Resources

I started “Downtime With Rev. Mike” as a fall-asleep podcast, but it’s also coming from an existentialist point of view. Here is a starter list for further reading in existentialism. I do not necessarily endorse everything written in the works below, or the authors, for that matter:

  • Being and Time

    by Martin Heidegger
    A cornerstone of existentialism exploring the nature of existence, authenticity, and time.

  • Existentialism Is a Humanism

    by Jean-Paul Sartre
    A concise and accessible lecture outlining existentialist themes like freedom, responsibility, and the absence of predetermined meaning.

  • The Myth of Sisyphus

    by Albert Camus
    A profound meditation on the absurd, exploring how we find meaning in a meaningless universe.

  • Man’s Search for Meaning

    by Viktor E. Frankl
    A powerful work blending existential thought with reflections on finding purpose through suffering, based on Frankl’s experiences in concentration camps.

  • Fear and Trembling

    by Søren Kierkegaard
    A deeply personal exploration of faith, ethics, and individuality through the story of Abraham and Isaac.

  • The Plague

    by Albert Camus
    A novel illustrating existentialist themes of solidarity, resistance, and the human condition in the face of suffering.

  • Notes from Underground

    by Fyodor Dostoevsky
    A novella that delves into alienation, freedom, and the contradictions of human nature.

  • The Stranger

    by Albert Camus
    A novel that introduces the concept of the absurd through the life of an indifferent protagonist.

  • Nausea

    by Jean-Paul Sartre
    A novel that vividly portrays the existential dread and realization of life’s lack of inherent meaning.

  • I and Thou

    by Martin Buber
    A philosophical exploration of relationships, emphasizing the “I-Thou” encounter as a path to meaning.

  • The Courage to Be

    by Paul Tillich
    A work of theology and philosophy addressing anxiety, faith, and the courage to confront the ultimate concerns of life.

  • Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience

    by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
    While not strictly existentialist, it aligns with the philosophy by exploring how we find meaning and fulfillment through engaging in the present.

  • How to Be an Existentialist,
    or How to Get Real, Get a Grip and Stop Making Excuses

    by Gary Cox
    This book pulls no punches. Trying to live as an existentialist is hard work.