Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in BookClub.

E-readers vs "Real" Books
Real books First let's look at what real books have got going for them. Turns out, it's a lot. Can gift to people. Wrap it. Put a bow on it. Add a heartfelt note. Or give it as is - maybe it's your own copy that you've handled and read many times. Either way, this kind of gift is wildly superior to "oh, I emailed you a voucher code..." Probably a better choice to read in the bath. Either choice is a splash risk, but a book is somewhat more salvageable than an electronic device. Can be signed should you be lucky enough to meet your favourite author. Some titles DESERVE a spot on your bookshelf and to be held in your hands. Speaking of which, all homes should have a bookshelf. It's the rules. During zoom meetings, you'll look a bit stupid if your bookshelf in the background is empty, or just has a dildo on it. A paper and ink book shows evidence of use over time... ie love. It has heart. There are few things sadder than a pristine book with a spine uncracked. Your favourite book should be one you need to re-purchase eventually because it's fallen apart from being read and re-read so many times, or because you gifted your much-loved copy to a friend. When you are reading a good book on the train, you can be a twat about it. People can see that you are, in fact, reading a good book, and not just mindlessly scrolling social media like some kind of uncultured peasant. You can even display the title, if you want to be really smug. Old books smell fucking delicious. Without these sort of books, we wouldn't have libraries, and that would be a terrific loss to our society.
By L.C. Schäfer2 years ago in BookClub
Ten Tiny Breaths
Spoiler Alert. I go into detail about what this book is about. If you don't want to know and want to read it stop reading when I get into describing the book.
By Jeremy White2 years ago in BookClub
Austen's Unmarried Heroine. Top Story - August 2023.
It is a staple, if not a stereotype, of not just Austen novels, but novels by and for women, that the heroine must end up married (or at least in a happy relationship) by the end of the story. Of course, the world was different 200 years ago, and it was expected that women would get married (still is for the most part I would say but I think generally people are more chill about it now and you won't be a disappointment or disgrace!). Also fans of the Little Women (2019) adaptation will know that publishers wouldn't want to publish a book back then where a heroine didn't end up married at the end.
By The Austen Shelf2 years ago in BookClub
A Timeless Journey into Self-Reflection: "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius
"Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius is a philosophical masterpiece that transcends time, offering readers a profound insight into the mind of one of history's greatest Stoic philosophers and Roman emperors. Written as a series of personal notes and reflections, the book provides a unique glimpse into Marcus Aurelius' inner thoughts, struggles, and aspirations.
By Kabilesh G2 years ago in BookClub
My Friend, Margaret. Runner-Up in Book Club Challenge.
Shy and withdrawn, I entered the classroom already in progress. After being introduced, I took the empty seat at the back of the sixth-grade math class learning about different shapes. Several were on the green chalk board showing angled degrees. Unfamiliar with the equations and the names of the various shapes, I felt lost and alone. Sixth grade was a hard year for a variety of reasons, from being the new girl in town, missing out on education due to multiple moves each year, and being removed from my mother’s care, my changing body added to my long list of reasons for feeling awkward. Given the degree of isolation I found myself in, deciding to read Are You There God, It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume at the suggestion of the school librarian was the best thing I could have done for myself at that time.
By Esther Julianne McDaniel2 years ago in BookClub
The Way of Zen by Alan Watts: A Book Review
I recently serendipitously reconnected with my old monk friend. He offered me the the book Siddhartha, by Hermann Hesse (1922), when I was a teenager. When we got together recently, he offered me the book reviewed in this report, ‘The Way of Zen’, written by Alan Watts. At the onset, I apologize if my digressions are in any way offensive, they simply expose what flows through my mind.
By Katherine D. Graham2 years ago in BookClub
Nabokov's Lolita
My mom taught me to read when I was two. I toddled around the neighborhood reciting Dr. Seuss to anyone who would listen. By six, I had inhaled Nancy Drew, Grimm’s Fairy Tales, and anything Robert Louis Stevenson. By eight, I had blown through my dad’s library of Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels, much of Steinbeck, and a lot of private detective novels like Dashiell Hammett’s The Thin Man and The Maltese Falcon.
By Lacy Loar-Gruenler2 years ago in BookClub
"In Search of Lost Time" by Marcel Proust
"In Search of Lost Time" (original French title: "À la recherche du temps perdu") by Marcel Proust is a monumental work of literature that spans seven volumes and is often considered one of the most profound and influential novels of the 20th century. Published between 1913 and 1927, Proust's magnum opus delves into the intricacies of human consciousness, memory, love, art, and the passage of time. The novel's exploration of these themes is achieved through rich prose, intricate narratives, and the meticulous dissection of human experience. As we embark on a journey through this literary masterpiece, we encounter characters, settings, and reflections that mirror the complex tapestry of human existence.
By Gokila2 years ago in BookClub
Words that Changed My World - II
My first literary glow-up was The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. I wrote about that here. My second happened when my sister found a copy of this book in a newsagents, and was intrigued by the cover. Josh Kirby does have a distinctive and eye-catching style of artwork. She bought that book, enjoyed it thoroughly, loaned it to me, my brother, my sister, and my mum.
By L.C. Schäfer2 years ago in BookClub
The Decline of Reading Books:
Introduction: The Digital Age's Influence on Reading Habits In an era dominated by digital technologies and instant gratification, a troubling trend has emerged: a substantial reduction in the number of individuals who participate in reading books. The allure of screens, social media, and bite-sized content has fundamentally transformed the reading landscape, prompting an examination of the factors contributing to this cultural transition. From the screens of smartphones to the pages of e-readers, the very nature of reading is evolving within the digital age.
By Mario Rossi2 years ago in BookClub
Titanic's Untold Story: How Large was the Infamous Iceberg?
Over a century ago, the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Of the 2,240 people on board, only around 700 survived. Since then, the tragedy has been the subject of endless movies, documentaries, and books. While we've learned a lot about the ship and many of the people on board, we hardly know anything about the iceberg responsible for the catastrophe, especially anything concerning its size. But maybe we can find some clues.
By Radhika R2 years ago in BookClub
Billionaires and Millionaires' most beneficial read
"I encourage people to read a lot. Basically try to ingest as much information as you can. Try to develop good general knowledge," Elon Musk says. The only way we can build knowledge is through reading books. You should as much as you can whether you agree with the concept or not, you become more educated. Remember Aristotle's nuggets of wisdom: "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."
By Elevate Writer2 years ago in BookClub