(no subject)

[oncogene.livejournal.com]

Here's an odd question for you: What are some popular [or unusual] names Russians give their pets? I'm adopting a kitten shortly, and I've been trying to come up with some names that don't suck. The list is unfortunately extremely short.

Edit: Sorry about that buggered ljcut. Thanks fucking__snow!

( Cut for those who don't give a damn. )

Вопрос о русской этимологии / A question on Russian etymology

[kasak.livejournal.com]

Is there some online resourse (either in English or на русском) where I can find out the origins of Russian words? Many good English dictionaries will include a brief description of how the word entered into the language, and I was wondering if there was some way I could get a Russian dictionary that does the same thing. If people could recomment something in print that I could purchase, I'd appreciate the input.

Спасибо!

(no subject)

[gjertsen.livejournal.com]

I've bought various russian translations of books originally in english when I've been in russia, thinking that reading them (with dictionary in hand) might be easier, if I've read the original. I'm presently working my way through "Bridget Jones' Diary" in russian (I figured it was contemporary, funny, and relatively easy and though that is proving to be the case, the british-slang-in-russian-translation is kind of tricky.) I also bought "The Hobbit" in russian, though I swiftly realized that was a mistake ( I didn't think about all the poetry and made-up languages in it when I bought it, though the edition is gorgeous and I'm glad to own it.)
Can anyone reccomend books that were written in english somewhat recently, popular, of *some* literary quality, and have been translated into russian very well? What english books in russian translation are especially highly regarded among russian readers?