[This Week's Books] "A Book That Speaks to You" and More

A Book That Speaks to You

This book is a record of the author, who has worked as a documentary producer for over 30 years, traveling through 45 countries with the conviction to "honestly portray the pain of the field, while also capturing human dignity and hope." The author, concerned that filming children drinking contaminated water in Tanzania might fall into the limitations of "poverty porn," documents a struggle to pursue journalism that seeks fundamental solutions to problems. With a pen instead of a camera, the author also offers readers the pleasure of discovering the beauty of art and landscapes from around the world. (Written by Jung Seokyoung | Dahal Media)

City of Night Birds

This is a new novel released after three years by author Kim Juhye, who won Russia's most prestigious Tolstoy Literary Award last year for her previous work, "Beasts of a Small Land." The story deals with the destiny of an artist who, despite overcoming poverty and deprivation to become the world's top prima ballerina, must face the harsh price that comes with it. The novel asks what we are willing to sacrifice in order to protect what is precious in life. It was first published in the UK, where it was selected as "Book of the Year" by local media. Major British outlets praised it as "poetic and beautiful, while inheriting the tradition of Russian classical literature." (Written by Kim Juhye | Dasan Books)

Grandma Goes to the Art Museum

The YouTube channel "Halmi Art," which has 300,000 subscribers, has been published as a book. Covering art history from the Renaissance to contemporary art, it presents knowledge through the warm and profound perspective of "Halmi" (Grandma). The hallmark of "Halmi's" explanations is that they introduce art knowledge in a way that is easy for the general public to understand. For example, who was the first artist to add shadows to paintings? Why did Manet, a painter remembered in art history, fail to win the largest art competition of the 19th century? The book answers such common questions in a friendly way, as if a grandmother were telling stories to her grandchildren. (Written by Halmi | The Quest)

The World of Refrigeration

Refrigeration technology has blurred the concepts of seasonality and origin. At some point, we began to enjoy the privilege of eating whatever food we want all year round, regardless of weather, place of production, or season. The author traces the evolution of all fresh foods displayed in neighborhood supermarkets. The focus goes beyond the mere development of refrigeration technology, highlighting the radical changes in our lives brought about by advances in cultivation, transportation, preservation, and packaging technologies. The book also offers fascinating insights into the experts who made significant contributions to these developments. (Written by Nicola Twilley | Sejong Institute)

Reading Zhuangzi When Life Wavers

This book introduces stories about "Zhuangzi" by an author who, since childhood, memorized the "Thousand Character Classic" and "Myeongsimbogam," and has drawn strength from Eastern classics at every turn in life. The author emphasizes that Zhuangzi becomes a place of refuge when one's mind is shaken by a chaotic world. The book seeks answers to questions such as, "What should we do now, and what should we rely on? What should we avoid, and where should we stay? What should we follow, and what should we leave behind?"?questions that countless people around the world have sought answers to in the classic "Zhuangzi" for over 2,500 years. (Written by Kim Hunjong | Dodo Books)

Dignified People

The author argues that "dignified attitude" can be a solution to the current era, where the ethics sustaining society are collapsing, distrust is rampant, and conflicts are intensifying. Dignity is more than mere decency; it is an attitude of calmly taking responsibility for one's life. It means not backing down in the face of unpredictable hardships, and always listening attentively to the pain of others. Through interviews, the book sheds light on the stories of 14 people who bear their own burdens while carefully supporting the burdens of others. (Written by Kim Jisoo | Yangyanghada)