Mere Mortals Book Reviews

Let's go on a journey through human history in 500 pages.A glimpse into my love for the book Sapiens, the points that really struck me and how much information can be packed in one book is beyond me.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out!If you would like to support us and grab the book use our link here! https://amzn.to/3vfVfXeTimeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:28) - Synopsis(3:05) - Not a historical book(4:35) - Synopsis, or not(5:27) - Personal observations(10:15) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortals...Discord: https://discord.gg/BeCRYs4ESupport the show

A delve into the thoughts of a great leader, inspiring visionary, a venerable soul, but ultimately just a man.'An Autobiography' by M.K. Gandhi (also known as 'My Experiments With Truth') is an overview of his life from birth in 1869 to 1921. It is split into 5 parts which reflect his time spent studying in England, working in South Africa and protesting in India. It was originally published as a series in a magazine in 166 individual chapters, so contains diverse topics such as dietetics, ethics, weaving and his reasoning behind particular decisions.I summarised the book as follows. "It's a brief glimpse into the life of an extraordinary dude. I really admire certain aspects of his personality but also dislike others. The writing in the book is of high quality but unfortunately autobiographies are not my favourite so this won't make it into my best of all time list. However, I do think it might be great for those who already love the effect that Gandhi had on the world an want to learn more about his personal life."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:40) - Synopsis(4:06) - Satya: Truth & God(6:31) - Ahisma: Nonviolence(11:07) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(15:08) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

I'm finding a common pattern amongst books on this subject that I'm really not enjoying.'The Heart Of The Buddha's Teaching' by Thich Nhat Hanh is an explanation of the most essential ideas, instructions, teachings and guides of Buddhism & the Buddha. It is split into 4 parts with the first two deconstructing the Four Noble Truths & The Noble Eightfold Path and the latter two examining other basic precepts and direct discourses from the Buddha.I summarised the book as follows. "For me, nothing distinguishes this from any of the other Buddhism books that I have read. I found it a bit too disordered and honestly struggled to get through it. It contains all the core info I have learnt from Buddhism but you are probably better suited to gain this knowledge from somewhere like Wikipedia."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:37) - Synopsis(2:51) - The Buddha's Teaching: Core doctrines of Buddhism(8:06) - The Heart: Other basics & discourses(10:21) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(14:55) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Authentically Russian. Depressingly bleak, a touch of divinity and more than a little strange.'The Death Of Ivan Ilyich' by Leo Tolstoy is a collection of 11 novellas, which contain Russian everything (characters, landscape, traditions, culture, etc.,). There is no connecting theme in the stories but they do contain some commonalities. They're told from an outside narrator, have men as the principal characters, contain multiple references to Russian words or Arabic influences and are about everyday interactions.I summarised the book as follows. "These are probably the easiest way to introduce yourself to Tolstoy's 'realistic fiction' without having to commit to an 800+ page book like Anna Karenina or War & Peace. I've never been to Russia but this conforms to most of what I have heard elsewhere about their traditions and culture. There is a strong emphasis on the bleakness and suffering in life, but hey, that's just how Russians roll."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:38) - Synopsis(3:28) - Anguish: Extreme unhappiness due to mental/physical suffering(8:22) - Rumination: The Russian version of introspection(12:19) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(13:33) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Recap timeeee! Yessiree, here's an overview of the 7 books I read (and 2 x book review from Juan) that was posted in September 2021. The standout for me was Candide by Voltaire, very witty and has obviously stood the test of time (it was published 260 years ago!). Most of the rest were pretty solid books that ranged from philosophy to children's books to religion to suffering (both fictional and in real life). Quite a mixed bag indeed.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:37) - Candide: Voltaire(1:45) - The Little Prince: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry(2:57) - Going Clear: Lawrence Wright(4:18) - Lord Of The Flies: William Golding(5:53) - Hiroshima: John Hersey(7:20) - Discourses & Selected Writings: Epictetus(9:18) - The Death Of Ivan Ilyich: Leo Tolstoy(11:13) - Changes coming up in October 2021Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

A dive into the brutality of humanity, but childlike in nature and without the bullshit of politics.'Lord Of The Flies' by William Golding is a boy's dream adventure that takes a dark turn. It begins with an intro to a group of 6-14 year olds who are stranded on a small island without an adult in site. Tensions run high as the responsible tribe formed by Ralph is splintered by the tribalistic Jack. The savagery of human nature and deep seated fear of the Beast is exposed as the hunting progresses. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a tale of day/night, beauty/beast and fun/fear. It takes a real look at human nature by examining us at our most primal, when we are little beastly children. It's a short book but gives you time to get to know each character. Overall it felt like a mix of Robinson Crusoe with any generic children's book (such as The Fantastic Five or Deltora Quest)."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:34) - Synopsis(3:57) - Human Nature: Savagery without sophistication(7:32) - The Beast: A meta-fear that everyone knows(12:41) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(16:11) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Shocking and devastating in every which way.'Hiroshima' by John Hersey details the accounts of 6 survivors from the atomic blast on August 6, 1945 @ 8:15 am. It goes over their injuries, the general chaos, widespread destructive effects, uncertainty of the future, overt heroism on the morning of, and the statistics of the death count. 5 chapters form a timeline of their stories before/during/1 day/3 days and 40 years after their horrific ordeal.I summarised the book as follows. "It's a brief snapshot of an event that changed the lives of so many. This was my second reading and some of the stories were still imprinted on my brain from the first time. Overall it's a short & unemotional recount from individuals, but it will still probably make you as the reader tear up from the sheer tragedy/magnitude caused by one bomb."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:31) - Synopsis(3:06) - Devastation: Severe & overwhelming shock or grief(7:27) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(9:42) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Like most moralising old men, this philosopher will either enlighten you, bore you, piss you off or a combo of all.'Discourses & Selected Writings' by Epictetus are the words of wisdom from a notable stoic philosopher. It goes over his core principles/main ideas through the medium of assertions, arguments and conversations. Like most stoic philosophy, there is an emphasis on making this practical and pragmatic; to provide implementable changes in your day to day life.I summarised the book as follows. "Rome wasn't built in a day and stoic philosophy is not just one guy. After reading multiple stoics I believe you'll find your favourite author, which actually is Marcus Aurelius for me. The core message I got from this is that one should watch their own reactions and to anticipate your emotions before immediately acting upon them. Epictetus is very assertive and somewhat humorous in his stubbornness, a grumpy old man for sure."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:31) - Synopsis(3:28) - Impressions: Noticing the initial reaction(6:40) - Pragmatic Philosophy: Implementing changes in the real world(9:51) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(11:43) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Begone you engrams, let me be the Thetan I was born to be!'Going Clear' by Lawrence Wright is an exposé mixed with the history of Scientology. The first half begins with a bio on the mythical/enigmatic L. Ron Hubbard and his life. The second half is of modern Scientology & its influential figures (such as David Miscavige, Tom Cruise and Paul Haggis). The book explores the beliefs, controversies, internal disputes as well as asking what is a religion? I summarised the book as follows. "I felt it was a fair take on the history and religion of Scientology. It presented both sides of the story and looked into some of the more 'out there' and just plain false assertions of Hubbard and the behaviour of the Sea Org & its leaders. An engaging read considering I don't care much for the topic of religion."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:36) - Synopsis(3:10) - Belief: Faith, fact, fiction or science(8:23) - The Church: What defines a religion?(12:20) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(14:50) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

One of those rare books that appeals to adults & kids alike.'The Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is a surprisingly complex story to convey a simple message. It is a combination of two tales that are intertwined together. One is of an adult aviator who has forgotten how to see the world through the eyes of a child. The other is of an interstellar boy who easily sees the foolishness of adults, but also must learn about relationships and love.I summarised the book as follows. "It's definitely worth of the 'classic' moniker. It has planes, planets in outer space, a bunch of weirdos and a cool fox (what more does one need)! It's a nice reminder to find some childlike naivety and view the world through a new pair of eyes. A very solid book."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:27) - Synopsis(3:25) - Childlike Innocence: The pleasure & pain of youth(7:02) - Life Lessons: Let's add some adult complexity(11:08) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(12:50) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

'Everyone Has A Plan Until Sh!t Hits The Fan' by Tofe Evans looks at the journey from dispair & depression through to success, a focused mind and personal resilience.I summarised the book as follows. "A quaint and straight to the point book written by Tofe. The quintessential self-help book written by someone who just wants to ensure it is read by someone and helps them out to the utmost. Splices his troubles as a young man, getting out of drug addictions and using running as the tool to harden his mind."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out!If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/2WsFZZGTimeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:56) - Synopsis(6:05) - Themes(11:20) - Personal ObservationsConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

An unwavering spirit maybe isn't such a great thing after all.'Candide' by Voltaire is a funny satire on the philosophical idea/theory of Optimism, which was popular during the French Enlightenment. It is a roving adventure of the ever hopeful Candide as he learns about the harshness of the world while chasing his love Cunégonde and spreading the philosophy of Dr Pangloss. His travels take him across Europe, South America & the Middle East with numerous mishaps and encounters with embittered souls along the way.I summarised the book as follows. "It's an absolutely biting attack on the idea that 'all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds'. The humour is fantastic and it can be read lightly as an engaging story containing memorable characters. It can also make you think deeply about ethics and philosophy if you choose to do so. Quite similar in style to Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/2UMfxd9Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:25) - Synopsis(2:53) - Optimism: Insisting all is good when it really isn't(6:05) - Pessimism: Joy in the worst of all possible worlds(8:20) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(12:05) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

'Shoe Dog' by Phil Knight details the journey of Nike's humble beginnings, from the Blue Ribbon Sports, through battling the Fed's, getting thrown out by banks.. the story does not hold back.I summarised the book as follows. "I really enjoyed reading this book, the way that Phil wrote the book himself and allowed the story to shine was excellent"I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Mere Mortals out!If you would like to support the team and enjoyed this review, you can grab a copy using the following link! https://amzn.to/3yEXXWrTimeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:54) - Synopsis(4:30) - Themes (10:05) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(13:40) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Bit of a different episode for you today, I'm outdoors! And indeed I'm giving a recap of the 7 books I read (and 1 x book review from Juan) that was posted in August 2021. The standout really was Catch-22, can't rave about this book highly enough. It will make you laugh and still has plenty of room to bring up some darker themes related to war and the absurdity of politics/bureaucracy. Highly recommended!!I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:21) - Catch-22(1:23) - Heart of Darkness(3:08) - Of Mice & Men(5:04) - The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea(6:33) - Breakfast At Tiffany's(8:44) - Mortality(11:50) - The Cubs & Other Stories(13:35) - The Art of Resilience(14:49) - What's coming up next month?Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

You only have yourself to blame if you get burnt by girls like this.'Breakfast At Tiffany's' by Truman Capote is set in the middle of WWII in glamorous New York City. An unnamed narrator meets Holly Golightly, a young & pretty socialite who lives in his apartment building. Over the course of a year he becomes fascinated with her enigmatic lifestyle and her charisma. The book contains no real plot line and is more of a look at life in the 1940's and of why Holly is such a fascinating individual.I summarised the book as follows. "It's a simple story of a carefree socialite who doesn't learn any lesson in particular. Holly certainly leaves an impression whether it be bad or good. I thought the 'untameable wild animal' analogy used in the books was quite a suitable way to describe her. I'd really like to meet someone like her in person but think that the real life experience might not be as fun as it appears in writing."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here!https://amzn.to/2Wpg5qgTimeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:35) - Synopsis(3:37) - Female Charisma: Beautifully enigmatic with feminine wiles(8:14) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(11:56) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Easily the funniest book I've ever read!'Catch-22' by Joseph Heller is fictional novel set on a US air force base on an island off Northern Italy during WWII. It follows Yossarian whilst he tries to avoid flying missions as everyone is out to kill him. He is joined by a collection of other wacky characters as they all show their peculiar idiosyncrasies. The book highlights the absurdity of army politics, the waste that is generated by bureaucracy and the mundanity of war (with brief flashes of intensity).I summarised the book as follows. "To say this is funny is an understatement. It is absolutely hilarious although it does contain disturbing/gory scenes, as it is after all about war. Catch-22 has become mainstay of the English language due to the absolute perfection of Heller in creating situation of paradox that can't be resolved. One of the best books I've ever read!"I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3zmGbIHTimeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:30) - Synopsis(3:11) - Catch-22: The funny side of paradox(6:58) - The Wastage Of War: Ridiculous, futile bureaucracy in action(11:41) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(15:17) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

"What can we learn from the individual who swam around Great Britain"'The Art of Resilience' by Ross Edgely walks through the strategies for an unbreakable mind and body - right up the Mere Mortals alley!In summary "Simply written, it ties together Ross's learnings while swimming around Great Britain and brings together information that he has sourced through a lot of his travels as well tribulations. The learning summaries at the end of each chapter where nice, but after a while i found myself not reading them. It showed a lot of emotional points as well. Overall solid".I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out!If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/2UT3DyoTimeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:40) - Synopsis(4:35) - Themes(10:50) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(16:30) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

You would have to have a heart of darkness to not feel anything from this tale.'Heart Of Darkness' by Joseph Conrad is a fictional reworking of Conrad's own journey through the Congolese jungle. Marlow (the narrator) is a new captain that must direct his steamboat through the heart of the jungle to relieve agents of the ivory trader. He tells of his meeting with the almost mythical Kurtz, a charismatic madman with high aspirations to become 'great'.I summarised the book as follows. " It packs a punch for something so small. The pace is slow which adds to the heavy atmosphere of malaise & dark oppression. I found myself fearing what Marlow would find as he progresses deeper into the heart of the jungle. Kurtz as a character also made an impression, despite his brief actual appearance. Definitely want to read more from Conrad in the future."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3jqFs3TTimeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:30) - Synopsis(3:50) - Darkness: The horror of the ivory trade(8:23) - Madness: Losing the 'heart' of your ideals(11:54) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(15:09) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

A topic that effects all of us Mere Mortals.'Mortality' by Christopher Hitchens is brief (& somewhat meandering) reflection on dying. Hitch was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2010 and the disease 'battled him' for a 1.5 years before his death. The book is not focused on death itself, but more the process of dying. This includes his thoughts on being in/out of hospital, deterioration of the body and the public perception/reaction to cancer.I summarised the book as follows. "It's a quick farewell to those of us that remain. Christopher seemed like a crazy, cool guy who did what he loved. What it shows is a small snapshot of the horrors that cancer bring to all. A reminder that we all indeed are simply Mere Mortals."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3ykTUhVTimeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:37) - Synopsis(3:34) - Mortality: The state of being susceptible to death(11:27) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(16:06) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

The adolescent Peruvian coming of age story seems a tad more intense than most others.'Cubs & Other Stories' by Mario Vargas Llosa is a group of 7 fictional (but lifelike) short stories mostly involving young men/boys. The titular story is of a boy who is castrated by a dog and then turns into a wild rebellious teen. All take place in Peru with most of them occurring in the capital of Lima. These were written at the start of Llosa's career and were mostly published independently in newspapers before being compiled.I summarised the book as follows. "My thoughts on books that are 'collections' has not altered in the slightest. Due to the quantity of slang this was a difficult read in Spanish and I'm not sure the English version would have been any more interesting. It wasn't bad but there was nothing within that stood out (maybe due to the young age of the author)."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/2WxQHP0Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:33) - Synopsis(2:48) - Young Men: Risk takers due to differing values(5:49) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(7:26) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Lots of mice and lots of men, just what I like in my books!'Of Mice & Men' by John Steinbeck is a short novella about migrant farm workers set in Soledad, California during the early 20th century. Lennie is a mentally disabled 'gentle giant' who accompanies the quick-witted George in their travels. Lennie inadvertently draws in trouble and relies on George to survive. The core themes explore the cruel mercy required to prevent great pain, the rollercoaster ride of hope with dashed dreams & the different types of loneliness.I summarised the book as follows. "This is a quick taste of what to expect in Steinbeck's masterpiece 'The Grapes of Wrath'. It got deep into the heart of each character with minimal words. Will probably leave you a bit sad afterwards and thankful that your life is not like that of those in the book. Short, sharp and stinging."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3mAgKjcTimeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:30) - Synopsis(2:12) - Cruel Mercy: Causing pain to prevent greater pain(6:29) - Dashed Dreams: Life has no mercy(8:39) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(10:28) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

A book where I'm certainly glad the ending got cut short!'The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea' by Yukio Mishima is a story of 3 characters with romantic notions that crunch up against reality. Set in post WWII Yokohoma, young Noboru struggles to accept the courtship and impending marriage of his widowed mother Fusako with the stoic sailor Ryuji. The themes delve into the sentimental honour to be gained with glory and finding meaning in life by dampening emotions to embrace destruction/emptiness.I summarised the book as follows. "All 3 have an idealised emotional perspective of the world which seems to come crashing down, for better and worse. I liked the 3 pronged storyline & gained some insight into Japanese culture. I myself wasn't too put off by the disturbing scene with the kitten, but this isn't for the squeamish."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/38o0xFKTimeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:27) - Synopsis(4:01) - Glory: Honour gained by notable achievements(7:24) - Inhuman: Finding meaning through destruction & emptiness(10:18) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(13:27) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

An absurd, ridiculous tale of dark humour that might just contain some deeper meaning.'Gould's Book Of Fish' by Richard Flanagan tells the tale of William Buelow Gould, an English convict transported to the penal colony on Sarah's Island and who becomes enamoured with ..... fishes! Whilst it contains elements of real life it is dominated by the fantastical events & insanity of the principal characters.I summarised the book as follows. "I hope Flanagan has as much fun writing this as I did reading it. It's a mad tale narrated by a loony convict. So many good points with the unique fish chapters, absurd humour & entertaining characters. The only downside is that I'm disinterested in art/fishes/penal colonial history so the backdrop wasn't my favourite. I do think this book could be amazing for other people though."As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3sXxjHiTimeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(4:00) - Insanity: A reasonable method for sense making(9:13) - Fiction: A vehicle for imparting meaning (rather than truth)(12:53) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(14:39) - Summary(15:30) - Aussie SlangConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Not sure I've read a book full of more dislikeable characters.'My Brilliant Career' by Miles Franklin is set in 1890's rural Australia and recounts the maturation of Sybylla Melvyn from age 16-21. Sybylla's ambition is grandiose and she constantly struggles to deal with her immediate circumstances and believes herself above the indigence of her family. The book is notable for the young age of Franklin upon publication (21 yrs old) and that it has developed into an Aussie classic over the course of 120+ years.I summarised the book as follows. "It's a feminist text from a different time, a capsule into the past. I found Sybylla to be a total brat and conceited/entitled beyond belief. Although most of my observations were critical of the character's personalities I did appreciate the descriptions of the bush, real life qualities of the people & the general glimpse into old rural Australia.As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3sUyJ5bTimeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(3:31) - Ambition: The desire for distinction(7:04) - Adversity: Enduring the tragedy of the times(10:06) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(12:26) - Summary(13:22) - Aussie SlangConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Aussie Aussie Aussie! Books Books Books! Want a collection of some of the best Australian books, I got you covered. I read 8 books this month and 5 of these are considered classics while the other 3 are more modern. I had lots of fun diving into the world of Australian literature and found out that we actually have some good authors, both in the past and present. Worth giving them a check out if you're feeling patriotic!As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Introduction(0:55) - My Brother Jack - George Johnston(3:05) - Picnic At Hanging Rock - Joan Lindsay(8:00) - We Of The Never Never & The Little Black Princess - Jeannie Gunn(10:18) - Gould's Book Of Fish - Richard Flanagan(12:09) - My Brilliant Career - Miles Franklin(14:12) - Requiem With Yellow Butterflies - James Halford(16:15) - Poems Of The Bush - Banjo Paterson(18:20) - True History Of The Kelly Gang - Peter Carey(21:12) - Other Aussie Books I Didn't Get To(23:40) - Aussie Slang(25:20) - The Mere Mortals Podcast Has More Book Related Ideas(26:23) - What's Coming Up For AugustConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

The best way to describe this book is that it's an academic version of the travel memoirs I wouldn't write.'Requiem With Yellow Butterflies' by James Halford is an Aussie book that is non-linear and contains a jumpy back and forth structure. It contains his South American travel memoirs from 2007, analysis of various influential authors and their works plus a present day love story alternating between Brisbane/Mexico City with his Mexican wife. It explores the experiences of travel, the point of literature and the complexities of personal relationships.I summarised the book as follows. "It's not my type of structure but was saved by the cool topics. I am fascinated with travel, South America, books and languages all of which were prominent throughout. Unfortunately, I struggled to really enjoy it due to the compilation style and was just too jumpy for me."As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3sZfEyWTimeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(2:30) - Travel: Why do we do it?(6:53) - Analysing Books: Why do we do it?(10:55) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(15:03) - Summary(16:04) - Aussie SlangConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

It's eerie coming across the literary version of yourself, essentially the same person who lived a different life and made different decisions.'My Brother Jack' by George Johnston is a classic Aussie story about family relations, cultural snapshots, responsibility and dashed dreams. It is narrated by David Meredith and is mostly an introspective story but with the constant play of the polarity between himself and his brother Jack. There are many themes contained within but David's shirking of responsibility and Jack's portrayal as the classic Aussie bloke really jump out.I summarised the book as follows. "It him home hard and was maybe even too close to home. I saw so much of my innate personality in David, basically an alternate Kyrin living an alternate life (& I didn't like what I saw eeeep). It reveals the cultural feeling in the air between the two world wars and the ending left me reeling. A fantastic book that is very close to being in my top 10!"As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(4:21) - Shirking: An avoidance of duty &/or responsibility(9:59) - Old Mate: What makes an Aussie man?(15:33) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(21:12) - Summary(22:16) - Aussie SlangConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

'Innovation in Australia' by Ben Kehoe explores big questions which ultimately land us with a view that we really need a better vision for our future. Can business leaders can play a bigger role? In Innovation in Australia: Creating Prosperity for Future Generations, Ben Kehoe discusses how Australian businesses can improve their rates of collaboration, commercialising our innovative Australian ideas here, rather than shipping them offshore, and how this can increase the prosperity of our nation.If you would like to support the channel and grab the book, find the following handy link! https://amzn.to/3hw8ZbbAs always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Mere Mortals out! Timeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(2:30) - Summary(5:00) - Themes(9:40) - Moon Shotshttps://innovationinaustralia.com.au/Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

So have you solved the mystery of what actually happened at Hanging Rock?'Picnic At Hanging Rock' by Joan Lindsay is a fictional mystery that actually occurs at a real place. We follow the ladies from an Australian boarding school as their ideal day takes a tragic turn for the worse. The book is notable for it's rapid character switching and detailed descriptions of the scenery and unfolding events.I summarised the book as follows. "I was slightly hesitant at first but this book surprised me. It depicts the Aussie way of life with beautiful imagery of the landscape and deceptiveness of everyday mundane interactions all couched in that air of unfolding mystery. From start to finish it will keep you guessing whether it was an explainable tragedy, sinister actions of an unknown party or perhaps even malevolent forces at work."As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3sVdcJyTimeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(2:53) - The Mystery: What the hell happened at Hanging Rock?(5:52) - The Details: Plentiful & descriptive(7:52) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(8:46) - Summary(9:17) - Aussie SlangConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Whilst reading this 'true' history I couldn't tell whether I was confused, annoyed, entertained or disappointed.'True History Of The Kelly Gang' by Peter Carey is a fictional retelling of the famous bushman's life from beginning til end. It's a 1st person narrative told from Ned Kelly's point of view using the medium of letters addressed to his fictional daughter. It tells of his troubled childhood, apprenticeship under Harry Power, the police corruption & circumstances that drove him to a life of crime before the final siege and death of both him and his gang.I summarised the book as follows. "This book has a pretty loose use of the term 'true'. For me it was a mixed bag in total. It really did feel like Ned's words & I would get sucked into the story only to be spat out by a strange phrasing (using adjectival instead of actual swear words) or obvious creations that had nothing to do with the traditional Kelly gang mythology (cross-dressing Irish traditions for example). It's a fascinating history, but for me unfortunately not this version."As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3zsCAJgTimeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(2:34) - A Rebel: Armed resistance to an authority(5:25) - History: A study of the past 'truth'(8:24) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(10:00) - Summary(10:44) - Aussie SlangConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

It's harder to get more Aussie than the poet who created Australia's unofficial 2nd anthem.'Poems Of The Bush' by Banjo Paterson is a picturesque book that combines his descriptive poetry with the colourful plates of Aussie artists. As the name implies, these are 23 of his over 160+ poems that are centred on the Australian outback and its rugged beauty. Two of his most notable works are not included (Waltzing Matilda/The Man From Snowy River) but it does include classics such as Clancy Of The Overflow, With The Cattle and Sunrise On The Coast.I summarised the book as follows. "This is about as Aussie as Aussie can get. It's hard to think of another Australian poet (although that might just be my lack of artistic education showing). It contains a pretty good description of what scenery we have to offer on the inside of our country. I myself don't love this type of nature so struggled to really connect with his poems, but they are decent enough."As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3sY1TjHTimeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(4:00) - The Bush: A rugged beauty(6:13) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(8:26) - Summary(9:00) - Aussie SlangConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

What was Aussie bush life like back over 100 years ago?'We Of The Never Never & The Little Black Princess' by Jeannie Gunn are 2 separate stories (combined into 1 book) of her recollections living in the remote bush at the Elsey Cattle Station in the Northern Territory. The first story is of her maturation into a dependable missus and the characteristics of the people living in the outback. The second story is of Bett-Bett, an aboriginal girl who lives on the homestead for a short period where Mrs Gunn learns of the bizarre and astounding aspects of aboriginal culture.I summarised the book as follows. "It's decent writing and something completely new for me. I found it to be a pretty authentic view of Aussie bush culture, bush folk and of bush land. It gave me a new perspective of Aboriginal customs, both the ridiculous superstitious parts and the fun jovial parts. This book as a whole isn't a gamechanger, but I'm glad I read the two tales."As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3yqkaHJTimeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(4:48) - Bush Folk: Blunt, hard & rough(8:14) - Aborigine Culture: Superstitious & full of surprises(14:30) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(16:47) - Summary(17:22) - Aussie SlangConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Have you ever wondered why you have heard of the mythical place of Shangri-La?'Lost Horizon' by James Hilton is a utopian (although arguably dystopian) fictional adventure of 4 Westerners captured and held against their will. They remain in limbo in the Lamasery of Shangri-La high up in the unexplored mountaintops of Tibet. Although on the surface it seems to be an almost ideal existence there is a suspicious secret that adds a dark side to the tale. There are many themes to explore in the book including (but not limited to): the ideal man/character, disillusionment, East vs West mentality and what happens as we grow old.I summarised the book as follows. "This is easily the best book I have read in a while! Immersed is not a word strong enough to articulate just how deeply I enjoyed this, it really ticked off all my interest boxes. This is highly subjective as it's not a standout for it's prose or style, it's just my type of book. Wisdom & philosophy in the shell of a fun story."As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3zsoqryTimeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(3:57) - The Ideal Man: Unflappable, stoic and English!(7:36) - Disillusionment: The loss of the utopic(11:50) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(13:32) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Hey yo Mere Mortalites! I'm creating a new series that's an overview of all the books I published a book review of in the previous month. I'm also including some dishonourable mentions (books I started reading but subsequently dropped) and extra notes that I didn't include in the actual book reviews. A list of the books I read can be found in the timestamps below.As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro to the new recap(3:14) - Lost Horizon by James Hilton(6:28) - The Essential Chuang Tzu by Chuang Tzu(8:37) - The Old Man & The Sea by Ernest Hemingway(12:32) - The Story Of A Shipwrecked Sailor by Gabriel García Márquez(14:08) - River Out Of Eden by Richard Dawkins(14:22) - Bringing Home The Dharma by Jack Kornfield(15:42) - Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki(17:21) - A Farewell To Arms by Ernest Hemingway(20:08) - Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu(21:39) - Dishonourable mentions(29:49) - What's coming in JulyConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

How much difference can there be from two translations of the same work?'Tao Te Ching' by Lao Tzu is the most influential and well known of the Taoist texts. Traditionally it was thought to be written by a single man named Lao Tzu, although modern day scholars believe it was more likely an amalgamation from multiple sources. It contains 81 verses of varying length and is primarily musings/sayings for contemplation and philosophical purposes. There are multiple translations of this work and your reading of it will depend on if you choose one that is more artistic or more scholarly.I summarised the book as follows. "The Tao Te Ching is a philosophy for a certain person at a certain stage in their life. I think it's good for adding to your own personal philosophy or maxims, as it's definitely not something to find practical/actionable advice. It basically advocates a calm, humble mindset and I found Wu Wei to be a useful concept. I also would recommend reading it with two translations (particularly if one is more scholarly and the other more artistic) as this will give you an enhanced perspective of Taoism."As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(4:00) - Wu Wei: Effortless action(7:16) - The Translations: Scholarly vs artistic(11:18) - Takeaways & Favourite Verses(15:16) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

"If a man was ever capable of making sweet love to the sea, this is the romantic story he would write."'The Old Man And The Sea' by Ernest Hemingway is a quite short novella of an old man (Santiago) and his relationship to the sea. Set in the Gulf of Mexico, it tells of his pitched battle with the biggest catch of his life and his eventual tainted victory. The book explores the way that humans connect with nature and why respect plays an important part in wisdom and old age.I summarised the book as follows. "It's a wonderful story deserving of praise. Just because something is simple or short doesn't mean that it lacks in depth. I'm not particularly partial to the sea or fishing but I can appreciate the ability of a great author to be succinct and make uninteresting topics fascinating. Well worth a read!"As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(3:32) - The Sea: Loving femininity or combative masculinity?(5:47) - Old Age: The giving & receiving of respect(8:42) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(11:11) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

"Never were so many facts explained by so few assumptions."'River Out Of Eden' by Richard Dawkins is a simplified explanation of Darwinian evolutionary theory. It contains 5 sections, all of which provide arguments for why natural selection is true and debunking those of creationists. These arguments are based on the science of DNA (ATCG base pairs), experiments/studies on animals (why bees dance for example), theories about replication/mutation and the utility function that results in a 50/50 gender split across most animal species.I summarised the book as follows. "It's a Richard Dawkins book so you know what to expect, evolution evolution and more evolution! He goes over the basic principles of evolution as well as some common pitfalls of its explanatory powers. It's not too difficult to understand, but I wouldn't say it is particularly easy either. Personally I prefer 'The Selfish Gene' but found this a nice short summary as well."As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(3:34) - Evolution: To answer why why why(6:20) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(8:02) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

What goes through your head when you experience the deepest isolation possible?'The Story Of A Shipwrecked Sailor' by Gabriel García Márquez is a small book and really the title says it all. It's a true story that occurred when Gabo was a journalist in Bogotá and got the chance to interview Luis Alejandro Velasco. He was the sole survivor of a shipwreck and endured 10 days adrift at sea without having any food to eat or water to drink. Some of the themes from the book are about isolation from all human contact and the crushing impact of boredom.I summarised the book as follows. "It's a simple tale of endurance. It reminds me of 'Life of Pi' but without the philosophy and magical hallucinations of Pi. It's not dramatic (which is probably quite accurate) but I wonder what thoughts & feelings were left out of the story. I would recommend this for those who want a linear dispassionate account of a shipwreck and the extra historical backstory of the author, survivor and Columbian government."As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(5:17) - Isolation: An introverts holiday(7:37) - Boredom: The desire for something else(9:24) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(12:02) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Is it worse to die an ignoble death at the hands of your enemy, or those of your 'supposed' friends?'A Farewell To Arms' by Ernest Hemingway is one of the novels that emerged from WWI. It is the main American book as they joined the war relatively late in comparison to many of the other countries. It is a fictional story that tells of the ambulance driver Frederic Henry as he helps on the front line in Italy. He falls in love with a nurse named Catherine Barkley and eventually becomes disillusioned by the whole premise of the war. Stylistically it is notable for the hollow and somewhat clipped narration of events and conversations.I summarised the book as follows. "I found this story to be detached, anti-war and ultimately uneventful. After reading it I came out as apathetic as the Tenente. Stylistically it might have merit for being new but I found the conversations quite off-putting, although the actual story was ok. I feel the were better books from people who spent more time in the war, such as 'All Quiet On The Western Front' or 'Storm of Steel'."As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(3:00) - A Noble Death: Possible or not?(5:34) - Apathy: Where does it come from?(7:02) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(8:48) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

There's a right way and a wrong way to create a compilation book ..... this is the right way. 'Bringing Home The Dharma' by Jack Kornfield is a basic introduction to Buddhism and it's core tenets. It is constructed from Jack's writing taken from essays, publications and other books. Within you'll find Zen quotes, personal anecdotes, stories involving his students and practical advice. There is a strong theoretical component focusing on the teachings/truth of the Dharma and a practical component focusing on the many types of meditation.I summarised the book as follows. "This is probably my favourite of the Buddhism books I have read up to now due to it's depth and profundity. There are many concepts so I wouldn't call it a completely beginner book but is still basic enough to grasp. It highlights the core aspects of concentration, awareness and mindfulness while not being dogmatic or one-sided. Most likely I will come back to give this a re-read at some point in the future."As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(2:57) - Dharma: Teachings and truth(6:38) - Meditation: The tool of many purposes(9:22) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(10:50) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few." 'Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind' by Shunryu Suzuki is a musing on Zen Buddhism, enlightenment and meditation practice. Suzuki Roshi was a populariser of Zen in America and many regard this as one of the finest books on the topic. The core themes centre on the spiritual attainment of Buddha nature and the philosophy behind the practice of Zazen.I summarised the book as follows. "It's a succinct, simple & simultaneously confusing read. It explains the central essence of Zen without all the tradition or religiosity. There are some practical tips for meditation (Zazen) but is more heavy on the spirituality and grand concept of embodied enlightenment that Zen tries to convey. Personally I felt it became a bit repetitive at times and would also say that this book is NOT for everyone, better to have read it with some grounding in Buddhism or the other eastern religions."As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(2:24) - Buddha Nature: The already attained enlightenment within all(4:43) - Zazen: The practice of non-practice(7:29) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(10:34) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

He who knows does not speak, he who speaks does not know. 'The Essential Chuang Tzu' by Chuang Tzu is a 3rd century BCE collection of fables, teachings and stories predominantly about Tao & Taoism. It is a mix of fiction, fact and mythology that includes historical figures such as Confucius and Lao Tzu. It is known as one of the great works of eastern philosophy that contains the seeds of Zen/Buddhism and explains how enlightenment is actually just 'the way'. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a fun work of philosophy but still requires concentration to find the wisdom. It touches upon a serious topic of spiritual importance but does it through humorous anecdotes and with a playful nature. Of all the spiritual books I've read so far this would be my favourite. I'd recommend it for someone wanting eastern philosophy with less paradox then Zen and less religiosity then Buddhism."As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(3:28) - Tao: Accepting what simply 'is'(7:46) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(13:17) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

'Beyond Order' by Jordan B. Peterson is the highly anticipated sequel to 12 RULES FOR LIFE (go check out that review as well in our channel), which has sold over 5 million copies around the world. I summarised the book as follows. "Beyond Order calls on us to balance the two fundamental principles of reality - order and chaos ­- and reveals the profound meaning that can be found on the path that divides them."As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out!Timeline:(0:00) - Introduction(2:58) - Synopsis(4:40) - Key Themes(6:30) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(11:09) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Sharpen your sword & ready your chariot, we're in for an epic adventure! 'The Aeneid' by Virgil is an epic poem that follows Aeneas and his fellow Trojans as they cross 3 continents trying to establish a new home. It contains all that you would expect from this era; seductive princesses, wrathful Gods, strange monsters and grand battles. The main themes that arise from the tale are obligation/dutiful respect and whether fate allows any room for free will.I summarised the book as follows. "This poem is the best of both worlds. The first half contains a seafaring adventure similar to The Odyssey and the second half is of warring armies reminiscent of The Iliad. Perfect for anybody who loves mythology and actually will impart useful knowledge of history &/or geography. Easily my favourite of these three epics due to the character of Aeneas and the two part split."As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(5:15) - Pietas: Obligation & dutiful respect(7:41) - Fate: Is there any room for free will?(10:37) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(13:09) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Would you believe that I'm a shape-shifting lizard who thinks that the Earth is flat? 'Not Born Yesterday' by Hugo Mercier is an argument against the perceived notion that humans are gullible. In the age of fake news, false rumours and conspiracies it is easy to think that we are too credulous. However, Mercier argues that we have developed open vigilance mechanisms which allow us to sort out the incoming communication from other people to let us know who to trust and what to believe.I summarised the book as follows. "It's definitely an 'intellectual' book that requires a lot of prior knowledge of evolutionary science, game theory and behavioural economics. It brought up some original ideas but there may be some dubious studies that were used to support his thesis. The general argument makes sense to me and there are a couple of useful takeaways but it won't revolutionise my thinking."As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(2:54) - Open Vigilance Mechanisms: Accepting the beneficial, rejecting the harmful(9:07) - Trust & Belief: Who to trust & what to believe?(13:54) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(16:59) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

If you want to know more about depression from a physiological, scientific or personal viewpoint, then look no further. 'The Noonday Demon' by Andrew Solomon is part memoir/part tome centred all around the topic of depression. The book contains 12 chapters and is very thick, clocking in at 445 pages of the main text. It has a lot of objective facts related to suicide, treatment, addiction, poverty and history mixed with subjective stories and notes about breakdowns, sad tales, hope for the future and the causes/evolution as seen through the lens of history.I summarised the book as follows. "This is a moving and dense read. It is sort of like the Wikipedia article (in terms of summarising the science) but dives much deeper and with a subjective narrative included. It will give you all the information about depression and you'll probably come away well informed but uncertain about the topic as a whole due to its complexity. Worth reading for the stories even if the science parts become outdated in the future."As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(8:10) - Objective Facts(19:25) - Subjective Stories & Notes(27:15) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(30:49) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

There are some works that seem to be more than just a book, but something entirely strange and new. 'Around The Day In Eighty Worlds' by Julio Cortázar is a collection of stories, poetry, observations, history, biography, recommendations and much more. He mostly speaks of art, writing and his personal influences but doesn't try to say anything explicitly. The book itself contains plenty of photos/sketches/drawings and was originally written in Spanish but contains smatterings of French & English.I summarised the book as follows. "It's strange, it's weird and it's not for me. I read this book in the original Spanish version and had difficulty in understanding due to not only the amount of Argentinian slang but also the rapid changes between stories and languages. To really appreciate the book I believe the reader will need to have an extensive knowledge of jazz, France and foreign authors as Cortázar brings up these topics constantly. Was a useful book and I personally didn't enjoy it but have hopes that I will enjoy some of his other works such as 'Rayuela'."As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(1:46) - Who is Julio Cortázar?(3:04) - Art & Style: Playthings of a cronopio(6:23) - Personal Observations(8:38) - Summary(10:06) - RayuelaConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Want a book that can entertain you, tear you up and make you think deeply all at the same time? 'The Grapes Of Wrath' by John Steinbeck is one the classic works of the 20th century. It describes the migration of the fictional Joad family during the Dust Bowl era as they seek a better future in California. Unfortunately their tale is one of woe and suffering. They face intense discrimination, a dearth of jobs and abject poverty in their quest. The underlying rage and frustration seeps out through this book, which won the Pulitzer Prize and was a primary reason for the Steinbeck's winning of the Nobel Prize for Literature.I summarised the book as follows. "This book really hits home hard. It is entertaining, emotive and impactful all in one fell swoop. Steinbeck creates complex characters that aren't tropes within this huge historical context of mass migration and movement of time, space and lives. Truly deserving of high praise and was duly recognised during its own time and even to this day. Superb in every way."As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(3:37) - Poverty & Suffering: The linked chains of despair(7:47) - Discrimination: Unjustified distinctions on 'whatever'(10:15) - Personal Observations(13:08) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

What does one of the most successful writers of all time have to say about perfecting the craft? 'On Writing' by Stephen King is part memoir/part advice of what he has learned from 52 years of living. The memoir focuses mostly upon his early childhood leading up to the publication of his first book 'Carrie', as well as his near death experience in the writing of this book. His advice reflects his humorous personality and contains some very direct tips (keep it short/minimise adverbs/read & write lots!) and indirect musings (tell the truth/story above all else/care about the language).I summarised the book as follows. "This book didn't bore me, and that is not an insult at all. I am not particularly interested in the writing process or King's style of books but found myself fully engaged with his reflections and ashamed that I have only read one of his books. Reading this book makes you want to be a writer. Would recommend for aspiring writers (obviously) but also for anyone who has a love for language."As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(1:37) - Memoir & Accident(3:48) - On Writing(6:45) - Personal Observations(8:35) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

This time around, I got to indulge myself by reading 'Treasure Island' by Robert Louis Stevenson. Treasure Island, originally named The Sea Cook: A Story for Boys, is an adventure novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, narrating a tale of "buccaneers, buried gold, pirates and mutiny."If you would like to support our channel and grab the book as well, find our amazon link below:https://amzn.to/3w3utjBAs always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(1:25) - Robert Louis Stevenson(2:00) - What is Treasure Island(5:30) - Themes of the book(11:00) - Personal Observations(12:30) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show