I'm thrilled to see you here! I was taken by you the moment we met at that Objectivist meet-up group at a university building in mid-town Manhattan, lo, these... what... 15 years ago or more! And I had the same feeling when I met Robert Begley too! Bright lights, active minds swirling with curiosity and insight, striving always to pursue wisdom, joy, meaning, and purpose! I count myself blessed to have come to know you and follow your work and thought!
Thank you, Eric, for your lovely comment! I'm finding Substack to be a wonderful place to somewhat replicate the sort of "active minds swirling with curiosity and insight" that you mention being present at the events we met at in NYC. I'm looking forward to reading your posts as well!
Hi Carrie-Ann, do you have any specific tips on *where* to look for good modern novels? I have struggled badly to find good post-2000 novels; I only make it about 30 pages into the vast majority of new-ish books I try. But maybe I'm just not looking in the right places.
Hi, Tim: I, too, have the struggle of "where" to find good modern novels. The ones I have come across have primarily been discovered via the two streams I note in the post. I have also found a few by browsing the "new arrivals" section of airport or train terminal mini-bookstores or Barnes & Noble. In any location where books cross my path--Little Libraries, public library used book sales, garage sales, chain book stores, or personal recommendations--I apply my I.O.U. principle.
My strong preference is to do this in person with physical books because the ability to browse and "take in" the book a bit before I decide is important to me. However, I know that some folks also scan through the "recommended for you based on your reading/browsing history" suggestions that the Amazon algorhithm or other online platforms places before you.
That you are dismayed by the vast majority of new-ish books you find is unsurprising. In any field or domain--whether literature, philosophy, self-development, psychology, film, television, etc.--much if not most of the content is . . . subpar. Excellence in any area is relatively rare at any point in history. That may seem more so now in an age of increasing population, wide literacy, and more folks trying their hand at writing in various fields where self-publishing is possible.
I wonder about their interrelationships. I can imagine a book that's original but not intriguing (maybe it's eccentric but tedious), but can there be a book that's intriguing per your description but not original?
Thanks and what a great "wondering," Mike! What you suggest sounds right to me. I'll think further about the possible relationships between the I, O, and U criteria. Don't be surprised if I end up turning that into a "mailbag question" for a later post.
Congratulations on your new Substack, C-A! I can't wait to see all the wonders you're going to share!
Thank you, Kurt! I know how deeply wonder suffuses your spirit. :o)
I'm thrilled to see you here! I was taken by you the moment we met at that Objectivist meet-up group at a university building in mid-town Manhattan, lo, these... what... 15 years ago or more! And I had the same feeling when I met Robert Begley too! Bright lights, active minds swirling with curiosity and insight, striving always to pursue wisdom, joy, meaning, and purpose! I count myself blessed to have come to know you and follow your work and thought!
Thank you, Eric, for your lovely comment! I'm finding Substack to be a wonderful place to somewhat replicate the sort of "active minds swirling with curiosity and insight" that you mention being present at the events we met at in NYC. I'm looking forward to reading your posts as well!
Hi Carrie-Ann, do you have any specific tips on *where* to look for good modern novels? I have struggled badly to find good post-2000 novels; I only make it about 30 pages into the vast majority of new-ish books I try. But maybe I'm just not looking in the right places.
Hi, Tim: I, too, have the struggle of "where" to find good modern novels. The ones I have come across have primarily been discovered via the two streams I note in the post. I have also found a few by browsing the "new arrivals" section of airport or train terminal mini-bookstores or Barnes & Noble. In any location where books cross my path--Little Libraries, public library used book sales, garage sales, chain book stores, or personal recommendations--I apply my I.O.U. principle.
My strong preference is to do this in person with physical books because the ability to browse and "take in" the book a bit before I decide is important to me. However, I know that some folks also scan through the "recommended for you based on your reading/browsing history" suggestions that the Amazon algorhithm or other online platforms places before you.
That you are dismayed by the vast majority of new-ish books you find is unsurprising. In any field or domain--whether literature, philosophy, self-development, psychology, film, television, etc.--much if not most of the content is . . . subpar. Excellence in any area is relatively rare at any point in history. That may seem more so now in an age of increasing population, wide literacy, and more folks trying their hand at writing in various fields where self-publishing is possible.
I like these criteria!
I wonder about their interrelationships. I can imagine a book that's original but not intriguing (maybe it's eccentric but tedious), but can there be a book that's intriguing per your description but not original?
Thanks and what a great "wondering," Mike! What you suggest sounds right to me. I'll think further about the possible relationships between the I, O, and U criteria. Don't be surprised if I end up turning that into a "mailbag question" for a later post.
Hooray! Thank you for the sunshine ... I can feel my mind warming up already!
Looking forward to following and sharing ...
Thanks, Robert! :o)