books

Are we hardwired for unhappiness?

The sad reality about humans is that we are not wired for happiness. Natural selection prioritises survival and reproduction, which does not necessarily involve being happier. People are now less happy than they ever have been. This is not just an abstract philosophical issue; it is becoming a national concern. 

WORLD BOOK AND COPYRIGHT DAY / A tribute to the written word

'A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies'

We didn’t mean to stop reading

There was a time, maybe not that long ago, when the only thing you needed for a perfect evening was a book

ESSAY / ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’: Fan service and repetitive themes weigh down ‘Hunger Games’ prequel

Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games series has captivated pop culture with its bold take on tyranny, sacrifice, and resistance, spanning Katniss Everdeen’s blazing defiance in The Hunger Games (2008) to her final stand in Mockingjay (2010) against Coriolanus Snow’s cold cruelty.

EVENT REPORT / ‘Bengal Photography’s Reality Quest’: A discourse with Naeem Mohaiemen

Throughout the session, Mohaiemen’s passionate, spontaneous, and engaging demeanour captivated the audience, fostering a deeper understanding of storytelling through images.

The enduring presence of cats in Japanese literature

What’s with all the cats in Japanese literature?

#Perspective / Why I will always love the month of Ramadan

Ramadan holds a special place in the heart, rooted in childhood memories of fasting, reading, and spending time with family. The sacred month provides a chance for reflection, reconnecting with loved ones, and appreciating life's simple, meaningful moments.

#Perspective / Humayun Ahmed: Still captivating Bangladesh, one book at a time

Humayun Ahmed’s legacy remains strong, captivating generations with relatable storytelling. His novels transcend time, making literature accessible to all. Despite criticism, his emotional depth and simplicity keep readers engaged, proving his enduring influence in Bengali literary culture.

Taliban govt clearing 'un-Islamic' books from Afghanistan shelves

In October, the ministry announced the commission had identified 400 books "that conflicted with Islamic and Afghan values, most of which have been collected from the markets".

March 13, 2024
March 13, 2024

A country coming to life

Weaving the grand themes of politics and history, the book is a revelation into how the ordinary lives within a country are buffeted by constant changes.

March 7, 2024
March 7, 2024

Bangladesh beyond geopolitics in a new multipolar world: what’s new in foreign policy trajectory?

Both the China and India factors in Bangladesh’s foreign policy decisions, as identified in Li Jianjun and Deb Mukharji’s chapters, will be continuously evolving and contributing factors that would perhaps influence Bangladesh’s policies with other countries as well.

March 3, 2024
March 3, 2024

D's Bistro unveils 'Golper Provat' in celebration of international mother language day

The stage was then graced by accomplished writers, each sharing unique insights. Mahbubur Rahman highlighted the importance of entertaining communication for writers.

February 29, 2024
February 29, 2024

A tale of existential crisis in the modern world

The plot sheds light on a privileged modern experience where time stands still, stopping the clock as the days and nights roll and go.

February 27, 2024
February 27, 2024

Has the Boi Mela been reduced to photographic aesthetics and vacuous controversies?

In the last few years, there has been a paradigm shift in the traditional book fair culture. The commercialisation and curation of hyper nationalist books have led to the absence of literature and stories of “others”.

February 26, 2024
February 26, 2024

Ekushey Boi Mela: Children's books and what to expect

With only a few days to go, there’s still a chance to take the younger ones to the book fair and check out the wide range of books available

February 25, 2024
February 25, 2024

BTS of Ekushey Boi Mela: Is our publishing industry overly reliant on one event?

Most publishing companies in Bangladesh are not big enough for them to have a fully functioning marketing team or a viable marketing strategy.

February 24, 2024
February 24, 2024

Dynamics of race and riches in ‘Such a Fun Age’

In the thick of it is a young woman of colour who’s a late bloomer and eventually finds her footing.

February 24, 2024
February 24, 2024

Rifat Munim on Bangladeshi fiction: ‘This is a diverse terrain you are going to tread on’

In the foreword, I wanted to capture how I, as a child, grew up listening to different stories: ghost stories, mythical stories from both Sanatana and Islamic religious scriptures, and fairy tales from 'Thakurmar Jhuli', compiled by Dakkhinaranjan Mitra Majumdar. It was a time when there were no boundaries for my imagination.

February 20, 2024
February 20, 2024

Turning the pages of Ekushey Boi Mela

Boi Mela is more than a clickable link we see on our phone screens; it is more than the controversies and public debates.