the best book ever written

The writer Jorge Luis Borges said: “I publish to stop editing.”
Oooooh that’s good! I agree! Thanks for this. — Derek

Sounds like you haven't read Thinking and Destiny by Harold Percival

I agree. It is an absolute masterpiece. I can’t think of a better book that’s ever been written.

As a musician, I have had those moments where I feel like "This MIGHT BE the best music I've ever written." But rarely do I feel like I've written the best song ever.

With my books, the main thing I focus on is getting better each time, and so far, that sentiment has held true.

Every time I read one of Derek's books, I think, "this may be the best book ever written."

Sometimes I add, "on this topic, anyway."

Each of your books is better than the next.

And yes, sometimes I think this about my books.

But the best book of all books ever? I mean, Dr. Seuss. Parts of Dune. Godel Escher Bach. The War of Art, The Art of Possibility... Nope.

And I don't think many honest musicians are thinking of Kind of Blue...

Great post. Perhaps the best one ever written, Derek.
☺ — Derek

How does it compare to the Bible ;-) Deanofaith

Music is "push" - books are "pull".

Musicians are "stage hogs" - but Authors rarely are.

Music is performed loudly and fades into silence.
Books are silent but get loud in the readers mind.

:)

You feel how you feel! Congratulations!
You inspired this subject, Adam! — Derek

It's a treasure, for sure! Now I need to go read it again. Rock on, Sir Derek!

I think the stage has much to do with exuding confidence. That may be the difference.

I'm chewing on this one; Perhaps a song is self expression whereas a book is a creation... A creation could always be better. Expression leaves one with a feeling of satisfaction..... Completion maybe

The best book ever written is the Bible, 95 per cent of the rest belong in the trash can.

I definitely feel that way about my music and my art, btw. not all the time, but if i like it i REALLY like it- definitely the best!! I'm glad you like your works- I love them too!! I'm gonna go read 'how to live' again. thanks Derek for who you are and what you do!

Derek, I have bought and given away 100s of copies of "How To Live"!
☺ — Derek

HTL is an amazing piece of work and I agree I think it's the best of your books and arguably one of the most wisdom-dense books in the larger universe of books. It is closer to poetry than prose.

RE: a theory on the disparity amongst the musician and author groups in answering this Q, as a fellow musician here's my best theory:

It comes down to how many times you can sit with the work start to finish and consequently the diversity of environments in which you can consume it in its entirety.

I've never written a book but I've written some very long blog posts and even the longer ones that I've edited obsessively, I can sit with it maybe max 10x before I'm tired of looking at it. And those will all be mostly in front of a computer in my office or in a coffee shop.

My longest (and best) song is 8min. When I was recording it in college I lived that song for weeks. I played the tape on my 4track making tweaks day after day until there were none left to be made. That song was written in my dorm room but shaped by walking around campus, listening in the car, playing it on big speakers hundreds of time. I imagine as a book author even if you read fast it has to be hard to consume the entire book repeatedly. And when you do it's not while you're out in the world doing other stuff so it just doesn't have the same integration and domination of your psyche the way a song can.

Anyways, HTL is more like a piece of music in that you can tell the depth that went into that work. It really is something special man and you should be proud. cheers

Totally agree, Derek.

Do I think each of mine is the "best book ever"? Nope. But I firmly, deeply, in my heart believe... each one's going to be a popular best-seller.

And I'll keep on believing that - until it actually happens 😛

Lovely post, Derek.

The two groups are equal in so many respects! I guess that the feat to unite melodies while saying something faster makes them happier for a while.

Musicians are liars, I conclude.

Could it be that music is usually something you can experience in one relatively short sitting and get the full experience of, making it an object that the conscious mind can fully encompass and appreciate. It can look at every bit and the harmonious (or disharmonious) relationship between them and decide that they work.
A book, passed a few pages, becomes very hard to perceive fully in one sitting. You can look in depth at some parts, you can take in a thousand feet view of the whole, but I think it's impossible for the conscious mind to see it holistically and exhaustively like you can a song.
Which, maybe, plants that seed of "I'm sure there's still something that could be better, if only I could find out what".

I feel a shorter text, the mind can perceive it as whole, perfect, whereas a longer text, the mind can never be sure, it's a lingering feeling, something of an abstraction, hard to wrap the head around.

Maybe.
Ah! Interesting idea. Maybe because my books are so short, I can think of them as more like a music album. (A one-hour listen.) — Derek

I read this when it came out (paper version).

I savored every word, and every page.

I have to agree with you. You reminded me I need to read it again.

Thank you for the shared wisdom.

I’m living abroad and the book is back home, so I’m just so pleased to have a digital version I can access.

It's my very favorite book, for its cosiness. The huge value it has brought to me. The beautiful cover fabric and the embossed title. I've always told myself that the day I made an album or a book, I would make a cover like that. I love its color. Its paper, the black inside. And the cherry on top, it features the number 27 on the cover, which is my lucky number and a number that occupies my mind, an obsession. Oh, and did I mention that it is very well written? And that it brings tremendous value? Breaks many false beliefs and provides incredibly motivating and inspiring ideas? Well, it's said. Plus, I got one for free because of a delivery issue when I bought it, which I could give to my sister who also was born on the 27th and is a fan of the number. So honestly, I've never had a better experience than with this book!!! Maybe it was by chance? Or maybe not? When requesting a book resend (i received another book by mistake), I even experienced the reality presented in the book: that of doing everything to satisfy one's customer : I kept the other book and the good one. And I even thought I was in direct contact with Derek himself. I took the opportunity to tell him a bit of my story and he listened. So, best book and best author I know. Thank you. And thank you for all the inspiration and simplicity you have brought into my life and into the world.

And so... I had to buy your book 🤷

Wishing you a great Friday, Derek. Enjoy 🌞

Writing books is a very lonely process. Most authors are just happy to finally be out of the writing tunnel. So they celebrate less loudly than the musicians.

Totally agree, best book ever written. Every sentence counts. No fluff. Depending where you are in life you will find at least one chapter which will give you inspiration to seek the best version of yourself. But it will also humble you and make you more tolerant to people who have chosen a different road. Always have a few copies to give away. Thank you Derek!

I think the reason that the musicians and book authors differ is because of the measurement they each use to judge their productions. Musicians judge mostly by emotions, whereas book authors judge by mind. We are able to listen to music repeatedly to enjoy, triggering the same good feeling whereas books are read once to get the main idea usually. Generally we all buy with emotions and later justify with facts. That's the difference.
Good insight! Thanks Mohammed. — Derek

I love your honesty Derek. Why don't more writers feel this way? That's a great question. I don't know the answer.

I once wrote a poem about the great barrier reef and I feel this way about that poem. I've never admitted that before though. LOL.

Hello Derek,
Always a pleasure to hear from you. As someone who writes songs occasionally now. I can only say YES to date. The last song I've written is the best song I've written because it is based on fact. It's real, and is effecting peoples lives still today. I wrote the song (COME ON WORLD) for world awareness and still would like the whole world to UNITE and sing it.In 2022 It was selected from songs globally to be included on the Numberella charity album 2022 and released on Spotify to help raise funds for underpriveledged kids in Bangladesh to give them a chance of schooling. My song smashed the Album gaining more streams than any other song on the Album and is still LIVE. HOW TO LIVE is a thoughtful and well written BOOK but for me ANYTHING YOU WANT is my favourite because it made you who you are today. Just my opinion.

I work full time at a public library. I'm surrounded by thousands of carefully selected books. This is one of the most interesting and useful books I've encountered in a long time.
While other people search for extraterrestrial intelligence, I've made it my mission to search for terrestrial intelligence. It is almost non-existent, I've discovered. Until now.

Agree on "how to live", I've gifted it to a bunch of people! Love, love, love that book!

Artists involve emotions when making music, I believe the feelings associated with the music they compose or sing, make them fell deeply attached to the work on an emotional level, much more than a writer who generally uses the intellect to write, even if the books or dramas, it’s still a mental analysis of the drama so there are no direct feelings involved.

When you create something with your brain, you always think you can spend more time to find out new information to make the end product better, to address a new angle etc. while when you create something with your heart, you stop when it touches you just the right way.

Love every sentence of it! How delightful to hear someone talk so appreciative about themselves. Something to remember :-)

I loved the honest conflict, the beautiful dichotomies, the blunt audaciousness. I read it aloud and often laughed as I heard myself saying the opposite of what I had said the moment before.

Best book ever?

One of my favorite books on my (super picky!) bookshelf :)

Thoughtful the understatement. 27 is random but complete.

All of your books are cherished and shared with countless teenagers and the brevity is part of the appeal and beauty. You should feel exactly how you feel. Nothing less. Nothing more.

I am smiling for you at this moment.

Chris

It’s in giving our inspired best that makes it so presently. Derek, Thanks for giving your Best Ever, and inspiring us to be and do and have and create our Best Ever Best!

Ps. I can also see how our uninspired best practices make our current creation it’s Best

Reading the comments below made me sad because so many didn’t seem to get your point. I hope that reading them didn’t make you sad. I think it’s incredible that you did all the things you had to do to make the thing your soul needed to make and you feel you nailed it. You made a hat where there wasn’t a hat! as Sondheim said. And you aimed for the best hat and you feel you hit that bullseye. Incredible. Most others can’t write a decent comment on a blog.

Ps. The Bible isn’t the best book ever written. Ruth, Ezekiel, and 2John are real duds. It’s also not a book but a collection of stories from different authors who told a LOT of untruths that have hurt the world tremendously. Also God is a construct.

How To Live is by far my favorite book. I've read it multiple times, but what I enjoy the most is reading it with friends and family and having debates about each chapter. Thanks Derek for writing such a masterpiece.

Hi, Derek!

I highly appreciate the effort that you have spent in researching, refining & curating and then writing the book, but why do you have the arrogance to self-proclaim it as the best book ever written? At least for me (and my strong repulsion to arrogance), that makes the book reading already half desirable.

I kindly advise you to reconsider your self-proclaimed best and inherent arrogance, as it may do more harm than good. My 2 cents, certainly.

All the best,
Bogdan

Hey Derek :)
I bought it when you first released it.
I enjoyed it.
I love the concept.
Such open-minded thinking would likely have a calming effect on the world, should it be widely received.
The world could definitely benefit from some calming!
Keep promoting it!
I'll help ...
Bruce

I think maybe time is the secret variable here. It takes MUCH longer to write a book vs. a song. It takes a short time for the afterglow of creative orgasm to dissipate. While you're in that state, whatever you just happened feels singularly amazing. Songs can happen so spontaneously that if you were to ask someone who just wrote one if it's the best song ever, they're still basking in that creative glow. With book writing, by the time you get a published draft you're looking at what, months? Years? of laborious revisions and editorial criticism. By the time you're done, the orgasm is long gone and you've been spending most of the time dealing with cleaning up.

This is the best post ever written :)

and to the 27th power

well done you

When there is nothing left to remove,
yet the ideas are completely expressed,
and artfully intertwined into a whole,
then yes it is the best
song, book, movie, whatever

Though it's a delightful tie!

And by this standard "How To Live" certainly qualifies.
Thank you for writing (and reading!) it as you did.
My life is better for it.

I read from it almost every morning. I open to a random page and begin reading. What a joy. Allows me a different perspective

'How To Live' is, indeed, the best book I've ever read. I gift it regularly and everyone I share it with has a similar reaction to mine. I've now read it multiple times and it's really helped me how to live. Thank you, Derek

TL;DR; Time and scale make (most) songwriting a more fulfilling experience. I wonder if symphony composers would answer the same as Derek's musician friends.

Having taken on both of these creative endeavors ad nauseam I can confirm this is if not totally true, at least mostly true. Even if I didn't think it was the best song ever written it's still something I'm very proud of and think is very good. Now, this fades pretty quickly sometimes but still, it's a far cry from what I feel when I finish writing a long piece. Occasionally there's a short piece I finish that feels similar to writing a song and there in lies what I think may be the difference. Scale and time. I wonder if you asked composers of symphonies or significantly longer works that take large amounts of editorial work or painstaking formatting i.e. arranging if they also feel when they finish a work it's the best thing ever?

Also, sorry if my assumption that no long form composers were included in your sample of musicians is incorrect.

Being a songwriter for over 30 years, I don't ever recall thinking anything I've written was the best ever. The thought just never crossed my mind. I enjoyed HTL every much and have gifted it a few times as I think it's a great read. "Best ever" I can honestly say I don't know. Great book for sure.

Cheers

First off this book is my favorite piece of work you have authored. It is the new high school graduation gift of choice!

I wonder if authors don’t have a harder time because it is a fixed piece of creative work. A song can be different every time you play it. A book is forever.

2x Grammy-loser here. The difference between songwriters and authors might have to do with the length of time it takes to create the art. A song is often written in a single day (a few hours). A book is usually written in months and years. The euphoria of finishing a song ties in with the "this is the best song I ever wrote!" For authors, it's a grind and when they finish it's more like "this book isn't finished, it's merely being abandoned (published)."

I bought this book when it was first published and gave it as a gift to each of my 3 adult children

Super book...thank you for being YOU

Some songs you know aren't your best work, but are worth keeping. Some you put on repeat and jam out to your own bad self. I'll find out if I jam out in a literary sense when I finish my first book (halfway there!), but I'm pleasantly surprising myself quite often.

Even if "best book ever written" might be hyperbolic, How To Live absolutely belongs to a rare class of books that make you truly question your assumptions about life, and that's a beautiful thing!

The best advice I've heard for artistic endeavors is to be prolific in your creation rather than trying to perfect a single work of art.

Being prolific allows for improvement with each successive iteration; evolving sense of joy. Perfecting is a focus on reducing/addressing errors; at best, diminishing returns.

"When most people see modern art, they think, 'I could do that!' But they didn’t. That is the difference between consumer and creator."

It's a brilliantly written book, Derek. Thanks for sharing it with us.

I have already learned one thing that is
Precious and true from your book (without
reading it) which is:
—Believe in your work to the extent that
YOU declare it wonderful to the world.

…But there is a caveat: this Axium
Will not prove itself in material form
UNLESS YOU believe it to the extent
That you know it as a fact of life.
…And there’s ‘the rub!’ I very seldom
Fulfill my own caveat.

But -I’m still learning!

Thanks for sharing - I just bought it via Audible. Love all your stuff because it makes me really think deeper and ponder my life philosophies.

The James Altchuer Pod was amazing.

I don't know why authors would answer that way. I've just completed my first novel and I think it's by far the best story in the universe. But I feel that way about the songs I write as well. It's not hubris, as you said, it's just absolute truth. Cheer mate.

I have been reading How to Live once a year, ever since it came out. Amazing book. I don't think I've read any book as many times.

I liked this post. I never thought my book (only written one so far) was THE best one, mainly because there are so many absolutely amazing books out there. But every time I read I think at least some parts are really good. That's as far as I've gone - "really good".

To be "The best one" depends on the objective. What's the goal of a book to you? A novel can be though of as having the goal to entertain, maybe teach somethings, or to give the reader a different perspective.. A technical book may, like a manual, has a specific goal of getting you to assemble a chair, for example.

To be the best one, at least in a category, it has to achieve the goal 100%, and better than any other. Maybe beyond teaching what it should, it's also beautiful, concise, poetic, etc.

The Autobiography of a Yogi, for me, was an outstanding book. It entertained a lot, got me to think of a lot of things I never did, showed me a lot of a different culture, got me to be (by my own standards) a better person. It inspired and motivated me, got me to reflect and act.

The Harry Potter series also is one I love. I started reading when I was 13 years old, so I grew up reading them and felt strong emotions with the characters even though I know they never existed. It speaks about important themes as well, prejudice, fairness, fate or one's actions in the face of obstacles, friendship and family. May sound cliche, but it's really a book that I think of a lot.

So it's hard to say one book is "The Best", but I like to think of it and wpuld like to have a more enthusiastic approach to my own work, for sure!

Why don’t more writers feel this way?
Because somewhere between 1,300 and 112 pages, they quit editing -- they quit editing before making it their best work.

There might have been a lot of reasons for this.

Maybe they had already decided that "this juice is not worth the squeeze"—they decided it never could or would be the best book they could ever write. So they just wrapped it up, even diligently so, but they got it to closure so they could move on.

Or maybe they could not afford to make it the best possible book they could write due to circumstances, time, money, or whatever other factors come into play for an author.

Or maybe they have so many stories to tell that they felt they would create greater value in telling a host of stories well vs. just a few or one exceptionally well.

Thanks for your note!

I bought a bunch of these and other of your books and those were my wedding invitations I sent them with a handwritten note to 30 of my favorite people.

I had a small Intimate wedding and everyone had read them so the conversations at the table (even though many people didn’t know each other) were wonderful!

Thank you 🙏🏼
God bless

This book and "The Daily Stoic" would be the two books I would be 100% content with having access to for the rest of my life.

The only good reason I can think of that musicians admit it , but writers won’t, is that musicians are more honest :)

Some writers maybe are trying to pretend to be humble too hard. And maybe some others are just too bashful.

Agree. Best book ever written. I have a hard copy and I’m glad to have the online version. I’ll go back to it over and over!‼️

How to Live is the best book I've read. I read it multiple times each year, I'm reading it right now. I cherish the autographed hardcover I have.

Since books are longer than songs and the editing process takes longer, one spends more time in the critical part of the brain perhaps? Song writing and editing feels more dynamic and quick, likely keeping the writer more in the flowing inspired place when they are done. I think it could be the length of time a person is picking apart their piece, giving the judging brain more time to set in.
I’m looking forward to reading your new book!
Ah! Good insight. I wonder how directors feel about their films? — Derek

For songs, my last one is always my favorite - but I don't consider it the best song EVER. I can't recall which artist said but there's also this quote "My favorite piece is my NEXT one."

I've written two books, and one I consider a masterpiece. Other then some Hesse, it may be the best book ever. I love it. And whenever I happen to re-read it, I think "This would be my favorite book no matter who wrote it."

It's not about praise or ego. I simply I write the books I want to read, the books I want to exist. If others can benefit, so much the better.

I say, Great!

I love my own well crafted words, situational analyses, photos edited --

Would not say they constitute THE BEST of anything EVER, but --

Being proud of one's work product is undeniably a huge perk of having lived.

Going to get unit soon. Thx.

Congrats! I'm looking forward to reading the book.

As one who wrote a bunch of songs when I was young and has written a few books since (and planned many more), I think the answer to your writer v. songwriter question has two parts:

1. Given the sheer difference in scale between books and songs (not even albums!), you might be asking the authors a non-comparable question. Ask them whether, when they've finished a book, it contains one of the best sentences, paragraphs, or chapters ever written... or maybe includes the best idea ever written about, regardless of successful articulation.

2. Given the evolution of song writing from written scores to recorded material, song writers are more focused than authors on the themes and hooks that define the song for them as the writers. Yeah, maybe George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass" has bizarre and inappropriate slide whistles in the final recording, but that was just the musical fashion of the day. The underlying song, in its pure essence, was exquisite.

I bought it. Loved it.
Donated it to a book swap… to put it out in to the universe… for its message to find the next person that needs to hear it.

It is the best book, which is why I have a stack of them on my shelf and gift them to friends and colleagues (sparingly).

I laughed out loud, I genuinely thought it was the worst book I ever read. I got to the part where I should have 1 wife and/or multiple mistresses and my mind couldn't comprehend what you were trying to tell me.

I have to go back and read it again with the new lens. You came out on twitter and explained there was an important component to the book, which the reader needed.

When I write a song, it usually takes me somewhere between a few hours and a few weeks to complete. When I finish, it feels like the best song I've ever written because the moment of creative inspiration is so recent — I'm still closely connected to the original spark and emotion. The song reflects the current state of my mind and heart back to me — it resonates with significance — so it naturally feels like the best songs I've ever written.

A book may take many months or years to complete — long enough for the original spark to lose its emotional brilliance and become more of a conceptual project. Long enough for more recent sparks of inspiration to feel far more interesting and inspired.

On that theory, short-form writing like essays or poems are more likely to feel like the best thing you've ever written.
Good point! Hadn't thought of that. Thanks Daniel. — Derek

I write songs too but didn’t really feel it was best song ever just more like whether I remember it and kept singing it again.

Haven’t written books before haha so no comments.

Not sure if it’s coz it’s the first book I read but I seem to like Hell yeah or no the best but all your other books I read I find v useful also.

Just the first book Hell Yeah or no is the one I recommended to most of my friends. :)

The wisdom from this book is something AI will have a hard time replacing.

When I write a song I am in love with it. The current song is the best song at least at that moment. It’s the same for the next one too. When I write long form I am much more conscious of the expectation of correctness, of following the rules. Even if the concept is good small grammar mistakes will invite much criticism. There is maybe more expectation behind and more room to be hurt. Whereas a song often seems to celebrate the differences, the uncommon sounds or ways of pronouncing words. The expectation is less to follow the rules and it can be liberating. Finish a song feel free, finish a book, waiting for the criticism.

Simple solution … authors just need to say “this is the best song I have written that is in the format and length of a book”.

All kidding aside HTL is a book I frequently have on my desk as a thought primer for the day. The only other book that has come close to it for me is Rick Rubin’s “The creative act”. Best books ever.

I bought 5 hardcover copies for friends and I, then another 10 which I dotted around a few spots on Wellington such as Raglan Roast on Abel Smith St and Smiths Barbers—I'm playing the long game here, but I'm really hoping you'll run into one across the city one day :)

All the best from the Melbourne State Library!

I think people have different capacities or abilities with respect to how they feel about their work and in general.

Be it because of their current state, past experiences or how they made out in the genetic lottery.

Additionally people are different with respect to _knowing_ that this is the case and then doing something about that.
Which is easier said than done.

Lastly it seems that I find the word "best" more nebulous and illusive than you - best for what? best for who? bestest ever or just for now? bestester?!

I think all that matters is that you love it which I'm glad to hear. Congrats!

Whenever I publish a blog post I feel like it‘s the best blog post I‘ve ever written.

When I read really old posts of mine, it‘s quite the opposite.
I think it‘s just my evolution as a writer.

How do you feel about your first book ever?
Similar feelings as with How To Live?
Niq
No. ☺ — Derek

I write music mostly, but I did happen to write a book as well.. And for sure- I always feel like the new song I just wrote is the bomb. The children’s book I wrote should probably be rewritten. But, I just can’t. Let someone else do it. lol. It was such a great idea & I really have to move on. I only like doing things once, then that’s it. I guess I could remake it/ improve/ or whatever, but it’s sort of like taking a step backwards. Somehow music ShOULD be the perfect creation of whatever is going on in your head. Of course you can edit it a bit, but keeping the emotion and artistic approach of your intention should be an inspirational conscious decision. Writing a book should be expressed the same way perhaps, but writing a book doesn’t allow you to express yourself the same way.

Just a thought, but as a songwriter who writes every day solo and with cowriters I never think in those terms. When finished the best songwriters I know move on quickly to the next one. They don’t allow themselves to be stuck on the last song as the best thing they’ve ever written. Best or worst or just okay are judgements that hold a songwriter back, maybe keeps them stuck in that last song at the expense of the future ones. I’m always excited, thankful, and ready to write another one.

As a music composer and an author, I felt both my music and book were the best works ever (even though the movie directors I worked with didn't always agree).
Until I gave them a listen or a read months later. Then, I spotted things I could have done better.
What can I say? The editing mindset never stops, even after you've forced yourself to stop.
I'm glad you feel that way about your book, though. It's indeed amazing! I have it and go back to it from time to time.

When you write a poem or song (or 112 poetic pages), you can write for yourself or with one person in mind.

So when you've said what you want to say, you are satisfied.

When you write a book, you have to think of your audience (and, usually, a publisher). It's hard to please everyone. So it never feels finished... complete. So you don't get the same satisfaction.

Hi Derek,

This is indeed one of my favorite books too.

I've highlighted it and I share my favorite quotes here with you:

> "All misery comes from dependency. If you weren’t dependent on income, people, or technology, you would be truly free. The only way to be deeply happy is to break all dependencies."

> "The only opinion that matters is your own. When you know what you’re doing, you won’t care what anyone else is doing. When you’re indifferent to people’s words and actions, nobody can affect you."

> "If you knew you’d go blind tomorrow, how intensely would you look at the world today? If you knew you’d go deaf tomorrow, how intensely would you listen? Fill your senses as if this was your last day on Earth. One day that will be true."

> "Learn to sell, and you can go anywhere. You’ll be paid well at any age. Always in high demand."

> "Live where nothing is happening. Move to a quiet place with lots of nature and no ambition. Doing nothing is normal there."

> "Move to a place with good values that’s headed in the right direction."

> "You can’t see your own culture while you’re inside of it."

> "If you eventually need a permanent home, choose the place you’d want to be if everything goes wrong. Choose a culture that values what you value."

> "Making memories is the most important thing you can do with your life. The more memories you create, the longer and richer your life feels. Making memories is how to live."

> "Knowledge is often described simply — “in a nutshell”. But the inside of a nutshell is complex. So crack open nutshells to understand them better."

> "Imagine the people you love dying tomorrow. Never take them for granted."

> "Want nothing, and nothing will disappoint you."

> "Living for others is how to live."

> "Forget lifestyle. Forget yourself. Stay 100% focused on creating value. Everything else is a corrupting distraction."

> "Go where there’s a revolution. That’s where people are questioning old norms, and looking for new solutions. Creativity comes from shaking things up."

Thanks for writing such a treasure of a book Derek!

It's become like a little Bible of sorts for me, if you will.

Be Well,

George

One of the best, I’ve listen ‘how to live’ audiobook at least 10 times, and every time feels like it’s a new book for me 😂.when I was younger I’ve read Carlos Castaneda’s books and they made a change to my life 😂 not sure if made something better or worst but they were impactful.. I was 14 when I started reading them.

I think musicians are much more likely to be carried by their mood in what they create. As their mood changes and they get better they produce ever better work, at least to them. Authors probably feel compelled to write books on many different things, and the one they've just written may not reflect what they think is their best work.

Hey Derek hope all is well buddy🥳

I think a song can carry you with its rhythm and catchy hooks. Plus it is easier to see the whole song and hold it in your mind. It also impacts emotionally very quickly and can illicit deep feelings that can transport us through the memories of our lives🤔

A book can span huge subjects spanning over years and decades, be placed on present, past or future timelines. The characters can be complex and need time to grow in both the authors mind and the readers.
And it is hard to hold so much information in your mind.
I think many authors feel that they plagiarise their books and maybe find it hard to take full credit which will leave them unable to fully accept praise🤔
There is much more to be said, but don’t want to drag it on🤣.
But it makes sense to me how this divide exists and I think a shift in perspective is the only way for an individual to appreciate what they have accomplished.

Have a great day y’all!!🤩😜

Dandyism is proteiform

Hi Derek, have you written about your writing process for this book?
No. — Derek

Thanks, Derek. Most aspiring writers start but don't finish. Many who finish don't edit. Those who edit don't reduce the prose until it becomes poetic without turning purple. For those who take their work to that ultimate level, perhaps if we found those few, they would agree their books were the best ever written.

For years I've searched for and curated the what the best authors have already figured out. It's all about writing principles, not rules. Now I love to share those writing techniques with others, hoping they'll experience the joy you've expressed. Your efforts and work are appreciated!

Hi Derek!
Thank you so much for sharing!
The tide bits from your book, you have shared, are so masterfully written and brilliant. So well done! I have always thought you are such a brilliant human being.
From what I have gleaned here, you have tapped into the complexity of truth, multilayers and deep.
Seemingly optional, yet leading to a purposeful direction. From a full spectrum of colors to a fine point.The essence of light.

And also, thank you for the audio! It was fun to hear your voice 😄! And the subtle humour..."don't die"...My favorite quote was on mastery.
As to songwriting, from my experience, this is a gift. Maybe songs come in the night, inspired and l the songwriter and faithful to the gift. Feeling neutral on its merit, but faithful to the gift. If anyone thinks being a musician is easy, to persevere when finances are down, competition is aggressive, it is not. To do and be your purpose in all the noise and distractions, hardships that come, takes patience, faith, and deep love for others. Songs are to be cherished, for they are written in the heavens. God sings, and when God sings with you, that is enough.

Thanks Derek for being....

HTL's conclusion section with the 2 pictures penetrated through to my core

Fair enough! What's the *second*-best book ever written, though? :)
the next one — Derek

Really great book!

It may be that writing it more of a mental exercise that can engender a different type of self doubt whereas music is more something we "feel" in our body. So if we compose a piece of music we love and listen back, its a gratification we lock in with viscerally whereas reading a book is more of a mental exercise and its not as obvious to us its a home run. Just a theory!

How To Live is poetic and definitely reads like music. Great post Derek!

As a song writer/musician I never think when I am done a song that it is the BEST ever. I think it depends on the musician and quality of their entire work and their life. I observe each of my new songs differently and think, well this one is super cool, good vibe, lyrics etc. and others, I am like well... it is pretty good, but people really like it. I just be honest, feel the vibe of the song, and do I like the final outcome. But I would say I NEVER say, wow this is best song ever! So maybe artists, musicians writers, etc are not so different. It's the person who is different, and we all create differently. I don't celebrate, or think I am great or think the song is great. I just create the song and move forward to the next.

Hi Derek, You are a songwriter who writes books. As opposed to an author who writes songs. Sort of like the difference between micro economics and macro economics.

I hadn't read anything from your books before. You just got to read the following book. You will love it. Where your book has many truths which are difficult to hold all at once, this book says much the same but using a story, a pattern, a template through which to view the world. 'The Holding Together' by Justin I Dear. Available from Amazon.

I might believe you, but only after you’ve read MY book 😎
a.co/d/bcWNfP1

I love it.

I cannot agree with those who rank modesty among the virtues. To the logician all things should be seen exactly as they are, and to underestimate one's self is as much a departure from truth as to exaggerate one's own powers.
-Sherlock Holmes

I get this, I like it. I feel the same about my Four Sweets CD--if I die tomorrow, I made one truly beautiful thing in my life.
Love that Borges quote, yes!

I haven't noticed that musicians feel that their work stands out whereas writers feel that their work is nothing outstanding. Perhaps this is because words are a facsimile. Words never really capture reality. Whereas music seems to come from somewhere else; All That Is? The Whole? The Source?

As a songwriter and author, hmmm. When I finish writing a new song, the reason I finished it is because I knew it would be great, otherwise I wouldn't have wasted my time on it. Some songs come pouring out of the universe for me to receive in 10 minutes, others take a few hours. But when I'm done and ready to record it, I feel it's the best song that I've 'currently written' not necessarily the best I've ever written. And I always feel it could be a hit, if given a big push of promotion. But I've never been on a big label and have never had any $$ or backing to give a song a 'big promotional push'.

As far as my writing: I've now written and self-published two books of quirky, absurd, laugh-out-loud, silly and satirical short stories. Same with my songs: when I'm done, I feel they are the best books I've written so far. And yes, I feel they could be best sellers if given that elusive big push!

《How to Live》is the only book next to my bed. I also introduced the books to my Korean students and Chinese students. Now I am very exciting to wait for your next book.

Words are abstractions. They are like signs, pointing to something other than themselves. Music happens for its own sake, it's "reality", not an abstraction. That is also what makes it easier to write beautiful music than lyrics.

There is a prerequisite to applying your words. Good health. You're welcome.

For me it’s only when I rediscover my work that I wonder which genius wrote it. I only say this because others have said the same about their work.
Good one! — Derek

Its a great book.

Want to know something interesting?

I haven't gotten through the first 5 chapters.

I read 1 chapter and I can't read anymore because my brain needs to sit with it.

Then I read another chapter and say "Wait, doesn't that contradict the other chapter?"

Then I get mad at the contradiction.

Then I wonder what the conclusion is if there is contradiction.

Then I couldn't take it anymore so I read the end.

Then I realized that was the point.

Then I wanted to re-read with an open mind to figure out what it meant for me.

Then I made it to chapter 5. But had to keep sitting.

I travel with it and start with chapter 1 again. Its been in my backpack for years. I have read many other books in full in between.

I will finish it over the next 10 years. But its been one of the most thought provoking books I have read.

How To Live is a little gem of pure perfection. There is nothing like it—anywhere. It is written by an old soul and a post-modern mind, all rolled into one…a latter-day renaissance man for the ages. Derek's panoramic insights are like a prebiotic for the soul. The discipline required to write the book permeates every page. The words are taut. It doesn't traffic in adjectives and adverbs. It lives and breathes existential truth. It is filled with stimulating tension, amplified by the inherent contradictions in which the book delights, and makes no excuses for, in fact, doesn't even acknowledge. And so, you are left holding the bag…the bag of golden nuggets about the contradictions of life itself. I found myself saying YES to every chapter, even though Derek was guiding me thru the spin cycle. To steal from Bill Graham when he said: "The Grateful Dead are not the best at what they do; they're the only ones who do what they do." Similarly, there is no voice quite like Derek's voice. He has no need to prove his premise. He has no inclination to justify his mojo. Some things simply are. His voice is unlike, say, Steven Pressfield's voice in The War Of Art (a fine book), which contains a good dose of "don't do this, don't do that." Regarding Derek, I can't recall one single line in How To Live coming from a negative viewpoint. How To Live is not filled with pop-psych opinions offered as advice. Instead, it is filled with facts gleaned from hard-wrought wisdom. And Derek's unique brand of wisdom clearly comes from having lived every word he says. I don't know that for certain, but I can still guarantee it. And I am grateful.

You are truly a man who is LIVING His Life!

This is similar to the Borges quote. Mix engineers never stop mixing, they just quit (or reach the deadline)

These two groups are different precisely and solely because of how they are thinking and feeling, which are both conceptual. It’s not the finished work that’s making them think or feel a certain way. The feeling and thinking is 100% made up by them!

I got this in all three forms when it came out. The contradictions are sometimes mildly maddening 😂😂😂, but I love it and return to it often.

Looking forward to another one. I often refer back to Hell Yeah. It's even on my desk right now. Thanks for all the multifaceted ways that you contribute to the world, Derek.

Hi Derek, great, Thanks!

Gadzooks! I look forward to the sequel in 50 years!

Derek - I loved this book. It’s a book unleashes a new perspective every time you re- read it. My current favourite is the passage on mastery. Thanks for putting this into the world.
Sharad

The difference might be that
- the musicians enjoy their song after it's finished, by playing it over and over (or seeing/hearing it being played) and they also get immediate feedback from the audience who enjoys it.
- an author usually doesn't read their own book, again and again, and most of the audience will take it in privately, with hardly any shiny faces to be enjoyed by the one who created the content.

I need to give it a good read

Are autographed copies available?

I have kids ages 10 and 12. It's the only book I have bought for them to give at a later date. I plan to (need to start doing this) write notes and letters to them in the pages of this book as they inspire them in the coming years. When do you think a good age to pass on will be? I was thinking 18 would be fitting.....or maybe another time when they are at a crossroads later in life..or maybe only once I pass?

I must be odd. I love everything I've written.

I believe it's because I write only what interests me, I write only when I have something to say, and I share my work only when I've removed all the babble.

I never have writer's block. I never sit with a blank page and think "What shall I write about?" I only have a blank page to start a piece that I've mulled over and have enough material to begin.

It helps that I don't have a deadline like a newspaper or magazine article to write every week or month. I have the ability to take my time, to write slowly and clearly, and to edit numerous times until I have nothing left to remove.

I've written over 300 short stories, poems, and essays, as well as three short novels. I love them all. Unfortunately, many editors don't feel the same for I've only been published a dozen or so times. Even still, I love everything I've written.

I'm the greatest writer who never was.

R.P. Infantino

The comments are as interesting to me as the question. I do write songs - words and music. I've never thought one was the best song ever written...I mean, really, how can one top some of Cole Porter's creations, or the collaborations of Michel Legrand with the Bergman' lyrics? But I do look at something I've written and think, "That may have legs, if I could just get it into the hands of the right singer & producer." And what makes a book, a short story, a how-to booklet, a poem worthy of praise, if it's not read or understood or helpful? With all those questions and doubts in mind, do we not have to come to terms with something akin to "I did my best. I was honest about my experiences. I hope with every fiber of my being that someone else also finds a positive message and is uplifted by my words, my song, my music." And then we wait (and hope) for the next flash of inspiration.

Maybe people who emote in certain ways tend to be attracted to making certain kinds of art, and in turn maybe musicians lean towards an over-confident attitude, while writers perhaps lean towards an under-confident one. Or maybe music's more accessible and so it's easier for artists to hear the greatness in it...maybe books give their authors too many opportunities to self-criticize. I stumble through both - it's hard to say. Very interesting though - thanks Derek!

The most confusing, frustrating and wonderfully thought provoking book. It's a gift.

Like David Andrew Wiebe already said, sometimes when I write music I think it may be MY best, but never the best song ever, at least not yet :)

And I haven't written so I can't speak to that one.

As for your book, I always like to keep a copy or two of it on hand to give out to people because I think it's that good. Can't say that about any other book ... Thank you Derek for all you do and especially for "How To Live"!!

Cool! Will have to pick it up! Along the same lines as Luis, I think it was Sting who said, you don't ever finish a record, you just abandon it! Also, Duke Ellington said, "Don't give me time, give me a deadline." As a musician, I can relate to both of these! That's quite an edit you did!

Well, Derek! Having composed over 600 songs, written two books and created numerous pieces of art...each time I finished a song, I just knew "this is a HIT song" (especially after many of them were recorded). Then, after I wrote each book, I seriously envisioned them as blockbuster movies or a Netflix series. Of course, I still 'see' my drawings and paintings adorning many eccentric collector's walls. My humility overwhelms even me! Guess I'm not like other writers you've encountered!

I don't believe in coincidences. Saw this today and am having a rough day. Seems like this is what I am needing. Thank you.

yes it's good.
i'll take this as a reminder to reread it now.

regardless, really cool that you shared how you feel about it, without caring much how it might be perceived/ judged.

thanks!

p.s - /now says you're in china, how is it there?

100% agreed it's a fantastic book and glad you have satisfaction from writing it. I am grateful that you gifted it to me, allowed me to read it at the right moment, and we could chat about it on my podcast. Keep doing great work and releasing awesome books Derek ^^

Derek's voice with so much passion and professioanl tone. Lovely like dad read litle story for children at their bed before they going to dream . . how about make audio book with music backing:)

I am laughing so hard reading this!

Honest and cute.

You are not alone, How To Live is also my favorite so far. I am sure as I go through life, the words in these 112 pages will have new and deeper meanings every time I read them.

BTW, shocked by the 1300-page draft.

Thanks for your effort, Derek.

I think the difference is time.

I haven't read it yet (though I absolutely plan to), but if you compare the amount of time it takes to write a book to the time it takes to write a song, the difference is pretty vast.

A good song can take minutes, hours, or a week. Sometimes the creation of it is split across multiple years, but it's rare that anything in the pop/rock/jazz tradition, worked on for an extensive amount of time, is an order of magnitude better than something that's worked on sparingly. Some of the most memorable songs in each were worked on for relatively small amounts of time; for improvisational jazz, some of the most memorable works took only the length of the recording.

Lots of people have the amount of time it takes to make a good song.

On the other hand, writing a good book takes longer. There are some authors who can churn out full-length novels in the span of a week, but at the end of the day, very few (if any) works churned out that way are considered to be great works of literature.

I think a better comparison is classical music.

The composers people think of as groundbreaking today had independent wealth, or patrons who offered a loose leash. Mozart's output grew less frequent and more poorly-received when he was feeling stressed on the subject of financials.

Books seem to be similar. The most universally-beloved books, both fiction and nonfiction, seem to be written by people who have all of the time in the world to work on them. The most critically-acclaimed book on programming was written by MIT professors who had as much time as they wanted to draft and iterate. Tolkien spent twelve years on The Lord of the Rings, and that was after the work he had already done on The Hobbit.

Most authors are relatively constrained by economic reality; it's not a hugely-lucrative job for most of them, so they'll either have to fit it between full-time work in other fields, or within their publisher's deadlines.

On the other hand, shorter books take much less time. Many authors who have lukewarm reception for their books seem to be able to write short-fiction that earns critical reception; many people who've written technical books widely conceived to be impenetrable or poor in quality have written amazing shorter works.

Full-length novels, for the sake of analogy, are symphonies to shorter books' pop songs.

You have all of the time in the world to try different permutations of lines, shift chapters around, and cut what seems unnecessary. You don't really have anything left to prove to anyone; your life is extremely lived-in, and you've accomplished more than the 99th percentile of people. You have all of the time and freedom in the world to create meaningful works, and to shave away any detail that doesn't lend itself to the point you're trying to make.

You're in the perfect place to write symphonies or books; you would probably just as well be satisfied with the end result of trying your hand at making cinema (in the same way that James Cameron is satisfied with his modern works), or any other creative field you'd be interested in.

My favourite artist has five painting in various stages of completion so that as he get stuck he can move on to another. He wouldn't say that all five are the best ever.

Painters are like authors, who write out the classics, in that they will go to a museum and study to copy the masters. A fellow told me that at art school they had to paint a faithful copy that they like very much... and then destroy their masterpiece copy, because then they learned not to be attached.

I don't get attached because I erase too much. I would mark each individual page with copyedit marks until I could barely read my work, then retype it, then start editing again. And repeat. After studying the classics, and working so hard on my piece, and often going to bed thinking it was the best I good do, then the next day doing still more...

... I could not in honesty be anything but humble. No, my product is not the best ever. But my process is worth every hour spent.

I have an impression, whether false or true, that urban graffiti artists don't study classic graffiti or compose every week on the wall of their mother's basement. Perhaps modern song writers, in their work ethic, are closer to graffiti guys than to a household name composer. If so, then they could innocently make grand claims.

My favorite and thought-provoking book! I often revisit it and my highlights.

It's been awhile since I read your book... I need to re acquaint myself. I do recall that it reminded me a bit of "The Tao of Warren Buffet" who I consider the Mark Twain of the Financial world. At present we are battling mountain top removal and hunting for an arsonist, in my once lovely little mountain town. Exit stage left... Cheerio

The only other book I can think of with conflicting chapters is the novel "Dr. Dogbody's Leg". Each chapter tells a different tale of how the doctor lost his leg, and each tale is corroborated by an independent witness.
That is a novel. Your book is novel.

Hi Derek, enjoyed reading your piece about the benefits of riding just a bit slower and being able to smell the flowers (and taste the bird poop), as well as your recent reflections on Shanghai. I live in Taipei and work mostly for companies in Australia, helping out with complicated debt situations. Cheers, Stefan

It feels like the Universe is sending vibrations to the planet that we are in desparate need of right now. One of those virbrations is of feminine energy. The rise of female empowerment and the swing of the pendulum away from the competitive, conquering and individualistic approaches to life that masculine energy brings, are signs that we were out of balance. We went too far to one side and we can clearly see the consequences of that in the current state of the world.

Part of this influx of female energy is a new way of seeing life. A way that requires the ability to hold two, or more, contradicting thoughts/beliefs at the same time. This ability is critical as it is part of what makes for a truly open-mind. And an open-mind is what allows us to see value, even in things in which we previously did not see value, (or once condemned). Sometimes, an open mind allows us to see that something we always valued, has exponentially more value than we once beleived.

Open-minds are extremely valuable and they allow for many other things of value to follow. Open-minds are what allow for creating and finding creative solutions to problems and conflicts. They allow for understanding and empathy. They allow for inventors, scientists and creatives to attempt, and achieve, the impossible. They allow for realizing that different points of view and beliefs and approaches can have value. Open-minds allow for inclusion, cooperation and collaboration. These are all thing we desparately need right now.

Derek is a messanger tapping into the giant wave of energy hitting the planet now. He is giving us tools to assist us in findng ways to open our minds and reap the enormous benefits that comes from operating from that perspective and higher vibration. He is showing us that it is possible to have different beliefs where each one has value. In addition to opening our minds, this exercise in entertaining contradicting beliefs, also chips away at the false belief that everything is either good or bad, black or white. It reduces the tendency to polarize everything. And that reduces the "Us vs. Them" mentality that creates so much conflict in our present society.

The literal definition of common sense is "The ability to see value." If we fail to see the value, we will fail to reap the benefits, and may actually suffer a negative consequence. Common sense should show us the tremendous value of an open-mind. Open-minds allow us to see our petty judgements, our cultural programming and ethnocentric beliefs as well as all the negative consequences our current mode of operation and perspective has brought to the planet. All the pollution, pain and suffering and conflicts are a direct result of closed-minds. We need this type of book now and we need to pry open our minds to a new way of looking at the world and each other.

Thanks, Derek, for being in tune and being a vessel through which much needed wisdom flows. Also, thanks for the desire to help and the thousands of hours of effort, grinding and editing, as I know that part of it is often unacknowledged. I hope that the readers of your book will see even more value in your book for its ability to open their minds and raise their vibration.

with all due respect Derek, I like a lot of your stuff, and I read your book, but honestly I prefer my 10th grade world history textbook, any collection of short stories containing "Westward the course of empire takes it way" by David Foster Wallace, Thinking Fast and Slow by Kahneman, Loving What Is by Byron Katie, the Tao Te Ching, Logique Mathematique by Cori and Lascar, Neuromancer by Gibbons, A Scanner Darkly and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by PKD, Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, Nos Amis les Humains by Bernard Werber, Allen Hatcher's Algebraic Topology, The Art of Computer Programming by Knuth, Debt, Utopia of Rules, Bullshit Jobs and Dawn of Everything by Graeber (the latter with Wengrow), and quite a few more. I think all those are better, and not by a little.

But that's just like my opinion, man.

good news is, this post inspired me to write a book at some point, just because I feel like I can do better.

love you, thanks for putting your work out there <3

I agree that "How to Live" is the best book you've ever written Derek. A couple of years ago I wouldn't have said that, simply because I was not as far along in my Awareness journey.

I keep a copy of it on my nightstand, along with "Hell Yeah or No". "How to Live" for the philosphy of it, and "Hell Yeah or No" for the thoughts that help me ignore all of the things I could do (and accomplish none of them) and select the ones that I Will Do.

It's educational to know there are two types of writing, nonfiction and fiction. My essays are the former where I try to skillfully avoid throwing truth in people's faces like a wet dishrag. Bare truth doesn't sell.

Better, if a reader has an attention span, to sneak up an idea or theme using fiction, which is what I have lately been attempting. If only because the audience is far bigger for fiction.

If you only read the first and last scene of MacBeth then you have cheated yourself, as surely as if you read a summary. Stage plays and fiction are meant to be experienced, even if it hurts your feelings.

Nonfiction works best if for me if I can look up from the page and reflect on what I am reading, maybe saying it in my own words.

I can stack up facts in my brain by using the library, but it may take some effort, or a good professor, for the facts to suddenly be jumbled, spun around and integrated so that I am a new person. I mean, memorizing every line of a business management book, complete with equations for Return On Investment, would not make me a leader.

Derek, if I was growing as a painter or writer then I would always say that my latest work was the most interesting to me, my favourite, but... the next work would take its place in time. Knowing my perspective will change, I refrain from standing on a chair and reciting my latest work in public.

I once heard the saying, “A film script is never finished, it’s just abandoned to production”.

My feeling is the work has to be released when you feel it is done and your own process is done. Accept it the work you have done and continue to create. If it is not done do not hand it to the world.

Then there is this lyric from the Wilco song “what light” to consider.

“And if the whole world's singing your songs
And all of your paintings have been hung
Just remember what was yours
Is everyone's from now on

And that's not wrong or right
But you can struggle with it all you like
You'll only get uptight”

Maybe it has to do with the length of the process?

Most musicians seem to enjoy making music. Whereas most book writers have some version of Winston Churchill’s sentiments: “ Writing a book is an adventure. To begin with it is a toy and an amusement. Then it becomes a mistress, then it becomes a master, then it becomes a tyrant. The last phase is that just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster and fling him to the public.”

Maybe it also has to do with the medium: text has the affordance which allows repeated review and editing. Music and sound, you can only do so many times.

Thank you for your helpful thoughts <3

For musicians, there is an element of magic whenever we make a great song. We don’t know why it works, but thank god it works! There is an energy rush.

I feel like we evaluate writing differently.

When the writing is good, the reader doesn’t notice it and the focus is on the ideas themselves. Writing is a tedious process of revising, editing, so the reader gets an effortless experience of receiving the ideas. That’s why I feel that writers are usually relieved, rather than thrilled.

Derek nice to meet you. I heard an interview with Fabio Cerpelloni and I saw what kind of beautiful energy you convey. Thanks for that and your content on this website. God bless you.

Just a personal opinion：

When musicians are done writing a new song, they feel it’s the best song ever because music is the conclusion of the present feeling, and feeling is the language of the soul.

When authors are done writing a new book, they don't feel it’s the best book ever because words are the conclusion of thought, and thought is the language of the mind.

The soul usually comes from within and represents itself, but the mind does not. Sometimes the mind is one's own, but sometimes it comes from others.

Your book changed my entire perspective. A daily read and listen for me.Thank you Derek!!

yeah, somitimes i think the thing that i made/make is the best

Have read it four times. It’s truly a work of genius and now, reading what went into it, I get why! Thank you. You’re a gift to all of us, Derek.

follow up:

so here's the novella I ended up writing, thanks again for inspring me Derek <3

arielche.net/leon.html

Your book is fantastic. Never had a perspective like yours .

Oh no, I am late replying. I am waiting for the best BEST yet from you Derek (while you are still out there). I love "How to Live" because what makes it special is I learned from it how to really be serious with choices of anything in life -- to sum up life while still able, or only take what is necessary. There is no university for this kind of learning, which is one of the hardest of all. I think of the book whenever I like to harbor unnecessary things. Someone (you) has taken this into serious account even in writing. But only when a person dies is when the restlessness end. I may sound ridiculous now, but is it possible that you have finally conquered the restlessness?

Derek,
Just bought it and looking forward to reading it.
Regards,
Tom