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Central Asia is often seen as a remote and inaccessible land on the peripheries of modern history.
Encompassing Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and the Xinjiang province of China, it in fact stands at the crossroads of world events.
Adeeb Khalid provides the first comprehensive history of Central Asia from the mid-18th century to today, shedding light on the historical forces that have shaped the region under imperial and Communist rule.
Author: MICHAEL PATRICK LYNCH
Do any of us really care about truth when it comes to politics? Should we? In a world of big lies, denialism, and conspiracy theories, democracies are experiencing two interlocked crises: a loss of confidence in democracy itself and the growing sense among many that politics is only about power—not truth.
In this book, Michael Patrick Lynch argues that truth not only can—but must—matter in politics. He shows why truth is an essential democratic value—a value we need to sustain our democratic way of life—and how it can be strengthened.
In “The Sixth Extinction,” Elizabeth Kolbert tells us why and how human beings have altered life on the planet in a way no species has before.
Interweaving research in half a dozen disciplines and the history of extinction as a concept, Kolbert provides a comprehensive account of the disappearances occurring before our very eyes, compelling us to rethink the fundamental question of what it means to be human.
Author: Haruki Murakami
Haruki Murakami’s “First Person Singular,” first published in 2020, is a remarkable collection of eight short stories, each narrated in the first person, offering readers a deep dive into the intricacies of human memory, identity, and the blurred lines between reality and imagination.
As is the case with much of Murakami’s work, the stories are imbued with magical realism, the exploration of loneliness, and existential pondering.
In this collection, there is also a marked intimacy; the narratives explore personal experiences and reflections that often feel like confessions.
The beauty of “First Person Singular” lies in its simplicity. Murakami’s prose, which is often elusive and dreamlike, is refreshingly accessible in these stories.
The minimalist style allows the weight of the themes to come to the forefront — themes of love, aging, and the passage of time are ever-present, hovering like ghosts in the margins of each tale.
In “Cream,” for instance, a seemingly mundane memory transforms into an abstract meditation on the fleeting nature of time and life’s inexplicable mysteries.
Similarly, “Charlie Parker Plays Bossa Nova” reflects Murakami’s fascination with music as a metaphysical gateway, blending jazz and surrealism into a meditation on alternate realities.
Murakami’s exploration of identity and self-perception is particularly poignant in the titular story, in which the narrator reflects on his younger self, weaving together memory and fiction, and questioning the veracity of his own recollections.
This theme of unreliable memory runs throughout the collection, giving readers the sense that each story is a fragment of a larger, perhaps unknowable, truth.
As is often the case in Murakami’s world, the stories do not offer clear resolutions; instead, they leave us with more questions.
What sets “First Person Singular” apart from Murakami’s previous works is its raw, personal tone. While his novels often immerse readers in vast, surreal worlds, these stories are more grounded, more reflective of the mundane aspects of life, although still tinged with the fantastical.
The first-person narrative technique further amplifies this sense of closeness, as though the reader is being granted access to Murakami’s private musings.
At the heart of the collection is a sense of nostalgia — an awareness of time slipping away, of experiences that cannot be reclaimed, and of the inevitable loneliness that accompanies the human condition. Yet, there is also a quiet acceptance, a resignation that life, in all its absurdity and beauty, cannot always be understood, only lived.
“First Person Singular” is a profound and thought-provoking addition to Murakami’s body of work. It is a collection that resonates deeply, not for its grand revelations, but for its quiet examination of the personal, the intimate, and the mysterious.
Fans of Murakami will appreciate the familiar themes and style, while new readers will find this an accessible entry point into his work.
Ultimately, “First Person Singular” is a meditation on what it means to be human, told with the grace and subtle complexity that only Murakami can deliver.
Author: SONKE JOHNSEN
The open ocean, far from the shore and miles above the seafloor, is a vast and formidable habitat that is home to the most abundant life on our planet, from giant squid and jellyfish to anglerfish with bioluminescent lures that draw prey into their toothy mouths.
Into the Great Wide Ocean takes readers inside the peculiar world of the seagoing scientists who are providing tantalizing new insights into how the animals of the open ocean solve the problems of their existence.
It has been 20 years since Ellen Lupton’s 2004 book, “Thinking with Type: A critical guide for designers, editors & students” was released, but it is still as relevant as ever.
The book opens with: “The organization of letters on a blank page — or screen — is the designer’s most basic challenge. What kind of font to use? How big? How should those letters, words and paragraphs be aligned, spaced, ordered, shaped and otherwise manipulated?”
While teaching at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, Lupton wrote the book because she could not find one that encapsulated everything she deemed important for her students.
Lupton, a renowned graphic designer, educator and writer, has been a go-to person for typography and design theory for decades. Her work blends theory with practical insight, making complex design concepts accessible to a wider audience.
The book is divided into three sections — “Letter,” “Text” and “Grid” — which address a different aspect of typography.
In the “Letter” section, Lupton explores the anatomy of individual characters, explaining font styles, classifications and the historical evolution of typefaces.
The “Text” section focuses on how text is structured on a page, discussing important details like spacing, alignment and legibility — all of which are crucial for effective communication.
The “Grid” section explores how type can be organized to create a balanced and visually appealing layout.
The book has become a staple in classrooms and for people simply interested in typography. The pages offer a clear and engaging roadmap for the principles of working with type, in both print and digital mediums.
Lupton’s use of real-world examples — along with exercises for readers — makes the book both practical and visually stimulating.
