Welcome back! We are so pleased you are joining us for our podcast book group: Reading with Libraries!
This week we are discussing Metaphysical and Philosophical books.
In our book group we have fun talking about books, and provide useful information for library people doing Reader’s Advisory work. There are so many books out there that it’s tough to be an expert on all of them. So we pick a new genre each week to chat about and hopefully provide you with some insight into what may be an unfamiliar genre!
Our book group is very inclusive; there are no “right” or “wrong” books here! We just like to read and chat about books, and want you to share what you are reading too! All of us will take away at least a title or two that we want to read at the end of our time together!
Who is joining us this week? We are excited to welcome returning Guest Host Amy Schrank! Thanks for joining us Amy, for our hopefully enlightening discussion about Metaphysical/Philosophical books!
Beverages:
Each week we like to connect the theme of our books with our beverages, and we each came prepared with our own drink to enjoy while we talk about our books. You are an important part of this book group, so if you don’t have a beverage go ahead and get one now. Each of our beverages will have a recipe or a link on our episode page, so you can try them yourself!
Red Wine with oregano and thyme:
if you read some of the Greek texts closely you’ll notice that wine drinking plays an important role. The ancient Greeks placed a high value on the importance of wine, so why wouldn’t Greek philosophers have used wine as a social lubricant while discussing philosophical topics?
The most common style of wine in ancient Greece was sweet and aromatic, though drier wines were also produced.
The Lemnia grape was described by Aristotle as a specialty of the island of Limnos,[13] which was probably the same as the modern-day Lemnió varietal, a red wine with a bouquet of oregano and thyme.
All-Natural, Pure Coconut Water from New Age Beverage Corporation:
This company’s mission is to “inspire and elevate the human spirit.” They believe “companies have a responsibility to positively impact society and function as global agents of change” and their goal is to “inspire positive shifts in the lives of those we reach.”
Light, mild, and pleasantly refreshing young, coastal, single-origin coconut water. Sourced directly From Young, Coastal Coconuts
Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, Fat-Free, Cholesterol-Free
Put your wisdom to work with this yummy drink:
“The Sage Advice uses the winning combination of rye and blackberries and adds a fresh sage syrup to bring a fragrant hint of herbaceous evergreen to add a sweet complexity. Similar to the classic whiskey sour, the addition of the blackberries and sage syrup dresses it up to make a drink that is manly but with a bit of a soft side”
Genre Discussion:
Metaphysical fiction is a growing genre of stories that explore, or are based on, some form of philosophy or system of thought. Such fiction includes some aspect of the inner, incorporeal, supernatural, spiritual, archetypal or transcendent aspects of human experience and may emphasize an individual’s movement towards self-actualization. Readers may gain insight into, or be stimulated to reflect on, such things as the nature of existence, the mind, the soul, the psyche, psychology, the spiritual journey and so on.
It is the philosophy or thought-provoking nature of metaphysical fiction that sets it apart from ordinary magical realism and supernatural fantasy.
For example, a story about a ghost is not metaphysical fiction unless it explores the nature of life after death in relation to a comprehensive vision of reality.
Philosophical fiction refers to the class of works of fiction which devote a significant portion of their content to the sort of questions including the function and role of society, the purpose of life, ethics or morals, the role of art in human lives, and the role of experience or reason in the development of knowledge.
Philosophical fiction works would include the so-called novel of ideas, including some science fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, and the Bildungsroman. (A Bildungsroman relates the growing up or “coming of age” of a sensitive person who goes in search of answers to life’s questions with the expectation that these will result in gaining experience of the world.)
Some philosophers write novels, plays, or short fiction in order to demonstrate or introduce their ideas. Common examples include: Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre, Ayn Rand, Albert Camus, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Authors who admire certain philosophers may incorporate their ideas into the principal themes or central narratives of novels.
Suggested Reading Lists:
- Popular Metaphysical Books:
- Six Spiritual/Metaphysical Books You Should Read:
“Excellent Metaphysical Books: Strengthen Your Psychic Self-Defense!” - Oprah’s 7 Super Soulful Reads
- 26 Books Every ‘Spiritual But Not Religious’ Person Should Read
- Best Philosophy Books for Beginners
- Best Philosophy Books of 2018
- Women in Philosophy: A Reading List
- 9 Mind-Expanding Books on Philosophy That Are Actually Readable
Our Book Discussion
Now we are a little more familiar with this week’s genre, and we have enjoyed some of our special beverages, let’s get to the book discussion!
“Combining magic, mysticism, wisdom and wonder into an inspiring tale of self-discovery, The Alchemist has become a modern classic, selling millions of copies around the world and transforming the lives of countless readers across generations.
Paulo Coelho’s masterpiece tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined. Santiago’s journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, of recognizing opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along life’s path, and, most importantly, to follow our dreams.”
“Since its first publication, Golf in the Kingdom has been recognized as a classic work on the deeper mysteries of golf—a gospel of those who suspect, or know, that golf is more than a mere pastime.A young man en route to India stops in Scotland to play at the legendary Burningbush golf club and in twenty-four hours, his life is transformed. Paired with a mysterious teacher named Shivas Irons, he is led through a round of phenomenal golf, swept into a world where extraordinary powers are unleashed in a a backswing governed by true gravity. A night of adventure and revelation follow, and lead to a glimpse of Seamus MacDuff, the holy man who haunts a ravine off Burningbush’s thirteenth fairway—one they call Lucifer’s Rug.Murphy’s account reveals the possibilities for transcendence that resides in the human soul, and through mystic-philosopher Shivas Irons, the reader, like Murphy, becomes drawn into new worlds by this ancient and haunting game.”
“Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl’s memoir has riveted generations of readers with its descriptions of life in Nazi death camps and its lessons for spiritual survival. Between 1942 and 1945 Frankl labored in four different camps, including Auschwitz, while his parents, brother, and pregnant wife perished. Based on his own experience and the experiences of others he treated later in his practice, Frankl argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward with renewed purpose. Frankl’s theory-known as logotherapy, from the Greek word logos (“meaning”)-holds that our primary drive in life is not pleasure, as Freud maintained, but the discovery and pursuit of what we personally find meaningful.
At the time of Frankl’s death in 1997, Man’s Search for Meaning had sold more than 10 million copies in twenty-four languages. A 1991 reader survey for the Library of Congress that asked readers to name a “book that made a difference in your life” found Man’s Search for Meaning among the ten most influential books in America.”
“Michael Murphy’s Golf in the Kingdom is one of the bestselling golf books of all time and has been hailed as “a golf classic if any exists in our day” (John Updike) and “a masterpiece on the mysticism of golf” (San Francisco Chronicle). Golf in the Kingdom introduced Shivas Irons, the mysterious golf pro and philosopher with whom Murphy played a mythic round of golf on Scotland’s Burningbush links, a round that profoundly altered his game–and his vision.
The Kingdom of Shivas Irons is the enchanting story of Murphy’s return to Scotland in search of Shivas Irons and his wisdom about golf and human potential. Murphy’s quest takes him from the mystical golf courses of Scotland, across the world to the first Russian Open Golf Championship, and finally to Pebble Beach on the California Coast. The result is a delightful exploration of the inner game of golf and a provocative inquiry into our remarkable possibilities for growth and transformation.”
““Not only is there more to life than basketball, there’s a lot more to basketball than basketball.” –Phil Jackson
Eleven years ago, when Phil Jackson first wrote these words in Sacred Hoops, he was the triumphant head coach of the Chicago Bulls, known for his Zen approach to the game. He hadnt yet moved to the Los Angeles Lakers, with whom he would bring his total to an astounding nine NBA titles. In his thought-provoking memoir, he revealed how he directs his players to act with a clear mind–not thinking, just doing; to respect the enemy and be aggressive without anger or violence; to live in the moment and stay calmly focused in the midst of chaos; to put the “me” in service of the “we”–all lessons applicable to any person’s life, not just a professional basketball player’s. This inspiring book went on to sell more than 400,000 copies.
In his new introduction, Jackson explains how the concepts in Sacred Hoops are relevant to the issues facing his current team–and today’s reader.”
“In the cloud-washed airspace between the cornfields of Illinois and blue infinity, a man puts his faith in the propeller of his biplane. For disillusioned writer and itinerant barnstormer Richard Bach, belief is as real as a full tank of gas and sparks firing in the cylinders…until he meets Donald Shimoda–former mechanic and self-described messiah who can make wrenches fly and Richard’s imagination soar….
In Illusions, the unforgettable follow-up to his phenomenal bestseller Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Richard Bach takes to the air to discover the ageless truths that give our souls wings: that people don’t need airplanes to soar…that even the darkest clouds have meaning once we lift ourselves above them… and that messiahs can be found in the unlikeliest places–like hay fields, one-traffic-light midwestern towns, and most of all, deep within ourselves.”
“Inspired by Jane Roberts’ own experiences as the author of the immensely popular “Seth” books, these three novels — now collected in one volume — are one of the most imaginative tales ever written. Jane Roberts’ beloved character, Oversoul Seven, an ageless student of the universe, explores the entire framework of our existence. . . . As we follow Seven’s education, our own beliefs about life, death, dreams, time and space are challenged and stretched, leaving us with a refreshing and provocative perspective on the true nature of reality. In The Education of Oversoul Seven, Seven explores the true nature of his being as he learns to communicate with four of his “incarnations” — four all-too-human people whose lives are separated by centuries, yet who also coexist. In The Further Education of Oversoul Seven, the adventure continues with Seven facing new lessons as his human incarnations struggle with the problems of sanity, free will, and even godhood. In the third saga of this exuberant adventure, Oversoul Seven and the Museum of Time, Seven is instructed to take up residence in a human body while also journeying to the Museum of Time in search of the “Codicils.” The Codicils are eternal truths that bring about the greatest opportunities for vitality, understanding, and fulfillment. The adventures of Oversoul Seven, are at once an intriguing fantasy, a mind-altering exploration of our inner being, and a vibrant celebration of life”
One of the most important & influential books written in the past half-century, Robert M. Pirsig’s Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a powerfully moving & penetrating examination of how we live, a breathtaking meditation on how to live better. Here is the book that transformed a generation, an unforgettable narration of a summer motorcycle trip across America’s Northwest, undertaken by a father & his young son. A story of love & fear–of growth, discovery & acceptance–that becomes a profound personal & philosophical odyssey into life’s fundamental questions, this uniquely exhilarating modern classic is both touching & transcendent, resonant with the myriad confusions of existence & the small, essential triumphs that propel us forward.
How we walk, where we walk, why we walk tells the world who and what we are. Whether it’s once a day to the car, or for long weekend hikes, or as competition, or as art, walking is a profoundly universal aspect of what makes us humans, social creatures, and engaged with the world. Cultural commentator, Whitbread Prize winner, and author of Sex Collectors Geoff Nicholson offers his fascinating, definitive, and personal ruminations on the literature, science, philosophy, art, and history of walking.
Nicholson finds people who walk only at night, or naked, or in the shape of a cross or a circle, or for thousands of miles at a time, in costume, for causes, or for no reason whatsoever. He examines the history and traditions of walking and its role as inspiration to artists, musicians, and writers like Bob Dylan, Charles Dickens, and Buster Keaton. In The Lost Art of Walking, he brings curiosity, imagination, and genuine insight to a subject that often strides, shuffles, struts, or lopes right by us.”
“One day fourteen-year-old Sophie Amundsen comes home from school to find in her mailbox two notes, with one question on each: “Who are you?” and “Where does the world come from?” From that irresistible beginning, Sophie becomes obsessed with questions that take her far beyond what she knows of her Norwegian village. Through those letters, she enrolls in a kind of correspondence course, covering Socrates to Sartre, with a mysterious philosopher, while receiving letters addressed to another girl. Who is Hilde? And why does her mail keep turning up? To unravel this riddle, Sophie must use the philosophy she is learning―but the truth turns out to be far more complicated than she could have imagined.”
Conclusion:
Thank you so much for joining us for this discussion about Metaphysical and Philosophical books on our Reading with Libraries podcast! A special thank you to our Guest Host Amy Schrank!
Join us next Thursday with another genre, more guest hosts for our book group, and more books to share and discuss. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast so you don’t miss a single episode! And if you want to hear more about the work we do in libraries – which is surprisingly fun! – subscribe to our podcast Linking Our Libraries.
Bring your book ideas, bring your beverages, and join us back here on Thursday!