Ex Libris Kirkland

Ex Libris Kirkland is my entirely self-centered way to keep track of what I read, what I enjoy, and what I want to remember.


πŸ“– Recent Quotes πŸ“–

  • It is the nature of an hypothesis, when once a man has conceived it, that it assimulates every thing to itself as proper nourishment; and, from the first moment of your begetting it, it generally grows the stronger by every thing you see, hear, read, or understand. This is of great use.

    an excerpt from The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, written by Laurence Sterne in 1769

  • β€”I mean, answer'd Dr. Slop, he would be denied the benefits of the last sacraments. Pray how many have you in all, said my uncle Toby, for I always forget? - Seven, answered Dr. Slop. Humph! β€” said my uncle Toby; tho' not accented as a note of acquiescence, β€”but as an interjection of that particular species of surprize, when a man, in looking into a drawer, finds more of a thing than he expected.

    an excerpt from The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, written by Laurence Sterne in 1769

  • He had made up his mind that the best way to make his fortune was to send out good articles,β€”and he did his best. Whether or no he was honest in adding on that additional half guinea to the price because he found that the men with whom he dealt were fools enough to be attracted by a high price, shall be left to advanced moralists to decide.

    an excerpt from Ralph the Heir, written by Anthony Trollope in 1871

πŸ““ Recent Notes πŸ““

  • I read this back in college. A useful read for designers, to really drive into your head the difference between an idealized version of something - the a priori, ideal thing - and an actual object on the ground. Most interaction design problems arise because of a conflict between, or insufficient attention to, these.

    an note about Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, written by Robert M. Pirsig in 1974

  • The W. A. McDevitte translation has, from Book 2 Chapter 1:
    … others of them, from a natural instability and fickleness of disposition, were anxious for a revolution

    But the LibriVox recording I’m listening to is translated by Thomas Rice Holmes (1855 - 1933) has
    And it has β€œβ€¦ while others, from instability and fickleness of temperament, hankered after a change of masters.”

    Like: what a turn of phrase. How condescending! Those servile people, hankering after a change of masters! I feel like it’s describing a presidential election year.

    an note about Commentaries on the Gallic Wars, written by Gaius Julius Caesar in -44

  • Here's a YA book I wouldn't have taken the chance to read - but I met the author at a party and realized: shoot! Fiction author in my neighborhood? I'm sure as hell reading his books. This was great; at first a kind of 'moody teenager with too many feelings' YA school story, that was definitely just not my lane. But it takes a much weirder and more serious turn, and I was absolutely into it in the back half.

    an note about The Great Big One, written by J. C. Geiger in 2021

Looking for more recent books? Check out the Personal Timeline.



Ex Libris Kirkland is a super-self-absorbed reading journal made by Matt Kirkland. Copyright © 2001 - .
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