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So, you want some science fiction books that’ll keep you glued to the pages? Look no further. I’ve compiled a list of my top 5 best sci-fi novels, particularly thinking of what I would recommend to someone starting with the genre. These are some of the very books that I first read in the sci-fi … Read more
Diary date: 9-10th October 2019 (days 8-9 so far). Leaving Bangkok After last night’s strange experience in Sukhumvit, we begin the next day by sorting out tickets to Chiang Mai. We play around with the idea of visiting Ayatthuya or Sukhothai on the way up north, but ultimately decide we’re not interested in all those … Read more
When we hear the words science fiction—or sci-fi, or speculative fiction, whatever—we think of spaceships, aliens, time travel, and all things outer-worldly. And, indeed, it often is about those things. But the genre still has this sort of low-brow, fringe association; it’s excluded from literature’s mainstream, in favour of realism, romance, and fantasy. This thinking … Read more
What makes a song—like Aphex Twin’s Avril 14th—instantly recognisable as special? …Alright, yeah, it’s subjective. But you’d be hard-pressed not to find something special in the piece embedded below. There’s a lot to be said about Aphex Twin. I’m not going to try to say it all now, or even pretend I understand the enigma. … Read more
Today captures a different side of Bangkok. We leave Chinatown and head to Sukhumvit. We try out a party hostel, experience Soi Cowboy, and have ANOTHER run-in with Thai police… Day 7. Diary date: 8th October 2019 Leaving AMA Hostel, headed for Sukhumvit An early start today. We head for the local station, taking the … Read more
I’m going to try my hand at something personal today… My story job hunting as a graduate during COVID-19 I have a feeling, though, that my experiences are not-so-personal. That they’re universal, especially for graduates right now — and also for most people at some point in their career. Struggling to find work is demoralising. … Read more
In the first chapter of the novel, Grossman muses: …How could a man be unhappy outside the camp? This remains one of the most impactful introductions to a book that I’ve read. Such striking and evocative turns-of-phrases whisk you through the pages of Vasily Grossman’s Life and Fate. Today we’ll review his war epic, often … Read more
Today is finally the day for sightseeing in Bangkok. It didn’t disappoint. Day 6. Diary date: October 7th, 2019. Waking up, leaving Chinatown I wake up with a clear head, and check out of ‘Our Secret Base’. We wave goodbye to our hosts, particularly the cat Master Yoda! In retrospect, we might’ve been better off … Read more
For a long time, I held a contradictory view of myself: that I was a person who loved writing, but preferred not to write. Now let me be clear, I’ve always been writing something; essays at school and university; freelance content writing for some money on the side; even the odd attempt at a book or … Read more
My hope for a hangover-free day was in vain. We wake up ridiculously late: around 3 PM. I don’t even know if I can blame the jet lag for this one. Day 5. Diary date: October 6th, 2019. What did we do today? The plan for today was sightseeing in Bangkok, but S and I … Read more