EllaTim's 2018 Pleasure of Reading, part three

I loved this picture, hope that Sigrun from weblog Sub Rosa will forgive me for "borrowing" it from her. This is Antiquariaat Brinkman, (https://www.antiquariaatbrinkman.nl/) specializing in books about history, language, and books about books:-)

I'm Ella, living in Amsterdam, with my husband Marc. And an allotment garden where I spend a lot of my time, out of town.

I've been a reader and a library member from the age of six, when my mother gave me a subscription. And now I subscribe to LT, and like it for all the conversations about books, and the opportunity to meet people who love to read as well.

Welcome to all visitors!

Books I'm reading now.

Bewegen voor beginners by Bram Bakker

Ruim Duizend Dagen werk by Koos van Zomeren

De levens van Jan Six by Geert Mak (audiobook)



And the website that has the letters of Vincent Van Gogh, with annotations, and pictures of all art he mentions in his letters!

Books read in 2018:

January

1. Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens (UK, 835 pages) ****1/2 (UK)
2. I capture the Castle by Dodie Smith **** (UK)
3. Love story, with murders by Harry Bingham ***1/2 (UK)
4. The Rainbow Troops by Andrea Hirata **** (Indonesia)

February
5. Niets liever dan zwart by Antjie Krog ****1/2 (South Africa)
6. Brood voor de vogeltjes by Simon Carmiggelt (Dutch) ****
7. The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (USA) ****
8. The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths (UK) ***1/2
9. The Bottle Factory Outing by Beryl Bainbridge (UK) ****
10. Hoe duur was de suiker by Cynthia McLeod (Surinam) ***1/2
11. De vorm van water by Andrea Camilleri (Italy) ****

March
12. Schildpadden tot in het oneindige by John Green *** (USA)
13. Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell, (UK) *****
14. Epitaph for a spy by Eric Ambler (UK) ***1/2
15. Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb (UK) ****1/2
16. Het Dovemansorendieet by Maarten 't Hart (dutch) ****
17. Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb, fantasy (UK) ****1/2

April
18. The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro (UK) ***1/2
19. De Tienduizend Dingen by Maria Dermoût (Dutch, Indonesia) *****
20. Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie (USA) ****
21. Ancillary Sword by Ann Leckie (USA) ****
22. A Man called Ove by Fredrik Backman (Sweden) ****1/2
23. Eeuwelingen by Steffie van den Oord (dutch) ****1/2
24. Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie (USA) ****

May
25. Contrapunt by Anna Enquist (dutch) ****1/2 (208pp)
26. Het Bittere Kruid by Marga Minco (Dutch) ***** (93pp)
27. Fire upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge ***
28. De Cock en de broeders van de zachte dood by A.C. Baantjer (Dutch)***
29. Aarde en Klimaat {Earth and Climate} Dutch by professor Salomon Kroonenberg. ****
30. On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder (USA) *****
31. The Crow Trap by Ann Cleeves (UK) ***

June
32. The Pride of Chanur by C. J. Cherryh (UK), **** (SF) (1982)(237pp)
33. Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes by Robert Louis Stevenson (UK) ***
34. Witches abroad by Terry Pratchett (UK) ****
35. Lords and Ladies by Terry Pratchett (UK) ****
36. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (UK) ***
37. De Voorlezer by Bernhard Schlink (Germany) ****1/2
38. Omweg naar Santiago by Cees Nooteboom (Dutch/Spain, audiobook) **** 1/2
39. The Road to Wigan Pier by George Orwell (UK) ***1/2

July
40. De witte buldog by Boris Akunin (Russia) ***1/2 (English title: Sister Pelagia and the White Bulldog)
41. A buzz in the Meadow by Dave Goulson. (UK, non-fiction) ****1/2
42. Monteverdi by Leo Samama (Dutch) **** (audio)
43. The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde (UK) ****
44. Gebr. by Ted van Lieshout (Dutch) ***1/2 Audiobook, English translation Brothers
45. Elizabeth and her German garden by Elizabeth Von Arnim (UK) ***1/2
46. Abeltje by Annie M. G. Schmidt (dutch) ***

August
47. The long way to a small, angry planet by Becky Chambers (USA) ****
48. A closed and common orbit by Becky Chambers (USA) ****
49. We were eight years in power: An American Tragedy by Ta-Nehisi Coates ****1/2
50. Kwartet by Anna Enquist (Dutch, audio) ****
51. The song of the Quarkbeast by Jasper Fforde (UK) ***1/2
52. Het Water komt by Gerda van Wageningen (Dutch) ***
53. The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng (Malaysia) ***
54. De Cock en het lijk in de kerstnacht (Dutch) ***1/2
55. Ja Omdenken als levenshouding by Berthold Gunster (Dutch) ****

September
56. Just one damned thing after another by Jodi Taylor ** (UK)
57. Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen by Lois McMaster Bujold (USA) ***
58. Vox by Christina Dalcher (SF, USA) ***1/2
59. Wij weten niets van hun lot by Bart van der Boom (Dutch, non-fiction)****1/2
60. The Cuckoo's calling by Robert Galbraith (UK) ***1/2
61. Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik ****1/2
62. Het Bomenboek by Koos van Zomeren (dutch) ****1/2

October
63. Absolution by Murder by Peter Tremayne (UK) ***1/2 (historic mystery fiction)
64. Happiness by Aminatta Forna (UK) ****

November
65. The Overstory by Richard Powers (USA) *****
66. Right ho, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse (UK) ****
67. The Spirit catches you and you fall down by Anne Fadiman (USA) ****1/2
68. Private peaceful by Michael Morpugo (UK)***
69. Er zijn nog 17 miljoen wachtenden voor u by Sander Heijne (Dutch) *****
70. The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith (UK) ****
71. Het Vogelhuis by Eva Meijer (Dutch) ****

December
72. Verre Jaren by Konstantin Paustovskij (Russia) ****1/2
73. Binti by Nnedi Okorafor (fantasy) ****
74. Garnethill by Denise Mina (UK) ****
75. Doomsday Book by Connie Willis (USA) ****1/2
76. Poes, poes, poes by Annie M. G. Schmidt (Dutch) ***
77. De tachtigjarige oorlog by Judith Pollman (dutch, audio) ****
78. Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier ****
79. No is not enough by Naomi Klein ****1/2
80. Onrustige Jeugd by Konstantin Paustovskij (Rus) ****1/2

DNF
- The Taxidermist's Daughter by Kate Mosse
- Het achtste leven (voor Brilka) / Nino Haratischwili Didn't finish this one, partly because of it's length, partly because it didn't grab me. And then I had to return it to the library
- De Thibaults deel 1 by Roger Martin-du Gard, read five of the six books it is comprised off, found the sixth too heavy for my mood.
- Congo by David van Reybrouck, just too much, I guess
- Dochter van de verhalenverteller by Saira Shah
- Buzz Aldrin, What Happened to You in All the Confusion? by Johan Harstad (Norway)

Best Fiction, top ten
1. Verre Jaren by Konstantin Paustovskij (Russia) *****
Het Bittere Kruid by Marga Minco (Dutch) ***** (93pp)
Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell, (UK) *****
De Tienduizend Dingen by Maria Dermoût (Dutch, Indonesia) *****

The Overstory by Richard Powers (USA) ****1/2
Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens (UK, 835 pages) ****1/2 (UK)
Contrapunt by Anna Enquist (dutch) ****1/2 (208pp)
De Voorlezer by Bernhard Schlink (Germany) ****1/2
Doomsday Book by Connie Willis (USA) ****1/2
Onrustige Jeugd by Konstantin Paustovskij (Rus) ****1/2

So hard to narrow it down, so three more:
Niets liever dan zwart by Antjie Krog ****1/2 (South Africa)
A Man called Ove by Fredrik Backman (Sweden) ****1/2
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik ****1/2

Best Non-Fiction
Er zijn nog 17 miljoen wachtenden voor u by Sander Heijne (Dutch) *****
On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder (USA) *****

The Spirit catches you and you fall down by Anne Fadiman (USA) ****1/2
No is not enough by Naomi Klein ****1/2
Het Bomenboek by Koos van Zomeren (dutch) ****1/2
Wij weten niets van hun lot by Bart van der Boom (Dutch, non-fiction)****1/2
Eeuwelingen by Steffie van den Oord (dutch) ****1/2
Omweg naar Santiago by Cees Nooteboom (Dutch/Spain, audiobook) **** 1/2
We were eight years in power: An American Tragedy by Ta-Nehisi Coates ****1/2

Reading around the world:


visited 33 states (14.6%)

Create your own visited map of The World

Challenges I try to participate in:

BAC
January
I capture the castle by Dodie Smith
February
The Bottle Factory Outing by Beryl Bainbridge
March
Epitaph for a spy by Eric Ambler
April
The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro
May
The Crow Trap by Ann Cleeves
June
Travels with a donkey in the Cévennes by Robert Louis Stevenson

AAC
February
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

Non-fiction Challenge
January
No is not Enough by Naomi Klein (started, finished in december)
February: biography
Dickens biography (started) by Claire Tomalin
March: travel
And April: history
Detour to Santiago by Cees Nooteboom works for both themes
May: Maps, geography
Salomon Kroonenberg
June: the Outdoors
A buzz in the Meadow by Dave Goulson
July: The Arts
Monteverdi by Leo Samama (Dutch) **** (audio)
August: Short and Sweet
September:
October:
November:
December: leftovers
No is not enough by Naomi Klein

That's it, go ahead and post, visitors welcome!

Interesting sites for readers.

https://www.neerlandistiek.nl/tag/196-sonnetten/page/20/
The history of the Dutch language in 196 sonnets. Plan is to read them all, just finished number one.

http://laurensjzcoster.blogspot.com/
Dutch poetry, recent and old.

That's it, come on in, and welcome!

Happy new thread, Ella!

Hi Ella and happy new thread to you!

From your last thread, I'm so glad you liked The Cuckoo's Calling. Rowling is quite versatile. I admit that I only tolerated her first non-Harry Potter effort, The Casual Vacancy, but these mysteries are quite wonderful.

Happy new Theead, Ella.

Happy new thread!

Happy New Thread, Ella! I love your bookstore topper. Home is Where the Books Are! Indeed!

Happy new thread Ella my dear.

Happy new thread, Ella, lovely bookshop at the top!
Liked all books by Koos van Zomeren and Geert Mak, but haven't read those two yet.

Happy new thread!

Happy New Thread, Ella. Love the bookstore topper!

Happy new one!! LOVE the topper with the little sign in the window.

BTW--Cormoran Strike showed up on my doorstep today--yay!

Happy New Thread, Ella. Hope you are enjoying Spinning Silver as much as I did.

Thanks, Anita, Marc, Kim and Roni!

>17 Berly: Have fun Kim, I keep hearing it's good!

>18 ronincats: I'm enjoying Spinning Silver very much, it's really good. I must have found it on your thread, I guess. So thanks for the BB!

Happy New Thread, Ella!

We're back home, and I'm finally catching up on LT. It was a pleasure for Debbi and me to meet you in person in Amsterdam - that was a fun dinner, wasn't it. Thanks for making the time.

I just finished the 4th Cormoran Strike and Robin mystery, Lethal White, and loved it. If you liked that first one, the series is a good one.

>20 jnwelch: Hi Joe! it was nice meeting you, and Debbi! She's good company as well.

What a trip you have had, I loved your London stories. But punting I can do in my own backyard;-)

It's so good to start a series you like, and know there's more to come.

I hope to get to Amsterdam again soon, Ella and would love to meet up.

Have a lovely weekend and thanks for all the visits when I was MIA.

Hi Paul, good to see you again! Real life demands sometimes, can't be helped. Would be nice to have you visit Amsterdam! I could take you book shopping;-)

61. Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik ****1/2



Fantasy.

Naomi Novik does a wonderful fairy tale retelling. Well, I do think there are elements of several fairy tales involved.

But here is the millers daughter from Rumpelstiltskin. Only, here she is the daughter of an impoverished Jewish moneylender, who takes over his job. She does very well, getting her family out of poverty again, until she is visited by the Winter King, who demands she turns his silver into gold.

A very satisfying and interesting story follows, that also involves, for instance, the fire demon Chernobog, who also plays a part in the opera Rusland and Ludmila.

Can't tell more, don't want to give away more of the story!

62. Het Bomenboek by Koos van Zomeren (dutch) ****1/2



Non-fiction.

This book contains a large number of small pieces, all about trees. The form is the result of how it was written, as a series of columns for the dutch paper, the NRC. In fact each piece has about a 1000 words, no more.

The book was a pleasure to read. Koos van Zomeren is a journalist, a writer, and a nature lover, but not a tree specialist. For this series he has talked with a number of people, tree specialists, ecologists, people who specialize in nature conservation. The result is a very informational book, but written in a light, and easy style. It's very interesting, and very readable. He often writes about visiting a tree, a forest, or a city, with one of these specialists, looking at the trees, what can be seen. So it's a non-fiction in a journalistic style. Van Zomeren had to keep every piece within this frame of 1000 words, and he has made an art of it.

And of course there are some pieces about birds, that are among the nicest, as he is a real bird lover.

A good inspiration to maybe do some more reading about books, maybe The Overstory, or The Hidden Life of Trees or Barkskins? I'll have to see.

>62 EllaTim: Good reaview, Ella, it is on my library list.
Both The hidden life of trees and Barkskins were great reads for me, the first is a lot shorter than the second ;-)

Hi Anita, I think I'd like to read both, and The Overstory as well;-) Greedy...

Went and saw Michael Moore's new movie, Fahrenheit 11/9. Definitely a movie with an agenda, but I thought it interesting and worth while. I am not an American, so lots of what he shows was new to me (Flint, parts of the very moving campaign against gun violence etc).

He ends with excerpts of an interview with Timothy Snyder. And a call to action. So you can agree or disagree with what he says, but for me, the movie does make me think.

Happy new thread, Ella! I love the bookshop photo in message 1. It was great to have met you over dinner in Amsterdam next month, and seeing you, Anita & Frank in Amsterdam and Utrecht, and Connie (connie53) and Sanne (ennas) in 's-Hertogenbosch has encouraged me to visit the Netherlands at least once a year.

I had no idea that Michael Moore had made a movie titled "Fahrenheit 11/9". I saw "Fahrenheit 9/11" many years ago, and for a secon I thought that your post was a typo! That movie is currently playing in my local arts cinema in Midtown Atlanta, so I may try to see it later this week.

>28 kidzdoc: Hy Darryl! It was so nice to meet you all! I saw your photos of Den Bosch, you have reminded me to go see it as well;-)

Glad you had a good time here!

I had to look the title of Michael Moore's movie up, as I kept mixing it up with his earlier movie. Warning: there is a lot of Trump in it, but it isn't the majority. He also shows positive things. I was very much impressed by some of the people he talks with, like the group from Flint.

>27 EllaTim: I just saw there is a Dutch translation of The Overstory: Tot in de hemel, so I added it to my library list.

>30 FAMeulstee: Right! That's wonderful, there's been so much love for this book in LT.

And I bet you'll have it finished before me then;-)

61. Absolution by Murder by Peter Tremayne (UK) ***1/2 (historic mystery fiction)



This mystery revolves around Irish nun sister Fidelma. It is set in the 7th century AD.

Fidelma has been called to a church synod, will the church in Northumberland be following the Irish customs, or those of Rome. Tempers run high, and politics plays a large part.

But then a woman is murdered, and Fidelma is asked to investigate.

The setting of this novel is interesting, 7th century, the dark ages. The Irish customs and laws for women as opposed to these of the Saxons, were much more enlightened.

The writing is a bit stilted though, and I thought Peter Tremayne was laying it on a bit too thick, making sister Fidelma a bit annoying. Still, it was interesting and enjoyable, for anyone who loves this genre.

I'm also eager to read The Overstory but I decided to take a break of listening to literary fiction and nonfiction and listen to something scary for October. When I'm done with The Passage, I'll probably get The Overstory.

Hi Rachel! Have fun with the scary one! The Overstory will wait.

I have picked my first pumpkins and found two that had been partially eaten by mice, made me think of Halloween!



I'm usually not much of a fan of scary books, I thought of reading a Stephen King, for Marc's AAC, but it would have to be one of his lighter books;-)

\redacted\

I've not seen his new film, but his misogyny and his dumb "the primary was rigged" comments have irked me since 2016.

Sorry to swan in to your thread on such a weird note. :)

Edited: grammar correction

>35 libraryperilous: Hi Diana. Hm, let me think. Political discussions over the internet can turn out bad, in my experience. But I do want to stick up for Michael Moore.

I have not seen his earlier movie, but I understand that it was controversial. I looked it up in the IMDB, pretty mixed comments!

In this movie I didn't see any misogyny, to the contrary, Moore is enthusiastic about the number of new female candidates for the coming elections.

And what I see is Moore trying to understand the election of Trump, trying to get a grip on current political issues, like the influence of privatisation, big money and big corporations. This is a big issue in my country, Holland, at the moment as well. So I thought this really interesting.

And trying to point to a way forward, promoting good democratic means like good elections. Not so bad in all.

Happy Friday, Ella. I like Michael Moore. My favorite of his, is Bowling For Columbine but I am not sure I want to see his latest. I am not sure it would offer anything fresh. We are stuck in this nightmare right now.

I recently requested The Overstory. I would also like to read The Hidden Life of Trees. I would also highly recommend The Man Who Climbs Trees.

>37 msf59: - I haven't yet read The Hidden Life of Trees but it appeals to me very much. Yesterday, I was in a bookstore and saw a large illustrated edition of it. Well, they were photos, not illustrations. It looked gorgeous. I have to see if my library has that version.

>32 EllaTim: A branch of my library has some books of him. I put it on my list. It reminds me of Ariana Franklin's Mistress of the Art of Death series, which is very good.

Happy weekend, Ella.

Hi Ella!

>34 EllaTim: Wow, pumpkins eaten by mice.

I'm reading Lisey's Story for Mark's Stephen King AAC Challenge. It's not terribly scary right now, but I'm only reading it in the day time! I have no idea where it's going, but I'm really liking it, having read 159 of 512 pages.

I'm boycotting US news and politics right now because of the devastating confirmation of Kavanaugh. I'll be turning to the BBC only for a while and skipping anything about my terriby-afflicted country. Sigh.

>37 msf59: Hi Marc! Yes, I can imagine. I think this movie is easier when you are an outsider, and probably a lot would not be new, when you follow American news rather closely. For me, it was interesting and offered good perspective.

Oh yes The Man Who Climbs Trees. Not available in my library yet, but looking at a Dutch online book seller I can buy it, along with scores of other attractive books ...:-)

>38 jessibud2: Hi Shelley, Oh, that sounds wonderful. Good illustrations can add a lot.

>39 Ameise1: Hi Barbara! Yes, sounds a bit similar. I like this kind of book mostly because of the historical background. Will start looking for her. Thanks for the suggestion.

>Hi Karen. And I found another half-eaten pumpkin today. Maybe I should harvest them earlier? The mice make a start and then they tunnel inside, and can eat cosily sitting in their food:-)

The problem with some of his books was that they start well, rather slow, but full of suspense, and then things start getting faster and I usually like that second half far less. Will wait on your report I think;-)

I totally get that. Good idea, skipping to the BBC.

Had a busy weekend at the allotment. The whole month is going to be busy there. But we had wonderful weather, sunny and warm during the day. Then a cool night with some rain and lots of wind, and then a sunny day again. Ideal.

And no WiFi access unless I walk to our common canteen.

So very good for reading, I'm making good progress in Happiness, by Aminatta Forna and liking it a lot.

Started in De kunst van het Woord. A selection of the best letters of Vincent Van Gogh, but it's a daunting 1030 pages. I'm a bit taken aback by that!

>42 EllaTim: More good weather for you working at the allotment is on the way, Ella, so maybe you can get through the letters of Vincent :-)

Sorry the mice are getting to your pumpkins, Ella! Glad you also very much liked Spinning Silver.

>43 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita! Yes, very nice weather expected. I will make use of it, and I have to be there early on Saturday. So I'll be spending at least one night, maybe more.

I found a site that contains all his letters, with annotations, and illustrations of all the art that is mentioned in the letters. It's wonderful, but I need Wifi access to use it.

>Hi Roni. My brother said they could also be rats, I hope not. There's this little hole in the ground, where they have pulled a small pumpkin to their doorstep and almost eaten it there. I need a cat! Or anything that will eat mice.

Reading Van Goghs early letters, I'm quite surprised that he was such a religious person. At the time of these letters he is clearly interested in art, writes often of what he likes, but he is preparing for a career as a preacher. And that is obviously his main ambition. It's unexpected, I've never seen a painting of his hand that has any obviously religious theme.

We went to see a movie tonight
The Children Act, with Emma Thompson. story after the book by Ian McEwan.

Emma Thompson plays a judge who has to decide in a case of the son of religious parents (Jehova's Witnesses) who won't allow him to get life saving blood transfusions, because of their religious beliefs.

Emma Thompson is really very good, very convincing, and the story of the movie interesting and touching.

64. Happiness by Aminatta Forna (UK) ****



The story of two very different people, Attila, a psychiatrist from Ghana, specialising in trauma and PTSD, and Jean, a biologist from the USA. They both have come to London, and there they meet by accident.

Attila' nephew has been lost, and together they start looking for him, helped by a network of Jean's: people who were helping her with her study of Londons foxes.

I liked this book a lot, its writing, how colourful the story is, the way she describes the people. It's really worth the read. I found the story of Jean, and her love for nature something I could empathise with easily. Attila a very interesting person.

Still, there were some drawbacks, I felt there was a lot of theorising going on, in the background. Of course a writer chooses the story, the people, it's fiction, and wants to tell us something, but here the message felt too much.
I also felt the book would have benefitted from some editing, the wolf and coyote stories did not seem to add much.

So criticism, but I can still recommend reading this book, wholeheartedly.

Harvest time, yesterday. Pumpkins, lots of them, I 'll hand some to neighbors and friends:-) Today the potatoes, then there still are some leeks and small stuff.

Busy weekend ahead at the allotment, my own garden and community stuff. Hope to get some reading done, but I will be absent from LT for a few days, sorry!

Hope I can get started in The Overstory

>47 EllaTim: I don't know how closely the film follows the book, Ella, but it does sound interesting.

My weekend is about to start. I hope you enjoy yours. xx

Good luck with the harvest, Ella.
The weather this weekend will be nice to spend at the allotment :-)

Happy Friday, Ella. Good review of Happiness. I liked that book as well. I also have a library copy of The Overstory. I am starting that one next.

Nice review of Happiness, Ella. I hope to get to it before the year is out.

Congratulations on your successful harvest!

Echoing what Darryl said, Ella. I liked your review of Happiness, and you've got me thinking about reading it.

I'm glad it worked out well at the allotment. That was where you were headed, I think, when Debbi and I last saw you.

>48 EllaTim: Nice review. Have you read other books by this author?
>49 EllaTim: It looks like you have a great harvest.
Happy weekend, Ella.

Hi Ella!

Good luck with the community, harvest and the allotment work.

Happy Sunday, Ella!
I love pumpkins! No allotment, but there's an organic farm with shop two minutes from my house and in the last 5 weeks I had pumpkin/ butternut in some form 4 days out of 7 and still not betting tired. Btw the weather here turned so hot again, on Friday I passed a little private garden on my way home and saw strawberries ripening.

I bought The Overstory a while ago and want to get to it soon.

>50 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul! I didn't read the book, could be interesting to compare book and movie.

>51 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita, harvest not done completely, but the weather is still holding. It was wonderful this weekend.

>52 msf59: Hi Marc. Nice to know we will be reading together, then.

>53 kidzdoc: Hi Darryl, so many good books to read. I'm following your thread, as always, to see what you are picking.

>54 jnwelch: That's right, Joe. Saturday is an early start, and I usually spend the night before over there.

>55 Ameise1: Hi Barbara, no this was my first book by her. I read that she has received a prize for an earlier book. I really liked her style.
(35 pumpkins and some more very small ones still waiting;-) Nonsense to grow so many, but I didn't have time for more sensible choices.

>56 karenmarie: Thanks Karen!

>57 Deern: Hi Nathalie. That's nice, to have such a resource so close by. There are lots of different recipes using pumpkins, so they don't get boring. I usually make soup, what is your favourite?
Strawberries, wow.

Hi Ella, hope you had a good weekend my dear, sending love and hugs dear friend.

Hi John, hugs right back at you. We had a very nice weekend, enjoying the autumn weather. Hope the same for you!

Good to hear that you got some pumpkins. That must be satisfying. Personally, I'm going to a pumpkin patch next Sunday - so I guess we're taking the lazy way out. :)

>61 The_Hibernator: Ah, a pumpkin patch, is that like "pick your own pumpkin?" Hope you get nice weather for it. And growing pumpkins is lazy business, they will grow anyway;-)

Hi Ella! I hope you're having a lovely Sunday.

Hi Karen. Thanks. I'm having a lazy day. Have done too much last week, and now my back is protesting.

Listening to De Levens van Jan Six. It's a history of the family Six, a real Amsterdam patrician family, but through them of Amsterdam and Holland. Very interesting. I realise that I have heard about a lot of the things Geert Mak writes about, but never understood their meaning or importance. Must read more history!

My reading around the world goal is not going well. I had to return my choice for Afghanistan to the library. Only half read, and I don't feel an inclination to finish it.

So DNF
Dochter van de verhalenverteller by Saira Shah

Sorry, I never felt a click with it. I just felt annoyed at her recklessness. It's hard to say.

I am reading The Overstory and loving it!

Happy Wednesday, Ella! Glad you started The Overstory and are enjoying it. An epic read.

Hi Ella!

As far as Afghanistan goes, did you ever read The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini? It's got some squeamish bits but well worth the read.

Just dropping by to wish you a wonderful Wednesday!

>66 msf59: Hi Marc! Thanks. Epic for sure. I'm not going fast as this is an emotionally involving book. But I love it.

>67 karenmarie: Hi Karen. Yes, I read The Kite Runner and liked it. I was looking for some more books from this region though.

>68 figsfromthistle: Thanks Anita!

Yay for The Overstory! I loved that one, too, Ella.

Hi, Ella! Sorry your Afghanistan book didn't hook you. Sometimes it happens, and, the older I get, the less inclined I am to force myself to finish.

So, three votes for The Overstory! Definitely going to have to check it out.

>Hi Mary! Exactly, no forcing. Let's do what we like to do:-)

Yes, definitely, check it out!

Yesterday was icy cold, rain and wind. Today started a bit better, and when the sun came out we decided to go to the allotment. So this afternoon was spent digging a ditch, preparing next year's pumpkin patch and clearing leaves.

And still some harvesting: two pumpkins, two mini-zucchini, three apples and five medlars.

I've been grumbling about those awful willows, and their leaves. Very hard to clear off a garden path, as narrow as they are they stick to the soil after a bit of rain. But I'll be continuing The Overstory anyway:-)

I'm glad you are enjoying The Overstory, Ella! I'm afraid the length scares me, and I'm not sure that I'm going to like the book. I try not to force myself to read too many books, but I was pleasantly surprised by Washington Black

Great work in the allotment. We are getting more rain now, but it has been unreasonably warm. I'm so shocked when I have to get out my squeegee to wipe off my car windows in the evening. So much moisture in the air now. So much work, this wiping off of the windshields! :-)

Hi Deb! Yes it is lengthy. I'm reading something lighter and shorter at the same time:-)

Hearing lots of praise for Washington Black here. It sounds good.

Lol!

Hi Ella!

I've never heard of medlars - I am now medlar-aware. I've never heard of bletting either, so lots of new info today!

Hi Karen! Those medlars are pretty new to me too. We planted them (in a common part of the allotment) a few years ago. There is a harvest now, but you have to wait until they start to rot, before you can eat them. I'm waiting, what will it be like?

Please report back on bletted medlars. *smile*

>78 karenmarie: Will do so!

Movie night. We saw Loro, by director Paolo Sorrentino
IMDB: Set mostly in his Sardinian mansion, Silvio Berlusconi's personality, politic career, scandals, relationship with his wife and ambiguous heritage are presented through partially fictional events.

I had a friend from Italy who moved to Holland partly because of Berlusconi. But what attracted Italians to him, how could he get elected and elected again?
In Loro Sorrentino gives his view on Berlusconi, and his world, and the culture he was surrounded by. Not much fun to see, especially when it comes to women, but enlightening.

If you are reading The Overstory, I can completely understand your need for a light, short book .

>80 vancouverdeb: Hi Deb. True, it is very good, but I find myself having to take a breather regularly:-)

>77 EllaTim: How nice you have medlar trees at the allotment, Ella. I have never tasted them myself, I hope you like them. I think you can harvest them after frost, or do you harvest them now and put them in the freezer?

Hi Anita. They are new to me too. My dad used to say medlars taste wonderful, but he never planted one.

The trees are very easy, they are now some four years old, very healthy, growing well, and giving lots of fruit.

I looked it up, you can harvest them about now. And then wait for them to go soft before eating.

Watched a new English detective series tonight "Unforgotten", very good! Next instalment next Saturday.

65. The Overstory by Richard Powers (USA) *****



It took me some time to finish this tome. It's an emotional read. Dealing with destruction of trees and environment, and what we humans are doing to cause that. But also giving a wonderful view of trees, making you see them differently.

This will probably be my choice of best for my reading year.

>84 EllaTim: Sounds very good, Ella, I am looking forward to read it myself.

66. Right ho, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse (UK) ****



Light and funny. Bertie Wooster feels a bit slighted because Jeeves gets called the man with the brains. He's got brains as well, he thinks. So he's determined to solve some problems on his own. Unfortunately.

I had read this one before, but I must have seen the TV series as well! Couldn't remember a thing about it, but I kept seeing Hugh Laurie as Bertie Wooster;-)

(I looked it up, episodes of the series can still be watched on YouTube!)

Reading now Er zijn nog 17 miljoen wachtenden voor u by Sander Heijne



About the joys of privatisation and free market thinking. A frustrating read. But at least it's a book about the economy that I can understand!

Just bought The Overstory from Audible. I'm really looking forward to it.

>88 The_Hibernator: Sounds interesting, I will see if I can find it at the library.

>88 The_Hibernator: I hope you'll love it, Rachel!
>89 FAMeulstee: I'm reading it as an ebook from the library. It is interesting.

Movie night:
Stalker by Andrej Tarkovsky



To me this is one of the most mysterieus movies I've seen. There is a forbidden zone, where something unknown has happened, and now people keep disappearing there. Authorities have looked the zone off. Still, there are rumours that there is a place there, where all your wishes will be granted. A guide, the Stalker, can lead people through it, but it is a dangerous place.

The movie was made in 1979, but the scenery, and the story, remind strongly of the disaster in Chernobyl. But that took place after the movie was made! The scenery is wonderful, the movie is worth seeing just because of it's visual impact even if I keep feeling I don't get the message:-)

I have seen an other movie by Tarkovsky: Andrej Roebljov, set in Russia in th Middle ages. That one was also mysterious with a beautiful scenery. Tarkovsky must have had a special talent to make movies like that.

Sweet Thursday, Ella. Hooray for The Overstory. I gave it 5 stars too. One of my favorites of the year.

I saw "The Stalker" many years ago. I should try to track it down again.

>91 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita. I think you're right. My husband is the movie lover between the two of us. He is a Tarkovsky fan, so when a Tarkovsky movie is shown, we usually go and see it. I've seen Solaris, and that meets the same criteria.

>92 msf59: Hi Marc. This was a reissue. The old movie, with all it's damage from showing and moving and cutting, completely cleaned up for digital viewing. We are very near the Filmmuseum, the movie museum of Amsterdam, they will show old movies next to all the new releases. Is there some similar option where you live?

>93 EllaTim: We are very near the Filmmuseum
The advantages of living in the big city! :-)
Lelystad is cultural (and now also medical) waste land...

>94 FAMeulstee: Yes, lots of movie theatres. And Lelystad doesn't even have one?
The medical waste land is a stinker! I've been following the reaction in Amsterdam to the closing of the Slotervaart, anger, shock, bewilderment. But I guess Lelystad will be even more upset.

>95 EllaTim: Only one, a combined building in the city with both theatre and cinema.
Yes, it is! Can't get an acccident now in the night, as they closed the emergency care at night. For people from Urk a hospital is now at least 45 minutes away by car. Banks are saved from bankrupcy, it looks like hospitals will not.

>96 FAMeulstee: - I wonder, Anita, if things might change if someone from the government (or whoever actually makes these decisions), suddenly needs a hospital in the middle of the night. If one of their children, for example, has an accident and the distance to a hospital proves too far to be helpful. Maybe it will take such an incident for those bureaucrats to understand that their actions have real-life serious consequences.

Sigh...unlikely, right?

>97 jessibud2: Such an incident might change things, Shelley, although it is unlikely. On the other hand I would not wish something bad to happen to anyone at all.
The problem is two sided, after the hospital filed for bankruptcy, they tried to keep the emergency open 24/7. Due to incertainty of their jobs, many staff members went away to other more certain jobs, so now there is not enough staff left for 24 hours a day.

Oh good. So glad you loved The Overstory that much, Ella. Me, too!

And I’m a big Bertie and Jeeves fan. Wonderful for lightening the heart.

>98 FAMeulstee: - Oh, no, I never meant to imply I wished something bad on anyone, just that until the decision-makers actually experienced the consequences of their decisions, perhaps then they might consider other possible solutions. Everything boils down to money, sadly, doesn't it?

>100 jessibud2: Oh no, Shelley, I ment that I hope no accidents would happen at all, and certainly not before the emergency is back to 24/7.
Sometimes writing exactly what you mean is difficult!

(Sorry Ella, for hijacking your thread)

>101 FAMeulstee: Never mind, Anita, I'm interested in the discussion. I hope you get your 24 hour ER back, as fast as possible. Closing a whole hospital, Slotervaart, here in Amsterdam, is having consequences as well. The hospital was based in West, that has a large population of people from Marokko and Turkey. They had a service for elderly people from those groups, that is much needed, I think. But no ER in a whole province!

>99 jnwelch: Hi Joe! Yes, I loved it. And hurray, for Bertie and Jeeves:-)

>102 EllaTim: There is one ER left in the province, in Almere. For us that is relatively near. But from Urk it is as far as Sneek, Zwolle or Harderwijk (the nearest ERs in other provinces).

ETA: Slotervaart is sad too. Today it looks like they still have a chance, but Loek de Winter is part of this group that wants to take over. And he created this mess.

>103 FAMeulstee: Almere isn't exactly a central location!

I read about the plans. The medical specialists are okay with it, but they have asked for Loek Winter not to be a part, and it seems there is agreement about that.
Yes, and I would like to know how and who more is responsible. Zilveren Kruis is my assurance company as well, should I be looking for a different one?

>104 EllaTim: As far as I understand Loek de Winter continued buying German anti-cancer(?) medicines, despite the fact they would not be refunded by the health assurance, this was announced long time ago. He closed the lab that made these medicines some years ago, because that needed a big investment. He owned part of the German factory, and was working to start a similair company in the Netherlands. The finance shortage was completely due to this, so I can understand that Zilveren Kruis stopped sponsering. The financial gap would only keep growing with many 100.000s every month.
We are not leaving Zilveren Kruis yet.

>105 FAMeulstee: Of course, when money is being robbed by tricks, and I hear That's what happened, you can't blame an insurance company for wanting to stop this. still, the way they did it, people being moved within just a few days, no preparation at all, that should have been handled differently. I'll give them some time, don't have to decide yet;-)

>105 FAMeulstee: >106 EllaTim: We are looking now to switch to DSW. Originally they were only active in Rijnmond, but they went on to nationwide service.

>107 FAMeulstee: I'll have to start comparing:-(

We went to the movies again today. My husband had to go to the hospital for treatment. It's not a very difficult one, really not, but who likes the hospital? So afterward we go do something fun.
Today we saw "The Ancient Woods" by a Lithuanian filmer, and biologist, Mindaugas Survila. He worked on it for ten years, and the result is a remarkable movie.



This picture is from a scene at the beginning where a couple of ravens are trying to get an eagle to leave. They are very clever about it.

Remarkable because of the quality of the shots, but also because there was no voice-over, and no music. Instead he uses all nature sounds he has recorded to link scenes together, and give a very natural background.

Only slightly negative point, and really only because of having read The Overstory but nearly all attention goes to animals, the trees are just the scenery.

This was an afternoon movie, we had a cup of coffee at the movie theatre, and left through the back doorway, finding ourselves at the day market, Amsterdam West, never saw so many greengrocers in one market. Lots of them originally Turkish. We bought Turkish mandarin oranges, slightly bitter, avocados, lemons, fish, pomegranates (two varieties), and hummus, and an aubergine mousse, called baba ganoush. What fun, we will go back there!

67. The Spirit catches you and you fall down by Anne Fadiman (USA) ****1/2

Very interesting, though also sad. The story of the small daughter of Hmong refugees who is treated for epilepsy by the local, American hospital. A hospital in a town that had a lot of Hmong refugees. The book shows how difficult it was for her doctors to effectively treat the girl, because of the large cultural differences, the problems in communication, for starters, but also how difficult it must have been to really understand such a different worldview.

I thought it was very well written, eye opening. The book shows clearly how essential it is to understand each other, and also how difficult that can be.

>108 EllaTim: - That sounds like an amazing film, Ella. Thanks, I will look for it here. We get a lot of foreign films in Toronto. I love markets and the one you found sounds great. I adore baba ganoush, and there are many varieties of it, too. I buy it fairly frequently.

>109 EllaTim: - I read this book a few yeas ago and thought it was excellent. The author did a lot of research and homework for the book and her writing is wonderful, too.

Hi Ella!

>109 EllaTim: I read this book for a January 2008 book club meeting and was deeply moved by it. Here's the review I wrote at the time: karenmarie's 2007 review

>110 jessibud2: Hi Shelley! Yes, I hope you can get to see it in Toronto. I can imagine though that Canada has it's own choice of nature movies? You probably, almost certainly have more unspoiled forests than we have.

It is nice isn't it, to be able to stay home and still have a taste of things from around the globe?

>111 karenmarie: Hi Karen! I liked your review. I had the same reaction, like being torn between the two parties, sometimes empathising more with the doctors, sometimes with the family.
The part in the middle, it did feel intrusive. My thought was that she added it in to give a perspective on the Hmong. Why were there so many refugees, why can't they find jobs? It must have led to problems and criticism.

I loved Anne Fadiman's writing!

Hi Ella! I've enjoyed getting caught up with your thread.

Which Afghanistan book were you reading that didn't work out for you?

I'm glad you liked The Overstory, too. I'm considering nominating for my real life book club to read in 2019. Unfortunately, we have members that nix anything over 300 pages, so it might be a bit long - and involved.

I grew up in Missoula, Montana where there quite a few Hmong refugees. We had a family on the next block that we were told was headed by a very distinguished general. I never met any of them, though, as they stayed very much to themselves, which made getting acquainted nearly impossible and of course, started numerous rumors. Several years later, my father helped with a church collective that had many sewing machines in a church basement - these women were wonderful seamstresses and fabric artists. The church had declared someone from one of the congregations had to 'oversee' the work while these women used the machines. My father knew nothing about sewing or sewing machines but he had a very open spirit.

The Hmong were allies of the US, and when Vietnam fell, many felt that they would be targeted for extinction by the Communists. They lived in very remote places in Southeast Asia and many had only the most basic of schooling; many spoke little to no English. I'm sure life was very difficult for them.

>113 streamsong: Hi Janet!

The Afghanistan book The storytellers daughter.

The Overstory is definitely over 300 pages. But it's worth it.

Interesting story, about the Hmong. I can understand a little from the book why they would keep so much to themselves. Good for your father, an open spirit! I sometimes think what it would be like to be a refugee in a country with a very different culture, and I think I'd find it very hard.

68. Private peaceful by Michael Morpugo (UK)

Read for the British author challenge. Theme was the First World War. Well timed of course.

I hadn't expected to find this so bleak! It's a book for children, and I don't know how they find it, of course.
I don't know what I had expected, of course a book about war should be bleak. Better than heroics, at least more truthful. But as it's a book for children I must have thought it would be a bit lighter, or easier.

This is not a review, of course, just me processing.

>115 EllaTim: I loved Private peaceful, it is a sad story, but so well told.

>116 FAMeulstee: Well told certainly, it just has me protesting because everything pointed so inevitably to a bad ending. Personal reaction, not review. I have read Pat Barker's Regeneration some years ago, and found that somehow easier to take, I would have thought it would be the other way round, but no.

Not much reading today, I chaired a meeting and my head was ringing from it all evening. Takes some time to relax enough to be able to concentrate. Listening to music now instead. Benjamin Britten.

Hm... have I ever eaten a medlar? I don't think so.

>84 EllaTim: Happy of course that you loved The Overstory so much! Definitely among my top 5 in 2018 and I'll buy it for my parents who as usual won't read it.

I didn't see "Loro" and only read about it now in a German weekly. Well, I live in a cinema-free town. But I've seen 2 or 3 other Sorrentinos on TV and there's something over-stylized (or over-hedonistic?) that goes a bit against me. Maybe in a good way though. There's never much dialogue, and I'm never sure if it's critique or adoration or both. In the end, his films are quite true. It is a strange country full of contradictions. People will say one thing (like we want reforms and a vision for the future) and then do something completely different (elect Berlusconi or the Lega, hoping for a little personal advantage). Maybe because they learned not to trust authorities and so do their best to enjoy the moment.

>107 FAMeulstee: Oh, I'd love to see this one!

>Hi Nathalie! No cinema at all? What a difference. We have a monthly subscription and can go see an unlimited number of movies if we want to. A bit of an indulgence because my husband needs some fun at the moment;-)

We were supposed to go see a different movie, I wouldn't have chosen Sorrentino otherwise. His other movies do not really appeal to me. But this one was interesting. I can't say I understand Italy, but maybe it's generally true that people are attracted to what looks appealing, to power and success. There was critique of it, in this movie certainly because he ended the movie with shots of Aquila.

Happy Saturday, Ella. I hope the books are treating you well. You asked about a movie theater, that specializes in showing older, classic films. These revival- type theaters would be deep in the city. I don't get down there much, although I do enjoy seeing these films on the big screen. I did this a lot during the '90s.

>67 karenmarie: Hooray, for The Spirit Catches You! Excellent book.

Hi Marc, Thanks, we're having a really nice autumn day here. Sunny, and cool. Some of those old films are really interesting, and we love to see them on the big screen. Though staking home with a nice beer next to you has it's advantages too.

The Spirit Catches You is a big success again, thanks to the AAC challenge!

69. Er Zijn nog 17 miljoen wachtenden voor u by Sander Heijne ( Dutch) *****

Five stars because reporter Sander Heijne has managed to write a book about an economic issue, privatisation and market economy, that is short, to the point, and easy to read and understand.
He has spent seven years, as a reporter, talking to people in different jobs, and different sectors, that were dealing with the consequences of privatisation. Based on that he analyses what has gone wrong, or sometimes also what is going right, in those privatised sectors. Like the trains, or health care.
The result is frustrating and angry making to read, but also enlightening. Read all about the Hosanna of Milton Friedman, Maggie Thatcher and Ronald Reagan. And our own national politicians. Because his analysis makes clear how the idea of the benefits of privatisation has become more of an ideology. And where the market can be useful and beneficial and where not!

>122 EllaTim: Added to my library wishlist.

Hi Ella,

Just trying to catch up on the threads today. I read Private Peaceful many years ago and while I can't remember my reaction to this one in particular, I have enjoyed Michael Morpurgo's writing in all the books of his that I have read. I like his honesty and the way he can tell a story truthfully without the need for excessive blood and gore and drama. He ostensibly writes for children but his books all seem to have universal appeal and I think that is partly because he respects his readers and doesn't talk down to them. I have only read him as an adult (I had not heard of him even 15 years ago) and never felt any of his books were childish.

I also listened to Saira Shah narrate her own book, The Storyteller's Daughter in the audiobook format and I did like that one. It was a bit harrowing and I do remember having some questions in my mind about how some things could be. But I figured that because the culture was so foreign to me, that was why I didn't *get it*. She has a lovely voice and maybe that contributed to my enjoyment of the book.

And I am happy that so many LTers are reading The Spirit Catches You now. I read it a few years ago and thought it was just excellent.

You have been doing some great reading lately!

Hi Shelley. I would definitely consider reading more of Michael Morpurgo's work. I read a lot of praise for him here!

Oh, listening to Shaira Shah reading her book would definitely add something to the reading. As the title of her book says, she is the daughter of a storyteller, so probably she is a good storyteller herself? I expect a good reader could help a lot.

The spirit catches you was excellent, as you say. Going to look for others by Anne Fadiman, though I understand her other books are quite different.

Yes, I'm in the right mood to read again, I guess. Longer evenings help a lot.

I was listening to Benjamin Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb. Wonderful music, but the text is interesting as well. Some lines really jump out to me

"For the mouse is a creature of great personal valour"

I had mouse catching day today, caught one in a life trap. Another in a vase, but it managed to escape. Went and put the first mouse outside, came back after a walk in the woods, and found the vase occupied again. Hope it's the last one! I like those beasties but no, not in my home please.

70. The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith (UK) ****

Cormoran Strike and his assistant Robin investigate a very sadistic murder of a writer. The whole investigation takes place within a literary milieu, and of course Robert Galbraith knows that well. It was a solid and enjoyable read.

Every chapter starts with a citation, I found this about those:
In the case of “The Silkworm,” it’s clear that two narrow genres of literature have been the source of inspiration: the old-fashioned detective story with its careful parsing of evidence; and the Jacobean play, renowned for its biting satire and dark fascination with betrayal and revenge, death and cruelty and corruption.
added by ozzer | editNew York Times, MICHIKO KAKUTANI (Jun 15, 2014)

>127 EllaTim: I have that one on my bedside table waiting to be read soon :)

Hi Anita. Enjoy, they are a bit addictive I believe. I'm waiting to start number three, because of library books I have to finish first;-)

I am waiting for the Dutch translation of Comoran Strike book 4. And happy to see the translation is on the way, release date February 2019.

>130 FAMeulstee: Very good, not too long to wait anymore!

Reading now Verre jaren by Konstantin Paustovskij (Story of a Life: Childhood and Schooldays)

From the library, a very grubby copy, but it turns out to be a surprisingly good read. I'll try and suggest they buy the new edition.

Found on Anita's thread. But Koos van Zomeren mentions him as well.

Sweet Thursday, Ella. I am glad you are enjoying the Cormoran Strike books. I read the first 3 and now I am trying to fit in Lethal White. It might be early next year.

Hi Ellen!

So glad you enjoyed Cormoran Strike #2. Thanks for sharing the insights about the quotes - I had not noticed any particular pattern (although I wasn't really trying). I'll be ready for my next re-read/re-listen.

>132 EllaTim: Enjoy Paustovski!
If the copy is so bad, it has been read a lot :-)

>133 msf59: Hi Marc! You have been reading such a lot lately, but should be possible to fit it in;-)

>134 karenmarie: Hi Karen! Found this in the reviews, not my own insight, I'd never heard of Jacobean play.

>135 FAMeulstee: The copy still has a paper inlay with the dates lent stamped on it, the good old days. 1984, 1985 and then suddenly 2010? They really should buy the new edition.

Hi, Ella - Just taking a quick break from packing to say hi. I've never read The Spirit Catches You but perhaps will in the new year, once I'm settled in NY. One nice thing about moving to NY is that, because my daughter & son-in-law work in NYC, I will be able to access books from the NY Public Library! I imagine that library has at least as many available books as the Los Angeles Public Library, which makes me so happy.

Have a lovely weekend!

Hi Mary! Hope all goes well with packing and such. The NYC library sounds great, very important, good library access! How close will you be to NYC?

Nyack is a little North of Manhattan across the Hudson. Not too far but not sure exactly it takes to get to the city from there.

>139 Storeetllr: I looked it up, looks nice, nice place to live, with the city near enough to visit.

Finally getting caught up Ella. Trust that you have had a lovely weekend.

Hi Paul! How nice to see you here! Yes, had a fun weekend, in spite of cold and grey weather, shivers.

Ella--Were did you go? Seriously? You were right here the entire time? How did I get so far behind!

Okay, I should read The Spirit Catches You; I just finished #4 of the Cormoran Strike books (still good!); and I have Overstory on my WL. I like your taste in books! LOL

Hope you get a little sunshine. We are in for a bout of rain, but we need it badly so I am happy.

>143 Berly: Hi Kim. Hiding behind all those fast threads:-) LT can zip past, and I have lurked more than I posted.

Ha, still two more good Cormoran Strikes to go then!

We will be getting rain as well, but not for very long, and it has been a dry autumn so far. I used to dislike those grey November and December days very much, so depressing, but it has become easier. A good book can help a lot!

71. Het Vogelhuis by Eva Meijer (Dutch) ****



This was a nice surprise. A lovely book, found on Mark's thread, and he heard of it from Nancy, if I remembered right;-)

The story of Len Howard. An English violinist who goes off to live on her own in a house in the countryside to study birds. But she has no scientific background, so she does it her own way, by observing and befriending the birds.

The book tells her story, but in between there are parts about the birds, and their lives and interactions with Len Howard.

She was in fact way ahead of her time. I think that now, her way of looking at the birds has become much more accepted, partly thanks to all the webcam research that is now possible.

There is more to this book than just the story, interesting though it is, there is also a way of looking at the world, where you can follow and understand her viewpoint. She has become a very isolated and reclusive old lady, when seen through outside eyes, but I think she herself would not have seen it like that.

I've noticed a lot of people are reading The Spirit Catches You lately. Is there a reason? Have they made a movie or documentary?

Hi Rachel, no, it's because of Marc's AAC, and also the non-fiction challenge of september, and then people start talking about it. It is already an older book, but still so interesting, and i had read good reviews here before.

No reading today, but fascinated watching of a movie by Russian director Sokurov Francofonia. About the Louvre during the Second World War, it's French director. Lots of shots of art, historical scenes, totally fascinating.

Adding a wishlist here:

De autoritaire verleiding
Casper Thomas
About the attraction of authoritarian leadership

De vorm van geluid
Gregor Verwijmeren
A man who suffers from tinnitus

Kookbijbel
Niki Segnit
How one recipe leads to the next, learning to cook without needing a cookbook all the time

De schelmenstreken van Reinaert de Vos
Koos Meinderts
Based on the story from the Middle Ages, but rewritten, and with illustrations.


Most of them from the website of bookshop Scheltema.

72. Verre Jaren by Konstantin Paustovskij (Russia) ****1/2
(Story of a Life: Childhood and Schooldays)



This book was a joy to read. The first part of Paustovskij's autobiography dealing with his youth in Kiev and surroundings.

Interesting because of the time (begin 20th century) and place (Kiev, Ukraine, Russia).

Paustovskij writes about his youth with love, and some nostalgia. He observes with clarity, and writes sometimes beautifully especially about nature. The book reads like a series of stories. Differing in tone and emotion, but all interesting.

Thanks to the recommendation by Anita. I have reserved part 2 from the library.

>150 EllaTim: I am glad you liked Paustovski.
(Wondering if the different spelling of Paustovskij vs Paustovski was part of the quarrel between translator and publisher.)

>150 EllaTim: This one sounds good and like sth I'd enjoy right now. BB caught! :)

>149 EllaTim: Good luck with the WL! Reinecke Fuchs... never read it, the name alone scared me when I was a kid. For whatever reason I was scared of foxes, along with wolves (that of course caused by Little Red Riding Hood/ Rotkäppchen). Maybe time to confront those childhood nightmares? :)

And Francofonia sounds great. I'll check if my library has it.
Edit: Thought it might be hidden in the Sky Arte archives, and really found it! Will watch later today! :))

>151 FAMeulstee: Those different spellings of Russian names sure are confusing! Looking the books up in the library catalogue you have to remember to try both. But it's a matter of one j, if that's all they quarrelled about?

>152 Deern: Those fairy tales were meant to scare you, of course. We didn't have wolves nor foxes where I grew up, but I was delighted when I saw a glimp of my first fox. In the dunes. It ran across the path and was gone immediately.

Sky Arte archives? I hope you like it, I looked at the reviews at IMDB, they were very mixed, some people were bored by it.

I liked it, although I wasn't happy with the Italian dubbing of the Russian narration. He was speaking in such an exaggerated way, I was glad there was so much German and French as well. It wasn't boring, but it wasn't really in depth either, jumping away whenever I thought "hey, that's interesting, let's stay here". Then the Napoleon/ Marianne thing... ?
I haven't deleted it yet, I might watch it a second time.

>154 Deern: Glad you liked it. Yes, the Russian narration was part of the charm, making you feel like it's an outside view.

It's more like an overview than very much in dept. I saw an earlier Sokurov movie "Russian Ark", one large walk through of the Hermitage in Petersburg. But he also made portraits of molochs, Hitler, Stalin, never watched those, but I am interested now.

The Napoleon/Marianne thing is of course symbolic, I guess. Imperialism versus democracy? The Louvre and its art being robbed by Napoleon from all the countries he invaded.

Hi Ella!

>149 EllaTim: I love the picture of the fox on the cover of that book.

>156 karenmarie: It's nice isn't it? I wouldn't buy the book because of the cover, it will have to come from the library, but I will Enjoy it, I think.

(Now why does my iPad want to capitalize random words?)

The joys of technology....

Beware of self-thinking stuff;-) It doesn't know what it's doing.

Another nature movie today "Het Wad" by Ruben Smit. I read a review before going, not very positive, but I disagree, it was wonderful. It's about the Waddensea, and I have spent a number of holidays there, but here there was a nice mix of the familiar and the new, and beautiful images. Very nice on a grey rainy day.

The wish-list of to be seen movies:
- Shoplifters by Kore Eda
- Edie by Simon Hunter

Had some difficulty finding a new book to read that really appealed to me. I started an audiobook from the library that turned out to be a young adult mixed with horror, a definite no for me. But now I've started Garnethill by Denise Mina, and am liking it so far.

73. Binti by Nnedi Okorafor (fantasy) ****



The story of a girl from an African tribe, in what sounded like a distant underdeveloped region. But this is a future novel, and these people have all kinds of technology that we have never heard of. Binti is a very good mathematician and she wants to go to university, on a distant planet. Problem is that no one from her tribe has ever gone.

I liked this colourful story, with its mix of fantasy, Very out there, and familiar problems. Binti is a very likeable protagonist. The only problem I had with the story was that some parts were nicely developed and interesting, and in other parts the story suddenly seemed to go too fast and felt very unrealistic. (And even in fantasy a story should feel plausible)

From Janet's thread.
--—–
Hey, I might make it to 75!

Happy Monday, Ella! Looks like we're going to get another 2-4" of snow - the weathermen apparently looked outside and saw that it was snowing. *smile*

Hi Karen! I confess to feeling a bi jealous. Yes I know, snow can be so awkward, but it's so lovely outside when it's been snowing. We've had rain and rain, but it's going to be better.

Hi, Ella. Good review of Bird Cottage. I am glad you enjoyed it. And hooray for Binti. I loved that one, as well.

74. Garnethill by Denise Mina (UK) ****



A mystery set in Glasgow. The story revolves around Maureen, who is busy getting her life together after a difficult childhood. But then she finds her ex-lover murdered in her house.

Everybody thinks she has done it, including her family. She tries to find out what has happened on her own.

What I liked most about this story is the voice of Maureen herself, who is quite matter-of-fact about everything. She is scared but decides to deal wit it, so really gutsy.

>164 msf59: Hi Marc, we cross-posted. Nice to see you. Back to the daily business, eh? I hope the weather is treating you nice over there.

I went to the library and picked up nr 2 of Paustovski's story:
Onrustige Jeugd (Story of a Life: Slow Approach to Thunder)

It's in a better condition than the first part. I asked about giving suggestions to buy books, but the librarian says it's all automated. Seems like nonsense, I'm sorry to say it. Anyway, off to read it!

I'm another fan of Binti, Ella. The next two in the trilogy are just as good as the first.

>166 EllaTim: I see you are continuing with The Story of a Life :-)
There will be differences between libraries, but at mine I can do suggestions at their website. Not that any of my suggestions was honored, I always get a nice reply that they don't think there are many readers for that book in Lelystad...

>167 jnwelch: Hi Joe! I look forward to the next two. But I'm waiting for the right moment to enjoy them.

>168 FAMeulstee: I'm hooked, Anita. Started part two and it's even more interesting!

No, no such option here. Maybe they didn't want to do those replies. But I sometimes think the library here has already decided that reading, and especially reading of real books, is not something for the future. Less books, more space for coffee corners. I'm a grumpy old woman, I guess.

>169 EllaTim: Sometimes I prefer real books, not always.
I do like that more books become available at the e-library. This month all my library reads are e-books.

>170 FAMeulstee: I like e-books, easy and useful. But I always liked the browsing in the library. Just to pick a book from the shelf and read a couple of paragraphs. Finding something interesting you'd never heard of. Or just enjoy the library space;-)

Really tired tonight, want something light and diverting to read.

Hi Ella!

>165 EllaTim: I put this on my wish list last November, courtesy of PaulCranswick. I'm glad to have additional confirmation about it. It sounds right up my alley.

I hope you found something light and diverting.

Hope you found a good one for #75, Ella!

>173 karenmarie: Hi Karen! That Paul, it's a good one!

>174 ronincats: Hi Roni, Yes reading Doomsday Book by Connie Willis, and enjoying it very much.

75 Doomsday Book by Connie Willis (USA) ****1/2



It's 2054 in Oxford. Time travel has been invented. Historian Kivrin is the first one to visit the Middle Ages. Her tutor Mr. Dunnworthy is very worried, but she won't listen. And of course, it turns out he was right to be worried. But at the same time things go wrong in the present as well.

This was a wonderful story, that I enjoyed a lot. For starters there is the little girl Agnes, who is described so lovingly that you get to care for her. Or Colin, or the priest Roche.

There are two stories taking place here, Kivrin's story in the Middle Ages, and Mr. Dunnworthy's story in the present. Both are different in tone, the first is more serious, and emotional. The second story lighter and even funny sometimes. Though mr. Dunworthy did get a bit annoying with his incessant worries.

Themes of love, hope and despair. So not really a light read, but worth it.

Congratulations on reaching 75, Ella!

75! Congratulations, Ella!

Thanks Anita and Joe. And still two weeks left!

Hooray on reaching 75, Ella! I tried Doomsday a few years ago but couldn't get into it. On your recommendation, I might have to give it another shot.

Congrats!

Happy 75! And it seems you chose a great one for #75

Congratulations, Ella!

Happy 75th, Ella. Hooray! And I liked the Doomsday Book, as well. My only Willis read.

Congrats on 75, Ella. I have the Connie Willis book somewhere in this house but have not yet got to it. Your review has given me the urge to go look for it.

I'm another fan of The Doomsday Book, Ella. Ah, Roche the priest. And Kivrin. And the others you mention. What a vivid story.

Hi Ella, congrats on reaching 75 my dear.

Thanks, Mary, Jim, Natasha, Darryl, Marc, and Shelley, Joe and John! I'm glad I made it to 75.

And happy to hear I'm not the only one who loved the Doomsday Book. A vivid story indeed, but i read that she did a lot of research to get it right as well.

Got to meet a new composer for me:

David Lang - evening morning day, sung by Capella Amsterdam
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=

Words matter nearly as much as the music.
It made me think of The Overstory

76. Poes, poes, poes by Annie M. G. Schmidt (Dutch) ***



A small bundle of light funny stories, verse and a song, about cats. Annie M.G. Schmidt was a real cat lover, that becomes quite clear from this bundle. Audio read by Jenny Arian, who has just the right voice for it. ;-)

That was a great book to reach the 75 book mark with, Ella. Congratulations!!

>191 ronincats: Thanks Roni!

Movietime: "Shoplifters" by Kore-Eda Hirokazu (Japan)



A family of small-time criminals, shoplifters, finds a small girl, sitting outside in the cold, hungry. They take her home and feed her, but they end up unofficially adopting her.

Very much worth it!

Congrats on reaching 75!

Thanks Anita!

77. De tachtigjarige oorlog by Judith Pollman (dutch, audio) ****



Audio college from Home Academy about the eighty years dutch war of independence with Spain.

The stories from this war are very familiar, we used to hear them in primary school. Real heroic stories about the Duke of Alva, and the Spanish Inquisition. About fighting and hunger, pirates and the Spanish Armada. We loved those stories, at least, a good teacher could make it all very exciting.

Here, professor Judith Pollman talks about this war, and it's beginnings, but then she tells a lot about the backgrounds. It all begins to sound a lot more modern. As it turns out, that yes, the heroic beginning was there, but soon there were economic interests, and people who gained from warfare and didn't want peace, very familiar isn't it?

I thought it very interesting, I still would like to hear the familiar stories again, but it's very enlightening to hear that they were used as propaganda as well;-)

Not finished
Buzz Aldrin, What Happened to You in All the Confusion? by Johan Harstad (Norway)

Not finished because seriously boring, boring, and it didn't get better although I did get more than halfway through. Sigh. Remind me to read the reviews here on LT before I start a new library book.

How can a book about astronaut Buzz Aldrin be boring? The author must have worked pretty hard at making it boring!

Happy Solstice!

>198 Storeetllr: - What a beautiful image!

>196 EllaTim: Did you see the TV series 80 jaar oorlog last autumn, Ella?

>197 EllaTim: Maybe check LT reviews before taking books home from the library?

Happy Holidays EllaTim!

>198 Storeetllr: Hi Mary! That's what I thought, but he managed it. There was a good core to the story, but it was small, and surrounded by too much boring, boring.

What a wonderful picture, thanks!

>200 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita! No I missed it. I keep skipping TV-series. Was it good? Maybe I can still find it somewhere.

Yes, I could have easily checked the reviews here, it was an eBook from the digital library. I checked when I was more than halfway through, and was relieved to find people agreeing with me.

>201 The_Hibernator: Thanks Rachel!

Happy holidays, Ella. All the best for the new year

Merry Christmas!

^Have a great holiday, Ella.

Hi Ella, we would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and festive season and send seasonal love and hugs from both of us dear friend,

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season with some great reads!

Hi Shelley, Anita, Marc, John, Nathalie and Barbara! And thanks for the good wishes. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas as well.

We have been in a shopping mood. Thanks to the grey and rainy weather. Bought some nice Christmassy stuff. And, because I had received a gift card I had the perfect excuse to go book shopping. Bought:
De Bosatlas van Amsterdam at Scheltema's Bookshop.

Unfortunately they closed early, I had been looking forward to some nice browsing, but we were swept out. The new book is going to make up for that disappointment, demographic maps, history and all kinds of interesting facts about the city.

Tomorrow will be quite busy, but maybe the day after I will have some more time.

Happy holidays, Ella

Merry Christmas from Philadelphia, Ella! I enjoyed meeting you for the first time in Amsterdam this past September, and I hope to meet up with you again next year.

Hi Darryl! Thanks, and Yes, it was really nice to meet you!

I'm glad your mother is doing better again.

We visited my mother and the rest of the family today. Had a good day. Nice and sunny weather. Saw some birds on the way, lots of wigeon ducks.



Solved the problem of what to do with a vegetarian sister, and a Christmas dinner (just talk about the menu, look at the recipe, and make two versions:-)

Tomorrow a day off.

78. Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier ****



The story follows two women in 19th century Britain. Mary Anning, who has the eye for finding fossils. Her family is living in impoverished circumstances, and collecting and selling fossils is her way to make a living. And Elizabeth Philpot, a spinster who has come to live at the coast to save some money. She takes up collecting fossils as a hobby.

The two women meet, start working together and their relationship develops into a friendship.

The story was well written, it drew me in immediately. The main focus is on the friendship and especially on Elizabeth and her development.

Interesting to see how limited and constricted women's life in the 19th century was. Elizabeth is very knowledgeable about fossils, but is not allowed to come listen to a speech in the geological society because she is a woman. And the way Mary Anning was treated was even worse, as she was only working class.

Sorry you got rushed out of your bookstore, Ella, but hope you are having a great holiday season.

79. No is not enough by Naomi Klein ****

I read the first half of this book somewhere in january. Found it excellent, but felt so overwhelmed with all the information in it that I had to put it aside.

I now wanted to finish it, and this was easier as the later chapters focus more on what we can do, the Yes, that Naomi Klein talks about.

So the first half analyses the problems in our society, thanks to neo-liberalism, exploitation of nature and resources. What can explain the election of Donald Trump, and what can we expect from this election? Here she talks in short about a lot of things she has talked about in earlier books. That I do want to read now. It was a lot to digest, but I kept feeling that she is right, and that it was worthwhile and useful stuff.

The second half she talks about what to do, here she tells about the development of the LEAP Manifesto. She says here, that it is not enough that we know what we do not want, it is important to also know what we do want. I think she is right in that. How difficult is it to envision and imagine a different future? This part felt a bit rushed.
The last part of the book is the actual text of this manifesto.

The book is certainly worth reading, though I had to struggle sometimes to get through.

>216 EllaTim: - I LOVED that book, Ella. I listened to it on audio and the 2 actresses narrating it were outstanding. As I often do after reading a book I love, I googled afterwards to learn more and it was only then that I discovered that it was a true story, and that these were real people!

>219 jessibud2: Hi Shelley, I found the title through the enthusiastic reviews in this group. It's some time ago, so I didn't remember on whose thread I found it. Good to hear you loved it as well!

It's an interesting time to read about, but I am glad certain things have changed.

>78 karenmarie: That was such a great book! You are finishing off the year on a high note. Wishing you Happy Holidays.

Happy Saturday, Ella. I will slowly be making my last LT rounds for 2018. I hope the book year treated you well. I had a great year, despite falling a few books shy of last year's total. I am working on my Best of the Year list and hope to post it tomorrow.

Have a nice weekend.

Hi Ella!

>176 EllaTim: Late congratulations on reading #75.

I read To Say Nothing of the Dog but didn’t realize that it was part of a series. I’ll probably go back and read #s 1, 3, and 4.

>215 EllaTim: Glad you had a good Christmas Day. Lovely pic of wigeon ducks.

>216 EllaTim: Ah, another nudge for me to read Remarkable Creatures. I really must fit it in in 2019…..

>218 EllaTim: Interesting review, I’ve added it to my wish list.

Best wishes for a good weekend.

>222 msf59: Hi Marc! Yes, it is out with the old, and in with the new year. You sure had a great year, and I have been following your reading with pleasure. I'll be interested in your best of 2018 list!

>223 karenmarie: Hi Karen! I'll be trying To say nothing of the Dog next.

I have a bit of the flu right now, so I am taking it easy. Glad that we had a few hours out of doors and even with a bit of sun on Christmas Day. I'm stuck inside right now, and I still have to prune my grapes, argh!

Have a nice weekend both of you.

I'll be trying to finish book nr 80, the Paustovskij. It's very good, but I have to read it bit by bit, as it is an intense read.

I'm sorry you've got the flu, Ella. R&R and a good book sound like a good prescription. Get well soon.

Thanks Karen, unfortunately not a very relaxing day today. Nothing personal, but it involves a friend who is in trouble and has sort of made herself scarce.

Sorry you got the flu, Ella, I have heard it is nasty this year.
Good luck finishing Paaustovskij, I hope to get to book 2 next month.

Feel better soon.

Thanks Anita and Barbara!

>227 FAMeulstee: I think the book I'm reading is the other half of your book one. I'll be interested in your opinion on book two!

Well drat on the flu! That's an awful way to end the year.

Way far behind on threads, but I'm glad you liked Binti. The second in the series may be just what you need to read while you are sick.

Hi Janet! Feeling better already, good enough to start clearing up the house a bit. Tomorrow evening we have company. My husband has promised to buy the essential oliebollen!



I took out 14 unwanted books, because next year I want to start clearing the paper mountain in my house! So, now I'm exhausted, and Binti 2 would be just my cup of tea.

Glad you're feeling better, Ella! And just in time for New Year's Eve! Mmm, those pastries do look tasty, as does the champagne. Have a lovely party!

Oh good, Ella. I'm another one who loved Remarkable Creatures. I thought she did it all so well - the characters, the time period, the second class treatment of women, and third class treatment of working women, the location, the discoveries. Just a great book.

>232 Storeetllr: Hi Mary! They are tasty. I confess I don't like champagne, for me it will be cider. Wishing you a nice evening as well.

>233 jnwelch: Hi Joe. That's well said, exactly!

80. Onrustige Jeugd by Konstantin Paustovskij (Rus) ****1/2



The second part of the six-part autobiography of Russian writer Paustovskij (1892-1968).

Anita is reading this as well, but in a newer edition.

This second part covers the years 1914 to 1917. Russia took part in the First World War. Paustovskij's two brothers were drafted. He escapes having to fight because of that, but he starts working as an orderly. As such he is involved from a distance and travels through Ukraine, White Russia, and Poland. He writes about his experiences in short anecdotes, sometimes funny, sometimes very serious, and memorable.

He has decided he wants to become a writer, and has started as such. I think that a lot of the material in this book was written from his notes made then.

After getting fired as an orderly he starts working in the metal industry, and even as a fisherman.

Aside from writing about his experiences the book also deals with his thoughts, his ambitions as a writer, poetry, books. A defence of writing and dreaming:-) Russian countryside, his love of the sea. He's a very visual writer, and his descriptions of nature and country are wonderful.

The book ends with the start of the Russian revolution, but from a small out of the way village. He was not in Petersburg or Russia. Still it was interesting to read.

This second part was a bit more rambling than the first part. Sometimes it made me think of Dickens, sketches of Boz, especially when he is writing about the public. Other parts have the beautiful clarity of the first part of the autobiography.

It was a very interesting read, he writes about what it was like to live as a young man in those "interesting" times.

>235 EllaTim: Glad you enjoyed the second Paustovski book, Ella!
Interesting times, for sure.

Hi Ella, I hope that you get over the Flu quickly my dear. We would like to wish you and Marc a very happy new year my dear and hope that 2019 is a good one, sending love and hugs to you all from both of us dear friend.

>236 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita, better not live in interesting times, eh? I reserved part three at the library, more interesting times, I think.

>237 johnsimpson: Hi John. Thank you very much, and sending love and hugs right back at both of you. Hope you have a nice new years eve!

And now I have to write up my books for the year.

List of bests, now this is hard to do. Some books I enjoyed while I was reading them, and find i am already forgetting. While others stick in my mind. I have changed some ratings a bit, because of that.

Best Fiction, top ten
1. Verre Jaren by Konstantin Paustovskij (Russia) *****
Het Bittere Kruid by Marga Minco (Dutch) ***** (93pp)
Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell, (UK) *****
De Tienduizend Dingen by Maria Dermoût (Dutch, Indonesia) *****

The Overstory by Richard Powers (USA) ****1/2
Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens (UK, 835 pages) ****1/2 (UK)
Contrapunt by Anna Enquist (dutch) ****1/2 (208pp)
De Voorlezer by Bernhard Schlink (Germany) ****1/2
Doomsday Book by Connie Willis (USA) ****1/2
Onrustige Jeugd by Konstantin Paustovskij (Rus) ****1/2

So hard to narrow it down, so three more:
Niets liever dan zwart by Antjie Krog ****1/2 (South Africa)
A Man called Ove by Fredrik Backman (Sweden) ****1/2
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik ****1/2

Best Non-Fiction
Er zijn nog 17 miljoen wachtenden voor u by Sander Heijne (Dutch) *****
On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder (USA) *****

The Spirit catches you and you fall down by Anne Fadiman (USA) ****1/2
No is not enough by Naomi Klein ****1/2
Het Bomenboek by Koos van Zomeren (dutch) ****1/2
Wij weten niets van hun lot by Bart van der Boom (Dutch, non-fiction)****1/2
Eeuwelingen by Steffie van den Oord (dutch) ****1/2
Omweg naar Santiago by Cees Nooteboom (Dutch/Spain, audiobook) **** 1/2
We were eight years in power: An American Tragedy by Ta-Nehisi Coates ****1/2

I haven't started a thread for 2019 yet. I will post a link here, when I'm ready.
But for now still some things to clear up here. Should have been done earlier of course;-)

>240 thornton37814: Thanks Lori, I like that cat!

Get well soon, Ella!



Wishing you a new year filled with joy, happiness, laughter, and all the wonderful books you could wish for.

Happy New Year's Eve!!

>243 Berly: Thank you Kim!

I'm still not feeling well. Don't feel up to making a new thread yet. Spending my day reading, in bed, instead of cleaning the house;-)

Finished:
Mirror, Shoulder, Signal by Dorthe Nors (Denmark) ****



Sonja is a middle-aged woman from Jutland, living in Copenhagen. Finally taking driving lessons. But they're not going well, her driving instructor keeps talking about her own life, and not letting Sonja shift gears. But she has to learn, so what is she to do?

This was partly funny, but also sad and touching. I found it very easy to relate to Sonja, I would have a lot in common with her, but there is a lot more to the novel than that. Loneliness, estrangement, longing. I loved the ending.

I wish you from my heart a healthy 2019 filled with happiness, satisfaction, laughter and lots of good books.

Thanks, Barbara and Mary!

And to all of you