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I'm Kathryn. I'm twenty-six, live in Oregon and I'm disabled, which leaves me with a lot of free time to read. Currently I'm a student, learning Russian with the hope of becoming an ..."
Welcome, Kathryn!! We are so pleased you decided to join us.
Fellow Steinbeck fan here :)!!
Also, you must "meet" Regina - - she's our resident history fan, and Michael also reads a lot of history.
I really hope you enjoy the group and please don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have about how things work . . .both our members and our administrators are very happy to assist.

I'm Kathryn. I'm twenty-six, live in Oregon and I'm disabled, which leaves me with a lot of free time to read. Currently I'm a student, learning Russian with the hope of becoming an ..."
Glad you found us, Kathryn!
Now if that isn't a prompt for a Russian Literature tag, I don't know what is!! My Russian is so rusty that I'd need the translations these days, but it's all good :)

Welcome! What a great plan, to learn Russian to become an interpreter (that's a broad field, apparently). I hope you enjoy Russian Lit--are you reading it in Russian yet or in English? ."
Hey Karin! I absolutely LOVE Russian literature. Aside from the job prospects, (yes, you're right - interpreter is an insanely broad field) that's one of the reasons I picked Russian. I intend to learn several languages eventually, but Russian is first, partly due to a desire to read many of my favorite authors in their native language. I'm not yet at the point where I'm reading any books IN Russian. Still struggling along with community magazines and the like. I can read it, but I don't have the vocabulary to always know what I'm reading - just how to pronounce it. I can't wait until I feel comfortable enough to try some short stories!
Thanks for the welcome. :)

Fellow Steinbeck fan here :)!! "
Anita -
Nice to see a fellow Steinbeck fan! I'm used to getting blank looks or groans of pain representing years of overly analytical high school essays. Do you have a favorite? I'm just about to start reading The Pearl for the first time.
I'll definitely keep an eye out for Regina and Michael. Thanks for the heads up! From what I can see so far, I don't have too many questions. The FAQ seemed fairly clear, but I'm sure I'll think of something and I'll be sure to ask. Definitely seems like a very friendly community. Thanks for the welcome!

Now if that isn't a prompt for a Russian Literature tag, I don't know what is!! My Russian is so rusty that I'd need the translations these days, but it's all good :)"
Здравствуйте Kate!
Thanks for the welcome! Your Russian may be rusty, but I'm not even reading Russian very comfortably yet. Still, I'm really excited and already trying to decide which Russian author/work I'm going to try first. For now I'm still struggling through local Russian community magazines and reading the books in English. I'm not sure exactly how technically accurate she is, but I've become quite fond of the readability of Constance Garnett translations. Why did you learn Russian? I seem to meet so few people who know even a little bit of the language.

Thank you for the warm welcome! I look forward to getting to know all of you and finding out more about your reading interests!


Welcome! What a great plan, to learn Russian to become an interpreter (that's a broad field, apparently). I hope you enjoy Russian Lit--are you reading it in Russian yet ..."
Russian can be tricky with all those cases--six, that's a LOT and I'd think rather confusing for the two we don't have in English.

It was just good luck - my German teacher happened to know Russian as well so she offered to teach a class at school. It was really hard and I loved it because it was so different - so few connections with the European languages that I was studying. I did 2 years to university entrance standard then did it as part of my degree - nearly all literature though rather than spoken language so I've never been confident in conversation. And it was a great many haircuts ago ...
One of these days, I'll drag my husband to Russia on holiday and that will force me to practice at least :) I'm so bad now that I may find it easy enough to stop worrying about grammar and just focus on waving my hands about and growling something vaguely Russian-sounding ...

Fellow Steinbeck fan here :)!! "
Anita -
Nice to see a fellow Steinbeck fan! I'm used to getting blank looks or groans..."
So hard to say . . .I think probably Of Mice and Men so far, but I really enjoyed East of Eden too. I still have plenty left to read . . .but all the ones I have read, I have really appreciated.
Can't wait to hear what you think about The Pearl. I haven't read that one yet either . . .

Thanks for the welcome! Just glad the timing of my question worked out so well!

Thanks for the welcome Denizen. :) Sounds like I'll be looking forward to your recommendations as well!

Welcome! What a great plan, to learn Russian to become an interpreter (that's a broad field, apparently). I hope you enjoy Russian Lit--are you reading it..."
Honestly, so far I'm finding Russian easier than when I attempted Spanish in high school. I think it's the differences that are helping me. Spanish and English have so many vocabulary similarities that I was never even able to focus on the grammar. I was always second guessing myself as to whether I was using the right word, or making up Spanglish that just sounded right. Russian has similarities sure... but with so many Russian youtube channels these days, (I've been binging on quite a few) I'm finding it easier to get a feel for the cases.

It was just good luck - my German teacher happened to know Russian as well s..."
"A great many haircuts ago." I love that. I may have to steal that phrase.
One thing I've noticed from my local Russian community - anyone knowing even a couple sentences, even if somewhat grammatically incorrect surprises and thrills them. Best people to make a fool out of yourself in front of ever. Everyone wants to help! Before you run off to Russia with your husband, see if you have a decently sized Russian community in your area. If it's anything like my area, you're in for feeling almost overwhelmingly welcomed. I may not be confident in my conversational Russian, but I'm certainly less self-conscious about it now! Do you have any favorite Russian lit books or authors? I'm always looking for more books to devour!

Fellow Steinbeck fan here :)!! "
Anita -
Nice to see a fellow Steinbeck fan! I'm used to getting blank..."
I'll be sure to post a review up to the appropriate category once I've finished The Pearl. I'd say the only Steinbeck I haven't been super impressed with so far has been Torilla Flat but it may have been the mood I was in. I remember being rather stressed out at the time, but I also remember finding all the characters - especially Danny as being wooden and unrelatable. I've been meaning to reread that as well. I look forward to reading your reviews. I also loved East of Eden and Of Mice and Men. If you haven't had a chance yet, I'd say The Grapes of Wrath deserves it's reputation.

Fellow Steinbeck fan here :)!! "
Anita -
Nice to see a fellow Steinbeck fan! I'm used to..."'
Love, love, love Grapes of Wrath and have read it more than once.
I will save Tortilla Flat for last, lol. I will keep an eye out for your Pearl review . . .eagerly . . .
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Books mentioned in this topic
Tortilla Flat (other topics)Of Mice and Men (other topics)
East of Eden (other topics)
The Pearl (other topics)
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Herman Wouk (other topics)Stephen King (other topics)
Rainbow Rowell (other topics)
I'm Kathryn. I'm twenty-six, live in Oregon and I'm disabled, which leaves me with a lot of free time to read. Currently I'm a student, learning Russian with the hope of becoming an ..."
Hi Kathryn,
Welcome! What a great plan, to learn Russian to become an interpreter (that's a broad field, apparently). I hope you enjoy Russian Lit--are you reading it in Russian yet or in English?