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Tolkien was a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University and was known for his expertise in Old English and Middle English. In fact, he was instrumental in bringing the study of Old English to the forefront of academia in the mid-20th century. His love of language and linguistic history is evident in his works, such as "The Lord of the Rings," which features several invented languages and extensive linguistic lore.

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📚️ Staff Pick of the Week

What’s Our Problem by Tim Urban

Tim Urban is a popular blogger who writes about various topics such as AI, colonizing Mars, and procrastination. He then shifted his focus to society and began to question why everything seemed to be in disarray. He delved deep into history, evolutionary psychology, political theory, neuroscience, and modern-day political movements to understand the root cause of the problem. Six years later, he published a book called "What's Our Problem?" which offers a new framework for thinking and discussing complex issues in the world today. The book introduces a vertical axis that examines how we think as individuals and as groups, rather than the traditional left-center-right horizontal political axis. The book is full of original concepts, sticky metaphors, and illustrations that provide readers with a fascinating and enlightening journey.

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📈 Rising Quickly - Week of February 27, 2023

The Satanic Verses: A Novel by Salman Rushdie

One of the most controversial and acclaimed novels ever written, The Satanic Verses is Salman Rushdie’s best-known and most galvanizing book. Set in a modern world filled with both mayhem and miracles, the story begins with a bang: the terrorist bombing of a London-bound jet in midflight. Two Indian actors of opposing sensibilities fall to earth, transformed into living symbols of what is angelic and evil. This is just the initial act in a magnificent odyssey that seamlessly merges the actual with the imagined. A book whose importance is eclipsed only by its quality, The Satanic Verses is a key work of our times.

🪄Most Talked About Fiction - Week of February 27, 2023

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Things Fall Apart tells two overlapping, intertwining stories, both of which center around Okonkwo, a “strong man” of an Ibo village in Nigeria. The first of these stories traces Okonkwo's fall from grace with the tribal world in which he lives, and in its classical purity of line and economical beauty it provides us with a powerful fable about the immemorial conflict between the individual and society. The second story, which is as modern as the first is ancient, and which elevates the book to a tragic plane, concerns the clash of cultures and the destruction of Okonkwo's world through the arrival of aggressive, proselytizing European missionaries. These twin dramas are perfectly harmonized, and they are modulated by an awareness capable of encompassing at once the life of nature, human history, and the mysterious compulsions of the soul. Things Fall Apart is the most illuminating and permanent monument we have to the modern African experience as seen from within.

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📚️ Most Talked About Non-Fiction - Week of February 27, 2023

Unscripted: The Epic Battle for a Media Empire and the Redstone Family Legacy by James B Stewart

In 2016, the future of Paramount Global, a multibillion-dollar entertainment empire including Paramount, CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Showtime, and Simon & Schuster, was in jeopardy due to its founder Sumner M. Redstone's public lawsuit brought by a former romantic companion, exposing his deteriorating health and questionable judgment. Sumner's daughter, Shari, took control of the business but faced hostility from boards and management who had heard Sumner disparage her. Les Moonves, CEO of CBS, schemed to strip Shari of power but news of his involvement in sexual misconduct surfaced, leading to a battle for power at any price and the carnage that ensued. Unscripted by James B. Stewart and Rachel Abrams is an explosive and unvarnished look at the inner workings of two public companies, their boards of directors, and a wealthy, dysfunctional family in the midst of seismic changes.

🆕 New and Noteworthy

Psych: The Story of the Human Mind by Paul Bloom

Psych is a fascinating book by psychologist Paul Bloom that delves into the science of the mind, exploring topics such as intelligence, consciousness, emotions, and more. Bloom provides insights into the most pressing moral and political issues of our time, including conspiracy theories, human differences, prejudice, and hatred. He also shows how psychology can provide practical guidance on issues such as mental illness treatment and how to lead fulfilling lives. Overall, Psych is an engaging and informative guide to understanding ourselves and our nature.

👀 In Case You Missed It

✍️ Quote of the Week

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