Staircase Wit

No, this not a self-help book that teaches you how to be charming and how to effectively communicate with people. This a book written by Malcolm Gladwell, after all. Malcolm Gladwell wants to tell us that we generally "default to truth", that we have a tendency to believe that people are telling the truth, even if there is already glaring evidence that we are being lied to. Then again, Gladwell tells us that it's okay if most of us default to truth. After all, if we are all skeptics all the time, it would be impossible for us to have to have an organized society. Gladwell also warns us that not all strangers are transparent. We think we might know psychology and human behavior, and that we have ample experience in reading people. But some people's internal feelings and thoughts are simply not matched to their facial expressions and behavior. Talking to Strangers is another interesting and fascinating book by Malcolm Gladwell.  Read his books with a grain

The story of Bel Canto was inspired by the 1996 Japanese Embassy hostage crisis in Peru. That hostage crisis, just like the one in the novel, lasted for several months. In real life, just like in the novel, revolutionary rebels took as hostage high-level diplomats and business executives. The main difference between the two hostage crises: In the novel, one of the hostages is the world's greatest opera singer. Bel Canto is romantic, haunting, and fi lled with magical realism. It makes you fall in love with each and every character--every politician, diplomat, priest, idealistic young rebel soldier and general. It makes you understand why the hostages and rebels all wish they never have to leave the mansion where they are all locked up. Then it breaks your heart. Read the book, then watch the film. Both are inspiring and beautiful.