Book recommendations by 4C_13 Khan Nida https://padlet.com/s20170295/3y5axgp08fhlydyy For any and all book lovers :) en-us 2020-12-27 06:09:38 UTC 2025-03-20 01:09:29 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f426.png Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari s20170295 https://padlet.com/s20170295/3y5axgp08fhlydyy/wish/1042759956 The title gives off "boring, complicated history book" energy but I assure you, reading it will change your mind. It is packed with lots of information that enlightens you on our species and how we came to be, so it does require time to process what you have learned. It is written in a very easy-to-understand manner and I would recommend this to anyone looking to learn more about our world.  ]]> 2020-12-27 06:46:35 UTC https://padlet.com/s20170295/3y5axgp08fhlydyy/wish/1042759956 The Confidence Effect by Grace Killelea https://padlet.com/s20170295/3y5axgp08fhlydyy/wish/1047447580 This book talks about the importance of having confidence as a (young)woman, in the workplace and in your personal life. As women we are often socialized to be "good, quiet, nice, non-confrontational", which can rob us of our natural confidence. This book reminds us that we need to own our competence, to step up & speak up for ourselves. It is full of wit and wisdom, insights and advice. Overall very refreshing and empowering to read.]]> 2020-12-31 07:41:55 UTC https://padlet.com/s20170295/3y5axgp08fhlydyy/wish/1047447580 Hansard by Simon Woods s20171381 https://padlet.com/s20170295/3y5axgp08fhlydyy/wish/1069296625 Hansard (a word which refers the official record of debates in the British parliament) is a two-hander play centred around the rift between a dysfunctional middle-aged couple with opposing political beliefs and a shared hidden trauma caused by past mistakes.  Set in 1988, Robin Hesketh, an Old Etonian Conservative politician and junior minister in Thatcher's government, returns to his Oxfordshire country home and his left-leaning alcoholic housewife, Diana. Naturally, they argue as old couples do. Their witty marital sparring discusses (and pokes fun at) all manner of British politics both then and now, but even without completely understanding the references to literature and politics (like me), it's absolutely hilarious. The play eventually takes a darker turn, as their argument turns vicious, and it revealed Robin has endorsed a particularly damaging piece of legislation that has significant personal weight on the couple (No spoilers, but fair warning, it's heavy and potentially triggering stuff)...

Overall, a delightful play with sharp and clever dialogue, and a particularly bittersweet twist at the end.


]]> 2021-01-09 05:49:27 UTC https://padlet.com/s20170295/3y5axgp08fhlydyy/wish/1069296625 Animal Farm by George Orwell s20200562 https://padlet.com/s20170295/3y5axgp08fhlydyy/wish/1069605668 Are you a fan of politics? Then Animal Farm is a must-read for you. It is well-known as a profound allegory of far-left politics and full of intriguing metaphors and satire. It will give you new ideas and reflections on real liberty and means to prevent this kind of tragedy. :)]]> 2021-01-09 11:51:21 UTC https://padlet.com/s20170295/3y5axgp08fhlydyy/wish/1069605668 The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin s2018154 https://padlet.com/s20170295/3y5axgp08fhlydyy/wish/1070826435
This book, the first one in an upcoming series, talks about how five unique New Yorkers stand up to protect and defend their city against an otherworldly foe. 

This is an entertaining book and is definitely exciting. But more importantly, it is a representation of how people stand up to fear and darkness, like for instance, how the culturally diverse characters in the book deal with a threat representing discrimination, and use their strengths to overcome the evil forces. With COVID-19 still around, it gives us readers a glimmer of hope and encourages us to be strong amidst these rather difficult times.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with a thirst for fantasy and adventure, or simply to all those in need of a little extra hope right now
]]> 2021-01-10 07:52:12 UTC https://padlet.com/s20170295/3y5axgp08fhlydyy/wish/1070826435 They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera https://padlet.com/s20170295/3y5axgp08fhlydyy/wish/1074726523 This book is set in a fictional world where people are given an alert 24 hours before they die. Two teenage boys seek each other out for support and company in the last day of their lives, and experience emotional growth and fulfillment.
I love how the story is told in many perspectives, and the characters' fates are all entwined one way or another.
(Mild spoiler warning)
This book left me with many "what ifs", mainly surrounding the death of the two protagonists. Their deaths were caused by a complicated chain of events, and I kept thinking "what if this and that didn't happen" and so on, until I realised that the creation of the Death-cast itself indirectly caused their deaths. It made me think about the butterfly effect. Everything we do has an impact on others, and can lead to a huge chain of events.
Spoiler over!
All in all, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is up for an emotional rollercoaster. :)]]> 2021-01-11 16:07:53 UTC https://padlet.com/s20170295/3y5axgp08fhlydyy/wish/1074726523