Recommended Books
The following is a list of books and resources that I have found to be very informative. I have also noted the best place to purchase them, as some are more difficult to find than others.
Lorinc, John M. and Sylvia. Slovak-English, English-Slovak Dictionary and Phrasebook.
ISBN 0-7818-0663-1
This is a very small “pocket-size” book that has the most comprehensive list of useful phrases and words that you will ever find. This little book is really a gem and is available through Amazon.
Böhmerová, Ada. Slovak for You. Slovak for Speakers of English – Textbook for Beginners.
ISBN 0-86516-331-6 (US);
ISBN 80-8046-106-6 (SK)
This is a Slovak language course book written for English language speakers. The format and structure of the lessons make it very easy to follow along, and the explanations are clear. The dialogues at the beginning of the chapters are useful. The most recent edition is light blue in color and most Slovak book stores carry it. It is also available through Amazon.
Franz, Christine and Florence Nys. Easy Bratislava-
The Practical Guide to Settling in and Living in Bratislava.
ISBN 80-551-0729-7
Now in its second edition, this is a reference book for those moving specifically to Bratislava. It contains information on subjects such as moving into a home, childcare and schools, and where to buy what in Bratislava. It contains quite a few important contact listings such as doctors and pharmacies, but also more obscure information such as a listing of schools just across the border in Austria or pet shops and groomers found in Bratislava.
Orwell, Joseph P. Vyše 1300 anglických slovíčok. ISBN 80-88980-06-2
This is a small red illustrated picture dictionary created for Slovak children who are starting to learn English. The great thing about it is that there are pictures of words in alphabetical order written in both English and Slovak. You might think it’s silly to study Slovak from a children’s book, but the illustrations are charming and might help you to memorize the words more easily. Most larger book stores in Slovakia carry it.
Škvareninová, Oľga. Obrázkový Slovník Slovenčiny. ISBN 80-08-00913-6
This is another illustrated picture “dictionary.” This book is unique because it contains ink illustrations of a range of subjects from plants and animals to occupations and types of sports. A number is assigned to each illustration that corresponds to a numbered list below it. This book is a great tool for getting familiar with vocabulary by associating words in specific groups. The book cover is orange in color but even in Slovakia this book is more difficult to find.
Slovakia – Walking Through Centuries of Cities and Towns.
ISBN 80-07-01134-X
This is something like a picture book, guide book, and history book of the major cities and towns in Slovakia all rolled into one. It can be very useful when you are planning to travel around Slovakia and want to know which towns interest you for visiting in the future.
The Slovak Spectator, Spectacular Slovakia.
This is a travel magazine published once a year by the Slovak Spectator. It’s an incredibly useful guide because it is updated every year with the most recent information and has great articles about things to see and do around Slovakia. Articles in this issue discuss food, lodging, towns and regions of Slovakia, and history. Outside of Slovakia, you can purchase Spectacular Slovakia through The Slovak Spectator Web page; otherwise, it can be found at major news agents that sell The Slovak Spectator newspaper.
Anniversary Slovak-American Cookbook, Edited by the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association
This green-covered cookbook has been around since it was first published in the Mid-west USA in 1952. It’s had 22, or so, printings since then. The cookbook has 435 tightly-filled pages of Slovak and other Slavic recipies, sometimes two or three versions of the same recipe. It also doesn’t contain many pictures (good because there is more room for more recipes, bad because sometimes you can’t picture what you’re making). I love this recipe book. It’s got everything, including basic breads, which I often bake. Look for it used on Ebay. Someone is always selling a copy. I wouldn’t pay more than $10 for it though. With 22 printings, there are plenty of them circulating out there.
Cincebeaux, Helene. Editor of the quarterly newsletter Slovakia.
The Slovakia newsletter provides articles and information on Slovak people, history, culture, traditions, and genealogy. It has been published for the past 20 years by the Slovak Heritage & Folklore Society International, www.helenezx.homestead.com or helenezx@aol.com
Do you have another reference to recommend? Leave a comment with your suggestion.
