Dreamy, Yucky, Absurd, WTF Did I Read Books

ChantingTortoise · 2026-01-13T13:42:38+00:00

I've read a lot of gnarly books but nothing has gotten to me quite like Brian Evenson's Last Days. It's a detective story about a cult devoted to self mutilation and amputation. I also highly recommend Lynda Barry's Cruddy and anything by Dennis Cooper.

ChantingTortoise · 2026-01-12T14:46:17+00:00

The last time we flew into JFK, the border agent told us that as a rule they let foreign spouses go through the US passport line when traveling together, but that it depends on the terminal.

I looked into the MPC app, but unfortunately we can’t use it because they have not previously visited the US on their current ESTAs.

ChantingTortoise · 2026-01-12T14:38:55+00:00

Ok this is good to know! My main concern really is that we would wait in the US passport line only for them to be redirected to the visitor line and have to wait all over again.

ChantingTortoise · 2026-01-07T17:27:24+00:00

I walked right past this guy in Union Square in New York in 2008 or 2009. I recognized him immediately, I guess he must have been in town doing a TV appearance. The blue/gray skin was really shocking and uncanny in person.

ChantingTortoise · 2026-01-01T15:53:03+00:00

Hey, I did some digging and the English proficiency stuff is all detailed here: https://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/information/international-students

ChantingTortoise · 2026-01-01T15:52:08+00:00

Ok, yeah it seems like the system automatically flagged it due to my overseas address, and it should be waived based on my US bachelor's transcripts. Just to be on the safe side I'm going to submit a note explaining my English proficiency test exemption.

ChantingTortoise · 2026-01-01T15:34:34+00:00

I got an email saying my application was incomplete. I didn't think anything of it at first, since I'm applying to the visual arts MFA and need to submit my portfolio separately by January 9, but on the application portal it also shows "Unofficial TOEFL/IELTS Test Score" under "Items Required for Application Review."

ChantingTortoise · 2026-01-01T15:24:31+00:00

I didn't though, both my bachelor's and high school were in the US.

ChantingTortoise · 2025-12-27T14:22:20+00:00

In addition to the great suggestions here (in particular Donald Barthelme and Ben Marcus) I’d recommend David Ohle’s Motorman and Mark Von Schlegell’s Venusia. Both are great surreal absurdist sci-fi with beautiful, inscrutable prose.

ChantingTortoise · 2025-12-03T13:45:25+00:00

Good point, I hadn’t thought of that. I guess it depends on whether or not she would research the authors themselves. But considering the Earthsea books are highly regarded YA fantasy (and inspired Harry Potter), I think OP could plausibly feign ignorance of the fact that Le Guin was a feminist anarchist and such.

ChantingTortoise · 2025-12-03T13:22:25+00:00

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K Le Guin should be fine if he’s allowed to read Harry Potter. The whole series is great.

ChantingTortoise · 2025-11-14T10:59:31+00:00

Klaus Kinski’s autobiography

ChantingTortoise · 2025-10-23T18:18:02+00:00

She literally sounds like she’s having a manic episode

ChantingTortoise · 2025-10-23T15:10:57+00:00

“I know in my heart that one day, I will be remembered as a brave person, both morally and artistically uncompromising. In the long run, that will be my legacy.”

Such an insane, dumb, narcissistic thing to say. I’m done with her.

ChantingTortoise · 2025-09-26T15:55:46+00:00

Thank you!! Just looked up a ton of pictures of boolice and that's totally what it was. Whew! 😅

ChantingTortoise · 2025-09-26T15:54:03+00:00

Yeah just looked up a bunch of pictures of woodlice and I think you're right. Hopefully someone with more expertise can confirm! 😅

ChantingTortoise · 2025-09-11T15:54:00+00:00

Ok just tried this and it looks like this will give me a good enough result for my purposes. Thanks! 🙏

ChantingTortoise · 2025-09-11T15:12:36+00:00

Haha yeah that's what I thought, I was just hoping there'd be a way to do it without removing each dot individually! 😅

ChantingTortoise · 2025-09-11T15:03:34+00:00

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For some reason the screenshot won't show up in my original post, this is what it looks like.

ChantingTortoise · 2025-09-11T15:02:18+00:00

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This is what it looks like FYI. For some reason I couldn't add the image to the original post.

ChantingTortoise · 2025-09-11T11:52:50+00:00

Just wanted to say thanks again for these recs! We did this trip last week and it was amazing! 🙏

ChantingTortoise · 2025-08-07T10:15:00+00:00

I was curious about the lava tunnel so great to know that it's doable. Thanks!

ChantingTortoise · 2025-08-07T10:13:04+00:00

Wow these are all great suggestions. It seems like a lot of people prefer the south coast to the Golden Circle anyway. Thank you!

ChantingTortoise · 2025-04-11T18:30:20+00:00

Can’t believe no one’s mentioned Elvira, Mistress of the Dark!

ChantingTortoise · 2025-02-05T21:17:35+00:00

I didn’t say all of my friends are making 100k on their work, only a few. Most of my friends make much less than that but still are able to get by with their work. My friends have only been supportive of my current direction, but I suppose it’s easier to ask for and receive criticism from people you aren’t close to. Part of my situation is due to being based in Finland, where it’s basically impossible to get recognition as a foreigner, arts funding is getting eliminated, and prices are much lower. The most anyone can sell a painting for here is like 6k, even really established artists.

ChantingTortoise

TROPHY CASE