Currently reading :: Child 44 - Tom Rob Smith

Quick update while lunch-ing..

This is the book I've been reading (yes, finally! :3)



Have found myself some 'reading time' over the weekend, an hour or two.
And this book took me some five weeks.:3



Tomorrow I will finish it and read the next book! XD



The story begins in Chevroy, the rest in Moscow and Voualsk. Engaging and quite a page turner. It speaks of the ugly reality and brutality of those in power during the stalinist regime (and transition after his death) and how (childhood) trauma affects people in the sickest ways possible, driving him to do the most unimaginable things-- but that is not all there is to it. This story is focused on the protagonist's self realization and resolve. We look at how he turns his back from the state with only his own instincts to trust...

One thing is constant in this book -- trust no one.

--

To be honest I have not read such a good book in a long while; This made me turn page after page, seeking to know more!

After this, I will be reading his next book, The Secret Speech... I am sure it will not disappoint!

Currently Reading: Box 21

It had a sticker with something about 'Bound to please fans of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'.

Lol, and I just had to buy it.XD

It's proving to be a page turner so far.

^_^

Recently acquired books!

I love thrift stores, I love rare finds, and I love things that are on sale! :O

There is this local bookstore I frequent. Has a very wide selection of books (and also a lot of trashy/nonsense ones..). If you're lucky you can find something nice.>_<

Where I live, it is almost impossible to get your hands on foreign-language materials, let alone books in other languages. >_<" So this bookstore is really a godsend! ^_^

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Bought these two:



The illustrated Larousse one I really like.XD But it's very heavy.=_=

a look at the pages:



I remember studying this for ARTAPRE class back in univ! XD


A bit of something here and there.




Arabic alphabet:


Hebrew:


More illustrated pages.*_*


Phases of the moon!:D


Morse code.:P I used to memorize this.^_^ Now I don't.


The other half of this book, you can search people and places.





Some artsy stuff:




And famous landmarks:

[which reminds me, I need to post photos from my China trip sometime. S'been two years.... so fast.=_=]


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The German at a Glance Book. XD I also have the French at a Glance one of this series.:P

The first page features a map..


Might be useful:


And some other pages:





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Was also given a free book for my purchases. [also bought some other books besides these]



Not familiar with this, not sure if I will read it, since I still have a ton of books lined up..:3

There is a map on the first page:


pretty cool map.

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Language Study

Today's breakfast:



I don't normally have breakfast but since today is a weekend I have more time.:D

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Was going to clean up the huge mess in my room but ended up looking through my French textbook.

I remember having to study this.. The topic was very very boring. So was the professor we had for this level.


Some answers to exercises. I even wrote the date... 2008. That's how long I have neglected this language.T_T



Well, I only studied until Unite3 for this book. (Felt that I wasn't learning much from said professor, and since there were no other professors capable of teaching this level during the weekends, I stopped.)

The more interesting topics are found on the latter half of this book!



It even talks about Cafe de Flore here! Nostalgic.:P



It looked like this then:


But here is a photo I took during my trip:

[More photos later!XD]

Our textbook even has a small map:


It's pretty interesting to read something about somewhere you've been.:P
Funny to have come across this page today!



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Other topics in the book include:





The first page of the book:

[It's the bateau that runs along the Seine.>_< This photo looks old though.]

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I remember making these to help me remember when I was studying for the DELF exam!



I hated subjonctif...XD I still do. And I also have trouble with subjunctives in Spanish.:P


Took two different exam levels on two consecutive days. Something I will never do again! x_X Hahah. Those two days were very tiring and stressful!! [At first I wanted another exam a level higher after those two.. but changed my mind at that time, was thinking I didn't want any more exams anytime soon.T_T]

Used to remember all these, now I don't. T_T SIGH. Is a sign I should be studying again.


You can find this at the back of the book,

Very useful as I could add to my vocabulary some more words in other languages.:D

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I really should find some time to study again.xP
[But I have also picked up a couple of other hobbies which I didn't back then -- watching anime, japanese dramas, and more.]
[And now I also work full time from Mon-Sat which eats up all my time.T_T]
[Ah well, I can only do so much.X_X]