Frankenstein by Mary Shelley [Book Thoughts]

200 years after it was written, Frankenstein remains deep, morally complex, exciting and hard to predict. What a book.

-Imran

--------------------

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

The Exclusive Books Warehouse Sale [Photo Blog]

This week, no Short Fiction Piece. I was actually going to post an Essay I wrote on some of my experiences as a Commerce Student but that can wait for a bit. For now, it's Photo Blog time. Those who remember my old photo album days will not be surprised :P

-Imran

--------------------

Win a copy of Dracula! [Giveaway]

EDIT: The competition is now closed. Congratulations to Laylah Albertyn for winnning!
-Imran

--------------------

Win a copy of Dracula by Bram Stoker!

A Hustler's Bible by Gayton McKenzie [Book Thoughts]

A Hustler's Bible is a cut above the usual repetitive 'success literature'. It's filled with plenty of practical advice from a South African who's achieved incredible things despite adverse circumstances.
-Imran

--------------------

A Hustler's Bible by Gayton McKenzie

Ramadaan: One Month Special [Short Fiction]

I planned this piece a bit earlier in the month but it seems more appropriate to post it now that Ramadaan is ending. I don't feel like this one needs background; it should be quite clear what it's about. That being said, I have a feeling that this one is going to be a bit on the controversial side. I apologize in advance if anyone is offended by the piece, my only intention is to stimulate thought on the matter. Happy reading.
-Imran

--------------------

Justice League of America: Tower of Babel by D.C. Comics [Book Thoughts]

Tower of Babel has an excellent premise, but the general comic book campiness ruins what should have been a dark and desperate arc.

-Imran

--------------------

JLA: Tower of Babel by D.C. Comics

The Lecturer [Short Fiction]

I wrote this piece back in the vacation and brought to my writing group last week where it generated some varied and interesting feedback. It's a piece drawing from personal experiences in Commerce at UCT. In particular, I've tried to capture a particular archetype of lecturer. A general lack of sympathy and empathy towards students is remarkably common in Commerce, especially in the later years. But that's a whole other story. Hope you enjoy the piece.
-Imran

--------------------

Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee [Book Thoughts]

Like much of Coetzee's work Disgrace is unusual and requires thought and investment to get something out. Satisfying, but not for everyone.

-Imran

--------------------

Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee

How Batman Got Fat [Short Fiction]

This week, I decided to give another shot to writing something that would make my 8-year old cousin laugh (as mentioned before, he's difficult to impress). It also has the potential to annoy my Batman-obsessed brother. If anyone is wondering where I came up with this, it came to me at around 3:00AM in the morning when my brain wasn't functioning too well. I'm fairly happy with most of it, but atm I'm feeling like it's hit and miss. If anyone reads, let me know what you think.

-Imran

DISCLAIMER: The following is a non-profit fan-based parody. Batman, the Justice League and all characters mentioned in this post are owned by D.C. Comics. 

Don't sue me please.

--------------------

Image is the property of Ricardo Chucky

Books v. Cigarettes by George Orwell [Book Thoughts]

Books v. Cigarettes shares many themes with Orwell's more well-known Animal Farm and 1984. Intellectually honest and fascinating reading if you appreciate Orwell's ideas.

-Imran

--------------------

Books v. Cigarettes by George Orwell
(Essay compilation)

Tyron Fowler: The Actuarial Innovator [Short Fiction]

Unfortunately, I didn't get to write the piece that I wanted to this week. Campus has just started and its been possibly the most ridiculous first week back that I've had thus far. So this week I've settled for a piece I wrote about a month ago shortly after my Bus Strat exam. It was written to parody those verbose business reviews where some journalist fawns over an entrepreneur like he's God gift to mankind (our case study was on Amazon's Jeff Bezos). It also parodies my friend who's not really crazy about technology. Thank God he doesn't use Facebook or Twitter :P.

-Imran

--------------------

Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu [Book Thoughts]

In closing, the Tao Te Ching is complex and paradoxical. It's up to you to decide whether you see it as art, wisdom or ancient chinese-mumbo-jumbo.

-Imran

--------------------

Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
(DC Lau Translation)

The Emperor of Swag [Short Fiction]

This week I wrote a short story with the sole intention of making my 8-year old cousin laugh. The reaction from him on this one was lukewarm. He's a hard guy to impress. But I'll keep trying :P. As far as genre goes, consider this literary nonsense...

-Imran

--------------------

Image is the property of b-dangerous

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde [Book Thoughts]

The Picture of Dorian Gray is powerful, dark and witty. It's hard not to be moved by Oscar Wilde's only novel. What a pity he didn't get the chance to write more.

-Imran

--------------------

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Paranoia [Short Fiction]

I had this strange idea the other night that maybe paranoia or other such mental delusions could be described as creating threatening narratives around ordinary everyday details (not that I know anything about psychology). So I figured I'd try writing a short piece about a man who ties completely unrelated details into some web of conspiracy. Not sure if I pulled that off... but had fun messing around.

-Imran

--------------------