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Things That Only True Book Lovers Will Understand

You Don’t know why So Many People Don’t Read: As an avid book reader, you don’t understand why more people

Literature
 

A Living Antigone Literature And Mythology

He is one of the most famous characters in literature and mythology, and also one of the most endearing. We

LITERATURE TIPS

Book Review
 

Book Review: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

If you’re hunting for a book that changes your life’s perspectives by providing a positive turn to every event in

Book Review
 

Book Review: Ikigai

In Japanese, Ikigai means ‘Art of Living and the book justifies every word. It speaks to the heart of readers,

Book Reading
 

Book reading Tips: Plowing through a long book

If you’ve seen your long and big books sitting on your shelves for a long time now, you need some

Teen Books
 

5 Teen Books to Promote Positive Thinking

It is no cakewalk to be a teenager in the 21st century! Academic and peer pressure can take a toll

German Books
 

German Books by Women We’d Love to See in English

It is disappointing for an avid reader to hear about a book, only to find out that it was never

Books
 

Books to Read before you Hit Thirty

Reading Books is a pleasure not everyone understands. They allow us to live through other people’s experiences and learn from

Book Lovers
  

Things That Only True Book Lovers Will Understand

You Don’t know why So Many People Don’t Read: As an avid book reader, you don’t understand why more people

Novel
 

An Uncompromising Initiatory Novel

In small town Alabama during the Great Depression, Atticus Finch raised his two children, Jem and Scout, alone. A man

Biographical Note
 

Jean Vodaine Biographical Note

Jean Vodaine was born on July 6, 1921 in Volce, today in Slovenia, then in the Veneto Juliana. At the

The Novel
 

The Novel Of A Generation

The characters who run through Sophie Avon’s novel: The Beautiful Years , turned 20 in the 1980s but could just

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How to Choose the Right Books to read

Right Books

Have you ever visited a bookshop and wondered what to buy? If you answer yes, you’re not alone! Many avid readers also face the dilemma of choosing a book due to the many available options.

Nowadays, reading books is not just confined to reading hard copies but also extends to reading them online through various platforms like Kindle, etc. The kind of books you read is more important than the platform you read them on. Picking the wrong book, especially for a beginner, can be a factor of demotivation, resulting in losing interest in reading altogether. Therefore, you must follow these guidelines to help choose the right book for your next read.

book

Select the author

One of the easiest ways to narrow your choices is to fetch the correct author. Generally, fictional authors will stick to their genre, and horror story authors will stick to theirs, and so on. If you wish to read a particular genre or like a specific author’s work, browse more on similar copies.

Create a list

Imagine scrolling through a page and noticing an excellent book review that can be your next read. During such situations, it is best to pen down a list of books you wish to read/ the ones you’re curious to explore. By doing so, you’ll have multiple options to choose from.

Visit a bookstore

In this technology and the online-driven world, go offline for a couple of hours and visit a bookstore. Seeing the covers, touching, and holding a book in your hand will help you pick a book that resonates with you and the one you can connect to instead of blindly buying books online based on reviews. More importantly, you can mingle with other avid book readers and take their suggestions on specific genres, authors, and many more! Many places also offer reserved seats to sit and read in the audience, of which you can take good advantage.

Don’t buy in bulk

It is tempting to buy everything in your sight, but taking it slow and buying books one after the other is essential. This is because having many books of interest in front of you can fluctuate your interest in the current book, and at the end of the day, you will not be able to finish anything.

Stop if you don’t feel like reading.

Sometimes you wish to take a break from that genre or reading. Listen to your instincts, and don’t push yourself to read something which does not interest you.

Don’t be obsessed with the number.

A comprehensive reading list can often lead people to chase the number of books read rather than the amount of information gathered from each book. However, reading is a marathon, not a race. Hence, take it slow and forget about the number of books you must read. Just enjoy the now you’re reading now.

How Reading Books can Positively Influence Your Life

Reading Books

The first novel ever, ‘The Tale of Genji,’ was written in the 11th century by a Japanese woman named Murasaki Shikibu. Over 1000 years have passed, and people are still hooked on reading great novels and books. Even in the era of viewing stories that disappear after 24 hours, a good number of the population relies on reading books for entertainment.

Is it just for enjoyment and entertainment, or does reading books significantly impact our brain and life?

According to many experts, reading books has more benefits than we can ever imagine, both on physical and mental health, which can cast its impact for a lifetime.

Reading books

Reading books strengthens your brain.

Many bodies of research have indicated that reading literally changes the composition of your mind. For example, MRI scans of seasoned readers have shown a sophisticated and robust ability to develop brain signals, which has significantly improved by reading over the years. In addition, reading books strengthens the emotional and sensational part of the brain that can help deal with difficult emotions.

Reading books strengthens empathy.

From the above information, it is evident that reading helps people grow strong empathy. Fiction books that explore and talk about characters’ inner life and characteristics have a more significant impact on the brain when compared to biographies. In scientific terms, it is called ‘the theory of mind,’ and it is an essential skill to maintain and strengthen social relationships in people.

 Reading books strengthens vocabulary.

‘The rich get richer, and the poor remain poor’ is a phrase not only implied for capital growth but can also be applied to developing vocabulary. Children who develop the practice of reading books from a young age have a more remarkable ability to improve and strengthen their language, which can help them in all areas of life. It also enhances one’s ability to communicate effectively among a large group of people.

Reading books prevents cognitive decline.

The National Institute of Aging recommends everyone in their old age read at least three pages of a book or magazine daily to improve their mental ability and cognitive behavior. It will also help Alzheimer’s patients to remember and recollect events better to help maintain their cognitive function and behavior.

Reading books

Reading books reduces stress and anxiety.

It is a no-brainer that reading books directly elevates mood and is also an excellent source for people to get away from depression and escape their everyday lives. Many researchers found that reading for at least 30 minutes a day can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and heart rate to a great extent. The feeling of distress will be diminished, and it works just as humor and yoga do!

Key Takeaway

Reading books is not just limited to knowledge and entertainment but also provides many scientifically-proven benefits. So, if you wish to explore the benefits it provides, grab a book and find out!

Book Review: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Book Review

If you’re hunting for a book that changes your life’s perspectives by providing a positive turn to every event in life, this is the book for you! It is an inspirational masterpiece that has taken a seat in the minds of positive thinkers and believers.

About the book

The original version of ‘The Alchemist’ was published in Portuguese in 1987, after which Paulo Coelho turned it into an English masterpiece. Although the book’s sale was relatively low in the first few weeks, the universe conspired to make it a hit in the later months of its release. As a result, the book has sold 65 million copies worldwide and remained a NY Times Bestseller for over 315 weeks. For anyone who has already read the book, it is a self-help masterpiece that provides a valuable lesson in every chapter, if not every page.

Summary of The Alchemist

The story is centered around a shepherd named Santiago, who constantly dreams about striking a treasure in the Pyramids of Egypt. While on the journey to find answers, he encounters a fortune teller who interprets his dream as a prophecy. While searching, he also meets the King of Salem, who recommends Santiago sell all his sheep and fill his ‘Personal Legend.’

After this encounter, the story shifts to the shepherd boy selling all his sheep and following his life’s purpose. Finally, he starts his journey to discover his dream treasure. The boy faces various obstacles to gain what he believes is his and eventually finds it.

Interpretation of The Alchemist

While talking about Santiago’s story, the author throws light on following one’s destiny. The book’s central theme is ‘when you want something to happen, the entire universe will conspire to make your wish a reality. After you read, you will notice that this motif is followed throughout the story.

Another reader’s interpretation of the book is based on overcoming one’s fear and giving in to destiny. The detrimental consequences of fear are endless. If one lets fear take over their life, one can achieve nothing and live miserably. If Santiago had allowed his fear of the unknown and traveling to a deserted land by selling his herd to get to his brain, he wouldn’t have discovered the treasure in Egypt.

alchemist

Lessons from the alchemist

Although it depends on the reader to interpret and learn a personal lesson, the author focuses on providing the following lessons to his readers:

  • Everyone has a dream that they wish to conquer. If you wish to reach that goal, you have to follow your personal legend.
  • Stop being afraid of the unknown. If you wish to conquer something in life and progress forward, you should never let fear get in your way.
  • It is essential to rise stronger after you fall, which is one of the factors in running after your success.

 

Book Review: Ikigai

Book Review

In Japanese, Ikigai means ‘Art of Living and the book justifies every word. It speaks to the heart of readers, educating them about leading a purposeful life. Many avid readers have put their thoughts on the book and stated that it is a book of secrets to leading a happy, stress-free life.

About the Book

Ikigai; The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life is a book by Francesc Miralles and Hector Gracia Puigcerver. They visit the town of Okinawa in Japan, which is considered a village that is  known for its longevity and leading a healthy lifestyle. The authors interviewed the locals and villagers to understand the meaning of the term ‘Ikigai.’ It is comprised of a blend of cultures and is now the epitome of a self-help book that guides its readers in the right direction to gaining non-material happiness.

The book talks about embracing techniques to lead a healthier and happier life by discovering our ‘Ikigai’ and following the road to lead a prosperous life. Various aspects of life, like the importance of friendships, the importance of flow, motivation, and other subjects, are covered in this book. In concise, it talks about the rule of personal Ikigai:

  • Don’t retire; stay active
  • Take slow steps
  • Don’t fill your stomach to the brim
  • Surround yourself with good people
  • Get in shape
  • Smile more
  • Have an attitude of gratitude
  • Live in the moment
  • Follow your Ikigai

Ikigai

Book Review

The villagers of Okinawa swear by these rules, which have helped them stay happy and kept their heart diseases at bay.

The second part of the book talks about the significance of taking care of one’s mental health, which people in the modern world often neglect. It also provides tips on activating the brain solely based on patterns and practices. One of the book’s main aspects is to help people avoid stress in life, which is one of the leading causes of many diseases and premature aging. A brief part of the book also talks about yoga and how it can help people stay flexible and active.

The third segment mainly talks about Morita Therapy, which helps alleviate anxiety and obsessive behavior. It also talks about the techniques that can be followed for this therapy and how they can be used to attain one’s Ikigai.

The last segment talks about the concept of ‘flow,’ which primarily revolves around enjoying even the more minor aspects of life, with concentration to prevent boredom. This book also encourages small gestures that can help establish and preserve friendships and healthy relationships with people.

Conclusion

Overall, Ikigai is an uplifting book that provides positive perspectives on various aspects of life. The simple and calming tone of the book welcomes even beginners to get through the entire book. Furthermore, talking about the Japanese Zen philosophy inspires many by helping them find their true Ikigai.

 

Book reading Tips: Plowing through a long book

Book Reading

If you’ve seen your long and big books sitting on your shelves for a long time now, you need some help opening them and reading them. We have all come across the time when we look at the books staring at us while we feel guilty and scroll through social media.

If you face this feeling, now is the time to bid goodbye because, in this article, we will tell you how to finally stop procrastinating and get through the lengthy book you’ve been waiting to discover.

Knowing your interests

One of the key aspects of buying a long book is first knowing which genre you would love to read and whether or not you’ll read the book. There are always chances that you will not enjoy a book while reading it. Hence, before buying the book, gain insights into the storyline, author, language used, etc.

Put your phone aside.

Imagine a situation where you buy a book you would love to read but safely store it on your shelf. Wouldn’t it be unfair to you and the book? To finish such a long book, you must read at least ten pages daily. One way is to put your phone aside and pick up the book. Scrolling on social media is one of the main reasons for procrastination. By placing your phone aside, you can give the attention the book demands.

Start with short books.

If you’re a novice reader, it is best to start with short stories or books which you can finish quickly. Doing this will gather the confidence to complete an entire book, big or small.

Take one step at a time.

If you’re reading a book just to finish it, there is no point in reading it. Even though your goal is to complete a long book, it is best to take it slow. Reading a long book is like running a marathon, not a race! Generally, long books have a lot of information and fine details that can play with your thoughts. Therefore, it is best to read it slowly, understand the author’s intent, and get the best out of the masterpiece.

audiobook

Explore audiobook

It is a challenging task to sit with a book all the time, irrespective of the environment we’re in. If you find it difficult to carry your book everywhere you go, switch to an audiobook. There are several options for choosing audiobooks from different vendors. You can listen to it while driving, sleeping, walking, and performing other activities, which will also aid in finishing the book sooner.

Don’t forget to enjoy

Go to a park, visit a coffee shop or even lie on your couch and enjoy the book. Try to understand the way the author is connecting with the audience.

5 Teen Books to Promote Positive Thinking

Teen Books

It is no cakewalk to be a teenager in the 21st century! Academic and peer pressure can take a toll on teens’ mental health. People expect young adults and teens to become independent and start making important life decisions suddenly. This prospect can be a daunting one.

A little aid is needed for teens to get through their challenging lives, and it can be in the form of books! Getting associated with different kinds of books allows them to submerge in the books’ characters and provides the much-needed hope to get through life and promote positive thinking.

positive thinking

Ten things I can see from here by Carrie Mac

The book’s main character Maeve experiences life’s hurdles, devoting themselves to overthinking and curating worst-case scenarios in her headspace. The book is typical for all teens dealing with anxiety and anxious thoughts. It is also intertwined with a heartwarming love story which allows her to get over the anxious beliefs that she has grown in her head. It is an excellent book for teens dealing with a similar situation and will help them find some relatability.

Crying Laughing by Lance Rubin

This book does justice to its title by centering on the main character Winnie, who deals with illness and teen drama simultaneously. It is a bewildering journey for her to take, being a daughter to a comedian father. Winnie’s emotions are depicted beautifully in the book, touching the teens’ hearts.

I have Lost my Way by Gayle Forman.

There are three different characters in this book that share similar backstories. All three characters deal with their own problems, joy, and trauma. However, when they are together, they forget everything and find solace in each other’s companionship. It is a great way to showcase to teens friendships and how the right friends can help you get through any situation in life. While helping each other, they also help themselves deal with their complex problems in life.

Anxiety Relief for teens by Regine Galanti

It is an informative book written by clinical psychologist Dr. Regine Galanti who has spent all her professional experience and life treating teens suffering from anxiety. She has also mastered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and solutions to different problems in life. In this book, Galanti mentions simple techniques for teens to follow, like mindfulness in different areas of life, CBT-based tools, and many more techniques which can help anyone lead stress and anxiety-free life.

Anxiety Relief

Take in the good by Gina Biegel.

The book is illustrated b Breanna Chambers, depicting a journal with art prints, exercise, and other writing prompts to help teen readers take in the good. It also has methods on how teens can retain positive aspects in the brain and increase their confidence in a stressful world.

German Books by Women We’d Love to See in English

German Books

It is disappointing for an avid reader to hear about a book, only to find out that it was never translated into a language they can understand. As for books authored by Women, finding a translated version is an absolute rarity. Here are some of the great books written by German authors which have not been translated into English yet:

Deutscher Meister

Deutscher Meister (Literal Translation: German Champion) is written by Stephanie Bart. The book is about Johann Trollmann, one of the popular German boxers of the 1920s and early 1930s. However, the talented boxer’s career was put on hold by the rise of Nazism. The story is set in the summer of 1933, when Jews were being forced out of public life, and sports activities were declared illegal. The fictional novel takes us through the real-life trials and tribulations of the boxer, painting a new picture of what could have been had he not lived in Nazi Germany.

Nachts ist es leise in Teheran

Nachts ist es leise in Teheran

Nachts ist es leise in Teheran (Literal Translation: All Night All Is Quiet in Tehran) is a 2016 novel written by Shida Bazyar. The story takes us through the perspective of four different family members over a time period of four decades. The story begins in Tehran in 1979 and spans to present-day Germany. This inspiring novel is about the life of a family who moved from Tehran, with children growing up in Germany and takes the readers through a journey of oppression, revolution and desire for freedom. The book gives the audience a perspective on how migration and revolution can affect future generations.

Weil wir längst woanders sind

Weil wir längst woanders sind (Literal Translation: Because we are Elsewhere Now) is written by Rasha Khayat. The story is about two siblings who grew apart simply because of their diverse cultures but are now trying to understand each other. The story is spot on with the multiracial representation, with the characters adapting to their lives with completely different approaches. The author takes us through the challenges of self-identity when someone grows up in two different homelands. Life can be incredibly complex in bicultural families, and the author takes us through that difficult perspective in simple yet beautiful words.

Für eine Nacht oder fürs ganze Leben

Für eine Nacht oder fürs ganze Leben (Literal Translation: For One Night or For Life) is  a 2015 fictional noval written by Ursula Marz. The story is about the dating situation in the digital world we are living in right now. The book is a mixture of short stories and personal essays with real-life references from the author herself. The book takes us through the lives of people who find love on the Internet and how algorithms decide who we meet and who we date.

Books to Read before you Hit Thirty

Books

Reading Books is a pleasure not everyone understands. They allow us to live through other people’s experiences and learn from their mistakes. Life is too short to learn from our mistakes, so why not benefit from this opportunity? Books shape our identities and help us understand the world better. Books can also provide you with a wealth of information, which will help you broaden your horizons and find new inspiration. Here are some of the must-read books before you hit 30:

Sapiens, by Yuval Noah Harari

In this book, the author tells the story of how humans evolved from the beginning to who we are today. The author paints a beautiful picture of how humans differ from other species and what sets us apart. One of the biggest breakthroughs that contributed to the fast evolution of humans is the ability to form languages and art and communicate. The author also discusses the advent of money, our behavioral patterns, and how they came from our ancestors. The book gives us insight into how our ancestors’ fight, flight or freeze responses still affect us today. The book encourages the audience to find logical explanations for the way we behave now.

book

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Eat, Pray, Love is a true-life story of the author, Elizabeth Gilbert, about a difficult time in her life. She was going through a difficult divorce when she decided to go on a trip. The author takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery as she travels to Italy, India, and Indonesia. The book is an entertaining account of how she searched for worldly pleasures in Italy, spiritual awakening in India, and how found love in Indonesia. The book inspires the reader to travel and live a little, away from the daily difficulties of life. Of course, any reader would fall in love with the author who has done something we have all wanted to do once in our lifetime – quit our job and travel the world. The spontaneity, independence, and courage it took for the author to travel alone still inspire women to this day.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

This soul-touching memoir is definitely one of the must-reads. The author takes the audience through her journey hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. With no prior experience or training in hiking, she takes this drastic spontaneous decision when going through a tough time in life. Through the long lone walk up the mountains, she tries to come to peace with the demise of her mother and her failing marriage. The book makes the reader feel that no matter where a woman is from – be it a first-world or third-world country – our experiences and fears are all the same. There is an instance in the book where the author discusses her fear of rape and the vulnerability of a lone woman in the forest. Readers can’t help but cheer for her when she takes that first step towards the hiking trail, despite her numbing fears.

 

Things That Only True Book Lovers Will Understand

Book Lovers

You Don’t know why So Many People Don’t Read:

As an avid book reader, you don’t understand why more people don’t revel in this pleasure. The pleasure of being cosy, snuggled in sheets with a book and a cup of hot coffee, is something that you only seem to understand. You keep recommending and buying new books to your friends and family, but they don’t seem to share the excitement. It immediately puts you off when you meet people who say they don’t read. You wanna inspire them to read, but they don’t seem to care.

Prefer Books

You Prefer Books to People:

Whatever the day may be, you prefer reading books to spending time with people. The solitude, the peace, and the quiet you experience while reading a book are something others will never understand. When you read a book, you don’t actually listen to people talking to you but nod away and then become confused as to why they bought you snacks a little later. When people get in between you and your book, that’s when you draw the line.

You want to Read fast but Not Finish it:

Only a true book lover will understand this terrible feeling. You want to read your book and know the story right away, but still take time to read every word slowly, so it sinks into your heart. You don’t understand why there is so much buzz around Speed Reading, yet you want to learn Speed Reading so you can get to read as many books as you can. You want to finish the book, but you also know you don’t want to because you will miss this awesome book terribly.

You Don’t Want Your Books to be Borrowed:

Every book lover can agree to this. You want others to experience the joy of reading, but you don’t want them to borrow your books. Book lovers take great care of their books, especially hard copies. They don’t care much about their digital copies. But each and every one of their physical books is precious, therefore shouldn’t be creased or drawn on. If a book lover actually lets you borrow a book, you should be honoured.

You don’t have Enough Time to Read:

One of the biggest frustrations of being an avid reader is that you don’t seem to have enough time in the day to read a book. Even if you read all day long, it is still not enough. You dream of the time when you can actually stop worrying about everything else in life and concentrate peacefully on a book. One of the biggest dreams of a book lover is to own a library, just like in the movie ‘Beauty and the Beast’. You swoon over every pretty library in the world and wish you could spend all your life in one.

avid reader

Not Enough Translated Books Available:

One of the biggest frustrations of any book lover is not getting enough translated books. Reading books is your favourite pastime activity, and sometimes, you just can’t get enough. You can’t wait for a translation, so you think about taking matters into your own hand. You contemplate learning more languages just so you can try to read some of the books in the original language they were published in.

An Uncompromising Initiatory Novel

Novel

In small town Alabama during the Great Depression, Atticus Finch raised his two children, Jem and Scout, alone. A man of integrity and rigor, this lawyer is appointed to defend a black man accused of having raped a white woman. He faces the death penalty. »

This summary appears on the back cover of a recent reissue of Harper Lee’s novel: To Kill a Mockingbird. As Isabelle Hausser writes in the afterword, it helps to understand the success of this book, published for the first time in 1960, success to the point of receiving the Pulitzer the following year. It even seems that Truman Capote, jealous, claimed to have written most of the novel. It is perhaps undermining its scope, or making a commercial appeal of bad quality (come and see what the Americans have been, come and see what they still are sometimes) to reduce it to a simple militant work for the civil rights. Faulkner had this ability, this genius, to start from the depths of the American South to reach universal themes. Without going so far as to compare Harper Lee to Faulkner, there is like this same capacity in the Mockingbird.

A story where, as an adult, Jean Louise Finch, or rather Scout, recalls some of her early years, more particularly those of the Great Depression, in Maycomb, a small town lost in this rural South where the American dream seems far away. , where a Black is not quite a human being and where it is fashionable to mock the speeches of “ the Lady of the Presidency in Washington ” (Eleanor Roosevelt), who dares to criticize the South.

However, we are not dealing only with an initiatory novel: certainly, we see Scout gradually losing his illusions and, with a marvelous humor, we attend his childhood games, sometimes innocent but which can also become cruel. (bringing out Boo Radley), to her childhood beliefs, on her first day of school, when she discovered the ” Dewey Decimal system “, which for her translates into bullying because she can already read. Scout discovers prejudices, or even sees her brother move away from her, no longer wanting to share her games or her secrets: simply growing up.

There are other characters in this novel, especially the father behind whom Scout tends to fade. A strange man, this Atticus, too strange, too different from the others to be honest; and yet, he is honest more than anything. A man of mysteries and secrets who, little by little, reveals himself, an old and weak man who, for a long time, makes his children ashamed because he is not athletic, unlike other parents. Phenomenal man, because devoid of any racist prejudice and who taught his children to respect each human being, regardless of the color of his skin. A man who is soon to be hated by his fellow citizens and despised by his family, because he takes up the defense of a black man. He certainly had no choice: he was appointed. But that he really wants to defend it, this is what the inhabitants of Maycomb cannot accept. So began what Scout later referred to as ” hard time. »

Realistic painting of a South that no longer exists? Indeed: more than forty years after its first publication, To Kill a Mockingbird , the only novel by this woman whom no one has met for forty years, is still fought in many regions of this same South, and some try to ban it from school libraries: it would be blasphemous, filthy.