Mindfulness is all the rage these days as more of us seem to be working longer hours and becoming more stressed in the process.
In this book, authors S.J. Scott and Barrie Davenport offer 71 habits for living in the moment.
Now take a deep breath and relax . . .
NEW YORK: “The Handmaid’s Tale” is selling again.
Since President-elect Donald Trump clinched his return to the White House, Margaret Atwood’s dystopian classic about a country in which women are brutally repressed has been high on the Amazon.com best seller list. “The Handmaid’s Tale” was popular throughout Trump’s first term, along with such dark futuristic narratives as George Orwell’s “1984” and Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451,” both of which were in the Amazon top 40 as of Thursday afternoon. Another best-seller from Trump’s previous time in office, Timothy Snyder’s “On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century,” was in the top 10.
Pro-Trump books also were selling well. Former first lady Melania Trump’s memoir, “Melania,” was No. 1 on the Amazon list, and Vice President-elect JD Vance’s “Hillbilly Elegy” was in the top 10. Donald Trump’s photo book “Save America” was in the top 30.
At Barnes & Noble, “Fiction and non-fiction books that feature fascism, feminism, dystopian worlds and both right-and-left leaning politics rocketed up our sales charts with the election results,” according to Shannon DeVito, the chain’s director of books. She cited “Melania,” “On Tyranny” and Bob Woodward’s latest, “War,” which covers the responses of Trump and President Joe Biden to the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
DeVito also cited “a massive bump in dystopian fiction,” notably for “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “1984.”
Reading Dunya Mikhail’s “The Bird Tattoo,” published in 2020, is embarking on a journey through the intricate layers of identity, loss and hope.
From the very first pages, readers will be drawn into the world of the unnamed protagonist, a journalist returning to her war-torn homeland of Iraq.
Mikhail’s writing envelops you, making you feel the weight of memories and the pulse of a country struggling to heal. One of the most striking aspects of the novel is its unflinching exploration of the painful subject of the sale of Yazidi women as slaves by Daesh.
Mikhail addresses this trauma with a delicate touch, balancing the harsh realities of this atrocity with an exploration of the astonishing world of Yazidi customs and legends.
This duality adds depth to the narrative, allowing readers to appreciate the richness of Yazidi culture even in the face of such unspeakable suffering. Mikhail tells these stories without exaggeration or sentimentality, which makes the emotional weight all the more impactful.
Many readers will find themselves reflecting on their own experiences with home and belonging. The tattoo of the bird, a symbol of freedom and escape, will resonate deeply with them.
It beautifully encapsulates the protagonist’s yearning for liberation from the constraints of her past and the chaos surrounding her.
Mikhail’s prose is both lyrical and haunting, painting vivid images of Baghdad that linger in the mind. Readers will hear the sounds of the city and feel the warmth of the sun, yet the underlying tension of conflict is always present.
This duality will strike a chord with them, as it mirrors the complexities of life — how beauty and pain often coexist.
The flashbacks woven throughout the story are particularly poignant. They allow readers to witness the protagonist’s childhood and the impact of war on her family relationships. They will feel her loss and her struggle to reconcile her past with her present.
One of the most powerful aspects of “The Bird Tattoo” is its exploration of resilience. Despite the heavy themes of loss and trauma, Mikhail instills a sense of hope throughout the narrative.
Readers will find themselves rooting for the characters, marveling at their strength and determination to find their place in a world that often feels unforgiving. This theme will inspire them.
The novel is not just a story about war; it is a profound meditation on identity, love, and the quest for freedom.
The fact that Mikhail, an Iraqi-American, went on to become the English translator of her own work, which is now available in several languages, speaks to her commitment to sharing these stories with the world.
This book left me with a deeper understanding of the complexities of human experience and the enduring spirit of those who face unimaginable challenges.
It has certainly stayed with me, encouraging me to think more deeply about my own journey and the stories that shape who we are.
What can the palette an artist used or depicted tell us about their artistic process, preferences, and finished works? From traditional wooden boards to paint pots, ceramic plates, and studio walls, these deceptively simple yet potent tools provide vital evidence. “The Artist’s Palette” presents 50 unique palettes alongside paintings by the celebrated artists who used them, gathering expert analysis of color, brushstroke, and technique to offer new histories of these artists and their work.
Norman G. Finkelstein’s “Gaza: An Inquest into Its Martyrdom” is a meticulously researched and impassioned critique of the humanitarian crisis and political complexities surrounding Gaza.
Through a detailed examination of international reports, government documents, and media coverage, Finkelstein presents an unflinching account of the suffering endured by Palestinians in Gaza and the broader geopolitical forces at play.
Known for his rigorous scholarship and bold perspectives, Finkelstein approaches the subject with both intellectual precision and moral urgency, making the book a compelling read for those seeking an in-depth understanding of one of the world’s most enduring occupations.
Finkelstein’s work is both an analysis and an indictment, dissecting the events surrounding Gaza’s most recent wars, the humanitarian toll, and the international response (or lack thereof) to the crisis.
He focuses on pivotal episodes, such as Israel’s military operations in Gaza, the humanitarian blockade, and the treatment of civilians, presenting a grim portrayal of human rights abuses and political maneuvering.
His arguments are grounded in a wealth of sources, from UN reports to testimonies by humanitarian organizations, which serve to underline the scale and severity of the situation. The result is a narrative that is both factually dense and deeply moving, reflecting Finkelstein’s commitment to truth and justice.
What makes “Gaza” particularly powerful is Finkelstein’s ability to contextualize current events within a historical and legal framework, showing how international law is applied selectively — or ignored altogether — when it comes to Gaza.
He interrogates the role of international bodies, questioning their effectiveness in protecting civilian lives and holding perpetrators accountable. Through this lens, Finkelstein critiques the media’s portrayal of Gaza, challenging narratives that often obscure the realities on the ground.
His analysis raises difficult questions about the double standards that often govern global responses to humanitarian crises, making readers consider the moral and ethical implications of international inaction.
While Finkelstein’s stance is unmistakably critical, his arguments are presented with clarity and precision, rooted in an undeniable command of the subject matter.
“Gaza” is not merely an account of suffering but a call to recognize the humanity of those affected by the conflict, urging readers to engage with the issue beyond political and ideological divides. For those unfamiliar with the historical and political context, Finkelstein provides ample background, making the book accessible without compromising the depth of analysis.
“Gaza: An Inquest into Its Martyrdom” is a sobering, challenging, and essential read for anyone seeking to understand the realities of the Gaza crisis. It is a book that demands empathy and critical thought, encouraging readers to confront the human cost of a conflict that has been too often overshadowed by political rhetoric.
With thorough research and a fearless approach, Finkelstein has crafted a work that stands as both an academic resource and a moral appeal, inviting readers to bear witness to a struggle that deserves global attention.
Authors: Juan Benito and Roc Olive
Birds are today’s most diverse tetrapod group, but they have a rich and complex evolutionary history that extends far beyond their modern radiation.
Appearing during the Jurassic more than 160 million years ago, they took to the skies and evolved into myriad forms.
This comprehensive and up-to-date illustrated field guide covers the staggering diversity of avialans—modern birds and their closest fossil relatives—that lived from the origin of the group until the mass extinction that ended the reign of the nonavian dinosaurs 66 million years ago.
