A few things this week:
I’m rereading Paradise Lost and finally loving it. I’m listening to it as well (read a book then listen to it), and that is likely part of it… words that sprung spoken from the mouth of their writer should probably be heard aloud. Working on a essay to join the host of other good Milton essays recently.
We went to Bucee’s for the first time yesterday. A shattering experience.
Visiting my deceased grandmother’s home this past weekend after her memorial, Leszek Kolakowski’s “General Theory of Not Gardening” (read it if you haven’t) kept popping into my head. She was a talented gardener who lived a life of gentle, quiet service, and she knew the wisdom of avoiding theories in favor of charitable action. May she rest in peace.
Recent work:
I attended the Plough Writers’ Weekend two weeks ago, and came away so very encouraged! Lots of writing ideas, now just to write them all…
I hosted a Twitter space about the importance and practice of writing book reviews. The recording is pinned on my Twitter, if you’re interested.
Reading this week:
P.D. James, “Death of an Expert Witness.” How does this woman write such depressing sentences?
“The Spring that Feeds the Torrent,” Rhina Espaillat’s translation of St. John of the Cross’s poems, out now from Wiseblood. Writing a full review but here’s a teaser: This is the only translation of these poems I’ve read that teased out not only the theme of light/darkness, but of water.
“Metaphysical Animals,” a smashing volume of intellectual history that in parts reads like one of Iris Murdoch’s own psychologically gripping novels. (See the brilliant introduction of A.J. Ayer!)
Coming up:
I’ll be speaking at the Front Porch Republic conference in October in Madison! Paul Kingsnorth is the keynote speaker. Come!
I’ll also be on a panel at the Notre Dame Ethics and Public Policy conference in November—ping me if you’ll also be there!