Book Reviews

Morrie, a beloved sociology professor from Brandeis University, is diagnosed with an incurable disease called ALS, a rare neurodegenerative condition. But instead of succumbing to self-pity, Morrie chooses to embrace life with open arms. As his body slowly deteriorates, his spirit only grows stronger. He finds beauty in the simplest of things and becomes even more optimistic about life. Determined to help others facing similar struggles, Morrie begins sharing his insights to ease the mental burden of those suffering. His story catches the public eye when he is interviewed on the popular American TV show Nightline. The episode becomes a hit, and Morrie’s warmth and wisdom touch millions. Among those moved is Mitch Albom, one of Morrie’s former students, who is shocked to see his beloved professor after so many years—and even more surprised by Morrie's unwavering positivity. Overcome with emotion, Mitch rushes to reconnect. During his time at Brandeis, Morrie was more than just a...

Who better to write about depression than someone who has experienced it firsthand? In Reasons to Stay Alive , Matt Haig shares his deeply personal story of battling depression and anxiety, and how he slowly found his way out of it. The book begins at a harrowing moment — Matt standing on the edge of a cliff, contemplating suicide. But he turns back. That single act of stepping away becomes the start of a long journey toward healing. He lived with his girlfriend, Andrea, and had a supportive family — his parents and sister lived in another town. Yet even their love could not immediately pull him out of the darkness he was engulfed in. Matt explains how depression is often misunderstood and dismissed by others. While he tried medication, it offered only temporary relief. He describes how his suffering didn’t just impact him — it also deeply affected those around him. In one particularly moving moment, when his parents visited, he tried to act normal. But when his father gently squ...

Imagine being confined to a single room for years, devoid of human interaction, with nothing but your thoughts to keep you company. How would you cope? Would you find an escape within your mind, or would the isolation consume you? Stefan Zweig’s The Royal Game explores this very dilemma through the gripping tale of two contrasting chess players—one, a world champion with mechanical precision, and the other, a man who mastered chess as a means of survival. The story unfolds aboard a ship, where the author crosses paths with the world chess champion, Mirko Czentovic. An enigmatic and aloof figure, Czentovic is a man of few words, indifferent to the world beyond the 64 squares of a chessboard. Despite his unparalleled mastery of the game, he lacks academic intelligence and social grace. His reputation precedes him, and our author becomes increasingly curious to understand the mind of this prodigy. To initiate contact, the author and his companions engage in casual chess matches in C...