Blogging Anniversary - 10 years

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A while ago I checked when I did my first blog post, in order to celebrate with an anniversary post. Well, that day came and went without any reaction from me. Better late than never, so here a reminder of my very first blog post from 24 October 2012.  The book was New Finnish Grammar  by Diego Marani. Marani is an Italian novelist, translator and newspaper columnist. While working as a translator for the European Union he invented a language ‘Europanto’ which is a mixture of languages and based on the common practice of word-borrowing usage of many EU languages. It was a suitable book to start with, being a book about letters, languages and memories. With a beautiful prose, the novel went directly to my heart.  "One night at Trieste in September 1943 a seriously wounded soldier is found on the quay. The doctor, of a newly arrived German hospital ship, Pietri Friari gives the unconscious soldier medical assistance. His new patient has no documents or anything that can ide...
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Nonfiction November, week 2 - Book Pairing

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Week 2 of Nonfiction November has started. This week it is time to pair up a nonfiction book with a fiction title, or, if you prefer, another nonfiction. Being in the modern time and age you could also pair it with a podcast, film or documentary. The choice is yours. This week is hosted by Rennie @ What’s Nonfiction

I always find this theme rather difficult, but this year I found my perfect match right away. It has to do with history, what else? One of my absolute favourite books are A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. It covers the years from 1922 when communism was new until 1954, the year after Stalin died. You might see my pairing here. Simon Sebag Montefiore has written an excellent account of Stalin's life and his deeds. It is mostly scary reading. In The Court of the Red Tsar you get a detailed, well researched account on his life and times. It seems I did not write a review at the time, maybe because it is difficult to summaries everything that was happening. It is a very thick book, full of details, and sometimes so horrific to read, that you have to take a break. Not because of the writing but because the actions of Stalin are so terrible it is difficult to grasp. 

Otherwise the nonfiction reading is rather slow. It turns out November is full of things to do. Blogging, newsletter, Nanowrimo and other fun things to do. I am enjoying your posts and recommendations. 


Comments

  1. Liz Dexter7 November 2022 at 16:59

    I usually find this week difficult, but overcame that by creating the post through the year! A good pairing there.

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    1. Lisbeth 8 November 2022 at 15:45

      Me too Liz, but somehow these two books came to me right away this year. Maybe because I really loved A Gentleman...

      Delete
  2. Marianne 8 November 2022 at 11:53

    Great combination. As you know, I also loved "A Gentleman in Moscow", such a fantastic book. And I read a lot about Russia and/or The Soviet Union, so this is close to my heart.

    Book-Paring is one of my favourite weeks of Non-fiction November. My Week 2.

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    1. Lisbeth 8 November 2022 at 15:47

      Marianne, the two books came to me in a flash (hihi). Usually, I have difficulties with this week, although I find it very interesting, to see which books are paired by other bloggers. Loved yours.

      Delete
    2. Marianne 10 November 2022 at 11:19

      Thanks, Lisbeth. I love this week because it gives me so many ideas what to read next. Although, having said that, my TBR pile is far too high already.

      Delete
  3. Lisbeth 8 November 2022 at 15:46

    Deb, can really recommend this one. Montefiore has written another one on Stalin I think. He is such a good historian and he writes very well.

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  4. Rennie9 November 2022 at 14:51

    I loved The Court of the Red Tsar, and actually thought his earlier part of the Stalin biography, Young Stalin, was even better! If you haven't read that one I highly recommend it.

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    1. Lisbeth 15 November 2022 at 12:11

      I have not read that one Rennie. I must admit it was enough to read The Red Tsar. I might me ready for another one. To know of his younger years might give a clue to who he became in later life.

      Delete
  5. Emma at Words And Peace / France Book Tours9 November 2022 at 19:24

    It does sound like a great pairing!
    https://wordsandpeace.com/2022/11/09/nonfiction-november-2022-book-pairings/

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    1. Lisbeth 15 November 2022 at 12:12

      Thank you Emma, I was happy to find this pairing so fast. It has taken me some effort earlier years. Now I am thinking of stranger than fiction, but cannot come up with anything fast. Have to take some more time.

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