Anita (FAMeulstee) reads on in 2017 (7)

I am still in a Alberto Giacometti mood, after our visit to the exhibitions in London in May. So here some pictures I took of his work when we were at the Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul de Vence (France) in 2009.

Left: Femme de Venise IV, VII, V, II, III (1956); right: Femme debout II (1960)
 

Homme qui marche I (1960)

total books read in 2017: 200
own 131 / 69 library

total pages read in 2017: 50.077
--

Books read in June 2017 (26 books, 6.592 pages)
book 200: Zondeval (The Hanging Valley, DCI Banks 4) by Peter Robinson, 269 pages, , msg 216
book 199: De rommelkist van grootvader by Elfie Donnelly, TIOLI #17, 110 pages, , msg 208
book 198: Wiele wiele stap by Miep Diekmann, 32 pages, , msg 206
book 197: De griezels (The Twits) by Roald Dahl, 80 pages, , msg 204
book 196: De GVR (The BFG) by Roald Dahl, TIOLI #15, 210 pages, , msg 203
book 195: Schrijver (Some Rain Must Fall My Struggle 5) by Karl Ove Knausgård, 636 pages, , msg 195
book 194: Spoo Pee Doo by Dimitri Verhulst, TIOLI #14, 155 pages, , msg 195
book 193: Mijn naam is Bud (Bud not Buddy) by Christopher Paul Curtis, TIOLI #3, 192 pages, , msg 167
book 192: De brug van San Luis Rey (The bridge of San Luis Rey) by Thornton Wilder, TIOLI #11, 144 pages, , msg 164
book 191: In plaats van een vader by Kerstin Thorvall, TIOLI #17, 99 pages, , msg 163
book 190: De blikken trommel (The Tin Drum) by Günter Grass, TIOLI #7, 638 pages, , msg 147
book 189: Het mooie lijk (The Crediton Killings, Sir Baldwin 4) by Michael Jecks, TIOLI #8, 312 pages, , msg 146
book 188: Kroniek van een aangekondigde dood (Chronicle of a death foretold) by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, TIOLI #8, 105 pages, , msg 145
book 187: Arenden vliegen alleen by Tonny Vos-Dahmen von Buchholz, TIOLI #16, 160 pages, , msg 103
book 186: Aan de verkeerde kant van de aarde (Homesick : my own story) by Jean Fritz, TIOLI #10, 186 pages, , msg 103
book 185: Candy, kom terug (Hurry home, Candy) by Meindert DeJong, TIOLI #9, 142 pages, , msg 103
book 184: Het grauwe huis (Bleak house) by Charles Dickens, TIOLI #14, 709 pages, , msg 70
book 183: De verloren brief aan Thomas Mann by Maxim Biller, 62 pages, , msg 63
book 182: Hellehonden by Jan & Sanne Terlouw, TIOLI #13, 255 pages, , msg 62
book 181: Steeds verder weg : de verzamelaar op reis by Boudewijn Büch, TIOLI #15, 247 pages, , msg 61
book 180: Ravenzwart (Raven Black) by Ann Cleeves, TIOLI #12, 286 pages, , msg 57
book 179: En Appels aan de overkant by Henri van Daele, TIOLI #5, 397 pages, , msg 46
book 178: De verschrikkelijke man uit Säffle (The Abominable Man) by Maj Sjöwall & Per Wahlöö, TIOLI #6, 208 pages, , msg 38
book 177: De Wilg aan het Begin van de wereld by Alet Schouten, TIOLI #1, 101 pages, , msg 36
book 176: De langschepen (The Long Ships) by Frans Gunnar Bengtsson, TIOLI #2, 574 pages, , msg 29
book 175: Blauwzuur by Arnaldur Indriðason, TIOLI #4, 283 pages, , msg 22

Books read in May 2017 (38 books, 10.225 pages)
book 174: Problemski Hotel by Dimitri Verhulst, TIOLI #11, 110 pages,
book 173: Frank, of hoe je vrienden vindt by Klaus Kordon, 384 pages,
book 172: En de zwakken ondergaan wat ze moeten ondergaan? by Yanis Varoufakis, 350 pages,
book 171: The Chessmen by Peter May, 400 pages,
book 170: Nacht (My struggle 4) by Karl Ove Knausgård, 477 pages,
book 169: Kaas by Willem Elsschot, 69 pages,
book 168: Alles op één kaart by Cynthia Voigt, 220 pages,
book 167: De verloren vader by Cynthia Voigt, 272 pages,
book 166: Flame, de hengst van het eiland Azul by Walter Farley, 190 pages,
book 165: Wilhemina Smits by Cynthia Voigt, 234 pages,
book 164: The Lewis Man by Peter May, 448 pages,
book 163: De hardloper by Cynthia Voigt, 211 pages,
book 162: Het verhaal van Dicey by Cynthia Voigt, 238 pages,
book 161: Samen onder dak by Cynthia Voigt, 200 pages,
book 160: Onder de blote hemel by Cynthia Voigt, 216 pages,
book 159: Niemand anders dan ik by Cynthia Voigt, TIOLI #1, 222 pages,
book 158: Het Midden Oosten by Bernard Lewis, TIOLI #10, 422 pages,
book 157: De Rode Pimpernel by Barones Emma Orczy, TIOLI #7, 205 pages,
book 156: Toen de wereld nog jong was Jürg Schubiger, 90 pages,
book 155: Cybele's geheim by Juliet Marillier, 350 pages,
book 154: Bijna jarig by Imme Dros, TIOLI #16, 32 pages,
book 153: Dwaalsporen by Henning Mankell, 539 pages,
book 152: De jongen met de gele ogen by Margaret Mahy, TIOLI #13, 120 pages,
book 151: De trimbaan by Imme Dros, TIOLI #17, 121 pages,
book 150: Overvloed en onbehagen by Simon Schama, 682 pages,
book 149: Het laatste bevel by Peter Aspe, TIOLI #12, 308 pages,
book 148: Na het baden bij Baxter en de ontluizing bij Miss Grace by J.M.H. Berckmans, TIOLI #15, 160 pages,
book 147: Die stad komt nooit af by J.A. Deelder, TIOLI #14, 128 pages,
book 146: De vertrapte pioenroos by Bertus Aafjes, TIOLI #7, 168 pages,
book 145: Oorlog op Kreta '41-'44 by Wes Davis, TIOLI #1, 291 pages,
book 144: De tolbrug by Aidan Chambers, TIOLI #8, 256 pages,
book 143: Orkaan en Mayra by Sonia Garmers, TIOLI #3, 116 pages,
book 142: Het jaar dat de zigeuners kwamen by Linzi Glass, TIOLI #5, 287 pages,
book 141: two editions of De Blauwe Boekanier by Tonke Dragt, TIOLI #2, 64 and 96 pages ,
book 140: Djingo Django by Sid Fleischman, TIOLI #4, 167 pages,
book 139: Een huis met een poort en een park by Henri van Daele, TIOLI #11, 239 pages,
book 138: De ontdekking van de hemel by Harry Mulisch, TIOLI #6, 905 pages,
book 137: De vuurtoren by Jan & Sanne Terlouw, TIOLI #9, 238 pages,

Books read in April 2017 (36 books, 7.825 pages)
book 136: Koude berg : onthechting als weg by Han Shan, 245 pages,
book 135: De stad van goud by Peter Dickinson, TIOLI #5, 216 pages,
book 134: Een stinkdier is een prachtig beest by Daniil Charms, 39 pages,
book 133: Wildewoud by Juliet Marillier, TIOLI #20, 302 pages,
book 132: ... en de zon werd koud by Jean Coué, 125 pages,
book 131: Just kids by Patti Smith, TIOLI #3, 349 pages,
book 130: Tirannen by Aidan Chambers, 141 pages,
book 129: Het geheim van de grot by Aidan Chambers, 100 pages,
book 128: Leven en lot by Vasily Grossman, 959 pages,
book 127: De rode kous by Elfie Donnelly, TIOLI #12, 118 pages,
book 126: Fantoom in Foe-lai by Robert van Gulik, TIOLI #7, 185 pages,
book 125: Aurelio en de wilde hengst by Helen Griffiths, TIOLI #19, 164 pages,
book 124: Dichtbij ver van hier by Tonke Dragt, TIOLI #14, 34 pages,
book 123: De plaats van de ster by Patrick Modiano, TIOLI #14, 155 pages,
book 122: Je moet dansen op mijn graf by Aidan Chambers, TIOLI #17, 239 pages,
book 121: Tot aan het bittere eind by Werner J. Egli, TIOLI #22, 133 pages,
book 120: M-train by Patti Smith, TIOLI #3, 254 pages,
book 119: De weg naar Little Dribbling by Bill Bryson, TIOLI #12, 348 pages,
book 118: Begin een torentje van niks by Ted van Lieshout, TIOLI #15, 30 pages,
book 117: Dan ben je nergens meer by Miep Diekman, TIOLI #9, 160 pages,
book 116: Tobbe by Mikael Engström, TIOLI #16, 260 pages,
book 115: De robot van de rommelmarkt ; Route Z by Tonke Dragt, TIOLI #2, 74 pages,
book 114: Federico by Helen Griffiths, TIOLI #7, 124 pages,
book 113: Jij zegt het by Connie Palmen, TIOLI #21, 268 pages,
book 112: Het einde van de rode mens by Svetlana Alexijevitsj, TIOLI #8, 478 pages,
book 111: Het spookklooster by Robert van Gulik, 181 pages,
book 110: Matilda by Roald Dahl, TIOLI #3, 220 pages,
book 109: Abels eiland by William Steig, TIOLI #12, 113 pages,
book 108: Een grapje van God by Margaret Laurence, TIOLI #5, 218 pages,
book 107: Lieveling, boterbloem by Margriet Heymans, TIOLI #6, 40 pages,
book 106: Een heel lief konijn by Imme Dros, TIOLI #1, 63 pages,
book 105: De poorten van Anubis by Tim Powers, TIOLI #10, 447 pages,
book 104: Boris by Jaap ter Haar, TIOLI #11, 158 pages,
book 103: De levende doden by Keiji Nakazawa, TIOLI #18, 261 pages,
book 102: De boten van Brakkeput by Miep Diekmann, TIOLI #4, 156 pages,
book 101: Oorlog en terpentijn by Stefan Hertmans, TIOLI #20, 334 pages,
book 100: De Cock en de dood van een profeet (De Cock 39) by A.C. Baantjer, TIOLI #13, 134 pages,

Books read in March 2017 (32 books, 7.901 pages)
book 99: De Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall, 287 pages,
book 98: De laatste wildernis by Robert Macfarlane, 351 pages,
book 97: Klokken van Kao-yang (Judge Dee 3) by Robert van Gulik, 239 pages,
book 96: Het zwaard van de Islam by Peter Carter, 252 pages,
book 95: De stenen engel by Margaret Laurence, TIOLI #4, 284 pages,
book 94: De weglopers by Victor Canning, TIOLI #8, 211 pages,
book 93: De dag van de geitenman by Betsy Byars, TIOLI #6, 104 pages,
book 92: De gebroeders Karamazow by F.M. Dostojewski, TIOLI #2, 959 pages,
book 91: Stilte by Shusaku Endo, TIOLI #2, 233 pages,
book 90: De blauwe tweeling (Reders & Reders 4) by Jan & Sanne Terlouw, 285 pages,
book 89: Tegenstroom (DCI Banks 3) by Peter Robinson, 304 pages,
book 88: De gehangene van Dartmoor (Sir Baldwin 3) by Michael Jecks, TIOLI #15, 311 pages,
book 87: Hoe schilder hoe wilder : Haarlem by Miep Diekmann, TIOLI #3, 248 pages,
book 86: Hoe schilder hoe wilder : Leiden by Miep Diekmann, TIOLI #3, 192 pages,
book 85: Het laatste lijk (Cadfael 2) by Ellis Peters, TIOLI #7, 218 pages,
book 84: Blote handen by Bart Moeyaert, TIOLI #14, 94 pages,
book 83: De geest op de rotswand by Ann O'Neil Garcia, TIOLI #14, 146 pages,
book 82: De Boeddha in de wereld by Pankaj Mishra, TIOLI #11, 415 pages,
book 81: Winterdieren by Bibi Dumon Tak, TIOLI #5, 137 pages,
book 80: Zoon (My struggle 3) by Karl Ove Knausgård, TIOLI #15, 443 pages,
book 79: Chocolade oorlog by Robert Cormier, TIOLI #13, 234 pages,
book 78: Boris Beer by Dick Bruna, 25 pages,
book 77: Lieve oma Pluis by Dick Bruna, TIOLI #1, 25 pages,
book 76: Het dansende licht by Tonke Dragt, TIOLI #6, 104 pages,
book 75: Tegenvoeters Bill Bryson, TIOLI #2, 382 pages,
book 74: Aan de rivier by Steven Herrick, TIOLI #12, 234 pages,
book 73: Balthasar by Henri van Daele, TIOLI #9, 116 pages,
book 72: De man in het bruine pak by Agatha Christie, TIOLI #10, 234 pages,
book 71: Rokus en het Tiende Leven by Alet Schouten, TIOLI #8, 92 pages,
book 70: Heraios en de beker by Sacha Burger, TIOLI #2, 231 pages,
book 69: De zwerfkatten by Betsy Byars, TIOLI #7, 105 pages,
book 68: Celia Garth by Gwen Bristow, TIOLI #4, 406 pages,

Books read in February 2017 (34 books, 7.778 pages)
book 67: Kinderverhalen by Mies Bouhuys, 176 pages,
book 66: De Cock en het duel in de nacht (De Cock 38) by A.C. Baantjer, 135 pages,
book 65: Het bittere kruid by Marga Minco, 90 pages,
book 64: De vloek van Woestewolf by Paul Biegel, 135 pages,
book 63: Lang zul je leven : bakerrijmpjes by Ienne Biemans, 43 pages,
book 62: De kleine kapitein by Paul Biegel, 127 pages,
book 61: Nachtlicht (DCI Banks 2) by Peter Robinson, 243 pages,
book 60: Bij nader inzien by J.J. Voskuil, TIOLI #21, 1207 pages,
book 59: The Poet's Dog by Patricia MacLachlan, 88 pages,
book 58: Kwaad bloed by Marita de Sterck, TIOLI #13, 159 pages,
book 57: Laatste verhalen van de eeuw by Paul Biegel, TIOLI #7, 222 pages,
book 56: Heerlijke nieuwe wereld by Aldous Huxley, TIOLI #8, 301 pages,
book 55: Dief van de duivel by Mikael Engström, TIOLI #4, 272 pages,
book 54: Wie is Julia by Alyssa Brugman, TIOLI #5, 195 pages,
book 53: Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín, 316 pages,
book 52: Ver heen by P.C. Kuiper, TIOLI #16, 168 pages,
book 51: Misdaad en straf by F.M. Dostojewski, TIOLI #2, 568 pages,
book 50: Van den vos Reynaerde by Willem, transl H. Adema, TIOLI #11, 127 pages
book 49: Lasse Länta by Cor Bruijn, TIOLI #6, 176 pages,
book 48: Man zonder land by Kurt Vonnegut, TIOLI #9, 143 pages,
book 47: Dromen van mijn vader by Barack Obama, TIOLI #15, 415 pages,
book 46: Lawines razen by An Rutgers van der Loeff, TIOLI #18, 160 pages,
book 45: Walden ; Burgerlijke ongehoorzaamheid by Henry David Thoreau, TIOLI #10, 412 pages,
book 44: De rode prinses by Paul Biegel, TIOLI #20, 128 pages,
book 43: De verjaardag van de eekhoorn by Toon Tellegen, TIOLI #14, 36 pages,
book 42: De verjaardag van alle anderen by Toon Tellegen, TIOLI #14, 112 pages,
book 41: Bajaar by Martha Heesen, 124 pages,
book 40: De eeuwigheid verzameld : Helene Kröller-Müller (1869-1939) by Eva Rovers, 602 pages,
book 39: Overal en nergens by Bill Bryson, TIOLI #19, 287 pages,
book 38: De Cock en de ontluisterende dood (De Cock 37) by A.C. Baantjer, 138 pages,
book 37: Zand erover by Laura Broekhuysen, TIOLI #17, 110 pages,
book 36: Sjanetje by Thea Dubelaar, TIOLI #12, 95 pages,
book 35: Krik by Miep Diekman, TIOLI #1, 174 pages,
book 34: De twaalf rovers by Paul Biegel, TIOLI #3, 94 pages,

Books read in January 2017 (33 books, 9.756 pages)
book 33: In de ban van de ring by J.R.R. Tolkien, 1242 pages,
book 32: Fiona : In koelen bloede by Harry Bingham, 448 pages,
book 31: Fiona by Harry Bingham, 448 pages,
book 30: Het olifantenfeest by Paul Biegel, 112 pages,
book 29: Stille blik (DCI Banks 1) by Peter Robinson, 299 pages,
book 28: Het eiland daarginds by Paul Biegel, 95 pages,
book 27: De mens is een grote fazant by Herta Müller, 126 pages,
book 26: Swing by Paul Biegel, 92 pages,
book 25: Haas by Paul Biegel, 192 pages,
book 24: Liefde (My struggle 2) by Karl Ove Knausgård, 602 pages,
book 23: Anderland by Paul Biegel, 90 pages,
book 22: Het gen: een intieme geschiedenis by Siddharta Mukerjee, TIOLI #3, 666 pages,
book 21: Tussen de wereld en mij by Ta-Nehisi Coates, TIOLI #14, 148 pages,
book 20: 7 jaren van een wielrenner by Herbert Friedrich, TIOLI #17, 366 pages,
book 19: De inspirerende wijsheid van de Dalai Lama by Dalai Lama, TIOLI #12, 191 pages,
book 18: Zout op mijn huid by Benoîte Groult, TIOLI #15, 243 pages,
book 17: Padden verhuizen niet graag by Gerard Brands, TIOLI #13, 120 pages,
book 16: Francesco by Jean Dulieu, TIOLI #7, 167 pages,
book 15: Het knoopjeskabinet by Edmund de Waal, TIOLI #2, 320 pages,
book 14: De aanslag by Harry Mulisch, 256 pages,
book 13: We moeten allemaal feminist zijn by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, TIOLI #1, 64 pages,
book 12: Dokter Zjivago by Boris Pasternak, TIOLI #5, 685 pages,
book 11: Kikker in de kou by Max Velthuijs, TIOLI #9, 28 pages,
book 10: Ik maak nooit iets mee by Guus Middag, TIOLI #8, 132 pages,
book 9: Een goudvis van tweeduizend pond by Betsy Byars, TIOLI #6, 107 pages,
book 8: Hidden Doe : Wij zijn Mesquakie, wij zijn één by Hadley Irwin, TIOLI #18, 122 pages,
book 7: De donkere kamer van Damocles by Willem Frederik Hermans, 335 pages,
book 6: Het veterdiploma by Wiel Kusters, TIOLI #19, 47 pages,
book 5: Onvoltooide geschiedenis by Boualem Sansal, TIOLI #4, 251 pages,
book 4: De wervelstorm by Ivan Southall, TIOLI #16, 178 pages,
book 3: Nachtverhaal by Paul Biegel, TIOLI #11, 159 pages,
book 2: Oorlog en vrede 2/2 by Leo Tolstoj, TIOLI #10, 769 pages,
book 1: Oorlog en vrede 1/2 by Leo Tostoj, 756 pages,

Books aquired in 2017: 19

May 2017
Ravenzwart, Shetland book 1 by Ann Cleeves, e-book
Witte nachten, Shetland book 2 by Ann Cleeves, e-book
Blauw licht, Shetland book 4 by Ann Cleeves, e-book
Mijn naam is Bud by Christopher Paul Curtis

April 2017:
Verontwaardiging by Philip Roth
De boerderij der dieren by George Orwell

March 2017:
Verzamelde werken 2 : Gedichten by Boris Pasternak
Het nieuwe vogels kijken by Kester Freriks
Makkelijk leven by Herman Koch
De moeder van Nicolien by J.J. Voskuil
De klokkenluider van de Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo

February 2017:
Bajaar by Martha Heesen (e-book, Gouden Lijst 2012)
Kwaad gesternte by Hannah van Binsbergen (VSB Poëzieprijs 2017)
Tussen de wereld en mij by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Walden ; Burgerlijke ongehoorzaamheid by Henry David Thoreau
Tegen verkiezingen by David van Reybrouck
The Poet's Dog by Patricia MacLachlan
Binnen de huid by J.J. Voskuil
Terloops : Voettochten 1957-1973 by J.J. Voskuil

Books culled in 2017: 42

Reading plans in 2017

I have a large collection of mostly awarded childrens & YA books. At the moment I am reading the books I haven't read since joining LT, mostly alphabeticly, to decide wich to keep. The ones not to keep are donated to a library in Rotterdam (where we lived until 2005).
I started in 2016 with 803 books, now down to 727 books (on 31 May: 79 culled).

I will try to read more of my own books, of the 244 books I have read in 2016 83 were own and 161 from the library.

I join the TIOLI (Take It Or Leave It) challenges each month.

And I try to read a Russian classic each month mostly from our Russian Library editions.

Reading plans in June 2017

June TIOLI reads all done

Series I read, mostly mysteries, a list to keep track

Armand Gamache by Louise Penny 4/4 (others not translated)

Bernie Gunther by Philip Kerr 3/11
1 Een Berlijnse kwestie; 2 Het handwerk van de beul; 3 Een Duits requiem
4 De een van de ander (library); 5 Een stille vlam door (library); 6 Als de doden niet herrijzen (library); 7 Grijs verleden (library);
8 Praag fataal (library); 9 De man zonder adem (library); 10 De vrouw van Zagreb (library); 11 De schaduw van de stilte (library)

Broeder Cadfael by Ellis Peters 5/20
1 Het heilige vuur; 2 Het laatste lijk; 7 Het vege lijf; 11 Een hard gelag; 13 Een witte roos
3 Het gemene gewas (library); 4 De kwade knecht (library); 5 De eenzame bruid (library); 6 De kille maagd (library);
8 De duivelse droom (library); 9 De gouden speld (library); 10 Een wisse dood (library); 12 De ware aard (library);
14 Het stille woud; 15 De laatste eer (library); 16 Het rechte pad (library); 17 Een zijden haar (library);
18 Een lieve lust; 19 De heilige dief (library); 20 De verloren zoon

De Cock by A.C. Baantjer 39/70

Cormoran Strike by Robert Galbraith 3/3

DCI Banks by Peter Robinson 3/22
1 Stille blik; 2 Nachtlicht; 3 Tegenstroom
4 Zondeval (e-book, library); 5 Schijnbeeld (library); 6 Woensdagkind (library); 7 Zwanenzang (library);
8 Innocent Graves not translated; 9 Dead Right not translated; 10 Verdronken verleden (e-book, library);
11 Kil als het graf (library); 12 Nasleep (library); 13 Onvoltooide zomer (library); 14 Vuurspel (library);
15 Drijfzand (e-book, library); 16 Hartzeer (library); 17 Duivelsgebroed (library); 18 Overmacht (library);
19 Uitschot (library); 20 Dwaalspoor (library); 21 Dankbare dood (library); 22 Slachthuisblues (library)

Erlendur Sveinsson by Arnaldur Indriðason 14/14

Fiona Griffiths by Harry Bingham 2/2

Flavia de Luce by Alan Bradley 2/5
1 De smaak van venijn; 2 Het stroeve touw
3 De kunst van het liegen (library); 4 De show van je leven (library); 5 Slotakkoord voor een moord (e-book, library)

Konrad Sejer by Karin Fossum 3/12
1 Eva's oog; 2 Kijk niet achterom; 3 Wie de wolf vreest
4 De duivel draagt het licht (library); 5 De Indiase bruid (library); 6 Zwarte seconden (library); 7 De moord op Harriet Krohn (library);
8 Een andere voorkeur (library); 9 Kwade wil (e-book, library); 10 De waarschuwer (e-book, library); 11 Carmen Zita og døden (no Dutch translation);
12 Veenbrand (library)

Kurt Wallander by Henning Mankell 6/12
prequel De jonge Wallander; 1 Moordenaar zonder gezicht; 2 Honden van Riga; 3 De witte leeuwin; 4 De man die glimlachte; 5 Dwaalsporen
6 De vijfde vrouw (e-book, library); 7 Midzomermoord (e-book, library); 8 De blinde muur (e-book, library);
9 Voor de vorst (e-book, library); 10 De gekwelde man (e-book, library); 11 Wallanders wereld (e-book, library)

Mijn strijd (My Struggle) by Karl Ove Knausgård 4/6
1 Vader; 2 Liefde; 3 Zoon; 4 Nacht
5 Schrijver (e-book, library); 6 Vrouw (e-book, library)

Nic Costa by David Hewson 10/10

Rechter Tie by Robert van Gulik 4/18
1 De vergiftigde bruid; 3 Klokken van Kao-yang; 4 Fantoom in Foe-Lai; 10 Het spookklooster
2 Labyrinth in Lan-Fang; 5 Meer van Mien-yuan (library); 6 Nagels in Ning-Tsjo (library);
7 Zes zaken voor Rechter Tie (library); 8 Vijf gelukbrengende wolken (library); 9 Het rode paviljoen;
11 De parel van de keizer (library); 12 De nacht van de tijger; 13 Het Chinese lakscherm (library); 14 Het wilgenpatroon;
15 Moord in Canton (library); 16 Het spook in de tempel (library); 17 Halssnoer en kalebas (library); 18 Moord op het maanfeest (library)

Reders & Reders by Jan & Sanne Terlouw 6/6

Sir Balwin by Michael Jecks 4/8
1 De laatste tempelridder; 2 De heks van Wefford; 3 De gehangene van Dartmoor; 4 Het mooie lijk
5 Het lijk zonder hoofd (e-book, library); 6 Het zevende gebod (e-book, library);
7 De dood van de erfgenaam (e-book, library); 8 Moord in het klooster (e-book, library)

Yashim Togalu by Jason Goodwin 4/4

My readings in previous years

252 books read in 2016/1, 2016/2, 2016/3, 2016/4, 2016/5, 2016/6
  28 books read in 2015
  17 books read in 2014
  12 books read in ROOT 2013
  50 books read in 2012/1, 2012/2, 2012/3
  81 books read in 2011/1, 2011/2
120 books read in 2010/1, 2010/2, 2010/3, 2010/4
  78 books read in 2009/1, 2009/2
129 books read in 2008

Happy new thread, Anita!

That's a staggering amount of reading in 5 months Anita. I don't think I ever read more than 100 books in a year. Usually I read between 60-85 a year.

>11 harrygbutler: Thanks Harry!

>12 Caroline_McElwee: Yes it is staggering, Caroline, only a few years back (2013) I struggled to read one book a month... After that I was happy when I could read 75 books a year again. Then last year July my readings suddenly went up very fast so I am enjoying it as long as it lasts :-)

>Happy new thread Anita, and enjoy your reading!

Happy new thread, Anita.No sign of your reading slowing down, I am pleased to see.

Happy new thread, Anita! You are an amazing reader this year--long may it last! I love your topper photos.

Happy new thread!! You seem to do quite well managing your book time. ; )

>15 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul, I am still reading fast and very happy about it :-)

>16 ronincats: Thanks Roni, it still amazes me how easy reading goes now, compared with previous years. Giacometti made a lot of beautiful sculptures.

>17 Berly: Thanks Kim, no job is the main part of having a lot of time to read ;-)

Happy New Thread, Anita.

I love those Giacometti toppers.

Happy new thread, Anita!

>19 jnwelch: Thanks Joe, happy you love them too.
You have seen many nice arte lately :-)

>20 scaifea: Thanks Amber, happy Thursday!

book 175: Blauwzuur by Arnaldur Indriðason
from the library, translated from Icelandic, mystery, no English translation yet, 283 pages
TIOLI June #4: Read a book with no more than 10 words on the front cover

Set in WW II, we follow the first police investigator of Iceland named Flóvent and Thorson, from the American militairy police. Thorston is a "West Icelander", his parents emigrated to Canada and he is added to the militairy police because he speaks Icelandic. We have met these two before in The Shadow District, where part of the story was set in the same time.
A man is found shot to death in an appartment in Reykjavik. The weapon used is one like the American soldiers use. It turns out the dead man was a salesman, who died in the appartment of an other salesman with German connections. Slowly we find out what is going on.

A new book by Arnaldur Indriðason is always a treat!

Hello Anita! Your threads grow so fast and you read such a great variety of books! I haven't read all the messages because there are so many, but I love the art pictures. I will have to come and see the land art in your region.

I wish you a very happy June!

Happy new thread! I got super excited by >22 FAMeulstee: Then realised you'd pointed out it's not translated yet. Boo! Hurry up British publisher!

>23 Sakerfalcon: Hi Claire, I don't mind if you only come to see the pictures ;-)
We will gladly give you a land art tour in our province.

>24 charl08: Thanks Charlotte, it was published in Iceland in 2015! So we waited a while, I am sorry you have to wait even longer... crossing fingers you can get an English translation soon.

Hi Anita, Happy new thread my dear and great thread topper photos dear friend, hope you are having a good week and send love and hugs.

Happy new thread!

>26 johnsimpson: Thanks John!
I am glad you like the toppers, we had a good time there in 2009.
We have a good week, the temperatures have been to hight, but seem to go down to normal temparatures soon.

>27 humouress: Thanks Nina!

book 176: De langschepen by Frans Gunnar Bengtsson
from the library, translated, historical fiction, English translation The Long Ships, 574 pages
TIOLI June #2 Read a book in which an important character has red hair

I found this book on the threads of Deborah (arubabookwoman) and Lucy (sibyx).

Set in the 10th century, we follow the adventures of Red Orm, a viking, who travels all over Europe. From his home town to France, Spain, the Mediterranean Sea, England, Danmark, and even through Eastern-Europe. His adventures are told with humor. Meanwhile we get a good view on 10th century life and the rise of both christianity in the northern parts of Europe and islam in the south.

Books were very rare in the 10th century, as they had to be written by hand. Here a quote about a learned old man: "He collected books his whole life, and owned over seventy". I am sure we all are glad printed books are available to us now ;-)

A very good read, I enjoyed traveling with Red Orm and all others!

Happy new thread, Anita! I look forward to seeing the Giacometti exhibition at Tate Modern with Genny and Heather on the 13th, and I'll probably check out the one at the Gagosian as well.

Hi There Anita. I hope you are well. How I long to go to the Tate Museum to see the Waterhouse painting The Lady of Shalot. I'm told it is rather large and takes up a whole wall.

Hi Anita,
Happy new thread, and happy reading!
I saw a Modigliani exhibition a few years back and was really impressed by how cool the sculptures are in person. :)

>30 kidzdoc: Thanks Darryl, I hope you'll enjoy the exhibitions.
Happy stay in London!

>31 Whisper1: Thanks Linda, so good to see a message from you!
Here all is well. I know you love that painting, we only went to the Giacometti exhibit, maybe we can visit the pre-raphaelites some other time.

>32 LovingLit: Thanks Megan, thread and reading both doing well ;-)
Yes, that is with almost all art, in real they are better. Although I am glad you can look up a lot on the internet, the real thing is always more impressive.

Hi Anita and happy New Thread!

Thanks for the link for the Black Stallion group reads. I'll have to see what I can find. I almost hate to revisit them now since I loved them so much as a kid. What was the term here on LT a while back? The Suck fairy? Where you revisit something you loved from an earlier time, to find the suck fairy has sucked all the goodness away .... I'd hate for that to happen ...

>34 streamsong: Thanks Janet!
I enjoyed most of them, when I read the first 10 books again in 2014. Parts of the stories are dated, but that isn't someting that bothers me. Only a few book I liked less (3* ratings), but then I realised those were never my favorite books of the series. So no Suck Fairy for me ;-)
You could try the first one...

book 177: De Wilg aan het Begin van de wereld by Alet Schouten
own, Dutch, YA, stories, no translations, 101 pages
TIOLI June #1: Read a book with a food *embedded* in the title

Stories how mankind spread on the earth and fictional legends from all over the world.

Alet Schouten is one of my favorite Dutch authors. This one isn't her best, some stories were very good, other not so.

Oh, Anita, you are such a reading woman! I wish I could even reach half your level. I also wish I could catch up with your last thread, but it can't happen. Good thoughts to you anyway!
Anyway, I have Lewis Man on the way and look forward to getting to it soon.

book 178: De verschrikkelijke man uit Säffle by Maj Sjöwall & Per Wahlöö
from the library, translated from Swedish, police mystery, English translation The Abominable Man, 208 pages
TIOLI June #6: Read a book in which a sport is mentioned on page 99

I only started reading police procedurals & mysteries last year, so this is my first Martin Beck.
Usually I start with the first book in a series, but someone else listed this one in a TIOLI challenge where I had trouble finding a book.

The story starts with the murder of a man, who is in hospital. It is the former, now retired, policeman Nyman. He was a very old school policeman, started his career in the militairy and proud of his harsh methods. Martin Beck and his collegues try to find out who might have murdered him.

I very much enjoyed my first Martin Beck book. I have watched many episodes on TV, they are good too, but I think a book is always better :-)

>37 LizzieD: Hi Peggy, so nice to see you here!
I know chatching up can be difficult, I don't mind just happy you left a note!
I hope you like The Lewis Man as much as I did and I finished The Chessmen a few days ago and that one was equally good!

>38 FAMeulstee: The book is definitely better! Hope you find the rest too. I had fun wandering around Stockholm recognising get street names from the series.

>41 FAMeulstee: Thanks Charlotte, so I should read all Martin Beck books before I ever travel to Stockholm ;-)

>41 FAMeulstee: Oh no, plenty more to recommend Stockholm, Anita!

Have fun reading the Martin Beck series Anita. They're worth it. I do think there is some development in characters and relationships for the main characters between books. So it's nice to begin at the first book, I think, but not necessary.

Congrats on your shiny new thread, Anita. I love the topper. Giacometti's sculptures are alway wonderful. Happy Sunday.

>42 charl08: We have no immediate plans, Charlotte, so I have time to read all about Stockholm ;-)

>43 EllaTim: Thanks Els, this one was very good, so I think I will enjoy the others. It helped that I have seen the Martin Beck TV series.

>44 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara. Shared love for Giacometti's works :-)
Happy Sunday to you too!

book 179: En Appels aan de overkant by Henri van Daele
own, Dutch, YA, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1992, no translations, 397 pages
TIOLI June #5: Read a book where changing one letter in the title still makes the title make sense

In his last school years, Henri finds out he wants to be a writer. First he writes some stories in the local paper, his first book is published when he is 16 years old, just before his final exams.

Autobiographic story about the youth of the writer in the 1950s in Flandres.

Anita, as always I am so impressed with you! You speak languages and can even write in those languages, you read so many books each year; you have overcome many emotional bumps in the road of life; you are kind and loving; and that is only a few of the things I like and admire about you my friend!

>47 Whisper1: Thanks Linda, you are so kind. The admiring is mutual!

>29 FAMeulstee: I am going to have to track down a copy of that one as my local library does not have it yet. Thanks for the reminder, Anita!

ETA: I just double checked the library's collection and it does have a copy. Not sure I will be able to get hold of it for this month's TIOLI though due to the recent fire.

>46 FAMeulstee: Which letter in the title can you change to still make it make sense? Dropping the S in Appels maybe?

Hi, Anita! A little late to the party but Happy New Thread. Hope you are doing well and I hope your books are treating you fine.

>49 alcottacre: Doesn't matter when you read it, Stasia, it is a good book and it will wait for you!

>50 sirfurboy: You van change "aan" into "van": En Appels aan de overkant - En Appels van de overkant".

>51 msf59: Thanks Mark, a little late can happen when I start a new thread while you are away ;-)
We are well, preparing our next trip, in a week we will be in Kassel (Germany) for a week.

>38 FAMeulstee: I have never read a single Martin Beck novel. I do feel a bit bad about that (Maj Sjöwall & Per Wahlöö started the crime genre in Sweden so it does feel like something I should read) but we're so awashed in martin Beck that I'm quite frankly sick of him. The TV-movies are constantly on TV - when one run ends they just start over again. Same thing happens with Wallander.
Have you watched the original film version of the book, from the 70's? It was directed by one of the greatest Swedish directors of all time (Bo Widerberg) and has an amazing cast list, including Eva Remaeus (who every Swede knows primarily from the amazing kids TV show she co-created and starred in.)

Happy new week, Anita. I just saw a documentary about Hessen last night. In Kassel there should be some famous trick fountains in a big park.

>52 FAMeulstee: Ah yes, of course :)

>53 PawsforThought: I can understand your feelings, I avoid books that are overexposed or pushed too much.
No, I haven't watched the film version, only the TV series that are no longer based on books, just the character Martin Beck.

>54 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara, I remember the big park from our visit to Kassel 25 years ago, will be looking for the fountains this time.
We planned this trip to visit the (14th) Documenta, the big modern art exhibition that is held every 5 years.

>55 sirfurboy: You are welcome :-)

book 180: Ravenzwart by Ann Cleeves
own, e-books, translated, mystery, original title Raven Black, 286 pages
TIOLI June #12: Read a mystery/thriller with a bird in the title or author's name

First book of the Shetland mysteries, with police detective Jimmy Perez as main character.
A girl is found death near the house of a local eccentric, Magnus Tait. He was the suspect years ago when an other young girl went missing. The whole island community is sure Magnus has killed twice...

A very good mystery and plot, combined with the nice setting in an isolated community, where everyone knows everyone.

>56 FAMeulstee: Yeah, overexposure is a certain book killer for me. I haven't seen that movie version either, but I'm a big fan of Widerberg so might make time for it this summer.

Happy that you're happy with M. Beck, Anita! I'm also happy that they are standing the test of time - I thought they would.
Meanwhile, I haven't read Anne Cleeves and keep thinking that I will. As you said to Stasia, the book will wait for me.

>58 PawsforThought: Someday I might look for that movie version, but not very soon after reading the book.

>59 LizzieD: Happy that you are happy with me being happy with Beck ;-)
Yes, Peggy, the book did stand the test of time. Some things would be different now, like no mobile phones back then...
The first Shetland book adds well to my present interest to mysteries. I barely can believe I never read a mystery before 2016!

book 181: Steeds verder weg : de verzamelaar op reis by Boudewijn Büch
from the library, non-fiction, Dutch, travel, no translations, 247 pages
TIOLI June #15. Read a book in with a collector as a character or real person if non-fiction or with collector in the title

Boudewijn Büch never traveled to tourist places, he traveled after his obsessions, like the worlds longest fence (Australia), forgotten Emperors (Pedro II of Brazil, Norton I of the USA and the Emperor of Patagonia) and the place where Napoleon IV died (South-Africa). Back home he wrote nice stories about them and catalogued the books he found on his way.

book 182: Hellehonden by Jan & Sanne Terlouw
from the library, Dutch, mystery, 6th book of Reders & Reders, no translations, 255 pages
TIOLI June #13: Read a book written by two or more authors as a collaboration

The sixth and last book with Job Reders and his daughter Leonie, who solve mysteries.
A body is found without the head near the place where Leonie works. With her father she tries to figure out what happened, meanwhile more men are murdered.

The story is set in Twente, written in cooperation with the tourist office of Twente. Leonie and Job find a lot of touristic attractions on their path. Sometimes these are interesting facts, but other times these make the story a bit forced.

book 183: De verloren brief aan Thomas Mann by Maxim Biller
found on the thread of Forthwith, from the library, translated from German, English translation Inside the head of Bruno Schulz, 62 pages

Bruno Schultz (1892-1942) lived in the Polish (now Ukranian) town Drohobycz, and wrote a (lost) letter to Thomas Mann in 1938. Maxim Biller rewrote this letter. Schultz wants help from Thomas Mann to get his writings published, and he feels the foreshadow of the Nazi's.

Hey Anita good to see your reading continues at such a good rate. I didn't know there was a 1970s version of the Beck books, will look for that.

>61 FAMeulstee: I liked his TV series very much, his original ideas, like the series where he visited islands. They were aired some time ago of course, but I'd love to see some reruns.

Happy June, Anita! :)
Enjoy Kassel, I've been there only once for the Documenta in.. errrr... 1989. :)
The region is interesting if I remember well, many forests, and isn't it where some of the Grimm tales originated?

I'm so glad you liked The Long Ships. It's a wonderful book.

How large are the Giacometti's you saw? Years ago (the late 1960's) I saw a Giacometti exhibit in London and as I recall most of the pieces were in the 3-4 foot range (1 meter or a little more). Then when I was in Paris in April, I saw a Giacometti at the Pompidous which was around 7 feet (2+ meters). I was surprised it was so large.

>64 charl08: Neither id I, Charlotte, but it sounds good.

>65 EllaTim: I watched many of Boudewijn Büchs TV shows, Els, both his book & travels shows.
It is a pity his library was sold after his death. Last year a biography was published, I hope to read it soon.

>66 Deern: Thanks Nathalie, wish you a good and happy June too!
That must have been 1987 or 1992, as the Documenta is held every 5 years and we were there in 1992.
We have a holliday home in a small village near Kassel, somewhere in the forrests. I am not sure about the Grimm tales.

>67 arubabookwoman: Thanks to you I found it, Deborah, and I am very glad I read it as it was a great read.

Later in life Giacometti made the larger ones. For lack of money he couldn't afford to make large bronze statues earlier in life. There are very few of those large ones.

Enjoy Kassel, Anita, somewhere in the forests, sounds great. And Grimm tales and forests have something in common;)

book 184: Het grauwe huis by Charles Dickens
from the library, translated, original title Bleak House, 709 pages
TIOLI Challenge June #14: Read a book in which you learn the price of a beverage

Aftre reading Great expectations last year, and NOT liking it, I decided to avoid Dickens.
But then there was a TIOLI challenge and this one fitted, so I thought, lets give Dickens a second chance...

Well it wasn't any better to me, so now I am definitely done with Dickens!

>69 EllaTim: Thanks Els, we will enjoy.
I won't think too much about Grimm when we walk in the forrest ;-)

>70 FAMeulstee: Have you tried A Tale of Two Cities, Anita? In my experience that's the Dickens novel for people who don't like Dickens.

>70 FAMeulstee: I suspect Dickens is an acquired taste Anita, quite a British taste I suppose. Of the four I've read, David Copperfield was my favourite, and due a reread. I certainly want to read more.

>70 FAMeulstee: My own favourite Dickens is Oliver Twist, but agree with others that he can be an acquired taste. I also wonder whether Dickens in translation might lose some of the humour, as he is not averse to wordplay that might not always translate well.

>73 Caroline_McElwee: >74 sirfurboy: I don't think I agree that Dickens is an acquired taste. Or maybe his more "difficult" novels (like Bleak House and A Tale of Two Cities) might be but not the "poor boy" ones (Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Nicholas Nickleby, etc.). At least not in my experience. The complaints I've heard about Dickens hasn't been that he's difficult to start enjoying, but rather that he's a bit repetitive (the poor boy-schtick) and predictable.

>72 harrygbutler: Thanks Harry, for now I am done with Dickens, but if I ever consider him again (in some years or so) I will keep that one in mind ;-)

>73 Caroline_McElwee: There are many Brittish writers I do love, Caroline, just Dickens and me are no match ;-)

>74 sirfurboy: That could be, but there was a lot that was funny. And I do like most of the content... just not a likable read.

>75 PawsforThought: That is true, Paws, repetive and fairly predictable, but both not always a problem with other writers...

My eldest sister died today, 62 years old.

We were not on speaking terms, but I am so sorry for my parents, who have lost a child again... Not even a year after the death of my brother last year July...

So sorry to hear of your loss, Anita. Thinking of you, and your parents, at this time.

>77 FAMeulstee: I'm sorry to hear of your family's loss, Anita. Wishing comfort to all.

Oh my, Anita. Very sorry to hear about your eldest sister passing - that's such a young age these days. And so soon after your brother's death. That must be very hard for you. My sympathy.

I'm so sorry to hear the news of your sister's death Anita. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts.

Sorry to read of your loss. Sending my sympathy to add to the collective LT virtual hug.

Anita, that is a loss no parent should have to endure. My condolences

So sorry to hear of your loss my dear, we both send you our condolences dear friend.

I'm very sorry to hear that Anita, my sympathy to you and your parents.

I'm so sorry, Anita! My sympathy to you and your family.

Karen O.

I am very to hear about your sister, Anita. 62 is far too young. Deepest condolences.

So sorry.

Also sorry to hear of your sister's death, Anita. My condolences to your parents and to you as well, even if you were not in contact with her.

>77 FAMeulstee: Oh, Anita, I am so sorry for you and your family! *HUGS!*

Sorry to hear about your sister.

Sorry to hear about your sister. It's always tough when that happens, and it isn't easy just because you're not in contact.

>78 sirfurboy: - >92 PawsforThought:
Thanks Furboy, Harry, Joe, Caroline, Charlotte, Shelley, John, Els, Karen, Mark, Jim, Roni, Sara, Rhonda and Paws.
Your messages mean a lot to me.

My father is heartbroken. I am not sure how much my mother can comprehend as she has no present time memory left.
I feel a little sad, but my eldest sister, Jeannette, and me never had much with eachother. We were 8 years apart and with 3 siblings between us. I was at elementary school when she went to university and left home.
She lived in a small commune together with my other sister and two others.

Sorry to hear about your sister Anita.

It can be difficult if there a gap Anita. I'm very lucky in that I'm close with both my siblings, both younger. I speak with them every week, and see them most months. My sister and I now have a ritual week away together over my birthday, which is lovely. And my bro and I try to meet for supper every couple of months.

Your dad has a lot to deal with if your mum has memory problems.

>70 FAMeulstee: I didn't mind A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations wasnt bad either, but I found both a tad *thick* on words....a friend of mine reminds me that he was paid by the word, so didn't skimp in that department!

Eta: Sorry, too hasty in my posting, I carried on reading after the Dickens post and realised you have suffered as loss in the family, Im sorry to hear that, and hope you are doing OK.

:(

>94 SandDune: >96 LovingLit: >97 beeg: Thanks Rhian, Megan and Brenda.

>95 Caroline_McElwee: Yes it is, Caroline, with my remaining brother I always had a good relationship. We don't see eachother often, but I know it is always good between us. He lives closer to my parents and does a lot for my father at the moment.
My mother was taken into a nursing home two months back, as my father could no longer take care of her. She is very angry about that and my father feels very guilty about it...

>96 LovingLit: That is a nice expression, "thick on words", he surely was.

There are some bizarre developments concerning the death of my sister...

I haven't been in contact with my oldest sister in over ten years, when she went to live with my other sister.
They follow some strange vegetarian diet and are against every kind of non-herbal medicines.

My father told me yesterday that the others never called a doctor when she was ill, only after she died. The doctor found it a suspicious death, the police was called and the others were taken in for interrogation. A necropsy wil be done...
My father thinks they just left her dying... at recent pictures I have seen she was awfully thin.

I am confused and feel terribly sorry for my father. We will visit him tomorrow, as we leave for Germany next Monday and I want to see him before we leave.
Sorry, for scarcely visiting other threads now...

Sorry to hear that Anita. Glad you will see your dad before you travel. Don't worry about the threads. We'll be here when you get back.

Sorry to hear about the complications Anita. I hope your dad holds it together. I guess where your sister is concerned, we have to let adults make their own decisions as far as possible. But guilt has a habit knocking at the door anyway.

Enjoy your trip to Germany.

>100 charl08: Thanks Charlotte, I tend worry about everything now... it is just the confusion. Will be back at the threads after our vacation, or during vacation if I have time and good internet connection :-)

>101 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks Caroline, I agree, adults should make their own decisions, but I understand my father feels otherwise now. He thinks my sister should have seen by a doctor and that she might have lived.

No news today, we will visit my father tomorrow and then vacation!
I hope this whole ordeal will be over when we return home next week....

I did finish 3 books the last two days....


book 185: Candy, kom terug by Meindert DeJong
own, translated, YA, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1973, original title Hurry home, Candy, 142 pages
TIOLI June #9: Read A Book Whose Title Contains At Least One Word Beginning With The Letter C

Puppy taken in by family without sense of responsibility, gets lost. After a year as a stray the dog finds nicer people.

Most man are okay, woman are not nice and only good to keep the house. Only the dog parts were somewhat readable...



--

book 186: Aan de verkeerde kant van de aarde by Jean Fritz
own, translated, YA, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1994, original title Homesick : my own story, 186 pages
TIOLI June #10: Read a book where a character travels from one country to another

Autobiographic, the writer was born and spended the first 12 years of her life in China, where her father was a missionary. She describes her last year in China and her first time in the USA.



--

book 187: Arenden vliegen alleen by Tonny Vos-Dahmen von Buchholz
own, Dutch, YA, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1975, no English translation, 160 pages
TIOLI June #16: Read a book with a flying word in the title

Sven Haraldson originally came from Ireland. He lived some years on Walacra (see De Wiking van Walacra), but when the locals turned against him he fled. For 10 years he joined other Vikings, but now he wants to settle somewhere. He finds a place on the Channel Islands.

Anita--I am sorry to hear about your sister. And I feel for you father. Hooe you have a good visit with him tomorrow. : (

I have loved every Dickens I ever read. Just saying.

Have a great time on your vacation!!

Anita, my condolences on your sister's death. I'm sorry to hear about the complications as well.

Hope you have a great time in Germany - where in Germany are you going?

I've been meaning to read Ann Cleeves for some time now - sounds like I would enjoy her books.

Sorry to read of your sister's death. Hope you are doing ok!

I'm so sorry to hear of your sister's death and your father's heartbreak. Your family has had to endure so much. Many hugs.

I'm really impressed that you've powered your way through Bleak House!

I've been working on this one for several months - I should finish it this week. It took me the longest time to get into the story, but with a hundred pages to go, I'm finally there.

I try to read some of the titles from the 1001 list and the combined list of the various editions has 10 of Dickens' books listed, tying with J.M. Coetzee for most books listed. So I've tried to give him a fair try. If karenmarie continues to do her one Dickens a year group read, I'll consider him again next year, depending on which title she chooses.

But I'm not rushing out to read another one either.

Have a wonderful trip. You've earned some time off and I look forward to your photos.

Hi Anita, I hope you have had a good weekend despite your recent loss my dear and hope you have a lovely trip to Germany dear friend.

Thanks Kim, Robin, Chelle, Janet and John.

I am glad some of you do like Dickens! ;-)

We visited my father today and learned that my sister starved to death, the whole group stopped eating some time ago as they seem to believe the light of the sun gives enough to survive... with the death of my sisiter as a result, she weighed less than 30 kilo's at her end :'(
I am completely blown away by this, what did they think???? On the other hand I think people have the freedom to do what they want in life, as long as they don't hurt others, so if my sister took this path by her own free will, it was her right to do so.

Her death even made some papers, I didn't know how to share the news on FB, so now I shared the paper article (in Dutch) and added that it concerned my sister.

Tomorrow at 11:00 (in about 12 1/2 hours) we leave for Kassel, now I am going to pack for me and Ari.

>99 FAMeulstee: That is a very sad story, Anita. I hope your father will be OK.

Hugs aplenty from here for you all.

>109 FAMeulstee: I read an article about people who had the same thought about the sun, and I'm sorry to hear your sister's death was the result of such misinformation.

And I LOVE Dickens, but I can understand why some people don't.

>109 FAMeulstee: such a sad end Anita. It's bound to take a while to process, don't forget to take some time and be kind to yourself. I hope your trip will help with that.

>110 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul, hugs greatly appriciated. They even tried to take my mother in... of course my father refused. But it is not the nice and quiet old age I had wished for my father.

>111 PawsforThought: Thanks Paws, so there are more like that around... it is sad, but you can't stop some people believing the strangest things.

>112 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks Caroline, I am glad to leave all this behind for a week. I know my brother supports my father and will help him in any way he can.
All the nice messages here do help too.

Anita--I know you weren't that close with your sister recently, but it still has to be awful to go through this, to learn about how her life ended. Again, my sympathies to you and yours. Enjoy your escape. Big hugs.

I am so sorry to hear about the death of your sister at such a young age. Now that the circumstances of her death are being discovered, it must be extra difficult to deal with. My sympathies to you and your family.

Anita - I feel so sad for your father, with another child lost so soon, and under such awful circumstances, and at the same time dealing with a wife having a difficult condition. The poor man. I'm glad you were able to visit him before your vacation began. My condolences to your family.

Hey Anita. Just to add I am thinking of you and the family.

Just catching up here Anita. I'm so sorry to hear of the details of your sister's death - so very shocking and sad. I'm glad that you know your brother will take care of your father while you and Frank are away, and I hope you have a good time in Kassel. I look forward to hearing about it, as my grandfather came from there.

Hi Anita.

I'm back after a month in California. Mom's mail is forwarded, her safe deposit box permanently closed, and the house on the market. Back to retirement!

I'm so sorry to hear about your sister's death. Even if you are estranged, she was your sister, and in addition to upsetting the family, it's just too soon after your brother's death.

Please accept my condolences. Hugs to you, Frank, and Ari.

Sending my condolences to you and your family!
What a shocking and extra-sad way to die. I read about that movement somewhere, but honestly I thought it was a joke/ exaggerated. I believe it was in a Rüdiger Dahlke (I think he is famous in German speaking vegan circles, I quite hated his book) book about "normal" veganism and it was mentioned as a sideline only. I remember reading and not believing that "only sunlight" meant actually "only sunlight".

Then my documenta must have been in 1987. I thought it was in 12th grade, but then it must have already been in the first half of 11th grade when I was 16. I had to take the day off school to go there with a friend, and documenta (curlture!!!) was a very valid excuse.
Wishing you a lovely time in Kassel! :)

Anita, I'm just now reading about your sister. I'm so sorry and I'll be keeping you and your family in my thoughts.

I have a similar relationship with my two sisters, who are 20+ years older than I, so I understand your feelings a bit, maybe. Big hugs to you, at any rate.

You're still in my thoughts, Anita. I am completely at a loss for words. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it all. Lots of hugs and love for you and your family!

Hi, Anita. Just checking in. I hope you and your family are doing well. Miss you.

Hi Anita! What Mark said. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

>109 FAMeulstee: oh my goodness. What a tragedy for you and the family to hear about the strange plan to live from the suns rays. My word. It is hard to understand how they could think this, but as you say- if it were her choice to do this, you can take solace that she would have been sure of her plan, and perhaps even found comfort in it.
I hope you are finding comfort in some rest time, and books - which are so useful for distraction at tough times.

Hi Anita, I hope you and yours are doing well. Thinking of you. Love and hugs xx

Missing you this week, Anita, but of course I am hardly surprised that you have had the time to post here with the situation with your father and esp your sister.

Take good care of yourself. Love and hugs aplenty from Malaysia. xx

Stopping by to catch up, only to read your very sad news. My deepest condolences to you and your family during what must be a very difficult time as you deal with this loss.

Thanks everyone, I will respond to you all individually tomorrow.

We are just home from a week in Kassel (Germany), where we visited the Documenta 14.

Hi Anita!

Hugs to you, Frank, and Ari.

>114 Berly: Thanks Kim, it took some days before I really realised what had happened... I was glad we already planned the trip to Kassel.

>115 arubabookwoman: Thanks Deborah, it is hard to understand why...

>116 countrylife: Thanks Cindy, my father needs all the support he can get. My brother and some uncles and aunts help him as much as we can.

>117 charl08: Thank you Charlotte.

>118 Sakerfalcon: Thanks Claire, it was shocking and very sad...
I have uploaded all the pictures of our stay in Kassel at FB. The Documenta was impressive.

>119 karenmarie: Hi Karen, I am glad to hear you are back home and hope your mom's house will be sold soon.
Thank you, dealing with this is harder than I thought it would be, I need some time to come to terms with it...

>120 Deern: Thanks Nathalie, I understand you didn't believe only sunlight would do... I wouldn't either.
In the past week I gained 2 kilo, I just HAD to eat a lot! Both Franks parents barely survived the "Hunger winter" in 1944, so he was raised with "you die when you don't eat". It is totally incomprehensable to him.

>121 scaifea: Thanks Amber, the gap between you and your sisters is even larger. Your hugs are very much appriciated!

>122 saras.library: Thanks Sara, I feel the same, can't understand it at all.

>123 msf59: Thank you Mark, I am back now :-)

>124 karenmarie: Thanks Karen, back after a week vacation.

>125 LovingLit: Thanks Megan, it seems there are more people around who think they can survive on sunlight...
Reading time has dropped, not only because of our vacation, but my head is still too much busy with processing all that has happened.

>126 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara, back home safe. I wish for some cooler weather...

>127 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul, we were a week on vacation in Kassel (Germany). My father is still heartbroken, he didn't attend the funeral, as he wanted to avoid my other sister. I hope he can come to terms with it all...

>128 lkernagh: Thank you Lori, there has been a lot of sadness and loss for us in the past year... :-(

>130 karenmarie: Thanks again Karen, much appriciated!

Hi Anita, nice to see you back. Wishing you all the support, and also for your father.

>135 EllaTim: Thanks Els, it is good to be home again.

Some pictures of Documenta 14:

 

 

 

Wow, Anita, I had not heard of this exhibit but it looks very moving and powerful. I have googled the home website and will read more about it. The pictures you posted in >137 FAMeulstee: are amazing.Thank you.

Glad you are home now

>138 jessibud2: Thanks Shelley, it was a great exhibit. Very politically engaged: about refugees, war, looting, human rights. No art because of the art, but mostly artists with a statement. We were both very glad we went to see it.

>138 jessibud2: I second that. Wonderful exhibit. The first picture is a very fitting statement.

>140 EllaTim: Thanks Els, it was an exhibition with a clear statement.

Hello Anita, I hope your holiday was relaxing. The exhibit you saw looks incredible. I am sorry to read about your sister. I know it must be a lot to take in. Best wishes to your family, especially your father.

Oh, Anita - I am so sorry about your sister. What an awful way to die, and so incomprehensible. How is your father doing? He has so much on his plate, he must be a strong man, but it's good he has you and your brother to help support him.

I loved the photos you posted of that exhibit on human rights. As others have said, the first image is fitting and powerful, and so is the third, though people seldom realize it until it's too late. Thank you for sharing.

>29 FAMeulstee: Book bullet!

>38 FAMeulstee: I read the Martin Beck novels back in the 80s, long before Scandi crime was a thing or Beck adaptations were all over the place, and I loved them. I also loved the Van der Wetering crime novels set in Amsterdam (and one, if I remember correctly, in Maine in the U.S.) that I read around the same time. Have you read any of that series, featuring Dutch detectives Grijpstra and de Gier?

>72 harrygbutler: I second Harry that A Tale of Two Cities is really good. That and A Christmas Carol are the only Dickens I've read.

>142 nittnut: Thanks Jenn, we were very glad we already planned this holiday. So we got a little break of the madness...
Looking at art is always comforting.

>143 Storeetllr: Thanks Mary, my father is very sad and confused... My brother will be away on holiday for 4 weeks next month, we will try to step in for that time.
The Documenta 14 was a great exhibit. I am glad to share some of it with you all.
I think I read the first ten Grijpstra & de Gier books by Janwillem van de Wetering somewhere in the 1980s.

book 188: Kroniek van een aangekondigde dood by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
own, translated from Spanish, English translation Chronicle of a death foretold, 105 pages
TIOLI June #8: Read a book whose title suggests gruesome possibilities

17 years after Santiago Nasar was murdered, the narrator tries to understand what happened.
The whole village knew that the Vicario brothers were after him, but no one interfered.

Very good read.

book 189: Het mooie lijk by Michael Jecks
from the library, e-book, mystery, Sir Baldwin 4, original title The Crediton Killings, 312 pages
TIOLI June #8: Read a book whose title suggests gruesome possibilities

Fourth Sir Baldwin book, in 14th century England Sir Baldwin and bailiff Simon Puttock solve mysteries.
A sustainable amount of silver is stolen and a young woman is murdered. Then more murders occur. Sir Baldwin and Simon Puttock (who just lost his young son) have trouble solving this one.

book 190: De blikken trommel by Günter Grass
own, translated from German, English translation The Tin Drum, 638 pages
TIOLI June #7: Read a book where the ending has been changed

Oskar Matzerath tells the story of his life from a psychiatric hospital.
Born in 1924 and already fullly concious in the womb and in his first years, Oscar decides on his 3rd birthday he doesn't want to become a grown up and decides he stops growing. He also got a tin drum on this birthday. So he becomes an eternal 3 year old little drummer boy.
Oskar can play his drum magicaly and with his voice he ca break glass. The last ablity is used as soon as someone want to part him from his tin drum. Living in Danzig (now Gdansk) in the 1930 the rise of the Nazi's, Kristallnacht and the occupation of Poland come sparcely by. In WWII he joins a dwarf troop who play for soldiers. After the war he and his family escape to West-Germany and live in Düsseldorf. Eventually he becomes a big star.

A great read, both funny and heart-wrenching at times.

>147 FAMeulstee: On the must read list, although never quite got there yet Anita. I didn't know the ending was changed. Can I ask why? Or does it not say?

>148 charl08: In the movie the ending was changed, Charlotte. We were allowed to use a different movie ending ;-)
The movie ends about ten years earlier than the book, but the movie is awsome too!

Thanks Anita. I didn't know there was a film!

>147 FAMeulstee: This one is still on the to-be-read list for me. Nice to see you gave it 5 stars.
Gives me some incentive to really try to pick it up. (sometime)

>150 charl08: So go and see it, Charlotte, after you have read the book :-)

>151 EllaTim: It was a great read, but not an easy one.
It took me ages... well 8 days for one book is a long time for me ;-)

>152 FAMeulstee: I was afraid of that. Well 8 days would be great for me!

>153 EllaTim: But it was totally worth the time!

I loved The Tin Drum, too, Anita. They also made a good movie of it.

>155 jnwelch: I saw the movie long before I read the book, Joe.
Fortunately I remembered almost nothing from the movie, except that it was great, so the book was a completely new experience.

>137 FAMeulstee: I LOVE these photos, Anita!

Glad to see you posting again. We miss our pals.

>157 msf59: Thanks Mark, it was a great exhibition. I posted the most "bookish" pictures here.
Yes, it was hard, a week without LT.

>147 FAMeulstee: I have started Die Blechtrommel - The Tin Drum - in German. I actually started it well over a year ago and think I bit off more than I can chew with this one as it is a long novel, and the language is challenging. Or moreso I think the whole concept is challenging. The first operson narration is unreliable and sometimes even slips into third person mid paragraph, leaving me confused as to whether I understood the passage at all, and certainly none to clear on what is meant.

That is not a criticism of the work, though, which is a marvellous piece that I would love to finish. It is just that my German was not up to this one. I may yet finish it eventually. I hope I do, but it is long and slow going so it won't be any time soon.

Hi Anita - so sorry to read about your sister, very sad.

The Documenta 14 exhibition looks very interesting

Hi Anita!

>147 FAMeulstee: I've added this to my wishlist.

I hope you're having a wonderful Friday and I'm sending best wishes for a great weekend.

>159 sirfurboy: It is a challenging book, even in translation.
Oskar is an unreliable narrator and he speaks about himself as "I & me", but frequently skips to "Oskar, him & he". Maybe easier in English translation?

>160 avatiakh: Thanks Kerry, I am still a bit confused by her death, many unanswered questions.
The Documenta 14 was great, we were glad we visited this exhibition.

>161 karenmarie: I hope you like it, Karen, when you get to it.
Uneventful Friday, I am home with Ari. Frank went to Rotterdam, for a night out with a friend. He stays overnight and will be home tomorrow.

book 191: In plaats van een vader by Kerstin Thorvall
own, YA, translated from Swedish, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1981, no English translation, 99 pages
TIOLI June #17: Read a book with a "father" word in the title or author's name

Magnus was born when his mother was only 16 years old. The first years of his life he lived with his mother at his grandparents house. But now they finally have a place for their own.
Then his mother falls in love with Leffe, at first Magnus is a bit jealous. Later he starts to like him. But Leffe has been in jail and was released a year early, on condition he doesn't drink alcohol. The first months with the three of them are great, but then Leffe starts to drink again and becomes a whole different (and not so nice) person.

book 192: De brug van San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder
own, translated, awarded, Pulizer Prize 1928, original title The Bridge of San Luis Rey, 144 pages
TIOLI June #11: Read a book from the Shakespeare & Company bookshelves

On a fatal day in 1714 an old bridge between Lima and Cuzco (Peru) breaks and 5 people die. Brother Juniper is a witness of the disaster and he decides to find out all about the lives of these 5, to find out why they died there.
So we get the description of the lives the victims led before the fatal accident. Knowing their faith, the stories have a tragic tone, you almost wish you had known them...

The question why that person, when an accident has happend, or any other way someone's death can be called premature, always comes up. Was it fate, was it predestination, or someting else. The book doesn't really answer the question, but makes you think about it.
Wrestling with similair questions myself, this was a timely read.

>164 FAMeulstee: I read that one many years ago. I think I was in middle school at the time and was surprised it wasn't what I thought it would be. I probably ought to consider reading it as an adult.

>165 thornton37814: I had never read it before, Lori, although it has been on our shelves for over 2 decades.
Some books turn out different if you re-read years later.

book 193: Mijn naam is Bud by Christopher Paul Curtis
own, YA, translated, awarded, Newbery Medal 2000, original title Bud not Buddy, 192 pages
TIOLI June #3: Read a book you've had to wait at least a month to get

Flint, Michigan in the 1930s, after his mother died, Bud stayed in an orphanage and various foster homes. When he is beaten up in his latest foster home, he decides to run away to find his father. He mother left him some clues about a man and Bud thinks he must be his dad.

Despite the troublesome times the story is set, a very good and uplifting story.



And with this book I finish my 6th TIOLI sweep this year :-)

>164 FAMeulstee: I think that you liked The Bridge of San Luis Rey more than I did, Anita.

Have a wonderful weekend.

>168 PaulCranswick: You didn't like it, Paul?
I looked for it, but you didn't rate The Bridge of San Luis Rey...

Have a wonderful weekend too, Paul, and enjoy the end of Ramadan.

Hi Anita! Hope things are looking up for you and you enjoy your weekend!

I just read My Name is Bud and also thought it very good!

Hi Anita! that looks like a great exhibit.
Count me as a Dickens lover. I sobbed that last time I read the end of Tale of Two Cities.

>109 FAMeulstee: Oh, Anita, my heart breaks. It is difficult to try to understand the mindset of others. I'm thinking of you.

O Anita, my condolences. I read about your sister in the papers. I'm thinking of you and your father.

Hi Anita!

We read The Bridge at San Luis Rey for book club almost 2 years ago and I loved it.

I hope you're having an enjoyable Sunday.

Big hug!

>170 ChelleBearss: Thanks Chelle, we had a nice day out, as it was Franks last day of his holiday, back to work. Pictures will follow.

>171 ronincats: Thanks Roni, I am glad you have read it & enjoyed it too!

>172 banjo123: Yes, it was a great exhibit, Rhonda.

>173 Whisper1: Thank you Linda, it is incomprehensable to me...

>174 DianaNL: Thanks Diana, I was surprised how much coverage it got in the papers.
We haven't heard if they are going to be prosecuted because of neglect.

>175 karenmarie: Thanks Karen, I was pleasantly surprised by The Bridge at san Luis Rey.
We went to Harlingen today, an old, small city in the north of our counrty. It was the last day of Franks holiday, it is back to work for him on Tuesday.

>176 beeg: Thanks Branda, hugs back to you and your daughter.

Hi Anita, hope you have had a really good weekend my dear and send love and hugs dear friend.

>179 johnsimpson: Thanks John, we had a very good weekend. Yesterday we went to Harlingen in the afternoon. A small old city in the north of Friesland.

Yesterday was the last day of Franks 2 week holiday. We have two "projects" going: 1. visiting all places that once were harbors of the Zuiderzee; 2. visiting the various landart of our province (Flevoland). We did one of both.

We went to Harlingen, that still has a harbor at the sea. It is the birthplace of the writer Simon Vestdijk. The center is full with old houses, many were build in the 17th centure and beautiful restored. Some new houses in between, that match the old ones.
In the center a statue of "Anton Wachter" a famous main charater in some of Vestdijks novels. A small footpath along a canal is named after the writer.

 
left: Frank and Ari next to the Anton Wachter statue; right: the old townhouse of Harlingen

 
left: two statues in a window ; right: street art for Joe :-)

 
left: the lighthouse of Harlingen; right: Statue of Ir Lely on the Afsluitdijk

We drove back over the Afsluitdijk, visited the statue of Lely (above) and visited Exposure by Anthony Gormley on our way back home.
 

More pictures on my Facebook page.

Glad you both had a good holiday Anita.

>192 karenmarie: Thanks Caroline, so were we ;-)

For the last two weeks a Oehoe (eurasian eagle-owl) resides in our neighborhood and I spotted it today!!! Such an impressive bird!
(this is the one, not my picture, I hope to take a picture in the next days)

>181 FAMeulstee: Hi, Anita! Sounds like a fun day.

>183 FAMeulstee: Congratulations on the eagle-owl sighting — that's an impressive-looking bird!

Hi, Anita.

>183 FAMeulstee: Wow, that is one regal bird! I'd not seen an eagle-owl before.

>183 FAMeulstee: oh he's handsome Anita. I have a soft spot for owls.

Beautiful bird. Thanks for sharing. Love the art from your trip too. There is a new Weimar art exhibition open in Tatenhill Liverpool, I am hoping to go soon :-)

>183 FAMeulstee: Wow! I want to see it too..

I can see that it would feel at home. In Maastricht they live in a stone quarry, that roof does look a bit like that.

>183 FAMeulstee: I can not see the eagle owl. Wah!!

>184 harrygbutler: Thanks Harry, we had a good day Sunday.
The eagle owl is a rare bird over her and so beautiful!

>185 jnwelch: Thanks Joe, I only saw them before in a zoo.

>186 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks Caroline, owls have something special.

>187 charl08: Thanks Charlotte, a beautiful and impressive bird.
I hope you get a chance to see that exhibition soon.

>188 EllaTim: Thanks Els, most thought it would only stay for a short while, but it is still around.

>189 msf59: Can you see it now Mark?

Hi Anita!

>183 FAMeulstee: I'm glad you've gotten to see the one in your neighborhood.

>181 FAMeulstee: It's a good idea, to visit all the places that were harbors of the Zuiderzee. I was in Hoorn today, nice place as well. Harlingen I know only from the ferry to Terschelling. But it looks like it was worth a visit.

>192 karenmarie: Thanks Karen, I hoped to see it again yesterday, as Frank was with me, but no luck.

>193 EllaTim: Yes, Hoorn is on our list too. Harlingen was very nice, it the only place that still has a sea harbor. It reminded Frank a bit of Zierikzee (he went to highschool in Zierikzee).

Reading is still a bit slow, but I finished two books.
No in the mood to write reviews, so I just list them here:


book 194: Spoo Pee Doo by Dimitri Verhulst
own, Dutch, no translations, 155 pages
#14: Read a book in which you learn the price of a beverage



--


book 195: Schrijver by Karl Ove Knausgård
from the library, e-book, autobiography, English translation Some Rain Must Fall : My struggle book 5, 636 pages

>183 FAMeulstee: Yes, I can see the eagle-owl now and it is a beauty. Wow!

Happy Wednesday, Anita. I hope the week is going well.

I still plan on reading My Struggle: Book One this summer, but with my latest batch of new books, this could be tough.

>196 msf59: Yes, it is beautiful, Mark, and very large.

I have only the last My Struggle book left now, that one is over 1000 pages, so I don't know yet when I start reading it.

The week is going well, Frank is back to work. I am still confused about my sisters death, can't imagine how someone decides to stop eating and starve to death. I find myself eating all the time as a reaction...
My readings have dropped a bit this month, mostly because we were away a week and I didn't read much the time we were in Germany.

It's not surprising your sister's death is playing on your mind, especially with the unusual circumstances Anita. I know you didn't spend much time with her, but was she someone who didn't get great pleasure in life? Most of us have low periods, but the wonder of the universe will ultimately bring us back to joy.

Your sister's death is so tragic and frankly bizarre, that it's no wonder you're still having such a dramatic reaction. Time, of course, will take some of the edge off. Be kind to yourself, Anita, as you continue to process how this could have happened.

Your 'dropped' reading pace cracks me up, my dear, because at 195 books you've so far read twice what I hope to read in the entire year. I hope you can get back in the groove soon.

>198 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks for asking, Caroline, I am afraid she didn't have much joy in her life.
Like me she struggled with depression for most of her life. I was treated, she wasn't as she refused to take anti-depressants. Over here psychatric help comes always with medicines. So when she got very bad twelve years ago she decided to go and live with my other sister en let her help her out.

>199 karenmarie: Thank you Karen, for saying the right words to me. Time will take the edges off, and for now I have to accept that I am in the middle of processsing it all.
LOL, how soon we get used to things, only a year ago I was only hoping to read 75 books in a year ;-)

I started with a comment about Red Orm ... but then I learned about your sister's death and that made it hard to concentrate on books. I am so sorry. Sending you my warmest thoughts.

>201 sibylline: Thank you Lucy, it was hard when we found out how she died...

I am still happy to have found Red Orm on your thread, as it was a very good read!

book 196: De GVR by Roald Dahl
own, YA, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1984, original title The BFG, 210 pages
TIOLI June #15. Read a book in with a collector as a character or real person if non-fiction or with collector in the title

One night the orphan Sophie is taken by a giant. She is afraid the giant is going to eat her, but it turns out he is a friendly giant. And so the adventure starts.

I love the books Roald Dahl wrote for children, Matilda still is my favorite, but The BFG was also a very good read.

book 197: De griezels by Roald Dahl
own, YA, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1982, original title The Twits, 80 pages

The Twits are a nasty couple, bullying eachother and others. A funny book with excellent illustrations by Quentin Blake.

Not as good as Matilda or The BFG still an enjoyable read.

Roald Dahl is good, isn't he. My first by him was James and the Giant Peach that was published, in dutch of course, in childrens magazine, Okki. I loved it!

book 198: Wiele wiele stap by Miep Diekmann
own, YA, awarded, Gouden Griffel & Gouden Penseel 1978, no translations, 32 pages

Rhymes for small children, with matching illustrations by The Tjong Khing.

Some things are outdated now, but I can imagine to read this out loud to toddler.

>205 EllaTim: Yes, he is very good, Els, I have two more, The witches and The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More, waiting to be read next month :-)

book 199: De rommelkist van grootvader by Elfie Donnelly
own, translated, YA, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1980, English translation So Long Grandpa, 110 pages
TIOLI June #17: Read a book with a "father" word in the title or author's name

Michaels grandfather lives in the same house, Michael loves to spend time with his grandfather. His grandfather has many books, glasses and other things he collected through his life and he can tell awesome stories. But grandfather has cancer, Michael doesn't really understand what that means.

Good story about how to deal when a loved one is going to die. I loved how the relationship between Michael and his grandfather was described.

Although reading has been a bit less this month (26 books instead of 32 or more), I am on track for 200 books and 50.000 pages halfway the year. I only have to finish one more book tomorrow that has at least 192 pages.

I am reading Zondeval (The Hanging Valley), DCI Banks 4, with 269 pages it will get me a bit over 50.000 pages.

Wow, that is a lot. You're going strong, in spite of the difficult times you've been having. And book nr 200 seems like a good read.

>210 EllaTim: I have never read this much in the first half of the year. Well maybe when I was young, but I didn't keep records back then.

>211 FAMeulstee: No I can imagine it's a first, 200 books! Pssst, it's called a 75 books challenge;)

I might have read a lot when I was young as well. Two books a week from the library, and another two for my sister. But lots of rereads as the library was a bit small. But keeping records for them wouldn't have entered my mind in a million years.

>211 FAMeulstee: I had a tiny notebook (about a third of paperback size) that I wrote mini reviews when I was 11, for about 6 months. I found it a few years ago and chucked it out I think. It wasn't exactly good writing ("I liked this book: 5*s")!

>204 FAMeulstee: (and others): I love Roald Dahl. I read through nearly all his books as a child. I remember being particularly taken by James and the Giant Peach, and Danny, the champion of the world, although the great glass elevator certainly excited my imagination too.

>212 EllaTim: LOL, I know my average over the past 9 years is 85 books a year ;-)
I read even more from the library back then, went almost every day for my two books. My biggest complain was that I could not return books on the same day.

>213 charl08: How sweet, Charlotte! It was nice you found it back.
I never thought of keeping a record of my readings until I found LT.

>214 sirfurboy: I only read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as a child, all others later in life.

book 200: Zondeval by Peter Robinson
from the library, e-book, translated, mystery, DCI Banks 4, original title The hanging valley, 269 pages

Fourth DCI Banks book, set in the late 1980s, in Yorkshire.
Near the village Swainshead a decaying corpse is discovered, in a valley above the village. Five years before someone was murdered in the same village, that case was never solved. It takes some time to identify the corpse, as the villagers aren't very helpfull. Inspector Banks travels to Canada and Oxford to solve the murders.

I still like DCI Alan Banks, and the fact there are many more books in this series :-)

Congratulations on reaching 200 books read my dear.

Wow...congratulations on reading 200 books in the first half of the year, Anita! I hope to finish my 30th book of 2017 later today.

>216 FAMeulstee: I read the first in the DCI Banks series so I have many more to read. That one is #4 so I have 2 more to read first.

>216 FAMeulstee: Two hundred is quite a total, Anita. Congratulations!

>167 FAMeulstee: Bud, Not Buddy is such a great story. My 10 year old has to read it this summer for his school reading list. I think he'll enjoy it. Congratulations on the TIOLI sweep!!

>183 FAMeulstee: What a gorgeous owl! How fun to have an owl neighbor.

Wow!! 200 books!

>217 johnsimpson: Thanks John, my total since 2008 is now 920 books, so I'll probably reach 1000 this year :-)

>218 kidzdoc: Thanks Darryl, it is an amazing gift to be able to read this much. You know how I struggled reading a few years back.

>219 thornton37814: There are 23 DCI Banks books listed on LT, Lori, so we both have lots to go.

>220 harrygbutler: Thanks Harry, I hope to double that at the end of the year ;-)

>221 nittnut: Thanks Jenn, I hope your son is going to enjoy it too.
It is a beautiful bird. I haven't seen it again, I hope it didn't leave our neighborhood.

June 2017 stats

26 books read (6.592 pages)

16/10 own/library
6/20 Dutch/translated
25/1 fiction/non-fiction

11 childrens/YA
7 e-books
21 TIOLI books

--

First half of 2017 stats:

200 books read (50.077 pages)

131/69 own/library
72/123/3 Dutch/translated/English
175/25 fiction/non-fiction

104 childrens&YA
32 e-books
142 TIOLI books

>222 FAMeulstee:, That's impressive Anita, 1,000 books in nine years my dear.

Hi Anita! Congratulations on such a fantastic reading year so far and I hope you're doing well, all things considered.

>225 johnsimpson: Thanks John, almost 10 years, but most of it I have read last and this year.

>226 karenmarie: Thanks Karen, reading still goes well and all other things... take time to deal with.