I am considering learning Russian so I can read its great literature in its original language as well as to broaden my perspective on other subjects, but I only want to do so if I'll have a secure and economical way of obtaining a diverse selection of Russian-language books.
Has anyone here ordered books, DVDs or other items from Russian online stores? We've all heard of instances of fraud in that country, so I'm a tiny bit worried about providing my personal and credit card information. I also wonder if shipping is affordable and reliable.
I know we have several Russians in the forum. I highly appreciate your insight, experiences and advice. Thank you very much.
Tuan Jim
09-23-08, 08:50 PM
I've only ordered DVDs online from alldvd.ca (now artpopdvd.com) - which is the sister site of http://www.dvdigitall.com/ - which is apparently down at the moment.
Good experiences with them - including special orders. YMMV. I'm guessing dvdigitall has some language DVDs, but you'll probably want to email the guy at artpopdvd.com and ask first (also cheaper shipping).
Sean O'Hara
09-23-08, 10:10 PM
Just keep in mind, every online store in Russia is at least co-owned by the Russian mafia.
pro-bassoonist
09-24-08, 12:51 AM
I strongly recommend our friends at artpopdvd.com. Very reliable folks. As to ordering Russian books there are plenty of Canadian and US-based Russian vendors.
Pro-B
Vandelay_Inds
09-24-08, 01:23 AM
I've only ordered DVDs online from alldvd.ca (now artpopdvd.com) - which is the sister site of http://www.dvdigitall.com/ - which is apparently down at the moment.
Good experiences with them - including special orders. YMMV. I'm guessing dvdigitall has some language DVDs, but you'll probably want to email the guy at artpopdvd.com and ask first (also cheaper shipping).
Thanks for the recommendations! artpopdvd.com seems great for DVDs.
As to ordering Russian books there are plenty of Canadian and US-based Russian vendors.
Could you please list a few of them? Thank you very much!
flixtime
09-24-08, 10:42 AM
Kniga.com operates out of Brooklyn, New York...I've never ordered from them but I do get their e-mails from time-to-time.
Vandelay_Inds
09-24-08, 12:24 PM
Kniga.com operates out of Brooklyn, New York
I didn't know that. Thanks for the info!
dleedlee
09-24-08, 04:52 PM
Don't forget, many universities have Russian language programs, mine did. So, the campus book stores will carry a good selection. Or contact the embassy.
toddly6666
09-24-08, 09:38 PM
artpopdvd.com is the best
epictetus
10-13-08, 05:46 PM
Chtivo is not a book store; it lists bookstores where a given title is available.
Bolero and Zone-X are reliable, but I don't remember whether they have English-language pages.
Learning Russian well enough to read literature in the original is not easy. You'll spend at least 3-4 years learning to read Russian well enough to begin making a stab at reading the simpler stuff. Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, etc., are not for beginners. Contemporary Russian literature will be beyond you for 6-8 years if you're talented and diligent.
Write me or post something more specific about what you want to do. I can give you advice on learning the language and things to read but haven't a clue about Russian pop, jazz, rock, or the like.
Epictetus
Vandelay_Inds
10-20-08, 10:28 PM
Chtivo is not a book store; it lists bookstores where a given title is available.
Bolero and Zone-X are reliable, but I don't remember whether they have English-language pages.
Learning Russian well enough to read literature in the original is not easy. You'll spend at least 3-4 years learning to read Russian well enough to begin making a stab at reading the simpler stuff. Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, etc., are not for beginners. Contemporary Russian literature will be beyond you for 6-8 years if you're talented and diligent.
Write me or post something more specific about what you want to do. I can give you advice on learning the language and things to read but haven't a clue about Russian pop, jazz, rock, or the like.
Epictetus
Hello! First of all, my excuses for not replying earlier, but I only just saw your post. Thank you for your bookstore recommendations! How about www.books.ru and www.ozon.ru? Also, do you know of used and out-of-print Russian bookstore sites, such as Abebooks.com or Alibris.com for western books?
Regarding learning the language, I'm conscious it won't be easy. I've taught myself a couple other languages though--including for the most part the one I'm presently writing in--so I know what I'm getting into. I expect to be reading Dostoevsky and Tolstoi in about two years. I study some 1.5 hours every day. I don't know or care about Russian popular music either. :lol: What I want to do is read its literature--which I rank the highest in the world--as well as to expand my perspective on academic subjects from the different branches of the humanities. Finally, learning a new language, particularly one not so closely related to those one already knows, greatly enriches our conceptual and subjective capacities.
I would definitely value recommendations for Russian textbooks. First I'm using multimedia programs to acquaint myself with the sounds and rhythms of the language. Then I'll move on to Potapova's Learning Russian, El ruso sin esfuerzo from the Assimil series, and Russisch schreiben, aber wie?
Buy: