Some books drag you to the depths of your soul, deeper than the cold arctic ocean, where mindless cod hang from steel hooks, left behind by singing fishermen, desperate to cling onto a rock called Iceland. Some books catch your mind on their barbs and don’t let go.
Georgia, Millennia of Female Protagonists
Not many people know about the small but beautiful nation of Georgia, and even fewer know about its rich and turbulent history. More than you might expect, this long history was shaped and directed by powerful but uncelebrated women!
Following Old Footsteps
At some point in adulthood you realise your parents had a life before you were born. They used to be young and different. Maybe they were cool, and you could have been friends. Doesn’t it make you curious, to see the places they have seen, to walk through a foreign city, to visit the house where they used to live?
Kids’ Laughter
I don’t know much about Germany. I only know I’ve never liked it. I’ve ‘never liked’ it for such a long time, that I kind of forgot why. I must have had a good reason though. Prejudice is always built on strong foundations. Obviously.
A Nerdy Day
What do you do when your mediaeval church tower topples down on top of your head? When Cromwell’s troops visit your home to smash in your windows? Or when the King orders your abbey to be closed, suppressed, and dismantled? Thankfully, someone knows the answer!
Ways to Kill a Sister
Have you ever felt slightly irritated by your younger Sibling? Or watched your older Brother with Suspicion? I know how you feel!
Why England Owes Everything to Belgium
Isaac Newton famously said: “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants”. This holds true for countries as well, and in England’s case, we can most definitely speak of a Belgian Giant.
What are you looking for?
When my sister and I were kids, our parents often brought us to the flea markets of Brussels. As they searched for plates and vases, we scanned the cobblestone pavement for hidden treasures. I think all that staring at the ground left me nearsighted.
Home ain’t so bad
Home isn’t a place. Even after a year in a tiny box in the busiest part of Tokyo, home isn’t that box. Instead it’s a feeling. The hugs and stories, tea and coffee you share with those you love.
The Way to a Friend’s Heart
Are you the type of person to regard strangers with suspicion, or do you dive into new friendships with reckless abandon? Is a stranger just a friend you haven’t met yet, or someone to distract you from your me-time? I don’t know, but Indi most certainly does.