You can judge a book by its cover, sometimes
January 26th, 2023
The key word is “sometimes” because it is wise not to be swayed by glitter and (usually fake and irrelevant) prettiness outside, only the real interior matter matters really. But there are times when I just know from the first glancing look that this is it, I will like it and enjoy it. And in this case, it is not even the cover — just a title was enough. I was browsing random articles on Wikipedia last night, as I like to do before falling asleep. That is something that replaced my compulsive checking of various social media apps in bed. And even though I know using a cell phone right before bedtime is not quite good for you, I still spend a good twenty minutes every night when already in bed with my cell phone in hand swiping a random article after article after article. Until there is something that catches my attention and then I go to read the article and usually start clicking links to related articles. That is a time well spent, I think. I learn something while still getting a “cell phone in hand” fix that is already habitual to me (and vast and countless numbers of people as well).
But I digress…
What I found last night was an article about an Arabic book from the 10th Century — The Case of the Animals versus Man Before the King of the Jinn written by Brethren of Purity. And that was it. Just the title and name of the writing/religious collective. Before even reading what is this book about, I already checked if any copy is available to buy. I knew that I just have to have it in my collection, but I also somehow knew that I will enjoy reading it. I have little to no knowledge of Arabic literature, not to mention religious, symbolic Arabic literature from Antiquity/Middle Ages and yet going just by a title and judging its worth only on that was enough. And then came a cherry on top — the description of the book was perfectly suited to my interest and tastes. Now, I will have to wait a while before this book is delivered here (I bought it already of course) and make an informed judgment. Actually, it might take more than a while — I have a list of at least 10 books already prepared in a queue for reading. And there are only that many hours in a day I can spend on something that enjoy.
Today I had absolutely no idea what to write about, so I wrote two paragraphs about nothing — just something that was peculiar to me and my emotions and reactions to it. I consider it only as an exercise, something that I do every day as a pleasure and a force of habit, and every day I do that makes me better at what I do. Even if that something is witting two paragraphs about nothing much at all.
