Anita (FAMeulstee) reads on in 2017 (2)

Statue "Exposure" (or Crouching man) by Antony Gormley in Lelystad
 

books read: 33
own 22 / 11 library

pages read: 9.756
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currently reading:
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Books read in January 2017 (33 books, 9.756 pages)
book 33: In de ban van de ring by J.R.R. Tolkien, 1242 pages, (msg 277)
book 32: Fiona : In koelen bloede by Harry Bingham, 448 pages, (msg 247)
book 31: Fiona by Harry Bingham, 448 pages, (msg 232)
book 30: Het olifantenfeest by Paul Biegel, 112 pages, (msg 222)
book 29: Stille blik (Inspector Banks 1) by Peter Robinson, 299 pages, (msg 221)
book 28: Het eiland daarginds by Paul Biegel, 95 pages, (msg 216)
book 27: De mens is een grote fazant by Herta Müller, 126 pages, (msg 215)
book 26: Swing by Paul Biegel, 92 pages, (msg 213)
book 25: Haas by Paul Biegel, 192 pages, (msg 210)
book 24: Liefde (My struggle 2) by Karl Ove Knausgård, 602 pages, (msg 206)
book 23: Anderland by Paul Biegel, 90 pages, (msg 191)
book 22: Het gen: een intieme geschiedenis by Siddharta Mukerjee, TIOLI #3, 666 pages, (msg 183)
book 21: Tussen de wereld en mij by Ta-Nehisi Coates, TIOLI #14, 148 pages, (msg 182)
book 20: 7 jaren van een wielrenner by Herbert Friedrich, TIOLI #17, 366 pages, (msg 170)
book 19: De inspirerende wijsheid van de Dalai Lama by Dalai Lama, TIOLI #12, 191 pages, (msg 153)
book 18: Zout op mijn huid by Benoîte Groult, TIOLI #15, 243 pages, (msg 141)
book 17: Padden verhuizen niet graag by Gerard Brands, TIOLI #13, 120 pages, (msg 135)
book 16: Francesco by Jean Dulieu, TIOLI #7, 167 pages, (msg 125)
book 15: Het knoopjeskabinet (The Hare with Amber Eyes) by Edmund de Waal, TIOLI #2, 320 pages, (msg 119)
book 14: De aanslag by Harry Mulisch, 256 pages, (msg 100)
book 13: We moeten allemaal feminist zijn by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, TIOLI #1, 64 pages, (msg 95)
book 12: Dokter Zjivago by Boris Pasternak, TIOLI #5, 685 pages, (msg 83)
book 11: Kikker in de kou by Max Velthuijs, TIOLI #9, 28 pages, (msg 66)
book 10: Ik maak nooit iets mee by Guus Middag, TIOLI #8, 132 pages, (msg 6)
book 9: Een goudvis van tweeduizend pond by Betsy Byars, TIOLI #6, 107 pages, (thread 1, msg 250)
book 8: Hidden Doe : Wij zijn Mesquakie, wij zijn één by Hadley Irwin, TIOLI #18, 122 pages, (thread 1, msg 239)
book 7: De donkere kamer van Damocles by Willem Frederik Hermans, 335 pages, (thread 1, msg 226)
book 6: Het veterdiploma by Wiel Kusters, TIOLI #19, 47 pages, (thread 1, msg 217)
book 5: Onvoltooide geschiedenis by Boualem Sansal, TIOLI #4, 251 pages, (thread 1, msg 212)
book 4: De wervelstorm by Ivan Southall, TIOLI #16, 178 pages, (thread 1, msg 191)
book 3: Nachtverhaal by Paul Biegel, TIOLI #11, 159 pages, (thread 1, msg 178)
book 2: Oorlog en vrede 2/2 by Leo Tolstoj, TIOLI #10, 769 pages, (thread 1, msg 158)
book 1: Oorlog en vrede 1/2 by Leo Tostoj, 756 pages, (thread 1, msg 77)

Reading plans in January 2017

Books aquired in 2017

none

Reading plans in 2017

I have a large collection (now 764 books) of mostly awarded childrens & YA books. At the moment I am reading them all, mostly alphabeticly, to decide wich to keep. The ones not to keep are donated to a library in Rotterdam (where we lived until 2005).

I will try to read more of my own books, of the 244 books I have read in 2016 83 were own and 161 from the library.

I join the TIOLI (Take It Or Leave It) challenges each month.

Planned reread:
In de ban van de ring (The Lord of the Rings) by J.R.R. Tolkien

book 10: Ik maak nooit iets mee by Guus Middag
own, YA, Dutch, awarded Gouden Griffel 1996, no translations, TIOLI #8, 132 pages

Short stories for children, ending with a poem.
A nice way to introduce poetry to children.

Wow! That is an amazingly cool piece of artwork for your thread topper. I love it.

>1 FAMeulstee: It is a great topper indeed.

Hearty congratulations on your New Thread, Anita. Holland has a high speed train too!

>7 lunacat: Yes it is, Jenny, I remember when it was placed in 2010. When we drive home on a clear day, we can see it from afar.

>8 PaulCranswick: This statue is a landmark in our city, Paul.
Yes we have and not only to Paris ;-)

I love that sculpture Anita!

Happy new thread

Interesting topper. While "Crouching Man" is certainly descriptive, I really like "Exposure". Especially sitting out in the open like the pics show.

If anyone else is inspired by Anita's reading of War and Peace and fancies trying to conquer the beast, Mary and I have decided to try a group read. The thread is here:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/246276

Very awesome sculpture!

Happy New Thread, Anita! I like the sculpture and photo up top.

Wow I really like your topper.

>10 jessibud2: Thanks Shelley, so do I.

>11 drneutron: It is huge, Jim, 26 meters high. Exposure is the official name, but almost everyone calls it Crouching Man.

>12 lunacat: Glad I inspired you and Mary to read it, Jenny :-)

>13 ChelleBearss: Thanks Chelle, I finally found a theme for my toppers: art in and around my town.

>14 jnwelch: Thank you, Joe, it is placed on dike (wikipedia tells me it is called a breakwater) so there is water on both sides.

>15 cal8769: Thanks Carrie, it is a remakable landmark in our city.

Happy new one, Anita! Your topper is stunning, and I like its official name.

>16 FAMeulstee: - There is a sculpture here in Toronto that this one reminds me of, in a way. It is also made of metal, and in the same open/see-through style, but it is of a woman reaching up, fully extended, almost opposite of crouching man. I have a photo of it somewhere but will have to figure out how to add a photo to a post.

Hi Anita Wow, your second thread.
I love the pictures!

Good luck with doctor Zhjivago, another Big Book! Have you seen the movie? I don't remember much of the story, except that I loved it.

Hi Anita! Happy new thread! Already with number two!

Happy new thread Anita and what a great thread topper photo my dear of the Antony Gormley statue, we went to Crosby beach near Liverpool to see his standing figures last October and thought they were great and we had a lovely day out.

Happy new thread, Anita!

Happy new thread, Anita. Love the topper.

Hi Anita! Exposure is quite wonderful. Thank you for sharing.

Cool topper, Anita! I love the Croucher! ( or the crouching man ) .

That statue is rather creepy - like it's about to stand and walk off!

Happy new thread, Anita. I like your topper. Exposure is very cool.

I love the thread topper. Especially the sunset view. Happy new thread!

Happy new thread!

You've read so many books!

That sculpture is cool, it's a guy squatting down, right?

>18 Crazymamie: Thanks Mamie, me too.

>19 jessibud2: That sounds good Shelly, I would like to see it!
For help with with pictures there is How to do Cool Things in Your Posts in the group wiki. Just ask if you need more help.

>20 EllaTim: Thanks Ella, I like the statue, it is not far from here.
I think I saw the movie long time ago on TV, all I remember is Omar Sharif ;-)

>21 mstrust: Thanks Jennifer, it is moving fast here!

>22 johnsimpson: Thanks John, Gormley made some beautiful things. I like the idea of statues on a beach.

>23 harrygbutler: Thanks Harry!

>24 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara, because it is an open construction it looks different with different wheather.

>25 karenmarie: Thank you Karen, I hope to show some more art from my city this year.

>26 vancouverdeb: Thanks Deborah, I hope you feel a bit better!

>27 Morphidae: LOL Morphy, I never saw it thet way, but I could imagine it in a movie :-)

>28 thearlybirdy: Thanks Birdy, I can see it from the dike where we access our neighborhood.

>29 nittnut: Thanks Jenn, I love both sunset and art :-)

>30 banjo123: Thank you Rhonda!

>31 LovingLit: Thanks Megan, since last June my readings go fast.
Some people think so, especially the ones who were against it when the plan was presented.

Oh what an interesting thread. I have now starred this. :)

>35 sirfurboy: Thanks :-)

I am going to call it a day here early, curling up at the couch this afternoon with Dokter Zjivago and will be watching tonight with Frank the last 4 episodes of A Game of Thrones season 5 :-)

Happy new thread, Anita! I, too, love the Crouching Man, although I admit that I don't think I would have recognized it for what it is without the title. When I first looked at it, I thought it was a turtle! Ha!

Happy New Thread, Anita! Hope the week is going well. I always liked the film of Doctor Zhivago, but I have never read the book. Someday?

Happy New Thread, Anita! I admit I didn't see the crouching man at first glance without reading the text.
Oooh... Dr Zhivago has been on my shelf for so many years now. It's unlikely I'll read it any time soon, but I'm looking forward to your comments.

Happy new thread - and Good luck with Dr Zhivago, Anita. I got Life and Fate for Xmas, will try and crack it open this month (probably not finish it).

It's a lovely edition though weighty...

Congrats on the new thread! Love the topper!

are you reading The Lord of the Rings in Dutch?

Tolkein had so much fun making up languages - elfish, Dwarvish, etc - woiuld be fascinating how the made up languages are "translated" in other places

Just dropping by to say hi, Anita. I see even without you your thread is hopping.

Congratulations on a second thread already, Anita. Love the topper. I'm so glad you posted it with two different backgrounds due to the time of day. It is quite an outstanding landmark no matter what the sky is doing. Oh, I loved Dr. Zhivago when I read it years ago. I fell in love with the movie first but the book was even more amazing.

Two threads already! Wow!

Anita--Congrats on the second thread and I love Crouching Man up top!!

I'm also a fan of Dr Zhivago, one of the few books I'm happy to reread.

>37 scaifea: Thanks Amber, I went back to the image to see what you saw in it. I could seee a turtle in it ;-)

>38 msf59: Thanks Mark, the book started slow, but I am getting into the story now.

>39 Deern: Thank you Nathalie, it is sometimes hard to see 3 dimensions in a 2-dimensional picture of it. I am liking Dr Zhivago.

>40 charl08: Thanks Charlotte, Life and fate sound interesting too. The edition looks very nice.

>41 michigantrumpet: Thank you Marianne!

>42 magicians_nephew: Hi Jim, yes I will read it in Dutch. The translation is very good, I have read it many times before and even one time in English. The story felt in both languages the same, the translator did change some names to get a similair feel to them.
I think the made up languages were kept the same in translation.

>43 thearlybirdy: Good morning Birdy, yes I see I had many visitors yesterday :-)

>44 Donna828: Thanks Donna, on a bright day we can see it from afar when we drive home. I have seen the Dr Zhivago movie many years ago, but remember almost nothing, except Omar Sharif ;-) The story started a bit slow, but getting better on the way.

>45 dk_phoenix: Hi Faith, yes my thread is moving fast this year.

>46 Berly: Thanks Kim, I am glad you love my topper too!

>47 avatiakh: Hi Kerry, another Dr Zhivago fan, I bought the book last year, when a new translation was published. After a slow started I am starting to like the story.

We got sad news yesterday. Nel, a former close friend of us, died at age 60 :-(
She got a pup from our first litter, Anouska and later a pup from Anouska came back to us: Callisto. In those years we called eachother a few times a week.
Things went wrong between us in 2010, my thyroid problem wasn't discovered yet, so I was emotional very unstable. And Nel had her own problems, she got a donor kidney in 2001 and in 2009 it stopped functioning, so she had to go back to the dialysis 3 times a week, without much hope for a next donor kidney. We couldn't deal with eachothers problems, and didn't speak for a year. Later we came back on speaking terms, but we never got back being as close as we had been.
Five years ago she got an second donor kidney, but that one never fully functioned, the last time I saw her was in October and she was in a bad shape. Nevertheless the message of her death came somewhat unexpected, and saddens me and Frank.
She lived with her husband and the Chow Chows on the island Texel. Tomorrow we will go there to say goodbye....

I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your friend Anita. It sounds as if life got in the way of your friendship, but I'm sure both of you knew the care was still there.

Sorry to hear your sad news, Anita.

Oh, I'm so sorry that you've lost a friend, Anita. I'm keeping you in my thoughts and in my heart.

My sincere condolences, Anita. 60 is far too young. Very sad

>51 lunacat: We were good with eachother the past years, Jenny, and we still liked eachother. Indeed you say it right life got in the way of your friendship.

>52 sirfurboy: Thank you sirfurboy.

>53 scaifea: Thanks Amber, I knew she was in bad shape, but it struck nonetheless...

>54 jessibud2: Thank you Shelley, yes it is sad and too young...

We will travel to Texel tomorrow and stay the night there, so we don't have to rush for the last boat back to the mainland.
We won't attend the funeral itself. I don't handle funerals well, so many sad people together makes me panick some times, and I would feel guilty to disturb the funeral by panicking. So I was glad to see there was a small gathering the night before to say goodbye.

I am sorry for your loss, Anita.

It's sad to lose a friend, Anita, even if you weren't close in the last years. It sounds like a good plan to avoid the funeral yet participate in the small gathering.

Take care.

I'm very sorry for your loss, and 60 is indeed very young. The gathering sounds like a good alternative to a big funeral. Safe travels!

Sorry to hear about your friend. Hope you are ok

Anita, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. Sending you good thoughts.

I'm so sorry you lost your friend. It must have been hard with the distance between you.

Sorry to hear of your loss Anita. Glad there is a gathering you can attend without feeling stressed.

I'm sorry you've lost your friend, Anita. I hope your visit gives you comfort.

>56 Crazymamie: Thank you, Mamie.

>57 karenmarie: Thanks Karen. I think I haven't been to a funeral for more than 20 years... I much prefer the smaller gatherings.

>58 Deern: Thank you, Nathalie, we knew it was coming after the last donor kidney failed. But she never wanted to give up or give in and kept fighting until the end.

>59 ChelleBearss: Thanks Chelle, I am okay, a bit sad of course.

>60 tapestry100: Thank you, David.

>61 Morphidae: Thanks Morphy, we both had peace with the past and were happy we were on speaking terms again.

>62 charl08: Thank you, Charlotte, the small gathering makes it easier to go there.

>63 mstrust: Thanks Jennifer, I hope so too.

Finished one short picture book today, between my Dr Zhivago readings:


book 11: Kikker in de kou by Max Velthuijs
own, YA, Dutch, awarded Gouden Penseel & Zilveren Griffel 1993, English translation Frog in Winter, TIOLI #9, 28 pages

One day Frog wakes up and the world has turn all white, it is winter. His friends Duck, Pig and Hare are having a good time, but Frog has no feathers, extra fat or fur, so he suffers in the cold. Then his friends find him in the snow, almost frozen to death. Together they bring Frog home and nurse him back to health.
One day Frog wakes up and winter is gone :-)

>50 FAMeulstee: so very sorry about your friend. That is a lovely tribute -- both to your friend and to the strength of a friendship which managed to endure. Sending wishes for peace and comfort.

>50 FAMeulstee: I am very sorry about your friend. I hope that the gathering you attend is healing.

So sorry to hear about your friend Anita, 60 is no age, so sad. Sending love and hugs.

>66 FAMeulstee: Oh, Charlie and I love that one!

Thinking of you today, friend.

Sorry for your loss Anita. 60 is really too young. But it's good that you both knew you were still friends.

What EllaTim said, Anita. Very sorry to hear of your loss. That's too young to part ways.

Sorry to hear of the loss of your friend.

>50 FAMeulstee: I'm so sorry for your loss, Anita. Sometimes losing friends who are somewhat estranged is harder than losing someone you are close to, because you lose the hope that someday the relationship will be restored. But it sounds as though you were able to come back together even if not in quite the same way, so I hope that's a comfort.

>50 FAMeulstee: I'm sorry for your loss, Anita.

It looks like we made the right desicion to stay at the island overnight. A big storm is on its way and there is a chance the last boat(s) back from Texel will be canceled. We'll be leaving in a few hours and will be back tomorrow.

>67 michigantrumpet: >68 banjo123: >69 johnsimpson: >70 scaifea: >71 EllaTim: >72 jnwelch: >73 foggidawn: >74 rosalita: >75 harrygbutler:

Thanks Marianne, Rhonda, John, Amber, Ella, Joe, foggi, Julia and Harry.

Friendships change sometimes in time, getting less close doesn't mean you stop caring.

Safe travels home today, Anita.

I am sorry to hear about your friend, Anita! Gentle Hugs from your bookish pals. Hope the trip went well.

>76 FAMeulstee: - "Friendships change sometimes in time, getting less close doesn't mean you stop caring."

This is so true. So true.

Safe travels today, Anita

I'm so sorry about your friend, Anita.

I hope you get to the island safe, and don't get too caught in the bad weather. Take care.

>77 scaifea: Thanks Amber, we came safely home this afternoon.

>78 msf59: Thank you Mark, hugs appriciated.

>79 jessibud2: Yes true, Shelley, we are home safe and sound.

>80 thearlybirdy: Thank you, Birdy.

>81 lunacat: Thanks Jenny, we had some bad weather on our trip home, but nothing too bad.

book 12: Dokter Zjivago by Boris Pasternak
own, translated Russian, English translation Doctor Zhivago, TIOLI #5, 685 pages

An absolutly GREAT read!
The story of Dr Zhivago, in the midst of World War I, the Russian revolution and the Russian civil war.
The three women in Zhivago's life, three different kinds of love: Tonya, the woman he married; Lara, the woman he loved; Marina, the woman of the end of his life.

Written in beautiful prose, the books describes living characters in times of hope and terror, where lives are crushed on all sides.

And a short epilogue that is connected with the story and not annoying at all ;-)

Hurrah! A good book and a good epilogue!

Glad you got home safely.

>84 charl08: Thanks Charlotte, yes home safe and sound.
I was hesitating to read the epilogue, but it was good and all in line with the rest of the story :-)

>79 jessibud2: I agree with that too, it is so complicated. Especially when someone dies. I hope you're ok!

Hi Anita, Good to see you home safe and sound. And with a very good book finished!

>86 LovingLit: Yes it is sometimes complicated, Megan...

>87 EllaTim: Thanks Ella, it was a great read. I am happy to know that I do love some Russians!

Wow! Good for you, reading Dr. Zhivago. I've never read it, but when I was in my late 20's, I had to be on bedrest with my second pregnancy, and my dad would bring over DVD's ( or VHR 's - whatever they were called ) for me to watch to pass the time and Dr Zhivago was one of his favorites that he brought over for me.
Oh, so sorry for the loss of your friend. I'm glad it was a nice, small gathering.

I'm sorry for your loss, Anita. It's always difficult. Sending you lots of positive thoughts.
Happy Sunday.

My goodness, Anita, you are knocking out some big ones this year! Any more Russian chunksters planned?

>89 vancouverdeb: Thanks Deborah, we were glad we went to the gathering.
Dr. Zhivago was a great read. Long time ago I saw the movie, on VHS I think it was called. I don't remember anything from the movie, except for Omar Sharif ;-) The book was better (and longer)!

>90 Ameise1: Thank you Barbara, happy Sunday to you too!

>91 karenmarie: Yes, Karen, I just keep reading ;-)
Maybe I am going to read a Dostojewski next month, The brothers Karamazov or The idiot. I now have read 4 books of the 54 Russians we own, so there is enough to be read.

Condolences for the loss of your friend, Anita. Hugs to you and Frank.

Actually the "high speed train" I was referring to in >8 PaulCranswick: was you my dear and not the Dutch national rail service. xx

>93 PaulCranswick: Thank you Paul, from both of us.

Yes, I knew, Paul, but thanks again ;-)

book 13: We moeten allemaal feminist zijn by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
from the library, essay, translated from English, original title We should all be feminists, TIOLI #1, 64 pages

Found on Joanne's (coppers) thread, between her best reads of 2016 and she added "we should all read this book".

I have a thing with the words "feminist and feminism" and not a good thing. I have met too many women who used this word for themselves, while being very intolerant to everyone who did not think exactly like them. So I prefer the word "emancipation".
But Adichie made the word tolerable for me again, with her witty and well thought plea for more equality for women.
Originally spoken at a TED talk, her words are now available in print.

Good morning, Anita. Congrats on finishing Dr. Zhivago.

Happy Sunday, Anita! 5 stars for Dr. Zhivago? Sweet! I have been wanting to read We should all be feminists for awhile now.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's essay/talk sounds interesting. I'll look for it.

So sorry for your loss. Friends we make through our dogs are very special.

>96 thearlybirdy: Thanks Birdy, it was a great read!

>97 msf59: Yes Mark, the book is as good as you can get! The first 100 pages were not easy but after that I did not want to stop reading :-)
Yes, read We should all be feminists it is very short, and very good.

>98 cammykitty: Thanks Katie, I heard all 6 Chow Chows were at the actual funeral, all descendants of their first female who was born at our place...
Yes, like I said to Mark ^, read it :-)

book 14: De aanslag by Harry Mulisch
own, Dutch, English translation The assault, 256 pages

Haarlem January 1945, the Steenwijk family sits together playing a board game, when they hear shots in their street. A collaborator and NSB (Dutch Nazi Party) member, Fake Ploeg, is killed. His body lies in front of their neighbours house, but the neighbours, father and daughter, are moving it to their house. The eldest son goes outside to move the body back, but German authoroties have already arrived. The Steenwijks are taken in by the Germans, their house is burned down and only the youngest son, Anton, survives. Anton ends up living with his aunt and uncle in Amsterdam.
We follow Anton through brief episodes in his life (1952, 1956, 1966 and 1981) when he meets different people who were involved in the assassination of Fake Ploeg. With each encounter he finds out more about what really happened that fatal night.

Harry Mulish was a great storyteller. Slowly he unravels the different aspects of the assassination, as the main character has only a vague memory of what happened. Questions of responsebility, guilt, innocence are far more complex then we realise at first sight.

Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend.

The Assault sounds great, I had it down to read last year but never managed to find the time.

Thanks Kerry, I am still a bit sad about it...

Maybe you can give it a try again someday?

>100 FAMeulstee: I thought this was such a great book. As you say that slow unravelling of what happened, what people saw and how it continued to matter years later was brilliant. I want to read more Mulisch.

>100 FAMeulstee: Thanks for your review, Anita. I have almost finished it myself and I think it is a triumph.

>102 FAMeulstee: I just read The story of Lucy Gault and in some ways it sounds similar, the implications of a young girl disappearing and how it stretches out over the years for all concerned.

>103 charl08: Yes, Charlotte, it was a great book.
If you want to read more Mulisch, I hope to read his The discovery of heaven later this year. That is a very long book, so I don't know if you are up to it with just starting your job.

>104 PaulCranswick: Just saw your review, Paul, we are in agreement :-)

>105 avatiakh: Thanks Kerry, I saw your review and thought I may like it.

>100 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita! Both you and Paul got me on this one. I said on Paul's thread that it was going on my wishlist, but now I'm actually looking at used copies on Amazon. Whew.

Wishing you a lovely day and good week.

Oof, you got me, Anita. Very nice review of the Mulish book - adding it to the list. And you are reminding me that I have Dr. Zhivago on the shelves, where the poor dear has been sitting for some time.

>107 karenmarie: Sorry (or not-sorry) to undermine your "not buying books" modus, Karen, if you need to buy a book this is a good one ;-)
Wishing you a nice and quiet Monday.

>108 Crazymamie: I hope you like the Mulisch too, Mamie. Some books wait long times on the shelf, I know, I have some waiting since the 1980s...
Dr. Zhivago won't mind to wait a bit longer at your place, I hope you get to it, as for me it was an exellent read.

>109 FAMeulstee: It's so easy to buy books! Just ordered The Assault and it will arrive soon after I return from California for my Mom's Memorial. I wasn't exactly in "not buying books" mode, Anita, but I've already either received or have on the way 3 from Amazon and, although they didn't cost me anything directly, 3 from BookMooch (I earn points by mailing books that I can use to receive books - but I haven't mailed books in several years.)

Today will be quiet - home, books, coffee, a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

I wish you a nice and quiet Monday too.

Hi Anita, nice review of De aanslag.
I guess I want to read it as well...I don't think I ever did.

Whoa, I'm way behind here! Happy New(ish) Thread, Anita. I enjoyed your reviews of The German Mujahid, which I read and also loved, and The Darkroom of Damocles, which I own and will probably read in March, from your old thread, and Dr Zhivago, which I need to read, We Should All Be Feminists, which I'll read soon, and, of course, The Assault from this thread. It's great that you, Paul and I all read the Mulisch this weekend, and that all of us loved it.

Hi Anita! I had not heard of The Assault until Paul mentioned he was reading it. I'll have to keep an eye out for it since it's getting such great reviews here.

>95 FAMeulstee: I'm glad it worked for you, Anita.

So sorry to learn of the loss of your friend.

De aanslag is now on my TBR list, thanks. It could be a while before I get round to it though.

So 2017 might be the year when I'm finally reading Dr Zhivago? You sound very convincing! :)

>110 karenmarie: Yes, Karen, online shopping has made it much easier to buy books at any time. I hope you like The assault as much as Darryl, Paul and me liked it.

Whishing you a nice and quiet Tuesday, I have to go out to find some clothes...

>111 EllaTim: Thanks Ella, I did read it when it first came out, but remembered only a few things, like the anti-nuclear weapons demonstration in Amsterdam, 1981. I was there too.

>112 kidzdoc: Hi stranger ;-)
You have been very busy, Darryl, so I understand you didn't have the time to visit many threads. I have been reading a lot of books that we share. I read The German Mujahid partly because of your positive reaction when Charlotte read it last year.

>113 cbl_tn: Hi Carrie, yes Darryl and Paul were raving about it too. I think it is a book well worth reading.

>114 Copperskye: Thank you, Joanne.
I am happy to spread the word about We should all be feminists, I think you were right saying everyone should read it!

>115 sirfurboy: We all have stellar TBR piles, maybe you get to it someday ;-)

>116 Deern: That would be great, Nathalie, you could give it a try. On the other hand, that I loved it doesn't mean you would too...

book 15: Het knoopjeskabinet by Edmund de Waal
from the library, non-fiction, translated from English, original title The Hare with Amber Eyes, TIOLI #2, 320 pages

The first I heard about this book was on Peggy's (LizzieD) thread.

A family history, with as lead a colection of netsuke.
The jewish Ephrussi family originated from Odessa, two brothers, one went to Paris, the other to Vienna. In Paris the netsuke collection was bought at the end of the 19th century. Given to a nephew in Vienna as a wedding gift. There it stayed through WW I and the inter-bellum, saved from the Nazi's by a maid. After the war the collection went to Japan, and returned to the present owner, and writer of the book, in England.

A chronicle of a jewish family in Paris and Vienna in the late 19th and first half of the 20th century includes many sad times. Anti-semitism, at first in Paris (the Dreyfuss-affaire) and later much worse in Vienna in 1939.

>117 FAMeulstee: The anti-nuclear weapons demonstration was in it? I was there as well, with a lot of other people, of course;)) That was a good day, wasn't it. I'll go and look for it.

>120 EllaTim: Yes, Ellen, the last part of the story is in 1981 at the demonstration.
It was a very good day, everyone together for the same cause :-)

Hi, Anita! Hope the week is going well. Another fan of The Assault? Wow! I just requested it from the library.

>122 msf59: The most warbled book at the moment, Mark, can't wait until you start warbling too ;-)
I have a good week, survived shopping for clothes yesterday. Found a warm winter skirt, a corduroy throusers, a sweater and some underwear. So I hope to be done for a year or two ;-)

>119 FAMeulstee: Excellent summary of The Hare with Amber Eyes!

book 16: Francesco by Jean Dulieu
own, Dutch, YA, awarded, Prijs voor een Kinderboek 1956, no translations, TIOLI #7, 167 pages

The life of Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), who wanted to live his life following Christ, preaching the gospel, in poverty and without any possessions. When his preachings become populair, he and his followers have a hard time to maintain these commitments, as others see in his movement a way to gain power.

The writer dedicates this work to his youngest son, who he named Francesco.

>124 cbl_tn: Thanks Carrie!

Hi Anita! You seem to be reading some very serious books these days. Good reviews.....

Wow, Anita! I can't keep up with your thread, let alone the number of books you have already finished. : ) Nice reviews, too. I was sorry to hear about your friend passing. Take care.

Wow, Anita, - Your thread is moving so fast, I can just hit the highlights:

Love the opening topper!

>76 FAMeulstee: FAMeulstee - "Friendships change sometimes in time, getting less close doesn't mean you stop caring." Amen, sister, Amen.

A lot of wonderful books and reviews here. Your review made me request We should all Be Feminists from the library.

Just checking in to see how you were doing and hoping you are having a good Wednesday.

>127 karenmarie: Thank you Karen, I have some others waiting: I just got The gene: an intimate history from the library and Between the world and me should arrive this week at the library. And then The salt on our skin from my own shelves, all TIOLI reads :-)

>128 Berly: Thank you Kim and thanks again. At home all is well, we are taking care of eachother :-)

>129 streamsong: Thanks Janet, yes, my thread is exploding this year. Probably because I am participating more than the past years.
It is a short read We should all be feminists with an important message.

>130 Morphidae: Thank you Morphy, we have a nice and quiet day, and everyone is enjoying it :-)

Hi Anita, The Assault sounds really good. It's going on the WL!

>132 cammykitty: I hope you like it too, Katie, when you get to it.

Your timing for Between the world and me is perfect. It is an excellent read.

book 17: Padden verhuizen niet graag by Gerard Brands
own, Dutch, non-fiction, YA, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1979, no translations, TIOLI #13, 120 pages

Short pieces about nature, birds, insects etc. in the Netherlands. How kids can explore nature in water, woods and around the house. Including the basics of spotting, birds, mamals and insects.

>134 msf59: It wasn't exactly planned, Mark, but a good one to read now. I had seen it on various threads last year.
I am reading The gene: an intimate history now and I am harrowed how the discovery of genetics lead to sterilisation of "unwanted" women in the USA and later to the holocaust in Europe :'(

Happy Thursday, Anita. Just making sure to stay caught up here. I had The Hare With Amber Eyes out from the library last year, but I had to return it before I got to it. I need to get it back out again.

>137 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie, nice to see you here, I guess its to late for happy Thursday to you, so happy Friday then ;-)
Many loved The hare with the amber eyes, I liked, not loved it, but it sure is an interesting read.

Wow! I cannot believe you are already on book number 18. You are amazing, Anita! I'm going to have to look into The Amber and Hare. You are reading so quickly! Bravo!

Thanks Deborah, reading still comes easy and I am enjoying it, as long as it last :-)

book 18: Zout op mijn huid by Benoîte Groult
own, French translated, English translation Salt on our skin, TIOLI #15, 243 pages

This is a beautiful story of an extramarital love affair between two people who spent their childhood summers in the same village, but came from very different worlds. George is a somewhat snobbish intellectual lady from Paris, Gavin is a Breton fisherman. They both marry an other, George even more than once. George has a succesfull teaching carreer at universities and Gavins fishery grows from working on a small vessel at the Atlantic, to the large "fishing factories" in the Indian Ocean.
Their relationship lasts over 30 years, and the book describes their meet ups in various places (the Seychelles, Montreal, Florida) to spend precious time together. It is written beautiful and very honest about sex, but never deteriorating into pornography or vulgarity.

Morning, Anita. Wow you've finished five books since I was last here, very impressive.

>142 thearlybirdy: Morning Birdy, I am still trying to keep up with one book a day, only slightly behind my goal ;-)

Very impressive, all the same. I don't think I could read a book a day. I don't even know if I can make it to 75 books this year. (Seeing as I've never counted how many books I've read before, I don't know how close I've come.)

>144 thearlybirdy: I have had years of reading this many books a year, Birdy. I am just enjoying reading and will see how long this "speed reading" lasts.

That sounds like a good plan. I'm not going to stress over making my goal, I just want to enjoy the ride.

>141 FAMeulstee: This sounds a bit like Brokeback Mountain, Anita.

The stuff about the history of eugenics is sobering. The Family Planning movement had some rather grim roots.

>146 thearlybirdy: That is the best way, Birdy :-)

>147 charl08: Except that in this book George is female, Charlotte ;-)
I saw Brokeback Mountain movie, I should read some Annie Proulx someday, she is patiently waiting at the shelves.

Yes it is sobering, I try to read one section of The Gene a day and am halfway now.

Oh. That rather changed things...

Annie Proulx is wonderful. I liked Postcards best I think.

>149 charl08: I have edited my review, Charlotte. I thought George Elliot and George Sand were enough well known to make George an unversal female name too. Did not realise they were both pseudonyms ;-)

I will move her up at the TBR pile.

I can't believe how quickly your threads are moving, Anita. Belated bappy new thread.

>152 FAMeulstee: Thanks Roni, I am more active in the group and reading a lot.

book 19: De inspirerende wijsheid van de Dalai Lama by Dalai Lama
from the library, non-fiction, translated from French, no English translation, TIOLI #12, 191 pages

A collection of sayings of the Dalai Lama, put together by Bernard Baudouin.
In short it all comes down to kindness, compassion, love and forgiveness to make yourself happier and the world a better place.

>153 FAMeulstee: Ambitious but worthwhile goals Anita. Hope you have a lovely weekend!

The George thing made me laugh. My little godson is a George, and he would not be impressed to find two women writers share his name!

>154 charl08: I try to live like that, Charlotte. My weekend is good, going to pick up Frank this afternoon. He went to see his aunt in Rotterdam and stayed there overnight.

Well, a female character does share his name ;-)

>100 FAMeulstee: Nice review, Anita. I brought it recently as an audio home but won't listen to it very soon due to others which are waiting.

>119 FAMeulstee: That's my next reading when I finishe the currently one. I took it from the library last Wednesday.

>141 FAMeulstee: My library has got a copy of it. I've put it on the list.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.3

>156 Ameise1: I hope you get to Das Attentat and Salz auf unserer Haut (you have the German translations I guess), Barbara, as they were both very good.
Happy weekend to you!

Nineteen books already, Anita. You are really on a roll at the moment.

Have a great weekend. xx

I'm with Paul - 19 is amazing! Well done!

I hope you have a lovely weekend, friend.

Keep up the good work, Anita!

Way to go, Anita. 19 in counting!

Some truly spectacular reading, Anita. Liking so much, but especially taken with you comments on The Assault. You especially hit me with that one.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

19 Books! Oh my! Very impressive. :)
Happy Weekend!

>158 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul, I am on a roll since July and enjoying it immensly :-)

>159 scaifea: Thank you, Amber, I am having a good weekend with lots of reading!

>159 scaifea: Thanks Darryl, I'll try ;-)

>161 thearlybirdy: Thanks Birdy, I just finished book 20 :-)

>162 michigantrumpet: Thank you Marianne, Paul, Darryl and I have been raving about The assault, I hope you will like it too.
That looks like a very comfortable place to read, thanks!

>163 nittnut: Thanks Jenn, it feels good, reading goes so easy and fast. Happy weekend to you!

>164 FAMeulstee: I just wish that it was as contagious as those flu and cold bugs we seemed so keen to share amongst us. xx

Ari was determinded again this week :-)
As I wrote earlier, he didn't want to have his food served in the bench two weeks ago. So he got his food in the kitchen, where Chimay used to get hers. Well it turned out it wasn't as nice as Ari expected ;-)
When I picked up this bowl with food Thursday morning he ran as fast as he could to his bench! So now Ari is happily eating in his bench again.

>166 PaulCranswick: I would share, Paul, if I knew how to do it ;-)

>168 FAMeulstee: That would make you even more popular - if that was possible. :D

book 20: 7 jaren van een wielrenner by Herbert Friedrich
own, translated German, YA, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1980, original German title 7 Jahre eines Rennfahrers in 2015 republished as Der Tod des Weltmeisters, no English translation, TIOLI #17, 366 pages

This book describes the life of Otto Pagler, a German cyclist in the 1930s It starts when he came back from Italy where he became world champion. He won the German sprint championship 7 times (1933-1939). In his first years he had a jewish trainer, who escaped Germany in 1933. He was no friend of the Nazi's, he tried to avoid politics. But politics found him, after Pagler refused to spy for the Germans (he was often abroad cycling) he was shot and erased from history by the Nazi's.

Otto Pagler from the book was in truth Albert Richter.

>169 PaulCranswick: Probably, Paul, and avoided by non-readers ;-)

Happy Sunday, Anita! I also have The gene: an intimate history on my reading list. I never did read his last book on cancer. I heard that was fantastic.

>172 msf59: Thanks Mark. I hope to finish The gene: an intimate history tomorrow, thus far it is a great read from Mendel to the Human Genome unraffled in 2000.

Good day, Anita. 20 books, you go.
>167 FAMeulstee: That is too funny. Ari sounds like a hoot.

Hi Anita hope you have had a good weekend my dear, I am trying to catch up with everybody's threads as I have been absent since Thursday evening. Sending love and hugs.

>174 thearlybirdy: Thanks Birdy, yes Ari can be very funny, he is a smart little doggie :-)

>175 johnsimpson: Thank you John, we just saw O'Sulivan win the Masters, so our weekend is great!
Sunday is almost over so I'll wish you and Karen a lovely week ahead.

Hi Anita, wishing you a nice day of reading ahead. Curious for your review of The Gene. You are reading so quickly! I have slowed down a lot, on LibraryThing as well, I can't keep up with all the threads, I'm sorry, just visiting off and on at the moment.

Anita--Back to the bench it is!! LOL. Ari is too cute. Wishing you a happy Monday!

>170 FAMeulstee: Thanks for the synopsis. Explaining what happened to Otto Pagler/Albert Richter explains the second German language title of the book then. There is a bit of a spoiler in that title!

Sadly I cannot see an ebook version of this anywhere.

Morning, Anita. Wishing you a good week.

>177 EllaTim: Hi Ella, nice to see you here, don't be sorry!
I am always happy to see you, but understand not everyone is as active here and time or energy can be limited.

I just finished Het gen: een intieme geschiedenis and will write a review later today.

>178 Berly: Yes, Kim, and again Ari was proud of himself ;-)
Happy Monday to you!

>179 sirfurboy: In Dutch there was only one edition, in Germany two editions, the first in the DDR and a recent one. Sadly I haven't found any e-book versions either :-(

>180 thearlybirdy: Morning Birdy, wishing you the same!

book 21: Tussen de wereld en mij by Ta-Nehisi Coates
found on the threads of Julia (rosalita), Mark (msf59) and others
from the library, non-fiction, essay, original title Between the world and me, TIOLI #14, 148 pages

An important read for every priviledged white and recommended for everyone else.

This is a long letter from Coates to his son, about what it means and feels to be black in present day USA.
His fear on the street in his young days, the feeling of coming home at the black university and the death of an innocent, talented, black young man by police fire in 2001.
The book hit me hard, I even shed a tear over the killing of Prince Jones. Coates explaines how slavery still influences present day relations and that exploitation never ended. How fear leads to hate, hate to violence and violence to fear, and that it is hard to break this circle both for black and white. How different he felt when he traveled to Europe.
It is in many ways a difficult book to read, but with a very important message and insight. Please read it!

book 22: Het gen: een intieme geschiedenis by Siddharta Mukerjee
found on Chalotte's thread (charl08)
from the library, non-fiction, original title The Gene: an intimate history, TIOLI #3, 666 pages

From Darwin and Mendel to present day innovations, this book covers the history of the gene in science. The scientists, their revalry, their discoveries, the effects of these discoveries in societies. Each step in uncovering the essence of genetics had its backlash. I was flabbergasted reading a company tried to PATENT the human genome...

A very interesting read, the first parts, roughly from Mendel to the 1980s, I already knew, except some details about the scientists. I enjoyed the book very much and it left me with some moral questions about the future of gen-technology.

With the last book I finished my TIOLI sweep for January :-)

I am still reading some pages of Liefde (My struggle 2) by Karl Ove Knausgård on the e-reader every evening before I go to sleep, almost halfway now.
The last two books were rather heavy reads, so I started Anderland, Paul Biegels YA version of the Voyage of Saint Brendan.

>182 FAMeulstee: That one is on my wish list. Great review.

>182 FAMeulstee: Nicely done, Anita. Thought that was a very important and thought provoking read.

>185 Oberon: Thanks Erik, I thought it was an important read.

>186 michigantrumpet: Thank you Marianne, yes it was in many ways.

Just popping in to say hello :)

You are reading a LOT, Anita! Thanks for all the comments! Since you and Darryl are both glad to have read The Assault, I think I have to add it to my wish list. I have one unread H. Mulisch; no reason not to have 2 waiting!
I'm glad that you at least liked the amber-eyed hare. You know I ended up loving it after not being so thrilled with the beginning.
I'll add that I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. I'm glad that you were able to safely go and return from an opportunity to honor her. My college roommate died about a year ago. We were no longer close, a thing that fills me with guilt but which I couldn't help. She lived in Colorado, so there was no way that I could have gotten to her funeral even if I had known about it in time. It's a sadness for sure.
ETA: PBS had a copy of *Assault* available, so I've ordered it. Yay!

>188 ChelleBearss: Hi Chelle :-)

>189 LizzieD: Thanks Peggy, reading goes still fast and easy.
I hope you like The assault too. I think I will read the other Mulisch book you have waiting The discovery of heaven later this year.
I am sorry you feel guilt about your roommate. Growing apart happens, and I think in most cases there is no one to blame.
((((hugs))))

book 23: Anderland by Paul Biegel
own, Dutch, YA, awarded, Woutertje Pieterse prijs 1991, no translations, 90 pages

The story is based on Voyage of Saint Brendan. The writer heard about Timothy Severins succesful voyage from Ireland to America in a curragh (boat Brendan would have used) in 1976.
A small village on the coast, the men find a drowned person on the shore. He is almost dead, but after a week he is able to speak again. The oldest man of the village thinks he recognises him, indeed it is Bran. Bran starts to tell his story, how he went over the ocean with 16 others from island to island. Spend the winter at a place where is snow and the sun doesn't come up. How they went on and found a wonderful place where they stayed. But after a few years his fellow travelers were homesick and wanted to return and how he lost them all on the way back.
The villagers think his tale is unbelievable and together they make up an even more fantastic tale.

Congrats on your TIOLI sweep, Anita!!

>182 FAMeulstee: That's a nice review, Anita. I've been interested to know what the reaction of non-American readers would be to Coates' book, which I found quite compelling. It sounds like the impact was strong for you as well.

Good morning, Anita. I see you're another book down. Keep it up.

Anita--You are reading book a day!! You are my hero.

Hooray for Between the world and me! It is such an important book. I have a "keeper" copy on shelf.

I listened to Coates read the book to me, in the audiobook format and thought it was excellent.

>192 scaifea: Thanks Amber!

>193 rosalita: Thank you Julia, it was a very strong book. Over here there is discrimmination too, but more hidden. Our nations wealth was partly from slavery too, but it was not here, it was on the other side of the ocean in our South American colony: Suriname. Most Dutch don't understand that the people from Surinam descent still feel their ancestors slavery within and react harsh and cold on those feelings.

>194 thearlybirdy: Thanks Birdy, next book is going fast :-)

>195 Berly: Thanks Kim, it doesn't feel heroic, just very good.

>196 msf59: Thank you Mark, yes it is an important book and I will get my own copy for my birthday in 10 days.

>197 jessibud2: I can imagine it has even more impact if you hear it directly from the author, Shelley.

You are having an amazing reading year so far, both in terms of quantity and quality.

Glad you enjoyed The Gene. I want to read his book about cancer too.

I really love that Mulisch is being picked up across the threads. Such a fascinating book.

I heard a talk about the slave trade in the Netherlands where they mapped slave owners and investors, onto modern day Amsterdam. It's sobering stuff. Almost every street.

>199 arubabookwoman: Thanks Deborah, the more I read, the more I need some substancial reads.

>200 charl08: Yes, Charlotte I might read his cancer book too. But first I need some time to completely process The Gene.
I am glad Mulisch is picked up widely, I think he deserves to be read.

The Dutch were big slave shippers, traders and owners, I sometimes feel guilty about our greedy history...

Goodness, your thread moves quickly! I think every country has things in its past. A disturbing trend here is to NOT look critically at aspects of US history that are troubled or unflattering. Like somehow it's not patriotic to acknowledge flaws and wrongs. Ugh, I'll stop now, or I won't sleep.

Hope you're having a great week!

Some great reviews! I also really liked the Coates book.

Wow! Already 23 books in January, Anita. Great going! I don't know much about Suriname,but I will have to look into it. Fascinating!

>202 AMQS: Thanks Anne, my week goes well, lots of reading :-)
Yes, every country has its flaws. But hiding or denying those isn't helpful.

>203 banjo123: Thank you Rhonda, I think it is an important book.

>204 vancouverdeb: Thanks Deborah, yes I am racing through the books, feels good!
Colonial past and the influence it still has today is facinating in a way. Indonesia was our largest colony, Surinam and the Dutch Antilles the others.

book 24: Liefde (My struggle 2) by Karl Ove Knausgård
from the library, e-book, autobiography, English translation A man in love: My struggle book 2, 602 pages

In the second book of "My struggle" Karl Ove Knausgård has moved to Sweden, where his relation with Linda starts. First madly in love, seeing the world in a different light, they land in the harsh reality of living together. Domestic arguments are written down in the same detailed way as the feelings of love for his wife and children.
Although a 600 page book can't contain each day of several years, it reads like it is. Sometimes meandering to years before, other places, other people, because some word, or feeling takes him away from present day. The struggle as he has promished to take care of his daughter, so his wife can continue her schooling, but all he really wants to do is be at his "office" and write. His friendship with Geir, a fellow Norwegian in Sweden, often pulls him throug.

I enjoyed this read, it didn't struck like the first book did. That is partly because there was less to relate to. I can imagine the love someone feels for his childeren, but childless I can't completely relate.

Morning, Anita. Keep up the good work.

Hi Anita! I am drawing a line in the sand and starting from here in your hugely successful thread after returning from California. Happy reading!

>207 thearlybirdy: Thanks Birdy!

>208 karenmarie: Hi Karen, good to see you are back home. Yes, still reading happily :-)

book 25: Haas by Paul Biegel
own, Dutch, YA, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1982, no translations, 192 pages

Different animals live in an abandoned garden. They believe all will be good again when Hare returns, he will take care of the garden and bring it back to florish again.
The bees, the ants, the sparrows and the toads, they have all their own version of the story what will happen when Hare returns and when he was last seen.

My favorite Knausgaard of the three I've read so far is the third volume. This one focused on his childhood, and I found it very engaging.

I was born and raised in a former Dutch colony--Aruba. I remember visits by Queen Juliana and then-princess Beatrix and the younger princesses. I was a Girl Scout and we had to line up in parade during her visits.

>211 arubabookwoman: I loved the first Knausgaard book, Deborah, and look forward to the next ones. I hope to read book 3 next month.

Since Aruba is in your LT-username, I thought there would be a connection. Was your father working there?
Queen Juliana was a nice person, and Beatrix is back to being a princess again.

book 26: Swing by Paul Biegel
own, Dutch, YA, kinderboekenweekgeschenk 2004, no translations, 92 pages

Joshua and Teri live on an island in Lake Victoria. When the white man, who came long ago together with a missionary, dies, Joshua inherits his trumpet. It takes a whil before Joshua can play it, but then he can play so good that everybody starts to dance. After playing on a wedding on the other side of Lake Victoria, Joshua and Teri end up with their boat on the Nile and have many adventures before returning home.

>212 FAMeulstee: Yes my father was working there. My mother grew up there, and met my father when he came there to work. I was born there (and all my brothers and sisters) and lived there until I was 16. It was a great place to grow up!

book 27: De mens is een grote fazant by Herta Müller
found on Barbara's thread (Ameise1)
from the library, e-book, German translated, English translation The passport, 126 pages

Set in Romania where Ceausescu rules, Windisch is living with his wife and daughter in a German town. The German minority isn't liked. Many have been send to Siberia after WW II, because they supported the Nazi's. Only a few survived and came back. Most vilagers of German descent want to leave, so does Windisch. With flour and money he tries to persuade the town officials to grant him and his family a passport. Other villagers get their passports and leave, while Windisch is still waiting. Eventually he has to give his daughter to obtain the passports...
In short sentences full of symbolic images the story is told. Not an easy read of life under dictatorship, where there is little hope to escape. Eventually they do escape, but the price is high.

book 28: Het eiland daarginds by Paul Biegel
own, Dutch, YA, kinderboekenweekgeschenk 1989, no translations, 95 pages

Kees lives on an island. His father is lighthouse guard and sometimes he is allowed to go up at the lighthouse with his father. He is sure he can see an island from there. He tells his little sister about the island. One day Kees takes a boat and rows to the island. It is a strange place where men are made of iron and women made of porselain. When all goes wrong, Kees sister arrives to rescue him. Et the end, when their father finds them there is a hint it all might have been a dream.

Goodness, you're still eating and sleeping and everything, right?

>215 FAMeulstee: Glad to see that you liked it too. I loved her writing style very much.
Happy Friday, Anita.

Wait...book #28?! That's more than one a day! Green with envy here.

>217 AMQS: Yes Anne, still eating, sleeping, walking the dog & doing some housework chores :-)

>218 Ameise1: It is very different from other writers, Barbara, it took some time to get into her style of writing. I hope to find some other books from her at the library.

>219 Berly: Two more down, Kim, can't help it ;-)

book 29: Stille blik by Peter Robinson
found on Barbara's thread (Ameise1)
from the library, translated English, Inspector Banks 1, original title Gallows view, 299 pages

Inspector Alan Banks recently moved from London to small and quiet city Eastvale. Then in a short time there is a murder, some burglaries and a man who likes to peep at women all coming down at once at the local police. Are the cases related?
Inspector Banks and his team have to work hard to solve them all.
Warning: there are some graphic scenes of women physical abused.

A very statisfying read, I hope to get the next book from the library next week :-)

book 30: Het olifantenfeest by Paul Biegel
own, Dutch, YA, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1974, English translation The elephant party and other stories, 112 pages

Short stories for children, most of them funny. With beautiful illustrations by Babs van Wely.

Wow, look at you go! Happy 30th book!

>233 thornton37814: Thanks Chelle, I just keep on reading :-)

>221 FAMeulstee: That's a good one. I've read lots of this series.

>226 FAMeulstee: Yes it was a good read, Barbara, and there are many more :-)

>222 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita, That's a fun looking book! The cover makes me smile. You do have a lot of Paul Biegels books, I never knew he had won so many awards.

It looks like your reading is speeding up there, Anita. That is an amazing amount of books for the month so far. Do you usually read more than a book a day? I am looking forward to reading The Gene: An Intimate History. I am very interested in genetics although the Eugenics movement gives me the willies.

>226 FAMeulstee: Enough to keep you busy ;-). Happy weekend, Anita.

Wishing you a great weekend Anita. If you do decide to visit the London exhibit I'd love to join you.

>228 Familyhistorian: This is fairly new to me too, Meg, halfway last year my reading went up. First half year I read 54 books, second half it was 198! And it seems to continue that way. I am including some "more heavy" reads now.
The gene: an intimate history was a very good read, sadly eugenetics and other downfalls are part of that history, but the main focus is on the scientists.

>229 Ameise1: Yes, Barabara :-) Happy weekend and easy weekend to you!

>230 charl08: We are looking now for a long weekend in May, Charlotte, arrival Friday 19th, leaving Monday 22th. But first we have to find a place for Ari to stay those days. We would plan the visit to the Tate on Sunday 21st May and would love it if you could join us!

book 31: Fiona by Harry Bingham
found on Rhians thread (SandDune)
from the library, e-book, translated English, Fiona Griffiths 1, original title Talking to the dead, 448 pages

D.C Fiona Griffiths is a very unusual cop. She has a philosophy degree, an analitic mind and a two year gap in her resume. When a prostitute and her daughter are both killed, Fiona is one of the cops on the case and she is determined to find the killer. She thinks and acts out of the box and her supervisor tries his best to keep her within the lines.
A gripping read, not only the good mystery, but also the character Fiona Griffiths. We see everything through her eyes, get hints about her mental state, and on the way it gets more and more obvious that something is very wrong with her.

I immediately started to read the second book Love story, with murders.

I'm impressed! 31 already. Still an accomplishment even with many of them being YA.

>232 FAMeulstee: Nice review, Anita. Same thing happened to me - I jumped into the second Fiona Griffiths right away. What a great character.

>233 thornton37814: Thanks Lori, so am I ;-)

>234 jnwelch: Thank you Joe, yes she is a great and very different character, the second books starts very promising too!

>230 charl08: >231 FAMeulstee: Ari can stay with neighbors, so tomorrow we will book the flight, hotel & tickets for the Tate.
We will stay in London from 19th until 22nd of May and plan the Tate visit on Sunday 21st.

I have never traveled by plane, so this is a big thing for me. And it could fall apart at the last moment (think major anxiety attack at Schiphol, in that case I would probably return straight home). I am 85% sure I can do this, but not 100% sure....

>236 FAMeulstee: Hope you are ok on the flight. Sometimes you can tell the airline you are a nervous flier and the staff look out/ check up on you. My sister found relaxation audio helpful (she gets quite stressed by flying). I like the reading time.

>238 FAMeulstee: Thanks for the advice, Charlotte, I will have a book with me and I will take a valium to cut the edge of the nerves.
I just wanted to warn in advance that there is a small chance it doesn't work out.

Hi Anita, hope you are having a good weekend my dear, 31 books is phenomenal and is about four months reading for me. Sending love and hugs.

Hello Dear Anita!

I have always wanted to visit the Tate. In particular, I would love to see the waterhouse painting The Lady of Shalot. I'm told the Tate (note the Tate Modern) has a large collection of Pre-raphaelite art. I can't wait to hear about your trip Safe travels.

And, I am very impressed with the number of books you read thus far. I've struggled a bit with depression and finally have medication that helps. Cymbalta is magic.

Much Love

Hey, Anita. Whoa girl, 31 Books!!!! I'm just going to sit down in awe. I'm sure you'll do fine on the plane.

>238 FAMeulstee: Anita--I think if you make sure you have a good book, with your powers of concentration you will be just fine!! Seriously though, I don't mean to make light of your anxiety. My daughter takes medicine to combat anxiety. Wishing you good luck, when you need it. It's not May yet... so relax for now! ; )

>238 FAMeulstee: You are very thoughtful. Thanks for the warning. I would totally understand - no pressure.

>227 EllaTim: Sorry Ella, almost missed you. The story is fun too :-)
Paul Biegel won 3 Gouden Griffels, 2 Zilveren Griffels, 2 times the Woutertje Pieterse prijs, one time the Nienke van Hichtum prijs and it started with Prijs voor het beste Kinderboek (voorganger van de Gouden Griffel) in 1965 for Het sleutelkruid.
As far as I know he is the only one who wrote the Kinderboekenweekgeschenk 3 times.

>239 johnsimpson: Thanks John, I will start to re-read The Lord of the Rings today, that will slow me down a bit ;-)
Happy Sunday to you and Karen.

>240 Whisper1: Dear Linda, so good to see you here!
The trip will be in May, and yes we will visit the Tate Modern, there is a Giacometti exhibit. I know the other Tate has many of your favorites and I hope you will able to visit the Tate one day.
I am glad Cymbalta is helping you, depression is so hard to cope with...
(((((hugs)))))

>241 thearlybirdy: Thanks Birdy, for the vote of confidence, you made me smile :-)

>242 Berly: Thank you Kim, I was already exited to know we are going to London, took a few hours after bedtime before I could sleep. That will wear down soon enough though. Then I'll get exited again a few days before the trip...

>243 charl08: Yes, Charlotte, that was what I ment to say, thanks for understanding!

book 32: Fiona : In koelen bloede by Harry Bingham
from the library, e-book, translated English, Fiona Griffiths 2, original title Love story, with murders, 448 pages

A human leg is found in the freezer of an old lady who recently died. With close investigation more parts of the deceased are found at unlikely places in the neighborhood. Fiona Griffiths is part of the team that investigates this murder. Then pieces of a second body are found and so starts the second book with Fiona Griffiths as main character.
Again a very good book that I could barely put down, now waiting until the next book is translated!

Enjoy your Lord of the Rings reread! That's something I haven't read in a while!

>249 ChelleBearss: My last time was 9 years ago, Chelle, when I first joined the 75ers. I used to read it every 4 or five years, but in between these I have seen the movies.

Everything booked for the London trip :-)
We will stay at the Travelodge Stratford for 3 nights and have tickets for the Tate Modern at 21st May, time 13:00.

Anita, you are on fire with your reading! Glad that you are enjoying Fiona - I am making myself wait until February to start the second book, so you are ahead of me. Hoping your Sunday is full of fabulous!

Happy Sunday, Anita!

Wow, Anita, you are speeding along with the books! And it's great that you're coming to London in May :-)

>252 Crazymamie: I am returning to earth after the initial exitement over the planned London trip, Mamie. I started reading The lord of the rings, it is so good to be back with old friends Bilbo, Frodo and Gandalf :-)

>253 scaifea: Thanks Amber, the same to you!

>254 susanj67: Yes I know, Susan, any chance we meet you in London?

Oh, I love The Lord of the Rings! Such a great adventure!

So do I, Mamie, I must have read it over a dozen times and it was time for a re-read :-)

We just finished up marathon watching the movies - not the same, but fun none the less!

Congratulations on your TIOLI sweep, Anita! You're amazing!

>182 FAMeulstee: My group at the library read Between the World and Me for our Racial Equity book club. It was so well-written, so poignant and meaningful, and eye-opening (I guess you can tell that I like it!) There is an audio (English) version, too, read by the author, which almost has another entire layer to it, being in the author's own voice.

Karen O.

Wow, you have read some good books lately! SO many 4+ star ratings. What a ride :)

I just started the first Fiona Griffith. She is a great character isn't she. Your London trip sounds exciting!

Wishing you a nice trip to London Anita. I was really nervous flying a plane for the first time as well. But London is great, and a visit to the Tate, something to look forward to.

I used to take a Dramamine and a Benedryl before each flight. Worked like a charm. I'd start to fall asleep right as we took off and would wake up right as we were landing.

Hi Anita! I'm glad you liked the first two Fiona Griffiths mysteries, and I can tell you that the third one is absolutely stunning! I hope it comes out in translation soon.

Congratulations on your planned trip to London/The Tate in May. How exciting for you, if with a bit of anxiety.

Afternoon, Anita. I'm hoping to read The Lord of the Rings this year too. It would be my first time, though. I have read The Hobbit, and I loved it so I have high hopes. I'm glad you like it well enough to read it over, and over again.

>258 drneutron: I haven't been to LT all day, Jim, totally absorbed by The lord of the rings, traveling with my old friends Frodo, Sam and the others to Rivendell and Lothlórien :-)
I have seen the movies too, they are very true to the book, although a few things were missing.

>259 klobrien2: Thanks Karen!
It was a beautiful, meaningful and heartwrenching read. I can imagine listening to the authors voice would add to the experience.

>260 LovingLit: Hi Megan!
The YA books I am reading from my own collection are mostly awarded books, not a guaranty for good books, but most are. The others are mainly LT finds/recommendations, so most of them very good or even more :-)

>261 Familyhistorian: Yes Meg, Fiona Griffiths is a great and different character. I was glad to find her :-)

>262 EllaTim: Thanks Ella, it is not the plane ride itself I fear, it is more all security measures around them these days. I certainly am looking forward to the trip to London!

>263 Morphidae: I am going to try with valium, Morphy, usually that makes me calm and a bit sleepy. Your combi sounds reassuring too.

>264 karenmarie: I will be eagerly waiting for book 3, Karen!
Most of me is looking forward to the trip to London, a tiny bit of me is more anxious, so I think it will work out well eventually.

>265 thearlybirdy: Oh yes, Birdy, read it, it is one of the best books I have ever read in my life. The first time was in 1976 when I was 13, I started on Friday afternoon and finished Sunday evening. Now I read it again and hope to be able to compare my speed of reading now with way back then

>267 FAMeulstee: Well, I also get motion sick, so the Dramamine helps with that as well.

Hi, Anita! Wow! You are doing some terrific reading. I hope to finally get to My Struggle: Book One soon.

And hooray for Fiona! And hooray for The Lord of the Rings, books and movies!

Best wishes with the flight to London. I have a big fear of airplanes, so I do understand. Ah, for you it is all of the security measures. I think valium should do the trick. Safe and reliable.

I, too, and terrified of flying. I've tried Dramamine in the past, but it just makes me sleep and still terrified. Ha!

Morning, Anita.

>213 FAMeulstee: Yay for this book! Because ... Trumpets!

Good luck on the flight. I'm terrified of flying, but love to visit faraway places. My doctor has been good about prescribing medication to help. 'Tis a conundrum.

>272 scaifea: You need the Benedryl, too!

>269 Morphidae: Since I don't suffer from motion sickness, I didn't know, Morphy.

>270 msf59: Yes Mark, read the My struggle books, I loved the first two and hope to get to the 3rd next month.
I have been absorbed deep into The Lord of the Rings all day and just finished it, it was the first re-read after I had seen the movies and somehow that influenced my reading this time, not in a bad way, but the images in my head were different now.

>271 vancouverdeb: Thank you Deborah, I think I will manage it and it is a few months away.

>272 scaifea: I don't think I will be afraid of flying, Amber, I have been in a small plane half a lifetime ago for a short flight above Rotterdam. I wasn't afaraid of flying, but all the security around airports frighten me...

>273 thearlybirdy: Good afternoon (I guess), Birdy!

>274 michigantrumpet: Thanks Marianne, yes the trumpet is important in that book :-)
If I remember to take the valium it usually does make me calm...

book 33: In de ban van de ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
own, translated from English, original title The Lord of the Rings, 1242 pages

One of the best books I have ever read. I have read it more than a dozen times and still LOVE the story.

January 2017
I have read this month 33 books.

22 of my own and 11 from the library
12 Dutch, 21 translated
27 fiction, 6 non-fiction

14 childrens/YA
4 e-books
19 TIOLI books

6 books with over 600 pages (longest 1242 pages)
5 books with less than 100 pages (shortest 28 pages)

9.756 pages total

I will start my February thread as soon as I have caught up with the treads.

>277 FAMeulstee: "Under the spell of the ring" - interesting translation of the title.

>279 sirfurboy: Yes it is, although "under the spell" isn't exact the same, I can't find a better English translation. I think it is a good title for the book.
The titles of the 3 seperate books are more exact translations of the originals.