FAMeulstee keeps on rooting in 2019

I am Anita Meulstee from Lelystad, the Netherlands. This is going to be my 3rd year ROOTing in a row.
The first time I joined was in 2013, my worst reading year ever. I came back in 2017.

In November 2016 I started to read through my childrens/YA books alphabeticly, to decide what I would keep and what to cull.
At the start of 2019 there are 111 books left to go and I am going to read them all this year.
ETA: 2 YA books added in January

In 2017 I have read 453 books, 238 ROOTs, of those 172 were from my childrens/YA collection and I culled 61 of them.
In 2018 I have read 534 books, 365 ROOTs, of those 250 were from my childrens/YA collection and I culled 159 of them.

Because my childrens/YA books project is nearly done, I have set my goal for 2019 at 150 ROOTs.

Personal ROOT rules: every book I own, no matter how recently purchased, is a ROOT.
The majority of the books I buy have been on my wishlist for a long time, or are awarded and I buy them to keep my collection complete, or are part of a series I am already reading and not available at the library.

I only list my ROOTs read here. To follow all my readings go to my thread in the 75 Books Challenge for 2019 group.

Total ROOTs read: 192



Total books read: 413

Total pages read: 110,873

Total books culled: 97

Total books added: 86

Total of my childrens/YA books read: 126 of 126



--

Total books read since joining LibraryThing in 2008



Total pages read since joining LibraryThing in 2008

Welcome back, Anita! That is an AMAZING total for 2018! Hope you have another great year in 2019 :D

Welcome back, Anita. I'm always in awe by the total of books you manage to read in a year. So many books! Happy ROOTing.

Yes, I was in awe of myself managing 71 ROOTs and 14 non-ROOTs, my best year ever. But you have eclipsed us all! Good to see you back for 2019.

Thanks ladies :-)

It is still compensating for the years I could/would barely read, with an all time low with 13 books in 2013.
I am incredibly happy I have the time to read this much!

Hi Anita! I will follow along this year. I am going to be attempting to do this challenge as well as I feel bad for the sad books that are lonely on my shelves!

Thsi challenge did work well for me, Chelle, I hope it does the same for you.

Hi Anita, wishing you a happy new year and happy ROOTing in 2019!

>8 floremolla: Thank you, Donna, happy reading and ROOTing!

What a stellar reading year you had in 2018, Anita. Are you going to slow down in 2019 or do you have ambitious targets once again?

>10 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg, it was a stellar reading year. Or better said stellar last months of the year, when I dedicated more than usual time to reading. At the moment I am not reading much, as I am recuperating from my November/December reading run (65 and 93 books) and spending most my time here at LT with all the new threads ;-)

>11 FAMeulstee: Keeping up with the threads takes up a lot of reading time so it is a toss up whether to read a book or keep up with LT.

>12 Familyhistorian: At the moment keeping up with the threads on LT is taking most of my time.
But I did finish my first (library) book.

Welcome back, Anita! I'm just doing the round of threads today, but tomorrow serious ROOTing will start. Good luck with your goal!

>14 MissWatson: Thank you, Birgit, good luck to you too!

ROOT 1: Zwaard en kroon by Rosemary Sutcliff
acquired before 2008, translated, YA, King Arthur 1, original title The Sword and the Circle, 242 pages

From Arthur's birth to the start of the Round Table.

ROOT 2: Schild en kruis by Rosemary Sutcliff
acquired before 2008, translated, YA, King Arthur 2, original title The Light Beyond the Forest, 151 pages

The quest for the Holy Grail.

ROOT 3: Afscheid van een koning by Rosemary Sutcliff
acquired before 2008, translated, YA, King Arthur 3, original title The Road to Camlann, 152 pages

The end of King Arthur.

ROOT 4: Twee ons liefde by Ted van Lieshout
acquired October 2008, Dutch, YA, poetry, no translations, 25 pages

Surprising and sometimes funny poetry. With nice illustrations.

ROOT 5: Deesje by Joke van Leeuwen
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, awarded, Gouden Griffel 1986, no English translation, 88 pages

Deesje is send to her half-aunt in the big city. Instead of finding her aunt, adventures find her.

ROOT 6: Ik ben Joshua en mijn vader is een held by Jan Michael
acquired before 2008, translated, YA, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1997, original title Piggy in the middle, 153 pages

Joshua's father is the only butcher in a village of fishermen. Joshua and his father both look different, more like the people in the mountains, then like the villagers. When some kids start to tease Joshua calling him a "mountain man" he gets angry and runs away.

ROOT 7: En straks komt Emilio by Gudrun Pausewang
acquired before 2008, translated from German, YA, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1980, no English translation, 125 pages

When Martin finds a cat with 5 kittens, he want to take care of them. His mother doesn't want any pets, so he asks his friend Anton if they can stay with him at the junkyard. When Anton ends up in hospital, Martin is desperate and asks the migrant workers from Spain, who live next door, if they can help out. His mother and Anton don't like foreigners, but Martin asks them to come to his birthday party.

ROOT 8: Broere by Bart Moeyaert
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, awarded, Woutertje Pieterse prijs 2001, English translation Brothers, 127 pages

Autobiographical stories of the Belgian writer, who was the youngest of seven brothers.

ROOT 9: De tijdkring by Pete Hautman
acquired before 2008, YA, translated, awarded, Eervolle Vermelding 2001, original title Mr Was, 237 pages

After his grandfather dies, Jack Lund, finds a time door that takes him over 50 years back in time.

ROOT 10: De Toverberg by Thomas Mann
acquired before 2008, 1001 books, translated from German, English translation The Magic Mountain, 972 pages

In 1907 Hans Castorp travels to Davos to spend three weeks with his cousin Joachim who is staying in a sanatorium. The planned three weeks turn into seven years.
Great read, might be the best I read this year. In some years I am going to read this book again (as the writer recommended).

ROOT 11: Tin Toeval en de kunst van Madelief by Guus Kuijer
acquired before 2008, YA, Dutch, no translations, 48 pages

Short story where Tin Toeval and Madelief, two characters from different series by Guus Kuijer, meet. Nice detail, the two illustrators also worked together.

ROOT 12: Ik ben Polleke hoor! by Guus Kuijer
acquired in 2001, 1001 childrens books, YA, Dutch, Kinderboekenweekgeschenk 2001, awarded, Woutertje Pieterse prijs 2003, English translation I am Polleke, 94 pages

Fifth Polleke book. Polleke is a bit sad because her granddad died. Her boyfriend Mimoen is away on holiday, and some people drive her mad with explaining everything with "differences in culture".

ROOT 13: Barst by Boris Dittrich
acquired June 2018, Dutch, no translations, 96 pages

Bit thin mystery/police procedural. Man is found dead in a park in Amsterdam. A young girl is getting famous in a TV show. Murdered man was backmailing her.

ROOT 14: Een muur van schilden by Rosemary Sutcliff
acquired August 2017, YA, translated, original title The Shield Ring, 183 pages

11th century, Norse/Viking settlers in the north of England (Lake district) resist against the Normand Conquest.

ROOT 15: Het Oerlanderboek by Leonie Kooiker
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1980, English translation Legacy of Magic, 142 pages

Okke spends the summer with his grandfather. Oene spends the summer as a witch apprentice. They become friends, and it turns out that Okke's grandfather owns a book about magic. Meanwhile the heir of a deceased nobleman is searching for the treasure of his uncle.

ROOT 16: De smokkelaars van de Tigris by Karl May
re-acquired in 2008, YA, translated from German, no English translation, 378 pages

The last adventures of Kara Ben Nemsi and Hadji Halef Omar in the Middle East, near Bahgdad.

ROOT 17: Het verhaal van Bobbel by Joke van Leeuwen
acquired before 2008, YA, Dutch, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1988, English translation The Story of Bobble Who Wanted to Be Rich, 112 pages

Bobble lives with her parents in a carrier tricycle. It is like always camping and Bobble dreams she will be rich one day. She arranges a long stay with her rich uncle, but regular life isn't what she thought it would be.

ROOT 18: Een mond vol dons by Lydia Rood
acquired before 2008, YA, Dutch, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1994, English translation A Mouthful of Feathers, 163 pages

Marjan tells about her friendship with the girl next door Soof. Soof has run away, and at first Marjan doesn't understand why. She always thought Soof's parents were nicer than her own mother. Slowly Marjan finds out how oppressive Soofs parents are, beneath their nice surface.

ROOT 19: Een stap en dan de volgende by Pierre Bergounioux
acquired in December 2018, translated from French, no English translation, 185 pages

Early 20th century a poor boy in rural France falls in love with a rich girl. He knows he doesn't stand a chance, but he promises himself he will take twenty years to learn decent French and to earn enough to become an equal to her. For many years he works as woodworker far from home, near the Atlantic coast. He befriends a teacher, who collects insects. The teacher teaches him French grammar and he gives insects in return. He saves nearly all his earnings, and with some smart investments he becomes rich. His missing eye becomes a blessing in disguise, because an one eyed man isn't drafted for the army when World War I starts. His beloved married an other man, he dies in the war. Again luck is on his side, during the war the prices of land have dropped, so he invests his money in woodland in his village. But the villagers don't accept an one eyed who thinks he can rise above his place of birth.

Again a beautiful novel by Pierre Berginioux. The title translates "One step and the next", referring to the approach of the main character to reach his goal.

ROOT 20: Zenuwmoord by Dick Francis
acquired January 2019, translated, original title Nerve, 276 pages

In my youth I loved horses, when I lived in The Hague I helped regular at the stables of the the Duindigt racetrack. Yet I never read Dick Francis, not really knowing it would be my kind of read.
It was an entertaining book, a bit on the scary side, so I went for the last chapter when I was halfway. When I know the ending I can read more relaxed and enjoy the story.

It won't be my last Dick Francis book, although I might look at the last chapter early again.

February ROOTs


ROOT 21: Waar is de taart? by Thé Tjong-Khing
acquired October 2008, picturebook, Dutch, awarded, Woutertje Pieterse prijs & Zilveren Penseel 2005, English translation Where Is the Cake?, 26 pages

With only pictures over two pages, no tekst, several stories are drawn. At the cover we see the dog couple with a cake on the table, two rats steel the cake and the dog couple goes after them.
Meanwhile we follow a bunny family, two cats, chameleons (hard to find as they take the color of the background), pigs, ducks, monkeys etc. So many story lines, I had to go back several times, because I missed one in previous pictures.

ROOT 22: Mijn botjes zijn bekleed met deftig vel by Ted van Lieshout
acquired before 2008, YA, poetry, Dutch, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1991, no translations, 32 pages

Impressive poems for children and grown ups. About family, surroundings, war and love, larded with some humor. The poems are written on a background illustration, and I think in some cases there was an illustration first and then the poem. I translated the short two line poem at the last page (with a horse in pencil):

Pollution
The car was the solution for the problem
of horse manure on the streets of the city

Ted van Lieshout is a writer and artist, he used several painting techniques to draw the background for the poems. At the last pages he explains the techniques he used (etch, gouche, pastel etc).
The title translates "My bones are covered with lofty skin".

ROOT 23: Briefgeheim by Jan Terlouw
acquired before 2008, YA, Dutch, no English translation, 124 pages

Eva's parents often argue, when things get bad they don't speak to eachother for days. Eva suffers from it, her friends Jackie and Thomas make a plan. Eva will go missing, hiding at their place, so their parents will worry and make peace with eachother. Eva goes to their friends place, but then she really disappears for some days. When she returns she is changed. A neighbor of Jackie and Thomas is murdered and the children are determined to find out what is going on.
The title means "Secret letter".

ROOT 24: Een leeuw met lange tanden by Dolf Verroen
acquired before 2008, YA, Dutch, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1987, no translations, 69 pages

Short stories, often with an unexpected twist at the end. Only a few that I liked.
The title translates "A lion with long teeth".

ROOT 25: Het geheim van de keel van de nachtegaal by Peter Verhelst
acquired November 2009, YA, Dutch, awarded, Gouden Griffel, Woutertje Pieterse prijs & Gouden Uil 2009, no English translations, 64 pages

Retelling of the fairytale "The Nightingale" by H.C. Andersen. With beautiful illustrations by Carll Cneut.

ROOT 26: Zip en andere verhalen by Wim Hofman
acquired before 2008, Dutch, childrens, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1987, no translations, 64 pages

Short stories for young readers. Some were allright, others I did not like.

>40 FAMeulstee: I really love that cover, it's beautiful!

>42 Jackie_K: The illustrations were all beautiful. I would have given the story alone half a star less.

>35 FAMeulstee: I've read some of the Dick Francis books and almost always loved them. But is was a very long time ago.

>44 connie53: Maybe time for a re-visit, Connie?
I read them for a shared read in the 75 group.

ROOT 27: Zaterdagmorgen, Zondagmorgen by Jacques Vriens
acquired before 2008, Dutch, childrens, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1979, no translations, 72 pages

It is weekend Katja and her little brother Jan keep their parents at their toes, doing things they are not supposed to do.
Often they just try to help, but the outcome can be disastrous.
The title translates "Saturdaymorning, Sundaymorning".

ROOT 28: De sprookjes van Moeder de Gans by Charles Perrault
has been around since I was born, translated from French, fairytales, English translation The Tales of Mother Goose, 247 pages

I loved this book as a kid, especially "Donkeyskin", a tale where a princess runs away from home to avoid marriage. She has three beautiful dresses, but hides in a donkeyskin not to be recognised. I used to love those dresses described as "a dress as bright as the sun, a dress the colour of the moon, a dress with the colours of the sky". Irresistable to me at the time, a little girl who took a detour to kindergarten to see the dresses in the bridal fashion store ;-)
That magic is gone, the present me isn't as interested in romantic dresses, as I was as a 5 year old. What is left is a mediocre translation of Perraults fairytales.

ROOT 29: Mij 'n zorg by Elly Griffiths
acquired before 2008, translated, YA, awarded, Eervolle Vermelding 1997, original title Adam and Eve and Pinch-me, 243 pages

Sara's mother abandoned her when she was a baby. She was adopted by a nice couple, but they died in a fire. Ever since Sara has been at many different foster parents, some bad, some okayish. When she has to leave again, she can only think of her next birthday, then she will be free of fosters and school. Although she doesn't want to get close to anyone, she starts to like the little boy in this house. She is sad when his mother turns up to take him, and very mad when he returns a few weeks later with a black eye.

>45 FAMeulstee: I don't think so. You know, so many books to read, not enough time left to reread.

>49 connie53: Understandable, Connie, although I like to revisit some books once in a while.

ROOT 30: Verhalen uit de godenwereld van de Edda by Henk van Kerkwijk
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1983, no translations, 202 pages

Retelling of the myths of the Nordic gods from the Edda.
The writer rearranged the tales to create one long story about Wodan, Freya, Loki and all others.

ROOT 31: Een stille dood by Donna Leon
acquired January 2019, translated, Guido Brunetti 6, original title Quietly in Their Sleep, 220 pages

A former nun tells Commissario Guido Brunetti that she thinks some elder people in a nursing home might not have died a natural death. Meanwhile his daugther has some trouble at school.
Book 6 in the series was an enjoyable read, although I liked it a little less than the previous books.

ROOT 32: Nobilità by Donna Leon
acquired January 2019, translated, Guido Brunetti 7, original title A Noble Radiance, 208 pages

In a small village near the mountains, the remains of a human body are found. Commissario Guido Brunetti gets involved because a ring found with the body suggests this might be son of a noble family from Venice, who was kidnapped some time ago.

ROOT 33: Kikker is een held by Max Velthuijs
acquired before 2008, Dutch, childrens, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1996, English translation Frog is a hero, 32 pages

Frog is happy when it starts to rain. When the rain keeps falling, Frog's house and the houses of his friends are flooded. They find refuge at Hare's house, that is on higher grounds. When food runs out, Frog goes out to to get help.
The illustrations are beautiful, even without words you could follow the story.

ROOT 34: Fatalità by Donna Leon
acquired January 2019, translated, Guido Brunetti 8, original title Fatal Remedies, 206 pages

When Commissario Guido Brunetti's wife throws a stone through a window of a travel agency, he fears for his job. At home he argues with Paola, who did this, because she is mad about facilitating sex tours to third world countries. When the owner of the travel agency is found murdered, the note found nearby suggests a similair anger about sex tours.

ROOT 35: De rotsvesting in Sonora by Karl May
re-acquired in 2008, YA, translated from German, no English translation, 358 pages

Adventures with Old Shatterhand and Winnetou in the north of Mexico.

ROOT 36: Dicht langs de huizen by Willem Wilmink
acquired before 2008, YA, Dutch, poetry, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1983, no English translation, 52 pages

First book with poetry in many different verse forms for older children/young adults by Willem Wilmink.

ROOT 37: Verhaal van een leven 2 by Konstantin Paustovski
acquired May 2018, memoires, translated from Russian, Russische Bibliotheek, English translation In That Dawn and Years of Hope, 506 pages

Book three and four of The story of a life, the memoires of Konstantin Paustovski.
In book three Paustovsky describes his days in Moscow during the October Revolution. After receiving a letter from his mother he travels to Kiev, in the midst of civil war between the Red Army and the White Army. From there he goes to Odessa, that is still in the hands of the White Army, where he will stay for some years.
In book four Paustovsky starts working for a Soviet paper for sailors in 1920, after the Red Army took Odessa. There he meets the writer Isaac Babel. In this book it felt sometimes he wrote knowing censors would read along.
With references to Henri Barbusse's Under Fire and Isaac Babel's Red Cavalry, planning to read those soon.
Impressive read.

ROOT 38: Tonkie in de wildernis by Alet Schouten
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, no translations, 85 pages

Sweet story about an abandoned cat, that is left in the middle of nowhere. With help of a wild cat and a jackdaw she finds a place to live near a mental hospital.
I am a fan of Alet Schouten, but I prefer her historical fiction.

ROOT 39: Doctor Faustus by Thomas Mann
acquired before 2008, 1001 books, translated from German, English translation Doctor Faustus, 579 pages

The fictional biography of the composer Adrian Leverkuhn, told by his friend Serenus Zeitblom.
There is so much in this book, musical theory (sometimes a bit over my head), theology, the Faust legend, the rise of Hitler and his defeat, paralels to the life if Nietzsche, in some ways autobiographical etc.
I found it a bit harder to read than The Magic Moutain, that I read in January, still a very good book by a great writer.

ROOT 40: Ik ben een held by Ted van Lieshout
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, awarded, vlag en Wimpel 1991, no translations, 56 pages

Three lovely, illustrated, fairytale-like, short stories, where the brave son rescues his father from danger or fear.
The title translates "I am a hero".

ROOT 41: Een vlucht regenwulpen by Maarten 't Hart
acquired before 2008, 1001 books, Dutch, Dutch Canon, English translation Flight of Curlews, 197 pages

Maarten grew up as only child on the horticultural farm of his parents, growing fruits and vegetables. He rarely left the place until he had to go to school. He could learn very well, but never connected to others. Now he is an international known cell-biologist. He had a strong bond with his mother, who died of cancer. His mothers cancer made him decide to study cells, hoping he would find a cure someday. He fell in love once, at high school, af first he didn't dare to approach the girl, later he found out she already had a boyfriend. She stays in his mind as unreachable ideal.
Like many books by Maarten 't Hart, the main character has some autobiographical sides, his name, the orthodox christian upbringing, his love for birding and the study of biology at the university of Leiden.

March ROOTs


ROOT 42: Winnetou bij de bedoeïenen by Karl May
re-acquired in 2008, translated from German, no English translation, 288 pages

Continued adventures with Old Shatterhand and Winnetou chasing villains in North-Africa, USA and Mexico.

ROOT 43: Hoe gaat het met jou? Met mij gaat het goed by Liesbeth van Lennep
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1980, no translations, 91 pages

Maartje is in hospital, her appendix was removed. The other kids around are much younger, but she finds a boy of her age in the next chamber. They become friends in the few days they spend together in the hospital.

ROOT 44: De dood van Winnetou by Karl May
re-acquired in 2008, YA, translated from German, no English translation, 365 pages

Continued adventures with Old Shatterhand and Winnetou chasing villains.
This is the saddest book, as the title gives away ("The death of Winnetou") Winnetou dies :'(
My (now deceased) brother refused to read any Karl May book after this one, as he hated the death scene.
My other brother & me just kept on reading Karl May, although every time again I read this book, I am in tears when it happens.

ROOT 45: Het teken van Wichart by Alet Schouten
acquired before 2008, YA, Dutch, awarded, Prijs Stichting Kinderbelangen 1969, English translation Flight into Danger, 160 pages

Needed a comfort read after the previous book, third read since I joined LT. And probably read this book a dozen times before joining LT.
Hari escapes from the court of King Penda, together with Dai and a big wolfhound named Lufra. Hari doesn't remember much from his young years, only that he is stolen from Dorestad. They go through Wales, find a ship to Dorestad, and after some adventures Hari finds out where he came from.
Love this story each time again :-)

ROOT 46: Laura's gedichten by Laura Ranger
acquired before 2008, poetry, children's/YA, translated, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1998, original title Laura's Poems, 65 pages

Laura Ranger from New-Zealand wrote some amazing poetry for her age, the poems in this book were written between the age of 6 and 9.

ROOT 47: In de greep van de citroenzucht by Alet Schouten
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, no translations, 155 pages

Thijs and Gartje are neighbors and friends. An unknown illness breaks out in the USA, turning people's skin yellow. The ilness spreads all over the world, but strangly only Thijs and Gartje are not affected. Soon they are threathened in their own place, and have to flight. There seems to be a relation between the illness and pollution. Thijs and Gartje hope to find a clue, as some elder ladies seem to know more...

ROOT 48: Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
acquired before 2008, translated from Japanese, English translation Norwegian Wood, 317 pages

A man thinks back about his years at the university. Lonelyness, friendship, complicated relationships and a lot of suicides...
My first Haruki Murakami, and I enjoyed it. I desperately needed a good read after my previous book (not a ROOT)!

ROOT 49: Een overtollig mens by J.M.A. Biesheuvel
acquired before 2008, Dutch, Boekenweekgeschenk 1988, no translations, 94 pages

Five tragic stories, with a touch of humor.

ROOT 50: De ridderslag by Rosemary Sutcliff
acquired before 2008, YA, translated, original title Knight's Fee, 224 pages

Set in England, 11th century when the sons of William the Conquerer are in power.
Randall, an orphan boy, gets in trouble, but is recued by a bard. He has no musical abilities, so he is send to a lord to be with his grandson. They become friends and end up together at the battle of Tenchebrai.
A part of history I wasn't familiair with. Good read, like all books by Rosemary Sutcliff.

ROOT 51: Middlemarch by George Eliot
acquired October 2017, 1001 books, translated, original title Middlemarch, 1019 pages

Nice peak into early 19th century England.
Love and marriage in Middlemarch families, with a large cast of believable characters, all with their flaws and struggles.
I am not familiar with most of the references to books and events, that were explained in the endnotes, and think they will speak more to readers who grew up with English culture and history.

ROOT 52: Het roze huis by Pierre Bergounioux
acquired December 2018, translated from French, no English translation, 167 pages

A childhood in the 1950s/1960s. Descriptions of the family gatherings in "The Pink House" (=title), where the grandparents live. The family comes together for weddings and burials, each time the main character is some years oder and gets more insight in family dynamics.
Set in the same village where Een stap en dan de volgende took place.

ROOT 53: Vroeger was de aarde plat by Marten Toonder
acquired before 2008, Dutch, no translations, 301 pages

Autobiograpy of Marten Toonder, who got famous with his Tom Poes &Bommel stories.
From his birth (1912) in Rotterdam to his first job in Leiden, ending in 1939.

ROOT 54: Waar je bang voor bent by Pema Chödrön
acquired before 2008, translated, non-fiction, original title The Places That Scare You, 144 pages

American Budhhist nun explaines about her way of life, using meditation and compassion.

April ROOTs


ROOT 55: Het masker van Dante by David Hewson
acquired June 2018, e-book, translated, Nic Costa 7, original title Dante's numbers, 431 pages

Not the best book in the Nic Costa series, the plot is a bit far fetched. Still an enjoyable read, because I love the characters.

ROOT 56: Het drama van het begaafde kind by Alice Miller
acquired in 1997, non-fiction, translated from German, English translation The Drama of the Gifted Child, 113 pages

How empathic children try to please their mentally challenged parents, and thus creating their own mental problems because of their childhood. Treatment trough living through again those trauma's.
I bought this book long ago, when I was just diagnosed with mental illness. The book was originally written in 1973, and this is the updated version. I could relate to some of the contents, but much is outdated, as anti-depressants weren't available back then and not much was known about neurotransmitters and the influence of hormones.

ROOT 57: Daar komt de bruid by Lévi Weemoedt
acquired before 2008, Dutch, no translations, 86 pages

Short, funny book about marriage and fairytales, from a male point of view.

ROOT 58: De vrouw met de hondekar by Alet Schouten
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, no translations, 97 pages

Historical fiction, 19th century, Kees is staying some months near the dunes with the former nanny of his father. He meets a woman with a dog-cart. The woman falls ill and Kees takes care of her dog.
Based on real events, the woman is Amalie Dietrich, a German naturalist, who visited the Netherlands in 1861 and got very ill then.

ROOT 59: Vriendendienst by Donna Leon
acquired March 2019, e-book, translated, Guido Brunetti 9, original title Friends in High Places, 246 pages

Commisario Guido Brunetti has to deal with corruption, drug abuse and loan sharks.
Nice detail the characters read: his daughter is reading an Aubrey/Maturin book by Patrick O'Brian, and his wife Paola did also read the whole series. Guido is reading Xenophon.

ROOT 60: Zeezicht by Simone Schell
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, awarded, Gouden Griffel 1980, no translations, 118 pages

Lousa lives in "Zeezicht", a large house in the dunes, with her grandmother, mother, and little brother. Once it was the luxury home of her grandfather, but the family lost almost everything in World War II. Now they have to take in summer guests, and that is still not enough to pay for the needed renovations.
Lousa feels neglected by her mother, there is a lot of tension this summer, and not only because of German tourists are staying at their place.

ROOT 61: Het geluid van bloemen by Marten Toonder
acquired before 2008, Dutch, no translations, 463 pages

Autobiograpy of Marten Toonder, who got famous with his Tom Poes & Bommel stories.
His life during World War II.

ROOT 62: Milena by Jan Procházka
acquired before 2008, translated from Czech, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1977, no English translation, 95 pages

Sixteen year old Milena lives with her father near the mine. She has a crush on the most notorious womaniser of all the men around. But he doesn't notice her, she is still a child in his eyes.

ROOT 63: Onder het kollende meer Doo by Marten Toonder
acquired before 2008, Dutch, no translations, 337 pages

Autobiograpy of Marten Toonder, who got famous with his Tom Poes & Bommel stories.
His life after World War II, until 1965, when he moved to Ireland.

ROOT 64: Tera by Marten Toonder
acquired before 2008, Dutch, no translations, 89 pages

Autobiograpy of Marten Toonder, who got famous with his Tom Poes & Bommel stories.
His life with his second wife in the 1990s.

ROOT 65: De beulse by Pavel Kohout
acquired before 2008, translated from Czech, English translation The Hangwoman, 394 pages

Satirical story about worlds first school for hangman, where the first female hangman is educated. Beautiful, innocent Lizinka is loved by the men around her, students and teachers alike, and some loose their head...
With a lot of historical facts about executions through the centuries, some descriptions are very graphic... But somehow it is also a very funny read, if you like dark humor.

ROOT 66: De kristallen grot by Mary Stewart
re-acquired February 2018, translated from English, original The Crystal Cave, 446 pages

First book of Mary Stewart's Merlin trilogy, where old Merlin tells about his youth and the years until Arthur was born. A bit of magic, but mostly a very human portrait of Merlin.

ROOT 67: Blauwe demonen by David Hewson
acquired June 2018, e-book, translated from English, original titleThe Blue Demon, 448 pages

Nic Costa series, book 8. Terrorists attack in Rome, during the preparations for the G8 top. The carabinieri and the secret services take the case out of the hands of the police, but Leo Falcone finds a way to keep his team involved.

ROOT 68: Weg met Eddy Bellegueule by Édouard Louis
acquired April 2019, translated from French, English translation The end of Eddy, 202 pages

Eddy grows up in a poor family in the North of France. Being gay in this village means being bullied and not accepted, although Eddy has no knowlegde of what being gay really is. He knows he is different, but he wants to fit in. So he tries to copy the brutal and violent behaviour of his father and other males in the village. In the end he manages to escape through education.
Disturbing story, that this still happens in Europe in the 21th century...

ROOT 69: Nemesis by Philp Roth
acquired September 2014, 1001 books, translated, original title Nemesis, 263 pages

Compelling read about polio outbreak in New Jersey in 1944. The main character isn't fighting in Europe, like his friends, due to his bad eyes he has to stay home. When polio strucks, he fights his own battle with feelings of guilt.

ROOT 70: Grand Hotel Europa by Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer
acquired January 2019, Dutch, no translations (it should be available in the US soon), 547 pages

A great read! A book about Venice and masstourism, about European identity and history, about refugees, art and literature and much more. The old continent, so much stuck in the past, there is no future left. Told in rich prose, with some humor and selfreflection. His description of the Damien Hirst exposition in Venice (2017) will stay with me for a long time.

ROOT 71: Minoes by Annie M.G. Schmidt
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1971, English translation The Cat Who Came in Off the Roof, 154 pages

Mister Tibble is about to loose his job as a reporter, as he tends to write about cats instead of real news. He is saved by Miss Minou, a strange young woman with many catlike characteristics. He finds Miss Minou in a tree, where she fled, chased by a dog. He offers her a home, she helps him to gather news.
Lovely fantasy story with a lot of cats.

ROOT 72: Geen ochtend ter wereld by Pascal Quignard
acquired before 2008, translated from French, Franse Bibliotheek, English translation All the World's Mornings, 78 pages

Short novella about the life of De Sainte-Colombe, a composer who played the viola da gamba. He is mostly known as teacher of Marin Marais and lived in the 17th century.
Beautiful written.

ROOT 73: De boodschap van Winnetou by Karl May
re-acquired in 2008, translated from German, no English translation, 347 pages

The last adventures of Old Shatterhand in the USA. With many characters from the previous books, and a very happy ending.

>72 FAMeulstee: Is this the novella on which the movie is based? Tous les matins du monde?

>95 MissWatson: Yes, Birgit it is. I haven't seen the movie.

>96 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita. The title stuck in my mind because it is so cryptic. The music was great.

>97 MissWatson: The title is a quote from the book "Tous les matins du monde sont sans retour" (in English "All the world's mornings never return")

As always, Anita! I don't know how you manage to read so much books!

>99 connie53: I don't know either, Connie, it just happens. Anyway it is a good way to spend my time ;-)

>100 FAMeulstee: That is true, what better way to spend free time ;-)

>101 connie53: Numbers will be less stellar this month, next week we will be on vacation in Berlin.

>102 FAMeulstee: I love Berlin. Have a good time there!

Safe travels and have a good time in Berlin!

>103 connie53: >104 MissWatson: Thanks Connie and Birgit, I am sure we will have a good time in Berlin :-)

May ROOTs


ROOT 74: Langzaam, zo snel als zij konden by Toon Tellegen
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1990, no translations, 48 pages

Toon Telligen has written many books about the animals in the wood. In this universe there is only one of every animal, so their names are "Squirrel", "Ant", "Cricket" "Elephant". In this book 15 stories about Squirrel, Ant, Elephant and many others. Elephant tries to fly, Hippo and Cricket change places and Mole wants to put on his coat while running.
The title would be in English: "Slowly, as fast as they could".
Toon Tellegen has a wonderful way with words and I love his humor.

ROOT 75: Gezworen woorden by Akky van der Veer
acquired before 2008, YA, Dutch, awarded, Eervolle Vermelding 1997, no translations, 187 pages

A Frisian village, 1st century, lost their leader after an attack by the Chauci. The Romans came and defeated the Chauci, so the villagers are gratefull to the Romans. When a new Roman ruler is very unfair to the Frisians, they revolt.

Sorry, no reviews for the next books, two weeks ago we went to Berlin for a week. Shortly after our return my mother died.


ROOT 76: Top 10 : Berlijn by Jürgen Scheunemann
acquired January 2019, non-fiction, travel guide, translated, original titleDK Eyewitness Top Ten Travel Guide : Berlin, 192 pages



--

ROOT 77: Bombaaj! by Els Pelgrom
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, Kinderboekenweekgeschent 1995, no translations, 93 pages



--

ROOT 78: De zevenslaper by Hanna Muschg
acquired before 2008, YA, translated from German, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1987, English translation 7 x 7 Tales of Sevensleeper, 96 pages

>108 FAMeulstee: Oh Anita, I'm so sorry about your mum :(

>108 FAMeulstee: I am so sorry to hear this, Anita. My condolences.

>108 FAMeulstee: I'm so sorry, Anita - look after yourself, the books and threads can wait.

Thanks RP, Birgit and Jacky.
For the last 2 years my mother was in a nursing home because of dementia. The last months both her mental and physical decline went fast.

ROOT 79: Kantjil : dwerghert bij het Tobameer by Alet Schouten
acquired before 2008, YA, Dutch, no translations, 92 pages

The funny adventures of Kantjil (Indonesian mouse-deer), who outsmarts even Tiger and Rhino.

ROOT 80: Tinus-in-de-war by Jacques Vriens
acquired before 2008, YA, Dutch, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1991, no translations, 63 pages

Anke is staying with her aging grandparents. They have an old cat called Tinus. Both grandfather and Tinus have early symptoms of memory loss. Managing the cat is easy...

ROOT 81: De holle heuvels by Mary Stewart
aqcuired February 2018, translated, original title The Hollow Hills, 422 pages

Second book of Mary Stewart's Merlin trilogy, where old Merlin tells about his role in Arthurs life from his birth to becoming king. A bit of magic, but mostly a very human portrait of Merlin. I hope to read book three soon!

ROOT 82: Een wolf in de stal by Carl-Anders Norrlid
acquired before 2008, YA, translated from Swedish, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1980, no English translation, 122 pages

Sweden, 1809. When Morten and his father find a wounded Russian soldier during the Finnish War (1808-1809), and take him home, they realise they could get in a lot of trouble.

ROOT 83: Asterix de Galliër by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo
acquired before 2008, comic, translated from French, English translation Asterix the Gaul, 48 pages

The first adventure of Asterix (and Obelix), the invincible Gauls. These comics always make me laugh, and I could use a good laugh...

ROOT 84: Valentijn by Arnold Lobel
acquired before 2008, picture book, translated, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1971, original title Small Pig, 63 pages

Sweet story, with beautiful illustrations, about Small Pig (Valentijn in Dutch translation). When the farmers wife cleans the whole farm including Small Pigs favorite pigpen, Small Pig runs away in search for a nice pigpen.

>117 FAMeulstee: I love the Asterix books for an easy laugh too.

>119 Jackie_K: I might pick up a few others this month, my all time favorite is Asterix and Cleopatra.

No ROOTs read in June yet, the library books are taking over... There were so many books of my TBR-list available, when I visited the library last week! I took 10 of them home (and another 10 from the e-library...), they will keep me busy for the most of this month.

Enough time to catch up in the next months, I am already past half way to my goal.

June ROOTs


ROOT 85: Onrustig tij by Donna Leon
acquired March 2019, e-book, translated, original title Sea of Troubles, 301 pages

Guido Brunetti book 10, not the best book in the series, still an enjoyable read.

ROOT 86: Op weg naar de regenboog by Rosemary Sutcliff
acquired before 2008, YA, translated, original title Brother Dustyfeet, 155 pages

England, 16th century, the boy Hugh and his dog Argos run away from his uncle and aunt's place. He lived there after his father died, but his aunt is a very nasty person. He meets a goup of traveling actors, and joins them.
Not the best book by Sutcliff, but she always wrote interesting books.

ROOT 87: Kenau by Theun de Vries
acquired May 2019, Dutch, no translations, 127 pages

Story about Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer and the siege of Haarlem in 1572-1573 during the Eighty Years' War.
Kenau fought for her city, and still remains as a word to call a very strong (and not nice) woman.
Theun de Vries wrote this book in 1939, but then WWII started and it could not be published. It was first published shortly after the war in 1946.

ROOT 88: Ze hebben mijn vader vermoord by Édouard Louis
acquired December 2018, translated from French, English translation Who killed my father, 76 pages

Pamphlet about the writers reconciliation with his father, who was a poor workman in the north of France.
Various governments, both left wing and right wing, slowly made life impossible for his father. Cuts in social security, cuts medicine compensation, etc. all "only a few euro's". No problem for those who have money, but insurmountable for those already living in poverty...

ROOT 89: Het verraad by Rosemary Sutcliff
acquired before 2008, YA, translated, original title The Shining Company, 244 pages

This book is inspired by the Y Gododdin, a very old Welsh poem.
7th century, three hundred British warriors gather in Dun Eidyn to go south and fight the Saxons. Their deeds are in a poem by Anerin, the bard, who went with them.
The story is told by a shield-bearer, who went to Dun Eidyn with a Welsh prince.
A good and solid historic story, as only Rosemary Sutcliff can write.

root 90: Berlijn Alexanderplatz by Alfred Döblin
acquired May 2019, 1001 books, translated from German, English translation Berlin Alexanderplatz, 533 pages

I started this book when we were in Berlin in May. I didn't get very far and put it aside.
A few days ago I picked it up again and found myself back in Berlin with Franz Biberkopf and fate. This time I was reading straight through the book, I barely could put it down.
Döblin creates the atmosphere of the big city by using texts of advertisements, songs, weather reports, headlines etc though the story. It takes some time to get used to that.
This book will stay with me for a long time.

July ROOTs
library books are taking over at 118 read, but still reading some ROOTS


ROOT 91: De straat waar niets gebeurt by Els Pelgrom
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1987, no translations, 120 pages

Andreas lives in Granada (Spain), in a small street where never anything happens. So he imagines having adventures. One day he does see something strange at the other side of the street and he ends up in a real adventure.

Hi Anita! Just popping in to say hi!

Verschrikkelijk om te lezen dat je moeder is overleden. Van harte gecondoleerd. Heel veel sterkte gewenst de komende tijd.

>129 connie53: Thank you Connie.

My mother was 87 years old, the last years dementia had slowly taken over her mind.
It is hard on my father, they would have been married for 65 years next October.

>130 FAMeulstee: That's really sad for your dad.

ROOT 92: Hoe Tortot zijn vissenhart verloor by Benny Lindelauf
acquired January 2019, YA, awarded, Gouden Lijst 2017, English translation Tortot the cold fish who lost his world and found his heart, 235 pages

Cook Tortort and legless George are stuck in the war. They switch sides when needed to survive.
A nice adventurous story, showing the needless suferrings from war.
I loved Benny Lindelaufs previous two books, this one I only liked. The illustrations are beautiful.

ROOT 93: Gevallen engel by David Hewson
acquired June 2018, e-book, translated, original title The fallen angel, 432 pages

Ninth book in the Nic Costa series.
Re-reading the series before getting to the new Nic Costa book The Savage Shore, that came out last year.
Luckely I always forget the plot, so reading again is almost as good as the first time. Or maybe even better.

ROOT 94: Desperado's by Karl May
re-acquired in 2008, YA, translated from German, no English translation, 280 pages

Seven short stories by Karl May, four of them situated in the Wild West, one in Germany, one in Spain and one in Russia. Amusing, most for sentimental reasons. Reminds me why I don't like short stories, all the different places and characters, I prefer to stay with characters for a longer time.

ROOT 95: Met het mes op tafel by Cynthia Voigt
acquired before 2008, YA, translated, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1996, original title When she hollers, 120 pages

One morning Trish puts a big knife on the table, pointed to her stephfather. She will no longer tolerate his sexual abuse. But how on earth can she really escape her fate?
Very intense read, I could not read much at a time, only short bits.

ROOT 96: Toen er nog bizons waren by Käthe Recheis
acquired before 2008, YA, translated from German, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1991, no English translation the original books are in English, 128 pages

Retelling for children from the two books Plenty-Coups, Chief of the Crows and Pretty-shield: Medicine Woman of the Crows by Frank B. Linderman. Stories of the Crow indians, with beautiful illustrations.

>134 FAMeulstee: I prefer not to read short stories for the same reason, Anita. It seems like a chore to read through a short story collection.

>132 FAMeulstee: Same here about the books of Benny Lindelauf. Negen open armen en De hemel van Heivisj are really great.

And you know what heivisj means I hope?

>137 Familyhistorian: Glad to know I am not the only one, Meg.

>138 connie53: If I remember well, there was a horse with that name. I thought it ment something like "home".

>139 FAMeulstee: Yes, you are right. It means home. It's the dialect of Sittard.

ROOT 97: De regenboog heeft maar acht kleuren by Peter Pohl
acquired before 2008, YA, translated from Swedish, no English translation, 327 pages

Heinrich was born in Germany in 1940, his German father died in the war. His Swedish mother takes him to her homeland. The only person who welcomes them is her father, Heinrichs grandfather, who tells him fairy tales. His mother wants him to play outside, but the neighborhood kids bully and beat him up. When he finally finds a friend, the friend dies. When Heinrich has changed into Henrik, there comes a new girl in his class, Ylva, she stands up for him. He feels like he has gone from hell into heaven now he has Ilva on his side.
Peter Pohl writes beautiful books about heavy subjects like bullying, not fitting in, abuse and incest; the stories rather don't end well. His writing is so beautiful and penetrating, I always cry while reading, heartwrenching beauty.

ROOT 98: De liefste poes van de wereld by Dolf Verroen
acquired before 2008, childrens, Dutch, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1989, no English translation, 115 pages

Sarah always wanted to have a cat. One day her mother brings home a little, strange kitten. She is white with a bit of gray, has one smaller ear and a knacked tail, but for Sarah she is a dream coming true. She calls her Uilalia. One day Uilalia falls out of the window. It takes a lot of time and adventures for both Sarah and Uilalia before they are reunited.

ROOT 99: Nieuwe maan by Sarah Crossan
acquired January 2019, YA, translated, original title Moonrise, 391 pages

Joe was only seven years old when he took the phonecall, it was his older brother Ed, who had run away. Ed was in prison accused and convicted for murder. Ten years later a date is set for death row. Joe goes to Texas to see his brother before he is killed.
Written in free verse, this book is an emotional roalercoaster.

ROOT 100: Koen, maak je mijn schoen? by Willem Wilmink
acquired before 2008, YA, Dutch, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1984, no translations, 111 pages

First book of three books about poetry and poets for older children/young adults.
Nice way to make them read and enjoy poetry.

August ROOTs


ROOT 101: Verhaal van een leven 3 by Konstantin Paustovski
acquired July 2018, memoires, translated from Russian, English translation Southern Adventure and The Restless Years, 476 pages

Book five and six of The story of a life, the memoires of Konstantin Paustovski.
In book five Paustovsky travels south to Sokhumi (Abkhazia). He works for a marine paper and falls ill with malaria and later yellow fever. He meets Isaac Babel again and some other writers staying near. Later he travels on to the south and stays a while in Batumi.
In book six Paustovsky goes back to Moskow, working as a journalist again. Stalins Terror has started, so everyone tries to keep a low profile. People around disappear. He describes some journeys to the north that are work related.
This edition contains some chapters that were censored in the first editions, and only recently found. Even in 1963 (when it was first published) explicit critism towards Stalin was not allowed.
Impressive read.

book 102: Karl May en zijn wereld by Karl May
re-acquired in 2008, translated from German, no English translation, 255 pages

Last book from the Dutch Karl May series.
Containing parts from 3 different original German books "Ich"(autobiography), Auf fremden Pfaden and Das Zauberwasser.

ROOT 103: Het reisgezelschap van de Amstel by Willem Wilmink
acquired before 2008, Dutch, no translations, 40 pages

This fairytale was originally published in a Dutch literary magazine (Tirade) in 1966.
Ten years later is was pubished in this edition.
A girl has an adventure with animals, around the river Amstel. The animals made me think of The wind in the Willows. With nice illustrations by Jantien Buisman.

ROOT 104: Ballade van de dood by Koos Meinderts & Harrie Jekkers
acquired August 2019, Dutch, childrens, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 2009, no translations, 26 pages

A king is afraid of Death. With help of the scientists in his kingdom, he manages to lock up Death. A few hundred years later everybody is bored, the kingdom is overcrowded, and the king longs for the return of Death.

ROOT 105: Pluk van de Petteflet by Annie M.G. Schmidt
acquired before 2008, Dutch, childrens, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1972, English translation Tow-Truck Pluck, 167 pages

Pluck loves all animals. He lives with the cockroach Zaza in a room at the top of an appartment building. Whenever there is an animal in need, Pluck wants to help. If he can't manage on his own, he can always ask the owner of the nearby bookstore.
Suited to read a chapter a night as bedtime story. With perfect illustrations by Fiep Westendorp.

ROOT 106: Jorrie en Snorrie by Annie M.G. Schmidt
acquired before 2008, Dutch, childrens, Kinderboekenweekgeschenk 1990, no translations, 93 pages

Trainconductor Snorrie is about to ride one a very special train, when the girl Jorrie stops him. Some escaped hedgehogs are under the train, so they can't leave. Two ministers and a foreign president are on the train, and they are not amused by the delay....
This was the free gift book of the Childrens Book Week in 1990 and the last cooperation between Annie M.G. Schmidt and her regular illustrator Fiep Westendorp.

ROOT 107: Maanzaad by Lydia Rood
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1990, no translations, 143 pages

Papaver's mother died when she was young. She never gave it much thought, as she has a wonderful stephmother. On her 12th birthday her father gives her a big pile of paper, written to her by her mother. This way she gets the opportunity to know her mother, and that isn't always easy.

ROOT 108: Bedrieglijke zaken by Donna Leon
acquired March 2019, e-book, translated, original title Willful Behavior, 317 pages

Commisario Brunetti book 11.
Police in Venice. Murders connected to art theft in World War II.

ROOT 109: Het varenwoud by Alet Schouten
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, no translations, 132 pages

The world as we knew it has ended 70 years ago. Very few technology is left and the Netherlands is covered in big fern woods, not very accesible for humans. In the fernwoods live elf-like creatures, so they say. No one is sure until such a creature is left behind in a small human village.

ROOT 110: De reizen van Ólafur Egilsson by Ólafur Egilsson
acquired July 2019, translated from English original written in Icelandic, English translation The Travels of Reverend Ólafur Egilsson, 176 pages

Originally written in 1628, after his return to Iceland, first published in 1741.
The story of Icelandic people who were obducted by muslim pirates from Iceland and sold as slaves in Algiers. The reverend Ólafur Egilsson was send back to Danmark, as he was too old to be sold as a slave, to get money for the randsom that could free his fellow countrymen.
Very interesting read, I never heard before about muslim pirates coming as far as Iceland. We learn a bit about Iceland, Algiers and traveling through Europe in the 17th century. As a man of God, the reverend ends each chapter with a bible quote. So nice this is now available in Dutch.

ROOT 111: Goedenavond, speelman by Willem Wilmink
acquired before 2008, YA, Dutch, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1988, no translations, 112 pages

Third and last book of Willem Wilminks YA books about poets and poetry.
Poetry and music: the poetry in songs and the rhytm of poems.

ROOT 112: De woudloper by Karl May
re-acquired in 2008, YA, translated from German, no English translation, 320 pages

Romantic retelling of a book written by Gabriel Ferry.
In Spain the evil brother of a noble man kills his sister in law and makes their son disappear, so he inherits their fortune. The child ends up in Mexico, and has no clue about his origin.

ROOT 113: Vuur van Brigid en andere wintermythen by Pierre Michon
acquired December 2018, translated from French, Franse Bibliotheek, no English translation, 107 pages

Three collections of connected short stories. The first collection about early christian times in Ireland, the second collection about abbots in Normandy and the third collection about St Eminia and the abbey with her name.

ROOT 114: Het verkeerde pannetje by Willem Wilmink
acquired before 2008, YA, Dutch, awarded, Nienke van Hichtum prijs 1985, no translations, 105 pages

Stories about the authors youth in Enschede, most have a funny twist.

ROOT 115: De stederedders by Alet Schouten
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, no translations, 135 pages

During the "Year of Disaster" (1672) the city of Naarden was occupied by the French.
Pieter lives in Naarden, he is worried about his brother who is in the army of the Prince of Orange. One night Pieter manages to get out of the city and is able to help to get Naarden free.

ROOT 116: De zandkroon Hakim Traïdia
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1997, no translations, 127 pages

The writer, at the time a well known storyteller in children's televsion program, gets tangled in his own stories. A mix of local Algerian strories and Arabian fairytales.

ROOT 117: Dani Bennoni lang zal hij leven by Bart Moeyaert
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, awarded, Nienke van Hichtum prijs 2005, English translation Dani Bennoni: Long May He Live, 84 pages

Summer of 1939 in Flandres. Bings older brother Moon went to the army, Moons friend Dani is still around. Bing desperately wants to be a footbalplayer and Dani could teach him. With some little lies, well not lies he only makes suggestions to Dani's girfriend, he tries to get Dani to be his footbalteacher.

ROOT 118: De komst van de Katteturk by Alet Schouten
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, no translations, 98 pages

Commotion between the knick-knacks on the mantelshelf, when a new souvenir from Turkey is placed between them. The new piece is a porcelain cat, white with blue stars on his body, called Euzel. Meanwhile their owner seems to be in trouble, the Indonesian copper snake might be able to help.

ROOT 119: Mauwtje by Rascal
acquired before 2008, translated from French, YA, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1995, no English translation, 32 pages

There is a war going on when Mauwtje is born. In desperation her parents put her in a small basket into the sea. Mauwtje finds a nice family.
With nice matching illustrations by Sophie.

ROOT 120: Vandaag is het de grote dag by Willem Wilmink
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, no translations, 70 pages

How to make a song or poem for a special occasion.

ROOT 121: Driedelig paard by Ted van Lieshout
acquired March 2012, Dutch, YA, poems, awarded, Woutertje Pieters prijs & Zilveren Griffel 2012 no translations, 87 pages

Ted van Lieshout did it again, beautiful prose poems combined with photographs and illustrations. A joy to read.

ROOT 122: Snippers by Patricia MacLachlan
acquired before 2008, translated, YA, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1993, original title Journey, 70 pages

Tim and his sister Kat live with their grandparents at the farm. Tim is very angry, as their mother left them behind. His grandfather likes to take pictures, slowly Tim comes out of his anger and also starts taking pictures.

Wow, Anita! Good job.

Since you know how to make stars, could you share that knowledge with us in https://www.librarything.nl/topic/301925

I tried to but did not succeed.

Thanks, Connie.

The problem with https:// and http:// continues :-(
I have put my workaround at the tread.

September ROOTs


ROOT 123: Jubeltenen by Rita Verschuur
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, awarded, Gouden Uil 1999, no translations, 107 pages

It is 1947, Rita has to make a drawing in class for a drawing contest about two years of peace. While wondering if she has a chance to win, she thinks about the drawings of her classmates, art in general and how grown ups look at drawings and art.

ROOT 124: Och, ik elleboog me er wel doorheen by Ted van Lieshout
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1989, no translations, 26 pages

Poems for older children / young adults about daily family life, with matching drawings.

ROOT 125: Verzetsjongen by Hans Werner
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, awarded, Kluwerprijs 1985, no translations, 226 pages

The adventures of the catholic boy Gerard in the last year of World War II, when his grandmother and aunt came to live in their house, making the hunger even worse when all scarse food had to be divided for more people than before. He tries to be christian about his faith. He also reads about Tibet, and imagines how Tibetans would live through these hard times. Right after the war he runs away with a neighbor boy, wandering through the country Gerard imagines he is traveling through Tibet.

ROOT 126: Bij ons op het dorp by Rudie van Meurs
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1986, no translations, 149 pages

Stories about a little village in the polder, behind the river dikes. About nature, how life has changed during the 20th century, the life of older villagers and politics.

ROOT 127: Niet zo, maar zo! deel 1 by Joost Swarte
acquired before 2008, Dutch, awarded, Vlag en wimpel 1986, no English translation, 63 pages

Absurd and sometimes funny cartoons.

ROOT 128: Het testament van de Inca by Karl May
re-acquired in 2008, translated from German, no English translation, 319 pages

Adventures in South-America, with bad guys, our hero, the last remaining Inca and a hidden treasure.

ROOT 129: Vreemd land by Rita Verschuur
acquired before 2008, YA, Dutch, awarded, Nienke van Hichtum prijs 1997, no English translation, 144 pages

Childhood memories of the writer. A few years after WW II she is going to stay on her own in Sweden for some weeks. When her mother asks her if she wants to go, she is enthousiast at first, but then starts to doubt and thinks of all what can go wrong. In Sweden she adapts quickly, although she has some trouble with cultural differences..

ROOT 130: Mosje en Reizele by Karlijn Stoffels
acquired before 2008, YA, Dutch, awarded, Gouden Zoen 1997, no English translation, 158 pages

An old man in Tel Aviv looks back at his youth, when he wasn't mr Schuster, but was called Moshe.
Moshe is a Polish jew, but he feels Polish. When his parents die, he is send to the famous jewish orphanage of Janusz Korczak and becomes friends with Rejzele. It is 1939, soon the Germans invade Poland and Mosje can't escape from the orphanage anymore. Just before everyone in the orphanage is taken to the camps, Mosje finds a way to get away. He manages to stay alive during the war and ends up in Israel.

ROOT 131: Raffie en de 9 aapjes by H.A. Rey
came to me 2013, children's, translated from French, English translation Cecily G. and the 9 Monkeys, 32 pages

Story about a lonely young giraffe, whose parents were captured by humans. She meets nine monkeys, who are without home, because their home trees are cut down. They decide to stay together.
My mother must have bought this book somewhere in the 1950s. In the back there is a sticker that it was recommennded by Kris Kras, at the time a progressive magazine for children. Many famous writers of childrens books started their career in Kris Kras.

ROOT 132: Toen niemand iets te doen had by Toon Tellegen
acquired before 2008, YA, Dutch, awarded, Gouden Griffel 1988, English translation Far Away Across the Sea, 143 pages

Short stories with animals, in this universe there is only one of every animal, so their names are "Squirrel", "Ant", "Cricket", "Elephant".
Toon Tellegen has a wonderful way with words. This is one of the first books about Ant and his friends, later books are even better.

ROOT 133: De huisjongen by Ferdinand Oyono
acquired before 2008, YA, translated from French, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1982, English translation Houseboy, 172 pages

Set in French colonial Cameroon, where Toundi Ondoua runs away from home to become the "houseboy" of the local priest. He is teached to read and write and that all men are equal in christian faith. When the priest dies, he becomes the "houseboy" of the local gouverner and finds out soon how "equal" his life is.
A very clear portrait of the racist and inhumane colonial system, recommended

ROOT 134: Het geheim van Mories Besjoer by Anke de Vries
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1976, no English translation, 160 pages

When their friend Maurice, a Frenchman who lives in their neighborhood, gets in trouble, the local children come to the rescue.

ROOT 135: Noodlanding by Ivan Southall
acquired before 2008, translated, YA, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1972, original title To the Wild Sky, 176 pages

Six children go on their way by plane to a birthday party in the Australian outback. When the pilot has an heartattack, they have to save themselves.
Realistic story, sadly the sequel is not available in translation. Maybe I can find it online.

ROOT 136: Zolang het nog kan by Susan Sallis
acquired before 2008, translated, YA, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1983, original title Only love, 175 pages

Sixteen year old Frances has been in a wheelchair her whole life and knows her life will be short. She moves to Thornton Hall, a place for the handicapped. Soon she feels at home and makes friends. When a new resident, 18 year old Lucas Hawkins, refuses to leave his room, Fran and some others try to get him out of his shell. But Fran never expected to fall in love, and knowing she hasn't much time, makes it even more complicated.

ROOT 137: Het ratteplan by Tor Seidler
acquired before 2008, translated, YA, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1989, original title A rat's tale, 176 pages

Animal story, Martinus Mal-Rat lives in New York. The rats live in a constant battle with most humans, who want to destroy them. Martinus is named after his uncle, a very special artistic rat, who befriended a human. Our hero's adventures lead him to the love of his life.
Half a star added beacause of the beautiful illustrations by Fred Marcellino.

book 138: Inbreuk by Dick Francis
acquired January 2019, translated, original title Break In, 336 pages

Kit Fielding is a steeple chase jockey. When the husband of his twin sister Holly gets the victim of mean gossip in a paper, Kit steps in to help them. He steps into big trouble, and has no clue who is behind all this.
Enjoyable read, looking forward to the next Kit Fielding book!

ROOT 139: Teunis by Toon Tellegen
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1997, no English translation, 61 pages

Story about Teunis, he is a young elephant. He lives with his family in a house among humans. Teunis gets in trouble often, when he is playing with human children his size is often a problem. At school he has trouble writing... and also a lot of fun.
All told with humor and accompanied by lovely illustrations by Jan Jutte.

ROOT 140: Het lange verblijf by Régine Detambel
acquired before 2008, translated from French, Franse Bibliotheek, no English translation, 102 pages

Following one day in the life of three residents of a nursing home. Each chapter is about one of these three, an old declining man, an old woman, rather vital for her age, and a person with dementia. Each is approached differently by the nurses.
Poignant and impressive, written with empathy.

ROOT 141: Het Wilhelmus by Willem Wilmink
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, non-fiction, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1994, Dutch Canon, no translations, 56 pages

Het Wilhelmus (Wilhelmus) is our national anthem. It was written around 1572 when the 80 Year War just had started. It was always a populair song and became our national anthem centuries later: in 1932.
The song has 15 couplets, the first letters of those give the name Willem van Nassov: Willem of Nassau (or William the Silent), who was our founding father.
In this book the full original text, explanation of word no longer used, and some backgrounds.

ROOT 142: Jip en Janneke by Annie M.G. Schmidt
acquired before 2008, Dutch, childrens, English translation Jip and Janneke: Two Kids from Holland, 372 pages

The boy Jip and the girl Janneke live next door to each other. Both only child, they see eachother every day, and play, run away, get lost, and fight together. The two families would not be complete without cat Siep and dog Takkie.
I think most of my generation grew up with these stories, and it is still a favorite to read aloud.
236 short stories, written between 1953 and 1960, with the iconic illustrations by Fiep Westendorp

ROOT 143: Het feest op de maan by Toon Tellegen
acquired before 2008, Dutch, childrens/YA, no translations, 23 pages

One story about Squirrel, who wants to visit the moon on his birthday.
Lovely booklet, cut in half a circle. It is a bit difficult to keep it straight on the shelf ;-)

ROOT 144: Als je goed om je heen kijkt zie je dat alles gekleurd is by Tine van Buul
acquired before 2008, Dutch, childrens/YA, poetry, awarded, Gouden Griffel 1991, no translations, 233 pages

Poetry collection. 365 poems by Dutch poets, most of the poets are considered writing mainly for children, others have adults as their readers. Diveded in nine sections by theme.

book 145: Op weg naar het schavot by Kees Fens
acquired before 2008, Dutch, essay, Bookweek 2007, no translations, 61 pages

In 2007 the Bookweek theme was "In Praise of Folly - banter, satire and irony". Kees Fens, a well known Dutch essayist, wrote about these in Dutch literature. And in which books he first understood banter, satire and irony. At times mildly funny.

ROOT 146: Het bergje spek by Harriët van Reek
acquired before 2008, Dutch, childrens, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1990, no translations, 36 pages

When Carla meets a giant, a man with very long legs, she invites him at her home. He doesn't like cities, so Carla travels to his place. There he tells her a story every night.
Illustrated by the writer.

book 147: Hou van mij by Ted van Lieshout
acquired in 2011, Dutch, YA, poetry, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 2010, no translations, 270 pages

All fourteen poetry books by Ted van Lieshout together. Written between 1984 and 2009. I had read some of them fairly recently, on second read I liked most poems even better.
He writes about family, school, love, death etc. never talking down, but using words that are understandable for teens.
He combines the poetry with his drawings and paintings in different styles, that always add to the poems.

Lots of books read, Anita!

>194 connie53: Thank you, Connie, I was seriously ROOTing last month!
And I have just met my goal of 150 :-)

October ROOTs


ROOT 148: De binnenste cirkel by David Hewson
acquired in 2018, e-book, translated, original title The savage shore, 329 pages

Nic Costa book 11.
Nic Costa, his partner Gianni Peroni and their chief Leo Falcone are in Calabria. Someone inside the ‘Ndrangheta (the Calabrian maffia) is supposed to be willing to talk. Nic goes undercover to ease the process.

  

ROOT 149: Floris en het verraad van Oldenstein (Floris 1) by José Kiestra
a gift in 2019, Dutch, YA, no translations, 49 pages


ROOT 150: Floris en het beleg van Oldenstein (Floris 2) by Jacques Constant
acquired in 2019, Dutch, YA, no translations, 50 pages


ROOT 151: Floris : de vijand te slim af (Floris 3) by Frans de Regt
acquired in 2019, Dutch, YA, no translations, 48 pages


Three books after the TV-series with Rutger Hauer as Floris, published between 1969 and 1971.
The first two books contain a new story, the third is a retelling of two episodes of the TV-series. Written by tree different writers, the second book was best written.
The books have color(!) photo's, the series on TV was in black and white.

Ultimate nostalgia :-)

ROOT 152: Ons derde lichaam by Edward van de Vendel
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, awarded, Gouden Zoen 2007, no English translation, 303 pages

Second book in the Tycho and Oliver series.
After their summer together, Tycho has moved to Rotterdam for his study and Oliver is in Norway.
Tycho thinks a lot about Oliver, he is still in love, but he doesn't dare to contact him, afraid for a rejection. He ends up at the European songfestival, with a roommate who is a great singer, but has demons of her own.

ROOT 153: We noemen hem Anna by Peter Pohl
acquired before 2008, translated from Swedish, YA, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1994, no English translation, 360 pages

Sweden 1958. Micke is sportleader at the summercamp. Anders comes a week after the other boys have arrived. The others have already settled, given eachother nicknames and Anders is named Anna. He is serverely bullied, even mistreated, but the camp-leaders refuse to do anything. The summercamp is already in trouble, and sending one of the boys home would minimize the chances for a camp next year. So the bullies can go on, and only Micke tries to support Anders.
Back at school, where Micke is in his last year, Anders stays in trouble. His nickname is now used at school, and the bullies go on with what they do best. When Micke tries to make a case for Anders, the school director refuses to believe there is something going on. It is all Anders fault, Anders dramatizes, Anders makes things up, Anders wants attention...
When Anders is found after a dramatic day, Micke feels terrible guilty...

This is one of the most poignant and heartbreaking stories I have ever read. This was a re-read, I read it somewhere in the 1990s, but still it touched me deeply, tears were flowing at the end.
It is a confrontational statement against bullying and harassment and the irreversable effects.

Congratulations on meeting your ROOTs goal, Anita!

Congrats, Anita! I think I will go and look for the book by Peter Pohl.

>200 Familyhistorian: Thank you, Meg!

>201 connie53: Thank you, Connie!
I hope you can find a copy, Peter Pohl is one of my favorite authors. Sadly only 4 of his books are available in Dutch, in English even less.

ROOT 154: Alles komt goed, altijd by Kathleen Vereecken
acquired October 2019, Dutch, YA, awarded, Woutertje Pieterse prijs 2019, no translations, 171 pages

Belgium, Alice lives in Ieperen, with two brothers and two sisters. Her mother always used to say "Everything will be allright, always", but that was before the War and the Germans came to Ieperen.
A good story of a girl growing up just before and during WWI.

ROOT 155: Willis : het doet er niet toe hoe by Daan Remmerts de Vries
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 2000, no translations, 103 pages

One day when Willes walks home from school, he meets an angel stuck in a tree. Willis helps him out and starts to wonder how it would feel if he could fly. He starts building a rocket, or is it an airplane? Slowly we find out why Willis wants to fly away.

ROOT 156: Ysa's schreeuw by Rita Williams-Garcia
acquired before 2008, translated, YA, awarded, Zilveren Zoen 2003, original title Every time a rainbow dies, 140 pages

Thulani's favorite spot is on the roof with his pigeons. After his brother married and his sister in law tries to boss him around, he spends more and more time up there. One day when he is feeding the pigeons, he hears a girl screaming in the alley below. When he looks down he sees the girl is raped by two boys. He runs down the stairs to help her, when he arrives in the alley the two boys are gone and the girl refuses any help from him. He is intrigued by her, and tries to befriend her.

ROOT 157: De stille elite by Donna Leon
acquired October 2019, translated, original title Uniform Justice, 224 pages

Commisario Brunetti book 12.
Police in Venice. A boy seems to have committed suicide at a private militairy school. Brunetti thinks it might be murder, but has a hard time finding out more.

ROOT 158: De uitdaging en andere verhalen by Jan Terlouw
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, no translations, 180 pages

Short stories, some enjoyable, some less. About people, choices, nature, and other. Sometimes funny.

ROOT 159: De kunstrijder by Jan Terlouw
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, awarded, Kinderjury 1990, no translations, 180 pages

Patrick can't use his legs, his friend Tom is deaf. One evening they see a girl break into a museum. It looks like she didn't take anything, but brought a painting into the place. Trying to find the girl they stumble upon a complicated mystery.

ROOT 160: Dit is de spin Sebastiaan by Annie M.G. Schmidt
acquired before 2008, Dutch, children's, no translations, 192 pages

Poems and short stories for children.

ROOT 161: Kaloeha Dzong by Lydia Rood
acquired before 2008, Dutch, children's/YA, kinderboekenweekgeschenk 2007, no translations, 93 pages

Corijn has it very hard at home, his escape is in a virtual reality game on his computer. There he can be what he wants to be: a hero!

ROOT 162: Mormels paard by Joyce Rockwood
acquired before 2008, translated, children's/YA, original title Groundhog's horse, 112 pages

Cherokee boy Groundhog has a special bond with his horse Midnight. When Midnight is stolen by other indians, and the adults won't help him to get his horse back, Groundhog decides to go and get Midnight back on his own.

ROOT 163: Winnie de Poeh : de volledige verzameling verhalen en gedichten by A.A. Milne
acquired April 2012, childrens, translated, original title The Complete Tales and Poems of Winnie-the-Pooh, 432 pages

All adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Christopher Robin and their friends together with the poems A.A. Milne wrote for children.
Winnie the Pooh is my favorite bear, so charming and always ready to help. The illustrations by E.H. Shepard are as classic as the story. I had a good time revisiting him and all others.

ROOT 164: Haaientanden by Anna Woltz
acquired October 2019, Dutch, YA, kinderboekenweekgeschenk 2019, no translations, 95 pages

Eleven year old Atlanta wants to ride around the IJsselmeer in 24 hours. She is just on her way when a boy on his bike in front of her suddenly slows down and she rides into him. They decide to go on together, although at first Atlanta thinks Finley is annoying, she start to like him on the way.

book 165: De weglopers by Ruth Thomas
acquired before 2008, translated, YA, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1990, original title The runaways, 229 pages

Julia and Nathan are in the same class. They are both not much liked, but dislike eachother even more. One day they are both in trouble and accidently meet in an abandoned house. There they find a large sum of money and they decide to keep it. When they start spending the money, questions are raised at school. Feeling trapped they run away together.

ROOT 166: Juffrouw Kachel by Toon Tellegen
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, awarded, Woutertje Pieterse prijs & Zilveren Penseel 1992, no translations, 113 pages

Miss Kachel was the meanest teacher ever. She smashed and punched the children in her classroom. This diary describes it all, and what revenge will be taken when the writer is finally grown big enough to deal with her.

book 167: Kikker is kikker by Max Velthuijs
acquired before 2008, Dutch, YA, awarded, Gouden Penseel 1997, English translation Frog is Frog, 30 pages

Frog feels insecure, comparing himself to others. They all can do thing he isn't able to do, like flying or baking delicious cake. But his friends tell Frog he is great at being Frog.

ROOT 168: De stemmenimitator by Thomas Bernard
acquired before 2008, translated from German, English translation The voice imitator, 152 pages

This is a briliant collection of very short stories, only one or one and a half page in length, by the Austrian writer Thomas Bernhard (1931-1989).
The tragic fate of the misunderstood, thinking human, especially in Austria, leads in many stories to premature death or mental hospital. With black and sometimes dry humor some can keep up in life. Written in long sentences, that often need re-reading to fully gasp what is written.

ROOT 169: Zeb. by Gideon Samson
acquired October 2019, Dutch, YA, awarded, Gouden Griffel & Zilveren Penseel 2019, no translations, 91 pages

Eleven absurd and funny short stories about children from one class. In the first story a new pupil is introduced, very good at math, it is a bit odd she is a zebra... In every story there is a little, or larger, twist.
The illustrations are in black, white and orange, with sometimes hidden references to the stories.

>212 FAMeulstee: I love Winnie the Pooh too! And I am enjoying introducing my daughter to him and his world too.

>219 Jackie_K: So nice you can pass Winnie the Pooh on to your daughter, he is a lovely bear. My mother read the Winnie the Pooh books to me before I could read on my own.

Lots of books here, Anita.

>221 connie53: Yes, Connie, I am nearly finished with my own childrens/YA books! Only 2 left to read.

Wow! What will you read next when you have only two of your own left?

>223 MissWatson: Don't worry still 1,000+ unread on the shelves! The childrens/YA collection is about ¼ of all our books. I started with 600+ unread three years ago, when I decided to read them as a project.

Maybe I pick a next project: non-fiction (± 100 books), Dutch literature (± 350 books), poetry (± 200 books), or translated literature (± 450 books). Or a little of each every month.
Whatever I choose, without reading childrens books my numbers will go down.

>224 FAMeulstee: Yes, that should keep you busy for some time! :-)

ROOT 170: Sprookjes voor kind en gezin by Jacob & Wilhelm Grimm
acquired before 2008, YA, translated from German, English translation The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm, 494 pages

This book contains the 200 fairytales and 10 childrens legends collected by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm.
Kings and queens, princes and princesses, brothers and sisters, dragons, witches, craftsmen, farmers, poor people all found their way into fairytales. The best known of this collection are Cinderella, Rapunzel and Little Red Ridding Hood.
I felt a bit unpleasant about the way Jews always were bad people in the fairytales. I was surprised to find the original stories of The satanic mill and Huon en de ganzenjonkvrouw, as I didn't know they came from fairytales.
After reading the fairytales of H.C. Andersen in 2017, The Tales of Mother Goose by Perrault and this collection in 2019, I think I have read enough fairytales for the rest of my life ;-)

ROOT 171: Ze gaan er met je neus vandoor by Ted van Lieshout
acquired October 2019, YA, Dutch, awarded, Boekensleutel 2019, no translations, 83 pages

The writer has a writersblock, due to heartbreak. He managed to write only one poem for this book. Then the (black) letters take over, they place a contact add. They get response from the (red) letters of an other writer. Soon disagreement rises and black and red letters are all over the pages.
This book is a feast for the eye, the two colors of letters are used to show how disagreement and conflict can lead to war. I am impressed.

ROOT 172: Ziezo : de 347 kinderversjes by Annie M.G. Schmidt
acquired before 2008, childrens, Dutch, no translations, 296 pages

The collected rhymes and verses for children by Annie M.G. Schmidt.
She originally wrote these rhymes and verses on the childrens page of a paper. In the 1950s and 1960s a part of them was published each year in 11 books. In this collection the songs of a Dutch TV-series (Ja zuster, nee zuster) were added. She had a lovely way with words.

ROOT 173: Elementaire kynologische kennis by Robert van der Molen
acquired before 2008, Dutch, non-fiction, dogs, no translations, 400 pages

Textbook for my "Cynologic Knowledge 1" exam in 1997. To be an accredited breeder in my country you have to pass this exam, so before we started breeding I did the course and passed the exam. I did read it again now, because I was reorganising my books and needed some space at the shelf. Some information is outdated, but I remembered almost all from learning from it the first time.

 

ROOT 174: Dzjengis Khan De strijd om het bestaan - deel 1 by Anton Quintana & Jos Looman
acquired in 2008, Dutch, GN, no translations, 48 pages

ROOT 175: Dzjengis Khan De strijd om het bestaan - deel 2 by Anton Quintana & Jos Looman
acquired in 2008, Dutch, GN, no translations, 48 pages

The life of Dzjengis Khan from birth to conqueror of the world.
both

ROOT 176: De geboorte bij de hond by C. Naaktgeboren
acquired before 2008, Dutch, non-fiction, dogs, no translations, 164 pages

Again a textbook for my "Cynologic Knowledge 1" exam in 1997. To be an accredited breeder in my country you have to pass this exam, so before we started breeding I did the course and passed the exam. This book is about whelping, all you ever wanted to know and more. With examples and timetables of bitches of different breeds and ages, and what can go wrong. I did read it again now, because I needed some space at the shelf.

November ROOTs


ROOT 177: Op hol by Dick Francis
acquired January 2019, translated, original title Bolt, 285 pages

Second book with Kit Fielding as main character. Slightly less than the previous book, the villians are a bit over the top, but I enjoyed the read.

>227 FAMeulstee: That sounds like an interesting book.

I would go for a mix of all those genres, Anita.

>233 connie53: It was a surprisingly good book, Connie.

I will probably make the non-fiction my target, as I tend to neglect those books. While reading through my childrens and YA books in the last three years, I also read some from the other collections, so that will continue. If I read one non-fiction book a week, it should be done within two years.

ROOT 178: Sterremeer by F. Springer
acquired before 2008, Dutch, boekenweekgeschenk 1990, no translations, 95 pages

A man named Felix Sterremeer wants to be a poet. A few poems have been published when he was young, but then his career as a poet staggers. The main chararcter, Nikko, has met Felix in The Hague and over the years they meet occasionally again. Their last meeting is in New York, where Sterremeer lives under the name of Starlake, with his rich American wife. Sterremeer's English poetry is just published, when his wife reveals a harmful secret.

ROOT 179: Lazarillo van Tormes
acquired May 2018, 1001 books, translated from Spanish, English translation The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes, 96 pages

Originally published in the 16th century, the content of this short book was shocking at the time, so the author is still unknown. It doesn't shock the modern reader, that even a religious salesman can be dishonest.
The life of Lazaro in 16th century Spain under different masters, most of them treat him badly.

ROOT 180: De glazen brug by Marga Minco
acquired before 2008, Dutch, boekenweekgeschenk 1986, English translation The glass bridge, 95 pages

Amsterdam 1943. Stella, a young Jewish woman, recently went to her third hiding place, she also gets her third false ID. This time it is not with a fictional name, but an actual person. She tries to imagine what kind of person Maria Roselier is. After the war it takes time to become Stella again.
Ten years after the war she travels to Maria Roseliers birthplace, hoping she can find out more.

ROOT 181: Odysseia by Homeros
acquired before 2008, 1001 books, translated from Old-Greek, English translation The Odyssey, 430 pages

In 24 books the adventures and homecoming of Odysseus are told.
A wonderful read, thanks to Imme Dros, who made a very smooth Dutch translation in metrics.

ROOT 182: De boeken der kleine zielen by Louis Couperus
acquired November 2019, Dutch, Nederlandse Canon, English translation The Book of the Small Souls, 1008 pages

I saw this book at the library and took it home. While I was reading, I found a free online download and coninued with that, as such a big tome is much easier to handle as e-book. So I count it as a ROOT.

The decline of the Van Lowe family in early 20th century The Hague. The father once was Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, and the status of the family is based on his position. One of the daughters, Constance, made a scandal 20 years ago with having an affair and leaving her husband. She married her lover and stayed in abroad ever since. Now she returned with husband and child. Only her mother is happy she returned, all her siblings think she should have stayed away, as now everyone remembers the scandal again.
A Dutch classic, with a nice look into The Hague in the early 20th century, where many Dutch who had been in the Dutch East Indies lived.

ROOT 183: De val by Albert Camus
acquired before 2008, 1001 books translated from French, English translation The Fall, 150 pages

Long monologue by Jean-Baptiste Clamence, a Parisian lawyer who has moved to Amsterdam, to an unknown other. He tells about his life, the mistakes he made (his fall) and his present life in Amsterdam. He includes questions of philosophy, morality, christianity, judgement and humanity.

ROOT 184: De pruimenpluk by Dimitri Verhulst
acquired June 2019, Dutch, no translations, 151 pages

Mattis lives far from the city, he came here to enjoy the silence, but now he decides to sell his house and go back to the city. But then he meets a neighbor, a widow, and falls in love. He keeps the house to give his relation with Elma a chance. But she is still mourning about her late husband, so Mattis thinks of ways to make her all his.

ROOT 185: Utopia by Thomas More
acquired before 2008, 1001 books, translated, original title Utopia, 187 pages

First published in 1516, Thomas More describes an ideal state, criticizing the corruption and religious hypocrisy of his time.

ROOT 186: De blauwe engel by Heinrich Mann
acquired before 2008, 1001 books, translated from German, English translation The Blue Angel, 188 pages

Story about a tyrannical school teacher named professor Raat. For many years he has fought the youth, especially the nickname Unrath they use. Everyone in town hates him, and he hates and remembers each and everyone of his students and how they wronged him. One day he ends up in a cabaret, following one of his students and hoping to catch him so he will be send from school. Instead of cathching the boy, he falls in love with the cabaret singer.
A nice tragicomedy, hate, revenge, love and downfall. The only problem I had with my edition is that the translator chose to translate Raat into Metz and Unrat into Mest (manure), but fails to use them on the right places. I was forwarned in one of the reviews on LT, so I kept myself reading "Raat" and "Unrat" instead.

ROOT 187: De pianoman by J. Bernlef
acquired March 2008, Dutch, Boekenweekgeschenk 2008, no translations, 89 pages

Thomas grows up on the farm of his parents. His parents rarely speak to eachother, so Thomas only knows a few words when he goes to school. A teacher feels for him and tries to expand his vocabulary. But he isn't interested in words, he does show some interest in the piano. He learns to play a few pieces on the piano. Years later Thomas runs away from home, no one cares, except his former teacher.

>239 FAMeulstee: I remember reading this book years ago for my Dutch Exam booklist. But I don't remember anything of the actual content.

>245 connie53: I think most had at least one book by Couperus on their list, Connie, this was the first time I read The Book of the Small Souls. It was entertaining and gave some to think about.
I found many free downloads of Couperus books at DBNL.

I did read Psyche & Fidessa for my exam, only vague memories are left, time for a re-read next year?

--
No ROOTs to report yet this month, I am deep into library books.
Two of them were great reads and will be aquired soon, as I want my own copy: De Thibaults. Deel 1 and De Thibaults. Deel 2 by Roger Martin du Gard.
Some kind of reverse ROOTs ;-)

>246 FAMeulstee: Oh hey, I wrote a blurb about the Thibault books for Faded Page, a Canadian site that offers public-domain ebooks for download :) I'm glad you liked them. Will have to try them myself someday.

>247 rabbitprincess: I was stunned by these books, I hope you get to them someday. I gave the first book (book 1-6, I think in English The Thibaults) got 4½ stars and the second book (book 7-8 Summer, 1914 and Epilogue) was a 5* read.

Ohh those are really big books, Anita! I've book 1 in a digital version. 814 pages or so!

>249 connie53: Yes they are big, Connie, my shoulders were protesting a bit from holding up the book. A digital copy would be much easier to handle.

ROOT 188: Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
acquired June 2008, 1001 books, translated, original title Lolita, 375 pages

Incredible written, disturbing subject, great reading experience.

ROOT 189: Verborgen bewijs by Donna Leon
acquired October 2019, translated, original title Doctored Evidence, 223 pages

Commissario Brunetti returns from vacation and finds that his dislikable collegue Scarpa had a murder case. The Romanian help of the murdered woman was the suspect, but was run over when chased by the police. Brunetti finds a witness who claims the Romanian woman is innocent, as she was with her at the time of the murder. Brunetti wants to go to the bottom of this tragedy.

ROOT 190: De Nederlandse kinderpoëzie in 1000 en enige gedichten by Gerrit Komrij
acquired before 2008, Dutch, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 2008, no translations, 1040 pages

Anthology of Dutch poetry for children, starting in the 15th century up to the first years of the 21st century.
I started reading this book last January, so it took almost a year. I am glad it is finished, I discovered some new to me poets, and was happy to see poems of favorite poets :-)

ROOT 191: De lange droogte by Cynan Jones
acquired November 2019, translated, original title The long dry, 135 pages

A day from the life of a Welsh farmer. When he wakes in the morning a cow is missing, he wants to go after the cow, but other duties come first. Meanwhile we learn about the farmers youth, his wife and children. Happiness and drama go alongside all day.

ROOT 192: Pieterpad deel I: Pieterburen-Vorden by Toos Goorhuis-Tjalsma
acquired December 2019, Dutch, no translations, 192 pages

The Pieterpad is the best known long distance walking trail in the Netherlands, it starts in the village Pieterburen in the north and ends at the Sint Pietersberg in the south, totaling 482 km in length.
This book contains the route of the first half of the trail, with detailed maps, historic places, and touristic information. Frank and I consider to walk (a part) of this trail.

2019 ROOT statistics

ROOTs read were on the shelf since:
before 2008: 127
2008: 13
2009: 1
2011: 1
2012: 2
2014: 1
2017: 2
2018: 14
2019: 31