Jared, this is your best video. I think due to your circumstances and - at least to my perception - the way your delivery has slightly changed, i found your words deeply moving. Good work. I hope this channel takes off and you can continue growing as a modern day teacher and philosopher.
Ecclesiastes is one of my favorite books to retreat to when I am in hard times. Almost a existentialist/nihilistic Christian text that bring me so much comfort.
This is also my favourite book from the Bible , it is indeed very comforting but i wouldn't call it nihilistic since the belief in God and nihilism don't really go together :)
@@YourSocksRock @YourSocksRock Well in the most fundamental sense you are right, however, it certainly portrays a nihlistic ideology but offers a solution at the end of the book, perhaps the only true solution in a teleological sense, which is the abolishment of the meaninglessness and despair of life through a proper relationship with God.
I have gotten great comfort and peace from Pirsig's "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance". Especially as a teacher: "I really hope you have been teaching Quality this year" hits home. Herman Hesse's "Der Steppenwolf" and "Siddharta", And somehow re-reading a part of "the Hitchhiker's guide" always cheers me up. Oh! and anything by Tom Robbins (Jitterbug Perfume!).
Just started that a couple of weeks ago myself. Interesting so far, and I have had to make myself a cheat sheet to keep track of all the character names.
@@greyone40 i'm around page 450 and so far i'm really enjoying it, i'm taking a day or two break right now just to let the parts i've read thus far simmer in my mind.
I have come across a lot of videos of people talking about literature and many are sub-par or pretentious, however, this video and its superb protagonist have left me feeling moved and yearning for more! You're a bright star in an otherwise pretty starless firmament, Jared!
I left my corporate job in 2005, and I've never regretted it. I made a lot more money than I would have if I had stayed in corporate America, and I've had unbelievable experiences and freedom. It was the best life decision I ever made. 15-20 years from now, I think you might feel the same way.
I love how you show emotion in this video. You looked like you really care about these books, and the feelings and experiences you have had while reading them are a deep part of you. Man, I love your channel.
Surprised if nobody has already said this, but Emerson's writings put everything in perspective for me. As Nietzsche said "felt so at home in a book; felt so much, indeed, as if the home were my own".
Thank you, Jared, for everything you do on your channel! It’s so refreshing to see someone providing genuine, practical advice about books, literature, and the real-life challenges people face. Your channel is truly a gem. You’re not flashy, you’re not chasing clicks or views. You’re focused on delivering high-quality content that truly resonates with those striving to improve themselves. Keep up the amazing work, ou’re making a real difference!
As a Christian Minister, who is also trying to revitalize the love for the arts and philosophy among young people. Thank you for your content. It has helped me to often remember how I started on this journey and how to help others start as well.
You have unleashed the beast within you... If it goes this way, you really will have to thank your employer for this for laying you off... You are on your self discovery path mate... I have my best wishes with you.... you are going to rock
Your videos bring peace to a young humanities student all the way over to Portugal, and they also serve as a big inspiration and motivation every day. Thank you. All the best wishes to you!
There are very few earnest booktubers now so I really wish you happiness and good luck, stay true to you and keep enjoying books, if you really enjoy something it is easily conveyed by the lens, no acting needed. There is a wealth of literature hungry readers out there, we don’t want to know how many books you’ve read in 4 weeks rather which books are poignant or emotionally valuable and why, deep dives into these are good, classical literature has lots of fans
Your endeavour is not merely a RUclips channel; it's magic. I haven't even watched this video, but your videos are simply just beatific. इन खूबसूरत पलों के लिए धन्यवाद ।
Not only was your video well executed, I've added alot of new books and authors to my personal reading list to help me go through life purposefully. Thanks Jared!
Thank you for this series Jared...I minored in classics so I really thank you for setting the historic record on Stoicism and the philosophies that preceded it straight and your general overview on philosophy. One thing you said caught my ear: You maintained that Socrates was "innocent" of the charges that were brought against him. I've read some of the Athenian legal background about the "asabeia" charge and...I think Socrates is guilty as hell and, furthermore, I am not sure that Plato's Apology make a lot of sense if he wasn't guilty I've rarely had a chance to debate that (although I did with a philosophy professor once)
I started reading philosophy back when you did the podcast on Apology, and now I have bought that same complete works for my birthday to continue my exploration of Plato. I look forward to reading some of the books in this video and seeing the channel grow more!
I loved "Goodbye Darkness" by William Manchester. I've read it multiple times and I've enjoyed it on Audible, too. William Manchester has passed on, but in life he was a WWII veteran who served in the Pacific theater, fighting the Japanese in places like Iwo Jima and Okinawa. His account is often hair-raising and quite gruesome actually (fair warning), and yet it is also very vivid, sublime and deeply humbling. This is someone who has seen the hell of war, firsthand. His account gave me some perspective, that's for sure. One of my favorite aspects of his story is that even after seeing things and living through things that would leave most of us completely trashed in the brains department, he went on to build a great life for himself after the war; he earned multiple college degrees, got married, had kids and taught at Wesleyan University. He also wrote 18 books. I am amazed at his resilience, and his ability to rebuild after going through so much. I am moved by the power of his example. His writing style is also possessing of a "voice" that I've come to trust. It has a way of pulling you in. His other books are good too, but "Goodbye Darkness" is a book I find myself coming back to over and over again. I can't recommend it enough, but especially to anyone who's going through hard times.
I'm reasonably certain my dad read all his books, he was fascinated/obsessed with the military history WWII in the Pacific. He's gone now, but thanks for giving me a title to hunt for that I could manage. Will I find this one in his collection? Something to hunt for, thanks! (the library has a copy, if not ... )
Canticle for Leibowitz!! Hell yeah, great book. I thought i was one of only two people on the planet who's read it, but youve proven me wrong. Cheers, hope things get a little less stressful for you.
If I ever get to voyage through an RUclips channel of my own that honestly exposes my flawed intention of being "good" and "moral" maybe I'll feel proud of myself. Even through hard times you manage to be an inspiration; for that, congratulations, Jared.
I watched this video and picked up the Chicago University Press edition of "Seneca: Hardship and Happiness." The "Consolation to Marcia" and its discussion of grief really spoke to me. I really recommend it to anybody experiencing loss of any kind.
I like to read my favorite children's books when I'm going through hard times, books like Curious George, the Hardy boys, Matilda and the Snowy Day. They're like an inoculation of joy and optimism . I also dig The Hitchhiker's Gyude to the Galaxy and Wordsworth's poetry. As a fellow Classics man, Marcus Aurelius' Meditations is on my list too.
Yay new video! Just love your videos honestly. And strangely enough, immersing myself in Dostoevsky usually gives me a lot of comfort and peace of mind.
Took the UCBerkeley Latin Intensive over a summer long ago, and afterwards read The Consolation of Philosophy in Latin. It was one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had; one that acted as a kind of balm.
The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery. It's just a little novel, but it brings me so much comfort. I first read it as a young teen, and I come back to it when I am making choices in my life that have me start worrying about other people's opinions of me. The main character is an early 1900s "spinster" hemmed in by propriety, dependent upon her family, and also the butt of their jokes. She gets bad news about her health, which prompts her to take life into her own hands. It's a charming little adventure of spirit. My hot cup of tea in book form. ❤
Just found your channel today and so excited to check out some of these books. I am also thinking of starting a commonplace book. Thank you so much for putting these videos out there.
Yes the dog!! But I loved the fact that he didn’t even blinked when the puppy appeared and didn’t make it the centre of attention and continued his focus on the subject because it was important and “cute comments” on the dog would have made it a tiny bit trivial and “comercial” . The video is great. And he is so involved, emotionally in it. He is profound. He means what he says.
Having an adorable dog rolling around on your couch in your video about getting through hard times -- that might be better than reading!! Watching that!!
When I am feeling down and discouraged, I reread Jane Austen. Tolkien and the Lewis trilogy work, too. Sometimes, rereading old favourites from childhood cheers me up -- The Secret Garden, or even the Narnia books. As you see, I'm looking more for rest and recovery rather than help figuring things out.😊
Loved the Secret Garden❤️ Other pick me up stories that have really stuck with me- Laurie Lee (he was early 20th century Englishman)-As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning - Laurens Van Der post- A Story Like the Wind - Kate Di Camilio- Because of Winn Dixie - Hafiz- I Heard God Laughing Thank you for your recs and honestly🪷
Boethius, I return to once a year or so. That being said, wishing you the best man. Sounds like you're going through a lot and I feel for you as I'm also a philosopher in a corporate world.
This was awesome. It felt like a peaceful conversation i was having with a friend and I genuinely appreciate the recommendations. Off the top of my head i love revisiting the complete works of Florence Scovel Shinn, and Owning your own shadow by Robert A. Johnson.
Thank you so much for sharing this video!! I find a lot of inspirations from this video!! I am also a philosopher turned RUclipsr. I did have an academic job for nearly twenty years. But the way I got my job was pure luck. It just happened that my university needed someone to teach engineering ethics with an engineering background and I was there at the right time with the right qualifications. However, as much as I enjoyed the teaching and research, the work was very demanding and exhausting leaving little time to get to know my students and help them except the few who sought me out for help! I find more fulfilment in making videos and talk about what I am interested now!! The books I usually read for hard time are Tao Te Ching/ Dao De Jing and Chuang Tzu/Zhuangzi. These are the key texts for Taoism philosophy. I actually made a few videos about Chuang Tzu/Zhuangzi.
I read seneca as well when I got laid off. It was one of the best decisions of my life. Seneca was able to put my mind and heart to peace and satisfaction. Highly recommend.
Hi Jared. First, I should say that I'm confident that you'll figure out your way through this phase. You're such a thoughtful person, and anyone who has an accurate understanding of reality is bound to succeed in this world eventually. Regarding the books that inspire me during tough times: I like David Whyte's book "essentials". I also like "The Heart of Awareness: a translation of Ashtavakra Gita" by Thomas Byrom
You deserve a good friend sir. There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West. Take heart. There is light and beauty up there no shadow can touch.
Here's the first words of an ad that played immediately after your video. "I'm going to show you how to write a book in an hour with this new Ai tool." I couldn't help but laugh. Weird times.
I would say the Bible, but then also comfort reads like Jane Austen. Wendell Berry’s poetry is excellent. I would also say Saint Augustine’s Confessions. Also, when I am stressed reading Agatha Christie is fun.
To Thucidides' Peloponnesian War, which this way and that reminds me that people (me, you) tend to do what we have the power to do and bear what we must, at most.
Right now I am plowing through Emily Wilson's translation of The Iliad. Beautiful reading. And some of Sylvia Plath's poetry written about the Yorkshire Moors.
14:11 I am so happy that you mention how much you loved The Dispossessed! I am working through the Hainish Cycle currently and I really liked it more than The Left Hand of Darkness. It doesn’t seem to be a popular opinion right now.
"Meditations of Marcus Aurelius" usually works for me, as well as Epictetus and Lucretius. Also, anything by St Augustine of Hippo. Maybe that's just the Roman Catholic in me, but there's something calming about communing with the mind of a man who seems genuinely interested in the common ground between faith and philosophy.
This is so good. Thank you for the recommendations. I am also going through some difficult career-related struggles at the moment and looking for sustenance.
Boethius has been on my list for a bit! Reminded about how keen I am to get to it after listening to you talk about it :) Just found your channel today and subscribed. Really enjoying what you have to say
I'm a scholar in a field disposed to depression and when I'm down I fall back on Nietzsche. I've simply never encountered a philosophy more aggressively life-affirming and aesthetically beautiful than Nietzsche's project from Birth of Tragedy to Ecce Homo/Contra Wagner. I must have read Daybreak and Gay Science 10+ times each by now. Moving away from the desire to see or create a moral order in the world, in favour of an aesthetic affirmation of life in its totality, has been emotionally liberating.
I cannot believe that there are so little comments about THE DOG at the background. I absolutely loved that content is still very Jared, but it is delivered in less polished way. I have a plan to read A canticle next or this year. Also got hooked with the Intellectual life description. Thank you for your amazing work!
Jared saying "Achieving some kind of peace through philosophy - that's the dream." At the exact moment his sweetie doggy settles in his/her favourite spot to demonstrate how it's done.
Thanks for the video, Jared. I feel like I’ve got the golden handcuffs on myself. Much of my time and energy is spent working on things that I don’t hate but don’t love either. All so I can make time for the things that feed my soul. While I definitely empathize with your recent predicament of being laid off (and can attest that it is not fun), part of me wishes for this forced push into freedom. I picked up “The Intellectual Life” on your recommendation. Looking forward to getting that in the mail. Thank you as always for the insightful video. Books have often seen me through some choppy waters as well.
Erich Fromm's 'The Art Of Loving', Brad Warner's 'Sit Down And Shut Up' are books I've re-read when circumstances made me feel like I needed them again.
I always find myself going back to Dr Viktor Frankl’s work when faced with feelings of hopelessness, despair or being lost. Particularly Man’s search for meaning.
Hey I really liked your video about Stoicism and would enjoy a similar one on Neoplatonism! I study History and it has come up a few times but I haven't fully understood what it is all about yet. I think that would be interesting to understand philosophy in Late Antiquity & the Middle Ages and Christianity better. Thanks in advance!
Catcher in the rye oddly enough, not so much for the book itself or the story. But that was the first time one of my English teacher in high school actually took notice of my interests based off of my answers to questions about the story.
I would like to share two books that are really good for coping with life. "Life Is Hard: How Philosophy Can Help Us Find Our Way" by Kieran Setiya "The Road Less Traveled" by M. Scott Peck "Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult-once we truly understand and accept it-then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters." M. Scott Peck To recognise that life is hard, could be a very freeing experience. When we stop having great expectations and just try do to our best and develop ourselves intellectually and mentally, then we potentially could be at peace and living a contented life.
In Parfit's _Reasons and Persons_ are a lot of thought experiments about why should we value future happiness over past happiness, or why should we value our own happiness over happiness that other people experience. It's laborious reading, and I don't hold to consequentialism as a theory, but a lot in that book to think about. And amen to Canticle for Liebowitz!
Saw the title "These books get me through hard times" and immediately recognized the book cover art. I thought I gotta subscribe to this guy's channel. Also ex academic. Thank you for your videos.
Thank you for this video and wish you the best. Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning has been a go-to for time in trying times, as has been Dostoevsky's writings.
incredible video. I have watched some of your videos piecemeal, but this made me subscribe. absolutely amazing discussion with so much depth to it, makes me want to respond to you and converse about what everything you mentioned. can't wait to see more from you.
Thanks for the video man! Can’t wait to read your writing. For me, personally, I read Schopenhauer when I’m down, which sounds like maybe it would make shit worse, but it actually makes me feel better, about my mindset and how I see things, like talking with a close friend. Good vid!
I was recently gifted Jayber Crow and That Distant Land, my introduction to Wendell Berry, and even more recently I purchased The Peace of Wild Things. I never really "got" poetry growing up but in the last few years, as I'm nearing 40, I've tried to make a stronger effort among many things to appreciate poetry more and I thought TPoWT would be a good choice. I was right. I'm usually bad about bringing too many things with me on trips like 2-4 books, 2-4 of which I do not read, but this long weekend that we spent camping I successfully grabbed ONE book, The Peace of Wild Things, that was perfect addition to relaxing, drinking my morning coffee, and journaling by the Ochlocknee River.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Jared, this is your best video. I think due to your circumstances and - at least to my perception - the way your delivery has slightly changed, i found your words deeply moving. Good work. I hope this channel takes off and you can continue growing as a modern day teacher and philosopher.
Funny, because there's actually a lot of value in academics coming out of the university system and coming to make videos !
I agree with you. this is a great video by Jared. He seems more relaxed and (even t hough we don't know him) I imagine, he seems more himself.
don't be fooled, it's just the mic
During hard times I read the very hungry caterpillar.
❤
When the world is really dark, my go to book is Little White Dogs Can't Jump.
During hard times i read hentai
@@armitageshanks2499lol I understand the reference
I read children’s books for comfort quite frequently. The world is too complicated, and I just need to stop and breathe.
Ecclesiastes is one of my favorite books to retreat to when I am in hard times. Almost a existentialist/nihilistic Christian text that bring me so much comfort.
This is also my favourite book from the Bible , it is indeed very comforting but i wouldn't call it nihilistic since the belief in God and nihilism don't really go together :)
@@YourSocksRock @YourSocksRock Well in the most fundamental sense you are right, however, it certainly portrays a nihlistic ideology but offers a solution at the end of the book, perhaps the only true solution in a teleological sense, which is the abolishment of the meaninglessness and despair of life through a proper relationship with God.
@@ExistentialChristian yes exactly, very well put. i'm afraid english is not my first language and i couldn't have said it better :)
*Jewish
I love your adorable doggo rolling around on your couch!
Excellent supporting performance from the canine friend on the sofa in the background
I was thinking the same. Comfort dog for the win!
I have gotten great comfort and peace from Pirsig's "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance". Especially as a teacher: "I really hope you have been teaching Quality this year" hits home. Herman Hesse's "Der Steppenwolf" and "Siddharta", And somehow re-reading a part of "the Hitchhiker's guide" always cheers me up. Oh! and anything by Tom Robbins (Jitterbug Perfume!).
Having a hard time right now and Dostoyevsky's TBK is bringing me comfort.
Just started that a couple of weeks ago myself. Interesting so far, and I have had to make myself a cheat sheet to keep track of all the character names.
@@greyone40 i'm around page 450 and so far i'm really enjoying it, i'm taking a day or two break right now just to let the parts i've read thus far simmer in my mind.
CP puts things into perspective for me, as does Hard Times and The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist
This is the only fiction novel I reread, just the chapters of Alyosha...
@@estranhaformadevida51 Alysha is incredible, no doubt.
I have come across a lot of videos of people talking about literature and many are sub-par or pretentious, however, this video and its superb protagonist have left me feeling moved and yearning for more! You're a bright star in an otherwise pretty starless firmament, Jared!
I left my corporate job in 2005, and I've never regretted it. I made a lot more money than I would have if I had stayed in corporate America, and I've had unbelievable experiences and freedom. It was the best life decision I ever made. 15-20 years from now, I think you might feel the same way.
Good for you
What did you end up doing?
@@joeyes4178 Lots of stuff. Search engine marketing, owned a bookstore, did some consulting...
@@joeyes4178^ This would be super helpful for us who are younger (and for anyone) to know what you did!
What do you do now?
Your voice is soothing and meditative. Thank you for uploading these videos.
I love how you show emotion in this video. You looked like you really care about these books, and the feelings and experiences you have had while reading them are a deep part of you. Man, I love your channel.
Surprised if nobody has already said this, but Emerson's writings put everything in perspective for me. As Nietzsche said "felt so at home in a book; felt so much, indeed, as if the home were my own".
Thankyou.
Thank you, Jared, for everything you do on your channel! It’s so refreshing to see someone providing genuine, practical advice about books, literature, and the real-life challenges people face. Your channel is truly a gem. You’re not flashy, you’re not chasing clicks or views. You’re focused on delivering high-quality content that truly resonates with those striving to improve themselves. Keep up the amazing work, ou’re making a real difference!
As a Christian Minister, who is also trying to revitalize the love for the arts and philosophy among young people. Thank you for your content. It has helped me to often remember how I started on this journey and how to help others start as well.
You have unleashed the beast within you... If it goes this way, you really will have to thank your employer for this for laying you off... You are on your self discovery path mate...
I have my best wishes with you.... you are going to rock
Always good to see you talking books Jared. Would enjoy a 'Top 10 contemporary works of fiction you MUST read' video.
Your videos bring peace to a young humanities student all the way over to Portugal, and they also serve as a big inspiration and motivation every day. Thank you. All the best wishes to you!
Don't let the fear guide you Jared. We are will hoping you shine!
I recommend "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl, as well as Michael Newton's books "Journey of Souls" and "Destiny of Souls".
There are very few earnest booktubers now so I really wish you happiness and good luck, stay true to you and keep enjoying books, if you really enjoy something it is easily conveyed by the lens, no acting needed. There is a wealth of literature hungry readers out there, we don’t want to know how many books you’ve read in 4 weeks rather which books are poignant or emotionally valuable and why, deep dives into these are good, classical literature has lots of fans
Your endeavour is not merely a RUclips channel; it's magic. I haven't even watched this video, but your videos are simply just beatific. इन खूबसूरत पलों के लिए धन्यवाद ।
Thanks
The Consolation of Philosophy in the thumbnail, therefore I must like
Very useful, thanks!
Not only was your video well executed, I've added alot of new books and authors to my personal reading list to help me go through life purposefully. Thanks Jared!
Thank you for this series Jared...I minored in classics so I really thank you for setting the historic record on Stoicism and the philosophies that preceded it straight and your general overview on philosophy.
One thing you said caught my ear: You maintained that Socrates was "innocent" of the charges that were brought against him. I've read some of the Athenian legal background about the "asabeia" charge and...I think Socrates is guilty as hell and, furthermore, I am not sure that Plato's Apology make a lot of sense if he wasn't guilty
I've rarely had a chance to debate that (although I did with a philosophy professor once)
I started reading philosophy back when you did the podcast on Apology, and now I have bought that same complete works for my birthday to continue my exploration of Plato. I look forward to reading some of the books in this video and seeing the channel grow more!
I loved "Goodbye Darkness" by William Manchester. I've read it multiple times and I've enjoyed it on Audible, too. William Manchester has passed on, but in life he was a WWII veteran who served in the Pacific theater, fighting the Japanese in places like Iwo Jima and Okinawa. His account is often hair-raising and quite gruesome actually (fair warning), and yet it is also very vivid, sublime and deeply humbling. This is someone who has seen the hell of war, firsthand. His account gave me some perspective, that's for sure. One of my favorite aspects of his story is that even after seeing things and living through things that would leave most of us completely trashed in the brains department, he went on to build a great life for himself after the war; he earned multiple college degrees, got married, had kids and taught at Wesleyan University. He also wrote 18 books. I am amazed at his resilience, and his ability to rebuild after going through so much. I am moved by the power of his example. His writing style is also possessing of a "voice" that I've come to trust. It has a way of pulling you in. His other books are good too, but "Goodbye Darkness" is a book I find myself coming back to over and over again. I can't recommend it enough, but especially to anyone who's going through hard times.
I'm reasonably certain my dad read all his books, he was fascinated/obsessed with the military history WWII in the Pacific. He's gone now, but thanks for giving me a title to hunt for that I could manage. Will I find this one in his collection? Something to hunt for, thanks! (the library has a copy, if not ... )
Canticle for Leibowitz!! Hell yeah, great book. I thought i was one of only two people on the planet who's read it, but youve proven me wrong. Cheers, hope things get a little less stressful for you.
4 people now
If I ever get to voyage through an RUclips channel of my own that honestly exposes my flawed intention of being "good" and "moral" maybe I'll feel proud of myself. Even through hard times you manage to be an inspiration; for that, congratulations, Jared.
I like Diogenes quotes because, like your dog in the background, he just gets it and doesn't need to over think it.
😂 your comment made my day
Dogs & books!! No wonder I relate to your messages. Thank you! ❤
I watched this video and picked up the Chicago University Press edition of "Seneca: Hardship and Happiness." The "Consolation to Marcia" and its discussion of grief really spoke to me. I really recommend it to anybody experiencing loss of any kind.
I like to read my favorite children's books when I'm going through hard times, books like Curious George, the Hardy boys, Matilda and the Snowy Day. They're like an inoculation of joy and optimism . I also dig The Hitchhiker's Gyude to the Galaxy and Wordsworth's poetry. As a fellow Classics man, Marcus Aurelius' Meditations is on my list too.
Yay new video! Just love your videos honestly. And strangely enough, immersing myself in Dostoevsky usually gives me a lot of comfort and peace of mind.
Took the UCBerkeley Latin Intensive over a summer long ago, and afterwards read The Consolation of Philosophy in Latin. It was one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had; one that acted as a kind of balm.
I just finished A Canticle for Leibowitz yesterday and tweeted about it. It's even better the second time around.👍🏻
I would love to see your library one day of all these books!
That video was from the heart man. Keep up the great work! Also your dog in the background gave me a good laugh 😂
sincere and thoughtful insights. thank you.
The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery. It's just a little novel, but it brings me so much comfort. I first read it as a young teen, and I come back to it when I am making choices in my life that have me start worrying about other people's opinions of me. The main character is an early 1900s "spinster" hemmed in by propriety, dependent upon her family, and also the butt of their jokes. She gets bad news about her health, which prompts her to take life into her own hands. It's a charming little adventure of spirit. My hot cup of tea in book form. ❤
Just found your channel today and so excited to check out some of these books. I am also thinking of starting a commonplace book. Thank you so much for putting these videos out there.
love the videos. So simple yet so complete .thank you for the time you spend for making such a content.
Good luck. Your videos always give me comfort!
This video was suggested to me and I have now subscribed to the channel. Thanks!
I honestly read A Song of Ice and Fire. It's my favorite series and it always makes me feel good and it absorbs me into it. I love it.
I read books that I read during my childhood 💛 Recently, Notes from Underground was a life-saver ❤🔥
Your dog in background😊😊
I enjoyed seeing the pup as well. 🐾
@@kimclenard I love my pets..
Yes the dog!! But I loved the fact that he didn’t even blinked when the puppy appeared and didn’t make it the centre of attention and continued his focus on the subject because it was important and “cute comments” on the dog would have made it a tiny bit trivial and “comercial” . The video is great. And he is so involved, emotionally in it. He is profound. He means what he says.
Best wishes and happy reading.
Having an adorable dog rolling around on your couch in your video about getting through hard times -- that might be better than reading!! Watching that!!
The books blindness, and seeing by José Saramago have become staples in my backpack, and this reminds me that I need to get new copies
Love this, thank you stranger
When I am feeling down and discouraged, I reread Jane Austen. Tolkien and the Lewis trilogy work, too. Sometimes, rereading old favourites from childhood cheers me up -- The Secret Garden, or even the Narnia books. As you see, I'm looking more for rest and recovery rather than help figuring things out.😊
Shout out to the Secret Garden.
Loved the Secret Garden❤️
Other pick me up stories that have really stuck with me-
Laurie Lee (he was early 20th century Englishman)-As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning
- Laurens Van Der post- A Story Like the Wind
- Kate Di Camilio- Because of Winn Dixie
- Hafiz- I Heard God Laughing
Thank you for your recs and honestly🪷
@@karenslaughing Love Hafiz! 😊
Boethius, I return to once a year or so.
That being said, wishing you the best man. Sounds like you're going through a lot and I feel for you as I'm also a philosopher in a corporate world.
This was awesome. It felt like a peaceful conversation i was having with a friend and I genuinely appreciate the recommendations. Off the top of my head i love revisiting the complete works of Florence Scovel Shinn, and Owning your own shadow by Robert A. Johnson.
Thank you so much for sharing this video!! I find a lot of inspirations from this video!! I am also a philosopher turned RUclipsr. I did have an academic job for nearly twenty years. But the way I got my job was pure luck. It just happened that my university needed someone to teach engineering ethics with an engineering background and I was there at the right time with the right qualifications. However, as much as I enjoyed the teaching and research, the work was very demanding and exhausting leaving little time to get to know my students and help them except the few who sought me out for help! I find more fulfilment in making videos and talk about what I am interested now!! The books I usually read for hard time are Tao Te Ching/ Dao De Jing and Chuang Tzu/Zhuangzi. These are the key texts for Taoism philosophy. I actually made a few videos about Chuang Tzu/Zhuangzi.
Books are some of the best friends i ever had.
I read seneca as well when I got laid off. It was one of the best decisions of my life. Seneca was able to put my mind and heart to peace and satisfaction. Highly recommend.
Thank you for the content that you make.
Hi Jared. First, I should say that I'm confident that you'll figure out your way through this phase. You're such a thoughtful person, and anyone who has an accurate understanding of reality is bound to succeed in this world eventually.
Regarding the books that inspire me during tough times: I like David Whyte's book "essentials". I also like "The Heart of Awareness: a translation of Ashtavakra Gita" by Thomas Byrom
Jared, your video cheered me up, thank you
I need a friend like you. Or to say it in a somewhat improbable (as far as the possibility of it happening) way: I need you as a friend, man.
You deserve a good friend sir. There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West. Take heart. There is light and beauty up there no shadow can touch.
Here's the first words of an ad that played immediately after your video. "I'm going to show you how to write a book in an hour with this new Ai tool." I couldn't help but laugh. Weird times.
I would say the Bible, but then also comfort reads like Jane Austen. Wendell Berry’s poetry is excellent. I would also say Saint Augustine’s Confessions. Also, when I am stressed reading Agatha Christie is fun.
reading on the shortness of life gave me wisdom 12 years of schooling could not give me
Schooling is not supposed to give you wisdom.
To Thucidides' Peloponnesian War, which this way and that reminds me that people (me, you) tend to do what we have the power to do and bear what we must, at most.
Right now I am plowing through Emily Wilson's translation of The Iliad. Beautiful reading. And some of Sylvia Plath's poetry written about the Yorkshire Moors.
14:11 I am so happy that you mention how much you loved The Dispossessed! I am working through the Hainish Cycle currently and I really liked it more than The Left Hand of Darkness. It doesn’t seem to be a popular opinion right now.
@@booksnphilosophy If nothing else, try reading the short stories, or Five Ways of Forgiveness! They’re beautiful!
I also love The Peace of Wild Things. Thanks for your recommendations.
Thank you for the video! For me, it's Tolstoy's War and Peace, really brings me peace whenever I pick it up.
What happens if you read it?
I love your channel. Keep up the great work.
"Meditations of Marcus Aurelius" usually works for me, as well as Epictetus and Lucretius. Also, anything by St Augustine of Hippo. Maybe that's just the Roman Catholic in me, but there's something calming about communing with the mind of a man who seems genuinely interested in the common ground between faith and philosophy.
This is so good. Thank you for the recommendations. I am also going through some difficult career-related struggles at the moment and looking for sustenance.
2 books come to mind for me... Bhagavad Gita and Siddhartha.
Boethius has been on my list for a bit! Reminded about how keen I am to get to it after listening to you talk about it :) Just found your channel today and subscribed. Really enjoying what you have to say
I'm a scholar in a field disposed to depression and when I'm down I fall back on Nietzsche. I've simply never encountered a philosophy more aggressively life-affirming and aesthetically beautiful than Nietzsche's project from Birth of Tragedy to Ecce Homo/Contra Wagner. I must have read Daybreak and Gay Science 10+ times each by now. Moving away from the desire to see or create a moral order in the world, in favour of an aesthetic affirmation of life in its totality, has been emotionally liberating.
I cannot believe that there are so little comments about THE DOG at the background. I absolutely loved that content is still very Jared, but it is delivered in less polished way. I have a plan to read A canticle next or this year. Also got hooked with the Intellectual life description. Thank you for your amazing work!
My go to is Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
i love your videos
thank you so much
Jared saying "Achieving some kind of peace through philosophy - that's the dream." At the exact moment his sweetie doggy settles in his/her favourite spot to demonstrate how it's done.
Thank you for the great content. It was very informative and well-presented.
Thanks for the video, Jared. I feel like I’ve got the golden handcuffs on myself. Much of my time and energy is spent working on things that I don’t hate but don’t love either. All so I can make time for the things that feed my soul.
While I definitely empathize with your recent predicament of being laid off (and can attest that it is not fun), part of me wishes for this forced push into freedom.
I picked up “The Intellectual Life” on your recommendation. Looking forward to getting that in the mail. Thank you as always for the insightful video. Books have often seen me through some choppy waters as well.
Erich Fromm's 'The Art Of Loving', Brad Warner's 'Sit Down And Shut Up' are books I've re-read when circumstances made me feel like I needed them again.
Love Brad Warner!
I always find myself going back to Dr Viktor Frankl’s work when faced with feelings of hopelessness, despair or being lost. Particularly Man’s search for meaning.
Yes! "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl is the best!
love love these sorts of videos.
Thanks to you, Jared, I read A Canticle for Leibowitz. what a grweat book about resilience. Thanks for the suggestion.
I was excited to see you were going to talk about Boethius ! Thanks
Hey I really liked your video about Stoicism and would enjoy a similar one on Neoplatonism! I study History and it has come up a few times but I haven't fully understood what it is all about yet. I think that would be interesting to understand philosophy in Late Antiquity & the Middle Ages and Christianity better. Thanks in advance!
Catcher in the rye oddly enough, not so much for the book itself or the story. But that was the first time one of my English teacher in high school actually took notice of my interests based off of my answers to questions about the story.
This is also the very first book on philosophy I ever took the time to read myself. Shout out to my local library
I would like to share two books that are really good for coping with life.
"Life Is Hard: How Philosophy Can Help Us Find Our Way" by Kieran Setiya
"The Road Less Traveled" by M. Scott Peck
"Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult-once we truly understand and accept it-then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters."
M. Scott Peck
To recognise that life is hard, could be a very freeing experience. When we stop having great expectations and just try do to our best and develop ourselves intellectually and mentally, then we potentially could be at peace and living a contented life.
I go back to Augusten Burroughs when I'm having a hard time. He's gotten me through a lot.
In Parfit's _Reasons and Persons_ are a lot of thought experiments about why should we value future happiness over past happiness, or why should we value our own happiness over happiness that other people experience. It's laborious reading, and I don't hold to consequentialism as a theory, but a lot in that book to think about. And amen to Canticle for Liebowitz!
Saw the title "These books get me through hard times" and immediately recognized the book cover art. I thought I gotta subscribe to this guy's channel. Also ex academic. Thank you for your videos.
Thank you for this video and wish you the best. Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning has been a go-to for time in trying times, as has been Dostoevsky's writings.
incredible video. I have watched some of your videos piecemeal, but this made me subscribe. absolutely amazing discussion with so much depth to it, makes me want to respond to you and converse about what everything you mentioned. can't wait to see more from you.
Thanks for the video man! Can’t wait to read your writing.
For me, personally, I read Schopenhauer when I’m down, which sounds like maybe it would make shit worse, but it actually makes me feel better, about my mindset and how I see things, like talking with a close friend.
Good vid!
I totally understand.
I was recently gifted Jayber Crow and That Distant Land, my introduction to Wendell Berry, and even more recently I purchased The Peace of Wild Things. I never really "got" poetry growing up but in the last few years, as I'm nearing 40, I've tried to make a stronger effort among many things to appreciate poetry more and I thought TPoWT would be a good choice. I was right.
I'm usually bad about bringing too many things with me on trips like 2-4 books, 2-4 of which I do not read, but this long weekend that we spent camping I successfully grabbed ONE book, The Peace of Wild Things, that was perfect addition to relaxing, drinking my morning coffee, and journaling by the Ochlocknee River.
Exceptional effort, thank you for this video.
Your dog has amazing ears!
I agree with other commenters -- this is one of your best videos. It is personal.