About this blog: I read a lot. And it’s becoming kind of a time-waster. But I feel justified about my habit, in light of the fact that these days we eat up other people’s lives at an apocalyptic rate anyway: why not have those lives be vibrant and instructive and extraordinary, inducing compassion as well as the judgment we love so well? Wouldn’t you rather read a good book than look at pictures of celebrities with their weaves falling off or read the thousandth online iteration of “Katie Kelley is off for a run after a great weekend with the girls!”
This blog offers a sensibly sharp perspective on books you’ve read, books you want to read, books you should never read–as well as the readers who keep this industry going by attending Tucker Max book signings and ordering new translations of War & Peace. Please spread the word, bookmark the site, subscribe by email, leave me suggestions. I really will read anything. Thanks for stopping by!
About me: My name is Jia Tolentino and I’m from Houston. I graduated from the University of Virginia in 2009 and went into the Peace Corps in Kyrgyzstan. These days I’m back in Texas making giant sandwiches and considering getting two puppies so I can name them Bourbon and Ginger. If you have questions, need to hire a copy writer, or want to send me a book, you can reach me here.
Jia,
Somebody (Spencer Ackerman? I don’t remember) wrote up your blog and I figured what the hell, I’ll check it out. I was immediately hooked — and I’ve read something like 30 or 40 of your posts in one sitting.
Your review of Tom Wolfe’s “My Name Is. . .”? Best. Review. First. Line. Ever.
Seriously, you got it girl. I’ve added you to my RSS feed and will follow with interest.
Keep it up — you don’t need 10,000 hours to be awesome — you’re already there.
Jia,
Your blog is fun to read. Don’t go to krys-whatever-country. The Peace Corps? Come to China. We’ll have ya here.
Smelly Tofu
consider me subscribed. good luck, jia!
Subscribing! What a great idea for a blog
Love your blog.
Like your blog. Sorry about the loss of your work in progress.
Hey, I would love to see you review ‘Henderson, The Rain King’ by Saul Bellow. It is one of my favourite books of all time. Anyway, just a thought.
Jia–I reposted your NYTIMES Op-Ed on my site.
John
Great blog! Seriously.
Some suggestions (sure you’ve read some already):
Wild Swans, Jung Chang
The Twenty-One Balloons, William Pene Du Bois
Any of Chekhov’s short stories (Kashtanka)
Pickwick Papers, Charles Dickens
Bridge on the Drina, Ivo Andric
The Twenty-Fifth Hour, C. Virgil Gheorghiu