Reading progress… update #2

I am really pleased with my progress thus far. I have devoured four novels and made a productive start with my morning reading.

Novels:

  • Dexter, Colin: The Dead of Jericho
  • Dexter, Colin: The Riddle of the Third Mile
  • Dexter, Colin: The Secret of Annexe 3
  • Dexter, Colin: The Wench is Dead

Morning reading:

  • Aurelius, Marcus: Meditations – Books 1 and 2
  • The Bible:
    • Romans
    • 1 Corinthians – Chapters 1-3
  • King, Stephen: On Writing((Each morning that I openned ‘On Writing‘, I was hooked and more than a bit frustrated when I had to put it down. Consequently, when I finished ‘The Wench is Dead’, I decided take a pause from reading novels and immerse myself in this, instead. For my morning reading, I have replaced it with ‘Unsubscribe‘ by Jocelyn K. Glei which is perfectly structured in to short essays.))
    • Forewords 1, 2 and 3
    • Chapter 1: CV – Parts 1-18
  • Russell, Bertrand: History of Western Philosophy – Preface and Introduction
  • Seneca: Dialogues and Essays – Introduction and Note on the Text

On the value of failure…

“There are two kinds of failure. The first comes from never trying out your ideas because you are afraid, or because you are waiting for the perfect time. This kind of failure you can never learn from, and such timidity will destroy you. The second kind comes from a bold and venturesome spirit. If you fail in this way, the hit that you take to your reputation is greatly outweighed by what you learn. Repeated failure will toughen your spirit and show you with absolute clarity how things must be done.”

~ Greene, Robert, Mastery (2012)

Or, put more figuratively…

“Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.”

~ Capote, Truman, Self-Portrait (1972) in The Dogs Bark: Public People and Private Places (1974)

The Whole of the Moon

I think I needed to hear/see Fiona Apple’s fantastic cover of The Waterboys’ classic: ‘The Whole of the Moon’.

Zelda Hallman captured her performing the song live in the studio. The raw energy and focus that Apple displays, losing herself within the song, is deeply compelling. It has provided some much needed catharsis during what has been a rewarding but very challenging week.

I am posting it here for posterity. Maybe it will help you too.

Hat tip to Phil Gyford for sharing it.

Reading progress… update #1

Novels:

  • Dexter, Colin: The Dead of Jericho
  • Dexter, Colin: The Riddle of the Third Mile

Morning reading:

  • Aurelius, Marcus: Meditations – Book 1
  • The Bible: Romans – Chapters 1-4
  • King, Stephen: On Writing – Forewards 1, 2 and 3
  • Russell, Bertrand: History of Western Philosophy – Preface and Introduction
  • Seneca: Dialogues and Essays – Introduction and Note on the Text