Welcome to Litsy!

Not creepy at all: “Putin declared a holiday to give couples time off to make babies, & on one Valentine‘s Day he urged couples to do their patriotic duty and procreate.“ Similarly, an official “said her dream was that Russian women be required to marry & have a child by age twenty while they are healthy & fertile. Because Russia‘s minorities often do this by tradition, she was clearly speaking about increasing the ethnic Russian population.“

From 2016, why Putin still has popular support: “Most people unhappily remember what they call the “anarchy” of the 1990s, when lawlessness and declining living standards followed the collapse of the U.S.S.R. They are eager for stability and a sense of national pride, which they believe President Putin has delivered. They dream of a country worthy of their love and admiration. Many resent the West, which they accuse of hypocrisy and arrogance.“

I don't have any books set #backintheUSSR- but I picked up this book on modern-day Russia yesterday at the library! #rockinmay

I'm excited for this one, bringing it on the flight tomorrow. Hoping to get some good reading done. #bookmail

I listened to this and appreciated the author's narration. She's a former NPR correspondent with decades of experience with the country and the language. Her long-lasting relationships with the Russian people add complexity and depth to her analysis. She covers a wide variety of topics, and all of them are relevant and interesting. #nonfictionchallenge17

Longer review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1896460573

The author provides a good overview over Russia recent history and current political climate and the extent of the human rights crisis in the country. This is a quick read and the individual topics are explained with examples out of the lives of the author's interview subjects.

A few thoughts:
1. Rural Russia and rural WI https://www.denverpost.com/2017/02/07/golden-library-competition-girls-in-stem-s... incredibly similar- the common theme of jobs over rights is very strong.
2. Trump and Putin have a similar "I'm right and don't disagree with me" philosophy.
3. Russians are incredibly resilient.
4. The author impressed me with her thorough and varied observations.
5. Maybe I should be on the national security council

I grew up in a small town in WI, and I am shocked at the similarities between rural Russia and what I heard prior to the US election in my hometown. The author has found the words I needed to describe what I noticed in a town that heavily supported Trump's rise.

4⭐️ So glad I picked this up at the #audible sale! I feel understanding why Putin has become so popular in Russia has helped me understand why Trump was elected here. They both are racist strongmen who want to turn back the clock on their countries. Overall an eye-opening look with excellent narration.
#NonfictionChallenge17
I started some new #audiocoloring 😃😃🌈

Back in SC and exhausted after 3 hours of driving each way, but totally worth it!! We've already made plans to meet up again in 6 weeks. 👍🏻😃

Anyway, I finished up American Pain (review soon), and started this. It's part of the 2 for 1 #audible sale that ends tonight. It's a fascinating look into a smaller city in middle Russia. There are so many parallels between Putin and Trump supporters. Highly recommend picking this one up!!!

Taking a latte break with my current read at my favorite coffee bar in town. #septphotochallenge #somethingforseptember

I am learning about the struggles in modern Russia from this fantastic book. #recommendsday

Just bought this 2016 book. I look forward to getting into it.