Seh tar (Three Strings)

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Student: Shirin Abdollahi

Country: Iran
Language: Farsi
Book Title : Seh tar (Three Strings)
Author: Jalal Al-e-Ahmad
Year of publication: 1944

Pending: Summary & Recommendation

Тяжелый песок/Tjazhelyj pesok (Heavy Sand)

Image Source: Photographed from hard copy 

Student: Nadia Norman

Country: Russia/Ukraine

Language:  Russian/Ukrainian

Book Title: Тяжелый песок/Tjazhelyj pesok (Heavy Sand)

Author: Anatoli Rybakov

Year Published: 1979

Summary

The novel Heavy Sand is a tragic story about a Jewish family living in Communist Ukraine, the part of Russia.  In addition, the grandparents of the family were married in the early 1900s and they lived in Ukraine. The time period of the story is set from the early 20^th century to the time of the Nazi occupation of World War II.

The author tells the story of Boris Ivanovsky’s parents.  The father Yacov  Ivanovsky was  half Jewish and half German, and his mother Rachel was Jewish Ukrainian. They had two children, as  Boris and a beautiful daughter Dina. The author talks about how they fell in love and made a good family. But that was very difficult because Yacov and Rachel had different cultures and social classes.

The family lived happily in a village in Ukraine. Then the Nazis came and occupied Ukraine and turned their town into a ghetto, like the Warsaw ghetto.

The author describes the extreme life in Hitler’s holocaust; and about the people who died and those who survived the Nazi occupation of Ukraine. The whole family was sadly killed.

Recommendation

This is a great book. The author Anatoly Naumovich Rybakov was born in Chermijov, Ukraine on January 14 191. He died on December 23, 1988.  He was a laureate of the USSR and RSFSR State awards. He received an Honorary Doctorate from Tel Aviv University. Rybakov was a famous Soviet and Russian writer. He wrote Heavy Sand, Anti-Stalinist and Children of the Arbat trilogy. He had also written many children’s books.

I recommend that you read this book. Many people were killed during World War II. When you read it, you will understand about the terrifying life that the town and ghetto had during the Nazi occupation. The Nazis killed the Jewish people, including the sick, the old, little children and even babies. The Nazis had the idea to kill all Jewish people. The story tells how this family struggled to live and to keep their dignity and humanity during this terrible time. In the end, it is their humanity that you will remember.

Anyone who reads Heavy Sand will be moved in their hearts by the experiences of the people in Ukraine during World War II.

利休にたずねよ (Ask the Green Tea Master Mr. Rikyu)

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Student : Miho Ikegami

Country: Japan

Language: Japanese

Book Title: 利休にたずねよ (Ask the Green Tea Master Mr. Rikyu)

Author: Kenichi Yamamoto

Year of Publication: 2008

Summary

It’s a historical novel about the green tea master, Mr. “Sen-no Rikyu.”He had an excellent sense of beauty for tea ceremony. Mr. Rikyu wasn’t lord.  He was an expert in tea ceremony.

He respected the simple beauty, and look “ Cyashitsu (tea ceremony room)” as the little universe.

In 1591, he was ordered “Seppuku” (the death penalty by cut one’s stomach) by Hideyoshi Toyotomi.

Mr. Hideyoshi was the “Shogun (the general)” at that period of time. He preferred luxurious things.

At the first time, General Hideyoshi thought Rikyu is useful him, but gradually he was jealous about his talent. The cup of tea made many lords comfortable, brought them a peace of mind. Mr. Rikyu didn’t forget his belief when he faced Seppuku.

Recommendation

It is called “The Warring States period” in the novel’s background. When local lords fought each other to expand their influence.

We have to taste Master Mr. Rikyu's sharpen sensitivity as well as his love, and his charming life.

This novel is full of Japanese ancestor’s soul, and fusion of the beauty spirit as “Wabi (comfortable stillness)”.  Perhaps, this book will inspire and bring about curiosity to people not just in Japan but other countries also!

Nowadays, many Japanese forget this kind of mind like Mr. Rikyu. Therefore, we should try to recover the beautiful spirit like his!

Cuando Dios dice que saltes, ¡salta! (When God says jump, jump!)

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Student: Georgina Barrera

Country: United States of America

Language: Spanish

Book Title: Cuando Dios dice que saltes, ¡salta! (When God says jump, jump!)

Author: J.R Briggs

Year of publication: 2006

Summary

This book shows and teaches the reader one of the clues for a successful life with God on it. It talks about the life of many people who decided to change their life taking the risk of been different. For example, he tells stories of real people who made the difference, and with the help of God they faced their fears and now they are not afraid of anything. Like Rosa parks. She was an ordinary person, with an ordinary life, who in an ordinary day decided to take the risk of been different. This Afro-American seamstress took her bus on her way to home from work. For that time the Afro- American people and the white people were not able to seat together. Also if a White person took the bus the Afro-American people have to give him the seat. So what Rosa Parks did was that she reused her seat to a white person who took the same bus of her. She was not afraid of anything. She fought for her and all Afro-Americans rights. And at the end she went to jail, but she took the first step, and thanks to her now everybody of any race has the same rights.

But, in contrast the author also shows the other side. He tells us with clear examples of life experiences of other people who did not take any risk on their lives. For example, it was a person who has been accountant for more than 30 years. He was making enough money for living but he was hatting his job and living an unhappy life. And his excuse was “it is the safest thing that I could do”. Like him is thousands of people out there, wasting their lives and waiting for death. This book teaches us that taking the risk of been different, thinking different, and doing what God has for us can change completely our lives, Making them an adventure in every moment.

Recommendations

About the author J.R Briggs has served in ministry for over a decade in mega- churches. He writes biblical stories to inspire you to risk big. Like his book “When God says jump”.

When God says jump, is a paraphrase of the Bible. It is a perfect book for everyone, of all ages. It has motivational writing that will help you to understand many things in life. Also it talks about the life of bible characters that we do not usually talk about. Which lives are clear examples of a risky and proud life. 

La luz es como el agua (Light is Like Water)

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Student Anamaria Montoya

Country:  Colombia

Language: Spanish

Book Title: La luz es como el agua (Light is Like Water)

Author:  Gabriel García Márquez

Year of publication: 1991

Summary

It is about two brothers whose names were Toto and Joel. They asked their parents to buy them a boat. Their parents said that they have to wait until they arrive to Cartagena. But Toto and Joel did not care about what they said, and they insisted and insisted until his father bought the boat. But, the father told them that the boat was in the garage and they cannot take it to upstairs because it was huge. At the next morning the kids with the help of their friends took the boat upstairs to their room. When their parents arrived they were very impressed.

At the same night the parents went out for dinner, and the kids played around the house made a big mess. They broke some lamps.  Also, they filled the house with water, so they can play with their new boat. However, Toto and Joel were not satisfied. They asked their parents for diving suits, and they said no. But the kids told them if they win first place at their school, then they will have to buy them diving suits. As time progressed, Toto and Joel won the first place and their parents bought them their diving suit. The parents were very happy and proud of their kids. Then they asked the kids what else they wanted for their achievements, so they responded that they only wanted a party.

One night their parents went out and they decided to arrange a party for their kids. While the parents were away, the kids invited all their friends and filled the house with water again. They put up lights everywhere in the house, so the whole city would notice about their party with their friends. However, when the parents arrived that night to their house, they were shocked that Toto and Joel were died from drowning in their own house.

Recommendations

Gabriel Garcia Marquez was born on March 6, 1928 in the Atlantic coast of Colombia. He died in Mexico on April 17, 2014. He is one of the most important Authors of Colombia.  “La luz es como el agua” is a book that teaches a great lesson. It is a perfect book for parents and sons.

Trái Tim Người Mẹ (Mother's Heart)

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Student: Anh Nguyen (aka Anna)

Country: Vietnam
Language: Vietnamese
Book Title: Trái Tim Người Mẹ (Mother's Heart)
Author: Cao Đăng.; Thành Nam
Year of Publication: 2004

Summary
When I was a child, I felt safe and peaceful because of being next to my mom. When I am mature, I want to be alone, on my way to be independent. I start to live freedom. Howeve, my mom still stands there, hugs me and advises me when I fall down in life. When I went to school in the first time, my mom was really happy. Although my mom wants to hug me and keep me longer with her, I have to go to school so I can work on my future. When I was growing up, I always listened to my mom. I felt safe because I thought my mom looked after me. However, I never really understood the deep meaning of what it means to be a mom. When I matured got married, and had my own private family, I realized that my mom still loves me very much.  Sometimes, when I forgot my mom's birthday, I would still give her a present and that still made her happy. When I had an accident, my mom was the first person who was sad for me. Actually, my mom worries about all her children during her whole life, even when they get married and have their own children. Thanks to my mom, my child too will run into my arm. When my child falls down, I will hug my child too. Thank you God for giving me my mom.

Recommendation
This book talks about mother's love for her children. Mother's love helps us get over all of our fears. Also, mother’s love makes us happy and confident to step into the world when we become adults. God gave us our mothers, who are like our angels to us. Mothers make all kind of sacrifices for us, so that we can have better lives. You can find this book, and read it, so you can better understand what mother's love really means.

ナミヤ雑貨店の奇蹟 (Miracles of the Namiya General Store)

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Student: Taro Namiya

Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Book Title: ナミヤ雑貨店の奇蹟 - Namiya Zakkatenno Kiseki (Miracles of the Namiya General Store)
Author: Keigo Higashino
Year of Publication: 2012

Summary
One day, three young people, Atsuya, Kouhei, and Shoyta, stole a car which later broke down. They fled to a very old abandoned building to hide. This old place used to be a combined residence and a storefront business called Namiya General Store. However, something weird happened there during late hours of the night: a letter dropped through the slot in the front shutter of the door. The three youths noticed that the letter is 33 years old, unsigned, and by a girl athlete who is preparing for the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. This athlete wrote about getting advice about her problem. She wanted to know if she should drop out of the Olympic competition so she can look after her dying boyfriend. Atsuya, Kouhei, and Shoyta discovered that this consultation letter of trouble had arrived from the past in 1979. The three youths decided to send a reply to the athlete’s question from 1979. They asked for more information about her problem. Then they placed their letter in the box intended for milk deliveries in the back of the old building. Surprisingly, they received another letter in a short time through the same shutter of the old store’s door. This letter was from the same athlete responding to their request for more information. The three youths realized that this athlete’s time is moving forward rapidly in space. However, they noticed that the time within the general store remains at a halt as long as they keep the back door closed of the old building. Then, the athlete and the three youths exchanged several more letters until the problem was resolved.

What’s more, Atsuya, Kouhei, and Shoyta later found out from an old article that the owner of Namiya General Store was an old man named Yuji Namiya. Nearly 40 years ago, Yuji lost his wife but he found a purpose of living by giving free consultation to several random people with serious life problems. The three youths decided to leave their life of crime and become like Yuji Namiya. The three agreed to continue giving consultation to people’s letters that fell through the front shutter of old Namiya General Store.

Recommendation
The Japanese author Keigo Higashino received “the 7th Chuokoron Literary Prize” for this award winning mystery novel: Miracles of the Namiya General Store.

Higashino was born in Osaka, Japan in 1958. He served as the 13th President of Mystery Writers of Japan from 2009 to 2013. While working as an engineer, his debut was awarded the 31st Ranpo Edogawa Award in the "After School" in 1985.

Miracles of the Namiya General Store was written during the rapid economic growth of Japan in the late 1970s until the stagnation economic life of the 1990s. Through time and space, the general store’s residents provide free consultation to people’s various serious troubles. The strange thing about this novel is that the three youths live in the present time, and they communicate with the people who live in the past time. The story starts with the three thieves, who are on the run, and discover an old abandoned general store as a hideout.

I think that there is a lot of variety of interesting things happening in this story. It is also a very moving novel, filled with a lot of mystery and surprises. As you read this novel, you might be curious yourself to know if you can also communicate with the residents of the Namiya General Store!

نهاية رجل شجاع. (The End of the Brave Man)

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Student:  Fatima Bdewi

Country: Syria

Language: Arabic

Book title: نهاية رجل شجاع. (The End of the Brave Man)

Author: Hanna Mina

Year of publication: 1989

Summary

This story is about the life of a man named Mofeed  Alwahesh “the beast”. He had a giant body but empty mind. One day, when he was 12-year old, he cut the tail of donkey one of the peasants. For that, his father linked him with ropes, and beat him with “alkirbag,” then he was beaten in front of all the villagers causing psychological harm for him, this led him to escape from the village to the city, and worked in bakery. When he was 18-years old, he fought against the French enemy. As a result, he was imprisoned for two years. In prison Mofeed learned how to read and how to become a man. After being released from prison, he worked at sea –fishing and defending fishing boats. Then he worked at the Port of Lattakia.

At the port occurred many events, adventures, and challenges, so he was changed from “nobody” to a “monster.” Because he became a narcissist, the men of the port turned against him. Mofeed was put in prison for five years, and that is where he got diabetes. For lack of care and attention of his illness, his legs were amputated. Later, his friend helped him get out of desperation by finding him a work as a seller of smoke and prohibited goods on ships.  Mofeed had a dream of having artificial legs, but he fell victim to old problems at the port where he to deal with his enemy. As a result, Mofeed had to face the police.  Because he felt that he lost his dreams, he killed one of the police officer, and then committed suicide immediately afterwards.

Recommendation

The author, Hanna Mina (1924-2015) was born in Lattakia city (my hometown).  His passion and inspiration comes from Lattakia’s mountains and sea.  Mina also contributed to the founding of the Association of Syrian writers and Arab Writers Union. His novels are characterized by realism.

It is a realistic Syrian novel about a man from childhood to adulthood. When it turned into TV series, it had affected people in the Arab world. In this novel, you will find the development of Mofeed’s character from good to evil and from powerful to desperate. There are many people like Mofeed in reality. There are those people who push others to the path of wickedness. As a result, they develop a spirit of evil with bad dealings.  However, if people can understand and deal with such situations in an appropriate moral way, then they won’t end up like the character Mofeed. There are many important lessons learned from this novel. Therefore, I recommend everyone reading this great novel.

Le Petit Prince (A Little Prince)

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Student:  José Eduardo Aguilar

Country: France

Languages: Spanish and French

Book Title: Le Petit Prince (A Little Prince)

Author:  Antoine de Saint Exupery

Year of Publication: 1943

Summary

This is a magical and abstract story about A Little Prince, who is a very curious and an innocent child.  He constantly questions all things that he does not understand. Thus, he journeys across space, visits many planets where he meets different characters who help him to answer his inquisitive questions. The little prince learns about simple things about human nature, such as: love, death, ignorance and relationships. He realizes that these things are actually very significant to him.  Most importantly, the little prince’s recognizes that love is about him being responsible to look after his cherished flower.

Furthermore, the story is narrated by the Aviator, who finds the Little Prince on the middle of the Sahara Dessert. Over time, the Aviator discovers many things about the long journey that made the little prince had made.  One of the most important things that the aviator discovers from the Little Prince is that his big interest for understanding how the simple things in life can have great value.

Recommendation

This is a wonderful book tells a beautiful and moving story. It teaches great lessons of life. The book was inspired by a love story between the author and her fellow, who was a Salvadorian woman.

The little Prince is one of the most famous books in the world, and actually one of the best sellers.  People of all ages, young and old, can enjoy reading this story. It is not a very lengthy to read, it can take about one hour to complete. In many countries, this book is the first book that the children read in their schools. Also, it is one of the most common books found at many universities.