ESSENTIAL READING:
- The Patrimony of Music: A Letter to My Grandpa – I reflect on the priceless musical inheritance my grandfather gave me and how it shaped my life long after he was gone. His love of classical music became my love, and you can see how it was there in almost every important event in my life.
- “La Mamma Morta” – I explore why one operatic aria has moved me more deeply than almost any other piece of music I have ever heard. Through its beauty and tragedy, I reflect on suffering, death, and the mysterious power of art to express what words cannot.
- Is This Not Happiness? – I consider whether the quiet pleasures of reading, music, family, and reflection may offer a richer happiness than the constant pursuit of excitement or success. Looking back on my life, I ask what truly deserves our gratitude.
- Can You Hear It? – I wonder why great music speaks so profoundly to some people while leaving others almost untouched. Along the way, I explore the habits of listening that can deepen our appreciation for beauty.
- “Read to Your Child” – I make the case that reading aloud to children is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give. Books nurture curiosity, imagination, and a lifelong love of learning that extends far beyond childhood.
- “Four Books Per Month” – I explain how reading consistently over many years transformed my education more than any classroom ever could. Small, steady habits eventually become an extraordinary intellectual advantage.
Other Music and Musicians:
- The Soundtrack of Mortality: Beyond Words
- When my father called to tell me my stepmother’s cancer had returned, I instinctively turned to music rather than words to make sense of the news. I reflect on how certain pieces by Arvo Pärt and Philip Glass have become inseparable from my experiences of grief, loss, and the mystery of mortality.
- Chaos and Discipline: What Sets Rock Legends Apart From Classical Musicians
- I compare the very different worlds of rock music and classical performance while exploring what greatness requires in each. Talent matters, but discipline ultimately separates the extraordinary from the merely gifted.
- Why the Piano Reigns Supreme: Ten Fingers, Endless Complexity
- I explain why I believe the piano is the most remarkable musical instrument ever invented. Its limitless expressive possibilities continue to astonish me every time I listen to a great pianist.
- Ecce Homo, The Boss
- I reflect on Bruce Springsteen’s remarkable career and the qualities that have made him one of America’s defining musicians. His songs reveal enduring truths about work, hope, disappointment, and the search for meaning.
- Angela Hewitt Plays Bach
- I explain why Angela Hewitt’s performances of Bach continue to move and inspire me each time I return to them. Her artistry reminds me that great music rewards careful listening for a lifetime.
Other Literature and Reading:
- A Healthy Intellectual Life: Choices
- I reflect on the habits and decisions that have helped me build a rich intellectual life over many decades. The books we choose, the conversations we seek, and the ideas we pursue gradually shape who we become.
- The Critics and Their Discontents
- I examine why critics often provoke strong reactions while performing an essential cultural role. Honest criticism challenges us to think more carefully about art, ideas, and our own assumptions.
- In Praise of UC Irvine’s Humanities Core Class
- I remember a college course that permanently changed the way I read, wrote, and thought about the humanities. Great teachers and great books can alter the trajectory of an entire life.
- My Library, My Daughters; My Legacy, My Life
- I consider what I hope to leave behind for my daughters and why my books are among my most treasured possessions. The library I have built represents not only what I have read, but also the life of the mind I hope to pass on.
- “Daylight Savings Time” Ends: The Rhythm of the Seasons Change, but Exercise and Books Are a Constant
- I reflect on how the changing seasons remind me to appreciate life’s quiet routines rather than resist the passage of time. Books and exercise have become enduring anchors that provide meaning, balance, and continuity throughout the year.
- My Jane Austen Problem
- I explain why one of the world’s most celebrated authors has never fully captured my imagination despite repeated attempts. The essay explores the challenge of distinguishing between literary greatness and personal taste.
- David Copperfield and Breaking Bad: An Experiment
- I compare one of literature’s greatest novels with one of television’s greatest dramas to explore what makes unforgettable storytelling. Across different centuries and mediums, both reveal timeless truths about character and moral choice.
- The Attention Span of a Gnat?
- I worry about how shrinking attention spans are changing the way we read, think, and understand the world. Deep concentration remains one of the most valuable—and endangered—habits of an educated life.
- Concupiscence, Judged
- I reflect on temptation, moral failure, and the struggle to govern our desires with wisdom rather than impulse. The essay considers both the reality of human weakness and the possibility of personal growth.
- Time to Tend to the Inner World
- I argue that cultivating the inner life deserves as much attention as pursuing external success. Reading, reflection, and solitude help me better understand both myself and the world around me.
- The “Natural Candle” of Life-Giving Intellect
- I celebrate the extraordinary power of the human mind to illuminate both ourselves and the world around us. Curiosity, learning, and thoughtful reflection remain among life’s greatest blessings.
- Barbara Ehrenreich, Rest in Peace
- I remember Barbara Ehrenreich with admiration for her fearless intellect and willingness to challenge conventional wisdom. Her work reminds me that honest writing should unsettle, provoke, and inspire readers.
- Norah Vincent Kills Herself
- I reflect on the tragic death of Norah Vincent while remembering the remarkable insight and originality she brought to her writing. Her life raises difficult questions about suffering, mental illness, and the limits of human resilience.
- Waiting for Anna Karenina
- I describe the anticipation of finally reading one of literature’s greatest novels after years of postponement. Sometimes the books we wait longest to read become the ones that leave the deepest impression.
- Reading in the Age of the Algorithm: “Where Do You Live, Richard?”
- I reflect on how technology has changed not only what we read but also how we think and remember. In an age of endless information, I argue that deep reading remains one of life’s greatest pleasures.
- “Daylight Savings Time” Ends: The Rhythm of the Seasons Change, but Exercise and Books Are a Constant
- I reflect on how the changing seasons remind me to appreciate life’s quiet routines rather than resist the passage of time. Books and exercise have become enduring anchors that provide meaning, balance, and continuity throughout the year.