book reviews
Reviews of books by relationship gurus, dating experts, and cautionary tale-tellers.
When Advice Felt Like Arrows: A Story of Dignity in Hard Times
Introduction: When Words Wound Instead of Heal It started with a well-meaning text from a friend: “You just need to stay positive. Everything happens for a reason.” I stared at the screen, exhausted, eyes swollen from a night of crying, and wondered—how can something meant to comfort feel so piercing?
By Shamshair Khan Hasan Zai4 months ago in Humans
You Were Made for This
We live in a world that constantly tries to define us by what we have, what we do, or what we look like. Expectations pile up, comparisons wear us down, and before long we forget who we really are. But God never called us to live by the world’s standards. He called us to live by His truth. You were created intentionally, designed for a purpose that no one else can fulfill. The same God who spoke galaxies into motion also spoke your name with love and purpose. No matter what season you are in, no matter what you have been through, God can and will use you right where you are.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcast4 months ago in Humans
Truth Demands Proof
I saw a post on Facebook where a man shared a letter he had sent to his elected officials calling for the impeachment of the sitting president. He claimed that the offenses were “so obvious” and “so well documented” that he did not even need to include them. That single assumption captured everything wrong with modern political thinking. When someone says “the reasons are obvious,” what they often mean is that they cannot defend them. Emotional conviction replaces evidence. The appearance of certainty replaces truth itself.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcast4 months ago in Humans
Truths That Still Speak
Truth is not an idea that changes with time. It does not bend to opinion or convenience. Consensus does not determine what is true, nor what is moral. Law is not truth, even when designed to encourage certain behaviors or discourage others. Truth exists as it exists—beyond perception or belief. It binds humanity together only when it refuses to conform to culture, feeling, or desire.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcast4 months ago in Humans
OK — Our Habit or Our Compulsion?
“OK” — just two letters, yet they hold the power to end arguments, start conversations, approve plans, and sometimes even hide emotions. It’s a word we say without thinking, type without effort, and hear without surprise. From formal emails to casual chats, “OK” has become more than a word — it’s a reflex, a habit, and for many of us, a kind of emotional mask. But how did this tiny word become so universal, and why do we use it so often — sometimes even when we don’t mean it?
By Muhammad yar4 months ago in Humans
The Brighter Mind: Unlocking the Power of Positive Human Psychology
The Brighter Mind: A Story of Resilience and Connection In a small village nestled between green hills and a winding river, lived a young boy named Ayan. Though his village had little in terms of wealth, it overflowed with stories, kindness, and the quiet strength of people who had learned how to be happy with what they had. Ayan was curious—about people, about the world, and most of all, about what made some people smile through pain while others struggled in the face of the same hardship. He would often sit under the giant banyan tree at the village’s center, asking questions to anyone who passed by. One afternoon, an old traveler named Mira arrived. Her face was wrinkled with time, but her eyes sparkled with joy. She had walked across countries, carrying only a small satchel and an open heart. Intrigued, Ayan asked her, “How do you stay so happy, even when life is hard?” Mira sat beside him, smiling. “Happiness doesn’t always come from what happens to us,” she said, “but from how we think about what happens.” She went on to explain the idea of positive psychology—the science of strengths, resilience, gratitude, and purpose. Ayan had never heard of such a thing. In school, he learned about survival and struggle, but not about flourishing. Mira told him that human beings are wired for connection, growth, and meaning. Even in pain, there can be purpose. That night, Ayan couldn’t sleep. He thought about the people in his village—how his mother always sang while she cooked, even when money was tight. How the old carpenter, who lost his wife years ago, still carved toys for the children every week. There was sadness in their lives, yes, but also incredible strength. Inspired, Ayan began talking more deeply with the people around him. He asked them what made them feel strong. He learned that his teacher found peace through journaling, that his friend Tariq stayed hopeful by helping others, and that the baker found joy in small acts of kindness. Each person, without knowing it, was practicing positive psychology. With Mira’s help, Ayan started a Wellbeing Circle. Every Sunday, people would gather under the banyan tree. They shared what they were grateful for, spoke about their challenges, and reminded each other of their strengths. They practiced mindfulness, told stories of resilience, and encouraged one another to focus not just on surviving, but thriving. Months passed. The village slowly changed—not because it became richer or easier, but because people saw each other differently. They listened more. They judged less. When a storm destroyed several homes, the community rebuilt together, singing as they worked. Years later, Ayan became a psychologist. He traveled to other villages, sharing what he had learned under that old tree. He taught that human psychology isn’t only about fixing what’s wrong, but also about building what’s strong. One day, he returned to his village with his own son. Together, they sat beneath the same banyan tree. His son asked, “Papa, why do people help each other even when they have so little?” Ayan smiled. “Because we’re wired to care. And when we care for others, we heal ourselves too.” His son looked up at the tree branches, where sunlight filtered through like golden threads. “I think this tree is magic,” he whispered. Ayan laughed. “Maybe it is. Or maybe the magic is in us—and we just needed a place to remember.” --- Moral of the Story: We all carry within us the seeds of hope, gratitude, and connection. Positive psychology teaches us not to ignore pain, but to rise above it by focusing on strengths, meaning, and relationships. Happiness is not a destination—it's a way of seeing the world, together.
By Muhammad Saad 4 months ago in Humans
