The Book Basement Bulletin #12
The Book Basement Bulletin #12
The Book that Makes You Want to Move Home, How to Remember Everything, and the philosophical benefits of time-travel - On This Issue
Opening Thoughts
Gooday! I hope you woke up nicely, and if you didn’t, drink some coffee or something. I didn’t actually manage to finish any books this week, which is a bit unfortunate. However, I’ll still share a book that you should read and get some enjoyment out of.
Three Things I Wanted to Share
Although I couldn't read much this week, I’d still like to recommend Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers. The story follows Jean, a small-town journalist, through post-war England as she investigates a lead of a mysterious, almost miraculous woman. You might be asking yourself “So this is a mystery novel?” Well, no not exactly. Chambers uses that central hook to introduce a plethora of incredible characters, all with their own intertwining stories. There are unfair situations, happy moments, and beautifully written scenes. Small Pleasures is a non-plot-based story of life, its subtle beauty, and the fleeting moments that the chaos of existence makes easy to ignore. I wanted to move into a remote cottage in the middle of a small town after reading this novel, a bit extreme I’ll admit, but nevertheless, it’s a lovely book.
If you like reading non-fiction books, then I can almost guarantee you’ve had a moment where as soon as you turn to the next page, you immediately forget everything that was on the previous one. Frustrating is how I would describe this feeling, but there is a solution! This week I watched “I learned a system for remembering everything”, a YouTube video by Matt D’Avella. As part of his research on how to better remember content in books, Matt interviews one of my favorite authors, Ryan Holiday. Holiday has a painfully meticulous process for remembering, archiving, and reusing the knowledge he learns through his reading. D’Avella tries his system and catalogs his experience. I learned a lot from this video, and although I will not be writing quotes, insights, and the likes on notecards and then organizing said notecards into a complex system, I can appreciate and even apply some less methodical aspects of his ways to my reading.
Though I do not watch many movies, I really loved rewatching About Time on Netflix. When Tim discovered that the men in his family have the ability to travel back in time, he couldn’t believe it. This newfound discovery leads him to repeatedly experience new and past situations over and over again. As he finds himself in his ideal world, with everything he could possibly want, he learns to appreciate the moments in life that are less extreme. The slight, enjoyable times he wouldn’t have appreciated without his gift. Yes, it does have a similar moral to that of Small Pleasures, but it’s very different. If you like one then you’ll appreciate the other.
Quote of the Week
“Imperfect action is better then pefect inaction”
Ryan Holiday
Ryan Holiday said this line at the end of his interview with Matt D’Avella. He was referring to the fact that he knew his system for recalling was complicated, and that instead of copying it exactly, Matt should draw from it and create his own. It is better to start imperfectly than not at all. Implement positive change, don’t wait to perfect the plan, schedule, or routine. Don’t be meticulous, be proactive.
Basement Boxes
Podcast EP I Listened to: The Tim Ferris Show with Dr. Andrew Weil
Book I’m Reading: Deep Work by Cal Newport
Song That’s Been on Repeat: Clarity by Vance Joy
Podcast Highlight
My Favorite Episode This Week: The Reason We All Quit So Early According to James Clear
Closing Thoughts
Thank you for reading this week’s edition of the Bulletin! If you know a reader that would also enjoy this newsletter, feel free to share it with them. Likewise, if you’re reading this on the Substack website, subscribe, so you get The Book Basement Bulletin delivered straight to your email inbox! Keep reading, build a deep bookshelf and have a lovely week!