book reviews

Reviews of books by relationship gurus, dating experts, and cautionary tale-tellers.

Life Lessons from Middle-earth
I still remember the first time I watched "The Lord of the Rings." I was just a kid, curled up in a chair that felt way too big for me, a bowl of popcorn balanced on my lap, and my eyes glued to the screen. I had no idea then that this story would etch itself into my soul, becoming more than just a film. Because, let’s face it—what is Tolkien’s epic, really? A fairy tale? A lesson in morality? Or maybe, just maybe, it’s a mirror reflecting the brightest and darkest parts of ourselves.
By Billys Zafeiridis about a year ago in Humans
We Don't Need Another Pride & Prejudice Adaptation!
If you are unaware, it has recently been announced that there are two adaptations of Pride & Prejudice in the works. One by the BBC and the other by Netflix.
By The Austen Shelfabout a year ago in Humans
IN THE SHADOW OF WARS: THE INNOCENT VICTIMS OF HUMANITY
Introduction: Children and War Wars remain one of the most destructive events in human history, not only reshaping borders but also tearing apart societies, families, and the most vulnerable group — children. Children are not the hidden heroes of wars but their most innocent victims. Their lives are overshadowed by shattered dreams and lost hopes.
By Super Bulldogabout a year ago in Humans
Can Work Be Enjoyable? Gen Z Shows Us How
Every generation that has evolved with the wheels of time has honed its own set of ideals and mindset when it comes to work, home and society. As society transformed itself from the primitiveness of civilisation to embracing the wave of evolution with technology and modernity in the way they presented themselves and the mindsets they held, the outlook of the workplace has seen its metamorphosis from being completely patriarchal and male-dominated to being gender inclusive and welcoming diversity all over the world.
By Hridya Sharmaabout a year ago in Humans
Dear English
To the teacher who made me love English - In the summer of 2023, I got a tattoo right in the middle of my back that reads "Within and Without", a shortened version of a Great Gatsby quote.
By Kamabout a year ago in Humans
The Power of Gratitude: A Letter to the Ones Who Shaped My Journey
Expressing gratitude is more than just an expression of thanks. It's a fundamental part of our personal growth and relationships. This letter is dedicated to those remarkable individuals who have made a significant impact on my journey.
By Numanabout a year ago in Humans
How This Tiny Startup Revolutionized the Fashion Industry
In a world where fast fashion reigns supreme, EcoCycle, a tiny startup, dared to challenge the status quo. Founded by Emily Chen, a passionate entrepreneur, EcoCycle transformed the fashion industry with its innovative approach to sustainable clothing. This case study delves into the story behind EcoCycle's breakthrough idea and its remarkable impact.
By Adepoju Toheeb Ojo about a year ago in Humans
Why Do Women Need Control Over Their Bodies? Understanding Abortion Laws in India
The issue of abortion has consistently sparked considerable debate and conversation. Some individuals advocate for the rights of mothers or pregnant women to choose to continue with the pregnancy or terminate it; conversely, others believe that a foetus is more than just a mere collection of cells, viewing it as a living entity with its own life, deserving of individual rights and freedoms separate from those of the pregnant woman. A notable instance when personal freedoms were at risk was when women's access to safe abortion services was jeopardized. For many years, until 1971, India deemed abortion criminal and referred to it as “intentionally causing miscarriage.” Voluntary abortion, except in cases where the pregnant woman's life was endangered, could result in a punishment of up to three years in prison, a monetary fine, or both.
By Hridya Sharmaabout a year ago in Humans
You and Me
The harvesttime wind conveyed a chill, dispersing leaves in shades of consumed orange and dark red along the cobblestone road. I zipped my coat more tight as I held up outside the bistro, looking at my watch for the third time. Five minutes late—to be expected for you. You were in every case only somewhat behind the clock, a quality that used to bother me. Yet, presently, it was one of those peculiarities I wound up missing more than I wanted to concede. The entryway tolled, and you were right there, outlined by the brilliant light pouring out from the bistro. Your hair was a little more limited, your jacket a little unique, yet your grin—it was something very similar. It was the grin that had illuminated my reality for quite a long time, a similar one I'd fallen head over heels for, and the very one that spooky me when we chose to head out in different directions. "Sorry, I'm late," you said, brushing a strand of hair from your face. I shrugged, attempting to veil the feelings gushing inside me. "A few things won't ever change." We subsided into a corner table, the smell of newly prepared espresso folding over us like an old, recognizable cover. The discussion began slow, like we were attempting to recollect how to address each other following quite a while of quiet. I saw how you actually blended your espresso counterclockwise and how you actually tapped your fingers to the musicality of a nonexistent tune. "How's life?" you asked, breaking the delicate calm between us. "Occupied," I said, tasting my espresso. "Work's been requesting, however great. Furthermore, you?" You wavered, your eyes dashing to the window prior to meeting mine. "It's been... unique. Calm." I gestured, grasping the load behind that word. Calm. That happens when two individuals who once shared everything out of nowhere have nothing to tell one another. The quietness develops, occupying spaces once buzzing with chuckling and love. In any case, this evening was unique. The air between us wasn't loaded up with the sharpness of disappointment or fault. All things considered, it felt... nostalgic, similar to an old tune you'd failed to remember you adored. "Do you recall the excursion to the lake?" you asked, a wicked shine in your eye. "How is it that I could neglect? You demanded taking the tourist detour and got us lost for quite a long time." You chuckled; the sound was so certifiable it immediately deleted the long periods of distance between us. "However, we wound up tracking down that little cafe. Best pie I've at any point had." "No doubt," I expressed, grinning in spite of myself. "It was worth the effort." We fell into a beat then, trading recollections and jokes, stripping back the layers of time that had framed between us. Briefly, it was like nothing had changed, like "you and me" actually existed. Be that as it may, as the night wore on, reality sneaked back in. The bistro started to purge, and the heaviness of implicit insights settled over us. "For what reason did you need to meet?" I asked, my voice milder than I planned. You peered down at your espresso, your fingers following examples on the edge of the cup. "I surmise I simply needed to check whether we could still..." "Still what?" "Be us," you said, at long last gathering my look. I didn't have a response for you. A piece of me needed to say OK, that we could revise our story, fix up the breaks, and begin once more. In any case, one more piece of me—the part that recollected the battles, the disaster—realized it wasn't so basic. "I couldn't say whether we would be able," I said truly. "However, perhaps we needn't bother with being 'us' again to issue to one another." You gestured gradually, a self-contradicting grin playing all the rage. "Perhaps you're correct." As we ventured outside, the breeze had gotten, conveying the aroma of downpour. We remained there briefly, the city humming around us, as though the world hadn't quite recently moved in some little, puzzling way. "Deal with yourself," you said, your voice scarcely over a murmur. "You as well," I answered. And afterward, with one final grin, you dismissed and strolled, leaving me remaining there with a heart that was some way or another both heavier and lighter simultaneously. "You and me," I murmured to the breeze, "we'll continuously have our minutes."
By For Story about a year ago in Humans
8 Ways to Make Long-Distance Relationships Work. Content Warning. AI-Generated.
Long-distance relationships (LDRs) have long been the challenge to beat. Being away from the person you love has always been and will remain a challenge to the strongest of bonds. Yet, with the right strategies and mindset, LDRs can work better and even help deepen the bond. Here are eight ways to ensure your long-distance relationship will stand the test of time.
By Kishan bindabout a year ago in Humans
I'm Lost In My Life . Content Warning. AI-Generated.
I'm Lost In My Life There are those fleeting moments, so profound yet slipping away like sand when life becomes just nothing but a hole - one stands at the crossroads of their life, staring into the horizon, with no direction in sight, no map to navigate the open wilderness of time. It is in these moments that we cry, almost in desperation, "I am lost."
By Kajal Singhabout a year ago in Humans
Delhi Steps for Emergency as Air Pollution Reaches a Hazard Level
Delhi Air Pollution Worsens: Schools Go Online and Trucks Banned Air quality in Delhi worsened, so the government had to enforce new measures to preserve people's health. The city has hardly ever been alien to air pollution, but this time, it has been so dangerous that needful action was required. Here's everything you need to know about what is happening and how it affects all.
By Abhay kumar chauhanabout a year ago in Humans