Activity Calendar (Jan 1, 2023 - Dec 31, 2023)
My bookshelf
Seek flowers within ruins
Enlightenment Now
0★★★★★8.00Stephen Pinker / 2018 / Zhejiang People's Publishing House
Read Dec 26, 2020|Excellent★★★★★Some parts were not translated well, and some sections were cut. The book is good, and its arguments effectively summarize the noisy world today, emphasizing what seems like common sense is very necessary. Unfortunately, after reading for a month and a half, I still hadn't finished, no longer having enough patience to continue and skipping many parts. This book should be read by the general public, but its sheer size has already alienated them. Reading it was tedious, but this is mainly my fault for being too impatient. Why settling down to read this book has become a luxury, represents the greatest sadness of our times.
Read Dec 26, 2020|Excellent★★★★★Some parts were not translated well, and some sections were cut. The book is good, and its arguments effectively summarize the noisy world today, emphasizing what seems like common sense is very necessary. Unfortunately, after reading for a month and a half, I still hadn't finished, no longer having enough patience to continue and skipping many parts. This book should be read by the general public, but its sheer size has already alienated them. Reading it was tedious, but this is mainly my fault for being too impatient. Why settling down to read this book has become a luxury, represents the greatest sadness of our times.
China in Ten Words
0★★★★★8.40Hua Yu Yu Hua / 2012 / Vintage
Read Dec 1, 2020|Excellent★★★★★A uniquely modern approach to historical writing, the examples are particularly well-chosen and this impressed me deeply. Complex feelings arise when reading. Works like this are too scarce. The vocabularies, gradually forgotten as one grows, are revived in this slim volume, just as often described, familiar yet strange. This place sorely needs such observations, such a record.
Read Dec 1, 2020|Excellent★★★★★A uniquely modern approach to historical writing, the examples are particularly well-chosen and this impressed me deeply. Complex feelings arise when reading. Works like this are too scarce. The vocabularies, gradually forgotten as one grows, are revived in this slim volume, just as often described, familiar yet strange. This place sorely needs such observations, such a record.
Prisoners of Geography
0★★★★★★7.80Tim Marshall / 2015 / Elliott & Thompson
Read Nov 22, 2020|Excellent★★★★★It's a very worthwhile general knowledge introduction; I have only read Part 2 so far.
Read Nov 22, 2020|Excellent★★★★★It's a very worthwhile general knowledge introduction; I have only read Part 2 so far.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
0★★★★★★8.50[Czech] Milan Kundera / 2003 / Shanghai Translation Publishing House
Read Nov 17, 2020It’s hard to read, honestly. For a work and title as well-known as this, it’s quite different from what one might expect. Despite the philosophical discussions it's reputed to contain, it’s not light reading—at least not even moderately so. Getting enjoyment out of reading it might not be something a novice can achieve. Perhaps it might be better to revisit it later.
Read Nov 17, 2020It’s hard to read, honestly. For a work and title as well-known as this, it’s quite different from what one might expect. Despite the philosophical discussions it's reputed to contain, it’s not light reading—at least not even moderately so. Getting enjoyment out of reading it might not be something a novice can achieve. Perhaps it might be better to revisit it later.
The Competitive Edge of Introverts
0★★★★★★7.50Susan Cain / 2016 / CITIC Press
Read Nov 9, 2020|Good★★★★★Currently, this is quite a thorough explanation book about introversion I've read, offering valuable insights. The examples are plentiful and many resonate with my experiences, making me feel I'm not alone or unusual. Unfortunately, the translation is mediocre at best; some sentences are awkward and the overall translation feels too literal, which detracts from the experience.
Read Nov 9, 2020|Good★★★★★Currently, this is quite a thorough explanation book about introversion I've read, offering valuable insights. The examples are plentiful and many resonate with my experiences, making me feel I'm not alone or unusual. Unfortunately, the translation is mediocre at best; some sentences are awkward and the overall translation feels too literal, which detracts from the experience.
Political Gains and Losses Through Chinese Dynasties
0★★★★★★9.20Qian Mu / 2001 / SDX Joint Publishing Company
Read Oct 28, 2020|Excellent★★★★★A fascinating historical work that is quite substantial in content. Although it may be somewhat preemptively biased, reducing its persuasiveness, it still feels very worthwhile to read. Amidst a chorus of negative opinions, such a contrarian perspective is particularly significant.
Read Oct 28, 2020|Excellent★★★★★A fascinating historical work that is quite substantial in content. Although it may be somewhat preemptively biased, reducing its persuasiveness, it still feels very worthwhile to read. Amidst a chorus of negative opinions, such a contrarian perspective is particularly significant.
The Diary of Anne Frank
0★★★★★8.20Anne Frank / 1996 / Hainan Publishing House
Read Oct 19, 2020|Excellent★★★★★Reading it brought joy (and sadness), and then the diary abruptly ends. I am left speechless and sobbing, looking at the furnishings in Anne's house, observing the records filled in by later generations about the story's context, and seeing the profound thoughts revealed between the lines of this young author. Full of ideals, awareness, and courage, possessing a strong sense of self, I felt a delayed companionship and happiness, yet also pain. I cannot imagine having such a book or even such a friend in my childhood, nor can I imagine being 13 and reading as much as she did, clearly knowing what I loved. For myself, for Anne, for the world, I too must emerge from a terribly grim mood, hoping first to freely cry for 10 minutes. I will find and read other versions. The Chinese translation I read was truly unsatisfactory.
Read Oct 19, 2020|Excellent★★★★★Reading it brought joy (and sadness), and then the diary abruptly ends. I am left speechless and sobbing, looking at the furnishings in Anne's house, observing the records filled in by later generations about the story's context, and seeing the profound thoughts revealed between the lines of this young author. Full of ideals, awareness, and courage, possessing a strong sense of self, I felt a delayed companionship and happiness, yet also pain. I cannot imagine having such a book or even such a friend in my childhood, nor can I imagine being 13 and reading as much as she did, clearly knowing what I loved. For myself, for Anne, for the world, I too must emerge from a terribly grim mood, hoping first to freely cry for 10 minutes. I will find and read other versions. The Chinese translation I read was truly unsatisfactory.
Self-Help Manual for Anxious Personalities
0★★★★★6.40Anna Williamson, Rita Newell [UK], Beth Evans (Illus) / 2019 / Beijing Daily Press
Read Oct 14, 2020|Good★★★★★A useful guidebook that is likely very suitable for beginners in psychology who suffer from anxiety. It employs straightforward and simple language, not complex or in-depth, and provides many effective tools. Some phrases can touch a nerve, convincing you that you should not be afraid, you are not alone, and it is beneficial for alleviating anxiety.
Read Oct 14, 2020|Good★★★★★A useful guidebook that is likely very suitable for beginners in psychology who suffer from anxiety. It employs straightforward and simple language, not complex or in-depth, and provides many effective tools. Some phrases can touch a nerve, convincing you that you should not be afraid, you are not alone, and it is beneficial for alleviating anxiety.
Life is a Lonely Journey
0★★★★★★7.60Jia Pingwa / 2017 / China Friendship Publishing House
Read Sep 27, 2020Read Sep 27, 2020The Romance of the Western Chamber
0★★★★★★8.50Wang Shifu / 2005 / Shanxi Ancient Books Publishing House
Read Aug 2, 2020|Excellent★★★★★Truly a charming tale, the original text is a bit challenging to digest, which is a pity, but fortunate that the translation is also wonderfully flavored. The story of Zhang Sheng and Cui Yingying has been cherished and imagined by many generations, and reaching my hands today, it feels like a dream. Although this love is bitter and beautiful, creating a proud and fulfilling life, few have the talent, ambition, luck, and striking beauty, nor the eloquent and righteous matchmaker or the persistence and seriousness of the characters in the drama. Most people can only look up and sigh at the grand joys and pains of such love. Such passionate characters, perhaps after enduring hardships, are ultimately let down. This is also why beautiful love is rare, and why 'The Romance of the Western Chamber' continues to be treasured today.
Read Aug 2, 2020|Excellent★★★★★Truly a charming tale, the original text is a bit challenging to digest, which is a pity, but fortunate that the translation is also wonderfully flavored. The story of Zhang Sheng and Cui Yingying has been cherished and imagined by many generations, and reaching my hands today, it feels like a dream. Although this love is bitter and beautiful, creating a proud and fulfilling life, few have the talent, ambition, luck, and striking beauty, nor the eloquent and righteous matchmaker or the persistence and seriousness of the characters in the drama. Most people can only look up and sigh at the grand joys and pains of such love. Such passionate characters, perhaps after enduring hardships, are ultimately let down. This is also why beautiful love is rare, and why 'The Romance of the Western Chamber' continues to be treasured today.