Welcome to the Existential Roundup, where we bring you links to some articles currently trending that may be of interest to those in the existential-humanistic psychology community.Continuing the theme of the holiday and end-of-year season, I am providing yet another list—this time one of books that came out in 2014 with existential themes that I’m dying to read in 2015 (since of course there was no time to read them this year). Again, without further ado, and again, with the hope that readers will start contributing their own so that this list will grow:
Existential books from 2014 to read in 2015:
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande: This is number one on my “to-read” list. Hearing a medical doctor finally understand the existential reality of death of something that cannot be “fixed” is so refreshing that I’m not even sure why I haven’t devoured the book already. Basing his thesis on three first-hand experiences—his grandfather’s aging process, his wife’s grandmother’s process, and then his father’s struggle with aging, illness, and death—showed him and shows us how the lived experience changes perception and changes understanding.
A Guide for the Perplexed by Werner Herzog: Not to be confused with either Maimonides’ work or E. F. Schumacher’s 1978 book both with the same title, Herzog’s conversations with Paul Cronin appear to display the filmmaker’s characteristic wit and wisdom. In her article on the book, Maria Popova says what we can see from the book is that “Herzog possesses that rare, paradoxical combination of absolute clarity of conviction and wholehearted willingness to inhabit his own inner contradictions, to pursue life’s open-endedness with equal parts focus of vision and nimbleness of navigation” (3).
Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast: Ever since I saw reports of its release, this book has frightened me. How could anyone tell a story about death in the family in cartoon form, in illustration? It seems more paradoxical that I think I may be able to handle. But I know that her cartoons and illustrations are brilliant and insightful so I think I need to face whatever trepidation I have and read this book. I’m betting the payoff will be worth it.
Waking Up by Sam Harris: Another book that fascinates yet terrifies me. As a theistic existentialist and having studied many different eastern and western religious practices, I really want to understand his arguments for “spirituality without religion.” Because religion has historically been so central to the meaning systems for so many, understanding how this is shifting is of the utmost importance to all existential practitioners.
And last (for now), but certainly not least…
Stay Awhile: Poetic Narratives About Multiculturalism and Diversity edited by Louis Hoffman and Nathaniel Granger Jr.: While this contribution from two members of the New Existentialists should go without saying, I’m saying it. Buy it and read it.
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