Unseen Places: The Joy of Discovering Something New by Anna Kodé

I love discovering how something old can suddenly feel new again, and nothing beats the excitement of finding something I have never encountered before. The world is full of fascinating stories and unexpected connections, which is why Unseen Places by Anna Kodé caught my attention. Unfortunately, I have to wait a little longer to read it.

Described as an “intellectually adventurous and warm” blend of memoir, cultural criticism and deep reporting, the book explores the power of paying attention. Kodé, an award-winning features reporter for The New York Times, began this journey in her grandmother’s kitchen in Hyderabad, India. While waiting for water to boil, she grabbed a notebook and started recording what she noticed instead of checking email or scrolling online. She continued after returning to New York, observing people on subway trains, in museums and on city sidewalks. A simple habit soon changed how she experienced everyday life.

Kodé eventually took her curiosity around the world. In Italy, she explores umarells, retired men who watch construction sites and sometimes offer unsolicited advice. In Southeast Asia, scientists investigate how smell can help map urban environments. In the Congo Basin, researchers study bonobo apes to better understand the evolutionary roots of attention. Three very different subjects, all connected by one intriguing question: what can we learn when we pay closer attention?

That idea appeals to me. We spend so much time staring at screens and rushing through our routines that we miss what is right in front of us. An old sign, a forgotten toy, or a familiar song can reveal a story we never knew existed. Sometimes discovery means finding something brand new. Other times, it means seeing something familiar in a completely different light.

The more I learn about Unseen Places, the more I want to read it. I have a feeling Anna Kodé and I would get along just fine. Now I just have to get my hands on the book!