The Rising Tide of Family History & The Search for Identity The story of Granny Annie, as recounted in a recent Vogue article, speaks to a growing trend: a deeper, more urgent desire to understand our family histories. This isn’t simply about genealogy charts; it’s about uncovering the complexities of those who came before us, … Read more
Reclaiming Lost Narratives: The Enduring Appeal of Dickens’s Women Recent literary explorations, spurred by novels like Annie Elliot’s Mr and Mrs Charles Dickens, are prompting a re-evaluation of the women surrounding Charles Dickens. This isn’t simply a historical exercise; it reflects a broader cultural trend of seeking out marginalized voices and challenging established narratives. The … Read more
The Red Planet and the Remaking of Humanity: What Will Life on Mars Do to Us? The dream of becoming a multi-planetary species is rapidly gaining momentum. SpaceX’s continued success in delivering astronauts to the International Space Station, coupled with NASA’s Artemis program aiming for a lunar return, signals a recent era of space exploration. … Read more
Lost Kipling Illustrations Resurface, Sparking Renewed Interest in Golden Age Illustration Two original watercolor illustrations for Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, lost for over a century, have been rediscovered in a London home. The find, announced by auctioneers Roseberys, highlights the enduring appeal of the classic novel and the growing market for rediscovered artwork. A … Read more
The NHL’s Evolving Relationship with Inclusion: Beyond Pride Nights The National Hockey League finds itself at a crossroads, navigating a complex landscape of inclusivity, tradition, and evolving social expectations. While Commissioner Gary Bettman has publicly embraced cultural phenomena like the TV show Heated Rivalry, and highlighted the league’s Pride initiatives, a closer glance reveals a … Read more
AI and the Future of Democracy: A New Book Sparks Debate Bruce Schneier and Nathan E. Sanders’ new book, Rewiring Democracy: How AI Will Transform Our Politics, Government, and Citizenship, is currently available as an ebook for $5 across multiple platforms including Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, Google Play, and Kobo. … Read more
Beyond the Bestseller List: What New Zealand’s Book Charts Reveal About Our Reading Future Unity Books’ weekly bestseller lists offer a fascinating snapshot of New Zealand’s literary tastes. But looking beyond the titles themselves, a clearer picture emerges – one hinting at significant shifts in reading habits and the themes captivating the nation. This isn’t … Read more
The AI Illusion: How Easily Can Copyrighted Works Be Recreated? The promise of generative AI, like ChatGPT, has been dazzling. But beneath the surface of seemingly limitless creativity lies a growing concern: the potential for widespread copyright infringement and a shaky foundation built on debt. Recent research is pulling back the curtain, revealing just how … Read more
For the 10th year in a row, my New Year’s resolution is to read more books. Ideally, as I tend to tell myself during these protean early weeks of January, 2026 will be remembered for languorous evenings on the couch, tearing through the inventory of novels that crowd the modest capacity of my living-room shelves, … Read more
The Japanese book market is sending clear signals about the future of manga and publishing, and the latest Billboard Japan Book Hot 100 chart offers a fascinating glimpse. Jujutsu Kaisen ≡ Vol. 1’s dominant debut isn’t just a win for the franchise; it’s a data point in a larger trend: the enduring power of established … Read more