I wouldn’t have picked Around the World in 80 Days on my own. It wasn’t on my book list. But I’m really glad my mom’s friend, Johanna, sent it my way. This one turned out to be a true classic — and definitely should’ve been on my radar from the beginning. As one of...
Jail Journal
Explore my journey through incarceration with a unique collection of daily journals and in-depth book reports. Each entry offers a raw, personal perspective, transforming moments of confinement into reflections of growth and resilience.
BR: Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Lord of the Flies is a young adult book I read in middle school, yet it remains a classic and a stark story, which is why I included it on my list. Turns out, 30 years later, I still appreciate it. The book was published in 1954, at the height of the Cold War, which...
A Fever, a Blanket, and a Dose of Reality
I had planned to write a whole journal entry about my fitness routine—my goals, progress, and how I was starting to feel stronger every day. I had it outlined in my head: I’d just finished yoga class on Monday, followed by a tough ab workout and then a light 4-mile...
BR: Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
JonJonathan Livingston Seagull is a very short read. The version I had included beautiful photography of seagulls, which took up at least half of the 127 pages. I read the whole thing in less than an hour. Jonathan is a seagull who just wants to learn to fly better....
BR: Full Throttle Heart by Frank Scalambrino
Chat GPT recommended this book as part of my philosophy section. Frank tries to explain some Nietzschean teachings in it. I was excited for this book since I liked the Beyond Good and Evil book I just read by Nietzsche. Sadly, I was disappointed. I did some background...
BR: The New Secret Language of Dreams by David Fontana
I found this book in the library. To be honest, I was in the middle of reading Around the World in 80 Days when I realized if I waited a few days to finish it, I could finish on my 80th day in prison, coinciding with the timeline in the book. So, I went to the library...
80 Days and a Visit: Milestones and Mom
In prison, they tell you not to count the days. They say it only makes you dwell more on your release—and in turn, your lack of freedom. But anyone who knows me knows I love information and stats. So yeah, I count. That’s how I know yesterday was a good day: it marked...
Celebrate Larry’s Birthday with Books
April 25 is Larry's birthday, and though this year finds him behind bars, we want to make it a meaningful one. His request? Books and/or book recommendations. Books that inspire, educate, and bring comfort. You can help by choosing a book from his reading list or...
BR: Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche
As I continue my journey into philosophy, I had to include some Nietzsche. I've heard his name referenced a lot when discussing philosophy, so I started with Beyond Good and Evil because it was recommended by AI. A little background: Nietzsche was born in 1844 and...
The Unspoken Burden: A Brother’s Shadow and a Physical Fall
The human subconscious is a powerful force, one that shouldn't be ignored. This is a short story about the power of mine, and how it led to a very unfortunate accident last night. Unfortunately, it requires a long backstory, something I've been avoiding: my brother,...
