Gormenghast by Mervyn Peake.
Lolita while furrowing your brow and shaking your head so everyone knows you disagree with the protagonist’s actions.
Anything by Chuck Tingle
Beat the dealer, it shows you read and that you are smart in other ways
Is the new thing making fun of people who read on the train? I do it all the time ☹️
Reminds me of Bill Hicks’ bit ‘What are you reading for?’
Bro was going strong until he tried to put down people who bring me waffles.
Those are some of the best kind of people, and, quite frankly?
Comedians shouldn’t be throwing stones at anyone in terms of life achievements.
That is my favorite thing Bill Hicks ever did. Just a perfectly-crafted routine. I realize it’s not his most political or anything, but just in terms of craft, it’s amazing.
John said “reading performatively” - so, unless you’re doing that…
I’m curious to know what counts as performative reading haha
Reading feminist literature to pick up women. That sort of thing. I don’t think it happens much. I’ve never looked at someone and thought they were doing it. I’m sure at least some people do it on occasion though.
Thankfully the people in charge of deciding whether your actions are performative or not have great judgment
You can never go wrong with the classic, Turtleneck top, glases (not optional), sneakers, Ulysses.
There is a more modern way though, bring a travel chessboard and do random moves, then look at your phone type somethgin, wait, and then make another random move.
Surviving Life With Your Gigantic Penis by Chris Boden.
Yes, that’s the title of an actual book.
Is there a book about how Ayn Rand was a total piece of shit that helped ruin America?
If you’re on a bus, read the novelization of Speed.
What’s it called?
Speed.
/j
I don’t actually know the name.
But make sure you shake your head the whole time so people know you disagree with irrational numbers.
Did any of Chuck Tingle’s books get physical releases?
Yes. I’ve seen this at a queer bookstore.
Print them out on computer paper and staple your own!
House of Leaves. That way if anyone notices you’re holding it upside down they’ll just think you’re really into it. And if anyone asks you what it’s about you can say “I have no fucking clue what’s happening, there’s a house I think?” and you’ll be correct.
Um. I think it’s pretty easy to understand, but it’s all a meta-narrative with an unreliable narrator.
The narrative devices are quite ingenious.
I watched a video essay on MyHouse.wad. I’ve never played Doom or read House of Leaves. Now I don’t need to do either.
I love the book, just gently poking fun.
A Critique of Pure Reason
Real talk, H.G. Wells was a fantastic author and his biggest hits are both immediately recognizable enough to be a performative conversation starter while also having the added bonus/hazard of potentially accidentally getting into it.
War of the Worlds, The Time Machine and The Invisible Man are all ones I’ve recently listened via Librivox (I linked the specific readers I listened to) during my commutes, but of course, my goal is to actually enjoy the books
I really love journey to the centre of the earth.
