Elif recounts how she has been adapting to her new life by balancing her inward and outward looking self. She and Paul speak about the importance of authors and intellectuals narrating micro histories in literature. Shafak was born in Strasbourg, France, and raised in Turkey. Elif takes her responsibility as an author to write about the pandemic and share stories that might help us all have a better cognitive understanding of the present moment.   “Books should have a constant presence in our lives”  - Elif shares her views on the importance of reading across disciplines, across territories, fiction, non - fiction, in order to help us make more informed and thoughtful decisions about the world. Elif has written 17 books, 11 of which are novels, including the Booker-nominated 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World. Shafak is an inspiring public speaker and an advocate for women's rights, LGBT rights and freedom of speech.  www.elifshafak.comCredits:Paul Holdengraber - Co-Creator, Host, OLA DirectorAnthony Audi - Co-Creator, Researcher, OLA DirectorAlejandro Cohen - Co-Creator, Producer, ComposerChristian Pitt - Production Coordinator Erin Cooney - Copy, ProductionDublab Team