16 Jul

Posted at 06:54h in Reviews by

Review of Sicker in the Head: More Conversations About Life and Comedy by Judd Apatow As someone who has always found solace in laughter, Judd Apatow’s latest compilation, Sicker in the Head: More Conversations About Life and Comedy, immediately piqued my interest. Apatow, a luminary in the comedy realm—scriptwriter, producer, director, and comedian—has a knack for navigating the labyrinthine paths of humor and life. His previous work, Sick in the Head, laid the groundwork for this sequel, and I was eager to see how he would delve deeper into...

12 Jul

Posted at 22:11h in Reviews by

Book Review: The Wordhord: Daily Life in Old English by Hannah Videen As an old English major (not an "Old English" major, mind you), stumbling upon The Wordhord: Daily Life in Old English by Hannah Videen was like finding a hidden trove tucked away in the dusty corners of a library. The title alone pulls you in, promising a riveting journey through the everyday lexicon and culture of early medieval Britain. I'll admit: I’ve always had a soft spot for the beautiful cadence of Old English, and this book...

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...

08 Jul

Posted at 07:53h in Reviews by

Taking a Long Look: Essays on Culture, Literature and Feminism – A Journey Through Gornick's Lens When I first picked up Taking a Long Look: Essays on Culture, Literature and Feminism by Vivian Gornick, I was drawn in by the promise of deep reflection paired with sharp cultural criticism. Gornick is an author whose insights linger long after reading; her previous works have challenged me to see the world through a more nuanced feminist lens. This collection, rich with her reflections from decades of engagement with feminist thought, felt...

05 Jul

Posted at 09:32h in Reviews by

In Praise of Good Bookstores: A Love Letter to the Heart of Reading There's something undeniably magnetic about the world of bookstores, and perhaps that's why Jeff Deutsch's In Praise of Good Bookstores caught my eye and captured my heart. As someone who has often lost track of time browsing the shelves of my favorite local haunt, I found myself eagerly turning the pages of this book, eager to explore not only Deutsch's journey but also the very essence of what makes these sanctuaries so vital to our intellectual...

27 May

Posted at 10:27h in Reviews by

Book Review: Harlem Rhapsody by Ibi Zoboi Have you ever picked up a book and instantly felt connected to its heartbeat? That’s exactly what happened when I delved into Harlem Rhapsody by Ibi Zoboi. This gripping tale of Jessie Redmon Fauset, a key figure of the Harlem Renaissance, caught my attention not just because of its historical backdrop but also because it shapes an intimate portrayal of ambition, identity, and the messy journey of creativity. From the very beginning, I was drawn into a whirlwind of emotions, sparked by...

15 May

Posted at 06:39h in Reviews by

Book Review: Nine Nasty Words: English in the Gutter — Then, Now, and Always As a book blogger, I often find myself drawn to works that explore the rich tapestry of language and culture, and John McWhorter’s Nine Nasty Words: English in the Gutter — Then, Now, and Always did just that, capturing my attention with its provocative title. McWhorter, a brilliant linguist and engaging narrator, takes us on a journey through the evolution of profanity, particularly focusing on words that have ignited debates and raised eyebrows throughout history....