Ryan Book Recommendations & Book Mentions
This list consists of recommendations or mentions of books spotted in media, social media accounts, podcasts or other public websites.
Ryan on X
just building my ark like the rest of us. obsessions too many to list. books. music. animals. art. aesthetics. Amarillo, Abilene, Austin.

Pathetic Literature
Eileen Myles
Eileen Myles’ anthology of “Pathetic Literature” is such a fantastic collection—essential and exciting! As far as anthologies go, the best since A New Literary History of America, G. Marcus & W. Sollors, Ed. It’s gonna go right up here top of ol’ Betsy! https://t.co/sxQ2Xa2EOC
Paperback, 2023
$25.00$12.50 + Free shipping50% off your first book
The Prisoner: A Memoir
Hwang Sok-Yong
Not shown here is The Prisoner, Hwang Sok-Yong’s memoir, which was a library loan I had to turn back in.
Hardcover, 2021
$39.95$19.98 + Free shipping50% off your first book
Fowl Eulogies
Lucie Rico
AND - like wtf —Fowl Eulogies —by Lucie Rico , maybe like a 3.5 but only because I’m too harsh. Amazing.
Paperback, 2023
$17.99$8.99 + Free shipping50% off your first book
Lost in the Cosmos: The Last Self-Help Book
Walker Percy
@BramPresser I think you especially would@really like it. Devastating, though, you’ve been warned. Kinda feels like a cursed blend of Leve’s Suicide and Walker Percy’s Lost in the Cosmos.
Paperback, 2000
$20.00$10.00 + Free shipping50% off your first book
The Witness
Juan José Saer
@HenryGreenMario I’ve also been getting into Juan José Saer, and last night I finished a my third novelty by him: The Witness. Scars and The Clouds have shipped, but haven’t come in yet! https://t.co/3tPX3D7bIa
Paperback, 2009
$17.95$8.98 + Free shipping50% off your first book
Women Without Men: A Novel of Modern Iran
Shahrnush Parsipur
I plan to have a day of relaxation reading by the pool. First, I am going to read the story “High Tide” by Orly Castel-Bloom, which is really short, and then Women Without Men Shahrnush Parsipur. I still want to read to more books the end of the month in addition to today’s goal. https://t.co/iaB5NXEO5f
Paperback, 2012
$16.95$8.48 + Free shipping50% off your first book
Empty Streets
Michal Ajvaz
@DepartureJay There’s actually so many strange books (coincidentally a trademark of the vast majority of most of my “favorites”) and “strange” like “beauty” (etc) is extremely subjective and diverse! But a few : “Empty Streets” by Michal Ajvaz, “Who Was Changed, and Who Was Dead… ⬇️
Paperback, 2016
$19.00$9.50 + Free shipping50% off your first book
After the Sun
Jonas Eika
I’m I the only one who was too discombobulated by Jonas Eika’s After the Sun to appreciate it wholly in the moment, but still keeps thinking about it a year later? I still have no idea what the fuck I read, but “Alvin,” in particular, keeps sharking my thoughts. 🦈 🧠
Paperback, 2022
$16.00$8.00 + Free shipping50% off your first book
The Mutations
Jorge Comensal
@mervatim @whartonswords The Organs of Sense was exceptional. It released at—approximately—the same time from FSG as The Mutations by Jorge Comensal and The Sun on My ahead by Geovani Martins. Really believe that all three of these did not receive the attention they deserved.
Paperback, 2020
$16.00$8.00 + Free shipping50% off your first book
All the Lovers in the Night
Mieko Kawakami
End-of-Month addendum for books read, October 2022. * Actually still reading All the Lovers in the Night, but plant on finishing it by midnight. * https://t.co/MxeBEw0wnj https://t.co/ZS3PMmwwnw
Paperback, 2023
$17.95$8.98 + Free shipping50% off your first book