Wonders Untold

A blog about life, arts and culture

Of life, arts and culture.

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Quiet, by Susan Cain

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Recently been re-reading Quiet.

I first read it several years ago. So many new insights I’m picking up this time.

Of course, re-reading a book often provides new revelations. In the case of Quiet, I think it’s due to increased self-awareness. Some things I glossed over in the past have now taken on much significance. Perhaps it’s because, thanks to increased self-knowledge, some things have become clearer. Or maybe new life experiences have sparked recognition in old places.

Whatever the reason, this book is coming alive in different ways. I still identify with much of what I read before, but these new revelations are precious as well.

I’m sure I will discover more insights when I re-read this book again, a few years down the road. To me, that’s the hallmark of a great book – new treasures every time, something new to marvel at, something new to learn.

Chord progressions

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I am fascinated by piano chord progressions. Quite apart from the musical element, I find the science and art of the whole thing to be quite entrancing. I find it a superb mental exercise working out the progressions – the more complex, the better. I like the mathematical elements – counting up, counting down, the skips, and the steps. I also like the poetic side of it – there is a rhythm to all this. And I like the logical beauty – the patterns that hold their own, even when keys are transposed.

The music is great, but these other things add their magic. It is a rich, fulfilling hobby on its own, even far away from an actual piano. In this sense, the sounds of the piano come as confirmation, a sweet reward for all the mental effort. I like that too.

Reading list – August 2022

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Here’s what I’m reading during August:

The Pyramid of Lies, by Duncan Mavin. This is the story of Lex Greensill, and the collapse of the eponymous bank. The Greensill scandal shook the UK finance industry, and dented the reputation of a former British Prime Minister. So how were things allowed to get so out of hand? Duncan Mavin does a great research job here, and he is an easy storyteller. A good read.

Plus two books I carried over from last month:

  • The Nowhere Office, by Julia Hobsbawm. An interesting book about the new culture of remote working. Great book for managers of organisations as they lead their staff through a massive culture shift.

Reading list – July 2022

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Here’s my reading list for the month:

  • The Nowhere Office – Reinventing Work and the Workplace of the Future, by Julia Hobsbawm;
  • The Complete Whisky Course: a Comprehensive Tasting School in Ten Classes, by Robin Robinson;
  • Four Thousand Weeks, by Oliver Burkeman.