May 19, 2010

Keep Reading, Dima


President Dmitry Medvedev says he likes the classics, but that,

just recently he made a request for buying about 50 books authored by contemporary Russian writers over the past 5-7 years.
"I have read some of them and I cannot say I have been excited," he said to share his impressions.
"By and large I have to read all sorts of dull papers the presidents normally read. Draft documents, draft decrees, draft instructions, laws, reports by ministries and departments and memos from secret services," Medvedev said. "All this is interesting only to a certain degree. Sometimes you feel you want to read something more humane." (Itar-Tass)

Perhaps the training rule applies here: if you plan to run a marathon, don't train for a 5k. Actually, it would be most interesting to learn what exactly among modern authors the prez is reading. I don't suppose he's reading Peter Aleshkovsky? Wait a minute, why don't we ask him. We'll just drop a note on his blog and see what he says... :)

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The Little Humpbacked Horse (bilingual)

The Little Humpbacked Horse (bilingual)

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.
At the Circus (bilingual)

At the Circus (bilingual)

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Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod is a mid-sized provincial city that exists only in Russian metaphorical space. It has its roots in Gogol, and Ilf and Petrov, and is a place far from Moscow, but close to Russian hearts. It is a place of mystery and normality, of provincial innocence and Black Earth wisdom. Strange, inexplicable things happen in Stargorod. So do good things. And bad things. A lot like life everywhere, one might say. Only with a heavy dose of vodka, longing and mystery.
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Woe From Wit (bilingual)

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Okudzhava Bilingual

Okudzhava Bilingual

Poems, songs and autobiographical sketches by Bulat Okudzhava, the king of the Russian bards. 
A Taste of Russia

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

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