12 Maria Popova Recommended Books
Maria Popova is a Bulgarian-born writer and cultural critic who is best known for her website, Brain Pickings. Popova has a degree in comparative literature from Princeton University, and has written for The Atlantic, Wired, and The New York Times. She has won numerous awards for her work, including a Webby and a Smithsonian American Ingenuity Award.
12 Books recommended by Maria Popova
A Rap on Race
Author :Margaret Mead
- Maria Popova"Spectacular and pause-giving in its entirety — the kind of perspective-normalizing read that reminds us both how far we’ve come and how much further we have yet to go." - Maria Popova [Source]
The Republic
Author :Plato
- Maria Popova"I’m actually gobsmacked that this isn’t required in order to be sworn into office, like the Constitution is required for us American immigrants when it comes time to gain American citizenship." - Maria Popova [Source]
Still Writing
The Perils and Pleasures of a Creative Life
Author :Dani Shapiro
- Maria Popova"[The author's] magnificent memoir of the writing life, at once disarmingly personal and brimming with widely resonant wisdom on the most universal challenges and joys of writing." - Maria Popova [Source]
Gathering Moss
A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses
Author :Robin Wall Kimmerer
- Maria Popova"An extraordinary celebration of smallness and the grandeur of life." - Maria Popova [Source]
Desert Solitaire
A Season in the Wilderness
Author :Edward Abbey
- Maria Popova"So powerful, so enduring, so fiercely necessary today." - Maria Popova [Source]
On the Move
A Life
Author :Oliver Sacks
- Maria Popova"An uncommonly moving autobiography." - Maria Popova [Source]
On the Shortness of Life
Author :Lucius Seneca
- Maria Popova"A poignant reminder of what we so deeply intuit yet so easily forget and so chronically fail to put into practice." - Maria Popova [Source]
The Journal of Henry David Thoreau, 1837-1861
Author :Henry David Thoreau
- Maria Popova"A book I continue to consider an existential Bible of secular scripture." - Maria Popova [Source]
Stumbling on Happiness
Author :Daniel Todd Gilbert
- Maria Popova"Explores the sometimes subtle, sometimes radical changes we can make in our everyday cognitive strategies in order to avoid ending up unhappy and disappointed." - Maria Popova [Source]
The Essential Scratch and Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert
Take a Whiff of That
Author :Richard Betts
- Maria Popova"Lovely, and profound, and challenge our existing ideas about sensory experience." - Maria Popova [Source]
On science, necessity, and the love of God
Essays
Author :Simone Weil
- Maria Popova"You will find yourself at once infinitely gladdened by [the author]'s enduring ideas and infinitely saddened by the self-fulfilling prophecy embedded in this particular one." - Maria Popova [Source]
Man's Search for Meaning
Author :Viktor E. Frankl
- Maria Popova"A meditation on what the gruesome experience of Auschwitz taught [the author] about the primary purpose of life: the quest for meaning, which sustained those who survived." - Maria Popova [Source]
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FAQs
Q1: Who is Maria Popova and why are her book recommendations significant?
Maria Popova is the creator of the Brain Pickings blog, known for curating profound and thought-provoking content. Her book recommendations are significant because they offer a unique blend of literary depth and philosophical insights. Some notable book recommendations from her include 'Meditations' by Marcus Aurelius and 'The Diary of Anne Frank.'
Q2: What genres of books does Maria Popova typically recommend?
Maria Popova's recommendations span a wide range of genres, including classic literature, philosophy, science, and poetry. She often focuses on books that offer profound insights into the human condition and the world. 'Sapiens' by Yuval Noah Harari is one such recommendation that explores the history of humankind.
Q3: Are Maria Popova's book recommendations suitable for all readers?
While Maria Popova's recommendations are intellectually stimulating, some readers may find them more suited to those who appreciate deeper philosophical and literary explorations. However, she occasionally suggests accessible and engaging reads like 'The Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
Q4: How does Maria Popova choose the books she recommends?
Maria Popova's book recommendations are influenced by her passion for literature, philosophy, and culture. She selects books that resonate with her and offer profound insights or unique perspectives. Her choices are driven by a deep appreciation for the written word and its capacity to inspire.
Q5: Are there any recurring themes in Maria Popova's book recommendations?
Yes, some recurring themes in Maria Popova's recommendations include the exploration of the human experience, creativity, resilience, and the pursuit of meaning. Books like 'Man's Search for Meaning' by Viktor E. Frankl exemplify these themes, offering profound reflections on life's purpose.
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