FINDS is hosted by AnnaBookBel and the goal is read to read one book per Nordic country during the first five weeks in 2023. This is a new to me Icelandic author, and this is the first book in her Aróra series. "Icelandic sisters Áróra and Ísafold live in different countries and aren't on speaking terms, but when their mother loses contact with Ísafold, Áróra reluctantly returns to Iceland to find her sister. But she soon realizes that her sister isn't avoiding her … she has disappeared, without trace. As she confronts Ísafold's abusive, drug-dealing boyfriend Björn, and begins to probe her sister's reclusive neighbours – who have their own reasons for staying out of sight – Áróra is led into an ever-darker web of intrigue and manipulation. Baffled by the conflicting details of her sister's life, and blinded by the shiveringly bright midnight sun of the Icelandic summer, Áróra enlists the help of police officer Daníel, as she tries to track her sister's movements, and begins to tail Björn – but she isn't the only one watching…” I liked the summary of the story and thus choose this novel for my Icelandic FINDS. It did not really engage me like my favourite Icelandic authors Arnaldur Indriðason and Ragnar Jónasson. The story with the missing sister seems more like a sideline as Áróra flies to Iceland to look for her. She gets involved with an Icelandic criminal. It turn out that she is a private financial investigator so goes into investigating him. She also meet Daniel, a police on holiday, sort of relative who agrees to help her out. It seems to be less the story of the missing sister as the story of her professional life and her love life. Parallell we follow the neighbour of her sister, a man with a peculiar life. As the story evolves we slowly find out what happened. However, the people who investigate does not get very far with the case. On top of this, the story ends with them finding knowing the sister is dead, (no spoiler since the reader knows this from the very beginning) just to get a hint that Áróra will investigate what really happens in book #2. A female protagonist who is tough in an unusual business, made me feel this was something I would like. Unfortunately, the story is a little bit too thin to engage me. Maybe it would go along as a story about a young woman with an unusual profession, but hardly as the thrilling Icelandic murder mysteries we are used to.

We are just back from three weeks in Portugal, where we spent the holidays. As we arrived in Lisbon we walked out of our hotel, very conveniently situated centrally in the old city, to get a feeling for our surroundings, and to find somewhere to eat. We did not find anything to our immediate liking so in the end we let someone drag us into an old restaurant, Café Martinho da Arcana (funded 1782) at the corner of the Praca do Comércio, down by the sea. Turned out to be a marvellous, old restaurang with dark wood from the floor, half way up the wall, painted walls above, light yellow as they liked it in the old days. Table with white table clothes, which made us feel going back in time. We got a small table in an alcove, ordered fish and a bottle of vinho verde and sat down to enjoy. The waiter who told us that the restaurant was the favourite place of author Fernando Pessoa. He came more or less every day, and they even keep his table free to this day. It is decorated with an espresso cup, a glass of water and a bowl for sugar. There is also a number of his books on the table. As you see from the picture I was allowed to sit down in his place. Fernando António Nogueira Pessoa (1888-1935) was a Portuguese poet, writer, literary critic, translator, publisher and philosopher; one of the most significant literary figures of the last century, and considered one of the greatest poets in Portuguese. Very prolific writer as can be imagined when you see all his professions above. I had his book The Book of Disquiet , but let go of it after just a few pages, it seemed far more than I could grasp. Maybe I should try another of his books, or poetry for that matter, now that we have shared the same seat. Back at our table again, the waiter pointed to a photo on the wall behind me, and said, there is another Portuguese writer who used to come here. He received the Nobel Prize in literature, and he used to sit here. I realised that I had taken the seat of José Saramago. Even more funny since I brought his book The History of the Siege of Lisbon with me. I have been trying to read that one for a long time, but it is not an easy book either. However, having shared his seat, I just have to finish it. José de Sousa Saramago (1922-2010) won the Nobel Prize in 1998 for his "parables sustained by imagination, compassion and irony with which he continually enables us once again to apprehend an elusory reality.” Maybe a reason I find it difficult. Walking around Lisbon the following days we found traces of Pessoa's Lisbon. We bought a lottery at his favourite tobacco shop ”Boa Hora” and saw his tomb in the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. Two of the most famous Portugues authors and I ran into them in one day. There are small things in life that can make you happy. I did manage to finish Saramago's novel about Lisbon. I don't know if it was the atmosphere of Lisbon and the area where he used to live, or the novel improved half way.

My first post for German Literature Month hosted by Lizzy’s Literary Life . It is the first time I participate and since I am following another two challenges, I try to combine reading where possible. Week 1 – First time for everything - The Sandman by E.T.A. Hoffmann - I really loved this book and Hoffmann's writing. A mystery, dark and spooky tale. The Sandman is a folklore character who is said to throw sand in the eyes of children to help them fall asleep. The protagonist and narrator is Nathanael, most likely suffering from post traumatic stress due to an encounter with the sandman in his childhood. The whole story has a dark, psychological and unreal touch taking us into another world. What is real and what is suggested by our thoughts? Week 2 – Second Helpings - I rarely re-read books and since I have not read that many novellas. I wanted to read Hesse for some time, so will choose (a novella) Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse - I am still reading this book, and I have a feeling I have already read it. Totally suitable for this the second week in other words. Week 3 – Firm Favourites - Rainer Maria Rilke , I will choose one book with his poems. Have not got to this yet. It seems he is Austrian, but I presume it is all right since he wrote in German. Week 4 – Something Different - Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka - already read this for Novellas in November. For someone like me who do not like insects it was a rather terrifying read. What does Kafka want to say with the novel? Alienation: people who are different are looked down upon? Work - the employer takes out everything they can from you? Family - he worries about the family which he supports. Once the family realises he can not work anymore, they take their act together and start working themselves, and manage very well. Using other people for their own means?

I seldom read modern, present day, relation dramas. This is part of my 'Borrow and Read' bookclub, and it was a really nice to read Daniela Krien's latest book, Love in Five Acts (Die Liebe in Ernstfall) a German author. "Bookseller Paula has lost a child, and a husband. Where will she find her happiness? Fiercely independent Judith thinks more of horses than men, but that doesn't stop her looking for love online. Brida is a writer with no time to write, until she faces a choice between her work and her family. Abandoned by the "perfect" man, Malika struggles for recognition from her parents. Her sister Jorinde, an actor, is pregnant for a third time, but how can she provide for her family alone? Love in Five Acts explores what is left to five women when they have fulfilled their roles as wives, mothers, friends, lovers, sisters and daughters. As teenagers they experienced the fall of the Berlin Wall, but freedom brings with it another form of pressure: the pressure of choice. Punchy and entirely of the moment, Love in Five Acts engages head-on with what it is to be a woman in the twenty-first century ." We follow five women and how they handle their every day life. They are all looking for something, not really knowing what they are looking for. For several of them a happy life is torn to pieces when the partner finalises the relationship. As we follow one by one, we realise that there is a common factor between them. Relationship, boy friends, lovers and friends. I found this novel fascinating. Maybe because I don't often read these kind of relation dramas. It gives a good picture on what it is to be a woman today. The pressure of making a career, having men in your life, children and when should they come? How do you find a good partner? On-line dating? And what happens if you don't find the partner you want to be the father of your child? What happens if you find him, but he goes on to another woman. A clear cut take on the problems for modern women. Well told, lots of recognition in the different relationships. The different views of men and women. All in all, I really liked this novel and its stories. A rather short book, divided into five chapters, one for each woman. Is there a solution at the end? You just have to read it and see.

November is at an end and time to wrap up the three challenges I participated in this year. Apart from German Literature Month I had a go at Nonfiction November and Novellas in November. German Literature Month is hosted by Lizzy’s Literary Life . It is the first time I participate and I will just have to see how many books I can read. Hopefully, at least one a week, according to the schedule: Week 1 – First time for everything - The Sandman by E.T.A. Hoffmann - gave me a new favourite author. Week 2 – Second Helpings - I rarely re-read books, but choose Herman Hesse's Steppenwolf. I have not yet finished it, but have a feeling I have already read it. Fits well in other words. Week 3 – Firm Favourites (Author or Publisher, if stated) - nothing to fit here . Week 4 – Something Different - Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka - can't say I entirely understood this novella, but that happens sometimes. Week 5: Read as you please / group read - The Life and Opinions of Tomcat Murr – E T A Hoffmann - wanted to follow this since Hoffmann is the new favourite, but could not find it quick enough. For the future. I do read German authors from time to time, so I take the opportunity to mention some of the books here. They are all some of my favourite books. Buddenbrooks is at the top. I love Robert Seethaler's 'A Whole Life' such a wonderfully, sensitive book. Stefan Zweig is always a treat, but most of the books here can be recommended. Fallada, Hans - Alone in Berlin Handke, Peter - A Sorrow Beyond Dreams: A Life Story (Wunschloses Unglück) Krien, Daniela - Kärlek i fem akter (Liebe im Ernstfalle/Love in Five Acts) Mann, Thomas - Buddenbrooks Mann, Thomas - Death in Venice Mann, Thomas - Mario and the Magician Mann, Thomas - Tonio Kröger Mann, Thomas - Tristan Neuhaus, Nele - Snow White must die (Schneewittchen muss sterben) Neuhaus, Nele - Big Bad Wolf (Böser Wolf) Roth, Joseph - The Radetzky March Schlink, Bernhard - The Reader Schlink, Bernhard - Homecoming Seethaler, Robert - A Whole Life Sendker, Jan-Philipp - The Art of Hearing Heartbeats Süskind, Patrick - Parfymen (Das Parfum, The Perfumer) von Goethe, J.W. - The Sorrow of Young Werther Von Schirach, Ferdinand - Fallet Collini (Der Fall Collini/The Collini Case) Zweig, Stefan - Amok

I think all women get shivers when they hear the name Salpetriere Asylum. From the beginning a gunpowder factory, which in mid-17th century turned into a hospice for poor women who were disabled, mentally ill or epileptic. With time it was turned into a prison where they put women they wanted to get rid off, mostly female outcasts. Later on anyone could put a woman there, if they thought she was suffering from hysteria or showing signs of strange behaviours. Victoria Mas has written a horrifying story of one woman who was put to the asylum by her father. His reason? She should see spirits. "The Salpetriere Asylum: Paris, 1885. Dr. Charcot holds all of Paris in thrall with his displays of hypnotism on women who have been deemed mad and cast out from society. But the truth is much more complicated—these women are often simply inconvenient, unwanted wives, those who have lost something precious, wayward daughters, or girls born from adulterous relationships. For Parisian society, the highlight of the year is the Lenten ball—the Madwomen’s Ball—when the great and good come to gawk at the patients of the Salpetriere dressed up in their finery for one night only. For the women themselves, it is a rare moment of hope. Genevieve is a senior nurse. After the childhood death of her sister Blandine, she shunned religion and placed her faith in both the celebrated psychiatrist Dr. Charcot and science. But everything begins to change when she meets Eugenie—the 19-year-old daughter of a bourgeois family that has locked her away in the asylum. Because Eugenie has a secret: she sees spirits. Inspired by the scandalous, banned work that all of Paris is talking about, The Book of Spirits, Eugenie is determined to escape from the asylum—and the bonds of her gender—and seek out those who will believe in her. And for that she will need Genevieve's help". A fascinating story and an insight into the world of an asylum. There we meet women who are crazy, but also women who found refuge within the walls. The story of Eugenie and Genevieve is one of professional nurse against an inmate that has to be treated according to the rule. And Genevieve lives by the rules, this is her protection against the world, and her private sorrows. But Eugenie opens up her frozen heart, and before Genevieve know it, she is on the road to a very different life. Both Genevieve and Eugenie are two well-defined characters. You feel their will to do something with their lives, although it looks different for the two women. They both live with the realisation that as a woman you cannot control your life. Victoria Mas' story is guiding us through the various conflicts of these women's lives in a steady pace. At the back of our mind, a thought of disaster is lingering, and it is not until the very end that we get the answers to our fears. An excellent novel, with well describing Paris and the asylum in the 18th century. A twist in the end makes this book and even better read.

Time for another classic spin with the Classic Club . Head over there for a full set of rules, they are simple. Update your Spin list, or create one with 20 classic novels your want to read. It should be published before before next Sunday 11th December, 2022. I am at the very last minute this time, but I always keep an updated list under my Challenge label. On Sunday 11th, December , the Classic club will post a number from 1 through 20. The challenge is to read whatever book falls under that number on your Spin List by the 29th January, 2023 . I am eagerly looking forward to see which classic comes up. I did manage to read the last challenge which was Death Comes to the Archbishop by Willa Cather. Let's see what comes up this time. Here is my list. My Spin List (as of 10 December 2022) 1. The Master and Margarita by Michail Bulgakov 2. The Bride of Lammermoor by Sir Walter Scott 3. Daisy Miller by Henry James 4. The Seahawk by Rafael Sabatini. 5. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoj 6. Women in Love by D.H. Lawrence 7. Child Harold by Lord Byron 8. House of Mirth by Edith Wharton 9. The Red and the Black by Stendhal 10. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck 11. Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak 12. The Wings of the Dove by Henry James (last spin) 13. Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence 14. Tom Jones by Henry Fielding 15. To Have and Have not by Ernest Hemingway 16. Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton 17. The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham 18. The Brothers Karamazov by Fjodor Dostoevsky 19. The House on the Strand by Daphne du Maurier 20. A Writer's Notebook by Somerset Maugham

The Classic Spin is done and this month's number is 6. For me this is Women in Love by D.H. Lawrence. Not my favourite author, but I will do my very best to read it. I think I have to do a New Year’s promise to read all the Spin books next year. We are going to Portugal for Christmas and New Year. I have a Penguin book of Lawrence’s novel. I will bring it with me, and I can leave it behind for someone else to enjoy it.

First of all I want to apologise for, hopefully, temporary problems with the blog. I managed to get the home page working, but it seems that the last post posted will also show up at the top of the labels' pages. I am trying to solve it, but alas, so far no success. Maybe this is an indication that I should look for another provider, and make my own web-site. I am still working on a Wix web-site and might be close to let it go public. If you encounter problems with access, please leave a comment (if possible) what the problem is, or send me an email thecontentreader(at)gmail.com. In the meantime ... Sometimes you are lucky with your choice of books. While visiting my parents I took another look at the common book cases and found one book I could not resist. I have neither heard of the book, nor the author. The summary of the story caught my attention. "On a summer day, a young woman alighted from a bus in the small Cape Cod village of Chatham and took up residence in a cottage on the edge of Black Pond's dark waters. She was embarking on a voyage she could not foresee --- one that would bring catastrophe to her, to those she loved, and to the town of Chatham itself. Now, seven decades later, only one living soul knows the answer to the question that irrevocably shattered hearts, a town, and a way of life: What really happened on Black Pond that day?" The story is told by Henry, now an aging lawyer, who was a teenager at the time. He givs us glimpses of what happened but not chronologically. The story goes back and forth from now to the past, as glimpses of present day life. It is a psychological thriller, very skilfully woven. The young, beautiful lady from overseas with a shimmer over her past life in Africa joins the school as an art teacher. She lives in an old house by the lake. On the other side of the lake lives a male teacher with his family. As the two teachers become friends, the gossip is live in the villages. But nobody really know what is going on. One day everything comes to a close when an accident happens. Or, was it an accident. As Henry relives the tragedy of the time, we slowly get an insight into the village life and its people. It is dramatic in a quiet way. We know there is a mystery lingering in the past, but it is only in the very end that we realise the consequences and get to know what really happened. One of the best books I have read this year. It reminds me a little bit of Into the Water by Paula Hawkins, in its narration of calm and quiet, which does not seem to go along with the dramatic events. It is beautifully written as well. I read somewhere he got a reward for this book. Well deserved. I am now eager to find other books by him. Any of you who have read something by Cook? Please let me know.

So far into December, and I realise I have not yet done the November Wrap-up. I had a really good reading month, reading 15 books. Mainly due to the three challenges I participated in; Nonfiction November, Novellas in November and German Literature Month. Great challenges all of them. The Library at Christiansborgs Castle in Copenhagen My own challenge a nonfiction from my TBR shelves: The Lodger, Shakespeare on Silver Street by Charles Nicoll a fiction from my TBR shelves: Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk by Nikolai Leskov a translated novel outside of the English- and Swedish speaking countries: The Sandman by a classic tale: Metamorphoses by Franz Kafka a book from my Wish list: none Nonfiction November I read four nonfiction books. Three of them with a history theme, and one with an economic theme. Beard, Mary - Gudar och människor (How do we Look? The Eye of Faith) Nicholl, Charles - The Lodger, Shakespeare on Silver Street Cervenka, Andreas - Girig-Sverige (Greedy Sweden) Blom, K. Arne/Moen, Jan - Skånska stenar berättar (What old stones tell us) Novellas November I was happy to read these books by theme from the host. On top of that I read another three novellas. I will definitely continue reading more. Short Classics - The Sandman by E.T.A. Hoffmann (German author) Novellas in Translation - Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka (original in German). Short Non-Fiction - The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry German Literature Month Not really following the theme of the hosts, but managed a few German books. The Sandman by E.T.A. Hoffmann Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka Steppenwolf by Herman Hesse (still reading Books read in November Hoffmann, E.T.A. - The Sandman Garai, Indrajit - The Bridge of Little Jeremy Tolstoj, Leo - How Much Land Does A Man Need? Cook, Thomas H. - The Chatham School Affair Kafka, Franz - Metamorphoses Beard, Mary - Gudar och människor (How do we Look? The Eye of Faith) Mas, Victoria - The Mad Women's Ball (Le bal des Folles) de Saint-Exupéry, Antoine - The Little Prince Schulman, Alex - Malma station (audio book) Mas, Victoria - The Mad Women's Ball (Le Bal des Folles) Bainbridge, Beryl - Master Georgi Nicholl, Charles - The Lodger, Shakespeare on Silver Street Cervenka, Andreas - Girig-Sverige Leskov, Nikolai - Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk Krien, Daniela - Kärlek i fem akter (Liebe im Ernstfalle/Love in Five Acts) Blom, K. Arne/Moen, Jan - Skånska stenar berättar (NF)

We have reached the final week of November and it is time for a wrap-up. The month went very fast, but I am rather pleased with what I read. Having had a little bit of hybris, I also signed up for Novellas and German Lit Month for November. 'It is what it is' as a famous person said. For week 5 we have the following challenge. Week 5: (November 28-Dec 2) – New to My TBR: It’s been a month full of amazing nonfiction books! Which ones have made it onto your TBR? Be sure to link back to the original blogger who posted about that book! Pro tip: Start this draft post at the beginning of the month and add to it as your TBR multiplies. (Jaymi @ The OC Bookgirl ) For once I did do some notes when I found a very interesting book, which I have failed to do previous years. Even so, there have been a lot of interesting books during this month, so here are just a few I paid extra attention to (in now special order). What's Nonfiction Tunnel 29 by Helena Merriman and The Ratline and East West Street by Philippe Sands. They also come with thrilling podcasts on BBC Radio 4 Intrigue. Got totally hooked on The Ratline and Murder in the Lucky Holiday Hotel. Now it is time for the books. Another totally addicted podcast is Crooked Media's Wind of Change. Could not wait to finish this one to find out the ending. The Supernatural, One Mans Search for the Truth About Ghosts by Will Storr. Sounds like an intriguing read. Maybe we will find something out? Readerbuzz Around the World in 80 Books by David Demrosch (Books-about-Books) Hard Times: An Oral History of the Great Depression by Studs Terkel's (about the Great Depression) pairing with Kristin Hannah's fiction book, The Four Winds . You might also consider reading John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath . The last book has been on my list for a long time. It is always interesting to read such books together with a nonfiction, so good pairing here. Bookfever Ancient History Fangirl another podcast that sounds interesting. The Woman Who Would Be King by Kara Cooney Antigone Rising: The Subversive Power of the Ancient Myths by Helen Morales Cities that Shaped the Ancient World by Editor: John Julius Norwich Bookfever and I share a love for history. Adventures in reading, running and working from home Small Town Girl, Love, Lies and the Undercover Police by Donna McLean Skylark: The compelling novel of love, betrayal and changing the world by Alice O’Keeffe I think this is a pairing fiction/nonfiction. A present day criminal case. books are my favourite and best My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh- Sounds like a book we all need to read. Reading Life The Anna Karenina Fix: Lessons in Happiness From Russian Literature by Viv Groskop. Always good with some lessons in happiness. I am just asking myself whether Anna Karenina is an example? Hm, a must read I think. Let's Read Why We Read by Josephine Greywoode. Sounds like it could give us a reason for our obsessions. ***** Thank you all for your suggestions and inspirations. I have really enjoyed this month, and to follow what you read. That takes me to what I read myself. I read 14 books this month of which four nonfiction Gudar och människor (How do we Look? The Eye of Faith) by Mary Beard. She takes us back to the ancient world and forward to investigate how artists have visualised man. Very interesting. The Lodger, Shakespeare on Silver Street by Charles Nicholl. Nicholl takes us back to the small street of London in pursuit of real life accounts on Shakespeare's life. He is mentioned in a couple of law documents, and around this Nicholl looks at his neighbours, fellow writers/actors and life in general in the centre of London. Girig-Sverige by Andreas Cervenka. Cervenka won a best nonfiction prize for this book about Greedy Sweden. It is about the economy and financial world in Sweden, and how some people can become very, very rich due to the system. You just have to know how to do it. Very interesting insight into the financial back alleys, but all legal. Skånska stenar berättar by K. Arne Blom and Jan Moen. Skåne, or Scania is the southern province of Sweden, once belonging to Denmark. Here you can find traces of early settlements and history, carved in stone or remembered by a stone or plaque retelling the story. Interesting and a tip for excursions. Considering I read books for Novellas in November and German Literary Month I am quite pleased with these four books.

We are nearing the end of November and are already on week 4 in Nonfiction November challenge. This week is hosted by Rebekah @ She Seeks Nonfiction . I find this weekly challenge difficult. Mainly since I read mostly historical nonfiction, and I am not sure it changes anyones world views. I will probably go a slightly different path, so, let's see where I end up. Week 4: Worldview Changers: What nonfiction book or books has impacted the way you see the world in a powerful way? I went to my book shelves to check out my nonfiction books. I choose three of them that has impacted me. Maybe not changed my world views but the historical events had a great impact on many people. The Sleepwalkers , How Europe Went to War in 1914 by Christopher Clark This must be the most thorough research and writings on the first world war. Mainly centered on the origins of the war. The main event, we are told, are the shots in Sarajevo killing Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to Austro-Hungarian throne and his wife, the Duchess of Hohenberg. Well, as Christopher Clark shows, there are a few other events leading up to this devastating war. "The British historian A.J.P Taylor and the American historian Barbara Tuchman wrote that ’the war was a result of rigid planning, train schedules and treaty commitments. That is, it was the final stop in a chain of events that could not stop the train, once it started’. It is a very good description and after having read Clark’s book you can see how all decisions from the persons and countries involved, although aimed at not starting a war, on the contrary, lead directly to war." (from my review, link above). The book is called a master piece and that is no understatement. Well researched, well written, and an easy read even for the average reader. I guess it does teach us something, and changes our views on politics and politicians. My final paragraph in the review reads. "What amazed me, was how supposedly, responsible emperors, kings and politicians acted. Many times due to small reasons of self interest, making a decision without a proper back ground, without thinking of the greater picture, a lack of knowing what the others were doing, interpreting what they were doing, rightly or wrongly. It was like these people were sitting with the map of Europe and made their next move with a chess piece. Rather scaring. " I think this book did change my view on how the world is working. Prince of Princes: The Life of Potemkin by Simon Sebag Montefiore Another fantastic book about a person who seems to have been greater than life. A story about a great statesman and his relationship and love for Catherine the Great. In a way it has a bearing in what is happening today. Potemkin was promoted to Field Marshal in 1783 and took over the control of Crimea when it was annexed. He was a powerful man in the area and founded several cities, among them Kherson and Odessa. Apart from the historically interested people today, his name is mostly associated with ‘Potemkin village’. This goes back to the time when Catherine the Great was visiting him. The time was short and he wanted to make her believe he had achieved more than he had. He thus used painted façades to fool Catherine. These façades hid the fact there was nothing behind. Maybe he inspired the movie industry? Just a few days ago the world heard the news that when the Russians evacuated the city of Kherson they took the bones of Potemkin, buried in St Catherine's Cathedral, with them. Being the founder of the city his bones have a significance and great importance to the Ukrainians. For Russia as well, as they see Potemkin as being behind the conquest of the area in 1783. A Rage to Live by Mary S. Lovell I leave the war scene and go into exploration. Why not talk about one of the greatest, Sir Richard Burton. Mary S. Lovell is one of my favourite historical biographers. She writes so well, take you into other people's life, in a respectful way, and make you never want to leave. Sir Richard Burton is another man, greater than life. The achievements he did during his life time and the will to always learn new things. A brilliant mind, charismatic person, linguist, he spoke 24 languages, scholar, translator (he translated the Arabian Nights ) and a daring adventurer. What is not to love here? Reading about such people you feel rather small yourself. At the same time it gives you an insight in what man can do, if you put your mind to it. Everything seemed open to him. He was not afraid of trying new things and adventures. I guess you can say that he opened up the world to me in a way. Following in his fot steps, even if you are sitting in the sofa at home, he teases you to follow him. Do you think there is one book that everyone needs to read for a better understanding of the world we live in? A difficult question. I don't think there is one book that would do that for mankind. You probably have to widen your perspective with nonfiction books about different areas of society and different parts of the world. We all live different lives, and there is not one book that can make a better understanding of the world, for all people around the globe. A variety of nonfiction is the answer I think. Which should give me a big kick in the behind to start reading more than historical nonfiction.