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. 

Work in Progress - Work Under Scrutiny

About those that suffer at work and are being accused of not doing anything.

(Please read the English translation below)

You don't do nothing!

When you're told that, you either freeze up or you scream. I'm very proud of how I reacted. I laughed and replied that everyone is entitled to an opinion. That means I haven't forgotten an important lesson - when someone thinks the worst of you, don't bother to prove them wrong!

And yes, I got annoyed whenever that line was used against me (and there were many times). But, thankfully, I've managed to remind myself that there are really so few things that matter and we get sometimes blinded by those that don't. If you, too, are in search of cleaning your perspective, to get a better look at what matters, take this post to heart. 

Let's just stay focused on only what matters!

Another case of those that suffer can be read here.

I Adore Ada Milea!

Yesterday evening I went to Quantic to see the concert of Ada Milea and the other three wonderful people (Anca Hanu, Bobo Burlăcianu, Cristi Rigman). Let us be crazy happy and happy to be crazy!

Long live the Arts!

Bookfest, the Book Fair, May 2025

Laura Rise - Detained, a special edition for Bookfest.