Barbara (Ameise1)'s reading tour (III)

Welcome on my third thread.

Currently we are in Davos in the ski vacation. Unfortunately the weather is anything but good. In recent years, we were able to ski every day. This year I have not been on skis while Davos in winter could be as beautiful as the pictures below show.

      

January
# 1 The Vows of Silence by Susan Hill (4 stars)
# 2 The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz (4 stars)
# 3 The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton (4½ stars)
# 4 Land of Marvels by Barry Unsworth (3 stars)
# 5 The Beginner's Goodbye by Anne Tyler (4 stars)

February
# 6 The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (4½ stars)
# 7 The Magnificent Ambersons by Booth Tarkinton 2016 ROOT Challenge (4½ stars)
# 8 Nine Lives by William Dalrymple (5 stars)
# 9 The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie 2016 ROOT Challenge (3½ stars)
#10 That Old Cape Magic by Richard Russo (4 stars)
#11 The Confession by Olen Steinhauer 2016 ROOT Challenge (4½ stars)
#12 Some Luck by Jane Smiley (4 stars)
#13 Tess of The Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy (4½ stars)
#14 The Blackhouse by Peter May 2016 ROOT Challenge (4½ stars)
#15 Middlemarch by George Eliot (3½ stars)

March
#16 There But For The by Ali Smith (4 stars)
#17 Octopus by Michael Gallagher Member Giveaway (4½ stars)
#18 Something To Tell You by Hanif Kureishi (3 stars)

American Author Challenge 2016

January (Anne Tyler): The Beginner's Goodbye (2016-01-29)
February (Richard Russo): That Old Cape Magic (2016-02-17)
March (Jane Smiley): Some Luck (2016-02-22)

British Author Challenge 2016

January
The Vows of Silence by Susan Hill read in German (2016-01-03)
Land of Marvels by Barry Unsworth (2016-01-19)
February
Nine Lives by William Dalrymple (2016-02-14)
The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie (2016-02-15)
March
Tess of The Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy (2016-02-25)
There But For The by Ali Smith (2016-03-03)
April
Middlemarch by George Eliot (2016-02-29)
Something To Tell You by Hanif Kureishi (2016-03-09)

Take It or Leave It Challenge


January
1.:Read a book whose ISBN has at least one number in its correct numeric position
Land of Marvels by Barry Unsworth (2016-01-19)
8.Read a book where a word in its title refers to something which is starting/beginning
The Beginner's Goodbye by Anne Tyler (2016-01-29)
9.: Read a book you already owned on 1 January 2015, but haven't yet read/finished
The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz (2016-01-07)
17.: Read a book in which the first line answers the question: 'When did it happen?'
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton (2016-01-16)
21.: Read a book that mentions tea somewhere in the text
The Vows of Silence by Susan Hill (2016-01-03)

February
5.: Read a book where a word in the title can be an action
That Old Cape Magic by Richard Russo (2016-02-17)
8.: Read a book that has an animal, bird or reptile in the title
The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (2016-02-04)
12.: Read a book written at least 50 years ago
The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie (2016-02-15)
19.: Read a nonfiction book that's about a people/religion/history/politics/country of the Asian continent
Nine Lives by William Dalrymple (2016-02-14)
20.: Read a book that was completed during a previous February TIOLI
The Confession by Olen Steinhauer (2016-02-20)

March
1.: Read a book with me in the title
Something To Tell You by Hanif Kureishi (2016-03-09)
7.: Read a book with yellow on the cover
There But For The by Ali Smith (2016-03-03)

currently reading

 The Flea Palace 

currently listening

 Death in Brittany

Happy New Thread, Barbara! I love the photos, although I'm sorry that the weather in Davos has been less than ideal.

>7 kidzdoc: Thanks so much, Darryl. Thomas is going to today and the girls (Marina and her friends) are going to the indoor swimming pool whereas I'm doing the grocery and lots of reading.
Being first a speciality from canton Grison Bündner Gerstensuppe (barley soup)



ingredients:
ognion, garlic, bacon, prosciutto, ham, leeks, celery, carrots, savoy cabbage, potatoes, barley, vegetable stock, cream

>8 Ameise1: That looks delicious!

>10 Ameise1: It is, Darryl. I eat this soup frequently. It's nourishing.

Sorry the weather isn't great,Barbara, but so you can read a lot!

Happy New Thread, Barb! Love the gorgeous toppers! I NEED to see some mountains. I have that itch.

I will also be listening to Some Luck, in a few weeks. How is it, so far?

Happy new thread, Barbara!

>11 FAMeulstee: Indeed, I'm reading a lot, Anita and I like it very much.

>12 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. Davos' mountain view is stunningly when it's sunny. I like Some Luck very much so far.

>13 scaifea: Thanks so much, Amber. It's nice to have you here.

book 10 Read in German

 That Old Cape Magic
AAC February

This was a very varied reading. Griffin, who did not like to live his parents' marriage, decided not to do the same in any case. But when he found the time, he did not get rid of them and his own life resembled more and more that of his parents. His parents followed him in his thoughts and his actions and it was a constant dialogue between him and his dead parents. There were also very funny moments that brought me laugh. Probably also because they were gripped so directly from life.

Glad you liked That Old Cape Magic, Barb. I have not read it but I think that one usually gets mixed reviews.

>16 msf59: Go for it, Mark. I liked it.

Happy New Thread, Barbara. I'm still rooting for better weather for you.

>18 DianaNL: Thanks so much, Diana. It stopped snowing and I suppose that Thomas can see now something when skiing.

Happy New Thread, Barbara. Gorgeous photos of Davos up top.

Have a good day reading. That barley soup looks delicious.

>20 jnwelch: Thanks so much, Joe. I love barley soup and it's mostly my lunch when skiing. I'm currently reading The Confession by Olen Steinhauer. It's the second of the Easter Bloc series.

>1 Ameise1: Sorry to hear you aren't getting much skiing in so far.

>22 Oberon: It should be better tomorrow, Erik. My husband came back and told me that it wasn't too bad today. Mostly he could see the slopes.

Happy new thread, and what beautiful pictures for your topper! You may not be getting much skiing in, but you're taking great photos!

>24 mstrust: Thanks so much, Jennifer. Torrow, it should be better.

Hi Barbara! I'm sorry the skiing has been a disappointment so far, and I'm glad you've been able to fill your time with books. What would we do without them?!

>26 cbl_tn: So true, Carrie. I brought enough of them to Davos.

Happy new thread, Barbara! Love the shots of Davos.

>8 Ameise1: - Barley soup.... YUM!

Happy new thread Barbara my dear, I just love the photo's and hope you are having a really good time, sending love and hugs.

>28 lkernagh: Thanks so much, Lori. Barley soup is my favourite soup in winter.

>29 johnsimpson: Thanks so much, John. I have a wonderful time especially on the reading front. Tonight, the girls cooked. It was delicious and so funny to watch and listen to them.

I hope the weather picks up for your holiday! And that soup looks just delicious, I'd try that with but maybe with less meat. I reckon the bacon alone would do the trick.

>31 LovingLit: Megan, you could make the soup without meat, too. The bacon just gives the lovely flavour.

Davis looks gorgeous Barbara. Hope the hot chocolate is still flowing, and the books haven't run out. I am looking forward to reading Smiley too.

>33 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte. I had another wonderful reading day and still enough books to go :-)

Happy new thread, Barbara! Stunning photos up top!

More gorgeous photos, but sorry the weather isn't cooperating.

>35 Crazymamie: >36 ronincats: Good morning, Mamie & Roni. Thanks so much for stopping by. Deep blue sky today. Will take some pics when I'm on the slope and post them this evening.

Gorgeous photos, Barbara! I am sorry that weather has not been the best. Happy to hear that today looks to be better ! Enjoy your holiday.

>38 vancouverdeb: Thanks so much, Deb. It will be a gorgeous day.

Today, we had a wonderful skiing with deep blue sky in the morning. We went to Davos-Parsenn-Weisfluhjoch and for lunch to Schwendi (Klosters). When we arrived in Klosters, Thomas took the cablecar and went to Davos by skiing whereas I made a stop at the new Kafi Klatsch in Klosters and later went to Davos by train.

       

Great pictures. Glad the weather finally cooperated for you.

>41 Oberon: Thanks so much, Erik. For tomorrow the forecast says snowing again.

Hi Barbara, I just love the photo's you have posted above, hope you are having a wonderful time my dear.

>43 johnsimpson: Thanks so much, John. We do have a fabulous time.

>44 Ameise1:, Good, enjoy yourselves my dear.

>45 johnsimpson: Thanks, John. Love and hugs to Karen and you. xx

>46 Ameise1:, Thank you, xxx.

Fabulous photos, Barbara! Thanks for sharing them with us.

More beautiful photos- thanks for sharing!

Happy new thread Barbara. How I long for that cold clean Alpine air! I have much less chance of skiing here.

New thread, delicious food, good books, family and friends, Alps, skiing ... sounds like you're having a grand time, Barbara! I'm glad to see you finally got out on the slopes. Thomas sounds like he's a keener skier, braving the weather. Do you have your own place there?

>50 PaulCranswick: I don't know, Paul, I think you could venture out. You've got some good slopes at Genting, which is more than we have in Singapore. I'd really like to teach the kids to ski - and of course, try myself.

Beautiful photos! Glad to see the weather improved and you were able to ski!

Lovely photos - glad you have managed to get some skiing done.

>48 kidzdoc: >49 mstrust: Darryl & Jennifer you're welcome. I'm glad we had a sunny day yesterday. This morning when I got up it was/is snowing and will last the whole day. Since years we hadn't have such awful weather. Mostly it's fantastically beautiful weather in the second half of February.

>50 PaulCranswick: Thanks so much, Paul. The fresh Alpines air is famous for its healing power especially in lung diseases but also just for improving ones mood. It's also great just for walking and not only for skiing. I learned skiing when I was three years old. Therefore I still love it and I hope I'll can do it many years longer.

>51 humouress: Thomas is a very addicted skier, Nina. He still goes skiing when it isn't so wonderful weather. Not me anymore. I'm a so called fair weather skiers. I have difficulties to see properly even with glasses. So it must be good weather when I go skiing.

>52 Copperskye: >53 souloftherose: Thanks so much, Joanne & Heather. It's a bit crazy because during the nights the weather is almost good and when days start bad weather fronts came in.

We could call this morning with Isabelle. She likes Myanmar very much and she is happy that she could travel this country before it is fully open to tourists. The food was very tasty but also very greasy. They ate mostly in street kitchens and got a lot of chicken innards but also various other things, which she was not always sure what they got. She has mixed feelings when she visited Mandalay. On the one hand it is still a beautiful city on the other hand large Chinese companies begin tearing down the old quarters and build big housing blocks, which act like a fist on the eye. So the charm of a city is lost. I can understand her well. More than twenty years ago we were in Beijing. There were still the old streets and hutongs and not the wide streets and large skyscrapers. I think I would be shocked if I would travel to Beijing today. Here in Switzerland, everything is rather small and there is always a big outcry when a skyscraper is planned. Therefore, we have more trouble when we are in big cities around the world and have to see if from beautiful old cities are suddenly standardized modern cities. Luckily, she spent the last winter in Tanzania and was already a little accustomed to see dead people lying in streets. Although this is never normal to look for us, it was not so great a shock for her, as it did last year.

How wonderful that you could talk to Isabelle this morning.

Yay for your vacation!

>59 Ameise1: Thanks so much, Diana. The jumping cat looks a bit scary, doesn't it?

Happy Friday, Barb! My daughter will be visiting some mountains, in the coming days, but the Asian ones, of northern Thailand. I wish I was tagging along.

>58 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. Ha, I guess you would like to be with her but it's good when they are travelling on their own. Be sure, she'll have a lot to report and that will be so much fun. See (>55 Ameise1:), we had a great whatsapp call with our daughter this morning. I've to wait another two weeks until I'll see all the photos she took.

That is the app we installed. Yah!

>61 Ameise1: I hope you made a family chat. It's easy to make it and everybody is informed.

Catching up and belatedly wishing you a lovely holiday! Yay for (finally) good skiing weather and double-yay for all the delicious food!
Great review of Nine Lives which I also loved very much and should reread soon.

I just finished Finding George Orwell in Burma - the author talks a lot about that rebuilding process. Sad stuff. Mandalay always makes me think of the Kipling poem. Kind of a feeling about wanting to go back to the beautiful places.

>55 Ameise1: I am envious of the trip to Burma (Myanmar if you prefer - I have been influenced by too many people who say that calling it Myanmar is a tacit recognition of a pretty awful government). At least she is seeing some of the old building before they are all gone. Books on the subject like Preserving the World's Great Cities and The Last Days of Old Beijing make me sad to think of how fascinating these places were and how much is lost in misguided urban renewal plans. It also makes me want to blow even more of my budget and go see them before they are totally gone.

>62 Deern: Thanks so much, Nathalie. I enjoyed the reading very much. The holiday is wonderful so far. Lots of reading and relaxing only the weather could be better for the skiing.

>63 charl08: Charlotte, unfortunately my local library hasn't got a copy of this book. I would like to read it. It's always difficult when countries open up for tourisme and investors. Mostly it turns to the worth than to the better.

>64 Oberon: Erik, I'm very glad that she was able to make this trip before it changes probably to the 'worth'. I have observed this with Berlin. First time I was there mid 70s on the West and East part. I was very impressed. When standing on a tower where is now Potsdamer place there was a kind of no man's land a so called death zone with lots of land mines. I could still see the rail of the tram way from an earlier time. I was standing there with an old map and tried to orientate myself. I had goose bumps standing there and thinking about the history. Shortly after the Fall of the Wall I went back with my husband and showed him all the important spots. Then I was able to stand and walk on the old Potsdamer place which was still no man's land. Now, there are new buildings and nothing can be seen how it was once. Each time when I'm in Berlin I use a map because it looks always different.
I hope you're able to visit places before they are turned down and rebuild new.

I will be back in the UK at least twice this year; next month and in August/September when I turn 50. I want to take the family for a few days to Cornwall and look for an eventual retirement home.

The picture is Mevagissey, a favourite spot.
Have a lovely weekend.

>66 PaulCranswick: Ah, Paul. So beautiful. Cornwall is indeed a most wonderful place. I hope you'll find something lovely.

Wishing you a lovely weekend, too. xx

This morning I went up Parsenn. Once on the top the weather had changed quickly and I was in the middle of fog. On the red signe is written 'All Direction', well to find the correct slope was really an adventure. Thomas and Marina are on Madrisa. I hope they have a bit a better sight.

Happy Saturday, Barb! I hope you didn't get lost in the fog. We would miss you.

>68 Ameise1: Ha, Mark it's wonderful to know that I would be missed. Thanks so much.
It took me some time to find the way and I hate it when I have to guess where the right way should be. Everything looks the same way -WHITE- and you don't know if it's going up or down.

Hope you made it safe back to the hot chocolate and the books!

>71 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte. I have coffee and a book now.

book 11

 The Confession

This was a very impressive story. It shows that Steinhauer knows the Eastern Europe history of the cold war very closely. While the first book in this series during and after WWII plays describes this part of the mid fifties. As before it comes to spying in the highest circles. Neither the police nor the intelligence service is exempt. The big brother Russia flexes its muscles and monitors the activities of other countries of Eastern Europe. The Russian spies have the feeling that they had a free hand and cover up their murders and killed police officers other nations who come too close. Ferenc tries again this time not only to protect his wife and daughter as well as his closest friends in the police station and he brings himself in great danger.
Besides the great crisis in Hungary is mentioned. During these tragic weeks, many Hungarians fled to the West. I myself have friends who participated this flight. Although they are now almost 60 years living with us, this tragic chapter of her life is always in them.

We had a wonderful ski day. Around noon the light was goergeous and in the afternoon we had blue sky. The last slope was more like water skiing due to the warm weather.

    (My Husband and daughter - she is much taller then he is, but she was farther down on this pic)

>74 Ameise1: It looks fabulous there, Barbara!

We have never been skiing, but it makes me want some snow, haven't had much here, maybe 1/2 cm and it was gone within a few hours...

Lovely photos, Barbara! And a very nice review of the Steinhauer book - I LOVE his stuff. I have read the first book in that series Bridge of Sighs, and you are reminding me that I should get back to it.

Hi Barbara! It sounds like you're having a wonderful time even with the tricky weather. And I always get hungry reading your threads!!!

I'm re-listening to The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith and enjoying it as much as the first time. Maybe I should also re-read The Mysterious Affair at Styles - I adore Hercule Poirot and can't think of a single book about the Belgian Detective that I didn't like.

>75 FAMeulstee: Anita, we haven't had much snow in Zürich either. But that's good with me so, I enjoy snow in the Alpes much more.

>76 Crazymamie: Mamie, I love Steinhauer's series very much. He is so accurate in the political history of that time. I've the othrr books at home on mt tbr.

>77 karenmarie: Karen, it looks like tomorrow will be another sunny day, unfortunately probably the last one. The Cuckoo' Calling is really a good story. I'm currently reading Tess d'Urberville. This is a real chunster with 573 pages.

Happy Sunday, Barb! Love those photos. Glad you are having a good time. The Confession sounds very good.

>79 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. The Easter Bloc series is fantastic. I recommend it highly. Steinhauer is very accurate in the history of East Europe.

>74 Ameise1: Wow. A different place when the sky clears. I can see why you enjoy visiting. Really beautiful.

>81 charl08: It is, Charlotte. I love mother nature's light show.

Hi Barbara! You're posting such beautiful pictures on this thread. It looks like you're having an amazing time.

Gorgeous pictures of your ski day! Enjoy! The Confession sounds fabulous! Great review too!

>83 The_Hibernator: Thanks so much, Rachel. Today, it's another beautiful day. We'll be on the slopes soon.

>84 vancouverdeb: Thanks so much, Deb. If you're interested in this series you should start with the first book Bridge of Sighs.

We had another wonderful ski day and were lucky to see some ibexes. We watched them for about 15min. They are so cute. I made a final stop at Kafi Klatsch Klosters before returning to Davos.

    

book 12 ♫


AAC March

This is the first of a family saga that begins on a farm in Iowa after WWI. We know the people, their children and some of the grandchildren who already live. All characters are different, yet closely related by the family-friendly bands. Each person has become dear to me. I enjoyed their different ways to growing up. I love all the characters equally and will certainly read the sequels of this family story yet.

>86 Ameise1: Very cool to see the Ibexes. Glad your holiday is going well.

>88 Oberon: Thanks so much, Erik. You can't see them everywhere in the Alpes. It's the second time I saw them on the mountains of Davos.

>86 Ameise1: I had to look up "Ibex", as it is a completely different word from Steenbok/Steinbock ;-)

Beautiful pictures again, I can see why you like it there!

>90 FAMeulstee: Indeed, it's really completely different. I love to watch them. It's beautiful.

#86. The ibexes are cool, but I really want that dessert.

>92 karenmarie: Me too.

I'm hoping to get to the Jane Smiley soon. You make it sound very tempting Barbara.

>92 karenmarie: Karen, I suppose I make another visit to Kafi Klatsch for some other desserts. Unfortunately, I can't beam it over to you but you'll be in my thoughts when I'm there the next time.

>93 charl08: Charlotte, Some Luck is a good story. I hope you'll like it too.

Getting caught up here and loving all the wonderful pictures of your ski vacation, Barbara!

>95 lkernagh: Thanks so much, Lori.

I think the photos of the snow are a little too much snow for me at this point. I think I like >66 PaulCranswick: 's photo of the snow-free coastline much better. I think I'm just ready for spring.

Hi Barbara! The snow is beautiful! I just wish it didn't have to be so cold to enjoy it. I'm glad you got to see some wildlife. Are ibex sightings common in the Alps?

>97 thornton37814: Lori, you got much more snow than we did the last few weeks. Therefore I believe you to wish for spring. After the ski holiday I have the same feelings, too.

>98 cbl_tn: Thanks, Carrie. With the appropriate clothes thete isn't a problem. No, ibex sightings aren't common in the Alpes. They are rather shy. But that place is safe for them and they were able to find some grass.

Hi, Barb! I love your ibex photos! How wonderful. Glad you liked Some Luck. I will be starting that one soon.

>100 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. I hope you'll like Some Luck, too.

This morning it looked like this:

  

No panoramic view, Barbara. Schade.

>103 DianaNL: Nope, Diana. Thomas went skiing. I'm waiting until he'll came back. I think he won't be able to see much.

It's a blessing that you've got enough books. ;-)

>105 DianaNL: Ha, definitely. Currently I'm reading Tess d'Urbervilles which is a chunkster.

I must admit I envy you a little for that mini-winter. My body is absolutely not ready for a spring that follows a warm autumn without a temperature drop in between that lasts at least 2 weeks.

Ew.. I'm scared of Tess. But it's on my must-read list, so I'm looking forward to your Review. Happy Wednesday!

>107 Deern: Nathalie, I feel with you. Without our ski holiday I woudn't have the feeling of winter neither. Even though it's mostly very warm up here for the season and in the late afternoon more like waterskiing as around Eastern normaly.

Don't be scared of Tess d'Urbervilles. It's a very enjoyable reading. Next to it I'm currently listening to Middlemarch and therefore I really dropped into another time for both books.

Today we had another wonderful ski day and saw the ibexes again. Today we could watch the male one. It was very impressive. Sorry the photo of the ibexes aren't good today. They were farther away.

  

That looks beautiful. Our temperatures are predicted to fall this week, which will make a change from the weird early spring we've been having.

I read Tess a long time ago. Hope it continues to be a good read.

>110 charl08: Forecast is telling snow again for tomorrow. Probably no skiing for me then. I love the Tess reading so far.

Sweet Thursday, Barb! More Ibex! Yah! How many more days left, for your holiday?

>112 msf59: Morning Mark. We're staying until Saturday. Then I have one week at home before returning to work on the 7th of March.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday. Wow! What a nice one.

BTW- Bree did attend a cooking class in Chiang Mai and loved it.

>114 msf59: Woohoo for the cooking class. I hope you can post some photos of it over at your place.

I'm so jealous of all the skiing pics, even the bad weather ones! I haven't managed to go since the year before my son was born. Christmas 2009 was so special for us (we were away for Christmas). I have ambitions of a family ski holiday some time soon but it's a bit tricky because my son has special needs and wouldn't cope with ski-school, not yet at least. Maybe one day......

>116 eclecticdodo: Jo, I'm sure one day you're able to do a family ski holiday. May I ask you what kind of special needs he has?

book 13 Read in German

 Tess of The Urbervilles
BAC March

This was a very impressive story from the 19th century. Tess, the eldest daughter of the Durbeyfield family, had a bad way to go, because her parents, particularly her father, the alleged long-extinct former noble membership rose to head. She was as a young adult sent to approach as impoverished cousin a-bought d'Urbervilles, so her family could live decently. This d'Urbervilles showed very quickly its true face as a womanizer and arrogant man. Tess was 'raped' by him and returned to her family home where she gave birth to a child who died soon. In order not to give her family more grief and because she could not find work in her home village, she left to work as as milkmaids on a farm. There she met the pastor's son Angel Clare into whom she fell in love. But she knew she could never indulge him because of her past.
Angel wanted to marry Tess. When they were married, Tess told him her past. He disowned her and walked away. Tess moved first back home but to not disgrace her family she moved away to earn her livelihood. She took every several work on even if it was so difficult. But she never stopped to love Angel. The arrogant d'Urbervilles crossed her path, trying to win her back. She refused, but he did not let loose. As Tess father died and she had now also to ensure the livelihood of the family and did not hear from Angel more, she agreed a liaison with him. Meanwhile came Angel home from overseas. When he learned that Tess still loved him, he began to look for her. When he found her, he realized that he was late. Tess in her despair and deep love for Angel, murdered d'Urbervilles. She searched Angel and spent happy days with him before the lawmen found her and she received her punishment.

I liked how this story was written with much love for the characters. Even the rural life and the circumstances of the time are described in great details. Despite the great length of this book I have read it very quickly.

>118 Ameise1: Good for you in reading Tess of the d'Ubervilles. I loved the movie, but could not get through the writing style of Thomas Hardy. Maybe I should try this again. Angel was such a nasty, hypocritical charcter!

>119 Whisper1: Linda, this was my first Hardy. First, I was a bit afraid of close to 600 pages but when reading it, it went very lightly. I've never seen the movie.

I have never read any Thomas Hardy, but I have to say your review of Tess of the d'Urbervilles has convinced me that I should be moving Hardy up my classics books to read to list. ;-)

>121 lkernagh: Thanks so much, Lori. I suppose I wouldn't have read it when Hardy haven't been an author of thr BAC. I'm glad that I did read it. Hope you'll enjoy it, too.

>123 DianaNL: Thanks so much, Diana. We're ready to go skiing. Tomorrow, we're heading back home.

Happy Friday, Barb! Yes, Bree did take photos of her cooking accomplishments, but it might take awhile before I can post anything.

Enjoy your final day on the slopes.

>125 msf59: Looking forward to seeing them. Just had lunch on the Gotschna Peak.

Happy Friday, Barbara! Love all the photos - so beautiful!!

Okay, looks like I'll have to get to it rather sooner than later. Happy weekend and happy last skiing day!!

>118 Ameise1: Good review of Tess, Barbara. I was quite taken by it, too.

The movie with Nastassja Kinski as Tess is very good, too.

Happy Friday - I hope you have a great weekend.

>127 Crazymamie: Thanks so much, Mamie. Happy Friday to you too.

>128 Deern: Thanks so much, Nathalie. I'm just back from my last day skiing. Photos below.

>129 jnwelch: Thanks so much, Joe. It was really a god reading. I must have a look if I can find a copy of the movie.
We are heading home tomorrow, but I don't have to work next week. Still another week of holiday.

So, I'm back from my last ski day this winter. It was a sunny day only a very cold wind was blowing. Tomorrow, we're heading back home. Marina left already today because she has a special scout day tomorrow.

   

Thanks for allowing us to accompany you on holiday, Barbara! Have a safe trip back to Zürich today.

Lovely pictures all, Barbara.

Hardly need to wish you a great weekend while you are getting back home which is always great after time away.

Safe travels Barbara and a lovely weekend.

>86 Ameise1: Breathtaking!

(The mountains, I mean. But that pie looks delicious, too.)

I must confess that Hardy isn't my cup of tea. I can see why you love Kaffee Klatsch Klosters, since their icon is a cup of coffee and an open book. Those, the view, the delicious-looking cakes ... I can see why you left the skiing to Thomas!

Hi Barbara! Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos from your ski holiday. I hope you have a nice weekend and a smooth transition back to work.

>132 kidzdoc: >133 PaulCranswick: >134 charl08: >135 humouress: >136 cbl_tn: Thanks so much, Daryl, Paul, Charlotte, Nina and Carrie. You're very welcome. We had a wonderful holiday even though the weather wasn't always fantastic.
We made it safely back home. Unfortunately, I banged my left foot yesterday night against a suitecase and have probably broken my second smallest toe. I took some ibuprophen 800 retard this morning after a bad night sleep. Because it's still cold in Zürich my major problem will be what shoes I'm wearing until the toe will be healed. Silly me.

>137 Ameise1: Barbara, I'm sorry you've hurt your foot too! I nearly broke a toe the same way a few years ago. It turned out to be badly bruised, but it took 8 weeks to heal. Ugh!

Good luck with your shoe problem. The only shoes I've found that don't put any pressure on my toes are Naots. I have two pairs, but they're both for spring and summer wear. A podiatrist might have shoes that you could wear until your toe heals. They're not terribly stylish but there are usually a few choices that don't look too bad.

>138 cbl_tn: Thanks, Carrie. It's not the first time I've broken a toe. And yes for the not stylish shoes. Luckily, I have them and it should work with them. I know that it takes a long time.
I haven't to go back to work next week. That will help, too.

>139 Ameise1: I have been putting comfort over style this week. Normally I wouldn't wear walking shoes with my office clothes, but I figure my sprained foot will heal more quickly if I wear shoes that provide good support.

How I love your beautiful photos! Many thanks for sharing them.

Sorry about your broken toe, Barbara. I somehow manage to do that quite often on vacation - on our last vacation to Florida, I managed to break the big toe on my left foot. The BIG toe. Hoping yours heals quickly!

>140 cbl_tn: Carrie, I would go even to the opera with comphy shoes when needed. I don't mind. I hope you feel better by now.

>141 Whisper1: You're welcome, Linda.

>142 Crazymamie: Mamie, why have these toes alway to be foremost. Ouch, breaking the big one hurts definitely very much.

I've broken the second toe on my right foot, twice. Nothing to do but wrap it to the next toe and pop ibuprofen. And wait. At least it happened after your trip was over. Feel better!

>144 mstrust: Thanks so much, Jennifer. Ibuprofen and and appropriate shoe are doing the trick.

Good! You never pay attention to your toes until something like this happens.

>146 mstrust: So true. :-)

Ow!

Here's hoping it's not broken and it heals soon.

>148 humouress: Thanks so much, Nina.

Your vacation pictures are wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing. And I am sorry about your poor toe. Hope it is not broken and that it heals quickly.

Gorgeous photos! Here's for putting comfort over style any day! ;) Sorry to hear about your toe! Take it easy! I broke a bone in my foot some years ago ( 7?) and I was stuck with my foot in a boot cast for 6 weeks, along with a broken wrist. Left wrist, right foot. What a hassle! Take care

>150 Berly: Kim, you're welcome. I could sleep tonight and that's always good. It feels still sore but with my lambskin houseshoes it will be a comfy day.

>151 vancouverdeb: Ouch, that doesn't sound nice, Deb. How have you done it?

>137 Ameise1: Ouch! Hope the lambskin shoes are as comfortable as they sound.

>153 charl08: They are, Charlotte. I always wear lambskin shoes during winter in the house. They are not only comfortable but also give warm.

Warm sounds lovely! I mooch around in huge ski socks at this time of year (I don't ski!). So comfy.

>155 charl08: That's wonderful. Until ten years ago I knitted woolen socks for the winter time. There are still left a few so I stopped the knitting.

Happy Sunday, Barb! Welcome home! You have another week left, right?

>157 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. Indeed, another week off work. Big smile.

I'm finally catching up with your thread. Great holiday photos and good to see that you got in some skiing on your ski vacation! Hope your toe heals quickly!

I loved Tess of the d'Urbervilles. I think this was a book written by a man who actually understood the emotional consequences of rape (or even date rape, depending on how the book is interpreted).

Oh Barbara, how unfortunate to break your toe. I hope the pain is manageable.



Get well soon. *hugs*

>159 Familyhistorian: Thanks so much, Meg. We had a fantastic time even though the weather wasn't always good. The meds are helping, so there isn't too much pain and I don't intend making long walks in the near future.

>160 The_Hibernator: Agreed, Rachel. It's a very good insight study of that time.

>161 DianaNL: Thanks so much, Diana. Reminds me that one of our cats had once a cast too. I feel better and won't do long walks in the near future.

book 14

 The Blackhouse

This is a very exciting entry into the Lewis Trilogy. It is the story of DI Fin Macleod and his friends from childhood and youth. Macleod is sent to the Isle of Lewis, where he was born and raised in order to solve a murder, which has similarities to a murder he treated in Edinburgh. On the island arrived, not only the investigation of the murder awaits him, but he has to deal with his past. He is not only received with open arms, but suddenly faces reticence and aggression. By the time he comes back the cause of the murder and his messed up childhood has to process painful.
It was a very gripping reading and I liked it very much.

Autsch - sorry about your toe, Barbara! I hope it heals quickly!

>165 Deern: Thanks, Nathalie. Me too.

>164 Ameise1: Sounds good Barbara.

I am watching a crime series set in Shetland at the moment (last episode next week). I suspect that it does wonders for the island's tourism as the views are stunning. (Despite the grim topic).

>167 charl08: Which channel, time and name of the serirs are you watching, Charlotte?
The Lewis series is great. My local library has the second one. I'll read it.

Hi, Barb! The Blackhouse sounds like a good one.

>169 msf59: It is a good one, highly recommended. Wishing you a great day, Mark.

I liked that review of The Blackhouse, too, Barbara. Onto the WL it goes.

book 15 ♫

 Middlemarch
BAC April

This was a pleasant light reading, which has not really captivated me. It is a social study with about a provincial town filled with being in love, marriages, deaths, money worries and happiness. Most actions were predictable and relatively typical of that time. You will quickly become familiar with all protagonists and almost can already guess what happens before it undergoes in the book.

>171 jnwelch: Joe, it's a very good crime mystery. I will read the other books of this series, too. I hope you'll enjoy it.

You've been busy since I was last here, some of it good (books and holiday), some of it not so good (broken toes).

I read Tess of the d'Urbervilles while in my mid-20s and loved it. I was on a Thomas Hardy binge and also read Far from the Madding Crowd, The Return of the Native, and The Mayor of Castorbridge. I re-read books so they're still on my shelves, waiting for the day when I'm in the mood again.

My aunt loaned The Lewis Trilogy to me but I just haven't been in the right mood. Perhaps soon.

I hope that today back at work isn't too hard on your toe.

First, I was looking at the dental hygienist, then I went shopping for dinner (there are potato gratin with lamb) and then I was just in the library and got the following:

• Something to Tell You by Hanif Kureishi Audiobook (BAC April)
  
• There But For The by Ali Smith in German (BAC March)
  
• The Flea Palace by Elif Shafak in German (a BB but can't remember by whom)
  

>174 karenmarie: Karen, luckily I don't have to go back at work until next Monday (7th of march). Hopefully I get some more readings done this week. With the meds and good shoes the walking and pain is manageable.

Adding The Blackhouse to my list, Barbara - nice review!

>177 Crazymamie: Thanks so much, Mamie. It's a very good series. BTW Richard has read it recently, too.

>117 Ameise1: No specific diagnosis but traits of autistic spectrum, sensory processing disorder, and major issues regulating emotion. He's getting weekly therapy sessions with the local children and adolescent mental health team, and we're under (but haven't seen for a year) a paediatrician. He particularly doesn't cope with change or anything remotely unpredictable. Saturday he had a meltdown in town because the people were walking across in front of us not in straight lines. Other recent causes were school doing story time after PE instead of before, crossing the road in a different place to normal, trying to throw away some shredded paper. Holidays are a real struggle for us, he's fairly used to grandparents now but the change still causes problems. We're going on a few holidays this year, one to a Christian conference we went to last year so we're hoping the familiarity will make it ok, one with my sister in law and her family which I'm really worried about as it's all new, and a weekend with church which is the same place we've been the last 2 years so again hoping it will be ok.

>179 eclecticdodo: Jo, I feel with you. Our younger daughter has a lot of this symptoms too. Holiday is always a struggle, too. Not so much as you descrobe it. For her it's helpful that we szay at a place (mostly rented homes). The first two nights aren't funny but later it's ok for her. A great stress for her was/is when we slepp each night at another place and she isn't able to settle in. Also new schools, classes etc. are making her nervous. She sees frequently her psychiatrist. I can't say if it has become better during all this time because I'm too close. I suppose she'll needs help all her life.

>180 Ameise1: It's just so hard to see them go through it, isn't it. Today though, he's been a dream. It's not all bad.

>181 eclecticdodo: Yep, we have to take each day how it comes.

Feeling your pain. I have one who suffers from anxiety and the transition from high school to college has been a little rough.

>183 Berly: Sorry to hear that, Kim. It isn't easy when your own child struggles with anxieties.

>184 Ameise1: No, it's not easy. Because then I get all anxious, too, on her behalf, and then we are quite the pair! LOL Oh well, everyone has their struggles and so far so good. Your mantra in >182 Ameise1: is spot on.

>185 Berly: (>182 Ameise1:) Isn't it? :-)

>182 Ameise1: yes, easier said than done though.

>183 Berly: Sorry you're going through it as well.

>187 eclecticdodo: I know, Jo, but it helps.

My daughter has had problems with anxiety and depression, and I'm very grateful that at this time, for however long or short it lasts, she is happy and healthy and productive. I don't take it for granted, and know the feelings that parents have when their children suffer. Last week had the potential to upset my daughter's apple cart, but she came through with flying colors. Her strategies for helping herself made me proud of her. (She's 22 and we've been going through various levels of anxiety/stress/depression since she was 12).

Hang in there moms.

>189 karenmarie: I'm very happy to hear that you're daughter is on a good way. It helps me to hear that there are other LTers who have similar problems with their offspring. Sometimes we have the feeling that we are the only ones. We speak about it with friends or family but somehow it seems that they won't/can't understand us. My husband and I saw her psychiatrist this afternoon. We had some good talks.

>189 karenmarie: That's great that she's doing well. I always took for granted how much my mum worried about me until I had Reuben.

Barbara, so sorry to hear that you broke your toe!

>179 eclecticdodo: I'm reading the discussion about special needs and anxiety, and nodding with empathy. My son is on the autism spectrum sounds your description of your son sounds a lot like him, when he was younger. He has greatly improved over the years, dealing with change. I hope you will be blessed with similar improvements, with time and treatment.

>192 tymfos: Thank you. And I'm glad your son is improved. From speaking to quite a few parents it sounds like the hard work at this age pays off as they get better at coping as they're older. I certainly hope so.

>192 tymfos: Thanks Terri. It's good to hear thst your son has so much improved.

>193 eclecticdodo: Jo, it looks like there are several moms here on LT which share similar experiences with their offspring. It's good that we can exchange/express our feelings and experiences here. My thoughts are with you.

I needed a break from doing all my preps for school which is starting on Monday. Therefore I went to the library and took the following audios (all by Arnaldur Indriðason):

• Menschensöhne in German
  
• Outrage in German
  
• Black Skies in German
  
• Codex Regius in German
  
• Duell: Island Krimi in German
  

>195 Ameise1: Wow Barbara, I hope you'll like his work. :-)

Diana, I've read Hypothermia in 2012 and always thought that I should go back to these Island crimes. I liked it very much.

>197 Ameise1: You can be certain of some good books then. Enjoy!

>199 Ameise1: Thanks so much, Diana. Will do so. :)

Kid discussions final thought: I have to remind myself constantly that I cannot compare my inner world with what other people present to the world. They may have as many or even more problems than I have. I always try for compassion and making allowances for what is hidden. It doesn't always work, but I do try.

>200 karenmarie: Well said, Karen. But it's also important to talk about it. For me it helps.

Barbara, your snow pictures are beautiful. They almost make me homesick for snow. Almost.

>202 AuntieClio: :-) Enjoy the warmth of CA, Stephanie. I suppose in summer it will be too hot thhen you have to dream of a bit snow.
We got some mor snow during the night and at the moment it doesn't look like spring in the near future.

Hi Barbara! The Blackhouse is already on my wishlist. I'm glad to know that you enjoyed it!

"This was a pleasant light reading, which has not really captivated me." This is exactly how I feel about Some Luck. LOL. I wish it was more like Middlemarch. I gave that one 5 stars!

Hope you last week is going well, Barb.

>204 cbl_tn: Carrie, I hope you'll like it too.

>205 msf59: Ha, Mark. That's how differnt we can feel for books. Glad you liked Middlemarch much more than I did. Some Luck wasn't a five star for me but better than Middlemarch.

Hi Barbara, hope you are having a good day my dear, I haven't got around to Middlemarch just yet but am looking forward to it.

>207 johnsimpson: John, I was at school from 11am til 1.45pm doing some final preps before starting next week.
I hope you'll like Middlemarch more than me.

Sorry you didn't enjoy Middlemarch more, Barbara. I had a great time with it, and became a Dorothea fan.

book 16 Read in German

 There but For The
BAC March

This was a hilarious varied reading. The trigger for this story is Miles, who locked himself during a dinner with the hosts in their guest room, and no longer wanted to come out. Four People try with him to talk and to elicit him out of the room. Three persons have a common connection to him from earlier times. Only the child knows him only from the said dinner. The book is therefore divided into four parts, each of these persons describe the similarities with Miles but also their peculiarities.
Anne knows Miles as a teenager, as they did a trip with others. But Anna is also a word acrobat who can invent whole stories of single words and the little Brooke brings with inventing new words to laugh. Mark knows Miles only recently. He brought him to this fateful dinner. Through him we learn how the evening went.
Mark also plays with the language. He constantly hears his deceased mother in the ear who is whispering in verse answers to life issues or events in his ears.
By May we learn that Miles remembered with her to her deceased daughter. He visits ever since the death. Here both do not need words. May, which is in the hospital and will soon die has decided not to speak. It seems that Miles and May are very similar in that time. But that she is not alone at the anniversary of the death of her daughter, Miles has organized that someone is with her.
Brooke is a very special child. She is very curious, loves to play with language and thinking very philosophical. One could call it 'precociously' almost. By her nature she can find the best 'wire' to Miles.

What I like about this story, as Smith deals with the language. It is complex and funny. She ticks all what the term language can only give up.

>209 jnwelch: Oh, that doesn't matter, Joe. We can't like books always the same way.

>211 Ameise1: Ain't that the truth, Barbara. :-)

>212 jnwelch: :-)

>210 Ameise1: Quick work Barbara! I'm looking forward to reading Ali Smith this month. I've not read this one yet but will add it to the wishlist.

>214 charl08: It was a great reading, Charlotte.

>210 Ameise1: I enjoyed There but for the when I read it a little while ago. In fact I've enjoyed all the Ali Smith I've read.

>216 SandDune: It's a fantastic book, Rhian. I love Ali's virtous playing with the language.

>218 DianaNL: Thanks Diana.

Hi Barbara!

Just a quick hello and wish for a good weekend. I hope your toe is sufficiently healed to make next week's back-to-work pain free.

Barbara, the pictures of your ski vacation are breathtaking. I'm a mountain lover after having lived in Colorado for eight years in the 90s but I'll leave the skiing to others. I found it too much work…maybe because I fell so much. I mastered the ski lift and hung up my (rented) skis forever. Now I'm the one by the fire with a book! Isn't that just like life. After days on the slopes, you break a toe by bumping it into a suitcase on your way home. I hope you've found some comfy shoes to wear.

To wish you a happy weekend - here is a view of Inverness. Since you enjoyed Ali Smith so much and this is her home town. xx

>220 karenmarie: Thanks so much, Karen. My toe is healing.

>221 Donna828: Thanks so much, Donna. I love the Alpes very much. Not everybody has to ski. I'm glad you love reading next to a fiireplace. I've found some comfy shoes. Next week when I'm back to work I'll see how it'll going.

>222 PaulCranswick: Ah, wonderful, Paul. thanks so much. I was never in Scotland so far. Should definitely go one day.

Oh do add Scotland to your holiday plans. Lovely art galleries (and some years, even skiing!) :-)

Hope you have a good weekend.

>224 charl08: Thanks so much, Charlotte. I'll definitely visit Scotland one day.

Happy Saturday, Barb! I was disappointed in Some Luck. It just fell flat for me. At least I don't have to read the other 2 books. LOL.

I am loving Girl Waits With Gun though. Enjoy your weekend.

>226 msf59: Well, Some Luck isn't the top of top book. Unfortunately there isn't an Amy Stewart book at my local library.

Happy Saturday, Barbara! I'm glad to hear that your toe is doing better.

>228 kidzdoc: Thanks so much, Darryl. It feels much better.
We have awful weather. It's snowing and raining at the same time. In the nights it's very cold. I suppose I take public transportation on Monday when I go back to work and leave the car at home.

Glad you're feeling better!

I love the smell of freesia. Thanks so much, Jennifer.

Stopping in to wish you a weekend filled with fabulous, Barbara!

>232 Crazymamie: Thanks so much, Mamie. It's filled with reading.

Sorry about the crazy weather. Hope it improves. We've had snow but it didn't stay, just melted.

>234 charl08: Somehow it's like April weather only the sun is missing and the temperatures are low.

Barbara--Returning the Happy Weekend Wishes!! : )

>236 Berly: Good night or here good morning Kim. Thanks so much. We finally got some sunshine :-)

book 17

  Octopus

The second book of this series I liked very much. I like the main character Octavius/Gooseberry and his friends/family. This time he must solve the puzzle of the 'murder' of an actress and her husband. Although all the major characters are present from the outset, it needs its time until you feel who the 'real' killer is. In another the 'supposedly' biological father makes contact with him and his brother. This is another mystery which Octopus has to solve, because he does not trust this running up. In addition, he has the image of a 'crime boss' finally get rid of, because he otherwise is no more trusted as 'chief investigator'. But he finds an optimal solution for all related to him.
I hope that this series is continued.

Happy Sunday, Barb! I hope you are cramming a lot of reading in, on your last day of vacation.

>239 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. It's filled with reading. Just started to read The Flea Palace. It's fast-paced and gripping so far.

Hi Barbara, last week I finally got Nine lives by William Dalrymple from the library, it is a facinating book!

>241 FAMeulstee: Isn't it, Anita? I bought one for my team colleague's birthday. I'll give it to her tomorrow. When I was reading it I always thought that she will like it.

Hi Barbara. I'm another who, based on your comments, nabbed a copy of Nine Lives. I haven't started it yet but as the praise continues from your devotees :-) I am looking forward to it.

>243 EBT1002: Hi Ellen, enjoy it. It's a good reading.

So, I'm back to work.

Hi, Barb! Good luck getting back to work. I hope it goes smoothly.

Happy Monday, Barbara!

>245 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. I got a new pupil from Italy today. One more to our international troup.

> Thanks so much, Amber. It was an inzeresting day.

>238 Ameise1: It's nice you found one you enjoyed so much on member giveaway.

>248 thornton37814: Lori, I've read the first of this series and reviewed it. The author must have been hap8y with my review because he asked me by email two weeks ago if I would read and review his new one. So lucky me. :-)

>247 Ameise1: Oh, nice! Do you have a lot of nationalities represented in your classrooms?

Hope your new student is settling well.

How great to be contacted by the author, and a free book. Good stuff.

Hi Barbara, your mentioning the new student reminds me I wanted to ask how Switzerland deals with all the languages. Are Italian and French mandatory in the German speaking part and vice versa or just one of them or none? Here in South Tyrol the parties are forever arguing and each language group is scared to lose ground, instead of seeing the opportunities of havng their children grow up with two languages.

I quite enjoyed There But For The except maybe for the last part with the girl who felt too much like a study and not like a character as the others did. I love Ali Smith's experiments with language and the novel form and am already looking forward to her new book. For now, I started The Accidental.

>250 scaifea: Amber I have children from eleven different countries in my class with also eleven different languages. We are very international.

>251 charl08: Charlotte, the poor boy not only has to learn a new language even in mathematic he is far behind. On the other hand he is very freindly and seems happy.

>252 Deern: Nathalie, the language philosophy here is the following: When pupils come into kindergarten they learn Swiss German. I say learn Swiss German because three quaters of our pupils are immigrants therefore this is their first new language next to their mother tongue. After two years kindergarten they enter first grade and all are learning German (your German). In second grade they have to learn their third new language which is English and in the fifth grade the fourth new language is French. This is mandatory for all. In Switzerland it depends where you live to learn the languages. In the German speaking part it's like above. In the French part they start with German in the second grade and English in the fith grade. In canton Grison they can have French or Italian and they have in some parts all lessons (from kindergarten until the end of school) in Rhaeto-Romance as their first language. In the Italian part they choose between French and German in the second grade and English in the fitfth grade.
As you can see we are multilingual.

That's SO impressive! My friend Karin from Zuerich speaks 5 languages fluently (six if I count Swiss German seperately as I should), and the only one she learned on her own was Spanish. I'm always a bit green with envy (friendly envy of course) when I hear her switch from one to the next effortlessly. That's how it should be here as well!

Here in school children from German speaking families first learn high German/Schriftdeutsch in primary school ==> similarly as in Switzerland this is much different from the spoken language, though here South Tyrolean is officially a dialect, not a language (and often sounded Swiss in my ears in the beginning). Then after 2 years, sometimes a bit earlier I think they learn Italian, but not like a second language, more like a foreign language and in intermediary school English.
Not 100% sure if the Italians here now have to learn German at all. Too many Italian families say "we're in Italy" and too many German speaking families say "German is mandatory in the region", so instead of encouraging their kids they prevent real bilingual schools and kindergardens - there's even a law against them! We also have a third language, Ladinisch (like Rhaeto-Roman), which is spoken and taught only in some villages. It's really sad - German speaking kids generally go to Austrian or German universities although they could go to an Italian one, but that's just "too much effort". And vice versa the Italian kids later study further south. Vereine are separate as well, so there isn't much interaction between the groups except for Bolzano.

>254 Deern: Nathalie, we are such a small country with four official language that we have to earn so many languages. Next to Swiss German I learned German, French, Italien, English and Spanish.

As Switzerland, South Tyrol is something in-between concerning languages. I think it's a great opportunity to learn different languages and it's such a shame when certain parties won't do so.
I've forgotten about Ladinisch. Yes it's really like Rhaeto-Roman. My elder daughter knows one of this dialect because her boyfriend is from such a village.

I went to the library and picked Two audios (all in German)

• The Master and Margarita by Michail Bulgakov Group Read April
  
• Bretonisches Gold by Jean-Luc Bannalec
  

book 18 ♫

 Something To Tell You
BAC April

I'm kinda disappointed with this story. Jamal is a British-Pakistani psychoanalyst who elicits his patients the most intimate secrets. He and his friends also stuck in a sort of midlife crisis and have to hide ancient mysteries, which come to light. It has given me too much trash, sex, triviality, discussions on sub and high culture. It's too flashy and talkative. Somehow it never grabbed me right. I applaud Kureishi respect as he has linked everything, but it definitely was not my book.

Happy Mid-week, Barb! Hope it is going well.

>258 msf59: Very busy, Mark but so far everything is ok.

Catching up with you Barbara. Your vacation photos look lovely. So sorry about your foot though.

I read Tess when I was 15 and I loved it. I should do a reread one day. I haven't gotten around to Middlemarch yet but my audio copy is narrated by Juliet Stevenson and she can make even a mediocre book better by her narration. Her voice is lovely. I've got a book bullet with The Confession but after Mamie's comments it is an author bullet. Well done you two.

I have The Master and Margarita all lined up. I bought it this past summer with the intention to read it for the GeoCAT in the Category Challenge group. This month is Eastern Europe and Russia but I am already reading War and Peace for that category so I will postpone the Bulgakov book for our 75 group read.

Enjoy your week.

Hi Barbara, hope you are well my dear and it seems that you are very busy at the moment. Sending love and hugs my dear.

Hi, Barbara. Hope you're doing well amid all the busy-ness.

>179 eclecticdodo: >180 Ameise1: wow, that does create a difficult situation, and I suppose a lot of patience is needed.

How is the toe, Barbara? The big one! Don't you need that for balance when walking- more than we think we would, I mean?

>260 luvamystery65: Thanks so much Roberta for stopping by. I had indeed various readings in the last few weeks. Olen Steinhauer is an intetesting author and I definitely will go on with the Easter Bloc series.
I have mixed feelings for The Master and Margarita. The blurb sounds fascinating and the 20s in Russia were a tumult. So I'm looking forward to the group read.
I loved W&P. I hope you like it, too.

>261 johnsimpson: Thanks so much, John. It is very busy at the moment. I hope your shoulder is doing well. xx

>261 johnsimpson: Thanks Megan, my toe feels much better. It wasn't luckily the big one. Yes, for the balance that one is very important.

Oh no... broken toe? ;-(

Glad to see the pain killers are working.

>210 Ameise1: - Great review of There but For The! I am hoping to get to that one later this month.

Crazy weather seems to be the norm for this time of year. We had a rather violent storm blow through last night. Usually during wind/rain storms, we have wind warnings that winds may reach 60-80 km. Last night the warning was for 100 km winds, which is rather rare.

>265 lkernagh: Thanks so much, Lori. My toe is much better.
I hope you'll like There But For The. It's written absolutely fabulous. Love this play with the language.

Winds between 70-100 ++ can be normal when we get weather like this but it could be much hogher too.
Luckily not so frequently.

Hope that your weather calms down a bit Barbara.

Ive not read any Kureishi, although I'd like to. When I see his book My Beautiful Laundrette in second hand shops I am reminded I mean to read it! I'm looking forward to the group read for Master and Margarita - have wanted to read this for a while. I've hardly read any Russian literature.

Have a good weekend.

Happy Friday, Barb! hope you have an R & R weekend planned.

>257 Ameise1: I started that one a few years ago and ditched it - full marks for finishing it Barbara. I am hoping when I get to him in April that I will find his better known work a bit more palatable.

Have a lovely weekend.

Happy Friday, Barbara!

I'm a fan of The Master and Margarita. I'm sure you'd be glad you read it, and I think you'd like it. It's an oddball story, but really well done.

>267 charl08: Charlotte, I hope your Kureishi is better then my one was. I'm looking forward to the group read too. Happy weekend to you too.

>268 DianaNL: Thanks so much, Diana. So cute. Happy weekend to you too.

>269 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. A bit a busy weekend. My MIL had a surgery today and will stay a week at the hospital. Op went well so far.

>270 PaulCranswick: Glad to hear, Paul that I'm not the only one who isn't a huge fan of this book. Wishing you a most lovely weekend too.

>271 jnwelch: Thanks so much, Joe. I'm looking forward to this reading/listening. I love Russia's history and the last century was very busy. So it will be very interesting.

Hi Barbara; I'm just catching up.

A belated addition to the special needs discussion: my cousin is mildly autistic. I remember when he was a toddler he used to get frustrated and lash out. Nowadays, he's an amazing person and confident enough to take public transport by himself through central London.

>274 humouress: Thanks so much for stopping by, Nina. It's wonderful to hear from your cousin's achievement.

Oh so long since I visited your thread. Life as a mom is never easy. My two are now 31 and nearly 26. They are great fellows, but you never stop worrying about their well being. I think I worry less about my younger son as he has seemed to come along easily , university, good job, happily married to a lovely young lady in the summer of 2015. Our eldest has had anxiety and depression issues since childhood, but we did get help for that when he was quite young. It helped but not totally, of course. He lives on his own now , about 2 miles from us. I make sure to be in touch with him every week just to be certain things are going well in his world. Happily for his has found a niche outside of work, in powerlifting and has gained some buddies and a very busy schedule with his powerlifting. Just to know he is not spending too much time alone is a big help. It really does take a village to raise a child - and even when they are 31 some of the time.

How I broke my wrist and foot -slipped in fell in the foyer of our house, onto concrete tile. But it turns out I have the misfortune of osteoporosis, so I have to be careful that way.

>276 vancouverdeb: I'm glad to hear that your son has some very good freinds. That helps enormous. My daughter has some very good close friends too. It's so important. Once a mum always a mum - that's so true, what ever age the offspring has.

Sorry to hear about your osteoporosis. I know that's something lots of women are struggling with. I haven't tested my state but I think I could have a mild form of it, too.

Popping in to wave Hi!! Hope you have a great week ahead. : )

>278 Berly: Thanks so much, Kim, it will be a very busy one. My MIL stay at the hospital until Friday. Lots of meetings from work. I suppose there will be only a bit audios and no reading.

Oooh. That sounds complex! Good luck. I have been doing lots of audio and not much eye reading this past week, too. But it counts!! Hang in there.

>280 Berly: Thanks so much, Kim.

And best wishes to you MIL.

Hi, Barbara! Thinking of you and your busy week...

Hi, Barb! Hope the weekend went well and I hope for a speedy recovery for your MIL.

Hi Barbara just adding more greetings. Hope the busy week goes quickly so you can get back to your books...

What a thread! The Davos pictures are magnificent! (The Magic Mountain is a favorite novel.) That is so completely outside my experience that I can hardly believe such places exist.
Glad your poor toe is doing better. I jumped on my own toe in my Buster Brown shoes (think clunky and heavy) when I was 8 and broke it. Oh my, the pain!
I'm interested to read the challenges faced by parents with children on the autistic spectrum. One of my dear friends is finally getting to give some stability to her 16 year-old grandson after several years of his sweet loyalty to his seriously disturbed mother. (She is a canny, sneaky, totally selfish woman: sold his meds, sold his cell phone, lied and lied and lied, moved him from horrid place to horrid place, all while playing on his emotions.) He's extremely bright, and finally moved in with his grandparents when he realized that he was going to fail every subject he was taking, including English, which has been his lifeline all his life. He's doing much, much better in every way.
So.... I also read *Tess* as a teenager and need to try it again. I'm sorry that Middlemarch didn't work for you. That's one I reread with a group of 75ers several years ago. Wish you had been able to read with us!
Do check the osteoporosis! It's a quiet life-changer if you don't get treatment. (My great aunts were totally bed-ridden and still broke bones the last years of their long lives.) I hope you don't have it, but do check.
Good wishes for complete, speedy recovery of your MIL as she leaves the hospital!

Thanks so much, Kim, Amber, Mark and Charlotte. I have a break of one hour before the next meeting.

Oh Peggy, what a nightmare for your friend's grandson. I can't believe what his mother has done and nobody stopped her earlier. I hope he doesn't have a trauma of his childhood.
Isn't it great to see pictures of a place you have read a book from? It makes everything so vividely.
My toe is much better.

Hi Barbara, catching up and happy to read that your toe is better! I loved parts of Master and Margarita, others not. But definitely a memorable, very special book. Get well through your busy week!

Hi Barbara, hope you had a good day my dear, sending love and hugs.

>288 Deern: Nathalie, I'm looking forward to this reading.

>289 johnsimpson: John, it's one of those crazy weeks which won't end. I'm leaving home at 6.30am and I'm very happy being back home at 10pm. This evening when I went home Thomas asked me if it wouldn't be a great idea to sleep at school. Ha ha. Unfortunately there aren't breaks in between. Only another three day like this to go.
I hope you feel good. Love and hugs xx

>290 Ameise1: Oh, goodness, Barbara! Hang in there!

Barbara what a busy week you are having. It sounds exhausting. As Amber says, hang in there!

>290 Ameise1: Sound crazy indeed, Barbara, whats going on that you have to make so many hours?

>291 scaifea: >292 luvamystery65: >293 FAMeulstee: Thanks so much, ladies. I've finished another never ending day. Only two to go.
Anita, next to usual work there are one meetings after another all based on my work. I can't remember who has planned this f...ing timetable, must have been somebody who can't think for a cent.

Sorry to hear about your crazy schedule, Barbara. It sounds like a horrid week.

Glad to hear that the toe is improving.

Yikes, Barbara, I'll echo others to say that I hope you heal quickly. Life just sounds hectic and overwhelming right now. Hang in there!

Sending you good vibes and more energy to help you get through another LONG day!!

Take care, Barbara. xx



Happy Weekend!

>295 tymfos: >296 EBT1002: >297 Berly: >298 DianaNL: Thanks soooo much, ladies, for the well wishes and lovely pics. I finally can see some light at the end of the tunnel.

Glad to hear that Barbara. Hope you get to put your feet up this weekend.

>300 charl08: Not so much, Charlotte. My MIL left hospital today and on Sunday we bring her and my FIL to a cure which is in another part of Switzerland. Tomorrow, next to some work for school I hope to get some reading time.

Sorry to hear you don't get to relax over the weekend after such a busy week.

>301 Ameise1: Nice to see you seem to get along with your in-laws so Barbara. I do myself I suppose but in the UK it was customary for men to make jokes about their mother-in-laws; such as:

MIL - "When you die, I am going to dance on your grave"

SIL - "Great, because I am getting buried at sea!"

Hope your weekend is a good one and that reading time presents itself. xx

>302 charl08: Charlotte, it will be better from next Thursday. Then will start my five day Easter break. I'm looking forward to it.

>303 PaulCranswick: Paul, we have all those jokes, too. I'm really lucky with my in-laws.

Happy Saturday, Barb! I hope you can squeeze in some R & R this weekend. It sounds like you could use it. Fingers crossed.

>305 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. I really try to do my best.

Please, join me on my new thread.