I’ve been reading a good bit lately, some traditional words on paper books, some in digital format on my kindle or iPad, and some audio, with Audible or other services.
Probably the most significant read has been “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” by Yuval Noah Harari. It’s been a significant read, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ll certainly follow it with another of Yuval’s books, probably “21 Lessons for the 21st Century“, as it seems well reviewed, and in much the same vein. I am thoroughly fascinated with the Human condition, for lack of a better phrase right now. What makes us, “us”. This books goes a long way, and has certainly challenged my thinking on a few things, specifically the constructs we use to establish order and normalcy in our every day lives that are nothing more than fictions.
I’m not always so heavy, I also just re read “Leviathan Wakes“, the first book in the FANTASTIC “Expanse” series. Tomorrow I am starting “Caliban’s War” which is the sequel, for the second time. I’m rereading these in advance of the release of the fourth season of “The Expanse” on Amazon Prime TV. I don’t think I’m over speaking when I say it’s the best sci fi on tv in a very, very long time. Sci Fi isn’t everyones bag, but I’m a huge fan.
As for what I’ve been listening to, I’ve always been a big fan of classical violin, and by far my favorite violinist is Hilary Hahn. I’ve been a fan for many years, and she’s recently released an album titled “Retrospective” that includes a small piece that was specifically commissioned for her called “Blue Curve of the Earth” penned by Tina Davidson. I stumbled on it actually accidentally a few days ago looking for another Hahn piece to play while I had coffee. It’s a magical display of Hahn’s talents, and Davidson’s artistry.
When I find something I truly like on Spotify, or Apple Music, I usually go out and pick up the SACD or at least buy the piece online, it just feels right. In this case I’ve picked up both the CD (no SACD has been released as of yet) and the LP. The LP was recorded by Deutsche Grammaphon “direct to disc”, which captures the sound directly from the microphones in the room, sending them without any interpretation, to the cutting head of the LP Master. I found it interesting, and there are noticeable differences to the sound. If you’re a sound geek like me, you should check it out.
Cogito, ergo, zoom 