Ken’s review of 2025 on Goodreads > Likes and Comments

Ken, you had a rich reading year with an eclectic selection of books. How marvelous! See you in the book shelters in 2026. :-)

Great year end review Ken. Book shelters are the only escape for the near future. There's no end of towering egos trying to control us.

This already reads like prose poem. Loved it! Happy new year, Ken.

I'd call that a good year, Ken. Despite all the worrying distractions. Happy New Year to you. Thanks for being a friend.

Great reflections in here, Ken. I’ve enjoyed your reviews, especially your comments on writing craft and the disruption of AI. Happy New Year to you.

Amen to resisting AI, Ken (eh men?). I always hold you up as an example that not all Americans are stupid. Keep up the good fight, my friend, even if it means reading and writing poetry (verse or prose) in defiance of big egos and AI. Happy 2026 to you!

Laysee wrote: "Ken, you had a rich reading year with an eclectic selection of books. How marvelous! See you in the book shelters in 2026. :-)"

Thank you, Laysee. And, weirdly, "books" and "shelter" are NOT odd bedfellows. I think of being holed up underground, reading away while the bombs of current events go off outside.

Happy New Year and see your bookish thoughts in 2026 (also known as "tomorrow.")

Diane wrote: "Great year end review Ken. Book shelters are the only escape for the near future. There's no end of towering egos trying to control us."

Thank you, Diane. I guess consolation lies in history, where all towering egos come down like the Colossus of Rhodes. It happens an awful lot in Shakespeare's tragedies, too. Sic semper towering egos, as they say in Dead Language.

And Happy Impending New Year!

Skip the numbers Ken and just keep reviewing because it’s always a treat to read them. All the best in 2026 (no numbers involved).

So hell with the numbers. At some point, they do lose their magic! Looking forward to your reviews in 2026.

Jay wrote: "This already reads like prose poem. Loved it! Happy new year, Ken."

Kind of you, Jay, though I don't think it would win many poetry editors' hearts. ;-) I look forward to your '26 airborne reviews!

Nick wrote: "I'd call that a good year, Ken. Despite all the worrying distractions. Happy New Year to you. Thanks for being a friend."

Back at you, Nick, and I hope '26 is fruitful for you as much in a writing way as in a reading way.

path wrote: "Great reflections in here, Ken. I’ve enjoyed your reviews, especially your comments on writing craft and the disruption of AI. Happy New Year to you."

Thanks, path. I'm glad we found each other's reviews this year. Not sure who led me to you, but I owe them a debt of gratitude as we have similar tastes in some ways. Happy and New Year!

Ulysse wrote: "Amen to resisting AI, Ken (eh men?). I always hold you up as an example that not all Americans are stupid. Keep up the good fight, my friend, even if it means reading and writing poetry (verse or p..."

I think we're fighting the same battles, Ulysse, no matter HOW you pronounce the letters A and I. Machines learned (OK, stolen) thoughts may work well in some sectors, but education isn't one of them.

As for poetry, we'll carry our lonely campaign forward! ;-)

Happy new year! I enjoyed these reflections of your reading year and hope 2026 will bring many great reads!

Thanks for this eloquent overview, Ken. Your reviews, critiques, musings, are one of the things that keep me active on this platform, enriching my view on books, and so - I hope, no, I'm convinced - also enriching my view on life and reality (whatever that is). Best wishes for a great bookish and real-life 2026!

You tackled a number of challenging reads this year, Ken! I'm intrigued by a number of these titles. Interesting thoughts on the Cheever--I read a bunch of his stories this year, and could definitely see his genius but also his sadness. I'm afraid re-trying Magic Mountain would drive me to Cheever's alcohol, so I'm passing on that for now.

I wish you all the happiness you can find in this new (and likely newly troubling) year!

David wrote: "Skip the numbers Ken and just keep reviewing because it’s always a treat to read them. All the best in 2026 (no numbers involved)."

OK, a numberless 2026 it is, David! I always struggled with math, anyway.

Left Coast Justin wrote: "So hell with the numbers. At some point, they do lose their magic! Looking forward to your reviews in 2026."

Agreed. There's more magic in words than numbers. Which is why my wife does the finances.

Cheers,
Right Coast Ken

Henk wrote: "Happy new year! I enjoyed these reflections of your reading year and hope 2026 will bring many great reads!"

Happy Book Year to you, too, Henk, and I look forward to your reviews for another year!

Marc wrote: "Thanks for this eloquent overview, Ken. Your reviews, critiques, musings, are one of the things that keep me active on this platform, enriching my view on books, and so - I hope, no, I'm convinced ..."

Thanks, Marc, and well said. Not only books but certain reviews by certain posters here help to enrich our lives. And man, oh man, given the goings-on, our lives need the boost! Looking forward to mutual review readings in '26!

Kathleen wrote: "You tackled a number of challenging reads this year, Ken! I'm intrigued by a number of these titles. Interesting thoughts on the Cheever--I read a bunch of his stories this year, and could definite..."

Cheever was an open book, all right. I haven't read much of his work beyond the aforementioned journals, but the few short stories I've read reflect the sadness of his suburban life, his marriage, his alcoholism.

Meanwhile, on a happier note, thanks for your help with our late, great (and increasingly obscure) book group and all the best with your ambitious reads in Two Oh Two Six!

Ken, I'll be in that book shelter with you and Diane, poking my head out occasionally hoping for the all clear. I'm eternally optimistic. 😄

I've enjoyed following your reviews and look forward to see what shows up for you throughout this year.

Such a terrific end-of-year review, Ken. I also started writing these around the same time that you did, and now the year wouldn't feel complete without them!

Another thing I have in common with you is the approx number of books read. Low-ish, yes, but you got some really big doozies in there, so I think they must each count as 5 books apiece.

I love what you said about AI teaching you about writing in the same way as watching exercise videos online makes you fit. I'm so sad for humanity, but am heartened that there are teachers in the world like you.

All the best for 2026!

Hi Ken, this is a terrific write-up, particularly for a reader like me - who is always trying to suck the knowledge out of the brains and hearts of proper readers like your good self. As a relatively new reader, this site, and readers such as you teach me so much - and there's so much more to go!!

You wrote: "JW and I are of common minds regarding the inescapable technology: it’s robbing our youth of their educations." YES 100%.

You mentioned Ulysses and Moby Dick<.i>, two books I tried in the distant past, when at university - when I was playing with numbers, chemicals, formulae and beer. So, alas - they beat me. I might read them sooner rather than later. Also, wasn't Frankenstein a treat ? I almost swallowed my head when I learned that Shelley was only 18!!! I was squeezing zits and chasing my brother around the garden with a garden hose at that age!!!! It's amazing. Did you see del Torro's (a famous son of our Guadalajara) movie too? It was magic - or at least I thought so. Heartbreakingly so.

I'm with you re your comments on politics in 2025, sadly - I see no relief in 2026.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts here Ken and I hope you have a wonderful 2026 🤗🦘

Ken, sounds like a great year keeping the grey matter alive. Since you recently read Mann's MM, maybe you want to take on The Empusium by Tokarczuk. She uses her health resort for a takedown on misogyny and has a lot of fun, in big contrast to her Nobel predecessor.

Ken, you're a courageous man, going back to teaching in the brave new world of AI. I enjoyed your year in review and look forward to more fun reviews and poetry from you in 2026. (It's good to be back on GR, especially now.)

Ken, your book thoughts are always entertaining so thanks for this concentrated helping! And im with you on avoiding towering egos—I've never been tempted to read a biography of Joyce, having figured from the clues in his clever wordsmithery that alas, he would have been hard to live with. My keyboard [AI] changed 'been hard' to Bernhard just now. There's another biography I wouldn't want to read though I can read the man's own writing. Cheever's biography sounds sad. Some people needed to be born in a different time.
I love your paragraph on poetry and dark horses. And here's to sheltering amidst our book towers in 2026.

Lisa wrote: "Ken, I'll be in that book shelter with you and Diane, poking my head out occasionally hoping for the all clear. I'm eternally optimistic. 😄

I've enjoyed following your reviews and look forward to ..."


Wow, this book shelter's getting crowded in a hurry! Especially now that we're in a time machine revisiting the days of bully nations picking off smaller ones whenever they wish (despite calling themselves "law & order" types).

Keep reading, keep bookishly positive, and keep humming "We Shall Overcome." ;-)

Robin wrote: "Such a terrific end-of-year review, Ken. I also started writing these around the same time that you did, and now the year wouldn't feel complete without them!

Another thing I have in common with y..."

Thank you, Robin. I'm glad we are sympatico in our c'est la vie (or maybe our que sera sera) attitudes toward book numbers. Whatever. As long as our brains are nourished, that's all that matters.

Looking forward to your reviews in this here year of 2's and 6's!

Mark wrote: "Hi Ken, this is a terrific write-up, particularly for a reader like me - who is always trying to suck the knowledge out of the brains and hearts of proper readers like your good self. As a relative..."

Mark, to my mind, EVERY readers is a "proper" reader, but thanks for all the kind words. As for the big boppers, I'd say Moby-Dick is a smoother sail than Ulysses. The first half, as I said, is more fun than the second. Ahab I could do without.

Cherisa wrote: "Ken, sounds like a great year keeping the grey matter alive. Since you recently read Mann's MM, maybe you want to take on The Empusium by Tokarczuk. She uses her health resort for a takedown on mis..."

In fact, I DID read Tokarczuk's book and it made for an interesting compare and contrast with Mann's mannumental tome! If there's one thing, it's a takedown of misogyny (and a few other undesirable traits making the rounds these days). Looking forward to your reviews this year!

Caterina wrote: "Ken, you're a courageous man, going back to teaching in the brave new world of AI. I enjoyed your year in review and look forward to more fun reviews and poetry from you in 2026. (It's good to be b..."

Ha-ha. "Courageous" is a wonderful euphemism. I feel like I'm jousting without a lance. But, yes, crazily enough, I can't seem to give up when it comes to TRYING to convince young people that literature is just the ticket. To where, I can't always say, but it's the journey more than the destination.

Wonderful to have you back!

Fionnuala wrote: "Ken, your book thoughts are always entertaining so thanks for this concentrated helping! And im with you on avoiding towering egos—I've never been tempted to read a biography of Joyce, having figur..."

Thank you, Fionnuala. You and I both know that author bios and towering egos often meet and trade gossip at the water coolers. Fame will do that to the impressionable type, and most people are the impressionable type.

And weirdly, I feel even stronger about that shelter today than I did a few weeks back when I wrote this Year in Review. We are truly going back in time, back to a time when the current in current events pulled people (and nations) under...

Thanks for your thoughts and the fantastic writeup Ken. The years roll on for the Goodreads members, and there are periods when I am more active here and periods where I disappear almost entirely due to life circumstances. In either case, it is nice to see the profile picture of a pensive Ken and follow his reading journey. All the best for 2026.

If there is anything that encourages and lures me to read poetry, it are your reviews and those of some of our common poetry-loving friends here, Ken. Loved your musings on the big books that you have read  - climbing TMM and enjoying the view quite a feat - and on those dark horses you take care of. Wish you lots of reading joy in 2026, as much resilience as necessary, and may your esprit keep on sparkling. 

Alan wrote: "Thanks for your thoughts and the fantastic writeup Ken. The years roll on for the Goodreads members, and there are periods when I am more active here and periods where I disappear almost entirely d..."

Pensive Ken. More like confused Ken, forever trying to figure out life. But that IS life, I guess. The fun part.

Keep up the good work re: taking breaks for RL. That's where it's at. I'm cheered to see more and more young people (my Gen Z students, even) pushing back against tech, social networks, their enslaving phones, etc. So don't apologize. Just keep up the good work!

Ilse wrote: "If there is anything that encourages and lures me to read poetry, it are your reviews and those of some of our common poetry-loving friends here, Ken. Loved your musings on the big books that you h..."

Shucks thanks, Ilse. Some of my common poetry-reading friends here on GR keep ME savvy to goings-on in Poetry World, too. Like contemporary literature, it's impossible to keep up with, and discoveries are made thanks to reading friends. Like you! Keep being you in '26. You're reading chronicles bring joy to me and many more here.

Esprit-ly yrs,
K

John Cheever’s Journals sound like something I'd like, Ken, and I love what you said about Robert Reich’s Coming Up Short. I had the same pleasant surprise reading Frankenstein (not this year. But I wonder—was it b/c it was so much better than Dracula?), and share your mixed feelings about Magic Mountain (read this year, too). I hope getting back into teaching brings unexpected riches, and that 2026 is good to us all....

What a delightful review. From one teacher to another, I couldn’t agree more about AI. I will quote you on the exercise video analogy.

Jennifer wrote: "John Cheever’s Journals sound like something I'd like, Ken, and I love what you said about Robert Reich’s Coming Up Short. I had the same pleasant surprise reading Frankenstein (not this year. But ..."

Kismet! We both read Frankenstein last year! But I still have on my list watching Del Toro's film on Netflix. Some night when my wife is not beside me on the couch, as she has zero interests in monster movies, even if I say it's not really a monster movie. Or if it is, it's a metaphorical monster movie. And a great example of alliteration.

Alison wrote: "What a delightful review. From one teacher to another, I couldn’t agree more about AI. I will quote you on the exercise video analogy."

Thanks, Alison. Feel free re: AI. I also pitch to their senses of economic justice. You know. The spiel that AI is a product of the 1% getting rich (and in a hurry) without even slowing down to consider any consequences on multiple fronts. What I can't say is that it's supported, whole accent-on-hog by Trump. Neutral in the classroom, as they say. Like Switzerland was supposed to be.

:-)

“Neutrality” is another word I could go on and on about!

Ken wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "John Cheever’s Journals sound like something I'd like, Ken, and I love what you said about Robert Reich’s Coming Up Short. I had the same pleasant surprise reading Frankenstein (no..."

Haha, well done. But the film is beautiful and touching, please tell your wife this may be her gateway to the monster movie...

Alison wrote: "“Neutrality” is another word I could go on and on about!"

Ditto. I'm an utter failure at it, but in school it's a different story. One treads carefully.

Jennifer wrote: "Ken wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "John Cheever’s Journals sound like something I'd like, Ken, and I love what you said about Robert Reich’s Coming Up Short. I had the same pleasant surprise reading Fran..."

I like the concept! Instead of gateways to drugs, we have gateways to monster movies!

Yes!

Alison wrote: "“Neutrality” is another word I could go on and on about!"

Sorry, I came back to comment on your elaboration a bit late, I see. Anyway, yes. We're on the same page about "neutrality." In this day and age, you've got to stand up to defend what's being taken away. And it reminds me of the press's mistake of being "neutral" by trying to treat both sides the same. If that means sugar-coating what's actually going down and not calling out things for what they are (starting with "lies"), then we're in trouble.

I panicked that I had overstepped. Too cautious!

Alison wrote: "I panicked that I had overstepped. Too cautious!"


Nope. Not at all. ;-)