Randomramblings

'Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera'

That would be my favourite. Can't help it, the film did it's work on me ! :)

Hm, out of my books in 2006, my favorites are still those who were favorite before and I just reread them this year. Except Hemingway, he's the only one of the new ones that made an impression. And Baricco, but I loved him before.
So: Out of Africa, For whom the bell tolls, City, Finzi-Contini's garden, East of Eden and English patient.
All in all, last year I found only two good books? Shame...

Like I told you before I prefer your life over the reviews ;) But if I have no choice, then I would like to hear (read) your opinions about Old man an the sea. Which btw is not on your list!

Alkimist. It's something I should probably read some day, but I suspect I won't like it, so I'd like to hear more about it before I decide whether to pick it up.

Thanks a lot Nadezhda for this list! Last year I made a decision to read more that I used to in the previous years and now I have a serious problem of choosing which books to read. I don't know where to start, where to find interesting books, how to find the kind of books that I like... Recently we got the »Vzemi me v roke« corner in my local library with some interesting books chosen by one of the librarians and I was surprised to see two of them (The life of Pi and The hours) in your list. And if they weren't in the »Vzemi me v roke« corner I would never have found them in the library. I'm wondering how you choose your books?

To answer your questions... I think it's way too much work to write the reviews of all the books, isn't it? It was brave of you to ask this question. :) And if I had to choose between the book reviews and posts about your life I would choose the latter. This probably seems a bit strange with all the questions about the books that I have!

An impressive list. While it should probably take you quite some time to review them all, you've done a lot, really, just sorting them out. Rambling about fiction seems just as foolish as talking about art. But pointing a reader to the best books, this is noble, and everything we need, so thank you.

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body, said a man.

Jin - that book was a 100 page biography, complete with many of her famous works. I've already written a review by hand and will type it later. Many interesting facts about her life that I never read before. Should be interesting reading for you.

Lilit - I was thinking about purchasing Out of Afrika last time I was in a bookshop; only now I know that I really want to read it. I fear I'm going in Ill-advised's direction as far as buying books is concerned. I will try to do as you like. :) Old man's review is coming soon. (Hopefully!)

Mitja - I'm re-reading the book now (got it as a Christmas present) and will post a book review later this month. I don't know what kind of books you like, so I can't predict whether you're disposed to like Alkimist or not.

Tina - you're welcome. I will answer your question today or tomorrow in another post to the blog.

Claude - thanks for your comment. As with Tine, I will address your statements later today or tomorrow.

I loved The life of Pi! One of the best books I've ever read! I gave it around as presents too... I'm glad you liked it as well. Made me become a vegetarian, hehehe!

I did not liek Alkimist too much. I liked it when I was reading it, but then nothing stayed. I don't like "instant" psichology. The same happened with Coehlo's Zahir. STrange. I won't read anything by him anymore...

Ambala - welcome! Forgive my curiosity, but what point in Life of Pi convinced you to become a vegetarian? I have never heard of a person turning to vegetarianism as a result of reading a book. To tell the truth, I find it a bit odd.

Also, I don't think Alkimist is an instant psychology book. I like its poetic narrative and the (never faltering) optimism of the main character. I think it's inspiring actually - turn the situation so that you won't see your loss, but what you can gain from the situation.

The answer lies in your question. The amazing thing about the Internet is the ability to empower through its vast resources, while the interesting thing about the Internet is the ability to see and understand the world through others. So, rather than post empirical book reviews--albeit your favorites--it would be far more intriguing to know how and why they moved you personally.

looks like a very nice list of books.

DOn't know the answers to your questions. Is not really easy. Just the whole thing on the boat, eating all those raw fish and drinkin the blood of turtles made me a bit sick. And could not eat meat for a while. I guess am a bit sensitive.
Which are good reasons of becoming a vegetaran then? ;)

I can see your point about Coehlo. And sure he's an optimist. I found the message written in a rather lame way so it did not stay. Just cannot read anymore books of him... that's all..

Tora - welcome and here's hoping you stop by more frequently! :)

Patrick - thanks for the suggestion, I'll keep that in mind.

Ambala - not trying to interfere in your personal beliefs in any way, just the reason you provide seems a bit - well, weird. The most vegetarians (the ones I talked to) said they loved animals and that they have the right to live. I would have understood if you had Pi's experience yourself - but reading about it and deciding it's gross to drink turtle blood... Anyway, I'm sure you see my point. I don't object at all to your being vegetarian, I just pointed out that the reason behind it seems a bit weak.

If Coelho didn't work his magic for you, that's not a problem at all. We can't all like the same books and that is perfectly fine by me.