Friday 30 January 2015

Reading challenge update for January

So this is the year of the reading challenges...

And I have been reading. Work life has been hectic, but I have had some time for reading, too.


The book I've been meaning to read: 
Franklin Graham: The Name.

We have bought it from a sale years ago, and it has been sitting on the shelf waiting to be read. Well, now I've read it. It's OK, but I feel I'm not exactly the target audience of this book. It's obvious that this was written and published in the aftermath of 9-11-2001 and that many of the points Graham makes in the book referred to the current 'hot issues' of the time. And perhaps this was also mainly directed for the American public?

For the HelMet libraries challenge:

I have 'done' 6 categories out of 50. I could have used these books in several more categories, but chose not to. If, by the end of the year, I find I have empty categories these can fill, I'll re-categorize :)

9. Non-fiction book:  
Currey, Mason: Daily Rituals. How great minds make time, find inspiration, and get to work.

An interesting collection of stories about the routines of various writers, scientists, artists etc. Not a lot of practical advice to glean, because apparently everyone has their own unique way that suits them best. You just need to find yours.  

15. A book you have been planning to read a long time:  
Franklin Graham: The Name

25. Published in the year you were born:  
Kirsti Kormu: Nepalin jalokivet (Jewels of Nepal)

A missionary nurse tells about her experiences in Nepal in the 1960's. Published in 1970, this was a beautiful glimpse into history. The name of the book refers to the people there, and the author's love for the people and the country shines through her words.

30. A book of comics or a graphic novel:  
Guy Delisle: A user's guide to neglectful parenting

Somewhat amusing, but not as good as I expected. I much preferred Delisle's graphic novel memoirs from living as an expat in Pjongjang, Shenzen, Burma and Jerusalem. Seems to me, in those memoirs he had something more to say - and the comic/graphic format was good for conveying his impressions.

41. Author was over 65 years old when book was published AND
43. Over 500 pages long 
Seppo Väisänen: Aikansa kutakin (Everything in its time)

Memoirs of a Finnish pastor/missionary. In my opinion, the most interesting part was about the family's experiences in Ethiopia in the 1970's. (Being married to a MK, I appreciate everything that helps me understand his perspective - though his family wasn't in Ethiopia, some experiences are probably similar.) 
The book was over 500 pages, but a quicker read than I expected. Perhaps because I liked the writer's sense of humour. The name of the book comes from a Finnish saying, something like "everything in its time, said the ram when its head was cut off." Meaning something along the lines of "there are good times and bad times, and neither of them lasts forever."

More books coming up next time, I hope.

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