The tradition of our celebration is as follows: a month before the event, each editorial member draws the name of a colleague to whom they will then present a book on February 14. The choice is based on the personal preferences or interests of the gift recipient.
Natalya Timirbaeva, Editor-in-Chief
- I am passionate about reading and try to choose books that are suitable for the recipient. When I learned that my mentee would be Tancholpon, I immediately decided to gift her a novel by Jonathan Coe.This author is known for his wit and ability to combine humor with serious themes. I have read several of his works and always found something new in them. For Tancholpon, I chose the novel "The Check on My Innocence," which I haven't read yet but look forward to exploring after giving it as a gift.
The book's blurb states that "Coe creates vibrant social prose framed in autofiction and classic detective; it is truly something captivating. For fans of straightforward detective stories, there is an investigation, an English castle, and many other elements that make the book appealing."
Beremet Ulanova, Journalist
- This year, I chose books for Temir, our operator, based on his literary preferences. He is a very attentive and talented person, so I was a bit worried about how he would react to my choice.The first book is a collection of short stories by Somerset Maugham, including "Pies and Beer, or The Skeleton in the Closet" and "The Small Corner." Maugham masterfully combines irony with a deep understanding of human nature, which always engages the reader.
The second book is "Paradise" by Abdulrazak Gurnah, a Nobel laureate who was recently translated into Russian. This novel tells the story of the colonization of East Africa through the eyes of a 13-year-old boy, where "paradise" becomes a metaphor for a lost past and hope for a better future. It gradually becomes clear that the loss of paradise is part of growing up.
Dilya Yusupova, Journalist
- When choosing a book, I thought about what interesting options I could find in stores. I came across many wonderful choices, and at the same time, I was intrigued by videos and quotes from Faina Ranevskaya on social media. In the end, I found her biography, and it felt like a true sign — I realized that I wanted to gift this particular book.This book is not just memoirs, but Ranevskaya's memories, revealing her creative tragedy and inability to appreciate her gift.After reading it, I will definitely want to rewatch her films and remember one of her quotes: "The main thing is to live a real life, not to wander through the alleys of memory."
Tatyana Kudryavtseva, Journalist
- I thought for a long time about which book to gift, as my mentee is an avid reader. I was worried that I would choose something she already knows. After several visits to bookstores, I decided that I wouldn't leave until I found the perfect book. In the end, I settled on "Atomic Habits" by James Clear, as I am currently reading this book myself.It is considered one of the best books on the topic of habit formation.It is no wonder that it has topped the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists and was recognized as the best business book of 2018 by Fast Company. I hope Dilya enjoys it.
Tancholpon Bakytbek kyzy, Operator-Editor
- For Ksenia, I chose "Machines Like Me" by Ian McEwan. It is a smart yet easy-to-read book that explores human relationships against the backdrop of technological progress. Interestingly, in it, the machine turns out to be more honest than the human — it does not forget unpleasant moments and does not make excuses. This creates an atmosphere of anxiety.
Aidana Abduvaitova, Journalist
- My mentee helped me choose a book by making a wishlist and indicating what he would like to receive. It was the book "Atomic Habits," which he had wanted to read for a long time. However, to add an element of surprise, I decided to gift him another book — "The New Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell. I managed to familiarize myself with it and know that it discusses how small events can lead to significant changes. I hope it will be interesting and useful for him.
Other books gifted by colleagues:
