Lunar18's 999 challenge, the one with unlimited overlaps.

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Lunar18's 999 challenge, the one with unlimited overlaps.

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1Lunarreader
Editado: Oct 30, 2008, 4:42 pm

Hello,
after receiving so much support of all of you, here i am.
I will do my best to read as much books as possible but my exception on the house rule of this group is that i can do as many overlaps as i want. I will try hard to avoid abuse ;-)

To keep it a bit challenging however i will create some very specific categories : one that challenges me to shop in good bookshops, another one that will be hard to judge up front if any book will fit in.

My apologies if my english is sometimes a bit weird, i'm from Flanders in Belgium. You can always correct me so that i'm able to improve my posts.

See my next postings to read about my categories

Lunar18

2Lunarreader
Oct 30, 2008, 4:24 pm

This is my list of categories :

I. Flemish writers
II. Bella Italia (inspired by my friend Jebronse)
III. Runner's up in prize contests (at least shortlisted)
IV. Books where a good beer or malt whisky appears in (to honour my own founded group "Malt", i'm sure i will have to count on the overlaps here)
V. Writers i never read before
VI. Books distributed (nearly) for free on promotional actions
VII. Debut novels
VIII. Travelling books (mentionning places i would like to go)
IX. Books with less then 99 pages (to keep me busy in bookshops)

Well, i won't list them up front, i will fill in the lists as i read ....

3Lunarreader
Editado: Nov 15, 2009, 3:50 pm

I. Flemish writers

I am living in Flanders so ... a bit support for the home writers.

1. Mijn tweede huid by Erwin Mortier (finished on 11 jan.)
2. Villa des roses by Willem Elsschot (finished on 15 feb.)
3. Godenslaap by Erwin Mortier (finished on 1st june)
4. Een demon in Brussel by Kamiel Vanhole (finished on 14 june)
5. Alle dagen samen by Erwin Mortier (finished on 19 july)
6. Marcel by Erwin Mortier (finished on 14 august)
7. De helaasheid der dingen by Dimitri Verhulst (finished on 13th of september)
8. Grote Europese Roman by Koen Peeters (finished on 31st of october)
9. De engelenmaker by Stefan Brijs (finished on the 15th of november)

4Lunarreader
Editado: Nov 19, 2009, 4:35 pm

II. Bella Italia

Like my LT friend Jebronse i do love italian writers. Suggestions are welcome.

1. Het laatste oudejaar van de mensheid by Niccolo Ammaniti (finished on 17 jan.)
2. De weg naar San Giovanni by Italo Calvino (finished on 24 jan.)
3. Vuistslagen by Pietro Grossi (finished on 15 feb.)
4. Oceaan van een zee by Alessandro Baricco (finished on 3 may)
5. De eenzaamheid der priemgetallen by Paolo Giordano (finished on 13 june)
6. Verstikkende zomerhitte by Andrea Camilleri (finished on 21st june)
7. Troje brandt by Sandro Veronesi (finished on 6th of july)
8. Come Dio comanda by Niccolo Ammaniti (finished on 5th of august)
9. Het tegenovergestelde van dood by Roberto Saviano (finished on the 19th of november)

5Lunarreader
Editado: Dic 5, 2009, 11:41 am

III. Runner's up in prize contests (at least shortlisted)

Sometimes it's nice to support the one who just didn't make it ....

1. Mijn tweede huid by Erwin Mortier, runner-up, shortlisted, at Libris prize 2001 (finished on 11 jan.)
2. Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, runner up, shorlisted at Orange Prize for Fiction 2004 (finished on 02 feb.)
3. Vuistslagen by Pietro Grossi, runner up, shortlisted for Premio Strega 2006 (finished on 15 feb.)
4. Verstoten by Sadie Jones, shortlisted Orange Broadband Prize for fiction 2008 (finished on 14 april)
5. De hekkenbouwers by Magnus Mills, shortlisted for the Booker prize 1998 (finished 25 july)
6. De helaasheid der dingen by Dimitri Verhulst, shortlisted for De Gouden Uil 2007, (finshed on september 13)
7. Grote Europese Roman by Koen Peeters (finished on 31st of october) shortlisted for Libris Literatuurprijs 2008
8. De engelenmaker by Stefan Brijs (finished on the 15th of november) shortlisted for De Gouden Uil 2006 and Libris Literatuurprijs 2006
9. Bedrog by Philip Roth, runner up for the Nobelprize ;-) (finished on the 5th of december)

6Lunarreader
Editado: Dic 28, 2009, 7:20 am

IV. Books where a good beer or malt whisky appears in.

I founded the "malt" group on LT, not much to do yet there, maybe this category will help ? I love malt whisky and real beers (not the commercial lagers). Always best enjoyed with a book.

1. Verstikkende zomerhitte by Andrea Camilleri (finished on 21st june)
2. De zelfmoordclub by Arto Paasilinna (finished on 12th of august)
3. De helaasheid der dingen by Dimitri Verhulst (finshed on september 13)
4. Genieten van wijn by Joanna Simon (finished on 26 september)
5. De laatste wildernis by Robert Macfarlane (finished on 4th of october)
6. Tot op het bot by Anthony Bourdain (finished on 7th of november)
7. Peat, Smoke and Spirit by Andrew Jefford (finished 26th of december)
8.
9.

7Lunarreader
Editado: Ago 23, 2009, 4:22 pm

V. Writers i never read before

Well, not much to tell here, i didn't read them yet. I'm in to discoveries so ...

1. Twee vrouwen by Harry Mulisch (finished on 3 jan.)
2. Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (finished on 02 feb.)
3. Last Orders by Graham Swift (finished on 22 march)
4. De laatste slaaf by Rodaan Al Galidi (finished on 29 march)
5. Over een voettocht door de kou by Werner Herzog (finished on 21st may)
6. Verstikkende zomerhitte by Andrea Camilleri (finished on 21st june)
7. De zelfmoordclub by Arto Paasilinna (finished on 12th of august)
8. Mijn winterkat, mijn lief by Antonio Lobo Antunes (finished on 17 august)
9. New York trilogy by Paul Auster (finished on 21 august)

8Lunarreader
Editado: Dic 5, 2009, 11:42 am

VI. Books distributed (nearly) for free on promotional actions

Last september a new book of one of the more popular Flemish writers was added for free to a magazine on 320,000 copies. So now i will try to find 9 different ones.

1. Twee vrouwen by Harry Mulisch, distributed for free at Boekenbeurs Antwerp (finished on 3 jan.)
2. Villa des roses by Willem Elsschot, added to the newspaper "De Morgen" for only 4,95 € (finished on 15 feb.)
3. De laatste slaaf by Rodaan Al Galidi, a gift received through membership of an editor's facebook group. (finished on 29 march)
4. Alle dagen samen by Erwin Mortier (finished on 19 july)
5. Mijn winterkat, mijn lief by Antonio Lobo Antunes (finished on 17 august)
6. New York trilogy by Paul Auster (finished on 21 august)
7. Genieten van wijn by Joanna Simon (finished on 26 september)
8. Tot op het bot by Anthony Bourdain (finished on 7th of november)
9. Bedrog by Philip Roth (finished on the 5th of december)

9Lunarreader
Editado: Feb 17, 2010, 3:05 pm

VII. Debut novels.

For the same reason as category 5. Of course these categories could overlap seriously, but in category 5 it shouldn't be all debutes. I'll do my best.

1. Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (finished on 02 feb.)
2. Villa des roses by Willem Elsschot (finished on 15 feb.)
3. Verstoten by Sadie Jones (finished on 14 april)
4. De eenzaamheid der priemgetallen by Paolo Giordano (finished on 13 june)
5. Een demon in Brussel by Kamiel Vanhole (finished on 14 june)
6. The white tiger by Aravind Adiga (finished on 18 july)
7. De hekkenbouwers by Magnus Mills (finished on 25 july)
8. Marcel by Erwin Mortier (finished on 14 august)
9. Vernon God Little by DBC Pierre

10Lunarreader
Editado: Dic 28, 2009, 7:21 am

VIII. Travelling books.

Books telling travel stories or books specifically written to draw attention to places where one should travel to. Don't get me wrong, no michelin, lonely planet or other rough guides, with all due respect to these.

1. Last Orders by Graham Swift (finished on 22 march)
2. Found Wanting by Robert Goddard (finished on 26 april)
3. Over een voettocht door de kou by Werner Herzog (finished on 21st may)
4. Een demon in Brussel by Kamiel Vanhole (finished on 14 june)
5. De zelfmoordclub by Arto Paasilinna (finished on 12th of august)
6. Pays d'Aurillac à pied et à VTT (finished on 24 august)
7. De laatste wildernis by Robert Macfarlane (finished on 4th of october)
8. Grote Europese Roman by Koen Peeters (finished on 31st of october)
9. Peat, Smoke and Spirit by Andrew Jefford (finished 26th of december)

11Lunarreader
Editado: Nov 7, 2009, 4:39 pm

IX. Books with less then 99 pages.

This one should be fun ! I like short stories and i like spending time in bookshops so let's find them and read them. At this moment i have only one book in my library fitting in this category so quite a challenge here.

1. De weg naar San Giovanni by Italo Calvino 97 pages (finished on 24 jan.)
2. De laatste slaaf by Rodaan Al Galidi 96 pages (finished on 29 march)
3. Own Death from Péter Nádas, 63 pages in the Dutch edition. (finished on 17 april)
4. De kolonel krijgt nooit post by Gabriel Garcia Marquez 79 pages (finished on 18 april).
5. Alle dagen samen by Erwin Mortier (finished on 19 july)
6. Mijn winterkat, mijn lief by Antonio Lobo Antunes (finished on 17 august)
7. Reis naar het morgenland by Herman Hesse (finished on 11 september)
8. De dood is niet het einde by Ian Rankin (finished on the 1st of november)
9. Jij bent mijn schat by Niccolo Ammaniti (finished on the 7th of november)

12jebronse
Oct 30, 2008, 4:49 pm

Well, my friend ;-)

Since you asked about Italian writers: I don't know if you've read Andrea Camilleri. If you like detective stories, he 's the best. And Het medaillon has only 70 pages ;-) Also very nice if you're planning a trip to Sicily.
(note: Camilleri's detective Montalbano books are better, though)

13Lunarreader
Oct 30, 2008, 4:55 pm

I knew i could count on you Jeb !
So this book will fit in categories 2,5 and 9. Isn't there a good beer in it ? Otherwise category 4 can also benefit from this suggestion ;-)
Nice start, i will try to find the book.

14sanddancer
Oct 30, 2008, 4:56 pm

I second the suggestion of Andrea Camilleri. I enjoyed The Shape of Water and it was a pretty quick and easy read too.

15jebronse
Oct 30, 2008, 5:15 pm

#13
Camilleri's more into wine, I think. Montalbano certainly is ;-)

Other idea: Silvio d'Arzo, Andermans huis. 94 pages and an excellent book!

16BeyondEdenRock
Oct 30, 2008, 5:20 pm

I read a lot of short books to balance out the long ones in my 888 challenge!

I'd particularly recommend The Victorian Chaise Longue by Marghanita Laski - 99 pages!

17VictoriaPL
Oct 30, 2008, 5:56 pm

I'm looking forward to your travel books!

18billiejean
Oct 30, 2008, 9:32 pm

I am also looking forward to your travel books. :)
--BJ

19sjmccreary
Oct 30, 2008, 9:44 pm

Glad to see you here. What great categories. I will think of you now everytime a character in a book is choosy about their beer or whiskey! I was also going to suggest Andrea Camilleri - so far I've read the first 2 Inspector Montalbano books and loved them. Food is emphasized, but I don't remember what Montalbano drinks - probably wine, as jebronse said.

20Lunarreader
Oct 31, 2008, 7:07 am

#15
Silvio d'Arzo's book is the one i mentionned, so not longer eligible.
#16
Thanks ! The category is "less" then 99 pages, but i'll look for the Dutch edition, maybe a page less then 99.

To all, great to have this nice reactions and suggestions !

21TheTortoise
Oct 31, 2008, 8:37 am

Lunar18 - For your Italian Category, don't miss this brilliant novel:

The Leopard by Giuseppe Di Lampedusa

Here is my review:

Fascinating characters. The prince of Salina is a richly drawn complex character - Lampedusa has drawn a portrait of a subtle character who is a victim of tumultous political and social changes affecting his country. the writing is intellectually stimulating - vigorous, complex, rich, warm and endlessly fascinating - a superb novel in every way. 5 Stars.

Enjoy!

- TT

22detailmuse
Oct 31, 2008, 9:33 am

>2 Lunarreader: IX. Books with less then 99 pages

This feels fresh and I love its echo of 999. I'm eager to see your posts for this category. If you're considering suggestions, here are two:

A Grief Observed -- C.S. Lewis's memoir after the death of his wife; tender and philosophical; 76pp

What Now? by Ann Patchett -- based on a commencement address she delivered, about the "what next?" decisions of life; 97pp

And two more -- if you can find editions that lop off a few pages:

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck; 107pp

First Love by Ivan Turgenev; 102pp (all touchstones go to anthologies that include this story, but I have a small book that contains it alone)

23TheTortoise
Oct 31, 2008, 12:02 pm

The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett is about 100 pages

-TT

24mcalister
Oct 31, 2008, 1:23 pm

I don't think I've ever read anything by a Flemish writer, so I'm looking forward to what you will read there. :)

As for beer, there is much consuming of English ale and pub-going in Last Orders.

And I really like the Fewer than 99 pages!

25Lunarreader
Nov 3, 2008, 3:04 pm

Still amazed by all the nice reactions i get.
Went to the "Boekenbeurs" today in Antwerp (huge book fair) and started to buy books that will fit in my categories. So booktitles will begin to appear with a TBR indication.
Maybe this will get me some more of your nice suggestions.

I also was elected by the Belgian national newspaper De Standaard to participate to a lecture and that got me two great books for free, in fact one book containing two tomes : België, een parcours van herinnering about the Belgian history viewed by places of remembrance. Nice gift, since the bookshop price is 100 €.

> 24
If you mean Last Orders by Graham Swift then i can assure you, he is on my wishlist. A shame he won the Man Booker prize, otherwise he would also fit in two categories ;-), bad joke i know.

Hope you like the titles that will show.

26jebronse
Nov 5, 2008, 3:52 pm

Have you read Vuistslagen by Pietro Grossi yet? Italian + Premio Strega nominee the year Veronesi won (I think).

27Lunarreader
Nov 5, 2008, 4:33 pm

No i have not read this book yet, it was indeed a shortlisted nominee in 2006 for Premio Strega so i can fit this one certainly in multiple categories since i have read no other works as well from this author.
So to sum things up : categories 2, 3 and 5 are OK for this one, was it a debut ? ;-)
this is really getting fun ... but no, i did promise not to overlap to much on categories 5 and 7, that would be to easy.
Also on my Bella Italia wishlist is Paolo Giordano's book la solitudine dei numeri primi, and i can put it also in category 5 or 7.

greetings to all of you !

28jebronse
Nov 6, 2008, 2:32 am

I think it was a debut, yeah :-)

29sanddancer
Nov 7, 2008, 5:40 am

I can fully recommend The Restraint of Beasts by Magnus Mills which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize for your Runners Up category. It is very simply written and not too long either so is a quick read.

30Lunarreader
Nov 7, 2008, 6:39 am

Hello Sanddancer,
and it seams that there's a lot of beer in it too, let's hope that it is good quality so i can do another overlap !
Thanks for the tip.

31Lunarreader
Nov 14, 2008, 6:38 am

Hello again to Sanddancer (and all of you off course)
The Restraint of Beasts is also a debut novel so that comes in handy, if the main characters would not be to "choosy" on their beer. (thanks to sjmccreary for this expression that i didn't know in English yet)

Getting more and more anxious to start reading ...

32Lunarreader
Editado: Nov 16, 2008, 12:14 pm

A review in Knack magazine (Flanders most widespread news magazine) draws my attention to a book with less then 99 pages for my category IX.
It's Own Death from Péter Nádas, and it seems to be good according to reviewer Herman Jacobs from Knack. I will add it to my list, for the moment. Let's see if i can find it.

33LisaMorr
Editado: Nov 16, 2008, 8:26 pm

Hello Lunar18, I do like your "less than 99 pages" category. I was looking for a category to give me a better chance of completing the challenge, and I chose Graphic Novels. Maybe next time I'll do a category like yours!

At 63 pages, The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman can fit in this category.

34Lunarreader
Nov 17, 2008, 6:34 am

Hello LisaMorr, thanks for the tip. This category was also created for me to have that extra challenge to find these books in the bookshops and since this one doesn't seem to exist in Dutch (or not anymore) i will now have an extra reason to explore also the few English bookshops here in Belgium. Great.
The overlap with category 5 comes in handy as well. Thanks !

35LisaMorr
Nov 18, 2008, 3:44 pm

That's great that is fits your runners up category - I didn't even know that about the book!

36Lunarreader
Nov 18, 2008, 3:54 pm

Sorry to disappoint you LisaMorr, its not message 5, but category V. It's the "writers i never read before" category.
But that's the eminent choice of my categories (dixit member Nickelini on the sign-up topic of this challenge)
quote : "Lunar18, in my opinion, overlapping books through the categories is a sign of efficient reading, excellent planning, and a sharp understanding of your own mind. Viva la overlap!"

So anyhow, your tip for The Yellow Wallpaper can appear twice !

37jebronse
Nov 29, 2008, 11:32 am

I read Glove Pond this week (De handschoenvijver in dutch), by Canadian Roger Thorpe. I'm not sure what to think of it (yet), but it has only 96 pages, and Gloria and Steve keep on drinking whisky. Oh, and it's his debut, and I bet you haven't read a Thorpe before. I wonder why I thought of you while reading it ;-)

38Lunarreader
Nov 29, 2008, 11:42 am

Thanks Jebronse !
If you all continue just a little bit like this i will only have to read 20 books or something. ;-)

39woordenaar
Dic 2, 2008, 2:03 pm

I have iemand, niemand en honderdduizend by Luigi Pirandello on my list, Italian and Nobel price winner. I'm sure he was runner up a few years before he won that ;-)

For "less than 99 pages" you could also think of dutch boekenweekgeschenken. I have some titles double, you can contact me if you want some for free.

40Lunarreader
Dic 2, 2008, 3:19 pm

Hello woordenaar,
sounds great and your interpretation of "runners up" opens a whole new stack of possibilities ;-)
Luigi Pirandello can already fit in multiple categories ...
On the Dutch Boekenweekgeschenken, i'll contact you back when here in Flanders there would be no such initiatives enough to fill my challenge, if that's OK for you ?

Let me know if i can do something in return.

41woordenaar
Dic 4, 2008, 10:30 am

@Lunar18: don't hesitate to ask, I always buy lots of books so during boekenweek I get lots of those presents

42Jenson_AKA_DL
Dic 4, 2008, 10:33 am

The only travel book I've read is Chasing Shadows Across the World by Ewan McGregor and another actor whose name always escapes me. I really loved it and would certainly recommend it.

43Lunarreader
Dic 4, 2008, 3:13 pm

Jenson_AKA_DL,
woordenaar,

thanks for the tips and the offer. I'll come back to you.

44ShannonMDE
Dic 4, 2008, 3:17 pm

But are there pictures of handsome, handsome Ewan McGregor? I love him in Moulin Rouge!!

45Lunarreader
Editado: Ene 1, 2009, 7:36 am

Hello to all of you and a happy New Year !
My book that i won on Facebook / editor Meulenhoff / Manteau group arrived yesterday and guess what : it fits in many of my categories : writers i never read before, books for free and, that's a surprise : books with less then 99 pages !
The book is De laatste slaaf by Rodhan Al Galidi
So i'm off for a good start, hope the same for all of you.

46Lunarreader
Editado: Ene 4, 2009, 12:37 pm

Finished my first one : Twee vrouwen by Harry Mulisch, so this has really started now.

47jebronse
Editado: Ene 3, 2009, 12:14 pm

Congratulations ;-)
Was it any good?

48Lunarreader
Ene 4, 2009, 12:41 pm

@ jebronse
not bad, but of course the story is now in 2008 less shocking then it was back then. I like the way the story is brought, the build up of the story but it's not exactly what i would recommend to someone.
Therefore i know some much better Italians for instance ... ;-)
By the way, where do you find your Camilleri books, i already looked a bit around but no much result ?

49jebronse
Ene 4, 2009, 1:37 pm

Fnac has most recent titles, or maybe Standaard Boekhandel. Never seen one at Paard van Troje ;-) It usually takes weeks for Serena Libri books to get to Flanders, so I also order them on the internet (cosmox.be is my favourite - no shipping costs and you can pay after you receive them).

50Lunarreader
Editado: Ene 7, 2009, 1:46 pm

Just purchased two handy titles : Laatste Ronde by Graham Swift recommended by mcalister and De Weg naar San Giovanni by Italo Calvino.
The first can be in categories IV and V, the second in categories II and IX (only 97 pages !).
Busy on my second book in the meantime.

51sanddancer
Ene 8, 2009, 5:00 am

I read that Graham Swift book last year (in English though) and really enjoyed it. It does feature a lot of drinking of pints but I can't remember whether they were of good quality!

52Lunarreader
Ene 8, 2009, 3:22 pm

@ sanddancer

well, i will not use it if there's no good beer in it ! Remind you, my taste is not equal to commercial success beers, here in Belgium for instance i don't like at all the InBev beers (Leffe, Stella), i even tend to say that they're no beers at all (given the fact that some essential ingredients are not or almost not present).
I'll let you know once i read the book.
I will have a nice Westmalle Tripel now, cheers ! ;-)

53Lunarreader
Ene 11, 2009, 2:22 pm

finished my second book : Mijn tweede huid by Erwin Mortier, runner-up, shortlisted, at Libris prize 2001. A truly nice book, in the meantime i already bought another book by Mortier and i will read it this year. But first something else, time to start my italians ! I have a nice stock TBR Italians, so no problem there.

54Lunarreader
Editado: Ene 18, 2009, 11:41 am

finished my third book : Het laatste oudejaar van de mensheid by Niccolo Ammaniti. Hilarious stuff, again with great descriptions of examples of the atmosphere in modern italian society. Read my review at http://www.librarything.com/work/2613343/reviews

Can use this book in only one category i guess, unless it was a runner up in some prize contest that i'm not aware of.

55Lunarreader
Editado: Ene 24, 2009, 11:41 am

number four : De weg naar San Giovanni by Italo Calvino. A book with 5 short stories described as "exercises in remembring". From very realistic stuff like a dustbin and it's social role to very abstract like which side is more important, the sun side or the shadow side. Typical Calvino.
Selecting number 5 from my TBR pile.

56Lunarreader
Feb 2, 2009, 6:44 pm

finished the fifth one : Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, heartbreaking story, more then once i felt like a knot in my stomach while reading and now the book is closed, i can only cry. Kambili, are you out there ?

57sanddancer
Feb 3, 2009, 7:20 am

I was thinking of reading something by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for my Around the World category so think I might read this one too. Over in the Reading Globally group, Africa is the subject of the February discussion, so you may like to add your thoughts over there.

58Lunarreader
Feb 15, 2009, 2:44 pm

number 6 : Vuistslagen by Pietro Grossi, a nice novel containing 3 stories all to do with the famous "coming of age". In this book 3 times told from a very original point of view : tragic, dramatic and funny.

59Lunarreader
Feb 15, 2009, 2:49 pm

on the challenge : i have now read 6 books and have made 12 posts in my categories. I could make 2 or 3 posts more with the same books but 2 is a good average in this "unlimited overlaps" challenge, if i can keep up this tempo in my reading.
Two categories are without postings up till now, i do have to start reading on drinks instead of reading with a drink ;-)

60Lunarreader
Editado: Feb 17, 2009, 4:32 pm

number 7 : Villa des roses by Willem Elsschot, added to the categories "Flemish writers" and "Debut novels". I add it also to "books distributed (nearly) for free" because it was added to a flemish newspaper for only 4,95 €. Could maybe do better and will then remove it again.
There's beer in it, even champagne (and wine with water added to it, bah) but no details if the beer is any good so a category missed there :-(

61Lunarreader
Mar 22, 2009, 12:53 pm

number 8, and this one took a long time to come : Last Orders by Graham Swift. Not an easy read, a lot of "he said :" and "i said :" stuff. But nice in the end, a special way to describe the story of a lifetime.
Posted this one also in two categories : cat. V : "writers i never read before" and cat. VIII : "travelling stories". Despite the name and the fact that a lot of beer and whisky appears, there are no names and so i can not assume that it are quality drinks. The volumes indicate rather the contrary ;-)
I did place it in travelling stories althought it only goes from Bermondsey to Margate. The mission of the four pals in this book is to trow the ashes of the deceased fifth guy into the sea at Margate and during this trip the story of all their lives is told.
Hope the next one goes faster or i won't get anywhere with this challenge.

62Lunarreader
Mar 29, 2009, 6:56 am

number 9 : De laatste slaaf by Rodaan Al Galidi. Modern poetry, clearly inspired by the auhtor's non european background. Very nice though with wordgames that one won't find in too many classic european poetry. I will be able to use this one in at least 3 categories ;-)

63Lunarreader
Editado: Abr 15, 2009, 7:24 am

number 10 : The outcast by Sadie Jones. Nice book with a kind of suspense that is there but not really present, erupts now and then, goes away, comes back .... nice build up. Again violence on children as one of the central themes, scary. (see my review of Purple Hibiscus).
This one will fit in 2 categories : debut novels and runners up in prize contests.

64Lunarreader
Abr 18, 2009, 5:37 am

number 11 : Own Death or in Dutch De eigen dood by Péter Nadas. Very short book, only 63 pages, and so evidently in my less then 99 pages category. I never read Péter Nadas before but i will not use this book in 2 categories since 63 pages is really not much ... will keep it in reserve in case my challenge would not be complete ;-)

65Lunarreader
Editado: Abr 18, 2009, 11:52 am

number 12 : De kolonel krijgt nooit post by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, 79 pages this time and so again in my less then 99 pages category. Will start now with something a bit more then 99 pages.

66jebronse
Abr 18, 2009, 6:02 pm

101 pages?
;-)

67Lunarreader
Abr 20, 2009, 3:22 pm

Could be an idea for the 2010 challenge ... ;-)
No, i started in the newest one from Robert Goddard called Een oude schuld. Variations on a known theme but for me fun to read due to the very precise details in his books and always some historic background with a little controverse.

68Lunarreader
Editado: Abr 26, 2009, 3:04 pm

number 13 : Found Wanting by Robert Goddard, fits in only one category and that is category VIII : Travelling Books. It goes from London to Brussels (where i work) to Köln, Hamburg ... rather boring till now but then ... to Kopenhagen, Stockholm and Helsinki. And that are places that i would like to visit one day. Not the best Goddard i've read but still OK. Again some serious drinking in this book but no traceable quality, so that category stays empty at this time.

69Lunarreader
mayo 4, 2009, 3:46 pm

Number 14 : Oceano mare by Alessandro Baricco. A very nice book and good for my Bella Italia category. But : it's not Baricco's debut, it did win a prize (premio Viareggio), the characters do travel but to, i think, mostly imaginary places, there is no good beer or malt in it ... help no overlaps !
Unless .... somebody should know that this book was also somewhere listed for a prize it didn't win ?
Anybody there ? .... help ... ;-)

70jebronse
mayo 4, 2009, 4:06 pm

Mmm. It probably is second best in sómeone's head ;-)

71Lunarreader
mayo 21, 2009, 2:28 pm

Number 15 : Over een voettocht door de kou by Werner Herzog. One that fits in two categories and that will be necessary. My job and my garden kept me away from books, i will have to speed up.
Nice book, the monotone report on bad weather and pain in the feet make it a real travelling book, travelling is going from one place to another. In this case by foot, something i also like very much.

72Lunarreader
Jun 1, 2009, 4:12 pm

16 : Godenslaap by Erwin Mortier : very lovely, long poetic phrases, very intense.

73jebronse
Jun 2, 2009, 2:21 am

Going slow on the malt, I see. Very good! ;-)

Pleased to read about Godenslaap, I'll read it soon.

74Lunarreader
Jun 3, 2009, 2:40 pm

jebronse : how do you mean "very good" ? It is devastating to see how good writers drink bad whisky or bad beers. Or are you a teetotaller ? Good for you then, but not my cup of tea. ;-)

75jebronse
Jun 3, 2009, 4:08 pm

Not at all ;-) (Just a silly joke) It's sad most authors apparently are :-)

76Lunarreader
Jun 13, 2009, 4:02 pm

number 17 : De eenzaamheid der priemgetallen by Paolo Giordano, Strega prize winner and rightly so. Very stylish book with time laps supporting the story very well. Starting to imagine the psychological solitude is enough to make you feel uncomfortable.
One for my Bella Italia list + debut novels. He won the Strega so not in the runners' up category.
Up for something more cheerful now i hope, numbers 15 to 17 being not very relaxing reads.

77Lunarreader
Jun 14, 2009, 3:59 pm

number 18 : Een demon in Brussel by Kamiel Vanhole, a collection of travelling stories, from Carnac in Bretagne, France, to Sofia, Lisbon a.o. So this one is a jackpot : he is Flemish (category 1), a debut (category 7), travelling to places i would like to go to, i have been in Lisbon and Carnac, not in Sofia, (category 8). This makes up for a few i only had in one category.
Nice book also with an interesting statement : "the truly free people watch tv on saturday evenings and the only choice they have to make is between Maes and Stella" (two belgian lagers). Sadly no real good beers, so category 4 stays empty.

78Lunarreader
Editado: Jun 21, 2009, 2:28 pm

number 19 : Verstikkende zomerhitte by Andrea Camilleri. A light and easy read, fine subject (the heat) to start the summer although here in Belgium summer can often be confused with autumn, cold and rainy.
Camilleri, recommended by my LT friend Jebronse, seems a nice guy, he likes his food, his wine, his women and..... a nice whisky ! So finally i can start filling up my category on nice whiskies and beers. The brand is not mentionned but as all the rest of the food Montalbano is eating is of outstanding quality and seen his comments on less good food, his whisky mùst be good !
Well, every reason to start this category now is a good one. So this one could fit in four categories : Bella Italia, Whisky and beer, Writers i never read before and travel, Sicily is very appealing to me .... but i will control myself and use only 3 ;-)

79jebronse
Jun 21, 2009, 4:05 pm

Glad you liked it :-)

80avatiakh
Jul 2, 2009, 2:59 am

I'm a fan of the Inspector Montalbano series as well. If you want beer or whisky in your books you can't go wrong with Ian Rankin's Rebus books - Rebus just about lives in the Edinburgh pubs when he isn't at the police station.

81Lunarreader
Jul 7, 2009, 3:31 pm

number 20, a small hip hip hurray, ok i know, for the die-hard readers 20 books is nothing, for me, given my work schedule, it is a personal victory.
This one is Troje brandt by Sandro Veronesi. Not his best, still enjoyable, the classical absurd situations his characters get into, the social relations between them, it's all there in this late edited debut as the author claims.
Fits in my category Bella Italia. If i can believe the author it is also his debut but he didn't edit this one yet .... if i really have trouble filling the category "debut novels" i still could fit this one in ... for fun ;-)

82Lunarreader
Editado: Jul 18, 2009, 4:52 pm

21 : The White tiger by Aravind Adiga. A bit weird for me that this book won the Booker prize, but that's the case for book prizes in my country too, it's rather rare that the overall most appreciated book wins.
Only good for one category : debut novels.

83sanddancer
Jul 19, 2009, 1:22 pm

I was rather disappointed by The White Tiger - it wasn't bad, but it didn't seem worthy of winning a major award to me.

84Lunarreader
Jul 19, 2009, 4:22 pm

Hello sanddancer ! I do share your opinion, the book isn't bad, a bit anecdotic, sometimes a bit weird, but certainly not a book which you expect to win such a price. But as already said in my previous message : here in the dutch speaking part of Belgium where nearly all literature prices are shared with the Netherlands, the winners are sometimes as strange as last years Booker, or even more so.

85Lunarreader
Editado: Jul 19, 2009, 4:52 pm

22 : Alle dagen samen by Erwin Mortier. My Flemish category is starting to become a "Mortier" category ;-)
This one fits in the Flemish category and in the under 99 pages category. I will also add it to the "nearly for free books" category, i got this one for only 1 € on Ebay, and the book is in a perfect, as good as new condition !
Not Mortier's best book, but certainly worth reading.
To sanddancer : Mortier should have won multiple times something in the dutch area, but never did win one of the major awards.

86Lunarreader
Jul 25, 2009, 12:20 pm

number 23 : De hekkenbouwers by Magnus Mills. A very easy read, nice story but a bit weird. Not as hilarious as announced, although i do like British humour. Lots of beer in this one but probably not very good ones, even the main characters say its no good.
Fits in two categories (thank you Sanddancer) : Debut novels and runner's up for awards.

87Lunarreader
Ago 2, 2009, 7:03 am

Este mensaje fue borrado por su autor.

88Lunarreader
Ago 2, 2009, 7:06 am

Ha, hurray for Finland ! I'm reading a Paasilinna book and .... it mentions Cardhu single malt ! My malt category can finally register a second book. 7 to go, 5 months left ...

89Lunarreader
Ago 12, 2009, 4:11 pm

number 24, and a really usefull one : De zelfmoordclub by Arto Paasilinna : nice story that starts funny but would have been better with let's say 50 pages less, sometimes a bit too much repetition of previous events. Some nice running gags though like the one character called "the spoilsport" given his optimistic character amongst all the would be suiciders.
Usefull in numerous categories : cat. IV Malt (as announced in my previous message), cat. V Writers i never read before and cat. VIII Travelling books as they go from the north cape in Norway to the very south of Portugal via Switzerland, all lovely destinations for me !

90Lunarreader
Editado: Ago 23, 2009, 4:16 pm

Back from my holidays in France, Cantal region, these are the books i read there, not nearly as much as my friend Jebronse but hey, i'm not able to walk and read at the same time .... ;-)

25 : Marcel by Erwin Mortier, good for two categories (Flemish writers and debut novels), i have to pay attention that my Flemish writers category doesn't becomes a "Mortier" category.
26 : Mijn winterkat, mijn lief by Antonio Lobo Antunes, good for at least two categories as well : writers i never read before and under 99 pages. A book never officially released in Belgium or The Netherlands, gifted by the editor to a number of clients for free, gently passed on to me so this is in fact a third category of mine.
27 : New York trilogy by Paul Auster : two categories for this one : writers i never read before (so this is my first completed category, hurray) and books distributed (nearly) for free (via the newspaper De Standaard).
That's it, folks !
Still some days before work recalls so there is hope to increase my score...

91Lunarreader
Ago 24, 2009, 6:03 am

number 28 : Pays d'Aurillac à pied et à VTT : a book edited by the local community in Aurillac, a city in the Cantal department, Auvergne region in France. The book contains information on local communities, 32 walks with maps and a number of mountainbike circuits as well. Nice edition.
Fits in my travelling category, i went there, it was very nice, the hot temperatures (+ 35° C.) limited the number of walks we did but it was OK.

92jebronse
Ago 24, 2009, 12:43 pm

Only three books? That's a bit lazy, isn't it?
;-)

93Lunarreader
Ago 25, 2009, 8:07 am

yep, only three, very lazy, but hey : i like to see where i go when i walk ;-)
Plus my daughters really like to see holidays as the ideal moment to play games all evening .... but i agree, i hoped for 5, only 3 + the book on the region where i was, it's not really literature, but it's a book.
Started an italian now, Niccolo Ammaniti's Come Dio Comanda.

94Lunarreader
Sep 6, 2009, 3:46 pm

number 29 : Come Dio comanda by Niccolo Ammaniti, very nice, very chaotic again and most of all : where in "Dio's" name does he find the inspiration for the endless row of losers and unlucky bastards in his novels. It's amazing, some character descriptions are so real, it's like they live next to you.
Fits in my Bella Italia category only.
Starting to feel like a loser myself if i compare my number of books read with some of the other 999 participants :-(

95sanddancer
Sep 7, 2009, 4:05 pm

Don't feel disheartened - you've still read way more than the average person out in the real world and it isn't a competition!
I hope you've still enjoyed the journey - I've certainly enjoyed reading your comments.

96Lunarreader
Sep 8, 2009, 4:41 pm

To Sanddancer,
thanks for your support ! I still do enjoy it a lot although i will not be able to complete some categories i guess, there's simply not enough quality drinking in the books. There is a lot of drinking but mostly cheap stuff ;-)
I can start rereading my own books on good beers and malt whisky ... and drink some of it while reading.
Only 5 to go on your list, success !

97Lunarreader
Sep 11, 2009, 4:38 pm

number 30, hurray ! Again a small victory for me, 30 books in one year.
Thanks again to all of you too for the continued support, as you can see above.

This one is Reis naar het morgenland by Herman Hesse, German writer who volunteered for the First World War but made it up to the rest of the world by warning for the nazism already in the end of the 1920's. His house in Switzerland becoming a shelter for the german writers on the run for the nazis.

Strange book this one, very religious and at the same time very autobiografic. Not sure yet what to think about it, pretty much old style mystic and metaphorical writing.

98LauraBrook
Sep 11, 2009, 4:56 pm

Congratulations on hitting the 30 book mark! It seemed to take me a long time to get to that point too. I hope it's all downhill (much easier) for you from this point forward!

Good luck on the 999 Challenge, and hope to see you at the finish line at the end of the year!

99Lunarreader
Sep 13, 2009, 8:45 am

To Laurabrook : thanks for the congratulations. I'll do my best to get to the finish, some suggestions on overlaps could help ;-)

100Lunarreader
Sep 13, 2009, 8:52 am

number 31 : De helaasheid der dingen by Dimitri Verhulst. A very easy read, again lots of drinking, almost all low quality stuff but at a certain time some Belgian Authentic Trappist Ales are drunk so ... hurray.
The writer tells his own history more or less of a family of social outcasts living in my region of Flanders - Belgium. This book was runner up for one of the more famous Dutch Literature Prizes (The Golden Owl) and won the publics prize in that contest. My hometown also comes in the book (Belgium IS very small) and off course its because some drunk fight happens, most characthers in the book are by the way drunk all of the time.
So, good for the following categories : Flemish writers, Books where a good beer or malt whisky appears in, Runners up in prize contests.

101jebronse
Sep 13, 2009, 11:27 am

The Helaasheid movie is coming too! I'm going to the premiere on the Ghent Film Festival. I'm already looking forward to it. It's a great book.

102LauraBrook
Sep 14, 2009, 7:58 pm

Let's see...recommendations...hmmmm.

Scots on Scotch: The Book of Whisky, edited by Phillip Hills, would count in your travel and malt categories

Same categories as above for "Peat Smoke and Spirit: A Portrait of Islay and its Whiskies" by Andrew Jefford

The Two Hearts of Kwasi Boachi by Arthur Japin for your Flemish Authors category (don't know what the original title is, sorry)

Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens by J.M. Barrie would count for your 99 pgs, maybe travel, and maybe new authors categories? Actually, if you could get your hands on any of the Penguin 60s, they would all qualify for your 99 page category, and some are about travel and/or travelling.

Hope at least one of these sounds like a good idea to you. And it looks like you'll finish this challenge with plenty of time to spare. I've only finished my first category today, and I think I have more books to read than you do. You'll be great!

103Lunarreader
Sep 16, 2009, 3:32 pm

Jebronse : can't wait to see if in the movie they will really stop in my hometown Wetteren to fight in the mentionned pub. That will be a laugh, it's a topless bar now ;-)

104Lunarreader
Sep 16, 2009, 3:41 pm

@ LauraBrook
thanks for the tips : I have the book "Peat, Smoke and Spirit" so that will be a re-read, great book by the way on a great island where i already spent a holiday ... can't wait to get back.
I do have other books by Phillip Hills, very good as well, i will check on travel tips ;-)
Are you from Scottish origin ? If not, do you like a good malt whisky ? ;-)
Arthur Japin is Dutch, dear LauraBrook, not Flemish, i know it's a small difference for you guys in your big country but over here it is a different world ... but there are good Dutch writers of course.
The tip on the Penguin 60s is nice, but one day too late, i just came back from a business trip to London. Will check on the amazing dot com.
Thanks again.

105LauraBrook
Sep 16, 2009, 9:27 pm

Oops, sorry Lunar18! I just did a search online for Flemish authors and Mr. Japin came up. I should have double-checked before submitting the post.

Thanks for correcting me! I really dislike making mistakes like that, especially when it comes to something as big as what country someone is from. My apologies! And sadly, I'm not Scottish (maybe a teeny tiny bit), I'm just a regular old American mutt. I'm not very knowledgeable about whisky, but I would like to learn. (Actually I got the book recommendations for you from a friend who likes whisky.) Perhaps I should read one of the rec's I gave to you for more insight!!!

106Lunarreader
Sep 19, 2009, 2:33 pm

To LauraBrook : don't apologise, no harm done. We just make fun of each other, we tell they are schrapers, they call us stupid. We have nearly the same language if it's written, but we do speak it totally different. Flanders is a better place to live of course. ;-) and it's not that "something as big as the country they are from", it's a very small country in fact ... ;-)
Considering the whisky : do read Peat, Smoke and Spirit if you want a travelling story to an island dominated by the whisky industry and the whisky tourism. A very nice read on history, the community on the island, the geography, the whisky ... a real gem. If you want the scientifical approach on how to taste whisky then Appreciating Whisky by Phillip Hills is by far the best book.
If you simply want to be submerged in the culture, the taste differences, the history and the beauty of Scotland and its whiskies then only one recommendation should be given : Malt whisky by Charles Maclean. All can be found in my booklist.
After reading all these books you can join my Malt group on LT ;-)

107Lunarreader
Sep 26, 2009, 1:31 pm

number 32 : Genieten van wijn by Joanna Simon. A starter's guide to some aspects of wine, not enough detail for the really interested ones. Bought with heavy reduction through a local magazine and .... incredibly enough, in a winebook, on page 102 the author mentions nice Islay malt whiskies so good for 2 categories. Yippie !

108Lunarreader
Oct 4, 2009, 3:54 pm

number 33 : De laatste wildernis by Robert Macfarlane, a real beauty ! This is truly a book with a great impact on me : i like travelling, like my LT friend Geirr, to Scotland and to the rough parts of this beautiful country. But how Mr. Macfarlane writes about it brings back memories to me of whom i thought i had no longer such a "physical" remembrance.
The chapter where the atmosphere in Black Wood, near Kinloch Rannoch, is described is like i'm walking there again, wondering if it is day or nighttime.
Also Mr. Macfarlanes historical references included in the description of nearly every one of the wild places are a great joy to me because it's clear : to know where we are and where we are going too, one must know where he comes from.
A real beauty for my travelling category and a nice overlap with the malts category as the whisky drunk at Skye can be nothing else then a good Talisker.

109sanddancer
Oct 6, 2009, 4:33 pm

That last review has left me yearning for a trip to Scotland. Despite being from just over the border, there is still so much of it I haven't seen.

And three cheers for a book featuring malts!

110Lunarreader
Editado: Nov 1, 2009, 7:59 am

Number 34 and it needed a long time so i'm going to do a maximum on overlaps ;)
Grote Europese Roman by Koen Peeters : a novel on someone who receives an economic mission and travels to almost all European capitals to fulfill the mission that stays a bit cloudy. Anyhow, it fits in the following categories : Flemish writers, travel, and runner's up in prize contests.

111Lunarreader
Editado: Nov 1, 2009, 1:41 pm

Number 35, a quickie, De dood is niet het einde by Ian Rankin. A Rebus novel, short story, only 61 pages. A bit thin, the idea behind has been re-used apparently in another Rebus story by Rankin. Good for my under 99 pages category. I like to travel to Edinburgh too but that would be overkill on overlaps ;-)
Normally there is some good whisky in Rankins books, but this time only Teachers, so that won't do.
13 more entries to go to complete my seriously overlapping challenge.

112Lunarreader
Nov 7, 2009, 3:25 pm

number 36 : Tot op het bot by Anthony Bourdain : a thriller but not much to thrill in fact, violence yes, some hints to nice food but also to uneatable food. Hey, there's even a decent malt whisky in it : Glenlivet, spoiled by adding ice but ... better than no malt whisky ;-)
Good for two categories : books where a good beer or malt appears in and books (nearly) for free on promotional actions. This one i got for a few euros in the "summer of thrillers" by De Standaard, leading Belgian newspaper.

113Lunarreader
Nov 7, 2009, 3:30 pm

only 10 registrations to go : with some more overlaps i should get there, just to keep my challenge a little bit serious i should reach 41 items so that at least i have read half of what everybody else in this challenge will reach.

114Lunarreader
Editado: Nov 7, 2009, 4:40 pm

number 37 : Jij bent mijn schat by Niccolo Ammaniti, again a magnificent hilarious and absurd story by the master Italian narrator.
Could fit in 2 categories but only 55 pages of real text so it will do in one category, malt whisky is mentionned, only as a colour. I will let you read yourself to find out for what this colour description is used, i don't want to upset anyone. ;-)
Second category complete now.

115Lunarreader
Editado: Nov 15, 2009, 3:51 pm

number 38 : De engelenmaker by Stefan Brijs. A magnificent book on religion, mental illness and great intelligence, combined with village mentality and superstition. One of the best Flemish books i read in the last years.
Fits in categories Flemish writers and Runner's up in prize contests, shortlisted for "De Gouden Uil" and for "Libris literatuurprijs" in 2006, 2 of the 3 most known literary prizes in the Dutch linguistic region (The Netherlands and Flanders in Belgium).
The Flemish writers category is the 3rd to be complete now.

116Lunarreader
Nov 15, 2009, 4:40 pm

My selection to finish the challenge :
Category 1 : Flemish writers : already complete
Category 2 : Bella Italia : one book to go : Het tegenovergestelde van dood by Roberto Saviano, could also have fitted in under 99 pages ;-)
Category 3 : Runner's up in prize contests : one book to go : Bedrog by Philip Roth, certainly already for some time a runner up for the Nobel prize ...
Category 4 : Books where a good malt or beer appears in : well, well, well, ... my overlaps didn't do it here ... still thinking, i've got Peat, smoke and spirit by Andrew Jefford, this would also do for my travelling category... and then 2 other books to find.
Category 5 : Writers i never read before : already complete
Category 6 : Books distributed (nearly) for free : one book to go : Bedrog by Philip Roth, another overlap, i got this book for free when buying others on Ebay.
Category 7 : Debut novels : one book to go : Vernon God Little by DBC Pierre, started it last year, never finished it, will do a second try.
Category 8 : Travelling books : one book to go : as already mentionned, probably Peat, smoke and spirit. I have to keep my overlap reputation high !
Category 9 : Books with less then 99 pages : already complete

So that makes at least 4 more books, totalling up to 42, less then 7 weeks, should do.

117Lunarreader
Nov 19, 2009, 4:33 pm

number 39 : Het tegenovergestelde van dood by Roberto Saviano : a small book of 63 pages containing two short stories. The first is the booktitle as well, the second is called "The Ring". The first story is a good description of the despair of a girl who lost her friend in the war in Afghanistan and the second one is to honour two young man killed by the maffia in Italy, a theme that made Saviano famous but obliged him to go undercover for already some years now.
Being a pacifist myself i feel very sorry for Saviano that only because of writing about the horrific crimes of the maffia he had to go undercover and loose his social life.
My "Bella Italia" category is complete with this book, albeit not so "bella" in this one.

118Lunarreader
Dic 5, 2009, 11:40 am

number 40, a milestone ! It took a while, busy days on the job etc. Number 40 goes to Bedrog by Philip Roth, not immediately my taste, this is my first Roth and i do have another one on my TBR pile, if not, i don't think i would ever have bought another one.
But sometimes first impressions do not tell everything, so i'll wait till after the next Roth to make up my opinion.
Anyhow, category "runner's up in prize contests" is now complete as is "books distributed nearly for free".
I'll take on Vernon God Little now, started in it once a long time ago and then i didn't finish it, don't know the reason anymore.

119Lunarreader
Dic 28, 2009, 7:18 am

number 41 : Peat, Smoke and Spirit by Andrew Jefford, magnificent book on all aspects of Islay : the whisky off course, the geology, the history, nature ... great book on a great place. I already went once to Islay and i will certainly be going back. I already read some chapters a year ago but now i read the complete book and it just gives me more reasons to return to Islay.
After two to three weeks without much reading, now only one book left : Vernon God Little, already started it ... 3 days left.

120jebronse
Dic 28, 2009, 7:54 am

Good luck, Lunar! :-)

121sanddancer
Dic 29, 2009, 9:37 am

Nearly there! Well done.

Will you be taking part in the 2010 Category Challenge?

122Lunarreader
Dic 30, 2009, 2:30 pm

@ sanddancer, @ everybody else,
well, i won't really get there, a few last pages to go in Vernon God Little but very improbable that a good malt or beer will appear in it ;-)
So i will miss two titles on my category IV.
Anyhow, i consider it as a success that i will have read 42 books in one year time.
It could have been more since there were a few times periods of several weeks without much reading, but my job can be very demanding and i do have a family, a garden, a house ... and some other interesting stuff like good beers and malt whiskies ;-)
I think i will participate to the 2010 challenge but again in a specific way : i will determine my categories (or some of them) as i go. I find that less restraining and it increases my chances.
Anyhow, thanks to all of you guys and ladies for supporting me in 2009 !

123LauraBrook
Dic 31, 2009, 10:37 pm

Congratulations on your great accomplishment - 42 books in one year is fantastic!

124Lunarreader
Ene 1, 2010, 5:17 pm

It's official now, i finished the 42nd book yesterday morning, just in time. It's Vernon God Little by DBC Pierre. Nice book, the first 50 pages are a bit long but then you get sucked in the story of the main character and it finishes very nicely.
So, my 999 challenge is not 100 % complete, there is not enough good beer or malt mentionned in books i have to make an official complaint of this ;-)
So to all the authors out there : drink some decent stuff instead of all cheap lagers and booze !
Going forward to the 101010 challenge now, if somebody has tips how to correct the title of a topic, please tell me (i have been a bit too long on the title of my 101010 challenge topic and now it looks a bit daft).

125Lunarreader
Ene 1, 2010, 5:20 pm

LauraBrook, @ all my LT friends, to all of you
thanks for the support and the congratulations !
Hope you all started the new year very good and wish you all a nice reading year, a good health, success and all the love of the world !
Lunar18

126Lunarreader
Feb 17, 2010, 3:07 pm

would you not get completely mad ? Now i'm reading for my 1010 challenge and the good beers and whiskies are tumbling from the pages ! Only 8 pages far and in Joe Speedboot by Tommy Wieringa the Talisker whisky is already there ...
Well, i still can create the category again ... ;)

127jebronse
Feb 18, 2010, 10:33 am

:-)

128lara2610
Abr 9, 2010, 6:59 am

Mensaje eliminado.