5 Things I Consumed Last Week (shape the posture of your hours 🤳)
on erotic intelligence, the algebra of happiness, Pinkoo Shergill, dreams and stop asking for book recommendations
I used to get extremely annoyed with irregularity and missing deadlines but if anything adulting has taught me then it is cruising through tasks. I have always taken Oliver Burkeman’s advice through his newsletters and book very seriously which has helped me to become less robotic. Pardon me for being late but hey, at least I made it (even though my eyeballs are cursing me to sleep right now).
This issue is about reads that shaped my hours this week - some made me stay upright during the day with their intensity, others meandering through my thoughts at night and some just made me giggle like a child on a Saturday. I hope these reads shape the posture of your hours as well.
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Mating in Captivity : Unlocking Erotic Intelligence | Esther Perel
Seldom do I find people who can recommend Erotica (which is not 50 Shades of Grey) without hesitating. Well, this book is not Erotica per se rather it breaks all such stereotypes - it is an education in eroticism.
Erotic Intelligence is the understanding of what creates desire and attracts a couple to each other, what changes as the relationship matures, how starting a family influences change, and how and why desire dissipates between a couple as they spend more time together. It also discusses cultivating eroticism and how erotic behavior as an adult is shaped by your childhood experiences. It has a very interesting take on infidelity which was not a surprise since Esther’s TED Talk was equally stellar as well.
Recommending it to everyone who fancies reading about human psychology and self-help (but a different kind).
Pinko Shergill Pastry Chef | Vibha Batra
I am deeply influenced by Maria Popova who has consistently made a compelling case for reading children books or in her words:
Great children’s books are works of existential philosophy in disguise — gifts of timeless consolation for the eternal child living in each of us.
This book was gifted to me by the chef I was working with last year and I never got the chance to go beyond the first few chapters, until this Saturday. This book will make you laugh out loud (for real). Similar to Popova’s The Snail with the Right Heart which nudges on gender stereotyping in the most endearing way, this book creates a safe space to discuss intense situations in the most ‘fantasmazing’ language.
Full of lip-smacking baking recipes and lots of cute caricatures, treat yourself with this book (literally).
The Algebra of Happiness: Notes on the Pursuit of Success, Love, and Meaning | Scott Galloway
Scott’s newsletter No Mercy/ No Malice has been a constant source of inspiration on how statistics can be used to narrate a story. The Algebra of Happiness is his second book and it outlines his perspective on the fundamentals of a happy life. From money to health to love lives, lessons are given in the form of short anecdotes from his personal experience.
I have just started reading it and it is like a reminder to value the valuable in life - whatever it is for you.
Stop asking for book recommendations | Stoa
I adore Stoa for their no bullshit and relatable writing and this one is no different. I am always short of an answer whenever I am asked to give generic book recommendations, though I try my best to recommend something that most people would like but I secretly despise those questions unless it is after a preliminary research. I love discussing books and recommending more genres to people who are genuinely curious and have done their part because let’s face it:
If you really want to read a book - you would have Googled it already. This newsletter issue is just that.
Why Dreams Matter | Kristin Posehn
Perhaps dreams are an arena that can enable supracognitive powers to perform calculations and perceptions of reality that may be incomprehensible in our wake state. ~ Stephon Alexander
Dreams have always intrigued me, I barely remember any morning when I have woken up with no memory of a dream. There are certain dreams which I remember very vividly - the transcendent ones (okay, it included a glowing jellyfish), others gory - which I don’t want to remember.
This is a small series of newsletters on dreams, why dreams matter and some practical tips on dreamwork. As I read this, I know I am just beginning to scratch the surface. If you have any recommendations for books/essays/newsletters related to dreams, please please share.
That’s all for this time! Time to stock up on more books :)
Apologies again for an untimely issue. You will find the new issue for this week on the weekend, stay tuned!
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With warmth and love,
The Hummingbird🌺