Irrational ThingsWhy do women prefer men who remember their birthdays two days too late? What is the point of taking a stroll? And why does looking at a lake make us feel calm? Through his collection of stories, essays, thoughts and meanderings, prose philosopher Mu Tao gives us a tantalising glimpse into the colourful lives and landscape of Shaanxi Province. Combining intriguing personal asides, wry observations and pithy ponderings, he presents a unique collection

and fiction writers Gabriela Babni

and describes Marrakech as “a cosmic uterus”

In his first collection of poetry

Hammour Ziada and Lina Hawyan Elhassan

villanelle and echo poem

It is a record of the realities – and the unrealities – of life in the Balkans

Told in a lively and engaging way

He is a graduate of Princeton University

who has to make his way between the poetic mythology of the pundit and the cold

and he writes with feeling about his contribution to the debate around educational issues and practical attempts to make improvements

He served as Writer in Residence for Co

serious and sad