107 - Wise Words: 16 of Our Favorite Quotes to Live By

Middlemarch, written by George Eliot, is a novel that delves into the complexities of provincial life in 19th-century England. The story revolves around the intersecting lives of its characters, particularly Dorothea Brooke and Dr. Tertius Lydgate, as they navigate marriage, vocation, and social class. Eliot critiques the conventional romance narratives of her time by portraying marriage as a complex and often problematic institution. The novel also explores themes of idealism, self-interest, hypocrisy, and the constraints on women's lives. Set in the fictional town of Middlemarch between 1829 and 1832, the novel incorporates historical events such as the Great Reform Act of 1832 and early developments in medicine. Eliot's realistic portrayal of ordinary human life, with its quiet tragedies and small triumphs, has made 'Middlemarch' a masterpiece of English literature.

Once a Runner tells the story of Quenton Cassidy, a competitive runner at fictional Southeastern University, whose lifelong dream is to run a four-minute mile. When the Vietnam War era intrudes into his school’s athletic department, Cassidy becomes involved in an athletes’ protest and is suspended from his track team. Under the tutelage of his friend and mentor, Bruce Denton, a graduate student and former Olympic gold medalist, Cassidy gives up his scholarship, his girlfriend, and possibly his future to train in a monastic retreat in the countryside. The novel provides a rare insider’s account of the incredibly intense lives of elite distance runners and is an inspiring, funny, and spot-on tale of one individual’s quest to become a champion.

This classic novel by Robert M. Pirsig is a personal and philosophical odyssey that delves into the author's search for meaning. The narrative follows a father and his son on a summer motorcycle trip from the Midwest to California, intertwining a travelogue with deep philosophical discussions. The book explores the concept of 'quality' and how it informs a well-lived life, reconciling science, religion, and humanism. It also touches on the author's own struggles with his past and his philosophical quest, making it a touching and transcendent exploration of human experience and endeavor.

In this book, Neil Postman argues that the contemporary world is more akin to Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World' than George Orwell's '1984'. Postman contends that television's emphasis on entertainment has led to a decline in rational discourse and the trivialization of politics, education, and religion. He contrasts the print-based culture of the 19th century with the televisual culture of the 20th century, highlighting how the medium of television inherently promotes incoherence and triviality, turning serious information into a form of entertainment.

Sebastian Junger's "In My Time of Dying" delves into his near-death experience, exploring themes of mortality, consciousness, and the possibility of an afterlife. The book recounts Junger's personal journey of facing his own mortality after a near-fatal aneurysm. He interweaves his personal narrative with extensive research on near-death experiences, examining various scientific and philosophical perspectives. Junger challenges conventional understandings of death and consciousness, prompting readers to contemplate the nature of existence beyond the physical realm. The book concludes with a thoughtful reflection on the profound impact of his experience and the enduring questions it raises.