Ace Up My Sleeve

 

You haven’t understood it. Read it again!

After all this time, I can finally understand what the poor teachers were referring to when, somewhat bored or tired, they stopped us in our ramblings (often nonsense beside the point) with a You haven’t understood it. Read it again! .

At the time, I thought they were being insensitive or putting on airs of superiority. Because, after all, why was it so hard for them to correct us on the spot and show/give us the correct answer? I found out, rather belatedly, that by doing so, they were not letting us become helpless, perhaps not even victims of manipulation if you get to keep doing the thinking exercise with your own mind, and not keep waiting for the right answer from someone else.

Sometimes, I wish a teacher would come along and say to me and to others You haven’t understood it. Read it again!. I don't know why, but it no longer seems to me that what's going on today can be easily explained with a I'm in a hurry, I need the answer now.

It's a contest of the rested, for many years now, and I'm often afraid I'll end up explaining how and where to look up the definition of a word you don't know (I've already had to explain that 12 a.m. is not noon).

So, I don't arrogate anything to myself, I'm just sharing in the already growing fear (of others) and thanking (a bit late, admittedly) all the teachers who said You haven’t understood it. Read it again!. Kudos to you!

Do You Know?

 

Pulse – Julian Barnes

The wonderful Julian Barnes has delightful stories in this collection. Analyses of the soul made with rare finesse, testimonies, prejudices, expectations, disappointments, hopes.

Julian Barnes doesn't write, he brings the words together and sets the tone, and they are sensible to always find their place in our hearts.

 

A few excerpts to testify to the marvel of Barnes' talent.

‘Well,’ said Jane, trying to hide a sudden surge of jauntiness, I’ve always believed that writers get more out of things going wrong than things going right. It’s the only profession in which failure can be put to good use.’

…

‘Do you read those young men everyone’s going on about?’

‘No. I think they’ve got quite enough readers already, don’t you think?’

‘What about the young women everyone’s going on about?’

‘I suppose I pretend a little more to have read them than with the boys.’

‘So do I. Is that bad?’

‘No, I think it’s sisterly.’

 

A quote from him, but from another book - “Books say: She did this because. Life says: She did this. Books are where things are explained to you; life is where things aren't. I'm not surprised some people prefer books.”
― Julian Barnes, Flaubert's Parrot

Let's dance!

 

Ildiko's thoughts on Laura Rise - Detained and The Corporation. Typologies and survival guide

In May, Ildiko read my latest novel and my first non-fiction book. She gave them both ratings on goodreads, but also talked about them in a couple of videos posted on her YouTube channel.

 

Laura Rise – Detained

The novel was published by the Bookworm Publishing House in March 2025 and tells the story of an aspiring writer who decides to publish her work under a male pseudonym. When the man enjoys success instead of her, Laura plans revenge, blinded by frustration. If you've ever felt you had to play a different role in order to be successful, or were outraged by injustice, you might enjoy this novel. You can order it here.

Ildiko's impressions of the novel can be found in the videos below:

- from minute 9:50 to 13:00 – here

- from beginning until minute 9:20 and then again from minute 24:12 – here 

 

The Corporation. Typologies and survival guide

My first non-fiction book was published by Paralela 45 Publishing House in April 2024. The book centers on the typologies of bosses and colleagues that drain us of energy and motivation at work. It features stories from job interviews, resignations and dismissals, a Rom-English (a mix between Romanian and English) dictionary, and survival strategies for working with certain typologies.

Wondering if you're also a worker at the Labor-in-vain cooperative? If you've gone crazy or are there others who need clarity, strategy, communication and support? No, you're not crazy and you're not alone. There are many of us. And our stories are contained in this book. You can order it here.

Ildiko's impressions of the book can be found in the videos below:

- from minute 21:18 to 23:50 – here

- from minute 13:25 to 17:35  - here

The Plath Earth

As soon as you open the volume of poems by Ana Zaharia, you are sucked in a whirlwind. Verse after verse, the movement continues, and the author sprinkles feelings, pains, loneliness, wrapping them, at times, in questions that give rise to other questions.

The past, the reality are hard to put into words, but Anca succeeds extraordinarily. There will be many who will be displeased or offended by the verses in the book, but that will not change the truth that emerges from them.