Just do the thing, getting texts from Art, Dostoevsky in love, and more

Seven links to worthwhile thin(g/k)s

Hello dear reader,

Today came with a disheveled start. Not that there was anything particularly unsettling about my morning, but sometimes one is in need of a dire ‘reset’ in one form or another. Mine came by way of a cold shower. Deliberately cold. It woke me up and reenergized me physically, which gave way to mental clarity. Highly recommend taking a norm and breaking it from time to time.

That said,

Here are seven links to bits of the world I have been exploring this week, shared with the hope that you will find them to be an inspiring springboard for deeper thinking.

1. Just do the thing

2. Dostoevsky in Love: Pushkin House has published a new book on Dostoevsky. Writer Alex Christofi explores excerpts from the author’s work and examines them against the backdrop of historical context, paying particular attention to three women whose lives were romantically intertwined with Dostoevsky’s.

3. How to read consistently. Pair it with an excellent book I am currently relishing, Harold Bloom’s How to Read and Why.

4. Interviews: For those who, like me, are fascinated by interviews, 1,000+ hours of uncut, never-before-seen interviews was released by PBS American Masters. Interviewees include David Bowie, Steve Martin, Patti Smith, and others.

5. Art: To Feel Something That Was Not Of Our World, Nina Katchadourian’s first solo exhibition at Catharine Clark Gallery, as an invitation to explore hope under distress.

6. Color: “A visualization of the colors of the objects in our lives over the last two centuries” and the color we may have lost. Also, pair this artistic exploration with Anule Ndukwu’s text bot, which will text you a piece of artwork from the Art Institute of Chicago.

   Here’s what I got:

   

7. Book Notes: Here, you’ll find my book notes and recommendations for further thinking on Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations as I progress through the book. Hope you enjoy!

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Fellow Readers

Last week, I launched a tiny little endeavor to better connect us on this small sliver of the internet (and the world). I was so pleasantly surprised by the responses. (And that you even took the time to reach out!) Each week, I’ll add a response to my newsletter. Drop a line (or a few!) via email to anielizaveta@gmail.com sharing where you are from/how you would introduce yourself.

Your responses will be kept anonymous. Grateful for you. Here’s the first:

Following up on a suggestion in your newsletter, let me introduce myself. 

My name is Jana and I am living in Prague, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. 

I am 29 years old and love reading and literature, that is why I find your instagram account really inspirational. I enjoy discussions about the books and musings.

I studied Hispanic philology and love latinoamerican literature, my recommendation would be anything from Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Jorge Luis Borges, Mario Vargas Llosa. 

Wish you a nice weekend! :)

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Happy weekend, friends!

Warmly,

Ani