Matt Thibault
@mattthibault.bsky.social
Journalist, writer, FGC nerd. Always banging on a keyboard and asking dumb questions. He/Him.
"Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil" by V.E. Schwab
Book 32/40
The Schwabster cooked with this one. I love a slow burn of a book, vampires and constant mental machinations. I don't mind sitting inside someone's brain for a good chunk of time, so this book hit me well. I really liked it a lot.
Book 32/40
The Schwabster cooked with this one. I love a slow burn of a book, vampires and constant mental machinations. I don't mind sitting inside someone's brain for a good chunk of time, so this book hit me well. I really liked it a lot.
July 16, 2025 at 2:44 AM
"Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil" by V.E. Schwab
Book 32/40
The Schwabster cooked with this one. I love a slow burn of a book, vampires and constant mental machinations. I don't mind sitting inside someone's brain for a good chunk of time, so this book hit me well. I really liked it a lot.
Book 32/40
The Schwabster cooked with this one. I love a slow burn of a book, vampires and constant mental machinations. I don't mind sitting inside someone's brain for a good chunk of time, so this book hit me well. I really liked it a lot.
"Steppenwolf" by Herman Hesse
Book 31/40
Hesse referred to this novel as the one that was more "violently misunderstood" than any of his other work. I can see why. Much of the book revolves around looking glasses --- it is clever in that the reader sees themself, in some way, shape or form.
Book 31/40
Hesse referred to this novel as the one that was more "violently misunderstood" than any of his other work. I can see why. Much of the book revolves around looking glasses --- it is clever in that the reader sees themself, in some way, shape or form.
July 9, 2025 at 11:20 PM
"Steppenwolf" by Herman Hesse
Book 31/40
Hesse referred to this novel as the one that was more "violently misunderstood" than any of his other work. I can see why. Much of the book revolves around looking glasses --- it is clever in that the reader sees themself, in some way, shape or form.
Book 31/40
Hesse referred to this novel as the one that was more "violently misunderstood" than any of his other work. I can see why. Much of the book revolves around looking glasses --- it is clever in that the reader sees themself, in some way, shape or form.
"The Black Company" by Glen Cook
Book 30/40
The Black Company is a really interesting read --- I DNF'd it a long time ago, but came back to it and was much more receptive to the story this time. It became a lot more interesting once I realized I was reading Annals excerpts, written by Croaker.
Book 30/40
The Black Company is a really interesting read --- I DNF'd it a long time ago, but came back to it and was much more receptive to the story this time. It became a lot more interesting once I realized I was reading Annals excerpts, written by Croaker.
June 29, 2025 at 2:56 PM
"The Black Company" by Glen Cook
Book 30/40
The Black Company is a really interesting read --- I DNF'd it a long time ago, but came back to it and was much more receptive to the story this time. It became a lot more interesting once I realized I was reading Annals excerpts, written by Croaker.
Book 30/40
The Black Company is a really interesting read --- I DNF'd it a long time ago, but came back to it and was much more receptive to the story this time. It became a lot more interesting once I realized I was reading Annals excerpts, written by Croaker.
"October" by China Miéville
Book 29/40
The story of the Russian Revolution and the people who powered it, for all their stumbles, foibles, mistakes and strokes of pure luck. I was taken by how a revolution can spring from something as simple as a brutal mistake, and as powerful as solidarity.
Book 29/40
The story of the Russian Revolution and the people who powered it, for all their stumbles, foibles, mistakes and strokes of pure luck. I was taken by how a revolution can spring from something as simple as a brutal mistake, and as powerful as solidarity.
June 25, 2025 at 2:56 AM
"October" by China Miéville
Book 29/40
The story of the Russian Revolution and the people who powered it, for all their stumbles, foibles, mistakes and strokes of pure luck. I was taken by how a revolution can spring from something as simple as a brutal mistake, and as powerful as solidarity.
Book 29/40
The story of the Russian Revolution and the people who powered it, for all their stumbles, foibles, mistakes and strokes of pure luck. I was taken by how a revolution can spring from something as simple as a brutal mistake, and as powerful as solidarity.
"Martyr!" by Kaveh Akbar
Book 28/40
A powerful, beautiful book on the pursuit of the meaning of life, and the push to make art that "means something," whatever that entails. This might be one of my favorite books of the year, beautiful in the ways that matter. There is no dead air in this book.
Book 28/40
A powerful, beautiful book on the pursuit of the meaning of life, and the push to make art that "means something," whatever that entails. This might be one of my favorite books of the year, beautiful in the ways that matter. There is no dead air in this book.
June 21, 2025 at 7:52 PM
"Martyr!" by Kaveh Akbar
Book 28/40
A powerful, beautiful book on the pursuit of the meaning of life, and the push to make art that "means something," whatever that entails. This might be one of my favorite books of the year, beautiful in the ways that matter. There is no dead air in this book.
Book 28/40
A powerful, beautiful book on the pursuit of the meaning of life, and the push to make art that "means something," whatever that entails. This might be one of my favorite books of the year, beautiful in the ways that matter. There is no dead air in this book.
"Working" by Robert Caro
Book 27/40
Caro is a master of his craft, and probably one of the greatest living biographers on the planet. I'm also reading The Power Broker (god DAMN it's a behemoth), and as a journalist, I feel like I see interviewing, writing, crafting a story in a new light.
Book 27/40
Caro is a master of his craft, and probably one of the greatest living biographers on the planet. I'm also reading The Power Broker (god DAMN it's a behemoth), and as a journalist, I feel like I see interviewing, writing, crafting a story in a new light.
June 21, 2025 at 7:52 PM
"Working" by Robert Caro
Book 27/40
Caro is a master of his craft, and probably one of the greatest living biographers on the planet. I'm also reading The Power Broker (god DAMN it's a behemoth), and as a journalist, I feel like I see interviewing, writing, crafting a story in a new light.
Book 27/40
Caro is a master of his craft, and probably one of the greatest living biographers on the planet. I'm also reading The Power Broker (god DAMN it's a behemoth), and as a journalist, I feel like I see interviewing, writing, crafting a story in a new light.
"The Only Good Indians" by @sgj.bsky.social
Book 26/40
Another excellent book from SGJ, who is becoming one of my favorite authors. The way the book wove the four friends lives together was poignant, along with one throughline --- does trying to do better for ourselves really fix past actions?
Book 26/40
Another excellent book from SGJ, who is becoming one of my favorite authors. The way the book wove the four friends lives together was poignant, along with one throughline --- does trying to do better for ourselves really fix past actions?
June 21, 2025 at 7:52 PM
"The Only Good Indians" by @sgj.bsky.social
Book 26/40
Another excellent book from SGJ, who is becoming one of my favorite authors. The way the book wove the four friends lives together was poignant, along with one throughline --- does trying to do better for ourselves really fix past actions?
Book 26/40
Another excellent book from SGJ, who is becoming one of my favorite authors. The way the book wove the four friends lives together was poignant, along with one throughline --- does trying to do better for ourselves really fix past actions?
"Small Things Like These" by Claire Keegan
Book 25/40
A small but mighty book about what a normal, everyday man in Ireland feels he must do in order to do right by his family and the people he's surrounded by. I was struck by the sheer force of the writing. I highly recommend everyone read it.
Book 25/40
A small but mighty book about what a normal, everyday man in Ireland feels he must do in order to do right by his family and the people he's surrounded by. I was struck by the sheer force of the writing. I highly recommend everyone read it.
June 21, 2025 at 7:52 PM
"Small Things Like These" by Claire Keegan
Book 25/40
A small but mighty book about what a normal, everyday man in Ireland feels he must do in order to do right by his family and the people he's surrounded by. I was struck by the sheer force of the writing. I highly recommend everyone read it.
Book 25/40
A small but mighty book about what a normal, everyday man in Ireland feels he must do in order to do right by his family and the people he's surrounded by. I was struck by the sheer force of the writing. I highly recommend everyone read it.
"Othello" by William Shakespeare
Book 24/40
A vengeful subordinate sabotages Othello, war hero of Venice, and ruins his personal and professional life in a coordinated, ruthless plot. Shakespeare is always a good read, and I really liked this. Up there with Macbeth and Hamlet for me.
Book 24/40
A vengeful subordinate sabotages Othello, war hero of Venice, and ruins his personal and professional life in a coordinated, ruthless plot. Shakespeare is always a good read, and I really liked this. Up there with Macbeth and Hamlet for me.
June 21, 2025 at 7:52 PM
"Othello" by William Shakespeare
Book 24/40
A vengeful subordinate sabotages Othello, war hero of Venice, and ruins his personal and professional life in a coordinated, ruthless plot. Shakespeare is always a good read, and I really liked this. Up there with Macbeth and Hamlet for me.
Book 24/40
A vengeful subordinate sabotages Othello, war hero of Venice, and ruins his personal and professional life in a coordinated, ruthless plot. Shakespeare is always a good read, and I really liked this. Up there with Macbeth and Hamlet for me.
"The Tainted Cup" by Robert Jackson Bennett
Book 23/40
Roots explode outward from spores planted within a man's chest. An imperial investigation occurs, with Dinios Kol in the middle of it all. A mystery in a high fantasy setting, complete with big sea monsters. A fun read for mystery buffs.
Book 23/40
Roots explode outward from spores planted within a man's chest. An imperial investigation occurs, with Dinios Kol in the middle of it all. A mystery in a high fantasy setting, complete with big sea monsters. A fun read for mystery buffs.
June 21, 2025 at 7:52 PM
"The Tainted Cup" by Robert Jackson Bennett
Book 23/40
Roots explode outward from spores planted within a man's chest. An imperial investigation occurs, with Dinios Kol in the middle of it all. A mystery in a high fantasy setting, complete with big sea monsters. A fun read for mystery buffs.
Book 23/40
Roots explode outward from spores planted within a man's chest. An imperial investigation occurs, with Dinios Kol in the middle of it all. A mystery in a high fantasy setting, complete with big sea monsters. A fun read for mystery buffs.
"Thinning Blood" by Leah Myers.
Book 22/40
One woman's look into generations of her family as she grapples with being one of the last members of the Jamestown S'klallam Tribe due to its strict blood quantum laws. I appreciated Myers' weaving of personal and familial history throughout.
Book 22/40
One woman's look into generations of her family as she grapples with being one of the last members of the Jamestown S'klallam Tribe due to its strict blood quantum laws. I appreciated Myers' weaving of personal and familial history throughout.
June 21, 2025 at 7:52 PM
"Thinning Blood" by Leah Myers.
Book 22/40
One woman's look into generations of her family as she grapples with being one of the last members of the Jamestown S'klallam Tribe due to its strict blood quantum laws. I appreciated Myers' weaving of personal and familial history throughout.
Book 22/40
One woman's look into generations of her family as she grapples with being one of the last members of the Jamestown S'klallam Tribe due to its strict blood quantum laws. I appreciated Myers' weaving of personal and familial history throughout.
"The Coin" by Yasmin Zaher
Book 21/40
A wealthy Palestinian immigrant and schoolteacher slowly loses her mind, becomes involved in a scheme to sell Birkin bags and fights for her own personal world. I was impressed by how Zaher tackled so many things at once. Exceptional book.
Book 21/40
A wealthy Palestinian immigrant and schoolteacher slowly loses her mind, becomes involved in a scheme to sell Birkin bags and fights for her own personal world. I was impressed by how Zaher tackled so many things at once. Exceptional book.
June 21, 2025 at 7:52 PM
"The Coin" by Yasmin Zaher
Book 21/40
A wealthy Palestinian immigrant and schoolteacher slowly loses her mind, becomes involved in a scheme to sell Birkin bags and fights for her own personal world. I was impressed by how Zaher tackled so many things at once. Exceptional book.
Book 21/40
A wealthy Palestinian immigrant and schoolteacher slowly loses her mind, becomes involved in a scheme to sell Birkin bags and fights for her own personal world. I was impressed by how Zaher tackled so many things at once. Exceptional book.
"Best Served Cold" by Joe Abercrombie
Book 20/40
The book says often that mercy and cowardice are the same. The book also wants you to know, desperately, that it's lying to you.
This book hurt. It looks like broken glass sprayed with blood, caught in the glow of sunlight. Loved it.
Book 20/40
The book says often that mercy and cowardice are the same. The book also wants you to know, desperately, that it's lying to you.
This book hurt. It looks like broken glass sprayed with blood, caught in the glow of sunlight. Loved it.
May 14, 2025 at 12:48 AM
"Best Served Cold" by Joe Abercrombie
Book 20/40
The book says often that mercy and cowardice are the same. The book also wants you to know, desperately, that it's lying to you.
This book hurt. It looks like broken glass sprayed with blood, caught in the glow of sunlight. Loved it.
Book 20/40
The book says often that mercy and cowardice are the same. The book also wants you to know, desperately, that it's lying to you.
This book hurt. It looks like broken glass sprayed with blood, caught in the glow of sunlight. Loved it.
Spotted in San Francisco. Fun city!
May 7, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Spotted in San Francisco. Fun city!
“The Twilight World” by Werner Herzog
Book 19/40
Hiroo Onoda remains at war. That’s the story of this book. Japan has surrendered, the bombs have dropped, but Onoda fights on as time melts into a soup and signs to him with the jungle as its choir. A weird, dreamlike book in typical Herzog fashion.
Book 19/40
Hiroo Onoda remains at war. That’s the story of this book. Japan has surrendered, the bombs have dropped, but Onoda fights on as time melts into a soup and signs to him with the jungle as its choir. A weird, dreamlike book in typical Herzog fashion.
April 24, 2025 at 10:34 PM
“The Twilight World” by Werner Herzog
Book 19/40
Hiroo Onoda remains at war. That’s the story of this book. Japan has surrendered, the bombs have dropped, but Onoda fights on as time melts into a soup and signs to him with the jungle as its choir. A weird, dreamlike book in typical Herzog fashion.
Book 19/40
Hiroo Onoda remains at war. That’s the story of this book. Japan has surrendered, the bombs have dropped, but Onoda fights on as time melts into a soup and signs to him with the jungle as its choir. A weird, dreamlike book in typical Herzog fashion.
“In Memory of Bread” by Paul Graham
Book 18/40
PG was a professor of mine in undergrad. I know the landscape he describes intimately — I’m from there. He writes, with empathy and curiosity, about celiac disease and all the struggles, and discoveries, that it comes with.
Book 18/40
PG was a professor of mine in undergrad. I know the landscape he describes intimately — I’m from there. He writes, with empathy and curiosity, about celiac disease and all the struggles, and discoveries, that it comes with.
April 24, 2025 at 10:34 PM
“In Memory of Bread” by Paul Graham
Book 18/40
PG was a professor of mine in undergrad. I know the landscape he describes intimately — I’m from there. He writes, with empathy and curiosity, about celiac disease and all the struggles, and discoveries, that it comes with.
Book 18/40
PG was a professor of mine in undergrad. I know the landscape he describes intimately — I’m from there. He writes, with empathy and curiosity, about celiac disease and all the struggles, and discoveries, that it comes with.
"Jade City" by Fonda Lee
Book 17/40
Welcome to Kekon. Be careful around the jade.
A sprawling epic of the Kaul family, leaders of the No Peak clan, as they contend with their rivals in the sprawling city of Janloon. A carefully crafted, rich and inviting world, I'll be reading the next 2 books.
Book 17/40
Welcome to Kekon. Be careful around the jade.
A sprawling epic of the Kaul family, leaders of the No Peak clan, as they contend with their rivals in the sprawling city of Janloon. A carefully crafted, rich and inviting world, I'll be reading the next 2 books.
April 17, 2025 at 1:11 AM
"Jade City" by Fonda Lee
Book 17/40
Welcome to Kekon. Be careful around the jade.
A sprawling epic of the Kaul family, leaders of the No Peak clan, as they contend with their rivals in the sprawling city of Janloon. A carefully crafted, rich and inviting world, I'll be reading the next 2 books.
Book 17/40
Welcome to Kekon. Be careful around the jade.
A sprawling epic of the Kaul family, leaders of the No Peak clan, as they contend with their rivals in the sprawling city of Janloon. A carefully crafted, rich and inviting world, I'll be reading the next 2 books.
"The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches" by Sangu Mandanna
Book 16/40
A very atmospheric and vibe-y read that came recommended by my friends. I thought the character work was excellent, and I was rooting for all of them throughout the book. Good for a rainy day with a warm drink.
Book 16/40
A very atmospheric and vibe-y read that came recommended by my friends. I thought the character work was excellent, and I was rooting for all of them throughout the book. Good for a rainy day with a warm drink.
April 13, 2025 at 12:45 AM
"The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches" by Sangu Mandanna
Book 16/40
A very atmospheric and vibe-y read that came recommended by my friends. I thought the character work was excellent, and I was rooting for all of them throughout the book. Good for a rainy day with a warm drink.
Book 16/40
A very atmospheric and vibe-y read that came recommended by my friends. I thought the character work was excellent, and I was rooting for all of them throughout the book. Good for a rainy day with a warm drink.
“Baumgartner” by Paul Auster
Book 15/40
Auster’s last book before his death follows Baumgartner, a professor in his twilight years grieving his wife’s sudden death years prior. It seems like a love letter to his past work and ties his entire written identity together. I loved this book.
Book 15/40
Auster’s last book before his death follows Baumgartner, a professor in his twilight years grieving his wife’s sudden death years prior. It seems like a love letter to his past work and ties his entire written identity together. I loved this book.
April 11, 2025 at 3:17 AM
“Baumgartner” by Paul Auster
Book 15/40
Auster’s last book before his death follows Baumgartner, a professor in his twilight years grieving his wife’s sudden death years prior. It seems like a love letter to his past work and ties his entire written identity together. I loved this book.
Book 15/40
Auster’s last book before his death follows Baumgartner, a professor in his twilight years grieving his wife’s sudden death years prior. It seems like a love letter to his past work and ties his entire written identity together. I loved this book.
“The Darkness Manifesto” by Johan Eklöf
Book 14/40
An ode to darkness, and a warning against light pollution. Eklöf dives into how constant light affects our circadian rhythms, our ecosystems and our societies writ large. He argues we should befriend the darkness, as it can enrich our lives.
Book 14/40
An ode to darkness, and a warning against light pollution. Eklöf dives into how constant light affects our circadian rhythms, our ecosystems and our societies writ large. He argues we should befriend the darkness, as it can enrich our lives.
April 6, 2025 at 8:27 PM
“The Darkness Manifesto” by Johan Eklöf
Book 14/40
An ode to darkness, and a warning against light pollution. Eklöf dives into how constant light affects our circadian rhythms, our ecosystems and our societies writ large. He argues we should befriend the darkness, as it can enrich our lives.
Book 14/40
An ode to darkness, and a warning against light pollution. Eklöf dives into how constant light affects our circadian rhythms, our ecosystems and our societies writ large. He argues we should befriend the darkness, as it can enrich our lives.
“Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros
Book 13/40
Some of my close friends love this book, so I gave it a shot. I liked the dragons, they were forceful personalities that I wanted to see a lot more of, but maybe that says more about me than the dragons themselves. If you think you’ll like it, try it.
Book 13/40
Some of my close friends love this book, so I gave it a shot. I liked the dragons, they were forceful personalities that I wanted to see a lot more of, but maybe that says more about me than the dragons themselves. If you think you’ll like it, try it.
April 6, 2025 at 8:19 PM
“Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros
Book 13/40
Some of my close friends love this book, so I gave it a shot. I liked the dragons, they were forceful personalities that I wanted to see a lot more of, but maybe that says more about me than the dragons themselves. If you think you’ll like it, try it.
Book 13/40
Some of my close friends love this book, so I gave it a shot. I liked the dragons, they were forceful personalities that I wanted to see a lot more of, but maybe that says more about me than the dragons themselves. If you think you’ll like it, try it.
“The Death of Ivan Ilyich” by Leo Tolstoy
Book 12/40
Ivan Ilyich is dead. He’s been dead since the start of the novella, and he’s dead the rest of the story, where you watch his body try to catch up to his soul. A powerful meditation on what makes life worth living. A great entry to Russian lit.
Book 12/40
Ivan Ilyich is dead. He’s been dead since the start of the novella, and he’s dead the rest of the story, where you watch his body try to catch up to his soul. A powerful meditation on what makes life worth living. A great entry to Russian lit.
April 6, 2025 at 8:17 PM
“The Death of Ivan Ilyich” by Leo Tolstoy
Book 12/40
Ivan Ilyich is dead. He’s been dead since the start of the novella, and he’s dead the rest of the story, where you watch his body try to catch up to his soul. A powerful meditation on what makes life worth living. A great entry to Russian lit.
Book 12/40
Ivan Ilyich is dead. He’s been dead since the start of the novella, and he’s dead the rest of the story, where you watch his body try to catch up to his soul. A powerful meditation on what makes life worth living. A great entry to Russian lit.
“The Buffalo Hunter Hunter” by @sgj.bsky.social
Book 11/40
I don’t know what to say or how to say it. An emotional story of one man’s journey into the darkest parts of our nation’s soul and an old wound addressed. My book of the year so far — powerful, emotional, worth your time, mind and heart.
Book 11/40
I don’t know what to say or how to say it. An emotional story of one man’s journey into the darkest parts of our nation’s soul and an old wound addressed. My book of the year so far — powerful, emotional, worth your time, mind and heart.
April 6, 2025 at 8:14 PM
“The Buffalo Hunter Hunter” by @sgj.bsky.social
Book 11/40
I don’t know what to say or how to say it. An emotional story of one man’s journey into the darkest parts of our nation’s soul and an old wound addressed. My book of the year so far — powerful, emotional, worth your time, mind and heart.
Book 11/40
I don’t know what to say or how to say it. An emotional story of one man’s journey into the darkest parts of our nation’s soul and an old wound addressed. My book of the year so far — powerful, emotional, worth your time, mind and heart.
“A Life in Words” Paul Auster in convo. with I.B. Siegumfeldt
Book 10/40
My March “memoir.” Auster is one of the great American literary titans. I fell in love with the NY Trilogy in college and have appreciated his humble insights into the creative process — as you can see, I heavily annotated.
Book 10/40
My March “memoir.” Auster is one of the great American literary titans. I fell in love with the NY Trilogy in college and have appreciated his humble insights into the creative process — as you can see, I heavily annotated.
March 25, 2025 at 2:21 AM
“A Life in Words” Paul Auster in convo. with I.B. Siegumfeldt
Book 10/40
My March “memoir.” Auster is one of the great American literary titans. I fell in love with the NY Trilogy in college and have appreciated his humble insights into the creative process — as you can see, I heavily annotated.
Book 10/40
My March “memoir.” Auster is one of the great American literary titans. I fell in love with the NY Trilogy in college and have appreciated his humble insights into the creative process — as you can see, I heavily annotated.