When Reading FEELS Overwhelming | EP 87

Michel de Montaigne's "Essays" are a collection of personal reflections on a wide range of topics, including life, death, friendship, and self-knowledge. Written in the 16th century, these essays are remarkable for their honesty, introspection, and intellectual depth. Montaigne's willingness to share his vulnerabilities and doubts makes his work relatable and engaging even centuries later. His essays are characterized by their digressive style and their exploration of the complexities of human experience. The "Essays" remain a cornerstone of Western literature, offering timeless insights into the human condition.

This book is a unique biography that tells the story of Michel de Montaigne's life through the questions he asked himself and the various answers he explored in his essays. Montaigne, a Renaissance nobleman and philosopher, wrote essays that were free-roaming explorations of his thoughts and experiences. Bakewell's work delves into Montaigne's upbringing, his career, his friendships, and his reflections on life, death, and human nature. The book provides twenty different answers to the overarching question 'How to live? ' drawn from Montaigne's texts, offering practical and philosophical advice on living a good life.

In 'Deep Work', Cal Newport argues that the ability to perform deep work—professional activities in a state of distraction-free concentration—is becoming increasingly valuable in our economy. The book is divided into two parts: the first part explains why deep work is valuable, rare, and meaningful, while the second part presents four rules to transform your mind and habits to support this skill. These rules include 'Work Deeply', 'Embrace Boredom', 'Quit Social Media', and 'Drain the Shallows'. Newport provides actionable advice and examples from various successful individuals to help readers master the skill of deep work and achieve groundbreaking results.