Novelist and playwright, Sebastian Barry calls Donal Ryan "the king of the new wave of Irish writers" — and here Ryan pulls another rabbit from his glittering hat. Bleak, dark, deceptive, and beguiling, Where Are the Kings delivers a sledgehammer blow to its unsuspecting reader. As the covers close, it is time to draw a deep breath and contemplate, in silence, a plot that is not merely ingenious but deeply penetrating. A bildungsroman, the book follows the tumultuous journey of young Jack in three arresting acts: tempus edax ("time the devourer of things"), tempus fugit ("the flight of time"), and tempus imperator ("time the ruler"). On the cusp of adolescence, Jack is dealt a devastating blow when his mother, Grace, drowns herself. Unable to bear the consequences of his wife's death, Jack's father descends into mental chaos before being dispatched to an asylum in Limerick.
The Common Good Economy: A New Compass – Mariana Mazzucato
Prominent economist Mariana Mazzucato, in her latest book, proposes a set of five principles – terming them taken together as a ‘compass’ – which, according to her should characterise an economy. These principles are purpose and directionality, co-creation by citizens, collective learning, reward sharing, and accountability. Subsequent to the identification of the principles, the book dissects the merits and worth of each principle. The book begins with a historical journey tracing the philosophical origins of the common good. The works of Aristotle, Plato, Cicero, Thomas Hobbes etc. are alluded to before providing alternative challenges in the form of the communitarian visions of philosophers such as Micheal Sandel.
Keynes for Our Times – Robert Skidelsky
When it comes to interpreting the works and putting into perspective the words of one of the world's premier economists, John Maynard Keynes, the critical contributions and towering presence of Robert Skidelsky is almost an inevitability. In a carefully curated book of essays, the premier British economic historian and author, strives to answer what seems to be a simple, but in reality, a profoundly philosophical question, "How would Keynes address the crises plaguing the 21st century?" Skidelsky’s final book, before his passing on the 15th of April 2026, addresses various issues of socio-economic significance such as the scourge of the COVID 19 pandemic, the financial recession of 2008 contrived via the cohesive workings of avarice and hyper capitalism, and the untrammelled rise of capitalism. To be fair to both the book and its author, the book is not an apology for Keynesianism. In fact, in a riveting “intermezzo” to one of the Chapters, Skidelsky revisits the evergreen ‘Keynes v Hayek’ debate (a topic which the author addresses in detail in a separate book), in which Hayek is accorded a fair and equitable appreciation.
The Lost Soldiers – Andrey Kurkov
The most celebrated Ukrainian author in contemporary history, and a veritable master of absurdism, is back with an absolute bang! Lost Soldiers bears the Kurkov imprimatur with such exquisiteness so as to leave the reader revelling in the essence of the book long after the covers have come down upon it. At the nub of the plot is the inexplicable and fantastical disappearance of an entire squad of Red Army soldiers (the novel itself is squarely placed in the tumultuous ‘Kyvian’ times of the Bolsheviks and White Army confrontations) from a bathhouse situated in the bustling Halytska Square. The responsibility for solving the case falls upon Samson Kolechko, a young and optimistic investigator who calls the Lybid police station, home.
Let Your Body Do the Work: Activate Your Naturally Occurring Weight Loss Hormones for Long-Term Health – Dr. Anette Sams
Dr. Sam’s book, published in a pivotal age where the concept of weight loss has transcended educated conversations to move into realms that are equally encouraging, and fantastical, optimistic, and delusional, provides a beacon of clarity. Exhorting readers to heed the signal and not the noise, it eggs them on to concentrate on one uncompromising and naturally unparalleled phenomenon – the human body’s magisterial capability to heal itself, when bereft of unwarranted interventions.
The Knot: problems can be solved – Seth Godin
An inimitable feature binding every Seth Godin book is the unravelling of intractable problems using startlingly simple solutions and fundamental ideas. The Knot: problems can be solved (the knot) is no exception to the norm. There are numerous occasions in life where we find ourselves in a frustrating bind unable to decide amongst competing choices and contradictory alternatives. How do we then extricate ourselves from such entanglements? Godin’s slim book (has there ever been a Godin book that is otherwise?) begins with a riveting story involving Alexander the Great (before he became great that is). Riding into a small city in Central Turkey, Alexander is intrigued by the sight of an ox tied to a post with a complicated knot. Apocrypha held that many tried, but in vain to untie the knot. Whoever succeeded would become great, according to a prevailing legend. Alexander approached the rope and completely ignoring the knot, pulled out a pin at the centre, and instantly understanding the entanglements. From then on, the matter of untying the knot became a rudimentary chore.
Stop Dead – Katrín Júlíusdóttir
The world owes a huge debt of gratitude to Katrín Júlíusdóttir for abdicating a thriving political career and instead assume the profession of penning mystery novels. Since leaving politics in 2016, the former Minister of Finance and Economy in Iceland, has admirably reinvented herself as an author of prominence. Her latest book, Stop Dead is not exception to the norm. A racy thriller set in some of the bleak and windswept remote corners of Iceland, Stop Dead is a one sitting breathless read.
SISYPHUS
(Photo by Vicky Sim on Unsplash) Big obstinate stonesDoes not reduce the load weight.But makes you stronger.
Gödel and the Incomplete Proof : Conversations on Truth, Mystery, and the Answers Beyond Reason – Samuel E. Navarro
Neti Neti' — 'not this, not this' — from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad mirrors Gödel's incompleteness theorems perfectly. Brahman cannot be captured by finite description. Neither can mathematical truth. Ancient rishis and a 20th century mathematician pointing at the same void. Every theme, every counterpoint, every dissonance longs for harmony. Even if we never hear the final chord, it exists — not in the air perhaps, but in the mind of the Composer.' Imaginary Bach to Gödel Gödel proved that in any mathematical system, there are true statements that cannot be proven within that system. Samuel Navarro asks: does the same apply to faith, beauty, and purpose? 'Gödel and the Incomplete Proof' — the most important question mathematics never meant to ask.
SPONTANEOUS
(Photo by Vinicius "amnx" Amano on Unsplash) Smoky Bourbon glassPearly Laughter becomes herForever in time.