January 09, 2023 | Read Online

📚 The Reading Journal #027

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Did you know that the world's largest book is the Kuthodaw Pagoda in Burma, which contains 729 marble slabs inscribed with the entire Buddhist scriptures? Each slab is housed in its own small stupa, creating a "forest" of 729 stupas. The pagoda, which was built in the 19th century, is considered to be the world's largest book, both in terms of the physical size of the slabs and the amount of text contained within them. The Kuthodaw Pagoda is a popular tourist attraction in Burma and is considered a sacred site by Buddhists.

📷 Bookshelf Humble Brag

Bec, Australia

📝 Note

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📚 Staff Pick of the Week

The Secret Pulse of Time: Making Sense of Life's Scarcest Commodity

The Secret Pulse of Time by Stefan Klein explores the elusive and mysterious nature of time. Klein, a renowned scientist and author, delves into the latest research on time perception and the brain, and offers a thought-provoking look at how we experience and measure time. Through engaging storytelling and accessible science, Klein helps readers understand the complex and often paradoxical nature of time, and offers practical strategies for making the most of this precious and scarce commodity. Whether you're looking to better manage your time, understand the role of time in the universe, or simply want to learn more about this mysterious and fundamental aspect of our existence, The Secret Pulse of Time is a must-read.

The film of our lives originates in our heads, and we are the directors, because the so-called sense of time is one of the most malleable functions of the brain. Nature has programmed our minds to register the passage of minutes and hours, but how we do so is up to us. By schooling our own perception and focus, our sense of time can be transformed. We can let go of our fear of drowning in the maelstrom of time and learn to swim.

The Secret Pulse of Time has been recommended by Andrew Huberman.

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🎥 Reading Talk's

Introducing The New York Times 10 Best Books of 2022

📈 Rising Quickly - Week of January 2, 2022

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

Grit is a word used to describe the combination of perseverance, passion, and determination that allows individuals to achieve long-term goals despite setbacks and challenges. Duckworth argues that grit is a better predictor of success than intelligence or talent, and that it can be cultivated through effort and experience. According to Duckworth, grit involves the ability to set clear goals, work hard towards those goals, and persevere even in the face of failure or disappointment. It also involves the ability to maintain motivation and focus over the long term, and to find meaning and purpose in one's endeavors.

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🪄 Most Talked About Fiction - Week of January 2, 2022

White Noise by Don Delillo

White Noise is a novel by Don DeLillo that explores the theme of technology and its impact on modern life. Set in a small Midwestern town, the story follows the life of Jack Gladney, a professor of Hitler studies at a liberal arts college. Gladney and his family are constantly bombarded by "white noise," a term used to describe the constant flow of media and technology that surrounds them. As they struggle to make sense of their world and their own identities, they are forced to confront the fear and chaos that lies beneath the surface of their seemingly normal lives. Through its portrayal of characters who are overwhelmed by technology and media, White Noise offers a thought-provoking commentary on the dangers of living in a society that is constantly connected and constantly bombarded by information.

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📚 Most Talked About Non-Fiction - Week of January 2, 2022

How the World Really Works by Vaclav Smil

In How the World Really Works, Vaclav Smil provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary analysis of the complex systems that shape our world, including energy, agriculture, population growth, and the environment. He examines the impact of globalization and the increasing dependence on fossil fuels, and challenges the notion that a brighter utopia is ahead. Through data-driven analysis, Smil offers a revisionist perspective on our past, present, and uncertain future, and provides a much-needed reality check on the fundamental realities governing our survival and prosperity.

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🆕 New and Noteworthy

Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke, M.D.

Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke, MD explores the role of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is involved in pleasure and reward, in driving addiction and unhealthy behaviors. Lembke, a leading expert on addiction, argues that our modern society is characterized by an overindulgence in dopamine-stimulating activities such as social media, gambling, and drug use, which can lead to a range of negative consequences including addiction, depression, and social isolation. Through a combination of scientific research and personal stories, Lembke provides a thought-provoking and nuanced look at the complex relationship between dopamine and addiction, and offers practical strategies for finding balance and happiness in the age of indulgence.

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✍️ Quote of the Week

The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it.

Steve Jobs