Reading might be the only thing that saves us w/J. Spahr of Science Visuals

Blood Meridian is a historical novel that depicts the brutal reality of the American West in the mid-19th century. The story follows a 14-year-old runaway from Tennessee, known as 'the kid', who joins the Glanton gang, a historical group of scalp hunters. The gang, led by John Joel Glanton and the enigmatic Judge Holden, is contracted to kill and scalp Native Americans but soon devolves into indiscriminate violence against various groups. The novel explores themes of brutality, the loss of innocence, and the harsh realities of human nature, with Judge Holden serving as a central figure embodying philosophical and sadistic elements. The book is known for its unflinching portrayal of violence and its allegorical exploration of human existence.

Written in 1959, 'Life and Fate' is a monumental novel that narrates the story of the Shaposhnikov family during the Great Patriotic War. The novel is set against the backdrop of the Battle of Stalingrad and delves into the lives of numerous characters, including Soviet physicist Viktor Shtrum, who grapples with anti-Semitism and moral dilemmas in a totalitarian state. The book juxtaposes the horrors of war and the Gulag with the intimate lives of its characters, exploring profound philosophical and moral questions. Despite its initial suppression by the KGB, the novel was eventually smuggled out of the Soviet Union and has since been recognized as one of the greatest Russian novels of the 20th century.

The Green Knight is a novel by Iris Murdoch that loosely parodies the medieval poem 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight'. It follows the lives of Louise Anderson and her daughters as they become entangled with a mystical character, leading to a series of events that challenge their relationships and understanding of themselves. The novel explores themes of morality, love, and the complexities of human relationships.

The novel tells the story of the Buendía family and the town of Macondo, which they founded. It spans over a hundred years, from the postcolonial 1820s to the 1920s, and explores themes of solitude, family destiny, and the cyclical nature of time. The story is marked by magical realism, blending mundane and extraordinary events, and reflects on the impact of modernization, civil wars, and social changes on the town and its inhabitants. The novel is an epic tale that intertwines historical and fictional elements, highlighting the repetitive patterns and destinies of the Buendía family.

Andrea Wulf's "Invention of Nature" is a biography of Alexander von Humboldt, a Prussian polymath who made significant contributions to various scientific fields. The book details Humboldt's expeditions and his groundbreaking work in biogeography, geology, and climatology. Wulf's narrative highlights Humboldt's influence on scientific thought and his impact on the development of environmentalism. The book explores Humboldt's personal life and his relationships with other prominent scientists of his time. "Invention of Nature" offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and work of a remarkable figure who shaped our understanding of the natural world.

Stalingrad, originally published in 1952 as 'For a Just Cause' (За правое дело), is a novel by Vasily Grossman that delves into the lives of Soviet citizens and soldiers during the Battle of Stalingrad. The book follows the Shaposhnikov family and their friends as they navigate the horrors of war, from the initial German invasion to the pivotal battle that marked a turning point in World War II. The novel, despite being subject to Soviet censorship, provides a vivid and engrossing portrayal of the war's impact on ordinary people. It is the first part of Grossman's dilogy, with 'Life and Fate' serving as its sequel, which critiques both Nazism and Stalinism more explicitly. The English translation by Robert and Elizabeth Chandler includes additional material from Grossman's unpublished manuscripts, aiming to reflect the author's original intentions as closely as possible.