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die list. The latest 2018 edition has 5 of the original 8 works still listed. The Third Man was last featured in the 2006 edition of the list.

The Third Man was originally meant as a film script but Greene wrote a novella and it became published in its own right. The film is still considered one of the best in film history with Orson Wells as the star. It differs from the film some especially in its ending, where the book went with a more positive ending the film kept the audience with a gloomy ending.

The setting of the story is the beginning of the Cold War in Vienna so we are faced with “American”, “Russian”, and “French” zones, setting the story for how characters get around Vienna “properly. It follows a man, Rollo Martins, who is a writer of what he describes “cheap Westerns” under a pseudonym. He arrives in Vienna with an invitation from his old friend, Harry Lime, who he then discovers has been killed. The book is narrated by a Colonel Calloway who interviews Martins to find out more about Lime’s suspected criminal activity, Martins is offended his friends name is being soiled and decides to clear his name. He begins a solo investigation finds himself in the middle of one of his stories. Calloway describes Martin as having battling personalities, the “Rollo” and the “Martins”, reminiscent of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the same person with opposing character. The novella keeps the reader guessing while the narrator slowly reveals new information, an enjoyable and quick read.

I picked up this book not knowing anything about it besides I too, am not a perfect Mexican daughter. Are there any? Truly? Probably not. Julia however, is trying to reassemble her life after her older sister has passed away. Filling in large shoes and being the dart board for her mothers emotionally charged darts.

I loved it because of how I related to Julia, a Mexican raised in America with many American customs that appear foreign to a Mexican family.

A book I’ll have my own daughter read when she’s older.

I was born in Mexico and moved to Texas in elementary school, I adapted to American culture but kept my Mexican roots. I very much related to these short stories. There were some where I found myself wincing because I knew what was coming. There’s others that made me laugh because of the superstitious beliefs.
Others made me nostalgic for the family members that make me feel warm and fuzzy.

This book has something for everyone.
Im so happy to learn it is being added to Mexican American studies curriculum, it will be wonderful to have students hear these stories.

⚠️ Miscarriage, Pregnancy Loss, Infertility

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys having their heart broken.

The plot circles around a couple, Tom & Isabel Sherbourne, living isolated on an island where the Tom is lighthouse keeper. They try for years to conceive and suffer heartache time after time. Until one day Tom comes across a shipwreck and pulls a baby out. Isabel is convinced it is a gift from above for all the heartache they have been through. Tom is convinced he should report it but his love for Isabel and his empathy for her desire to be a mother win out. We then witness how one decision can affect many lives in different ways.

If you enjoy the book checkout the adaptation of the same name with Alicia Vikander & Michael Fassbender.

Part of 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die list, it has been featured in every edition of the list so far.

The narrator, Tim O’Brien, recounts his time in Vietnam with the Alpha Company. As he introduces each soldier he names the things they carried with them. Some physical objects and others emotions.

Much of the book is told from Tim being 43 years old now and recalling events during the Vietnam war. He tries to understand what the other men in the Alpha Company were going through. Tim also tackles his own feelings of guilt throughout the novel, trying to find peace with the deaths that he caused.

This novel was banned in George County, Mississippi for its depictions violence, vulgar language, and sexual content. Educators and parents fought to keep it but have not been successful in its reinstatement.

Recommend for anyone wanting to learn what soldiers go through during war and what their healing process is like once they return home.

Y’all know that gif of Mr. Krabs where he’s mouth-open wide and everything is spinning? That was me basically the whole novel and I can’t wait for my next Hepworth novel!

We have twin sisters, Fern has sensory processing issues and the other, Rose, has been her lifelong caretaker. Her “person” as Fern describes it.

Fern’s character and the insight the reader has into her thought processing is interesting and really helps you understand her and her perceived dependency on Rose. The dynamic between the sisters is off from the beginning, toxic I would call it. Is this just a side effect of a troubled childhood where they had to look out for one another or something more sinister? I couldn’t put it down because I needed to know. Anyone who enjoys a mystery/thriller should pick this one up!

This is my first Towles novel and I really enjoyed it. The Count’s wittiness and charisma made me laugh at some places. My favorite scene is when he meets his love interest and she’s struggling with two majestic dogs and he makes a comment about they’d be perfect dogs in the right hands

Siddharta by Herman Hesse is part of 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die List. It is labeled as “philosophical fiction” and that it is. Siddharta is a Royal in ancient India who dabbles in all the sinful pleasures to a fault. He decides to leave his home in hopes of finding spiritual enlightenment, he quickly becomes homeless, renounces all his possessions. He wanders and briefly joins the Enlightened One/Buddha who travels teaching his philosophy with his believers. Siddharta acknowledges his wisdom but claims it does not account for an individual’s experiences so continues on his quest.

He meets Kamala whom says to take him as a lover he must become wealthy to give her gifts she desires. He quickly does using the patience and tactics he learned as an ascetic. After years of being a wealthy businessman and Kamala’s lover he still feels incomplete so he returns to a ferryman he’d encounter at the beginning of his journey and joins his simple life.

Siddharta encounters Kamala years later as she’s crossing the river to visit the deathbed of the Buddha. She is traveling with a young boy whom Siddharta realizes is his son. Kamala is bitten by a snake and asks Siddharta to care for his son.

Much like Siddharta, the son becomes disillusioned with life and runs away. Siddharta desperately wants to go after him but the ferryman tells him he must allow the boy to find his own path much like Siddharta did. He realizes the worry and anguish he must’ve put his parents through when he left without a word and never came back.
Siddharta gains reputation of being the “Enlightened One” and people from all over now come to visit him for spiritual meaning.

It is a short read but it carries quite a bit of weight with its take on life and spiritual fulfillment.

What’s your take on philosophical fiction and non-fiction? Give it a try or skip?

Watchmen by Alan Moore

The only graphic novel in the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die list. I’ve had it on my TBR for awhile but it was recently added to Kindle Unlimited so I had to pick it up.

I watched the movie a few years ago and I’m glad I now read the comics, it really tells the whole story.

After reading this novel I am not surprised it has gained such recognition. The story is contains controversial political stances, historical fiction, marketing issues, domestic violence, rape, racist remarks, far left and right stereotypes and a desire for a better world.

The historical fiction is that America is approaching WW III with the Soviets and this is what brought masked superhero’s out of retirement. The novel jumps through space and time and has multiple plot stories going on. It contains so much in each 9 square grid. This was my first graphic novel and I’m so happy I read it. There are multiple adaptations and its creator, Alan Moore, has recently expressed his desire to not have any more adaptations.