Apolline's corner of books and music in 2011

Welcome to my humble little corner of the best, coziest, funniest, friendliest and chattiest reading group in the world:)

This is my second year among the 75'ers. The 2010 group challenge gave me many new friends, good reads and tons of good book tips...my wish list and to be read pile has grown out of proportions, but that also means I will never run out of books to read.

Reading and writing English every day, helps me keep my English intact and probably improves it too (thanks guys)!!

"Among the many worlds which man did not receive as a gift of nature, but which he created with his own spirit, the world of books is the greatest." - Herman Hesse -

Great to see you back, Bente!

Well, I'll be in the corner with you. I look forward to your reports from Norway in 2011. I'm glad to see that music will continue to be part of your thread. I do love how you match up a song with the book you're reading.

hi Bente!
welcome in 2011 ;-)

Yay, star for you!

My frozen, Norwegian friend. Glad you're back.

#2, 3, 4 & 5: Hi guys! Thanks for stopping by already. I'm busy in the 2010 thread, ending the year, so I'll be back here posting soon!

Have a wonderful christmas!

#6: Hi Mac! Better believe it;)

And so are you, thankfully!

Hi Bente. God Jul. (Hope that's right.)

Tomorrow night, public television in the U.S. is having a "Christmas in Norway" show. I'm eager to watch it and learn more about the customs there.

Happy HoHo Days! Nice to find you again. :)

Bente, I wondered where I'd lost you *already*! I plan to keep you found in 2011.

Welcome back!

Happy St. Stephen's Day! Or Boxing Day! Whichever you prefer, Bente, may it be a happy, happy occasion.

Hi Bente, happy new year. Good to see you back here! Let's have a great reading year filled with awesome books and wonderful music.

Hello, Bente! :)

Hello! Glad to see you here, I was wondering where your thread had gone... there's so many people on here already, it's easy to get lost in the thread wilderness... theaderness... wilderthreads? Er, anyway, starred and looking forward to your reading & commentary this year!

Hallo Bente! Good to see you back again, just checking in to say Happy New Year!

Oh, I can see I have been neglecting you guys this year...well, I'm back:)

#9: Hey, Linda! Welcome to my thread. God jul was correct indeed. How was the tv-show? I'm curious!

#10: How are you Ren? Thanks for stopping by!!

#11: Hey, dear sir! I'm honored by your visit. Did not know you had the time to stop by others when there are so many people visiting you:) I hope you will find something interesting in here.

#12: Thank you:)

#13: Thanks again, Richard!! I had a lovely day, though..we're a bunch of old protestants up here, so we just call it the second day of Christmas;)

#14: Taaaanja! You're back! I've missed you:)

#16: I know exactly what you mean, Faith! Glad you found your way in the crowd:)

#17: Hi, Fliss! Happy New Year to you too! Hope you had a wonderful celebration!:)

Well, now I'm up and running again. First review will be up soon:)

Wandering through and waving hello!

#16 Faith: "wilderthreads" *snork!* Love it.

*waves to Bente*
Hi - happy reading!

#19: Hi, Caty! Glad to see you around! *waving back*

#20: Hey, Amber:) Thanks for stopping by my thread! Hope to see you around. I'll stop by your thread and hear about your work. It sounds very interesting:) I was supposed to ask you about it last year, but unfortunately I got lost in the wilderness of wilderthreads. (Yay for new words, Faith:D) I think I will be able to navigate better this year!

So, I finished my second book today. Up for a good start, though I know it will not last the whole year. Enjoying it while it lasts, though:)

Those of you who visited me last year, you know I sort of pick a song to represent my thoughts on a book.. a sort of theme song if you like. Even though I really enjoyed my first book in 2011, I had some difficulties of finding the right song...well, it appeared to me earlier today, so now I'm set to write the review quite soon. Both books turned out to be good reads, and now I am quite determined to find another little treasure of a book:)

Well, I'm off book hunting in my forest of shelves. See you guys tomorrow!

*pats foot waiting for Bente to review the durned book already*

Hello Bente, only just found your thread, just in time to read your first review soon - I hope (you've got to keep Richard happy!).

#22: You are off hunting for books, but you did not tell us what the book is that you just finished?! Completely unfair! :)

#18 The Norwegian Christmas show was excellent. I can't remember the names of the performers anymore (I think there was a brother and a sister and the woman played a violin) but Princess Martha Louise was the hostess and offered commentary. She seems very personable and down to earth.

I agree with Stasia – Completely unfair! :D

Looking forward to the songs & reviews Bente!

#23-28: Thanks for being so patient:) My eyes have been causing my head a lot of pain since Saturday, so I have neither been reading nor been using my computer that much since then. I changed my contacts today (silly me thought I had just done that) and now I think will get better. But I'm still seeing my optician next week! Weird how much your eye-sight can affect your well being from day to day.

Oh, and I am of course working on those reviews :)

#1 A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

A few months ago I had a sudden memory of a TV-series I liked as a child. Unfortunately I did not remember much of the plot, except that it was about a girl living in some form of orphanage, apparently poor and with a doll as company. Then a little while later, someone mentioned this book. So, I went to check it out. Now, after I read it, I am 99% sure the TV-series was based on this book.

And what a delightful little book it is. Frances Hodgson Burnett actually wrote three versions of this story; a novella published as a series in a magazine, a play, and a novel. The reason she rewrote it, was that more and more of Sara Crewe’s story appeared to her while writing the play. Burnett was then asked by her publishers to write “the whole story of Sara Crewe”.

Sara Crewe grew up in India with her father, Captain Crewe. Even though they were immensely rich, it was her father’s opinion that India was no places for children to live. Since Sara’s mother was already dead, she was placed in Miss Minchin’s Select Seminary for Young Ladies. There, Sara acted as the show pupil, until her father died and left her with no money. Miss Minchin made her a little servant, letting her share the cold attic with poor Becky. Sara is left with nothing but her doll Emily and her vivid imagination to cope with her new life.

This story is lovely, enchanting, heart wrecking and warm all at once. Definitely a must read for young girls who like to pretend, who have colourful imaginations or who wants to be a princess. I particularly liked this following quote, which I presume most of you will think familiar.

Never did she find anything so difficult as to keep herself from losing her temper when she was suddenly disturbed while absorbed in a book. People who are fond of books know the feeling of irritation which sweeps over them at such a moment. The temptation to be unreasonable and snappish is one not easy to manage.

I had made my mind up for a song, but suddenly I changed it when I remembered this one. It is a beautiful version by a wonderful artist. I recommend both book and song to all of you.

Somewhere over the rainbow by Eva Cassidy

30:I really need to get to this book. I loved The Secret Garden. Looks like it was a great book to start the year with. I also really like Eva Cassidy's rendition of that song. Lovely, lovely!

>31 RosyLibrarian:: I haven't read The Secret Garden yet, but I have it on my shelf, just waiting to be read. I have added Little Lord Fauntleroy to my pile too, since I barely remember it from my childhood. I guess it's time to renew my acquaintance with the little Lord;) Well...when I can get to it, that is.

I love Eva Cassidy's music. She is one of the few artists who can bring tears to my eyes just by listening to her. If I could choose one artist I would want to hear live, it is her. Sigh...too bad it is impossible.

Congratulations on getting your first book of the year under your belt, Bente! Glad to see you enjoyed it!

Up to you on whether to read my review on Sense and Sensibilty. I didn't like it as much as the other Austen I've read.

>33 alcottacre:: Thanks, Stasia! I'm off to start Sense and Sensibility now :)

>34 blackdogbooks:: I will definitely read it, Mac! I do appreciate your reviews, so I have no intentions to stop reading them now. But, with that said, I think I will wait until I have made up my own mind of the book:)

Oh...and I think a congratulations is in order (hehe)...14 days into the new year, and I have not bought a single book :D I even spent half an hour in a bookstore today without buying anything. But, it wont be long I think ;)

Hi Bente! Nice review of your first book A Little Princess. Sounds like something I would enjoy. I will have to look for the book either at my local library or possibly buy a copy. Congratulations on not buying a book yet. I have spent about $8 on books so far this year. So I am pleased with that amount.

#35: I wish I could say that I have not broken down and bought a book yet, but sadly, I have. Only one though, so for me, that is a good start to the New Year.

Ahhh... A Little Princess - fond childhood memories. I re-read it quite recently and, it still lives up to my memory. The Secret Garden on the other hand, I never really "got"... Great review.

Now. I'm also off to start my re-read of Sense and Sensibility...

A Little Princess sounds quite charming, I think I might have to read it. I hope your eyes have stopped bothering you, that must be really annoying. Oh, and I'm very much looking forward to hear what you think of S&S.

I love the idea of songs that match the books you read. Music is so evocative, sometimes the thing that can bring emotions out the fastest for me, so music and books combined is a good thing.

#36: Hey, Monica. Thanks!:) I hope you will like the book when you track down a copy. It is a quick read and very sweet.

#37: Hi, Stasia! I should have known better than to brag about my "not bought any books yet" thingy. It lasted one day, to tell you the truth:) At Saturday I entered the bookstore again and bought my first book in 2011. It was a history book, my first in a couple of years, so maybe it is a good thing. I've sort of avoided them after I finished my MA...so tired of everything history, not fiction of course:) I discussed the book with a couple of friends before buying it, and we agreed it did sound interesting...at least for us "not married yet gals";) It is actually called Marriage, a History by Stephanie Coontz.Not a typical read for me, but if I put on my "history glasses" I guess I will find it quite interesting.

#38: Hi, Fliss! Glad you liked the review:) I have not read The Secret Garden yet, but it is stuck in my shelf, so I guess I will read it some day. I did see the movie ones, though...and to tell you the truth, I like A Little Princess much better. How are you coming along with S&S? So, far I'm following the group read pace, due to another book I was reading (which I finished today).

#39: Tanja:) Glad to see you around!!! How is Birk doing? And you? And your boyfriend? Getting any sleep? Yes, you should read A Little Princess:) Very sweet story! I think my eyes will come around...probably just need to upgrade my contacts or something:)

#40: Hey there and welcome to my thread! I feel just the same as you do about music. Couldn't live without either books or music. Important ingredients in my life. What kind of music do you prefer?

I'm not very far in to S&S yet as I got distracted by The Last Dragonslayer, but it's one of the ones I've already read multiple times anyway (as you may be able to tell from my comments on the group read!), so I'm not too worried about keeping up.

That said, I realised today that I had completely forgotten about the existence of Lady Middleton (probably Ang Lee's fault) and it has been a few years since I last read it, so I'm looking forward to getting stuck in to it properly tonight.

How are you enjoying it so far?

>42 flissp:: It is my first time reading the book, and I do not think I have seen the whole film either. I think I saw arts of it once, but decided I wanted to read the book before I got the story spoiled;) It is funny how the movie version often makes you forget the original story...it has happened to me several times, and as I am rereading the book I am waiting for certain things to happen, and the never do since it was a twist from the world of films. Well, keeps the story from growing old then:)

I have to admit I am not really sucked in to S&S yet, but that has more to do with me being totally into the book I just finished. Hmm, which is not the review coming up, but the one after that;)

#2 Arabella by Georgette Heyer

Arabella is the daughter of an impoverished country parson in the Yorkshire area. With three sisters and three brothers, it is her mother's wish to see her married with a respectable and wealthy man. Arabella is lucky enough to have a rich Godmother in London, who, with no daughter of her own, willingly takes Arabella under her protective wings as a débutante among London's finest social elite.

On Arabella's way to London, her carriage breaks down outside the hunting cabin of London's Nonpareil, Robert Beaumaris. Arabella and her escort, is invited in to wait for a new carriage, but as soon as Arabella is out of the Nonpareils eye shot, he accuses her of planning the stop and being just another girl after his wealth. Arabella finds herself provoked in such a degree, that she chooses to tell Mr. Beaumaris and his company a lie to prove him wrong. And so the story unfolds, with parties, fancy dresses and misunderstandings, all is set for a little drama, but also love.

This was my first encounter with Georgette Heyer’s writing, and definitely not the last. This book had every aspect of a good historical romance. Supposedly Heyer established the historical romance genre and the subgenre Regency romance. The fact that Georgette Heyer was deeply inspired by Jane Austen did shine through in Arabella. I registered several similarities to, especially Pride and Prejudice, but not in a degree that I found it problematic. Quite the contrary I found the story sweet, entertaining and charming. I caught myself thinking of Arabella and the book several days after I finished it. I take that as a good sign and I can heartily say that I enjoyed the book very much.

I chose this song for Arabella: Lifehouse - You and Me

#41: Didn't take you long to fall off the book buying wagon, huh? LOL

#44: I will get to that one eventually, I am sure. Glad to see you enjoyed it.

44: Great review! I really need to read Georgette Heyer and this looks like a good book to start with. Off to the library I go!

>45 alcottacre:: Unfortunately no, and I am actually planning a little shopping spree at amazon in my head....hahaha. Well, I will see how long I will last.

>46 RosyLibrarian:: Thanks! I saw you have added Arabella to your library, did you get hold of a copy already? Hope you will enjoy it, and that I didn't fill you with too high hopes (in case you don't like it)! I hate to recommend book that people don't end up liking. *fingers crossed*:)

47: No, but I put it in my wishlist collection so I would remember to find it. That is the only way I can keep track of book recommendations. It's probably bigger than my actual library at this point...scary! I'm sure I will love it!

#48: I hope you will! I think I need to start a wishlist collection here on LT too, I have just been marking the messages where I find interesting books. I rpobably have about 200 hundred only from the 75'ers group (if not more). Difficult to keep track of them, though;)

So, I finished another book today. I think I need to press print screen, since January probably will be the only month I actually have read more books than I have bought. Well, off to work on review nr. 3.

Read this article at the NY Times today. I want to goooooooo!!

Norwich, England — a Getaway for Book Lovers

#3 The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

Macy Queen is 17 and struggling with the death of her father a year and a half earlier. When someone asks how she feels, the same answer always comes from her mouth, she’s fine, and has been since her father went away. Macy lives a life full of routines, where school, Jason (the boyfriend), yoga and studying for the SATs take up most of her time. Caroline is Macy’s sister and her opposite in every way. Where Macy forced herself not to cry, to stay in control and be perfect for her mother’s sake, Caroline was the only to show her grief in public. After marrying a lawyer and moving away, Caroline is now worried that Macy is wasting her life, not experiencing life as teenagers should. Macy’s boyfriend, Jason, is going away to Brain camp for the summer, and Macy is left to fill in his job at the local library. Jason is perfect in many ways and very smart, but seems to lack any knowledge of things that really matter, in other words, his social antennas are ripped out with the root. Jason decides to take a break from his relationship with Macy after she tells him that she loves him.

That is when Macy sign up for a job at Wish catering, get new friends and slowly start breaking out from her shell. It is the time she starts facing her grief, her mother and her monotonous life. Is there more to be explored and can she handle whatever comes along? Like the handsome artist Wes, the boy she starts playing Truth with, the only one she reveals her secrets too? Or should she go back to Jason, the one who was rock steady in her life after losing her father? Things are set to change for Macy, if only she will let it.

My first thought is how fast I was sucked in to the story about Macy. I learned fast that this book was sweeter, more gentle and heartbreaking than the cover text gives it credit for. This is a typical coming of age novel, the only difference is that Macy has more to deal with than others her age. Themes like grief, loss, insecurity, friendship, love and family ties are universal to us all, and it is easy, in one way or another, to relate to Macy as the character or the story in general.

The characters are well developed, all of them with stories of their own. Some of them we get to know, and some is not relevant to the plot and therefore remains in the dark. Even the unlikeable characters, like Jason, get a chance to reveal the back story of his actions, and maybe he was not all that bad after all. In addition to the well developed characters, the plot is also quite intriguing. All of us will at some point in our lives deal with grief. Everybody reacts to a major loss in different ways, and this book describes them well.

The Truth About Forever reminds me in many ways of books like Undercover, When You Reach Me and The Elegance of the Hedgehog. Maybe because of the strong, adolescent heroine that appears in all of them. All of them a heroine that has her faults and shortcomings, but still ends up as very likeable. It is the kind of book you want to race through, but at the same time enjoy at a slow pace. I heartily recommend this book to all of you. Will I ever pick up a book by Sarah Dessen again? Most definitely!

A song for Macy: Chasing Cars (acoustic) by Snow Patrol

Hey everybody! I just wanted to wish you all a wonderful Sunday!

I did not get into bed before 5.30 this morning, no I was not out partying, but in the city center with 800 other people, marking that our town burnt down to the ground in 1904. The fire started at 2.15 in the middle of the night, so that is when the walk starts every year (I do not go every year...but it was at a Saturday this year). Now I am just waiting for my grandparents to arrive for dinner, and after I am off to see The Dawn Treader at the movies! Can't wait:D

Have a nice day!

Hi Bente, I'm returning the visit you paid me on my thread. You're doing some great reading so far this year...and you've only bought one book.

...January probably will be the only month I actually have read more books than I have bought.

LOL, I went on a buying flurry at the B&N online post-Christmas sale and at some local used bookstores. I received two books as Christmas gifts and have bought twelve (!) since then. Out of control!

>50 Apolline:: Thanks for that link. I wouldn't mind spending a couple of days in Norwich rubbing elbows with the writers in the cafes. It would be a great place for an LT meetup. I've got to get my passport renewed so I can be ready. ;-)

I live about an hour away from Norwich. I've never thought of it as a particularly bookish place though!! Clearly I shall have to go on an excursion and try again ;)

Am I making anyone jealous??

#54 Me either Jenny! Or even a particularly exciting place full stop! Maybe we should go for a day trip ;o)

#52 What a lovely sounding weekend! Any photos?

#43 I hope S&S improves for you Bente...

#55

Would love it!! At least then if it wasn't as bookishly inspiring then we could have a giggle and retreat to a standard bookshop for the inevitable 3 for 2 offers!

51/52: Great review! I've never given that author a try. And what a cool sounding tradition. Not the burning down of the city thing, but the coming together of people to mark the occasion.

54: I'm jealous! I want to be in Norwich...

Edited because I can't spell.

>53 Donna828:: I have to admit I have cravings...but, I have only bought one this far...maybe I'll make it through January without buying anything else...I guess It will double up in February then:D Getting myself a little treat for being so persistence;)

>54 lunacat:-56: Yes, very jealous! But thinking about it, those travel guides always point out what locals don't seem to see, or don't even know exists. Though i think you would know if there was an extremely bookish place just around the corner. Hmm...maybe you should test it out and give the rest of us your own little travel review? Check out all the good book shops, drink good coffee and see if you can spot some interesting writers...is it laid back enough to cope with us 75'ers?? :) Coffee and books, that is all we need, right?

Thanks, Marie! You should check it out:) Yes, well, we are sort of happy about it now, though it was a tragedy back then. When they rebuilt the town they built it in the art nouveau/jugend style, and that is mainly what the tourists come to see now:)

Sorry, Fliss! It was dark and rainy, so didn't really get any good shots.

*smooch* to Bente

I haven't read Arabella yet, but when I do, it's All Your Fault.

Love your review of The Truth About Forever. It is now on my tbr pile.

Hello to you.

Well Bente, only one book bought is not bad ;-)
I have been good so far, but my husband did buy ONE book this year... but it was on the wishlist.
I am currently too tiered to buy anything, even online...

#56 Jenny, you're on! Been ages since I last went to Norwich. Anyone else nearby want to join us?!

#58 I think that the thing is that I mostly avoid Norwich Bente ;o) ...so I wouldn't really call myself local, although it's only about an hour by car. Usually, if I'm going to the East Anglian coast, it'll be to the little villages rather than the towns - and usually the Suffolk part. Sounds like it's changed a lot since I last went there though. Jenny and I shall just have to check it out for you as you say!

#59 Bah to no photos ;o)

#63

Deal. I think I could use some cheering up! And as long as we're doing it after my birthday, which is Feb. 19th, I should have a tiny bit of money for books!

There seem to be a few second-hand bookshops in Norwich, as found here: http://www.inprint.co.uk/thebookguide/shops/east_anglia/norfolk.shtml

I'm so excited!!!!

#64 Sounds like a plan, Stan. We shall have birthday celebrations! Woo!

>60 richardderus:: Heey Richard! I didn't see you as a historical romance kind of guy, but hopefully you will like it...if you get to it some day. About time I hit someone with a book bullet;)

>61 Whisper1:: Thank you, Linda! Nice to have you around. Hope you like the book when you get to it:)

>62 FAMeulstee:: Hi, Anita! Hope you feel better soon! I guess I need to read some books that I already have before I buy something new. *Sigh* It would be easier if it was not for all those darn, good books out there!

>63 flissp:: I know what you mean, Fliss! Just the thought about going to our neighbour town Molde, is hilarious;) Hehe, some good, old rivalry going on there.

>64 lunacat: & 65: You really know how to rub it in!! Well, go, go and have a lovely time...and then come back here to show me pictures and tell me all about it! And I need a full list of all the books you bought;)

Sorry about the photos, Fliss...let's see if you can enjoy this instead http://vimeo.com/8736190 :)

This area is about 1-1,5 hours from my hometown. Very popular hiking places in the spring/summer/autumn..though I would never go there since I am terribly scared of heights!

I already have The Truth about Forever in the BlackHole. Now if only the library patron who has it would return it. . .

#68: Hopefully that person will return it soon! and hopefully you will enjoy the book when the person does! How are you today, Stasia?

Swinging by to say hello.

#69: Doing fine, Bente! Hope everything is OK in your neck of the woods.

Hi Bente, I'm so slow. Well, Birk is my excuse, and he's doing very fine (pics of him on my thread, btw), and boyfriend (actually husband to be correct, we got married in september) is doing fine and I'm doing fine. We are all very fine (in the best sense, not like Macy), and not at all too tired. He's a great sleeper at night (not during the day) the little Birk.

Hope you are doing well too? How's the (not) book buying coming? I would so love to go on a shopping spree, but I think I'm supposed to be reasonable and not spend all my money on books now that I have a kid.

Oh, and would love to go to Norwich too, but again.. the kid and not spending money.. bah, I'll just enjoy the pictures and stories.

Some great reviews you've written btw!

>70 Whisper1:: Hello Linda! I'm a little late, but waving at your back as you're passing through:)

>71 alcottacre:: Everything is fine over here! Had a busy week last week...at Thursday I had to go to both a funeral (my best friend suddenly lost her grandfather) and to my uncle's 60th birthday party. It was both a sad and a good day. At Friday I didn't go to work, but attended a course in the neighbour town. It was a course on oral storytelling...how to create a story, how to remember it without a text and how to tell it... It is not directly linked to my work, but I some times have to do presentations and it is good to practice speaking in front of people.

And it did nourish my own tiny, little interest in developing stories, though I much rather like to write them in stead of telling them..well orally:)

>72 FrkFrigg:: You got married in September? Did I miss it, or am I not quite updated? I think I need to go check out your 2010 thread. I'm so sorry if I did not congratulate you, or if I did and have forgotten about it!!!! Sorry, sorry!

I'm glad you're all fine, though, and not in the Macy kind of way. My own little book buying ban is doing really well so far. But I'm staying away from amazon and all those exciting online temptations. I'm suppose to get my friend a book for her birthday (which was the 12th of January), but I'm not really trusting myself, so staying away a little longer. the bad thing is that when I do allow myself to buy books again, I will buy boatloads;) Or maybe I will learn to control myself.

To tell you the truth, I think little Birk is giving you more pleasures in life than buying books ever will!! Hopefully I will get there too one day, and then I will get very acquainted with the library again!:)

#67 Bente, how beautiful! You've very lucky to live so near (even if you can only look from the bottom!)

#72 Congratulations on getting married from me too!!

...Jenny & I have been making Norwich plans - we shall report back for everyone ;o)

>74 flissp:: Hi, Fliss! At least I can enjoy them on pictures...like every body else;) I'm more of an ocean/sea girl anyway! I hope your day is fine!! And your reading too.

I just figured that our first reading month of the year has passed (I know I'm a bit slow). Shoot...it literally flew away. I had a little reading break after finishing book nr 4...I know, still haven't written the review, but it is coming up soon. The reason of my break was that reading all those books did something with my sleeping rhythm, so had to lay off a little. But I'm currently working on two books, S&S and a short story collection, so I'm heading back there:)

Oh...and I have a very social bunch of friends, that I love spending time with. This sort of interfere with my reading time, but all in all I guess I have to live in the real life a little too, though, not just for work. So we went out to eat bacalao and tapas, before going to the movies to watch Black Swan. What can I say? Wow...probably. To combine something as beautiful as ballet, with something as dark as that. Difficult film to describe, not really something I've seen before. But I liked it...in a weird kind of way. leaves you hanging to put it that way. Anyone else seen it? What did you think?

#73 – Oh no, you didn't miss it. I never got around to telling it. My mind must have been occupied with other things, and it was nothing big. Just a trip to the city hall and dinner with the very closest family afterwards. We had planned to go to Vegas and do it Elvis style, but a pregnancy got in the way.. And speaking of which, you're absolutely right: Birk does give me more pleasure in life than buying (or reading for that matter) any book ever will :)

I really should try a course like the one you were on. I think it would be very good for my speaking skills (I suck at speaking in front of people, big time).

#74 – Thank you, Fliss!

Hi Bente, just catching up. I've visited Norwich a few times in years past, but on foot, on a pilgrimage, without time to stop and explore the bookshops. Most cathedral cities and larger market towns in England have a good few second-hand bookshops and tea shops (occasionally a combination of the two, even better) so I enjoy pottering around them when I get the chance.

#76: Well, in that case, congratulations, Tanja! A wedding can be special without being big:) I hope it was a wonderful day for you guys!

On the speaking in public thing, I think a lot of it lies in confidence. Haha, I think I always looks like a tomato at such occasions, I guess I'm not the public speaker type, but that's okey. Someone else can do it;)

#77: Hi, Genny!! Glad to see you around. It is hard to keep up with all the threads. Just as I think I am caught up, something catches my mind and I fall right back on. Well, that's life I guess. Better to have a talkative bunch, than nothing at all :) One of my dreams is to rent a car and drive criss cross through England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland...some day ;)

Have a wonderful day. I'll come visit you at your thread soon.

Oh, and I finished Sense and Sensibility today! I'm set for Pride and Prejudice in March! Can't wait:)

#78 – Thank you, Bente. It was a wonderful day! A magical, wonderful and funny day. I just wish I'd known how see-through my top was in the blitz light (and elsewhere?) It would have made the photos a bit more appealing :P

Yep, I'm familiar with the tomato look too. I think sometimes my face turns red because I'm afraid it will turn red. Stupid, vicious circle! :)

#787: Congrats on finishing Sense and Sensibility, Bente! I am about 75% through, so hopefully I will be done with it soon too.

>79 FrkFrigg:: Know the feeling...typical!:) Doesn't happen too often luckily!

>80 alcottacre:: Hi, Stasia! Hope you enjoy the book. I expect you to be done already;)

#78 When you do your grand tour of the UK, make sure you let your LT friends know you are coming - we can introduce you to all the best bookshops! ;)

#80: I am reading several chunksters right now, Sense and Sensibility included, so that is slowing me down on it a bit. I will have it done by the end of the month though.

Wops! I can see I've been gone for a while. But I've finished one more book now...and I bought two books today. So, still in the lead with books read instead of books bought in February!

#82: Thanks, Genny! I will make sure of it!:)

#83: How did you like it, Stasia?

Hope you are all doing well!

Congratulations on mostly keeping to your goals. I sympathize with trying to keep ahead of the TBR pile by minimizing the number of books coming into the house. I'm trying to keep to a book-buying moratorium because I've been unemployed for two months now, and I'm starting to approach the credit card limit. But a couple of weeks ago, I came across Islamic Glass in the Corning Museum of Glass on sale and I had to buy it. If I waited, I'd never see it again. The next time we stopped by the bookstore, I just picked up a fluff novel and sat in the corner reading until my querido was done browsing. Because if I look, I'm sure to find something.

I enjoyed the review of A Little Princess. I confess to being unfamiliar with that one, though I have The Secret Garden from my childhood, signed by a teacher as my prize for a reading competition in elementary school. Not that it was much of a challenge for me, since I already read more books in a typical week than was required for the competition.

Hi, Chris. Missed you there...though I guess it's no surprise I've been absent lately.

Mostly because I have nothing to report on the reading front, though I'm working on several books (probably four). I'm in a period where I start reading books, but nothing sticks, or seem interesting. And, unfortunately, I've been very busy at work with a few deadlines these passed few weeks. So, I'm getting there slowly.

Looking forward to start P&P, but putting it off until next week. Are you joining the Austenathon?

I managed to keep my book buying habit to a minimum in February, too, but I did go on a shopping spree at amazon last week. So, now I'm up to 12 bought and 6 read ;) Well, I'll be set for a while...I think!

How are you doing, btw?

Yay, you're back! I know what you mean about starting to read books and being slow about them. That's been me this whole month too.

Hope work doesn't continue to be too crazy!

>87 RosyLibrarian:: Sorry to hear you have the same thing, though it helps not being alone;) It is a bit hectic at work this week too, I need to do everything I didn't have the time to do the previous weeks, but I'm taking thursday and friday off to visit some friends in Oslo for the weekend. looking forward to it:) Hopefully my reading gear will kick in when I get.

Are you working on anything good atm?

Everything is happening so fast here on LT, so it is quite overwhelming trying to catch up!

Note to self: don't fall that far behind again!

Hello Bente, nice to see you posting again. I've also got very behind on here, and the people who have millions of new posts on their threads are hard to catch up with, but at least those of us who have gone quiet can be caught up with more easily! I too know what you mean about starting books but not managing to finish any - I was a bit like that in February and still have about four that I'm 'half-way through' and have been for ages, though I've managed to start and finish a few more in March so far.

Anyway, I hope the deadlines have calmed down at work and you have a bit more time to enjoy both reading and posting on here.

@86: No worries--I'm only just starting to dabble again. No way I can keep up with the very active threads. I too am having some appetite problems, having a hard time figuring out what I want to read, trying diligently to wrap up books I've started but losing steam, and so on.

Still no job, but still interviews and good prospects. You'd think being unemployed would mean lots of reading time, but no. I still feel just as overwhelmed with all of the things that need to get done...

I hope you get caught up at work and the stress levels become manageable. Have a lovely long weekend with friends and books.

>89 gennyt:: Hi, Genny! Nice to see you:) I will work my way to your thread soon! I'm glad I'm not alone having a mild reading funk. Hope it ends soon for you. I guess one of these months we will end up with a higher "books finished" rate than February, since every book has an end. We'll get there soon;) Yes, I think work will slow down a little in the time coming. Thankfully! I'm now looking forward to Oslo this weekend, and then it's only a month until Easter. Nice:)

>90 justchris:: I hope things work out for you soon, Chris! Fingers are still crossed:)

I received my first stack of books from amazon today, so the books bought in March are as follows:

1. Camilla Collett - Amtmannens døtre
2. Haruki Murakami - Norwegian Wood
3. Jeannie Birdsall - The Penderwicks
4. Ann Radcliffe - The Mysteries of Udolpho
5. Sarah Dessen - Just Listen
6. Sarah Dessen - Lock & Key
7. Dodie Smith - I Capture the Castle

(To my excuse, I'm only lacking two books!!)

A candle for Japan:

88: Gone with the Wind has taken up most of my March reading. What are you working on?

93: Yes, so very sad. My thoughts with them too.

Hope you enjoy I Capture the Castle when you get around to it!

>93 Apolline:, I concur. I hate knowing that so much death and destruction was going on at the exact moment I was watching live footage. It's too much.

I confess I havent read your whole thread yet....but what I've seen looks good :-)

Hi Bente, just dropping by!

#82 Absolutely must!

#86 Know the not-settling-to-anything thing - I had a very long bookslump over Christmas and the start of the year - unusual because I usually read a lot more than usual at that time of year - coming out of it now though, so I hope the same happens for you soon...

#88 Have a fantastic time with your friends in Oslo!

Also hoping you enjoy I capture the castle - I loved it!

I had a great time in Oslo this weekend, lots of activities and little sleep. Ended up with a bad tooth ache (one of my wisdom teeth is trying to tell me something), so I have to go to the dentist tomorrow.

Now I am passing the time with pain killers, ice cream and Pride and Prejudice. Oh, sweet relief!:)

#99 Sounds like a very good solution to pain to me!

urgh, dentists *shudder shudder*

@99: I hope the pain goes away soon, Bente. Glad you had a lovely visit.

99: Oh no, not to be a negative Nancy but wisdom teeth pain does not go away until you have them pulled. I had all four of mine out a few years ago...I wish you all the luck in the world if you get yours out.

Almost nothing worse than toothache - hope you manage to concentrate on reading, and that the dentist will sort it out one way or another soon...

Ah yes, the dental thing. Thanks for reminding me I have two appointments on Monday - one with my oral surgeon and the other with my regular dentist for the final stages of my dental implants. This process started a year ago when my bridge broke and broke off the tooth next to it. Oh yeah, I also had a wisdom tooth pulled around that time. Piece of cake -- almost!

Bente, I've been reading (well, reading and listening) to Karin Fossum's work. Somewhere I read she's like the queen of mystery in Norway. I'm not a big mystery fan, but I seem to like these books. Have you read any or all of them?

Do take care of that tooth, and in the meantime, enjoy Pride and Prejudice and your ice cream.

#100: I should think it is a solution to many problems. And I finished P&P last night. Even better than the first time I read it!:)

#101: I'm with you...and I'm going again tomorrow! *shudder*

#102: The pain has luckily faded since last week, though at Wednesday it was terribly bad! I'm going in tomorrow to have the tooth removed. Better sooner than later I guess:)

#103: Thank you, Marie! Off to the dentist to have it removed tomorrow, though there will be three left. Fingers crossed for me not fainting when I see the shot.

#104: Thanks, Genny! Hope you are doing fine, too!

#105: Sounds like you've had your own struggles when it comes to teeth. I've been very lucky, this is my first time aching this bad. Never had cavity before either.

When it comes to Karin Fossum I have hear a lot about her, but never read anything. I also have some of her books lined up, maybe I need to get to them. So, much to read;) Glad you like them:)

106: Fingers crossed for you! One out doesn't sound too bad. I'm sure it will be easy breezy. :)

#107: The tooth is out and all is well...so far:) I'll go back after Easter to remove the rest of them. Nasty, little buggers!! You asked me a while back what I've been working on...well I've started and put away (I'll get back to them soon) these books:

The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (what's wrong with me when I can't enjoy a HP book??)
Me and Mr. Darcy yeah, fluff I started to read because I'm preparing a bookmooch pile, and I wanted to know what I was shipping off. I'll finish it I think, but I got interrupted by P&P (which I finished).
Victoria a Norwegian classic...it is really short, but I can't get a hang of it. I'm determined to finish it!

Oh, and did you guys see this?? I almost choked on the coffe I could have been drinking at that very moment!!



Disney is doing a remake of Ms. Marple

*shudders* I think it will spoil the whole idea of Ms. Marple...and who will believe Jennifer Garner to end up as an old maid?

IMO, Disney has the SIDAM touch - opposite of Midas touch. Instead of everything turning into gold, everything turns into s**t!

109: Hahahahaahaha, I burst out laughing at your two pictures side by side. Oh Disney...

Glad the tooth is out without too much fuss. And I know what you mean by starting a pile of books and not finishing them. That was most of my March and I'm just now buckling down to finish a few of them. Must be all that Spring fever or something.

Glad the tooth is gone. Thanks for those photos - someone mentioned on the Mystery March thread (I think) about this proposed remake of Miss Marple, which sounded bad enough, but I actually didn't know what Jennifer Garner looks like, so seeing her makes it even worse/funnier. Completely the wrong concept!

#110: Hehe:D

#111: I looooove the spring! I hope you can finish the books, Marie:)

#112: I'm so out of tune when it comes to threads. I have a hard time being updated, so I didn't know it was mentioned there. Glad I'm not alone then!

I just watched The Voyage of The Dawn Treader dvd, and I still cry when Reepicheep decides to leave Narnia behind. I almost can't remember what he looked like in the old BBC version...does anyone know if they are still up for The Silver Chair? I hope so:)

I have been out of the loop for a while, Bente, but I am back now. Hopefully I will keep up with you the rest of the year.

I loved the recent film version of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I am glad you liked it.

Hi, Stasia! Thanks for stopping by:) I'm very glad to see you back and running. I was gone a good while too, in February/March, so did not know you were out until I got back. It is difficult to catch up with people, we are a chatty bunch, so I also chose to jump in from the day I got back.

I'm not even up to date on my own thread;) I'll post some reviews soon....when ever I feel like writing them. But I'm not in a hurry, since I'm finally back at normal reading pase. Wuldnt want to spoil it:)

Have a wonderful day, Stasia!

Yupp, definitely liked The Vouage of the Dawn Treader. Fingers crossed for them to produce The Silver Chair. It can be equally enchanting!

Yeah, I am hoping that all of the books are eventually produced too, Bente. I do not think it is going to happen though unfortunately.

Have a great day!

I liked the Dawn Treader film too - I think it worked much better than Prince Caspian. Sorry to hear they are not likely to be making more films.

Glad to hear you are back to a normal reading pace Bente, I hope that continues...

Thankyou for reminding me, I must set time aside this weeked to watch the Dawn Treader movie with my girls. Such a great book.

#117, 118 & 119: I can actually watch all the Narnia films countless times:) Glad you guys liked them too, and fingers crossed for The Silver Chair and following books!

Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday! The spring is on its way over here, so I want to share this with you:)

The Spring by Vivaldi

#120

Thanks for that, it put such a smile on my face. My dad was a music teacher and always had classical music on in the house. I love Vivaldi. It brings back such wonderful memories and such a warm feeling, that I haven't had since.

I love that too, one of the first pieces I taught myself to play on the piano.

I love Vivaldi too :)

#121: Glad you like it, Jenny! It is funny how classical music can tell a story without using any words. That's what I love about The Spring, since you can picture everything that happens in the melody! Hold on to the sweet memories:)

#122: Lucky you! I always wanted to play the piano, but ended up with the clarinet (which I haven't played in at least ten years). Wasn't it hard to learn?

#123: Lovely, isn't it? I bet you have had spring for a long time already, over there! Am I right?

Ahh, I taught myself about 5 years ago and it was a lot easier to do this as an adult, I had more patience as well. There were too many kids in our family to afford music lessons although I really really wanted to learn the bass guitar when I was at school.

We did have an electric keyboard and a guitar growing up though so I taught myself to read music as a kid and just mucked about on these and that sufficed until recently when we inherited a Bechstein piano, my pride and joy now - just wish I had more time to practice.

#124: Yes, it has been spring here for a while now. We have been seeing temperatures in the 80s already.

Spring is such a great time.... I love the daffodils....Im also enjoying the autumn leaves here at the moment too and we've lit the fire for the first time (dare I say it....) this WINTER!

#125: Wow, I'm impressed! Two-hand coordination is very difficult for me...my cousin tried to teach me Für Elise once, but I only managed the melody and not the cords!! Hehe:) I hope to learn how to play the violin one day... I guess it will be only in my dreams.

#126: Lucky, lucky! I guess you are talking Fahrenheit..I'm used to Celsius and therefore not quite sure jow much 80 is...but I do think it is a whole lot more than here! Looking forward to summer:)

#127: Autumn is a very beautiful season! All the colours:) How cold do your winters get?

Finally, finally!! Easter holiday:) I'm not going back to work until next Tuesday. I have no plans except maybe one or two trips to the mountain, play some football or volleyball with friends, enjoy the forthcoming Spring, watch the Easter-crime on TV and read Easter-crime and catch up on my reviews!! I guess I have enough things to fill my time with!

Have a fantastic, wonderful day everybody:D

*diving in to the first Easter-crime-mystery*

Your easter sounds so great, have a good time. I'm getting thursday to tuesday off so very much looking forward to a 6 day weekend myself. Bought easter eggs for the kids yesterday so we're all sorted.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to you too, I hope you got to do all the things you wanted to. I ate too much and regretted it! Cant help myself (although it doesnt take too much to be too much if you know what I mean....6 months pregnant with the belly of an 8 month pregnant woman).

Back to your question, re: winter and how cold it gets. Usually at nights there can be a frost so =zero degrees or -1 or -2. Last year it seemed to rain all winter which was both unusual and depressing! It is usually fine sunny days (7-12 degrees maybe?) during winter, and cold nights. It might snow in the city here about once a year, but we can see snow on the mountains most of winter and also on the hills close to the city often as well. Not too bad as winters go!

#130: I hope your Easter was good and that you enjoyed your days off! It was lovely up here:)

#131: Thank you, Marie! How are you? I'm sooo slow to respond!

#132: Hi, Megan! Ehm...Happy belated Easter;) I did go skiing one day, but ended up with severe blisters, so I couldn't wear shoes for a few days! Luckily the weather turned out great so I could wear flip flops (very unusual in April)!:)

Do you have cravings? Do you know if it is a boy or a girl?? It's so exciting!!:)

I know there has not been much music, and even less books on my thread so far this year. I reading and writing funk in February/March slowed me down a bit, but now I'm reading much more! Now I just need to find the time to review the books and then I will update my thread. Hopefully it will be a bit more exciting around here. Well, the weather is still great (us Norwegians run outside as soon as the sun shines) so I wont be writing until the rain comes (it might just be tomorrow).

I hope you are all doing fine!:)

Aha - found you again!

#106 P&P gets better every time I read it ;o)

Hope your mouth is better now you've had your tooth out and belated happy Easter!

#133, cravings? I ate a whole pottle (small container) of cottage cheese yesterday, I just couldn't stop. I guess that counts :-) I can think of worse things to over-eat!

#135: Much, much better...but have to go back:) (to the dentist, that is...and yes, P&P keeps getting better!

#136: I can think of worse things too! How is it going btw?:)

So...it is our National day, today 17th of May...or Norway day as one can call it. I've been all stashed up in our national costume..been outside watching the parade, waving flags and umbrellas (pouring rain during the parade), been eating, eating and then eating some more.

And even though you guys are not Norwegian, I just felt like wishing you all a Happy Norway Day :)

Our National Anthem

Picture from Oslo:

137: Happy Norway Day! So, what does your national costume look like?

Yay, Happy Norway Day! Have fun

Hi, Marie!!

I think there is about 400-450 different types of the costume in Norway, but mine looks like this:



It is made out of wool, so in sunny days it is VERY warm, but it was ok today.

(and no, it's not me in the picture:)

Wow - I love that you have such a patriotic National Day. I dread to think what would happen if England tried it - I suspect it would turn into middle-aged men in football shirts getting overly drunk and disgracing everyone else! Cynical, moi??

Edit: football shirts, not shorts. Although either would occur

#141: Haha, I would love to see that, at least once;) Our national day is very much for the children. The parade consists mostly of all the schools in our town, kindergartens, local marching bands, choirs, the local football tea, boy and girl scouts (mind..my town is fairly small...the parade in larger towns are...well, larger!).

After the parade everybody moves to their local school, where there are speeches, different competitions and games for the kids.

Then we eat a lot of ice cream! Even if it is cold and raining:)

Here's a picture from my own town...raining!
Edit: Picture didn't work...sorry!

140: So awesome! I want to come visit!

America's patriotic day includes fireworks and barbequing. We're pretty simple people. :)

#142 Then we eat a lot of ice cream! Even if it is cold and raining:) That's what my Kiwi friend who lives in Norway says too! He also said hot dogs :-)

*waving* at Bente :)

I have been gone from your thread for far too long!

#143: Come, come:) It might sound much, but we are quite simple, too;) We're actually not allowed to do fireworks except for New Years Eve. Well...it would be such a waste in May, June and July...it's is so light at night you would hardly see it!

#144: Haha, your Kiwi friend is quite right!! I left out the hot dogs because I'm not particularly fond of them, but they are impossible to avoid:) Where does he live in Norway? I guess the ice cream part is spread throughout the whole country.

#145: Stasia,welcome back! I've missed your presence, but I understand your absence quite well. I'm not good at follow ups myself lately. I hope your May has been good!

Guess what?? I'm working on my reviews...and eating ice cream:D

Looking forward to the reviews. You can keep the ice cream :)

Reviews AND ice cream sound great to me!!! What kind are you eating?

I purchased an ice cream maker last month and it's AMAZING. I don't think I'll ever go back to store-bought, and the ice cream only takes about 20 minutes to freeze up. Wonderful! I highly recommend homemade ice cream if you haven't tried it before. :D

@142: A patriotic day that's about the children sounds wonderful. Too often, it feels like it's about drunken adults and nationalistic fervor around here. Halloween used to be the seminal children's holiday around here, but that's become another adult-fest, since it's really the only day that adults have social license for public childishness. Sigh. Not that I don't love Halloween.

@148: I have always wanted an ice cream maker. Sadly, we are currently trying out a dairy-free diet, which seems to be helping digestive upsets (more sadness!). We may try to phase in some simpler things like yogurt, but I suspect that ice cream will continue to be problematic :(. I'm only a one-season ice cream fan anyway. Can't eat cold stuff when I'm cold. Can't even drink ice water most of the time.

Hi Bente, I've fallen behind on your thread. Alas, there just isn't enough time to keep up anymore. A belated Happy Norway Day to you. I guess my Norwegian roots aren't strong enough to let me eat ice cream when it's cold. However, I can easily make up for that in the hot, humid summers here in Missouri!

#147: More for me then...though I think I ate too much last night:)

#148: A terrific combination, indeed! I had chocolate and raspberry ice cream. Had never tried it before, and it was quite tasty. Ooooh...ice cream maker. Nice!!

#149: It seems that most people can behave the 17th of May around here...it's worse the night before the 16th. That has become an (un)official party day for teenagers and young adults. It has something to do with those who graduates high school (called russ)...since they more or less celebrate their graduation from May 1st, until the 17th...the 16th being their last night to party before the celebration ends and exams start. Unusual celebration, but it has been that way for ages. Come to think of it, it is actually 10 years since I was a russ myself...:D

#150: Hi, Donna!! Thanks! I know what you mean. I really try to catch up with people and stay afloat...but it seems like threads and posts pop up like rabbits.

Ah, I think if you stayed a year in Norway, you would definitely enjoy your ice cream outside in 10 C in mid April without blinking;) We eat ice cream inside in the winter.

Ah..I finished a review and halfway through another!! Felt like posting the first before I go to bed:)

Feels good! My first review since the 22nd of January. Phew!

#4: Love Virtually (Gut Gegen Nordwind) by Daniel Glattauer

Emmi is married to Bernhard, but get in contact with Leo by typing an e-mail address incorrect. Their correspondence turns into friendship and later into something more. Or at least that is what they seem to think. But as the title of the book tells you, everything happens online, through e-mail correspondence and a few messages at the answering machine.

The correspondence reaches several stages throughout the book. It was flirtatious in a platonic way, flirtatious in a teenage way, flirtatious in a searching way, flirtatious in a needy way, flirtatious in a possessive way. Then not flirtatious at all.

This is almost like a book version of “You Got Mail”, only better and without Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. The story start out as sweet, funny and maybe even recognizably for those that at one point in their lives have had an e-mail crush going on. It can be intense, heartwarming and yet frustrating. But as the story unfolds, the plot contains more than a sweet storyline from a romantic comedy. It is a witness of bad choices, of regret disguised under layers of denial, of loneliness, but also of hope and the need of something more in life.

The normal underlying meaning of virtual love is that it is virtual, and therefore not real. But does this mean that the emotion virtual love creates, is not real for the person experiencing it? Emmi and Leo only interact with each other through the internet, and not in real life. The question they have to face, on both sides, is if one can find love in a virtual world and if that love is real or a fantasy.

The book is written entirely as e-mail correspondence. To some this might be a turn off, but in my opinion, the author did quite well in maintaining a sense of nerve and excitement throughout the whole book. Two hundred pages of e-mails might not seem very exciting, but it is a page turner and a surprisingly fascinating book. The intensity between Emmi and Leo is very captivating, in a way that made it impossible to put the book down and turn off the lights at night.

The story ends quite dramatically, and by that time, Emmi and Leo has hold on your heart. You wish both of them the best of luck and hope to see them again someday.

What is more proper for this book than Somewhere Only We Know by Keane?

Congratulations on getting back into the reviewing action. Sounds like a good read. I am a fan of epistolary novels, and emails certainly fall within that realm. Too bad it's not in English, not that I would get around to it anytime soon. Nice review.

Nice review, Bente!

I love ice cream in winter. In fact, I think I eat more from october-march than I do in the summer months. Sadly, I utterly HATE being cold, and I get colder than other people quickly, so I don't think I'd like to live in Norway, or indeed in Sweden. I'm planning a visit to Sweden at some point as I have quite a few friends over there, but.....brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

#154: Thanks, Chris! But I thought they had translated it by now...well, I read it in Norwegian, so I would not bet on it. It is weird how a story can be told through e-mails alone. Everything is so subjective by the person writing the e-mails, so I guess one has to read a lot between the lines. I have only read one novel before, consisting only of notes, e-mails and chat Where The Rainbow End by Cecelia Ahern (ops..some funky touchstones there, apparently out to lunch or something;)), which did not really do it for me. I think the long timegap sort of annoyed me, if I remember correctly. Worth a read if it ever get translated, though:)

#155: Thanks, Stasia!

#156: Haha, well, I can see why people would not want to live here during the winter, but I have to say that the spring, summer and autumn sure makes up for it.

Maybe I should not mention the Norwegian mantra to being cold? Well, I will do it anyways:

Det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlige klær.

Which translates into something like: There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes!

So, it is my own responsibility to dress properly, haha! Well, easier said than done when the winter storms are at its worst;)

#5: I Wish Someone Were Waiting For Me Somewhere by Anna Gavalda

I started this book thinking it was a regular novel, but soon understood that it was not. This is a short story collection by the French author Anna Gavalda, and it is also her debut into the world of literature. It was released in France in 1999, and by now she has written and published five more novels, among them the well known Hunting and Gathering from 2006.

The stories in I Wish Someone Were Waiting for Me Somewhere take place in Paris, France. They are short and the writing style is simple. The language is gentle and beautiful, the pace is slow, but natural. Gavalda writes about the outcome of fatal accidents, brief encounters and short moments in a person’s long life. Her stories show the gap between reality and expectations. We meet human beings longing to connect, wanting someone to see them and to love them. We also meet people on the edge of life, trying to come to peace with decisions made years earlier, while someone else just made the biggest mistake of their lives and must now face the consequences.

It is a short and quick read and it made me want to check out her other books. For someone who is not used to reading short story collections, I was pleasantly surprised.

I chose a few melodies from the French film Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain, to get the right French feeling. Wonderful film and wonderful soundtrack!

The Fabulous World of Amelie

La Valse D'Amelie

Hi, I like the Norwegian mantra, it's true- there are more than enough clothes out there to keep warm in, its just a case of having them!

#146 My friend lives in Drammen- he has married a Norwegian lass and done amazingly well in learning your language (which sounds impossible to me!).

#158: Nice review, Bente! The only one of Gavalda's books my local library has is Ninety-Five Pounds of Hope, but I will give it a read just to check out her style.

158: I've always wanted to read that author, so I'm glad you thought it was worthwhile.

#6 The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown

In this book we me the three sisters Rosalind, Bianca and Cordelia Andreas, also called the Weird Sisters, due to their connection with Shakespeare characters given from infancy through their names. Their father is a Shakespeare professor at the local university, and converse mainly through verses from Shakespeare’s famous works.

The girls did not only get their names from well-known females within the world of classic literature, they also inherited the heroine’s failures along with them. Feeling trapped within an already set destiny, Bianca and Cordelia return home when their mother is diagnosed with breast cancer. Though Rosalind, already deeply anchored in the small town, needs to lick her wounds and bury her secrets just as much as her younger sisters. Their mother’s illness is not the only reason for the Andreas sister to return to their origin, each having problems of their own, but keeping it hidden as long as possible. Change is set to happen for the Andreas sisters.
In a way, this is a late coming of age story. The sisters are aged from 27 to 33 years, and by todays standards, they should be grown already. Despite their age, none of the sisters has reached the feeling of adulthood.

The story is told in a first-person plural narrative voice. The three sisters claim to not like each other very much, yet they tell the story together. It is not the type of narration I am used to, yet it felt natural in this book. At some parts their stories are so intertwined in each other that they are impossible to separate, though it does not mean that each sister has not a voice of her own.

She tried to run away, emulating a million children in million books, but she and her suitcase, printed with the image of a little old-fashioned girl in a bonnet, never made it past the rhododendrons before she lost her nerve. She never managed to find herself in these books no matter how she tried, exhuming traits from between the pages and donning them for an hour, a day, a week. We think, in some ways, we have all done this our whole lives, searching for the book that will give us the keys to ourselves, let us into a wholly formed personality as though it was a furnished room to let. As though we could walk in and look around and say to the gray-haired landlady behind us, “We’ll take it.”

As the story unfolds, we get to know them as adults, as children, as readers, as failures, as sisters and as persons. None of them found life as it was supposed to be, making them always chase The Next Big Thing. Reaching adulthood they realise they are on the wrong way path of finding it. Can dreams from a distant youth turn out to be something entirely different from what they set out for?
The story is slow paced, enchanting and at some parts, sad. Each of the sisters needed to clean out their closets, and at times it was difficult to learn the truth, at least if it was traits they tried to hide from themselves just as much as others. The writing style is as beautiful as the story is enchanting. Well worth a read.

I chose Why Does It Always Rain on Me by Travis for this book.
I don’t know if you remember the free music festival I showed pictures from last year
link to post here, but Fran Healy from Travis is actually playing at the festival this year…for free :) Bringing his family to spend some of his holiday in the area. I have such fond memories of Travis from my youth, so I am definitely excited about it.

#160: Thank you, Stasia. I do not know how to describe her style other than French ;) It is sort of frank, straight forward with little fluff. I hope you like it.

#159: Very true, Megan! I was supposed to upload a few pictures to prove it (note to self: remember to upload pictures). The weather around here is so varied, that most of us have a wide range of clothes, and things called "all-weather-jackets" (as we call them, well at least in Norwegian) that is waterproof, wind stopper and not too thick in case of sun ;) Just call us prepared, haha!

Drammen is rather far from my town, closer to Oslo. I've only passed through there once, I think.

Norwegian is not really as hard as you think. We have a few similar words:

Knife - kniv
day - dag
mother - mor
father - far
brother - bror
sister - søster
uncle - onkel
yes - ja
no - nei etc.

And for you bibliophiles, the word we use for library in Norway is bibliotek :)

How is the baby coming, btw??

#161: Hi, Marie! How are you?? Moving soon? Hope your day is good!

That was a beautifully written review.

I'm adding The Weird Sisters to my TBR list--thanks for the great review!

Karen O.

Great review for The Weird Sisters! I will be on the look out for it. And I love foreign languages...if only I could be more diligent about retaining what I learn. And moving soonish...I still have the summer to go.

Nice review of The Weird Sisters, Bente. I would add it to the BlackHole if it were not already there. I just need to get my hands on a copy!

Ditto on all the above messages re: the great review. And thanks for the Norwegian lesson!

Thanmkns guys for the lovely comments!! Glad to know it was worth the effort, and hopefully you will enjoy it when you get to it :)

I know I am absent these days, May and June3 have been crazy busy. Hopefully I will catch up with all of you when I get back.

I am at a holiday atm, spending my days in lovely Corsica! It is no understatement to say that I love it here ! Such a beautiful island. I'll show pictures when I get back, and update on my reading.

See you soon"

Looking forward to the pictures - and the update, Bente!

Have a great holiday!

Wow! Corsica, sounds waaaaarrrrmmm.

I've had The Weird Sisters in my dream book since it came out. Thanks to your review, my dream may come true! I just needed a little nudge which you provided.

Thank you for the brief language lesson. I remember my grandparents speaking to each other in Norwegian on my visits to them. I was never around them enough to learn any words, however. I fared better with German after living there from ages 5 - 8. It was so long ago that only a few words and phrases stuck.

Corsica sounds wonderfully exotic. Have fun!

#170-172: Thanks for the greetings! Corsica was absolutely fantastic! Unfortunately I am currently at work, so I will try to get back in here later. I left work in a busy state, so I got back to work in a busy state. Well, I will tell you more about it later.

I hope you will enjoy The Weird Sisters, too, Donna!:)

Hoping your work settles as I zoom by....

Hi Bente. Drive-by hug, with envious swat thrown in for Corsica trip.

#174: Thanks, Megan! How are you and the baby?? Getting closer!

#175: Thank you, Richard! Corsica was fantastic!! You should try it some day :)

Well, I have been very busy the last couple of moths, mainly with work, but also since I left it all and took a little holiday. I was only filling for a year at work (the historical archive) and my contract ended the 30th of June. Fortunately I got a new job from July 1st, at The Norwegian Coastal Administration, so no harm done. But, it has been crazy with finishing off everything at the first job, writing reports for the person coming back etc.

Well, and I had the trip to Corsica. I'll post pictures as soon as I get my head above water :)

Norwegian Coastal Administration? Iiiiiinteresting...what do y'all administrate?

Oh, and I just won the English translation of "Buzz Aldrin, hvor ble det av deg i alt mylderet? : roman" from the Early Reviewers! Have you heard of it?

Hi Bente, me and bubs getting bigger. Im taking full time out where possible to lie and rest (ie read) as I know it might not happen for a while after baby is born! The sun hits my bed at about 3.....just right :-)

176: Congrats on the new job - can't wait for your lovely photos.

@176: Congratulations on the new job, Bente. I hope the first weeks are going well.

Bente, I hope all things are well with you. It has been a while since I checked in here. Glad to hear about the new job!

On my way home from work today, there was a terror attack, a bomb, at some government buildings in our capital city, Oslo. The buildings includes the office of our prime minister. Two people are confirmed dead, but apparently there are more dead people lying dead inside the buildings.

Just outside Oslo, the biggest Norwegian political party (labour) had a summer camp for young people, aged between 15-25. A person, probably sick to his bones, used the Oslo bombing as an excuse to dress up as a police officer, go to the island claiming it was a routine control because of the bombing, and started to shoot these people with a machine gun. Rumor has it that the man is now arrested, during the last half hour. I do not know how many people are dead on this island.

My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their family and friends.
This is not the Norway I know!

Oslo & Utøya

183: Thoughts and prayers for you and Norway!

I've been watching this on the news: it's just horrible. Also keeping everyone affected in my thoughts and prayers.

Oh no Bente! I watched the news unfold at 3am here while I was up feeding baby and I couldn't believe it. You just dont expect to hear about that sort of thing happening there. It's terrible.

There are now 7 dead from the bombing and 10 confirmed dead from the island massacre, but the number is expected higher. A Norwegian man is arrested, but there is no information whether he is connected with larger groupings.

Luckily all my friends and family in Oslo are ok. Facebook is flooding with "I'm ok" messages, because they were not supposed to use their mobile phone for some hours.

Thanks for your prayers! There are plenty of people needing them!

187: You had the baby!! Congratulations!! I have to visit your thread and hear all about it!! :) Sorry, I'm so slow!

I am glad to hear that your family and friends are OK, Bente, but what a terrible tragedy in your country. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Bente, my friends wife works across the street and down a bit from where the bomb went off. She was home from work for the day thank god. Its so horrible.

Our baby is wonderful!

I am not sure if anyone is interested in an update, but I will give it to you anyway. At the island of Utøya, they have confirmed that 85 people have been killed. They are still missing five persons, and an unknown number of people are critical injured. Seven people were killed by the bomb in Oslo, though the police are not finished searching through buildings. That makes a total of 92. My fingers are crossed, hoping they will not find anyone else in there.

I went to the city centre today. I live far from Oslo, but still everything was slow and quiet. Melancholy and grief has touched my town too, the murdered people coming from all over the country, we do not know whether any victims are from our area. I think this incident has brought us closer as a country, our neighbours grief is also our own. This time, the attack was in our own garden, not a million miles away. We can suddenly feel it on our body, in our hearts. I have walked around with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes the whole day, even though all of my friends and family are safe. We are so few in this country, every dead is a brother and a friend.

This is the worst tragedy happening in Norway since the WW2. Since the 8th of May, 1945, there has not been any attempt to tamper with our freedom. We have been lucky and privileged. We treasure our freedom and democracy. Maybe we have felt untouchable in our little, insignificant corner of the world. Because, why would anyone bother? Just after the bombing yesterday, the media speculated in who would claim responsibility. Maybe Al-Qaida, or what about Gaddafhi? Though Norway is a fairly peaceful nation, we are deeply involved with NATO, sending soldiers to Afghanistan and participating in the bombing of Libya. A few newspapers even printed the controversial drawings of the prophet Muhammed. This could have been revenge.

So, who did it? It turned out to be one of our own, a right-winged extremist, with deep hatred against Muslims and a multicultural society. A Norwegian, who decided to turn against his countrymen and kill innocent people who believed differently than what he did. They were youngsters who believed in tolerance, integration and cooperation across nationalities and cultural differences. The Labour Party is a liberal political party, who does not discriminate based on religion or the colour of your skin. This shows that sometimes we need to clean out our own back yard, before we go and judge the mess in others. Extremists and monsters can be found all over the world, even in small, insignificant corners of the world. It is definitely an eye opener. There are people all over the world facing these kinds of nightmares every single day.

We appreciate all the support we are receiving from around the world. Sometimes even the strong ones need a hand to hold. A time to be weak. This is one of our darkest hours as a nation, but I want to quote our King Harald, from a speech he gave a few hours ago:

I still believe our freedom is stronger than the fear

Moby - Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad

Hi Bente, I want to express my deepest sympathy to you and your fellow-Norwegians. I've been watching every news-bulletin all day long and they were all completely dedicated to the drama. I cannot believe what I'm seeing. I know it must be especially hard for you because Norway is such a peaceful country with such a friendly atmosphere. The sheer number of the victims is just apalling.
I guess in this world we can never rule out crazy, mad people, so I honestly hope that the Norwegians will not think it's necessary to turn into a highly defensive country, however dreadful and shocking this attack. Freedom and tolerance are just too important to give up lightly and Norway is an example for every country in the world. But it is a very high price you all have to pay for these values. You are on my mind and I'm sure the rest of the world is with you too. Who in his right mind can understand this?

Bente, that is a very beautiful thing you have written. I feel like I can understand some of what you go through with the deaths we had here from the earthquake, but your tragedy is caused by one evil person and it didnt have to happen, where as our tragedy was caused by mother nature. It is so senseless- I understand what you mean.
We are so few in this country, every dead is a brother and a friend
Take care of yourselves- I'm sure everyone will need each other for a while yet. Your country is still amazing.

Thanks for the update, Bente. Prayers are still going up as your country deals with this tragedy.

Bente, I have not had the pleasure of meeting you until now. I am so very sorry for what has happened in your lovely peaceful country. I am so very sorry and I have been following the tragic happenings.

I so strongly believe what you have said - beautifully written -and yes, Norway's Freedom is Stronger than is Fear.

I'm not sure of the population of your beautiful , peaceful country -but I am from Canada -and though we are large geographically - we are just 37 million people. I can only imagine the shock and sorrow that you feel. Prayers for your country.

Thinking of you and your fellow Norwegians and praying for peace and tolerance for us all.

Thanks to all of you!

Darkness cannot drive out darkness;
only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate;
only love can do that.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dear Bente, I had heard about the bombing and garbled bits about the shooting, and I forgot that I knew someone in Norway. Like many others, my heart and thoughts go out to you and your fellows in the aftermath of these devastating incidents. My part of the United States has strong connections to Norway, since so many families and entire communities originated from there. You are not alone. I am very sorry that Norway has joined the growing list of places that has suffered at the hands of extremists, whether homegrown or foreign. This reminds me in many ways of the Oklahoma City bombing. I was living in Central America at the time, and I had a hard time comprehending the news; after all, nothing momentous ever happens in Oklahoma. But it was all too true, as is this present-day tragedy. Norway is indeed a model for the world, whether demonstrating undaunted grace and humanity during wartime occupation or most closely approximating a just society in peacetime. Take care.

Bente, I am adding my shock and sympathy about the tragedy in your beautiful country. I am on vacation and away from the news much of the time but check in on the computer whenever possible for updates. What a terrible time for my fellow Norwegians.

Bente, I was so saddened to hear of the attacks in Norway. It is a country with such a peaceful beautiful image that it seems hard to believe. My heart goes out to you and everyone there, especially those who knew the victims. I really liked what you wrote and the quote from your King: 'I still believe our freedom is stronger than the fear.'

# Hi Bente, how are you? I 'm still very much impressed with the way the Norwegians handle the situation. I was especially impressed with your Prime Minster who said something like "If you see what damage one man can do, imagine what the love of all of us can do". Very, very beautiful to be able to say something like that at such a moment. And the way the Norwegians were and are demonstrating their grief is breathtaking. It shows there's a different way to show grief and anger than the one that is usually used. Please remember there are a lot of people outside of Norway who also mourn with you.

Hey guys! Thank you for all of your kind words! I have some good news. Because it was so chaotic after the bomb and shooting, the police reported too many deaths. We heard it was 92, but as far as it is reported now, it is "only" 76. Though this is still a devastating number, I am glad they could reverse it. It sort of means that 16 more people survived, at least in my head. There are still many people wounded, but hopefully they will be okey.

One of the men that died, turned out to be our crownprincess' step-brother. He was a police officer who functioned as a guard at the island. I also just heard that one of the men who lost his life in the bombing, was married to a coworkers cousin. He was from my hometown, but I did not know him personally. I get tears in my eyes every time I see their names and age. They were so young, one of the girls just turned 14 three days before the shooting. It is devastating and unbelievable. We've been marking the tragedy all over the country this passed week, and we find some solace in it. We appreciate all the love and support we get from all over the world, it is very touching, even for me who did not get personally affected. it is nice to know we are not alone in our grief. I just heard yesterday that one of the victims were Danish.

I have been house and catsitting this last week, and the internet reception is lousy, but I will be home tomorrow. I have promised you some pictures a while, so I will try to post them this weekend, both from Corsica and from the memorial I went to. It was beautiful.

Thanks again, to all of you!

See you soon!

I saw the memorial on TV (once again up feeding at 3am and in time for the BBC World News that screens then)- I have seen some in depth coverage of your awful massacre and feel quite drawn into it all. I have had tears in my eyes too as I hear more personal stories from survivors. I cant even imagine the terror. I dont want to.
There seems to be a lot of solidarity amongst your people which is great to see. I hope you are spending time with people who care about you and who you care about.

Have a safe trip home, Bente.

Bente, I'm sorry I've not visited your thread sooner, but you and all the people of Norway have been very much in my thoughts this past week. I heard the slightly reduced number of fatalities on the news the other day and wondered how it had reduced - I'm glad as you say that at least a few more people survived.

It was this time last year that I was preparing for my first visit to Norway, and I had such a wonderful time - it is awful to think of your beautiful and peaceful country going through such suffering. But like others I'm impressed with the calm and hopeful words of both your king and prime minister, continuing to speak of freedom and love in the face of hate and violence.

I'll try to come back soon and see your promised pictures.

Some years ago, a yound man shot 35 people (and wounded 21 others) at an historic site in Tasmania (the island to the south of Australia). He has never explained why and he also looked a most unlikely mass murderer. Though I have ni idea what such a person sghould look like. It was a very shocking crime for the whole nation and i can only imagine what it must be like in Norway right now, for all of you, sharing this terrible grief and bewilderment. I wish you all healing - we are thinking of you and your fellow citizens.

#204: Thanks, Stasia! I am back house and catsitting now. I will be here until Thursday or Friday. Three cats fighting for my love and attention. Since I am not allowed to have cats or dogs where I currently live, I really enjoy this :)

#205: Thank you, Genny! We are slowly moving on to every day life. I guess that is the way we need to go. I will upload some pictures about this too.

#206: Welcome to my thread and thank you for the support. It is dreadful to hear what some people are able to do towards others. The Oslo incident really opened my eyes. it has never been this close to "home" before. I almost feel like May in "The Secret Life of Bees" at the moment. I get really sad when I hear about all the bad stuff happening in the world, like the starvation at the Horn of Africa (Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea etc), the demonstrations and killings in Syria...I guess we can just go on and on. I'm glad we share the love of books we can escape into when the world gets insufferable :)

So, I promised pictures, and I have been trying to upload them to my profile. It seems that there is something wrong with the function, but I will keep trying. They are just around the corner. :)

#207: I'm glad we share the love of books we can escape into when the world gets insufferable

One of the best uses for books, I have found :)

#207 The photos you have up now are stunning (I don't know if these are the new photos or not). You are a wonderful photographer.

*waves*

Bente, are you still here? I miss your updates!

Yes, missing you too. I hope all is as well as can be with you...

I have been wondering where you've been too! Looks like we've all been reminded of you all of a sudden.

Hi, guys!

I'm alive!!:) I know I have been absent, for pretty much half the year (wow, the time passes so quickly). I had a long reading funk over the summer, but now it seems to have passed now, so when I'm not at work or training I try to catch up on my reading. Yes, I am reading even if my updates or lacking, I can't even keep my ticker up to date...how sad is that? Now that the summer is long gone, and the days are starting to get darker and darker, I will spend more time in here. My new job keeps me locked in front of the computer all day long, so that is one of the reasons I needed to have computer free afternoons and nights.

I will try to write some reviews, but tomorrow I am on my way to Madrid for the weekend, and I will stay in Oslo with work for a few days next week, so s hopefully I will be able to catch up with all of you next weekend.

I hope you are all doing just fine, and that you will have a spooky Halloween!:) (I just remembered that I forgot to check out this years Halloween thread, sorry Mac!)

I am really looking forward to catch up with everybody asap!!

See you soon:)

Good to hear from you! Have fun in Madrid!

I'll forgive you....this time, Apolline. The Halloween thread has been hoppin' with lots of good reads. Glad to see you pop in.

>215 blackdogbooks: I second that!
Good to see you back and flitting around Europe as usual (jealousy will get me nowhere :))
I guess you will have a lot more reading time in winter with those long cold nights. I like reading in the sun too....so we're both happy over the next months.

Hi Bente, I've also missed you around LT. I thought of you the other night when they posted a gorgeous picture of the Northern Lights over snow-covered Norway. Apparently, they even made a brief appearance in the American midwest while I had my nose in a book!

Enjoy Madrid! That sounds delightful.

Hi guys!

Wow, I can not believe it is Christmas already! The time has just blown away this year. I hope you are all doing all right, that your families are fine and that you have read plenty of good books.

Hopefully I will be able to spend more time in here next year (is the group up already?), since I have missed all of your updates, reading experiences and the LT community. I have been traveling a lot with work this fall, and moved into a new apartment and just worked a lot. The day seems to lack a few hours :)

Merry Christmas to all of you!!!!

Oh, and what would a Christmas-post be without some music??:)

Maria Mena - Home for Christmas

Oslo Domkor - Deilig Er Jorden

Sissel Kyrkjebø - Mitt Hjerte Alltid Vanker

218: Merry Christmas Bente, can't wait to see what you read and listen to next year. (Whoa, 2011 did go fast!)

Hi Bente....what is your Christmas traditions? I feel like you must have an authentic Christmas on account of your nordic location :) Meanwhile, Im wearing a singlet and skirt as its hot and sunny here ...

219: Thank you, Marie! How is life for you atm? Studying and married and moving far away and all..:) I'va been so bad at updates this year. I will try to make a list of my readings this year too! Have a wonderful Christmas!!

220: How are you Megan? Is the baby growing strong and healthy?:) Today (Christmas Eve) is the big day up here. We go to church, have the big traditional dinner and open the presents tonight! You would probably hate the food (though it varies from which part of the country your from), but it requires a few tastes to get used to! Luckily my (German/Canadian) step-mother is starting to like it :)

Christmas last year (as we like it):




This year...well it is raining, and we will probably have a storm tomorrow:) But that is ok, since we will spend most of our time indoor anyway! I think it would be rather weird to celebrate Christmas when it is hot and sunny, but I guess it would be weird for you too, if it was cold and dark :)

Oh, well...I better get ready! I hope your Christmas is lovely wherever you are!

mistletoe smooches!

Happy Christmas Bente! Thanks for the Christmas music; I loved the Deilig er Jorden especially. Hope you had a good dinner - I'm looking forward to mine with friends tomorrow.

#222: Thanks, Richard!! I have never seen a mistletoe (in real life) before. I think we should start the tradition over here as well...it might be more action going on then!!:)

#223: Hi, Genny! Glad you liked it. Deilig er Jorden is one of my favourite christmas songs:)

Well...a hurricane is on the way tonight (storm atm), hopefully the electricity stays:)

Happy holidays (still)!