[This Week's Books] 'Melankolia 1-2' and 5 More Titles

◆Melancholia 1-2 = This is the representative work of Jon Fosse, the 2023 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate. The original Norwegian Nynorsk text has been translated into Korean. The protagonists in Jon Fosse's works usually lack names and distinct personalities, but unusually, this work features the real-life Norwegian landscape painter Lars Hertervig from the late 19th century as the main character. Moving between past and present, and shifting between first-person and third-person perspectives, it narrates Hertervig's delirium and anguish as he suffers from neurasthenia and depression. Volume 1 depicts Hertervig, immersed in paranoid delusions, becoming fascinated with the daughter of his boarding house owner, but ultimately advancing toward a tragic fate. Volume 2 jumps 50 years ahead to 1902, the year of Hertervig's death, and views his figure, voice, and traces through the eyes of others. (Written by Jon Fosse · Minumsa)

◆Systems That Become Weapons = “Let the system work, not the people!” The author, well known as a management consultant who saved over 3,000 companies from crisis, emphasizes the importance of systems. If a business experiences stagnation after reaching a certain trajectory, or if profits remain stagnant despite best efforts, the problem lies in the system. The author stresses the necessity of establishing systems divided into leadership, marketing, sales, product, expense management, and cash flow. He introduces strategies tailored more for small and medium-sized enterprises than large corporations. The six key areas requiring customized strategies are likened to an airplane’s cockpit, wings, fuel tanks, etc., to explain their importance and necessity. The author condenses the know-how for building and operating systems that enable the plane to take off and increase sales into six steps. (Written by Donald Miller · Willbook)

◆Net Zero Investment = The owner of the Empire State Building in the U.S. invested $13 million to replace windows and LEDs and add special devices to elevators to improve energy efficiency. This energy-saving measure saved $4.4 million annually over ten years, recovering the investment in just three years. The building’s greenhouse gas emissions were reduced by up to 40% compared to before. The author, who studies the relationship between environment and economy, introduces such ‘cost-effective solutions’ that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while providing economic benefits. Although the international community has pledged ‘net zero by 2050,’ the author presents realistic solutions for domestic companies urgently needing structural changes in high-emission industries such as shipbuilding, automobile, steel, and petrochemicals. (Written by Bruce Usher · East Asia)

◆How Has War Advanced Technology? = War leads humanity to destruction. However, in the relentless pursuit of victory by any means, unexpected gains sometimes occur. Research results aimed at victory can improve convenience in daily life. For example, the trench coat, known as the ‘Burberry coat,’ made by the British clothing company Burberry, was created during World War I to withstand cold and rain on the rainy Western Front. The zipper attached to clothing also began with the U.S. Navy uniforms in 1913 and later spread to the general public. Beards, grown worldwide to emphasize status, rank, and masculinity, were shaved off because they interfered with gas mask use, and the demand for convenient shaving on the battlefield led to the birth of the Gillette razor. The author shares many fascinating anecdotes about how war has changed everyday life. (Written by Kim Young-seo · Fandom Books)

◆Meeting Along the Wind = This is a critical essay collection about singer Kim Ho-joong, who has earned the nickname ‘Trotbarotti’ by showcasing a diverse vocal charm across opera and trot genres. Kim Ho-joong set new records in the classical music world with over 500,000 sales for each of his two classical albums. How did he reach his unique position? The author, a music critic, focuses on this question. The author interviews close associates such as music directors, composers, opera singers, and conductors who have worked with Kim Ho-joong in performances and life to piece together his story. The book also analyzes Kim Ho-joong’s vocal style, which transcends genre boundaries including opera, trot, and ballads. Additionally, it shares behind-the-scenes stories of the film ‘Meeting Along the Wind,’ released on the 18th. (Written by Jo Sung-jin · Hans Media)

◆The Secret Writing Notes of the Top 1% Performers = When conveying information, thoughts, and arguments in writing, the essential element is the attitude of ‘putting oneself in the other’s shoes.’ No matter how good the content is, if the expression is difficult to understand, the value of the writing is lost. Especially for reports, which require concise compression of intent and clear communication of the core, specific skills are essential. The author, who has long experience writing for media, government agencies, and corporations, introduces business writing know-how for creating concise and clear reports. Basic principles such as putting the conclusion first, grouping similar content appropriately, and writing comprehensively without overlap are introduced through 113 examples actually used in work. (Written by Baek Woo-jin · Say Korea)

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.