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Arguably, The Reading Quest
เข้าร่วมเมื่อ 29 พ.ย. 2011
I am a peripatetic teacher of English language, logic and philosophy. The aim of this channel is to develop a little passion for reading for pleasure, courage for non-conformity, and nostalgia for freedom amongst those people in whom thinking and contemplation are still a possibility.
My reading list is long including Classics of Literature, Philosophy, Psychology, and some History and Political theory. The key areas of my interest as a reader are German Romanticism, Existentialism, Streams of Consciousness, Russian existentialist Fiction, The Intellectual History of Mankind, History of Western Philosophy, World Poetry in General and Modernist Poetry, East European Poetry, English Romantic Poetry, and Urdu Poetry in particular.
Finally, I believe, as Erich Fromm says, that love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problems of human existence.
My reading list is long including Classics of Literature, Philosophy, Psychology, and some History and Political theory. The key areas of my interest as a reader are German Romanticism, Existentialism, Streams of Consciousness, Russian existentialist Fiction, The Intellectual History of Mankind, History of Western Philosophy, World Poetry in General and Modernist Poetry, East European Poetry, English Romantic Poetry, and Urdu Poetry in particular.
Finally, I believe, as Erich Fromm says, that love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problems of human existence.
Memoirs of a Nun / La Religieuse /
He was a French philosopher, art critic, and writer, best known for serving as co-founder, chief editor, and contributor to the Encyclopédie along with Jean le Rond d'Alembert. He was a prominent figure during the Age of Enlightenment.
La Religieuse was a novel that claimed to show the corruption of the Catholic Church's institutions.
In this video I have tried to explain his greatness and why he still matters.
#frenchrevolution #enlightenment #churches
Where you can find me - nishantcoumar@gmail.com
La Religieuse was a novel that claimed to show the corruption of the Catholic Church's institutions.
In this video I have tried to explain his greatness and why he still matters.
#frenchrevolution #enlightenment #churches
Where you can find me - nishantcoumar@gmail.com
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Hesse's Siddhartha - An Existential Spiritual Odyssey.
มุมมอง 54014 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา
In the novel, Siddhartha, a young man, leaves his family for a contemplative life, then, restless, discards it for one of the flesh. He conceives a son, but bored and sickened by lust and greed, moves on again. Near despair, Siddhartha comes to a river where he hears a unique sound. This sound signals the true beginning of his life the beginning of suffering, rejection, peace, and, finally, wis...
My Best Reads of 2024.
มุมมอง 70114 วันที่ผ่านมา
My best reads of 2024 that you can follow in 2025 to kick-start your reading holistically. I assume you will enjoy these books immensely. There are 5 fiction and 5 non-fiction that I have suggested. Please like, share and subscribe "Arguably, The Reading Quest" Where to find me - nishantcoumar@gmail.com #bestbookstoread #bestbooks #2024books #2025dreams
Books That I Bought in the Year 2024 ( A Booklover's Delight)
มุมมอง 87121 วันที่ผ่านมา
As the year 2024 ends, I have done a video to show the books that I bought this year. I hope it will be a booklover's delight. #booksummary #greatbooks #philosophybooks #psychologybooks #psychologybasics
An Argument between Nietzsche and The Buddha in front of The God
มุมมอง 2Kหลายเดือนก่อน
This is an imagined conversation between Nietzsche and The Buddha in front of God, as written by Bertrand Russell in his magnum Opus "History of Western Philosophy". #bertrandrussell #nietzsche #buddha #buddhaquotes #ancientphilosophy
The Greatest Wittiest Writers (GOAT) of all time in English.
มุมมอง 539หลายเดือนก่อน
This is the ultimate video to introduce my audience to 5 greatest wittiest writers in English (GOAT) Wit is a biting or insightful kind of humor. It includes sharp comebacks, clever banter, and dry, one-line jokes. It is often cynical or insulting, which is what provides it with its characteristic sharpness. One key hallmark of wit is that it often takes a second to figure out. A witty remark i...
Another Tour of Harmony Bookshop ( Philosophy Special Series)
มุมมอง 431หลายเดือนก่อน
A dedicated video on the philosophy book collection at Harmony the Bookshop Varanasi. I have tried to give my audience a view of the majestic and marvelous collection of philosophy books ( Western Eastern ) at the bookshop. Harmony Books has now brought its famed collection of books online. The diverse collection specializes in indology, yoga, social sciences, photography and the performing art...
Some Beautiful Poems on Leisure
มุมมอง 2062 หลายเดือนก่อน
Leisure has often been defined as a quality of experience or as free time. Free time is time spent away from business, work, job hunting, domestic chores, and education, as well as necessary activities such as eating and sleeping. Leisure as an experience usually emphasizes dimensions of perceived freedom and choice (Wiki) #leisuretime #leisure #poetry
13 Most Important Pre-Socratic Greek Philosophers
มุมมอง 4302 หลายเดือนก่อน
The ultimate video on 13 most important Greek Philosophers that you need to know. After much deliberation, I have recorded a video on "13 Most Important Greek Philosophers Before Socrates" This video doesn't claim any erudition, rather it is just a basic, yet lucid exposition on the subject. I hope all of you will enjoy listening to the ideas of these philosophers presented here in a nutshell s...
Spartacus by Howard Fast / The Plague by Albert Camus
มุมมอง 2992 หลายเดือนก่อน
“Become major, Paul. Live like a hero. That's what the classics teach us. Be a main character. Otherwise what is life for?” ― J.M. Coetzee In this video, I have discussed two greatest novels on Bravery and Courage. I hope you will enjoy it and spread the word. Spartacus by Howard Fast amzn.in/d/1XEKaQC The Plague by Albert Camus amzn.in/d/0czTNwm #courageandkindness #braveman #humanitywins #lit...
Books for and Ode to the Month of October.
มุมมอง 3813 หลายเดือนก่อน
An ultimate video on the list of the books to read in the month of October, books that suit the mood and various shades of autumn and festivities. #autumnbeauty #October #greatbooks
The Testament of Mary - The Ultra-contemporary Writings (UCW) - Episode-3
มุมมอง 2463 หลายเดือนก่อน
Winner of the 2011 Irish Pen Award, Colm Toibin is a man of many talents. He is a novelist, a short story writer, essayist, playwright, journalist, critic and poet. He was voted as one of Britain's top 300 intellectuals by the Observer. There is a profound ache throughout this little character study, a steely determination coupled with an unbearable loss. Although it has some insightful things ...
The Poetry of Mirza Ghalib - The World Poetry Series (WPS) Episode - 4
มุมมอง 5643 หลายเดือนก่อน
One of the finest gems of Urdu Poetry, Mirza Ghalib is a tradition and an institution in himself. So much, so often and by so many people have already been said on Ghalib that, I believe, nothing new can be said. However, what particularly strikes me as curious is that Ghalib was an agnostic and his quests were existential, ergo, no doubt that he was fascinated with words like - वली, हज़रत, नास...
Various Genres of Literature Explained.
มุมมอง 6574 หลายเดือนก่อน
This video is a one-stop solution for all those who are looking forward to discerning various genres in Literature in depth.
Disgrace by Coetzee, Twice Booker and Literature Nobel Winner.
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Disgrace won Coetzee a second Booker (and, arguably, the Nobel) for good reason. Some authors you love for their fire; some you love for their ice. J.M. Coetzee, the South African-turned-Australian novelist, has spent half a century engaged with the biggest questions of human reason and human dignity, but his novels are not what you’d call grand. They’re sleek, unadorned, unfailingly precise; m...
Greatest Books on the History of Western Philosophy.
มุมมอง 7K5 หลายเดือนก่อน
Greatest Books on the History of Western Philosophy.
D H Lawrence and his Poetry (The World Poetry Series) Episode - 3
มุมมอง 2505 หลายเดือนก่อน
D H Lawrence and his Poetry (The World Poetry Series) Episode - 3
101 Poets on the Divine ( The World Poetry Series) , Episode - 2
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101 Poets on the Divine ( The World Poetry Series) , Episode - 2
What was the Holocaust? An Unfinished History by Dan Stone.
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What was the Holocaust? An Unfinished History by Dan Stone.
Kairos by Jenney Erpenbeck. The (UCW) Ultra-contemporary Writings Series, Episode -2
มุมมอง 3246 หลายเดือนก่อน
Kairos by Jenney Erpenbeck. The (UCW) Ultra-contemporary Writings Series, Episode -2
25 Geniuses Ignored by the Nobel Prize(for Literature)
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25 Geniuses Ignored by the Nobel Prize(for Literature)
Hermann Hesse (The World Poetry Series)
มุมมอง 4006 หลายเดือนก่อน
Hermann Hesse (The World Poetry Series)
The Physics of Sorrow - Georgi Gospodinov. The UCW, Episode - 1
มุมมอง 5437 หลายเดือนก่อน
The Physics of Sorrow - Georgi Gospodinov. The UCW, Episode - 1
Sesher Kobita/The Farewell Song by Rabindranath Tagore
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Sesher Kobita/The Farewell Song by Rabindranath Tagore
A virtual tour of Harmony Bookshop in Varanasi
มุมมอง 4K7 หลายเดือนก่อน
A virtual tour of Harmony Bookshop in Varanasi
The Last Temptation - Nikos Kazantzakis
มุมมอง 6427 หลายเดือนก่อน
The Last Temptation - Nikos Kazantzakis
Self-help Books and the Great Sham, Final Episode
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Self-help Books and the Great Sham, Final Episode
The anatomy of Human Destructiveness - Erich Fromm
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The anatomy of Human Destructiveness - Erich Fromm
5 Books on Philosophy Everyone Should Read.
มุมมอง 6K8 หลายเดือนก่อน
5 Books on Philosophy Everyone Should Read.
Another gem that you have brought to us...mere listening about the book and background is enligigtening... not sure how much i would be able to read... I am pursuing distance course in philosophy...can you please suggest a book on 'philosophy of human person'... The course material is little clumsy..
Vote for a video for top 20/50/100 best books of all time that he read 😊
Haha... I didn't understand your message properly. Please explain
@thereadingquest3320 make a video ~ best books (minimum 50 or 100 suggestions 😁 ) that you read till now 😊✅ by the way got some beautiful book recommendation from your channel 🤝
When am I planning to read this book? I think around 1987 or 88..... Never quite got to it, but this video makes me realise it's necessary reading. (I did, by the way, after your inspiration a few weeks ago, get hold of Guthrie's Socrates. I found a cheap ex-library copy.)
I hope you will enjoy the insider story of catholic Church
👏👏👏👏👏
Hi Nishant, Sahil here. This year I'm starting with philosophy, and quite frankly I'm too intimidated with this humongous subject, can you please give me a reading list in the order of begining to advance... It will make my and many others problem solve. Thank you 😊
Hi Sahil, you read these three books for philosophy, after which you can start with the works of individual philosophers of your choice. Early Greek Philosophy - John Burnet The Story of Philosophy - Will Durant History of Western Philosophy - Russell.
Hey Sahil, You are at the absolute temple of great reads!
Sir desperetly waiting for a video on Nagarjuna's philosophy of emptiness & scriptures like "Sunyata Saptai"
@@AnkitYadav-kz2ei Hi Ankit, that is a very abstruse philosophical concept. I have not understood it yet. Still reading it. Shall take 2-3 years before I make a video
Budha teachings are a clear mark of practical wisdom. But whether the self realisation of oneself can be achieved in a life hurrying for material standards Does sidhartha finds meaning in his on life or what we readers finds"call enlightnment" This world of bondage is set to be free Free to surge until sky meets the stars. Bravado Herman Hesse.
Thanks, Babitha
I read this book 1 year ago ,I was lost into it for first few months. I'm living into it since then , completely mesmerizing experience. If I've to recommend someone a single novel, this would be the one. Absolutely wonderful 😊
yeah, such a beautiful novella
Never knew something as sincere and humble as Buddhism can appear so grandiose! How is it you are able to out do yourself with every single video sir, interestingly (or coincidentally) each video beautifully stitches a unique story of your channel!
Thanks a lot, jatin
I still remember the time I finished reading, Narcissus and Goldmund, and of course, I was guided towards the book by you! And also, got to know about Hermann Hesse! Very well done video ! Will read Siddhartha soon, thanks to the beauty with which you read the quotes every time, truly one of my most favourite parts ! 🎀❤
Thanks, Nyayshi... Read and keep reading
I have read this book.
Great :))
Great explanation
@@sushantkumar8666 Thanks:))
I'm very interested to read this book. Until now I have read nothing by Hesse. In a week's time a new Greek translation of "Siddhartha" will be published, so I am really very excited. In the meantime I am reading again an incredible book, so deep and spiritual: Kazantzakis's "Report to Greco". Have you ever read it? Greetings!
Hi Manfred, I was looking forward to hearing from you. Is Greek your first language? I recommend you to read Narcissus and Goldmund and expect you to tell me your opinion on the same. NO , I haven't read Report to Greco. Shall do
@@thereadingquest3320 Many thanks for your kind reply. Yes, I am Greek. You know probably that Kazantzakis was very influenced by Buddhism: a) He wrote a theatrical play called 'Buddha', b) he dedicated a whole rhapsody on Buddha in his mammoth epos "The Odyssey - a modern sequel", and last but not least c) the young intellectual co-protagonist in "Zorba the Greek" works on a paper about Buddha and Buddhism. I was so disappointed lately by two supposedly great literary works I read: Faust by Goethe and The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann. After these reading disappointments I wanted to read again something that reminds me what literature and art is. So I picked up again the Report to Greco. I am mesmerised how deep and spiritual but also uneasy and troubling literature can be. Kazantzakis is so deep, true, human as well as spiritual. Thank you for your recommendation too; I will definitely look for Narcissus and Goldmund!
@Manfred-nj8vz Can you please drop me a mail at nishantcoumar@gmail.com ? We shall continue our discussion there itself.
No new video a week passed
Hi, by tomorrow evening a new video is coming up.
Interesting suggestions
"I rate a book by how hard it hits you." So simple and so true! You have a new follower!
@@ericksbookshelf I am humbled and honoured:))
My aim is to read 12 books per year. One book per minth.. In 2022 i read 30 book, in 2023 - 15 and in 2024- 21 books
That is a doable goal. You must :))
Thank God somebody talked about it ... There is a life beyond books also. There is no point of reading if you don't reflect upon it. And also cover to cover reading is also not always necessary. Apart from books I like newspapers articles , book reviews, science columns, and English columns. Reading is important.
Yes, Ma'am :)) Thanks a lot for your kind words. Reflection is important as an unexamined life is not worth living.
I felt reaching at a reading junction. Good old books.but to me they are great. If i use my energy i can read them all except one or two Then i can join with class reading. Your selections make us start reading habits.Thank you sir.
Yes, Ma'am, rereading has its own pleasure. Thanks a lot!
Philosophical Foundations of Neuroscience - I wish you would touchbase in your future works. Yes, your favourite Peter Hacker on the 21st centry's most wanted topic, if I can say so!!!
Goddddddd!!! I am just impressed beyond doubt on the erudition of your suggestion. How did you know that Peter hacker wrote such a book? Are you a neuroscientist or a Biologist or a someone else?
Nishanth, As Always, Our Expectations Of Your "Meme's Growing and Growing. Thank You For Your Valuable Time!!!!
Thanks a lot, Sir, for your encouragement :))
I think I will read war and peace (ofcourse not in 10 mins)😂😂
haha. But still you have to have a strong reason to read "War and Peace" Have you read the shorter works of Tolstoy? if not, then you must explore as many shorter works as possible, first.
Agree with you 100%, the issue is not quantity but quality!
Thank you!
Yes and sometime we read a sentence and live with that for a life, ofcourse you are not in rat race you always being an outlier for your vewers.
Thanks a lot :))
I always set a target for the year on Goodreads - one that is achievable and reasonable mostly around 30. Also to track my progress, as it has happened several times that I picked up a book I read back in my teens and couldn’t recognize it at all..
30books is a decent target, and quite a rational one.
Like in many other cases, the quantitative experience holds a higher value than the qualitative experience in the eyes of others. We are insecure and we brag. That’s why reading often will be a rat race when its combined with social media.
Sir when you describe about the books it's as if the synopsis behind the covers has come to life( not at all exaggerating) this is truly what your videos are like. Lately, I've been baffled around with this scam of speed reading, never prioritising to feel what I read. And sir with this video I got my answer why weren't I able to enjoy reading lately. I'll pick up The Physics of Sorrow first.
Thank you, Adnan. Please re-discover the joys of reading and reflecting upon what you have read. I urge you to start reading again beyond success and failure.
Geopolitics and International Relations books just to understand basics and high level books also if it's possible.
hi, I am not interested in these two topics.
U have nice informations in ur videos . Thanks a million
Very informative
Bro, May Allah bless you..... ❤
Is comics available of marvel and DC
I loved your narration and style. I have added your recommendations to my list and subscribed to your channel. Keep creating similar content. Would love to connect with you somehow.
Well sir, are there more bookstore in Varanasi which are nearly as good as this ... I was into contemporary fiction (indian as well as foreign).. certainly i have shifted few weeks back into books like mossad, indian navy etc ......
Nishant, you are one of the BEST perhaps for Indian readers qualified to introduce the world of books. But no personalization for us with you except these comments section. Anyways, I went through this video and touch based most of the books for last 24 hours. SPecial Kudos!!! And finally, when you are bringing your works?
Thanks a lot, Raju Sir, for your panegyric. That you have googled most of the books that I suggested speaks a lot about your passion for reading. Please spread a few words about my channel. As of now, I have no plans to write my own book :))
Do you live in Varanasi? I regularly watch your video and love it. I live too in Varanasi.
Hey!! My parents live in Varanasi, but I live and work in Delhi. Thanks a lot for your kind words :))
Thank you for taking us for a short tour of world literature
Most welcome :))
Such an interesting collection, plenty that I've either read, wanted to read, or have been disciplined enough *not* to buy!.... Guthrie's great series on Greek philosophy is something I've been wanting for several decades. (I do have his shorter history though.)
You can start with buying atleast one from the 7 volume series.
What a wonderful video it is... I literally sit and take all the notes from your video.. thank you
Much love to you, Sahil :)) Keep reading, keep dreaming !!
I am currently reading Septology by Jon Fosse. It is in three books but I got the copy in which all the three books are present. I am currently reading part VII in Book III named A New Name. The whole 800 pages long book is plotless, contains very limited characters who show no major development even by the end of the book. There are no full stops throughout the book and so basically it is an eight hundred pages long line. The main character Asle, is thinking about his past and also about his present life. The book is a good example of Stream pf consciousness. The language is hypnotic and very minimalistic which makes it easy to read and comprehend. I am looking to know your thoughts about the book.
Soon I will make a video on some of the so-called great writers that have disappointed me, and I will rate Jon Fosse at number one. His writings are not slow but dragging, not nostalgic but stale with little that a delight of language has to offer. I talked to many fiction scholars from DU, JNU and EFLU and all of them came to the same conclusion that Jon Fosse is Overrated
I understand reading is a very subjective thing. I and a lot of people find works of very reputed writers like Chetan Bhagat and Colleen Hoover to be absolute bullshit but a huge section of society is still reading them. Similarly some people got disappointed reading works by Jon Fosse but then again a large number of readers from around the world are reading him and are actually liking what he writes. Reading is personal. That's all I wanted to say. And anyway Jon Fosse got Nobel Prize in 2023, he will be remembered by lit students, scholars and professors from around the world for that. No hate. I love your content.
@@Gaurav-gx2zh Yes, Gaurav, I agree that reading is subjective. However, my opinion on Jon Fosse is not all that subjective, it has an objective correlation with the opinions of various scholars who are reading his work. But, undoubtedly, the Nobel prize has sealed his place in history
Always a pleasure, sir. I was waiting for days for this one.. hope you make such videos again
Much humbled, Sanskar. Surely, I will make some more videos on similar concepts soon.
Heard of treasure hunts Heard of addicted to books But such a treasure head Helps me think I should also starts to know A world revealed through you Magnificent collection Let the coming year be as precious as this year too.
Thanks a lot, Baitha Ji :)) Much humbled by your comments