The Literary Compass Podcast

There are some books that don’t overwhelm you with ideas. They give you one, and trust you to take it seriously. As a Man Thinketh by James Allen is one of those books. It’s short. You could read it in under an hour. And yet, if you really sit with it, it has the potential to change how you see your entire life. Not dramatically. Not overnight. Quietly. The idea at the centre At its core, the book...

" Au milieu de l'hiver, j'ai découvert en moi un invincible été ." ~ Albert Camus invincible summer by albert camus In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love. In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile. In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm. I realised, through it all, that… In the midst of winter, I found...

Promise Yourself by Christian D Larson Promise Yourself To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet. To make all your friends feel that there is something in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. To think only the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best...

“Wine is the most civilized thing in the world.” – Ernest Hemingway I live in the southwest of France, so wine is big here. I am close to three major wine regions, Cahors, Bergerac and the well-known Bordeaux. So today’s P&P is all about wine! I also have an exclusive discount for you for my photography. You can use the code WINETIME in my Etsy shop to get 25% off anything :) I have always loved t...

The Flowers by Rudyard Kipling Buy my English posies! Kent and Surrey may — Violets of the Undercliff Wet with Channel spray; Cowslips from a Devon combe — Midland furze afire — Buy my English posies And I'll sell your heart's desire! Buy my English posies! You that scorn the May, Won't you greet a friend from home Half the world away? Green against the draggled drift, Faint and frail and first —...

Write It On Your Heart by Ralph Waldo Emerson Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety. Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt crept in. Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day; begin it w...

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,And sorry I could not travel bothAnd be one traveller, long I stoodAnd looked down one as far as I couldTo where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair,And having perhaps the better claim,Because it was grassy and wanted wear;Though as for that the passing thereHad worn them really about the same, And...

A quick note: The Literary Compass has a new home. I've moved to a shorter, weekly format called The Literary Prescriptions, sent straight to your inbox. If you'd like to keep receiving something from me, you can sign up at bookquotetherapy.com , it takes a moment and comes with a free copy of The Literary First Aid Kit as a welcome gift. I’m going to start this new podcast with a beautiful quote...