The Reading Challenge 2026 - Part 4

In August 2026 I've read two books in English. These ones are quite untypical for me to buy for myself. Still, they are very useful, practical, educative and  great souvenirs from your journeys and can take you back there where you were time ago.

Bernard Meehan's The Book of Kells -Official Guide (in English, mine) is a great book about the famous book. It provides excellent illustration, explanations and information about this historical object. We went to see The Book of Kells at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland in June 2024. It was great to see that place and the book itself, even the library was under the renovation. I bought this book as a souvenir because you can't actually touch the original book, not to mention investigate it by your own hands. I usually don't buy this kind of guide books but in this case I think it is the only way to get to see The Book better. And investigate at least some pages of it. In August 2026 I finally read the whole book and paid a special attention on its illustration and refreshed my memories about Ireland and its history. Nice way to travel back there again in my memories.

Valerie Ryan's The Story of Russborough House (in English, mine) was another untypical book I bought on my journey to Dublin, Ireland in 2024. Back then I visited the place, and now I returned by the book. Unfortunately I noticed my copy was missing 4 pages of 35!!!! And the last sentences of the book revealed that I must live much longer to find out what's written in the Alfred Beit diaries. They must have something connected to Queen Elizabeth II.

The Reading Challenge 2026 - Part 3

This year in July I've read 1 novel and 2 two nonfiction books. They are all mine. The nonfiction books I've received as a gift.

Victoria Hislop's The Island has been on my "want to read" list for a long time. It was published in 2005. I read my own copy in Finnish. Despite it tells quite a hard story about Hansen's disease (leprosy) and the history of Spinalonga, Crete, it is a very beautiful book. This is for you who want to read a warm spirited Mediterranean story without murders but with hope and history.

Simo Örmä & Kaj Sandberg (Institutum Romanum Finlandiae) 's publication Villa Lante (in Finnish, mine).   This small publication introduces Roman villa Villa Lante where Young Lady spent some time during her studies. It was published in 2007 but is still valid and makes you want to travel to Rome and see the villa by your own eyes.

Giorgio Bonsanti's Caravaggio The Great Master of Art  (In English, mine). This book was published in 2014. It tells interesting history and facts about Caravaggio's life and work. The book has perfect quality printed pictures about his master pieces. It's bee a long time since I read this kind of art book. It was a pleasure and a great way to get familiar with Caravaggio.

The Reading Challenge 2026 - Part 2

This year in March-June I've read two fat and two skinny (compared to the fat ones) books. All in Finnish and each mine, but 3 of them are vintage and pre-read.

I've read:

T.I. Itkonen's Suomen lappalaiset part 1 and 2. They are huge folklore books about Sámi people in Finland. Also Forest Sámi people are included in these over 1000 pages. Unfortunately Itkonen's books are not available in English. They are very comprehensive and informative books about Sámi people written by an outsider but still one that was part of the Sámi society. He was for about 8 years old when his family moved from South Finland up to Inari, Lapland, when his father received there a job as a local vicar.

Guiseppe Acerbi's Matka halki Suomen v. 1799. That is a part of his book Travels through Sweden, Finland and Lapland to the North Cape that considers Finland. That complete book might be interesting to all and available in several languages. Again, when reading this kind of book, remember it is written by an outsider to outsiders. But it still expresses his own private experiences on his travels and he has seen what he has been shown. That's only the part of the truth, but it is his part of it. Also, because it was written 200 years ago, that creates another interesting aspect to the story.

Juhani Torkki's Plutarkhos mielen tyyneydestä. Even this book is in Finnish it actually is a translation of ancient Greek philosopher Plutarkhos' essays about the peace of mind. It is an ancient mindfulness that still works in this modern world. It is amazing that his 2000 yrs old ideas are still valid and still human nature needs practice in these skills. I received this book as a gift from YoungLady who moved out to study ancient Greek 5 yrs ago. 

Here you can find her Barchelor's thesis.

Here you can find her Master's thesis.

They both are in Finnish but I bet that google translate can understand it better than ancient Greek. They both are about horses: the former about the role of horses in book four of Xenophon's Cyropaedia (which is a partly fictional biography of Cyrus the Great) and the latter is about latin loanwords used by Apsyrtos (who was a renowed horse doctor) in  Hippiatrica (which is the only surviving work on Greek hippiatrics). The topic of horses and hippiatrics has attracted relatively little academic interest. So if you are interested in horses and ancient history, you might be interested in trying to read these with the help of translator. Hopefully she'll get the funding (and a topic!) for her dissertation.

The Reading Challenge 2026 - Part 1

I have been in The Reading Challenge for 10 years now in this blog with you. Last year I decided to show you what on earth I read. It turn out a great idea so at least in 2026 I will repeat it. 

In 2025 I read:

3 books written by Kate Morton: The House at Riverton, The Clockmaker's Daughter and The Forgotten Garden

2 books written by Harper Lee: To Kill a Mockingbird and Go Set a Watchman

2 novels by Minna Cath

Jane Austen's Persuasion

Anne Lyons' The Air Raid Book Club

Viljo Rauta's book about The Great Wrath

Plus many craft, history and science books. 

In this year 2026 January - February I've read:

Astrid Lindgren's War Diaries 1939-1945 (in Finnish, mine). Actually I've started it already in November 2025. It was a bit heavy to read because it tells a lot about Finland's war time years in Ukranian war time. That's why I read it slow and with the time. 

I've read also Johannes Schefferu's Lapponia (in Finnish, mine) which is very interesting and historical book about Sámi people from the year 1674. I do recommend it to all who want to read a comprehensive book about Sámi history. But when reading you must remember it is written in 1674 by an outsider for the outsiders, by Christians to Christians. 

And I've read also Jenni Räinä's Vaino (in Finnish, mine) that's available only in Finnish and like Viljo Rauta's book it tells about the Great Wrath but is fiction that bases on the facts meanwhile Rauta's book is a science book. These books tell about genocide also around my local area in 1700-1721.

TheBooks7

In this year ReadingChallenge I decided to show you what on Earth I read. In September and October 2025 I've read few books. One is the famous Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird (in Finnish, mine) I have read it at my teens but have wanted to re-read it again because of a reason. It has been about 35 years since I've read it so I remembered the key point but have forgot how the story literally goes. I recommend it for all. It is an excellent book for adults but also for the teens. It is a fiction but could be a true historical novel. It is objective and just tells the story. As a teen I wondered why on Earth she didn't write more but now as an adult I can see many reasons why not. It was originally published in July 1960 so it doesn't include bloody details etc.

I wanted to read To Kill a Mockingbird again because I actually wanted to read Harper Lee's Go Set a Watchman (in Finnish, mine) which was published 2015, 55 years after Lee Harper's 1st novel. Go Set a Wacthman actually is the 1st version / earlier draft of her book To Kill a Mockingbird. But it works well as a sequel for To Kill a Mockingbird if you remember it is actually a draft and another story. At first it disturbed me but then I got over it and enjoyed the story. I can warmly recommend you both, exactly in this order like I did.

I've read also few craft books. Teija Alanko's book (in Finnish, mine) tells about the textile history and her own journey to it. It is a science book with a personal touch. It is published in 2024 and is available only in Finnish.

Riikka Platonova's craft book (in Finnish, mine) tells more about nettle as a textile fiber and in spinning. It is a very interesting issue and fascinates my mind. I do grow nettle in my arctic kitchen garden but I use only the seeds for food. Using the rest of the plant for crafts would be great! Unfortunately also this is available only in Finnish.

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In September-October I have also read for about 40 research articles (mainly in English) about the costume history related issues.

TheBooks6

In this year ReadingChallenge I decided to show you what on Earth I read. In August I've read Jane Austen's Persuasion (in Finnish, mine). The original novel is from 1817 but this new translation is from 2024. Today Jane Austen brings into my mind all those covid-19 teenagers and young adults who supposed to learn to socialize at that time but all the restrictions failed those normal western style possibilities for it. Jane Austen would be something today's young adults could find quite close. Even there's 200 years between the time she lived and wrote and the world teenagers and young adults live today!

TheBooks5

This year I decided to challenge myself to show you what on earth I read. In July 2025 I've read the remaining half of these 47 science books. I've also read fabulous Kate Morton's The Clockmaker's Daughter (in Finnish, mine). It is a proper and good story with a surprising end. I recommend you to read this book without long breaks because it would turn a bit difficult to get back to it, who is who and what was going on. If you seek a holiday book you are able to read in quite short period of time, you like mysteries, manor houses, arts, history, nature, equality and English country side this is for you. Despite it includes a murder and deaths there is not bloody body parts etc. It was published in 2018 so I bet you can easily find it at second hand.

In July 2025 I read another book written by Kate Morton: The Forgotten Garden (in Finnish, mine). With 670 pages full of secrets and storied bind together. This one was published on 2008 so I am sure you will find it also as a second hand item. Also this book needs to be read in a relatively short period of time (few weeks), otherwise it would be difficult to keep on reading. Especially if you are living a busy life with kids & work. Kate Morton is an author that brings English country side into your home with gardens and manor houses. If you like one of her books you will like them all. 

In July 2025 I also listened 2 audio books (in Finnish, library item) of Finland's famous Minna Canth (1844-1897). She was a remarkable person and influencer on her own time. I got familiar on her 2 novels Köyhää kansaa and Salakari. Köyhää kansaa tells about poor people and starvation on her own time. The publication of the novel caused a small crisis and forced local authorities to do something about the issue. Salakari tells about women's social status of the time and describes the results that may appear if you jump out from your role. 

I find it quite interesting to read also old books which were published over even hundreds of years ago because they tell so much about the history too. And the books your ancestries may have heard or read about. And even they'd be shaking the world they don't include the cruelty, bloody body parts or affairs in the very physical way like the books of today seem to include more or less.

TheBooks4

This year I decided to challenge myself to show you what on earth I read. In this blog post I show you which books I've read in April-June 2025. These bags include half of the books. Divided in two. The ones that I still need to read and the ones I've already read. Actually there is exact 47 books I have borrowed in Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian or Sámi at the library for the scientific investigation of my upcoming book. So, in the past 3 months I've read about 23 craft or history books. Yes, I do have a very little free time BUT I am a fast reader. 😅

I've also listened to an audio book The Air Raid Book Club by Anne Lyons (in Finnish, library item). It is warm spirited feel good book despite it includes topics of war and being a fresh widow. I do recommend this book for all who love books, books shops and comfort stories. 

I listened to another audio book by Finnish author Viljo Rauta (in Finnish, library item). It is originally in Finnish and tells about The Great Wrath: the bloody period in Finnish history in 1713-1721. The Russian Tsar's soldiers occupied large parts of Finland. The Ostrobothnia region experienced particularly hard times during the occupation - for example, on the island of Hailuoto near Oulu, Cossacks killed over 800 people in one night. Kemi and Tornio also suffered their share of this bloody terror. This is a science book and can be a bit heavy. But for sure the issue is worth of knowing. Not only WW2 happenings between Finland and Russia made Finland to be always awake and alert for Russia. It has started already then when the humans inhabited these areas. I am sure some information is available also in English.

TheBooks2

This year I decided to challenge myself to show you what on earth I read. In this blog post I show you which books I've read in January and February 2025. This Finnish needlebinding book has been in a hard use. I have a one day course coming up in May 2025. I do have learnt the method but I have needed this book and been reading it a lot because of educational issues. I know many people have bought this excellent book of Mervi Pasanen but still have not been able to learn needlebinding. I have made notes on the book on the parts I find the pedagogical approach needs a bit extra. This books includes also designs so it is a very good shop but it is available only in Finnish. This copy is mine but available also at the libraries in Finland. It is published on 2015 but you can't get it second hand. It is so popular that every new small edition is sold out quite soon so keep your eyes open.

This book is Finnish version of German Kerstin Balk's SoxxBook Family & Friends by Stine & Stitch. It was published on 2019 so I found it on sale. I need books for my professional library so I regularly browse through the sale items. This book turn out a great item with its several new and fresh designs and proper illustrated step by step pictures to complete the heels. Also this books needs some pedagogical notes but it really is something I can use at work. I have The socks and heels -course coming up on the next autumn! This item is mine and in Finnish but available at least in German too.

This book is one of my very special 50yrs birthday gifts on 2025. I was quite thrilled when it arrived up to the north via snail mail and I had no idea about it. It is published in 2024 and was so fresh that I didn't even know it to exist despite I just love Gilmore girls. This is a great gift to every knitwear lovers even if they would not knit. It is a very beautiful book (in English) with full of the same spirit the famous series bring. This book really proves I do R-E-A-D craft books. I have read also this one for several times. I just don't see the pics, I read it all. Crazy? Might be. But on the other hand I bet people read also recipe and fitness books even they would not cook or exercise on that very specific moment. Tanis Gray has been able to create a very special book for all Gilmore girls. I must tell few pre-orders for the Christmas 2025 have arrived already and marked on the pages by someone else than me! 

HusqvarnaAutomatic21E

I thought I had told you about Marilla but when I tried to seek a link for this blog post I realized I still had not. I am truly sorry about that. I did mention about Marilla but after that I never introduced her to you. I bought her 3½ years ago on internet second hand shop. I paid 100 € plus 20 € postage cost. Plus 130 € to a technician of the service fee. Helga was really getting old and need a retirement home. She lives with YoungLady now and sits happily on her wardrobe shelf waiting small duties to accomplish.

So, this is Marilla. She is Husqvarna Automatic 21 E. She arrived with original but stinking carry on box which I quite soon threw away. I know it might have had some antique value but I don't want anything moldy into my GreenOldHouse. The box was made of cardboard and fabric so just washing it was out of the question. I cleaned Marilla, tested her and took her to the service. 

I didn't tell you about her because I was not sure will she stay or not. Would she work or not. Would she last or not. And yes, here she is, still with me, Siiri and Anne. But because I had thrown away her original cover she has been needing a new one. Sewing it has not been the priority no 1. I already had an idea of her cover but when I received another gift I knew I will make a certain kind of cover for her.

I received this beautiful The Liberty Book of Simple Sewing by Lucinda Ganderton and Christine Leech as a gift from a dear friend few years ago. In this sewing book is many beautiful sewing projects. It is an excellent book also for the beginners because of proper instructions. I have a bible written by Lucinda Ganderton and it is Stitch Dictionary. 

In the book is this kind of design and pattern for a sewing machine cover. I did some personal touch to it but the basic pattern is from the book. I used the fabrics I have received from the same friend who sent me the book. Also, I used fabrics from my grandma's stash I inherit after her passing away in 2010. And I used fabric I received from a student for my personal use as a thank you gift. 

On the back side of the cover is a pocket for the extension plate. Inside the cover is another pocket. It is for the foot controller.

I can tell you Marilla is very happy with her new cover. She is a very good worker and does the best despite of her high age. 

There she sits with Siiri; side by side on the decoupage drawer chest. If you pay attention on the picture you perhaps notice someone else is sitting there with them... 

TheBooks1

The Reading Challenge 2025 has started! The very 1st item I've read on 2025 is Kate Morton's The House at Riverton (in Finnish, mine). This is my 2nd story from her and so far I've liked both books. I read The Distant Hours on 2024. The scene at Riverton is similar but not the same and the story is different. The book has 613 pages and the plot might be a bit confusing to follow because at some points you are at first a bit like "hey, who is talking and which year, date and place it is". It do work well because the main character is an old lady who falls back into her memories and sometimes the presence and past get mixed. I like the book because it is fascinating and interesting. Despite it includes deaths and affairs it is "old school" book so all the dirty parts have been deleted before publishing the book. It neither is a crime fiction. If you like country side scenes, old manor houses, biographies and happy ends, this is a good book for you.

napaJ

In April 2023 I encourage you to read a book that tells about Asia. For the challenge I picked up Finnish Minna Eväsoja's book "Melkein geisha" (= almost geisha). I read it in Finnish and it seems not to be translated. It tells about her years and studies in Japan. It bases on her diary notes and gives honest voice to an alien living in and studying Japanese culture and traditions. Also, it gives the eyes and opens the covered windows for the reader to see it all. Before this book I didn't know much about Japan and its culture. At some point reading caused emotional and educational anxiety. According to the subtitle, it really is charming and insane Japan. For example I didn't know children rights are so poor in Japan. After reading this book I understand quite clear everything how Japan has shown to me before. I like the book because it is objective and  informing, speaking about the topics straight but not for or against. It gives the reader the freedom to form out ones own point of the view.

Aasheim's ordeal

In February 2023 I encouraged you to read a book that tells about Antarctica. For the challenge I picked up a book written by Norwegian Stein P. Aasheim (in Finnish). I am not sure if it is translated into English but it tells about  Vegard Ulvang, Jan-Gunnar Winther, Stein P. Aasheim and Harald Dag Jølle 's expedition to follow in Roald Amundsen's ski tracks to the South Pole to celebrate its 100 anniversary.

This books smells like sweat, stew woolen socks and testosterone. I have never ever read a book like this. Definitely not my genre. I picked it up for the challenge by googling books according to the theme. This seemed interesting so I borrowed it at the local library. Right on the begin I started to think how on earth I can ever finish it. The language and style are so different compared to what I am used to and I do have read all kind of books -except these. I had difficulties to stay on the track. But then I don't know what happened. Feeling that I was trying to ski in Sahara and pulling a pulka behind me started to ease. I don't know if the style got easier or did I got used to it but it turn out easier to stay on the track right behind them.

I am happy I found this book and I can only say not many 60 years old can do the same as Aasheim while it was hard enough for the younger ones too. It was an ordeal indeed but I am sure they all remember it with love and the dust of the difficulties fade away during the years passing by.  I also must admit these men are the most brave South Pole explorers as they only didn't do it  but did perhaps even more brave and challenging thing: They spoke aloud about the difficulties they faced and for sure -because of that- save several lives after their expedition despite before them the others had been just silent about it all what called the death into the camps.

Blixen's fairytale

 

In January 2023 I encouraged you to read a book that tells about Africa. For the challenge I picked up a book written by Tom Buk-Swienty. It is The Lioness. I read it in Finnish and it is a book in my own library. It has almost 700 pages full of facts but each page is enjoyable and interesting. You get the best out of it reading first Blixen's Out Of Africa. 

The Lioness is a documentary book that tells the true story about Karen Blixen's life. Tom Buk-Swienty has managed to reach the hidden information that was never before published.

When someone writes a biography of the self, you should wonder what are the motives and question the truth. Tom Buk-Swienty has done a great job for years seeking the truth. The truth about Karen Blixen in her biography Out Of Africa is not what we learnt to be the truth. She was spoiled white Danish woman who reached out what she wanted -literally- at any price. She could never have done what she did unless she had not other peoples funds to be spent. I claim, anyone could have done the same if having uncle like she had, if having the funds from other people's bank accounts like she had. I can only wonder which were the motives of the person to pour so much money over her white shoulders.

It is true Karen Blixen was liberal, progressive and modern with her attitudes towards native people in Kenya. The other side of the truth is she never had a farm in Africa as it never was her farm and could not have been in her hands without other people's funds. 

I have admired Karen Blixen work and visited her museum in Denmark. I planned to go there again. But I won't, after reading this book. 

This book is very educative and tells the faces of colonialism. The actions happen in Kenya but can be reflected to any place. The facts about the colonialism which I learnt at the school were never represented from the eyewitness view. This book is a great choice also for that, to see what kind of it was. It was not only the kings who said "let's go there". It was a lot about the persons who went there, agreed to habitat the lands which never belonged to them... and behaved like they did. 

For the next it would be wonderful to read a native story and point of the view about the actions on the area at the same time Blixen was there, on the begin of 1900's.

HarvestSeasonCards

The harvest season is slowly arriving up to the north. I made this beautiful card by using the book described below.

I love our library that sells out just by 1€ the old books they don't need anymore. Children books are cheaper, just 0,20€. 

Also garden books include absolutely fabulous material for scrapbook and card makers! The pictures are professional and so delicious.

This 50th wedding anniversary card I made for my parents-in-law who celebrate their Golden Anniversary in July 2022. The couple on the card is from Fazer's Wiener Nougat chocolate box which is very traditional as is the company itself.

This card for high school graduation is made of brand new materials, though the note-card at top I've received from a friend for my crafting purposes. So, it is like recycled but not.

The 2020 Reading Challenge

On 2020 my aim was to keep going on to read books in Finnish, English and Swedish plus one fat magazine in German. I decided that I can buy only Swedish book. The other books need the be the ones I own already; unless I got some as a gift or recycled / second hand.

I must confess and use COVID-19 as an excuse: on 2020 I bought few new books .... as a gift ... to reward myself ... from the hard work ... and to empower me ... to keep going on my studies to reach the final aim some day ... 

This year I didn't reach my reading challenge aim actually. I didn't read (or buy) a Swedish book, neither English one, because I just didn't have the time. Studying has taken so much time. Also COVID-19 has shown up in my work as a hard extra pressure while many people have lost their jobs: temporary or permanently. I am so sorry for them.

I have read a lot; because of the studies and COVID-19. But I've read just 8 novels and 1 German magazine what comes to the reading challenge. I still am not thinking failing in this challenge. I think at least I managed to find the time to read all these free time books. It is positive thinking and being merciful to myself. It is mental health care.

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The 2021 reading challenge is really a challenge. I won't change the fact all the books must be in different languages I know (Finnish, Swedish, English and German) and German magazines are count. But the real challenge is to read at least 12 books. On 2021 I aim -finally- to finish all my studies. But before that happens I'll be merciful to myself. After finishing all my studies I want find the longed and desired time to read those lovely books I have in my library just waiting me to pick them up. To live through the adventures they tell...

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See what I read on 2020:

On 2020 I've read one fat magazine in German pus the novels below.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (in Finnish, mine). This book or author doesn't need any introduction. I just need to say how charming it was read this story from 1847. The life and world was so different though the human nature stays the same. It is also sad -as we know today- that many themes of the book are unfortunately true and still daily life to some ones we easily forget.

Professor by Charlotte Brontë (in Finnish, mine). Unbelievable but true, this book was originally published already on 1857 but translated in Finnish on 2009 for the 1st time!!! This was a good book because Charlotte Brontë is a good writer. But, after finishing this book I suddenly realized why it -despite of well written story- has not reached similar glory like Jane Eyre for example. In this novel Charlotte Brontë describes the world through male eyes and experiences of life. She has written this before her marriage or becoming a mother of boys. On that time, in the middle on 1800 the only experience of males were her experiences of her own father and brother. The story is not written in superficial way but it stays a bit hollow and for a very understandable reason. It all is just how she images a man to see, feel and experience. How she could have more experience about that in her time? Compared to that she succeed very well but it is no miracle it was rejected (by male publishers I assume) for several times. It is a well written story but the deeper experience is missed. Also because of that it is very interesting to read this book. It describes quite well how female on 1840's images the men are and experience the life. Still, worth of reading; there are worst ways to spend your time than read this book.

Lauma by Jouni Tikkanen (in Finnish, mine). It is originally Finnish book about a small wolf pack that killed children at 1880-1881 in Turku region, south Finland. The book is written objective and gives the voice also to the wolves who had very hard time on those years in Finland because there was not much natural big game for available. It bases and stays in historical and scientific facts without passion for or against wolves.

Sää joka muutti maailmaa by Marcus Rosenlund (in Finnish, mine). It is a book about the weather that changed the world. Marcus Rosendlund writes a bit like Peter Wohlleben whose books I read on 2019 and 2018. The book is a science book but written more like a novel. It tells about the things and reasons that has lead to climate change -during all the ages. He proves the climate has changed all the time and is doing it also now. The reasons might be different, same or they have something in common. He connects it all very well also to the history of human beings. Definitely worth of reading if it will be translated into your language.

The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg (in Finnish, mine). A heart warming and tear dropping story about it that we should never think we know someone truly. This book is a good remind about it that elder people may have memories, experiences and things to tell us. They may also have things they don't want to tell us but we desire to hear. If you are a curious person and interested about the stories of the life: read this.

The Little Breton Bistro by Nina George (in Finnish, mine). This book title is translated also as The Little French Bistro in some English countries. It must feels as an insult for the Bretons because the books scene is in Bretagne (Brittany). This book scene brings me back to my childhood dream travel to Bretagne in some day. A good story about it how we all should remember to cherish it what is important to us. Nina George is a good novelist but I must confess this book is a bit too much about lovers and escapades. If you get annoyed by that choose some other book. But if you can read on without concentrating too much on it then this is a good read.

The Book of Dreams by Nina George (in Finnish, mine). Well written story about a man in coma. If you are not comfort with deep death themes, skip the book. If coma and such themes make you feel anxious, skip the book. It is a well written story about life and death but it makes you to think at the end that she wrote it more for herself than for you. Which actually is true because she says she had the need to write about the death because of personal issues. In this book is also a theme about escapade & betraying your partner. If you dislike it and have not much time to read, skip also this story.

Wicked by Gregory Maguire (in Finnish, mine). This book tells the biography of Wicked Witch of the West in Land of Oz. Quite fascinating but around the page 160/461 I started to feel it reminds quite a lot about Harry Potter books. Right after I realized this was publisher on 1995 and the 1st Harry Potter a year after. Oops. I really had to push myself to read this book and give it the value and respect it deserves. At first the reading turn out very slow but then I learn not to care about the actions and scenes which brought up Harry Potter world too alive into my mind. Every now and then I had to remind myself this was publisher first. This is a very good book, not any kind of children story, but very interesting to read especially when warned beforehand about the connection to Harry Potter actions and scenes. 

Rosie's Card

Another card has been made. For this card I used Rosie's Babies book written by Martin Waddell and illustrated by Penny Dale.
 

The 2019 Reading Challenge

On 2019 my aim was to read books in Finnish, English and Swedish plus one fat magazine in German. I managed to reach that aim. Even to over it because one small book was in German and I also read one German newspaper. I also read several science books and articles mainly in English but also in Finnish, German and Swedish because of my studies. So, completing these 12 novels despite working and studying is pretty well done indeed, don't you think so. 

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On 2020 my aim is to keep going on this; to read books in Finnish, English and Swedish plus one fat magazine in German. Only Swedish one I can buy, others need the be the ones I own already when writing this; unless I get some as a gift or recycled / second hand. 

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See what I read on 2019:

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George (in Finnish, mine). SantaClaus brought Me this book on Christmas 2018. I chose it to be the 1st one for 2019. It is very cheerful and joyful story despite of the grief at the background. Monsieur Perdu would understand the difference between a good end and a happy end. And He definitely would not let Me to have a book with only a good end. Happy ends medicate My soul.

Corpus by Milja Kaunisto (in Finnish, mine). This time Kaunisto's books was a huge disappointment. If you ever plan to skip a book, this is good for that. I've read all her previous books but consider seriously not to buy any of them in the future. I already have the last part of this trilogy so I will read it some day but that's it then I think... 😞

The Inner Life of Animals by Peter Wohlleben (in Finnish, mine, thank you SantaClaus). I read The Hidden Life of Trees last year challenge. With this book I was -again- very satisfied with Wohlleben's work. He writes in an interesting way. Despite he writes science books, his texts definitely are not challenging at all for even a child to read. I love his work because he uses latest information and introduces them in fascinating way. Great bonus for him is the simple fact that he includes references. The references don't disturb reading and you won't even notice them if not interested. But to us who like to know more or just check up the fact, he offers the possibility to do so.

An animal and a human - what do we have in common? by Helena Telkänranta (in Finnish, mine). This is absolutely fabulous book about animals. It has it all you could not even dream about to find out! Hope it would be available in English. It is full of facts but her style to tell them is very interesting and not boring at all.

Death in Sunset Grove by Minna Lindgren (in Finnish, mine). Despite it is all about elderly people and their life in nursery home, also YoungLady found this book very amusing. She had to read it because she had finished all her own books and this was the only one left when travelling. Also she will read the rest two of this trilogy.

Escape from Sunset Grove by Minna Lindgren (in Finnish, mine). And the adventure goes on...

The End of Sunset Grove by Minna Lindgren (in Finnish, mine). And the adventure finds its end... or does it...

Cornelia Karlsson: Ohyggligt Deprimerad - Jublande Lycklig by Pernilla Oljelund (in Swedish, I borrowed this one from YoungLady) (no links because I can't find any in English). Last year I challenged MySelf to move on to books from magazines what comes to read in Swedish. This year I pick up a book for teenage girls. In past years I have read also children and teen books. That is a great way to make you to remember how it was back then. After reading this book I am happy I am here, not a teen back then! Wow!  With warm wishes I recommend every parent who has teenage daughter to read this. 😆

Oxford - Pitkin City Guides by Pitkin Books (in German, mine, thank you for this DearA). How fascinating way to describe Oxford. I never ever planned to go there but after reading this book I must go and see it by my own eyes... on some day...

Hola:n takaa by Juha Vuorinen (in Finnish, mine). Well well well... He is not actually my genre but in my opinion we all should stretch out our genres a bit every now and then. If you wonder how to get young men to read (even teens) and stay out of the troubles; offer them Vuorinen's books...

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (in English, mine). I bought this book already on 2015 from Scotland. Now it was time to take it and read it. I've never before read anything from Charles Dickens. I do have been seen films etc. about his stories but actually never read a book. It is written in old English because it was originally published on 1843 and that makes it a bit challenging to read. Over 170 years the language and culture have changed, also the writing style of the words. That's why this book is an excellent way to learn more and it is not too thick (118 pages) to be read twice. Not to mention about the story, which idea bears the time and is always (unfortunately) topic.

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery (in Swedish, mine). I bought this book only to practice my Swedish skills. It is pretty fat (320 pages) of being an exercise book but amusing, warm spirited and bringing memories from childhood. I bet this book or author doesn't need any further introduction.

MammothCard

For card making I used again Anatoli Tomilin's book How people discovered the shape of the Earth, illustrated by Juri Smolnikov. This is the 3rd card I made by using the book. I made AncientWorld and Shape of Earth before.

Falcon

Lambert's Birds of Garden and Woodland is back for my card making to carry happy birthday wishes over the sea.