Timbuktu: A Legendary City of Scholarship

What most people don’t know is that for centuries, Timbuktu was also one of the greatest centers of learning in the world, home to an astonishing collection of ancient manuscripts on everything from astronomy and medicine to law, poetry, and theology.

And the reason so many of those priceless texts still exist today despite being threatened with destruction by extremists is because of one extraordinary man: Abdel Kader Haidara, the librarian and manuscript-guardian whose courage and ingenuity helped save hundreds of thousands of books that might otherwise have been lost forever.

Timbuktu’s rich history as a hub of Islamic scholarship dates back to medieval times, when traders, scholars, and students from across Africa and the Middle East flocked to study in its libraries and madrasas. Over centuries, families in the city collected tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands, of handwritten texts covering topics you wouldn’t expect in the desert: mathematics, philosophy, law, medicine, poetry, and more.

These manuscripts were precious records of Africa’s intellectual and cultural heritage, so significant, in fact, that many scholars compare their importance to other globally treasured archives. But unlike many great repositories elsewhere, Timbuktu’s manuscripts weren’t all stored in a grand museum. Instead, they belonged to families, private libraries, and community institutions, passed down through generations.

Enter the Librarian: Abdel Kader Haidara

Imagine being the person responsible for protecting hundreds of thousands of priceless artifacts while armed extremists take over your city. That was the reality facing Abdel Kader Haidara, a tall, thoughtful man born and raised in Timbuktu whose life was shaped by its written history.

As the owner of the largest private manuscript collection in town and founder of the heritage organization SAVAMA (Sauvegarde et valorisation des manuscrits pour la défense de la culture islamique), Haidara was essentially the chief caretaker of one of Africa’s richest cultural legacies.

When jihadist fighters marched into Timbuktu, Haidara didn’t flee immediately like many others. Instead, he stayed, quietly organizing a plan that seemed almost fantastical: evacuate the manuscripts before they could be destroyed.

He began by moving the manuscripts from public libraries into the homes of families who had traditionally preserved texts. It was slow, secretive work, done under the cover of daybreak and dusk. The manuscripts were packed into metal trunks and hidden throughout the city, a risky strategy that relied on stealth and trust.

Smuggling the Manuscripts Out of Town

With the manuscripts tucked away safely in private houses, Haidara and his allies realized they needed to move them out of Timbuktu entirely and fast. The extremists had already burned some texts and made it clear that Sharia law would not tolerate treasures like these.

What followed was a true logistical feat, almost unbelievable in its daring.

Teams of couriers, including Haidara’s own nephew and volunteers from families with manuscript collections, began smuggling boxes of manuscripts out of the city, often by nightlight, concealed under blankets or in metal trunks. These weren’t slick covert ops: manuscripts traveled by donkey cart, on pushcarts, hidden under car seats, and even on canoes down the Niger River. Every checkpoint manned by militants was a threat; every journey could spell disaster.

The plan had three major phases:

1. Move the manuscripts into safehouses within Timbuktu. This allowed them to avoid immediate threats from fighters scanning the libraries.
2. Smuggle the manuscripts past checkpoints and across long distances to Bamako, Mali’s capital. This meant navigating desert roads, rivers, and the constant danger of encounter with militants.
3. Once the north became a full war zone, traditional road travel became nearly impossible, so the rescue operation shifted to water transport down the Niger River, a slower, more circuitous but safer route to freedom.

Despite all odds, this team of librarians and volunteers pulled it off. By the end of the mission, estimates suggest more than 350,000 ancient manuscripts, nearly the entire archive, had made it safely to Bamako, far from the grasp of jihadists. Only a few thousand were lost to burning or looting.

Heroism in the Shadows

What makes Haidara’s story so remarkable isn’t just the scale of the operation; it’s the calm courage with which he and his allies conducted it. These were books, after all, not weapons, not treasure in the everyday sense, but ideas. They risked their lives to protect knowledge because they understood what it meant to humanity, to history, to the heritage of West Africa and the world.

As Haidara himself once implied, losing those manuscripts would have meant erasing centuries of intellectual life, a loss not just for Mali, but for all of us.

That’s why his work has inspired books like The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu and led to him featuring in books like Protectors of the Written Word. There are even documentaries that tell this incredible story of bravery, stealth, and deep love for knowledge. While Haidara wasn’t wearing a cape, in many ways, he was a protector of culture, a defender of history, and an unlikely hero you probably didn’t learn about in school.

His story is featured in Protectors of the Written Word alongside 24 others who have devoted their lives to sharing the joy of reading.

The book brings together inspiring journeys from around the world, written as a heartfelt love letter to everyone who believes in the power of books. You can order your copy here.

The post Meet the Librarian Who Risked His Life to Save Timbuktu’s Ancient Books appeared first on Magazine.

But why does one author’s birthday get its own day of rhymes, reading challenges, and whimsy? And how did Dr. Seuss become such a huge deal in the first place? Let’s break it down.

Who Was Dr. Seuss, Anyway?

Dr. Seuss was the pen name of Theodor Seuss Geisel, born on March 2, 1904, in Springfield, Massachusetts. Before becoming a children’s literature legend, Geisel tried his hand at advertising, political cartoons, and illustration, and yes, he was very good at drawing odd creatures even back then.

When he turned his talents toward children’s books, something clicked. His stories were playful but smart, silly but meaningful, and full of words that sounded like they shouldn’t exist, yet somehow made perfect sense.

Over his lifetime, Dr. Seuss wrote and illustrated more than 60 books, many of which are still among the most-read children’s titles in the world.

So, celebrating his birthday isn’t just about one man; it’s really about the massive impact his stories have had on how children learn to read.

March 2nd and the Birth of a Reading Celebration

Dr. Seuss’ birthday became a celebration of reading largely because of his deep influence on early literacy. Books like The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, and Hop on Pop were designed to help children read using simple vocabulary, repetition, and rhythm without feeling like learning was a chore.

In fact, Green Eggs and Ham famously uses only 50 different words, proving that reading doesn’t have to be complicated to be engaging.

Educators and librarians quickly realized that March 2nd was the perfect opportunity to turn reading into an event. Over time, the day evolved into Read Across America Day, a nationwide celebration that encourages children and adults to pick up a book and fall in love with reading.

Why Dr. Seuss and Reading Go Hand in Hand

Dr. Seuss didn’t just write books; he changed how people felt about reading.

Before his work, many children’s reading materials were dry, moralistic, or just plain boring. Dr. Seuss flipped the script. His books were loud, colourful, funny, and full of movement. Reading became an adventure instead of an assignment.

His signature rhyming patterns helped children predict words, recognize sounds, and build confidence. Even reluctant readers could get hooked because the stories felt like games rather than lessons.

That’s a big reason why his birthday is celebrated the way it is. It represents the joy of learning, not just literacy milestones.

The Whimsy Is the Point

Let’s be honest: part of why March 2nd is so fun is the sheer weirdness of Dr. Seuss’ world.

Think about it. Talking cats. Tiny mayors living on dust specks. Creatures with names like Sneetches, Grinches, and Loraxes. Logic takes a back seat, and that’s exactly the point.

Dr. Seuss believed imagination was essential, especially for children. His books permit kids to be silly, curious, and creative. They say, “Yes, the world is strange, and that’s okay.”

Celebrating his birthday means celebrating creativity without rules, which is why schools and libraries lean into costumes, rhymes, crafts, and playful reading challenges on March 2nd.

The Big Messages Hidden in the Rhymes

Under all the nonsense words and bouncy rhythms, Dr. Seuss was often saying something important.

Books like The Lorax explore environmental responsibility. The Sneetches tackles prejudice and discrimination. Horton Hears a Who! reminds readers that every voice matters, no matter how small.

These themes are part of why his birthday remains relevant year after year. March 2nd isn’t just about fun; it’s also a chance to talk with children about kindness, fairness, and caring for the world around them… all through stories they already love.

Read Across America Day: More Than a Birthday Party

In 1998, the National Education Association officially launched Read Across America Day on March 2nd, tying the celebration directly to Dr. Seuss’ birthday.

The goal? To motivate children to read, not just on one day, but all year long.

While the event has evolved over time to include a wider range of authors and voices, Dr. Seuss remains at its heart. His work represents the idea that reading can be inclusive, joyful, and accessible to everyone.

March 2nd acts as a friendly reminder that books aren’t just school tools. They’re companions, comfort, and windows into new worlds.

The post Celebrating 122 Years of Dr. Seuss and How He Became a National Reading Legend appeared first on Magazine.

So, in honour of International Women’s Day this March 8th, let’s shine the spotlight on librarian women who didn’t just manage collections, they transformed culture, challenged injustice, and changed how we read, learn, and belong.

Charlemae Hill Rollins

Charlamae Hill Rollins understood something radical for her time: children deserve to see themselves in books. Working as a librarian in Chicago from the 1920s onwards, Rollins was deeply committed to building children’s collections that reflected African American lives accurately and positively.

She didn’t roll over and accept racist or stereotypical titles; instead, she challenged them. Rollins actively removed harmful books from shelves and replaced them with stories that celebrated Black culture, history, and everyday experiences. She also worked with parents, educators, and community groups, helping adults understand the power of literature in shaping self-worth and identity.

Long before “diverse books” became a publishing buzzword, Rollins was doing the work thoughtfully, courageously, and with children at the center of it all.

Mary Cutler Fairchild

If libraries feel professional, organized, and trusted today, Mary Cutler Fairchild is part of the reason why. A major figure in library education in the early 20th century, Fairchild helped standardize library training and promoted librarianship as a serious, skilled profession.

She played a key role in advancing the use of the Dewey Decimal System and worked at influential institutions like Columbia University and the New York State Library School in Albany.

Her impact wasn’t flashy, but it was foundational. By training generations of librarians, Fairchild shaped how libraries functioned across the United States.

Sometimes changing the world looks like building strong systems and making sure they last.

Suzanne Briet

Suzanne Briet didn’t just think outside the box; she questioned whether the box should exist at all. A French librarian and theorist, Briet revolutionized how we understand information itself.

In her landmark 1951 work What Is Documentation?, she argued that documents weren’t limited to books or papers. According to Briet, anything that records or conveys information, even an animal in a zoo, could be considered a document if it’s used for knowledge. Mind-blowing stuff, especially at the time.

Her ideas laid the groundwork for modern information science and digital librarianship. So if you’ve ever searched an online archive, database, or digital collection, you’ve felt the ripple effects of Suzanne Briet’s thinking.

Jennie Maas Flexner

Jennie Maas Flexner believed that reading should be joyful, full stop. As the New York Public Library’s first readers’ advisory chief, she championed the idea that people should be encouraged to read what they love, not what they’re told they should read.

That might sound obvious now, but it was revolutionary in an era when libraries often acted as gatekeepers of “proper” taste and the “canon.” Flexner trusted readers and valued pleasure, curiosity, and personal connection. Her philosophy helped democratize reading and made libraries feel more welcoming and less intimidating.

Basically, if you’ve ever had a librarian recommend a book just because it’s fun, thank Jennie.

Augusta Braxton Baker

Augusta Braxton Baker was a giant in children’s librarianship. Joining the NYPL in 1937, she became a powerful advocate for accurate and respectful portrayals of Black children and families in literature.

She worked tirelessly to improve the quality of children’s books, advising publishers, mentoring writers, and shaping collections that pushed back against stereotypes. In 1953, she broke barriers by becoming the first African American librarian to hold an administrative position at NYPL.

Baker didn’t just believe representation mattered; she made it happen, one carefully chosen book at a time.

Pura Belpré

Pura Belpré brought storytelling to life. As NYPL’s first Puerto Rican librarian, she introduced bilingual story hours, celebrated Latin American folklore, and made Spanish-language books visible and valued in public libraries.

She didn’t just translate stories, she performed them, weaving music, oral tradition, and cultural celebration into library spaces. For many immigrant families, Belpré transformed the library from an intimidating institution into a welcoming home away from home.

Her legacy lives on today in the Pura Belpré Award, which honours outstanding Latino/Latina children’s literature.

The post Meet the Women Librarians Who Changed History appeared first on Magazine.

Start your reading trip around Athens with the help of our book lover’s guide to the city, with places to stay, bookstores to visit, historic libraries, and plenty of other surprises along the way.

NEW Hotel Athens

An innovative project by hit designers Fernando and Humberto Campana, the NEW Hotel Athens is the best place to stay for those fond of a few titles. This accommodation is dotted with touches that book enthusiasts will appreciate, like the Art Lounge with its own dedicated library on the 7th floor that offers a stunning view of the Athens skyline.

The guestrooms exude a trendy atmosphere with modern furnishings and contemporary fixtures, but none more so than the Penthouse Suite. It comes with small shelving filled with volumes, wooden detailing, and beautifully designed marble bathrooms.

Address: Filellinon 16, Athina 105 57, Greece
Opening hours:
– Check-in time: 3:00PM
– Check-out time: 11AM

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Bookbar by Kaktos

A recent arrival on Athens’ literary scene, Bookbar by Kaktos opened in 2023 as a book café housed in a historic building tucked away on Aiolou. Much of their book selection comes from well-known publisher Kaktos, though there’s also a solid variety of titles from other publishers as well.

Bookbar by Kaktos has a refreshing look, following a minimalist theme in both the store and the café. They really nail the book café concept, with light reads stacked beneath the coffee counters, alongside carefully arranged bookcases.

Address: Aiolou 39, Athina 105 51, Greece
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 9AM – 10PM

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Lemoni Bookshop

Known locally as ‘the Lemon Bookshop,’ Lemoni is situated in the heart of Athens and covers an array of topics, but its specialty is poetry and philosophy. From the outside, Lemoni looks quite small, but once you enter, there are so many books surrounding you that you’ll feel almost tiny.

Beyond being a bookshop, Lemoni has a few other sides to it. They regularly host reading clubs and occasionally put on photography exhibitions, which are always a pleasure to witness.

Address: 118 51, Iraklidon 22, Athina 118 51, Greece
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 9:30AM – 9:30PM
– Saturday: 9:30AM – 8PM
– Sunday: Closed

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Little Tree Books and Coffee

Whenever you need a break and want to take things slow, curling up with a book for the day with a cuppa in hand, nothing beats a book café, and Little Tree Books and Coffee is one of Athens’ finest. Set near the Acropolis, their cozy location is instantly recognizable on Kavalloti, with a few seats out front and wide-open doors that let you peek inside at its stock of works.

The menu at Little Tree Books and Coffee is filled with warm drinks, including coffee, hot chocolate, and soft drinks. If you want to satisfy your sweet tooth, be sure to give some of the desserts a shot, like a luscious slice of carrot cake.

Address: Kavalloti 2, Athina 117 42, Greece
Opening hours:
– Tuesday to Sunday: 9AM – 12:30AM
– Monday: Closed

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Book Garden

Book Garden is one of Kolonaki’s top second-hand bookstores, where you can find something to read in plenty of languages, including Greek, English, French, and German. Inside, it almost feels like a greenhouse with lush plant life scattered around the place and green interiors that set the tone.

If you need to offload some books from your existing collection, Book Garden also has a donation system in place. As long as your hardcovers and paperbacks are readable and intact, they’ll take them off your hands.

Address: Dimitrakopoulou 51, Athina 117 41, Greece
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 10:30AM – 6PM
– Saturday: 10:30AM – 4PM
– Sunday: Closed

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Vallianeio Megaron

Now we’re moving on to one of Athens libraries, but not just any library, it’s the great Vallianeio Megaron. Built in a striking neoclassical style, the Vallianeio Megaron was previously home to more than 2 million works, including books, manuscripts, and much more, making it an important cultural landmark in its prime.

After nearly two years of closure, the Vallianeio Megaron, the historic headquarters of the National Library of Greece in the heart of Athens, is preparing to reopen its doors to the public. Although its collection was moved in 2017 to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, the building itself remains a landmark worth visiting. Take a moment to admire its striking facade, sweeping staircases, commanding sculptures, and richly detailed columns.

Address: Panepistimiou 32, Athina 106 79, Greece
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 9AM – 4PM
– Saturday and Sunday: Closed

BOOKS PLUS

Right across the street from Panepistimio Subway Station, BOOKS PLUS is a multi-story shop that’s easy to get lost in. Visitors are immediately struck by the expansive murals that span the walls, which blend nicely with the scattered book presentations around the store.

The lineup at Books Plus is divided between English and Greek language titles, though it leans slightly toward Greek, with a strong emphasis on authors and philosophers from around the country.

Address: Panepistimiou 37, Athina 105 64, Greece
Opening hours: 
– Monday to Friday: 8:30AM – 9PM
– Saturday: 9AM – 8PM
– Sunday: Closed

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Παλαιοβιβλιοπωλείο Ίστωρ (Istor Used Bookstore)

Παλαιοβιβλιοπωλείο Ίστωρ, or otherwise known as Istor Used Bookstore, is a popular shop for picking up pre-owned texts on the busy avenue of Akadimias. There’s no shortage of titles here, with plenty of areas of interest including history, economics, and science. It doesn’t just end there. Their offering extends to diaries and newspapers as well.

Make sure to have a good look around when at Istor Used Bookstore, as there’s often plenty of written works priced cheaply. If you have a particular book in mind before visiting and see it available on their website, reserve it ahead of time to ensure they still have it before you arrive.

Address: Akadimias 63, Athina 106 78, Greece
Opening hours:
– Monday and Wednesday: 10AM – 6PM
– Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 10AM – 8PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 5PM
– Sunday: Closed

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Patakis Bookstore

With more than 200,000 volumes up for grabs, Patakis Bookstore is one to look out for on your visit to Athens. Showcasing the best of the best from both Greek and international publishers, their shop is loaded with books on a range of topics from politics and economics to humanities and social sciences.

Low, table-sized bookcases line the expansive open floor, with taller shelving covering the walls displaying even more literature. Although there’s an abundance of densely arranged aisles of books throughout Patakis Bookstore, it’s well organized for customers to browse with ease.

Address: Akadimias 65, Athina 106 78, Greece
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 9AM – 9PM
– Saturday: 9AM – 5PM
– Sunday: Closed

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Booktique

If you’re traveling with children and need to give them some pages to flick through during their downtime, Booktique’s specialised kids section in Kolonaki has been praised by locals and visitors alike. They have so many options for younger readers of all ages, whether it’s toddlers or teens.

Adults are also well served at Booktique, with plenty of fiction and non-fiction publications on sale. Staying true to its name, the shop embraces a boutique atmosphere, featuring a thoughtfully curated selection of English-language books alongside gift-worthy pieces by Greek designers.

Address: Patriarchou Ioakim 21, Athina 106 75, Greece
Opening hours:
– Monday and Wednesday: 10AM – 6PM
– Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 10AM – 9PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 7PM
– Sunday: Closed

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Free Thinking Zone

Part bookstore, part cultural events space, the Free Thinking Zone is a vibrant creative hub. It’s a place where activism takes center stage and conversations unfold around bookish topics like politics, ideology, and history, with a well-rounded English-language section for visitors to enjoy.

There are plenty of thoughtful touches that make the Free Thinking Zone stand out, from their in-house coffee to open panel discussions held at various times. The owner is also incredibly helpful with recommendations and always happy to chat about all sorts of subjects, whether light or more serious.

Address: 106 80, Skoufa 64 &, Griveon 1, Athina 106 80, Greece
Opening hours:
– Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 10:30AM – 7:30PM
– Tuesday and Thursday: 10:30AM – 8:30PM
– Saturday: 10:30AM – 4PM
– Sunday: 12AM – 3PM

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Kompraí

If there’s one thing all of us readers can agree on, it’s that nothing tops a good indie bookshop like Kompraí. Founded in 2022, Kompraí gives special attention to literature and essays at their cute store on Didotou, best admired while browsing with a coffee in hand, which they serve on site.

Kompraí’s look is defined by fresh white interiors, complemented by thoughtful details such as pendant lighting and a light-blue rolling ladder attached to the bookshelves.

Address: Didotou 34, Athina 106 80, Greece
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 10AM – 8PM
– Saturday: 11AM – 6PM
– Sunday: Closed

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Lexikopoleio

Lexikopoleio places a heavy focus on dictionaries. Yes, that’s right, nicely placed in the Pangrati district, the shop was the first one in the country to deliver dictionaries of all kinds. Some are written in various languages such as English, Greek and Ancient Greek, German, French, and more, while others are based on phrases or proverbs, giving customers a nice mix to choose from.

Not only does Lexikopoleio sell new dictionaries, but they also stock a sizable number of rare options and second-hand versions. You’ll even be able to pick up some general ready material too, so don’t let the dictionary focus deter you if you’re just after a new fictional read for the flight home.

Address: Stasinou 13, Athina 116 35, Greece
Opening hours:
– Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
– Thursday and Friday: 10AM – 9PM
– Monday and Sunday: Closed

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National Library of Greece

After discussing the Vallianeio Megaron, it only makes sense to mention the new location where the collection is held, which is the National Library of Greece at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center. The facility is spectacular in every sense, with eight well-appointed reading rooms, a sustainable design, and a multi-storey reading hall.

Included in the National Library of Greece’s inventory of over a million items are 20,000 rare texts, 4,000 works of art, and 5,500 manuscripts. On top of that, the collection includes 300 million digital resources and around one million historical materials.

Address: Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea 176 74, Greece
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 9AM – 8PM
– Saturday: 9AM – 2PM
– Sunday: Closed

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Nostalgia for the Unlived: Longing Beyond Memory

A wish can be a beautiful yet devastating thing. It can both propel us forward and freeze us in the past. We may wish that our partner had understood us better, we may yearn for the type of love we read about in old books, and we can either mourn the way things are or move to create a different reality.

Sometimes we yearn for things that never were, things that could have been, or versions of the world that live only in our memory. We do not have a word for this in English; the closest thing we have is perhaps nostalgia, but even this does not quite capture it. Therefore, we must search in other languages and use other dictionaries. 

The Origins of Hiraeth and the Treachery of the Blue Books

In 1847, Wales underwent a public inquiry about the state of Welsh education. This event would soon become infamously known as The Treachery of the Blue Books, as all the government books used for inquiry were bound in blue. The ‘investigation’ concluded that the Welsh were lazy and immoral people, and this was apparently due to their use of their mother tongue.

It was therefore concluded, briefly and awfully, that the Welsh should forget their own ancient Celtic language and adopt English if they wanted to improve and have better prospects. With the endeavoured erasure of an ancient language came an increased community sense of longing and sadness, a kind of sharp and uncomfortable nostalgia, a hiraeth.  

What Does Hiraeth Mean? Language, Loss, and Collective Grief

The Welsh word hiraeth is formed with the word Hir, meaning ‘long’, and ‘aeth’, meaning having a sense of grief or anguish. Hiraeth puts a word to a feeling that echoes deep in our bones, a realisation that a world we want is gone forever. Some call it a protest, a shared understanding that the life we are living is unjust, that heritage has been taken.

Such an emotion is dually a mode of survival; it can push an individual or group to fight to preserve the ancient cultures and traditions and ensure that what once was is not lost forever. 

Why Art Seeks Feelings Like Hiraeth

The art world chases feelings akin to hiraeth, creators and consumers alike. As readers, we seek to become educated, to learn something fully and deeply, and use literature to expand and question our knowledge. An author writes to preserve something inside of them and create a work that transfers knowledge from one reader to the next.

In modern times, reading has been associated with introversion, with cosiness and softness, but writing has historically played an imperative role in creating change. 

Literature as Protest: From Steinbeck to Welsh Cultural Resistance

John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath depicted the harsh and vulnerable realities of migrant workers in America during The Great Depression. The reaction was one of anger.  People finally had a piece of work that gave voice to their deep, brewing feelings; a voice that spoke their sense of injustice and powerlessness.

Steinbeck’s novel brought these issues into the mainstream and was titled to shine light onto the shadowy depths of the unseen. Simone de Beauvoir did something similar for women’s rights with The Second Sex, as have many authors across a range of varied but nevertheless important subjects.

Hiraeth as Memory, Pain, and Cultural Survival

The anger that was brewing amongst the Welsh people during the public education inquiry was undeniable, but R. J. Derfel’s play, Brad y Llyfrau Gleision or The Treachery of the Blue Books, finally gave the population a title for all they felt. There was finally a piece of art that embodied how they had been feeling and explained the unfairness and cruelty of the situation.

Art, be it a play, a painting, or a novel, embodies the moods and thoughts of the time in which it was created. People create words that capture specific feelings, and hiraeth is no different. It was needed, just as art is, to give words to feelings and thoughts, to be revolutionary.

Many worlds have been built on promises by governments or leaders, leaving citizens yearning for the lives they were guaranteed, lives that never became realities. Yet memories, even if they are memories of places never been, can propel us forward, can fill us with the fire to fight to retain our culture, our language, and our art.

Our hiraeth may feel painful sometimes, but pain deepens our memory and prevents us from forgetting the past, and thus aids us in moving toward the future.

The post The Old Welsh Word That Explains a Feeling Most People Can’t Describe appeared first on Magazine.

So, Who Is Avril Herng?

Avril Herng hails from Selangor, Malaysia, and she’s not your average pre-teen. While some kids are still figuring out how to structure a paragraph, Avril was writing full chapters, twisting plots, and keeping readers guessing like a pro. At just 11 years old, she self-published her debut mystery novel, titled Laura Taylor’s: The Case of the Phantom’s Emerald, a 260-page story packed with suspense, adventure, and intrigue.

Where Did She Get Her Inspiration?

Avril has been writing since… well, pretty much since she could. Encouraged by her mom, Avril has loved reading and writing since she was a young girl. She grew up reading Enid Blyton, JK Rowling, and David Walliams, which gave her a great basis for her creativity.

A big part of her inspiration for her story came when she and her family visited London, seeing the Victorian architecture and the cobbled streets. When she got home, she quickly started sketching out ideas for her first book.

Mystery fiction is a genre that thrives on curiosity. Think twists, false leads, subtle clues… and yes, secret emeralds that vanish into thin air. For someone like Avril, that sense of “What’s behind the locked door?” probably started as pure curiosity and then blossomed into a full-blown creative project.

A Big Book From a Small Hero

When we hear stories like this, it’s easy to think: “Wow, she’s a genius!” But let’s dial it back a bit. Avril’s achievement isn’t just about raw talent. It’s about dedication, perseverance, and the kind of discipline that many adults struggle with.

Think about it: a 260-page novel isn’t a weekend hobby. It’s weeks or months of planning characters, scenes, twists, and endings. There’s structuring, editing, rewriting, typing, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with storytelling. For an 11-year-old to commit to that? Inspirational doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Laura Taylor’s: The Case of the Phantom’s Emerald

Let’s talk about the meat of it: the mystery. Laura Taylor’s: The Case of the Phantom’s Emerald follows a sleuthing protagonist who dives into an eerie, emerald-centered puzzle, the kind that keeps readers flipping pages to find out what happens next. The story blends classic mystery vibes with a fresh voice and youthful perspective, making it fun, engaging, and surprisingly deep.

And don’t be fooled, this isn’t a short chapter book or a novella! At 260 pages, it’s full-length, engaging, and structured enough to satisfy mystery lovers of all ages. That’s huge, not just for Avril, but for Malaysian children’s literature.

Not A “One and Done”

If you thought one novel was enough for someone still in primary school, think again. Avril didn’t just stop there, of course not! Not long later, at age 12, she went on to publish the sequel to her debut book! Her mystery series is officially underway, which means we might be watching the beginnings of a long and fascinating writing career.

This shows that her first book wasn’t a one-off fluke, she’s serious about storytelling, and she’s clearly enjoying the journey.

The Importance of Avril’s Story

Now, of course, it’s impressive to see someone so young publish something that adults would find challenging. But beyond that, Avril’s success highlights a bigger conversation about creativity, representation, and youth voices in literature.

Books have always been a medium for perspective. Most books are written by adults. But kids see the world in a completely different way. Sometimes their POV is brighter, stranger, funnier, or more imaginative. Avril’s work gives readers access to that unique lens.

Avril comes from Malaysia, a multilingual, multicultural place. When kids see someone who looks and sounds like them on a book cover, it opens the door to their own dreams of writing and creativity.

There’s this outdated idea that you have to be a certain age to write, publish, or succeed. Avril blew that idea out of the water. Great ideas can come from anyone. All they need is expression and support.

A Message to Young Dreamers Everywhere

At the end of the day, what makes Avril’s story so uplifting isn’t just that she published a book at 11; it’s that she followed her passion and kept going until her story reached the world. And that’s something anyone, at any age, can take inspiration from.

If you’ve ever thought about writing a story, a poem, a game, or anything creative, remember this: age is just a number. Creativity doesn’t wait. And if an 11-year-old can write a 260-page mystery novel, what could you do with your ideas?

So next time you wonder whether your story is “big enough” or “good enough,” think of Avril. Because if she can finish hers, maybe you can finish yours, too.

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And sometimes… things get weird.

Librarians, booksellers, and internet strangers have been documenting the strangest objects ever used as bookmarks for years, and the results are equal parts hilarious, baffling, and slightly alarming. Here are some of the strangest.

A Circular Sawblade (Yes, Really)

Let’s start strong. Someone, somewhere, thought: You know what this book needs? Industrial machinery.

A circular sawblade, flat, sharp, and wildly inappropriate, was once left inside a library copy of Inside Every Woman as a bookmark. It’s metal. It’s heavy. It could absolutely shred pages or fingers. And yet, there it was, quietly marking someone’s place like this was perfectly normal behavior.

This isn’t just a bookmark; it’s a threat.

Banana Skin

If you’ve ever worried about food near books, this one will haunt you. A literal banana peel was used as a bookmark, pressed between the pages like a very perishable post-it note.

Not only is this deeply upsetting from a preservation standpoint, but it also raises questions. How long was it there? Did the reader forget? Was it intentional? Did they finish the banana mid-chapter and think, Perfect?

Either way, this is how books get sticky, and librarians lose faith in humanity.

A Bandaid

There’s something unsettling about opening a book and finding a Band-Aid inside. Used or unused, it doesn’t matter. It’s kind of unsettling either way.

Fortunately, this one was clean. But still, it begs some questions… Was it there in case the reader had a paper cut? How long had it been there? What we do know is that a Band-Aid does not belong in a book, emotionally or physically.

This bookmark brings questions no one asked for.

Cheese

Somewhere in the UK, a university librarian opened a returned book and found, not a receipt, not a note, but a single slice of processed cheese carefully placed between the pages. The University of Liverpool Library later shared a photo online with a simple, desperate message: “This is not a bookmark.”

The cheese slice, still in its plastic wrapper, had apparently been left there long enough to raise serious questions about heat, hygiene, and judgment. While the internet had a field day with cheese puns and jokes, librarians everywhere collectively shuddered. Food-based bookmarks are risky enough, but dairy? In a library? That’s how you attract pests, stains, and lifelong shame.

Cryptic Notes

Some bookmarks aren’t objects; they’re mysteries.

A handwritten note found in a library book once went viral because it appeared… ominous. Random words. No context. Possibly a cipher. Possibly nonsense. Possibly the opening line of a thriller no one asked to be part of.

Finding a cryptic note as a bookmark turns a quiet reading experience into an unscheduled ARG. You didn’t want intrigue, but here it is.

Money

People regularly use cash as bookmarks, which is bold behavior in this economy.

Bills get forgotten, books get returned, and suddenly your $20 is living a new life inside a library copy of Pride and Prejudice. On the upside, future readers might get a pleasant surprise. On the downside, you have effectively tipped the book.

Coins, thankfully, are rarer, but even more chaotic.

Clothing Tags

You know those cardboard tags attached to new clothes that you swear you’ll recycle later? Apparently, some people use them as bookmarks instead.

They’re stiff. They’re awkwardly shaped. Sure, some of them have funky designs on. They are, objectively, worse than a receipt… yet here they are, marking Chapter 7 like they were born for the job.

Fashion meets fiction. Sustainability unclear.

Leaves (Nature’s Most Fragile Bookmark)

Pressed leaves show up in books all the time, either accidentally or intentionally. Sometimes they’re sentimental. Sometimes they’re just… crunchy.

At first glance, a leaf can feel whimsical. Romantic, even. But over time, leaves crumble, stain pages, and turn into botanical confetti. What starts as cottagecore ends as debris.

Beautiful idea. Risky.

A Screw

Metal objects and books are not friends, but that hasn’t stopped readers from using screws, yes, literal screws, as bookmarks.

Why? Unknown. Convenience? Desperation? A deep belief that anything flat enough counts? Well, apparently it’s because it works well as a paperweight and an impromptu fidget toy… But a screw can dent pages, tear paper, and leave rust marks, too. Clearly, none of that is stopping someone from trusting it with their reading progress.

It’s giving DIY energy. Kinda.

Pokemon Cards

This one is weird in the best way.

Pokémon cards have been found in books acting as unofficial bookmarks, which feels both nostalgic and mildly tragic. These are collectibles. Some are valuable. And yet, here’s a Charizard holding your place in a paperback like it’s no big deal.

Honestly? Pikachu would approve. And unlike banana skins, Pokémon cards won’t decompose, so we’re giving them points for durability.

The post Libraries Reveal the Oddest Bookmarks Ever Left In Books appeared first on Magazine.

The Edwardian Manchester Hotel

Though it looks majestically historical on the outside, this hotel is the embodiment of modern luxury on the inside. It features loads of stylish rooms and suites, a spa with pool, gym, sauna, and steam facilities, and some lovely dining experiences.

Most notably for bibliophiles out there, it has the Library Champaign Bar. It has a sleek design with a bookcase full of titles on travel, art, and design. You can also get afternoon tea here, which is a nice little cherry on top.

Address: Free Trade Hall, Peter St, Manchester M2 5GP, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Check-in time: 3PM
– Check-out time: 11AM

Manchester Central Library

Standing proud as Manchester’s main public library and the headquarters of the city’s library service, Manchester Central Library sits in the heart of the city. It was built between 1930 and 1934 in neoclassical style with some pretty clear inspiration taken from the Pantheon in Rome, though it definitely does its own thing with it.

Thanks to its renovation in the 2010s, this library is fully equipped with modern facilities on top of its historic architecture, most notably its beautifully preserved columns and domed reading room.

Address: St Peter’s Square, Manchester M2 5PD, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Thursday: 9AM – 8PM
– Friday & Saturday: 9AM – 5PM
– Sunday: Closed

John Rylands Library

John Rylands Library is a late-Victorian neo-Gothic masterpiece founded by Enriqueta Augustina Rylands in memory of her husband, industrialist John Rylands. Opened to the public in 1900, it is now part of the University of Manchester and houses special collections of rare books, manuscripts, and archives.

One step inside its long hall will immediately tell you why so many compare it to a Gothic cathedral, with statues atop columns, high, vaulted ceilings, and grand, stained-glass windows.

Address: 150 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Wednesday to Saturday: 10AM – 5PM
– Sunday to Tuesday: Closed

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Waterstones (Deansgate)

We’ve covered Waterstones before, and no wonder—it’s a massively popular bookstore chain with often very beautiful outlets. Waterstones Deansgate is no exception, standing as one of the biggest bookshops in northern England with a black lattice storefront.

Spread across three floors, it stocks tens of thousands of titles plus quite a few other items, like gift options and stationery. It even has a café on the second floor that presents vegan options alongside your regular sweet treats and coffees.

Address: 91 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BW, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 9AM – 8PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 5PM

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House of Books & Friends

This independent bookshop and café was opened in 2022 originally as a community interest company, aiming to combat loneliness by bringing people together through books, conversation, and various events. (There’s a reason why it’s a house for books and friends, after all!)

Some of its more notable activities and programs include book clubs, readings, author meets, and weekly community meetups. Visitors praise the staff, especially for being so warm and attentive to guests’ needs.

Address: Ground Floor, 81 King St, Manchester M2 4AH, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 9AM – 6PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 5PM

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The Portico Library

The Portico Library is a subscription library and gallery, founded way back in 1806. Housed in a Greek Revival building, the exterior has four massive, smooth columns with Grecian-style swirly bits on top.

Meanwhile, the interior seems at first like your run-of-the-mill modern reading room—but a glance up reveals a ceiling with a distinctive geometric style and a domed skylight at the peak. This library offers free entry to all and regular events, all while preserving a historic collection of around 25,000 volumes.

Address: 57 Mosley St, Manchester M2 3HY, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Wednesday: 10AM – 5PM
– Thursday: 10AM – 7PM
– Friday: 11AM – 5PM
– Saturday: 12PM – 4PM
– Sunday: Closed

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Chapter One Books

Opened around 2015, this bookshop and café is run by a family passionate about literature with an eclectic style that’s a delight to behold. On one wall, you can find a range of old paintings in fancy, antique frames, while the café features a full-on stone fountain alongside wooden slat furniture and plush, vintage armchairs.

Though it’s undergone some changes in the past few months to focus more on the bar/restaurant side of things, it still carries a unique, quirky charm.

Address: Chatsworth House, 23 Lever St, Manchester M1 1BY, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 9PM

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UNITOM

Located in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, this book and magazine store specializes in the visual arts. Its collection carries curated books on contemporary art, design, fashion, photography, and counterculture, plus indie magazines, zines, prints, and lifestyle items like stationery and coffee accessories.

It has a gallery-like vibe that makes the most of white space to emphasize its wares, presenting a stylish arrangement of both books and other merchandise.

Address: 1a Stevenson Square, Manchester M1 1DN, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 5:30PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 5PM

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Paramount Books

Family-owned since 1965, Paramount Books is a secondhand bookshop that specializes in science fiction, aviation books, vintage comics, and graphic novels. The store buys, trades, and sells, so it’s a good way to share pre-loved books with the rest of the world. Purchases often even come with a free piece of fruit!

Inside has a definite cluttered appeal, with volumes piled high on shelves and tables alike. It’s a great place to get lost in and find a new favorite read.

Address: 25-27 Shudehill, Manchester M4 2AF, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Saturday & Sunday: 10AM – 5PM
– Monday to Friday: Closed

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Chetham’s Library

Chetham’s Library is the oldest surviving public library in the English-speaking world, established as a free library in 1653. The building it’s housed in is even older than that, being a sandstone college complex from 1421.

Whether you love books or simply appreciate history, this place is a true historian’s dream, featuring beautifully preserved medieval architecture in its cloisters, Baronial Hall, and oak panelled reading rooms. Note: since this same building also hosts Chetham’s School of Music, visitors can’t freely come and go. You have to book a tour or appointment ahead of time.

Address: Long Millgate, Manchester M3 1SB, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
(By reservation only, typically as a 1-hour guided tour)
– Monday to Friday: from 11AM, 1:30PM, or 3PM
– Note: Availability may vary.

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Blackwell’s Bookshop

With the original Blackwell’s in Oxford, this Manchester branch is, funnily enough, on Oxford Road. (Did they do it on purpose? I certainly hope so.)

Either way, this particular location is the University of Manchester’s official academic bookstore. It stocks textbooks, bestsellers, fiction, nonfiction, science, history, stationery, and gifts across multiple floors. The upper level even features a Caffe Nero café, which serves up coffee and offers both indoor and outdoor seating.

Address: University Green, 146 Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9GP, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 8:30AM – 6:30PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 5PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 5PM

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Manchester Book Fair

This bi-annual event for book lovers has been held at the Monastery Manchester on Gorton Lane since 2019. It comes around for one day every spring and fall, and typically features around 20 dealers selling secondhand, antiquarian, collectable books, and other miscellanea.

While the temporary stalls are simple, the monastery that hosts the fair more than elevates the experience with its remarkable setting. It boasts high ceilings with grand arches and angelic figures perched atop columns. There’s even a café nearby where you can kick up and relax once you’re done browsing literary treasures.

Address: The Monastery Manchester, 89 Gorton Ln, Manchester M12 5WF, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– In 2026, May 12 and October 11: 10AM – 4PM

Didsbury Village Bookshop

Didsbury Village Bookshop is a quirky second-hand bookstore tucked behind The Art of Tea café. Run by a retired professor, it offers a little bit of this and that in its eclectic selection of vintage books.

It has a quaint charm that’s hard to find elsewhere, rows of bookcases complemented by a hand-painted map of the store showing you where to find art books, poetry, mountaineering, and dictionaries, among many other genres and subjects. It has an old-world atmosphere in all the best ways.

Address: Inside The Art of Tea, 47 Barlow Moor Rd, Didsbury, Manchester M20 6TW, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 9AM – 10PM
– Sunday: 10AM – 9PM

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The Fall of Baghdad, 1258: When Ink Ran Like Blood

In the 13th century, Baghdad was the intellectual heart of the world. At its center stood the House of Wisdom, a vast library containing centuries of mathematics, medicine, astronomy, philosophy, and literature. Then the Mongol armies arrived.

In 1258, the city fell. Buildings burned. Scholars were slaughtered. The House of Wisdom was destroyed. As the story goes, so many books were thrown into the Tigris River that the water turned black with ink.

But before the flames consumed everything, scholars ran. They hid manuscripts in mosques, cellars, and wells. They smuggled others east to Persia and Damascus, carrying them by hand across collapsing empires. Many died trying. A few volumes survived because someone, somewhere, decided that knowledge was worth more than their own life.

Civilization very nearly lost everything. It only didn’t because people refused to let it.

The Irish Monks Who Preserved Civilization

After the fall of Rome, Europe entered centuries of instability. Cities crumbled, roads vanished, war and plague erased entire regions. During such turmoil, classical learning should have disappeared forever.

Instead, it retreated to Ireland.

In remote monasteries, far from the chaos, Irish monks worked by candlelight, copying texts letter by letter. Virgil, Aristotle, and Cicero wrote on fresh parchment while the world outside burned or starved. Viking raids destroyed monasteries. Disease wiped out communities. Still, they kept writing.

For centuries, these monks were the only bridge between the ancient world and the future. Without their stubborn patience and aching hands, the Renaissance might never have happened. Sometimes civilization survives not with a battle cry, but with a whisper and a quill.

The Monk Who Hid a Library in the Desert

In western China, near Dunhuang, a Buddhist monk named Wang Yuanlu stumbled upon something astonishing: a sealed cave filled with manuscripts. Over ten thousand of them.

The manuscripts were poems, prayers, records, and even a printed copy of the Diamond Sutra, the oldest known printed book in the world. In total, there were 40,000 manuscripts in the cave.

When Wang found them, he feared what might happen to them if he shared their location, or worse, if he left them there unprotected. War, neglect, and decay could all ruin the records kept there. So he sealed the cave again, hiding the library from the world.

For nearly 1,000 years, it stayed untouched. It was opened again in 1900 when explorers stumbled upon it, finding all 40,000 manuscripts intact.

Árni Magnússon and the Fire of Copenhagen, 1728

In 1728, Copenhagen burned. A third of the city was completely consumed by fire, including the university library. Inside were Iceland’s medieval sagas, which were the only written record of the nation’s early history.

While everyone fled, one man ran toward the flames.

Árni Magnússon, an Icelandic scholar, ignored the smoke and heat. He dragged boxes of parchment into the street again and again, burning his hands raw. He did not stop. He could not stop.

Because of him, hundreds of manuscripts survived. A nation’s memory lived on because one scholar chose fire over forgetting.

The Secret Archive of the Warsaw Ghetto

During World War II, the Nazis sealed hundreds of thousands of Jews inside the Warsaw Ghetto. Starvation was policy, and cruelness met them at every turn. Extermination was on the horizon.

Historian Emanuel Ringelblum knew they might not survive, but at least their history might.

He organized a secret group of teachers, writers, and journalists to record everything. Diaries, ration cards, letters, and children’s drawings. They documented daily life under Nazi rule and sealed the evidence in milk cans, burying them beneath the streets.

Almost everyone involved was murdered.

After the war, the archive was found exactly where they left it. Because of them, the world knows. Their final act of resistance was not violence, but truth.

The Librarians of Timbuktu, 2012

When jihadist groups advanced on Timbuktu in 2012, the threat wasn’t just to people, but to memory. Mali’s ancient libraries held manuscripts on astronomy, law, medicine, and poetry going back centuries.

In the face of such loss, librarian Abdel Kader Haidara organized a rescue.

Families hid manuscripts in rice sacks and metal trunks. Couriers moved them by night through checkpoints and down the Niger River. Every trip risked execution. No one knew if they’d make it back.

They saved more than 300,000 manuscripts.

The Mud Angels of Florence, 1966

In 1966, the Arno River flooded Florence, drowning libraries in sewage and oil. Books swelled, split, and dissolved in black water.

Volunteers arrived from everywhere.

Students. Monks. Soldiers. Thousands of them waded through sludge, lifting half a million books from the mud. They worked in silence, passing pages hand to hand, forming human chains of rescue. They became known by the press as the Mud Angels.

No uniforms. No rewards. Just the belief that books, even damaged, filthy, fragile books, were worth saving.

The post 7 True Stories of People Who Risked Everything for Books appeared first on Magazine.

Defining the Xennial Micro-Generation

As one might guess, a micro-generation is, as the label decrees, a generation of a smaller size, one that falls between two others. Generation X, contributing to half the identity of the Xennial, has a reputation for their rebellion. Their childhoods were shaped by quick-changing technological innovations, with grand events like the fall of the Soviet Union and the changing societal values and expectations. Gen X saw the third wave of feminism, the questioning of what it meant to be both a feminist and a woman, with the term ‘intersectionality’ used at the forefront of many such movements. 

Millennials, the other half of the Xennial, were thrown even deeper into the technological deep end, into a world of the internet, of social media, and cyber-connectedness. They are known as socially and environmentally conscious, generally having access to a higher level of education, and a personal drive for purposeful work. 

Technology, Adaptability, and Identity

Of course, there is some truth in many of these stereotypes, but again comes this feeling of liminality. Generations swallow up such a large number of people, people who, despite having to survive through certain social and cultural events, are all rather different.

With Xennials, however, being a micro-generation, you have a smaller group. A couple of years, around eight, to be exact, with camaraderie found in the gaps. The Xennials, when they were children, grew up within the world of analogue technology—a ticking clock, a vinyl record player, cassette tapes—but finished their adulthood thrust into another, digital world. They lived within the transition, adept with technology but knowing when to set it aside. 

Ma, Liminal Space, and Generational Identity

The concept of ma, in Japanese, refers most simply to negative space. A pause in time, a single breath between a flurry of movement, of action, of talk. Ma is what exists in the stillness, in the quiet. The beat of silence between two notes of music, the empty space on a canvas, and the beauty that becomes of this.

Ma cannot fully be used to understand the unique position of the Xennial, but one cannot deny that this micro-generation exists in a kind of “ma” between two generations and generational identities. 

Gen Z is technologically proficient; they know how to multitask and smoothly operate social media. Yet their knowledge of analogue is limited to reading about it in history books or listening to their parents or grandparents. Xennials possess the quiet power of knowing both, without being afflicted by the same rates of screen addiction or technological dependency.

When we grow up caught between two identities, we grow adaptable in order for us to survive. If the only way to persist is to develop, then we do.  

Anthropological Perspectives on Liminality

In anthropology, the concept of liminality embodies a ‘state of uncertainty and transformation’. It is a transitional stage, the movement from one to another, the struggle and disorientation of the in between. The shift between the classical wisdom and art of the Renaissance and the movement towards mathematics, astronomy, and the sciences that defined the Scientific Revolution is just one example.

To have lived in between was a feat in itself, to challenge the values that you had been taught from infancy in order to adjust to a world built upon a different foundation.

Uniqueness, Difference, and Cultural Value

Like Xennials, many of us feel like we occasionally live in an in-between, at least for some period of our lives. Even in our current climate, where technology is advancing faster than we can understand it, it seems we are constantly gasping for air, grasping for something to hold on to and pull us onto stable ground. It is a mighty thing to have survived the liminality, to have the skills of both past and present, and the perseverance gained from the experience.   

The micro-generation was, and is, the cultural translators, niche specialists that can impart wisdom whilst also partaking in the modern workings of the world. When we were little, our differences might have made us want to hide, desperate to fit in and be just like everyone else. Yet uniqueness is power; it distinguishes us, it brings something shining and rare and valuable to our identity. We all live in some form of liminality, even if it is a fleeting moment, and, arguably, we are all the better because of it.

The post The Last Analog Generation: What It Means to Be a Xennial appeared first on Magazine.