Y.S. Stephen - Reader | Casual Observer

Nick Sousanis reflects on the power of images in his graphic novel titled Unflattening (the first-ever Harvard comic book dissertation); he wrote: "In relying on text as the primary means of formulating understanding, what stands outside its linear structure is dismissed... The visual provides expression where words fail. What have we been missing? And what can be made visible when we work in a form that is not only about, but is also the thing itself." I do feel a bit of envy as well as concern when I see a great visual illustration, especially when it is something extraordinary. The envy is self-explanatory, but the concern stems from imagining how long the artist must have spent on it, labouring away. The concern always eventually gives way to respect. I believe illustrators are a blessing and it's awesome when it's not just dead dudes getting praised for great works of art. Echo Gear #1, a graphic novel by Vincent Sammy, is an example of this. Though t...

I have read about 65 books this year. My highest ever in 12 months, I think. The experience has been enjoyable as well as frustrating. There were books that met my expectations and there were some that made me want to scream. Many sent me to sleep and few withheld it from my eyes. Picking books to read can be like picking out a piece of chocolate from an assorted box while blindfolded - you have an equal chance of picking either your favourite flavour or the one you hate the most. Even if you have been reading all your life and have settled on specific authors, you can still be disappointed or pleasantly surprised. It's not all doom and gloom, though. The capacity for surprise and life-changing truths are part of the reasons I read often and across genres. The list below comprises of 10 books I've read this year that have changed the way I think and behave in few matters. They aren't listed in any particular order. If you have a chance of picking any of them up, ple...

The Little Red Fish's greatest strength is its simplicity.