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avreliaAnd so I present you the book meme that is making rounds in the fandom.
1. Total number of books I've owned: six boxes in Canada and uncounted number in Russia. Some of those in Russia are totally mine, some belong to my parents. I am not sure I ever read them all, but I want to.
2. Last book I bought: Legal Machine transcriptions. Does it count if it was for my college course? I rarely buy books in Canada- unless it is a gift or I want to have too much. Right now I usually use the magnificent Toronto Public Library. We did buy a lot of books while living in BC - both in Chapters and twice a year at a library sale. But then, we had twelve boxes of books to move and pay for the moving... rather discouraging. I also bring several kilos of books from Russia every time.
3. Last book I read or am currently reading:
Last books I finished is Pamela Dean's Tam Lin, which you can read about in the previous post.
Currently reading:
Douglas R. Hofstadter, Le ton beau de Marot : in praise of the music of language. As per advice of![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
mrissa
Melissa Bank, The girls' guide to hunting and fishing
Byliny (Russian epic poems.) Yes, it is going slowly, but this way it is more fun.
4. Five books that mean a lot to me:
I believe I picked five when I was doing similar meme the first time around, so I'll try not to repeat myself.
Ivan Efremov Thais of Athens. This book as far as I know is not translated into English, which is a pity, because it is a wonderful story that provided me with a kink for the Hellenistic culture, a sense of wonder, and a role model. What does it tell about me that my role model since thirteen was a Greek courtesan from the Alexander the Great time? I don't care. Thais is great - lively, intelligent, kind, openminded, a good friend, always curious, and she kicks Aristotle's ass - literally. I love her.
Alexandr Pushkin Evgeny Onegin I am sure I mentioned it already, but it is book I keep coming back and every time I am reading it as a different book (this is true fot the Thais as well). Beside, after reading Hofstadter, I can intelligently recommend you translation by John Falen, or if you can't get it, Walter Arndt is good too. Pushkin feels like a memeber of my family. Like in: Who's gonna wash the dishes? Pushkin!
Roger Zelazny The Chronicles of Amber THe first actual fantazy I read - bofore it was sf of various kinds. I was sixteen, and the books - in horrible, but memorable edition were magic. I almost completely forgot the content, yet I am afraid to reread it - and to lose that magic...
Some American guy A book about Language I don't remember the name of the author, or the exact name of this children's book, but it was a translation from English with the appropriate comments and additions from the translator (to have examples about Russian language), and it gave me lots of random knowledge about linguistics and languages I still use. Plus, the love and excitement over words!
Jacque le Goff Medieval Civilization of Europe. after all the marxist-view-upholding history books I grew up with, this was a revelation. I still love it and put on the pedestal, and reread from time to time. So much fun!
5. Tag five people and have them put this in their journal: and the victims are:skylee, monanotlisa, janedavitt, elisi, oyceter. What have you been reading?
1. Total number of books I've owned: six boxes in Canada and uncounted number in Russia. Some of those in Russia are totally mine, some belong to my parents. I am not sure I ever read them all, but I want to.
2. Last book I bought: Legal Machine transcriptions. Does it count if it was for my college course? I rarely buy books in Canada- unless it is a gift or I want to have too much. Right now I usually use the magnificent Toronto Public Library. We did buy a lot of books while living in BC - both in Chapters and twice a year at a library sale. But then, we had twelve boxes of books to move and pay for the moving... rather discouraging. I also bring several kilos of books from Russia every time.
3. Last book I read or am currently reading:
Last books I finished is Pamela Dean's Tam Lin, which you can read about in the previous post.
Currently reading:
Douglas R. Hofstadter, Le ton beau de Marot : in praise of the music of language. As per advice of
mrissaMelissa Bank, The girls' guide to hunting and fishing
Byliny (Russian epic poems.) Yes, it is going slowly, but this way it is more fun.
4. Five books that mean a lot to me:
I believe I picked five when I was doing similar meme the first time around, so I'll try not to repeat myself.
Ivan Efremov Thais of Athens. This book as far as I know is not translated into English, which is a pity, because it is a wonderful story that provided me with a kink for the Hellenistic culture, a sense of wonder, and a role model. What does it tell about me that my role model since thirteen was a Greek courtesan from the Alexander the Great time? I don't care. Thais is great - lively, intelligent, kind, openminded, a good friend, always curious, and she kicks Aristotle's ass - literally. I love her.
Alexandr Pushkin Evgeny Onegin I am sure I mentioned it already, but it is book I keep coming back and every time I am reading it as a different book (this is true fot the Thais as well). Beside, after reading Hofstadter, I can intelligently recommend you translation by John Falen, or if you can't get it, Walter Arndt is good too. Pushkin feels like a memeber of my family. Like in: Who's gonna wash the dishes? Pushkin!
Roger Zelazny The Chronicles of Amber THe first actual fantazy I read - bofore it was sf of various kinds. I was sixteen, and the books - in horrible, but memorable edition were magic. I almost completely forgot the content, yet I am afraid to reread it - and to lose that magic...
Some American guy A book about Language I don't remember the name of the author, or the exact name of this children's book, but it was a translation from English with the appropriate comments and additions from the translator (to have examples about Russian language), and it gave me lots of random knowledge about linguistics and languages I still use. Plus, the love and excitement over words!
Jacque le Goff Medieval Civilization of Europe. after all the marxist-view-upholding history books I grew up with, this was a revelation. I still love it and put on the pedestal, and reread from time to time. So much fun!
5. Tag five people and have them put this in their journal: and the victims are:
skylee, monanotlisa, janedavitt, elisi, oyceter. What have you been reading?![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}