This week I have been thinking about what to think about. Last week I received my annual influx of gift cards to spend as I wish at my local big box bookseller. I purchased the following:
- "The Human Age: The World Shaped by Us" written by Diane Ackerman.
- "The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History" written by Elizabeth Kolbert.
- "The Blue Mind" written by Wallace J. Nichols.
- "Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time" written by Mark Adams.
- "Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World" written by Jack Weatherford.
- "The Christian Delusion: Why Faith Fails" edited by John W. Loftus.
- "The Stone Reader: Modern Philosophy in 133 Arguments" edited by Peter Catapano and Simon Critchley.
- "Stoner" written by John Williams.
- "An Officer and a Spy" written by Robert Harris.
- "Avenue of Mysteries" written by John Irving.
I do not yet know what I will learn from these selections (there are always surprises), nor have I decided in what order I will read them. I typically have one fiction and (at least) one non-fiction going simultaneously. I currently have about a week left on a non-fiction financial primer ("Get Rich Carefully" by James Cramer) on stocks. Though far outside of my usual fare, and (because of that ridiculous maxim about having money to make money) unlikely to benefit in the implied regard, I am pleasantly surprised by its readability and by what I am learning. So now that you are apprised of my infinitely interesting upcoming plans for learning excursions and considerations, I will charm and edify with further explanation and expectations; (if this were a phone text, you would see "lol" inserted here).
I intend to read the first two books listed above back-to-back, or perhaps even in conjunction. The first section (of five) in Diane Ackerman's "The Human Age" is titled "Welcome to the Anthropocene" and Chapter 5 (of 13) in Elizabeth Kolbert's "The Sixth Extinction" is titled "Welcome to the Anthropocene." Both books obviously appear to deal with how humans have impacted our home, but one is billed as an optimistic, hopeful look ahead (Ackerman), while the other (Kolbert), at first glance, appears to take a more realistic and/or factual/objective perspective. Kolbert won a Pulitzer for her efforts. I am looking forward to the potential contrast.
I have always been attracted to the peace and calm of water. I love being around (probably in this order) the ocean, large rivers, and large lakes. Marine Biologist, Wallace J. Nichols (in "The Blue Mind") promises some rational, researched explanation for this magical enchantment. I will likely choose to read this book at a time when I feel a calming is in order; which quite truthfully is most days.
"Turn Right at Machu Picchu" appears to be a nice mix of history, travelogue, and humor. Mark Adams newer book ("Meet Me in Atlantis") was also considered, but (with a nod to Cramer) I opted for the less expensive paperback.
From my limited store of knowledge, I have always been fascinated by Genghis Khan. It appears he was considered a tyrant by history (at least by Western history), and by his enemies; but from what I have discovered, he was very fair and progressive for his time. After some research, I chose a book that I believe will present an objective portrayal of one of the most powerful and influential leaders the world has ever known.
With "The Christian Delusion" I intend to feed my natural skepticism of all things pretending any degree of certainty, and I intend to continue my quest for questions. I have learned, and now enthusiastically recognize the reality that searching for answers only begets a seemingly infinite parade of additional questions. So I have cut out the middle man. Instead of searching for answers or seeking truth, I am simply following one question in order to be introduced to the next question. In this anthology of fifteen essays, from nine different contributors, I plan to read carefully, critically, and skeptically, and I expect to come away with deeper, more complex, and more controversial questions that will encourage an ever-expanding creative, constructive tension.
I am more uncertain in my expectations for "The Stone Reader." I am fairly confident that I will find some nuggets, but as another anthology, (this one with 133 entries), I believe this could turn into more of a textbook type review; which is okay. It has been a couple of years since I have read any sort of philosophy overview, which (for me) is occasionally necessary.
Of the remaining three selections, (all fiction), one is written by one of my favorite authors, one has been described as a "beautiful" and "perfect" novel, and one is historical fiction (one of my favorite genres) found on the bargain table; (one of my favorite tables).
I look forward to the surprises that await.
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