Jeffrey Eugenides’ novel Middlesex is a breathtaking inter-generational novel that addresses issues of the complex history of Eastern Europe, Greek identity, Greek-American identity, growing up in the U.S., and intersex and other LGBTQA identities. It would be easy to talk all day about the complexities of this novel as well as Eugenides’ exquisite prose writing, … Continue reading
I have been attending author events at the Kaufleuten in Zurich since I moved to Switzerland. They are great things for the community and I think they can encourage reading, multilingual boarder-crossing, and intellectual discussions about literature from around the world. I recently went to Han Kang’s talk/interview about her book, The Vegetarian. I have … Continue reading
If you grow up in an English speaking country, chances are rather high that you have had to read some Shakespeare. Conquering Shakespearean language, rhythm, and rhyme are a rite of passage every young English speaking teenager must go through. Some people hate Shakespeare, others love him so much that they pursue academic research projects … Continue reading
Han Kang is one of my new favourite authors. Her latest novel, “The Vegetarian”, is such an intriguing look into the human psyche. Her novel, “Human Acts” was translated into English and published in 2014. A basic summary of the novel would be it explores the complex nature of loss, violence, and death that accompanied … Continue reading
On my last trip to the U.S.A. I did what I always do: spend waaaay to many hours in bookstores. Bookstores provide me with so much comfort. Just being around books instantly relaxes me. Who knew that words written on paper could bring so much peace? I am always looking for something new. It is … Continue reading
Many news articles over the past few months have toted the line that millennials are the most widely read generation to date. This is due to factors like access to the internet, eBooks, cheap(ish) books, and international delivery (I’m talking to you Amazon, Verso, and Book Depository). Online social book spaces like Goodreads and the … Continue reading
The rituals that surround death are comforting like the rituals of making tea. Despite death taking a life from your hands, you can still feel useful. The body needs to be collected, prepared for burial or cremation, and eventually buried or burned. Fill the kettle, boil the water, select the tea. You can collect photos … Continue reading
My Father had a bottle of whisky, Johnny Walker Blue Label. He received it as a present and always told us that he was keeping it for the right moment. My Father never had expensive things and that bottle of whisky was one of his treasures. Growing up poor, he had learned to cherish what … Continue reading
I bought this book in Helsinki last weekend. It might seem strange to go to Finland and buy a South Korean novel, but I had been looking for this book with this particular cover art for quite some time. When I found it in the Academic Bookstore located in downtown Helsinki, I bought it straight … Continue reading
I am just going to come out and say it: I am pretty sure that Kurt Vonnegut is my spirit animal. When I read his works, I feel like he is talking to a darkness that has lived inside of me that has been protected by comedic outbursts and nurtured by the sorrows of the … Continue reading
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