Books you're reading (46 Viewers)

Siamak

╭∩╮( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)╭∩╮
Aug 13, 2013
18,306
Does it say "with ease"?

Verstuurd vanaf mijn ONEPLUS A6003 met Tapatalk
The paper clearly stated "55,000 Belgians lost their live during that era". Sad. I’m quite interested in Benelux countries history, I'm looking for a reliable book to read as soon as I get time.
 

Dostoevsky

Tzu
Administrator
May 27, 2007
88,978
greetings @Dostoevsky which dostoevsky book do you reccomend I start with? I’m ready to take the plunge
I recommend reading A Gentle Creature to start with. It's a short story, beautiful in it's own way. After that I'd say you should go with Notes from Underground. It's a short book with one of the greatest beginnings out there. Then you have 2 roads. In case you have time then I'd line up Demons after followed with Crime and Punishment. In case you don't have much time to decide I'd go down the road with shorter works like The Gambler and The Double. I think those works are pretty underrated. I personally would prefer the first road, though.

Cherry on the top should be The Brothers Karamazov and depending on your time willing to dedicate you should grab it when you're into his world. My personal favorite of his. It's absolutely magnificent.

I'd leave Idiot and his other work for later grabs.

I'm sure you're going to enjoy the ride. It's beautiful.
 

Nomuken

“Year Zero”
Contributor
Dec 14, 2009
5,646
@Scottish
1735993789477.png

It’s from a British author and Orwell’s ninth and final book in his lifetime. The novel examines the truth and facts within society and in ways can be manipulated through censorship and propaganda.

In the book the story takes place in a setting of a world in perpetual war, year is unknown but believed to be 1984 (more like 2024). Anyways mainly it’s about “Thought Police” and the pursuance to persecute individuality and independent thinking.
 

Scottish

Zebrastreifenpferd
Mar 13, 2011
10,176
@Scottish
1735993789477.png

It’s from a British author and Orwell’s ninth and final book in his lifetime. The novel examines the truth and facts within society and in ways can be manipulated through censorship and propaganda.

In the book the story takes place in a setting of a world in perpetual war, year is unknown but believed to be 1984 (more like 2024). Anyways mainly it’s about “Thought Police” and the pursuance to persecute individuality and independent thinking.
The guy who gave a list of people he felt had dangerous political sympathies to his government is worth listening to on the dangers of quashing free thought? Man hated the free market of ideas.
 

Nomuken

“Year Zero”
Contributor
Dec 14, 2009
5,646
He’s dead anyways, fits the cliché everyone’s a hypocrite. Pretty cool movie too feels earlier similar what’s going on today.
 
Jun 16, 2020
12,435
Half way trough Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. A bit of a weird read as it are mostly notes to himself, at the other side it’s also the impressive part because it was never meant to be published as a book. Bought a book of Epictetus aswel, curious to read the contrast between a slave and a emperor both using the same practical philosophy.
 

mjromeo81

Senior Member
Aug 29, 2022
762
Half way trough Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. A bit of a weird read as it are mostly notes to himself, at the other side it’s also the impressive part because it was never meant to be published as a book. Bought a book of Epictetus aswel, curious to read the contrast between a slave and a emperor both using the same practical philosophy.
I often find myself re-reading parts of Meditations.

Marcus was the most powerful man in the world at the time and he was having mundane problems we all face.

I recently finished reading "Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World" by Cal Newport. I've been a long-time reader of his Study Hacks blog (https://calnewport.com/blog/). It's a great read if you are interested in reducing digital distractions.

Information addiction is rotting our brains. Another essay if you are interested in this topic:

https://www.gurwinder.blog/p/the-intellectual-obesity-crisis
 

mjromeo81

Senior Member
Aug 29, 2022
762
What is/are your favorite quotes?
His icy blasts are so refreshing and restorative. Some of the quotes that really stood out for me:

"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts."

"Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present."

"If someone is able to show me that what I think or do is not right, I will happily change, for I seek the truth, by which no one was ever truly harmed. It is the person who continues in his self-deception and ignorance who is harmed."

"Do external things distract you? Then make time for yourself to learn something worthwhile; stop letting yourself be pulled in all directions. But make sure you guard against the other kind of confusion. People who labor all their lives but have no purpose to direct every thought and impulse toward are wasting their time- even when hard at work."

"Because most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you’ll have more time, and more tranquility. Ask yourself at every moment, “Is this necessary?"

"At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: “I have to go to work – as a human being. What do I have to complain of, if I’m going to do what I was born for – the things I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?"

"True good fortune is what you make for yourself. Good fortune: good character, good intentions, and good actions."

"You’ve wandered all over and finally realized that you never found what you were after: how to live."

"The first step: Don’t be anxious. Nature controls it all. And before long you’ll be no one, nowhere – Like Hadrian, like Augustus. The second step: Concentrate on what you have to do. Fix your eyes on it. Remind yourself that your task is to be a good human being; remind yourself what nature demands of people. Then do it, without hesitation, and speak the truth as you see it. But with Kindness. With humility. Without hypocrisy."

"The cucumber is bitter? Then throw it out. There are brambles in the path? Then go around them. That’s all you need to know. Nothing more. Don’t demand to know “why such things exist."

"Everything that happens is either endurable or not. If it’s endurable, then endure it. Stop complaining. If it’s unendurable … then stop complaining. Your destruction will mean its end as well. Just remember: you can endure anything your mind can make endurable, by treating it as in your interest to do so. In your interest, or in your nature."

"It never ceases to amaze me: we all love ourselves more than other people, but care more about their opinion than our own."

"You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength."
 

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