Sunday Supplement #171 (August 18th, 2024)
Below is another Sunday Supplement with a quote worth sharing, a book worth reading, a movie worth watching, brainfood worth consuming, and a spiritual passage worth pondering.
Please take something away from these recommendations that enriches your week ahead!
Quote of the Week:
“Limits like fear are often just an illusion.”
– Michael Jordan
Book of the Week:
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd – Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie is one of the best-selling fiction writers of all time, with over 2 billion works sold from 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is one of her most famous novels. The novel’s point of view character is Dr. Sheppard of the English country village of King’s Abbot.
Dr. Sheppard recounts being called to certify the death of a wealthy widow who committed suicide a year after her abusive husband’s demise. Twenty-four hours later, Roger Ackroyd, the man she planned to marry, gets murdered.
Recently retired Belgian detective Hercule Poirot takes up the case and uses his “little grey cells” to solve the case.
If you enjoy The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, check out any of Christie’s novels. I’ve read about twenty of them, all of which were excellent. I also featured one of the film adaptations of her novels in my first Sunday Supplement.
Movie of the Week:
Director/writer Neil Burger’s The Illusionist was adapted from the short story “Eisenheim the Illusionist” by Steven Milhauser.
The film follows the story of Eisenheim and Princess Sophie. In late-1800s Vienna, the son of a carpenter falls in love with Princess Sophie.
Because of their class difference, they are separated. Eisenheim then disappears to pursue his passion for magic. He returns years later, and the two cross paths again, but Sophie is betrothed to the Crown Prince Leopold.
The Illusionist is a fantastic film. Ed Norton stars as Eisenheim, with standout supporting performances from Rufus Sewell, Jessica Biel, and Paul Giamatti. I highly recommend it.
Brainfood of the Week:
10 Amazing Illusions | Quirkology
I wrote about the theme of illusion in one previous post, Sunday Supplement #94, and featured an illusion video for the Brainfood of the Week.
In my YouTube browsing, I came across this video from Quirkology and thought it worth sharing. Psychologist, author, and magician Richard Wiseman created the channel.
The video has some fun illusions worth checking out. One spoiler is that the last one can leave you a little dizzy.
I found the video a fun reminder that things aren’t always as they appear to be. Sometimes, it can be fun to be tricked, but it can also be beneficial not to make assumptions.
Closing Spiritual Passage:
“Examine what is said, not who is speaking.”
– African Proverb
This African proverb is a powerful reminder not to get caught in the illusion of a speaker over their words.
Many people can make confident claims about various topics, but it is up to you to vet what they are saying.
Conversely, someone you believe can add no value to your life might say something with great wisdom.
Don’t find yourself stuck or led astray by illusions, and have a blessed week ahead!