On The 2021 reading challenge I aimed to read books in different languages I know (Finnish, Swedish, English and German) and German magazines are count. I challenged myself to read at least 12 books; one for each month. On 2021 I also aimed to finish all my studies. I desired to read those lovely books I have in my library just waiting me to pick them up. To live through the adventures they tell...
I managed to finish all my studies, even the new one I started. I also read 12 books and listen to 4 audio books. That makes total 16 books. I also read quite many English science books about yoga and Finnish craft books which are not mentioned in the following listing. I didn't read any Swedish book this year despite I have one waiting but I did read 2 German magazines and several others in English.
The Reading Challenge 2022 is here for us all!
- Book from your childhood. The one that mattered you the most.
- Book you would never pick up. You can choose the reason why.
- Science book.
- Art book.
- Cook book.
- Comic/cartoon book.
- Book about your own culture/traditions.
- Book about a culture/tradition that you know a bit.
- Book about a culture/tradition that is strange to you.
- In a language you have never read a book before. (Notice, children books are easy.)
- The one you have desired to read for a long time.
- Read aloud to someone who listens. (Notice, no need to be a human.)
PS. Keep a book about your reading.
***
See what I read on 2021:
Ross Poldark by Wiston Graham (in Finnish, mine). The saga of Poldark is one I've desired to read for a long time. Past years I've had many irons in the fire so concentrating on a long saga has not felt possible. Poldark story is old, first published on 1945. It has been filmed few times but I've never watched because I've wanted to read the books first. Actually it was published quite soon after The WWII so the description of the war feels real despite in the book it is up to around the year 1780.
Demelza by Wiston Graham (in Finnish, mine). By reading this 2nd part of Poldark saga I realized I really am not going to read it all. I realized it includes 12 books. My experience was that despite Graham writes well and the saga is interesting I realized at the moment I want to read so much more that I will watch Poldark saga on DVD. I bought two first seasons on DVD. At the end of the second season I realized I neither am going to watch it on DVD. Instead of telling more about history of British mining industry and British social history it turned out to become a soap about it who makes love with whom. So, at the end, if you are interested about historical soap pick up Poldark, if not, just skip it all to save your time. Don't say I didn't read it all to see. If two first books or seasons doesn't convince me, 12 does not it better. I have better things to do.
The Strawberry Tief by Joanne Harris (in Finnish, mine). The fourth book of the Chocolat series. Joanne Harris is one of my favorite authors and she never betrays you despite the world she creates in the books may vary from it you are used to. All the Chocolat series (Chocolat, The Lollipop Shoes, Peaches for Monsieur Le Curé and The Strawberry Tief)) can be read individually but you get most out of it if you read it all in the chronological order from the 1st to the last. Then you get the better picture of it all and the characters' actions. There is always a bit of romance but not irritating amount. Just for the spice, not for the point.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (in Finnish, mine). Gosh! Just read it. Can't remember when I laughed so aloud for the last time when reading a book. A horrible story! Is it allowed to laugh about it? Perhaps yes, because the humor is the oldest and best way to open the gate to destroy the stress of traumas and bad experiences. I actually wrap this book up for Young Lady who is moving out. Not for my own Eleanor - thank God- but for my own dear daughter. I told her to read this book when the loneliness hits her far away from home but to remember that reading is never a good excuse for social isolating.
A Question Mark Is Half a Heart by Sofia Lundberg (in Finnish, mine). I read Lundberg's 1st novel The Red Address Book in The 2020 Reading Challenge. This novel continues the same quality and guarantees the high level of literature. Still the basic setting -are you able to hide your past- makes you to think is it really possible, even you'd be forced out from your roots at teens. The accent actually makes me to think about this. Despite of telling the truth to her American -succeed and educated- husband Elin pretends she is French instead of admitting she has Swedish roots. I am Finnish and have never been mixed to French, not even by Americans. Native English speakers always notice my accent. They say it is like Scandinavian but is not. They do can differ it definitely is not Norwegian or Icelandig, could it be Danish, no, how about Swedish. No, it not Swedish either. Then they always ask which it is, where I comes from. This makes me to think -despite of the the good story, theme and plot- is the basic setting possible at all. At least in the way Elin says it happens: it just happened, she just didn't tell the whole story and her clever husband never realized -despite he met other French people- that her wife has a different accent. That she never ever sang Swedish lullabies to her child? Not even when tired and not focused, because according to Elin, it just happen...
Where The Oak Still Stands by Sofia Lundberg (in Finnish, mine). Despite of the description above, I kept on reading Lundberg. Good literature and tells about the forms of the domestic violence but in a slight way, if you can say so. It doesn't indulge bloody details but tells more about the psychological side and effects of the violence without concentrating on it anxious amount. It makes you to think the domestic violence as a daily life issue, like it has been in these women's life. The plot concentrates more on friendship and healing. I like Lundbergs' style to leave the end a bit open. In your mind you can close up the book in the way you want. Leave it there or image a bit more.
Tarot - Find the answers you long for by Igloo Books (in Finnish, mine). I usually use play cards to see it all but past years have learnt to use also tarot. This is a good beginners gift set that includes the guide book and the cards into the secrets of tarot.
Mythologia Fennica Tarot by Susanna Salo (in Finnsih, mine). If you are Finnish -or Scandinavian, at least from your spirit- and traditional tartot feels a bit unattached to your soul, try out Mythologia Fennica Tarot that bases on our national sagas. If you are not interested about tarots etc. but Finnish mythology that inspired even Tolkien fascinates you, this books is a great and logical way to learn more about Kalevala.
Queen Meryl by Erin Carlson (audio-book, in Finnish, library item). This book tells about the iconic roles, heroic deeds and legendary life about Meryl Streep. This book is quite much about her career but it binds together her life and roles. I think the book's topic doesn't need much introduction so I concentrate to advert audio book app. I am not a big fan of audio books. I really don't do them much. Before only if on a road trip with kids (not every time). Actually just once before on my own for The 2016 Reading Challenge by a book that intimidates me. Still, couple times per year I receive discount or free codes to try out some audio book app. I've never stepped in. It really is not my thing so why to pay for it later on. BUT NOW (!!!) I have discovered Ellibs. I do have used it before in my studies so it is not new to me. It actually is a service I can use all free with my free cost (thanks to our taxing system) Finnish library card which provides me access to electronic library collection. In June 2021 when I was first busy, then injured, my sister recommended and reminded me about Ellibs service and I decided to try it on only because there were days I could do nothing but lay down. I am satisfied to Ellibs app and my free access to it. If you have a Finnish library card you too can sign up for free.
The World According To Bob by James Bowen (in Finnish, library item). On 2015 I read The Street Cat Named Bob which lead a bigger understanding of TheCat who is our special pet with a photo sensitive epilepsy. The World According To Bob continues the story and tells about the moments hidden behind the previous book but also the moments after the original 1st book was sent into a print house until the moment it came out for sale. That was -of course- impossible to be written in the 1st book. James Bown himself knows too he is not any kind of literal genius. The book -none of his which I've read- is not any kind of literature gem. But it is not what he nor anyone else aimed at or meant for. It is a honest description of daily life which they all wanted to print out for all the curious people and his and Bob's fans. The book spreads out the knowledge about being addict and homeless, the faults of the society etc., story about it how animals can heal etc. etc. But what they forget -James and the team- is actually the fact that creating an extraordinary and interesting story with easy language helps those who can't read so well, to crab a book and start to try. It is a science proved fact that reading helps in many issues and is very developing for brain function and thinking. I believe James' written sentences are easy enough -and more important: interesting enough- for anyone teen or older to start to try out reading. Actually, if you would like to try to brush up your foreign language skills, James' books would be a great try out where to start.
The Little Book of Bob: Everyday Wisdom From Street Cat Bob by James Bowen (in Finnish, library item). Great tips for all of us for our daily lives and -most of all- the daily attitude.
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris (audio-book, in Finnish, library item). A great true story about a man who needed to adapt to survive from the most horrible happenings of European history. A story about friendship, love, being loyal but also about a force to remain silent and change your name to be able to build up the new morning and the future you dream about. This book doesn't concentrate on blood and violence, they are not its main theme despite it all is about the violence and horror, all kind of. If you don't like to read about blood and body parts you can still try out this because the book just shortly mentions them if it is needed and then concentrates more on the surviving. If you are not aware of the horrors happened in Europe in World War 2 and are a sensitive person, skip this book and find it all out first from short news articles.
Myyttiset eläimet: tarua ja totta eläinten mahdista by Liisa Kaski (audio-book, in Finnish, library item). This books tells about the myths of 40 animals in Finland's nature. Liisa Kaski is an expert of folklore. Unfortunately available -so far- only in Finnish.
Little Women (part 1) by Louisa May Alcott (audio-book, in Finnish, library item). Who would not have heard about it? Most of modern people (girls and at least their fathers and brothers) have seen some or at least one of the films made of it. But how many have actually read it? Grab on and dive into the past -on to the time when girl running around was something incredible inappropriate- to hear the laughter and cry, Beth playing the piano, Jo getting tempered, Amy being thoughtful (for herself) and Meg getting there first.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt (in Finnish, library item). I was recommended to read this book by YoungLady who was recommended by her friend to read it. It was a kind of chain reaction -like the happenings in the book- how I ended up to read this famous story of which I never had heard anything before. On the old version of Finnish translation there were few annoying translation mistakes but once you get over them it all is ok. It is interesting mystery story full of secrets. When reading, you need to pay attention on every line and sentence. This book is great for a moment you need to be taken away and concentrate on something else. This is not good for a sick leave or hospital reading when you are tired and your thoughts will be wandering around. Grab on it to go back to your college times!
The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater (in English, mine). On 2020 a friend of mine gave me this book as a birthday gift. I put it aside when noticed it was build up by dates instead of chapters. I wanted to read it day by day. So, on 2021 I did so, but finished the last part on 2021, not 2022. If you are a christmaholic this is a good book for you to get familiar with English Christmas and a bit of international traditions also. If you love to cook also, this is a perfect book for you to plan your winter season meals. It was a perfect book to finish an extra hard year. If you seek a book of Finnish Christmas traditions, this is not for you.
