I’m starting a new little series of book recommendations—nothing regular, just whenever I read something I think people need to know about. If a book moves me, inspires me, or just makes me see the world differently, I’ll write about it here.
Stolen Focus by Johann Hari
It’s been a while since I’ve written a book review—not that I haven’t been reading. Don’t worry, I’ve actually read a few good (and bad) ones recently. I’ll write a little review for one of them later, as it was quite a funny read! But back to this one… it was a bit of a drag. I read it in two sessions, about two months apart, as if the title itself influenced me and I just couldn’t focus anymore—or maybe it was just too grim.
One thing right from the start: I’m aware of the controversy surrounding the Scottish/Swiss author—not always as neutral as one might expect from someone with connections to Switzerland. But maybe that’s the whole point. It made me think a lot about the refusal to be unterjocht—subjugated—like the old story of Wilhelm Tell and other Swiss core stories about resisting enslavement by others. It reminded me that we should keep up our critical thinking, and even if people or entire industries try to discredit you, there might still be some truth to what you’re saying about them.
But that’s not why I bought the book. As you all know, I deleted all my personal social media accounts almost a year ago, and a few months ago, I even went a step further and deleted my company’s Instagram account. I knew how bad Meta is, and I also knew it wouldn’t be easy to get rid of it. But I thought that, given all the harm social media causes to society, it was the right thing to do. It’s not like I made a difference to them, but it made a huge difference to me! Suddenly, I had more time for myself, more energy, and—last but not least—I felt better. I have to admit, it wasn’t easy. Those bloody apps have become such an addiction. I mean, board a train and look around: what are people doing? They’re staring at their phones. Now try not to do it—it’s hard, and you literally have to relearn how to do something else instead of being sucked in by the algorithm that, in the end, just manipulates you…
So I was interested in the mechanisms behind what this does to us as people and as a society. And, funnily enough, the book starts out with exactly that: mobile phones and social media. Johann got rid of it all and went to live in a tiny beach town for a few months—privileged, I know—but he made pretty much the same discoveries I did: more time, more happiness, and more focus to do things. The thing is, it doesn’t end there. There’s way more to it than just getting rid of your phone or deleting Instagram. It’s a systemic problem across Western society, and the book explains many things in great detail.
By the end, it really makes you want to do something about it, like Wilhelm Tell or the Three Eidgenossen at the Rütli. They decided to keep the big forces out of their lives and decide for themselves what’s good. I think that’s the important takeaway on this topic: we can’t fix the system alone, and we shouldn’t be blamed for the problems it causes. But we should team up, stand up, speak out, and tell others that there’s a better life without all that pressure, manipulation, and external determination!
Polifon Pervers vom Béla Rothenbühler
Was für es Buäch! und ja ich muäss ez dä riiwiu au uf schwiizerdütsch schriibä, will das ganzä isch im schpoken skript in Loozärndütsch grschribä. De Titel seits ja eigentlich scho, äs gahd rächt wild zu und här i dem Buäch, Studäntä wo afönd Gäldwäschä und für das zu Theaterlüüt wärdid, wo aber so erfolgriich sind mid ihrnä Theater das nume Gäld fönd afä wäschä und nid eifach so Trinkgeld oder so, sondern Drogägäld… das cha ja nur guet cho, oder? Gfinds doch sälber usä, du wisch einiges zlachä ha, nid nur wäg denä “Glöön” i dä stori, sondern au wägem gschribnä, nei würkli lustig! ich ha einiges z lachä gah säg ich üch. Vorallem hed mich das gschribnä oder bessergseid die ganze komentär sehr a mini WG ziit z Einsiedlä errinered, bsunders a Andreas, wo sälber gern schreibt uf siinerä Schriibmaschinä. Ich hätte chönnä schwörä är hed da irgend wie d finger dinnä gah, also ez nid bim gäldwäschä, aber bim schriibstiil!
Viil Spass bim läsa!
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
I read this book a few weeks ago, and I still think about it often. I’m not sure why, but there seems to be so much common ground among creative people—how we think, how we act, or even how we struggle at times. At first glance, a famous music producer writing a book about creativity might sound pretentious, but it’s anything but. It’s refreshingly honest and real.
What stands out is how different artistic disciplines, while varying in execution, often share the same underlying thought processes. The chapters offer deep insights into Rubin’s own experiences and observations over the years. As a young creative, I’ve often grappled with certain ideas but couldn’t quite articulate them. This book gave me a much clearer understanding of myself and the challenges I sometimes face. Other sections reassure you that you’re on the right path.
My favourite quote from the book: “The bee is simply being.”
Peter Zumthor: Architektur Denken
What a book! I didn’t expect this when I first saw a post about it somewhere online. I mean, I love Peter Zumthor’s work—it feels like yesterday when I first stepped into the thermal baths in Vals and thought: the mood in there, the light filtering between the Valser stone, the space—empty yet full… So, I felt an urge to buy the book straight away.
I had a quick look online but didn’t want to wait, and honestly, why always shop online? So, I hit the road—not far, luckily, as I have a bookshop just down the street. The owner walked to a shelf and grabbed it right away when I asked for it.
Well, then I started reading. Page by page, I gained a deeper insight into Zumthor’s thinking, and I have to say, he speaks in such a humble and honest way that I felt truly touched and inspired. The way he describes things, the way he thinks—so often, I found myself nodding along, thinking: I’d sign off on that! Sometimes, I even felt a bit strange, because what Peter Zumthor was saying were things I’d thought myself many times before.
And then there are the little stories scattered throughout the book—snippets of his life, what he notices when he enters a new place, the way he talks about the feelings he experiences. My mind’s eye pictured it all as if I were there too…
I highly recommend reading this little red book, even though many aspiring architects have probably already read it. It’s known as a must-read for young architects, but it’s so much more than just a guide to creating the perfect space. It’s an inspiration for anyone who has that thing—the thing where you see something no one else seems to notice, or feel the light no one else seems to see, or sense a feeling in a space that suddenly transports you back to your grandma’s kitchen.
So, go read it!