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.
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!