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Indian Express
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
How Fredrik Backman helped me get over my reading slump, again
In a time where everything has a screen and every screen has a stream, where even your refrigerator might suggest a cooking reel and your watch buzzes with breaking news—how do books stand a chance? We are living in an era where content is currency and attention is collateral. Your car has a dashboard that plays YouTube. Your speaker has an opinion. Even your mirror might soon start narrating the news. Everything is evolving–smarter, sharper, louder. The quiet, deliberate act of reading feels almost… archaic. In this hyper-stimulated ecosystem, where even Marvel is now more movie than comic, it's no surprise that the written word often loses the battle for our attention. Words on paper? They don't auto-play. So, like many of us, I too got sucked into the vortex of videos. One reel turned into twenty. One video essay became four. And just like that, my once-beloved habit of reading quietly slipped through the cracks, swallowed by what we now officially call the brain-rot era. And this, dear reader, is what bibliophiles refer to as: the reading slump. My first real slump lasted over two years. Books gathered dust. Bookmarks remained frozen somewhere between page 8 and page 12, abandoned like half-hearted New Year's resolutions. Then, one idle day in 2019, while aimlessly wandering through a bookstore in a mall—a rare enough act now to almost feel vintage—I stumbled upon a hardcover edition of Anxious People by Fredrik Backman. At first glance, it was the chapter lengths that drew me in. Tiny, digestible, two-to-three page chapters. 'Small accomplishments,' I thought. Back then, I needed any win I could get. Reading ten pages felt like climbing Everest in flip-flops. But Backman's structure made each chapter feel like a checkpoint in a video game—quick, satisfying, and motivating. What I didn't expect, however, was that his writing would do far more than just coax me back into reading. It gripped me, made me laugh, then made me feel things I wasn't ready to feel. A bank robbery. A hostage situation. A deeply absurd cast of characters. All of it absurd on the surface, but within it, so much humanity. So much messy, unfixable, and beautiful humanity. As Backman writes in Anxious People: 'This story is about a lot of things, but mostly about idiots.' It was. Idiots just like us, trying to love, trying to be better, failing most of the time, but trying anyway. Through his prose, Backman didn't just write stories. He created spaces, warm, messy rooms filled with people who could've been your friends or your neighbours. And somehow, through these fictional strangers, I found comfort. The reading slump broke, gloriously. What followed was a reading renaissance. In the years 2020 through 2022, I devoured nearly 60 books. I became that annoying person with Goodreads goals and colour-coded bookmarks. But as they say, what goes up… Life got busy. Or maybe I got lazy. Probably both. I tried dipping my toes back into different genres—sci-fi, romance, literary fiction. And don't get me wrong, many of those genres are the go-to slumpsavers for most readers. The adrenaline of a good thriller. The comfort of a cozy romance. The escapism of well-built fantasy. But for me, nothing clicked. I would start reading, then remember an email I hadn't replied to. Or a Netflix show I had half-finished. Or sometimes, I'd just doomscroll until my thumb ached and my brain was mush. The worst part? I kept buying books, somehow thinking the purchase itself would jolt me into reading. (Spoiler: it didn't.) My 'TBR' shelf became less of a to-do list and more of a guilt museum. Eight months. Not a single book finished. Then came Lucas. A few weeks ago, while I was mindlessly scrolling through Amazon—because that's the most reading I had been doing lately—I stumbled upon a short story by Fredrik Backman I hadn't read before. Titled The Answer Is No, it was just 68 pages long, available only on Kindle and audiobook. The length, again, was my hook. The author was the clincher. I downloaded it immediately. Backman's story introduces us to Lucas, a man who has perfected the art of living alone. Not in a tragic, brooding, tortured-artist way. In a calm, curated, pad-thai-and-wine kind of way. Lucas's evenings are spent exactly how he wants them: with video games, routine, and absolutely no human interaction. He's not hiding from the world—he's just very sure he doesn't want to be part of its chaos. And honestly, I got it. Entirely. In Lucas's resistance to social demands, in his meticulous life of boundaries and avoidance, I saw a version of what many of us have become—content in our curated bubbles, fiercely guarding our 'me time,' replacing human conversations with algorithm-fed content. But of course, life—Backman-style—has other plans. What begins as a mundane event in Lucas's apartment building spirals into a surprisingly sharp, quietly hilarious, and deeply human narrative about community dysfunction, unwanted responsibility, and the emotional pile-up we all try to ignore. Lucas, despite himself, gets dragged into the mess, socially and otherwise. And through a string of wonderfully absurd characters and unexpected moments of connection, he's forced to reckon with something more disorienting than chaos: the possibility of needing other people. Without ever preaching, The Answer Is No gently prods at themes of loneliness, reluctant empathy, and what it means to set boundaries without shutting the world out completely. It's a story laced with Backman's signature warmth, dry wit, and knack for revealing our deepest vulnerabilities through the simplest of setups. And as I reached the final page, I realised something: I hadn't just finished a book, I'd finished it without checking my phone once. That's no small feat in this age of infinite distractions. What is it about Fredrik Backman that gets to me? It's not just that his chapters are short (though that definitely helps). It's that he makes the ordinary feel sacred. He writes about people who feel like your mother, your awkward co-worker, your best friend who moved away, your angry neighbour who just needs a hug. His words aren't flashy. They're honest. And sometimes, that's far harder to write. His stories don't demand your attention, they earn it, gently. Backman is not the kind of writer who yells to keep you reading. He whispers. And you lean in. And while other genres rely on plot, twists, world-building to keep you turning pages, Backman builds emotional gravity. You turn the page not to know what happens next, but because you don't want to leave the character alone in their grief, their joy, their vulnerability. In Anxious People, he writes: 'We need to be allowed to convince ourselves that we're more than the mistakes we made yesterday. That we are all of our next choices, too, all of our tomorrows.' That's what reading his books feel like, hope wrapped in heartbreak, delivered with warmth and wit. I won't lie to you. This might not be my last reading slump. Life happens. Screens will keep glowing. Attention will keep fracturing. But now I know where to go when I need to come back. Sometimes, you don't need a 500-page epic or a bold new genre to get you reading again. Sometimes, all it takes is a Swedish author with an extraordinary understanding of ordinary people. Sometimes, all it takes is a short story and a quiet boy named Lucas. And sometimes, that's enough to remind you that reading isn't just a habit, it's home. So here I am again, back from the void, thanks to Fredrik Backman. And guess what? I am already onto my next book. (As I See It is a space for bookish reflection, part personal essay and part love letter to the written word.)
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What 6 Citadel Securities leaders are reading (or listening to) this summer
A recent newsletter from Citadel Securities included six executives' beach recommendations. Their suggestions get philosophical, ranging from historical deep-dives to the journey of the cell. Here's their chosen media, which includes books, a podcast, and even a YouTube series. For some Citadel Securities leaders, fun in the sun means getting philosophical. A recent newsletter from Ken Griffin's trading firm, which is behind nearly a quarter of all US stock trades, included six executives' beach reads and listens. Their recommendations appeal to a range of potential beachgoers, including everything from diet advice to a 1927 classic to a YouTube series that explains egg freezing. Here are six Citadel Securities executives' summer media recommendations. The Optimist: Sam Altman, OpenAI, and the Race to Invent the Future Matt Culek, the chief operating officer, recommended the book by Wall Street Journal reporter Keach Hagey to anyone who thinks that AI will transform business and daily life — so, basically, everyone. He called it a "compelling account of OpenAI's founding, Altman's leadership, and the fierce competition among leading AI firms." The book, published in May, tracks OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's journey from his childhood in St. Louis, his time at startups, his temporary ouster at OpenAI, and his current leadership. It's based on more than 200 interviews and has 3.97 stars on Goodreads. The Cell: A Visual Tour of the Building Block of Life Chief Technology Officer Josh Woods said that the 2015 book is "as informative as it is visually stunning." Written by the writer and lecturer Jack Challoner, "The Cell" chronicles scientific breakthroughs around life's basic unit, tracking the evolutionary journey from single- to multi-celled organisms. On Goodreads, the book has 4.37 stars. Decisive Moments in History: Twelve Historical Miniatures Shyam Rajan, the global head of fixed income, suggested Austrian writer Stefan Zweig's 1927 classic, which was originally published in German. According to Rajan, the book "thoughtfully captures the catalysts that changed the trajectory of history ranging from the fall of Constantinople to the discovery of the Pacific Ocean." Other vignettes include an affair between a 74-year-old and a 19-year-old, and the story of a man who legally owned a good portion of California. The book has a 4.24 rating on Goodreads. How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease It seems like the summer of health for Alex DiLeonardo, the company's chief people officer, who recommended the "eye opening" book about how to prevent chronic illness through nutrition. "Our colleagues take the same optimizing lens to their life that we take to the market," DiLeonardo wrote in his suggestion. Published in 2015 by American physician Michael Greger , "How Not to Die" examines the top 15 causes of prominent diseases. It has 4.42 stars on Goodreads and includes a checklist of the 12 foods Greger thinks we should eat daily. Wind of Change: Did the CIA write a power ballad that ended the Cold War? Dane Skillrud, COO of systematic equities & FICC, recommended a podcast instead of a book. The eight-part miniseries from 2020 is hosted by New Yorker staff writer Patrick Radden Keefe and follows his investigation into whether the CIA wrote the song "Wind of Change" by Scorpion, a German rock band. According to rumors, the CIA wrote the 1990s hit to impact the fall of the USSR. "It's a useful reminder of the importance and power of new ideas, music, and language," Skillrud wrote in his recommendation. The series has 4.8 stars on Spotify. Huge if True: An optimistic show about using science and technology to make the future better For the COO of technology and low latency, Jeff Maurone, summer media means YouTube. He recommended video journalist Cleo Abram's series on the future of technology, saying that "she is a tremendous storyteller who helps me navigate how technology and AI are changing our world." Recent episodes focus on everything from DNA editing to getting sucked into a black hole to egg freezing to interviews with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
From Sam Altman to a CIA power ballad: What 6 Citadel Securities leaders are reading (or listening to) this summer
For some Citadel Securities leaders, fun in the sun means getting philosophical. A recent newsletter from Ken Griffin 's trading firm, which is behind nearly a quarter of all US stock trades, included six executives' beach reads and listens. Their recommendations appeal to a range of potential beachgoers, including everything from diet advice to a 1927 classic to a YouTube series that explains egg freezing. Here are six Citadel Securities executives' summer media recommendations. The Optimist: Sam Altman, OpenAI, and the Race to Invent the Future Matt Culek, the chief operating officer, recommended the book by Wall Street Journal reporter Keach Hagey to anyone who thinks that AI will transform business and daily life — so, basically, everyone. He called it a "compelling account of OpenAI's founding, Altman's leadership, and the fierce competition among leading AI firms." The book, published in May, tracks OpenAI CEO Sam Altman 's journey from his childhood in St. Louis, his time at startups, his temporary ouster at OpenAI, and his current leadership. It's based on more than 200 interviews and has 3.97 stars on Goodreads. The Cell: A Visual Tour of the Building Block of Life Chief Technology Officer Josh Woods said that the 2015 book is "as informative as it is visually stunning." Written by the writer and lecturer Jack Challoner, "The Cell" chronicles scientific breakthroughs around life's basic unit, tracking the evolutionary journey from single- to multi-celled organisms. On Goodreads, the book has 4.37 stars. Decisive Moments in History: Twelve Historical Miniatures Shyam Rajan, the global head of fixed income, suggested Austrian writer Stefan Zweig's 1927 classic, which was originally published in German. According to Rajan, the book "thoughtfully captures the catalysts that changed the trajectory of history ranging from the fall of Constantinople to the discovery of the Pacific Ocean." Other vignettes include an affair between a 74-year-old and a 19-year-old, and the story of a man who legally owned a good portion of California. The book has a 4.24 rating on Goodreads. How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease It seems like the summer of health for Alex DiLeonardo, the company's chief people officer, who recommended the "eye opening" book about how to prevent chronic illness through nutrition. "Our colleagues take the same optimizing lens to their life that we take to the market," DiLeonardo wrote in his suggestion. Published in 2015 by American physician Michael Greger , "How Not to Die" examines the top 15 causes of prominent diseases. It has 4.42 stars on Goodreads and includes a checklist of the 12 foods Greger thinks we should eat daily. Wind of Change: Did the CIA write a power ballad that ended the Cold War? Dane Skillrud, COO of systematic equities & FICC, recommended a podcast instead of a book. The eight-part miniseries from 2020 is hosted by New Yorker staff writer Patrick Radden Keefe and follows his investigation into whether the CIA wrote the song "Wind of Change" by Scorpion, a German rock band. According to rumors, the CIA wrote the 1990s hit to impact the fall of the USSR. "It's a useful reminder of the importance and power of new ideas, music, and language," Skillrud wrote in his recommendation. The series has 4.8 stars on Spotify. Huge if True: An optimistic show about using science and technology to make the future better For the COO of technology and low latency, Jeff Maurone, summer media means YouTube. He recommended video journalist Cleo Abram's series on the future of technology, saying that "she is a tremendous storyteller who helps me navigate how technology and AI are changing our world." Recent episodes focus on everything from DNA editing to getting sucked into a black hole to egg freezing to interviews with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
Buzz Feed
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Eight Devestarting Books That May Make You Cry
Recently, u/PublicConstruction55 asked r/suggestmeabook, "Please suggest a book that will devastate me," so we thought we'd share some of the suggestions. The Road by Cormac McCarthy "Man, that book is absolutely devastating. A love letter to a son he knew he'd have to entrust to the world long before he was ready to." –ArturosDadAbout the book: This haunting novel follows a father and son as they struggle to survive in a desolate post-apocalyptic wasteland. Night by Elie Wiesel "This book took me weeks to finish as I could only read a few pages at a time. A story that should always be told, and its lessons never forgotten."–AlReduxAbout the book: This is the memoir of Elie Wiesel, telling his personal account of his experience of being in concentration camps at Auschwitz and Buchenwald with his father towards the end of the Second World War. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls "This was the first book that ever devastated me. My dad had the best intentions when he decided to share one of his favourite childhood stories with us kids as our bed time story, but the devastation and sense of betrayal was very palpable when we got to a certain part of that novel."–Sisu4864About the book: This children's book follows a young boy who trains two dogs for hunting, we follow their adventures and the bond that grows between them. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro "I read this in a course so I knew a bit of what was coming and I still cried through the last few chapters. I recommend this to every person who will listen."–veronavillainyAbout the book: This dystopian novel follows a group of students growing up in a different, dark version of modern day England. It's a story of friendship, love, and considers what it means to be human. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes "This is the one. My go-to when I need to cry."–davesmissingfingersAbout the book: Beginning as a short story before being expanded into a book, Flowers for Algernon follows unintelligent Charlie Gordon. After getting an operation to expand his IQ, Charlie is also introduced to heartache. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness "I don't think I ever cried so hard at a book. It shattered me and I read it in three hours. Goodreads labels it as YA/middle school but don't believe it, it's beyond that. It deals with death and grief so it's obviously not a happy book, but it's a great one. It's so raw that it's not a novel I like to recommend, but you asked for a book to shatter your soul."–unifartcornAbout the book: We follow Conor, a lonely boy who's struggling to to deal with his mother's illness. When a monster visits him in the night, he's forced to face the truths he's been hiding from. My Lobotomy by by Howard Dully "I just finished My Lobotomy. It's a memoir of a man who was lobotomised when he was 12. I bawled my eyes out"–Bookophillia Wave by Sonali Deraniyagala "It's a beautifully written memoir about her family and the changes that unexpectedly transformed her life following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and Tsunami. I'm still thinking about this book one year after reading it."–KAM1953 H/T to u/PublicConstruction55 and r/suggestmeabook for the recommendations! Any of your own to add? Let us know in the comments below.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Lisa Jewell shares 'clever and gripping' crime novel she can't wait to read on holiday
She's one of the UK's most-loved authors, and it turns out she's also a big fan of a good thriller. Here's the one book Lisa Jewell planning on reading this summer - and it's a must-read for crime fans A holiday just isn't complete without tucking a gripping novel into your bag. If you're planning to while away the hours lounging by the pool or on the beach, an exciting book is essential for your entertainment. Thankfully, with authors like Lisa Jewell writing page-turners, there's no shortage of reading material - especially if you're partial to a nail-biting thriller novel. The British author, famed for her suspenseful novels such as The Family Upstairs and None Of This Is True, has recently shared her top pick for her 2025 holiday read – a must for any crime fiction fan. In a chat with Woman and Home, Lisa revealed that the one book she's eager to dive into this summer is the 'clever and gripping' Her Many Faces by Nicci Cloke. Discussing her holiday plans, she shared: "We are having two or three micro holidays. The first is in Taormina in Sicily, and the book I'll be reading is Her Many Faces by Nicci Cloke. It's about a poisoning at a club in London and the waitress who stands accused of it." Despite being a recent release, the novel has already amassed an impressive average rating of 4.4 stars on Amazon and 4.1 stars on Goodreads, accompanied by a slew of rave reviews from other famous crime writers like Lucy Foley and Gillian McAllister, reports the Express. It's even been dubbed 'the new Gone Girl', so fans of the genre should definitely add this to their reading list. What is Her Many Faces about? The story of this thrilling novel follows waitress Kate, who is on trial for murder after four 'wealthy and influential members of London's most exclusive private club' are poisoned. The story unfolds brilliantly from the viewpoint of five men in Kate's life- her dad, a mate from her younger days, her romantic partner, her legal representative and a hack. Each of these characters holds distinct views about Kate and whether they reckon she's got it in her to commit murder. With her existence now facing relentless scrutiny, she's doing everything possible to clear her name whilst trying to keep it together. Book lovers have been singing the praises of Her Many Faces, particularly highlighting how captivating the storytelling approach is, being narrated by those in Kate's inner circle. One reader penned a glowing Amazon review: "This was a really gripping read. Fast-paced and told from five men's perspectives of Katie, who is accused of the murder of four. "The short chapters and changing perspectives kept the story moving with a number of twists and turns as these five narrators told five very different version of a young woman. I was kept guessing the whole way through and really enjoyed the ending." Another raved: "This is a stunning thriller that is original and compelling. The format is exceptional and works to show themes of misogyny and how we exist through people's eyes."
