Explore the debate: Should we read a book on its own, or does an author’s biography add profound meaning? Discover how the lives of Tolkien, Woolf, and Baldwin shaped their timeless works.
Explore the debate: Should we read a book on its own, or does an author’s biography add profound meaning? Discover how the lives of Tolkien, Woolf, and Baldwin shaped their timeless works.
A deep dive into the intersection of AI and literature. We explore if AI can be truly creative, the philosophical questions of authorship, and how AI might augment—not replace—human writers.
Challenge the traditional definition of literature. Explore the literary merits of graphic novels like Maus, prestige TV like The Sopranos, and cinematic video games like The Last of Us.
Discover the hidden science of reading. Learn how literary fiction enhances brain connectivity, boosts empathy (Theory of Mind), and sharpens your problem-solving skills. Get tips for a better brain.
Explore how literature acts as a powerful catalyst for social and political change. Discover case studies like “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” and “The Gulag Archipelago” that prove a single story can change the world.
Dive into the transformative period of the Renaissance, a revolution that ushered in a new era in art, shifting from theocratic confines to a world enriched by human intellect, creativity, and emotion. Discover the profound impact and lasting legacy of this remarkable period.
Explore the power of unforgettable opening lines in literature, from promising adventure to portraying character complexity. Discover how these lines engage readers, set the tone, and leave a lasting impact.
Explore the profound impact of ancient epics such as Gilgamesh and The Iliad on the evolution of literature, uncovering their narrative structures, character development, and timeless themes that continue to resonate with modern readers.
Explore the life and achievements of Leonardo da Vinci, the great Renaissance artist, engineer, and inventor. Discover his legacy and impact on art, science, and technology.
Explore the life and work of Michelangelo, one of the greatest artists of the Renaissance. Discover his masterpieces, including the Pieta, David, and Sistine Chapel ceiling, and learn about his artistic vision, techniques, and legacy.
As 2025 comes to a close, we look at the transition from holiday magic to ordinary reality. Through stories set in a nursing home in Buenos Aires, a dark river in the Amazon, and a drought-stricken well in Turkana, we ask: How do we keep the music playing when the orchestra stops?
And finally, we look to the day after. The bells have stopped ringing, the guests have gone, and the wax has hardened on the table. We often treat the holiday spirit like a decoration—something to be packed away in a box until next year. But what if the kindness, the open doors, and the shared bread were not a seasonal performance, but a blueprint for how to live? In this final reflection, we ask what it means to carry the light of the feast into the famine of the ordinary days ahead.
Why does the holiday “high” fade so fast? Discover the science of the Hedonic Treadmill and learn how to build a structural foundation of gratitude that lasts beyond New Year’s.
Why do we fear the dark? Explore the spiritual and psychological meaning of the Winter Solstice. Learn why “dormancy” is necessary for growth and how to find peace in the longest night of the year.
In the drought-stricken lands of Turkana County, the sun is a hammer and water is more precious than gold. Zola, a young woman from the Turkana tribe, walks miles to the only working well, knowing it sits on the dangerous borderlands of the enemy Pokot tribe. When she arrives, she is not alone. A woman from the opposing tribe is already there. With no men and no guns—just two women and a rusted, heavy pump handle—they face a choice: hold onto the history of war, or work together to survive the day.
Why limit kindness to December? Discover the psychology of the “Holiday Container” and learn practical strategies to carry the spirit of generosity, patience, and gathering into the rest of the year.