Chrischi_HH's Disney Challenge 2017

My name is Christiane and I live in the north of Germany. This is my third year joining the Category Challenge, it is so much fun! I don't read as much as some others here do, but let's see what 2017 brings. I'll keep it rather simple with a 2017 i.e. 7+1 challenge, a mix of broad and narrow categories, focusing on books from my shelves and books I have wanted to read for a while already. But there'll be room for new books and spontaneous choices as well.

Here are the seven categories:
- Snow White: TBR books
- Robin Hood: book bullets since 2015
- Alice in Wonderland: new(ish) publications
- The Lion King: Geo focus Africa
- The Gummy Bears: series
- Figaro: CATs & KITs
- 101 Dalmatians: overflow
Plus one:
- Capper: BingoDOG

There won't be target numbers for the respective categories. Except the first one, I consider them „finished“ with at least two books in them. Overall, I set the target at 40 books for 2017.

Currently reading:
-

Next up:
2018

Read in 2017:
1. Zum Wiedersehen der Sterne (Engl. The Beautiful Things that Heaven Bears) by Dinaw Mengestu 4.5★
2. The Children Act by Ian McEwan 3.5★
3. Der Roboter, der Herzen hören konnte (Engl. A Robot in the Garden) by Deborah Install 5★
4. The Color Purple by Alice Walker 4.5★
5. Ein ganzes Leben (Engl. A Whole Life) by Robert Seethaler 5★
6. Stalins Kühe (Eng. Stalin's Cows by Sofi Oksanen 3.5★
7. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern 4.5★
8. Instagram Marketing für Anfänger: 50K Followers in einem Jahr. Wie man auf Instagram seine Marke etabliert und Follower gewinnt. by Till Krings 1.5★
9. Der Schwimmer (Engl. The Swimmer) by Zsuzsa Bánks 4★
10. Das Lachen des Geckos (Engl. The Book of Chameleons) by José Eduardo Agualusa 4★
11. Heimgekehrt: Wäre er doch gefallen by Frank Salweski 4★
12. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt 4★
13. Der Mann, der kein Mörder war by Hjorth & Rosenfeldt 4★
14. Karkloof Blue by Charlotte Otter 4.5★
15. Wenn Männer mir die Welt erklären by Rebecca Solnit 3★
16. Altes Land by Dörte Hansen 5★
17. Wallanders erster Fall by Henning Mankell 3.5★
18. Die Tochter des Fotografen (Engl. The Memory Keeper's Daughter) by Kim Edwards 4.5★
19. The Girls at the Kingfisher Club by Genevieve Valentine 4★
20. Ebbe und Flut by Irina Korschunow 3★
21. Das Jahr des Hasen (Engl. The Year of the Hare) by Arto Paasilinna 3.5★
22. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi 4.5★
23. Der goldene Handschuh by Heinz Strunk 4★
24. Panserhjerte (Engl. The Leopard) by Jo Nesbø 4★
25. Die englische Episode by Petra Oelker 4★
26. Jennys Geschichte by Barbara Noack 3.5★
27. The Spy by Paulo Coelho 3.5★
28. Der dunkle Fluss by Chigozie Obioma 5★
29. Ach, diese Lücke, diese entsetzliche Lücke by Joachim Meyerhoff 4.5★
30. Blaubarts letzte Reise by Peter Rühmkorf 3.5★
31. Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten by Janosch 4.5★
32. Das Geheimnis der Pineta by Fruttero & Lucentini 2.5★
33. Der kleine Lord (Engl. Little Lord Fauntleroy) by Frances Hodgson Burnett 4.5★

Statistics:
Pages read: 10,317
*Jan: 797
*Feb: 927
*Mar: 542
*Apr: 461
*May: 999
*June: 1,035
*July: 713
*August: 1,318
*September: 554
*October: 1,079
*November: 833
*December: 1,059
From own shelves: 14
Borrowed - from library: 10 - from family/friends: 5
Rereads: 0
New books bought: 18 (7 read)
Read in German: 25
Read in English: 7
Read in Danish: 1
Books by female author: 16
Books by male author: 17
EXTRA - Magazines read: 4

WORLD MAP
Countries visited in 2017

Make yours @ BigHugeLabs.com
Countries visited: 20
Angola, Austria, (Democratic Republic of) Congo, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Palau, South Africa, Sweden, United Kingdom (England), Unites States

Snow White
books from TBR

Owned prior to 2017 - 40 books

1. Zum Wiedersehen der Sterne by Dinaw Mengestu
2. The Children Act by Ian McEwan
3. Ein ganzes Leben by Robert Seethaler
4. Das Lachen des Geckos by José Eduardo Agualusa
5. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
6. Der Mann, der kein Mörder war by Hjorth & Rosenfeldt
7. Wallanders erster Fall by Henning Mankell
8. Die Tochter des Fotografen by Kim Edwards
9. The Girls at the Kingfisher Club by Genevieve Valentine
10. Panserhjerte by Jo Nesbø
11. Die englische Episode by Petra Oelker
12. Blaubarts letzte Reise by Peter Rühmkorf

Robin Hood
Book bullets shot at me

So many BBs hit me every year that I need a post to collect them and remind myself of all the great books I have yet to read. :)

BBs read:
1. Der Roboter, der Herzen hören konnte by Deborah Install / whitewavedarling (2016)
2. The Girls at the Kingfisher Club by Genevieve Valentine / christina.reads (2015)
3. Der dunkle Fluss by Chigozie Obioma / avatiakh (2015)

2017 BBs:
1. The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch (-Eva-)
2. Parnassus on Wheels by Christopher Morley (DeltaQueen50) - published in 1917
3. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark (DeltaQueen50)
4. All the Rebel Women by Kira Cochrane (Soffita1)
5. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch (virginiahomeschooler)
6. You're Saying It Wrong by Ross Petras (rabbitprinces)
7. High Dives by Jonathan Lee (LittleTaiko)
8. The Dinner by Herman Koch (VivienneR)
9. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R.A. Dick (DeltaQueen50)
10. Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien (RidgewayGirl)
11. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (RidgewayGirl)
12. The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman (VictoriaPL)
13. Dear Amy by Helen Callaghan (Roro8)
14. Pachinko by Min Jin Lee (LittleTaiko) / COMPLETED in 2019
15. Riding the Bus with My Sister (LittleTaiko)
16. How to Build A Girl by Caitlin Moran (DeltaQueen50)
17. Radio Congo: Signals of Hope from Africa's Deadliest War by Ben Rawlence (Jackie_K)
18. The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester (mathgirl40)
19. A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki (andreablythe)
20. The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Wood (pamelad) / COMPLETED in 2019
21. The Nazi Officer's Wife by Edith Hahn Beer (VictoriaPL)
22. Exit West by Mohsin Hamid (RidgewayGirl)
23. By Gaslight by Steven Price (RidgewayGirl)
24. The Last Lost Girl by Maria Hoey (Ikernagh)
25. Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran (DeltaQueen50)
26. Broken Jewel by David L. Robbins (DeltaQueen50)
27. The Grass is Singing by Doris Lessing (DeltaQueen50)
28. The Baker's Secret by Stephen P. Kiernan (VivienneR)
29. Little Bee by Chris Cleave (VivienneR)
30. Welcome to Lagos by Chibundu Onuzo (avatiakh)
31. The Grand Tour by Adam O'Fallon Price (avatiakh)
32. The Power by Naomi Alderman (avatiakh) / COMPLETED in 2020
33. The Wild Girl by Kate Forsyth (avatiakh)
34. Rebel Queen by Michelle Moran (LibraryCin)
35. The Good Father by Diane Chamberlain (LibraryCin)
36. One Perfect Lie by Lisa Scottoline (LibraryCin)
37. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey (LibraryCin) / COMPLETED in 2021
38. The Pearl that Broke its Shell by Nadia Hashimi (LibraryCin) / COMPLETED in 2020
39. No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod (mathgirl40)
40. Crow Lake by Mary Lawson (DeltaQueen50)
41. I See You by Clare Mackintosh (Roro8)
42. Trans: A Memoir by Juliet Jacques (Kacjie_K)
43. Extreme Rambling: Walking Israel's Separation Barrier. For Fun. by Mark Thomas (Jackie_K)
44. The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway (Jackie_K)
45. The Tide Between Us by Olive Collins (Ikernagh) / COMPLETED in 2020
46. A Meal in Winter by Hubert Mingarelli (RidgewayGirl)
47. Young Jane Young by Gabrille Zevin (RigdewayGirl)
48. Road Trip to Rwanda by Will Ferguson (LibraryCin)
49. News of the World by Paulette Jiles (DeltaQueen50)
50. The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain (VivienneR) / COMPLETED in 2020
51. Congress of Secrets by Stephanie Burgis (christiane_reads)

Read: 7/51

Link to my 2016 BBs
Link to my 2015 BBs

Alice in Wonderland
New(ish) publications

I rarely read books right after their publication, because I like to wait until the paperback version is published. In 2017, I would like to give these new books - be it as hardcover or paperback - a better chance.

1. Der Roboter, der Herzen hören konnte by Deborah Install (2016)
2. Altes Land by Dörte Hansen (2015)
3. Der goldene Handschuh by Heinz Strunk (2016)
4. The Spy by Paulo Coelho (2016)
5. Ach, diese Lücke, diese entsetzliche Lücke by Joachim Meyerhoff (2015)

Some options:
An einem klaren, eiskalten Januarmorgen zu Beginn des 21. Jahrhunderts by Roland Schimmelpfennig (2016)
Trümmergöre by Monika Held (2014)

The Lion King
Geo focus: Africa

In the 2016 GeoCAT I found so many interesting titles from/about Africa, that I want to read some of them in the not too distant future.

Read:
1. Zum Wiedersehen der Sterne by Dinaw Mengestu (Ethiopia/USA)
2. The Color Purple by Alice Walker (Africa/USA)
3. Das Lachen des Geckos by José Eduardo Agualusa (Angola)
4. Karkloof Blue by Charlotte Otter (South Africa)
5. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (Ghana)
6. Panserhjerte by Jo Nesbø (Democratic Republic of Congo)
7. Der dunkle Fluss by Chigozie Obioma (Nigeria)

-------------------------------------
Further options are:
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria)
Cola Cola Jazz by Kangni Alem (Togo) - Grand Prix Littéraire de l'Afrique Noire 2003
Radiance of Tomorrow by Ishmael Beah (Sierra Leone)
High Low In-Between by Imraan Coovadia (South Africa) - Sunday Times Fiction Prize 2010
Oil on Water by Helon Habila (Nigeria)
The Book of Negroes / Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill (Sierra Leone)
Snakepit by Moses Isegawa (Uganda)
Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela (South Africa)
When Hoopoes Go to Heaven by Gaile Parkin (Swaziland)

Links to collections:
AbeBooks.de
Afrikaroman.de

The Gummy Bears
Series

*Series I am reading:
Jo Nesbø - Harry Hole (read 8/11)
Petra Oelker - Rosina&Claes (read 6/10)
David Downing - Station series (read 1/6)
Agatha Christie - Hercule Poirot / Miss Marple (read 1/46)
Joachim Meyerhoff - biography series (read 3/6)
Carla Federico - Chile saga (read 2/3)
Hjorth & Rosenfeldt - Sebastian Bergmann (read 1/5)

*Series I'd like to start:
Andrea Camilleri - Commissario Montalbano
Sara Blædel - Louise Rick
Stieg Larsson - Millennium trilogy
Stuart Neville - Jack Lennon
Ursula Poznanski - Beatrice Kaspari

1. Der Mann, der kein Mörder war by Hjorth & Rosenfeldt / Sebastian Bergmann #1
2. Wallanders erster Fall by Henning Mankell / Wallander #0
3. Panserhjerte by Jo Nesbø / Harry Hole #8
4. Die englische Episode by Petra Oelker / Claes&Rosina #6
5. Ach, diese Lücke, diese entsetzliche Lücke by Joachim Meyerhoff / biography #3

Figaro
CATs & KITs

I don't know yet to what extent I'll participate in the CATs, but I'm sure I'll drop in and out and read a book whenever it suits me.

AwardsCAT
January: Year's Best lists and Costa Book Award - /
February: Canada Reads competition and The Morning News Tournament of Books - Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (ToB)
March: The Newbery and Caldecott medals and other Genre Awards - The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (American Library Association's Reading List)
April: International Dublin Literary Award and the Pulitzer Prize - The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (Pulitzer)
May: Man Booker International Prize and the Edgar Awards - Fish Have No Feet (Man Booker)
June: The PEN Literary Awards and the National Book Award (USA) - /
July: Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction and any Science Fiction/Fantasy award - /
August: Miles Franklin Award and the Stonewall Book Award - /
September: Man Booker Prize and O. Henry Award
October: Nobel Prize for Literature and the Giller Prize
November: Local Awards (a regional prize of your choice) hosting - Ach, diese Lücke, diese entsetzliche Lücke by Joachim Meyerhoff (Longlist Deutscher Buchpreis 2016)
December: International awards (a prize from a country you aren't living in)

CultureCAT
January: Ethics in Science & Technology - Der Roboter, der Herzen hören konnte by Deborah Install
February: Medicine & Public Health - /
March: Cultural Awareness & Diversity - /
April: Religious Diversity & Freedom - /
May: Gender Equality - Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit
June: Environmentalism/Conservation - Karkloof Blue by Charlotte Otter
July: Violence, Crime & Justice - Wallanders erster Fall by Henning Mankell
August: Impact of Natural disasters - /
September: Journalism & the Arts - /
October: Poverty - /
November: Conflict & War - The Spy by Paulo Coelho
December: Cultural Flow & Immigration - /

CATWoman
January: Classics by women - The Color Purple by Alice Walker
February: Debut books - Stalins Kühe by Sofi Oksanen
March: Genres - The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (Fantasy)
April: Biography/autobiography/memoir - Astrid Lindgren: ihr Leben
May: Women in the arts - Coco Chanel by Justine Picardie
June: Professional women - /
July: Women of color - Ain't I A Woman
August: Nonfiction or historical fiction - /
September: Children's/YA/Graphic novels - /
October: Regional reading - Die englische Episode by Petra Oelker (Hamburg)
November: LGBT/Feminist writing - Margaret Atwood
December: Modern (post-1960) novels by women - /

RandomCAT
January: search & rescue - Der Roboter, der Herzen hören konnte by Deborah Install
February: mine, yours and ours - Stalins Kühe by Sofi Oksanen
March: Luck o' the Irish - /
April: library books - Der Schwimmer by Zsuzsa Bánks
May: mom - /
June: unknown - Der Mann, der kein Mörder war by Hjorth & Rosenfeldt
July: celebrate - Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
August: animal kingdom - The Girls at the Kingfisher Club by Genevieve Valentine / Das Jahr des Hasen by Arto Paasilinna
September: catch up - Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi / Der goldene Handschuh by Heinz Strunk
October: darkness - Panserhjerte by Jo Nesbø / Die englische Episode by Petra Oelker
November: traffic jam - Fahrradfahren
December: one day - Blaubarts letzte Reise by Peter Rühmkorf / Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten by Janosch / Der kleine Lord by Frances H. Burnett

101 Dalmatians
Overflow

I don't think there will be many books which don't fit any of my categories - but who knows...

1. Instagram Marketing für Anfänger: 50K Followers in einem Jahr. Wie man auf Instagram seine Marke etabliert und Follower gewinnt. by Till Krings
2. Heimgekehrt: Wäre er doch gefallen by Frank Salweski
3. Ebbe und Flut by Irina Korschunow
4. Jennys Geschichte by Barbara Noack

Plus one: Capper
Bingo DOG



1. A satire
2. Set in a country you've never been to: Zum Wiedersehen der Sterne (USA)
3. Color in the title: The Color Purple
4. Set in a place you want to visit: Karkloof Blue (South Africa)
5. One-word title: Homegoing
6. Author uses initials
7. Appeals to the senses: The Night Circus
8. Published in the 1940s-1960s
9. Made into a movie: Der kleine Lord
10. Collection of short stories: Wallanders erster Fall
11. Book about books: Wenn Männer mir die Welt erklären
12. Title refers to another literary work: Ach, diese Lücke, diese entsetzliche Lücke (quote from Werther)
13. Read a CAT: Der Mann, der kein Mörder war
14. Author shares your first and last initials
15. Owned for more than 5 years: Blaubarts letzte Reise
16. Science-related
17. Author was born in 1930s
18. Author abroad: The Spy
19. Author born/book published in 1917
20. Debut work: Der Roboter, der Herzen hören konnte
21. About an animal/animal in title: The Goldfinch
22. Place name in title: Altes Land
23. Set in a beach community/resort: Ebbe und Flut
24. Set in a time before you were born: Ein ganzes Leben
25. Next book in a series you've started: Panserhjerte (Harry Hole #8)

Read in order: 2 - 20 - 3 - 24 - 7 - 21 - 13 - 4 - 11 - 22 - 10 - 23 - 5 - 25 - 18 - 12 - 15 - 9

Bingo #1: 21-22-23-24-25 (21 October 2017)
Bingo #2: 5-10-15-20-25 (11 December 2017)

There are still 2 months to go until 2017, and I will take my time to finalize the above posts, but feel free and welcome in my 2017 thread. I'm looking forward to another great reading year and lots of BBs. ;)

What a great idea for a theme. I look forward to seeing what you choose to read.

This is so cute! Robin Hood is one of my favorite Disney movies and fits perfectly for the book bullets category, though maybe they should be called book arrows now. :) Not as alliterative though.

Looks like you are planning a fun reading year and I am looking forward to following along!

Great theme! I especially like the Robin Hood and Figaro categories! Have a great reading year!

Lovely setup and I love the Robin Hood category!

I love your Disney challenge -- what a great idea!

Wonderful theme! I love all the categories!

Thanks everyone! I promise more cuteness and childhood memories in 2017! :-))

Oh My! A Gummi Bear category!

This looks like fun!

This is so cute! It looks like fun; and I can't wait to see your reading year unfold! :-)

I just saw that you have the Jack Lennon series listed as a candidate for series to start next year. I just bought the first book -- let me know if you'd want to do a shared read sometime next year!

Aw, lots of great movies (and childhood memories) here - what a great thread!

>20 VictoriaPL: >21 LisaMorr: >22 Tanya-dogearedcopy: >24 -Eva-: Thank you! I hope you enjoy stopping by once in a while next year. :)

>23 rabbitprincess: Considering my plans for the rest of this year (e.g. starting Denise Mina), I'm not sure if my plan is realistic. I think it would be more towards the end of next year, but right now I have no clue. If you feel you need to start, please go ahead and don't wait for me.

>25 Chrischi_HH: I have no group reads scheduled right now, beyond reading some Canadian literature in July, so the end of the year would be OK with me :)

>26 rabbitprincess: Ok! :) It's hard to keep track with all those series out there...

Yay for Disney theme! Now I want to go and re-watch all of the movies... Robin Hood was my personal favorite but they are wonderfully timeless to watch over and over again!

Love the Disney theme! And it's classic Disney, too. :) I loved the Gummy Bears

Great theme. Disney did some wonderful animated stories.

Fun categories!

Disney characters are a cheerful way to top your categories. I just saw the stage production of The Lion King and it was totally amazing! I will be following your reading with delight!

Thanks everyone! I grew up with some Disney movies and they have all become classics on my tv screen. I hope to watch some of them again in 2017.
>32 mamzel: The Lion King is fantastic as stage production, I saw it in Hamburg a few years back.

Some of you have already seen it in my 2016 thread: I will spend New Year's Eve in Glasgow and won't be online until the new year. I planned to take books for the official CATs with me, but I won't make it to the library before we leave. So I changed my plans and will take The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears by Dinaw Mengestu with me - a book for my African reading category.

I hope you all have a great New Year's Eve, no matter if you enjoy it sleeping of partying. :) See you again in 2017!

Have a great time and a happy Hogmanay!

Enjoy Scotland! I'll be following your Africa reading with great interest.

Happy Hogmanay! (when it comes) I hope Glasgow is suitably festive for you!

I love that you have a Gummi Bears category. I still remember every word to the theme song (and I sing it to annoy my teenagers - who don't understand the greatness of that show - on occasion).

Best wishes for a wonderful Hogmanay and a happy 2017!

So many visitors, thanks everyone!

Glasgow was great, we enjoyed the atmosphere in the city just walking around, food and beer at pubs and of course the football match on Saturday. I could have stayed much longer once again... This time we were only travelling with hand luggage, so I only brought two new books home with me:
The Lake District Murder by John Bude
Silesian Station by David Downing

-----------------------------------
And now - drum rolls - I finished my first book of the year:



Book #1:
Zum Wiedersehen der Sterne by Dinaw Mengestu, 2007
Paperback, 251 pages, German
Genre/Tags: Fiction, Immigration, Gentrification, Racism
Source Cat: Snow White (TBR) & The Lion King (Africa)
Bingo: Set in a country you've never been to
Countries visited: USA, Ethiopia
Rating:

The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears is Mengestu's debut – and a strong one indeed. Sepha is an immigrant from Ethiopia, runs his own small shop in Washington D.C. and has two best friends, Joseph from the Congo and Kenneth from Kenya. The book deals with their struggles to move on and find their ways into their American lives and how to deal with their past. When a white woman and her daughter move to the mostly black neighbourhood, Sepha's life changes – at least for a while.
I enjoyed this book very much. It tells a moving, melancholic story of an African immigrant, of his loneliness, hopes, fears and the dreams out of reach. Recommended!

Book #2:
The Children Act by Ian McEwan, 2014
Paperback, 213 pages, English
Genre/Tags: Fiction, Law, Religion, Marriage
Category: Snow White (TBR)
Bingo: -
Countries visited: UK (England)
Rating:

The Children Act was my first book by Ian McEwan. I found it intelligently written, with two stories – Fiona's private and professional life – cleverly combined. Fiona, a successul female judge in the end of her 50s has to decide on an unusual case: A 17 year old boy, Jehova's Witness, refuses to accept a blood transfusion for his cancer treatment. Should she overrule him? At the same time, her marriage is in a deep crisis with another woman in her husband's life.
I should have liked this more, but I think I read it at the wrong time. This won't be my last by Ian McEwan, though.

------------------------



Book #3:
Der Roboter, der Herzen hören konnte (Engl. A Robot in the Garden) by Deborah Install, 2016
Hardcover, 333 pages, German
Genre/Tags: Fiction, Science-Fiction, Friendship, Romance
Category: Robin Hood (BBs), Alice in Wonderland (newish), Figaro (RandomCAT, CultureCAT)
Bingo: debut work
Countries visited: Britain (England), USA, Japan, Palau
Rating:

Der Roboter, der Herzen hören konnte is a lovely story and a combination of science-fiction, fairy tale and real drama. One day, a robot sits in Ben and Amy's garden. When Ben tries to find out where he came from, he starts following him around. Ben realizes that the robot needs to be repared and with that a road trip around the world starts.

This was a quick fun read. Enchanting, gripping and full of little truths about family, friendship and love. Recommended! Thanks to whitewavedarling for the BB! :)

My thread topper picture has disappeared, seems like it was taken down from the internet. I will go and find something new in the coming week, so be ready for some new Disney fun!

I'm glad you had a great time in Glasgow!

While looking for new pictures for my top post, I came across an old and almost forgotten character: Elliot, from Pete's Dragon (1977). I loved this movie when I was a child, but haven't watched it since then.

Do you remember him?

I've heard so many great things about A Robot in the Garden - definitely on the wishlist!

>44 Chrischi_HH:
Absolutely - such a fun film! (Although I haven't seen it since I was a kid...)

>45 -Eva-: I hope you like it when you get to it! :)

-------------------------------



Book #4:
The Color Purple by Alice Walker, 1983
Paperback, 261 pages, English
Genre/Tags: Fiction, African American, Feminism, Racism, Women
Category: The Lion King (Africa), Figaro (CATWoman)
Bingo: color in the title
Countries visited: USA, Africa
Rating:

The Color Purple had been on my "must read" list for a long time. Thanks to the January CATWoman I finally got to it. And it was worth it. It is written in letter format, partly as Celie's diary entries to God, partly as (never happening) letter exchange between Celie and her sister Nettie. The reader follows Celie from her miserably life, being abused by her dad and later being married to a man who doesn't want her and whom she doesn't want. Only Shug, a singer and strong woman, brings her to see her own life with different eyes.

This book is full of feelings. Hatred, love, longing, loneliness, happiness, sadness and confidence, all interwoven. I loved the tone of the letters, they felt very vivid and honest. Beautifully written, and highly recommended!

Book #5:
Ein ganzes Leben (Engl. A Whole Life) by Robert Seethaler, 2014
Paperback, 184 pages, German
Genre/Tags: Fiction, Austrian, Solitude, Love, Biography, Alps
Category: Snow White (TBR)
Bingo: Set in a time before you were born
Countries visited: Austria
Rating:

What a moving little book. A quick read with 184 pages, and worth every second. Andreas Egger is about 4 years old, when he is brought to the valley that will be his home for the rest of his life. Here he grows up and becomes a hardworking young man, a lone wolf falling in love and losing his love again, here he grows old and dies.

Seethaler managed to write a quiet, yet powerful book about one simple man's life and soul. If you get the chance, please read this book.

>47 Chrischi_HH: I'm intrigued...

Book #6:
Stalins Kühe by Sofi Oksanen, 2003
Hardcover, 482 pages, German
Genre/Tags: fiction, Soviet Union, eating disorders, feminism
Category: Figaro (CATWoman, RandomCAT)
Bingo: -
Countries visited: Finland, Estonia
Rating:

I'm not entirely sure what to think about this book. Anna tells us her story of growing up in Finland with an Estonian mother and a Finnish father. Her mother tries to hide her Estonian roots because she doesn't want her image to suffer and because in the Soviet Union she has learnt not to trust anybody. At the same time she embraces anything Estonian and frequently travels back. Anna is deeply influenced by her mother. On the one hand she does not reveal her roots to anybody either, on the other hand she feels more Estonian than Finnish. This conflict has led to a severe eating disorder, which makes out the main part of the book.
The book also takes a look back to WWII and the following years, and the reader learns a lot about Estonia and its Soviet history with secret service incidents, work camps in Siberia and food scarcity.

Interesting topics linked in a smart way, but somehow it didn't really grip me. Overall a solid work, though, and I will certainly read Sofi Okanen's other works.

>49 Chrischi_HH:
This one's been sitting on Mt. TBR a while - I've been waiting for the right mood, but perhaps it's one to just get around to.

>50 -Eva-: I think it's difficult to find the right mood for this one, so maybe it's really just about to get startet.

I still have about 150 pages left in The Night Circus which I'm enjoying a lot. In the meantime I want to wish you all a happy and sunny spring!

Happy spring to you too! The pictures made me smile!

>52 LittleTaiko: Thanks. I'm glad the pictures made you smile. :)

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Book #7:
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, 2011
Paperback, 490 pages, English
Genre/Tags: fiction, fantasy, magical realism, magicians, circus
Category: Figaro (CATWoman, AwardsCAT)
Bingo: appeals to the senses
Countries visited: -
Rating:

"The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it, no paper notices on downtown posts and billboards, no mentions or advertisements in local newspapers. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not."
Two magicians are bound to a challenge without knowing any details of how to compete, against whom and when the challenge will end. The setting is as imaginative as it can be: Le Cirque des Rêves, open only at night-time, with everything in shades of black and white, breathtaking acts and lots of magic.
I loved this book. There is so much in it: the suspense of the challenge, friendships, some bits of a love story; but what really caught me were the atmospheric descriptions of the night circus and other events around it. The (lack of) colours, the smells, the tastes, the sounds, the artists. The Night Circus is a beautiful novel, that I did not want to end. If you like magic, go for it!

(It took me a while to get into the story and get to know the characters, therefore "only" 4.5 stars.)

>53 Chrischi_HH: I loved The Night Circus.
There's supposedly a movie in the works, but it's been in Development Hell for years.

>54 VictoriaPL: I saw that, when I tried to figure out which Bingo square fits. I am a little torn, though. I think The Night Circus is a brilliant story and setting for a movie, but I am afraid that it can't fulfill expectations and meet the pictures in my head...

Book #8:
Instagram Marketing für Anfänger: 50K Followers in einem Jahr. Wie man auf Instagram seine Marke etabliert und Follower gewinnt. by Till Krings, 2016
Paperback, 52 pages, German
Genre/Tags: non-fiction, marketing, social media, instagram
Category: 101 Dalmatians (Overflow)
Bingo: -
Countries visited: -
Rating:

This short book was, well, a waste of time. A book about how to establish your brand/product on Instagram, get more followers and earn more money. It is written for Instagram marketing beginners – but there are no definitions or graphics, while various Instagram-words and other modern social media language words are used. I think this doesn't really help beginners. The tips and tricks are very broad and therefore maybe useful for a few businesses – but certainly not for others. In the first chapter there is a part on how to find a business ideas, which in itself is worth a book on its own.
Overall, too broad, too superficial, not at all useful for me.

>53 Chrischi_HH: - So glad to see you loved The Night Circus! Such a fabulous story.

>57 lkernagh: Indeed it is, so imaginative and beautiful!

I finished another book, but the review has to wait until after Easter.

Today I have decided to start another reading project besides reading all those great books out there: reading the magazines that I have bought over the last three years - but never read. I will not count the read pages, but I have added a line for magazines in my statistics in >2 Chrischi_HH:. Besides a few cooking magazines, there are three types:
--> Musikexpress, which is all about music, concerts, new albums, band histories etc.
--> aktiv Radfahren, which is about cycling, bikes, nice routes etc.
--> National Geographic Deutschland (and that's the biggest part of the ones I own)



There are about 50 of them spread in the living room and I really want to and need to get to them, because I bought them for a reason. My boyfriend and me are also looking for a new home, so the more I read, the less I have to pack up for moving when the time comes. We will spend Easter at a fishing lake, and while my boyfriend goes fishing, I will read books and magazines. :)

Happy Easter everyone!

Happy Easter to you as well. You are wise to start eliminating stuff now before you move, it will make things a lot easier in the long run.

Great idea to have a project for reading magazines! Enjoy going through them :)

Happy Easter!

Clearing stuff before packing is a wise move. Happy Easter!

April passed in an instant, at least for me. I had a hard working month with long shifts and only little motivation to sit in front of the computer at home as well. May will be much better, I hope. On the positive side, I did finish a second book in April and will try to post both open reviews soon. I also finished another magazine. :) And I had a lovely weekend at my sister's, with ok weather and lots of time outside. We even spent some time reading in her garden. Let's hope for lots of mild, sunny weather now in May!

Yes, mild weather please! Yesterday it was cold enough to sleet or freezing-rain :(

Why is time running so damn fast? May is almost over and summer has arrived in Germany. In the south it's rather hot, while in the north we have enjoyable 22-25°C. I really missed sitting outside with a book after work. :)
On Friday I finally managed to finish The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. Yay! I started it at Easter, so the 864 pages took me a while. I enjoyed reading it, though. I hope I will find the time to write the four reviews that are still due...

Remember these two little guys?

>64 Chrischi_HH: Yes! I saw someone at ComicCon dressed as Dale and I had an extended debate with my friend over whether that was Chip or Dale. (We couldn't remember, and didn't have Internet to settle the argument.)

>64 Chrischi_HH: I loved The Secret History and I've had The Goldfinch sitting around here for a while to be read. Glad to hear it'll be worth it!

>66 LisaMorr: It's absolutely worth it! For me it's now The Secret History that is waiting to be read. Later...

Another month has almost passed and I have hardly been here. I am updating my top posts, but rarely find time or motivation to stay online for much longer. I really hope to give a longer update soon!

Time for a reading update! :)



Book #9:
Der Schwimmer (Engl. The Swimmer) by Zsuzsa Bánks, 2002
Hardcover, 285 pages, German
Genre/Tags: fiction, family, childhood, hungary
Category: Figaro (RandomCAT)
Bingo: -
Countries visited: Hungary
Rating:

I had Der Schwimmer on my list for quite a while and thanks to the April RandomCAT finally got around to it. It is a quiet book, not much is happening. But the author creates a very authentic atmosphere which made the book very enjoyable. Recommended.

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Book #10:
Das Lachen des Geckos (Engl. The Book of Chameleons) by José Eduardo Agualusa, 2015
Hardcover, 184 pages, German
Genre/Tags: fiction, magical realism, africa, angola, identity
Category: Snow White (TBR), Lion King (Africa)
Bingo: -
Countries visited: Angola
Rating:

For my African Reads category I picked Das Lachen des Geckos, which I found to be a special little book. It took me a while to get into it and to understand who was telling the story, bit as soon as I did it all came together. Recommended.

Book #11:
Heimgekehrt: Wäre er doch gefallen by Frank Salewski, 2014
Hardcover, 136 pages, German
Genre/Tags: fiction, WWII, post-war, diary, germany
Category: 101 Dalmatians (Overflow)
Bingo: -
Countries visited: Germany
Rating:

This books is circulating in my family, because it is set in the small town where my grandparents have lived for more than 45 years - and because my grandparents know what war means and what it means to see young men returning from it. This little book is told from the point of a young woman, who meets a man, marries, has a child, but has to adapt to the nazi regime and finally the war. Partly she tells the story directly, partly it is told through letters between her and her best friend. It is disturbing, but touches on an important topic (soldiers returning from war, being both physically and psycologically injured) and very readable. Recommended.

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Book #11:
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, 2014
Paperback, 880 pages, English
Genre/Tags: fiction, coming of age, art, drugs, pulitzer
Category: Snow White (TBR), Figaro (AwardsCAT)
Bingo: About an animal / Animal in the title
Countries visited: USA, Netherlands
Rating:

The Goldfinch had to wait for its turn for more than two years, because often I just don't feel like reading chunksters. Now I did. It took me a month to get through it, but I enjoyed it from beginning to end. Some passages on art and people involved were too long for my personal taste, but overall this is a fantastic book and well worth the time spent on it.

Book #13:
Der Mann, der kein Mörder war (Engl. Dark Secrets) by Hjorth & Rosenfeldt, 2013
Paperback, 624 pages, German
Genre/Tags: fiction, crime fiction, mystery, nordic, series
Category: Snow White (TBR), The Gummy Bears (Series)
Bingo: Read a CAT
Countries visited: USA, Netherlands
Rating:

Another book I have owned since 2014. Once in a mood for chunksters, I picked up this one as second in a row. It is the first in another Nordic mystery series, and I heard mixed reviews, though mostly positive ones. I'm chiming in with the latter, it is a good start for a new series. The crime is described in the first pages and the book is rather following along in the investigations and the team buidling, but I liked that pace and also how the individual police people developed over time. I will certainly pick up the next books in this series.

---------------------------------



Book #14:
Karkloof Blue by Charlotte Otter, 2015
Paperback, 279 pages, German
Genre/Tags: fiction, mystery, thriller, africa, apartheid, environment
Category: Lion King (Africa), Figaro (CultureCAT)
Bingo: Set in a place you want to visit
Countries visited: South Africa
Rating:

I stumbled across this book a year ago and now it fit into the June CultureCAT. Karkloof Blue is set in South Africa and follows a female journalist who is trying to discover the unethical behaviour of a local paper manufacturer. They plan to destroy a part of the still existing will nature, which is home to a rare butterfly (the Karkloof Blue). During her research, more comes to the surface, which is larger than environmental issues. The reader is led back to the times of the apartheid and the journalist and the people who support her are suddenly in danger. Good story, interesting setting!

Book #15:
Wenn Männer mir die Welt erklären (Engl. Men Explain Things to Me) by Rebecca Solnit, 2015
Hardcover, 168 pages, German
Genre/Tags: non-fiction, essays, feminism
Category: Figaro (CultureCAT)
Bingo: Book about books
Countries visited: USA
Rating:

I wanted to read more ybout feminism and chose Wenn Männer mir die Welt erklären. I had seen various positive reviews, but this little essay collection just wasn't for me. I could have know, because I seldomly read essays or short stories. Still I had hoped for more. I found the topics interesting and will certainly read more on feminism, but I think I would have needed Solnit's topics packed in a different way.

*********************************

Finally, I'm all caught up with my reviews. I have not read as much as I had hoped for. With my overall goal being 40 books this year, 15 in the first have is not exactly where I wanted to be. The upcoming months are hopefully a bit more quite with a bit more reading time, but I don't really rely on that. Let's see...

I am currently reading the following two books:
Astrid Lindgren. Ihr Leben by Jens Andersen - a book about the famous Swedish author
Altes Land by Dörte Hansen - a book set near Hamburg (Germany), about the inhabitants of an old village house

Nice to see you again. I'll be looking forward to your comments on Altes Land.

>72 MissWatson: Basically I loved that book:



Book #16:
Altes Land (Engl. This House is Mine) by Dörte Hansen, 2015
Paperback, 287 pages, German
Genre/Tags: fiction, family, refugees, post-WWII, women, northern Germany
Category: Alice in Wonderland (newish)
Bingo: Place name in the title
Countries visited: Germany
Rating:

Altes Land was on my to-read list since its publication, but I wanted to wait for the paperback. It was mainly the title that sparked my interest, therefore I hardly knew what this book was about in more detail. My expectations were somewhere between "I am not sure if this is a good idea" and 2I am convinced this book will be great". Well, it was great. I loved it. It tells two stories that are intertwined. We meet Vera, who came to the 2Altes Land" as a WWII refugee from East Prussia. And then we meet Anne and her son, who escape from the big city Hamburg to the "Altes Land2 - 70 years after Vera came. They both have their own stories, theír own challenges, their own ways of living.
Sometimes the described contrasts between city life and rural life seem quite clichéd, but I'm not sure if this was on purpose. It didn't disturb me, I found it rather amusing. I liked the descriptions of the apple trees and everything connected to them, the writing style, the story and especially the small bits of "Plattdeutsch2 (Low German) to be found once in a while. The right book at the right time.

Here is a picture of what the "Altes Land" region (close to Hamburg) looks like:

Book #17:
Wallanders erster Fall (Engl. The Pyramid: The First Wallander Cases) by Henning Mankell, 1999
Paperback, 426 pages, German
Genre/Tags: fiction, police procedural, mystery, Nordic
Category: Snow White (TBR), The Gummy Bears (series), Figaro (CultureCAT)
Bingo: Collection of short stories
Countries visited: Sweden
Rating:

I am one of probably few readers who had never read anything by Mankell. Two years ago, I came across this book of stories that were written after, but set before the original Wallander books. I thought this could be a good point to get started. And it was. One story I already knew, the others were new to me. They were not perfect, but certainly good enough to get the Wallander books up on my "need to read" list.

You've been doing some excellent reading! I've been tempted by The Goldfinch but every time I pick it up the first thing I see is the SuperSize. I'll get to it sometime.

>73 Chrischi_HH: Thank you, Chrischi. That's a BB for me. By the way, you're not the only one who has never read Mankell. I watched some of the TV adaptions and thought that's way too bleak for me.

>69 Chrischi_HH: Yes, The Goldfinch did take some effort to get through. I think I rated it a 3/5 if I recall.

>75 VivienneR: It's really worth it, but I think it's a book that requires a bit of reading time. And compared to some other books (thinking of the Outlander series) it's actually not that bad. :)

>76 MissWatson: I haven't seen any of the tv versions, at least not as far as I remember. But hey, now I've made the start, let's see, if I like it when I continue. Whenever that might be...

>77 VictoriaPL: Finishing chunksters always makes me feel good. It does take a long time until I actually start one of them, but when I do, it's usually worth it.

I've read all of the Wallanders except for The Dogs of Riga, and watched the first three seasons of Kenneth Branagh's Wallander. Still have to watch the last season, but I'm not sure I'm ready for the adaptation of The Troubled Man.

>74 Chrischi_HH: I've never heard of Mankell, but I have been in the market for both short stories and series, so I will have to look more into it. I am loving that your reads are so many things I haven't heard of. "Bleak" may be a bit much though!

>79 rabbitprincess: Sounds like it is worth to watch it, maybe I should give it a try in winter.

>80 pammab: That's also what fascinates me the most here on LT - the variety of books! We are spread all over the world and that makes it so interesting. Though sometimes also frustrating, when your library doesn not have the book that everyone else here seems to recommend.

Summer has never really arrived here in the north of Germany, which I find a little depressing. We have a nice day here and there, but no stable periods of enjoyable weather. I would love to read outside, but am mostly sitting inside. Here's still some hope for the next few weeks, keep your fingers crossed!

Book #18:
Die Tochter des Fotografen (Engl. The Memory Keeper's Daughter) by Kim Edwards, 2007
Paperback, 523 pages, German
Genre/Tags: fiction, family, marriage, twins, secrets, grief, down syndrome
Category: Snow White (TBR)
Bingo: -
Countries visited: USA
Rating:

After the birth of his twins David gives his newborn daughter – with the down syndrome – away without his wife knowing.The nurse, however, does not bring the girl into the orphanage as planned, but takes her with her and raises her herself.
The Memory Keeper's Daughter follows the story of both families. On the one hand we have David, his grieving wife Norah and their son Paul. On the other hand there is the nurse, who fights for the happiness of dauther Phoebie. Both stories are so closely intertwined snd yet to far from each other. I really liked this book. It was interesting, gripping, full of happiness and sadness. The right book at the right time for me.

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Book #19:
The Girls at the Kingfisher Club by Genevieve Valentine, 2014
Paperback, 277 pages, English
Genre/Tags: fiction, family, sisters, dancing, 1920s, USA, fairy tale retelling
Category: Snow White (TBR), Robin Hood (BB)
Bingo: -
Countries visited: USA
Rating:

The Girls at the Kingfisher Club is a modern retelling of Grimm's fairy tale "The Twelve Dancing Princesses". We get to know Jo and her sisters, who grow up in 1920's NYC – locked-in by their conservative father. Only at midnight, when the taxis are ready to drive them to one of the clubs for dancing, they can escape their routine and sorrow. When their father wants them to get married, they eventually have to run from the house and start their own lives.
I enjoyed this book a lot. The mix of sadness and loneliness, with bits of shiny NYC as well as the girls's strength made for 277 pages delightful entertainment.

Thank you christina.reads for this book bullet back in 2015!

And to make a connection between my book no. 19 and my challenge theme - here you are, the Disney princesses!
(nevermind they are 13...)

Book #20:
Ebbe und Flut (Engl. The Memory Keeper's Daughter) by Irina Korschunow, 2007
Paperback, 283 pages, German
Genre/Tags: fiction, marriage, family, historical, WWII, island, northern Germany, hotel
Category: 101 Dalmations (overflow)
Bingo: set in a beach community/resort
Countries visited: Germany
Rating:

Ebbe und Flut sounded like a little treat set on the island Sylt in the north of Germany. It tells the story of Jakob, how he by accident gets to know the hotel world and later on realizes his dream of his own hotel at the coast, and about his personal life with weddings and divorces, family friends and two wars in between. There were a few things I liked, such as the setting and all the details about the island (which I have been visiting every winter for about 15 years). But I really didn't like the writing style, which I found hectic and over-paced. Three stars, but I don't think I will read another book by this author.

------------------

Finally, book number 20! Halfway mark of my reading goals for this year, just about two months little late. Let's see how close to 40 I'll end up by the end of the year...

I didn't know The Memory Keeper's Daughter was set on Sylt. The only novel I've read that was set there was Ward Just's The Translator. The main character ends up there in the middle of winter and it's portrayed as a grim place.

>82 Chrischi_HH: - Great review of the Edwards book!

>83 Chrischi_HH: - Love that pic and surprisingly, I can actually name all of the princesses. ;-)

>85 RidgewayGirl: It's not The Memory Keeper's Daughter that is set on Sylt, but Ebbe und Flut. :) In winter it can be very grim, but if you love the coast, then it will be beautiful. Actually I prefer being there in winter, because in summer the island is flooded by rich and wannabe rich tourists.

>86 lkernagh: Thank you! Well, I could not name all of them, but winter is coming with time to catch up on some movies.

---------------------------------------------



Book #21:
Das Jahr des Hasen (Engl. The Year of the Hare) by Arto Paasilinna, 1975
Paperback, 235 pages, German
Genre/Tags: Finland, fiction, roadtrip, humour, animals, 1001 books
Category: Figaro (RandomCAT)
Bingo: -
Countries visited: Finland, Russia
Rating:

I stumbled upon Art Paasilinna a few years ago and finally managed to read one of his books. After a minor car accident Vatanen gets out of the car to find the injured hare – and does not go back to the car. Spontaneously he moves on to the next village and from there on to various adventures together with his new companion: fishing, reparing huts in Finnish solitude, helping during a wildfire, being arrested and to military events.
I didn't laugh out loud, but the bizzare adventures are certainly entertaining and I enjoyed reading the book. Unfortunately the last few chapters didn't fit in for me, therefore "only" 3.5 stars.

I have two more reviews coming up, I hope I can manage writing them tomorrow.

>87 Chrischi_HH: Oh whew, the hare survives! I had read part of another summary and thought the hare died, so I didn't want to read the book :(

>88 rabbitprincess: Yes, the hare survives! :)

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Book #22:
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, 2016
Paperback, 300 pages, English
Genre/Tags: Africa, African American, hisctorial fiction, slavery, family saga
Category: The Lion King (Geo Focus Africa), Figaro (RandomCAT)
Bingo: -
Countries visited: Ghana, USA
Rating:

I planned to read Homegoing for the ToB in February, but didn't get to it. This month's RandomCAT theme of „catching up“ was perfect to finally read the book.
Yaa Gyasi's Homegoing is a powerful book. Maame's two daughters (who never met each other) grow up into very different lives, each daugther with her own line to slavery. One being married to a British man trading with slaves, the other one being sold herself. In chaoters similar to short stories we follow the stories of their descendants, all shaped by slavery in their own way.
Slavery is not exactly a fun topic and lots of parts of the stories are heartbreaking. But the book is so beautifuly written, that I could still enjoy reading it. Recommended!

Book #23:
Der goldene Handschuh by Heinz Strunk, 2016
Paperback, 3254 pages, German
Genre/Tags: Germany, Hamburg, historical fiction, alcoholism, violence, murder, bio
Category: Alice in Wonderland (Newish), Figaro (RandomCAT)
Bingo: -
Countries visited: Germany
Rating:

Phew, this was a hard one. Der goldene Handschuh is based on true events in the 1970s. The book's title refers to a bar in Hamburg, where mostly people from the lower social class met. Among them Fritz Honka, who later became known for having sexually abused and murdered five women. The story is often disgusting, full of alcohol, immorality, abuse, sex and violence. But Heinz Strunk manages to write the story without judging, to make the world of Hamburg in the 1970s come alive and to show that even though the rich and the poor lived totally different lives at that time, both dealt with the same morality issues. This ís no book to enjoy, but I am happy to have read it. First, because the events are part of Hamburg's history. And second, because I think it is a strong and very well written book.

(I think this is only available in German - and is not suitable for beginners due to lots of slang.)

------------------------------------------------------

Two books in a row with difficult topics. I think I should read something more easy and relaxed now - but have started the next in the Harry Hole series. So on to more murder...

Just dropping in to say I'm still alive. Unfortunately my reading time has been limited the past few weeks, and therefore the 600+ pages of Panserhjerte (The Leopard) take more time than anticipated. I'm getting there!

Time is running so fast, and while I'm still reading (and enjoying) Panserhjerte, Disney is wishing you a nice and colourful autumn!

You've been enjoying lots of good reading!

Wishing you a great autumn too! It's one of my favourite seasons (the other is winter).

>93 VivienneR: Thank you!

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Book #24:
Panserhjerte (Eng. The Leopard) by Jo Nesbø 2009
Paperback, 635 pages, Danish
Genre/Tags: fiction, Nordic, thriller, mystery, series, serial killer
Category: Snow Shite (TBR), Gummy Bears (Series), Figaro (RandomCAT)
Bingo: Next book in a series you've started
Countries visited: Norway, (Democtratic Republic of) Congo
Rating:

A real chunkster with 635 pages which took a month to get through, but it was worth it. Harry Hole once again chases a murderer in wintery Norway, this time an intelligent serial killer. The case is complex, and additionally the police has to overcome its own obstacles, with two departments not working together but rather against each other. The setting perfectly sets the scene, with a small ski tourist hut up in the mountains, with snowslide danger, darkness and far from any civilization. And a journey to the dangerous country of Congo.
I had a hard time putting this book down (though I also had a hard time to read it at night when I was alone), and am now looking forward to the next book in the series.

On top, Panserhjerte finally gives me my first Bingo! :)

>94 Chrischi_HH: The Leopard sounds like a good one! I'm looking forward to catching up on Harry Hole.

I need to catch up on my Harry Hole reading as well. I absolutely have too many series that I am trying to follow!

>95 LisaMorr: >96 DeltaQueen50: I'm spreading the series out at 1 or 2 books a year, so I have more time to enjoy and look forward to the books. :) The only issue with that is that this way I will never make "good" progress with my series reading, considering that this was my plan from beginning of the year:

*Series I am reading:
Jo Nesbø - Harry Hole (read 7/11)
Petra Oelker - Rosina&Claes (read 5/10)
David Downing - Station series (read 1/6)
Agatha Christie - Hercule Poirot / Miss Marple (read 1/46)
Carla Federico - Chile saga (read 2/3)

*Series I'd like to start:
Andrea Camilleri - Commissario Montalbano
Hjorth & Rosenfeldt - Sebastian Bergmann
Sara Blædel - Louise Rick
Stieg Larsson - Millennium trilogy
Stuart Neville - Jack Lennon
Ursula Poznanski - Beatrice Kaspari

So far, I added one to the Harry Hole series and read the first book in the Sebastian Bergmann series. Plus I've started the next in the Rosina&Claes, but I can see that only this plan will take YEARS for me!

Today I discovered the book sale of the local association supporting people with aids and hiv. And I'm asking myself why I never went there before? They really have lots of good books and very good prices. I found several few books that have been on my wishlist for quite a while, so I went home with these three:

Joanne Harris - Fünf Viertel einer Orange (Five Quarters of the Orange) (2015 bb from cbl_tn)
Bernard Cornwell - Das letzte Königreich (The Last Kingdom) (2015 bb from majkia)
Fruttero & Lucentini - Das Geheimnis der Pineta (An Enigma by the Sea) (on the wishlist since 2012)

And the best: They also accept used books donations, so now I know where to bring my read books that I don't want to keep. :)

These three books also inspired my idea for the 2018 challenge: focus on my home region + on books that I've wanted to read for a long time. Now I only need to find the time to set up the new thread. Stay tuned!

>98 Chrischi_HH: Woo hoo to finding a new book sale and a place to take books so that you can make room for more! Looking forward to seeing your new challenge thread :)

Book #25:
Die englische Episode by Petra Oelker, 2003
Paperback, 444 pages, German
Genre/Tags: fiction, mystery, crime fiction, historical, Germany, Hamburg, series
Category: Snow Shite (TBR), Gummy Bears (Series), Figaro (CATWoman + RandomCAT)
Bingo: -
Countries visited: Germany, England
Rating:

Die englische Episode is the 6th book in the mystery series with Claes, a merchant from Hamburg, and Rosina, the travelling theatre lady with decent origin. As usual, it starts out with a murder in 1770's Hamburg, a printer was killed. The local officer Wagner is to his surprise not asked to identify the murderer in this case, but is sent to London instead. He and his wife join the team of the travelling theatre on an adventurous journey. In London, they hear about another murder – a young German lady, probably the one missing in Hamburg. Besides exploring London, they work their way through a network of rich and poor to find out who the murderer is.
I really like Petra Oelker's mystery series set in Hamburg, because she always provides many details of that time. In this installment London is added in and it feels just as real as Hamburg always does. The mystery itself was not as exciting as some ealier ones, but I can say I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

------------------------------------------

That was October. Only two months left for 2017 and I am 15 books behind. I guess this is close to impossible, but I'll just go ahead and read what I like or what I need to get rid of before moving. A house/appartment is not in sight right now, but once in a while interesting offers show up. So there is still hope. :)

Happy Halloween!

>97 Chrischi_HH: I'm really enjoying Andrea Camilleri's Montalbano series but I've only finished 8 out of the 22 books, so I know what you mean about never making enough progress!

>101 mathgirl40: If I read more books per year, I might feel better about it, but with 30-40 books it really is a loooong way. On the other hand I like to have all these series books to look forward to. :)

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Book #26:
Jennys Geschichte by Barbara Noack, 1999
Paperback, 334 pages, German
Genre/Tags: fiction, historical, Germany, Berlin
Category: 101 Dalmations (overflow)
Bingo: -
Countries visited: Germany
Rating:

Jennys Geschichte follow Jenny, born in the end if the 19th century in Hamburg, Germany. She is very close and dependent on her mother, Paula, and only after moving to Berlin and meeting the charming Björn, she makes the first steps into her own life.
While I really liked the historical backround and found it well researched and authentic, I had troubles with the characters. They were too bleak and superficial, so I didn't rellay feel for them. It got better in the second half, but the characters were certainly not the best part of the book. I'm still happy to have read it, since I always enjoy books with this kind of historical basis.

I finished it last weekend, when we were travelling, so I had to buy a new book for the journey back home. I went with Paulo Coelho's The Spy, which I've been enjoying so far.

>97 Chrischi_HH: Do you know about the website fictfact? Not only can you keep track of your series, they will notify you when a new one is being released. When I signed up it was scary how many series I was reading. Since I read a lot of YA for my job I generally only read the first of a series to get a taste of it. There are only a handful of series in which I am actually all caught up.

I'm trying to catch up with everyone's threads before we all migrate to the 2018 thread.

>103 mamzel: I didn't know fictfact, thanks for the recommendation. I'm not sure though if it will help me to keep up with my series - or if it will rather tempt me to start more new series... ;)

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Book #27:
The Spy by Paulo Coelho, 2016
Paperback, 186 pages, English
Genre/Tags: fiction, historical, espionage, WWI, Mata Hari, France
Category: Alice in Wonderland (New/ish)
Bingo: Author abroad
Countries visited: Netherlands, France, Germany
Rating:

The Spy tells the story of Mata Hari, who was a famous entertainer in the early 20th century. She was accused of being a spy during WWI and was condemned to death. The book is written as letters from her and her lawyer, hers looking back at her life and his explaining the judgement.
While I enjoyed the first part of the book reading about Mata Hari's life, I struggled at the last part about the espionage accusations. It didn't become clear at all (for me) what exactly she should have done and why she had to die. The book left me unsatisfied in the end.
It did pique my interested in Mata Hari (born as Margaretha Zelle in the Netherlands) and while reading more on the internet I found out that the files of her case were hold back until this year and that not many facts are known. That at least explains why the details felt so very vague.

Book #28:
Der dunkle Fluss (Engl. The Fishermen) by Chigozie Obioma, 2015
Hardcover, 313 pages, German
Genre/Tags: fiction, Africa, Nigeria, family, brothers, murder
Category: Robin Hood (BBs), Lion King (African Reads)
Bingo: -
Countries visited: Nigeria
Rating:

The Fishermen is Obioma's succesful debut novel. It is set in the 1990s in Nigeria, which is a place with elements from modern/western life as well as traditional African cultures. It is also the place of political tensions und unsecure life. Right here, Benjamin, his three older brothers, two younger siblings and his parents live a rather unspectacular life – until the crazy man, also known as the prophet, tells them that the eldest brother will die. That day changes their lives and leads to a breakup of the family.
This was a heartbreaking, yet beautifully written novel. I was hooked right from the start. I'm sure it will stay in my mind for a little while. Recommended!

A BB that hit its target back in 2015 - thank you, avatiakh! :)

>104 Chrischi_HH: - Interesting. It will be very curious to see what is in the files when they are finally released to the public. There is a lot of mystery around Mata Hari.

>104 Chrischi_HH: I picked this book up with the hope that it would fit into my high school library. Alas, the sexual content prevented this from happening. I did enjoy it for myself though.

I finished two more books!



Book #29:
Ach, diese Lücke, diese entsetzliche Lücke by Joachim Meyerhoff, 2015
Paperback, 348 pages, German
Genre/Tags: autobiography, Germany, theatre, grandparents, series
Category:
Bingo:
Countries visited: Germany
Rating:

This is the third in Meyerhoff's autobiographical series, looking at the years as young man who just finished school and moves to his grandparents in Munich to attend drama school. His grandparents' daily routines (champagne every morning!) and life at drama school are completely different worlds and I found it very entertaining to read about these. At the same time, the reader learns a lot about Meyerhoff himself, as these are the years where he has to discover who he is and who he wants to be.
Entertaining read and I'll be sure to read the next in the series (which has just been published).

Only available in German.

Book #30:
Blaubarts letzte Reise by Peter Rühmkorf, 2003 (1983)
Paperback, 126 pages, German
Genre/Tags: fiction, fairytales, modern, German
Category: Snow White (TBR), Figaro (RandomCAT)
Bingo: Owned more than 5 years
Countries visited: Germany
Rating:

I found this little book when I was looking through my shelves for taking out books that need to go. I can't even remember when I got it, it must have been there for at least 10 years. The books features four of Peter Rühmkorf's contemporary fairy tales, originaly published in 1983: Der Hüter des Misthaufens, Blaubarts letzte Reise, Zu Golde, Die Feuerfee. These tales will not become my favourites, but they were not too bad either. I would give the book 3 stars, but added an extra half star, because two of the tales included places from the area I live in, which was unexpected fun.

Only available in German.

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Now I have two Christmas books ahead and that's about all I will be able to manage in the remaining two weeks of 2017. Tomorrow we'll be signing the new rental agreement for the apartment we'll be moving to in March - finally! So I guess I need to read a few more books to get them out before moving.

Congrats on getting a new apartment! Enjoy going through your books to prepare for the move.

I know how much prep. work goes into getting ready to move, but a new apartment will be exciting for you.

Congrats on the new apartment!

>110 rabbitprincess: >111 DeltaQueen50: >112 MissWatson: Thank you so much! :) I'm really looking forward to moving. And to buy new furniture, choose new pictures for the walls, sit outside in spring etc.

Onlly a few days to go - are you ready for Christmas yet?

Moving is a lot of work, but it's very satisfying to unpack in a new place.

Thanks for your reviews this year. You keep reminding me that I really do want to read more in German. I've got a stack of German books, mostly Krimis, on my tbr.

Congratulations! The beginning of a new year is a great time to be organizing a move.

Feeling a bit more ready for Christmas thanks to seeing a dramatic presentation of A Christmas Carol on Sunday -- an actor doing a one-man show as Charles Dickens. This year was the first time I'd actually read the story, and I had the characters from Mickey's Christmas Carol in my head the whole time :)

>114 RidgewayGirl: Yes, ideed. The work starts now, with sorting through everything we have twice or more. I guess combining two households guarantees a few discussions as well. Regarding the languages, I have the same with Danish. I only read one Danish book this year. :(

>115 VivienneR: Thank you! I agree, it's like finishing one chapter now at New Year's Eve and opening a new one.

> 116 A Christmas Carol is a wonderful book. I read it for the first time last year. The one-man show sounds interesting! This year I hope to get to Little Lord Fauntleroy, when I'm home at my parents' for Christmas.

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I wish you all a merry Christmas! I hope you have lovely days with you loved ones, with good books, good food and cookies! :)

Hi Christiane, stopping by to wish you and your loved ones peace, joy and happiness this holiday season and for 2018!

>118 lkernagh: Thank you so much, Lori! I hope you enjoyed Christmas!

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Book #31:
Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten by Janosch, 2012
Paperback, 50 pages, German
Genre/Tags: fiction, fairytales, German
Category: Figaro (RandomCAT)
Bingo: -
Countries visited: Germany
Rating:

This little book was part of my Christmas present to my sister and short enough for all in my family to read after dinner at Christmas Eve. The original fairytale was written by Brothers Grimm. This is a retelling by illustrator and children's book author Janosch, whose most popular character is the Tigerente. I've always loved Janosch's illustrations, so this was the perfect fit for me.

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Book #32:
Das Geheimnis der Pineta (Engl, An Enigma by the Sea) by Fruttero & Lucentini, 1991
Paperback, 443 pages, German
Genre/Tags: fiction, mystery, crime fiction, Italy, Chrismas
Category: 101 Dalmatians (overflow)
Bingo: -
Countries visited: Italy
Rating:

This had been on my wishlist for several years, but recently I found it in a used books shop. It is set in Tuscany, in an exquisite villa quarter by the sea. A few persons disappear around Christmas and the police starts to investigate.
Unfortunately this was not the right book for me. I didn't like the writing (or translating) style, and found some parts rather uninteresting. Also the way the mystery was solved in the end did not appeal to me. One to cross off from my wishlist and TBR.

I finished one last book for 2017:



Book #33:
Der kleine Lord (Engl. Little Lord Fauntleroy) by Frances H. Burnett, 1991 (1886)
Paperback, 92 pages, German
Genre/Tags: fiction, 19th century, USA, England, juvenile, classics
Category: Figaro (RandomCAT)
Bingo: Made into a movie
Countries visited: USA, UK
Rating:

I've seen the movie several times and when I saw that a new Christmas edition book was going to be published, I had to buy it. So this was my first time to read the story of young Ceddie, and it won't be the last. Lovely story!

And with that, I am closing my 2017 challenge.

I read:
*33 books (goal was 40)
*10,317 pages (which sounds about right to me)
*25 books in German (I should focus more on English and Danish next year)
*16 books written by women (close to 50%, which what I had wished for)
*3 of the BB books (I hope to increase the number next year)

7 Bingo sqares are missing - but only 2 lines are fully filles. I'll aim for more next year. And I have to work on the magazine front, I only read 4 out of the 50 or so that I would like to remove before moving to the new appartment. All in all, it was an ok to good reading year and I'm happy with the books I read. I'm looking forward to 2018 and will start book number 1 - Thomas Mann's Buddenbrooks already tomorrow.

ETA: Link to my 2018 thread

I wish you all a great night and a good start ino the new year!

Happy new year!

See you in 2018!

What a great resolution! Happy New Year!

Glückliches neues Jahr!