What Should I Read Next? Ep 501: Crafting a personal curriculum for a lifelong learner
Amy St. Amand, a primary care clinical pharmacist from Rhode Island, dives into her journey of crafting a personal curriculum to explore her eclectic interests like music, food science, and Greek mythology. She shares her love for narrative nonfiction and audiobooks, including her recent modules on vocabulary and psychology. The discussion reveals her excitement for Fleetwood Mac, cultural food histories, and even learning American Sign Language. Tune in to discover how Amy blends reading with creative projects to foster lifelong learning!
01:03:56
Building Vocabulary With Rituals
- Amy spent a month building vocabulary with The Great Courses and daily Merriam‑Webster words.
- She journaled and used new words in conversation to cement learning.
Mix Input With Output
- Combine multiple formats and perspectives when building a module: books, audio, classes, and projects.
- Include output (conversations, experiments, or projects) to apply and retain knowledge.
A Thread Through Diverse Interests
- Amy's topics often circle storytelling, language, and tools for human connection.
- That thread ties Greek myths, music, ASL, and narrative nonfiction together for her.
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Intro
00:00 • 5min
Why build a personal curriculum for reading?
04:31 • 13min
What Amy's reading life looks like now
17:29 • 2min
Favorite books and what draws her to narrative nonfiction
19:42 • 8min
What topics has Amy already explored in her curriculum?
27:59 • 3min
Why Fleetwood Mac and multimedia approaches excite her
30:41 • 12min
How to design outputs and projects for a personal curriculum
43:08 • 3min
Food science and cooking as a deep-dive module
46:26 • 2min
Exploring international cuisine and cultural food histories
48:20 • 2min
Books on music, brain science, and narrative craft
50:30 • 4min
Resources for learning American Sign Language
54:13 • 3min
Approaches to studying Greek mythology
57:17 • 5min
Choosing what to study next and staying flexible
01:02:32 • 2min
Outro
01:04:59 • 2min
#28358
True Biz
Sara Novic
#29909
Keys to Good Cooking
Harold McGee
#43089
Everyone here spoke sign language
Nora Groce
#33043
Show Me a Sign
Susan Miura
#78
• Mentioned in 163 episodes
The Odyssey
Homer
The Odyssey, attributed to Homer, is an ancient Greek epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. The poem explores Odysseus's encounters with various mythical creatures, divine interventions, and natural challenges.
Upon his return to Ithaca, he must confront the suitors who have been vying for his wife Penelope's hand in marriage.
With the help of his son Telemachus and the goddess Athena, Odysseus devises a plan to defeat the suitors and reclaim his throne.
The poem is a reflection on human nature, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions, and it remains a crucial component of ancient Greek literature and Western cultural heritage.
#23512
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
This Tender Land
William Kent Krueger
Set in the summer of 1932, the story follows Odie O’Banion, his brother Albert, their friend Mose, and a young girl named Emmy as they escape from the harsh Lincoln Indian Training School in Minnesota.
They journey down the Gilead and Mississippi Rivers, encountering various characters, including struggling farmers, traveling faith healers, and displaced families.
The novel explores themes of resilience, the human condition, and the search for belonging during a time of great hardship.
#19161
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Home Fire
Kamila Shamsie
Home Fire is a powerful novel that reimagines Sophocles' Antigone in a modern context, focusing on the Pasha family and their struggles with identity, loyalty, and politics.
The story delves into the complexities faced by British Muslims, particularly in the context of terrorism and national identity.
It explores themes of love, loss, and the clash between personal and political obligations.
#8596
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
This Is What It Sounds Like
Ogie Ogis
Susan Rogers
#2731
• Mentioned in 13 episodes
This Is Your Brain on Music
The Science of a Human Obsession
Daniel Levitin
In this book, Daniel J. Levitin delves into the relationship between music and the human brain.
He argues that music is fundamental to human nature, possibly even more so than language.
Levitin draws on the latest research and uses musical examples from Mozart to Van Halen to explain how composers create pleasurable effects, why we are emotionally attached to the music of our youth, and the role of practice in musical expertise.
He also explores why certain jingles get stuck in our heads and how music coordinates various parts of the brain.
The book is an insightful investigation into the science behind our obsession with music.
#47654
Seeing Voices
A Journey into the World of the Deaf
Oliver Sacks
In 'Seeing Voices,' Oliver Sacks delves into the world of deaf culture, examining the history of deaf people in the United States, the development and recognition of American Sign Language (ASL), and the neurological and social aspects of deafness.
The book includes an eyewitness account of the 1988 Deaf President Now protest at Gallaudet University and discusses the rich, expressive nature of Sign Language, highlighting its own grammatical structure and cultural significance.
Sacks reflects on the broader implications of a visual language for our understanding of human communication, thought, and culture.
#3983
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
How to Write One Song
Jeff Tweedy
This book is a guide to songwriting by Jeff Tweedy, focusing on the process of creating one song.
It emphasizes the importance of daily practice, overcoming self-doubt, and finding joy in the creative process.
Tweedy shares personal anecdotes and exercises to help readers unlock their songwriting potential.
#4162
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
Musicophilia
Tales of Music and the Brain
Oliver Sacks
In 'Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain', Oliver Sacks delves into the complex and fascinating relationship between music and the human brain.
The book is divided into four parts, each focusing on different themes such as the sudden onset of musicality, musical oddities like synesthesia, and the role of music in memory, movement, and emotion.
Sacks examines cases of people with conditions such as musical hallucinations, amusia, and those with extraordinary musical abilities despite neurological impairments.
He also discusses how music therapy can treat conditions like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and Tourette's syndrome.
The book combines scientific insight with compassionate storytelling to illuminate the profound impact of music on human experience.
#3638
• Mentioned in 10 episodes
The world behind the world
Michael Meade
In "The World Behind the World," Michael Meade unveils the hidden layers of reality, exploring the interplay between the visible and invisible worlds.
He draws upon ancient myths and cross-cultural traditions to reveal the profound connection between the human psyche and the cosmos.
The book delves into the symbolic language of dreams, rituals, and stories, offering a framework for understanding the deeper meaning of life's experiences.
Meade's work encourages readers to look beyond the surface of everyday life, to discover the rich tapestry of meaning that lies beneath.
Through evocative storytelling and insightful analysis, he guides readers toward a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the universe.
#4821
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Rebecca Skloot
The book narrates the story of Henrietta Lacks, a poor black tobacco farmer whose cervical cancer cells, known as HeLa cells, were taken without her knowledge in 1951 and have since become one of the most important tools in medicine.
The cells have been used in developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, and more, yet Henrietta's family remained unaware of her 'immortality' for decades and never benefited financially from the cells.
The book delves into the dark history of experimentation on African Americans, the birth of bioethics, and the legal battles over body ownership.
It also explores the personal story of Henrietta's family, particularly her daughter Deborah, and their struggles with the legacy of her cells.
#4562
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
I Heard There Was a Secret Code
null
Dan Leventon
#7782
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
Here One Moment
Liane Moriarty
#1579
• Mentioned in 20 episodes
Boys in the Boat
Daniel James Brown
The book chronicles the journey of nine working-class American boys from the University of Washington who, despite long odds, won the gold medal in rowing at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
The story is set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and the rise of Nazi Germany.
It focuses on Joe Rantz, a teenager who overcame significant personal hardships to become part of the team.
The narrative also explores the broader historical context, including the political and social climate of both the United States and Germany during that era.
The book highlights the determination, grit, and teamwork of the crew members as they achieved an extraordinary sports achievement.
#5915
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
Daisy Jones & The Six
A Novel
Taylor Jenkins Reid
This novel follows the lives of Daisy Jones, a young and beautiful singer, and The Six, a band led by the brooding Billy Dunne, as they navigate the highs and lows of the 1970s music industry.
The story is presented as an oral history, with interviews from the band members, their friends, and family, providing a realistic and immersive account of their journey.
The book delves into themes of female empowerment, addiction, and the complexities of personal relationships, set against the backdrop of the glamorized but often destructive rock 'n' roll lifestyle of the 1970s.
Taylor Jenkins Reid's vivid portrayal of the era and the characters makes the fictional band feel eerily real, capturing the essence of the music and the times with remarkable detail.
#11253
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
On Food and Cooking
Harold McGee
Harold McGee's "On Food and Cooking" is a seminal work in culinary science, exploring the chemical and physical transformations that occur during cooking.
It delves into the history and cultural significance of various ingredients and techniques.
The book is renowned for its detailed explanations of flavor development, texture changes, and the science behind cooking methods.
It's a valuable resource for both home cooks and professional chefs seeking a deeper understanding of the culinary arts.
McGee's writing style is accessible and engaging, making complex scientific concepts easy to grasp.
#53259
Don't Overthink It
Anne Bogel
In Don't Overthink It, Anne Bogel addresses the pervasive issue of overthinking and its impact on daily life.
The book provides actionable strategies to help readers overcome negative thought patterns and replace them with positive ones, leading to more peace, joy, and love.
Bogel offers practical advice on simplifying decisions, identifying and avoiding triggers, and focusing on what truly matters.
The book is filled with real-life examples and actionable steps to help readers make comfortable choices and reduce decision fatigue.
#4076
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
Good Things
Samin Nosrat
Aya Brackett
Good Things is an essential guide to cooking and living, offering more than 125 of Samin Nosrat's favorite recipes that she loves to cook for herself and friends.
The book includes recipes like comforting tomato soup, ricotta custard pancakes, and a showstopping roast chicken, along with tips and techniques to enhance cooking experiences.
It captures the warmth and creativity that makes cooking a source of delight and comfort.
#889
• Mentioned in 31 episodes
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat
Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking
Samin Nosrat
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat is a culinary guide that focuses on mastering the four essential elements of good cooking: salt, which enhances flavor; fat, which delivers flavor and generates texture; acid, which balances flavor; and heat, which determines the texture of food.
Written by Samin Nosrat, this book bridges the gap between home and professional kitchens with its simple yet revolutionary philosophy.
It includes 100 essential recipes, dozens of variations, and vibrant illustrations by Wendy MacNaughton.
The book is designed to empower readers to become more confident and creative in the kitchen, regardless of their skill level.
#14266
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
O My Friends
None
Mirabai
Mirabai's "O My Friends" is a passionate devotional poem expressing the intense longing and surrender of the soul to the divine.
It uses vivid imagery of nature—deer, partridge, fish—to illustrate the complete devotion required on the spiritual path.
The poem's central theme is the annihilation of the ego and the merging of the individual self with the divine.
Mirabai's powerful imagery and emotional intensity convey the ecstatic experience of union with God. The poem's enduring appeal lies in its ability to articulate the universal human desire for connection with the transcendent.
When she discovered the idea of a personal curriculum, today's guest couldn't wait to apply this concept to her reading life.
Amy St. Amand, a primary care clinical pharmacist from Rhode Island, wants to know a little bit about a whole lot of things. She's working to build a personal learning plan that encompasses a variety of her assorted interests, and she's here today for Anne's help in developing and refining her selected topics.
Anne couldn't wait to hear more about Amy's approach, why this idea resonated with her so much, and her progress so far. After they explore Amy's project, Anne recommends a whole lot of mostly nonfiction books that will help Amy delve deeper into her chosen topics.
See the list of titles mentioned today at our show notes page, which you'll find at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/501.
If you're a member of our Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club, today's topic may sound familiar in a really fun way. We touched on the idea of a personal curriculum in our recent book club class, A Close Look at Great Books. Among other topics, this class explored our community manager Ginger Horton's ongoing grad school experience focused on a Great Books curriculum, and how you can apply some of those ideas to your own reading life.
If this sounds like good nerdy fun to you, head over to ModernMrsDarcy.com/club for even more of these types of conversations.
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