Ep 384: What Should I Read for a Deeper New Year?

In this holiday episode of the Deep Questions podcast, Cal Newport answers listener questions, focusing on books that offer deep wisdom for the New Year without being self-help guides. He recommends six books, including Thoreau's "Walden" for lifestyle-centric planning, William Lee Miller's "Lincoln's Virtues" on developing moral intelligence, and Karen Armstrong's "The Case for God" for understanding transcendent values. He also suggests Jaron Lanier's "You Are Not a Gadget" and Nick Carr's "The Shallows" for insights on technology's impact on humanity and brain function, and Richard Rohr's "Falling Upward" for navigating life's hardships. Newport then addresses listener questions on topics ranging from managing kids' screen time and integrating creative pursuits to time blocking strategies and dealing with technology's impact.