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Robert Macfarlane: The Gifts of Reading
Reading this little gem brought me to tears. Macfarlane’s story of his friendship with Don, forged in the autumn and winter of 2000 as they taught English literature together at a university in Beijing, is a testament to the quiet power of books to connect souls. Their bond, built on shared stories and the act… — read more
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Children’s Books: Not escapism, but findism
I’ve always believed children’s books hold a special kind of magic (see my related posts). Katherine Rundell said it best: they distill emotions into their purest forms. Think of them as literary vodka, she says. And you know what? She’s right. When I pick up a children’s book, they take me by the hand and… — read more
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Just A Bonsai Moment…
My Ficus bonsai arrived on 14 November in its lovely sapphire blue ceramic pot, and a few weeks ago, I decided upon a name for it: Miss Flo. Miss Flo, the Ficus Bonsai, is doing well. She arrived looking rather bushy but has since had quite a snip here and there. I didn’t do any… — read more
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Turning the Page: Saying Goodbye to HBR
After more than ten years of being an avid reader of the Harvard Business Review, I’ve decided it’s (truly) time to let go of my subscription. It feels strange, almost like parting ways with an old mentor who’s been there through countless milestones in my career. But as seasons change, so do interests and priorities.… — read more
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The Vegetarian
Han Kang’s The Vegetarian is a novel that delves into the complexities of human nature, societal pressures, and the consequences of defying expectations. Told through the perspectives of those around her—her husband (Part 1), brother-in-law (Part 2), and sister (Part 3)—the novel offers a fragmented and unsettling portrait of Yeong-hye’s descent into isolation and obsession.… — read more
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“The Cozy Issue” That Got Away
Some things are replaceable. Some things are not. THE COZY ISSUE is one of those things that are not. I didn’t know it then, but those magazines were more than just beautifully curated pages of cozy aesthetics. They were little time capsules, brimming with stories and moments that resonated deeply with a quieter, simpler part… — read more
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John Keats In Rome
In 2013, I stood in John Keats’ bedroom at the Keats-Shelley House in Rome. The air was heavy with history and longing as if his presence lingered in the faintest echoes of the walls. I remember gazing out the same window he once did, his view of the Spanish Steps perhaps unchanged even to this… — read more
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In the Mood for: John Keats
Some days call for a touch of romance, and today, I find myself drawn to the timeless words of John Keats. His letters and poems to Fanny Brawne have always felt like a warm embrace—poignant, tender, and filled with yearning. To accompany the journey, I’ve curated a playlist to match the mood: soft, reflective, and… — read more
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My Haiku: WHITE CHEST
In moon’s silver glow,white chest bouncing in the dark,whiskers catch whispers. — read more
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My Bonsai Journey and Takashi Kamihara’s Book
My bonsai tree from the Netherlands arrived on November 14. It’s a fig (ficus) bonsai that I have yet to name. You may wonder why I’ve developed a sudden interest in bonsai. Well, I’ve always been fascinated by these miniature trees but felt the timing wasn’t right to get into it. Now, however, the timing… — read more
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