How to Read Erving Goffman

Erving Goffman was a Canadian sociologist and writer, most noted for his studies of symbolic interaction and his development of the concept of “dramaturgical analysis.” This method of analysis involves viewing life as a theatre and the interactions between people as dramatic performances on the stage of everyday life. 1. The Presentation of Self in … Read more

How to Read Alain de Botton

Alain de Botton is a British-Swiss author known for his philosophy-oriented books about love, travel, architecture, religion, and more. His works, often based on the ideas of famous philosophers, offer readers practical wisdom for everyday life. 1. The Consolations of Philosophy (2000): In this book, de Botton draws upon the wisdom of great philosophers such … Read more

How to Read Viktor Frankl

Viktor Frankl was an Austrian psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor who developed a new way of thinking about our sense of meaning in life. His work combines psychology with philosophy, offering readers a way to find significance in their lives. 1. Man’s Search for Meaning (1946): This book is Frankl’s most famous work, and it recounts … Read more

How to Read Thomas Hardy

Thomas Hardy was an English novelist and poet, who is primarily known for his contribution to the naturalist movement. His works, set largely in the semi-imaginary region of Wessex, explore tragic characters and themes. 1. Tess of the d’Urbervilles (1891): Hardy’s tragic tale tells the life of Tess Durbeyfield, a beautiful young woman living in … Read more

How to Read Robert M. Pirsig

Robert M. Pirsig was an American author and philosopher known for his exploration of the metaphysics of quality. His books are a blend of philosophical discussion and personal memoir, creating an innovative literary style that brings philosophy to a wider audience. 1. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values (1974): This … Read more

How to Read Thomas Kuhn

Thomas Kuhn was an American physicist, historian, and philosopher of science, known for his seminal work “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions” which popularized the term “paradigm shift.” Kuhn’s philosophy challenges the common assumption that scientific progress is a straightforward accumulation of facts and theories. 1. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (1962): This is undoubtedly Kuhn’s … Read more

How to Read Zygmunt Bauman

Zygmunt Bauman was a Polish sociologist and philosopher who spent much of his career in the United Kingdom after fleeing the anti-Semitic purges in Poland. He is best known for his analysis of the links between modernity and the Holocaust, and the concept of “liquid modernity.” 1. Modernity and the Holocaust (1989): Bauman argues that … Read more

How to Read Haruki Murakami

Japanese author Haruki Murakami’s blend of surrealism, music, and running permeates much of his work, creating a unique style that has cemented him as one of Japan’s foremost contemporary novelists. His work often defies traditional genres, blending elements of magical realism, science fiction, and detective fiction. 1. Norwegian Wood (1987): The novel tells a coming-of-age … Read more

How to Read Julian Jaynes

An American psychologist, Julian Jaynes was best known for his book “The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind”. His controversial hypothesis proposed a new way of understanding the human mind and consciousness. 1. The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind (1976): In this influential book, Jaynes presents … Read more

How to Read Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens (1812-1870): Charles Dickens was an English writer and social critic. He is one of the most recognized authors in English literature and is especially known for his trenchant satire, keen observational humor, and unforgettable characters. His stories, which reflect the harsh realities of 19th century England, continue to captivate readers around the world. … Read more