Episode · The Daily Stoic · 2026-04-22
Books mentioned on The 5-Step Stoic Routine For Thinking Clearly | Maria Semple on the Daily Stoic Podcast
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Go Gentle
Go Gentle by Maria Semple is a contemporary literary work written by the acclaimed author.
Recommended“She has a new book called Go Gentle.”
Where to get it
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Meditations
Marcus Aurelius's Meditations is a foundational work of Stoic philosophy that records the personal reflections and spiritual exercises of the Roman emperor.
Discussed“And that's actually one of my favorite passages in Meditations where Marcus Aurelius is sort of like observing all these beautiful things in nature that actually aren't that beautiful.”
Where to get it
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A Guide to the Good Life
A Guide to the Good Life by William B Irvine is a popular exploration of practical Stoicism and its application to modern living.
Discussed“I read I think William Irvine, that book, that was like the first book that I read and it was really about just intense the good life? The guy to the good life...”
Where to get it
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A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus with the Encheiridion
A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus with the Encheiridion by Epictetus is a foundational Stoic text capturing the teachings of the Greek philosopher, offering practical wisdom on personal resilience, ethics, and mental discipline.
Discussed“The Enchiridion of Epictetus I like better than the Discourses of Epictetus because it is filtered down and and and and edited in a way that you're you're getting to the core of it.”
Where to get it
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Enchiridion
Enchiridion by Epictetus is a classic Stoic manual compiled by Arrian that distills the core practical teachings and philosophical insights of the famous Greek Stoic philosopher into concise, actionable maxims for daily living.
Discussed“The Enchiridion of Epictetus I like better than the Discourses of Epictetus because it is filtered down and and and and edited in a way that you're you're getting to the core of it.”
Where to get it
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The Daily Stoic
The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman offers 365 days of ancient wisdom and practical reflections on stoic philosophy.
Discussed“And so so what I did was I and then of course like I got your book The Daily Stoic which I just loved and I have my copy here.”
Where to get it
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The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse Fifth Anniversary Limited Edition
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse Fifth Anniversary Limited Edition by Charlie Mackesy is a beautifully illustrated modern fable that explores themes of kindness, friendship, vulnerability, and courage.
Recommended“Have you read uh The Boy, the Fox, the Horse, and the Mole? It's this little children's fable.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (4) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“Oprah had read The Obstacle Is the Way.”
“You may have heard of her other book, Where'd You Go, Bernadette, which was a huge seller a few years back.”
“No, which is kind of wild that that and in fact to my book go gentle not to pivot to my book but but it but my I do it is that I make I've interviewed Yes, so I make her a philosopher...”
“And I write that every day. And it used to be and I write about this in in Go Gentle, but it it for for 10 years it was virtue equals happiness.”