Anita (FAMeulstee) reads on in September 2017 (10)

More landscape art from Flevoland: Aardzee (Earth Sea, 1982) by Piet Slegers

With 5 hectares, Aardzee is one of the largest artworks in the Netherlands. It is accessable by two footbridges. Gently sloping embankments are spread across the landscape, like roling waves. The artwork refers to transformation of the wild waves of the Zuiderzee into the flat polder-landscape.

left: aerial view some years back; right: footbridge, entrance to the land-art
 

left: the pond is the only flat part of Aardzee; right: it has been neglected, weeds everywhere between the stones and on the pathways
 

We went there on the 18th of August, just in time as it turned out, as five days later all the trees were removed. This winter new trees will be planted, the artist ment to have fairly low (max 7 meters) trees in this land-art.

total books read in 2017: 337
own 185 / 134 library / 18 BolKobo+

total pages read in 2017: 82.931
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Books read in September 2017 (35 books, 9.498 pages)
book 337: Het meisje met het rode haar by Theun de Vries, 494 pages, , msg 238
book 336: Mannen leggen me altijd alles uit (Men explain things to me) by Rebecca Solnit, 158 pages, , msg 232
book 335: Graaf in Moskou (A gentleman in Moscow) by Amor Towles, 461 pages, TIOLI #15, , msg 225
book 334: Paulus de hulpsinterklaas by Jean Dulieu, 78 pages, , msg 220
book 333: Vuurspel (Playing with Fire, DCI Banks 14) by Peter Robinson, 361 pages, , msg 219
book 332: De tolk van Java by Alfred Birney, 541 pages, , msg 206
book 331: De parel van de keizer (The Emperor's Pearl, Judge Dee 8) by Robert van Gulik, 161 pages, , msg 204
book 330: Poppenhuis (The House of Dolls) by David Hewson, 382 pages, , msg 197
book 329: De Cock en 't wassend kwaad (De Cock 43) by A.C. Baantjer, 134 pages, , msg 189
book 328: Mee met Aeneas by Imme Dros, 212 pages, , msg 188
book 327: Reizen met Charley (Travels with Charley) by John Steinbeck, 253 pages, TIOLI #13, , msg 182
book 326: En een tijd van vrede by Imme Dros, 134 pages, , msg 164
book 325: Het oneindige verhaal (The Neverending Story) by Michael Ende, 391 pages, TIOLI #1, , msg 163
book 324: De vier geschriften van de Gele Keizer (The Yellow Emperor's four canons) by the Yellow Emperor, 239 pages, TIOLI #8, , msg 158
book 323: Termietenheuvels in de savanne (Anthills of the Savanna) by Chinua Achebe, 285 pages, TIOLI #3, , msg 153
book 322: Religie voor atheïsten (Religion for Atheists) by Alain de Botton, 317 pages, , msg 146
book 321: Ik heet Karmozijn (My name is Red) by Orhan Pamuk, 523 pages, TIOLI #8, , msg 140
book 320: De huiveringwekkende mythe van Perseus by Imme Dros, 93 pages, TIOLI #5, , msg 138
book 319: Woeste hoogten (Wuthering Heights) by Emily Brontë, 351 pages, TIOLI #9, , msg 119
book 318: De Oostakkerse gedichten by Hugo Claus, 71 pages, TIOLI #16, , msg 118
book 317: De laatste dagen van Floris V by Renée Vink, 260 pages, TIOLI #12, , msg 117
book 316: Hee meneer Eland by Eva Gerlach, 47 pages, TIOLI #15, , msg 116
book 315: Een koning voor de Dalriaden (The Mark of the Horse Lord) by Rosemary Sutcliff, 297 pages, TIOLI #3, , msg 95
book 314: Aardzee (The Earthsea Trilogy) by Ursula LeGuin, 492 pages, TIOLI #14, , msg 94
book 313: Het koningsboek (Codex Regius) by Arnaldur Indriðason, 283 pages, , msg 84
book 312: Warenar by P.C. Hooft, 96 pages, , msg 78
book 311: Montalbano en het verdwenen kind by Andrea Camileri, 146 pages, , msg 76
book 310: Onvoltooide zomer (The summer that never was, DCI Banks 13) by Peter Robinson, 398 pages, TIOLI #6, , msg 69
book 309: Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë, 296 pages, TIOLI #10, , msg 67
book 308: Het dovemansorendieet by Maarten 't Hart, 163 pages, TIOLI #2, , msg 62
book 307: Decamerone by Giovanni Boccaccio, 791 pages, TIOLI #7, , msg 58
book 306: Hamlet by William Shakespeare, 179 pages, TIOLI #11, , msg 50
book 305: Jesse 'ballewal-tsjí' by Harm de Jonge, 108 pages, TIOLI #13, , msg 46
book 304: De eerste zaak van Montalbano (Montalbano's First Case) by Andrea Camileri, 180 pages, TIOLI #4, , msg 37
book 303: De reizen van de slimme man by Imme Dros, 123 pages, TIOLI #5, , msg 21

Reading plans in September 2017:

TIOLI September 2017: all planned reads done, sweep :-)

Books read in August 2017 (56 books, 11.871 pages)
book 302: Water is gevaarlijk by Tonke Dragt,
book 301: Een halve gele zon (Half of a Yellow Sun) by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,
book 300: De moeder (Mother) by Maxim Gorky,
book 299: Dood van een maestro (Death in La Fenice) by Donna Leon,
book 298: Tilt by Michiel Stroink,
book 297: Morgen ga ik naar China by Imme Dros,
book 296: Dit is het huis bij de kromme boom by Imme Dros,
book 295: Roosje kreeg een ballon by Imme Dros,
book 294: De o van opa by Imme Dros,
book 293: Wat niemand weet by Tonke Dragt,
book 292: Annetje Lie in het holst van de nacht (Annelie in the depths of the night) by Imme Dros,
book 291: Het gevaarlijke venster, twee verhalen uit het rijk van Unauwen by Tonke Dragt,
book 290: De kleine Brief voor de koning by Tonke Dragt,
book 289: Nasleep (Aftermath, DCI Banks 12) by Peter Robinson,
book 288: De aankomst (The Arrival) by Shaun Tan,
book 287: Het verborgen leven van bomen (The Hidden Life of Trees) by Peter Wohlleben,
book 286: De Cock en de sluimerende dood (De Cock 42) by A.C. Baantjer,
book 285: Regels van de zomer (Rules of Summer) by Shaun Tan,
book 284: Terug (Return) by Aaron Becker,
book 283: Zoektocht (Quest) by Aaron Becker,
book 282: Aan de andere kant van de deur by Tonke Dragt,
book 281: Het geheim van de klokkenmaker by Tonke Dragt,
book 280: De ijsmakers (The Ice-Cream Makers) by Ernest van der Kwast,
book 279: Dolfijn en zeemeermin by Robert Lowell,
book 278: Trash by Andy Mulligan,
book 277: Halssnoer en kalebas (Necklace and Calabash, Judge Dee 7) by Robert van Gulik,
book 276: Verhalen van de tweelingbroers by Tonke Dragt,
book 275: De geheime tuin (The Secret Garden) by Frances Hodgson Burnett,
book 274: Het transgalactisch liftershandboek (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) by Douglas Adams,
book 273: Het vuur van de zon (To Spoil the Sun) by Joyce Rockwood,
book 272: Oblomow by I.A. Gontsjarow,
book 271: De bergreis by Theun de Vries,
book 270: Het gemene gewas (Monk's Hood, Cadfael 3) by Ellis Peters,
book 269: De rechter en zijn beul (The Judge and His Hangman) by Friedrich Dürrenmatt,
book 268: De diddakoi (The Diddakoi) by Rumer Godden,
book 267: Judas by Amos Oz,
book 266: Kil als het graf (Cold is the Grave, DCI Banks 11) by Peter Robinson,
book 265: Blauw licht (Blue Lightning, Sheltand 4) by Ann Cleeves,
book 264: De Cock en de dode meesters (De Cock 41) by A.C. Baantjer,
book 263: De vrolijke revolutie by Fons Strijbosch,
book 262: De adelaar van het negende (The Eagle of the Ninth) by Rosemary Sutcliff,
book 261: Op reis (Journey) by Aaron Becker,
book 260: De smalle weg naar het verre noorden (The Narrow Road to the Deep North) by Matsuo Basho,
book 259: De smalle weg naar het verre noorden (The Narrow Road to the Deep North) by Richard Flanagan,
book 258: De wraak van Flame, de hengst van Azul (The Island Stallion's Fury) by Walter Farley,
book 257: De Soul Brothers en Sister Lou (The Soul Brothers and Sister Lou) by Kristin Hunter,
book 256: De vuurbewoners (The fire-dwellers) by Margaret Laurence,
book 255: James Brown : op zoek naar de Godfather of Soul (Kill 'Em and Leave) by James McBride,
book 254: De gelukkige krijgers (The Happy Warriors) by Halldór Laxness,
book 253: De blauwe maansteen by Tonke Dragt,
book 252: Verdronken verleden (In a Dry Season, DCI Banks 10) by Peter Robinson,
book 251: Haat die kat (Hate that cat) by Sharon Creech,
book 250: Waar het licht is (All the Bright Places) by Jennifer Niven,
book 249: Blindeman (Hide & Seek, John Rebus 2) by Ian Rankin,
book 248: Kat & muis (Knots and Crosses, John Rebus 1) by Ian Rankin,
book 247: Wij houden van Tsjernobyl (Voices from Chernobyl) by Svetlana Alexievich,

Books read in July 2017 (46 books, 11.485 pages)
book 246: Verdriet is het ding met veren (Grief is the Thing with Feathers) by Max Porter,
book 245: De Finklerkwestie (The Finkler Question) by Howard Jacobson,
book 244: Hou van die hond (Love that dog) by Sharon Creech,
book 243: Meer van Mien-yuan (The Chinese Lake Murders, Judge Dee 3) by Robert van Gulik,
book 242: Tijgereiland by Daan Remmerts de Vries,
book 241: Het complete Rekelboek by Koos van Zomeren,
book 240: Lange maanden by Imme Dros,
book 239: De zonderlinge geschiedenis van Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) by R.L. Stevenson,
book 238: Het Chinese lakscherm (The Lacquer Screen, Judge Dee 3) by Robert van Gulik,
book 237: Zwanenzang (Dry Bones that Dream, DCI Banks 7) by Peter Robinson,
book 236: Het mes dat niet wijkt (The Knife of Never Letting Go) by Patrick Ness,
book 235: Grootvaders reisdoel (When grandfather journeys into winter) by Craig Strete,
book 234: Engelse rozen (David Austin's English Roses) by David Austin,
book 233: Max Havelaar by Multatuli,
book 232: Het herdersleven (The Shepherd's Life) by James Rebanks,
book 231: De een van de ander (The One from the Other, Bernie Gunther 4) by Philip Kerr,
book 230: De Aran-eilanden (Stones of Aran: Pilgrimage) by Tim Robinson,
book 229: Kind van sneeuw (The Snow Child) by Eowyn Ivey,
book 228: De Cock en kogels voor een bruid (De Cock 40) by A.C. Baantjer,
book 227: Tot de honden komen (Dog Boy) by Eva Hornung,
book 226: Uitgestoten (Outcast) by Rosemary Sutcliff,
book 225: Lengtegraad (Longitude) by Dava Sobel,
book 224: De 100-jarige man die uit het raam klom en verdween (The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared) by Jonas Jonasson,
book 223: Kleurenblind (Born a Crime) by Trevor Noah,
book 222: Woensdagkind by (Wednesday's child, DCI Banks 6) Peter Robinson,
book 221: De heksen (The witches) by Roald Dahl,
book 220: 1984 by George Orwell,
book 219: Witte nachten (White Nights, Shetland 2) by Ann Cleeves,
book 218: De jonge prinsen by Guus Kuijer,
book 217: Rashomon en andere verhalen (Rashomon and Other Stories) by Ryûnosoke Akutagwa,
book 216: Schijnbeeld (Past reason hated, DCI Banks 5) by Peter Robinson,
book 215: Moenli en de moeder van de wolven by Klaus Kordon,
book 214: Jeugdherinneringen by J.J. Voskuil,
book 213: De derde man (The Third Man) by Graham Greene,
book 212: Geen bloemen by Lévi Weemoedt,
book 211: De honden (The Dogs) by Allan Stratton,
book 210: De vijfde vrouw (The Fifth Woman, Wallander 6) by Henning Mankell,
book 209: Soldaat Peaceful (Private Peaceful) by Michael Morpurgo,
book 208: Hij heette Jan (A Night in Distant Motion) by Irina Korschunow,
book 207: Bonfire, zoon van de Zwarte Hengst (The Black Stallion's blood bay colt, The Black Stallion 6) by Walter Farley,
book 206: Zout van de zee (Salt to the Sea) by Ruta Sepetys,
book 205: Reis met een ezel door de Cevennen (Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes) by Robert Louis Stevenson,
book 204: Het wonderlijke verhaal van Hendrik Meier (The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar) by Roald Dahl,
book 203: Haringen in sneeuw by Remco Ekkers,
book 202: Waar is onze moeder (Please Look After Mom) by Kyung-Sook Shin,
book 201: Anna Karenina by L.N. Tolstoj,

Books read in June 2017 (26 books, 6.592 pages)
book 200: Zondeval (The Hanging Valley, DCI Banks 4) by Peter Robinson,
book 199: De rommelkist van grootvader by Elfie Donnelly,
book 198: Wiele wiele stap by Miep Diekmann,
book 197: De griezels (The Twits) by Roald Dahl,
book 196: De GVR (The BFG) by Roald Dahl,
book 195: Schrijver (Some Rain Must Fall, My Struggle 5) by Karl Ove Knausgård,
book 194: Spoo Pee Doo by Dimitri Verhulst,
book 193: Mijn naam is Bud (Bud not Buddy) by Christopher Paul Curtis,
book 192: De brug van San Luis Rey (The bridge of San Luis Rey) by Thornton Wilder,
book 191: In plaats van een vader by Kerstin Thorvall,
book 190: De blikken trommel (The Tin Drum) by Günter Grass,
book 189: Het mooie lijk (The Crediton Killings, Sir Baldwin 4) by Michael Jecks,
book 188: Kroniek van een aangekondigde dood (Chronicle of a death foretold) by Gabriel Garcia Marquez,
book 187: Arenden vliegen alleen by Tonny Vos-Dahmen von Buchholz,
book 186: Aan de verkeerde kant van de aarde (Homesick : my own story) by Jean Fritz,
book 185: Candy, kom terug (Hurry home, Candy) by Meindert DeJong,
book 184: Het grauwe huis (Bleak house) by Charles Dickens,
book 183: De verloren brief aan Thomas Mann (Inside the head of Bruno Schulz) by Maxim Biller,
book 182: Hellehonden by Jan & Sanne Terlouw,
book 181: Steeds verder weg : de verzamelaar op reis by Boudewijn Büch,
book 180: Ravenzwart (Raven Black) by Ann Cleeves,
book 179: En Appels aan de overkant by Henri van Daele,
book 178: De verschrikkelijke man uit Säffle (The Abominable Man) by Maj Sjöwall & Per Wahlöö,
book 177: De Wilg aan het Begin van de wereld by Alet Schouten,
book 176: De langschepen (The Long Ships) by Frans Gunnar Bengtsson,
book 175: Blauwzuur by Arnaldur Indriðason,

Books read in May 2017 (38 books, 10.225 pages)
book 174: Problemski Hotel by Dimitri Verhulst,
book 173: Frank, of hoe je vrienden vindt by Klaus Kordon,
book 172: En de zwakken ondergaan wat ze moeten ondergaan? (And the Weak Suffer What They Must?) by Yanis Varoufakis,
book 171: The Chessmen by Peter May,
book 170: Nacht (Dancing in the Dark, My struggle 4) by Karl Ove Knausgård,
book 169: Kaas (Cheese) by Willem Elsschot,
book 168: Alles op één kaart (Seventeen Against the Dealer) by Cynthia Voigt,
book 167: De verloren vader (Sons from Afar) by Cynthia Voigt,
book 166: Flame, de hengst van het eiland Azul (The Island Stallion) by Walter Farley,
book 165: Wilhemina Smits (Come a stranger) by Cynthia Voigt,
book 164: The Lewis Man by Peter May,
book 163: De hardloper (The Runner) by Cynthia Voigt,
book 162: Het verhaal van Dicey (Dicey's Song) by Cynthia Voigt,
book 161: Samen onder dak (2nd part of Homecoming) by Cynthia Voigt,
book 160: Onder de blote hemel (1st part of Homecoming) by Cynthia Voigt,
book 159: Niemand anders dan ik (A Solitary Blue) by Cynthia Voigt,
book 158: Het Midden Oosten (The Middle East) by Bernard Lewis,
book 157: De Rode Pimpernel (The Scarlet Pimpernel) by Barones Emma Orczy,
book 156: Toen de wereld nog jong was Jürg Schubiger,
book 155: Cybele's geheim (Cybele's Secret) by Juliet Marillier,
book 154: Bijna jarig by Imme Dros,
book 153: Dwaalsporen (Sidetracked, Wallander 5) by Henning Mankell,
book 152: De jongen met de gele ogen (The Haunting) by Margaret Mahy,
book 151: De trimbaan by Imme Dros,
book 150: Overvloed en onbehagen (The Embarrassment of Riches) by Simon Schama,
book 149: Het laatste bevel by Peter Aspe,
book 148: Na het baden bij Baxter en de ontluizing bij Miss Grace by J.M.H. Berckmans,
book 147: Die stad komt nooit af by J.A. Deelder,
book 146: De vertrapte pioenroos by Bertus Aafjes,
book 145: Oorlog op Kreta '41-'44 (The Ariadne Objective) by Wes Davis,
book 144: De tolbrug (The Toll Bridge) by Aidan Chambers,
book 143: Orkaan en Mayra by Sonia Garmers,
book 142: Het jaar dat de zigeuners kwamen (The Year the Gypsies Came) by Linzi Glass,
book 141: two editions of De Blauwe Boekanier by Tonke Dragt,
book 140: Djingo Django (Jingo Django) by Sid Fleischman,
book 139: Een huis met een poort en een park by Henri van Daele,
book 138: De ontdekking van de hemel (The Discovery of Heaven) by Harry Mulisch,
book 137: De vuurtoren by Jan & Sanne Terlouw,

Books read in April 2017 (37 books, 7.825 pages)
book 136: Koude berg : onthechting als weg by Han Shan,
book 135: De stad van goud (The city of gold) by Peter Dickinson,
book 134: Een stinkdier is een prachtig beest by Daniil Charms,
book 133: Wildewoud (Wildwood Dancing) by Juliet Marillier,
book 132: ... en de zon werd koud by Jean Coué,
book 131: Just kids by Patti Smith,
book 130: Tirannen (The present takers) by Aidan Chambers,
book 129: Het geheim van de grot (Seal secret) by Aidan Chambers,
book 128: Leven en lot (Life and Fate) by Vasily Grossman,
book 127: De rode kous (Offbeat Friends) by Elfie Donnelly,
book 126: Fantoom in Foe-lai (The Chinese Gold Murders, Judge Dee 1) by Robert van Gulik,
book 125: Aurelio en de wilde hengst (Stallion of the sands) by Helen Griffiths,
book 124: Dichtbij ver van hier by Tonke Dragt,
book 123: De plaats van de ster (La Place de l'Étoile) by Patrick Modiano,
book 122: Je moet dansen op mijn graf (Dance on my grave) by Aidan Chambers,
book 121: Tot aan het bittere eind by Werner J. Egli,
book 120: M-train by Patti Smith,
book 119: De weg naar Little Dribbling (The Road to Little Dribbling) by Bill Bryson,
book 118: Begin een torentje van niks by Ted van Lieshout,
book 117: Dan ben je nergens meer by Miep Diekman,
book 116: Tobbe by Mikael Engström,
book 115: De robot van de rommelmarkt ; Route Z by Tonke Dragt,
book 114: Federico by Helen Griffiths,
book 113: Jij zegt het by Connie Palmen,
book 112: Het einde van de rode mens (Secondhand Time: The Last of the Soviets) by Svetlana Alexijevitsj,
book 111: Het spookklooster (The haunted monastery, Judge Dee 5) by Robert van Gulik,
book 110: Matilda by Roald Dahl,
book 109: Abels eiland (Abel's island) by William Steig,
book 108: Een grapje van God (A jest of God) by Margaret Laurence,
book 107: Lieveling, boterbloem by Margriet Heymans,
book 106: Een heel lief konijn by Imme Dros,
book 105: De poorten van Anubis (The Anubis Gates) by Tim Powers,
book 104: Boris (The ice road) by Jaap ter Haar,
book 103: De levende doden (Barefoot Gen, Vol. 2: The Day After) by Keiji Nakazawa,
book 102: De boten van Brakkeput (The haunted island) by Miep Diekmann,
book 101: Oorlog en terpentijn (War and turpentine) by Stefan Hertmans,
book 100: De Cock en de dood van een profeet (De Cock 39) by A.C. Baantjer,

Books read in March 2017 (32 books, 7.901 pages)
book 99: De Penderwicks (The Penderwicks) by Jeanne Birdsall,
book 98: De laatste wildernis (The Wild Places) by Robert Macfarlane,
book 97: Klokken van Kao-yang (The chinese bell murders, Judge Dee 3) by Robert van Gulik,
book 96: Het zwaard van de Islam (Children of the book) by Peter Carter,
book 95: De stenen engel (The Stone Angel) by Margaret Laurence,
book 94: De weglopers (The runaways) by Victor Canning,
book 93: De dag van de geitenman (After the goat man) by Betsy Byars,
book 92: De gebroeders Karamazow (The brothers Karamazov) by F.M. Dostojewski,
book 91: Stilte (Silence) by Shusaku Endo,
book 90: De blauwe tweeling (Reders & Reders 4) by Jan & Sanne Terlouw,
book 89: Tegenstroom (A necessary end, DCI Banks 3) by Peter Robinson,
book 88: De gehangene van Dartmoor (A Moorland Hanging, Sir Baldwin 3) by Michael Jecks,
book 87: Hoe schilder hoe wilder : Haarlem by Miep Diekmann,
book 86: Hoe schilder hoe wilder : Leiden by Miep Diekmann,
book 85: Het laatste lijk (One corpse too many, Cadfael 2) by Ellis Peters,
book 84: Blote handen (Bare hands) by Bart Moeyaert,
book 83: De geest op de rotswand (Spirit on the Wall) by Ann O'Neil Garcia,
book 82: De Boeddha in de wereld (An End to Suffering: The Buddha in the World) by Pankaj Mishra,
book 81: Winterdieren by Bibi Dumon Tak,
book 80: Zoon (Boyhood Island, My Struggle 3) by Karl Ove Knausgård,
book 79: Chocolade oorlog (The chocolate war) by Robert Cormier,
book 78: Boris Beer by Dick Bruna,
book 77: Lieve oma Pluis (Goodbye Grandma) by Dick Bruna,
book 76: Het dansende licht by Tonke Dragt,
book 75: Tegenvoeters (In a sunburned country) Bill Bryson,
book 74: Aan de rivier (By the river) by Steven Herrick,
book 73: Balthasar by Henri van Daele,
book 72: De man in het bruine pak (The man in the brown suit) by Agatha Christie,
book 71: Rokus en het Tiende Leven by Alet Schouten,
book 70: Heraios en de beker by Sacha Burger,
book 69: De zwerfkatten (The pinballs) by Betsy Byars,
book 68: Celia Garth by Gwen Bristow,

Books read in February 2017 (34 books, 7.778 pages)
book 67: Kinderverhalen by Mies Bouhuys,
book 66: De Cock en het duel in de nacht (De Cock 38) by A.C. Baantjer,
book 65: Het bittere kruid (Bitter herbs) by Marga Minco,
book 64: De vloek van Woestewolf (The curse of the werewolf) by Paul Biegel,
book 63: Lang zul je leven : bakerrijmpjes by Ienne Biemans,
book 62: De kleine kapiteinThe (Little Captain) by Paul Biegel,
book 61: Nachtlicht (A dedicated man, DCI Banks 2) by Peter Robinson,
book 60: Bij nader inzien by J.J. Voskuil,
book 59: The Poet's Dog by Patricia MacLachlan,
book 58: Kwaad bloed by Marita de Sterck,
book 57: Laatste verhalen van de eeuw by Paul Biegel,
book 56: Heerlijke nieuwe wereld (Brave new world) by Aldous Huxley,
book 55: Dief van de duivel by Mikael Engström,
book 54: Wie is Julia (Finding Grace) by Alyssa Brugman,
book 53: Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín,
book 52: Ver heen by P.C. Kuiper,
book 51: Misdaad en straf (Crime and punishment) by F.M. Dostojewski,
book 50: Van den vos Reynaerde (Of Reynaert the Fox) by Willem, transl H. Adema,
book 49: Lasse Länta by Cor Bruijn,
book 48: Man zonder land (A man without a country) by Kurt Vonnegut,
book 47: Dromen van mijn vader (Dreams from my father) by Barack Obama,
book 46: Lawines razen (Avalanche!) by An Rutgers van der Loeff,
book 45: Walden ; Burgerlijke ongehoorzaamheid (Walden & On the duty of Civil Disobedience) by Henry David Thoreau,
book 44: De rode prinses by Paul Biegel,
book 43: De verjaardag van de eekhoorn (The Squirrel's Birthday and Other Parties) by Toon Tellegen,
book 42: De verjaardag van alle anderen by Toon Tellegen,
book 41: Bajaar by Martha Heesen,
book 40: De eeuwigheid verzameld : Helene Kröller-Müller (1869-1939) by Eva Rovers,
book 39: Overal en nergens (Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe) by Bill Bryson,
book 38: De Cock en de ontluisterende dood (De Cock 37) by A.C. Baantjer,
book 37: Zand erover by Laura Broekhuysen,
book 36: Sjanetje by Thea Dubelaar,
book 35: Krik by Miep Diekman,
book 34: De twaalf rovers (The twelve robbers) by Paul Biegel,

Books read in January 2017 (33 books, 9.756 pages)
book 33: In de ban van de ring (The Lord of the Rings) by J.R.R. Tolkien,
book 32: Fiona : In koelen bloede (Love story, with murders) by Harry Bingham,
book 31: Fiona (Talking to the dead) by Harry Bingham,
book 30: Het olifantenfeest (The elephant party) by Paul Biegel,
book 29: Stille blik (Gallows view, DCI Banks 1) by Peter Robinson,
book 28: Het eiland daarginds by Paul Biegel,
book 27: De mens is een grote fazant (The passport) by Herta Müller,
book 26: Swing by Paul Biegel,
book 25: Haas by Paul Biegel,
book 24: Liefde (A man in love, My struggle 2) by Karl Ove Knausgård,
book 23: Anderland by Paul Biegel,
book 22: Het gen: een intieme geschiedenis (The Gene: an intimate history) by Siddharta Mukerjee,
book 21: Tussen de wereld en mij (Between the world and me) by Ta-Nehisi Coates,
book 20: 7 jaren van een wielrenner by Herbert Friedrich,
book 19: De inspirerende wijsheid van de Dalai Lama by Dalai Lama,
book 18: Zout op mijn huid (Salt on our skin) by Benoîte Groult,
book 17: Padden verhuizen niet graag by Gerard Brands,
book 16: Francesco by Jean Dulieu,
book 15: Het knoopjeskabinet (The Hare with Amber Eyes) by Edmund de Waal,
book 14: De aanslag (The assault) by Harry Mulisch,
book 13: We moeten allemaal feminist zijn (We should all be feminists) by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,
book 12: Dokter Zjivago (Doctor Zhivago) by Boris Pasternak,
book 11: Kikker in de kou (Frog in Winter) by Max Velthuijs,
book 10: Ik maak nooit iets mee by Guus Middag,
book 9: Een goudvis van tweeduizend pond (The two-thousand-pound goldfish) by Betsy Byars,
book 8: Hidden Doe : Wij zijn Mesquakie, wij zijn één (We are Mesquakie, we are one) by Hadley Irwin,
book 7: De donkere kamer van Damocles (The Darkroom of Damocles) by Willem Frederik Hermans,
book 6: Het veterdiploma by Wiel Kusters,
book 5: Onvoltooide geschiedenis ((The German Mujahid in US, An Unfinished Business in UK) by Boualem Sansal,
book 4: De wervelstorm (Hills End) by Ivan Southall,
book 3: Nachtverhaal by Paul Biegel,
book 2: Oorlog en vrede 2/2 (War and Peace 2/2) by Leo Tolstoj,
book 1: Oorlog en vrede 1/2 (War and Peace 1/2) by Leo Tolstoj,

Books aquired in 2017: 26

August 2017
Wolfijzers en schietgeweren by Richard Minne
De Oostakkerse gedichten by Hugo Claus
Een muur van schilden (The Shield Ring) by Rosemary Sutcliff
Vincent in Den Haag by Theun de Vries
De geschikte jongen (A Suitable Boy) by Vikram Seth

July 2017
De Indische reis van H. P. Berlage by Joris Molenaar (editor)
The sketchbook of Jan van Goyen from the Bredius-Kronig collection by Edwin Buijsen

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: 50

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

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

De Cock by A.C. Baantjer 41/70

Cormoran Strike by Robert Galbraith 3/3

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

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; 4 De show van je leven; 5 Slotakkoord voor een moord

Floris V by Renée Vink 2/3
1 Floris V en de Schotse troon; 2 De laatste dagen van Floris V; 3 De wreker van Floris V

John Rebus by Ian Rankin 2/18
1 Kat & muis; 2 Blindeman; 3 Hand & Tand; 4 Ontmaskering; 5 Zwartboek; 6 Vuurwerk; 7 Laat maar bloeden; 8 Gerechtigheid; 9 Door het lint; 10 Dode zielen; 11 In het duister; 12 Valstrik; 13 Lazarus; 14 Een kwestie van bloed; 15 De rechtelozen; 16 Gedenk de doden; 17 Laatste ronde; 18 Cold case;


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; 5 De Indiase bruid; 6 Zwarte seconden; 7 De moord op Harriet Krohn; 8 Een andere voorkeur; 9 Kwade wil; 10 De waarschuwer; 11 Carmen Zita og døden (not translated); 12 Veenbrand

Kurt Wallander by Henning Mankell 7/12
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; 7 Midzomermoord; 8 De blinde muur; 9 Voor de vorst; 10 De gekwelde man; 11 Wallanders wereld

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

Nic Costa by David Hewson 10/10

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

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; 6 Het zevende gebod; 7 De dood van de erfgenaam; 8 Moord in het klooster

Yashim Togalu by Jason Goodwin 4/4

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 718 books (on 31 July: 85 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.

--

My readings in previous years

252 books (72.452 pages) read in 2016/1, 2016/2, 2016/3, 2016/4, 2016/5, 2016/6
  28 books (9.407 pages) read in 2015
  17 books (3.700 pages) read in 2014
  12 books (3.320 pages) read in ROOT 2013
  50 books (18.779 pages) read in 2012/1, 2012/2, 2012/3
  81 books (29.021 pages) read in 2011/1, 2011/2
120 books (37.668 pages) read in 2010/1, 2010/2, 2010/3, 2010/4
  78 books (21.400 pages) read in 2009/1, 2009/2
129 books (35.149 pages) read in 2008

That's it, next one is yours.

Happy new thread, Anita!

Happy new thread, Anita!

Happy new thread, Anita!

You really have an impressive list of books read.

>That picture of the entrance of Aardzee, with the trees looks wonderful, what a pity to have them all removed! Good for you to visit earlier.

Happy new thread. 302 books by the end of August.

Simply wow, Anita.

That is a magnificent photo of the foot bridge in the topper, Anita. I love the trees. Happy new thread.

Happy new thread! I love this month's art work.

>12 harrygbutler: Thanks Harry!

>13 jessibud2: Thanks Shelley!

>14 EllaTim: Thanks Els, yes it impressive, even to me!
I think only the trees on the right are removed, and there will be new trees.

>15 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul, I just can't stop reading ;-)

>16 Familyhistorian: Thanks Meg, it is a beautiful place to walk around.

>17 Sakerfalcon: Thanks Claire, I liked the place too. I am looking forward to visit again next year, when the new trees are planted.

Hi Anita and happy new thread!

Your stats continue to be marvelous.

Does your local library have what we here call "Friends of the Library"? I'm the treasurer for ours, and we raise money through book sales and membership dues, providing upwards of $70K USD each year for online services, childrens, teen, and adult programs, and what they call Collections - actual book purchases for the library above and beyond what the county provides. It's a shame that our county doesn't provide all the funding needed, but libraries are in trouble everywhere and at least here in my state there are quite a few Friends groups trying to bridge the gap.

Happy New Thread and a lovely weekend to you, Anita!
I've seen some great art docus on TV lately on Dutch and Flamish painters, with a good dose of Dutch history added in (I am SO ignorant!). Thank you for posting all the modern art pics here! What an interesting project! I can't imagine yet what it'll be like, but it looks huge!

book 303: De reizen van de slimme man by Imme Dros
own, YA, Dutch, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1989, no translations, 123 pages
TIOLI challenge #5 Read a book where there is at least one set of double consonants in the title

When Niels was a little boy, and his parents still poor, mister Frank came to babysit. He would read the Odyssey in Greek to him and sometimes he told stories about his past. About the years in WWII in Friesland, when he had to hide for the Germans and about the travels of the smart man: Odysseus. He always had a copy of the Odyssey in Greek with him, even when he only came over for a few minutes.
When Niels moved to Wassenaar, he called mister Frank often, to tell about his new life. He becomes friends with the girl next door and her grandfather. One day a package arrives, it is mister Franks copy of the Odyssey, as mister Frank passed away and wanted Niels to have his book. Niels decides he wants to go to the gymnasium after primary school, as he wants to learn Greek to read the book.

A beautiful and clever story, how you make up your own story based on other stories.

>21 FAMeulstee: This will join my ever growing list of Dutch books I really intend to get on and read!

>21 FAMeulstee: Sounds lovely. I think it could be possible to run a reading group just looking at books where people read Odysseus...

Happy new thread, Anita.

Happy new thread!

Happy New Thread, Anita.

Looks like a lovely spot for that landscape art.

Happy new thread!

>19 karenmarie: Thanks Karen!
I think our library does get some extra funds, not sure how, I think mostly donations.

>20 Deern: Thanks Nathalie, the same to you!
There are many famous Flemish and Dutch painters, so there is enough to fill hours and hours on TV ;-)
The landart at the top was originally created in 1982 and will be restored in the next year. It is 5 hectare. Because our province is so young, one third came dry in the 1940s, the rest in the 1960s, there was land reserved for large art projects. At the moment there are 7 land-art projects realised.

>22 sirfurboy: Glad to help you build a large pile of Dutch TBR books ;-)

>23 charl08: Yes, it was a very good read, Charlotte, the writer did translate The Odyssey and wrote YA retellings of both the Illias and the Odyssey. I think there are enough books to make such a reading group busy for some time.

>24 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba.

>25 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle.

>26 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe. If you ever would come this way, I would be glad to show you around.

>27 drneutron: Thanks, Jim.

Happy new thread Anita my dear, hope you had a good day and wishing you a great weekend dear friend.

Dear Anita,

just in case you miss it over at my thread:

The 1001 Lists - this includes three editions

https://1001bookreviews.com/the-1001-book-list/

Happy new thread, Anita and Happy September! Lovely toppers!!

Congrats on your shiny new thread, Anita. I like the topper. Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Happy new thread, Anita!

>21 FAMeulstee: sounds like a great book about books!

>30 johnsimpson: Thanks John, my thyroid values were a bit hig, so the dose is adjusted. I always feel a bit off when the dose is changed, it will take a week or two to get back on track...

>31 PaulCranswick: Thank you so much Paul!
Yes, I saw it on your thread and spend yesterday all evening creating an adjusted list with all books available in Dutch translation.

>32 Carmenere: Thanks Lynda, happy September to you too!

>33 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara. The place at the top is beautiful, I admire the artist who created this landscape.

>34 tymfos: Thanks Terri!

>35 LovingLit: Yes, it is a very good book, Megan. It is sad there is no English translation available.

book 304: De eerste zaak van Montalbano by Andrea Camileri
from the library, translated from Italian, mystery, English translation Montalbano's First Case, 180 pages
TIOLI challenge #4 Read a book which you must read

Nice introduction to commissario Montalbano, how he came to Vigàta and solved his first case there.
I already knew him from the TV-series, the sympatic commissario, who loves good food and books. So when I saw this book at the library, I couldn't resist, although I had no intent to start a new series ;-)
I found the next one last week at the library.

Hi Anita, I saw that you are making a list of the 1001 books with Dutch titles. When you visit the Dutch version of the site you will find that list here:

https://www.librarything.nl/list/508/all/1001-Books-You-Must-Read-Before-You-Die

I don't know if this is the full version covering all the editions of the book, some 1300 books. I own the Dutch version of the first edition.

Thanks Els, I am using http://www.librarything.nl/bookaward/1001+Books+You+Must+Read+Before+You+Die as that seems to be the complete list. I found two doubles between the 1319 titles. The one you mentioned is usefull to track your readings, but seems to contain some titles that aren't on the lists .
I am checking all books without a Dutch title at the Koninklijke Bibliotheek, to see if there is a translation. Some very old translations (18th or 19th century) are available at Google books.

>37 FAMeulstee: "I had no intent to start a new series"!! Good luck with your new series Anita! I like the tv series too.

Happy New Thread! and wow on passing 300!

Here's another 1001 list on LT: http://www.librarything.com/bookaward/1001+Books+You+Must+Read+Before+You+Die

>Hi Anita. Yes, your list is definitely better. Very complete. The one I found was fool of books that don't belong there, and doubles.

Would be nice to have a clickable list somewhere.

So will you be reading the list? Attempting to? cause some of them have not even been translated, making it pretty hard.

The Montalbano series is one of my favorites. I really prefer to listen to them instead of read them because the English language narrator does such an excellent job.

HI Anita! Congrats on another new thread and on #300!! Wow!

>40 charl08: Thanks Charlotte, I have the next one ready :-)

>41 streamsong: Thanks Janet, that is the one I use, but then at the Dutch LT site (.nl instead of .com).

>42 EllaTim: I finshed the list yesterday evening. I have now a list of 1070 books available in Dutch.
I only want to read in Dutch and just keep the list as a reference to read from, maybe one or two books a month.
I will try to read the complete Dutch Canon.

>43 thornton37814: Thanks Lori, I liked my first Montelbano, so I will read more of them. I have tried listening books, but somehow that doesn't work for me. So I keep it at paper boooks and e-books.

>44 Berly: Thanks Kim, I just keep reading books and reviewing them all fills the threads fast ;-)

book 305: Jesse 'ballewal-tsjí' by Harm de Jonge
own, YA, Dutch, awarded, Vlag en Wimpel 1999, no English translation, 108 pages
TIOLI challenge #13: read a book with an interesting dedication

One day the children are send home from school, as it is getting to cold and there isn't any fuel available to warm the school. On the way home Rogger meets Jesse, who lives all alone in a hole in the ground, in the bombed district. All people from this district were taken by the Germans and send away in trains. Jesse is sure his parents got away to Marrakas, where they live a good life. One day his father will come to take Jesse to Marrakas too.
Rogger is often very scared, but when he is with Jesse he dares more. Sometimes Jesse tells stories about Marrakas and then Rogger can forget the war around him. One day the Germans start a big search again and after that day Rogger never saw Jesse again.
The word "ballewal-tsjí" in the title refers to a gypsy curse, a word Jesse often uses.

>45 FAMeulstee: So many available in dutch, I would not have thought it! I think keeping the list as a reference is a good idea, and every once in a while check the list to see if you have read some books on it.

Happy new thread! landscape art, that's interesting. I don't think that I could get behind removing healthy trees, just for an artistic vision. Trees are too much like friends for me.

>47 EllaTim: Indeed it is quiet a lot of them.
I use the list to keep track http://www.librarything.nl/list/508/all/1001-Books-You-Must-Read-Before-You-Die

And for the Dutch Canon, I saw the library in Almere has all P.C. Hooft books, I think I start with Warenar later this month.

>48 banjo123: Thanks Rhonda.
In general I agree with you, but these were poplar trees, they don't get very old. They were planted on top of the small artificial hills, making them more vunerable with storms. I hope they choose wiser for the new trees.

book 306: Hamlet by William Shakespeare
from the library, e-book, translated, original title Hamlet, 179 pages
TIOLI challenge #11: Read a book (play) by Shakespeare, based on Shakespeare or a retelling

Well what can I add to all the reviews that are written about Hamlet?
Of course I roughly knew the story, but not all details. The translation seemed very good, it sounded good when spoken. This edition has an afterword by Halina Reijn, a Dutch acress, who played Ophelia when she was in her first year of acting-school.

A play isn't easy to read, althoug I think it gets easier by doing it.

>49 FAMeulstee: Good luck with Hooft. I've never read anything by him. I did see that there is a version in google books that's been translated to modern Dutch, might come in handy.

Hi Anita!

>50 FAMeulstee: When I read Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which is in play format, I just imagined myself sitting in a live theater and watching the action. It really worked for me.

>51 EllaTim: Thanks for the tip, Els, maybe I will go for that one.

>52 karenmarie: Thanks Karen, I only tried to speak the tekst in my head. Maybe the experience would improve with adding the theater. I'll let you know!

Happy new thread, Anita!

>37 FAMeulstee: - Taking a BB for the Camileri book. I love the series but I haven't read that one!

Happy New Thread, Anita. I hope you are having a good time with those books.

>50 FAMeulstee: Now that you have read Hamlet do you think you will read other plays?

>54 lkernagh: You are welcome, Lori. I think this prequel was published when the series was going for a long time.

>55 msf59: Thanks Mark, having a blast with my books. Just finished Decamerone.

>56 Familyhistorian: As long as my reading go this easy, Meg, I try to read as wide as I can. I have a next play planned this month, less known for most of you, Warenar a 17th century Dutch play by P.C. Hooft.

book 307: Decamerone by Giovanni Boccaccio
from the library, e-book, classic, translated, English title The Decameron, 791 pages
TIOLI challenge #7 Read a book where a 3+ course meal is served

Set in 1348 Florence, written between 1348 and 1353. While the plague has hit Florence, seven young women and three young men, and their servants, flee to the countryside to escape the plague. To kill time they each tell a story each day, except for the Fridays and Saturdays. One of them is Queen or King for one day and sets the rules for the tales told. This leads to 100 stories in 10 days.
During the Middle Ages most tales were about noblemen, these tales are mostly about ordinary people. Tales about love, marriage, adultery, misbehaving priests and monks, fools, wise men etc. In general everyone is driven by Nature (your abilities, descent and love is a strong force!) and Fortune (how circumstances allow your nature to come out).

A more pleasant read than I had thought it would be, some tales are very funny.

I read Decameron some years ago and really enjoyed it. Some of the tales were familiar to me from other versions, told by later writers. There is a similar French work called the Heptameron but I didn't finish it (can't remember why now).

Oh, I LOVED The Decameron! Much better than The Canterbury Tales, I think.

>59 Sakerfalcon: Thanks for mentioning Heptamerone, Claire, how similair are The Canterbury tales?

>60 scaifea: So that answers my question I think. Thanks Amber!

book 308: Het dovemansorendieet by Maarten 't Hart
from the library, non-fiction, Dutch, no translations, 163 pages
TIOLI challenge #2 Read a non-fiction book where food is a key theme

I roamed through the food section of the library to find a book for this challenge, and was pleased to find a book by Maarten 't Hart about the subject :-) The title refers to a Dutch word "dovenmansoren" wich translates as "deaf mans ears" a Dutch expression, meaning people won't listen to it.
As always in his non-fiction the writer is funny and a bit grumpy. He is blessed with a slim body and in this book he explains why he never gaines weight. It started in his childhood, as his mother didn't like cooking and they were rather poor, the food that was served wasn't tasty at all. So if you want to loose weight rule 1: don't serve tasty food. In his opinion people don't need meat in their diet, you can thrive on vegetables, fruits, beans, grains, mushrooms and eggs, all as raw as possible. He gets all this from his big vegetable garden and his chickens.
Fish is very healty too, but he discourages eating fish as the oceans are emptied by commercial fishing.

Encouraging review of The Decameron, Anita, thanks. I added it to the WL.

>62 FAMeulstee: I've never read it, but from your review I can imagine what the book is like, and it made me smile:)

I'll be reading Warenar as well, the copy in google books is easy to read and has lots of extra information about Holland in the 17th century.

>61 FAMeulstee: I've never actually read The Canterbury tales *hangs head in shame*

>63 jnwelch: You are welcome, Joe, I hope you like it too, when you get to it.

>64 EllaTim: Maarten 't Hart can be funny, Ella, did you ever read his De vrouw bestaat niet? Tha was the first non-fiction book I read from him.
I can't find a complete copy of Warenar in Google books, do you need an app for that?

>65 Sakerfalcon: Sorry I asked, Claire, so many books, so little time!

book 309: Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë
from the library, 1001 books, translated, original title Agnes Grey, 296 pages
TIOLI challenge #10 Read a book about teaching

Agnes becomes a governess to help her family financially. Her first job ends in an disaster: unruly kids and she isn't allowed to diciplin them in any way. The kids look down on her, because of the big gap between classes at the time. Her second job is a little better, but when she falls in love, her pupil does everything to keep Agnes from her beloved. Finally all ends well.

I can't comprehend why this book is on the 1001 books list. It is only slightly better than a ordinary romance. Each and every character from the "higher" classes is terrible, most "lower" class character is much nicer and better. The main character is all good...
This was my first Brontë book, I plan to read Wuthering Heights later this month. I do hope I like that one better.

>37 FAMeulstee: I've read some books of this series and saw some episodes on TV. I like it.

>58 FAMeulstee: I liked il decamerone when I read it years ago in Italian.

I hope your week is going, well, Anita.

book 310: Onvoltooide zomer by Peter Robinson
BolKobo+, e-book, translated, mystery, DCI Banks 13, original title The summer that never was, 398 pages
TIOLI challenge #6 Read a book that has a significant relationship to a book you read in August, name the book and relationship (next book DCI Banks)

While on holiday in Greece, Alan Banks reads in the paper that the remains of a boy are found in the place where he grew up. The disappearance of his youth friend Graham was the reason he joined the police, and now his remains seem to be found. He immediately returns to the UK and hopes he can help with the investigation.
Meanwhile in Yorkshire a 15 year old boy has disappeared, Annie is investigating this case, with some help of Alan Banks.

Again a good book in the DCI Bank series, up to the next one!

>68 Ameise1: I just started the next Montalbano, Barbara.
You read the Decamerone in Italian? Wow!
Today I found the Dutch translation of The House of Dolls by David Hewson at the library :-)

>70 FAMeulstee: I read the Decamerone after studying Italian. It was a kind of masterpiece for our class but a good one.
I hope you'll like The House of Dolls as much as I did.
>69 FAMeulstee: Ah, you finished another one of the Bank series. That one I haven't read.

Wow Anita you're really reading a wide range here. I want to read the tales in full - if you ever fancy picking up Chaucer I'd like to try a shared read!

>66 FAMeulstee: Google books here
https://books.google.nl/books?id=9khZOGMhGqwC&printsec=frontcover&hl=nl&...

This is a modern edition, it's modern Dutch. With lots of information added.
I'm reading it on an iPad, and that works very well, in my browser, so you shouldn't need an app.

I found this through a link on LT, when you go to the book page in LT there is a series of links to the right of the page, where you can check if the book is available on Amazon, or Gutenberg or Google Books.

>67 FAMeulstee: I like Agnes Grey. It was very outspoken for its time in criticising upper class parents and the way children were brought up and educated. That said, Anne Bronte's other book, The tenant of Wildfell Hall, is more deserving of a place on 1001 list. There is currently a group read and discussion of Agnes Grey in the Virago group, which is talking about some of the background to the novel and putting it in context, if you are interested.
Group read: Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte

>71 Ameise1: That is indeed a masterpiece, Barbara, reading the Decamerone in Italian.
I have enjoyed all his Nic Costa books, so I think I will like The House of Dolls.

>72 charl08: Maybe next year, Charlotte, I don't want to read Chaucer immediately after The Decameron.

>73 EllaTim: Thank you so much, Ella, I found it and finished reading a couple of minutes ago :-)
I didn't know about the links at the book page. Sadly I have only my laptop, so reading wasn't easy. But Warenar is short enough, so it was doable.

>74 Sakerfalcon: I understand your points, Claire, but it was all too much black and white for my taste. Probably the other way around as mainstream books at the time, but still very few greytones ;-)
Thanks, I knew about the group read, I did star the thread.

book 311: Montalbano en het verdwenen kind by Andrea Camileri
from the library, translated from Italian, mystery, English translation Montalbano's First Case, 146 pages

Next Montalbano book, the 3 stories from La Prima indagine di Montalbano (Montalbano's First Case) were separately published in Dutch. Short story involving the kidnapping of a child and mafia practices.

>75 FAMeulstee: It's a pity the books in google books can't be downloaded. Copyright issues of course. But it is short enough, indeed, and an easy read in this version. I was sorry that the illustrations were not included, also because of copyright, would have liked to see them.

book 312: Warenar by P.C. Hooft
from google books, Dutch, play, classic, part of the Dutch Literary Canon, no translations, 96 pages

This comedy was written in 1617, it is a Dutch rewriting of Aulularia by Plautus, set in 17th century Amsterdam.
The main character Warenar has a large sum of money hidden in his house. He distrusts everyone, thinking they are after his money. Meanwhile his pregnant daughter gets a marriage proposal.

I read an edition in modern Dutch, with some background information.

>77 EllaTim: I want to get the book from the library, for a reread and to see the illustrations.

>79 FAMeulstee: That's a good idea!

When the weather gets better I'd like to visit my library as well, I'd look to read at least part of the text in the original Dutch, I liked the translation, but wondered about the original.

>75 FAMeulstee: That's true, the book is very black and white. I think Anne was angry because of her own experiences and it affected her writing of the novel.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, Anita. xx

>80 EllaTim: Better weather here today, Ella, so I hope you can go to the library.

>81 Sakerfalcon: Probably true, Claire, and I am happy I read it. Just wish I had liked it better.

>82 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul, the same to you

Reading now Aardzee (The Earthsea Trilogy) by Ursula LeGuin and enjoying it!

book 313: Het koningsboek by Arnaldur Indriðason
from the library, translated from Icelandic, mystery, English translation Codex Regius, 283 pages

1955, Valdemar, a young student goes from Iceland to Copenhagen to continue his study Old-Icelandic. With his professor he ends up in a search to find an ancient Icelandic manuscript, that was lost from Copenhagen in WWII.

A very good historical mystery, with passionate people who think old manuscripts (and other arts) belong where they originated. So the search isn't only to find the lost manuscript, there is also hope the Danish will return it to Iceland.

Glad to see you enjoy Arnaldur Indriðason. I've had his books recommended a few times so glad to see you are enjoying them.

Hi Anita!

>62 FAMeulstee: Harrumph. He is blessed with a slim body and in this book he explains why he never gaines weight.

I hope you're doing well - have a wonderful weekend!

>83 FAMeulstee: Not yet Anita, but soon I hope.

Aardzee is a favourite of mine, one of the books I turn to when I'm a bit ill and want a good cozy reread.

>84 FAMeulstee: I'd like to read something from Indriðason, would you recommend this one?

Hi Anita. Just whizzing through and waving.

>67 FAMeulstee: only slightly better than a ordinary romance.
*gasp*
Are you even allow to say this about a Bronte?
I like it that you did :)

>85 ChelleBearss: Thanks Chelle, I will read anything by Arnaldur Indriðason. This one was good, but I think his Erlendur books are better.

>86 karenmarie: Thanks Karen, wasn't doing well, more in next msg.

>87 EllaTim: Aardzee was great!
Like I said above to Chelle, I think his Erlendur books are better, Erlendur is a police officer.

>88 humouress: *Waving back to Nina*

>89 LovingLit: I am no expert in Brontë, Megan, but I'll say what I think! ;-)

After an other nearly sleepless night, I was at the end of my wit this morning. I had hoped to wait until after the weekend, to go to my own doctor (GP), but that wasn't going to work.
For some time now, as soon as I went to bed I start to feel my heart bouncing, the longer I kept trying to stay in bed, the worse it got. Friday on Saturday and Saturday on Sunday were very worse nights only manged to get a few hours of sleep. Either I was in a massive, ongoing panick attack, or my heart was about to fail.
Going to a doctor is frightning for me, so going to a strange docter is even more difficult. But I made it, with help of Frank and some diazepam.
It doesn't seem to be a heart problem *sigh of relief* and I got some oxazepam to get me through the next nights.

Tomorrow or later next week to my own doctor, to see if we can tackle this someway... It has been going on since my sister died two months ago, at first only a few difficult nights, but last week it got exponential worse.

{{hugs}}, Anita. I hope whatever it going on passes quickly and you are soon back to your old self! Stress has many ways to express itself, sometimes delayed reactions, too. I am glad you got through this weekend and seeing your own doctor will be a relief, for sure

Sleeplessness is very debilitating Anita. I have a friend who has suffered with it most of her life. It sounds like yours is tied up with the stress of grief. I wondered whether the heart pounding is hormones, I get it for a night or two every month or so, I suspect the time of life hormone changes. It passes but is very unsettling.

book 314: Aardzee by Ursula Le Guin
from the library, translated, fantasy, original title The Earthsea Trilogy, 492 pages
TIOLI challenge #14: Read a work by an author who was read for a TIOLI Challenge from June, July or August

This omnibus contains the first thre Eartsea books.
A Wizard of Earthsea where ta goat herder from Gort, nicknamed Sparrowhawk, attends the wizzard school on Roke island. He makes a huge mistake, trying to impress, and has to make it right again.
The Tombs of Atuan where we meet Tenar, priestess of the Nameless ones. Sparrowhawk needs her help while on a quest.
The Farthest Shore where young prince Arre goes with Sparrowhawk to stop an evil that threathens their world.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
The next three volumes are said to be less, but I want to read those too in the near future.

And a timely read, as the landart at the top of this thread is called Eart Sea too.

book 315: Een koning voor de Dalriaden by Rosemary Sutcliff
own, translated, original title The Mark of the Horse Lord, 297 pages, reread
TIOLI challenge #3 Read a book which has an alternative title (this book was later published in Dutch with the title Het koningsteken)

Phaedrus the gladiator gets his freedom and accepts to replace the leader of the clan of The Horse Lord, as he is his spitting image. The present godess/female ruler got rid of the real leader by blinding him. Pheadrus becomes Midir to defeat the female leader. It is a fight between two ways of life, one worshipping the godess and female descendent of leadership, against male descendent and leadership.

In my opinion one of the best books by Rosemary Sutcliff.

>92 jessibud2: Thanks Shelley, I hope I can find a way back to more calmness. I have had some nervous breakdowns in my life, but never problems with sleeping before. I hope my doctor can give some workable suggestions.

>93 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks Caroline. It could very wel be hormones, although I am past meno-pause for some years, I still have one or two days a month I feel a bit different. Besides my thyroid dosage has recently changed, that could have triggered the path to worse.

>21 FAMeulstee: De reizen van de slimme man sounds like a wonderful book. What a shame there are no translations, and what a shame I don't speak/read Dutch. My brother does, though, and I will recommend it to him.

>67 FAMeulstee: I will be interested to know what you think of Wuthering Heights Anita. It is completely different from Agnes Grey. I don't remember having very strong feelings one way or another about Agnes Grey, only that it felt like a book I had read before, when I was certain I had not. Wuthering Heights, on the other had, I had a very strong reaction to.

>96 FAMeulstee: - Anita, have you ever tried yoga? I started last year and one of the things that I learned is deep breathing techniques. I don't generally suffer from sleep issues but every now and then I have a few nights in a week when I can't fall asleep. I find that the breathing (and, perhaps, specifically, focussing on the breathing) helps regulate and calm the rest of me.

>97 nittnut: I hope your brother is able to find a copy & tell you all about the book :-)
I just started reading Wuthering heights, Jenn, I have seeen some TV adaptions, but now finally get to read the book.

>98 jessibud2: No, I haven't tried yoga yet, Shelley. That used to be impossible with all my phobias preventing me from going anywhere without Frank or at least one of the dogs. I did learn some calming breathing techniques, but they all failed me in the past week.

So sorry about your sleep problems, hope that you are able to get some good sleep soon. I can see how your sister's death would cause this kind of reaction, very stressful seeming.

>94 FAMeulstee: Glad to see you enjoyed reading te Earthsea trilogy. I loved them when I read them (especially The Tombs of Atuan, but couldn't stand the fourth book and wish I'd never read it.
Arha/Tenar from The Tombs of Atuan is such a great character (I like Ged/Sparrowhawk, too, but it's rare that you get a female character like Tenar, who is so strong, and I absolutely loved her.

>91 FAMeulstee: That does sound awful, lying awake with a pounding heart. I hope you can get a handle on it, with the help of your doctor.

I have bad nights as well, thanks to noise from outside, for me it helps to listen to some kind of relaxation tapes, I put the sound on low, just audible. It provides some focus away from the noises, and helps me relax.

I'm glad you liked Earthsea!

Best wishes for better health soon, Anita.

You've made me realise that it's been a very long time since I actually read Earthsea and maybe I should re-read it again soon.

Oh, Anita, I'm so sorry to hear about your heart-pounding sleep issues. I've had the same problem off and on for a few months now - can't sleep because my heart is beating so hard I'm worried it'll give out! My doctor said pretty much the same thing: my heart sounds perfectly healthy and These Things Just Happen. Good on the one hand, but frustrating that there isn't a solid answer. I hope your doctor can give you a more clear answer.

>94 FAMeulstee: I'm glad you loved the Earthsea trilogy, it's one of my favourites!

I hope you are able to work with your doctor to find a way to help you sleep better. What you are going through sounds horrible and I hope you are better soon.

Being awake in the middle of the night can be scary and lonely. I hope the meds your doctor gave you do the trick and you can get some good sleep. Glad to hear it isn't your heart!

Today I went to my own doctor, as the oxazepam didn't really do the trick. But knowing it wasn't life threathening helped to stay relatively calm and fall asleep within 2 hours.
Because I also have sometimes a short irregularity in the heartbeat, I'll get something attached to me from Friday to Monday, that mesures the heartbeat. And some diazepam to help me to get to sleep.

>100 banjo123: Thanks Rhonda, there were many deaths the past year. Starting with my brother, who had a heartattack, and my sister was the most traumatic one, as she starved to death...

>101 PawsforThought: Yes it was a great read, Paws. Does Tenar return in the next books?

>102 EllaTim: Thanks Ella, luckely it is fairly quiet over here. For the moment I will use some valium, until I have found a better solution. I might try your suggestion.

>103 humouress: Thanks Nina, I was impressed with Eartsea!

Sorry to hear about your health concerns Anita. I hate insomnia and the heart thing sounds really scary to me. Glad to read the doctor is on the case - hope that they can help sort it out.

Glad to hear the reading continues.

>104 scaifea: So sorry, Amber, I now remember you had similair problems. Is it a bit better now?
For me it was a huge relief it isn't an actual problem with my heart. I am sure in my case it is stress/grieve related.

>105 Sakerfalcon: Thanks Claire, at first I thought it was just stress. But when I started to think it might be a problem with my heart I started to worry and it got much worse...
I am glad I finally got to reading Earthsea :-)

>106 Berly: Thanks Kim, not my heart was a BIG relief!
When I am not able to sleep I leave my bed and go downstairs to read a bit. Ari always wants to come with me, so I am not really alone.

>108 charl08: Thanks Charlotte, it was scary and now I know it is not a heart problems it is back to being annoying.
There is also some good news, I still don't feel depressed. My biggest fear, after fearing for my heart, was that depression would come back.

Hi, Anta. Finally catching up. I am so happy you loved the original Earthsea trilogy--some of my favorites.

Ah, Anita, I'm so sorry to hear about your sleeplessness and heart racing and stress. I hope your doctor can help you get back on an even keel - at least with your medications. You have had so many family deaths and other upsets recently and only time can put them in perspective, but taking care of your health is critical and I'm glad you're doing to the doctor even if THAT'S stressful, too.

I'm glad to hear the depression isn't back.

>107 FAMeulstee: Tenar and Ged both return in Tehanu, but as middle aged people. And seemingly with a personality transplant (that's my view, I'm sure others feel differently). I hated that change so haven't read any books beyond Tehanu and don't plan to.

>113 PawsforThought: I had the same impression, Paws. I feel LeGuin's first story about Tenar was sufficient in itself. The first Earthsea cycle has a completely different feel from the second. I loved the first one.

>111 ronincats: Eartsea has been on my TBR for a long time, Roni, thanks to you and some others here on LT.

>112 karenmarie: Thank you Karen. Nearly as long as I remember I have been scared of doctors and hospitals. Some very negative experiences added up to it. Some caregivers haven't the slightest notion of psychical problems and have no consideration at all.
But both the weekend doctor and my own doctor were nice, so I had two positive doctor visits in two days!

>113 PawsforThought: I am a completist and read very fast at the moment, Paws, so I will read the next three books. Based on your view (and other reviews) I'll probably like them less.

>114 EllaTim: The first three books were great, Ella.

book 316: Hee meneer Eland by Eva Gerlach
own, Dutch, YA, awarded, Nienke van Hichtum prijs and Zilveren Griffel 1999, no translations, 47 pages
TIOLI challenge #15: Read a book with a title that names a living thing (animal, insect, ...)

Poetry for older children/YA, with nice matching illustrations.

book 317: De laatste dagen van Floris V by Renée Vink
own, Dutch, historical mystery, no translations, 260 pages
TIOLI challenge #12: Read a book whose title contains the name of a historical figure

Floris V, Count of Holland, was murdered in 1296.
Based on this historical fact the writer builds a mystery. Some weeks before the murder of Floris V two people get poisoned, one dies. Floris asks his loyal servant Folkert Crepel to find out who is responsable. Meanwhile the traitors prepare the coup against their lord.

Not a great read, but it is nice to see a well known Dutch count as a character in a mystery.

book 318: De Oostakkerse gedichten by Hugo Claus
own, Dutch, poetry, Dutch Canon, no translations, 71 pages
TIOLI challenge #16: Read a book with the words bless or hope on pages 2, 10 or 53

A famous work of Hugo Claus, part of "De Vijftigers" a group of experimental Dutch writers, who were connected to the artists of the Cobra movement. The cover art of this edition is by Lucebert who was a painter and poet.

book 319: Woeste hoogten by Emily Brontë
from the library, e-book, translated, 1001 books, original title Wuthering Heights, 351 pages
TIOLI challenge #9 Read a book whose title contains a song title

Obsession, love, revenge, madness and death; two families in an isolated world.

I didn't really like the characters, but the story was very good.

>117 FAMeulstee: I watched the Floris series years ago Anita.

>120 Caroline_McElwee: Ah, yes, Caroline, sweet memories of Floris and Sindala!
That series was situated 200 years later, early 16th century. Anyway Rutger Hauer was a very good looking Floris!
There is even an English wikipedia entry on Floris (TV series)!

Ha, yes. As 'Blade Runner' is one of my all time favourite movies, I'm very familiar with Rutger Hauer and his work.

Anita, I'm so sorry to hear about your troubles with sleeping and heart pounding. I have panic disorder, or at least I used to have it. The number of heart attacks I thought I was having from the age of 19 on is quite amazing. Finally with the help of an antidepressant and an anti anxiety medication it's is mainly under control. My heart goes out to you. Hugs! It sounds like things are getting a little better and I am glad of that.

>115 FAMeulstee: I look forward to reading what you think of them, and hope you'll like them better than I did.

>121 FAMeulstee: I never knew that, I watched Floris as well of course, but what can have moved them to situate him in the wrong age? Really.

>119 FAMeulstee: Glad to see you liked Wuthering Heights. I loved reading that one - it's one of my favourite books. I agree that the characters aren't very likable, but I did feel for them when I read it.

Sorry to hear of your sleep troubles but glad that it isn't your heart! Have you been sleeping better over the last few days?

>123 vancouverdeb: Thanks Deborah, sorry you know what panick attacks are.
I used to have depressions, phobia's and panick disorder, treated with aniti-depressants at least the depression went away. They all seemed to have vanished after my thyroid problem was solved, except for my fear of doctors and hospitals. So now the panick/anxiety seems to be back, but I do hope I am on my way up again! At least I have had two nights with good sleep.

>124 PawsforThought: I won't read them ver soon, when I look at my reading plans it will probably be somewhere next year.

>125 EllaTim: The TV-series wasn't about Count Floris V (the book I read was about him), the main character was the fictional Floris van Rosemondt.

>126 PawsforThought: I liked it, but it won't appear in my top-reads this year.

>127 ChelleBearss: Thanks Chelle, I had two nights of decent sleep so that is much better!

>128 FAMeulstee: Ah, a fictional Floris, of course.

Good to hear you've been sleeping better!

A few nights good sleep certainly helps Anita, I hope it continues.

Another one glad to hear it, Anita. I'm looking forward to catching up with some zzzs on holiday. And the books, of course.

>129 EllaTim: & >130 Caroline_McElwee: & >131 charl08: Thanks Ella, Caroline and Charlotte.

We had to be up very early today, as the workers finally came to replace the mortar joints in the outer wall of our house. They started at 7 in the morning! That goes with a lot of noise, so Ari an I escaped to friends of ours in Almere. When I returned in the afternoon, Frank and I were both tired, as we aren't used to be up so early. So we took a "little" nap, we woke half an hour ago, that was 4 hours later!

Couldn't settle with a book yesterday, I started and read a bit in Religie voor atheïsten (Religion for Atheists) by Alain de Botton, then tried De vier geschriften van de Gele Keizer (The yellow emperor's four canons) and Termietenheuvels in de savanne (Anthills of the Savanna) by Chinua Achebe. I finally tried Ik heet Karmozijn (My name is Red) by Orhan Pamuk and that could grab my attention. Reading went a bit slow, probably because of the valium I take to fall asleep at night.

>132 FAMeulstee: Must have been a tiring day, Anita. Is the work finished?

Orhan Pamuk is on my list of authors I'd like to try and read, so I'll be interested in your review.

Wishing you a good night's sleep!

Hi, Anita!

>91 FAMeulstee: Panic/anxiety attacks are awful! I hope you are starting to sleep better. After the U.S. election, I started having anxiety attacks again and had a hard time falling asleep/staying asleep. I started listening to the same audiobook every night (and through the night), and for some reason it soothed me. Now, if I can't sleep or am feeling anxious, I can start listening to it again and it puts me right to sleep. I think meditation tapes would work as well.

You're just going house-on-fire with your reading! So many great books! I'm so impressed.

Glad to hear you are sleeping a little better, Anita!

Hi Anita!

I hope you're having a good Friday, even after house repair disruptions and having difficulties finding the 'right' book.

I wish you and Frank and Ari a good weekend.

>133 EllaTim: The work isn't finished, but the noisy part is finished. They will come next week to fill the mortar joints again.
I just finished My name is Red and loved it, review will follow later.

>134 Storeetllr: Thanks Mary, I am sorry you had similair troubles. I keep your suggestion in mind, I first would need a cd-player in the bedroom. Last two nights sleeping went much better, with only half a valium.
For a day I feared my reading was affected, but that was only one day, as reading is back "on-fire" ;-)

>135 ronincats: Thanks Roni, and sleeping continues going better, yay!

>136 karenmarie: Thanks Karen, the noisy part of the work is done, so that is a relief.
My name is Red turned out to be the right book, as I just finished it.

Happy weekend to all of you!

book 320: De huiveringwekkende mythe van Perseus by Imme Dros
own, Dutch, YA, kinderboekenweekgeschenk 1996, no translations, 93 pages
TIOLI challenge #5 Read a book where there is at least one set of double consonants in the title

Perseus, son of Zeus and Danaë, is send with his mother onto the sea. His grandfather did this, as there was foretold he would die by the hand of his grandson. But no one can avoid his fate, when the gods are on the side of grandson Perseus.

An enjoyable retelling of the Greek myth, I love the way Imme Dros makes old stories come to life.

Happy weekend to you too, Anita.
Good to hear sleeping is going better.
Looking forward to your review!

book 321: Ik heet Karmozijn by Orhan Pamuk
own, translated from Turkish, English translation My name is Red, 523 pages
TIOLI challenge #8 Read a book with a color word within the title in rolling order: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet

Set in the Ottoman empire, 16th century, we get into the life of some miniaturists. They work together on a very special book for the Sultan. When one of them is murdered, Kara is ordered by his uncle to find out who is the murderer. Since his youth Kara has been in love with his uncle's daughter Şeküre, he just returned from 12 years abroad trying to forget about her.
Following the trail of the murderer, we learn a lot about the history of miniaturists in the Ottoman empire. Some think the book they work on is blasphemy. The story is told in short chapters, each with an other narrator.

My Name is Red sounds quite interesting, Anita! Great review. As for anxiety, yesterday for some reason I had just that ' anxiety out of the blue" You know that sort anxious feeling for which there is nothing happening in life to make you anxious? I don't get that very often lately, but I do get it here and there. So I read - do something purposeful when you feel anxious. So, I took the dog out for her walk, stopped in at the butchers and later in the evening, I went out with my sister and we did a bit of shopping and then I stopped by her place and we just chatted and I had a tiny piece of chocolate cake, as she had a lovely chocolate cake. I think just getting my mind onto something else helped, at least this time. My sister has a very good sense of humour and she is so easy to spend time with. We discussed " important ' topics like earrings and what sort of shoes are not too ugly to wear. Lots of fun! :)

I've had a couple of not so good nights of sleep, but nothing like yours. First night, my neighbour , who gets up much earlier that we do, left their alarm clock on and it kept ringing for at least an hour! We are in a townhouse , so of course it is very loud. Then this morning I heard a crying dog - sounded very distressed. So I lept out of my bed - once again very early in the morning - to look out the window and see what was up. Turned out it was just my neighbours dog over excited about going out for a ride in the neighbour's car. This time a different neighbour, people who sometimes are not good to their dog, so I am very tuned into the cries of that dog. All seemed well, but not the way you want to start your day.

Take care Anita and hugs from me. xo

>140 FAMeulstee: I still haven't got to that novel Anita, but I just bought his latest novel The Red-Haired Woman which another friend recommended highly.

Glad the house repairs are done, and you got some good kip.

>140 FAMeulstee: I have read so many mixed reviews of the Pamuk book, Anita, but I must make my own mind up soon on its relative merits.
Have a wonderful Sunday.

>141 vancouverdeb: Thank you Deborah, it is hard if anxiety strucks. Even if it seems to come out of the blue, there is always someting that triggered it. But getting your mind onto someting completely else can help, often it does the trick for me, and for you.
I have lived many years in townhouses, so I know how noises and worries can get to you. I am gratefull I live in a less populated neighborhood, so input from others is less.
Last weekend I spiraled down when the thought grabbed me that it could really be my heart in trouble... When the doctor was able to convince me otherwise, that part was gone and I could go back to the original cause of my present anxieties. It has been a bit worse, off and on, since the terrible death of my sister in June. I wasn't allowed to say goodbye to her (and neither to my brother who died over a year ago), somehow saying goodbye to a death person has always given me comfort and a feeling of closure. As that wasn't possible with my siblings & the further family drama that came after both deaths, it set off my anxieties. Now I am searching for ways to get that closure in an other way and find ways to deal with my grief.

(((hugs))) back to you!

>142 Caroline_McElwee: I am glad I read it, Caroline, and will read more by Orhan Pamuk. I have Snow waiting on the shelves.
Yes, I am very glad the noises are gone, very happy we are back to quiet surrroundings :-)

>143 PaulCranswick: I can imagine not everyone is smitten by his style, Paul. And I think it might help if the reader does know a little about the history of the Ottoman Empire.
Thanks, happy what is left of your Sunday ;-)

book 322: Religie voor atheïsten by Alain de Botton
from the library, non-fiction, e-book, translated, original title Religion for Atheists, 317 pages
Nonfiction Challenge Part IX: Gods, Demons and Spirits in September

If we are done with deïties and religion, we might miss parts in our life that used to be filled by religion. Religious rituals are as old as humanity, and clearly fill a gap that we haven't been able to fill after the declation of the death of God. We seem to have ended up as isolated, self-absorbed, egocentrical individuals.
The writer explores how religions deal with death, grief, anger and other hard parts of life. Mainly by creating a community with a common goal. He tries to think of ways how these things can be transplanted in a seculair way. He doesn't really convince me that it is possible, most of us are too attached to our individual freedom and expression, so we will avoid the possible mass movement that would be needed to succeed...

Hi Anita!

>144 FAMeulstee: I'm another person who feels the need to say goodbye to a dead person and my mother's body was cremated prior to a scheduled appointment my sister and I had with the mortuary, last December. I think about my mother all the time. It doesn't help that the final paperwork is not done on her house yet either. We have returned it to the mortgage company since we can't seem to sell it for a good price and there isn't enough equity in it to sell it for a low price. I, too, had the further family drama that came after both deaths so understand completely.

Happy Sunday, Anita. I have never read Orhan Pamuk. He looks like an author I would enjoy.

Happy Sunday, Anita.

>147 karenmarie:
Dear Karen, I know you went through a similair ordeal (((hugs)))
I don't think of my sister all the time anymore. At least I don't have to deal with the paperwork and all...
We will need time to heal and maybe new ways to deal.

>148 msf59: Thanks Mark, I hope you get to Orhan Pamuk it was a very good read.

>149 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara, sending healing vibes to you.

Hi Anita, just wanted to say 'thinking of you'. Hearing you and Nathalie and so many others in the group being so honest about their stresses and anxieties is continually insightful and also so reassuring to me. Thank you.

(I've not had much luck with Pamuk: maybe I'll take one of his on my holiday and I can always leave him behind!!).

>151 charl08: Thanks Charlotte, glad to hear me being open is helpful for you.
Have a good time on your holiday and maybe Pamuk works this time!

book 323: Termietenheuvels in de savanne by Chinua Achebe
from the library, e-book, translated, original title Anthills of the Savanna, 285 pages
TIOLI challenge #3 Read a book which has an alternative title (1st Dutch edition Verlaten tempel van de macht)

In the fictional African country of Kangan, after gaining independence, military has taken over power.
Sam, Ikem and Chris were friends since their collegue years in England. Since Sam became President their friendship has changed. Ikem tries to initiate change by writing as head of a major newspaper. Chris became minister of Information, hoping to change government from within. While Sam is corrupted more and more by his power, he goes after Ikem.

>153 FAMeulstee: I'm going to have a look at that one, I think. I read Achebe's Things Fall Apart when I was at university, and while it wasn't really my kind of book I found it really interesting (and I should probably have a re-read of that one, too).

Thanks for the great review of My Name is Red, Anita. It's now on my TBR list. My already-long-as-my-arm TBR list. So, yes. Thanks. ;)

>119 FAMeulstee: My lovely other promises to read a fiction novel with me as a mni bookclub, and Wuthering Heights was the decided upon book (this all came up after a few drinks when he was trying to prove his love for me by reading outside of his comfort zone- very sweet).
I was debating with him, as its nt a book I actually want to read, and urged him to reconsider the mini-book club choice so that it was one that at least one of us wanted to read!
Long story short, your mini review makes me want to reconsider.

>154 PawsforThought: This was the first book by Achebe that I read, Paws. Things fall apart is on the 1001 books list, so I hope to read it someday.

>155 Storeetllr: Your TBR list can never be too long, Mary, you wouldn't want to run out of books to read ;-)

>156 LovingLit: It is adorable your husband wants to do a shared read with you, Megan. So I am glad you want to reconsider, based on my very tiny review.

book 324: De vier geschriften van de Gele Keizer by the Yellow Emperor (and B.J. Mansvelt Beck )
own, essay & translation from ancient Chinese, English translation The Yellow Emperor's four canons, 239 pages
TIOLI challenge #8 Read a book with a color word within the title in rolling order: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet

In 1973 a grave from the 2nd century BC was opened, and there this text (and others) was found.
It was an important finding, as the Four Canons of the Yellow Emperor were only named in some old library indexes, but there were no copies around anymore. This copy was written around 180 BC, the original was probably not written by one person and most likely not by the Yellow Emperor. These texts were accompanied by texts by Lao-Tse.

1. The Constancy of laws: how to be a good ruler (Emperor) and sustain/expand your power. Mainly by keeping everything in balance and following the Way (Tao).
2. Sixteen Rules (akward, the English translation is "The Ten Great Classics"...): tells about the Yellow Emperor, his succesful wars and about his ministers (advisors).
3. Names (English: "Aphorisms"): about the importance of names. Naming wrong leads to decline, right naming leads to prosperity.
4. The fundamental Tao: how the balanced world was created and how to use this knowledge.

This is a book that should be read more than once. Impossible to understand it all, although there is much in it that you might call just common sence.

Hi Anita! Just a quick hello to say I hope you're having a lovely Monday.

Hi Anita!

>153 FAMeulstee: Must get around to reading Achebe! Sure like the second title of this book better than the first.

>158 FAMeulstee: Interesting.

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

>159 karenmarie: Thanks Karen, my Monday is very good.
The small heart monitor with wires to my chest that I had to wear over the weekend is gone, so that made my day :-)
I'll get the results in two weeks. I only had the irregular heartbeat once this weekend, so I wonder what they can see from it.

>160 EllaTim: Those were both interesting reads, Ella.
I am spending way too much time on creating a list again. Following Paul Cranswick & others with best books by year since my birth. So now I am checking the original publication dates at the Koninklijke Biblitheek to add them to my own list of books read since 2008... Almost half of 1040 books done ;-)

>161 johnsimpson: Thank you John, things here were better than at your place...

book 325: Het oneindige verhaal by Michael Ende
own, translated, YA, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1983, English translation The Neverending Story, 391 pages
TIOLI challenge #1 Read a book whose title contains a negative word

Bastiaan is a lonely boy, he lost his mother and is bullied at school. One day the school bullies go after him and he hides in a bookstore. There he finds a magical book, the takes it with him to the school attaic and starts reading. He becomes completely absorbed by the story. In the story his help is needed, but he has no clue how he can help...

Each chapter starts with a letter from the alphabet and with a beautiful drawing with that letter.
The story is a fantastic fantasy, with everything in it that you can ever imagine ;-)



And with this book I have completed my TIOLI sweep for September.

book 326: En een tijd van vrede by Imme Dros
own, Dutch, YA, awarded, Nienke van Hichtumprijs 1983, no translations, 134 pages

The story starts a day before the Germans were defeated in the Netherlands, May 4th, 1945.
Daily life is changing fast, the Germans are gone, life becomes easier. But nearly 12 year old Eva has a hard time adjusting. Now it is called "lying", but before she was allowed to tell lies to help others. And it isn't that she wants to lie, she wants to make things just a bit more beautiful.
After some hard months, Eva finally settles in the new life that is called "peace".

>163 FAMeulstee: I loved The neverending story when I first read it as a teenager, and it was still good when I reread it a few years ago. It is so imaginative and vivid in its descriptions. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much.

>164 FAMeulstee: I read The Neverending Story a few years ago and really liked it, even though it was much longer than I thought it'd be (I thought it was just the story that's in the film).

>165 Sakerfalcon: I have read it before, Claire, not sure when. Probably in the 1990s, as it read it after watching the movie. It is very well written, a tad moralistic in the second half.

>166 PawsforThought: I had the same when I read it the first time :-)
The movie was great with a lovely theme song, that is in my head since finishing the book...

A BOOK A YEAR FOR THE FIRST 54 YEARS OF MY LIFE, inspired by Paul Cranswick and some others in this group.
These are books I have read since 2008, and a few favorites that I have read before 2008. For the year I took the year the book was first published in the original language. I was planning to go for 55 years, but I haven't read any book published in 2017 yet.

1963: Bij nader inzien by J.J. Voskuil (Dutch, no translations)
1964: Het sleutelkruid (The King of the Copper Mountains) by Paul Biegel
1965: Geheimen van het wilde woud (The Secrets of the Wild Wood) by Tonke Dragt
1966: Nooit meer slapen (Beyond sleep) by Willem Frederik Hermans
1967: Tarans zwerftocht (Taran wanderer) by Lloyd Alexander
1968: Machten van Aardzee (A Wizard of Earthsea) by Ursula Le Guin
1969: Slachthuis vijf (Slaughterhouse five) by Kurt Vonnegut
1970: De Sophie (Master and Commander) by Patrick O'Brian
1971: De verschrikkelijke man uit Säffle (The abominable man) by Maj Sjöwall & Per Wahlöo
1972: Waterschapsheuvel (Watership Down) by Richard Adams
1973: De gebroeders Leeuwenhart (The brothers Lionheart) by Astrid Lindgren
1974: Miyax, de wolven en de jager (Julie of the wolves) by Jean Craighead George
1975: Vleugels voor de draak (Dragonwings) by Laurence Yep
1976: Geef me de ruimte! by Thea Beckman (Dutch, no English translation)
1977: Het boek Merlijn (The Book of Merlyn) by Terence H. White
1978: Drie zangen voor een koningin (Song for a Dark Queen) by Rosemary Sutcliff
1979: Het oneindige verhaal (The Neverending Story) by Michael Ende
1980: Leven en lot (Life and fate) by Vasily Grossman
1981: De spiegel van de ziel (The mind's I) by Douglas R. Hofstadter & Daniel C. Dennett
1982: Je moet dansen op mijn graf (Dance on my grave) by Aidan Chambers
1983: De naam van de roos (The Name of the Rose) by Umberto Eco
1984: De tegenstrever (The Adversary) by Julian May
1985: De hardloper (The Runner) by Cynthia Voigt
1986: Maus: vertelling van een overlevende (Maus : A Survivor's Tale) by Art Spiegelman
1987: Moenli en de moeder van de wolven by Klaus Kordon (original German, no English translation)
1988: Tussen Orinoco en Amazone (In trouble again : a journey between the Orinoco and the Amazon) by Redmond O'Hanlon
1989 :Bidden wij voor Owen Meany (A Prayer for Owen Meany) by John Irving
1990: Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay
1991: Een Duits requiem (A German Requiem) by Philip Kerr
1992: De ontdekking van de hemel roman (The Discovery of Heaven) by Harry Mulisch
1993: De Groene Engeltoren: Het ontzet (To Green Angel Tower, Part 2) by Tad Williams
1994: Achter de maan (Walk Two Moons)by Sharon Creech
1995: Het boek van Bod Pa by Anton Quintana (Dutch, no English translation)
1996: Meneer Beerta by J.J. Voskuil (Dutch, no English translation)
1997: Harry Potter en de steen der wijzen (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone) by J.K. Rowling
1998: Ik heet Karmozijn (My name is Red) by Orhan Pamuk
1999: De wildernis (Kit's Wilderness) by David Almond
2000: De wonderlijke avonturen van Kavalier & Clay (The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay) by Michael Chabon
2001: Hou van die hond (Love That Dog) by Sharon Creech
2002: Strohonden: gedachten over mensen en andere dieren (Straw Dogs: Thoughts on Humans and Other Animals) by John Gray
2003: Soldaat Peaceful (Private Peaceful) by Michael Morpurgo
2004: In Europa : reizen door de twintigste eeuw (In Europe: Travels Through the Twentieth Century) by Geert Mak
2005: Het kleine meisje van meneer Linh (Monsieur Linh and His Child) by Philippe Claudel
2006: Mevrouw Verona daalt de heuvel af (Madame Verona Comes Down the Hill) by Dimitri Verhulst
2007: De naam van de wind (The Name of the Wind) by Patrick Rothfuss
2008: Dagboek van een halve indiaan (The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian) by Sherman Alexie
2009: Vader (My Struggle: Book 1) by Karl Ove Knausgård
2010: Skippy tussen de sterren (Skippy dies) by Paul Murray
2011: Alsof het voorbij is (The Sense of an Ending) by Julian Barnes
2012: Een weeffout in onze sterren (The Fault in our Stars) by John Green
2013: Het einde van de rode mens (Secondhand Time: The Last of the Soviets) by Svetlana Alexijevitsj
2014: Een heel leven (A Whole Life) by Robert Seethaler
2015: Tussen de wereld en mij (Between the World and Me) by Ta-Nehisi Coates
2016: Het tumult van de tijd (The Noise of Time) by Julian Barnes

I was going to say I've read hardly any of those, but the last ten years were much better for my reading. Not sure I would even attempt this. Did it take long?

>168 FAMeulstee: Great list, Anita. If I am not mistaken we only share one read there which is A Prayer for Owen Meany but there are a few more on your list which I have read and loved and which could have made my list too. Slaughterhouse Five and Watership Down in particular spring to mind.

>169 charl08: It took me a few days, Charlotte, but I made and used a complete list of all my books read.
Karen (karenmarie) did it an other way and there is a desciption how she did it on her thread 8

>170 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul, I am happy with one book in common :-)
The bulk of my reading is YA and mostly Dutch. Only the last years I am reading more serious books.

I love your list, Anita!

We have 4 in common, and some years were toss-ups where I could have chosen Master and Commander, Watership Down, A Prayer for Owen Meany, and The Sense of an Ending.

>172 karenmarie: Thanks Karen, there were a few years that were hard choices.

And now I found a copy of the Dutch translation of A Gentleman in Moscow at the e-library, so I am going to read it within the next 3 weeks. Maybe I'll have an other entry for 2016 after I finish it ;-)

Excellent list, Anita! Lots of really good ones on there.

Love your list Anita! It must have cost some time to make it.

I've read eleven of your books, and liked all of those. I think I would probably choose some of those as best books of the year as well, but I haven't made my list yet. I haven't got a list of books read, and my memory isn't helping me.

I had missed the start of this thread -- sorry to hear of the troubles you've been going through, and I hope things are getting better.

Nice list! I think we have some overlap, and some near-overlap where we have different books, but in the same series.

Gosh, I think it would take quite a bit to figure out if I'd read a book published each year of my life , Anita. I've have to look into that idea. I think I've read only a couple from your list and those would be Slaughterhouse Five and A Prayer for Owen Meany

I love your life list of books read, Anita. I am so stealing this idea from Paul, Karen, and now you! I will probably wait and start the new year off with my own list of 70 books! That will give me plenty of time to work on the project.

I hope you are sleeping better. I woke up last night with anxiety. Very uncommon for me. I may have to quit watching the excellent Ken Burns documentary on The Vietnam War before I go to bed.

>168 FAMeulstee: cool! I love lists, and particularly that one!

>174 scaifea: Thanks Amber!
Nice to see the list spreading around at the threads :-)

>175 EllaTim: Thanks Ella, it was a lot of work, but fun to make.
I have kept record of the books I read since I joined LT in 2008, and added a few memorable reads from before that time. Maybe you can make a list in a few years?

>176 foggidawn: Thanks Foggi, healthwise things seam to move upward again. It will take some time before I am fully back in shape. Luckely my reading hasn't suffered from it all.
I went back to your list, first time only briefly looked at it, as I was still busy with my own list.
Indeed, we have both Harry Potter and the Tillermans only other books & share the Alexie book. A few of yours are on my near-future reading list, so they might earn a place in the list.

>177 vancouverdeb: Thanks Deborah, blame Paul Cranswick for starting it ;-)
But it was fun to do, it only needed a lot of time, as for many books the original publication date couldn't be found on LT. The two you have read were both great reads for me.

>178 Donna828: Thanks Donna, it was a time consuming, fun project. I first thought to wait until my next birthday in February, but when I had gathered all the data I had to make the list right away :-)
I am sorry you had trouble sleeping too. Changing the TV routine might help. I never watch scary or thrilling TV before bedtime. The only time a day I can handle and process those is in the afternoon. The main problem for me is loud noises. Earlier this month the neighbors had been busy with installing a new bathroom (and first demolishing the old one) for nearly two weeks. When last Sunday other neighbors did some noisy work, it took longer to fall asleep again.

>179 LovingLit: Thanks Megan, are you going to make your own list?

book 327: Reizen met Charley by John Steinbeck
from the library, translated, Nobelprize winner, original title Travels with Charley: In Search of America, 253 pages
TIOLI challenge #13: read a book with an interesting dedication

In the fall of 1960 John Steinbeck made a road trip through the USA together with his blue French standard poodle called Charley. He traveled from East to West throught the Northern states, along the East coast and back through Texas heading for New Orleans. So far the book is a well written travelogue, of a man and his dog.

Arriving in New Orleans there is turmoil going on, as a black girl attends a school, she shouldn't attend as a black. She is accompanied every day by the police. Some white women, called "cheerleaders" are there every day shouting hateful words to the poor young girl. Steinbeck had heard of it and wants to witness with his own eyes. Later he meets some people of both sides and in the middle of this conflict. This was the most impressing part of the book for me.

>168 FAMeulstee: Love the list! I have read 13 of yours. It's been fun to see everyone's lists. I have a few in common with you as well, including Harry Potter. :)

>182 FAMeulstee: Travels With Charley is on my list. I will need to get to it soon.

I liked your review of Wuthering Heights. I agree that the story was good, but the characters were so unlikable. Especially Heathcliff. At the beginning I wanted to feel sorry for him, but by the end, not so much.

>182 FAMeulstee: Sounds like I need to read another Steinbeck :) It isn't one of the 5 in the set that was my father's though so I'll have to find a copy. Glad you enjoyed it so much and thanks for the good review.

>182 FAMeulstee: Good review of Travels With Charley. I also loved this one. Steinbeck Rules!

Hi Anita!

>173 FAMeulstee: I hope you like A Gentleman in Moscow as much as I did. I'll look forward to your review.

I hope you're having a good week.

>183 nittnut: Yes it is fun, Jenn, to see and compare the lists. I have seen many Harry Potter books on the various lists :-)
I willl see your review when you get to Travels with Charley, I have read The Pearl last year and want to re-read Of Mice and Man.
It was all I could think of to write about Wuthering Heights. There are so many reviews, I had nothing more to add. I felt sorry for Heathcliff at first too...

>184 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks Reba, I really disliked him in my teens, when I had to read Of Mice and Man for English class. Now I have changed my opinion on him.

>185 msf59: Thanks Mark, he is a very good writer! As I said in my answer to Jenn, I want to read more books by him.

>186 karenmarie: Thanks Karen, I hope so too. It is next in line after I finish De tolk van Java, a lengthy book that won an important Dutch literature prize this year.

book 328: Mee met Aeneas by Imme Dros
own, Dutch, YA, no translations, , 212 pages

Retelling of Virgil's Aeneid, like the writer did before with the Iliad and Odyssea.
The story is told by the young singer Arion, who travels with Aeneas.
With beautiful illustrations in black and white by Harrie Geelen.

Again a very good retelling, although her version of the Iliad (Ilios: het verhaal van de Trojaanse oorlog) is still my favorite.

book 329: De Cock en 't wassend kwaad by A.C. Baantjer
from the library, e-book, police mystery, 43rd book of 70 De Cock, no translations, 134 pages

Just after a prostitute is found murdered, De Cock and Vledder get a trainee from the Police Academy added to their team. She is a beautiful young woman and thinks she knows it all... Two similair murders follow. Despite the obstruction of the trainee De Cock solves the murders.

>189 FAMeulstee: Another De Cock! I'm way behind you.

>187 FAMeulstee: I liked Steinbeck, but it's long ago I read him. That was The grapes of wrath, that I found most impressive. Not a small or light book but I thought it really worth the effort.

I read about De tolk van Java, but it sounds like a difficult read. I tend to avoid the more difficult war stories, i know they're important but do I want to be confronted with them?

>190 EllaTim: You just started with the series ;-)

That is an other one by Steinbeck I want to read someday...

I am only 50 pages into De tolk van Java, but his writing style is so easy, you don't get the full impact of the abuse at home and the terrible war memories. Until you start to think about it all...

I am another fan of Steinbeck, Anita. I don't know why he divides opinion so and certainly not all his books are evenly as good but, on good form, he was very, very good.
In Dubious Battle, Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath and The Moon is Down are my favourites.

Have a lovely weekend.

I'm adding My Name is Red to the WL.

In 8th grade I read Travels With Charley and it's one of those books emblazoned in my memory -- although I think I concentrated hardest on Charley.

>192 PaulCranswick: I don't know either, Paul, I enjoyed the two books I read recently.
I hope you have a good weekend, with some time to read.

>193 sibylline: Thanks Lucy, I hope you'll like My name is Red.
I started reading for Charley, that was why I got the book. I was looking for a nice travelogue and the dog made me fall for it. Turned out much more intense than I thought it would be. Still Charley is a good travel companion.

Nice list of books, Anita! I was a big fan of the Prydain series when I was a kid, so happy to see Taran Wanderer on your list.

Wishing you a lovely weekend, Anita.

book 330: Poppenhuis by David Hewson
found on Barbara's thread (Ameise1), from the libraryown, translated, original title The House of Dolls, 382 pages

I loved David Hewsons books about Nic Costa, Italian police officer. Then I saw a very good review on Barbara's thread abou the new series set in Amsterdam. I wasn't disappointed.

Pieter Vos used to work for the police in Amsterdam. When his own daughter went missing three years ago, he wasn't able to solve the case. His marriage broke down and he left the police to live a marginal life at his barge. Then a similair case comes up. Laura Bakker, fresh from the province, is send out to convince Pieter to come back to the force to help and solve this case.

The story is a very good one, involving crime and corruption, and with lots of inexpected turns. At times a bit much violence, at the edge of what I can handle. Looking forward to the next books!

>195 banjo123: Thanks Rhonda, I read them later in life as there was no translation available in my youth. That didn't keep me from reading them twice in the last 10 years :-)

>196 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara, I just finished The House of Dolls, thanks for recommending it!

>198 FAMeulstee: I'm glad you liked it as much as I did.

Stopping by to say hi, Anita! I hope life is going well. I keep meaning to read something by David Hewson , as I see his books in the library, but so far I have yet to do so.

Good morning Anita.

>200 vancouverdeb: Go for Hewson, Deb. I like his books very much.

Happy Sunday, Anita. I hope you are enjoying the weekend. I also hope you can track more Steinbeck down. So many good ones to choose from.

>199 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara. Yes I did, and two more to go (+ one not translated yet).

>200 vancouverdeb: Hi Deborah! David Hewsons books won't disappear, so start whenever you like. All Barbara and I can say is that they are good reads for us :-)

>201 Ameise1: Good (Monday) morning to you, Barbara.

>202 msf59: Thanks Mark, happy start of the week to you.
Can't track books at the library at the moment, as they are down for 5 days. A new computer system is being installed, next Thursday all should be up and running again. But I will certainly read more by Steinbeck.

book 331: De parel van de keizer by Robert van Gulik
BolKobo+, e-book, translated (by the writer), mystery, Rechter Tie (= Judge Dee), original title The Emperor's Pearl, 161 pages

Robert van Gulik translated the original Chinese first Judge Dee book from Chinese into English, and wrote the next books himself.

In Poo-yang the annual Dragon Boat takes place. During the boat race a man collapses and it turns out he is poisoned. Some of Judge Dee's usual helpers are away, so he has only Sergeant Hoong to help him. More murders occur and there seems to be a connection to an ancient Goddess of the River and a lost treasure of the Emperor.

Judge Dee books are always statisfactory mysteries, well plotted and set in historical Chinese times.

Wishing you a great start into the new week, Anita.

book 332: De tolk van Java by Alfred Birney
BolKobo+, e-book, Dutch, awarded, Libris Literatuur Prijs and Henriëtte Roland Holstprijs 2017, no translations, 541 pages

Alan Nolan's father, Arto Nolan, came from the former Dutch Indies to the Netherlands in 1950. He was a difficult and violent man to his wife and children, when Alan was 12 child protection took him and his siblings away.
Arto had lived in war since his teens. First the Japanese occupation and after that the war of the Dutch against the Indonesian people, who refused to go back under Dutch occupation. He choose to fight for the Dutch and did gruesome things in the war. He was a troubled man when he arrived in the homeland, he had never been before.

The book is partly the story of Alan, the oldest son, growing up with a violent father and a not caring mother. The other part is the story of the father, growing up as an unrecognised son of a well known and rich man in the Dutch Indies, living with his Chinese mother and violent (half-)brothers. Scarred by the Japanese and by fighting for a Dutch Queen far away.

A very impressive book, a violent and gruesome book and above all an important book about a part of Dutch history that isn't widly known.

>206 FAMeulstee: Good review Anita. A book that I would want to read, though with some hesitation, as "gruesome" doesn't really appeal. Still, it is a part of our history.

And wishing you a good week ahead!

My husband and I visited the Garden of Love and Fire on Saturday. Unfortunately it was already twilight, we were a bit too late for a good view. But it turned out to be really easy to find, and we will just go back pretty soon.

>205 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara, the same to you!

>207 EllaTim: Thanks Ella, I just put a longer Dutch review on the book page of De tolk van Java. I think knowing your history is important for any nation and this is a not very nice part of Dutch history.

Were the renovations of the "Poldergarden of Love and Fire" finised? It was vandalised some time ago, and they were working on it the last time I checked. We went to the "Observatorium Robert Morris" on Sunday. Pictures will follow at the top of my next thread.

>208 FAMeulstee: I visited the book page, and read the reviews there. The book hasn't got much attention on LT, it seems? Is that always the case with new Dutch books, or would more people find it a difficult subject.

My father was a soldier (drafted, not a volunteer) during the politionele acties. He fought in Indonesia for over a year, but didn't talk about it a lot. Makes it harder for me to read about war crimes by Dutch soldiers there. He died years ago, so I can't ask him about it anymore.

I wouldn't really know, it was pretty dark when we got there, spent too much time shooting pictures of the sunset at the beach just past the bridge to Flevoland, very nice sunset it was. Lovely beach, with the trees on it.

Looking forward to your pictures!

>209 EllaTim: Only a minority on LT is or reads Dutch, so books only published in Dutch don't go fast. Winning the Libris Literatuur prijs (and last Saturday the Henriëtte Roland Holstprijs), will make the sales of the book go up, but many will leave it on the shelves for a while, if they ever get to reading it.

Some of my uncles were there at the time. I did speak about it with one uncle, my mothers eldest (and only) brother. He went straight from the Dutch resistance here to the Dutch Indies, to fight on. He was the example of a Dutch white supremacist, he looked down on women, everyone of color and everyone with leftist ideals. Somehow we had a soft spot for eachother, as I was a woman and political left, and I didn't exactly like his view on the world. In his family (he had 9 children) he ruled with similair violence, he probably had PTSD after all those years of war, but ignored it, as REAL MEN are no sissies... So I knew already first hand about some of the terrible things that happened during the politionele acties. The story of this book wasn't new, it only added to my knowledge. It is a part of history we like to ignore, just like slavery and racism, but it is part of what we are as a nation.
If your father acted in war crimes at that time, he probably thought he was doing the right thing. And got scarred by it. We (as a nation) couldn't bare the thought that we would loose our Dutch Indies after 350 years. Only very few people over here resisted the politionele acties... And finally history teaches us nothing is only black or white, as in time almost everything turns into lighter of darker grey.

>210 FAMeulstee: Ah, Some of your relatives as well. I can understand how people looked at it then, freeing Indonesia from the Japanese. There were people who refused to go, but they were a minority, and it was very hard.

It must have left it's scars, so your uncle having PTSD is very possible.

The few things my dad told me, it was difficult for them. He left a bit of diary, and what he writes, he starts comparing the actions of the Dutch soldiers to the actions of the nazi's in holland, so he must have felt pretty conflicted about being there.

>211 EllaTim: And they didn't come to fight the Japanese. The English were in charge after the Japanese gave up. The father in De tolk van Java started his career in the army with helping out the Gurkha's. Later the Dutch came to claim back their colony.
I am sorry for your dad, then it must have been a very hard time for him. Doubt wasn't very populair in the army.

>212 FAMeulstee: See I shouldn't have quit my history lessons in school;)

Yes, he felt pretty ambivalent about it, and about the army as well. I remember seeing him laugh his head off about the TV movie of "The good soldier Schweik.

>210 FAMeulstee: - A book like this shows that there is a huge gap in the historical background of our two countries. I was not familiar with the politionele acties until quite recently, despite the fact that I have a Masters degree in History. Dutch history simply was not on our curriculum except for the periods of time that our countries were united. So if I read a book like that, it's like reading a book from a foreign country, which it actually is, except for the fact that it's written in my maternal language.
I have read quite a few books by Dutch authors and found out over and over again that our countries have a different identity. I wonder if we are not drifting even further apart, now that we hardly watch Dutch television anymore (like we used to do when I was young), etc.

I've read 12 from your list, Anita. I worked on my list all last night and should finish it today sometime. I'm using books that have been repeated rereads.

>213 EllaTim: I am not sure how honest our history books are about that...
Ah, that is one I want to read too!

>214 Trifolia: Yes, Monica, that is on both sides. Like I only recently heard about Leopold II and Congo. The same language does make it easier to access books, I like to read Dimitri Verhulst and I don't have to wait for the translation ;-)
With TV we have the same, we used to watch BRT programs once in a while. Can't remember when I did it last time. Only with cycling my husband still prefers the Belgian TV.

>215 ronincats: Thanks Roni, I will look at your list later today. Ari tells me it is time for his walk :-)

Hi Anita! I hope you're having a good week.

Totally different in one way, but devastatingly the same in another, I'm quite convinced my dad had PTSD from WWII. REAL MEN didn't talk about it. Fortunately for us, he was just withdrawn emotionally and didn't show love easily, was never violent.

>217 karenmarie: thanks Karen, I think many men who return from war have PTSD. Each war creates many victims :'(
I was happy my uncle did open up a bit to me and Frank, later in life. But he only did when no one else was around, even his wife entering the room made him stop talking about it.

Number fun: after adding my latest book to my yearly total the number of pages read in 2017 is now 81.818 :-)

book 333: Vuurspel by Peter Robinson
BolKobo+, e-book, translated, mystery, DCI Banks 14, original title Playing with Fire, 361 pages

DCI Alan Banks is called in the middle of the night, as two barges at a canal went up in fire. Two people died in the fire and soon there is evidence one was murdered and the other just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Together with Annie Cabbot and their crew Banks tries to find clues.

Half a star less than most DCI Banks books, as I identified the murderer very early on.

book 334: Paulus de hulpsinterklaas by Jean Dulieu
own, Dutch, childrens, awarded, Beste Kinderboek 1962, no translations, 78 pages

The wood-gnome Paulus was famous in our country in the 1960s, as he was on TV.

One night in December, Paulus walks trough the misty wood, and suddenly comes eye to eye with St Nicholas. Paulus never heard about St Nicholas, so he is scared at first. But then St Nicholas asks Paulus if he wants to help out at St Nicholas-night, by representing St Nicholas and give the animals their presents. This task weighs heavy on Paulus, but in the end St Nicholas comes to the rescue.

>219 FAMeulstee: I've read one or two in the series and hope to enjoy another one soon.

>221 thornton37814: Book 24 came out this year, so there is plenty to go, Lori :-)

>220 FAMeulstee: Ah, my favourite, Paulussie.

>223 EllaTim: My favorite was Oehoeboeroe, as I loved that name :-)

book 335: Graaf in Moskou by Amor Towles
from the library, e-book, translated, original title A gentleman in Moscow, 461 pages
TIOLI challenge #15: Read a book with a title that names a living thing (animal, insect, ...)

I saw this book going round at the threads, and I was happy to find the Dutch translation at the e-library.

No doubt this is a well written and clever constructed story, and I wanted to like it.
Maybe I have read too many "real" Russian books in Dutch translation this year to appreciate this book. It doesn't feel authentic, like a perfect copy of an artwork, but at a closer look it is all plastic. Not only here and there minor faults or improbabilities (it is higly unlikely any one could stop two Barsois from their hunt), I never felt I was in Russia/USSR in the first half of the 20th century. It was an amusing, charming and romantic story, set in an unlikely historic place, well composed with many hints and quotes to Russian literature and music, but I never felt engaged with the characters.

If you want to read an engaging, great book set in this time, read Dr Zhivago or Life and Fate.

Sorry you didn't enjoy A Gentleman in Moscow as much as some of us have Anita. I guess as it isn't written by a Russian, I didn't expect that kind of writing, it was light and intriguing in my view.

I am not the biggest fan of Dr Zhivago, and I really must get to Life and Fate which has been on my shelf for some while.

I am slowly reading The Brother's Karamazov - though have put it aside for a few weeks, as it is a tome and I don't want it for holiday reading. It will be my autumn/winter read. I struggled with it a bit at first as I don't like buffoons, but it got better.

>225 FAMeulstee: There are so many people here loving this book, but you're saying what I thought as well. It's a pity, I wanted to like it, as much as they did, but I just didn't, it seemed too polished.

Had the same reaction to Kristin Hannah's book The Nightingale. I had just read Het meisje met het rode haar, which felt so much more authentic.

>226 Caroline_McElwee: Maybe my expectations were to high, Caroline, but somehow I expected more than a glimpse of the time where it was set.

This year I try to read one Russian classic each month. I have read The Brothers Karamazov, but wasn't very impressed. I prefered Crime and Punishment. The two book mentioned above were my favorites, and I enjoyed Gorki's Mother, Tolstoy's Anna Karenina and Goncharov's Oblomov.

>227 EllaTim: Glad to know I am not alone, Ella.
I will remove The Nightingale from mount TBR. I had similair issues with Anthony Doerr's All the light we cannot see. Better start reading Het meisje met het rode haar, as I have it on my e-reader now.

>220 FAMeulstee: - Would that be the book from the televised Paulus de boskabouter? Whether it's him or not, thanks for reminding me of this cute goblin. I'd forgotten all about him.

Btw, you mentioned that you also have a KoboPlus account, but that you'll be ending it soon. Is there a particular reason? I know that in the Netherlands you have the possibility of an e-book-service through your library, so I suspect that might be the reason. But I'm just curious.

>216 FAMeulstee: - I agree with your husband. Flemish tv is the best for watching cycling-events and all that comes with it :-).

>230 Trifolia: Yes, that is him, Monica. There are books, the TV-series and cartoons about Paulus de boskabouter.

I just decided to go on for two months more with my BolKobo+ account. I am also a member of the library.
The reason to end the account is that it is 9,99 euro a month, wich is for me a lot of money. As I read very fast, I can read all their books that I want to read (and are not available at the e-library) in a few months time. I might return to BolKobo+ every year for 3 or 4 months, to keep access to books I want to read and keep the costs managable.

book 336: Mannen leggen me altijd alles uit by Rebecca Solnit
BolKobo+, e-book, non-fiction, essays, translated, original title Men explain things to me, 158 pages

I never heard of Rebecca Solnit and saw an other book by her on Caroline's thread (Caroline_McElwee).

I long thought that feminism was done, as women are already far on their way being equals in society. Sadly looking at statistics we still need to stand up for equality. Women are far more at risk for violent crimes.
It isn't easy to change after thousands of years of patrarchy. A lot has changed in the last century, but there is still a lot to change.

I liked the book, she is funny at times, but her message is both serious and important.

>228 FAMeulstee: I'm a big War and Peace fan, I've still to get to Anna Karenina, maybe Christmas time. I loved, and vividly remember reading Crime and Punishment in my 20s. Due a reread maybe.

Yes, I can imagine that my ultimate feeling will be similar to yours re The Brother's Karamazov Anita. Will see.

Hi Anita!

I'm sorry you didn't like A Gentleman in Moscow very much. Your criticisms are valid compared to authentic Russian novels. Perhaps I loved it because I don't particularly like Russian novels. I found it lyrical and a good little primer on some Russian history that I wasn't familiar with. Some novels require that you suspend disbelief, which I was happy to do in this case. To each her own!

>233 Caroline_McElwee: I started the year with War and Peace, Caroline, I liked the book but should have skipped the second epilogue.

>234 karenmarie: Doesn't matter, Karen, at least I know now what everybody is talking about. You can't like them all :-)

>231 FAMeulstee: - That makes sense, especially since you have the e-library.
>232 FAMeulstee: - Sounds interesting.

Happy weekend, Anita!

>236 Trifolia: Thanks Monica, happy weekend to you!
Mannen leggen me altijd alles uit was a good read, the first essay with the same title was very funny. In the next essays more she writes about more serious problems.

book 337: Het meisje met het rode haar by Theun de Vries
BolKobo+, e-book, Dutch, no English translation, 494 pages

Book about Hannie Schaft, who joined the Dutch communist restistance in 1942 and was executed by the Nazi's on April 18th 1945, less than 3 weeks before German capitulation.

Hannie studied Law at the university of Amsterdam, sharing a room with two Jewish girls. When the Nazi's made life more and more difficult for her friends, Hannie decided she wanted to help them. She and her parents gave the two girs a hiding place at their home, and Hannie joined the resistance. Her parents were social-democrats, but working with together with many members of the Dutch communist party, she became a communist. Together with Hugo, who was the love of her life, she killed some high Nazi commanders. One day the planned killing goes wrong and Hugo falls, deadly wounded, in Nazi hands. They try to keep him alive to get information, but he refuses to say anything. Sadly they find a picture of Hanna, with her parents adress, on his body. Hanna's parents are send to camp Vught.
After Hugo's death Hanna fights on as much as she can, even working with other resistance groups (who didn't completely trust the communists) in the hunger winter of 1944/1945. In March 1945 she is accidently held by police men with illegal communist papers and a revolver. Only days later the Nazi's find out she is "the redhaired girl" that is wanted for killing Nazi's, as she had her hair dyed black. After some days of servere interogation and molestation, she is taken to the dunes and executed...

An impressive and intense book of one of my favorite Dutch writers, about standing up for your ideals and fighting Nazism at time of war. The communists were the among the first groups who started to resist. After the war they became soon marginalised, because of the cold war. Even meetings at the place where Hanna was executed were forbidden in the 1950s.

Sadly there is no English translation available, but there was a Dutch movie made after the book, that might be available with English subtitles.

>232 FAMeulstee: I read that this summer after some of our 75ers recommended it, and ended up buying a copy for my 16 year old great niece for her birthday. Thought it was very good!

Did you get to the beach?

>232 FAMeulstee: Another one for the wish list!

>238 FAMeulstee: Good review!

Have an nice day, Anita

Hi, Anita! Happy weekend! I enjoyed the photos you posted today on FB of your visit to the Observatorium! Some really strange but strangely compelling features! :)

>239 ronincats: Thanks, Roni, I was plesantly surprised by Men explain things to me.
No, I didn't get to the beach, I was completely exhausted after visiting my mother at the nursery home...

>240 EllaTim: Thanks Ella, I bet your wishlist has been growing fast since you joined our group :-)

>241 Storeetllr: Thanks Mary, I will post some of the photo's tomorow, at the start of my next thread.

September 2017 stats

35 books read (9.498 pages, 316.6 pages/day)

12/17/6 own/library/Kobo+
14/21 Dutch/translated
30/5 fiction/non-fiction

2 1001 books
9 childrens/YA
15 e-books
21 TIOLI books

best books in September
Een koning voor de Dalriaden (The Mark of the Horse Lord) by Rosemary Sutcliff (YA)
Aardzee (The Earthsea Trilogy) by Ursula LeGuin (fantasy)

--

2017 totals until September:

total books read in 2017: 337 (82.931 pages, 303.8 pages/day)

185/134/18 own/library/Kobo+
112/222/3 Dutch/translated/English
297/40 fiction/non-fiction

24 1001 books (total 47)
157 childrens&YA
78 e-books
233 TIOLI books

total ratings
  18 x
  71 x
129 x
  74 x
  38 x
    5 x
    2 x

>238 FAMeulstee: how frustrating it's not in translation in English, nor any of his books I can see Anita.

>244 Caroline_McElwee: As far as I know some of his works were translated in former Eastern bloc languages, Caroline. He was known as a communist writer, so not very popular in the west.

>245 FAMeulstee: It's a pity, his writing is very accessible, and made me understand a lot more of the feelings, thoughts, and ideology of people in the resistance, and in the communist resistance.

>238 FAMeulstee: Me too. I wonder if worth suggesting him to one of the new publishers of fiction in translation.

>247 charl08: He would be worth it, I think, Charlotte.