5 Bestsellers to Read in a Weekend

The neuroscience is making it possible to see the previously hidden benefits of reading. Until recently, it was believed that books stimulate only the classic "language areas" – Broca's area and Wernicke's area - involved in the brain's interpretation of written words. However, this is just the beginning. 

The study, led by cognitive scientist Véronique Boulanger of the ‘Dynamique Du Langage’ (DDL) Laboratory in France, scanned participants' brains while they read simple phrases: "John grabbed the object" and "Pablo kicked the ball."

The results of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) demonstrated activity in the motor cortex, which is responsible for body movements.

In a 2006 study published in the NeuroImage journal, Spanish researchers asked participants to read the words "strongly odorous" as well as neutral words. They found that the words "lavender" and "coffee" stimulated the olfactory cortex.

Reading can cause amazing things to happen in our minds that might create new neural connections in our brains and even change our lifestyle. 

The fascinating story described in the book is an exceptionally high-quality way to gain new social and emotional experience. Studies show that for the brain, the process of perceiving the events described in the book isn't much different from those that actually happen.

Raymond Mar, a psychologist at York University in Canada, analyzed 86 MRI studies published last year in the Annual Review of Psychology and concluded that the brain networks used to understand stories have significant overlap with the networks that people use when communicating with others - particularly when we try to understand other people's thoughts and feelings.

Scientists refer to this ability of the brain to build a "map of other people's intentions" as "theory of mind." Reading offers a unique opportunity to develop this ability, as we identify with characters' aspirations and frustrations, guess their ulterior motives, and follow their encounters with friends and enemies, neighbors and loved ones.

So, if you want to pump your own brain this weekend, improve your communication and social interaction skills, or just get a unique pleasure from an amazing and exciting story, we will offer you 5 European bestsellers that you can read over the weekend.

The Push by Ashley Audrain

Source: ashleyaudrain.com 

The birth of her daughter was supposed to be the happiest day in the protagonist's life. But something went wrong. "Is she the monster? Or me?" the young mother asks herself. Are there women who are not "meant" to be mothers?

The Push by Ashley Audrain is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of motherhood. Although this is Audrain's debut novel, her previous experience in advertising and her great love of literature helped her write a gripping and dramatic story that resonates with millions of readers regardless of borders. The book also partially interprets the author's personal "motherhood" experience. With exceptional precision, Audrain describes the striking details of a mother's seemingly ordinary and gray everyday life, diving ever deeper into the fears and anxieties that often go unspoken or unappreciated.

The Push became an outstanding event in the literary world. "It was not just another novel, but a literary phenomenon." The impression and interest in the book stands the test of time due to the universality of the subject matter explored by the author and her exceptional writing style. The book has become a bestseller and is likely to retain this status in the coming years. Apart from its commercial success, The Push has also received favorable reviews from critics and publishers.

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

Source: amazon.com 

The world of literature has a rare breed of authors who possess the magical ability to transport readers to entirely new worlds, subtly weaving them into reality so that the line between truth and imagination becomes almost invisible. Susanna Clarke, a brilliant British writer, is undoubtedly one of these "magical literary magicians." It took the writer 10 years to write the book Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, which helped her gain real recognition and prestigious awards such as the Hugo and World Fantasy Awards.

Today, Susanna Clarke offers readers a new story.

The setting of the story of her novel Piranesi is a special house, unlike any other. This labyrinthine structure, decorated with monumental statues and filled with endless halls, appears to the reader as a separate world. The book's protagonist travels through this intricate building, documenting his experiences in sophisticated diaries. Each corridor conceals a new secret waiting to be solved. By maintaining a constant intriguing interest, the novel becomes a "highly engaging" exploration of the human psyche."

"Piranesi won the renowned Women's Prize for Fiction and received many positive reviews.

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

Source: faber.co.uk 

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro is a science fiction novel by the famous British author. Ishiguro's story centers on an atypical protagonist with artificial intelligence, Klara. Klara's perspective is often childlike but profound, offering readers a unique lens through which to examine the world. Her character evokes empathy and curiosity. The novel invites readers to delve into deep themes related to the interaction between technology and humans. Ishiguro encourages people to think about the implications of technology for our lives, relationships, and society as a whole.

Critics have recognized Klara and the Sun as a literary masterpiece. And his previous works: Never Let Me Go and The Remains of the Day brought him real recognition and fame, and he was even awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature for the second work.

Mesopotamia by Serhii Zhadan

Source: yalebooks.yale.edu  

"Philosophical reflections, fantastic images, exquisite metaphors and specific humor" - this book has everything that attracts us to the works of the Ukrainian writer Serhii Zhadan. The stories of Babylon, the city that was the center of the state of Mesopotamia (the Interfluve), are retold for those interested in love and death. The life of a city lying between the rivers, biographies of characters fighting for their right to be heard and understood, a chronicle of street clashes and daily passions. Confessions and betrayals, escapes and returns, tenderness and cruelty - this is how the city appears in Mesopotamia by Serhii Zhadan.

"The plot of the book resembles a painting by an urban artist," the description reads. "Here is the city from a bird's eye view, here we are coming closer and catching a Babylonian in the middle of the street." A mosaic of stories, characters, and the author's subjective philosophical reflections create a unique and mesmerizing kaleidoscope that captures the reader from the first sentences and does not let go until the last page.

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

Source: amazon.com

The Giver of Stars is a historical novel by the famous British writer Jojo Moyes. It is a universal story about love, relationships, and the power of human connection set against the harsh and enchanting landscapes of the Kentucky mountains during the Great Depression. Moyes's vivid descriptions bring the mountains, forests, and rivers to life, making them integral parts of the story, real characters. The Giver of Stars is filled with strong and resilient female characters. The story revolves around a group of women, who participate in the Packhorse Library Project, delivering books to remote areas of Kentucky. These women, from different backgrounds and with unique personalities, form deep bonds as they overcome the challenges of their mission. In addition, the novel emphasizes the importance of access to books and knowledge even in the most remote and underserved communities. This theme emphasizes the idea that books can change lives and fill gaps. The Giver of Stars has received positive reviews from various literary critics, including The Guardian.