Madden, Patrick. Quotidiana. Nebraska: U of Nebraska, 2010. Print.
Madden's essay style is compared to Montaigne's in that it illuminates commonplace things and commonplace moments. One of the reasons why I wanted to include Madden's writing in my sources is that he really exemplifies a contemporary undertaking of the classical essay style. The first essay in this book, "The Infinite Suggestiveness of Common Things," borrows its title from Alexander Smith's essay, "On the Writing of Essays," and in it Madden explores the value of finding meaning in the everyday, in the mundane. Throughout his essays, Madden often quotes other essayists or philosophers and quotes much like Montaigne does in his essays; this technique shows that Madden is drawing from a larger field of knowledge--acknowledging that he is a part of the greater human experience, which is a common trait among essays. Because I work with Pat Madden on a regular basis in my master's program, this seems a natural choice to add to my list of sources. He practices what he preaches.
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