Erik, what a great discussion! I really can’t believe how similar our reading journeys have been but I am much slower to the process likely due to being a mom of four kiddos and putting a ton of effort into other hobbies (mainly biking) and philanthropy (mainly JDRF). Now that I am closer to empty nesting I am getting a chance to really focus on this as a true path I want to follow. I too had a crisis of faith which was what probably really spurred my desire to read not just the classics but to read the important spiritual and philosophy related books. I found Richard Rohr and couldn’t stop there. I think you noted how books are connected and yes! Have definitely found that to be the case. Many times one book can lead me to five others!!! But, I am finding your chronological progression of the immortal books exactly what I was looking for! I wanted to start at the beginning and work my way through time with the books that have stayed with us and determine why. I too used to have trouble remembering a book as I was reading a couple books a week and would quickly forget as fast as I was reading. Now, I take notes on certain books and keep a journal. Which slowed my progress but helped me sort through the main themes and purpose of the writing in a way that allows me to draw on it later. Thank you again for sharing this with everyone! In many ways I think our civilization is still in its infancy and spreading the immortal books is a good way to see that. We are still making the same mistakes of the past. And making a new way forward can require people to see it through the lens of the past in a way that could make them stop and see that a change is required to “do better”! I too wish I had found these earlier in my life, but in this second half of life, maybe I can influence more people to read them also. Anxious to dive into Frederick Douglass! Thank you again and Cheers to the Immortal Books, Joanie
I could not believe how much most of what you said resonated with me (starting with the Lord of the Rings trilogy…). Great discussion, Erik! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. 👍👍
You’ve made a very profound point about reading as a form of “travel.” I love to travel but for reasons I won’t get into, it has been nearly four years since I’ve stepped onto a plane and just as long since I’ve traveled more than 100 miles from home. I have found “travel” through books to be a great substitute, albeit not quite the same as the real thing. This is valuable to know for old age. I plan to someday resume travel again but it is a comfort to know that if get to my 80s or 90s, “travel” on the written page will always be available.
Erik, what a great discussion! I really can’t believe how similar our reading journeys have been but I am much slower to the process likely due to being a mom of four kiddos and putting a ton of effort into other hobbies (mainly biking) and philanthropy (mainly JDRF). Now that I am closer to empty nesting I am getting a chance to really focus on this as a true path I want to follow. I too had a crisis of faith which was what probably really spurred my desire to read not just the classics but to read the important spiritual and philosophy related books. I found Richard Rohr and couldn’t stop there. I think you noted how books are connected and yes! Have definitely found that to be the case. Many times one book can lead me to five others!!! But, I am finding your chronological progression of the immortal books exactly what I was looking for! I wanted to start at the beginning and work my way through time with the books that have stayed with us and determine why. I too used to have trouble remembering a book as I was reading a couple books a week and would quickly forget as fast as I was reading. Now, I take notes on certain books and keep a journal. Which slowed my progress but helped me sort through the main themes and purpose of the writing in a way that allows me to draw on it later. Thank you again for sharing this with everyone! In many ways I think our civilization is still in its infancy and spreading the immortal books is a good way to see that. We are still making the same mistakes of the past. And making a new way forward can require people to see it through the lens of the past in a way that could make them stop and see that a change is required to “do better”! I too wish I had found these earlier in my life, but in this second half of life, maybe I can influence more people to read them also. Anxious to dive into Frederick Douglass! Thank you again and Cheers to the Immortal Books, Joanie
I could not believe how much most of what you said resonated with me (starting with the Lord of the Rings trilogy…). Great discussion, Erik! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. 👍👍
Thank you!
You’ve made a very profound point about reading as a form of “travel.” I love to travel but for reasons I won’t get into, it has been nearly four years since I’ve stepped onto a plane and just as long since I’ve traveled more than 100 miles from home. I have found “travel” through books to be a great substitute, albeit not quite the same as the real thing. This is valuable to know for old age. I plan to someday resume travel again but it is a comfort to know that if get to my 80s or 90s, “travel” on the written page will always be available.