The Active Mind
The Tunnel by William H. Gass | Analysis & Breakdown
updated
Any of these titles jump out to you? Let me know in the comments!
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#bookhaul
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FlexiSpot Amazon Fall Prime Day Deal Up to 50% OFF
Act now and buy to upgrade your workspace!
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Timecodes:
00:00 - The Desire To Learn
01:17 - Choose Your Subject
03:01 - Flexispot
04:28 - Outline Your Course Objectives
05:18 - Select Your Core Texts
06:18 - Select Additional Materials
07:40 - Create Your Assignments
10:26 - Pacing Your Course
12:24 - Wrap Up
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#amazon #primeday #flexispot #homeoffice #standingdeskGrabbingnotes
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What book(s) impressed you or let you down this summer? Let me know in the comments!
Books Mentioned:
Life & Fate, Grossman - amzn.to/48w0p75
On The Edge of the World, Leskov - amzn.to/46UjJd6
In Late Summer, Blažević - amzn.to/4nwKKZS
The Magic Mountain, Mann - amzn.to/42c0MA1
The Hour of the Star, Lispector - amzn.to/4nMtCPK
The Remembered Soldier, Daanje - amzn.to/42vTPtR
Voracious, Lebda - amzn.to/429Q8tB
The Housekeeper and the Professor, Ogawa - amzn.to/4mvTUEE
Timecodes:
00:00 - Recapping My Summer Reads!
00:26 - Best Book
03:54 - Worst Book
06:28 - Biggest Surprise
08:58 - Biggest Disappointment
12:22 - Author Standout
14:31 - Most Emotional
17:44 - Most Beautiful Books (Aesthetic and Written)
20:36 - Wrap Up
Join My Book Club: patreon.com/c/TheActiveMind
Substack: brockcovington.substack.com
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Email for Business (or Friendly Banter): covington24@gmail.com
#reading #literature
Join My Book Club: patreon.com/c/TheActiveMind
How many books do you read at once and how do you choose them? Let me know in the comments!
Substack: brockcovington.substack.com
Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
Goodreads: goodreads.com/user/show/155034970-brock-c
Email for Business (or Friendly Banter): covington24@gmail.com
My review of Schattenfroh: openlettersreview.com/posts/schattenfroh-by-michael-lentz-1
Throughout 2025, I’ve found myself reading far more new releases and have a lot more penciled in for the months to come. So, I wanted to share some of the works that have caught my attention and that may be worth your time.
What’s a new release you have your sights set on? Let me know in the comments!
Timecodes:
00:00 - Let’s Chat About New Releases!
01:14 - Schattenfroh, Lentz
07:53 - Sugar Kremlin, Sorokin
12:02 - (Th)ings and (Th)oughts, Gorbunova
13:44 - Needle’s Eye, Myśliwski
15:09 - Shadow Ticket, Pynchon
17:33 - Wrap Up
Join My Book Club: patreon.com/c/TheActiveMind
Substack: brockcovington.substack.com
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Goodreads: goodreads.com/user/show/155034970-brock-c
Email for Business (or Friendly Banter): covington24@gmail.com
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
#bookstagram #bookrecommendations #shorts
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
#bookstagram #bookrecommendations #shorts
Subscribe for more!
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
#bookstagram #bookrecommendations #shorts
You can find my book reviews and essays here: brockcovington.substack.com
Join My Book Club: patreon.com/c/TheActiveMind
Books Mentioned:
In Late Summer, Blažević - amzn.to/4nwKKZS
The Housekeeper and the Professor, Ogawa - amzn.to/3Vj6ThT
At The Same Time, Sontag - amzn.to/45xF4Zi
Chekhov's Plays - amzn.to/3JwAaTM
Have you read any standout books that surprised you this year? Let me know in the comments!
Timecodes:
00:00 - Lots of Reading Time!
00:57 - Book 1
05:10 - Book 2
09:53 - Book 3
17:44 - Book 4
20:36 - Wrap Up
Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
Goodreads: goodreads.com/user/show/155034970-brock-c
Email for Business (or Friendly Banter): covington24@gmail.com
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
#bookstagram #bookrecommendations #shorts
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
#bookstagram #bookrecommendations
In today's video, I wanted to open a discussion surrounding subjectivity in books (primarily fiction). At times, I find criticism rooted in someone's expectations or preferences rather than actual flaws of a narrative or style, so here are some of my raw thoughts laid out.
I'd be curious to hear your thoughts!
Join My Book Club: patreon.com/c/TheActiveMind
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Email for Business (or Friendly Banter): covington24@gmail.com
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My Substack & Book Reviews: brockcovington.substack.com
Join My Book Club: patreon.com/c/TheActiveMind
Have you read any of these books? Which authors or titles are you hunting for? I'd be curious to know in the comments!
Timecodes:
0:00 - Intro
01:32 - Book Haul
19:33 - Wrap Up
Substack: brockcovington.substack.com
Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
Goodreads: goodreads.com/user/show/155034970-brock-c
Email for Business (or Friendly Banter): covington24@gmail.com
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Along our multi-day trip to Knoxville, TN (and eventually VA), I thought I'd bring you along to the different bookstores I visited and share my thoughts on "Life and Fate" by Vasily Grossman. Hope you enjoy the vlog style!
Timecodes:
00:00 - We're Moving Across The Country!
01:45 - Trip Begins
05:28 - 1st Bookstore & Mini Haul
11:56 - 2nd & 3rd Bookstores
16:50 - 4th Bookstore + Matt (@CallosumBooks)
18:55 - My Thoughts on “Life and Fate” by Vasily Grossman
Join My Book Club: patreon.com/c/TheActiveMind
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Sadly, it's time to pack all of my books and say goodbye to Colorado. Between selling and buying homes and a newborn on the way, my wife and I will be storing our books until we move into a new place. So, I thought I'd bring you along for the packing and share my thoughts on a few books as well.
Join My Book Club: patreon.com/c/TheActiveMind
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Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
#bookstagram #bookrecommendations
Books Mentioned:
Black Earth, Meier - amzn.to/4kGntT8
Hiroshima, Hersey - amzn.to/4nKQzDT
Siddhartha, Hesse - amzn.to/3GF2VN6
Song of Solomon, Morrison - amzn.to/455vigw
Life and Fate, Grossman - amzn.to/44PvIGK
What books have you read this Summer? Let me know in the comments!
Join My Book Club: patreon.com/c/TheActiveMind
Timecodes:
00:00 - Intro
00:31 - Book 1
02:52 - Book 2
06:19 - Book 3
10:50 - Book 4
16:04 - New Book I’m in Love With
20:38 - Do You Skip Introductions?
23:49 - Outro
Substack: brockcovington.substack.com
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This week, I conducted a personal experiment with the goal of immersing myself in Russian — at home! Beyond the experiment, I wanted to share how I set up my studying throughout the week. Every few months the resources and methods I use vary, but here is an example of a normal week.
Feel free to share any tips or your own personal experience in the comments! Спасибо!
Helpful YouTube Channels:
@RussianWithMax
@Alfia
@YaroslavaRussian
Russian Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/литература-и-русский/id1776482082
open.spotify.com/show/7M6TxARpxiHa1a91aX6o2N?si=d262f68fd5b94f2e
Timecodes:
00:00 - Immersing myself in Russian (Or Trying To)
02:47 - Rules for the Week
03:55 - Day 1 + Tutor Session Recap
06:12 - My Homework + Plan
09:03 - Day 3 & How I Use AI
13:19 - Advice for Speaking with Natives
18:09 - Tips for Reading Foreign Literature
23:42 - Day 5
26:43 - Day 6
30:38 - Day 7
31:47 - Thoughts On The Week
Join My Book Club: patreon.com/c/TheActiveMind
Substack: brockcovington.substack.com
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Email for Business (or Friendly Banter): covington24@gmail.com
#russianlanguage #languagelearning
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I normally would never plan out my reading so far in advance, but due to unpredictable circumstances with our move, I needed to pack up about 5 months worth of books before the rest of my library goes into storage.
Any of these one of your favorites? Let me know in the comments!
Timecodes:
00:00 - The Chaos of Moving
02:15 - Choosing The Books
21:26 - Boxing Them Up
26:02 - Wrap Up
Join My Book Club: patreon.com/c/TheActiveMind
Substack: brockcovington.substack.com
Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
Goodreads: goodreads.com/user/show/155034970-brock-c
Email for Business (or Friendly Banter): covington24@gmail.com
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#bookstagram #bookrecommendations
My Book Reviews: brockcovington.substack.com/s/book-reviews
Comment below your favorite short story or one that stands out to you!
Books Mentioned:
The Hour of the Star, Lispector - amzn.to/3Ghbn4M
The Quilted Jacket, Sorokin - amzn.to/4loqVm2
Nastya, Sorokin - amzn.to/4l24bZC
The Black Monk, Chekhov - amzn.to/4lLQyhd
The Pedersen Kid, Gass - amzn.to/3GhbmOg
The Forgotten, Atay - amzn.to/3THjdHV
The Gentleman from San Francisco, Bunin - amzn.to/446Q5Ac
Timecodes:
00:00 - Why Short Stories are Unique
01:00 - The Hour of the Star, Lispector
03:46 - The Quilted Jacket, Sorokin
06:06 - Nastya, Sorokin
08:21 - The Black Monk, Chekhov
10:18 - The Pedersen Kid, Gass
12:06 - The Forgotten, Atay
13:50 - The Gentleman from San Francisco, Bunin
16:05 - Wrap Up
Join My Book Club: patreon.com/c/TheActiveMind
Substack: brockcovington.substack.com
Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
Goodreads: goodreads.com/user/show/155034970-brock-c
Email for Business (or Friendly Banter): covington24@gmail.com
#reading #literature
What book(s) have impressed or disappointed you this year? Let me know in the comments!
Book Reviews:
brockcovington.substack.com/p/dispatches-from-the-district-committee
brockcovington.substack.com/p/provoked-by-scott-horton
Timecodes:
00:00 - Intro
01:13 - Best Book You've Read So Far in 2025
04:07 - Best Short Story You’ve Read So Far in 2025
07:59 - Author You Haven’t Read Yet, But Want To
09:09 - Most Anticipated Read For Second Half Of The Year
12:04 - Biggest Surprise
19:09 - Favorite New Author (Debut Or New To You)
21:54 - Book That Made You Sad
22:48 - Most Beautiful Book You've Brought So Far This Year (Or Received)
25:27 - What Books Do You Need To Read By The End Of The Year
28:57 - Wrap Up
Join My Book Club: patreon.com/c/TheActiveMind
Substack: brockcovington.substack.com
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Goodreads: goodreads.com/user/show/155034970-brock-c
Email for Business (or Friendly Banter): covington24@gmail.com
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
#bookstagram #bookrecommendations
Has any book impressed you or stuck out so far this year? I'd love to hear about it in the comments :)
Timecodes:
00:00 - Exciting News!
02:56 - Recent Reads
12:48 - Current Reads
19:19 - Future Reads
24:46 - Wrap Up
Join My Book Club: patreon.com/c/TheActiveMind
Substack: brockcovington.substack.com
Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
Goodreads: goodreads.com/user/show/155034970-brock-c
Email for Business (or Friendly Banter): covington24@gmail.com
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
#bookstagram #bookrecommendations #shorts
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
#bookstagram #bookrecommendations
Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Join My Book Club: patreon.com/c/TheActiveMind
My Goodreads: goodreads.com/user/show/155034970-brock-c
Timecodes:
00:00 - Intro
01:08 - How do you rate books? Give a quick rundown of how you do your star ratings (or if you don’t use star ratings, how you evaluate books).
03:35 - How do you approach reviewing books? What’s your review style? Are you analytical, emotional, casual, or structured?
05:38 - What’s the book that made you a reader? Whether it was your first favorite or the one that got you hooked, what book started it all?
07:23 - Do you have a genre niche? Are there certain genres you gravitate toward? Or do you read widely across genres?
09:26 - Do you generally prefer character-driven or plot-driven stories?
11:55 - What’s a book you love so much that you don’t care if others don’t like it?
12:15 - What’s a book you love so much that if someone doesn’t like it, you know your reading tastes don’t align? The book or books where a difference of opinion is a strong indicator of different reading preferences.
13:46 - What’s in your “trash pocket”? What books, tropes, or themes that you know are bad but you love them anyway?
14:19 - Do you have any dealbreakers in books? Something that, if present, immediately turns you off from a book.
14:33 - What’s a strong opinion you have about a book released within the last year? Whether it’s overrated, underrated, or just a take you need to share.
17:31 - What do you look for in writing? What makes a book stand out to you? Is it prose style, themes, voice, structure, or something else?
19:38 - How do you decide what to read next? Do you plan ahead, mood read, or follow external factors (hype, recommendations, ARCs)?
22:53 - Where do you get inspiration for your BookTube content? What sparks your video ideas—other creators, trends, personal reading experiences?
25:07 - If you could make any book go viral right now, what would it be? A book you think deserves more attention and why.
27:07 - Who are some BookTubers with reading tastes similar to yours?
28:25 - Tag others
Substack: brockcovington.substack.com
Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
Email for Business (or Friendly Banter): covington24@gmail.com
#reading #literature
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
#bookstagram #bookrecommendations #shorts
Let me know your thoughts or recommendations in the comments!
Timecodes:
00:00 - Justifying My Book Buying
01:28 - West Side Books
03:26 - Book Cranny
07:57 - Hermitage Antiquarian Bookshop
11:19 - Kilgore Books
13:59 - Capitol Hill Books
18:12 - Online Purchase
20:17 - New Release
22:27 - Wrap Up
Join My Book Club: patreon.com/c/TheActiveMind
Substack: brockcovington.substack.com
Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
Goodreads: goodreads.com/user/show/155034970-brock-c
Email for Business (or Friendly Banter): covington24@gmail.com
#bookhaul
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
#bookstagram #bookrecommendations
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
#bookstagram #bookrecommendations #shorts
I don't normally plan out my books this far in advance, with the exception of larger novels I want to fit into the year, but it will be interesting to see how well I stick to this list and if I finish them all by September.
Join My Book Club: patreon.com/c/TheActiveMind
What book(s) are you reading this Summer? Let me know in the comments!
Substack: brockcovington.substack.com
Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
Goodreads: goodreads.com/user/show/155034970-brock-c
Email for Business (or Friendly Banter): covington24@gmail.com
Let me know if you enjoy these vlogs and what you'd like to see in future iterations!
Join My Book Club: patreon.com/c/TheActiveMind
Substack: brockcovington.substack.com
Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
Goodreads: goodreads.com/user/show/155034970-brock-c
Email for Business (or Friendly Banter): covington24@gmail.com
#readingvlog
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
#bookstagram #bookrecommendations
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
#bookstagram #bookrecommendations
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
#bookstagram #bookrecommendations
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/brockwrites
#bookstagram #bookrecommendations
In this video, I share criteria I keep in mind when making the decision on whether to continue reading or DNF (Did Not Finish) a book. I also explore various considerations.
Video from Jack at @ramblingraconteur1616 : youtube.com/watch?v=hYrJs8zb1GQ
I'd love to hear your input in the comments!
Timecodes:
00:00 - DNFing Books
01:45 - Criteria #1: Read 100 Pages / 50%
04:00 - Criteria #2: Consecutive Days of Dread
06:12 - Criteria #3: When There’s Nothing To Gain For You
08:34 - Value vs. Enjoyment (Patience)
12:33 - Soft DNFs
16:14 - Final Thoughts
Join My Book Club: patreon.com/c/TheActiveMind
Substack: brockcovington.substack.com
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Goodreads: goodreads.com/user/show/155034970-brock-c
Email for Business (or Friendly Banter): covington24@gmail.com
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