book reviews

Book reviews by and for those seeking to understand the human mind for all its strengths, quirks and shortcomings.

The Last Whistle
The platform wind bit at Arthur’s exposed neck, a cold, wet dog nosing for a weakness. It was a miserable hour past midnight, and the only light came from a single, stuttering lantern hanging precariously from a rusted iron beam. His breath plumed in front of him, thick and heavy, like the fog that usually hugged the river on nights like these. He adjusted the strap of his worn duffel bag, the weight on his shoulder nothing compared to the one pressing behind his ribs, a dull, constant ache that had become his only real companion.
By HAADIabout a month ago in Psyche
Broken Light on Wet Streets
Elias hadn't meant to be out this late. The rain, a cold, persistent sheet, had caught him three blocks from the bar, the one he’d just stormed out of. The argument, a low, simmering thing with Clara, had finally boiled over, spilling out in harsh whispers and a slammed door. Now, the city's neon signs, usually a garish blur, became something else, something sharper, something almost malevolent in the puddles.
By HAADIabout a month ago in Psyche
The Cobalt Tongue
Sarah’s dress was a cruel kind of blue, a shade somewhere between a summer sky and a forgotten bruise. Elias tried to focus on her words, something about her aunt’s cat, but the taste of it filled his mouth, sharp and insistent. Not a flavor like lemon or salt, no, but a cold, metallic tang, like old pennies left too long in a damp palm. Beneath that, a vast, echoing emptiness, a hollow ache that settled deep in his molars. He wanted to spit, but polite society didn’t allow for such things, not in a brightly lit cafe with too many people and their own silent worlds. He swallowed hard, feeling the phantom chill go down his throat.
By HAADIabout a month ago in Psyche
The Reverse Tick
Mr. Elias Thorne’s classroom always smelled of chalk dust and resignation. He was a history teacher, fifty-six years old, and had the kind of slump in his shoulders that suggested the weight of all recorded human folly rested squarely there. The fluorescent lights hummed a low, constant complaint above his head. His tweed jacket, a permanent fixture, had frayed cuffs that seemed to unravel with each passing year, much like his own enthusiasm.
By HAADI2 months ago in Psyche
Beauty Can Be Terrifying
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke is, aside from being my favourite fiction book I have ever read, a perfect example of beauty and the sublime. While this is not a review of the book, it serves as a perfect illustration of what we are going to discuss: the limitless and boundless beauty—and horror—of the sublime.
By Avocado Nunzella BSc (Psych) -- M.A.P 2 months ago in Psyche
The Town That Forgot to Dream. AI-Generated.
Riverbank, population 387, had exactly one traffic light, two churches, and zero reasons for anyone under thirty to stay. Grace Holloway knew this because she'd watched ninety-two percent of her high school graduating class leave and never return. The ambitious ones went to college and found careers in cities with actual opportunities. The realistic ones took jobs in nearby towns with functioning economies. The unlucky ones stayed in Riverbank, working at the gas station or the diner, watching their dreams shrink to fit the town's limitations.
By The 9x Fawdi2 months ago in Psyche
The Student Who Stayed Silent. AI-Generated.
Maya Torres hadn't spoken in class for three years. Not because she couldn't. The words existed, fully formed in her mind—answers to questions, contributions to discussions, jokes she'd never share. They just dissolved somewhere between her brain and her mouth, leaving only silence and the familiar burn of shame.
By The 9x Fawdi2 months ago in Psyche
Behind the Screen: How E-Commerce Is Rewriting Human Life
You probably didn't even notice it. Maybe it was just another night. You were tired, half-asleep, your phone in hand. You opened an app without thinking, browsed through a few products, read some suspiciously similar reviews, tapped "Buy Now," and went back to what you were doing. Somewhere in the distance, a warehouse light came on, you scanned a barcode, and a package arrived. A few days later, a small box arrived at your door, and the moment was complete.
By Sayed Zewayed2 months ago in Psyche
Psychology: 7 Hidden Signs Someone Is Lying — And the Science Behind Why Their Body Exposes Them:
"Watch their reactions, not their words." Ever had a friend tell you one thing, but their face said another?
By Imashi US2 months ago in Psyche
The Loud Minority and the Manufactured Narrative
When President Trump appeared at the Washington Commanders versus Detroit Lions game, the media wasted no time turning it into a national spectacle. Headlines shouted that America had booed its own president, declaring it proof that the country was ashamed of its leader. Clips of jeering crowds were shared endlessly, accompanied by commentary claiming that even America’s favorite sport had rejected him.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcast3 months ago in Psyche
The Weight of Labels
I did not get angry because I was attacked. I got angry because I felt invisible. That is what labeling does. It reduces a human being—a soul with thoughts, experiences, and convictions—into a set of categories that can be dismissed before they even speak.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcast3 months ago in Psyche
The Genius Wave Review 2025 – Does This Audio Track Really Rewire Your Brain for Success?
In 2025, the self-improvement world is flooded with manifestation audios, subliminal tracks, and brainwave “miracle” programs that all promise overnight success. But among the noise, one name has been trending all over YouTube, Reddit, and even TikTok — The Genius Wave.
By vikas4 months ago in Psyche