Ask Me Anything — Figma, Dirty Jokes, Running for Office & More

The novel tells the story of T.S. Garp, whose mother, Jenny Fields, is a strong-willed nurse who conceives him in an unconventional manner. Garp grows up to be a writer, wrestler, and devoted parent, navigating a world filled with 'lunacy and sorrow'. The story delves into themes of feminism, sexual identity, and the struggles of the characters against intolerance and violence. It features a complex Dickensian plot that spans Garp's entire life, including his relationships with his mother, his wife Helen, and his friend Roberta Muldoon, a transsexual ex-football player.

This book, written by Jack Weatherford, challenges the traditional Western view of Genghis Khan as a ruthless destroyer. Instead, it portrays Khan as a secular leader who promoted egalitarianism, religious tolerance, and free trade. The Mongol Empire, under Khan's leadership, subjugated vast lands and people, but also facilitated cultural communication, expanded trade routes, and contributed to the blossoming of civilization. Weatherford argues that the Mongols' rule was less burdensome than that of European nobility, with lighter taxes, tolerance of local customs and religions, and universal education for boys. The book also explores how the Mongols encouraged scientific advances, improved agriculture, and sponsored lucrative international trade, thereby influencing European civilization and the modern world.

The Dead Zone follows Johnny Smith, who after a car accident, falls into a coma lasting nearly five years. Upon waking, Johnny discovers he has developed the ability to see into the past and future through touch. He struggles with the burden of his new power, especially when he envisions a disastrous future involving a ruthless politician, Greg Stillson. Johnny must navigate his new reality, help solve a serial killer case, and ultimately try to prevent a nuclear war. The novel explores themes of missed opportunity, belief, and the sacrifices one must make to alter the course of events.