Hello everyone,
today I'm spontaneously creating a little series out of a post that I made back in 2016 about good books I've read and would highly recommend unto others. I've read a number of good books since, and realized I forgot to mention some good ones last time, so I'll include them here. Hope you guys enjoy! Happy reading.
1) Putin Country: A Journey into the Real Russia, by Anne Garrels. This book is without question one of the most comprehensive and well-thought out I've ever read about Russia. It focuses mainly on various issues affecting people in contemporary Russia, but including plentiful historical information to contextualize everything. Every chapter covers a different topic, from gay rights and income inequality to alcoholism among Russian men and Islamophobia. The chapters often include interviews with people whom the author met during her various stints residing in and around Chelyabinsk, a city at the southern edge of the Urals, a sort of rural "average Russian city." I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and was especially appreciative of the knowledge it gave me while I read it during my study abroad semester in Moscow. Anyone interested in Russia and international affairs should check it out.
2) The Little Book of Icelandic, by Alda Sigmundsdóttir. I'll be recommending several of Alda's books, as she's one of the most talented, enjoyable, and well-researched contemporary Icelandic writers, particularly when it comes to the history and current events in her country and writing about them for a foreign audience. This book unsurprisingly details the "idiosyncracies, delights, and sheer tyranny of the Icelandic language," offering a beautiful and easily accessible vision of its history, development, unique words and worldview, and all that makes it unique and terribly difficult to learn. If you're interested in Icelandic, Iceland, Nordic or Scandinavian languages and cultures, or languages and linguistics in general, definitely have a look at this one.
3) The Little Book of the Icelanders. Perhaps the book that Alda is best known for, this one gives a humorous, frank, and insightful view of Icelandic culture, mannerisms, and tendencies from the inside out, making full use of Alda's unique ability to relate to and talk about these things and then relay them to non-Icelanders, being an Icelander who spent much of her early life abroad and has thus experienced her own country from both an insider and outsider perspective at the same time. Again, a must-read for any fellow Icelandophiles.
4) The Little Book of the Tourists in Iceland. Alda's most recent book to date offers a crucial and fascinating understanding of myriad issues within contemporary Iceland vis a vis the huge surge in tourism from about 2013 onward, and how it has both positively impacted the country by offering a critical new sector to its economy following the 2008 financial crash, as well as numerous ways in which it has put a strain on the country (from an already understaffed and overworked emergency response force needing to go out of its way to rescue tourists that fail to head warnings of glacial crevasses and dangerous sea currents to how delicate environments can be greatly damaged by clueless travelers). Anyone who is planning on traveling to Iceland as a tourist needs to read this book, as it offers a lot of insight into how Icelanders view tourists, and how to visit the country in a careful and conscientious way that will allow for the best possible experience.
5) Deep Mountain, by Ece Temelkuran. This book is a beautiful retelling of Temelkuran's journey to bridge the gap between the Turks and Armenians caused by the Ottoman genocide of the Armenian population in Anatolia in 1915, which still causes great tension today along with the Turkish government's continued and insistent denial of its genocidal status. She travels to various locations from Paris to Venice Beach to interview Turkish and Armenian expatriates, and then back to Turkey and Armenia themselves to bring together the disparate views of writers, activists, and scholars from all walks of life into one volume, including many thoughtful and sensitive insights into the nature of home, belonging, and nationality. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Armenia, Turkey, their cultures, histories, and diplomatic relations, as well as in general identity and experience pieces.
6) There Was And There Was Not, by Meline Toumani. Another book looking at the complexities of intersection between the Armenian and Turkish worlds and worldviews. Initially, Toumani beautifully relays her story and background growing up as a member of a tightly knit Armenian community in New Jersey, where Turkish restaurants and products are staunchly boycotted. Later on, she details her experience of moving to Istanbul as an adult to conduct research and to meet and connect with Turks herself on her own terms, and discover the past of her Armenian ancestors' presence on Turkish soil, finally traveling to Armenia itself for the first time to investigate the dynamics of a state greatly shrunken from its historical size. It is difficult to convey in so many words how amazingly beautiful this book is, and how much information it allows one to take in on the whole issue. Again, anyone who has the slightest interest in Armenia, Turkey, or anything to do with either of them simply must read this book.
7) The Culture Smart! series. This series is made up of short and compact books simply titled by their respective countries they are about, and offer a brief crash course in the geography, history, demographics, cultural tendencies and communicative habits found in them. Great resources for anyone visiting a country for the first time, or wishing to learn more about them in an introductory manner.
8) Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda, by Becky Albertalli. This book is the one on which the 2018 hit movie Love, Simon is based. It is narrated from the perspective of Simon Spier, a closeted gay high school student, as he begins to navigate coming out to his friends and family, falling in love, and the terrifying possibility of being outed by a classmate who is blackmailing him. It's beautiful, it's funny, full of heart, and an easy read. Definitely see the movie too, but give the book a try too, as it has many strengths and hidden treats which are unfortunately left out on screen.
9) The Finnish Way: Finding Courage, Wellness, and Happiness Through the Power of Sisu, by Katja Pantzar. Written by a Canadian daughter of two Finnish parents who eventually moved back to Finland and wound up starting a family in her ancestral homeland, this book is a fantastic account of numerous, simple little tips and tricks that are great gifts from Finland and all of the Nordic countries to the rest of the world. From the great mental and physical benefits of biking to work and spending plentiful time in nature and second-hand markets to the toxin-flushing temperature changes of going back and forth between cold water and the traditional Finnish sauna, this book is an ideal and fairly easy read for anyone interested in learning more about Finland, the Nordic countries, and great tips to integrate into their everyday lives for greater happiness and well-being.
10) Habibi, by Naomi Shihab Nye. The day after young Palestinian American Liyana has her first kiss, her father announces that their family will be moving from St. Louis, Missouri to his homeland of Palestine. Once arrived, Liyana struggles to navigate cultural and linguistic boundaries and confusion when she meets her Palestinian relatives for the first time, as well as her friendship and feelings with a young Israeli Jew named Omer. This is a simple but beautiful book with a fascinating view on family, friendship, love, and identity that I would recommend to pretty much anyone.
11) La Bella Lingua, by Dianne Hales. In this book, Hales details her experiences, struggles, and triumphs of learning Italian, and offers tremendous insight into the nature of the language and its varied history and rich expressive powers. A good read for anyone into Italy, Italian, Romance languages, and languages in general.
12) The Italians, by John Hooper. In this well-researched and up to date work, Hooper gives a fantastic overview of diverse aspects of Italian culture, history, and society, from immigration and LGBT issues to minority populations and the importance of fashion, as well as additional insights from interviews with other scholars and locals. This is a crucial resource for anyone seeking to better understand Italy and its people.
13) Found in Translation, by Nataly Kelly and Jost Zetzche. This book is the culmination of detailed and well-researched insight into the importance of translation and the other mediums, media, and worldviews that it enables us to access, as well as all the intricacies and beauty of human language that are difficult, if not impossible, to properly understand, contextualize, and transmit through translation. A must-read for anyone into languages and linguistics.
14) The Not-Quite States of America, by Doug Mack. This is a fantastic and incredibly important book for anyone looking for a better or more detailed understanding of the history and contemporary state of the United States' territories. Mack travels from the US Virgin Islands to Guam and Puerto Rico to the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa to interview locals for frank, unfiltered, and honest insight on the territories' unjust treatment and ongoing colonization, while also giving ample background on the beauty, richness, and resilience of their respective cultures. This book is amazing and incredibly educational, and I cannot recommend it enough.
15) Getting Bi. This anthology by well-known bisexual activist, scholar, and writer Robyn Ochs puts together an incredibly talented and diverse mixture of poetry, stories, and insights of bisexual people from all over the world of various ages, gender identities, experiences, and worldviews. An enjoyable and critical read for anyone interested in LGBT issues and identity, especially the unique struggles faced by bisexual people who all too often suffer ridicule and ostracism from not only straight people, but fellow LGBT people as well.
16) Recognize: The Voices of Bisexual Men. Edited by Robyn Ochs and H. Sharif Williams, this bisexual anthology is quite similar to Getting Bi, but focuses specifically on the stories told and issues faced by bisexual men in particular. An excellent companion to the former.
17) Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World. A truly adorable and fun tribute to the former cat in residence at the Spencer Public Library in Spencer, Iowa. After finding a tiny orange kitten left in the library drop bin on one of the coldest nights of a harsh winter, librarian Vicki Myron decides to nurse him back to health and let him take up residence in the library. His heartwarming story brought him and the library itself great fame, and he was well loved by library workers and patrons until his death in 2006. An excellent feel-good read for anyone who loves (or even doesn't particularly like) cats.
18) A Work in Progress, by Connor Franta. One of the earliest examples of the now inescapable trend of YouTuber books, Connor's book is an excellent time capsule of his thoughts and experiences up to the particular time of his life in which the book was published, fully acknowledging its malleability and potential for change. It artfully integrates his straightforward and insightful accounts of his experiences growing up, finding his way, coming out of the closet, and creating a platform and career with beautiful photographs of meaningful places and memories. Even those who are not familiar with Connor's videos will probably find something to enjoy in this book.
19) Lettera a una ragazza in Turchia, by Antonia Arslan. Meaning "Letter to a Girl in Turkey," this is one of Italian-Armenian author Antonia Arslan's best known works. The whole book recounts the history and background of Arslan's Armenian ancestors stretching back several generations, and how their world is of course turned completely upside down by the dramatic and brutal events of the Armenian genocide. Unfortunately, I don't think it exists in English translation. But anyone who feels able or at least up to the challenge of reading it in Italian would likely enjoy it.
20) Istanbul, by Orhan Pamuk. In this autobiography, the famous Turkish author gives a long and storied account of his majestic and beautiful hometown, contextualizing its centuries of rich history against the backdrop of his childhood, life, memories, and the places important to him and his family members. Long, dense, and loaded with complexities, it's definitely not an easy read and not for everyone. But anyone who decides to strap in and give the extra effort to experience it will not be disappointed by one of Turkish literature's most brilliant minds' account of its most famous and perhaps most beautiful city.
21) Syria Burning, by Charles Glass. Having been published in 2015, this book is certainly a bit dated at this point. But it still stands as one of the most effective, comprehensive, and honest accounts of the Syrian Civil War, and how its devastating and cruel effects have affected the subsequent outpouring of Syrian asylum seekers, as well as the utter devastation the conflict has caused to Syria's rich historical traditions and sites, and religious diversity. Not exactly a happy read, but incredibly helpful to understanding current events and one of the most unfortunate and war-torn places on Earth.
22) Books and Islands in Ojibwe Country, by Louise Erdich. Erdich is a well-known and talented fiction writer. But in this book she recounts a real-life journey of hers deep into the heartland of her Ojibwe ancestors in the Boundary Waters (the huge and intricate system of lakes on the Minnesota-Ontario border) with her recently born youngest daughter in toe. The title is a reference to the ancient rock paintings on large boulders found on exposed cliffs and in water near lake islands in the area, and how these paintings and the land itself hold just as much literary power and tradition within them as any modern book. This is a truly beautiful book that I'm sure anyone could find enjoyable elements in.
Enjoy!
Nico
today I'm spontaneously creating a little series out of a post that I made back in 2016 about good books I've read and would highly recommend unto others. I've read a number of good books since, and realized I forgot to mention some good ones last time, so I'll include them here. Hope you guys enjoy! Happy reading.
1) Putin Country: A Journey into the Real Russia, by Anne Garrels. This book is without question one of the most comprehensive and well-thought out I've ever read about Russia. It focuses mainly on various issues affecting people in contemporary Russia, but including plentiful historical information to contextualize everything. Every chapter covers a different topic, from gay rights and income inequality to alcoholism among Russian men and Islamophobia. The chapters often include interviews with people whom the author met during her various stints residing in and around Chelyabinsk, a city at the southern edge of the Urals, a sort of rural "average Russian city." I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and was especially appreciative of the knowledge it gave me while I read it during my study abroad semester in Moscow. Anyone interested in Russia and international affairs should check it out.
2) The Little Book of Icelandic, by Alda Sigmundsdóttir. I'll be recommending several of Alda's books, as she's one of the most talented, enjoyable, and well-researched contemporary Icelandic writers, particularly when it comes to the history and current events in her country and writing about them for a foreign audience. This book unsurprisingly details the "idiosyncracies, delights, and sheer tyranny of the Icelandic language," offering a beautiful and easily accessible vision of its history, development, unique words and worldview, and all that makes it unique and terribly difficult to learn. If you're interested in Icelandic, Iceland, Nordic or Scandinavian languages and cultures, or languages and linguistics in general, definitely have a look at this one.
3) The Little Book of the Icelanders. Perhaps the book that Alda is best known for, this one gives a humorous, frank, and insightful view of Icelandic culture, mannerisms, and tendencies from the inside out, making full use of Alda's unique ability to relate to and talk about these things and then relay them to non-Icelanders, being an Icelander who spent much of her early life abroad and has thus experienced her own country from both an insider and outsider perspective at the same time. Again, a must-read for any fellow Icelandophiles.
4) The Little Book of the Tourists in Iceland. Alda's most recent book to date offers a crucial and fascinating understanding of myriad issues within contemporary Iceland vis a vis the huge surge in tourism from about 2013 onward, and how it has both positively impacted the country by offering a critical new sector to its economy following the 2008 financial crash, as well as numerous ways in which it has put a strain on the country (from an already understaffed and overworked emergency response force needing to go out of its way to rescue tourists that fail to head warnings of glacial crevasses and dangerous sea currents to how delicate environments can be greatly damaged by clueless travelers). Anyone who is planning on traveling to Iceland as a tourist needs to read this book, as it offers a lot of insight into how Icelanders view tourists, and how to visit the country in a careful and conscientious way that will allow for the best possible experience.
5) Deep Mountain, by Ece Temelkuran. This book is a beautiful retelling of Temelkuran's journey to bridge the gap between the Turks and Armenians caused by the Ottoman genocide of the Armenian population in Anatolia in 1915, which still causes great tension today along with the Turkish government's continued and insistent denial of its genocidal status. She travels to various locations from Paris to Venice Beach to interview Turkish and Armenian expatriates, and then back to Turkey and Armenia themselves to bring together the disparate views of writers, activists, and scholars from all walks of life into one volume, including many thoughtful and sensitive insights into the nature of home, belonging, and nationality. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Armenia, Turkey, their cultures, histories, and diplomatic relations, as well as in general identity and experience pieces.
6) There Was And There Was Not, by Meline Toumani. Another book looking at the complexities of intersection between the Armenian and Turkish worlds and worldviews. Initially, Toumani beautifully relays her story and background growing up as a member of a tightly knit Armenian community in New Jersey, where Turkish restaurants and products are staunchly boycotted. Later on, she details her experience of moving to Istanbul as an adult to conduct research and to meet and connect with Turks herself on her own terms, and discover the past of her Armenian ancestors' presence on Turkish soil, finally traveling to Armenia itself for the first time to investigate the dynamics of a state greatly shrunken from its historical size. It is difficult to convey in so many words how amazingly beautiful this book is, and how much information it allows one to take in on the whole issue. Again, anyone who has the slightest interest in Armenia, Turkey, or anything to do with either of them simply must read this book.
7) The Culture Smart! series. This series is made up of short and compact books simply titled by their respective countries they are about, and offer a brief crash course in the geography, history, demographics, cultural tendencies and communicative habits found in them. Great resources for anyone visiting a country for the first time, or wishing to learn more about them in an introductory manner.
8) Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda, by Becky Albertalli. This book is the one on which the 2018 hit movie Love, Simon is based. It is narrated from the perspective of Simon Spier, a closeted gay high school student, as he begins to navigate coming out to his friends and family, falling in love, and the terrifying possibility of being outed by a classmate who is blackmailing him. It's beautiful, it's funny, full of heart, and an easy read. Definitely see the movie too, but give the book a try too, as it has many strengths and hidden treats which are unfortunately left out on screen.
9) The Finnish Way: Finding Courage, Wellness, and Happiness Through the Power of Sisu, by Katja Pantzar. Written by a Canadian daughter of two Finnish parents who eventually moved back to Finland and wound up starting a family in her ancestral homeland, this book is a fantastic account of numerous, simple little tips and tricks that are great gifts from Finland and all of the Nordic countries to the rest of the world. From the great mental and physical benefits of biking to work and spending plentiful time in nature and second-hand markets to the toxin-flushing temperature changes of going back and forth between cold water and the traditional Finnish sauna, this book is an ideal and fairly easy read for anyone interested in learning more about Finland, the Nordic countries, and great tips to integrate into their everyday lives for greater happiness and well-being.
10) Habibi, by Naomi Shihab Nye. The day after young Palestinian American Liyana has her first kiss, her father announces that their family will be moving from St. Louis, Missouri to his homeland of Palestine. Once arrived, Liyana struggles to navigate cultural and linguistic boundaries and confusion when she meets her Palestinian relatives for the first time, as well as her friendship and feelings with a young Israeli Jew named Omer. This is a simple but beautiful book with a fascinating view on family, friendship, love, and identity that I would recommend to pretty much anyone.
11) La Bella Lingua, by Dianne Hales. In this book, Hales details her experiences, struggles, and triumphs of learning Italian, and offers tremendous insight into the nature of the language and its varied history and rich expressive powers. A good read for anyone into Italy, Italian, Romance languages, and languages in general.
12) The Italians, by John Hooper. In this well-researched and up to date work, Hooper gives a fantastic overview of diverse aspects of Italian culture, history, and society, from immigration and LGBT issues to minority populations and the importance of fashion, as well as additional insights from interviews with other scholars and locals. This is a crucial resource for anyone seeking to better understand Italy and its people.
13) Found in Translation, by Nataly Kelly and Jost Zetzche. This book is the culmination of detailed and well-researched insight into the importance of translation and the other mediums, media, and worldviews that it enables us to access, as well as all the intricacies and beauty of human language that are difficult, if not impossible, to properly understand, contextualize, and transmit through translation. A must-read for anyone into languages and linguistics.
14) The Not-Quite States of America, by Doug Mack. This is a fantastic and incredibly important book for anyone looking for a better or more detailed understanding of the history and contemporary state of the United States' territories. Mack travels from the US Virgin Islands to Guam and Puerto Rico to the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa to interview locals for frank, unfiltered, and honest insight on the territories' unjust treatment and ongoing colonization, while also giving ample background on the beauty, richness, and resilience of their respective cultures. This book is amazing and incredibly educational, and I cannot recommend it enough.
15) Getting Bi. This anthology by well-known bisexual activist, scholar, and writer Robyn Ochs puts together an incredibly talented and diverse mixture of poetry, stories, and insights of bisexual people from all over the world of various ages, gender identities, experiences, and worldviews. An enjoyable and critical read for anyone interested in LGBT issues and identity, especially the unique struggles faced by bisexual people who all too often suffer ridicule and ostracism from not only straight people, but fellow LGBT people as well.
16) Recognize: The Voices of Bisexual Men. Edited by Robyn Ochs and H. Sharif Williams, this bisexual anthology is quite similar to Getting Bi, but focuses specifically on the stories told and issues faced by bisexual men in particular. An excellent companion to the former.
17) Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World. A truly adorable and fun tribute to the former cat in residence at the Spencer Public Library in Spencer, Iowa. After finding a tiny orange kitten left in the library drop bin on one of the coldest nights of a harsh winter, librarian Vicki Myron decides to nurse him back to health and let him take up residence in the library. His heartwarming story brought him and the library itself great fame, and he was well loved by library workers and patrons until his death in 2006. An excellent feel-good read for anyone who loves (or even doesn't particularly like) cats.
18) A Work in Progress, by Connor Franta. One of the earliest examples of the now inescapable trend of YouTuber books, Connor's book is an excellent time capsule of his thoughts and experiences up to the particular time of his life in which the book was published, fully acknowledging its malleability and potential for change. It artfully integrates his straightforward and insightful accounts of his experiences growing up, finding his way, coming out of the closet, and creating a platform and career with beautiful photographs of meaningful places and memories. Even those who are not familiar with Connor's videos will probably find something to enjoy in this book.
19) Lettera a una ragazza in Turchia, by Antonia Arslan. Meaning "Letter to a Girl in Turkey," this is one of Italian-Armenian author Antonia Arslan's best known works. The whole book recounts the history and background of Arslan's Armenian ancestors stretching back several generations, and how their world is of course turned completely upside down by the dramatic and brutal events of the Armenian genocide. Unfortunately, I don't think it exists in English translation. But anyone who feels able or at least up to the challenge of reading it in Italian would likely enjoy it.
20) Istanbul, by Orhan Pamuk. In this autobiography, the famous Turkish author gives a long and storied account of his majestic and beautiful hometown, contextualizing its centuries of rich history against the backdrop of his childhood, life, memories, and the places important to him and his family members. Long, dense, and loaded with complexities, it's definitely not an easy read and not for everyone. But anyone who decides to strap in and give the extra effort to experience it will not be disappointed by one of Turkish literature's most brilliant minds' account of its most famous and perhaps most beautiful city.
21) Syria Burning, by Charles Glass. Having been published in 2015, this book is certainly a bit dated at this point. But it still stands as one of the most effective, comprehensive, and honest accounts of the Syrian Civil War, and how its devastating and cruel effects have affected the subsequent outpouring of Syrian asylum seekers, as well as the utter devastation the conflict has caused to Syria's rich historical traditions and sites, and religious diversity. Not exactly a happy read, but incredibly helpful to understanding current events and one of the most unfortunate and war-torn places on Earth.
22) Books and Islands in Ojibwe Country, by Louise Erdich. Erdich is a well-known and talented fiction writer. But in this book she recounts a real-life journey of hers deep into the heartland of her Ojibwe ancestors in the Boundary Waters (the huge and intricate system of lakes on the Minnesota-Ontario border) with her recently born youngest daughter in toe. The title is a reference to the ancient rock paintings on large boulders found on exposed cliffs and in water near lake islands in the area, and how these paintings and the land itself hold just as much literary power and tradition within them as any modern book. This is a truly beautiful book that I'm sure anyone could find enjoyable elements in.
Enjoy!
