Svetlana's Reads and Views

    Title of the book: Author: Publisher: Publishing Date: ISBN: Summary: Author Info: Personal Opinion: Unfortunately I am the rare minority that wasn't a fan of SPQR, the authors book about Rome from the time of myth to 200s of modern era? I am happy to report that in the case of EMPEROR of Rome, I am definitely a big fan. It's organized, has a character list and information is easy to find. Maybe because I am more familiar with Roman Empire, I was able to enjoy this book a lot more than the previous one. The author covers a lot about Roman emperors, from how they were seen by their subjects to their travels and even to their deaths, often using historical evidence and admitting when none exists. There is high intimacy with this  subject matter, and the reader becomes more and more eager to see what else the author will reveal about the emperor's and their families. While I don't think it's a good starting point when it comes to Roman Empire history, but it a good...

    Title of the book: Author: Publisher: Publishing Date: ISBN: Summary: Author Info: Personal Opinion: I am guilty of admitting that I took ancient prehistory as facts, never really questioning or wondering how we know what we know, and is it accurate or just built from imaginations? In this book the author dares to tackle our history of prehistory, how the all too familiar ideas of ideology were not benevolent and of how much prehistory is more of a fantasy than reality. Starting in 1750s with European gaze of Indigenous people, and ending in present time, the author leaves no stone unturned in search for the truth. A highly recommended and entertaining as well as thought provoking read.  This was given for review  5 out of 5 (0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)

    Title of the book: Author: Publisher: Publishing Date: ISBN: Summary: Author Info: Personal Opinion: Quite recently I started to challenge myself by reading about topics that I hadn't read or known of before. THE BLUE MACHINE seems to be a perfect representation of what I don't know and of learning a lot of fascinating facts about how the world works, in particular as it relates to the ocean. There is a lot I found clear, but also a lot I was confused about, especially in trying to understand the knowledge in context with given information. The writing and stories are definitely of passionate nature, and it's easy for the reader to get caught up with the authors ideas and tangents, in particular as it relates to creatures living in the ocean. All in all, a beautiful and hypnotic book that dares to remind readers of their planets oceans.  This was given for review  4 out of 5 (0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readab...

    Title of the book: Author: Publisher: Publishing Date: ISBN: Summary: Author Info: Personal Opinion: From cover to cover I loved reading these essays, especially of the timeless importance they have in linking the past to the present. Most of the essays were 2000s, and in mine experience the first few essays were not challenging. However, as time moved on and the author covered more and more topics, complexity appeared in full force. Some essays I found difficult to comprehend, especially as they relate to law because the author really takes it apart into pieces. For readers who seek an intellectual stimulation as well as a puzzle, this will be a perfect read to pass time.  This was given for review  5 out of 5 (0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)

    Title of the book: Author: Publisher: Publishing Date: ISBN: Summary: Author Info: Personal Opinion: Prior to reading the book I had no idea that decision making is a very complex procedure, or that certain parts of the brain are responsible for why we decide what we decide. Yet in this lively and passionate account about choices, that is what the reader ends up getting. The book begins with what sounds like simple yet common sense things that a reader should know about and then moves on to how it's possible to make changes, and of how other people influence our choices and behaviors. For an enlightening read and to see behind the scenes work of brain, I would highly recommend it.  This was given for review  4 out of 5 (0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)

  Name of Book: Hunkeler's Secret Author: Hansjorg Schneider trans Astrid Freuler  ISBN: 9781916725126 Publisher: Bitter Lemon Press  Part of a Series: Inspector Hunkeler #9 (6 are untranslated)  Type of book: Switzerland, Alsace, 2010s, revenge, hidden past, banking, family, Europe, farming, France, ww2, rejection of Jews  Year it was published: 2015 (2025) Summary: Hunkeler, now a retired inspector of the Basel police force, is hospitalized following an operation. He’s sharing a room with cancer patient Stephan Fankhauser, an old acquaintance, and former head of Basel Volksbank. One night, a groggy Hunkeler witnesses something that makes him question his senses. When he is told the next day that Fankhauser has died, Hunkeler grows suspicious. The body is quickly cremated with no autopsy performed, leaving Hunkeler determined to get to the bottom of the matter. His unorthodox investigation uncovers truths that will threaten Switzerland’s carefull...

 Name of Book: Author: ISBN: Publisher: Part of a Series: Type of book: atomic power, history, ww2, 2011 incident in Japan, nuclear power, history of nuclear power, 2024 Olympics, speculative, fiction  Year it was published: Summary: Characters: There are at least three or four characters. There is the grandmother character who is starting to suffer from Trinity disease and Who is quiet and introspective. The mother character seems to be caught up between past present and future at a deadly cost to her, and the daughter who is a typical teenager and is sullen and seemingly unaffected. There is also the sister but I don't think she has large part in the story.      Theme: How do paths cross and influence each other Plot: The story is in first person narrative from a woman's point of view about one day of her life when Olympics arrived in Tokyo in 2024. The woman's mother suffers from a mysterious disease called Trinity Trinity Trinity, and woman has to worry abou...

    Title of the book: Author: Publisher: Publishing Date: ISBN: Summary: Author Info: Personal Opinion: I never imagined that I would one day be giving a book about future of robots five stars. Yet here we are. While I still have misgivings when it comes to robots, the author has done an excellent job of reassuring me that things aren't as bleak as they appear. In fact there is definitely excitement in exploring how robots and humans can benefit from one another. The arguments the author has made, namely that she will present a future more bright with robots as well as their potential is very well written, and in addition to detailing the possible future, there are also simple sections of how they work and what they need to work. Yes, I highly recommend this book, and in future will give it to my 9 year old son to read.  This was given for review  5 out of 5 (0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forge...

 Name of Book: Author: ISBN: Publisher: Part of a Series: Type of book: Byzantium, 418-468 ME, christianity, Jerusalem, beginning of pogroms, relationship with self, chaste marriage,  divisions in christianity, growing up, traveling, relatives, court politics, isolation   Year it was published: Summary: Characters: There are a lot of characters, but main ones would be Athenais, Theo, Paulinus, and Pulcheria. Athenais is an intellectual who seems meek in beginning and isn't confident in herself, in particular when it comes to Theo. Theo is very protective, very extreme in his beliefs and has his own insecurities. Paulinus is loyal friend to both Theo and Athenais and has his own secret. Pulcheria is Theos sister who gave up her chance of marrying and having kids to help Theo rule the Empire. She is a powerful and frightening woman but also loyal to family and is afraid of giving up power.  Theme: There is a path for everything  Plot: The story is written in ...

     Name of Book: Author: ISBN: Publisher: Type of book: Fantasy, steppes, politics, fights, secrets, survival, gladiator, scorned love, magic, dark legends  Year it was published: Summary: Characters: Main character would be Sonja, a Hyrkanian woman who is best described as a nomad without any ties to anything. She is also known as a She Devil. Sonja has a devil may care/ hedonistic attitude towards life and does things she has little regrets for. She is a fierce fighter and in her own way is loyal. There are other characters such as Ysidra, Sonjas scorned lover, and Sylus, a twisted individual who is best described as sadistic.  Theme: Is it possible to love  Plot: The story is in third person narrative primarily from Sonjas point of view. Other characters also give their points of view such as Ysidra, Solus, the Hyrkanian royalty and guards. So I am not familiar with Sonjas world, thus a map would have been beneficial for me. And story does not really b...

     Name of Book: Author: ISBN: Publisher: Part of a Series: Type of book: England, horror, Victorian Era (1870s) physical horror and psychological, evil, governess, secrets, fall and winter,  Year it was published: Summary: Characters: Main character is Winifred Notty, a governess with DARKNESS inside. I am definitely struggling in describing her, but I would guess impulsive, murderous, deviant a well as a closeted umm c are the right descriptions. There are secondary characters but they are more caricatures than actual people. Mr Pounds is head of household who is obsessed with phrenology ( measuring skulls and seeing if there are criminal tendencies). Mrs Pounds is his wife who thinks she is beautiful but is ugly, and treats Winifred very harshly. The kids, Andrew and Drusilla. Drusilla is the oldest child who seems to care for Winifred and is often held back by her mother. Andrew is a spoilt first son.   Theme: People can be born evil? There is no thin...