My favorite finds from around the web:
• The end of reflection. “If you are awake for 16 hours, turning on or checking your phone 85 times means doing so about once every 11 minutes (and doesn’t account for internet use on a computer), and 5.05 hours is over 30 percent of the day. What might be the effect on reflection of this compulsive behavior?”
• On Max Perkins, one of America’s greatest editors. “Maxwell Evarts Perkins was unknown to the general public, but to people in the world of books he was a major figure, a kind of hero. For he was the consummate editor. As a young man he had discovered great new talents—such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Thomas Wolfe—and had staked his career on them, defying the established tastes of the earlier generation and revolutionizing American literature.”
• How busy people make time to read—and you can, too. “Even the busiest people have leisure time. The difference between readers and non-readers is that readers make a habit of picking up a book during these fallow hours.”
• Fringe benefits. “I’ve thought about growing out my bangs,” a friend once said to me. “But how will people know I’m interesting?” (Sharing because I think about growing out mine every summer when the thermostat climbs above 90°…)
Favorite instagram:
This shot of my happy happy book mail. (Follow me on instagram @annebogel.)
On the blog:
One year ago: How are you doing TODAY? “When someone puts the question to me—How are you?—my instinct is to get philosophical, to step back and reflect on the big picture, how whatever is rocking my world fits into the grand scheme of things. There’s a time and place for this, of course: it’s healthy to get some perspective, sometimes. But too often how are you? is an invitation to put on a brave face, to turn to platitudes.”
Two years ago: Everything you need to know about a person. “People tell boring lies about politics, God, and love. You know everything you need to know about a person from the answer to [this] question.”
Three years ago: 13 things I’ve learned in 13 years of marriage.
Four years ago: Books I’m afraid to recommend. “There are some books I’ve loved that I wouldn’t dream of recommending to you without a gigantic flashing warning sign.”
Have a great weekend!
7 comments
I loved the article about bangs. I had them once. I had them cut and within a week, decided to grow them out again. I felt so self-conscious, like everyone was looking at me. I didn’t realize it until now, but the writer is right: bangs are for being seen. I’m the kind of person who doesn’t want to stand out; I much prefer to be behind the scenes. (I also hated that I could constantly see them. It was a constant annoyance to feel that I had hair in my eyes even when I didn’t. I never got past that weirdness.)
I was immediately drawn to the one about busy people making time to read. I recently lamented how life was sucking up my reading time, so my kiddo and I just started a blog all about reading. It’s easier to find time to read when it’s my job now. Great post, and great blog.
I also loved the article about making time to read. If I have a great book, I read it quickly and I decide to read instead of checking facebook, etc. I love reading on the kindle app on my phone, it’s extremely portable! I’ve been known to read while waiting in line at the grocery store. Great advice and I can easily learn to read faster. Thanks for this article!
Thank you for sharing the reading link. I appreciate it getting some love!
Your weekend links are always my favorite 🙂
I have been recommending The End of Reflection article to several people lately. It truly gave me pause and caused me to think about unhealthy habits in my life. I was also reading When Breath Becomes Air at the same time so my world was kind of rocked in a completely wonderful way.
Anne, I remember reading your post regarding “How are you TODAY?”. It really stuck with me-in situations related to people mourning, but also in just every day life. It was quite resounding for me. I may just go re-read that post again today. But thanks for the reminder to make conversation a little more personal and on point. A basic “how are you?” is just way to general and covers way too much territory. Love your posts and podcasts :)…