Hannah Aster, Author at Shortform Books

Look Out for Political Writing in Literature

Why should you familiarize yourself with an author’s background before reading their literature? Why are politics so common in writing? If you don’t familiarize yourself with the world as it was when an author wrote a book, you risk missing important political commentary. Especially in American literature, the role of an individual character is almost always politically charged. Keep reading to learn more about political writing in classic literature.

Buddha on Desire: Accept It but Don’t Be Ruled By It

What does Buddhism say about desire? Is Buddhism an anti-pleasure and anti-desire religion? Buddha never said that desire is wrong or that it makes us bad people. Buddha merely urges us not to be ruled by our desires. We should meet desire with Radical Acceptance so we can live freely in spite of it. Keep reading for more information about Buddhism and desire.

The Law of Perspective: Focus on the Long-Term

Why is it so important to focus on long-term goals rather than short-term profits in a company? Is there a way to accurately predict what the market trends will be? In The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing, the Law of Perspective states that you must resist being swayed by short-term benefits and diligently consider the long-term effects of your actions. This means resisting the urge to promote frequent price cuts because your sales may jump in the short term but they will suffer in the long term. Keep reading to learn more about the Law of Perspective.

Michelle Obama’s Accomplishments as First Lady

What did Michelle Obama achieve during her time as First Lady? How did she use her newfound power to make a positive impact? Michelle Obama knew better than to try to meddle in political matters as First Lady. However, her position as First Lady gave her the publicity and resources to run campaigns to try to help children and military families. Keep reading for more on Michelle Obama’s accomplishments as First Lady.

Why Authors Reference Literary Fairy Tales and Myths

What do fairy tales and myths signify in literature? Why would an author choose to borrow an element of an already well-known story? It’s common practice for authors to reference fairy tales and classical mythology in their literature because they are an assumed body of knowledge. Referencing well-known material allows an author to get a point across without much effort. Keep reading for more information about literary fairy tales and myths.

Feeling Unworthy Is More Common Than You Think

Do you ever struggle with feelings of unworthiness? Do you feel like you’ll never be “good enough”? Where do these painful feelings stem from? In today’s society, almost everybody struggles with feeing unworthy. This feeling stems from many sources and can lead to self-destructive behaviors and coping mechanisms. However, by trying to hide the pain, we’re often making it worse. Keep reading to learn about the roots and dangers of feeling unworthy.

Life in the White House: No Freedom or Privacy

What is life in the White House like? What was it like for Malia and Sasha to grow up as the President’s children? When the Obamas moved into the White House, everything about their home lives changed. The family had no privacy from the secret service, the kids had to be accompanied to school by armed agents, and Michelle couldn’t even open a window to let in a breeze. But they were harshly reminded why it’s all necessary. Keep reading to learn about life in the White House.

How to Read Like a Professor: What That Means

What does it mean to read and analyze literature like a professor? What are the differences between how a student and teacher reads literature? When a student reads literature, she tends to focus on the characters, plot, and emotions. When a professor reads literature, she focuses on memory, symbols, and patterns in the story and looks for the deeper truths. Keep reading to learn how professors go about reading literature.

Bodily Awareness: How to Get Out of Your Mind

Why is it important to be fully aware of your body? How can you escape the waterfall of thoughts and be present in the moment? In today’s society, we are tormented by a constant stream of thoughts. We can’t even hug a friend without worrying about how long we should hold it or what to say after we let go. Buddha called this the waterfall and it is important to escape it. Continue reading for advice on how to escape your thoughts and improve your bodily awareness.

The Law of Perception: Perception Is Reality

Why is perception more important than quality when it comes to marketing? What is the “everybody knows” principle? The Law of Perception states that your most potent weapon in marketing is not the quality of your product, but rather the public’s perception of your product. Your marketing will only be successful if consumers believe that your product is the best. Keep reading for more information about the Law of Perspective and the Law of the Mind.