Riya Aarini – författare

Growing up in the eighties meant you might have participated in confusing fashion trends, mixed your own music, and generally lived in a more carefree time. Fusions of pop and rock were produced by glamorous hair bands of the day—with hairspray defining the entire decade. In fact, everything was larger than life in the eighties. Relive the days of ultra-neon colors, corded telephones, and ubiquitous leg warmers in In Defense of the Eighties, and indulge in the idiosyncrasies that made the eighties one of the most recognizable and unforgettable decades ever.

Maral, a fawn left alone in the thickets of the forest, befriends a white-bearded gnome named Bilge. An unlikely friendship blossoms, and Bilge becomes an audience to Maral's poignant sadness about the fleeting nature of happiness. Determined to show her a way toward fulfillment, Bilge takes Maral on a contemplative walk through the forest. As they wander to the edges of the forest and back, Bilge points out the special wisdom revealed by natural life. Hidden within the giant two-thousand-year-old redwood trees are symbols of fortitude and patience. Tiny violets emerging from the rich soil display a tender humility, deeply inspiring the wide-eyed fawn. Even trees damaged by lightning strikes express remarkable truths that shape her worldview. But sinister dangers are known to lurk in their wooded realm, and Maral risks everything to accompany her wise friend and receive the generous knowledge of the forest. Their brave trek gradually transforms Maral's inner world, lending her an untold wisdom that leads to a discovery of profound fulfillment and lasting joy. Maral and the Wisdom of the Forest: A Quest for Truth is a stirring tale that takes readers on a healing, soul-searching, and immensely satisfying journey through the picturesque natural world.