Read since December 2000

Here I have listed the books with short descriptions on what I liked or didn't like. The name of the book in bold is the name in the language I read the book and in parentheses the name in either original language or in English, or in both. The list is in chronological order, first read books first.

John Steinbeck: Pearl

In the series of easy English reading for Arabic speakers, this was my first introduction to the author. A rather long short story, but worth the read.

James Gleick: Faster

Notions about our idea of time and how there is never enough of it, and how the speed of just about everything is accelerating. Interesting ideas, but a bit shallow on the conclusions side.

Feodor Dostoyevsky: Rikos ja rangaistus (Crime and Punishment, Nakazanie i prestuplenije)

The classic was really good. The story was captivating, the descriptions of Russian milieu and characters was so unbelievably good, that that alone could've made it worthwhile. The reality and intensiviness of it all made it much more complete and enjoyable. Not be taken too lightly, however, this book requires your full attention and even then there were aspects I don't think I was able to absorb.

C. S. Lewis: Narnia

The first book was a complete success -- I almost missed my bus stop when I was reading. There's nothing like a good story, and although this one was targeted (was it? Not sure about it) for children, it was really good nevertheless. My friend Merja urges me to read the rest of them, too.

Kaisa Häkkinen: Kielitieteen perusteet

A very good introduction to linguistics. Now I have names for several structures in the language I knew existed, but never got a chance to learn about in school. From the smallest units of language up to semantic level, all in a well-written and thin book.

Franz Kafka: Linna (das Schloss)

Too similar to der Prozess to really entertain for the whole read -- it has its vaguely claustrophobic ring to the relationships between people and the main character has his odd way of categorizing his own and others' life. Which, of course, is a trademark of Kafka.

Tomas Kulka: Taide ja Kitsch (Art and Kitsch)

He defines, first qualitatively and then more quantitatively and formally what is kitsch. He has interesting notions about art in general and has found many homomorphisms and isomorphism between different styles and art forms that I've been aware of only intuitively. He puts things into an interesting perspective, so I'd recommend that you read this book if the subject is of any importance to you. It's not too thick, but was either written or translated quite badly.

Risto Vahanen & Seppo Fränti: 140 päivää panttivankeina viidakossa (Hostages 140 days in the jungle)

The two Finns taken hostage by the Abu Sayyaf guerrillas tell their part of the story. Offers a lot the media didn't cover and also some insights to the Philippinean society -- not as shallow as I kind of expected.

Aapeli Saarisalo (ed.): Etelän Ristin mies - Martti Rautanen (Man of the Southern Cross - Martti Rautanen)

A biograph of the Finnish missionary in Namibia in the 19th century for 45 years. The book is not exceptional, but the life of Rautanen family has been. A suggested read, by all. Even if you are not interested in Christian missionary work, you should consider reading this to learn what some people are willing to offer in their lives to further the spreadth of the gospel.

Wilbur Smith: Elämän ja kuoleman laakso (A Sparrow Falls)

A thick novel about the life of a young man in Africa after the First World War. His life is easy, but an inner spark drives him from trouble to another. Not very inspiring, but some of the descriptions of the African nature are charming.

Guy Burt: The Dandelion Clock

The man is living parts of his life again, in a strangely interwoven manner. Worth a read, but a bit unsurprising.

Terry Pratchett: Equal Rites

Not too great, but a fun laugh at times.

Franz Kafka: Oikeusjuttu (Der Process)

K. is a procurist impeached and struggling with the anonymous and uncanny court. The book offers a view to a society not unlike ours. The fact that the book was considered unfinished by Kafka shows. If properly finished, he could have painted a dimmer and more oppressive system of jurisprudence before the reader. Or so I believe.

Suelette Dreyfus, Julian Assange: Underground

A really fascinating book (I read the electronic version found from http://www.underground-book.com) but not for the uninitiated. You'll get a truly awesome view to the lifes of a selected few hackers. A must read.

Leo Tolstoy: Mitä on taide? (What is art?)

Lev's ravings on art. And on the difference between good and bad art and what is not art at all.

Agatha Christie: Murha Mesopotamiassa (Murder in Mesopotamia)

I thought this would be a story along the lines of Sherlock Holmes stories, but instead it portrayed a handful of people quite well. I liked it.

Matti Väisänen: Pyhä Kaste Raamatussa (Holy Baptism in the Bible)

A really deep analysis of the position of Holy Baptism in the Bible. He has a strong dogmatical grip to the subject and explains it from a biblical ground. The text is a bit heavy (well, what did you expect?) but very well founded, and definitely not without taking sides (very pro-Lutheran).

Matti Väisänen: Pyhä Kaste Kirkossa (Holy Baptism in the Church)

Another strong and opinionated writing; this time not so dogmatic but nevertheless very deep and heavy reading. This one is mostly history and towards the end very Finland-centric, so at times it came very close and made me take sides. Not that I disagree with the author, but some of the happenings are very contemporary.

David Keneally: Schindlerin lista (Schindler's list)

A more fascinating story than I had thought. Well written and offers an interesting portrait of a unique man, who saved the lives of hunders of Jews during the Second World War. Also gives understanding of the full extent of the "resolution to the Jewish problem" better than some of the stories of the concentration camp survivors.

Markku Heikkilä & Simo Heininen: Suomen kirkkohistoria (The Finnish Church History)

The Finnish Church history dating back to 13th century and spanning the last eight hundred years.

Robert Ludlum: Bourne Identity

After having seen the movie, the book didn't have too much new to offer. The movie was set-up in more modern milieu, by something like 20 years. It was an OK book to read on the beach.

Frank Abagnale Jr. & Stan Redding: Catch Me If You Can

A hilarious story of an interesting con man, definitely worth the read. If you've seen the movie, the book offers just a bit more juicy stories, but the overall "plot" is very similar.

Hugo Pratt: Corto Maltese

Not a book, but rather a collection of comics. I've read most (perhaps all?) of them with my wife since we discovered them. They build on the groundwork laid by Tintin and other similar adventure comics, but are in style much more visual and plot-wise geared towards adult readers. At places a bit boring (I mean, come on, balloons that fill practically the whole page), but at other places very entertaining. The characters are detailed and interesting.

Ian Fleming: James Bond Istanbulissa (From Russia, with love)

Now, this one I didn't remember having seen, or was it just wildly different from the book? Ok, nothing spectacular here, just a piece of well-written entertainment almost fifty years ago.

H. G. Wells: The War of the Worlds

Another science fiction writer, whose works (among his contemporaries') have formed the genre. This one has very Hollywoodesque action scenes in the rural 19th century English milieu -- a masterpiece. It surprising how little evolution there has been in a hundred years.

Jules Verne: Pariisi 1900-luvulla (Paris in the Twentieth Century, Paris au XXe Siècle)

The 19th century science fiction writer's previously unpublished novel has some quite interesting truths to it. And not only the technical ones, but the sociological ones sound oddly familiar as well. As a book it is sufficiently short; any longer would have been just boring.

Augustinus: Tunnustukset (Confessions, Confessiones)

A classic by any measure. St. Augustine lived in the 4th Century AD and this book is an account of his sins, both before and after conversion to Christianity. Not easy reading, it is very detailed and way too philosophical to be read without proper concentration. A note on the Finnish version: while the translation seems to be of high quality, the final edit was not carried out properly and the typing (or, as it seems, scanning) mistakes are numerous.

Oscar Wilde: Dorian Grayn muotokuva (The Picture of Dorian Gray)

The story idea was probably novel when Wilde embarked on writing about it, and has eroded surprisingly little over time. It is a slow-paced book, and many of the bad deeds are these days considered a part of life, so it is little less perturbing than it probably was when it was first published. O tempora, o mores!

Terry Pratchett: Monstrous Regiment

As Pratchett books go, this one was pretty good. Interesting parallels to current world events and funny handling of some sexist issues. Worth a read, if you like his books at all.