The Ultimate Reading List: Exceptional Articles to Explore
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Curated Reads
To excel in writing, one must immerse themselves in quality literature. This week, I’ve compiled a selection of outstanding articles that will not only enhance your knowledge but also inspire your writing journey.
In my quest for improvement, I've taken to curating exceptional articles from diverse online platforms, including Medium. Each day, I dedicate a few hours to reading and highlighting passages that resonate with me. This process leads me to remarkable insights and unexpected knowledge, which I’m excited to share with you!
This is my fourth compilation—check out Part I, Part II, and Part III. I hope you find them as enjoyable as I did!
Section 1.1: Featured Article: Debt Demands a Body
by Kristin Collier
Imagine stepping into adulthood only to discover you are burdened by a staggering amount of debt—not your own, but that of a close family member struggling with addiction. This compelling narrative explores themes of betrayal and systemic failure, raising the question of how such injustices are permitted within society.
The author conveys the immense toll that debt takes on both mental and physical health, describing her own experiences with chronic illness as a direct result of financial stress.
Sample Passage:
“Thirty-five now, I recall the day I first learned of my debt in foggy, tender detail. I was 21 years old and graduating from college in two weeks. I was just applying for my first credit card, and then an hour later, I was learning that I was a victim of ongoing identity theft by my mother. Debt decides the future for you.”
Section 1.2: Featured Article: Torching for Newts
by Anita Roy
This delightful tale intertwines fascinating facts about the regenerative abilities of newts with the author’s personal journey of overcoming partial deafness. It’s a charming read, perfect for a coffee break.
Sample Passage:
“The palmate newt slithered from Paul’s hand and dropped back into the water with an audible plop. I registered the sound with delight, and a silent prayer of thanks for the miracle of hearing.”
Chapter 2: Exploring Perspectives on Time
In her reflective essay, Elizabeth Dias examines our perception of time, particularly in light of the pandemic. She discusses a clock constructed to function accurately for 10,000 years, prompting us to rethink how we measure time amidst the chaos of COVID-19.
Sample Passage:
“Before, new years were landmarks in progress of a story that was unfolding,” said Jenann Ismael, a philosopher of physics at Columbia University. “Now it feels like lost time, waiting to get back to our stories.”
Section 2.1: Featured Poem: Falling Out of Love
by Sahil Patel
This poignant poem encapsulates the universal struggle of moving on from love. It resonates deeply with anyone who has faced this challenging experience.
Sample Passage:
“Love is like life. Living life seems beautiful, but it’s not always beautiful. Just like that, falling in love is easy, but falling out of love is not.”
Section 2.2: Featured Article: A Self-Editing Checklist for the Exhausted Writer
by Sarah Stankorb
This invaluable checklist addresses the often-dreaded task of editing. The author shares practical tips and relatable sentiments to assist writers in refining their work from draft to publication.
Sample Passage:
“Most writers recognize a first edit may be painful, like reviewing one’s junior high school photos. Both represent a period of ample potential squeaking out in uncontrolled combinations that only rarely can be called beautiful.”
Chapter 3: Understanding the Dangers of Stupidity
In “Bonhoeffer’s Theory of Stupidity Explains The World Perfectly,” Peter Burns delves into the psychology behind dangerous groupthink and its historical implications, from the rise of Nazism to contemporary polarization in society.
Sample Passage:
“For you can fight against evil. Evil gives people a queasy feeling in the stomach. As Bonhoeffer continued, “evil carries with itself the seeds of its own destruction.” To prevent willful malice, you can always erect barriers to stop its spread. Against stupidity you are defenseless.”
Conclusion
I hope you find as much enjoyment in these articles as I did!
And as a bonus recommendation, check out “Lessons From Trees” by Paul Leonidou. It’s bound to bring a smile to your face and deepen your appreciation for nature.
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