I’ve always been fascinated by Michael Faraday, the 19th-century English chemist and physicist who revolutionized our understanding of electricity and magnetism. What draws me to him isn’t just his groundbreaking work – it’s the way he approached science with a…
I’ve been reading Djuna Barnes’ autobiography, “Nightwood,” for weeks now, and I keep finding myself drawn back to her writing about her relationships with men. Specifically, her tumultuous affair with Thelma Wood, an American artist. There’s something about the way…
I’ve been reading about Baruch Spinoza for weeks now, and I’m still not sure what to make of him. On one hand, his philosophy resonates with me on a deep level—the way he talks about the interconnectedness of all things…
Margaret Fuller’s name keeps appearing in my writing, as if I’m trying to summon her spirit by mentioning it enough times. I’ve been reading her essays and letters, getting lost in the pages of “Woman in the Nineteenth Century” and…
W.G. Sebald. I’ve spent countless hours reading his words, trying to untangle the threads of his writing. His prose is a labyrinth, and I’m still not sure I know my way out. At first, it was the odd structure that…
I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of sacrifice, and Albert Schweitzer’s life is a masterclass in it. The more I learn about him, the more I’m struck by his commitment to living out his values, no matter how uncomfortable…
I’ve always been drawn to Aphra Behn, but it’s only recently that I’ve begun to understand why. As a writer myself, I appreciate the fact that she was one of the first professional female writers in England. But beyond her…
I’ve always been fascinated by Richard Feynman, the physicist who defied conventions with his unorthodox approach to science and life. As I reflect on why he holds my attention, I find myself drawn to the complexity of his character –…
I’ve always been fascinated by Edith Wharton’s writing, particularly her novels about the social elite of her time. As I delved deeper into her work, I found myself drawn to the way she critiqued the societal norms that governed women’s…
Beatrix Potter. I’ve always been fascinated by her, but it’s not until recently that I’ve started to think about why. Maybe it’s because I’m at a similar crossroads myself – fresh out of college, trying to figure out what comes…
Roland Barthes. I keep coming back to his ideas, even when I’m trying not to think about them. His writing is like a puzzle I can’t help but try to solve. Maybe it’s because he makes me feel seen in…
I’ve been reading about Sojourner Truth for weeks now, and I’m still grappling with her words. Specifically, that one phrase: “Ain’t I a woman?” It’s like it reaches out and grabs me by the throat, refusing to let go. I…
Marcel Proust. I’ve been fascinated by his work for years, but only recently have I started to think about why he holds such a strong grip on my imagination. It’s not just the sheer scope of his writing – seven…
James Clerk Maxwell. His name has been echoing in my mind for weeks now, ever since I stumbled upon a worn-out textbook on electromagnetic theory in the college library’s discard bin. I remember feeling a strange sense of familiarity as…
I’ve always been fascinated by George Sand, the 19th-century French novelist who wrote under a pseudonym. What draws me to her is the enigma of her identity – or rather, the multiple identities she presented to the world. To be…
I still remember the first time I picked up a Jose Saramago novel, his words spilling out like a tangled mess of thoughts and emotions on the page. It was as if he’d taken all my innermost worries and doubts,…
I’ll be honest, I stumbled upon Clarice Lispector’s name while browsing through a used bookstore, and at first, I had no idea who she was. But there was something about her name that drew me in – maybe it was…
Isaac Newton’s face has been etched into my mind since I first stumbled upon him in high school history class. I remember being fascinated by the way he seemed to hold the entire universe within his grasp – laws of…
I’ve been thinking about Antonin Artaud a lot lately, trying to wrap my head around the man and his work. For me, it’s not just about understanding him as an artist or a thinker; I’m drawn to the complexities that…
Mary Oliver’s words have been my constant companion for years, yet I only recently stumbled upon her work with any kind of intention. It was during a particularly overwhelming semester, and I found myself pouring over her collections – “Devotions”,…
