I borrowed ten books from the public library but I only read 3 over the holidays. I guess I overestimated my capacity. Anyway, I’ll write something about my thoughts related to those books.
The three books I was able to read were “How to Use Books” by Haruaki Deguchi, “Walk in the LIght While There is Light” by Leo Tolstoy and, “The Old Man and the Sea,” by Ernest Hemingway.
Let’s start with the first book. One of my friends recommended that I read Mr. Deguchi’s work. He was born in 1948 and established a Japanese insurance company which famous for being the first one to not have a physical shop. His book reviews gave me a new insight. He (1)advised against skipping 1 line, and 1 letter in books. In my case, It’s difficult to totally (2)agree with his opinion because if I did that, I can’t read new books, but I did try his advice on the 2 short novels.
The second book was also interesting for me. I enjoyed reading Dostoevsky last year. Therefore, I tried other novels by Russian authors. Honestly, “Anna Karenina” or “War and Peace” are too hard to read this winter vacation. “Walk in the Light While There Is Light” is based religious antagonism. There are 2 characters, Julius and Pamphilius. Julius is a worldly character and the archetype of human desire while Pamphilius is a representative of saintly life. Pamphilius always said to Julius, If you’d like to come with us, (4)be my guest.” Julius hardly believed it until the latter part of his life. As a consequence, he never felt happy. Finally, he decided to throw away all his status. The novel (3)allows for the reader to have some historical and religious knowledge but I could understand the theme even though I’m agnostic.
The third book won the Pulitzer Prize in 1953. This short novel is really famous but it’s the first time I’ve read it. I read the newly translated version in Japanese. The protagonist is an elderly fisherman called Santiago. He was unlucky because he couldn’t catch any fish in a span of 3 months. So his young apprentice, Manolin couldn’t continue fishing with him, because his father didn’t allow it, so Santiago went fishing alone. After that, a huge blue marlin appeared! Santiago hooked it but it was so powerful and strong and never give up. Santiago fought with it for 3 days. I was reading with (5)bated breath until he came back to the harbor.
In this weekend I have to return the other 7 books which I haven’t finished reading yet, but I’ll check the indeces, prologues, and epilogues at least.
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Before the Revision
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title: I’ve read 3 books on this vacation.
10 books were borrowed me from the public library, but I’ve read only 3 books on this vacation. I assumed that I overestimated my capacity. Anyway, I’ll write here something about my thought related those books.
#1:”How to Use The Books” by Haruaki Deguchi.
#2:”Walk in the Light While There Is Light” by Leo Tolstoy.
#3:”The Old Man and The Sea” by Ernest Hemingway.
Let start with the first book. One of my friends recommended me read Mr.Deguchi’s work. He was born in 1948. He established Japanese famous insurance company which is the first not have the real shop. His book reviews gave me new insight. He (1)advised us against skipping to read 1 line, 1 letter in the books. In my case, It’s difficult to (2)agree with his opinion totally because if I do that, I can’t read new books which I want to. but I did his way those 2 short novels.
The second book is also interesting too for me. I enjoyed reading Dostoevsky last year. Therefore, I tried to other Russian author’s novel. Honestly, “Anna Karenina” or “War and Peace” was too hard for reading on this vacation. “Walk in the Light While There Is Light” is based religion’s antagonism. There are 2 characters, Julius and Pamphilius. Julius is typical of human desire, Pamphilius is a representative of saintly life. Pamphilius always said to Julius, If you’d like to come with us, (4)be my guest.” Julius hardly believed it until the later of his life. In the consequence, he didn’t feel happiness. Finally, he decided to throw away all his status. It needs to (3)allow for some historical and religious knowledge but I could understand the theme even though I’m agonistic.
The third book got Pulitzer Prize in 1953. This short novel is really famous but it’s a first time reading for me. I’ve read the newly translated version in Japanese. The protagonist is an elder fisherman, Santiago. He was unlucky because he couldn’t catch any fish among 3 months. So his young apprentice, Manolin couldn’t continue to ride ship with him, because his father didn’t allow it, and Santiago went fishing alone. After that, A huge blue marlin appeared! Santiago’s fishhook entrapped it but it was so powerful and strong until give up. Santiago fought with it 3 days. I was reading with (5)bated breath until he came back to the harbor.
In this weekend I have to return other 7 books which I don’t finish to read yet, but I’ll check the index, prologue, and epilogue at least.
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homework:
(1)advise against; Recommend not to do something.
(e.g. “The doctor advised him against carrying heavy loads.”)
(2)agree with; Have the same opinion as some else.
(e.g. “I agree with you. I think she deserves the award too.”)
(3)allow for; Take into consideration; include in a calculation.
(e.g. “It will take longer. You have to allow for heavy traffic at rush hour.”
“We must allow for food expenses too. Let’s add 20€ per person.”)
(4)be my guest; This expression is used to give someone permission to do something.
(e.g. “If you’d like to use the phone, be my guest.”)
(5)bated breath; If you wait for something with bated breath, you are both anxious and excited about an imminent event.
(e.g. “We waited with bated breath for the winner to be announced.”)
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http://blogs.itmedia.co.jp/deguchiharuaki/
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Walk_in_the_Light_While_There_is_Light
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/oldman/summary.html