75 challange for FAMeulstee

hi

I joined this group yesterday.
I am Anita Meulstee from the Netherlands, age 45.

When I was young I was an avid reader, red all the children and YA books present at the local library in our the village.
In highschool the teachers for Dutch and English destroyed my love for reading. For years after I only red YA and Childrens books again. About ten years ago I completely stopped reading, I wanted to read, but could not concentrate. I might read one, maybe two books in 3 months time.
But I kept buying books, I collect all Dutch awarded YA and Childrens books.

In January this year I got the flu and felt so bad I could not even look at the computer screen. So I took a book and have not stopped reading since!
Most books are YA, many of them re-reads (marked with *), but I am so glad I can read again!
Maybe I'll even be able to read books for "grown ups" in time LOL

my list of Januari 2008:
01. Geef me de ruimte by Thea Beckman *
02. Triomf van de verschroeide aarde by Thea Beckman *
03. Het rad van fortuin by Thea Beckman *
YA, historical fiction, three books about singers/musicans (trouvères) at the time of the Hundred Years' War between France and England, traveling through France and in the third book Spain.

04. Onder de blote hemel by Cynthia Voigt (awarded) *
05. Samen onder dak by Cynthia Voigt (awarded) *
06. Het verhaal van Dicey by Cynthia Voigt (awarded) *
07. Niemand anders dan ik by Cynthia Voigt *
08. De hardloper by Cynthia Voigt (awarded) *
09. Wilhemina Smiths by Cynthia Voigt *
10. De verloren vader by Cynthia Voigt *
11. Alles op één kaart by Cynthia Voigt *
YA, fiction, the Tillerman Cycle, translated into Dutch

12. De vlucht van Nataiyu by Käthe Recheis (awarded)
YA, Historial fiction, about an Indian boy in the 19th century who is taken from his tribe to be raised as "white" kid. He runs away to go back to his tribe.

13. Hasse Simonsdochter by Thea Beckman *
YA, historical fiction, about the Dutch hero Jan van Schaffelaar, who lived in the 15th century

14. Torenhoog en mijlen breed by Tonke Dragt (awarded) *
15. Ogen van tijgers by Tonke Dragt *
YA, science fiction, the first book is about astronauts/scientists who are stationed on Venus. One of them discovers that there is intelligent life on Venus and they can read minds.
The second book is on earth, the weeks before the main person from the first book returns to earth with the news about the life on Venus. Many people are afraid of "mind readers", but some people on earth discover they have that ability too.

16. Gijsbrecht by Edward van de Vendel (awarded)
The famous Dutch 17th century play Gijsbrecht van Aemstel, by Vondel retold for children

Edited to add * for re-reads

my list of February 2008
17. Juniper by Monica Furlong
18. Heksenkind by Monica Furlong
19. Colman by Monica Furlong
YA, historical fiction/fantasy, translated from English, three books about witches (wise women) long time ago in Cornwall.

20. Het teken van Wichart by Alet Schouten (awarded) *
YA, historical fiction, a boy escapes from captivity in Wales, with a big Irish Wolfhound, back to his place of birth near Dorestad in Holland. Translated in English as "Flight into danger", but I have not seen it in any members library yet.

21. De wateren van Finn by Alet Schouten *
YA, historical fiction, a young monk is send away from a Scottish isle to bring back an important book to a monastary in England.

22. De zeeridder by Alet Schouten *
YA, historical fiction, some vikings drift ashore near a small village in Friesland. Translated into English as "The Sea Lord"

I started this month In Europa by Geert Mak, who travels along important historical places of the 20th century in Europe. (new read, not finished yet)

Edited to add * for re-reads

my list of March 2008
23. De adelaar van het negende by Rosemary Sutcliff *
YA, historical fiction, Britain 2nd century, translation of The eagle of the ninth

24. Het boek van Bod Pa by Anton Quintana (awarded) *
25. De hemelruiter by Anton Quintana
YA, historical fiction/fantasy, nomads living in Mongolia around the 13th century. An adolesent boy gets a strange teacher: Bod Pa, a blind dwarf who is the best sword fighter of Mongolia.

26. Laurier en leeuwerik by Barbara Willard (awarded) *
27. De loot van de brem by Barbara Willard *
28. Een koude wind by Barbara Willard (awarded) *
29. De oudste zoon by Barbara Willard *
30. De ijzeren lelie by Barbara Willard (awarded) *
31. Een vlucht zwanen by Barbara Willard *
32. Zaaien en oogsten by Barbara Willard *
YA, historical fiction, translated from English, life on Mantlemass from the time of Richard III to Cromwell

33. De zilveren tak by Rosemary Sutcliff
YA, historical fiction, Britain, 3rd century, translation of The silver branch

34. De lantarendragers by Rosemary Sutcliff
YA, historical fiction, Britain, 5th century, translation of The lantern bearers

35. Ochtendwind by Rosemary Sutcliff
YA, historical fiction, Britain, 6th century, translation of Dawn wind

Edited to add * for re-reads

my list of April 2008
36. Het kukel by Marten Toonder

37. Het spoor van de komeet by Hans Werner *
38. De Tubals in Amerika by Hans Werner *
39. Columbia en de strijd tegen de slavernij by Hans Werner
YA, historical fiction, 19th century. Three books about the adventures of the Tubal family, they emigrate from Holland to the United States.

40. De mare van de Witte Toren by Alet Schouten (awarded) *
YA, historical fiction, 2nd century. The adventures of the seventh son of a Roman officer and a tribal princess and a Welsh druïd.

41. Gaten by Louis Sachar (awarded)
translation of Holes
YA, fiction, adventure/mystery, a boy is convicted for a crime he did not comit. He is send to a Texan boot camp where they have to dig holes.

42. Het verhaal van Jette en Frieder by Klaus Kordon
YA, historical fiction, translated from German.
A story about ordinary people in Berlin, 1848

43. De rode matrozen by Klaus Kordon *
44. Met je rug tegen de muur by Kaus Kordon (awarded) *
45. De eerste lente by Klaus Kordon (awarded) *
YA, historical fiction, translated from German. Three books about a family in Berlin, describing the years 1918 (end of WWI), 1933 (when Hilter starts his reign) and 1945 (end of WWII).

46. De sloven, Marten Toonder

47. Frank, of hoe je vrienden vindt by Klaus Kordon
YA, historical fiction, translated from german. A boy in East-Berlin in the 1950s tries to cope with the death of his brother.

48. Honderd jaar en een zomer by Klaus Kordon
YA, fiction, translated from German. After the "Wende" a girl in West-Germany finally meets her grandfather, who lives in East-Berlin

49. Het wonderbaarlijke voorval met de hond in de nacht by Mark Haddon (awarded)
translation of The curious incident of the dog in the night-time
YA, fiction. An autistic boy wants to find out who murdered the dog from a neighbour. Told from his view.

50. Uitgestoten by Rosemary Sutcliff
translation of Outcast
YA, historical fiction, 1st century, Britain

51. De wildernis by David Almond (awarded)
translation of Kit's wilderness
YA, fiction/fantasy
Kit's grandfather tells stories about his youth and working in the mines. Kit and some friends are curious and go into the old mines, a nearly fatal adventure.

Edited, try to make the touchstones work

the list of May 2008
52. De eikelvreters by Els Pelgrom (awarded) *
YA, historical fiction, A poor boy growing up in Spain in the 1930s. Translated in English as "The acorn eaters"

53. Het gevaarlijke venster by Tonke Dragt
YA, fiction/fantasy. Stories and fairytales from Unauwen, a fictional middle ages country

54. Padjelanta by Anton Quintana *
YA, fiction, adventure. A swedish city boy tries to survive for a year in the north of Sweden

55. Nooit meer slapen by W.F. Hermans *
Dutch literature. A student goes to the north of Norway for geological research, surviving in the wilderness is hard, due to LOTS of muskitoes and lack of sleep (the theme is similair as #54)
Translated in English as "Beyond sleep"

56. Niku de zigeunerjongen by W.F.H. Visser *
57. Niku de koerier by W.F.H. Visser (awarded) *
58. Niku de zwerver by W.F.H. Visser
YA, historical fiction, WWII. Books about a Polish gipsy boy during WWII

59. Een koning voor de Dalriaden by Rosemary Sutcliff *
YA, historical fiction, Scotland, 3rd century
Translation of The Mark of the Horselord

60. De brief voor de Koning by Tonke Dragt (awarded) *
61. Geheimen van het Wilde Woud by Tonke Dragt *
YA, historical fiction/fantasy. Adventures of a young knight in Unauwen and Dagonaut, two fictional counries in the time of the middle ages.

62. De hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien *
I don't think I can add something new about this book ;-)

list of June 2008
63. Geïllustreerde Rozen encyclopedie by N. Vermeulen
Roses are my favourites in the garden, saw this book in the garden-shop and could not resist buying it. Looked up all the roses that are in my garden and made a wishlist.

64. In de ban van de ring by J.R.R. Tolkien *
I was 12 when I red The Lord of the Rings for the fist time, it took only a weekend. Ever since I have re-read it every 4 to 5 years, last time I skipped the re-read and watched the movies.

65. Het pad van de Wildeman by Alet Schouten *
YA, historical fiction, France BC

66. Jan Teerkoper by Alet Schouten
YA, historical fiction, end 18th century in Holland

67. De gekte van Mees Santing by Klaas van Assen (awarded)
YA, fiction. A boy struggles with guilt after his father injured an other boy in a car accident.

68. De schaduw van Skellig by David Almond (awarded)
YA, fiction/fantasy, translation of "Skellig"
A boy finds an old, sick man in the old garage of his new home. But is he a man or an angel?

69. Carry's kleine oorlog by Nina Bawden (awarded)
YA, historical fiction, WWII, translation of Carrie's war.
Carrie and her brother are evacuated from Londen in WWII and end up in Wales. I red this book because I saw many recommendations on LT

70. Ons vertellen ze nooit iets by Nina Bawden (awarded)
YA, fiction, translation of Kept in the dark
I liked #69, so I decided to read the other book from Nina Bawden I own.

71. Winterijs by Peter van Gestel (awarded)
YA, historical fiction
Thomas is a 10 year old boy in the winter of 1947 in Amsterdam. He had no notion of the faith of the jews in WWII, but finds out when he gets befriended with Piet, a jewish boy, who lost his parents.

Hello Anita,

Looks like you're making up for lost time! Happy reading (oh, and welcome to the group...)
Carrie's War one of my favourites when I was younger - hope you enjoyed it.

thanks for the welcome rachbxl!

Yes, I am making up, although I used to read even more when I was young. The biggest problem with libraries was that I was not allowed to bring back borrowed books on the same day ;-)

I enjoyed Carrie's war, well written, entertaining and some things to think about.

I visited your library aand saw that all the books we have in common are from my husbands part of our library. I might try a book from Milan Kundera someday soon.

72. 1848 by Theun de Vries his triology about the revolutions in Europe. Folowing the footsteps of Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, Bakoenin through the year.

73. Heaven eyes by David Almond, translated in Dutch (YA).

Third book of David Almond I red this year. I really loved the first one Kit's wilderness.
Maybe this one was less exiting because I red the other books before, or it was just a bit less, I am not sure.

Welcome to the group. I think you will like it here. There are exceptionally bright people who are members. I've added many interesting books to my list.

thanks Whisper1
I have seen some interesting books in this group too.
On the moment I just enjoy the fact that I can concentrate enough to read every day :-)

# 74 Wolfsroedel by Floortje Zwigtman.
This book got two important YA awards in 2006. It is translated into German, but I have not seen (yet) any translation into English.

It was a great read (nearly 500 pages) about some boys in Wallachia (Romania), 19th century, they leave the village and start robbing to make a living. They become somewhat like a "wolfpack".
The story becomes connected with the 15th century when they open the grave of Voda Vlad Tepes (Prince Dracula), who ruled Wallachia in the back then.

#75 Meester van de zwarte molen by Otfried Preussler.

A re-read, the story of Krabat, who became an apprentice a strange mill. It turns out to be a school of black magic, where 12 students follow the classes. But at a huge price, one of them has to die at the end of the year...
I love this book!

#76 Walk two moons by Sharon Creech, Dutch translation.
Well written, some surprising turns in the story, it was a very enjoyable read.

#15: I have put Walk Two Moons on hold at my local library. Sounds like a good one!

>16 alcottacre: alcottacre
I red it because it was mentioned a lot here on LT.
The story is about a girl, Sal, who travels with her grandparents from Ohio (where Sal lives) to Idaho (where her mother is). On the way Sal tels about her friend Phoebe and what occured in Phoebe's life. And within this story is also told what occurred to Sal, her father and her mother.

#77 Uit het leven van Ko Kruier by Peter van Gestel.
Dutch awarded (Zilveren Griffel 1985) YA.
A year in the life of Ko Kruier, a 14 year old Dutch boy. Told with a lot of humor. For Ko life is not easy: his friends, parents and teachers don't understand him and the one girl who seems to understand gets jealous when he helps an other girl.

#78 Ko Kruier en zijn stadsgenoten by Peter van Gestel
Dutch YA awarded (Nienke van Hichtum prize 1987)
Next year in Ko Kruiers life, life at 15 is still not easy and girls seem to come from an other planet. Written with love and humor.

edited for typo

#79 De gouden dolk by Thea Beckman.
Dutch YA, Thea Beckman wrote a lot of historical YA fiction. Easy to read, usually 200+ pages, with mostly young adults with a mind of their own in a historical setting.
This one about the boys from a village who join the Second crusade and a girl in the royal houshold of Queen Eleonore of Aquitaine, who went on the crusade too.

#80 A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
YA, translated, awarded in 2004.
I picked this book because it was mentiond here in LT. It is about a young girl Mattie, in 1906, her mother has died and she is supposed to take care of her brothers and sisters. But she got a scholarship for university in New York. Her black friend Weaver got a scholarship too, both stuggle how they can leave. And there is the story of a drowned woman and what happend to her.

I have a little reading dip, can't decide wich book I'll read next.

a week without a book ready to read, but I think I am back on track ;-)

#81 De dans van de drummers by Hans Hagen
Childrens, Dutch, awarded with Gouden Griffel (Golden Pencil) 2004
Short book, 6 children come together at the place of an old drummer man, he will teach them to play the drum. But first they have to chose the right drum. The old man helps them to make their choice, he tells tales about the children.
Written in beautiful poetic language.

I am sooo happy!!!!
Three years ago we sold about 1/3 of our books. Because I did not think I would ever read so much again, I decided to sell my 50 Karl May books too.
I read all 50 books numerous times and in some way this series was the start of my book-collecting-habit.

Yes, your guess is right, I have them back. Saw the whole series at a on-line second hand book shop and dear husband agreed on buying them ;-)

So my #82 is Winnetou by Karl May
I enjoyed again the adventures of Old Shatterhands first jouney to the "wild west" how he met Winetou and how they became friends (after being enemies first).
It is a bit like (how do you call that in English? a romance? Woman seeks man, finds him, but there comes something/someone in between, they overcome this and live happy ever after...), but then for boys: heroes, difficulties, good and evil: good wins, all written in a very romantic way, with a Christian sauce: love your enemy and don't kill (unless you can't do anything else to save yourself). Rambled enough I think ;-)

I've never heard of Karl May before, but having so many fond memories of Westerns I've read in the past and checking it out on Amazon, I discover that I like the sound of this one and put it on the the GIGANTIC list. I was surprised to see how long ago it was written.

>25 Fourpawz2: Fourpawz2
I don't know how many books of Karl May are translated into English. The 50 books in Dutch are about half (or maybe 2/3) of his works.
I have tried to read his other works in German, but it was too hard, my German is not that good.

If you get a book of him, be aware many translations are abridged, mosty the long descriptions of the landscapes are omitted.

Yes the books were written more than a century ago (he died in 1912), and he never left Germany, so all is imagination and what he read in other books ;-)

I go on reading the next book Winnetou II!

#83 Old Shatterhand (Winnetou II) by Karl May

I am glad to re-read the adventures of the hero of my youth: Old Shatterhand and his blood brother Winnetou.

#84 Love that Dog by Sharon Creech
translated from English, awarded with Silver Pencil in 2007
Jack does not like poems, poems are for girls. His teacher makes him write poems at school. Jack learns how he can write down his emotions in poems.
The book is written as Jacks diary in poems.

#85 De zoon van de berejager by Karl May

Continuing my stay in the "German Wild West" and still loving it ;-)

#86 De zwarte mustang by Karl May
Still going strong with Karl May ;-)

#87 De oase in de Llano Estacado by Karl May
#88 A handful of time by Kit Pearson
translated from English, YA, awarded with Vlag en Wimpel in 1994

Patricia is 12 years and her parents are divorcing. She is send to her Aunt Ginnie and Uncle Dough for the summer. They spend the summer with their children in a cabin next to a lake. Patricia does not like it there. Then she finds an old watch, that brings her back in time, 35 years ago when her mother was 12 years old.
A good book about family, frienship and the influence of the past on the present.

#89 Het geheim van Old Surehand by Karl May

#28: Is Love that Dog as good as Walk Two Moons? If it is, I will definitely look for it. I really enjoyed Walk Two Moons.

Hi Fameulstee

I too would like to know your impressions of Love that Dog As I mentioned previously, I think Walk Two Moons is one of the best books I've read in 2008.

hi alcottacre and Whisper1

It is difficult to compare Love that Dog and Walk Two Moons, they are totally different. I loved them both and gave them 5 stars.
Walk To Moons is a story, Love that Dog is short and written in poems, needs less time to read but more time to digest ;-)

#90 yet an other Karl May De schat in het zilvermeer I think I have enough Karl May - fix for a while ;-)

reading now: The Kingdom by the Sea by Robert Westall

#91 The kingdom by the sea by Robert Westall
(Guardian Children's Fiction Award 1991)

In the summer 1942 Harry's home is erased by a bomb raid. Harry was in the underground shelter, but his parents and little sister were too late.
Desorentated and upset Harry runs away from the community workers. On the beach he meets the shepherd dog Don. Together they travel further along the coast.
A beautiful and touching story about a boy and a dog, surviving together.

WOW! what a wonderful description! I'll ad The Kingdom by the Sea to my ever growing list.

Thanks! By the way, I've added quite a few of your suggestions.

you are welcome Whisper1
It is so nice to share our reading with people who appriciate it!!!

FAM: I finished up Love that Dog the other day and thoroughly enjoyed it - I can imagine a teenager saying the entire book.

I have Blitzcat by Robert Westall checked out of my local library. I will have to look out for The Kingdom by the Sea as well.

Hi Fam and alcottacre

I was able to obtain a copy of Blitzcat at my local library today. I'm going to start it tonight.
Thanks again for recommending this.

I am ever so glad I discovered this site because previously I did not read young adult fiction...now I've discovered a whole new genre!

#41 Whisper: I am going through my second childhood - only in book form!

Whisper1 and alcottacre
Now I have to get Blitzcat too!
Glad you enjoyed Love that Dog alcottacre

#92 In the shadow of the Ark by Anne Provoost
(Gouden Zoen 2002, award for the best Dutch YA book of that year)

I started this book because of a thread in Book talk: Book Review Game, to review a book that has no reviews yet.

Re Jana and her parents leave Kanaän, because the water is rising. They heard someone is building a big ship far away in the desert. Re Jana meets Cham, one of the sons of the founder of the ship, he tells her why they build the ship. Cham promises she will go with him on the ship. But then Neelata arrives, the future wife of Cham.

A book about a well known story, but from a new perspective that makes it a fascinating and touching story. 4 1/2 stars

FAM: I finished Blitzcat today and liked it a good deal. I hope you can find a copy!

Re. Blitzcat, I have about 25 more pages to finish. Thus far, I really like it! It is very well written and I enjoy the weaving of stories and various people as she roams through the villages and cities. It is very heartwarming and touching.

Am enjoying all this positive buzz about Blitzcat. I, too, put The Kingdom by the Sea on my wishlist. Generally I have no urge to read YA stuff, but I thought Westall was really good. No talking down to the kiddies here!

I had a little reading dip, but a delightfull childrens book got me out of it ;-)

#93 Olle by Guus Kuijer
This book is about Olle, the Airdaile terrier of the writer. Olle was a very special dog, he could even talk! Shhh don't tell others, they will think Guus and his wife Corrie are crazy.

So sad this book is not translated

so here a translation of the first chapter:
We bought Olle when he was three months old. He is thirteen now. If you have a dog for so long, you forget that you bought him. It seems like he was always with you. Now he is old and his end is naking. I write this book because I don't want him to die.
Olle was a special dog from the start. When you called him, he sat right in front of you and looked into your eyes. That is special. Most dog look at your forehead or your nose. He looked into your eyes until you said what you wanted.
He did not like the tone most people use when they speak to their dog. When you said 'sit' or 'down' he would not listen. But when you said: 'lay down boy, you are tired' he would lay down instantly
When you had to go into a shop where he was not allowed and you said 'stay', he would bark and jump against the door, or try to go in with an other customer. You had to tell him everything like: 'Olle listen to me, dogs are not allowed here, so you have to stay outside. I will be back soon'. Then he would stay outside and patiently wait.
When we went to sleep, you should not say 'go to your place', then he would whine and walk back and forth. You should say 'Goodnight Olle, sleep wel'. Then he would go to his dogbed and sleep all night.

Thanks FAM!

#94 Kristin Lavransdochter by Sigrid Undset

I never would have read this one, if I had not joined LT. It was the first I joined a group read.

The life of Kristin Lavransdaughter in the 14th century in Norway.
Kristin is a noblemans daughter, she is the first child of her parents that survives, after 3 brothers who died very young.
She wants to live life her way, not easy in that time.

I really liked the book, Undset created vivid characters.

Olle sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing that.

I picked up copies of the three volumes of Kristin Lavransdochter at the library book sale this week. The length is a bit daunting to me. Sounds like it is well worth the read, though. I may wait a bit until the beautiful fall weather is over for good and the nights get longer before starting it.

>50 streamsong: streamsong
My hope is that if I mention some favourite Dutch titles now and then, like Olle a publisher will pick up and get them translated ;-)

Kirstin Lavransdatter is lenghty, but the further I came, the more I tried to spend all my time reading.

#95 De kikkerbruid by Alet Schouten

after Kristin I neede a bit lighter and faster read, so I returned to my fav YA author. Again a book only available in Dutch.
Set in the 6th century a young boy gets a huge reponsebility, he has to take care of the big male pig of the village. With the pig he finds two noble kids in the wood, well one kid and a little woman. She says she is on her way to her wedding, but there is something about her, both the boy and the pig don't trust her...

#96 Ilios by Imme Dros
Dutch YA, awarded with Zilveren Zoen (2000)

The well known story of the Trojan War retold by Imme Dros.
The narrator in this book is Ares, the god of war. Because of this unusual perspective and the humour of the writer a very good book.
4,5 stars

#97 Voor altijd samen, amen by Guus Kuijer
Dutch Childrens, awarded with Gouden Griffel in 2000.

4 stars

OK, that does it - I am simply going to have to learn Dutch!

LOL alcottacre, next one is available in English!

#98 Miyax, de wolven en de jager (in English: Julie of the wolves) by Jean Craighead George
Dutch translation, awarded Zilveren Griffel in 1975.

Miyax is an Inuit girl who runs away from her child-marriage. She wants to go to San Francisco, there lives her pen-pal. But she gets lost in the wilderness.
As a young girl she lived for some years with her father, who lived "old style Inuit", but after his death she was send to her aunt and became more "american", including a name change into Julie.
In the wilderness she remembers what her father taught her and becomes friends with a wolf pack.

There are two more books about Julie, but sadly they are not translated into Dutch :-(

Her My Side of the Mountain was one of the best books I read as a young 'un. I've never picked up anything else of hers, though. Perhaps I should.

>57 TadAD: TadAD
I did read that book too, used to own it and loved it too! I think you would like Julie of the wolves

Hi FAM.

Thanks for recommending The Kingdom by the Sea. I'm currently reading it and am enthralled by the story.

I am glad you like it Whisper!

I have to go along with TadAD regarding My Side of the Mountain. She also penned a sequel called On the Far Side of the Mountain, but it never struck the same chord with me as the original did. Perhaps I will read (or re-read) all 3, including Julie of the Wolves, in the upcoming weeks.

#99 Odysseus by Imme Dros
Dutch YA, awarded with Zilveren Griffel in 1995

The wanderings of Odysseus, told by various Gods and people. Main characters are his wife, Penelopeia, and his son, Telemachos.
Imme Dros loves the greek mythology, she made a new translation of the Odysseia and she wrote YA books about greek mythology.

4 stars

I am so impressed by the number of languages you read! Having last read German and Spanish works in high school or college days, my skills are not up to finding works in those languages, and I applaud your library.

thank you Prop2gether, but I read nearly all Dutch. The only language I read well enough is English. It is much more efford to read in a language that is not your mothertongue.

I try to write down English originals or translations to give others a chance to find the books too.

I was watching a show on HGTV tonight and thought of you, FAM. They were discussing a house that was actually built directly on water - it was pretty cool - and it was in the Netherlands. The moderator of the show said that the house is actually a prototype of a sort and there were possibly going to be a bunch of houses built similarly. If you get one, can I come visit?

of course alcottacre ;-)
There are people who live in boats, the translation would be "boats to live", so that is not unusual here.
In a city here nearby, Almere, there are plans to build a new part of the city on the water. I think you saw some of those plans.

I think it really sounds cool. I cannot remember which city they were referring to on the show. The house was simply called "Water House" and it was very industrial - lots of glass and metal. The show went through the house and explained how it actually floats on the water. All in all, a fascinating concept (especially to confirmed landlubbers like myself).

I am attached to the land too ;-)
But to have a boat nearby if something goes wrong might be wise.

Did it look like this: blog about waterhouses?
This is the site of the architects designing water houses

#68 FAM: The house I saw looked almost exactly like (if not exactly) number 6 on the blog.

book #100 Het huis met de dolfijnen Dutch translation of The armourer's house by Rosemary Sutcliff

Set in England 16th century.
After her grandmother died, Tamsyn goes to London to live with her uncle Gideon and aunt Deborah and their children. She would have liked to stay with her uncle Martin, who is a shipbuilder, but in those days it was not appropriate for a man alone to raise his niece.
Tamsyn does not like London, but her cousin Piers supports her when he can.
Piers dreams to be a sailor, but his older brother went away on a ship and never came back, so Piers has to stay to be his fathers successor.

Rosemary Sutcliff is one of my favourite writers. But this book was a bit disappointing, a bit flat story and the characters not as vivid as in her other books.

3 stars

You may read "only" Dutch and English, but my hat's off to you for that! Your list is impressive, and it's a pleasure reading your notes about the books. Thank you.

thank you Prop2gether

I am reading The name of the Rose by Umberto Eco, but one of our dogs had surgery yesterday, so I was not concentrated enough to read on.

So I took a bit lighter book (#101) Blackface stallion by Helen Griffiths, she is one of my favourite authors, she writes mostly childrens/YA books about horses and dogs. I have all (in Dutch translated) books she wrote.
The book was a bit disappointing. Partly because of inconsistencies (lousy translation?), but also because the story was too predictable and the end seemed writen very hasty.

The story is about a mare in Mexico, after an accident she leaves the truck that should carry her to a farm. She meets wild mustangs and lives some years in the wild. Later her foal, Blackface, becomes the leader of the herd.
Extensively written about the first years of Blackface, minimal about his later years, until his end.

Beautiful illustrations by Victor G. Ambrosius.

2 stars

Hi
I hope your dog is doing well.....
Pets hold a special place in our heart. They give so much and ask for so little in return.

thanks Whisper
Gladdich is doing well, two days after surgery he used his backleg a little again and today he walks (when walking slowly) on four legs.
He has a happy nature, the day after surgery his tail was back up and wagging again. I hope he will be back in shape within two months.

Again, I hope Gladdich recovers and is totally mobile asap. "Gladdich" is an interesting name. My favorite dog was Whisper...a bichon who though she was small, had an incredibly large heart.

Gladdich is well on his way, each day a little bit more mobile. He had the same earlier this year on his other knee, it took then 3 months for complete recovery.
His name comes from Bruichladdich, a malt whisky from Islay. We like unusual names ;-)

Some dogs have a large heart, I am glad Whisper left her pawprints with you.

book 102 The name of the rose by Umberto Eco

A good read, historical fiction with a bit of suspence in an Italian monastary with a famous library, 14th century.
And under this a story about different views, ideas, words, books and how people deal with them.

book 103 De vergissing by Lennart Frick, awarded with Vlag en Wimpel in 1981

Translated the title would be The mistake and for me it was.
The story is about a 13 year old boy, Martin, who has a difficult time, his granddad died and at home his parents quarrel and his younger twin-sisters are annoying.
He spends the summer with Carl and his parents on their farm in a deserted village, all farmers moved to the city to earn some money.
Finally in a more calm environment Martin tries to find the edges of Carls parents patience, resulting in a terrible accident he and Carl nearly survive.

2 1/2 star

OK, sounds like one I want to avoid. Finally, I won't be putting something on Continent TBR that I found about on your thread, lol!

alcottacre I think this one was never translated in English, I know you don't read Dutch and I think you won't be able to read it in the original language: Swedish ;-)

book 104
Stad in de storm by Thea Beckman, awarded historical YA, Zilveren Griffel 1980
Hans Ortelius is the son of a printer in the city of Utrecht. It is the "disaster year" (1672) and Utrecht is taken by the French. Times are hard under French regime, the Dutch Republic is attacked on all sides.

A nice historical novel by one of my favourite authors, 4 stars

book 105
De zomer van de staartstar by Alet Schouten, historical YA
This book is also set in the "disaster year" (1672), but in an other part of the Dutch Republic, the city of Enkhuizen.
Two villans travel around spreading false rumours about total defeat of the Republic, paid by the English (England, France and the bisshops of Münster and Cologne were the four attackers in that year).
The young girl Wiebrigje is send from her village to her aunt in the city of Enkhuizen for safety. On her way home the villans catch her, but her nephew Jasper finds her and brings her home. Meanwhile the English fleet is ready to attack, but is defeated at the battle of Solebay.

A good historical novel by another favourite author. Clever and homourus writing, 4 stars.

Both books only available in Dutch, so no adding to mountain/continent/planet TBR for the others here ;-)

edited to correct some spelling errors

#81 FAM: You are correct, I do not read either Dutch or Swedish, but after your review, I was not going to read it anyway, so no great loss on that book's count. Now, some of your other books (like numbers 104 and 105), I do regret not knowing Dutch.

book #106
De eerste twee levens van Lukas-Kasha (translated, original English title The first two lives of Lukas-Kasha) by Lloyd Alexander
YA, fantasy, awarded with Zilveren Griffel 1981

Lukas is lazy, he rather spends his days sleeping than working. He donates his last money to the traveling wizzard Battisto, he puts Lukas face in a bowl with water and Lukas wakes up swimming in a sea on the shore of the land Abadan.
He becomes king of Abadan and finds that it takes a lot of work to be a good king. But others don't like his effords and so Lukas gets involved in a lot of adventures.

A stirring story, fluently written and with humour. But somehow I missed "something", I can not really describe what it is, to make it a really great read. 3 1/2 stars

I have not read that particular book by Lloyd Alexander, but from your description, it sounds like other books of his might be better, and you might want to give them a try, particularly the books in his Chronicles of Prydain.

thanks alcottacre, I will look out for those books. Next week we have planned the first visit to the local library, so maybe I can find them there.
I saw that all books from the Chronicles of Prydain are transtated into Dutch :-)

#86 FAM: Hey, that is great news - both your trip to the library and that the Alexander books are in Dutch. I hope you enjoy both!

I second Stasia's Prydain recommendation. I read these when I was little, but loved the books to bits - was completely obsessed with the characters for several months and would find any excuse to turn a piece of schoolwork into something Prydain-related! I think I particularly love the way the characters really do seem to grow up through the five books, and with very little of the boy-wizard-with-the-glasses' foot-stamping adolescent behaviour ;-)

thanks Stasia and Flossie

I will look for the Prydain books the next time I visit the library, or the time after that, the youth section is on an other floor, so it might take some more time to get there ;-)

Anita

book #107
De dieren van het Duitenbos by Colin Dann
Translated, Childrens (9+), awarded with Vlag en Wimpel (1983)
Original title The animals of Farthing wood

The city get bigger and Farthing Wood will be destroyed. The wild animals decide it is time to leave. Fox, Badger and Owl lead them to White Dear Park, where they will be safe.

This apealing story about wild animals tells us that people take more and more space away for houses and roads, making life for wild animals difficult.

book #108
Het Witte Herten Park by Colin Dann
Translated, Childrens (9+), awarded with Vlag en Wimpel (1985)
Original titles In the grip of winter and Fox's feud

Sequel of The animals of Farthing Wood tells about the adventures of Fox, Badger, Owl and all others in White Deer Park.

Colin Dann humanises the wild aninmals a little, they do talk to eachother, but keeps them beastly enough to be believable.
An easy read, recommended for young lovers of animals.

both books 4 stars

Didn't you just have an anniversary? Congratulations.

Yes, thank you blackdogbooks, 24 years married, how nice you remember from the other thread :-)
Tomorrow (at least over here, the 16th) you have a special day too!

Well, yes, congrats! The wife and I will hit the 24th anniversary in May.

Wow. Very impressive, guys! We just made 10 this year which still felt pretty momentous.

Congratulations on the anniversary FAM! My hubby and I had our 20 year anniversary in June.

thanks all

Our weddingdate had an intended literary link, 13-11-1984, or the US way 11/13/1984

11 = crazy number
13 = unlucky number (and our favourite number)
1984 = the book by Orwell

I have something with numbers (and to make it easy for hubby to remember the day)

book #109
Het volk van de wolf by W. Michael Gear & Kathleen O'Neil Gear
original title People of the wolf

The first library book I read.
I first heard of this series on LT, it was recommended as I own (and like) the Earth's Children books by Jean Auel.

A nice phehistoric story about Wolfdreamer who leads his people from prehistoric Siberia through the ice to America.
This book did not catch me like Jean Auels books, but it is a nice adventurous (sp?) story. I look forward to the next book.

3 stars

Congratulations on your 24th anniversary Anita!

- TT

thanks TT

book #110
Het volk van het vuur by W. Michael Gear & Kathleen O'Neil Gear
original title People of the fire

The second library book I read and the second book in The First North Americans series.

A boy named Little Dancer is predestined to save the people from the power of a shaman, who leads the tribes into war.

Good enough to make me look forward to the next book in the series.
3 stars

book #111
Meisje met de parel by Tracy Chevalier
original title Girl with a Pearl Earring

The third book from the library (tomorrow I'll go again to get some new book!) and of course, I saw it mentioned here on LT, probably in one of the threads of this group.

A girl named Griet goes to live and work as maid for the painter Vermeer in Delft (the Netherlands). It is hard work, Vermeer and his wife have many children.
She is hired to keep the painers workplace clean and does a good job. Finally Vermeer makes a painting of her.

There is not happening much that is exiting, many descripions of the work Griet does, things going on in the Vermeer household and Vermeer painting, or not able to paint. But somehow the writer kept me reading on easely. But I did feel some distance of the writer to the subject, a Dutch writer would decribe things differently ;-)
The story is based on a real painting of Vermeer and lightly based on his life.

3 1/2 stars

edited to fix typo

Hi Fam

I want to once again thank you for introducing me to young adult books. I finished David Almond's Skellig last night and it is one of the top books I've read this year.

If not for you, I would never have read this genre!
I'm having great fun reading all the YA books you recommended!

Linda

you are welcome Linda :-)

I am glad you enjoyed Skellig, it was one of the best new books I read this year, although I liked Kit's wilderness even more.
But you'll see them listed in my 2008 top 5 YA

Anita

book #112
Oorlogswinter by Jan Terlouw *
YA, awarded Gouden Griffel 1973
translated into English as Winter in Wartime

This is one of my all time favourite books. I got it for Christmas in 1973. Giving gifts at Chrismas is not usual here, we have Sinterklaas at December 5th for gifts. But my mother always gave us a book with Christmas.
There is a movie coming after this book, so I thought it was time for a reread.

It is the end of 1944, the Netherlands are occupied by the Germans. There is hunger in the big cities and people walk to other parts of the country to get some food.
Michiel is 15 and sees many people looking for food, or coming back with some potatoes for their families, passing bye his house.
His father is mayor of the village and is taken with 9 others when a dead German soldier is found. His father and 4 others are killed by the Germans, the other 5 can go back to their families.
Michiel gets involved with the resistance movement by taking care of an English pilot.
It is a long winter, in May of the next year the Netherlands are freed by the allies.

This book shows that war gives only loss.
That resistance is not about heroïc deeds, but mosly about all small things one can do.
There is not only good and evil, most people act somewhere in between.

5 stars

What an enjoyable thread! And I discovered some nice books along the way (a Lloyd Alexander I didn't know). Wondering if you'd like Patrica Wrede's YA works. Her Talking With Dragons is one of my favorites.

Mostly what I appreciate about your thread is the joy of a thought-lost love. How wonderful that you are reading again. And I loved the fact that you were able to reassemble your favorite series.

I'm looking forward to being able to savor the next posts step by step instead of all at once -- that's what I get for joining late! :)

thank you susan

It is a joy to read again and nearly as good was discovering LT :-)

I looked for the "The Enchanted Forest Chronicles" by Patricia Wrede and they seemed interesting, but unfortunately her books are not translated into Dutch.

I joined half way the year, so I know it is a lot of reading catching up on this group, but it is well worth the time.

Well, I was going to check Winter in Wartime out of my local library only to discover that while they still have it listed as belonging to the library, they no longer have a copy of it available. Makes no sense to me, but there you have it. I am obviously going to have to tap other sources.

As far as Skellig goes, I have that one home already from the library. Now all I need is time to read it!

Edited because I just now noticed that I cannot spell.

>101 FAMeulstee: Fam, I agree with you about Girl with a Pearl Earring - a bit of anti-climax I thought. Sounds like a good theme for a story but the author failed to deliver.

- TT

TT and Fam
While I was not very impressed with the book, I did like the movie Girl With a Pearl Earring. The cinematography was stunningly beautiful.

>107 alcottacre: Stasia
How disappointing, I would think the actually have all the books listed! Good luck searching elsewhere.
I'll see Skellig on your thread when you have read it.

>109 Whisper1: Linda
Well then TT and I should watch the movie ;-)

>101 FAMeulstee:: I'm very interested, how would the Dutch writer be different?

I admit, I liked The Girl with a Pearl Earring. However, that might be because, if I had to pick my top three favorite painters, Vermeer's there.

Thanks for the one year anniversary note on my profile. Had no idea it had been a year!!! Doesn't seem like it. Looking forward to a new year and a new 75'er challenge!!!

TadAD
Have you ever visited the Metropolitan Art Musuem in New York city? There are a few stunningly beautiful Vermeer's. I love what he does with light and the way in which you feel as though you are a little mouse in the corner silently watching all the soft, gentle action that is going around you.

Yes. I go in maybe once a year and, as I just said to my sister this week, I generally head right for the Impressionists or Dutch.

I also like the American Wing. The Tiffany window panes and incredible.

http://www.metmuseum.org/works_of_art/collection_database/european_paintings/the...

TadAd.. This is one of my favorite paintings at the Met. It is a large canvas and I seem to be drawn into the painting each time I view it.

Now doesn't THAT look like an eerie setting for a fantasy or fairy tale!

I think that was where the flying monkeys attacked Dorothy in Oz . . . Used to scare me to death every time they got to that point of the movie when I was a kid.

As a contrast, here's my fav at the Philadelphia Art Museum -- http://www.philamuseum.org/collections/permanent/104384.html?mulR=24211

>111 TadAD:: TadAD
Somehow Tracy Chevalier writes if she does not really understands the Dutch circumstances at that time, no real faults, but improbabilities.
Like the butchers on the market, a protestant would buy his meat from a protestant butcher, a catholic would buy from a catholic butcher. Yet Griet marries the son of the butcher where the Vermeers buy their meat!
I don't think anyone not Dutch would notice ;-)

112: blackdogbooks
Time flies when you are having fun :-)
I am looking forward for the next year and challenge too!

Whisper, TadAD, suslyn
Altough I like the paintings of old Dutch painters like Potter, Vermeer and Rembrandt,
I am more drawn to modern painters, like Karel Appel, Elsworth Kelly and Barnett Newman.
In the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam there are two works of Barnett Newman:
Who's Afraid of Red, Yellow, and Blue III

and even more impressing Cathedra

Of course the photos don't do the works justice, the colors are alive, I have been sitting there for nearly an hour, just looking at it.

You would probably love the Stained Glass Museum in Chicago.

I confess to being an uncultured Philistine when it comes to Modern Art, especially Abstracts. I look at those and say "a red rectangle with a blue edge" and "two blue rectangles" and can't make any sense out of them.

I'll happily browse Impressionists and post-Impressionists like Monet and Cezanne, or Old Dutch Guys like Vermeer or Hals, but I look at Color Field Painting (I think that's what Newman does) and I just scratch my head.

Guess I'm just old! :-)

.123: Prop2gether
I might like it, but it is not likely I would ever travel that far ;-)

124: TadAD
No, you are no uncultured Philistine, tastes differ.
I have learned over the years to like abstract art, figurative art is easier to understand and to appriciate.
Last week Frank and I went to a modern classic concert, very few appriciate that too, so the concert hall was pleasantly empty. Most people like Mozart, Beethoven etc.
We rather listen to Dmitri Shostakovich, Paul Hindemith or Arnold Schönberg ;-)

So Bartok's just too early for you :) I like 20th century but on whole stick more with Vaughn Williams, Rutter, Copeland... more traditionally tonal I guess, but it's a lot of fun to analyze 12 tone music :) How about Muczynski? He's a blast to play... seems I should take the rest of this conversation to Fam's profile comments. Sorry Tad!

lol oops this isn't Tad's thread -- duh. Let it be a lesson to me not to make comments at 2 am! Second night/morning in a row I've messed up like that -- g'nite and sorry about that.

(... How about Bolling's Picnic Suite?)

LOL, no, it's the FAMeulstee thread...but folks seem to hold conversations on anyone's thread, regardless...

I'm afraid stodginess applies to music for me, as well. Up until a few years ago, I would have said, "Start with Baroque, move through Classical, get somewhat into Romantic...then jump to Janis Joplin."

Quite frankly, I can become lost in the intricacies of Bach's Inventions or Variations and lose all track of time, and Beethoven...well, let's just say I'm with Schroeder on Beethoven.

However, I took up piano in middle age because, well, I've always wanted to. My teacher is, himself, a jazz and 20th century aficionado so, for every two or three Bach or Tchaikovsky, there's something written in the last 100 years. I've kind of enjoyed it, though I draw the line at 12 tone; I need harmony.

On the Bolling front: actually, my comments about jumping to Janis were a slight exaggeration. While I certainly didn't consider myself a jazz fan, there were some pieces I loved, Bolling among them, especially "Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano", "Picnic Suite" and the like. Plus, Jarrett, some Oscar Peterson, Klugh, Guaraldi.

Message #117 & 118
Right you are regarding the eerines and darkness of the painting...but truly (and I know I sound defensive) when viewed in the perspective of a large canvas, it is an incredible painting.

The trees are dark and the light barely shines through, I believe there are two small figures of travelers who are walking through the wood. When I first saw the painting I wondered where they were going and if they would make their destination before night fall.

When I visit the museum and see the painting, I don't get the sense of foreboding while I study this artwork, but rather, I have a feeling that the trees are protecting the small folk on their journey...

I guess that is the beauty of art...We can project our thoughts and feelings onto the canvas.

Message 129: Linda

that work by Rousseau reminds me a bit to an early painting by Mondriaan, you can see it at this page (tekts in Dutch):

http://www.digischool.nl/ckv1/beeldend/mondriaan/mondriaan1.htm

And if you scroll down you can see how the tree evolved into an abstract tree.

Anita

Susan & TadAD

I had not heard from Muczynski before, until 10 years ago we went regular to concerts and last week was the first time after all those years.

Most works are best if you hear them in a concert hall, LP or CD never gives the sound you can hear there. So I want to hear them there.

I never had problems listening to 12 tone, for me it is a natural part of classical music (hey I know, I am a bit weird LOL)

In my youth they tried to teach me how to play the piano... it was a big disaster! Luckely my third piano teacher had a nice dog. I walked her dog a lot after piano lessons, lessons became shorter, walks longer, everyone happy ;-)

Anita

lol -- the only time I heard Muczynski in a hall was when I played it. Don't think it's very popular, and not sure he wrote a lot, but it is fun, fun, fun to play! Maybe you should try again :)

I rather listen than play myself ;-)

Message #131..
Fam..
Incredible, absolutely incredible.
Thanks!

>message 135: Linda,
I like to see how a painter develops his style, these paintings by Mondriaan are an excellent example.
Now back to the books ;-)

book #113
Het volk van de aarde by W. Michael Gear & Kathleen O'Neil Gear
original title People of the earth

Again from the library, the third book in The First North Americans series.

The boy Sitent Water and the girl White Ash have to stop Brave Man, who uses the Power for his own good.

Good enough to make me look forward to the next book in the series. Although all stories untill now are more of the same, good vs evil. I don't think I will read them all now. Some series are better if you read them all at once, this does not feel that way.
3 stars

book #114
Jonkvrouw by Jean-Claude van Rijckeghem
Dutch YA, awarded Eervolle Vermelding 2006
not translated into English

I bought this book in October and started to read it then. Only after page 60 it turned out to be a misprint, next page was 93 :-(
As the book is out of print I have to find it second hand now, but I really wanted to read on! Luckely the library had a copy.

14th century Flandres, Marguerite van Male is the daughter of the Count of Flandres. Her father wanted a boy, who could inherit his titles, but when her mother gives birth to a boy, the child dies and her mother goes crazy. So her father will have to do with her and find her a noble man to marry.
But Marguerite has her own ways, not always convenient to her father....

4 1/5 stars

#137 FAM: Dagnabit, woman, stop doing that to me! Get me all excited about a book, and then I find out it is not in English! That's it, I am just going to have to learn Dutch (right after I tackle Latin, lol)

LOL I want to read it too. So Anita, are you going to take up translating?

Perhaps we should insist that books unavailable in English have reviews done in Dutch so that we can't get interested in them. :-)

Or maybe FAM can give us private on-line language lessons?

I could take up TadAD's suggestion, as a start for Stasia and Fourpawz2 to learn Dutch ;-)

It would take years to translate a whole book, I might be able to translate half a page a day, but then I would have no time to read!
You all would not want to do THAT to me.... LOL

Oh yes we would!

"I second that." (Quickly she ducks behind alcott as FAM reaches for something heavy to chuck their way.)

#144 Fourpawz: She would have to have some kind of arm to chuck it all the way from the Netherlands, lol.

Hi Fam
For years, I've studied the art of carousel building. I found this article recently and thought of you.

http://www.carouselnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=36...

AlcottAcre and Fourpawz2
LOL, you are BAD!

I used to throw things when was young, but grew out of that habit, so you are safe ;-)

I don't complain about all untranslated books you all rave about, it is one thing to read and write here, but whole books in English are hard to read for me too. It takes at least four times the time as a Dutch book.

hi Linda

That is a beautiful carousel!
I loved to ride the horses on the carousel at the fair when I was young. I always loved horses in any shape or form.
In some way it is funny to see very Dutch culture in an other county.

One small wrong in the article windmill De Zwaan (meaning graceful bird); De Zwaan means the Swan.

Anita

alcott, (#145) I just don't want to take any chances. For all I know she has super powers and if she hit me I might lose an eye or something. Don't want to risk that!!!

#149: You have a point, Fourpawz2. How are we going to get back on her good side?

#147 FAM: I don't complain about all untranslated books you all rave about, it is one thing to read and write here, but whole books in English are hard to read for me too. It takes at least four times the time as a Dutch book.

Why is that do you think? Are there just not as many Dutch publishers?

Stasia: with 22 million people native speaking Dutch, the market for Dutch books is a lot smaller as for English books, as in Wikipedia is stated that Approximately 375 million people speak English as their first language.

It is a big difference!

It does not follow that we can understand each other, even within the U.S. Maybe it should read "speak a form of English"... :)

>153 suslyn:: susan
probably ;-)
Among native Dutch speakers the same problem occurs LOL

So what we need to do is start our own Dutch publishing company, putting out the books we want to read the most!

Yes, a publisher who translates the books from Dutch you all want to read and the English books I want to read :-)

book #115
Het volk van de rivier by W. Michael Gear & Kathleen O'Neil Gear
original title People of the river

Fourth book in the series.
Was a nice read, but still more than the same. I take a break, I think the books are better to read not too close to eachother. The series The First North Americans is not like other series, where you want to re-read the first books when the next is published.

3 stars

#156 (and previous): I'm just impressed you can read in English - although all the Dutch people I've ever met truly put me to shame with their grasp of languages!

I might just about limp through something in French if I had unlimited time to do so.... but it wouldn't necessarily be fun and I couldn't hope to post a review of anything even remotely approaching accuracy!

thank you Flossie
We all learn multiple languages at school, remains of our nationwide trading history.
And very helpfull were the English neighbours in my teens.
And the internet came (I just realise it is 10 years ago when I started to discover the wonders of the www), it helped to enlarge my vocabulary.

In the US, it is Thanksgiving Day. Fam, I am thankful for the many YA books I've read this year thanks to your recommendation.

I don't know, alcott (#150). Maybe a bit of abject crawling?

#161 Fourpawz: I think maybe we should beef up our forms of address: Her Royal Highness FAM has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

A lovely ring. I move that we adopt that form of address immediately. It's only right that we redeem ourselves. Hope that HRH FAM is hereby appeased.

LOL you are both sooo cute! ;-)

book #116
19 keer Katherine by John Green
original title An abundance of Katherines

A pleasant read about Colin, a child prodigy, who has something with Katherines. To be exact he has 19 Katherines as ex-girlfriends.
Devastated by the failure of his last Katherine- relationship, he goes on a roadtrip with his friend Hassan. Then he tries to get his experiences into a mathematical equation to be able to predict future Katherine relations.

I could relate a lot to Colin. Being the outcast at school, seen as a nerd and easy remembering trivialities, although I did not have any dates in my school life (lucky him LOL) and did never win anything with my knowledge. He has something with anagrams, I have something with numbers.

4 stars

#164 HRH FAM: If you can locate a copy of Looking for Alaska by John Green, I recommend it as well.

thanks AlcottAcre, the library has Looking for Alaska, but I'll have to wait until it comes back. I have it on my list.
And thank you and Flossie for recommending the next book:

book #117
Het boek van Drie by Lloyd Alexander
original title The book of three, first book of The Chronicles of Prydain

I enjoyed this book by Lloyd Alexander a lot more than The first two lives of Lukas-Kasha (book #106). Magic, fantasy, a quest, some Welsh mythology sipping through.
A YA book resembling the quest in The Lord of the Rings, but lighter and funnier.

4 stars

>166 FAMeulstee:: I think it's one of the best YA fantasy series out there; in some ways, it gets better as it goes along. Taran Wanderer and The High King were just great.

thanks TadAD, I started the second book and will get the other three wednesday when I go to the library.

Oh, my, Anita - I feel so happy to think of you reading Prydain!! And so grateful they've been translated too.

I agree with Tad; they just get better. And this series is, unfortunately, heads and shoulders better than most of his other books. I read The first two lives of Lukas-Kasha along with a couple others he wrote around the same time, and they were okay, but not great. The Prydain Chronicles rank in my great list. The first book is just a simple children's book about a simple child hero--but each book deepens and builds on the prior events until the climax, which is as mature and rich as you could ever want. I'm so happy they are available in Dutch, and just hope the translator did a good job.

Thanks Flossie and ronin
I really enjoyed the first book and look forward to the rest.
The books were translated in the early 70s, then out of print for years and reprinted around 2002.
As far as I can judge the translator did a good job, no bad sentences or obvious faults. And also good one translator for all books.

In some series that can be so anoying, different translators, who have all their own style. I remember reading the 4th book of the Earth's Children and the first translator had translated some names (from English phonetic to Dutch phonetic) and the next translator had not... so irritating!

book #118
De zwarte ketel by Lloyd Alexander
original title The black Cauldron, second book of The Chronicles of Prydain

4 stars

I love to read about Taran!
So I went to the library today (instead of wednesday) to get the next books, sadly book 5 was not there, but I have book 3 & 4 here and started book 3.

I think 3 is my favourite, personally, although 5 comes a close second.

Ah, 4 was my favorite, with 5 a close second.

TadAD, maybe a girl v. boy thing - Eilonwy gets a much meatier role in book 3 after all.

(drifts off into happy wistful reminiscences... the year I was reading Prydain, my teacher hand-drew a Christmas card for all her pupils, featuring a caricature of every single one of us - around 35 in the class, I think. I am depicted at the top of a very high stepladder, above the classrom hurly-burly below, surrounded by spiders' webs and tottering stacks of books, with a peaceful smile on my face. She was the best teacher.)

Ahem. Sorry, Anita!

>175 FlossieT:: FlossieT

Yes, I can see that might be true. I loved the Annlaw Clay-Shaper story and the Mirror of Llunet realizations.

The thing about this series, though, is that all five books are so good...so it's a matter of "better" and "best"!

--Tad

It occurs to me that all those English-speakers don't speak and write the same language either. There's an entire discussion on the Globally Reading about certain Australian terms never seen in the USA, and you know they routinely "translate" "American English" for the British Isles and vice versa. That's without dealing with colloquialisms within the countries! And north of our border, there's a lot of Canadian French mixed in as well. I really have to get back to my language studies!

>175 FlossieT:: FlossieT
don't be sorry Rachael, drift away, I don't mind!
Or better said, I like to read you had such a wonderfull teacher.

>177 Prop2gether:: Prop2gether
Laurie I get it, there is a lot of variety in "English".
In Dutch there is some, but not as much. Some dialects within The Netherlands and south of the border in Belgium they speak Flemish, that is almost the same as Dutch.

>178 FAMeulstee:: she was amazing, actually - when I think about the sorts of things she picked to read to us (Madeline L'Engle particularly stands out) I feel incredibly fortunate. Particularly memorable was her dramatic reading of Roald Dahl's The Witches - she was about six feet tall with jet black hair and enormous eyes, so had certain physical advantages in embodying the Head Witch!

Edited to correct touchstone

Not just a girl/boy differential. Taran Wanderer is my favorite as well, for many of the same reasons as Tad says. Actually, 3 is probably my least favorite--but as mentioned, this is a case of good, better, great rather than being weak.

I'm just totally in awe of ANYONE who speaks more than one language AND reads it AND writes it. I can barely get directions in Spanish after 6 years of classes and I wish I could at least read Finnish, which is my father's heritage. You go, girl!

book #119
Het kasteel van Llyr by Lloyd Alexander
original title The castle of Llyr, third book of The Chronicles of Prydain

This one is even better as the two previous ones!
Now on to the fourth book!

4 1/2 stars

#182 HRH FAM: I am so glad to see you getting such enjoyment from The Chronicles of Prydain!

I adore Prydain too. I always wanted to know what happened after book 5...

>184 suslyn:: Susan, there are some short stories too, although I think they may not really tell you "what happened next". Can't remember the title, but I do remember borrowing the book from the library (admittedly, about 23 years ago and in New Zealand.... I really loved these books).

I just used to make it up in my head, myself. It did feel a bit like cheating, to steal someone else's characters, but I loved them so much.

Dearie me, I do seem to get just a fraction OCD about the books I love, don't I.

>185 FlossieT: Flossie -- not at all. Isn't that why they're there? To fall in love with? I'm sure there's nothing an author could love more. Thx for the tip.

>185 FlossieT: Flossie, George MacDonalad Fraser wrote a whole series of books on a character he poached from another author Flashman!

> 184: susan and 185: Flossie
I think that is The Foundling: And Other Tales of Prydain, sadly not translated (yet).

book #120
Tarans zwerftocht by Lloyd Alexander
original title Taran wanderer, fourth book of The Chronicles of Prydain

Again a great read, 4 1/2 stars

book #121
De hoge koning by Lloyd Alexander
original title The high king, fifth book of The Chronicles of Prydain

This was the best of the five, 5 stars!

Congrats for making it through the series, Anita. Now you can see why this has remained on my all-time favorite top 5 YA/children's series for over 30 years. What things did you appreciate the most about it?

I liked the adventurous story.
I liked that the characters all had their flaws, so they were no super-heroes. The way Taran and Eilonwy grew into adulthood through the stories.
There is good and bad, but not always clear lines between them. And I loved Gurgi ;-)
I did not forsee the end, that is a big plus too!

I liked them so much, I will certainly reread them, so I ordered book 3, 4 and 5 from an online secondhand bookshop. Now searching for the first two books :-)

they are wonderful

book #122
De zusjes Boleyn by Philippa Gregory
translation of The other Boleyn girl

As far as I know the only book of Gregory that is translated into Dutch.
I know some others in this group read it this year and I have seen a variety of ratings, so I wanted to know for myself and took the book from the library.

This was the first book I nearly abandoned this year, but somehow I wanted to know how it ended, so I kept on reading.

2 1/2 star

#193 HRH FAM: I am apparently one of the few people in the known universe who is not a Philippa Gregory fan. I am so glad you are one of the other ones! The Other Boleyn Girl was the only one of hers I read - I made myself finish it even though I really wanted to throw it up against a wall repeatedly - and I will not even bother reading any of her others. I know there are a lot of people who like her books, but I am not one of them.

dear Stasia
I am happy we are alike in our dislike :-)
I won't read any other book by Philippa Gregory again, even if someone bothers to translate it!
Anita

book #123 was a better pick from the library:
Marley & ik by John Grogan
original title Marley and me

I never wanted to own a Labrador Retriever, and I was right LOL
A fun read about a family and their dog, the Labrador Marley. An unbehaving, hyperactive, rude and energetic dog, but most of all a dog full of love.

4 stars

#196 HRH FAM: I loved Marley and Me. My dog, Panda, reminds me of Marley, lol.

194 and 195
Philippa Gregory is VERY over rated. I agree with your comments.

>193 FAMeulstee: FAM is hereby nominated for the BRAVE award for reading an unreadable book!

- TT

HRH FAM and I are obviously going to have to fight over the BRAVE award, and I will have to let her win because I am still in the doghouse, lol.

> 198
Linda, I am glad you feel the same about PG.

>199 TheTortoise: & 200
I nominate Stasia for the BRAVE award, two dogs sleeping next to me, I am obvious in the doghouse too ;-)

book #124
Met de pijn die het liefheeft en haat by Craig Kee Strete
Translated, awarded YA (vlag en wimpel 1985)
original title: With the Pain It Loves and Hates, I could not find this book on LT, maybe it is part of one of the books with more than one story in it by Craig Kee Strete

Great short story about a young indian girl who finds a wounded hawk. She takes care of the bird and this way good fortune comes to her family. But evil is near waiting for its chance.
Beautiful written, the theme of good vs evil gives an unexpected ending.

5 stars

Sounds like another good book, Anita. Can I hire you to translate it from Dutch into English?

I would try first to locate the story in one of Craig Kee Strete's books ;-)

Fam
I'm going to look for the Craig Kee Strete story.
I have learned to trust your wonderful judgment regarding YA books!
Thanks
Linda

I hope you can find it Linda!
Anita

book #125
Het grote misschien by John Green
original title Looking for Alaska

The second book of John Green I read. I loved this one. An abundance of Katherines was very good, but this was even better.
I think I have a new writer to add to my favourites ;-)

5 stars

book #126
Een kleine geschiedenis van bijna alles by Bill Bryson
translation of A Short History of Nearly Everything

A short history of natural science, starting rougly in the 17th century up to recent developments.
The first parts concentrating on physics and chemistry were the hardest to read (I do not know very much about them). The next parts were much easier earth science and biology are more my cup of tea ;-)
For these parts I was a more critical reader, that happens when I think you know some, so here and there I thought "that is not completely right".
So the book is like academics in our country say about a particulair quality newspaper: it is very good/excellent, except for my field of knowledge ;-)

Great writing style, he presents many difficult things in an understandable way.

4 1/2 stars

#207 HRH FAM: John Green had a new book come in late 2008 called Paper Towns if you are interested. I have not yet had a chance to read it, so I cannot comment on how good it is.

I have seen it Stasia, sadly no translation yet, but I am sure it won't be long :-)

I am firmly convinced you need to teach me Dutch so that we can start our own Dutch translating company, lol!

book #127
Koorts (original title Fever 1793) by Laurie Halse Anderson
translated YA, history, USA

I think I picked up this book from someone from this group. (I should start to add names to the books I pick up here and put in my library-notebook)

The book is about the epidemic outbreak of Yellow Fever in Philadelphia in 1793.
I know very little about the USA in that time, never heard of the epidemic, nor that Philadelphia had been the capital of the USA.

It was easy to read, informative and a good story.

3 1/2 stars

>212 FAMeulstee::

I had suggested it, Anita. I read it because my daughter was reading it in school and ended up liking it. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

We're getting ready to start on Celia Garth which was recommended for my daughter by Prop2gether.

--Tad

thanks Tad
I realised I know little about the history of the USA, I might try to read a bit more about it next year.
Sadly I could not find a Dutch translation of Celia Garth (yet)...

>214 FAMeulstee::

How about Johnny Tremain? It's been around so long and is so famous that it might be translated.

It's another YA title about the American Revolution—Prop2gether actually recommended Celia Garth based upon us having read the it.

>215 TadAD:
No, no translation either :-(
The best chance are more recent, very good selling books...
If I search in the local library on "Amerikaanse Vrijheidsoorlog (1775-1783)" = American Revolution, I find two non-fiction YA books, three books by Gilbert Morris (The liberty bell and sequels), one by Randall Wallace (Love and honor) and one by Jack Cavanaugh (The patriots).

>216 FAMeulstee::

Oh well, I'm sorry to hear that. I guess American history isn't that relevant to Dutch speakers. Too bad...Johnny Tremain was a wonderful book.

I have plans to travel in the opposite direction this year. One of the books on my non-fiction list is Tulipmania: Money, Honor, and Knowledge in the Dutch Golden Age.

I read John Green's three books this past fall. I liked them all, but my hands down favorite was Looking for Alaska, which I LOVED.

I've got my copy of Fever, 1793 sitting close by, ready to read. I skimmed the first couple pages the other day and almost didnt' put it down.

Hi to all
Chiming in on the book Yellow Fever, I too noted this on TadAd's list and read it. It is well worth the read. I didn't know about the yellow fever plague before reading this.

Thanks again TadAd for all the wonderful suggestions and reviews.

217: TadAD
I guess American history isn't that relevant to Dutch speakers.
I don't think so, but obviously most do... It goes up and down, sometimes everything American is "hot" other times not at all. But things happening there do influence things over here.

I hope you have fun with tulipmania ;-)

218: alaskabookworm
I do agree, although I have not read the third book by John Green, I will as soon as it is translated and available at the library.

book #128
Een korte geschiedenis van de tractor in de Oekraïne by Marina Lewycka
translation of A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian

A funny, but also serious story.
An old man wants to marry again after his first wife died. The bride is Ukrainian, blonde, voluminous and 50 years younger...
His daughters are not amused, they haven't spoken with eachother since their mother died, but this emergency brings them together.
The book is about the 2nd World War, illegal immigrants, difference between generations, family secrets and much more.

4 stars

Hi there, Celia Garth is for girls what Johnny Tremain is for boys--a young person caught up in the American Revolutionary War. Celia's in Charleston, another hotbed of activity at the time, while Johnny's in Boston. I've recommended it to teachers, friends, and family--and someone kept my copy years ago! Enjoy!

book #129
De dagen van de bluegrassliefde by Edward van de Vendel
awarded YA, Gouden Zoen 2000

Unusual story, boy falls in love with boy. Liked it, well written.

4 stars

well this is going to be my last message in this thread, I got today the Complete Chonicles of Narnia from the library (no I never read them before) and I don't expect to finish it before january 1st.

So here my final list:

best reads
 1 Kit's Wilderness by David Almond
 2 Padjelanta by Anton Quintana
 3 The curious incident of the dog in the night-time by Mark Haddon
 4 Looking for Alaska by John Green
 5 With the pain it loves and hates by Craig Kee Strete
 6 Holes by Louis Sachar
 7 The high king by Lloyd Alexander
 8 Winterijs by Peter van Gestel
 9 Walk two moons by Sharon Creech
10 Wolfsroedel by Floortje Zwigtman

worst reads random order
De vergissing by Lennart Frick
The other Boleyn girl by Philippa Gregory
Gijsbrecht by Edward van de Vendel
Blackface stallion by Helen Griffiths

I hope you find the Chronicles as enchanting as I did. Looking forward to hearing about which ones you preferred :)

Anita, I really hope you like the Chronicles of Narnia. I will not tell you which is my favorite (I do not want to color your judgment), but I will tell you that I love Reepicheep!

Stasia
I just finished The Magician's Nephew, no Reepicheep there, if he is his translated name is very different ;-)
Anita

No, I do not think Reepicheep shows up in that one. He is not in every book in the series.

my thread for 2009:
Anita's armchair travels in 2009