Reviews and Comments

Mistakenly thought this was the next installment in the Wayfarers series. It wasn't, but was really good nevertheless.

I feel like there's not a lot I can write about this one without dropping too many spoilers. What I can say for sure is that I thought the themes of #belonging and #impermanence were conveyed extremely well here. The writing was similarly strong to A Closed and Common Orbit, with a few more perspective characters.

#anicca #anitya #interdepencence #interbeing

This hurt me in a good way. Tears flowed. Not recommended for consumption on public transportation or in a café for anyone who is averse to crying in public.

Not only is the story an engaging one, the themes are immediately relevant to the situation we currently find ourselves in and again provide an excellent illustration of how #kindness and #care is not only good to have, but indispensable for our survival.

Listened to the #Booktrack edition again. Pleasantly cinematic like the first, and again like the first, a few of the soundtrack choices didn't quite mesh with the mood of the scenes they were in. Overall, though, the effect was one of augmentation rather than distraction.

I enjoyed this thoroughly and don't think I've ever read anything else which so aptly weaves relatable examples of how to be kind into an engaging story. That said, it's not just a story which is a container for giving examples of #kindness. The worldbuilding seems quite strong and consistent to me and reminded me favorably of Vernor Vinge's Zones of Thought, right down to the way data streams are presented, but containing a lot more admirable behavior.

I listened to the #Booktrack edition, which gave the audiobook a pleasantly cinematic feel. Some of the choices for background music didn't really seem to fit, but in most cases the production was nicely done, especially the sound effects.

I've been trying to get started with a #Zettelkasten for the better part of two years, if not longer. I've read one or two other books on the subject, notably How to Take Smart Notes by Sönke Ahrens, poked around in forums, did some trial and error, and had a clunky, barely functional system. I'm pretty sure that I heard about A System for Writing through someone posting about it on the Fediverse and I'm so glad. Building on the felicitous recommendation of whoever that was, I'd like to take this opportunity to heartily recommend this book by @bobdoto@pkm.social to anyone who, like me, is or has been floundering trying to figure out how to make a working Zettelkasten which they can actually use.

Here's what I found so helpful about the book:

• It's organized really well and is easy to dip back into for reference or reassurance.
• There are eminently practical lists of what to do, what to remember, and what to watch out for at the end of each section.
• His interpretation of the #ZK system is flexible and adaptable to the resources and knowhow one already has. Everything (including reference notes!) can be done on paper, or in one app, or in many, or in another way, depending on one's preferences and needs.
• He explains himself and gives examples which are themselves instructive.
• He clearly calls out his sources and provides detailed endnotes for anyone who wants to dig deeper.
• He gives solid writing advice.

I could probably go on but let me stop here and summarize by stating that the book seems to have every building block I would have needed to get started and then some. My Zettelkasten is still a work in progress, but it's now in a much more usable state thanks to Bob's advice.

Thanks so much for writing the book!

#Zettelkästen #slipbox #slipboxes #notes #notetaking #writing #BobDoto #ASystemforWriting #SystemforWriting #sourcenote #sourcenotes #referencenote #referencenotes #references #pkm

Starts off really well with a good "come and see" tone. The introduction includes a powerful #meditation and #reflection on letting be, letting go, letting in. Maybe it's just the mind-state I'm in today, but it seems like Rick has gotten even more skilled at reading his own work.

#Neurodharma #RickHanson #dharma #neuroscience

This is probably the most generous attempt to transmit the essence of #Buddhism I've ever encountered. While the choice of framework and some of the references Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse makes place him squarely within the #Tibetan tradition, this is a deeply #ecumenical work which reaches across all #Buddhist lineages and traditions. Will all traditions agree with everything he writes? Probably not, but it would be extremely difficult to be even more inclusive while also writing such a readable book.

What might make the book difficult for some is that he is quite direct about poking holes through a large swath of commonly cherished beliefs throughout. I experienced this as clever and illuminating as I would expect from a skilled skeptic debater, but I imagine that some might not appreciate this as a compassionate ripping-off of the band-aid or revealing pulling-out of the rug as I did.

Bonus points to Devendra Banhart for reading the audio version. His calm reading of Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse's writing has the dual effect of making it easier to hear truths which may be difficult to accept while also subtly emphasizing the power and sharpness of Khyentse's rapier wit.

This one is definitely going on my list of books to recommend to the Buddhist-curious or even to those already-practicing #Buddhists who may have a bit more stiffness in their practice than is good for them.