Piranesi, I realized in this, my second read, is my favorite book. Don’t research. Just go read it. It’s short. If you’ve read before, and are considering rereading, I’ll remind you that The Beauty of the House is immeasurable; it’s Kindness infinite. - ThreadSky

justinmcelroy.bsky.social • 93 days ago

Piranesi, I realized in this, my second read, is my favorite book. Don’t research. Just go read it. It’s short.

If you’ve read before, and are considering rereading, I’ll remind you that The Beauty of the House is immeasurable; it’s Kindness infinite.

Comments

jsmlml.bsky.social•93 days ago

I loved it as well - it's rare to find a fantasy novel that's so self-contained, not interested in setting up some multi-volume world building

neelydan.bsky.social•65 days ago

I read Piranesi on a volunteer trip to Ukraine earlier this year. So, my memories of the amazing, weird stuff in this book are intertwined with riding on a crazy Ukrainian overnight train, eating weird but awesome food, and all kinds of other great and strange memories.

gauravgulati.bsky.social•93 days ago

Such a great read! I found it difficult to read at the beginning, but I think that's intentional - you're entering the labyrinth yourself, confused and trying to get your bearings. Slowly but surely, the House reveals all.

alexgoldrich.bsky.social•49 days ago

Reading it now on your recommendation. This never happens to me - I literally can't seem to put it down. The more I read the more I'm drawn in. So glad I took your advise & didn't learn anything about it beforehand.

cb-dvm.bsky.social•87 days ago

Thanks for this recommendation. I read it today and wow. I'm going to be thinking about it for a while. Really good.

ayarosen.bsky.social•14 days ago

OMG! Me too. It's amazing!

ackev.bsky.social•93 days ago

I read it in May after you talked about it (on the Besties maybe?) and loved it a lot. Delighted to hear Laika may be doing a stop motion film if it.

megkenobi.bsky.social•93 days ago

I read it earlier this year and it instantly became my favorite book as well.

sarahmonious.bsky.social•93 days ago

Justin I’m reading this right now from your previous rec and it’s wonderful!!!

tomlavery.bsky.social•18 days ago

This is also my absolute favourite book of all time!!!

portabledan.bsky.social•93 days ago

Clarke also released a novella (really a short story) recently that is well worth a read. Make sure to continue through the afterward.

justinmcelroy.bsky.social•92 days ago

Thank you!

portabledan.bsky.social•92 days ago

With her chronic fatigue, I fear her works our previous few, precious resources. Get them when you can!

meghansolo.bsky.social•93 days ago

We read this for book club a while back and I agree, its phenomenal. It also pairs weirdly well House of Leaves, if you're looking for another rec.

lylahammar.bsky.social•93 days ago

I literally just an hour ago looked at your feed, thought that I should recommend this book to you, saw that it was actually the first book you posted about, and felt pleased with myself for accurately predicting that you’d like it. And then you posted this! Feeling extra pleased with myself now 💪✨

lylahammar.bsky.social•93 days ago

Also if you weren’t aware, Laika Studios picked up the rights to adapt Piranesi into a stop motion animated film! Which is so perfect. Look forward to that in like 6 years probably (generously)

https://variety.com/2024/film/news/laika-piranesi-travis-knight-susanna-clarke-1236042093/amp/

justinmcelroy.bsky.social•92 days ago

This is amazing, Griff and I were dream casting Ncuti Gatwa yesterday

benmakesnoise.bsky.social•55 days ago

this book SLAAAAAAAAAAPS

cherryghostbuster.bsky.social•93 days ago

Susanna Clarke is unbelievably talented. Everything she writes sticks to my ribs and fills me out

justinmcelroy.bsky.social•92 days ago

This is such a great compliment

emmeline.bsky.social•92 days ago

What memory would take you to The House?

emmeline.bsky.social•93 days ago

Hey Juice, I’m assuming you read her first, Jonathan Strange? If not, it’s a hell of a thing.

justinmcelroy.bsky.social•92 days ago

I tried! I’m gonna try again

emmeline.bsky.social•92 days ago

On a personal note, is it okay if I say how much you, Trav, Grif, Syd, Teylor, and Rileigh have meant to me?

The shift MBMBaM took over the years helped slide me from edginess to kindness/acceptance, and SB helped me process gender and filled in a lot of gaps left from transitioning later in life.

samasthana.bsky.social•93 days ago

So atmospheric, so immersive, so fun on that first read. You’ve made me plan a thanksgiving reread

sam.roseroninstudios.com•93 days ago

A lo-fi analog horror style game where you wander the house would be so cool and vibey!

aundreadawn.bsky.social•93 days ago

I loved it, too! Such a unique atmosphere, somehow both cozy and tense.

tuoman.bsky.social•87 days ago

What a great rec, thank you

skilletqueso.com•93 days ago

100% agree. it's a really fun read

kelsog.bsky.social•93 days ago

I’ve had so many people recommend this to me. I guess I was just waiting for yours!

blsnzn.bsky.social•32 days ago

Such a good book! I read it on the train and really loved the liminal-space aspect of that experience

ave-iro.bsky.social•93 days ago

It's really great! Johnathan Strange is also excellent, if you haven't tried it yet

hollieoc.bsky.social•72 days ago

I read this on your rec this year and it is now one of my all-time favorites. I’ve coerced three other people into reading it so far. It’s such a perfect little tightly edited book with beautiful prose and a plot that sucks you right in. 10/10 tysm

clowenator.bsky.social•41 days ago

this book is incredible! i reckon im due for a reread

sweetstrangeheart.bsky.social•75 days ago

At your mention of this book yesterday in the livestream I started in on it and just now finished it. Thank you, it was truly something special I'll carry with me, filling a gap that I wasn't even aware of.

lloydusorrus.bsky.social•93 days ago

It's so good!

I'm in the middle of re-reading Johnathan Strange and Mr Norrel, which is defo top 5 contender for me

justinmcelroy.bsky.social•93 days ago

You know, I should really try it again. I started but lost track because I found it too dry.

lloydusorrus.bsky.social•93 days ago

Yeah the first couple of chapters are pretty dry to be fair, but it falls into a really enjoyable (in my opinion) style once the story gets going.

Also, the TV show is a pretty good adaptation as well if you want the story without the writing style!

errantcavalier.bsky.social•93 days ago

I also took a run up at reading that book and only got through on my second try! It was really worth it, though, hehe. I love that book, and really hope she writes another!

justinmcelroy.bsky.social•93 days ago

The reading by Chiwetel Ejiofor is also my favorite audiobook, incidentally.

miggsboson.bsky.social•83 days ago

Speaking of favorite audiobooks, have you listened to the Middlesex by Jeffery Eugenides audiobook? Its perfect

billyidyll.bsky.social•23 days ago

Chiwetel’s reading is perfect. I just wish someone would make an edit that adds a 10 second pause at the end of each chapter. The last lines are so good and need to sink in.

martingiannini.bsky.social•30 days ago

YES

richwilson.bsky.social•93 days ago

It's in my top 5 at least. Like a friendlier House of Leaves. I'll definitely give it a second round with the audiobook.

jetwong.bsky.social•93 days ago

It’s outstanding! He’s so good and adds so much gravitas to an already awesome book!

ericagarraffa.bsky.social•6 days ago

IT'S SO GOOD. One of my favorite audiobooks from last year, tied with Project Hail Mary

chiaczar.bsky.social•93 days ago

I just listened to this on you recommendation and it is fantastic.

kdestephano.bsky.social•46 days ago

I absolutely loved this book!

jacobherlin.bsky.social•93 days ago

I suspect I learned of it from the same source as you (Jacob Geller) and it has become my favorite too. It just nails the "it's a mystery, and the mystery is wtf is going on with this world"

rampantpiracy.bsky.social•93 days ago

I read it on your recommendation on The Besties. Loved it!

werewolf.pizza•93 days ago

A friend recommended it to me a few years ago and not a week goes by that I don't think about some part of it with awe.

martingiannini.bsky.social•30 days ago

Justin I fell in love with this book when it came out. I have bought it thrice. I cannot tell you how overjoyed I am, as an OG mbmbambino in your age cohort, that you have reacted similarly. Thank you for the hundreds of hours of healing mirth over the years my friend.

errantcavalier.bsky.social•93 days ago

This book makes me cry but in a good way. Super beautiful. The isolation that sets the tone of the story hit me really hard.

marysoonlee.bsky.social•93 days ago

Piranesi is such a wonderful, captivating book. I've read it twice. Maybe a third time is in order....

misslaciebug.bsky.social•84 days ago

I read Piranesi for the first time this year and it immediately rocketed to the top of my favorite-books-ever list!

edapparently.bsky.social•93 days ago

The book and audiobook are both fantastic. The audiobook of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell narrated by Simon Prebble is my all time favourite though.

2muchjoy.bsky.social•33 days ago

@justinmcelroy.bsky.social have you read The Fifth Season? Orders of magnitude better than this book.

breelundberg.com•93 days ago

I read it after you’d mentioned on one of the podcasts awhile ago and LOVED it. The kind of story you think about long after finishing it.

jayfrittata.bsky.social•18 days ago

Don’t buy you like books. Prove it. Name 12 books.

sojo.bsky.social•93 days ago

One of my favorites too. I’ve never read anything quite like it.

hatkevtonin.bsky.social•93 days ago

This is a good recommendation! In that, I mean I will take this recommendation because it was delivered well! Thanks!

hiswinrivera.bsky.social•43 days ago

OMG JUSTIN IS A FELLOW PIRANESI LOVER I’M SO HAPPY

osomatic.bsky.social•88 days ago

I took your recommendation and finished it about five minutes ago. What a lovely little book. Thank you!

ryguy8806.bsky.social•61 days ago

My wife read this book, asked me to read it, and after I read a chapter, we had a mini book club session about it!

gregcorbin.bsky.social•93 days ago

I loved this book and need to revist! Thanks for the reminder.

cyberspud.bsky.social•89 days ago

Does it go well as an audiobook? I listen to books and podcasts at work.

ibbored.bsky.social•93 days ago

I liked it also, your besties book recs I’ve tried have been solid so far- Evelyn hardcastle and this. Going to try the appeal next probably.

jon-rodriguez-va.bsky.social•93 days ago

I picked this up after you talked about it on Besties. An absolutely marvelous book and absolutely worth a read annually.

artfulscientist.bsky.social•92 days ago

a wet book that gently undid me (complimentary)

metalchandler.bsky.social•92 days ago

It’s the only book I’ve ever read in one extended sitting. I was completely drawn in.

jordonflato.bsky.social•93 days ago

It’s sort of an Anti-House of Leaves. Which I loved, but this book fits into its negative space like a glove

digitalembryo.bsky.social•85 days ago

I finished reading this book, turned to my wife and said, "You have to read this. I've never read anything like it." and then started it again. I'm still chasing that feeling.

scomc.bsky.social•93 days ago

This was the first book I had read in a while and then a month later I heard you talk about it, so fun

gwifgwif.bsky.social•23 days ago

It’s such a banger

avocadopov.bsky.social•93 days ago

Just placed a hold with my library. Thanks, Juice!

avocadopov.bsky.social•70 days ago

Hey @justinmcelroy.bsky.social I just finished it, and something fundamentally changed inside me. So - again - thanks, Juice! 🫶

mostlikelyjustfood.bsky.social•30 days ago

This was the book I picked out for mine and my husband's Christmas Eve book exchange tradition - and it was SO good. So weird. So... relaxing somehow!

tsubasaniji.bsky.social•93 days ago

A fantastic read. This book is endlessly interesting to me.

fairweather778.bsky.social•93 days ago

Mine too. An astonishing book.

jadedgems.bsky.social•93 days ago

Added to my reading list!

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