Tag Archives: reading

Beach Reads: First Novels in Original Languages

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In our final look at first novels in original languages, we’re imagining we’re on a beach somewhere in an exotic location. There is just enough shade so that we can read our books without the pages glaring up at us, and hopefully there’s a cocktail waiting for us just off to the side as well.(…)


From Coffee Shop Corners: First Novels in Their Original Language

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There is something very magical about slipping into a comfy chair in your favourite cafe with a coffee within your reach and a book open on your lap, ready for you to delve into. As we continue our look at first novels in original languages, perhaps we can let our minds wander and imagine those(…)


Dynamite in Small Packages: Japan’s Amazing Literacy Rate

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Fact: The literacy rate in Japan is almost 100% Yes, it is true that overall, Japanese literacy is near 100%. In fact, this is why a language spoken by only one country with no colonial influence and only a few isolated pockets of emigrants throughout the world can be categorized as one of the top 10(…)


By the Book…Or the Kindle?

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In an unofficial poll of seven friends at the pub recently, 6/7 respondents said they either feared or loathed Kindle and would never use one (let alone buy one) and the Kindle advocate was made to feel like a pariah – an awkward (and sometimes heated) debate happening across the world every day. Obviously this(…)