A Short History Of Tractors in Ukrainian

Nikolai is a 84-year-old immigrant from Ukraine and now a pensioner who came to the UK after the II World War with his wife and 2 daughters - Vera and Nadezhda. Soon after his beloved Ludmilla passes away - crazy old man falls in love with a 34-year-old Valentina and decides to marry her.

Valentina is an Ukrainian pink bunny with a sparkly lip gloss and a matching nail varnish, taste for furs in the summer and high heel shoes with a bit of fluffy material around the front. It is obvious she is after the British citizenship, needs to stay officially married to Nikolai for a few years and ideally produce some offspring in order for her status to become clear and permament. Although the age gap is apparent - the old man does not seem to mind as long as he can enjoy her company and ocassionally play with her wonderful breasts. She seems to be happy as long as Nikolai buys her a Rolls Royce and a gas hob (instead of an electrical one).

Problems start when the Rolls Royce breaks down and the old man can not afford to fix it. He asks his daughters for money. Vera and Nadezhda will not rest untill their pink fake step-mother disappeares from their lives.

The book is a colourful story of war and one complicated family drama. Written by Marina Lewycka and published by Penguin Books - it is a page-turner that will make you laugh and cry - and laugh and cry again.

THE STAG & HEN WEEKEND: AMSTERDAM + CELEBRITIES

Books & Comics Selfie Project #3

THE STAG AND HEN WEEKEND by Mike Gayle

"Who said that reading novels and writing about them must be boring?"

Helen and Phil are about to get married in a few days time. She goes on a hen weekend with her best friends. He flies to Amsterdam for his stag party. For both of them it will be a test of their fidelity.

A sudden meeting with Helen's ex-fiance Aiden leaves her with mixed feelings about her wedding. Over the years he became a big TV and radio celebrity and still has got strong feelings for her. Confused Helen calls her husband-to-be for reassurance but she can't get through to him for a few days. Is it just a minor connection issue or is Phil up to something naughty? Will Helen cancel her wedding? What is Phil really doing in Amsterdam?

"The Stag And Hen Weekend" by Mike Gayle published by Hodder and Stoughton is a collection of 2 novels: one about Helen's stay at a luxury hotel spa and the other about Phil's trip to Amsterdam. Both stories happen at the same time. The book is fantastically designed.

WAR, QUEEN & A LITTLE GIRL

Books & Comics Selfie Project #2

"BILLIE TEMPLAR'S WAR" by Ellie Irving

Who said that reading novels and writing about them must be boring?

"Billie Templar's WAR" is an amazing and funny story about a naughty girl who becomes a local hero. Written by Ellie Irving, published by Random House children's division - it is a great book not only for the little ones.

Billie lives in Merchant Stanton. Her dad is a British soldier fighting in the Armed Forces abroad. Missing him and wanting him back home she goes to the Buckingham Palace to have a word with the Queen about it. Elisabeth II is away on a holiday though. Unable to meet her Billie decides to bring the head of the country to Merchant Stanton instead. She organizes a military tattoo for the Diamond Jubilee and gets all of the town involved in it. Things go a bit complicated when everybody is ready to perform in front of the Queen but she is not there...

Great novel for parents to read together with their kids.

THE GIGANTIC BEARD THAT WAS EVIL: STUBBLE ATTACKS!

Books & Comics Selfie Project #1

"THE GIGANTIC BEARD THAT WAS EVIL" by Stephen Collins

Who said that reading novels and writing about them must be boring?

With this photo I am starting Books & Comics Selfie Project where I take pictures of myself with the books I love, trying to reflect their content. 

"The Gigantic Beard That Was Evil" is a phenomenal graphic novel by Stephen Collins published by Random House. Beautiful illustrations, amazing style and a quirky storyline make it a mandatory position on every geek's Must Read List.

On the island of Here life is simple and predictable. Everyone wears clean and elegant clothes. All trees are cut in the same way. Men are nicely shaved and women are always stylish. But one day everything goes out of order.

As Dave is in his office preparing for a business meeting out of the blue moon a massive beard starts growing on his face. It grows really fast and is resiliant to trimming. After a few days it gets so big there is no more place for it in his house. It soon gets out through the doors and windows and starts overtaking the island. All Here's stylists, hair-dressers and gardeners are hired to keep it under control. But will they be able to fight the element?

SHORTCOMINGS: EMOTIONAL DILEMAS OF A NORMAL GUY

"Shortcomings" by Adrian Tomine / Photo by Agnes Prygiel

"Shortcomings" is a poignant graphic novel by Adrian Tomine, published in Britain in 2012 by Faber and Faber.

"Shortcomings" by Adrian Tomine / Photo by Agnes Prygiel

Ben is a 30-year-old university cinema manager and more or less a normal guy whose relationship with Miko falls apart after she organizes an independent film festival at the campus and gets a small modelling job. Ben feels insecure and slightly jealous of her career as he himself is a bit stuck with his job and life in general. With Miko distancing herself he turns for support to his lesbian friend Alice and starts some small sex experiments with other girls.

With art, campus life, a fascinating trip to New York and of course love - "Shortcomings" is a really interesting graphic novel to read.

THE GODDESS & THE THIEF: MAGIC VS FREEDOM

The Goddess and the Thief by Essie Fox, photo Agnes Prygiel

"The Goddess and the Thief" by Essie Fox is a contemporary novel written in the style of old Victorian romances. Full of ghosts, mysterious elixirs, crystal balls and dark visions - the book takes us back into the era of proper old-fashioned dramas. Published by Orion Books in 2013 it has a beautifully designed cover. Powerful colors and tantalizing Hindu imagery makes you just want to grab the book from the shelf.

It is 1850. Alice is a British girl growing up in India. When both of her parents die she is brought up in Britain by her aunt Mercy - a fake spiritualist medium.

Carefully manufactured ghost sessions aunt Mercy drags Alice into attract regular clients - grieving Queen Victoria being one of them - and become a way of making money. But while aunt Mercy is just a spiritual wannabe, growing up Alice showings real supernatural abilities and becomes a threat for a controlling guardian. Soon the young girl will have to choose between her gift, love and freedom.

THE CRACKLE OF THE FROST: LOVE & DEMONS

The Crackle Of The Frost

The Crackle Of The Frost is a touching graphic novel by Lorenzo Mattotti and Jorge Zentner published by Fantagraphics Books in 2012. It tells a story of a young man Samuel and his partner Alice.

Possessed by his fears and demons Samuel hears voices in his head. Alice wants to start a family but he is not ready. After a major fight she moves out but gets in touch a few months later through a mysterious letter. When Samuel gets on a train to find her there is an accident where his eyesight is affected. Temporarily blind he spends a few months in a hospital. In this time of darkness he gradually becomes ready to confront his girlfriend. But will it work out?

In this amazing graphic novel reality gets mixed up with myths and dreams. The Crackle Of The Frost is a psychological illustration of a complex human condition and a difficult emotional journey.

Amazing Books - When God Was A Rabbit

When god was a cat...? - photo Maya Persson

Sarah Winman

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'When God Was a Rabbit' is a beautiful book by Sarah Winman. It tells a story of little girl Elly, her brother and her friend Jenny Penny. They grow up in Essex, then move to Cornwall and as adults go to live in New York. Elly has got a little rabbit which she believes is God. It is a book about family, beautiful childhood which somehow gets a bit dark and finding your way in life, reconnecting with the loved ones, the power of friendship.

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Maya Persson

Children Fiction - Anything Better Than Harry Potter?

Children Fiction is a very entertaining and imaginative form of relaxation for my mind. One would think that children are not very demanding readers, but they are. And so are adults with a bit of a kid's soul. Apart from Harry Potter there are a few other titles worthy of mentioning.

'Un Lun Dun' by China Mieville is one of the best fiction books I have read in a very long time. In my private opinion it is better than 'Harry Potter'. Captivating and mesmerizing, it introduces us to an alternative dimension, London's other side. Everything that is being thrown away in London, finds its' place in Un Lun Dun and forms into an incredible architectural landscape. And so houses are built with the use of old typewriters, vintage radios and broken washing machines. Sun is in the shape of a pretzel. Dustbins are living entities, just like umbrellas and buses. Even words which were a part of forgotten conversations continue their lives as little furry creatures. On a whole it is the British capital's reverse side and some form of a recycled universe.

The ancient holy book of Un Lun Dun predicts the arise of an enemy who will destroy the entire land. The only chance is the help from the Chosen citizen of the real London. And so it happens that the hero who will protect the magical world is a 13-year old Zanna. But as she is not up for the job, who will defend the doomed universe? Can it be someone who not mentioned in the prophecy? And what is a prophecy after all?

Beautiful illustrations make the reading experience even more exciting and move you into an alternative world full of monsters, surprising victories and of course ... magic!
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Text: Maya Persson
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