Il Papa v Il Poopoo #trumpvpope #trump

Going on a trip=starting a new book

Putin's Russia by Anna Politkovskaya

Start date: 09 March 2026

Politkovskaya is a name synonymous with Putin's war on free press. In 2006, 2 years after the publication of this book, she was assassinated.

#currentlyreading #booksky #booktube #russianpolitics

What would #Navalny think about #booktok?

Page 248 -

I have so much to say about this - when and how women become “radicalized” versus men. 🤷🏻‍♀️ For the YT review video I guess.

#booksky #bookreview #navalny #russianpolitics

Page 184 -
Arrived at the nationalism question. Unsatisfied. I understand it may be something that he has addressed in the past, but I would think he would have a better discussion. To him, he was experimenting politically. To those who experience xenophobia in Russia, those are not neutral actions.

TBR to ESCAPE my READING SLUMP YouTube video by Dead Lizard Reads

New video up! Working through my reading slump #booktube #booksky #newvideo #tbr

Check it out here:
youtu.be/4j7DWmHePAM

Page 160 -
Start of Navalny's trials. What a theatrical farce. The paranoia of illegitimacy demands drama. It doesn't matter if everyone in the room knows the game is rigged, the corruptioners will still play this game because they know their rule is build on a foundation of sand. #booksky #navalny

Page 148 -
Apparently “eyeteeth” is another name for canines (🦷)? Weird to know. Weirder to learn from a political memoir.

#booksky #navalny #bookreview #russianpolitics

Page 142 -
Navalny talks about sitting down before traveling, a well worn tradition among Russians. Upon learning others do this too he remarks “I am glad I am not the only pagan”. Now I know what to say to people to explain to them why we have to sit. #booksky #navalny #bookreview #russianpolitics

Traveling for 4 days... what is the appropriate amount of books to bring? Could go longer, as I might have more reading time given long train rides. Maybe two, one fiction & one nonfiction. Three feels excessive...

#booksky #bookreview #readingplans

Meow Meow: Inside Russia's Mephedrone Teen Crisis - BBC World Service Documentaries YouTube video by BBC World Service

Page 106 -
Navalny mentions people searching for zakladki -drug stashes- which is still a habit amount Russian drug users.

This BBC investigation details how Russia’s youth are currently impacted by a synthetic drug, methadrone: youtu.be/Y5wajKa4iz8?...

#booksky #booktube #russianpolitics

Inspired by Man Carrying Thing's latest video I picked up Jack Ketchum's The Girl Next Door on audiobook. Not going to report on it with the depth I will for my phys reads. Almost halfway through.

Already disturbed, but at least it doesn't feel exploitative yet. YET. #booksky #booktube #bookreview

Book completed: Suspicion - Seichō Matsumoto
Less than 100 pgs, quick read between books. Was it serialized? If not, I cannot figure out why it would be so repetitive. The whole thing could have been 30 pages, would have been more eerie. Enjoyable for what it was, but hardly a stand out.

Reading has been somewhat interrupted. Need to stop only reading on the train. My current goal is to get to pp. 150 by EOD today, and to get 50 pages finished a day following.

The challenge of reading memoirs: Critically analyzing the information being included.

Navalny speaks of his Ukrainian family. Would he have done this without the war? Is this to shield from criticisms coming from Ukrainians or to explain the cultural overlap to foreigners? #booksky

The sense of humor in this book is so slightly-edgy-dad coded.

I’ve had this book on the TBR for a while, but put it off. Political Girl (previous read) touches on Navalny and his murder, so it was as good a time as any to start reading Patriot.

So far, the narrative style of this book is much easier to digest compared to Political Girl! #booksky #bookreview

Currently reading

Patriot, A Memoir by Alexei Navalny

Start date: 18 Mar 2026

#booksky #booktube #bookreview #russianpolitics

Belarus has released 250 prisoners today following negotiations with the US.

Among those freed are journalists Andrei Kuznechyk and Katsiaryna Andreyeva, human rights defender Marfa Rabkova, and activists Kim Samusenka and Alena Maushuk.

Photo: US envoy John Coale

Book finished on 18 March, 2026.

Will share my thoughts in video coming shortly. #booksky #booktube #bookreview #readingchallenge

Update:
"Nothing has changed at all. I smile only because I know I will write these words down and try very hard to make sure you, the reader, read them." (page 419). Alyokhina reflecting on the war while in detention for her anti-Putin regime advocacy. Who is responsible for a dictator? #booksky

2026 - March of the Mammoths: Big Book TBR YouTube video by Dead Lizard Reads

New video up! March is for mammoths, aka a big book TBR. Check out what I plan to read here: youtu.be/qoKVU66bRvU

#booktube #booksky #TBRpile

Filled out a survey regarding book recs for Women's History month:
My selection is Baba Yaga Laid an Egg by Dubravka Ugrešić. Weird and feminist, it's radical approach and focus on older women provides a new perspective for thinking about women's rights. BABA YAGA'S OF THE WORLD, UNITE! #booksky

Update:
"I say, 'Russia will be free.' And he replies, 'That is certain,' and then quietly adds, 'but from whom?'" (Page 330).

Russia is becoming free. Free from democracy, free from anti-corruption free from peace, free from freedom.

#bookreview #booksky #booktube #pussyriot #russianpolitics

Monthly Reading Wrap Up YouTube video by Dead Lizard Reads

First reading wrap up of the year! It has been a slow but good start. Check out my video below! #booksky #booktube #bookrecommendations

youtu.be/X6vSVSGJhHY?...

Update:
It’s odd reading this book and having memories of the events: Sochi Olympics, Kemerovo Fire, Navalny’s poisoning. It’s a dark nostalgia, giving a strange sense of comfort when hearing that others remember the same painful moments.

Page 302/472

#booksky #bookreview #booktube

Currently reading

Political Girl, Life and Fate in Russia by Maria Alyokhina

Start date: 27 Jan 2026
End date: TBD

#booksky #booktube