The Eighth: Mahler and the World in 1910

Author: Stephen Johnson
Rating: ★★★★☆

The author explores Mahler’s final years, from the monumental success of his Eighth Symphony, the work that cemented his legacy as one of the greatest composers, to the haunting, unfinished Tenth. The author places Mahler’s late masterpieces, including Das Lied von der Erde, within a lineage of art and philosophy reaching back to Plato and Wagner. By framing Mahler’s internal identity struggle and his ideal of German-ness as the driving force of his creations, the author paints a vivid portrait of a composer caught at the turning point of European history, making this an engaging and compelling read for understanding Mahler’s intricate world.

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秦崩

作者:李开元
Rating: ★★★★☆

从秦帝国的建立到崩塌,再至楚汉纷争,这是很多中国人耳熟能详的一段历史。然而,作者并未止于对叙事的再梳理,而是结合其多年秦汉史的研究成果与最新考古材料,进行大胆推演,对史书中过于简略甚至可能失真的部分予以补正,试图重构历史事件的因果脉络。

凭借富有感染力的文字,作者将这段两千多年前波澜壮阔的历史以更生动、更多元的方式呈现在读者面前。使读者在重温历史之余,对这一改变中国历史走向的大时代产生新的感悟与反思。

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世上为什么要有图书馆

作者:杨素秋
Rating: ★★★½☆

作者从大学教授挂职一年成为机关干部,从象牙塔迈入体制内。书的前半部以此身份转变切入,着力描写作者在制度与文化冲击中的所见所感,让读者好像也走进机关,看到那些平时难以接触的运作方式。后半部的主线转向作者从零开始建设图书馆的经历,同时穿插介绍了几位为作者推荐书单的人物。虽然这些人物插曲似乎偏离了主线,但却让一群独立鲜活的人物素描跃然纸上,也让书里官场之外的社会图景更丰富、更有趣。书中提到的书目也是阅读此书的一大收获。

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Killing Pablo

Author: Mark Bowden
Rating: ★★★★☆

The book traces the dramatic rise and fall of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. The brutal way in which Escobar seized power is shocking, and the effort to bring him down was distressing. Having just returned from Colombia, I was struck by the warmth of its people and the country’s stunning natural beauty. Yet, even forty years after Escobar’s death, this dark chapter of history continues to cast a shadow over Colombian society. Many locals prefer to forget the painful past and view the use of Escobar’s name as a tourist gimmick with contempt, especially while drug trafficking and the presence of paramilitary groups still linger.

The book offers a detailed account of the U.S. involvement in the manhunt and how it ultimately led to Escobar’s demise. The final moments of his life are particularly gripping. It also highlights the crucial, though controversial, role of the paramilitary group Los Pepes, whose campaign of terror against Escobar’s associates significantly contributed to his downfall. Their murky ties to both Colombian authorities and U.S. agents continue to raise questions and influence geopolitical discourse to this day.

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繁花

作者:金宇澄
Rating: ★★★★½

以上海话写作是本书的最大特色。不摘录几段文字无法体会作者的文字功力。

四个人说说讲讲,发一阵呆,也就坦然。月轮残淡,天越来越明,鸟鸣啁啁然,逐渐响亮,终于大作。半夜出发,无依无靠,四个荒唐子,三更流浪天,现在南依古园,古树,缄默坐眺,姑苏朦胧房舍,苏州美术馆几根罗马立柱,渐次清晰起来,温风如酒,波纹如绫,一流清水之上,有人来钓鱼,有人来锻炼。三两小贩,运来菜筐,浸于水中,湿淋淋拎起。大家游目四瞩,眼前忽然间,已经云灿霞铺。阿宝说,眼看沧浪亭,一点一点亮起来,此生难得。

此刻,沪生的心相,已不疾不徐,即便阿宝久等,脚底难移半步。看眼前的陶陶,讲得身历其境,沪生预备陶陶拖堂,听慢《西厢》,小红娘下得楼来,走一级楼梯,要讲半半六十日,大放噱,也要听。沪生说,慢慢讲,卖蛋男人,又不是陶陶,紧张啥。陶陶说,太紧张了,我讲一遍,就紧张一遍。沪生说,弄别人老婆,火烛小心。陶陶说,是吧,沪生跟我仔细讲一讲。沪生说,搞啥名堂,现在,我是听陶陶讲呀,脑子有吧。陶陶笑笑。沪生说,一讲这种事体,陶陶就来精神。陶陶说,有精神的人,第一名,是卖鱼女人的老公,弄堂白天人少,师徒咚咚咚跑上楼梯,房门哐啷一记撞穿,棉纺织厂保全工,力气用不光,门板,“斯必令”门锁,全部裂开弹开,下面小徒弟望风,喉咙山响,因为车间里机器声音大,开口就喊,不许逃,房顶上有人,已经看到了,阿三呀,不许这个人逃,不许逃,我看到了,嚯隆隆隆隆。这一记吵闹,还了得,前后弄堂,居民哗啦啦啦啦,通通跑出来看白戏,米不淘,菜不烧,碗筷不摆,坐马桶的,也跳起来就朝外面奔,这种事体,千年难得。沪生说,好意思讲马桶,再编。陶陶说,是百分之一百的事实呀,居委会干部,也奔过来看情况,四底下,吵吵闹闹,嚯隆隆隆隆,隔壁一个老先生,以为又要搞运动了,气一时接不上,裤子湿透。沪生一笑说,好,多加浇头,不碍的。陶陶说,句句是真呀,只一歇的工夫,老公跟徒弟,拖了这对露水鸳鸯下来,老公捉紧了卖鱼女人,徒弟押了卖蛋男人,推推搡搡,下楼梯,女人不肯跨出后门。

这天蓓蒂带了这套邮票,自说自话,走进“伟民”。老板是圆圆的胖子,吸烟斗。阿宝贴到玻璃上看。蓓蒂举起蓝皮小邮集,递到老板手里,翻到亚马逊雨林蝴蝶一页。老板看看蓓蒂,看了看邮票,想了想,合上蓝皮邮集,转身从背后架子里,抽出一本五十厘米见方的大邮册,摊到玻璃柜台上,柜台比一般商店矮,前面两只软凳。蓓蒂静静翻看。老板走到柜台外,恭恭敬敬,动一动凳子,让蓓蒂坐稳。每当一页闪亮翻过,老板低头与蓓蒂解释。阿宝立于玻璃橱窗外,闻到潮湿的兰花香气,面前一阵热雨,整群整群花色蝴蝶,从玻璃柜台前亮灿灿飞起,飞过蓓蒂头顶的蓝颜色蝴蝶结。这本邮册本身,像蝴蝶斑斓的翅膀,繁星满目,光芒四射。

李李讲到此刻,房间逐渐亮了起来,梧桐与老房子之间,有了拂晓微光。阿宝说,菩萨保佑。李李说,保佑阿宝,保佑我。阿宝说,可以开灯了。李李说,不要开,阿宝不可以看。阿宝说,故事结束了,已经太平了。李李说,我晓得,但是菩萨,还看得见玫瑰,这朵玫瑰,一辈子跟定我了。阿宝说,佛菩萨根本是不管的,据说每天,只是看看天堂花园的荷花。李李不响。阿宝说,天堂的水面上,阳光明媚,水深万丈,深到地狱里,冷到极点,暗到极点,一根一根荷花根须,一直伸下去,伸到地狱,根须上,全部吊满了人,拼命往上爬,人人想上来,爬到天堂来看荷花,争先恐后,吵吵闹闹,好不容易爬了一点,看到上面一点微光,因为人多,毫不相让,分量越来越重,荷花根就断了,大家重新跌到黑暗泥泞里,鬼哭狼嚎,地狱一直就是这种情况,天堂花园里的菩萨,根本是看不见的,只是笑眯眯,发觉天堂空气好,蜜蜂飞,蜻蜓飞,一朵荷花要开了,红花莲子,白花藕。李李说,太残酷了,难道我抱的不是阿宝,是荷花根,阿宝太坏了。阿宝抱了李李,觉得李李的身体,完全软下来。天色变亮,房间里有了轮廓。李李说,我怕结婚,大概是心里有玫瑰,阿宝为啥不考虑,不结婚呢,据说是为了一个小小姑娘。阿宝不响。李李说,我跟阿宝,就算一夜夫妻,也满足了。阿宝抱了李李,闭紧眼睛。

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For Blood and Money

Author: Nathan Vardi
Rating: ★★★★☆

The book chronicles the dramatic journey of the development of the BTK inhibitor, one of the most groundbreaking drugs for CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia). It delves into the drug’s creation by Pharmacyclics and Acerta Pharma, highlighting the intricacies of the development process. The author also explores the role of venture capital in the biotech industry, as well as the struggles among key company members, driven by their differing personalities. A captivating and insightful read!

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Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World

Author: Margaret MacMillan
Rating: ★★★★☆

It is no overstatement to say that the modern world has been shaped by the First World War and the Paris Peace Conference that followed. The book provides a detailed account of the conference’s proceedings, highlighting the struggles among different states and the compromises that had to be made.

One of the author’s most memorable conclusions is that the treaty should not be blamed for the collapse of Germany’s economy after World War I, as is often argued today. Various conditions and workarounds were implemented to reduce Germany’s financial burden. Additionally, the book includes a chapter on how China became a victim during the conference.

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Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity

Author: Peter Attia
Rating: ★★★★½

There are many books on the topic of longevity, but in this New York Times bestseller, Dr. Attia argues that extending healthspan, rather than just lifespan, is more important for modern humans. Through the concept of Medicine 3.0—which integrates early monitoring, diagnosis, and personalized treatment—we can more effectively combat the four major diseases responsible for most deaths: heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes. Additionally, exercise, quality sleep, mental health, and nutrition play crucial roles in promoting long-term well-being.

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