Boop's Bookshelf: Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevski

Crime and Punishment checks off 'A book more than 100 years old' in my 2015 Reading Challenge.

The Author

Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821 - 1881) was a Russian writer who predominantly explored human psychology in 19th century Russia in his literary works. He wrote several novels, short stories and essays throughout his life based around the social, political and spiritual clime of troubled Russia.

Synopsis

An impoverished student theorises that an extraordinary person can commit crime with no ramifications, if the result is to benefit mankind. Raskolnikov tests this theory and explores the mental impact this has on himself. 

My Thoughts

My first impressions from reading this, is that it is not going to be an easy read. Classic Russian literature is hard! all of the characters have several names depending on who is addressing them, and the names are not easily remembered. It took me a long time to get my head around who everyone was and how they were connected. We see this story through the perspective of the main character - Raskolnikov. Unlike many novels, the main character is not particularly likable, especially from the beginning as you (the reader) realises that his convulouted thoughts are contemplating how easily he could commit a murder. Raskolnikov stays unlikeable through the novel, mistreating his family and friends throughout. However despite all of that, you still don't want him to give himself up. 

He never shows remorse for commiting murder, I thought his main issue was realising that he is not an extroadinary person exempt from the ramifications of the crime he commited. he does eventually turn himself in, after wrestling with himself through all of the preceeding chapters. The punishment part of the title comes into play more with the mental torture he is afflicted with, rather than the coporal punishment of being sent away to do manual labour. that section of the story is incredibly small and pales into almost insignificance when compared with the rest of the text.

I found this a very hard book to get through, however I do feel that it was worth the read. 

My Rating...

Not particularly enjoyable, but it is an interesting read.

2015 Reading Challenge

You heard it here first, folks. I'm attempting to complete Popsugar's 2015 reading challenge. 

I started this in January, however I haven't posted about it! Big oops. Well, to be fair I have been busy with setting up a bookclub at work...Yay me! My first book club!!!

I'm currently three books in, and I'll be posting about them at some point - I can't promise when that will be however...

The work book club are also following this challenge, we split the categories that don't require a personal book choice up between us, and came back with our selections for those categories - they are all listed below so have a look! This way we are all reading things that we may not have thought of or read before. We have some really interesting suggestions so far, I'll list a few for you!

A book with more than 500 pages: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas

A book with nonhuman characters: Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton

A book with a colour in the title: Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

A book more than 100 years old: Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

A book that was originally written in a different language: The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

And many, many more! I'm really looking forward to reading all of these great books, and all of the ones that I am choosing for myself!

 

Resolutions - Old and New

It’s a new year – time to reflect on the goals I set myself at the beginning of 2014!

1. Lose a minimum of 2 stone by the end of July

Well, this was extended to the end of the year…as for how successful I was at it? Let’s say not very. From the beginning of the year to the end of the year I have lost a total of 5 pounds. Doesn’t sound like much, but let’s bear in mind that I was up and down a lot through this year, and the difference between my highest and lowest weight this year was 16 pounds. Rather a lot more…to be perfectly honest, I am glad I managed to actually lose some weight from Jan to the end of 2014. It’s the first year in at least 4 years that I haven’t gained weight so that’s a win to me!

2.       I will pass my driving test this year

I accomplished this in July – I am a fully licenced driver! A big tick for this one.

3.       I will manage my finances better – pay off some debt and amass some savings.

This one is a little trickier…I think I am more aware of my spending habits and consider purchases more before doing them. I did also put money aside this year for things like my car, a holiday, and general savings. I think this one is a partial success, but still a work in progress!

4.       I will look after my skin by moisturising and exfoliating more often

My skin has been much better this year – excluding the occasional outbreak! I don’t really have a skincare routine though, so I think this can still be improved. But again, a success.

5.       I will de-clutter my belongings

Umm…no, I didn’t do this at all. I still need to do it, and I have a to-do list a mile long with tasks pertaining to this!  Failure on this one.

3/5 resolutions is not bad at all! Yay me :) 

It's been a good year, and I've achieved more than I thought I had - which is a good thing. I'm looking forward to seeing what 2015 will bring.

On that note, I have a few resolutions for 2015!

1. I will go hair dye free for a year

2. I will get to the top of Ben Nevis

3. I will be able to run a 10k by the end of the year

4. I will be regularly wearing a UK size 16 by the end of the year

5. I will deep condition my hair once a month

Exciting things. I'm looking forward to working on these goals going forward :) :)

Happy New Year!

Evaluating 2014

Miss Pip posted a load of questions recently relating to 2014 and looking back on it. She got it from into-mind.com, and I thought I would also post about it. Hope the people at Into-Mind don't mind too much, then again questions posted are meant to be answered, correct?

1. What one event, big or small, are you going to tell your grandchildren about?

Hmm. Going up Ben Nevis probably. I know I didn't get to the top, but I think it's still pretty damn impressive. 

2. If you had to describe your 2014 in 3 words, what would they be?

Busy, quick & eventful

3. What new things did you discover about yourself?

No sure on this one. maybe that I am capable of losing weight when I actually try to? Or maybe that I've got more motivation than I thought. Pretty sure that was the only thing keeping me going when doing race for life.

4. What single achievement are you most proud of?

Not sure on this, there's Ben Nevis (mentioned above); passing my driving test and completing 2 races this year. I can't choose just one of those

5. What was the best news you received?

I think it was getting told that I had passed my driving test. I was so relieved!

6. What was your favourite place that you visited in 2014?

Harry Potter Studios...it was amazing! 

7. Which of your personal qualities turned out to be the most helpful this year?

My ability to get on with things and push through, despite bad circumstances

8. Who was your number one go-to person that you could always rely on?

Andrew

9. Which new skills did you learn?

I rode a pony for the first time ever this year. Dismount was not something I successfully learnt however... 

10. What, or who, are you most thankful for?

I am most thankful for...having a good group of people around me, who support me.

 11. If someone wrote a book about your life in 2014, what kind of genre would it be? A comedy, love story, drama, film noir or something else?

Haha, probably a dramedy (is that a thing?) I'm a drama queen, but I also tend to make a fool of myself a lot! 

12. What was the most important lesson you learnt in 2014?

Don't doubt my instincts so much, they're usually right.

13. Which mental block(s) did you overcome?

Not entirely sure I overcame any mental blocks, though I am learning to deal with stress a bit better.

14. What 5 people did you most enjoy spending time with?

They know who they are :) Andrew, Sisterbell, Pip ;)

15. What was your biggest break-through moment career-wise?

Umm...still waiting for a breakthrough moment methinks.

16. How did your relationship to your family evolve?

Not sure it has evolved much, we all get along better now I suppose? Helps that we're all older and leaving childish squabbles behind

17. What book or movie affected your life in a profound way?

I found the book 'The Fault In Our Stars' moving, though maybe not profound.

18. What was your favourite compliment that you received this year?

'You are good at your job, you just need some more confidence'

It hit home. 

19. What little things did you most enjoy during your day-to-day life?

Arriving home from work, and having some quiet time while I eat my dinner - either reading or watching an episode of something on Netflix.

20. What cool things did you create this year?

Umm...I was pretty awesome at coming up with present ideas this year. Hovercraft driving being one of them!

21. What was your most common mental state this year (e.g. excited, curious, stressed)?

Honestly...probably just tired

22. Was there anything you did for the very first time in your life this year?

Yes, I rode a pony

23. What was your favourite moment spent with your friends?

Oh god this is hard. I'm not sure, there were so many good times this year! I think maybe...on a trip to Longleat we were feeding the Deer, and they were really cheeky and kept putting their heads inside the car! Plus there was the camel incident...It was a really funny day

24 What major goal did you lay the foundations for?

Moving out. We started saving properly this year

25. Which worries turned out to be completely unnecessary?

I worry a lot, I can't pinpoint one singular incident

• 26. What experience would you love to do all over again?
• I would love to experience...watching Avenue Q or Matilda again

27. What was the best gift you received?

My car! It wasn't really a gift, but in a way it was as I didn't pay for it and it was given to me...

28. How did your overall outlook on life evolve?

I think I've learnt to look at things slightly differently. I'm looking forward all the time now and aiming for more

29. What was the biggest problem you solved?

Biggest problem...not really sure on this. Having a car so I can get myself around under my own steam perhaps.

30. What was the funniest moment of your year, one that still makes it hard not to burst out laughing when you think about it?

Ohh tricky. I think this one has to go to several moments, captured on camera by sisterbell. Hundreds of pictures of her pulling the ugliest faces you have ever seen on a human. Oh! and the thumb face picture!!

31. What purchase turned out to be the best decision ever?

I don't think I bought anything big this year, other than my car insurance. That was obviously a great decision because now I am insured for the whole of 2015...

32. What one thing would you do differently and why?

I think I would run more. get myself out to run more often instead of dipping in a out of it. I would have a decent level of fitness if I had done this instead of starting and stopping all the time.

33. What do you deserve a pat on the back for?

Carrying on up Ben Nevis after wanting to stop, over and over again. 

• 34. What activities made you lose track of time?
• Reading mostly, and binge-watching TV programmes
• 
  
• 35. What did you think about more than anything else?
• My weight probably!

36. What topics did you most enjoy learning about?

I enjoyed learning more about weightlifting (I'm not saying I'm an expert or anything. Far from it!)

37. What new habits did you cultivate?

I tried to cultivate the habit of running, this was only a partial success I feel.

• 38. What advice would you give your early-2014 self if you could?
• Save as much as you can. You don't need to spend money on the credit card
• 
  

39. Did any parts of your self or your life do a complete 180 this year?

I don't think anything has changed that drastically, though I do have a better attitude towards exercise than in previous years

40. What or who had the biggest positive impact on your life this year?

urhm...not sure on this one. More than one person has had a big impact, so I'll stick with just saying my nearest and dearest.

I like these Questions - they made me think and evaluate things! The 10 questions below are all based on going forward into 2015.

41.What do you want the overarching theme for your 2015 to be?

Happiness and contentment. With both myself and external things

42. What do you want to see, discover, explore?

I want to discover what my body can do. Where I can push it to. How far I can get. I also want to see and explore a new place. 

43. Who do you want to spend more time with in 2015?

Family that lives far away - would be nice to spend more time with them if possible

44. What skills do you want to learn, improve or master?

I want to improve my skills in task management and organisation. I always have to do lists longer than my arm!

I also want to Improve my running distance, and run the entirety of a 5k

45. Which personal quality do you want to develop or strengthen?

Keeping a calm head - e.g. not getting emotional about silly things!

46. What do you want your everyday life to be like?

I want everyday life to be...less tiring than it was this year.

47. Which habits do you want to change, cultivate or get rid of?

I need to get out of the habit of reaching for food when I feel happy/sad/upset/angry etc! 

I want to get into the habit of practising yoga

48. What do you want to achieve career-wise?

I want to be successful in what I do. To be an essential team member and valued colleague.

49. How do you want to remember the year 2015 when you look back on it 10/20/50 years from now?

I want it to be the year Andrew and I move out

50. What is your number one goal for 2015?

To be happier

How have your 2014's been? What are you looking forward to for 2015?