join now| sign in| help
Search advanced search
 
Books
Search:

Request Friendship
Send Request Cancel

Pirjo S

Pirjo S

I'm a Finnish woman, a teacher of English and a mother. I love reading. At weekends I read mystery or thrillers, but on vacations I need heavier stuff so I read classics or contemporary novels, always in English.
  • Jämsä, Finland
  • member since October 15 2007

Groups

Friends

Random books from my shelf

     
 
 
 

Public Notes

  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Pirjo, Your life does sound idyllic! You have a life many would envy! I have often lived minutes from my office but since I consulted with bagful of teaching materials, I always needed a car. I never realized how much I enjoyed walking until we moved to Shanghai. Yes I have read all Elliott Pattison's books and loved them all but then I love reading books that involve Tibet. Other mysteries you may enjoy are a series by Colin Cottril (not sure of the spelling) He has developed a great older character, coroner that lives in Laos. I have reading many Donna Leon because I can buy them for very little at many book sales. I see you have read several of hers as well. Take care and I hope you get through your students papers soon so you can return to your reading.

    posted 1 month ago. ( send a note )
  • Bart

    Bart says

    Hello Pirjo,
    I read a few books of Rankin some years ago. I think I've seen all of the 'Rebus' episodes. They are really good. The latest of Dan Brown I didn't read, but I just finished the first book the millenium trilogy by Stieg Larsson. What a great, well-written book ! I can't wait to start reading part 2 and 3.

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Hi Pirjo...Yes the climate in Minnesota is cold. Last winter they had weeks of -30 F and I just do not want to return to that at my age. I totally understand your not having a car. We do need to have one car but our townhouse is located in the downtown area which is only 2 blocks from a wonderfu library, light rail, buses, and food stores. We planned it that way since we also love to walk. We walk daily in Shanghai, at least 4-7 miles and do not want to gve that up for a car. Plus cars are expensive and want to use it as little as possible. Is your teaching within walking distance for you? Both of us have loved not having a car or driving. Americans in Shanghai rerely ride the subway which is a marvel. I only see tourists on the subway. We would have loved to live in a city with subway but we could not afford the cost of living. You are so lucky to be able to use alternate forms of transportation.We will certainly miss that when we return.

    Cass

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Pirjo, we did find a home in Phoenix, Arizona. We left Minneapolis, Minnesota for Shanghai but did not want to return to the extremely cold weather. We will be living in a 'loft' townhouse closeto the down town area and the art community. I am still a bit sad about leaving Shanghai but it helps to have things more settled in the U.S. My friends complain about the number of people on the road in Arizona.....they would be stunned in China. My family of origin moved every year or 2 so I do not have a specific state in the U.S that I consider my roots. I guess AZ.is as good as any. We now have to consider buying a car and driving. Have not done that in over 3 years! Thanks for being my friend on Shelfari, I enjoy our emails.

    Cass

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    As time speeds by and only 10 days before we make our first trip home. I am keeping my fingers crossed that we find some place to live before we return to Shanghai. I would love to return in Dec. to a home. I think living overseas is exhausting if you do not live in native communities. There are US complexes where everything is Westernized. We decided to live in a Chinese community so we have struggled with the lang., getting our needs met and a kitchen with 2 burners, no stove or oven. I wouldn't change it since it made us learn the lang. and the culture but as my husband stated a few weeks back, "I am exhausted. I would like to go someplace where I can rest."

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Pirjo,
    The time has flown by and school began for us last week. I ran a program for Chinese children with autism during the month of July so I really reel that the summer has been short!

    My husband, Chuck, and I will be permanently returning to the States in Dec. In Oct. we fly to Arizona and check out the housing market. We decided that we are both tired and need to settle some place for a while. Thailand sounded like a great adventure but we petered out when we thought about finding an apartment, needing to shop all over for household goods, etc. The family is glad we are returning so that the miles are not so great.

    I have been trying to deplete my collection of books so that I do not need to transport them home. We shipped our collection home last month so now I am left with easy reading mysteries, books on Buddhism, and some fantasy books. My latest book is His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik, a Temeraire Book series. I have had the books for a while but just didn't think they would interest me. I am glad I was wrong and have 2 other books from the series waiting to be read.

    Grandchildren are wonderful but they certainly take energy. Our two grand kids are 5 and 7 years so they require a bit less attending to. Since my son married in may, I am expecting more little ones in the next few years.

    I am off to bed and finish my book tonight. Thank heavens for Shelfari or I would never remember books I have read and also for finding a very interesting friend in Finland.

    Cheers,
    Cass

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • uplandpoet

    uplandpoet says

    Welcome to Better than Starbucks! Look around, make yourself at home, start a new thread or dig up an old one or just read and jump in on the more active ones.

    We are honored to be one of your first groups!

    posted 5 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Anthony E

    Anthony E says

    Yeah I feel the same way about Angels and Demons. I know I should read it no matter what. Damn movies, I should have waited before I read the book to watch the movie. I'd read about half and than the movie came out so I thought I'd take a shortcut and finish it via the movie. But I've still got it bookmarked so I'll pick up where I left off. I mean I couldn't put down The Da Vinci Code and didn't see the movie as anything special so I will take you're advice. Richard Dawkins is brilliant from what I've read "The God Delusion" but I'm sure you know that.

    I got inspired to start reading Christopher Hitchens after finding this website actually. I already had the book after a friend gave it to me (So good to have a friends who are atheists) I'd recommend him from his writings on Slate.com and so on. But I will be able to tell you more once I've read more.

    I also like reading the odd classic too. I'm looking for books about how people get their start in life, for example the "rags to" part in rags to riches. So if you've ever read anything like that I'd appreciate you're input.

    Happy reading, Anthony.

    posted 5 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Pirjo,
    I am going to write today since my next week will be a bit crazy. I decided to take the entire week off....rather decadent! Actually I decided to take Mon.-Wed. off and found that Thurs. and Friday are a Chinese holiday.

    I have read some of Jean Auell but not for a while. I will check on her latest books. I have been reading some Buddhists books and then some Chinese murder mysteries. Some how the two are a bit strange to be reading together.

    It is wonderful to be able to connect with family and friends face to face. I realize how much I miss that when I am back and the opportunities are there.

    Cyprus, how wonderful!! When you get back let me know where you stayed. It has always been a dream of mine to visit Italy, Cyprus, Greece, and Spain. so far I have only visited third world countries!

    I have moved so many times that I have become a semi-professional. We are shipping some things back to the US. (enough to fit in a 4' by 4' box, the rest we are selling.) We are shipping back the Buddhist books and I am trying to read all my mysteries. I sold around 100 mystery books last week at a sale in Shanghai. It felt good to get rid of already read books. We came to China with 6 suitcases, we will leave China with 6 suitcases. (Working on the Buddhist philosophy of detachment) sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

    Have a wonderful time in Cyprus on the beach eating wonderful foods!!

    Write when you return,

    Cass

    posted 7 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Pirjo,
    i just realized how long it has been since I have written. We traveled to the US to attend our son's wedding and visit children and grandchildren. It was wonderful seeing the youngest daughter, 31 years, living in Africa. We only see Emily once a year, so valued this reunion. I think it is the first time we have had all 3 children and spouses together for a long time!

    We are getting ready to relocate to Thailand next Dec. so started pulling together items we need to sell. A major part of our possessions would be our books. It has taken us hours trying to decide if we take it or sell it. Moving is so costly we need to detach from our stuff.

    The school year should be ending shortly and I am sure the last few weeks are busy ones.

    Take care,
    Cass

    posted 7 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    The baby is beautiful! I imagine you make frequent trips to London to see the grand babies.
    That is one thing that is difficult about living overseas. I only get to visit once or twice a year.

    My schedule is so sporadic I am able to read all the time. Between mysteries, I read many books on Buddhism. This is an area I am studying. Did you ever finish Ulysses by Joyce? I have never attempted the book but my husband has read it 3 times. Years ago he was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue and the only thing that kept his mind off the illness was reading Ulysses. After realizing the complexity of the book, I decided to wait until I had months to devote to the book. It hasn't happened yet!

    I have 2 grandchildren, 5 years and 7 years. My son, age 34 yrs. will be married May 2nd so there is hope for more! My youngest is 31 years and does not have any plans for marriage in the next several years.

    Thank you for the new names. I will be traveling to the US in May and plan to buy several you have mentioned. Amazon will not deliver to China so this is my one chance for another 6 months.

    Enjoy your spring weather in Findland.

    Best,
    Cass

    posted 9 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Pirjo, you have a new picture on your site. Is this a grandchild? I have been so busy with my consulting that I have not been back on Shelfari. I wanted to give you some titles of delightful books I have read that may appeal to you. Ariana Franklin has written some books, her first being Mistress of the Art of Death. Her books take place in 12th century England and feature a woman doctor. I also enjoyed Donna Leon's Acqua Alta. Of course it talked a little about antique Chinese ceramics which is a passion for us. I am often traveling distances to do my consulting which gives me time to sit back and read. I am very fortunate to be able to do that. I hope you enjoyed your trip to England and had time to pick up many new books to read over the next few months. Do you have a vacation during the summer months or do you work on a 12 month contract? When I worked in the classroom I lived for those vacation times to relax and read.

    posted 9 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Pirjo,
    Good luck on your quest for new books. The only time I am able to buy good mysteries is when I travel back to the States or Thailand. Shanghai's bookstores are limited in selection. I plan to buy some Ruth Rendel lbooks but find she has many books out in print, hard to choose! Are there any especially good Rendell books you would recommend?

    I empathize about your time needed to be devoted to reading your student's papers. Hopefully you finished and can take some time for yourself.

    Cass

    posted 10 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Pirjo,
    Thank you for taking the time to send me your list. We definitely have similar taste in books! I leave for Thailand on Monday so I will attempt to get some of the books you suggested there. If you are interested in some new mysteries, I will name a few. They were not on your list but you may already read them. Jason Goodwin, Eliot Pattison, and Colin Cotterill are some favorites. Other books that are fun to read and take place in the far east would include Dorothy Gillman, I.J Parker and a series about a Japanese Judge very similar to Judge De written by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler. I spend my time reading mysteries and books about Buddhism. My husband practices Tibetan Buddhism so I try to keep up with what he is studying. I hope to hear from you again. By the way, I also started with Agatha Christie and Nagiio Marsh many years ago!

    posted 11 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Pirjo, I would love to have you send me your favorite mystery writers. I have the same problem. That is one reason for joining Shelfari. I now see them on my shelf, helps jog my memory.

    posted 11 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Pirjo, it appears you also like mysteries. I have read many Asian mysteries I suppose because I live in Shanghai. Would you be willing to send me 10 of your very favorite mysteries? ( I also liked all the books by Qiu Xiaolong)

    posted 11 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Bart

    Bart says

    Hello Pirjo,

    Arto Paasilinna is becoming one of my favorite writers. Wonderful Mass suicide was a great book, funny, well writen, a bit slapstick, but it makes you think.
    Today I started reading another one of him: Auta armias. The second book I am reading now is Luminainen by Leena Lehtolainen. This book and the ones by Paasilinna are translated into dutch so it makes things easy for me. You have great writers in Finland!

    The Chameleon's Shadow is again a very good one of M. Walters, with a few complicated characters. It reads very easy, and is one of her best works, c.g. the sculptress and the icehouse. She writes very well about what drives people to do what they do.

    Ian McEwan's Saturday I liked a lot. Atonement I didn't read yet, but Black Dogs my favorite McEwan book. On Chesil Beach was very good as well, maybe his most 'easy' book to read...

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Bart

    Bart says

    Hello Pirjo, Scandinavian thrillers are very popular in Belgium as well. I think it all started with Henning Mankell. Liza Marklund is one of my favourites as well.
    Can you recommend me a finnish writer ? Normally I read my books in dutch (flemish), but I read a few books in English as well.
    The most famous Belgian thriller author is Pieter Aspe, very nice books, situated in Bruges.
    Much regards, Bart

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )


© 2006-2009 Shelfari | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy

Close