27 Jul

Posted at 13:47h in Reviews by

A Silent Language: The Nobel Lecture by Jon Fosse — A Reflection Beyond Words When I first heard about Jon Fosse winning the 2023 Nobel Prize for Literature, I felt drawn to explore his acceptance speech, A Silent Language. Fosse’s unique voice, often described as hauntingly poetic, captures a part of the human experience that many of us struggle to articulate. His words resonated with me, as if they whispered truths I hadn’t fully acknowledged in my own journey with language and creativity. Fosse's lecture unfolds like a meditative exploration...

21 Jul

Posted at 04:41h in Reviews by

A Journey Through Words: A Review of Things I Don't Want to Know: On Writing by Deborah Levy As a lifelong reader and aspiring writer, I often find myself enchanted by the craft of storytelling. When I stumbled upon Deborah Levy's Things I Don't Want to Know, it felt like a serendipitous hug from a kindred spirit. Levy, a two-time Booker Prize finalist, invites readers into her world with a warmth and wit that is both disarming and invigorating. This book, responding to George Orwell's essay "Why I Write,"...

20 Jul

Posted at 11:17h in Reviews by

Personal Reflections on J. M. Coetzee’s Speaking in Tongues When I first picked up Speaking in Tongues by J. M. Coetzee, I did so with a curious blend of excitement and apprehension. As a devoted admirer of Coetzee’s profound works—each more layered and challenging than the last—I found myself eager yet slightly intimidated by what he might have to say this time. Known for wrestling with themes of colonialism, identity, and human suffering, Coetzee has a distinctive way of forcing readers into uncomfortable but essential reflections. Little did I...

18 Jul

Posted at 13:20h in Reviews by

Review of More Than Words: How to Think About Writing in the Age of AI by John Warner As a lifelong lover of writing, the title More Than Words immediately piqued my interest. In today's world where generative AI has become an integral part of our learning and working environments, the prospect of revisiting the fundamentals of human expression seemed not just timely, but necessary. John Warner, a seasoned writing teacher, captures this urgency beautifully, compelling us to reconsider the essence of writing itself. Warner posits that writing is much...

17 Jul

Posted at 13:00h in Reviews by

Navigating the Abyss of Information: A Review of The Crisis of Narration by Han Byung-Chul I stumbled upon The Crisis of Narration during a particularly reflective time in my life, navigating a world inundated with information yet yearning for deeper understanding. Han Byung-Chul's name came up frequently among my philosophically inclined friends, who spoke of his ability to dissect the currents of our modern existence. Little did I know that this brief yet profound read would challenge my perceptions not only about narration but also about my place within...

10 Jul

Posted at 20:02h in Reviews by

The Story Paradox: How Our Love of Storytelling Builds Our World – A Reflection on Jonathan Gottschall’s Provocative Insights As I settled down with The Story Paradox: How Our Love of Storytelling Builds Our World, Jonathan Gottschall’s latest exploration of the storytelling phenomenon, I felt a familiar thrill akin to revisiting an old friend. Having previously been mesmerized by his earlier work, The Storytelling Animal, I was eager to unravel how he would tackle a more ominous topic: the potential pitfalls of our relentless storytelling drive. Spoiler alert: this...

06 Jun

Posted at 11:29h in Reviews by

A Dose of Laughter in Business: A Review of Humor, Seriously by Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas In a world where business emails are often more sterile than a hospital room, the cheerful promise of Humor, Seriously: Why Humor Is a Superpower at Work and in Life (And How Anyone Can Harness It. Even You) by Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas caught my attention like the first sparkly pop of a champagne cork at a celebratory gathering. This book explores a refreshing idea: humor isn’t just for comedians—it’s a...

05 Jun

Posted at 05:04h in Reviews by

Book Review: How to Win an Information War: The Propagandist Who Outwitted Hitler by Peter Pomerantsev When I stumbled upon How to Win an Information War, I felt an immediate tug of curiosity; how could the historical tales of British anti-Nazi propaganda resonate with the current conflict in Ukraine? Peter Pomerantsev, a writer whose previous work, Nothing is True and Everything is Possible, had already captivated me with his piercing insights into Putin’s Russia, was poised to weave past and present together in a way that could illuminate our...

02 Jun

Posted at 16:45h in Reviews by

Making Numbers Count: A Reflection on the Art and Science of Communicating Data As a self-proclaimed math nerd and accountant, I’ve always found solace in the structure and clarity that numbers provide. Manipulating them is a joy; the rules are clear, the patterns are visible. This makes me more empathetic to the challenges many face when grappling with data and statistics. Enter "Making Numbers Count: The Art and Science of Communicating Data" by Chip Heath and Karla Starr—a book that struck a chord with me the moment I picked...

30 May

Posted at 18:21h in Reviews by

More Than Words: How to Think About Writing in the Age of AI by Warner – A Thought-Provoking Exploration As an avid reader and passionate advocate for the craft of writing, I often find myself caught in the whirlwind of discussions about technology’s impact on our lives. When I stumbled upon More Than Words: How to Think About Writing in the Age of AI by Warner, I felt an immediate pull—this was a conversation I desperately wanted to be a part of. With his years of experience as a...