The Rabbit Hole
Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows (John Koenig)
I remember you mentioned wanting words for the things you feel — well, you’re in luck because this book literally does just that. They are based on actual etymology, and though they aren’t technically real words, they definitely feel that way.
Synopsis: The author provides the etymological derivation for different words that describe specific human emotions — e.g. sonder, the feeling you get when you realize that other people live lives just as nuanced as yours.
Lucy's Rating:
Letters to a Young Poet (Rainer Maria Rilke)
Another beautifully written piece. On dreaming, art, life, and the importance of solitude and following your own heart. Not for everyone, because it is an older novel, but I really loved how it makes you rethink the purpose of what you’re living for.
Synopsis: Essentially a collection of letters from Rilke to a young man who wrote asking about what it means to live fully and purposefully. These are actual letters, by the way, which makes it even more impactful. I actually took some inspiration from this for my “Letters” tapestry piece.
Lucy's Rating:
Paired stuff: This also goes really well with anything Victor Frankl — I would maybe look into some Maslow for this too. Dreaming, and the human need for growth and fulfillment.
The Human Condition (Hannah Arendt)
An analysis on the power of humanity over their own decisions, and the way politics and technology interacts with the way humans decide to act or not act.
Orientalism (Edward Said)
A thesis on the creation of an "orientalist" portrayal of Eastern and Middle Eastern cultures by a European idea, and the relationships between those opposing concepts: the Occidental and the Orient.
Tuesdays with Morrie (Mitch Albom)
Another beautiful peace — cozy, but sad. About life, and what the meaning of life is. There’s actually a lot of books in this category I’ve read, actually. Love, forgiveness, aging, grief, this book has it all.
Synopsis: A memoir about a young man spending time for his professor’s last days, as the professor is dying from ALS. He spends his Tuesdays talking about life’s meaning, the connections he’s made and the things he regrets.
Lucy's Rating:
Paired stuff: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalathani, more of a first-person perspective of morality. This might also be a good introduction to “stoicism” (Epicetus).
The Will to Meaning (Viktor Frankl)
An analysis on the role that curiosity and imagination play in humanity's life.
