Last week I went into a bookshop. I hadn’t really planned to buy a book; I just like to browse and discover new books from time to time. I check if there have been any price changes and at the same time I soak up the warm atmosphere of the place. At such times, I also wonder if new editions of books by my favourite authors have been published. On one of those days, instead of finding a book by the author himself, I came across a slim volume containing a critical study of him.

It has been a challenging day or even a long and exhausting week. Finally, you have some precious free time to relax and unwind. Instead of going out, you decide to enjoy the company of your friends. You pull out that unfamiliar box, filled with an enchanting world of adventure, accompanied by miniature figurines and shiny dice with countless possibilities. As you gather around the table, your friends have no idea what an exciting evening lies ahead. Meanwhile, your mind is r

In this ever-evolving age, our appetite for novelty is insatiable. Because we spend so much time on social media platforms, their owners are constantly striving to introduce new features, visuals, written content and audio. The fear of missing out subtly drives us to seek out the next big thing. Although we may not openly admit it, there is a sense of satisfaction in being at the forefront, witnessing the birth of a trend and proudly proclaiming, “When I was there, it wasn’t

I have always had a great passion for foreign languages. I started learning English when I was 5 or 6 years old. Even though I couldn’t read in my mother tongue at that age, I was always more interested in the sounds and words of other languages. My older sister used to buy BBC English books called Ozmo and I found them fascinating just to look at. The bright colours and well-drawn characters were very appealing to a child of that age. I was also curious about the cryptic-l

Humans have an innate ability to dream and imagine, often venturing into the realm of the fictional and fantastical. Whether these visions are within reach or not, the act of imagining fictional creations has always been an enjoyable pursuit. Throughout history, people have sought to share their thoughts and ideas about these imaginary worlds and their technological wonders through literature . In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of fictional technology,

Since the dawn of humanity, our ancestors have had vivid imaginations as they sought to make sense of their surroundings, their experiences and the mysteries of nature. As early humans developed language and communication, storytelling became a fundamental means of expression. Through stories, they shared their triumphs, fears, dreams and values, forming the basis of human culture and identity. Throughout history, humanity’s innate need for expression has given rise to a myri

Life is undoubtedly a complex journey filled with different experiences and challenges for everyone. Sometimes we embrace the beauty of life, while at other times we struggle to find meaning in the struggles. In literature and art, two philosophical approaches that explore these contrasting perspectives are absurdism and existentialism . Through stories, novels, films and plays, these philosophical concepts can offer unique insights into the human condition, inviting us to qu

When you were a kid, there were stories that you loved to read, that you kept on your important shelf, that you took on holiday, that you wanted to be read to before bed and that you wanted to collect as a series. That was a nostalgic introduction, wasn’t it? Let’s take it to the next level. A few months ago I had to stay in hospital as an accompanying person. I was there for almost ten days and during that time we were on the fourth floor. There was a children’s ward on th

During my time at university, although I wasn’t the most diligent student, I showed more interest in the subjects I liked. Especially when we took those courses in English, it motivated me to study more because it gave me the opportunity to improve my language skills in different ways. Some of my friends had problems with foreign languages, so they sometimes asked me for help. I would study with them, especially before exams. Before I started covering the topics, I would stu

No matter who you are, play is a part of life. This process, which begins in childhood, continues throughout life. Over time, just like our interest in the types of books we read, this distinction can be observed in games. Of course, our tastes change over time. The games we played with our friends on the street, which allowed us to socialise, became part of us, as did all sorts of games that allowed us to express our imagination alone at home. Perhaps we grew tired of physic

We’ve all spent nights tossing and turning in bed. Sometimes the reason is that you want to get on with the day as quickly as possible. Because you have such interesting ideas and thoughts that you want to put them into action before you forget. They keep you awake. You want to talk about them and put them into words. We all think that some ideas can be great, especially at moments like this. We are exposed to so much information, both important and unimportant, during the da

“He won’t be around next season because he leaves in this season’s finale.” “Oh, I liked that character too, but I didn’t like the writers killing him off so early.” “Oh, didn’t you know?” I don’t think those are the phrases you want to hear. Nobody likes to hear something they don’t know about a show or a book they love. Except, of course, the fanatics who are desperate to hear it. In today’s world, we have easy, fast, (relatively) cheap and varied access to media containin

When you travel somewhere, especially in the evening , the background noise diminishes and there is a sense of tranquillity. Apart from the sound of the vehicle, you don’t hear any other noise, and even that is repetitive and monotonous. After a while you start to feel sleepy. Mission accomplished. You want to read a book but have trouble concentrating. You put on your headphones and play relaxing music. This will help you avoid having to read each paragraph two or three time

When my father noticed my growing enthusiasm for writing, he bought me a fountain pen and ink for my birthday. It was, of course, a very symbolic gift for me. Apart from a few attempts, I never really used it because I didn’t want it to wear out. It still sits on the top shelf of my cupboard. In a similar story, I once gifted my friend a feather quill pen and ink. It also occupies the top shelf in her room. I guess it means a lot to her too, doesn’t it? Time and technology,

At first glance, the world of poetry can seem mysterious and unattainable, which can lead one to question the meaning and importance of writing or reading poetry. Like many others, I doubted how meaningful the poems I wrote and read really were. Over time, however, my perspective changed and I discovered the beauty and depth hidden within this art form. This article explores my personal journey from indifference to poetry, to changing my habits to capture meaning beyond emoti

When two people get to know each other, they often want to find out about each other’s interests and preferences. In conversations with my friends, there’s one question that really bothers me. “I like your taste in music” or “I hear you’re an avid reader” and then the question comes : “Can you recommend any song/music/books?” No, mate, I can’t recommend anything. I don’t know what kind of things you like. You need to give me some examples so I can tell you who you are! You

One of the luckiest things a child can have is a good primary school teacher. Fortunately, I was one of those children. She was one of the few teachers who came close to the ideal teacher I had in mind. She would make us sing songs and ballads, teach us folk traditions. She would involve everyone in games. Although she had a large class, she tried to pay attention to each of us. And even when she couldn’t, she found ways to connect with us as a group. We had reading lessons,

The suitcase in Pulp Fiction , the stone that gave its name to the film Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone , the poison in the bottle in Romeo and Juliet , or the foundation itself in I saac Asimov’ s famous work The Foundation … These works of art, created at different times, actually share a common feature. Anton Chekhov  is undoubtedly one of the most solid writers in Russian literature. He is still an example to us today, both in his short stories and his plays . No

Throughout your life there are certain subjects in which you believe you excel. At the very least, spending time on them feels more enjoyable, natural or educational than your other pursuits. For me, those subjects have been reading and writing . I also have a great interest in foreign languages and believe I have some ability in this area. Don’t worry, I’m not multilingual. I just like them too much from time to time. I had the opportunity to study abroad for a short time,

I am writing my article in a sentimental way because I have just finished reading a wonderful work. You know, there’s a book you can’t put down, a song you can’t get enough of, music you can’t get out of your head, a series you can’t stop watching… I read it non-stop, I reviewed it, I didn’t want to waste any time and I finished it with a great appetite. The pleasure it gives is excellent, but there is also the end, it leaves you with a great void. I’m between the two at the