Get Out Again

Go out, read books, explore the world

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2020

The books you hear about on Instagram and are actually...

If you follow more than five bookworms on Instagram, you have probably noticed that time to time they all go crazy about the same book - be it a romance, bibliography, thriller, or poetry. Or that sometimes your favourite bookstagrammer cannot stop gushing about a writer. So you give in, get yourself a copy and decide to find out what makes that book so special that it is all over everyone's feed. I am no exception and there have been many instances when I bought a book 'just because I saw it on social media'. But was it always worth it?

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2019

Atelier October 2018 - July 2019

Although I have not been really active here, I was still reading and buying books (I mean, I have accumulated over 35 books in last 10 months!). But I think I should start posting reviews more regularly because otherwise I will end up writing about xvchjasdvfksdlvdhsjv books at once and, believe it or not, it does take some time to put all of my thoughts together and make them sound at least somehow interesting and coherent. The following titles are those that I read in between October 2018 and July 2019, including a couple of books from August and September '18 (and I am more than sure that I am still missing two or three), so the variety of topics and genres is rather wide. A family drama, a collection of short stories (and I thought that I don't like short stories), a patchwork-like poetic novel, a trilogy (yes, I read a trilogy set in the 21st century which does not involve any supernatural elements), Van Gogh's bibliography, and more. Here are the books that made me laugh, almost cry, think, reflect and even got me angry and disappointed (hello, Graeme Simsion).

Also, it seems that I am really enjoying the use of brackets. Yeah, sorry about that, I will try to work on it (maybe).   

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CHOOSE A CITY... AND EXPLORE IT!

Brussels                 London                   Belfast               Amsterdam                 Rome


MONDAY, JULY 29, 2019

Books that have changed my life 

"Lydia is dead. But they don't know this yet. 1977, May 3, six thirty in the morning, no one knows anything but this innocuous fact: Lydia is late for breakfast."

An opening sentence like this makes me stop, sit down and immediately start reading. And it gets even better when the entire book manages to keep up with the high expectations set up by these three simple statements. After living in three different countries in the last five years and never moving the houses with more than two suitcases and a backpack, I still gathered quite a lot of books - some being the literary classics, others stories that have captured and never let me go. So here is my list of books I have encountered in the last couple of years and which have shaped the way I perceive life as such (and yet, I know that there are so many more stories that would deserve to be on this list and maybe one day I will write a follow-up article). But for now, these reading tips represent a good starting point.

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PODCAST TIP

How to Fail With Elizabeth Day

I know that this might sound as an unusual podcast title, but just give it a try and you will fall in love, just as I did. This podcast does not celebrate the achievements in a traditional way but rather focuses on the things that haven't gone right. Every week, Elizabeth Day explores with her guess what their failures taught them about how to succeed better. My favourite ones are with the writers Dolly Alderton and Olivia Laing, and the brilliant storyteller and actress, Phoebe Waller-Bridge. 

Spotify link            Apple Podcasts


WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2019

About not having time, again

(and other reading tips and reflections)

Yesterday I read an article on digital addiction and although technically it does not bring in any new, groundbreaking revelations, it still has made me reflect on the ways I spend my time. Arnold Bennett, an English writer, claimed way before the arrival of social media (in 1905, to be precise) that our time is "the most precious of possessions." As cliché as it might look and as obvious as it sounds, I think that quite often we forget about this fact. 

Plus about the current 'trend' of hiring people with digital background for high positions in publishing, how Game of Thrones changed television, plus my new favourite TV-show and a reading tip. 

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MONDAY, APRIL 1, 2019

Reading Time

Reflecting on my use of free time, recently I have been trying to read more news and various interviews and articles. Some of them have been truly resonating with me (I know, how deep!) so I thought of sharing them with you. This time about the importance of the Nobel Prize in Literature, Apple entering the video industry, the history of the trench coat (I didn't expect to find this article interesting, yet here we are!), a podcast episode with Samantha Barry and also about my discovery of an American writer who is heralded as one of the most significant authors of the 20th century. So here we go. 

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2019

#ReadThePaper

Coming from my very own experience of saying "I wish I had more time to read books and newspapers!", I can tell you that if you really want to you can always find some time. In my case I simply had to force myself to cut out time on Instagram, YouTube and Netflix, switch off my laptop an hour before going to bed and instead read whatever was lying on my nightstand. If you feel like your brain is fried after the whole day of work and you cannot relax with a book (which was usually my second excuse after not having enough time), maybe try to read a 'lighter' genre, something that does not require you to process some deep philosophical thoughts - in my case I usually reach for a crime fiction which, for some dark, twisted reason, always helps me to pause. In other words, whatever excuse you have for the lack of reading time, rethink it. Because a good book will stay with you for much longer than an Instagram post or a new YouTube video. 

Or, if you actually have no intention of reading a book, that is also fine. But at least stop saying "I wish I had more time..." and instead simply say "Yeah, right now I do not want to read."


SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2018

Do You Podcast?

Since starting my course in new media and digital culture at the university in Amsterdam, I have been noticing more and more people talking about their various favourite podcasts. I guess one of the reasons why they are so popular here is because when you have to cycle for 30 minutes to and from the city center, you might want to use that time to learn something new or at least laugh a little bit. And so the social pressure got me and I started franticly searching for not a podcast but the podcast that I could dedicate a part of my day to. I am not going to lie. It was a rough couple of weeks during which I thought that I would never find the one that would suit my taste.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2018

For the Sake of Art

I am no expert when it comes to art. On the contrary, as much as I know about books, I only have a basic knowledge of famous artists and paintings. Well, of course that I know the big names and I have been to museums in Paris, London, Rome, Prague and now in Amsterdam, but I have never studied art per se. So please, take this rather as a reflection rather than as a criticism. 

As I happily purchased Museum Card (which gives you an unlimited access to about 400 museums all around the Netherlands for a year) I have started exploring the world of art more than ever, especially with all the options Amsterdam has to offer. After reading Murphy's book Van Gogh's Ear, I couldn't wait to finally go to Vincent's museum that promises to contain the majority of his work in one place (I mean, if that does not sound exciting than I do not know what else could!).

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THURSDAY, JULY 26, 2018

Cinematic Summer

Although I do not have a problem spending hours on YouTube, mindlessly scrolling through newest videos, I struggle to watch an hour and half long film. So when back in April I finished all of my essays and exams at Uni, my goal was to catch up not only on books but also on movies that everyone was talking about, yet which I did not see. And who would have guessed that a film adaption could actually force me to read a book.

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Book Reviews


MONDAY, JULY 9, 2018

Interview with Jakub Pavlovský

Don't be scared of reading new writers and exploring new genres

When back in 2014 Jakub Pavlovský started a project on Instagram through which he was trying to prove that (with a bit of exaggeration) you can read everywhere (on the floor in metro, on the head of a statue or even on a cathedral's rooftop), he had no idea that four years later his profile  'Book's Calling' would be having more than 13.000 followers and that he would be organizing both online and offline book clubs. We met one evening in a coffee shop in Prague to talk about his bookish journey, discussing what can make people read, if he buys books and what his friends really think about his passion. 

Nebojte se objevovat nové spisovatele a žánry

Když v roce 2014 Jakub Pavlovský začal na Instagramu projekt, skrze který se snažil lidem ukázat že (s trochou nadsázky) se dá číst úplně všude (na zemi v metru, na chodníku, na hlavě sochy nebo na střeše katedrály), netušil, že o čtyři roky později bude jeho profil Book's Calling čítat více než 13 tisíc sledovatelů a bude organizovat vlastní book cluby, jak online, tak offline. Jak se k tomu postupně dostal, co dokáže lidi přinutit číst, jestli si sám kupuje knihy, o vzestupu audio knih a co na jeho knižní vášeň říkají kamarádi, o tom všem jsme si popovídali jeden jarní večer v pražské kavárně. 

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MONDAY, JULY 2, 2018

Summer Time - Reading Time

All I need for happiness in summer is coffee, sun, books (and sometimes a bit of G+T while chatting with my friends). And that's exactly what this summer has offered me so far. Regarding the books, in last couple of months after finally finishing uni I have read books that didn't let me sleep (Can You Hear Me by Elena Varvello), made me hate the main character's decisions and still love the plot (Conversation with Friends by Sally Rooney) or left me on the edge of questioning the final impact of the story (Darling by Rachel Edwards). Plus, I am adding books that are currently on my reading list. Happy summer everyone! 

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THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018

Back to Books

All the stories I read in last three and half months

It has been some time since I posted here. As the end of my studies at the University of Aberdeen was approaching, I decided to fully focus on my dissertation, essays and exams rather than writing articles for this blog. Since I finally managed to hand in everything and sit through all of my exams, it is time to get back on track with reading (do not even ask me about my endless reading list as so many great books have been recently published and I do not know where to begin!) and sharing this passion with you. But firstly, let's catch up on February, March, April and a half of May. Here are reviews of the books I read in last three and 1/2 months.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2018

A Bookish Update

I am not happy to admit that recently I have been posting less and less on this blog! And although till the mid-May this probably will not change, here is at least a little explanation for my absence. I am in my final year at the University in Scotland, working on my dissertation and two other essays, having deadlines in less than a month and exams right after. Which means that although I have been trying to read books just for fun and not only as a part of my studies, I simply do not have time to be also preparing articles on a regular basis and put them up here (I can't wait to finally share with you my love for Dolly Alderton's Everything I Know About Love or Julian Barnes's The Only Story, among others). I try to post at least on my Instagram, but still, I would like to do more (notably some interviews with interesting people!). So please, have a bit of patience with me and I promise that after the 10th May I will spam you with tons of reading lists, reviews and photos!

With love from sunny (although it should be snowing on Tuesday!!) Aberdeen. xxx


Book Reviews


TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 2018

Belfast, You Beauty! 

I studied Northern Irish literature at the university last term, so I was already obsessed with its culture. And when my lovely friend Anna invited me to come over, words could not describe my excitement. I spent there three days and here are some tips on where to go... 

(Keep your eyes open because you get to see so much beautiful street art that in the end your heart will beat for this city!)

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2018

January + ½ February Atelier (3 Books)

A little catch-up

Recently I have been overwhelmed with Uni work, part-timing, getting ready for my brother's visit, being ill and getting back to normal. In other words, I am trying to give you some excuses for why I have not been posting here for a while. But today I am finally adding a little summary of books I read in January (and February) and hopefully I will soon be back to my regular posting schedule (I cannot wait to share with you my article about Belfast!!!). 

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 2018

The Best of 2017

I have never been a fan of the lists published at the end of each year, announcing 'the best (...)'. But then I realized it might be nice just to go through all the books I read in 2017 and share with you those which still have effect on me. And I am not talking about books published this year, but rather the stories I read and enjoyed so much, that I cannot help myself but share them with you once again!

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

Atelier December 

(6 Books)

Happy New Year and welcome to 2018! When I finally finished all my university work in the beginning of December, I dedicated most of my free time to read as much as possible, because I have known that once I get back to the university in ten days I will not be able to read books just for pleasure for next four months. So today I have for you a book dealing with alcoholism, the SS occupation of Ukraine in 1941, two psychological novels about race and our society, and Ali Smith's political and mainly human narrative of the current British and world situation. 

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2017

Festive Reading

I love buying books, and it does not matter if they are for me or my relatives and friends. So when it comes to Christmas, you can find me in a bookshop, just casually checking (for five hours!) each department and choosing what would please my brother, sisters, parents and stepmom, grandparents, friends. Today I am adding a booklist based on who you are buying a book for with 26 tips. Hope you will find some inspiration.

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Book Reviews


SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2017

Atelier November

(4 Books)

With a little delay, I finally put together the November Atelier! Despite the fact I was rather busy with Uni work, trying to find a balance between essay writing and part-timing, I managed to read (alongside like 28741047 secondary sources for my essays) four books, enjoying all of them. Tom Hanks published a collection of short stories, and it is divine, just like his acting. Nigel Slater, an English food writer, released a book combining recipes and meditations on the beauty of winter. Which one of Hanks' stories is my favourite one? And which British classic have I finally managed to finish? 

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2017

Atelier October (4 + ½ Books)

Another month is over and give it one more and half and Christmas is here (well, I have been seeing Christmas cards in grocery shops since mid-September! That is really too far!). A good thing is that during October I managed to read significantly more books. So here is my wrap-up. Ready for a modern classic, unusually interesting thriller, a story following the ghosts' thoughts, or a novel about a search for missing relatives? 

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2017

What a Classic

The idea for this article came after following #Victober, an online reading event running through the whole October, celebrating famous or even barely known Victorian authors and their books. For me, a lot of the Victorian writers, such as Oscar Wilde, Thomas Hardy or the Brontë sisters, belong to my personal category of 'classics'. Yet, there are so many more that I am going to talk about today. Obviously, I will mention some pretty familiar novels which I believe every booklover should read. But I also have some less known titles up my sleeves. So get a cup of tea and we can begin. 

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2017

When You're Feeling...

Autumn has hit my university town in Scotland hard, which means that all I want to do right now is to cuddle up with a book and a cup of hot beverage in a coffee shop and do not leave it until spring. Unfortunately, this is not possible so instead I made a booklist with reading tips based on your current mood and needs. Feeling like reading something unconventional, a crime fiction, or something for autumn blues? No problem, this list has it (almost) all!

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2017

Book or YouTube?

One of the reasons why I have recently minimized my activity on both this blog and my Instagram is the combination of uni and part-timing. When I am not thinking about the structure of my essay on Brian Friel's play, I am at work in a small cafe. Get Out Again is based on the books I read. But in these days it seems like I cannot spare an hour to read just for pleasure, and not going through articles and other secondary sources for my studies. Or am I wrong?

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2017

Atelier September - 4 Books

My first reaction after I had realised that it was the end of September 2017 was literally: Damn, already?! I have no idea how it passed so quickly, but here we are, in October. I feel slightly awkward, because all I have been recently reading have been books for my uni courses. So get ready for some good reading tips for Irish and French literature, plus my opinion on the famous book Vinegar Girl... 

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

Autumn's Most Wanted

For me, autumn does not only mean the end of summer, but mainly the end of reading books I choose to read and instead reaching for (me) unknown authors and titles as a part of my English university courses. But today I have for you a list of books that will be published (or republished) this autumn, so you have, just like me, something to be looking forward to. My no. 1 most expected is definitely the book written by Tom Hanks... How about you?

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Book Reviews


SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2017

Thrilling Reading

I have never been a massive fan of Agatha Christie, the famous crime novelist. But that does not mean I do not enjoy a good crime fiction. Here is my personal list of thrillers I read when I am in the mood for something slightly different. Everyone knows Gone Girl, but have you read The Murders in the Rue Morgue, Snowman or Giovanni's Room.

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2017

Atelier August - 8+2 Books

I am back in Aberdee, my university town in Scotland. It took me some time to find a part-time job, which meant that I had time to do a lot of reading. In August Atelier you can find reviews of The Underground Railway, The Couple Next Door, The Girls, Reservoir 13 and four other books in English as well as two in Czech. Have you read any of them?

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2017

Lecture with Writers

You Have to Feel Safe to Read Crime Fiction

What do Arne Dahl and Michel Bussi, Swedish and French writers of crime fiction, have to say about their dark novels? Is it normal that in their stories they create psychopaths and in detail describe murders? After attending their lecture as a part of the Edinburgh International Book Festival 2017, I would like to share with you some of their answers. 

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2017

Books of Summer '17

And here we go again. The summer is almost over and it is time to go back to school (or start a new job, hello my freshly graduated friends!). In last three months I read eighteen books and I still have at least ten more I would like to go through. But my university reading list has been released and I really should start with that! However, today I am sharing my favourite books of this summer and also some titles which I believe deserve to be called "Books of Summer '17". 

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2017

Festive Reading

It is a shame to admit that I have been to only one literary festival (in Brussels). ONE! That is basically none, regarding the fact that I study literature and write a blog about books! I finally realised what I have been missing when I read that the author of the Pulitzer award winning book The Underground Railway, Colson Whitehead, is coming to the Edinburgh International Book Festival and obviously, the lecture is already sold out! I guess it is time to change my attitude towards the literary festivals! So today I am bringing you the most interesting literary festivals with dates and places, so next time you can avoid my mistake!

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Book Reviews 


THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2017

ATELIER - 4(+2)Books of July

Summer time is the best time for reading - unless you live at the North Pole where summers have a slightly different form. Anyhow, a lot of the books I read in July are focused on family, its influence and the impact on your life both in the past and in the present. Regarding the settings of the books, I travelled with the narrators to hot Spain, ancient Greece, rainy Scotland and even to space. Ready to dive in? 

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FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017

Glittery Awards 

A booklist based on literary prizes

When you run out of books, how do you decide on what to read next? In my case, I often check the little signs on the covers of the books, saying: "Shortlisted for the xyz Prize" or " Winner of the zyx Prize". But recently it occurred to me that although I have some rough idea about the prestigious literary awards, I am still missing some key information. So today I am bringing you a little bit of the history and also a reading list based on some of the most recognised literary awards.

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 2017

Rome

It all started here. Literature, Julian calendar, aqueducts, roads and much more. And although it is almost impossible to fully enjoy the beauty of the ancient monuments spread across the capital of Italy as wherever you go, there are always crowds of tourists, I learned some tips on how to get most out of the visit. Plus I am adding my favourite pizza and tiramisu places...

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SUNDAY, JULY 9, 2017

Atelier - 6 books of June

June was amazing! I travelled (visiting beatiful Rome, about which I am planning to write an article very soon...), went for coffees with my friends, enjoyed the last weeks in Brussels, moved back to Prague, visited my relatives. And I read, read and read! Six books are waiting for you in my June Atelier. Have you come across any of them? 


WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017

Book by City

When I told my stepmom about my trip to Rome, her first reaction was that I should get some new novel and read it while spending four days in the beautiful capital of Italy. Whenever someone tells me that I should buy a book, I always listen to him. But that is another story. The conversation with my stepmom gave me the idea of creating a list based on the setting of the books - London, Paris, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, New York, Cairo and Tripoli, Tokyo or Rome. 

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SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2017

Hot Summer Reading List

Summer is almost here and unless you don't have a full-time job, mentally preparing yourself to spend the hot days locked up in an air-conditioned office, I believe you are planning to get out, head to the beach or for a walk to the forest, backpack Europe, climb Kilimanjaro and swim to Bali. Do not forget to pack a sun cream, mosquito repellent and BOOKS. Here are some tips from my own reading list for the next two sunny months. Happy, warm and safe summer everyone! 

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Book Reviews

Brooklyn                       The Hours                 The Sense of an Ending                      Today We Die a Little                            

THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017

Reason and Form

So you think you know the history of English literature? Well, let's quiz it!

Although I admire Shakespeare's and Milton's masterpieces, my favourite books start dating from the Age of Reason (1700-1740), also known as the Age of Classicism. In other words, this is when a novel was born, the literary form which has been popular ever since. So sit back, and get ready to explore the time when the prose took over from poetry. And by the way, have you read any gothic novels? Because the origins of the Gothic fiction (1760's - 1820's) will be also put to the test. Shall we begin? 

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SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 2017

AMSTERDAM 

What I love about Brussels is its location. It takes you no more than three hours to get to Paris, Amsterdam or London. So after finishing all of my exams relatively early, I decided to head to Amsterdam for a one-day trip with my friend Emily. Here are some of my tips on how to enjoy it as much as I did.


TUESDAY, MAY 30, 2017

Atelier - 2 books of May

(and two avocado recipes on the top of that)

I have to admit that I read considerably less throughout May than I had in April. On the other hand, the two books I am about to name have become my ultimate favourite novels (which brings me to the idea that I could come up with a list of my, let's say, top ten books I have read in my life. As I've been finishing the sentence I realized that this will not be as easy as I had been thinking it could be. Anyhow...). Time to explore what I came across in May. 

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SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2017

A cup of...

All these books allude to the famous writers from the past
All these books allude to the famous writers from the past

The Beautiful History

So you think you know the history of English literature? Well, let's quiz it! 

As I am getting ready for my literature exam, it occurred to me that I could share with you some of my newly acquired knowledge. Yes, I know, the history and dates might seem boring, but what I love about English literature is that Shakespeare's work influenced dystopian writers in the 20th century, romantic poetry became an important part of the gothic story about Frankenstein and his Monster, and one of the writers during the Age of Reason laid the basis for the modernist writers. In other words, everything is connected. So take a deep breath and join me and some of the greatest writers in the world.  

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Interviews

Designer Lucie Zajíčková                      Writer Richard Askwith                 Writer Thomas C. Foster   


THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2017

Atelier - 4 Books of April 

I decided to start a new project, if I can call it like that. At the end of each month (or at the beginning of the following one, like in this case) I will write an article about books I have read in previous 30 days, which one I would recommend and which have been rather disappointing. And what is about the name of the project? Atelier as a place for inspiration. Here you will find a book which you should not miss, a book which can inspire you, or on the other hand, a book that you should (in my opinion) avoid. So let's begin with April! 

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2017

London Adventure 

Would you choose to spend your two-week long spring holiday with your family or do an internship in a publishing house in London? Well, it took me only a couple of seconds to decide (sorry my family members and especially my little brother, but I had to). Looking back on the last two weeks of my adventure in London, I can say that it was the right decision. Now, some tips on how to get an internship, and also, where to find a lovely avocado toast. Let's begin, shall we? 

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Interview

Behind the Filter

10 women, 7 nationalities, 1 passion - books. When I decided to create this interview, I had no idea that all of these wonderful bookstagrammers would find time to answer all of my questions and share their secrets of taking and editing photos for their Instagram profiles. The idea of this interview is to share love for books, give some good reading tips, reveal what influences getting likes on Instagram, but mainly, to bring together people from all around the world and learn a little bit more about their lives behind the filter. So let's begin!

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By the way, try to guess who reads the most books per year (the number is 200!!), plus to whom the book The Little Prince helped to get together with her boyfriend...

05.04.2017


Book Review - Michael Cunningham

The Hours

It has been a while since I fell in love with some book like this! The Hours is a story of three women, set in three different times (1920's, 1950's, 1990's) and places (England, Los Angeles, New York). Virginia Woolf starts writing her famous book Mrs. Dalloway, the book which Laura Brown reads thirty years later, while forty years after that, Clarissa Vaughan leaves her house to buy the flowers for a party. And so, one ordinary day in the lives of these extraordinary women can begin.

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                      Interview (with a designer of book covers)

Craving for a flawless cover 

Lucie Zajíčková is one of the major graphic designers in the Czech Republic, creating covers for Czech and international novels, children's books and scientific literature. How did she get to her profession? What the process of designing a book cover looks like and how long does it take? And why would not she publish some of her older covers again?


Interview in English          Interview in Czech

17.03.2017


Essential Reading List with Avocado

My reading list for 2017 is actually not that long. But I want to stay rather realistic and mention less books and read them all, than giving you a list with 30 book titles and finishing not even half of them. 
I have already started reading some of these books back in 2016, however, I never reached their ends. The Bricks that Built the Houses is supposed to be a book of the new generation, openly talking about drugs, money, sex and the dark side of London.

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27.02.2017



Greetings from Brussels

I know that I promised to post more stuff here. Well, not that I haven't tried. But finishing my internship back in Prague, packing one day before leaving for Erasmus, and finally arriving to Brussels consumed pretty much all of my time in last four weeks. But enough of excuses and back to the sharing - my impression of Brussels and the first shortlist of what to do in the capital of bande dessinée (comic books). This time about coffee shops, bookshops, street art and architecture! 

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24.2.2017



 London, baby!

Firstly, I must admit that it was weird to travel somewhere and actually come back only after four days. In the last two and half years, whenever I had travelled out of my homeland, it had been because of my Uni in Aberdeen and usually for at least three months. But voilà, last weekend I met my friend in London to enjoy a lovely weekend and explore the city of thousand faces. And when I say thousand, I really mean it. What was so electrifying about London was that you can get on tube and within 15 minutes you appear in a completely different part of the city that you were 20 mins ago. From Soho to Westminster, from Brick Lane to Notting Hill, from Chinatown to Camden. So I think that everyone can find his favourite place there, but on the other hand, it can also sometimes feel really lonely.

Because Cathy, my friend, was in London before (six times!!!), she knew where to go and what to do, avoiding all the well-known tourist attractions. Obviously we went to see the Buckingham Palace and Big Ben, but she also showed me places such as Camden Market or the best London Gin Club, something I believe I would not have found on my own. So one big thanks to her, as basically all the places I am going to mention here I visited because of her.

But now let's move to some tips on how to see London in completely new light!

1. Simply walk everywhere (or at least mostly)! Because that is the best way how to truly explore London. Also you don't need to necessarily plan your trip to every single little detail. Leave some space for a bit of adventure - that is how you can find the cutest streets or shops!  

2. I am not saying that going out in London is cheap, but it is worth it. Plus, you can find a super nice breakfast for just around eight pounds and lunch or dinner for 15 quid! But you can also google some nice and slightly more expensive restaurant/bar and simply go for it. That's what Cathy did for us by finding Barrafina and although we spent more than we usually did during our visit, we did not regret it. Also, do not forget to try some street food from local markets! 

P.S. The London Gin Club is the best place in the world for all gin lovers!!!!!!!!

3. Art Arrrt Arttttt! Do not forget! Art has been a big part of London! Visit some galleries (known or even less known), but keep your eyes open even in the streets as London is full of street art that will take your breath away (in some cases I had literally no idea how they had managed to access a certain part of building).

4. One of the main reasons I already want to go back (except getting more gin in the best bar in Soho) are the street markets. The first one we visited was Camden Market. I think that even if you spend there the entire day, you won't manage to see everything! The other one, my favourite, is the entire Brick Lane with markets of all sizes and types, including two huge vintage markets! But you can also find lovely street food, coffee shops and book shops. Can't wait to be back!

P.S. These two are my favs although I believe that you can definitely find more than these two markets. After all it is London! 

So now it is time to save enough money and return to the city of many faces and places, London

In the link over here I wrote down all the places I visited in London. 

xxx

19.01.2017


But one of the best things about writing the book was immersing myself in Czech culture.              Richard Askwith about his book Today We Die a Little


Book Review - Colm Tóibín

Brooklyn

Brooklyn, the story about an Irish emigrant to America reminds to its reader painful past of diaspora (the movement of a population from its original homeland).

Eilis, young girl living in a small Irish village, where everyone knows everyone and everything, is given a chance to leave her homeland and set off on a journey to New York. Saying bye to her family for the first time is accompanied with dangerous homesickness in her new home, despite the fact Eilis has a good job and bearable house to live in. Yet, it is love that causes that Eilis finally leaves her past behind and embraces her new life in Brooklyn. But the death in her family brings her back to Ireland where she must make a decision - if she erases her American past and stays in the familiar country. 

Read More...

09.01.2017


Back on track 

So, as I have not posted anything for almost a month I believe it's time to start putting new articles here once again! I mean seriously, there is nothing in my way. Uni for this term is officially done. Working just one more shift on Monday and then leaving my job as a part-time waitress (with a lot of experience and lovely memories, cannot complain about that!). And going home for 40 days, starting my very first internship in January. Therefore, technically, I should have time and definitely something to write about. I will probably mention how the internship is going, but as I am also visiting London with my friend, you can expect some lovely Instagram-quality, hipster, cliché photos from there! And then, in February, I'm moving to Brussels for five months to finally start using my French - aka - more annoying Instagram photos! In other words, I am back and cannot wait to keep writing and sharing on this blog! Lots of love (still from Aberdeen, but not for long). 

xxx

17.12.2016



The book does not exhaust the possibilities of figurative meaning. What I hope that it does instead is give readers the confidence to attack new situations they may encounter in their readings.                 

Thomas C. Foster


Is It Trauma?

When a book does not make sense

Have you ever read a book without having a clue what its author is trying to say to you? Sometimes it's really useful to find some background information about the writer, and bout the period of time when he/she was writing as it can really help you to grasp the full meaning of the book. This basic fact (which we have been taught since the high school, right!) was reminded to me as I was trying to make sense out of the book The Kaddish for an Unborn Child.

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24.10.2016


It's been secret for so long that I feel like I don't really have a vocabulary for it any more.                   The Perfect Girl, page 258


Atrocity in Literature

How can you write about Holocaust, slavery, wars? 
And can you?

Hey guys. The last week has been super busy as the uni started on Monday and I've been trying to combine studying and working at the same time. So my apology for not adding anythig for such a long time! However, as I was getting ready for the beginning of Uni I did a lot of reading and today I would like to share some books I have recently read and which are (in my opinion) definitely worth of your attention!  

 As I already mentioned in my previous article, this year I'm studying a course called American Innovation (discussing American literature in 19th and 20th century) and then Art and Atrocity (dealing with the process of facing trauma and the way of putting it on paper). And so I have to admit that this year is definitely not going to be funny, but rather gloomy as I am about to read about the oppression of black people in America, and the atrocity of Holocaust and another devastating events in human history. 

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16.09.2016


Brooklyn changes every day .                    Brooklyn by Colm Tóibís


The Beauty of Reading

The Reading Lists at University

Hey guys! Have you ever wondered what a reading list at university would look like? Today I decided to put together books I have read so far for my English courses at Uni. I have to admit that as I was going through all of them, I was mostly surprised about the reading list from the first semester at the Uni. I absolutely don't remember reading Thomas More's Utopia or Hogg's The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner!Shame on me! I also highlighted some of my favourite books which, in my opinion, are definitely worth of reading. 

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28.08.2016


An Interview

Thomas C. Foster

"Reading is an act of the imagination"

I would say that it is essential for every bookworm to read Thomas C. Foster's entertaining guide How to Read Literature Like a Professor. As I study English literature at my university this book has been an insightful guide to the hidden meanings between the lines of all my favourite books. And therefore I felt that I need to ask Thomas Foster some questions both about the book and the process of writing it, as well as about his new upcoming book Reading the Silver Screen. 

Read more...

26.08.2016


After those dark days of the war, the bombing, the killing and the starvation, the revival of the Olympics was as if the sun had come out.  Today We Die a Little (page 81)


An Interview

Richard Askwith

Learning Czech in the country of Zátopek

When I read the book about Emil Zátopek, the celebrated Olympic distance-runner of the 1940s and 1950s, I simply wanted to contact its author, Richard Askwith, and ask him a couple of questions about the whole process of writing it. And when he actually replied, I decided (with his permission) to share his amazing and interesting answers with you

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                          Book Review

How to Read Literature Like a Professor

Thomas Foster, a professor of English at the University of Michigan-Flint, offers in his New York Times bestseller How to Read Literature Like a Professor a gripping guidance throw the complex world of literature. As the subtitle of the book suggests, Foster writes 'a lively and entertaining guide to reading between lines'.

Continue Reading...  

                                 Book Review

The Red Notebook

Bookseller Laurent Letellier finds an abandoned handbag on a Parisian street. The stolen bag contains no wallet or a mobile phone which could help Laurent to track down its owner. The only connection with the mysterious woman becomes a red Moleskine notebook full of personal notes which reveal that she and Laurent have a lot in common. And so Laurent decides to undertake the journey of finding the enigmatic woman in the city of millions.  

Continue Reading...

                                                               23.06.2016


   Get out when it's sunny


Time for a cup of coffee...

        It has been sunny in Aberdeen for last 5 hours which has given me so much positive energy (compare to gloomy yesterday)! What else to do than go out with your friends to grab a lunch after work! We went to probably one of the most hipster coffee shops in Aberdeen, in Scotland, even in Europe when I think of it. Everything is cooked right in the café, from all kinds of wraps to the best potato salad with pesto and sun dried tomatoes. You can also buy some bio eggs and hummus chips over there! The design of the entire place is a mix of everything. Different types of tables and chairs are randomly placed in the big bright room. And, of course, it has its own piano for music nights and a plenty of nice and soft sofas where you can nestle down and just enjoy your life. You actually want to spend there the rest of your day, no, the rest of your week. So if you ever come to Aberdeen, do not forget to visit The FoodStory Café. It is the place of pure happiness! 

Have a great and sunny day!

01.06.2016

Get Out Again 2020
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