What We Are Reading Today: ‘What – Reason Behind Every Desire’

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Updated 20 April 2024
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘What – Reason Behind Every Desire’

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  • “The book’s strength lies in its blend of research and relatable examples, making complex theories accessible to a wide audience,” Ghaffar told Arab News

Author: Abdul Ghaffar

In his second book, “What – Reason Behind Every Desire,” Saudi author Abdul Ghaffar takes readers on a journey through the depths of human desires, exploring the underlying motivations that drive us.

Ghaffar, a Riyadh resident, offers a fresh perspective on the complexities of human nature and the pursuit of fulfilment.

Ghaffar’s first book was “Why – Reason for Every Action,” and in his new work he is equally eloquent and thought-provoking as he delves into the fundamental question of why we want what we want. Drawing from psychology, philosophy, and his own life, Ghaffar skillfully unravels the intricate layers of our desires, shedding light on the subconscious forces that shape them.

Through engaging storytelling and astute analysis, Ghaffar encourages readers to reflect on their own desires and consider the deeper meanings behind them.

“The book’s strength lies in its blend of research and relatable examples, making complex theories accessible to a wide audience,” Ghaffar told Arab News. “The inspiration came from my deep curiosity about the reasons behind desires and motivations. I believe that understanding the ‘why’ behind our desires is crucial for personal growth and fulfillment. The impetus behind this work was the desire to provide readers with a valuable perspective on this topic, empowering them to make more conscious choices in life.”

Whether discussing the role of societal norms in shaping desires or exploring the concept of desire as a form of self-expression, the author has maintained a captivating narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

Moreover, “What – Reason Behind Every Desire” offers some practical insights and actionable steps for readers to better understand and navigate their desires.

Ghaffar’s writing is lucid and concise, ensuring that even complex concepts are presented in a simple manner.

The book has been nominated for the Next Generation Indie Book Awards in the Non-Fiction, Self-Help category, Ghaffar said, adding: “To be acknowledged by the Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group is truly humbling.”

 


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Vietnam: An Epic Tragedy’ by Max Hastings

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Vietnam: An Epic Tragedy’ by Max Hastings
Updated 17 March 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Vietnam: An Epic Tragedy’ by Max Hastings

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Vietnam: An Epic Tragedy’ by Max Hastings

“Vietnam: An Epic Tragedy” offers an absorbing and definitive modern history of the Vietnam War from the acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of The Secret War.

Here is testimony from Vietcong guerrillas, Southern paratroopers, Saigon bargirls, and Hanoi students alongside that of infantrymen from South Dakota, Marines from North Carolina, and Huey pilots from Arkansas.

No past volume has blended a political and military narrative of the entire conflict with heart-stopping personal experiences, in the fashion that Max Hastings’ readers know so well, according to a review on goodreads.com.


What We Are Reading Today: In Covid’s Wake

What We Are Reading Today: In Covid’s Wake
Updated 16 March 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: In Covid’s Wake

What We Are Reading Today: In Covid’s Wake

Authors: Stephen Macedo and Frances Lee

The Covid pandemic quickly led to the greatest mobilization of emergency powers in human history. By early April 2020, half the world’s population were living under quarantine.

People were told not to leave their homes; businesses were shuttered, employees laid off, and schools closed.

The most devastating pandemic in a century and the policies adopted in response to it upended life as we knew it.

In this book, Stephen Macedo and Frances Lee examine our pandemic response and pose some provocative questions.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Mina’s Matchbox’

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Updated 15 March 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Mina’s Matchbox’

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  • The house becomes a character in its own right — a vast, almost labyrinthine entity that mirrors the confusion and fragility of familial bonds

Author: Yoko Ogawa

Japanese novelist Yoko Ogawa, renowned for her beautifully crafted narratives in “The Housekeeper and the Professor,” and “The Memory Police,” brings her storytelling style to her latest translation to English, “Mina’s Matchbox.”

Both of those previous works showcase her ability to weave intricate tales that explore human emotions and relationships, albeit in very different contexts. This latest offering, however, presents a more intimate and poignant exploration of family dynamics through the eyes of a child.

In “Mina’s Matchbox,” translated by Stephen Snyder, we meet Mina, a young girl who leaves Tokyo to live with her aunt in a sprawling coastal house.

The narrative unfolds from Mina’s perspective, allowing readers to experience the world through her innocent yet observant eyes. As she navigates her new environment, Ogawa deftly reveals the underlying tensions and complexities within her aunt’s family.

The house becomes a character in its own right — a vast, almost labyrinthine entity that mirrors the confusion and fragility of familial bonds.

Ogawa’s prose is often described as dreamlike; there is a magical quality in the way the author constructs her sentences, drawing readers into a world that feels both familiar and surreal. Her unpretentious style captures the subtleties of emotion with remarkable clarity.

As Mina grapples with her feelings of displacement and belonging, the narrative unfolds to reveal the cracks in the family’s facade. The story serves as an incisive analysis of how external pressures can threaten the stability of family life.

Ogawa’s portrayal of the characters is nuanced, allowing their vulnerabilities and strengths to shine through, making them relatable and deeply human.

In many ways, “Mina’s Matchbox” reflects the themes found in Ogawa’s previous works, yet it stands apart as a distinct exploration of childhood and familial collapse.

The juxtaposition of Mina’s innocence against the adult world’s complexities creates a hauntingly beautiful narrative that lingers long after the last page is turned.

Ogawa continues to enchant readers, proving once again her mastery of the written word.

 


What We Are Reading Today: The Entrepreneurial Scholar

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Updated 15 March 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: The Entrepreneurial Scholar

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  • This book calls on scholars to create ideas—not just consume them

Author: Ilana M. Horwitz

In the increasingly competitive world of academia, simply mastering your discipline is no longer enough to guarantee career success or personal fulfillment.
The Entrepreneurial Scholar challenges scholars at all stages—from doctoral students to tenured professors—to break free from conventional academic pathways by adopting an entrepreneurial mindset.
What opportunities can you create based on who you are, what you know, and who you know?
Drawing on her experiences in higher education, startups, and management consulting, as well as interviews with a range of academics and entrepreneurs, Ilana Horwitz provides a road map for those stifled by traditional academic norms and expectations.

This book calls on scholars to create ideas—not just consume them. It offers strategies to thrive in academia with limited resources and in the face of uncertainty. Embracing an entrepreneurial mindset entails viewing yourself as a knowledge producer, enhancing collaboration, creatively identifying resources, and effectively sharing your ideas.

 


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Original Sins’ by Eve L. Ewing

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Original Sins’ by Eve L. Ewing
Updated 14 March 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Original Sins’ by Eve L. Ewing

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Original Sins’ by Eve L. Ewing

Eve L. Ewing’s “Original Sins” shows how US schools were designed to propagate the idea of white intellectual superiority,  to “civilize” Native students and to prepare Black students for menial labor.

By demonstrating that its in the DNA of American schools to serve as an effective and underacknowledged mechanism maintaining inequality, Ewing makes the case for a profound reevaluation of what schools are supposed to do, and for whom.