481: Vice & Virtue — Sloth

Kathleen Norris's "Acedia & Me" delves into the ancient concept of acedia, a spiritual and emotional state characterized by apathy, boredom, and a lack of care. Norris intertwines personal memoir with theological reflection, exploring her own struggles with acedia and its impact on her life. She traces the historical understanding of acedia from early monastic traditions to contemporary society, revealing its relevance in modern life. The book examines how acedia manifests as a resistance to love, a weariness of the soul, and a disconnection from God and others. Norris offers insights into recognizing and combating acedia through practices such as prayer, contemplation, and engagement with community. "Acedia & Me" provides a profound exploration of a timeless human condition and offers guidance for finding meaning and purpose in the face of spiritual emptiness.

Lost in the Cosmos is a unique blend of satire, philosophy, and self-help. The book mocks conventional self-help texts while engaging readers in thoughtful contemplation of their existential situations. It uses multiple-choice questions, essays, and 'thought experiments' to explore the complexities of human identity and the search for meaning in a society plagued by moral and social ills. Percy argues that human consciousness is uniquely triadic, involving interactions between the sign user, the sign, and what the sign stands for, leading to a profound sense of alienation and the quest for transcendence.

In *The Book of Delights*, Ross Gay offers a genre-defying volume of short, lyrical essays written over one tumultuous year. These 'essayettes,' in the manner of Montaigne, capture Gay’s daily observations and experiences, ranging from the beauty of the natural world to the complexities of race and masculinity. The book emphasizes the importance of delight as a bulwark against casual cruelties and as a way to connect with others, highlighting the shared humanity and mortality that bind us. Gay’s essays are both intimate and political, never shying away from the terrors of living in America while celebrating the small joys that make life worth observing closely.

In this iconic children's book, Max, dressed in his wolf suit, causes chaos at home and is sent to bed without supper. His bedroom transforms into a jungle, and he sails to an island where he encounters the Wild Things. Max tames the creatures and becomes their king, but eventually returns home, missing his mother's love. The book is praised for its honest treatment of children's emotions, particularly anger and the need for parental love. It has been adapted into a movie and an opera and remains a beloved classic in children's literature.

In this classic work, Heschel argues that Judaism is a religion of time rather than space, and that the Sabbath is central to this concept. He describes the Sabbath as an 'architecture of holiness' in time, a day that offers a taste of the Kingdom of God and a repudiation of the materialistic and frenetic aspects of modern life. Heschel emphasizes the importance of observing the Sabbath as a command rather than a license, highlighting its role in declaring allegiance to God and in fostering a sense of inner liberty and spiritual communion.

The Screwtape Letters is a Christian apologetic novel written in a satirical, epistolary style. It consists of 31 letters from Screwtape, a highly placed assistant to 'Our Father Below' (the Devil), to his nephew Wormwood, a novice demon tasked with securing the damnation of an ordinary young man. The letters provide advice on various methods of undermining God's influence and promoting abandonment of God, while offering insights into human nature and the Bible. The book is a profound and striking narrative on spiritual warfare and the power of the devil, highlighting the subtle forms of sin such as vanity, pride, and distraction that can lead humans away from God.

The novel follows Theresa Osborne, a divorced Boston newspaper columnist, who finds a letter in a bottle addressed to 'Catherine' from a man named Garrett. Intrigued, Theresa sets out to find Garrett, leading her to a coastal town in North Carolina. As they meet and begin a relationship, they must navigate the complexities of Garrett's grief over his late wife, Catherine, and the misunderstandings that arise. The story delves into the emotional depth of love, loss, and the choices that define their lives. Ultimately, it is a tale of love's enduring power and the heartbreak that often accompanies it.

In this autobiography, Henry Ford recounts his early life on a farm in Michigan, his fascination with mechanics, and his journey to becoming a successful businessman. The book covers his innovative approaches to industry and mass production, his views on business, wages, and social concerns, and how he applied his principles to various sectors beyond the automotive industry. Ford also shares his stringent and sometimes controversial views on life, business, and society.