Fiction
The Last Page Society
The six members of the Last Page Society would meet each Thursday in the melee of an attic in an obvious; centuries old library. Bound by their shared love of books, they had a peculiar rule: Any book discussed lacked a final page that anyone could finish.
By Zulie Ranes2 years ago in BookClub
Olivia Hussey’s Passing: A Tribute to the Iconic Actress Who Captivated Generations
On December 27, 2024, the world bid farewell to one of its most beloved actresses, Olivia Hussey. Known for her unforgettable portrayal of Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 film Romeo and Juliet, Hussey’s death has left fans and the entertainment industry heartbroken. With a career that spanned several decades, Hussey's contributions to film and theater continue to inspire countless artists and admirers worldwide.
By Jayanto Patwari2 years ago in BookClub
How Can We Modernize Iconic Characters for Today’s Audience?
Introduction Reinventing fictional characters for modern audiences is a delicate yet rewarding endeavor. Characters that once resonated deeply with their original audiences may no longer connect in the same way today. As societal values, cultural contexts, and audience sensibilities evolve, the challenge lies in preserving the essence of these beloved figures while ensuring relevance in contemporary narratives. Here, we will explore the key elements of successfully reinventing a fictional character for modern audiences, providing insights for writers, filmmakers, and creators venturing into this creative terrain.
By Hannah miller2 years ago in BookClub
Nifty Stories That Will Inspire, Delight, and Connect Us All
Stories are the threads that weave the rich tapestry of our daily lives. From hilarious anecdotes to heartfelt moments that warm the soul, stories entertain us and foster connections that make life all the more meaningful. Enter "nifty stories"—the tales that are great, excellent, and positively first-rate!
By faisal khatri2 years ago in BookClub
Theirs no hard truth than this statement
Life Is Too Short, and We All Should Live It As Per Our WillThe truth about life is that we are all going to die sooner or later. It is an uncomfortable fact, but with time, it engrains the importance of living life on your own terms. It is true that all of us have seen people who spend their lives crumpled in seeking validation or admiration from others around them. No matter how hard they try, they end up thinking that elements of greatness are present in the eyes of people and not within the individuals themselves. Which is indeed a false perception and in fact the core of my healthy living angle.
By Maxamed Sharif2 years ago in BookClub
How To Make Learning As Addictive As Social Media
Education in poor counties like Sudan, Afghanistan and many more often creates inequality, as wealthier people can afford a good education, while poorer people struggle to learn basic skills like reading and writing. I was lucky, though, because even though I didn’t grow up wealthy, I pushed myself to the limits and worked harder as I ever could, allowing me to come to the U.S. for college and later earn a PhD in computer science. About 10 years ago, some people were deciding on how to work on making education accessible to everyone, including myself. At the time, I was a professor at Carnegie Mellon, and I started thinking with my PhD student, Gerrard, about how we could achieve this. We initially considered teaching subjects like math or computer science but eventually decided on foreign languages, especially English. Why? Because about two billion people worldwide are learning a foreign language, and most of them are learning English, which can dramatically increase one’s earning potential. Learning English can be life-changing—unlike math, you don’t need a degree to earn more money by learning a language. A waiter who learns English can get a better-paying job in a hotel. There was a need to make education accessible to everyone, and the need to reach people through smartphones, as building schools worldwide would be too expensive. Most people already have access to smartphones, and that number is growing. So, Duolingo was created, a platform where people can learn languages for free. The app operates on a "freemium" model, meaning it’s free to use but includes ads unless you subscribe to remove them. The majority of Duolingo's revenue comes from subscriptions, mostly paid by people in wealthier countries, which helps subsidize the service for people in poorer countries. This creates a form of wealth redistribution, where rich users essentially fund education for all. However, delivering education through smartphones presents a challenge: smartphones also come with highly addictive apps like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp. To make learning engaging, there was a need to make it as appealing as those apps. They used techniques from mobile games and social media, like streaks (consecutive days of usage), to keep people coming back every day. In fact, over three million Duolingo users have had streaks lasting over a year. Another interesting feature was the use of notifications to encourage users to return, and even added some passive-aggressive notifications when people stop using the app for a while, which surprisingly brings them back. Despite these efforts, I don’t think it’s realistic to make educational apps as addictive as social media. But the key is that learning something meaningful gives you a sense of achievement, unlike endless scrolling through social media, which often feels like a waste of time. That’s why it’s okay if educational apps aren’t as engaging as TikTok or Instagram—they can still motivate people to use them because the content itself has intrinsic value. In fact, more people are learning languages on Duolingo in the U.S. than in all the U.S. high schools combined. I hope these methods can be applied to other subjects like math and science, turning repetition-based learning into something fun and engaging for millions of users. For subjects that require repetition, like math and reading, it’s possible to gamify the learning process. Learning through repetition can be made engaging in the same way Duolingo does. However, more complex topics that need explanations, like advanced concepts, might require video-based teaching, like what Sal Khan does with Khan Academy. But for subjects based on repetition, the same approach can be used to make learning fun and effective. The ultimate goal is to use smartphones to provide quality education to everyone, regardless of wealth. My final plea to you: please do your language lessons today! Thanks for Reading
By Sharif Muideen 2 years ago in BookClub
Book Review: The Phoenix Keeper by S.A. MacLean
Set in a magical zoo teeming with mythical beasts from dragons and unicorns to kelpies and krakens, The Phoenix Keeper is a fierce joy of a cozy fantasy novel with a soul-restoring queer romance at its heart, for fans of The House in the Cerulean Sea and Legends and Lattes. As head phoenix keeper at a world-renowned zoo for magical creatures, Aila's childhood dream of conserving critically endangered firebirds seems closer than ever. There's just one glaring caveat: her zoo's breeding program hasn't functioned for a decade. When a tragic phoenix heist sabotages the flagship initiative at a neighboring zoo, Aila must prove her derelict facilities are fit to take the reins. But saving an entire species from extinction requires more than stellar animal handling skills. Carnivorous water horses, tempestuous thunderhawks, mischievous dragons... Aila has no problem wrangling beasts. But mustering the courage to ask for help from the hotshot griffin keeper at the zoo's most popular exhibit? Virtually impossible. Especially when that hotshot griffin keeper happens to be her arch-rival from college: Luciana, an annoyingly brooding and insufferable know-it-all with the face of a goddess who's convinced that Aila's beloved phoenix would serve their cause better as an active performer rather than as a passive conservation exhibit. With the world watching and the threat of poachers looming, Aila's success is no longer merely a matter of keeping her job... She is the keeper of the phoenix, and the future of a species – and her love life – now rests on her shoulders.
By Marie Sinadjan2 years ago in BookClub
