The last time I blogged about a book was last March 3. I thoroughly enjoyed Becoming by Michelle Obama. It was followed by several more books, nine more titles to be exact. They are mostly historical novels set in different places. There was one in Nigeria, a sort of memoir too and I enjoyed reading it. There were two books during the WWII. I always love reading what happened during that time in world history.
About an hour ago, I finished reading Thousand Cranes by Yasunari Kawabata, with an English translation by Edward G. Seidensticker. I wasn’t born yet when it was first published in 1952 but there are other editions in the market. Come to think of it, I didn’t even know about Japanese traditions and heritage left by their ancestors but I learned something from this book. The delicate art of the tea ceremony which is a part of their culture is beautiful. If I remember, this is only my second book set in Japan and by a Japanese author.
There is another book that I am excited to read, The Crown’s Fate. The setting is in Russia. It’s actually a sequel but it could stand alone. I love stories about the Russian Revolution. This started when I encountered my first book of Ayn Rand, (a Russian-American writer) called The Fountainhead. I strained my eyes finishing Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky years ago. Anna Karenina is a recent read.
Trying to look for more Asian authors.
You always inspire me with your reading, Arlene. I started a new book this morning, and hope to get it read by the end of April. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thank you Pete. Curious about the title of the book you’re reading. Is it non-fiction?
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No, it is a novel by another blogger, but has sold well. Here’s a link. It is called ‘Ludwika’.
http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/my-new-release-ludwika-a-polish-womans-struggle-to-survive-in-nazi-germany-excerpt-three/
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Wow, love the subject. I’ll finish that in three days if I were you 🙂
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I only read in bed at night, so I am not so fast. It has started well though, and has great period feel too. 🙂
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I read the synopsis. I like it.
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You certainly get through them
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Thanks Derrick 🙂
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Wonderful reads, Arlene. Lots of classics!
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Hi Diana, thanks!
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happy reading, Arlene 🙂
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Thanks Wilma!
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I just finished a book from India called “The Far Field.” It taught me a lot about the conflict in Kashmir which I follow since I read a blog from there. I am just starting Lisa See’s newest book “The Island of Sea Women.” I think we both enjoyed her previous books. This one is quite intriguing.
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Wow, India, I read so much about it before. Yes, I’ve read Lisa See’s The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane and I love it’s historical presentation. I hope I could find more of her books.
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This one about sea diving women and tension between Korea and Japan is enlightening.
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I loved Crime and Punishment but still need to read Anna Karenina, after War and Peace I really should have followed up with that one but never seem to find the time for Russian authors of late.
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It took me a long time to read Anna Karenina. The names were so confusing and hard to pronounce.
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That’s always the peril of a Russian novel.
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I guess so. sometimes they even shorten it so it becomes more confusing. You thought you were reading a different character.
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Those patronyms can take some getting used to, as well.
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Yes, I agree 🙂
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