Oksana's books 2011

[Oksana]

Here is a list of books read in 2011 with my marks. Max is 5, min is 1. Bad mark doesn't mean bad book, but can mean that I do not like such genre etc (more detailed in review on each book)

 

1. Johan Borgen “Little Lord” - 5

2. Kurt Vonnegut “Long walk to forever” - 4

3. Kurt Vonnegut “Slaughterhouse-Five, or The Children’s Crusade” - 5

4. Irving Stone “Sailor on Horseback” - 4

5. Gustav Flober "Madam Bovari" - 3

6. J. Gray "Man are from mars, women are from venus" - 4

7. A. Man "Son of Man" - 5

8. C.S.Lewis "The screwtape letters" - 5

9. Kurt Vonnegut"Cats cradle" - 5

 

 

Here is my first book in 2011 and first post on bookclubforum!

Johan Borgen “Little Lord” (trilogy) (1955)

 

This book was recommended to me by my colleague who is very fond of books. Before I have never heard about Johan Borgen. It is a Norwegian author. Borgen described in his book the time of World War II in Norway. It is very interesting to know about the life in Norway during this time. For me the style of this book is very similar to the book of Russian writer L.Tolstoy War and peace.

The second important think for me in this book – psychology of the main character. In the end of the book in my head one thought appeared that there is no good or bad man, good or bad deed etc. To say generally we can’t divide the world on bad and good. Each behavior can have different motives and can look for people differently.

Edited September 29, 2011 by Oksana

[frankie]

Hi Oksana, I'm glad you started your own reading blog here. Like you said in your introduction thread, it's much more fun to write about the books you've read on a forum where other people get to read your thoughts on them and thus have a chance to discuss them

 

I've never heard of Johan Borgen either. I'm not very good at history, but I always thought that Norway wasn't very much involved in WWII? Therefore the subject of the novel sounds awkward to me. Am I wrong then, to think so? You could enlighten me

 

By the way, as I've never had a chance to talk to a Russian about Russian literature, I must ask, which Russian authors do you like the best? I've been meaning to read some Russian classics, for example Dostoyevski and Tolstoy, but so far I've only managed to read Anna Karenina, which I enjoyed to a certain degree, although I didn't like Anna as a character.

[Oksana]

Thanks for the reply and interest in my post!

Regarding WWII I want to say that many contries were invovled - in different level. I also know nothing at all regarding Norwegina history, but from the book I got the info that Norway was occupied by detsсhe army, then Norway suffered from a hunger due to lack of food. ALso there were described in this book conditions of jews in norway and their persecution. So many interesting and new information.

As for Russian writers I can recommend Bulgakov "Master and Margarita", Dostoevskij "Crime and the punishment". These books are classic. Today in Russia Akunin is very popular. He writes exciting detectives! Recently I have read russian-american writer Nabokov "Camera obscura". It has imresssed me.

[frankie]

Ah yes, of course Norway was involved in a lot of ways as were so many other countries, I meant more in the lines that they weren't fighting in the battle themselves. I'm getting really interested in this book now, I might someday go and check if they have it in the library.

 

I'm happy to say that both Master and Margarita (the Finnish title is Satan Arrives at Moscow, by the way) and Crime and Punishment are on my TBR pile so I'll be reading them sometime in the future. I've also heard about Akunin, I know some people here have read his detective novels and I know this other, Finnish forum where a lot of the members have really enjoyed his novels. I should try them myself some day. Thanks Oksana

 

Do you mean Vladimir Nabokov? I don't think I even knew he was partly American. I have his Lolita on my TBR and I also want to read Pnin and Speak, Memory.

Edited January 26, 2011 by frankie

[Oksana]

Yes, I mean Nabokov - the author of Lolita. But "Camera Obscura" for me is better!

PS I am glad that you took into account my recommendations!

[Oksana]

Kurt Vonnegut “Long walk to forever” (collections of stories including “Report on the Barnhouse Effect", "The Euphio Question", "The Foster Portfolio",

"Tom Edison's Shaggy Dog", "Who Am I This Time?", "The Lie", "EPICAC", "The Kid Nobody Could Handle"). Before I have never had a chance to read Kurt Vonnegut as I do not like fantastic books. But some day I occasionally took a book at my friend – it was Vonnegut. After reading it has interested me. Some stories are fantastic, some – real. All stories are about life, the problem of aging, happiness, love, relations between people. For example, story "The Euphio Question" is about machine that brings people into condition of happiness. But after awaking from this happiness people saw chaos, they founded themselves hungry, sleepy, dirty and so on.

Next I decided to read the most popular and famous book of Kurt Vonnegut - “Slaughterhouse-Five, or The Children’s Crusade”. Amd I do not know – may be “God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, or Pearls Before Swine”.

[Oksana]

Kurt Vonnegut “Slaughterhouse-Five, or The Children’s Crusade”

I am very glad that I have choosen this book, as when I read last sentence in the book I was sorry that it has ended, I wanted to read further. Vonnegut's style is uncommon, new for me. The hero of the book - American soldier Billy - was captured by german army in the World war II and he went through Dresden's bombing. Billy is travelling through the time in the different period of his life. For me several moments of the book are important. First is the Billy's character. Vonnegutt describes it very clear: Billy is passive, inert like amoeba. I felt to him in the same moment neglect and pity. The second point is what common soldiers think about the war. They do not see any sense in it, they are fighting unthinkingly, without aim. Story about the captured english soldier is interesting. They learn others to shave, do fitness exersise, wash in order not to sink in the war. But they are fulled as by mistake they got food help in 100 times more than the norm. While the others are suffer from hunger, cold etc. The third moment interesting for me are views of newcomers on time: there is no time at all, we are living in different moments of live. We must see only positive moments in our lifes and must not see bad moments.

I think I will continue my acquintance with Vennegut! )

[frankie]

Hello Oksana, I'm really happy to see you enjoyed Slaughterhouse-Five so much! I remember reading it the first time, it was a bit difficult to follow because the story's not told in a chronological order, and because Billy jumps in time and space. I still loved the book so much, I've been meaning to re-read for ages. Now I'm all the more keen to read it again after reading your review. I'm looking forward to hearing how you like other novels by Vonnegut.

Edited February 13, 2011 by frankie

[Oksana]

Yes, you are right: at the beginning it was difficult to read. What other Vonnegut's book can you recommend me? As I'm in process of choosing new one for reading.

[frankie]

I have to confess I haven't read any other Vonnegut novels yet I own a copy of Deadeye Dick and Timequake but I haven't gotten around to reading them yet.

[Oksana]

Irving Stone “Sailor on Horseback”

Last year I opened Jack London for me. It is strange that I wasn’t keen on his books in my youth. But better late than never ) So after I read stories of south seas and north seas I interested in person of Jack London. And the book of Irving Stone “Sailor on Horseback” has helped me to know about London’s life. It is amazing that poor boy became famous when he was 20, that by 30 he wrote around 30 books. Anyone can follow his example: he worked hard, slept a little, was interested in many thinks. London was keen on learning. Of course ha had a talent, but he made a huge job to make his talent be widely known. One example of his discipline – ha had a daily norm of 1000 words and never failed to write this norm. London always had problems with money. Yes, he was waster, but he wasted his money on friends, family, wasted to help different people. In return many people deceived him, invoiced 3 times more than work really cost.

I am glad that I have many books of London to read in future )

[Oksana]

Madam Bovari - Gustav Flober

Somewhere I have read that Madam Bovari is the same character as Anna Karenina. I would say that it is true. So I do not the character of Bovari as this women doesn' know what she want, she is selfish person, she imagined that she is special and that she needs special relation to herself. Mother of his husband rightly says that Madam Bovari should better make more about house, family, garden atc. In this case she will have no time for selfish thoughts. I was sorry in this book for Madam's Bovari husband and daughter.

As for the style of the book - too many flowery words. But it is normal for the literature of that time (19th century) and genre of the book (novel).

[frankie]

Hello Oksana, a very interesting review on Sailor on Horseback! I've never read any books by Jack London, of course I know his name and some of his books by title but I really had no idea what he's about and how many books he's written. You really have to appreciate a writer who works hard and has a strict routine with his writing. And to hear that he spend so much money to help his family, friends and other people, that warms my heart. I hate it that people took advantage of his kindness and trust.

 

I love reading biographies, especially about writers, so I just might have to add this one to my wishlist... Hehe!

 

Madam Bovari - Gustav Flober

Somewhere I have read that Madam Bovari is the same character as Anna Karenina. I would say that it is true. So I do not the character of Bovari as this women doesn' know what she want, she is selfish person, she imagined that she is special and that she needs special relation to herself. Mother of his husband rightly says that Madam Bovari should better make more about house, family, garden atc. In this case she will have no time for selfish thoughts. I was sorry in this book for Madam's Bovari husband and daughter.

As for the style of the book - too many flowery words. But it is normal for the literature of that time (19th century) and genre of the book (novel).

 

I agree with your thoughts on Emma. I think some of her selfishness is due to her young age, but I don't think it can be explained by that alone. If she thought she had special needs and feelings, she could've taken one second of her time to think whether Charles or Berthe had their own special needs and feelings too, and that they had just as much right to them as her. I really disliked the fact that Emma, who wanted so much more of her life, didn't say anything about her hopes, fears or desires to Charles, who could've then helped to cater to her needs. She was so self-absorbed! I was so sorry for Berthe for having such a mother.

[Oksana]

For me it is also interesting to read biographies of writers, but after I read books of these writers. It helps to understand more deeply what was the writer is about to tell, to share with readers.

 

Regarding Bovari - yes, I think this book can learn us to me more attentive to our family, friends, not to betray them.

Hello Oksana, a very interesting review on Sailor on Horseback! I've never read any books by Jack London, of course I know his name and some of his books by title but I really had no idea what he's about and how many books he's written. You really have to appreciate a writer who works hard and has a strict routine with his writing. And to hear that he spend so much money to help his family, friends and other people, that warms my heart. I hate it that people took advantage of his kindness and trust.

 

I love reading biographies, especially about writers, so I just might have to add this one to my wishlist... Hehe!

 

 

 

I agree with your thoughts on Emma. I think some of her selfishness is due to her young age, but I don't think it can be explained by that alone. If she thought she had special needs and feelings, she could've taken one second of her time to think whether Charles or Berthe had their own special needs and feelings too, and that they had just as much right to them as her. I really disliked the fact that Emma, who wanted so much more of her life, didn't say anything about her hopes, fears or desires to Charles, who could've then helped to cater to her needs. She was so self-absorbed! I was so sorry for Berthe for having such a mother.

[frankie]

For me it is also interesting to read biographies of writers, but after I read books of these writers. It helps to understand more deeply what was the writer is about to tell, to share with readers.

 

Regarding Bovari - yes, I think this book can learn us to me more attentive to our family, friends, not to betray them.

 

 

You're right, I should read London's books as well.. The only problem is that I'm not sure if he's written the kind of books I like to read. I will at least read White Fang because I love dogs, and I'm doing the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die -challenge, and London's The Iron Heel and Martin Eden are on that list so I will be reading those as well, at least

[Oksana]

Before I also thought that London is not for me as I do not like adventure stories. But suprisingly I liked his style ) Martin Iden is also in my list.

You're right, I should read London's books as well.. The only problem is that I'm not sure if he's written the kind of books I like to read. I will at least read White Fang because I love dogs, and I'm doing the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die -challenge, and London's The Iron Heel and Martin Eden are on that list so I will be reading those as well, at least

[frankie]

Before I also thought that London is not for me as I do not like adventure stories. But suprisingly I liked his style ) Martin Iden is also in my list.

 

That's a very encouraging thing to hear, thanks Oksana!

[Weave]

You impress me so much with your book smarts Frankie

[frankie]

Aww, thanks Paula, what a nice compliment

[Oksana]

Man are from mars, women are from venus J. Gray

 

I will recommend this book to everyone as it is important how to build relationships between man and women. Of course the main ideas of these book were known for me. But additional remindement won't be unnecessary, as knowing is one thing, but doing - another.

So the main points for me from the book are as follows:

- Woman needs to be heard! Explanation, discussing of the problem helps woman to analize and understand the situation. So advice for man - not to solve woman's problem, but to listen to women.

- Man like when women like them as they are (belive in man's strenght and trust man). No critics, no advices to man!

- Sometimes man like to go away, to hide in "cave". Woman at this moment should not to disturb man and do not searche her fault in this escape.

- Sometimes women go in depression, in emotional hole. Man should help women to reach the bottom of this hole by LISTENING.

- Women like such signes of attention, care - flowers, coffe to the bad, compliments.

- I knew this always, nut never do: when women need smt they need simply ask man to do this (not in a flowery style) and not to wait when man guess as man never guess what women think!!!

- And interesting idea about writing a letter to opponent (not necessaryy sending to opponent) as many problems can be solved on this stage. So before argue it is better to analyze!

[frankie]

Hey Oksana, nice you see you here again, where have you been hiding?

 

- I knew this always, nut never do: when women need smt they need simply ask man to do this (not in a flowery style) and not to wait when man guess as man never guess what women think!!!

 

This is so true! Sometimes we forget that men aren't mind readers and we shouldn't expect them to be Of course it would be nice if men figured out for themselves what we really want (instead of what we say we want), but since that's not very likely to happen, we should just tell them how it is. But that's very hard to remember

Edited May 25, 2011 by frankie

[Oksana]

Hey Oksana, nice you see you here again, where have you been hiding?

 

 

 

This is so true! Sometimes we forget that men aren't mind readers and we shouldn't expect them to be Of course it would be nice if men figured out for themselves what we really want (instead of what we say we want), but since that's not very likely to happen, we should just tell them how it is. But that's very hard to remember

I am glad to return to the forum. Where I was hiding - firstly I decided to listen autio book of K.S.Lewis The screwtypes letter (that was discussed in reading circle). It is impressed me and I understand that listening to this not enough and started to read ) Also I listen to some books in english in study purpose as english is not my native (Twilight and Bridget Johns diary).

Regarding your comment on the book - I absolutely agree with you ) We just need to remember this in everyday life.

[Oksana]

A.Men “Son of Man”

I am a Christian, but not good at history of Christianity. That is why I searched for a book where this history is clearly described. And chosen book of A.Men (Russian priest, theologian) became such book for me. Moreover it explained to me several my questions or some misunderstanding of the Christianity postulates. So I recommend this book in order to have a short and clear history story of Christianity.

Important notes from this book (for me):

- the word “testament” means alliance between God and Man;

- the main idea of Christianity is that God loves Man and Man loves God. To prove and show his love Man should do Commandments or ONE commandment from each all others came from – to love one’s neighbour.

- Fundamentals of jewish religion and Christianity are the same. But Jewish religion separated from Christ as it didn’t believe in Christ as “Son of God”, it made the most important think in religion doing ritual ceremonies (for example, to do nothing in Saturday even if your neighbour needs help).

- Initially Easter was a Festive in honour if Going form Egypt. At the Jewish Easter day Christ was dead.

[Oksana]

C.S.Lewis “The screwtape letters”

I have chosen The screwtape letters as I saw it in Reading cirle. And the book is great and very useful for me in my interest in religion and Christianity. Also it is new for me that C.S.Lewis is theologian and author of Chronicles of Narnia (I must read them!).

Firstly I listened to the audio-book of Screwtape letters, but it was not enough for good understanding. So then I read it making many notes.

Style of the book is not common – it consists of letters that senior demon writes to his nephew with instruction how to tempt a patience.

Things in the book where I stopped by:

- God wants people to join all together with Him but not loosing each one’s individuality.

- After bad times always good times are coming. For example, bad dream goes into nightmare, but then man wakes up.

- Living in future is not good as a man should hope on God and live in present, thank God for the past. Also fear of old, constant is a creature of Demon, as in this case man always searches for new pleasure.

- Self-examination is selfish while mercy and humility means man’s focus on God and man’s nearest.

- Pleasure in normal form is God’s creation. For example, drinking a wine with friends for fun and good mood in comparison with wine in periods of tiredness and tedium.

- Demon distracts a man from ecclesiastical thought by focusing man’s attention on “real life” –thirsty etc.

- God wants a man not to be pride. So a man who made something in the best way should be glad but not more as if he was glad when something was done in the best way by someone else.

- If man is tired a little he will be more angry than man who tired entirely, to a frazzle. As anger goes not form tiredness, but from not expected demands. And man starts to spare himself.

- Selflessness is when man focused on his own person. For example, he helps somebody but in thoughts he praises himself.

[Oksana]

"Cats cradle" Vonnegut.

Great book and great author! For me it is a kind of a book to which you will return. The whole fantastic story of the book seems sometimes too delirious. But under the surface of the story are very important themes - politic, society, religion. On the exmaple of San-Lorence island Vonnegut showed true of politic structure of society, the role of religion. I like mostly the following quotation:

"Beware of the man who works hard to learn something, learns it, and finds himself no wiser than before," Bokonon tells us. "He is full of murderous resentment of people who are ignorant without having come by their ignorance the hard way. "

" For instance, do you know the story about Father on the day they first tested a bomb out at Alamagordo? After the things went off, after it was a sure thing that America could wipe out a city with just one bomb, a scientist turned to Father and said, 'Science has now known sin.' And do you know what Father said? He said, 'What is sin?'"

"Dr. Hoenikker used to say that any scientist who couldn't explain to an eight-year-old what he was doing was a charlatan."