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Rachel Reviews: The Spiral Archive by Pieter Hendrik. Top Story - January 2026.
It's difficult for me to know where to start with a review of this book as it was, for me, an entirely unique experience and one that I'll probably never have again. I don't want that to be interpreted as unenjoyable but it has left me scratching my head a little and ruminating on its content, its themes and its characters.
By Rachel Deeming14 days ago in BookClub
What Makes the Maldives the Most Romantic Destination in the World
The romance of the Maldives begins with its geography. Scattered across the Indian Ocean, the islands are naturally isolated, surrounded by open water rather than neighbouring towns or tourist districts. This physical separation creates emotional space. Couples are not navigating crowds, traffic, or schedules; they are sharing an island that feels intentionally removed from the rest of the world. In the Maldives, privacy is not an upgrade or a premium add-on; it is the default. That sense of being alone together is the foundation on which all the romance is built.
By Claudia Fennel14 days ago in Humans
The Unique Case of Alma Mater TV
(A Review of Charmaine Voigt's Dissertation on Practical Media Training) Abstract This review examines the Bulgarian case study of Alma Mater TV as discussed in Charmaine Voigt's doctoral dissertation College Television: Practical Media Training in US and German Higher Education. While Voigt's work focuses primarily on Anglo-American and German contexts, the Bulgarian example stands out as an exceptional and largely unmatched model of student television in Europe. Alma Mater TV, based at the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication at Sofia University 'St. Kliment Ohridski', functioned not merely as a training platform but as a fully operational public-facing television project. Students produced and aired original programmes on Bulgaria's largest national broadcasters without censorship or editorial interference, while simultaneously participating in the creation of a European student television network. This review argues that Alma Mater TV represented a globally unique pedagogical and institutional experiment whose decline resulted not from structural failure but from a lack of strategic vision at the university leadership level. Particular attention is paid to the decisive roles of Professor Svetla Bozhilova and Professor Peter Ayolov in establishing and sustaining this model.
By Peter Ayolov14 days ago in Education
Homo Narrans Vs. Phono Sapiens
Peter Ayolov, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” Abstract This article examines the contemporary shift from storytelling as a shared, dialogical practice to storyselling as a performative, market-oriented mode of self-presentation. Drawing on Byung-Chul Han’s book The Crisis of Narration, the analysis argues that narration has lost its primary social function: the creation of a common symbolic world sustained through reciprocal exchange. Traditional storytelling depended on at least two participants and unfolded as a movement back and forth, producing memory, cohesion, and future-oriented meaning. In contrast, storyselling treats narrative as a one-directional instrument for selling identity, success, or visibility, reducing listeners to passive consumers. The article situates this shift within broader transformations of digital capitalism, self-optimisation culture, and communication coaching, showing how conversational depth is replaced by predictable, strategic self-branding. The loss of genuine conversation is presented not as a stylistic problem but as a structural erosion of social bonds and shared meaning.
By Peter Ayolov14 days ago in Critique
Why Hanifaru Bay is a Dream Destination for Marine Life Enthusiasts
Hanifaru Bay, situated in the Baa Atoll in the Maldives, is one of the earth's most bizarre protected marine areas. This protected zone has a special reputation for the annual visitation of mantas and whale sharks and provides a chance for a nature enthusiast to explore the wonders of the ocean.
By ameliarosanna14 days ago in Wander
Why Sri Lanka Is One of Asia’s Most Underrated Beach Destinations
When people talk about Asia’s best beach destinations, you usually hear the same names over and over again. Thailand. Bali. Maldives. Maybe a bit of Vietnam. Sri Lanka rarely comes up first in conversation, which is surprising when you actually experience it. The island has beaches that feel warm and welcoming, coastal towns full of character, and a blend of culture and everyday life that feels real. Sri Lanka is the kind of place that leaves a long lasting impression on those who visit.
By Aurora Gianna14 days ago in Viva
The Haar: A Fog That Hides More Than You Want to See
Short introduction The Haar is a short horror novel set in a quiet Scottish coastal town. It mixes folklore, grief, body horror, and revenge in a way that feels both strange and oddly emotional. On the surface, it looks like a creature feature. But once you start reading, you realize it’s really about loneliness, loss, and what happens when someone finally decides they’ve had enough of being stepped on.
By Rosalina Jane14 days ago in Horror
Carney’s China Embrace Widens Gap With US in Trump’s Tariff Era. AI-Generated.
Canada is making waves on the global stage, and not necessarily where the U.S. wants. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s embrace of China is widening a gap with Washington at a time when President Trump’s tariff policies are shaking up international trade. What was once unthinkable — Canada leaning toward Beijing — now looks like a pragmatic move in a world of rising tariffs and disrupted supply chains.
By Aqib Hussain14 days ago in The Swamp
