Purchased from Target.

I was thinking when I bought this book that it was the second one. I'd previously read the first book and loved it! So, I was excited to find it in Target and on sale!

Well, this is awkward. This was the same exact book I read previously but with a different subtitle ‘Finnish Nightmares: A Different Kind of Social Guide to Finland’ and a different color scheme for the cover. 😕 I think what happened is the other one was sent to me by a friend from Europe and was published (2016) there (in English) and this one is the American reprint (2019). Fooled me! I thought I was getting book #2. 🤦‍♀️

Was there any difference besides the cover and subtitle? There was one panel about a bucket I don't remember...but I couldn't say it was in the other one too. Oh, well. :) Still a fun, quick read.

I feel you Matti! Especially the bit about waiting for your neighbor to exit the hallway so you can leave your apartment!

And don't forget to check out the blog!

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Matti is traveling to New England to make someone's wishlist wish come true!
Enjoy your time with Matti!

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Thanks so much! The package with the book and bookplates arrived safely today. This one looks very entertaining!

Later: amusing, if not quite as "nightmarish" as I'd hoped. It seems I do share some of the things Finns might find irksome, such as "sharing an elevator with a stranger", and "when someone sits next to you on public transportation. And then they start speaking to you". [I'm not really all that antisocial, but am perfectly happy to ride the subway without being chatted at {wry grin}.]

I also liked some of the entries that were more "not in the US", such as "when random children think you have prepared for trick-or-treating (not a thing in Finland)". Oh, and "when there is no almond in the rice porridge", with an illustration showing the disappointed person having binged on the porridge in hopes of finding the lucky almond, a holiday tradition - while another character titters "oops, forgot to put the almond in!"

Indeed, I liked the various cultural notes more than the "awkward" aspects; learned some new terms, too, though it seems unlikely that I'll ever get to Finland to use them...

Guidelines for safely visiting and stocking Little Free Libraries during the COVID-19 pandemic, from the LFL site here.

Since NH-to-Maine travel has been OKed (with suitable precautions, of course) I ventured on my first Maine trip since pre-COVID March, and was delighted to find this Little Free Library back in place. It's near the scenic Nubble Lighthouse, and is one of my favorite places to visit, not least for the drive along the beach. (Lots of people taking advantage of the beach on this 4th of July; not sure how wise it is, but they seemed to be having fun.) Hope someone enjoys the book!

[See other recent releases in Maine here.]

*** Released for the 2020 Seeking Septads challenge, for "Finnish". ***

*** Released for the 2020 Keep Them Moving challenge. ***