5 Bites Friday #98: the accompanying advice our inner self needs; a history of love stories; war on Ukraine explained
Welcome to 5BF
1 – what I read
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Bachman – a story of a suicidal
and bitter old man, who whenever prepare to take his life, is interrupted by
his new neighbors. Through flash backs that Bachman gives of Ove’s earlier
life, we get to know that his wife, the only person Ove had in this world, had
recently died, which the cause for much of Ove’s eccentric nature. Although I couldn’t
finish the book given its simple narration and YA-vibe structure, I watched the
movie and found the story to be at times moving, and thereby worthy of reading –
should one continue reading it.
Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke – collection
of ten letters, which Rilke wrote in response to a young poet, Kappus, in
1910s, this slice of a book contains much wisdom, joy, and accompaniment through
its tender and far-reaching advice on the sensitivities, loneliness, sufferings,
and the struggle of being true to oneself in the young artist.
2 – this week’s articles
A history of love stories @aeon – ‘what is love? It’s all in
the story’ is written towards the end of this article, which examines romantic
love in the myriad of shapes and forms in different stories, from legends, to
songs, to novels, to folklores.
Pleasures of hand-written letters you’ll never send @aeon –
this article the talks about the effects of writing letters by hand, even if we
don’t send them due to it being obsolete, and how these effects have a
deepening impression on how we live and relate to life.
Seven habits of happiness in old age @theatlantic – comprising
of rules about fighting addiction, keeping an exercise routine, developing
coping mechanisms, and so on, this short article helps us prepare for a better
life in the old ages.
How to plan your novel @psyche – writing is different than
being a novelist, and this article boils down the four basic requirements for one
to plan their novel: character, plot, place, and style.
3 – what I’m watching and what I watched
Euphoria s02 @HBOmax – both over and underwhelming, this
season of hugely popular HBO teen drama TV series had some great performances
and twists in the continuing story, while some really bad choices too which almost
ruined the whole show. Not as good as the first season.
Raised by Wolves s02 @HBOmax – this incredible series is
back with its second season, and I’m hooked. The cinematography, the colors, the
worldbuilding, the storytelling, the acting – all of it in this series is just so
alluring and captivating. A must watch dystopian Sci-Fi from HBO.
The Peacemaker @DCcomics – Zack Snyder successfully lands
the new awful, semi-hero DC character with its quirky, hilarious, often cringy,
yet fun first season. I enjoyed watching it.
4 – watch these on YouTube
Russia war on Ukraine @Vox – an explainer video giving all
the details on why Russia is having a military invasion on its neighbor Ukraine.
The Batman review @IGN – a perfect review of the upcoming DC
movie ‘The Batman’. I’ve a feeling it’s going to be as good as the ‘The Joker’
was in 2019.
5 – this week’s quote
‘A future together, growing old together; without that, love
is just heartbreak.’ (Ughhh, so true!)
The Age of Adaline (2015)