I was like a flashback from 8 years ago. Despite the fact that the book “ Aupairanoia” by Nicky Huisman en Leonie Verbeek (in Dutch only) had been written from the host-mother perspective, still has brought a lot of memories from the time that I was an Au-pair. 4 small kids, dog, busy schedule, nice and less nice people around, mothers that care and those that do not, people with the money leaving in completely different world. For a girl that comes to live with the family it’s a big cultural shock. It is not easy but if you lucky you can have great memories …
I was thinking that I would have enough material for one book too but then from the Au-pair position ;)). Maybe I should talk to A. and start writing. The stories are just there.
Posts tonen met het label READ. Alle posts tonen
Posts tonen met het label READ. Alle posts tonen
zaterdag 1 mei 2010
vrijdag 9 april 2010
Book from Dublin…
Few years ago I went to visit my friends in Dublin. Together with A. of course. We had a very good time despite the rain and the buses you have to wait for ages. We visited not only the pubs but also some historical monuments, prison, churches and … the shops. There, in one of the bookshops, I bought a book “The Pompeii Syndrome” written by Irish writer David Rice. Since I always buy more books I can ever read, I came across this book in my bookshelf two weeks ago and I have finished yesterday.
Well it is quite frightening story. I think it would have a more impact if I would read it back when I bought it, when the impact of 9/11 in 2001, London bombing in 2005 and the whole terrorism situation was more “fresh” than it is right now. However, despite the time, the story in the book makes you wonder “Would it be ever possible” . I don’t know but when I read page after page and came across the examples in the book, I thought it is quite realistic even though it is fiction. We are not aware what kind of power some people have and what they are able to do. Actually, we think we know but still for most of us some behaviors and some beliefs are “not real” , are simply unthinkable.
That’s exactly what the Pompeii syndrome is, a situation that people do not want to think about even when a lot of facts, information, predictions, signs point that something will or can happen. People still assume “It could never happen to us!” like in Pompeii, when the people ignored the erupting volcano which eventually buried the whole city under the 20 m of ash and pumice. People knew that it may happen but could not believe that it will … same in the book … but what if… read for yourself.
Well it is quite frightening story. I think it would have a more impact if I would read it back when I bought it, when the impact of 9/11 in 2001, London bombing in 2005 and the whole terrorism situation was more “fresh” than it is right now. However, despite the time, the story in the book makes you wonder “Would it be ever possible” . I don’t know but when I read page after page and came across the examples in the book, I thought it is quite realistic even though it is fiction. We are not aware what kind of power some people have and what they are able to do. Actually, we think we know but still for most of us some behaviors and some beliefs are “not real” , are simply unthinkable.
That’s exactly what the Pompeii syndrome is, a situation that people do not want to think about even when a lot of facts, information, predictions, signs point that something will or can happen. People still assume “It could never happen to us!” like in Pompeii, when the people ignored the erupting volcano which eventually buried the whole city under the 20 m of ash and pumice. People knew that it may happen but could not believe that it will … same in the book … but what if… read for yourself.
dinsdag 16 maart 2010
Hopscotch…
I have borrowed a book from K. She is well known from having a “non-standard” books, interesting, well written, funny, exciting but always with more than one dimension. What I got now is “Hopscoth” (Spanish: “Rayuela”, Polish: “Gra w klasy”), a novel by Argentine author Julio Cortázar. One book, two stories.
The first story you can read as usual, starting from the 1st chapter and ending on the 56th, the second you start with the chapter 73 and follow a specific order... 73-1-2-116-3-84 (…) 131. I thought, for a change I will play with this book and went a unconventional way. I am not sure if it would make any difference. I started the book but not finished yet… while reading I feel … stupid. I do not understand the plot. I have to go through the worlds as: hedonism, anachronism, antagonism, transcendentalism, penelopism, and many similar ones, I read the long sentences once or twice to understand and I am really tired after one chapter (the chapters are not that long). I have not been working so hard on a book since my high school when I had to read the obligatory books for Polish lessons.
I am stubborn and I will finish the book over my dead body (brain) and maybe, just maybe I will have a deeper thoughts afterwards which I won’t miss to share with K.
The first story you can read as usual, starting from the 1st chapter and ending on the 56th, the second you start with the chapter 73 and follow a specific order... 73-1-2-116-3-84 (…) 131. I thought, for a change I will play with this book and went a unconventional way. I am not sure if it would make any difference. I started the book but not finished yet… while reading I feel … stupid. I do not understand the plot. I have to go through the worlds as: hedonism, anachronism, antagonism, transcendentalism, penelopism, and many similar ones, I read the long sentences once or twice to understand and I am really tired after one chapter (the chapters are not that long). I have not been working so hard on a book since my high school when I had to read the obligatory books for Polish lessons.
I am stubborn and I will finish the book over my dead body (brain) and maybe, just maybe I will have a deeper thoughts afterwards which I won’t miss to share with K.
zaterdag 13 maart 2010
Ivy…
My mum is lovely. Two months ago I have accidently discover a very good literature magazine called “Ivy” ( “Bluszcz”). I have immediately sms my mum and asked her to buy me a current issue. This morning I got two, shipped from Poland. They are lying next to me, new, untouched, waiting to tell many interesting stories. Interviews with the writers, actors, producers, books reviews, short fiction stories, pieces of the interesting books, 170 pages of an different world… I love it!
People can write, damn, people can write in interesting and passionate way … people have imagination and gift to change world in to the text so brilliant that makes somebody like me to lose the grip of reality, what’s written matters, rest is less important.
The title of the magazine is so well matched with the feeling you get while reading … you are snarled with the stories like the a tree with Ivy branches.
People can write, damn, people can write in interesting and passionate way … people have imagination and gift to change world in to the text so brilliant that makes somebody like me to lose the grip of reality, what’s written matters, rest is less important.
The title of the magazine is so well matched with the feeling you get while reading … you are snarled with the stories like the a tree with Ivy branches.
vrijdag 12 maart 2010
Friday evening…
… 20 min walk with the dog, one pizza and one glass of wine later … the weekend can finally begin. I have no plans for coming two days … sport only … good, I need it. We have like 20 films to watch and also waiting for Brothers and Sisters Season 2 to be ready … for once in a while it is nice not to do and not to be …
By the way I have just finished a new, old book (1961) “Solaris” by Stanislaw Lem now I want to see the film with George Clooney despite the fact that a lot of people think the film sucks….
By the way I have just finished a new, old book (1961) “Solaris” by Stanislaw Lem now I want to see the film with George Clooney despite the fact that a lot of people think the film sucks….
zondag 6 december 2009
Being 17 again…
I have not had this feeling since reading “Anne of Green Gables” when I was 12 or 13.
I do not know how to describe this feeling but I just don’t want to stop reading… The funny thing is that what I am reading… is nothing serious or extraordinary.
It is a book or series of four books about teenagers, love, adventure, vampires and a lot of bla bla but it reads so easy. Two weeks ago A. said “do you want to read very simple but nice book? It is a “housewife series” but you are in the story so quickly...” So here I am, 2 weeks later starting the 3 piece… and I want more, more and more.
Recommended for girls, different ages, hopeless romantic that want to jump in to crazy world of vampires and dream about Edward… afrerwards ;)
Two of the books have been already filmed “Twilight” and “New moon”, not seen yet but will, definitely ;)
I do not know how to describe this feeling but I just don’t want to stop reading… The funny thing is that what I am reading… is nothing serious or extraordinary.
It is a book or series of four books about teenagers, love, adventure, vampires and a lot of bla bla but it reads so easy. Two weeks ago A. said “do you want to read very simple but nice book? It is a “housewife series” but you are in the story so quickly...” So here I am, 2 weeks later starting the 3 piece… and I want more, more and more.
Recommended for girls, different ages, hopeless romantic that want to jump in to crazy world of vampires and dream about Edward… afrerwards ;)
Two of the books have been already filmed “Twilight” and “New moon”, not seen yet but will, definitely ;)
woensdag 12 augustus 2009
Gringo, the white face...
I just finished next book, this time about the traveling. Good subject when you sick, lying in bed and not allowed to go outside the house.
Author: Wojciech Cejrowski
Title in English: “Gringo among wild tribes”.
Books like this are very dangerous. Firstly, they are showing what other people are capable of doing (me not) and what they can sacrifice and what price are able to pay (me not) for the dreams. Secondly, the books and the stories like this trigger the part of the brain, that is craving for adventure… and then you (me) want to travel and have adventures as well…
One of the best pieces from the book is about the Indian (Native American) lying in the hammock. My short translation of the story below (be gentle).
“The Indian was lying in the hammock and as every day, was doing nothing. Around him the poverty was growing. The house that he made out of clay, long time ago was crooked and almost collapsing.
-It is still standing – said the Indian – why should I repair it now.
Around him hungry breeding flock was trotting. The pigs were hungry enough and ready to eat the dog-end or the sweet wrapper. They were only walking skin and bones.
-These pigs are very lazy and they cannot find anything to eat – the Indian explained
-Maybe you should give them handful of corn or something – the author said
-Feeding pigs!? – The Indian was outraged – you white people do not have idea about the economy and farming. The pigs are not to be feed by human but other way around - he ended.
Beside the pigs and the falling apart house, he had also two chickens, wife and the bunch of children. The childrenwere nothing left but the big eyes, wanes, bones and skin, no fat at all.
Summarizing, the Indian had house made of clay with the roof out of palm leaves, in the house family and the livestock, the tropical forest around and poverty with the big eyes. Instead of going to work he was the whole day hanging in the hammock.
-Why should I go to work? - he asked with the honest wonderment.
-To buy something to eat for the children!
-It is not worth to try, they are eating and eating but they are always hungry. You cannot fill the children’s stomachs up. They have to grow the hunger out.
-You cannot grow the hunger out!
-Yes you can. I did it. I do not want anything, even food. And they will be fine, they need only time.
But the author was trying further to show his rights.
-But you could grow more pigs, more fat ones and you could sell one and earn some money.
-Why? - Said the Indian – the money will not buy me happiness and are not practical in our surrounding. Everything what I want is growing around me, forest, corn and papaya.
-Shoes do not grow. You have to buy it.
-Why? – Said the Indian – I have never had shoes and I am fine. My children do not like them because they are uncomfortable and creating the blisters.
-But maybe you could buy the radio. Do you like music?
-My neighbor has got one. The one living across the field. He turns the radio full volume and I can hear in my hammock.
-Is there really nothing that you would like to have? Do you have everything what you want?
-Time – Said the Indian
-What do you mean by TIME? You don’t do anything all days but hanging in the hammock.
-Yep, that’s right, but how long can I hang like this, he, tell me?
-What the difference does it make?
-You see “white face” (Gringo), for me the happiest moments are when I lay in my hammock and do nothing! Longer then better. I do not have pain, nothing is urgent, nothing and nobody wait for me, nobody is calling, my stomach does not cry for the food, my wife is not crying for….you know what. My happiness is this peaceful moment that lasts: nobody wants anything from me, I do not have to put any efforts in doing something and I do not have to carry about anything or go anywhere… You, white people, find the happiness in the movement, we Indians in the stillness and immobility. You want to change everything constantly, organize, and improve. We are looking for the state of solace and when we found it, we do not want to move to not spoil the moment.
After this speech he was laying silently for about 15 minutes and said:
-For you Gringo my hammock is full of boredom, for me this is the paradise on earth!”
Unfortunately the book is not translated in to English yet but if you want to get the general idea about the style of the book, read the funny stories about trips to find the last living wild tribes, go to the following link http://www.cejrowski.com/en/stories/
Author: Wojciech Cejrowski
Title in English: “Gringo among wild tribes”.
Books like this are very dangerous. Firstly, they are showing what other people are capable of doing (me not) and what they can sacrifice and what price are able to pay (me not) for the dreams. Secondly, the books and the stories like this trigger the part of the brain, that is craving for adventure… and then you (me) want to travel and have adventures as well…
One of the best pieces from the book is about the Indian (Native American) lying in the hammock. My short translation of the story below (be gentle).
“The Indian was lying in the hammock and as every day, was doing nothing. Around him the poverty was growing. The house that he made out of clay, long time ago was crooked and almost collapsing.
-It is still standing – said the Indian – why should I repair it now.
Around him hungry breeding flock was trotting. The pigs were hungry enough and ready to eat the dog-end or the sweet wrapper. They were only walking skin and bones.
-These pigs are very lazy and they cannot find anything to eat – the Indian explained
-Maybe you should give them handful of corn or something – the author said
-Feeding pigs!? – The Indian was outraged – you white people do not have idea about the economy and farming. The pigs are not to be feed by human but other way around - he ended.
Beside the pigs and the falling apart house, he had also two chickens, wife and the bunch of children. The childrenwere nothing left but the big eyes, wanes, bones and skin, no fat at all.
Summarizing, the Indian had house made of clay with the roof out of palm leaves, in the house family and the livestock, the tropical forest around and poverty with the big eyes. Instead of going to work he was the whole day hanging in the hammock.
-Why should I go to work? - he asked with the honest wonderment.
-To buy something to eat for the children!
-It is not worth to try, they are eating and eating but they are always hungry. You cannot fill the children’s stomachs up. They have to grow the hunger out.
-You cannot grow the hunger out!
-Yes you can. I did it. I do not want anything, even food. And they will be fine, they need only time.
But the author was trying further to show his rights.
-But you could grow more pigs, more fat ones and you could sell one and earn some money.
-Why? - Said the Indian – the money will not buy me happiness and are not practical in our surrounding. Everything what I want is growing around me, forest, corn and papaya.
-Shoes do not grow. You have to buy it.
-Why? – Said the Indian – I have never had shoes and I am fine. My children do not like them because they are uncomfortable and creating the blisters.
-But maybe you could buy the radio. Do you like music?
-My neighbor has got one. The one living across the field. He turns the radio full volume and I can hear in my hammock.
-Is there really nothing that you would like to have? Do you have everything what you want?
-Time – Said the Indian
-What do you mean by TIME? You don’t do anything all days but hanging in the hammock.
-Yep, that’s right, but how long can I hang like this, he, tell me?
-What the difference does it make?
-You see “white face” (Gringo), for me the happiest moments are when I lay in my hammock and do nothing! Longer then better. I do not have pain, nothing is urgent, nothing and nobody wait for me, nobody is calling, my stomach does not cry for the food, my wife is not crying for….you know what. My happiness is this peaceful moment that lasts: nobody wants anything from me, I do not have to put any efforts in doing something and I do not have to carry about anything or go anywhere… You, white people, find the happiness in the movement, we Indians in the stillness and immobility. You want to change everything constantly, organize, and improve. We are looking for the state of solace and when we found it, we do not want to move to not spoil the moment.
After this speech he was laying silently for about 15 minutes and said:
-For you Gringo my hammock is full of boredom, for me this is the paradise on earth!”
Unfortunately the book is not translated in to English yet but if you want to get the general idea about the style of the book, read the funny stories about trips to find the last living wild tribes, go to the following link http://www.cejrowski.com/en/stories/
zondag 26 juli 2009
Toscana part 2 – Books
Before we even went on holidays I have decided that I am going to read and rest. I did not want to have holidays like we had before: busy busy, busy … RELAX that was my motto. Every afternoon I was taking one hour nap and reading for a while…
“Afgunst” by Saskia Noort – Is a very short thriller about love, power, jalousie, sex life and dominant behavior. People say, typical Saskia story … so decided to read more of her in the future.
“People of the book” by Geraldine Brooks – The story has been inspired by the existing, mysterious codex known as the Sarajevo Haggadah. The book takes you from Nazi sacking of Sarajevo through Vienna, an inquisition era in Venice and Spain where the whole story actually begins. Written in such a perfect way that you cannot put he book down without knowing who, what and why…
“The wooden sea” by Jonathan Carroll – The book is crazy and mysterious as all books of Carroll. The tale of the Police Chief Frannie McCabe and the small Crane's View city begins as ordinary story but quickly changes in to unexplained, puzzling chain of happenings.
“Mijn leven als een hond” by Martin Bril – These are very nice and funny short stories about the animals and the every day life. It is kind of Blog on paper …
2 weeks, 4 books …still, I need quite a lot of free time and holidays to finish all my books standing and waiting to be read … some times I hear them whispering “take me, I have such a beautiful and interesting story to tell…”
“Afgunst” by Saskia Noort – Is a very short thriller about love, power, jalousie, sex life and dominant behavior. People say, typical Saskia story … so decided to read more of her in the future.
“People of the book” by Geraldine Brooks – The story has been inspired by the existing, mysterious codex known as the Sarajevo Haggadah. The book takes you from Nazi sacking of Sarajevo through Vienna, an inquisition era in Venice and Spain where the whole story actually begins. Written in such a perfect way that you cannot put he book down without knowing who, what and why…
“The wooden sea” by Jonathan Carroll – The book is crazy and mysterious as all books of Carroll. The tale of the Police Chief Frannie McCabe and the small Crane's View city begins as ordinary story but quickly changes in to unexplained, puzzling chain of happenings.
“Mijn leven als een hond” by Martin Bril – These are very nice and funny short stories about the animals and the every day life. It is kind of Blog on paper …
2 weeks, 4 books …still, I need quite a lot of free time and holidays to finish all my books standing and waiting to be read … some times I hear them whispering “take me, I have such a beautiful and interesting story to tell…”
woensdag 10 juni 2009
HOND, MAN EN NACHT...
"Ik liet de hond uit, of andersom: de hond liet mij uit. Het was een opmerkelijk stille avond. We liepen niet oons vaste rondje. Dit was een initiatief van de hond.
We kwamen langs het water te lopen. Het lag er roerloos en donker als een verweerde spiegel bij. Op de kade achter was geen verkeer. Er hing een geheimzinnige stilte over de stad en de dingen. Zelfs de hond was er beduusd van.
Zij trok mij zachtjes voort, en draaide kek met haar heupen. Af en toe keek ze om. Ze wist naturulijk dat ik er was, ik had haar aan de lijn tenslotte, maar kennelijk wilde ze af en toe toch even checken hoe het met mij ging.
Alles was in orde (...)"
This piece is from the book “My life as a dog” written by Martin Bril. He was a Dutch poet, novelist and columnist that died few months ago on the cancer. I did not know him before. Now, when finally I got in touch with his work I want to have all of his books, poems and read articles that has been published weekly in the Dutch newspaper.
Luckily on his website I can find most of the work … and my first two books I will take on holiday …
We kwamen langs het water te lopen. Het lag er roerloos en donker als een verweerde spiegel bij. Op de kade achter was geen verkeer. Er hing een geheimzinnige stilte over de stad en de dingen. Zelfs de hond was er beduusd van.
Zij trok mij zachtjes voort, en draaide kek met haar heupen. Af en toe keek ze om. Ze wist naturulijk dat ik er was, ik had haar aan de lijn tenslotte, maar kennelijk wilde ze af en toe toch even checken hoe het met mij ging.
Alles was in orde (...)"
This piece is from the book “My life as a dog” written by Martin Bril. He was a Dutch poet, novelist and columnist that died few months ago on the cancer. I did not know him before. Now, when finally I got in touch with his work I want to have all of his books, poems and read articles that has been published weekly in the Dutch newspaper.
Luckily on his website I can find most of the work … and my first two books I will take on holiday …
donderdag 30 april 2009
time, time...
I have just finish the next book "Time Traveler's Wife "... by Audrey Niffenegger. Amazing story about love, life and the traveling in time. Have you ever though how it would be to be able to meet your younger self or your future partner when she/he was six years old… what to say, what to do and how to behave…
I was taken by the story, wanted to know what will happen and how all the problems will be solved… On the other hand, I did not want the story to end. It was beautiful and refreshing … a lot of feelings, colors, sounds, scents and extraordinary incidents…
The book is back on the shelf but there will be movie released in coming August … something to look forward to.
I was taken by the story, wanted to know what will happen and how all the problems will be solved… On the other hand, I did not want the story to end. It was beautiful and refreshing … a lot of feelings, colors, sounds, scents and extraordinary incidents…
The book is back on the shelf but there will be movie released in coming August … something to look forward to.
donderdag 19 februari 2009
The good guy and the uninspired girl...
The final countdown continues… still 6 days, exclusive weekend, and we are going to France. I cannot wait. It is not even about skiing, mountains or snow but about the free time and rest.
I am already thinking what books to take with me, one thick or better two thin, serious or funny… hard or paper cover… I like such dilemmas… simple holiday problems… I just finished The Good Guy by Dean Koontz. Nice, exciting story and if someone ever makes movie out of it, Bruce Willis should play the main character.
Nothing more, I have lack of inspirations due to hectic days that pumped the whole energy out of my body and the brain. My only creative activity lately is making the sandwiches for my work…
I am already thinking what books to take with me, one thick or better two thin, serious or funny… hard or paper cover… I like such dilemmas… simple holiday problems… I just finished The Good Guy by Dean Koontz. Nice, exciting story and if someone ever makes movie out of it, Bruce Willis should play the main character.
Nothing more, I have lack of inspirations due to hectic days that pumped the whole energy out of my body and the brain. My only creative activity lately is making the sandwiches for my work…
woensdag 15 oktober 2008
Spring rolls that’s not the only thing from China…
I have my favorite book series, a Polish one - “Series with the broomstick”. The writers are only women of various nationalities. Reading those books is like a travel to different countries (doesn’t cost extra fee days at work) and discovering unusual worlds.
My most recent read book “Candy”, written by Mian Mian, tells the story of the young girl Hong (red) and the underground China of the late 80’s through mid 90’s. It is description of 10 years of her life as a difficult child, a night club singer, a party girl, a duck, alcohol and emotional pain addict.
I have asked my Chinese friend at work if she ever herd about this book or the writer but she did not (the book was very controversial and eventually forbidden by the government). She asked me what the book was about, I told her shortly and asked rather it what was happening back then in China, she did not know. She said: “unlikely”. I think she was living in a totally other reality…
My most recent read book “Candy”, written by Mian Mian, tells the story of the young girl Hong (red) and the underground China of the late 80’s through mid 90’s. It is description of 10 years of her life as a difficult child, a night club singer, a party girl, a duck, alcohol and emotional pain addict.
I have asked my Chinese friend at work if she ever herd about this book or the writer but she did not (the book was very controversial and eventually forbidden by the government). She asked me what the book was about, I told her shortly and asked rather it what was happening back then in China, she did not know. She said: “unlikely”. I think she was living in a totally other reality…
maandag 13 oktober 2008
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Jonathan Safran Foer, a young writer, even one year younger then I am, and already two books in his biography.
I had just finish his “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close”, in Dutch “Extreem luid & ongelooflijk dichtbij”. I think it is very good book, the extraordinary story and refreshing way of presenting the world around us. The main character is nine years old boy who lost his father in the terrorist attack at WTC at 11th September. He discovers a key in his father’s cupboard and since that day he decides to find the lock that belongs to it. Just like this I was pulled in to his adventure and the history of his extraordinary family. Did he find the lock that fits the key? Just read… it is worth!
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