Episode · The Tim Ferriss Show · 2023-09-01
Books mentioned on #690: The Random Show, Rare Drinking Edition — Affordable Luxuries, Brain Stimulation, Sampling the Future (and Some Previews), Recharging with Creative Experiments, Tokenizing Humans with a Bonding Curve, Poetry for People Who Hate Poetry, and Much More
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Tim Ferriss recommended The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics by Dennis O'Neil, The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss and others, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, Gold, Night Sky with Exit Wounds by Ocean Vuong, and Coyote America by Dan Flores, and discussed The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie, Devotions by Mary Oliver, Dream Work by Mary Oliver, Time Is a Mother by Ocean Vuong, and Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg. Kevin Rose recommended Japanese Death Poems by Yoel Hoffmann, and discussed Three Simple Lines by Natalie Goldberg and Chiyo-ni by Patricia Donegan and others.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics
The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics by Dennis O'Neil is a practical manual that outlines the foundational principles of comic book scripting, storytelling techniques, and character development.
Recommended“There's a great book, it's actually excellent for storytelling in general, although it is comic specific. It was recommended to me by a very good artist and creative who works in comics named Daniel Henriques, The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics, which is such a boring title for a really entertaining and useful book.”
Where to get it
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The Name of the Wind
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss is a beloved epic fantasy novel that follows the tumultuous life of Kvothe, a legendary figure who recounts his journey from a talented traveling child to a notorious wizard and fugitive.
Recommended“The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. I think Darya has read that actually, because I recommended it —”
Where to get it
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The Graveyard Book
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman is an imaginative fantasy novel that follows a human boy raised by ghosts in a graveyard after his family is murdered.
Recommended“She read The Graveyard Book, which was usually my — The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman is usually my, what would you call it? My trainer for people who are non-fiction purists who are like, "Fiction is dumb. I don't want to read fiction." I'll usually break them in with The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.”
Where to get it
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The Blade Itself
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie is a gripping fantasy novel that launches an acclaimed trilogy following complex, gritty characters.
Discussed“...said, "You have to read The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie." And I'm in the middle of listening to The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie, and it is really fun.”
Where to get it
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Devotions
Mary Oliver's poetry collection captures the quiet beauty of the natural world and offers meditative reflections on everyday existence.
Discussed“And I've been delving back into Mary Oliver. I read her collection, Devotions. And I recently bought a small collection called Dream Work...”
Where to get it
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Dream Work
Discussed“And I've been delving back into Mary Oliver. I read her collection, Devotions. And I recently bought a small collection called Dream Work, which I haven't finished.”
Where to get it
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Gold
Gold by Rumi, translated by Haleh Liza Gafori, is a celebrated collection of poetry offering fresh English renderings of verses originally written by the renowned Persian mystic.
Recommended“I also have reread now multiple times this collection of newly translated Rumi, called Gold, by Haleh Liza Gafori.”
Where to get it
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Time Is a Mother
Discussed“And this particular poet, I have not read this yet, but you can see this, it says Time Is a Mother by Ocean Vuong, V-U-O-N-G, which I assume is Vietnamese. I read his first book, which blew my mind.”
Where to get it
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Night Sky with Exit Wounds
Night Sky with Exit Wounds is a striking collection of poetry by Ocean Vuong that explores identity, family history, and the aftermath of the Vietnam War.
Recommended“I read his first book, which blew my mind. I'm not sure why I was drawn to it. I bought it as an impulse purchase at some Barnes and Noble in New York City, and I think it was probably the title. The title was Night Sky with Exit Wounds, which is a great fucking title.”
Where to get it
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Japanese Death Poems
Japanese Death Poems by Yoel Hoffmann is a collection of traditional Japanese death poems, known as Jisei, composed by Zen monks and poets on the verge of mortality.
Recommended“There's a book called Japanese Death Poems. It's fantastic.”
Where to get it
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Three Simple Lines
Three Simple Lines by Natalie Goldberg is a book that explores the history, practice, and masters of haiku poetry alongside the connections between Zen meditation and creative writing.
Discussed“I read a book called Three Simple Lines, which Henry Shukman, the Zen master that you've had on the podcast, recommended to me. And Natalie Goldberg is the author. She was author of this book called Down the Bones, I think it's called.”
Where to get it
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Writing Down the Bones
Discussed“She was author of this book called Down the Bones, I think it's called. Tim Ferriss: Writing Down the Bones. Writing Down the Bones. Tim Ferriss: That is a great book. Great book.”
Where to get it
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Chiyo-ni
Chiyo-ni by Patricia Donegan, Yoshie Ishibashi, and Chiyo-ni is a biographical and poetic exploration of the legendary eighteenth-century female haiku master.
Discussed“It's Chiyo-ni. Are you familiar with it? C-H-I-Y-O, Chiyo-ni, N-I. Is that how you would say that?”
Where to get it
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Coyote America
Coyote America by Dan Flores is a comprehensive history exploring the origins, extraordinary resilience, and cultural legacy of the coyote across North America.
Recommended“I recently listened to, I've been doing a lot of audiobooks recently, Coyote America. And I think the subtitle is, A Natural and Supernatural History, which I believe is by Dan Flores. Yes. Coyote America: A Natural and Supernatural History.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (1) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body in 2010 and did not get paid to do so.”