The Bibliophile's Compass

Title : Everyone On This Train Is A Suspect Author : Benjamin Stevenson Publication Year : 2023 Pages : 371 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Crime, Mystery, Thriller, Humor, Metafiction Source : Audiobook @everand_us After reading “Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone,” I realized that if a book combines mystery, humor, metafiction, and crime, it definitely has my full attention. Plus, I have this particular quirk—once I start a series, I'm all in, come hell or high water! Thankfully, I haven’t begun any series that seem to go on forever, like the 40th book in a never-ending series XXX. So, when I dove into his second book, “Everyone On This Train Is A Suspect,” I was armed with high expectations, and believe me, Stevenson delivered like a well-trained waiter at a five-star restaurant. Now, let’s get to the juicy stuff—the plot! The title does all the work: everyone on this train is a suspect. Picture this: Ernest, our charmingly neurotic narrator, is aboard a train where famous ...

🔴 1669 Citing poor eyesight, English civil servant Samuel Pepys records the last entry in his famous diary 🔴 1942 Avant-garde radio play "The City Wears A Slouch Hat" with music by John Cage and script by Kenneth Patchen broadcast in Chicago 🔴 2024 The Persians by Sanam Mahloudji published  

Title : The Oblong Box Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1843 Pages : 15 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Horror, Gothic, Satire, Detective Source : Ebook @everand_us Get ready for a mix of suspense and satire in "The Oblong Box." Imagine if Sherlock Holmes was a nosy neighbour who decided to become the town detective despite having no real sleuthing skills and no one asking him to do anything sleuthing-like. This character thinks he's solving grand mysteries that nobody else even notices. The blend of horror and humour creates a delightful concoction, but be prepared for a tragic ending that hits hard. Our unnamed narrator embarks on a sea journey, convinced he's on the verge of solving case after case—until, of course, there's a shipwreck (and who doesn't enjoy a good shipwreck?). He jumps to conclusions, misreading situations and arriving at wildly inaccurate deductions. Most comically, he believes his friend is hiding dark secrets worthy of a thriller...

🔴 1921 Lord Dunsany's "If" premieres in London 🔴 1962 Benjamin Britten's "War Requiem" incorporating the poems of Wilfred Owen premieres, marking the consecration of the new Coventry Cathedral 🔴 1967 Argentinian author Gabriel García Márquez's most important work "One Hundred Years of Solitude" is published in Buenos Aires 🔴 1991 Regeneration by Pat Barker published

Title : The Fall of the House of Usher Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1839 Pages : 24 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Gothic, Horror Source : Book “The Fall of the House of Usher” is a quintessential Gothic tale written by Edgar Allan Poe. It offers a haunting exploration where the house itself becomes the main character, possessing its own personality and dark secrets. Poe masterfully intertwines setting and characterization, creating a residence that symbolizes the tragic decline of the Usher family. The story is rich with poetic language (literally there is long poem in the story) and uncanny symbolism, embodying everything we appreciate about Gothic literature. It presents every imaginable aspect of horror—a true buffet of the macabre that is simply irresistible. Our journey begins with an unnamed narrator who receives an ominous invitation from his old friend Roderick Usher to visit his ancestral mansion. Upon arrival, the first thing that catches his eye is the ominou...

🔴 1630 John Winthrop begins "History of New England" 🔴 2009 "1Q84" books 1 and 2 by Haruki Murakami is first published in Japan, sells out the first day (book 3 published 2010) 🔴 2018 The Death of Mrs. Westaway By Ruth Ware was published

Title : King Pest Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1835 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Allegory, Satire, Gothic, Horror, Grotesque Source : Ebook @everand_us This is undoubtedly one of the most absurd short stories by Edgar Allan Poe. If you've read my previous reviews, you know I sometimes start with the line, "What the hell did I just read?" However, this tale takes that sentiment to a whole new level. It's not just confusing; it demands a dictionary to decipher the characters and their descriptions. I found myself navigating what felt like the mind of a drunken individual lost in a haze of hallucinations. The sheer absurdity of this narrative leaves you bewildered. The story follows two seafaring drunks who, unable to pay for their drinks, flee into a forbidden part of London during the Great Plague. This area is fraught with danger, as entering it during that time was punishable by death. As fate would have it, they unwittingly stumble into the home of the...

🔴 1858 Dion Boucicault's play "Foul Play" premieres in London 🔴 2019 Frankissstein: A Love Story by Jeanette Winterson published 🔴 2024 Fool Me Twice by Benjamin Stevenson published

Title : The Cask of Amontillado Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1846 Pages : 9 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Gothic, Horror Source : Ebook @everand_us In “The Cask of Amontillado,” we explore the dark depths of Montresor’s psyche, where an old grudge against the unfortunate (irony?) Fortunato bubbles to the surface. It’s not just a murder; it’s a meticulously planned live burial wrapped up in the guise of friendship and fine wine. Imagine a carnival gone wrong—but instead of a merry-go-round, you get the twisted catacombs of a murderous mind! Poe is the puppeteer of suspense, and with each twist of the story, he tightens the strings around his readers’ throats. What's fascinating is how we find ourselves utterly indifferent to Fortunato's fate. We know Montresor is the bad guy, yet we can’t help but watch the chaos unfold like a macabre magic show. Moreover, every single word and object in the story serves a purpose—Poe could teach a masterclass in intentionality! ...

🔴 1898 Arthur Pinero's "Trelawney of the Wells" premieres in London 🔴 1944 Jean-Paul Sartres' existentialist play "Huis Clos" (No Exit) premieres in Paris 🔴 1994 Writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn returns to Russia after 20 years in exile

Title : Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone Author : Benjamin Stevenson Publication Year : 2022 Pages : 371 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Crime, Mystery, Thriller, Humor, Metafiction Source : Audiobook @everand_us I was looking for something light and entertaining, something that would definitely make me laugh, and Stevenson did not disappoint! The humor was sharp, witty, and refreshingly clever—definitely a solid four stars right from the start! Then, just when I thought it couldn't get any better, our charismatic narrator, Ernest Cunningham, an author in his own right, reveals all the juicy secrets—not just about the murders, but also about how he crafted this captivating tale. Just like that, it earned five stars! So, what’s the plot? Well, the title gives it all away: it’s about a family with a killer streak—literally! Our goal, as curious readers, is to figure out how every single member of this clan, even the extended family, became a murderer! You can’t help but wonder...

🔴 1897 "Dracula" by Irish author Bram Stoker is published by Archibald Constable and Company in London 🔴 1951 Vaughan Williams' "Pilgrim's Progress" premieres in London 🔴 2020 J. K. Rowling begins publishing children's story "The Ickabog" online in installments

Title : The Angel of the Odd Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1844 Pages : 12 Rating : ⭐⭐ Genre : Satire, Supernatural Source : Ebook @everand_us Welcome to one of Edgar Allan Poe's classic “What on Earth did I just read?” tales! I absolutely adore his knack for humor and his delightfully absurd jabs at the world. If you fancy yourself a skeptic about hoaxes, the supernatural, or fate, you might want to think twice—because lurking in the shadows is the Angel of the Odd (or as I like to call it, the Hoax Goblin), just waiting to snatch away your prized possessions or cherished beliefs! So, take my advice: embrace the supernatural before you accidentally conjure up this mischievous little trickster and turn your life into a circus! I think I’ve just about summed it up!

🔴 1816 Collection of poems by Samuel Taylor Coleridge published by John Murray in London, including "Kubla Khan" and "Christabel" 🔴 1895 Oscar Wilde sentenced to 2 years imprisonment for gross indecency

2025  Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2025  Stone Slabs for Shaista Mahal by Banu Mushtaq ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2025  Fire Rain (from Heart Lamp) by Banu Mushtaq ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2025  Black Cobras (from Heart Lamp) by Banu Mushtaq ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2025  A Decision of the Heart (from Heart Lamp) by Banu Mushtaq ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2025  Red Lungi (from Heart Lamp) by Banu Mushtaq ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2025  Heart Lamp (from Heart Lamp) by Banu Mushtaq ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2025  High-Heeled Shoe (from Heart Lamp) by Banu Mushtaq ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2025  Soft Whispers (from Heart Lamp) by Banu Mushtaq ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2025 A Taste of Heaven (from Heart Lamp) by Banu Mushtaq ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2025  The Shroud (from Heart Lamp) by Banu Mushtaq ⭐️⭐️ 2025  The Arabic Teacher and Gobi Manchuri (from Heart Lamp) by Banu Mushtaq ⭐️⭐️ 2025  Be a Woman Once, Oh Lord! (from Heart Lamp) by Banu Mushtaq ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

1983 Imelda by Richard Selzer  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Title : Eleonora Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1842 Pages : 9 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Gothic, Romance, Horror Source : EBook @everand_us Warning : Spoiler Alert and Disappointment "Eleonora" is an intriguing addition to Edgar Allan Poe's repertoire, showcasing both familiar themes and unexpected twists. At its core, the story features an unreliable narrator—a classic brooding soul spiraling into madness. He is deeply in love with a female character, and, like in many of Poe’s tales, things take a tragic turn with her untimely demise. He even vows not to remarry, fearing that it might tempt fate to unleash a curse. This scenario is quite typical for a Poe protagonist, right? With promises of haunting and a love that transcends death, one could almost feel at home in the eerie embrace of gothic literature. However, don’t get too comfortable just yet! A notable departure from the expected gloom occurs in the setting, which begins as a pastoral paradise bu...

🔴 1908 John Masefield's "Tragedy of Nan" premieres in London 🔴 2023 Former US Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman's poem, “The Hill We Climb” is placed on a restricted reading list at Bob Graham Education Center, Miami Lakes, amid increasing censorship across Florida  

Title : The Rape of Shavi Author : Buchi Emecheta Publication Year : 1983 Pages : 174 pages Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Literary fiction, Colonial Fiction, Allegory Source : Book Buchi Emecheta presents an imaginative allegory centered around an African tribe that bought its freedom from another tribe that had enslaved them for generations. The story unfolds in the serene Sahara Desert, where the Shavi people enjoy a peaceful existence, untouched by outsiders. Their idyllic life takes a dramatic turn when a plane crashes nearby, bringing white people fleeing from a nuclear war in Europe. History has shown that such encounters rarely lead to positive outcomes. The Shavians graciously welcome these newcomers, initially treating them as guests before ultimately embracing them as citizens while they repair their plane and prepare to return home. This development unfolds dramatically. Among the Shavi people is a prince who decides to join the newcomers on their journey back, marking a sign...

🔴 1943 Thomas Mann begins writing his novel Dr Faustus  🔴 2014 "Pauline" a chamber opera by Margaret Atwood and Tobin Stokes premieres at the York Theatre in Vancouver

Title : ‌‌Heart Lamp Author : Banu Mushtaq Publication Year : 2025 Pages : 217 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Domestic Fiction, Biographical Fiction Sources : Ebook @everand_us Banu Mushtaq’s “Heart Lamp” is a raw and unfiltered account of the struggles faced by women in Indian-Muslim society. It presents a collection of heart-wrenching stories detailing the miseries and abuse that women endure as wives, mothers, and daughters, often without being recognized as individuals. Banu Mushtaq does not limit her focus to women's plights; she also highlights the abuse and suffering experienced by boys and men, emphasizing that there is no end to abuse, violence, and oppression, regardless of gender. However, being a woman always intensifies these challenges. The stories are incredibly raw and heartbreaking, leaving you searching for the right words to articulate the anger you feel. Thematically, it serves as a true gem, reflecting her culture and what matters to her as an Indian lawyer, activist, a...

 🔴 Nothing of significance to be found in the literary world

Title : ‌‌Be a Woman Once, Oh Lord! (from Heart Lamp) Author : Banu Mushtaq Publication Year : 2025 Pages : 10 Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre : Domestic Fiction, Biographical Fiction Source : Ebook @everand_us Warning : Spoiler Alert This is the final and most impactful story in this collection. It features an angry letter written by a poor wife to God, questioning the reasons behind His creation. Her story is heart-wrenching from beginning to end. Although she does not openly protest, she ultimately voices her frustration against the One who created the world as it is, being the primary reason for all the injustice and suffering in women's lives. She embodies the voice of all women who dare, or do not dare, to question the rationale behind their oppression. She represents all the silent and oppressed individuals. The concluding sentence encapsulates all her anger towards God: “If you were to build the world again, to create males and females anew, do not be like an inexperienced potter...

🔴 2013 Together Tea by Marjan Kamali published 🔴 2019 Omani author Jokha Alharthi is the first Arabic writer to win the Man Booker International Prize for her novel "Celestial Bodies" with her translator Marilyn Booth

Title : ‌‌The Arabic Teacher and Gobi Manchuri (from Heart Lamp) Author : Banu Mushtaq Publication Year : 2025 Pages : 12 Rating : ⭐️⭐️ Genre : Domestic Fiction, Biographical Fiction Source : Ebook @everand_us This is the most ridiculous story in the collection! I can't stop wondering what I just read. An Arabic teacher, who teaches Arabic and the Quran, is also a weirdo obsessed with a nearly nonexistent fast food. His obsession leads him to become violent and even hit his wife because she cannot cook the food as he likes it! This highlights the absurd reasons some men use to justify violence against women. It's incredibly frustrating to see how easily women endure domestic violence without receiving help,  or when they receive help, it is not a complete help saving them for good. It was also bizarre that the narrator (our female lawyer) wanted to save this weirdo and his marriage rather than send him to jail! One significant point in this story is that the female character is...

🔴 1609 William Shakespeare's Sonnets are first published in London, perhaps illicitly, by publisher Thomas Thorpe 🔴1882 Henrik Ibsen's play "Ghosts" (Gengangere) premieres in Chicago

Title : ‌‌The Shroud (from Heart Lamp) Author : Banu Mushtaq Publication Year : 2025 Pages : 20 Rating : ⭐️⭐️ Genre : Domestic Fiction, Biographical Fiction Source : Ebook @everand_us This is my least favorite short story in the book. “The Shroud” tells the tale of a wealthy woman who breaks a promise made to a poor woman, leading to feelings of unbearable guilt. 

🔴 1897 Playwright Oscar Wilde is released from Reading Gaol 🔴 1934 Sherlock Holmes crossword puzzle in "Saturday Review of Literature"; males who solved puzzle became members of Baker Street Irregulars 🔴 1944 Writer and civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois becomes 1st Black member of The American Academy of Arts and Letters 🔴 1958 Premiere of Harold Pinter's play "Birthday Party" in L ondon

Title : ‌‌A Taste of Heaven (from Heart Lamp) Author : Banu Mushtaq Publication Year : 2025 Pages : 17 Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre : Domestic Fiction, Biographical Fiction Source : Ebook @everand_us Warning : Spoiler Alert After becoming familiar with Mushtaq’s stories, I've noticed that the translation is somewhat lacking. It often reads too literally, as if the translator translated everything word for word. This makes it harder to grasp the true meanings behind the text. In "A Taste of Heaven," the characters evoke a mix of anger and pity. Their unreasonable behavior stems from crushed dreams after marriage. While you might want to find fault with Shameem and Bi Dabi, it's difficult to do so because they are trapped in unwanted and imposed circumstances. They embody the struggles of women who must care for both their immediate and extended families without being the matriarch. It feels as if they married into the family only to become maids. Bi Dabi’s tragic si...

🔴 1593 Playwright Thomas Kyd's accusations of heresy lead to an arrest warrant for Christopher Marlowe 🔴 1839 The Devil in the Belfry by Edgar Allan Poe published 🔴 1897 Paul Dukas' symphonic scherzo "The Sorcerer’s Apprentice" (used in Disney's Fantasia film) premieres, based on poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 🔴 1960 Jean Genet's play "Le Balcon" (The Balcony) premieres in Paris

🔴 1824 The diaries of Lord Byron are burnt by six of the poet's friends at the office of John Murray in London, sometimes described as “the greatest crime in literary history” 🔴 1900 "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" is first published by L. Frank Baum with illustrations by William Wallace Denslow in Chicago 🔴 2022 Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance by Alison Espach published

Title : ‌Soft Whispers (from Heart Lamp) Author : Banu Mushtaq Publication Year : 2025 Pages : 16 Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre : Domestic Fiction, Biographical Fiction Source : Ebook @everand_us "Soft Whispers" aligns with the themes of previous stories by offering a touching exploration of the injustices faced by women, with a specific focus here on child brides. The narrator, while not the direct victim of child marriage herself, reflects on a formative experience: a teenage boy kissing her on her 9th birthday. Initially, one might dismiss this memory, asking, "What's unsettling or wrong about a childhood crush?" However, the story places this event within the harrowing context of a society where girls as young as nine face the real possibility of being married off. In this light, the innocent kiss becomes imbued with a deeper, unsettling significance, underscoring the stolen innocence and premature exposure experienced by children in such environments. Furth...

Title : ‌High-Heeled Shoe (from Heart Lamp) Author : Banu Mushtaq Publication Year : 2025 Pages : 20 Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre : Domestic Fiction, Biographical Fiction Source : Ebook @everand_us The story started with such great confusion for me. At first, I felt uncomfortable with Nayaz being a pervert, but then the situation suddenly turned cute, only to shift back to something unpleasant. I experienced all these conflicting emotions on the same page! I’m unsure of what to expect next; it feels unreal—no, it’s more than unreal; it’s surreal! This narrative is unlike Mushtaq’s other stories. I believe it contains elements of magical realism, and the high-heeled shoe symbolizes restrictions, defining love in a way that is ultimately false. Additionally, the story explores unhealthy family relationships and greed. Everything is destroyed by the obsession and greed of one person: Nayaz!

🔴 1763 Samuel Johnson 1st meets his future biographer James Boswell in London

Title : ‌Heart Lamp (from Heart Lamp) Author : Banu Mushtaq Publication Year : 2025 Pages : 13 Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre : Domestic Fiction, Biographical Fiction Source : Ebook @everand_us "Heart Lamp" is a moving story that explores the challenging life of Mehrun. The narrative captures the profound sadness and desperation she experiences, particularly as she seeks support from her family but instead faces blame for her husband’s infidelity. It is heartbreaking to see her accused of dishonoring her family simply for wanting solace and assistance. The story highlights the victim-blaming culture that pressures women to endure unacceptable circumstances while men often face little to no consequences for their actions. It is troubling to witness how women who seek help are shamed, and it is devastating to consider what might drive a woman to make extreme choices. Ultimately, while the story reflects harsh realities, there is a silver lining: Mehrun finds a reason to per...

🔴 1711 Alexander Pope's "An Essay on Criticism" is published anonymously

Title : ‌Red Lungi  (from Heart Lamp) Author : Banu Mushtaq Publication Year : 2025 Pages : 15 Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre : Domestic Fiction, Biographical Fiction Source : Ebook @everand_us In "Red Lungi," Banu Mushtaq delves into the complex experience surrounding the religious ritual of circumcision, blending humor with serious themes. The narrative centers on a wealthy family, particularly Razia, the mother who battles migraines while caring for 18 children during the summer. Not all of these children are hers, and in a comedic twist, she decides to send six boys, including her own son, for circumcision to temporarily keep them quiet. However, the story also tackles significant issues, highlighting the family's choice to provide free circumcision services for underprivileged children. Mushtaq contrasts a public ceremony lacking proper medical oversight with a hospital procedure for their own children. This raises important questions about why circumcision is often p...

Title : ‌A Decision of the Heart (from Heart Lamp) Author : Banu Mushtaq Publication Year : 2025 Pages : 22 Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre : Domestic Fiction, Biographical Fiction Source : Ebook @everand_us This story was another sad one, but I appreciate that Banu Mushtaq shifted the topic away from the abuse and oppression of women. This time, my frustration was focused more on the wife than the husband. The author introduces a female character who challenges the typical stereotype of women as mere victims, illustrating that women can be just as flawed or even abusive as men. The husband is portrayed as calm and supportive, treating both his wife and mother equally and rarely displaying violence (the bar is set so low that even infrequent acts of violence are seen as a positive trait in a man in these short stories). Despite this, the wife's selfish behaviour creates constant turmoil. I found it difficult to relate to her actions. I condemned her every word. Ironically, even though...

🔴 2021 Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly was published

Title : ‌Black Cobras (from Heart Lamp) Author : Banu Mushtaq Publication Year : 2025 Pages : 20 Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre : Domestic Fiction, Biographical Fiction Awards : International Booker Prize Nominee for Shortlist (2025) Source : Ebook @everand_us My initial reaction to the story was one of confusion as I struggled to understand the context of the whispering women. However, as the narrative unfolded, it became clear that their whispers represented a powerless struggle in the background. Banu Mushtaq's storytelling reveals an unending cycle of abuse and violence—both physical and psychological—that leaves readers in disbelief. It's astonishing how the plight of women throughout history can seem so relentless. “Black Cobras” was even more disturbing than the first two stories. At times, one might think it can't possibly get any worse! Yet, Banu Mushtaq demonstrates that the situation can indeed escalate, perpetuating an endless cycle of abuse and violence. How can w...

🔴 1908 George Bernard Shaw's play "Getting Married" premieres in London

Title : ‌Fire Rain (from Heart Lamp ) Author : Banu Mushtaq Publication Year : 2025 Pages : 18 Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre : Domestic Fiction, Biographical Fiction Awards : International Booker Prize Nominee for Shortlist (2025) Source : Ebook @everand_us I didn't think I could feel any angrier after reading “Stone Slabs for Shaista Mahal,” but I was completely wrong! If I felt angry after the first story, my emotions shifted to pure rage after reading "Fire Rain." The theme was so powerful that I won't even comment on the ordinary writing style; it doesn't need any embellishments to provoke strong feelings. The story highlights how misplaced a man's priorities can be, the unjust inheritance issues women face, their mistreatment by men, the hypocrisy of zealous religious individuals, men overlooking their families and their responsibilities towards them, the priority given to the dead over the living, and almost sectarian and religious tensions in Indian...

🔴 1611 Earlier known performance of Shakespeare's comedy "The Winter's Tale" at the Globe theatre, London, recorded by Simon Forman 🔴 1942 William Faulkner's collections of short stories, "Go Down, Moses", is published 🔴 1950 Eugene Ionesco's first play "La Cantatrice Chauve" (The Bald Soprano) premieres in Paris

Title : The Tell-Tale Heart Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1843 Pages : 6 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Horror, Gothic Source : Book Edgar Allan Poe demonstrates his full mastery of writing horror, madness, and psychology in “The Tell-Tale Heart.” This story serves as a compelling study of an unreliable narrator who is grappling with delusion, insanity, and guilt while attempting to rationalize his psychological breakdown, which ultimately leads to murder, although some interpretations suggest that the narrator could be female. Poe's skill shines through in every aspect of the narrative: characterization, symbolism, setting, and theme. It's a brilliant and concise work that is definitely worth reading. If you haven’t experienced it yet, I highly recommend you do so!

🔴 1925 Virginia Woolf's novel "Mrs Dalloway" is published by The Hogarth Press 🔴 1986 Netherlands Institute for War Documentation publishes Anne Frank's complete diary 🔴 2013 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel "Americanah" is published 🔴 2013 Dan Brown's fourth novel starring Robert Langdon (The Da Vinci Code), titled "Inferno", is released and instantly becomes a bestseller

🔴 1933 Nazis stage public book burnings in Germany 🔴 2013 Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones published

🔴 1816 Lady Caroline Lamb publishes the Gothic novel "Glenarvon", a thinly disguised account of her affair with Lord Byron which also depicts her husband William Lamb 🔴 1930 John Masefield is appointed British Poet Laureate by King George V

Title : ‌Stone Slabs for Shaista Mahal (from Heart Lamp) Author : Banu Mushtaq Publication Year : 2025 Pages : 15 Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre : Domestic Fiction, Biographical Fiction Awards : International Booker Prize Nominee for Shortlist (2025) Source : Ebook @everand_us “Stone Slabs for Shaista Mahal” is a moving short story that resonates deeply with themes of patriarchy, love, hypocrisy, and resistance. It explores the struggles of a woman trying to break free from societal limitations, alongside her husband, whose liberal facade masks the truth of his behavior. The narrative struck me as disturbingly familiar, reflecting a troubling societal norm, especially where jokes about marriage after a spouse's death reveal a deeper entitlement some men feel to pursue their desires without considering the consequences. (Don’t get me wrong; I am not taking a stance for or against it.) We will see that it is not even a joke! The style of the story was straightforward, which, ...

Title : Imelda (from Letters to a Young Doctor) Author : Richard Selzer Publication Year: 1983 Pages : 16 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Short Story, Medicine, Memoir Source : Book This is a touching story told by a physician (our narrator) about a renowned plastic surgeon, Dr. Franciscus, who is admired and criticized by others. The narrator and a mobile surgical unit in Honduras spend three weeks with him. One particular patient and the events surrounding her profoundly haunt both Dr. Franciscus and our narrator for the rest of their lives. The story centers on Imelda, a young girl with a deformity, and her mother hopes surgery will grant her beauty. This situation raises a series of questions about arrogance, the ethics of playing God, empathy, and compassion. Even the narrator grapples with conflicting thoughts about what Dr. Franciscus attempted to do for the girl, particularly in light of her tragic death. Was Dr. Franciscus driven by an obsession with perfection and playing God...