Barbara (Ameise1)'s reading tour (8)

Welcome on my eighth thread.

This is a short video of my home town Zürich druing this summer. Enjoy it.


start the video,

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)
#19 Death in Brittany by Jean-Luc Bannalec (4 stars)
#20 The Flea Palace by Elif Shafak (4 stars)

April
#21 American Tabloid by James Ellroy 2016 ROOT Challenge (4½ stars)
#22 Master and Margarita by Michail Bulgakov (5 stars)
#23 Istanbul Passage by Joseph Kanon (4 stars)
#24 Burial Rites by Hannah Kent (4½ stars)
#25 The Montmartre Investigation by Claude Izner (4 stars)
#26 This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Díaz (4½ stars)

May
#27 The Prague Cemetery by Umberto Eco (4 stars)
#28 Ein Mädchen nicht von dieser Welt by Aharon Appelfeld (5 stars)
#29 The Devil Will Come by Glenn Cooper (4 stars)
#30 The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley (4 stars)
#31 Four To Score by Janet Evanovich 2016 ROOT Challenge (4 stars)
#32 The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing by Tarquin Hall 2016 ROOT Challenge (4½ stars)
#33 Unter einem glücklichen Stern by Sebastijan Pregelj (4½ stars)
#34 The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly (4½ stars)
#35 Rubbernecker by Belinda Bauer (4 stars)
#36 Saubere Wäsche by Michael Herzig (4 stars)

June
#37 The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad (4 stars)
#38 Nacht der Wahrheit by Véronique Olmi (4½ stars)
#39 Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx (4 stars)
#40 Old Filth by Jane Gardam (4½ stars)
#41 Skymningslandet by Marie Hermanson (3½ stars)
#42 The Villa of Mysteries by David Hewson 2016 ROOT Challenge (4 stars)

July
#43 The House at the Edge of the World by Julia Rochester (4½ stars)
#44 Time Machine by H. G. Wells (3½ stars)
#45 Bad News by Bruno Ziauddin (4 stars)
#46 Schwarze Schiffe by Nora Luttmer (4½ stars)
#47 Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (4½ stars)
#48 Unter dem Augusthimmel by Gustavo Machado (4 stars)
#49 Black Dahlia & White Rose by Joyce Carol Oates (4½ stars)
#50 Atonement by Ian McEwan (4½ stars)

August
#51 London Observed by Doris Lessing (4½ stars)
#52 Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson (3½ stars)
#53 Kains Opfer by Alfred Bodenheimer (4 stars)
#54 Schampanninger by Max Bronski (3 stars)
#55 Snow Blinde by Ragnar Jonasson (4½ stars)

September
#56 The Past Is A foreign Country by Gianrico Carofiglio (4½ stars)

October
#57 Maid of Baikal by Preston Fleming (4½ stars)
#58 In One Person by John Irving (4½ stars)
#59 The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon 2016 ROOT Challenge (4½ stars)
#60 The Murder of Halland by Pia Juul (4 stars)
#61 Sanctuary Line by Jane Urquhart (4 stars)
#62 Falling Man by Don DeLillo (4 stars)
#63 Boko Haram by Mike J. Smith (5 stars)
#64 Victim Without A Face by Stefan Ahnhem (4½ stars)

November
#65 Die letzte Sünde by Katharina Höftmann (4 stars)
#66 The Map of Time by Félix J. Palma (4½ stars)
#67 Murder In The Bastille by Cara Black (4½ stars)

December
#68 Gallows View by Peter Robinson 2016 ROOT Challenge (4½ stars)
#69 Der letzte Tiger by Nora Luttmer (4 stars)
#70 Zeugin der Toten by Elisabeth Herrmann (4½ stars)
#71 Der Rabbi und das Böse by Katharina Höftmann (4 stars)
#72 The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami (5 stars)
#73 The Passport by Herta Müller (4 stars)
#74 Un joli garçon by Fanny Morweiser (4 stars)
#75 Memory Wall by Anthony Doerr (4½ stars)
#76 Einstürzende Gewissheiten by Adrian Stokar (4 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)
April skipped
May skipped
June (Annie Proulx): Brokeback Mountain (2016-06-15)
July (John Steinbeck): Of Mice and Men (2016-07-16)
August (Joyce Carol Oates): Black Dahlia & White Rose (2016-07-24)
September (John Irving): In One Person (2016-10-05)
October (Michael Chabon): The Yiddish Policemen's Union (2016-10-13)
November skipped
Decmber (Don DeLillo): Falling Man (2016-10-19)

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)
May
Old Filth by Jane Gardam (2016-06-18)
June
The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad (2016-06-02)
July
Time Machine by H. G. Wells (2016-07-04)
August
Atonement by Ian McEwan (2016-07-25)
September
London Observed by Doris Lessing (2016-08-01)
October
Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson (2016-08-20)
November
skipped
December
Gallows View by Peter Robinson (2016-12-04)

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)

April
5.: Read a book in which at least one character travels between continents
Istanbul Passage by Joseph Kanon (2016-04-18)
13.: Read a book in which a gang or gangs play a part
American Tabloid by James Ellroy (2016-04-03)
18.: Read a book where one letter is repeated at least three times within the author's name
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent (2016-04-22)
19.: Read a book that has 2+ consecutive embedded words of 2 or more letters each in the title
Master and Margarita by Michail Bulgakov (2016-04-09)
22.: Get some JOY (smile, laugh, chuckle, bemused grin, etc.) out of your reading!
This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Díaz (2016-04-30)

May
4.: Read a book where at least two letters in the title or author's name are next to each other in the alphabet as seen in the normal layout
The Devil Will Come by Glenn Cooper (2016-05-09)
7.: Read a book where at least one character on the cover is wearing a head covering
The Prague Cemetery by Umberto Eco (2016-05-04)
17.: Read a book whose first chapter contains a reference to a grandmother, grandma, gram, or any form of that relation
Ein Mädchen nicht von dieser Welt by Aharon Appelfeld (2016-05-05)

June
4.: Read a book where every word in the title shares a common letter
The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad (2016-06-02)
6.: Read a book where the author's first or last name begins with a letter that is one of your father's initials
The Villa of Mysteries by David Hewson (2016-06-26)
11.: Just for U challenge
Der unsichbare Gast by Marie Hermanson (2016-06-22)
13.: Read a book for which you have a specific reason to read it
Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx (2016-06-15)

July
5.: Read a book that has one of the words “ice” or “cream” or a flavor of ice cream in the title or author’s name
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (2016-07-16)
7.: Read a book that includes a long trip or voyage
Time Machine by H. G. Wells (2016-07-04)
12.: Read a book where one or more words in the title have either a good or bad undertone
Bad News by Bruno Ziauddin (2016-07-09)
13.: Read a book where the title includes a building or a part of one
The House at the Edge of the World by Julia Rochester (2016-07-03)

currently reading

 Einstürzende Gewissheiten

currently listening

 North and South

Hello Barbara! It's nice to see you back and I wish you a wonderful fall break!

>10 karenmarie: Thanks so much, Karen. It's good being back. I missed you all but wasn't able to find enough time joining you on LT due to RL. I'll try to do better in the future.
Being first some speciality from Switzerland. The hunting season is over and we get some very delicious wild food:

Happy New Thread, Barb. Nice to see you posting.

>12 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. I'm very happy being back. I'm currently writing my reviews for a book and an audio.

book 57

Maid of Baikal by Preston Fleming

There is currently no cover for this book as it has to be printed. I've got the story as an e-book from the author, so I can give my opinion before the print. I have read all his books published so far and love them.

Even if Maid of Baikal is a fiction, the historical processes of Russian history around 1920 are accurately. It is the history of the domestic political crisis between the White and Red Army. The different actors correspond to Russian history. Some characters are fictitious. A teenage girl has got visions of how the White Army can defeat the Red Army. At first nobody believes her, over time she gains the trust of the most important instructors, but she also makes important enemies, which eventually also bring her down.
I was fascinated by how exactly the events are described. It brought me a lot of Russian history much closer. I also followed this on maps and in reports I found on the internet.
Preston Fleming's writing style is fluid and keeps the reader in tension. The only fly in the ointment was that it was in my opinion much too long. I would not know what I would pull out, because everything has its right to understand the political situation, but maybe there would not be much in the details on the one or the other figure.
Despite this criticism, it is a book that I can highly recommend.

book 58 ♫

 In One Person
AAC September

This was a highly interesting listening, even if I needed some time to dive into the story. In my opinion, the beginning could have been shorter, because only after the first third did the story begin to live for me.
What is highly interesting is that the story plays at a time when the issue of gender was still taboo. It addresses equally homosexuality, bisexuality and transgender. It shows the outbreak of AIDS and how people deal with death. The different characters have grown very much to my heart during listening, and I could sympathize with them. The topic is still highly ardent and it will probably still be a time before it is normal in our society.

Happy new thread and welcome back!

>16 mstrust: Thanks so much, Jennifer. I missed you all. I'm making my way through the LT jungle. That we'll keep me busy some time.

Another pleased to see you back Barbara. Happy new thread. xx

Hey Barbara - missed you! Happy new thread.

>18 PaulCranswick: Thanks so much, Paul. I missed my LT family, too.

>19 charl08: Missed you too, Charlotte. I already found a BB on an old thread of yours by the author S. J. Parris. I already put it on my library list. I'm making slowly my way through the threads.

Hi Barbara, happy new thread dear friend. You have been missed on here my dear and I have missed your lovely posts. As you say RL sometimes takes over and things have to take a back seat but now you are back and I look forward to witty posts. Sending love and hugs.

>11 Ameise1: That looks quite delicious!

>22 thornton37814: I love wild food. Well, autumn is my favorite season for lots of things. Thanks for stopping by, Lori.

Barbara, I just loved the pictures of the French Alps on your last thread! You might recall that I was quite anxious when my son and daughter in law went to Europe , and of course all was fine. However, my sister and her husband went to Italy and England. They are very experienced travelers, but my sister had her purse stolen in Italy. She and and her husband were eating breakfast in there " 5 star hotel" and well dressed fellow came up, asking direction in foreign language. They were momentarily distracted and my sister's purse was gone. The hotel was very good, gave them a free nights stay and assisted them with going to the police to make a report and also assisted them in cancelling credit cards etc. Fortunately my sister's passport was locked in the safe in their room . She said the worst thing was losing her I phone, as she could no longer take pictures, but other than that, a great holiday.

The House at the Edge of the World - that was a fun and unusual read. I hope you enjoyed it :)

>24 vancouverdeb: Thanks so much, Deb. I'm glad you liked them. We had a great time in the French Alps. I'm so sorry to hear about your sister's stolen goods. I'm not really surprised. Unfortunately, even at places like that such issues happen. I hope they could enjoy the rest of their holiday.

Ah, yes, it was a good reading. I liked it.

Two great books for the first ones on your thread :)
4.5 is an excellent star-rating. I have had heaps of 4 star ratings lately, they are also very good.

>26 LovingLit: They were indeed very good once, Megan. Even though it took me an eternity to finish them. I probably won't reach the 75 this year.

Happy new thread Barbara!
I am glad to see you here, real life gets too busy sometimes, so we will patiently wait for your break :-)

>28 FAMeulstee: Thanks so much, Anita. Currently I have my autumn break. This week I stay at home here are lots of stuff to do and I will do all preparation for school. Next Monday Thomas and I are heading for zhe spa ressort at zhe Black Forest. I'm really looking forward to it. We'll be staying there for four nights and I already booked lovely treatments.

Oh, so lovely to see you here, Barbara!! Welcome back and happy new thread!

>30 scaifea: Thanks so much, Amber. I missed you all. I nearly caught up with everybody. Just hopping over to your new thread.

Happy New Thread, Barbara. Good to have you back!

Hi Barbara!

>11 Ameise1: That wild game dish looks wonderful to a meat-eater like me!

>15 Ameise1: If I hadn't already found In One Person at the recent Friends of the Library sale, I'd have to get it based on your review! I think another Irving will be a good idea for later this fall. I read Until I Find You for the September AAC Challenge and loved it.

>32 jnwelch: Thanks so much, Joe. It's good being back.

>33 karenmarie: Karen, I'm a meat-eater, too. It was the only Irving I could find and I really liked it.

Good morning, Ameise1! I see that you have returned after an absence. Welcome back. Thank you for all the beautiful autumn images you have shared around the threads. Have a great day!

>35 brodiew2: Thanks so much for stopping by, Brodie. I'm glad you like the autum pics. It's my favourite season.

Hi Barbara! It's great to see you back! The wild game looks delicious. I didn't have any hunters in the family, so my only experience with wild game is venison. How well I like it depends on how it's cooked.

>37 cbl_tn: Thanks so much, Carrie. I love wild game. Isa and her boyfriend are here over the night because they are heading to Barcelona in the morning. Marc went hunting this September. We were discussing it over dinner.

Happy New Thread, Barbara!
I meant to read In One Person for Mark's American Author Challenge and the month got away from me. But I still have it in the stack on my dresser and I'll get to it. I love your comments.

I loved stiles when we were walking in Scotland. I loved the sheep, too. I don't think the one is supposed to figure out how to cross the other.

Happy new thread and welcome back, Barbara!

That first term went by in a hurry, Barbara! I'm looking forward to more wonderful pictures of the Black Forest.

>39 EBT1002: Thanks so much, Ellen. It is a fantastic story. I hope you'll find time to read it. Gorgeous photo, thanks so much. Sheep can find their way everywhere 1 in the Alps they do.

>40 tymfos: Thanks so much, Terri. I'm very happy being back.

>41 ronincats: Thanks for stopping by, Roni. The first term was flying but now I'm worn out. I hope we have some good weather in the Black Forest but if not I'll take enough hooks with me.

WooHoo, I received all books for my family Adventskalender.
Thomas will get:

• Die Prinzessin, der General und die Sängerin city stories by Alex Capus, Franz Hohler and Pedro Lenz
  
• Ein passender Mieter by Lukas Hartmann
  
• Das Leben ist gut by Alex Capus
  
• Kehrsatz by Peter Beutler
  

For my elder daughter Isabelle:

• My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
  
• Bella Germania by Daniel Speck
  
• Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
  
• Malibu by Leon de Winter
  

For Marina:

• My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk
  
• The Secret History by Donna Tartt
  
• Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa
  
• The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruis Zafon
  

>43 Ameise1: Love the book haul. Does the family have to wait until Xmas day? (Sorry if this is a silly question). I read (maybe on LT?) that in Iceland it is traditional to read on Xmas Eve. I so like this idea.

Barbara, What a great opening to your thread! Thanks.

>44 charl08: Charlotte, each Sunday in advent they get a book. I started this tradition 35 years ago with my husband and my daughters are getting the books since their birth. We are an addicted reading family and all three are looking forward to the advents Sundays. Sometimes zhey provide me with a wishlist but yesterday I told them that this year no wishlist is needed.

>45 Whisper1: Thanks so much, Linda. It's a nice short video from the water view, isn't it?

Hi Barbara, great book haul my dear. Sending love and hugs dear friend.

>47 johnsimpson: Thanks so much, John. I love buying books for my family. Love and hugs right back to you..

R.I.P. Dario Fo. He died at the age of 90. I'll miss him. I loved his books and plays.

Sweet Thursday, Barb! Hope the week is going well.

>50 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. So far the week is going well. I'm tidying out my home office. Such lot of stuff is hoarded which I don't need anymore. Thomas has done lots of work in the garden.
Of cause there is also plenty of reading time. Currently I'm reading The Yiddish Policemen's Union and I like it so far.

book 59


AAC October The Yiddish Policemen's Union

This was an exciting reading. Detective Meyer Landsman is awakened, because in another room of his hotel someone is dead. This is the beginning of an odyssey, with Landsman dealing not only with rival Jews, but also with his own past. You have the feeling that Landsman puts his foot in his mouth, losing everything that once meant something to him. In the course of time, however, one realizes that this kind of investigation will ultimately lead to the goal.
I have suffered with him. It was a fast reading and I could not put it aside.

>46 Ameise1: What is nice tradition, Barbara!
My mom used to give a book at Christmas before we went to live on our own.

>53 FAMeulstee: Thanks so much, Anita. Everybody loves this tradition. It's wonderful that you got a book each christmas.

>43 Ameise1: there's nothing like a book as a gift! Go you. (>46 Ameise1:) What a wonderful tradition. I wholeheartedly approve ;)

>55 LovingLit: Isn't it, Megan? And I've always lots of fun to choose them.

Good to see you're back! Happy New Thread, and have a lovely weekend!

Hm... I should treat myself to a book every Sunday in advent - because no-one else will, and because no-one I know in RL will be happy to receive 4 books in 4 weeks (or 4 months).
Maybe an audio given my current state of no-reading. Great idea! :)

>57 Deern: Thanks so much, Nathalie. For myself, I only buy books when I've my thingaversary or when I'm in England. Here, books are sooooo expensive. We have a great library so I don't have to complain.

>43 Ameise1: Marina will get the best of the deal by the looks of it - Zafon & Tartt are great books.

I only, erm, buy books if I am in Malaysia or the UK or in the event that I make a trip anywhere else!

Have a lovely weekend, Barbara.

>59 PaulCranswick: Paul, for me all book choices are good once. You won't know Thomas books because these are Swiss authors and I dare say very good one. Isabelle's books are good once, too.
I hope when they have read them I have a chance of reading them, too. That Zafon I've already read.

I wish you a great weekend, too.

book 60 read in German

 The Murder of Halland

This was a quick reading. The story is about Bess who was awakened one morning by a shot and her partner Halland lay dead on the court. Besides the main question, who shot Halland, a lot is going on about Bess's past, her feelings and her knotted life. The story is exciting and varied.

Happy Saturday, Barb. So glad you enjoyed your Chabon selection. I liked that one too. I hope to squeeze in an other one by the end of the month.

>62 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. I love Chabon's book too. So far I had the feeling he has a wide range of writing style.

Happy new thread, Barbara. I know when school is in session, it's hard to find time to do other things. I also loved THe Yiddish Policemen's Union. I'm happy to see another fan.

>64 BLBera: Thanks so much Heather. Yes, the first few weeks with first grades took my strength even though they are wonderful lovely kids.
Ha, I liked zhat book very much. Glad to hear zhat you liked it, too.

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

>66 johnsimpson: Thanks so much, John. I had a good weekend. Tomorrow we're leaving for the Black Forest. Love and hugs xx

>67 Ameise1:, Have a lovely time in the Black Forest my dear, Karen says hello.

>68 johnsimpson: Please, say hello to Karen, too. I'm sure we'll have a relaxed time.

Black Forest again, how lovely - have a good time! :)

>70 Deern: Thanks so much, Nathalie. I had an energetic foot massage (gorgeous-relaxing) and Thomas an abhyanga massage.

Ooh a foot massage. Sounds lovely Barbara. Hope you feel properly relaxed after your busy time at work.

>72 charl08: Oh, I do, Charlotte. We had a delicious dinner (did forget taking pics) and we have a suitcase filled with good books. :-)

Sounds wonderful! (And well deserved).

Enjoy your time in the Black Forrest, Barbara, footmassage, delicious dinner & enough good books... souds great!

>74 charl08: >75 FAMeulstee: Thanks so much, Charlotte and Anita. I was already at the aqua fit lesson and now waiting for the hubster to get ready for breakfast.

What a wonderful idea, a book for each member of the family on each advent Sunday! Wishing you well on your holiday.

>77 vancouverdeb: Isn't it, Deb?
Just came back from a Qi Gong lesson. It was fantastic. I feel good.

Hi, Barb! How was that massage? I could sure use one of those. Smiles...

>79 msf59: Mark, the foot massage was so relaxing. This late afternoon I'll have a Lomi Lomi Hawaian massage. It's one of my favourite ones.
I had a nap after the Qi Gong lesson. Now, it's time to read more in the Boko Haram book wich is extremely interesting.

We made it safely back home. I have finished two hooks and an audio. My thoughts of them will I post tomorrow.

>81 Ameise1: Welcome home Barbara. Hani and Belle love foot massages; I would sooner run across hot coals!

Have a lovely weekend.

>82 PaulCranswick: You've no clue what you gonna to miss, Paul, it's heavenly.

Happy weekend to you, too.

book 61 Read in German

 Sanctuary Line

Liz tells the story of her childhood as an adult. She looks back on happy times of the spent summers on her uncle's orchard. She shows relentlessly the family tragedies of her widely divergent family, which often originated in the childhood of the individual characters. But she also becomes aware of the loss of a Mexican friend.
The story is very subtle. I like Urquhart's writing style.

Happy Saturday, Barb! Hooray for foot massages. Have a nice weekend.

book 62 ♫ Listen in German

 Falling Man
AAC 2016

The story revolves around the aftermath of 9/11. It shows the processing of the experience from the perspective of different characters. It took me a while to dive into the story as it jumps from one place to the next. What impressed me is not only the visibility of the survivors but also the preparation of the terrorists.
I still remember well when I got home from work and the TV ran very unusual at our home, and I saw an airplane fly into the tower. As a European woman it was impossible to understand what was happening. While listening to DeLillo's book, these pictures came up again and again.

>85 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. I hope you have a R&R weekend, too.

book 63 Read in German

 Boko Haram
BB from Charlotte

This book must have been read. Mike J. Smith is working for the AFP. He was able to speak with eye-witnesses. He stresses over and over again that the government's statements are to be taken with caution.
Smith first shows the historical background of Northern Nigeria with his caliphates and his religion and colonization by England.
One is once again conscious of what a catastrophe this was, how much damage they had made, and what from a Western point of view meant wealth and power, brought poverty and misery into the oppressed areas and brought them into a catastrophe from which they never emerge will.
The multicultural state of Nigeria could only arise through colonialization. The differences between the various ethnic groups are too great for them to develop themselves into a state. In the south one benefits from the oil cork while the north, which was always a caliphate was never able to recover and adjust by the imposed resolution. Therefore, it was and is an easy game to promote the extremists supported by Saudiarabia and the Magreb. The government is absolutely free to do something about it. If the hydra is turned off, at least three heads will grow. In this sense Boko Haram gains in strength, because the leaders are interchangeable and multiply rapidly.
The government, on the other hand, seems to be very corrupt. It cares about its own well-being and it seems that the people in the north do not care.
There is also no hope for any meaningful and clarifying help from the Western world. It looks more like they have given up Nigeria with its problems.
I do not think I am going to experience a stable Nigeria living together in peace. The differences between the different ethnic groups are too great for this.

Excellent review of Boko Haram. I've not read it, but I took book bullet from Charlotte too, a fictional book, Born on a Tuesday. It was fiction view of how a young boy/ man becomes a part of an terrorist organization and it is less from beliefs and more due to poverty, and a lack of a non- corrupt government. Boko Haram sounds very interesting.

Welcome home, Barbara. I'm still hoping for some Black Forest pictures.

>89 vancouverdeb: Thanks so much, Deb. It was an excellent reading.
Unfortunately, my local library hasn't got a copy of Elnathan John's book.

>90 ronincats: Thanks so much, Roni. I didn't take much photos but will have a look that I can post one or two.

Great review, but I'll move Boko Haram to my tbrs for 2017.

Glad to see you had a good time im Schwarzwald. I hope it was as nice as ever with great meals and wellness treatments. I only had one (ayurvedic) foot massage in my life, it was rough enough that I didn't laugh all the time. I'm extremely ticklish and that unfortunately makes it hard for me to really enjoy massages. I still love them though, but I always warn the masseurs/ masseuses.

>92 Deern: Thanks so much, Nathalie. I hope you'll like it as much as I did.

We had a great time in Schwarzwald and came back home very relaxed even the weather was better than the forecast said.
I've no problems with foot massages and can relax very good but I guess when somebody is ticklish that it would be a problem.

Hi, Barb. The Falling Man sounds good. It is now on the list, possibly in line for the AAC coming up.

So glad you did so well on this years's AAC. Congrats, my friend.

>94 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. This year's AAC was a great joy. I'm looking forward which authors will be on the list for next year. I already had a glimps on the AAC thread. There are autors whom I find books in my local library but others they won't be avaiably for me.

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

>96 johnsimpson: Thanks so much, John. It was a good day. Love and hugs xx

Hi Barbara, sounds like you had a wonderful break. I hope that you are able to keep posting on LT now that you are back at work.

>98 Familyhistorian: Thanks so much, Meg. I had a really wonderful relaxing time. I try to do my best with keeping up posting.

Today, midmorning our young daughter called me at work saying that one of our cats seems to be very ill. I sent her to the vet. It must have high fever and it got an antibiotic shot. We hope it feels better soon.

Nice review of Boko Haram, Barbara. What a shame for that part of the world.

I'm glad you had such a relaxing break.

>99 Ameise1: It is hard to keep up, Barbara. I always seem to be way behind but I think that is a sign of a busy life! I hope that your cat gets better soon.

Hi, Barbara, just stopping by to say hi and check that all is well with you. I'm looking forward to a few days off, so I'll be able to catch up with threads and books.

>100 jnwelch: Thanks so much, Joe. I had a very relaxing time. The next nine weeks will be very busy with all the seasonal activities.

>101 Familyhistorian: Meg, the vet told my daughter that Stitch (our cat) has got a viral infection. We too ate hoping that she gets better soon.

>102 Trifolia: How nice to see you, Monica. I'm sure you're looking forward to that break. I hope you'll have a nice relaxing time.
BTW I'm currently reading Victim without a Face by Stefan Ahnhem which I saw on your thread earlier. It's very gripping.

Hi Barbara!

I'm just going to draw a line in the sand and continue on from here - I hope you're doing well and I'm looking forward to checking in more regularly!

>104 Ameise1: Hi Barbara, I am hoping for a speedy recovery for Stitch!

>106 karenmarie: Hi Karen, it's nice to see you. Thanks so much for stopping by. I know your RL is busy at the moment.

>107 FAMeulstee: Thanks so much, Anita. I think she is feeling better now than two days ago.

Hi Barbara,

Hopefully you will forgive a bit of gloating from an American soccer fan -

We went to the US v. Switzerland game this past Sunday. The US won 5-1. I was a bit surprised that the Swiss team was quite a bit more physical than the US team and picked up several yellow cards. The US supporter group, the American Outlaws, also unrolled a massive flag with their logo and the words "Never Neutral" on it. Digs aside, I hope that the Swiss team did not have too many negative comments about the American side. There was certainly no hooliganism at the game.

The US is still struggling with an enthusiasm gap for soccer and that is especially true for women's soccer. To that end, we were pretty proud of the large showing in Minneapolis. We had a lot of fun seeing the game and hope that there are many more games coming in the future.

>105 Ameise1: - Have a lovely weekend, Barbara!
I'm looking forward to read what you think about Victim without a Face. It is not one I would recommend to everyone and I'm a bit scared it might be a bit too cruel for your taste?

Hoping for a speedy recovery for Stitch. Poor dear! When our dog Poppy was still a puppy, she would seem to get gastro intestinal troubles and get diarrhea and refuse to eat and drink. I had to take stool samples in - but they never found a problem. I guess her problems were either viral or just a tummy upset. As she has grown older - she is now 3 , she seems to be much hardier.

Happy Saturday, Barb! Hope you are getting some R & R in this weekend.

Not heard of the author of Victim without a Face - sounds good?

Hi Barbara! I'm sorry that Stitch is under the weather. I hope that the virus will work its way out of her system soon.

>109 Oberon: Hi Erik, I'm glad to hear that you had a great time seeing the play. As I heard had the Swiss coach taken lots of young inexperienced players to give them some international experiences. You're right, here too, you can hear and read much more about the women's soccer than before. This makes this sport more popular.

>110 Trifolia: Thanks so much, Monica. I wish you a wonderful weekend, too. The book was gripping. I will definitely continue this series.

>113 charl08: Charlotte, this was a BB from Monica (JustJoey4) and it was a great reading. Review is following shotly.

>111 vancouverdeb: Hi Deb, glad to hear that Poppy is much healthier today. It looks like that Stitch is on the mend now.

>114 cbl_tn: Thanks so much, Carrie. She starts to eat normally and does not creep all day. I think she's definitely on the way to recovery.

>112 msf59: Happy Saturday to you too, Mark. I finished a book today. Not bad, isn't it.

book 64 Read in German

 Victim Without a Face
BB from Monica (JustJoey4)

What an exciting reading. It held my breath from the first to the last page. This is the first book of the Fabian Risk series and I will definitely read the other volumes as well.
Fabian Risk is a criminal commissioner who is no longer welcome at his old service in Stockholm and therefore moves back to his old home town with his family. Actually, he would have eight more weeks of leave before he had to go to the local office. Since a brutal murder happened, he reports earlier. Soon he must realize that the murderer has been looking for all his old classmates and is not afraid of anything. It is a race with time, which brings everyone to their limits.

>119 Ameise1: Looks good, I must go and read it soon as I can't get enough Scandi.

Have a great weekend, Babara.

>120 PaulCranswick: Thanks so much, Paul. It was indeed a great reading. Wishing you a lovely weekend, too.

Happy weekend, Barbara! Glad you are back. : ) I love your Advent Sunday book giving idea...and the books you scored for everyone. This is what it looks like here today...
now if I can only find time to read!

Yup I'll add it to the wish list too!

>122 Berly: Thanks so much for this autumnal photo. It's very dry here. Since August we only had two rainy days last week. The advent Sunday books are always great fun..

>123 charl08: I'm sure you'll like it, Charlotte.

>119 Ameise1: Adding to mount TBR, Barbara, it will take a while before I get to it, I just started with the Wallander books.

>119 Ameise1: - What a relief that you liked it so much! I noticed that he's written two more Fabian Risk-books. Unfortunately, only of of these is available in Dutch, but it's better than nothing.
Btw, thanks for mentioning the BB :-)

>125 FAMeulstee: Go for it, Anita, you'll like it.

>126 Trifolia: Monica, my local library has got the second book as an audio. I probably have to wait for the third one, too.

Hello Barbara! I hope that you are having a great weekend that includes lots of reading.

I have added Victim Without a Face to my wishlist, it sounds intriguing.

>128 karenmarie: Thanks so much, Karen. I'm busy with advent preparations (looking for szories, poems, songs etc.)
I hope you'll like that book as much as I did.

>127 Ameise1: - I have tried audio once, but I thought it took an awful long time to listen. I guess I'm: a) too impatient to listen; b) don't have a lot of opportunities like long car-drives or boring work during which I can imagine audio-reads are handy.

>130 Trifolia: Monica, I listen to audios when I'm walking or doing work at home.

>131 Ameise1: - Walking... I had not thought of that. It might even be a way of taking longer walks :-)
Do you have a holiday-break in Switzerland now?

>132 Trifolia: I'm back at work since one week. Before I had a two week break. Next break will be from the 24th of December for two weeks.

Hope you've had a good weekend, Barbara. I'm still hoping for some Schwarzwald pictures.

>134 ronincats: Thanks so much, Roni. I have to find some. I haven't taken many.

Glad you enjoyed Yiddish Policeman's Union I've heard it's great.

Hi Barbara, just doing the rounds as I have been a bit neglectful of late my dear. I hope all is well with you and Thomas and the girls and that work is ok. Sending love and hugs my dear.

Passing through to wish you a happy middle-of-the-week! :)

Edit: oops - and rest of the week as well, of curse!

>136 The_Hibernator: It is great, Rachel. I hope you'll get the chance of reading it, too-

>137 johnsimpson: Thanks so much for stopping by, John. Unfortunately, nothing is well here at the moment (see shortly below). Love and hugs xx

>138 Deern: Thanks so much, Nathalie. I wish you a wonderful second half of the week.

Dear friends
I will not be on LT again. On Monday evening we brought my father-in-law into the emergency. The diagnosis we got (in the middle of the night) that he has a cerebral haemorrhage. He is a patient decree and does not want any life-prolonging measures. He is 84 years old and therefore no surgery has been done. We do not know how it goes on. We are currently 'hovering in an airless room'. On Tuesday he was approachable, yesterday more apathetic and today I could not go to him yet.
As you can see I am currently burdened otherwise and there will be no reading etc. I think of you all.

>140 Ameise1: I am so sorry Barbara, sending lots of love and hugs!
Take all the time you need, we will be here when you need us.

I'm really sorry, Barbara. I'm wishing you and your family the best!

>141 FAMeulstee: >142 mstrust: Thanks so much, Anita and Jennfer. Your thoughts and wellwishes are helping very much. It wasn't a very good day for him. We're thinking from half day to half day. What we would need most is sleep for a few hours.

So sorry to hear this Barbara. Will be thinking of you and the family.

Dear Barbara, I am so sorry to hear about your Father-in-Law and we both send our thoughts and prayers to you and the rest of the family. You have so much going on I can understand you will be missing from LT but the whole LT family will be thinking of you all at this distressing time. Sending love and hugs from Karen and I, Karen will send a message on Facebook dear friend.

Barbara, I am so sorry to hear about your FIL. Know that you have all of our support and prayers for you and your family.

Oh, I'm so sorry, Barbara. I'll be keeping you and your family in my thoughts and in my heart.

>140 Ameise1: Dear Barbara; you have our love, our support, our prayers and our blessings. So many of us will be thinking of you and yours and particularly your FIL in the coming days. xx

I am so sorry to hear about your father-in-law, Barb. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We will be here when you need us.

As you "hover in an airless room" and think/plan from half day to half day, know that my thoughts and prayers are with your FiL, you, Thomas, and your daughters.

I'm sorry to hear about your father in law's condition, Barbara. I'll say a prayer for him and your family now.

Dear Barbara, I'm sorry to hear about your father-in-law. I'll pray for him and your family. I understand completely that you will not be around on LT for a while. Take the time you need, and hopefully you'll be back next year.

Dear Barbara, my thoughts are with you and your family.

Sending positive thoughts for your father-in-law, Barbara. And I hope you all get some of that much-needed sleep.

Dear Barbara, sending love and emotional support your way. We'll be here for you.

>140 Ameise1: I'm sorry to hear that :(
I hope you are holding up ok, and that you have friends and family nearby

Thanks so much Charlotte, John, Roni, Amber, Paul, Karen, Mark, Darryl, Rachel, Monica, Joe, Nathalie and Megan for your kind words, thoughts and prayers. They mean a lot for us.
Here a short update on my FIL status:
Since he is in the hospital, there are days when he is approachable and again other days, which he usually overshadows. Since the last weekend, he has been given morphine, so he has no pain, which is also quite in our sense. One can not do anything more medically, it is more a wait until he can let go.

I'm so sorry to hear of your father-in-law's health. We are all thinking about you and send our good wishes.

I remember the vigil for my husband's step-grandmother - both her daughters told her it was okay to let go, that they would be okay, that they loved her.

It is hard to let go, Barbara, it was along haul with my FIL too...
Thinking of you and sending comforting thoughts and hugs.

So sorry to hear about your father-in-law, Barbara.

Thanks so much Catarina, Karren, Anita and Rhian for your kind words and thinking of us. There is no news on my FIL condition. We are visiting him daily.

I finally finished a book:

book 65 Read in German

 Die letzte Sünde

This is an exciting thriller, the first volume of a new series that plays in Tel Aviv. It is Assaf Rosenthal's first case. He was previously army-officer. A Jewish language student from the Ukraine was found strangled in front of the language school. Soon Rosenthal realizes that there is more behind this murder. He encounters prostitution, drug trafficking and strangers. During his investigations, he not only gets to know his new colleagues, but also discovers Tel Avivi's complexity.
The story is exciting and varied. I look forward to the sequels.

Keeping you in prayers and thoughts still, Barbara, dear. xx

Good to see that you're still reading. I'm sorry about your FiL and you and your family are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Hi Barbara, sorry to hear there is no more news on your FIL's condition my dear but we are both thinking of you and the family at this time and will say some prayers for you all. Sending love and hugs my dear.

>163 Ameise1: Well, I've added that one to the wishlist. Hope that it gets translated at some point.

You and the family are in my thoughts.

I'm glad that you have been able to read and thank you for that book suggestion. I, too, will be looking for its translation. I searched on goggle just now and could not find any indication that the translation would happen any time soon though. It has been a difficult time for us on this side of the ocean. I haven't been able to read much for several months. Too much anxiety. Our thoughts are with you and your family.

>164 PaulCranswick: >165 karenmarie: >166 johnsimpson: >167 charl08: >168 catarina1: Thanks so much for your support, Paul, Karen, John, Charlotte and Catarina.

Charlotte and Catarina, I hope with you that there will be a translation.

This morning at 1am my FIL died. We are very sad but thankful that he could go peaceful without any pain. My MIL stayed with him during his last minutes. We went home before midnight just to be back an hour later.

My condolences for you and your loved ones, Barbara. Please take care. xx

>171 DianaNL: Thanks so much, Diana.

So sorry, but glad he was without pain.

My condolences, Barbara. I'm glad it was peaceful and pain-free for your FIL.

My sympathy to you and your family, Barbara. Best wishes to you all.

Oh, I'm so sorry, Barbara. I'm thinking of you and your family.

My condolences, Barbara, for you and your family.

My sympathies for you and your family, Barbara. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Sending heartfelt condolences for the loss of your Father-in-law my dear. Leaving the hospital to go back a short time later is something that we did when Karen's dad had his final stroke so we know what that is like and how heartbreaking. It is comforting to know that he went peacefully without pain dear friend.

Sending my condolences to you and your family.

My deepest condolences, Barb! A gentle hug to my pal.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your FiL, Barbara. It sounds like he was surrounded with love, and to go peacefully without pain is any of us can ask for.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your father - in - law, Barbara. My deepest condolences.

>184 PaulCranswick: You and yours remain in my thoughts and prayers, Barbara. Sincere condolences, my dear.

Thinking of you and your family, Barbara.

Thanks so much Jim, Joe, Jennifer, Amber, Anita, Roni, John Nathalie, Mark, Karen, Deb and Paul for all your sympathy, prayers and thoughts. We had a torn week with lots of lows and highs. After we had all the official records of the offices, we began to write the cards and planned the funeral that will take place on next Tuesday afternoon. We talked to each other for hours, with relatives, friends and acquaintances, so that the week passed like a flight. This weekend we have time for us only for the first time, which we also urgently need.
I could finish an audiobook during all of the official duties, which I review shortly.

book 66 ♫ Listen in German

 The Map of Time
BB from Lori (lkernagh)

After reading the time machine by H. G. Wells, this story was a highlight. This is also about time travel and the author H. G. Wells gets a main role in it. It all starts with a young man of noble society, whose friend was murdered by Jack the Ripper. As he wanted to end his life, his cousin tried to undo things by using Wells' time machine. During this time, the reader also encounters other people, who led people with so-called time machines.
The story is extremely exciting and varied. The listeners live and hope with the characters. It is a story I can highly recommend.

So sorry to hear about the loss of your FIL Barbara. Thinking of you and your family.

>188 souloftherose: Thanks so much, Heather.

book 67 Read in German

 Murder In The Bastille

Even though this is the fourth book of the Aimée Leduc Investigations series, for me it was the first Book. The reading fascinated me from the first page. Aimée Leduc is a private investigator together with her dwarf partner René. Actually, they are specialized in computer data crime. In this book, however, quite different things are in the foreground. Aimée is attacked after a meeting with a customer and loses her eyesight. With this handicap, she must not only convict her aggressor but also the murderer of a woman with whom she was confused. Aimée struggles with her blindness, but she meets many helpful people. The story takes place in a small district around the Parisian Bastille. You will be familiar with the old streets, backyards, secret places and the historical architecture of this district.
The story is varied, exciting and fast. I will definitv read more of this series.

Thanks for giving us an update, Barb. Glad you were able to get some reading in. The Map of Time sounds like a good one.

>191 msf59: You're welcome, Nark and Hapoy Sunday. It was a fantastic listening. I hope you'll get the chance of listening it too.

It sounds like a whirlwind, Barbara. I wish you all peace and love and comfort during this sad time.

>193 karenmarie: Thanks so much, Karen.

>190 Ameise1: Sounds good Barbara. Hope the reading is a helpful escape just now.

>195 charl08: It was excellent, Charlotte. Reading helps very much. BTW my FIL was an addicted reader.

Hi Barbara. Just catching up on LT friends. SO sorry to hear about your FIL. Best wishes and lots of hugs.

Oh dear, a tough time for you and the family (((hugs))).

Sending more good wishes and sympathy Barbara at the weekend.

Barbara, I'm just catching up and so sorry to hear about your father-in-law. I'm glad the end was peaceful. Best wishes to you.

Hi Barbara, just passing by to see how you are dear friend, it has been a difficult time for you and the family of late but both Karen and I send love and hugs to you all and hope to hear from you soon.

... and this Karen hopes that you are doing as well as can be expected during this sad time.

Autumnal waterways are relaxing and soothing Barbara.



I trust that your weekend brings you that soothing relaxation you need.

I'm sorry to hear about your father-in-law's passing, Barbara.

Thanks so much Kim, Megan, Charlotte, Terri, John, Karen, Paul and Darryl for all your good wishes and thoughts.

At the moment we have a very busy time. On the one hand, we still have a lot to do with the death of my FIL. After the funeral with a large number of members of the family, friends, schoolmates, military colleagues and acquaintances, it is now also about the fact that my MIL is back in the everyday life and all the upcoming tasks (authorities, insurance, banks, etc.) have to be settled and cleansed . On the other hand, I have a lot of work to do. The first parents' talks are held, which must be prepared and carried out in December and January. This takes hours besides the normal work in the school. Christmas should also be prepared.
Leisure is for me at the moment a foreign word. I try to find a few minutes to read or listen to an audiobook, but these moments are not easy to find.

Hi Barbara! I wish you well as you go through this busy time.

Holidays, MiL and paperwork, school. Hang in there!

>206 karenmarie: Thanks so much, Karen.

You have a lot on your plate, Barbara, I hope you fully enjoy the quiet moments.

>208 FAMeulstee: Thanks so much, Anita. I got a short time of reading today and was able to finish a book.

book 68

 Gallows View
BAC December

This is the first volume of the Inspector Banks series. I have read many books of this series, just not in the correct order. It was therefore very exciting to get to know the beginning of this series.
Alan Banks does not just have to arrest a voyeur. He has also been involved in a burglar series, which is carried out by teenagers and a murder of an old woman is also causing him headaches, because it seems to fit into no pattern. Banks has left the hectic London to return to the tranquil Eastvale, where the work seems to be much more hectic.
I like this series very much and will read more of it.

>210 Ameise1: I hope to get to that one next year, Barbara, as I enjoyed the TV-adaptions.

>210 Ameise1: I saw a few of them, too. It's nice made but I prefer the books.

Woo, sounds like a very busy time for you, Barbara. I hope you get at least a chance here and there to relax with some book reading.

I hope you find some leisure time soon!

>213 jnwelch: >214 The_Hibernator: Thanks so much Joe and Rachel. I had a very busy week. I left home before 7am and was usually at home around 8.30pm. No real lunch break due to meetings. Today I took it a bit easier and was able to read a book.

Happy weekend to everybody.

book 69 Read in German

 Der letzte Tiger

This is the second case of Commissioner Ly from Hanoi. This time it is about animal smuggling of rare animals, which for the traditional medicine but also for exquisite food are killed. Lys's boyfriend called him, but he could no longer tell his cause, since he was found dead before they met. At the same time an accident occurred, the driver being killed and a stunned tiger on the back seat. Ly considered whether the two cases are related. The investigation took him to the north of Vietnam, where he was not received with open arms. Even at home in Hanoi he has to fear for his life, whereby his wife is in danger. The corrupt establishment places stones on his feet during the investigations.
It was a very exciting read with many impressions, which the author and Vietnamese specialist mediates.

Happy Saturday, Barb! Hope all is well with you. You must have a holiday coming up soon, right?

>217 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. Hapoy weekend to you, too. Still two weeks to go until holiday.

Happy Sunday, Barbara!

>219 scaifea: Thanks so much, Amber. I hope you have a wonderful Sunday, too. I did a couple of hours work for school and now I'm reading.

Hope the two weeks go well Barbara. Great to hear you're reading.

>221 charl08: Thanks so much, Charlotte. It was wonderful to get some reading time.

Hi Barbara, hope you have had a good weekend even though you have done some school work but it seems you have got some reading in as well my dear. Karen says hello and we both send love and hugs.

>223 johnsimpson: Thanks so much, John. Indeed, I got some reading time. The week ahead will be very busy. Lots of meetings. I'm looking forward to Friday evening when I'll meet my friend who was travelling with me through Australia 36 years ago. Love and hugs for both of you xx

I am just catching up with your thread, Barbara. Sorry to hear about your FIL. Sometimes being busy is the best way to work through a loss so maybe not a bad thing that you are so busy now. I hope you have a good week and there is that time off coming soon - how lucky is that!

>225 Familyhistorian: Thanks so much, Meg. Sometimes it's good to be busy but after a few weeks I start to miss time for myself. Yep, I've two weeks of from the 24th to the 8th. I'm realky looking forward for this time.

book 70 ♫ Listen in German

 Zeugin der Toten

By chance I came across this author and I will definitely read more of her.
The story grabbed me from the first moment. It is about identities, the processing of the GDR Stasizeit, but also the links of the various current secret services. A young woman comes by chance by the 'Cleanup' of a murder behind her own history and realizes that she must uncover her past, so that she can lead a 'normal' life in the future. Whom can she trust? Who are her opponents? What hedges does she need to have a future? This story is very captivating. I can recommend it warmly.

Pleased to see that you liked Inspector Banks, Barbara.

I do hope that you make it to 75 this year, I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines.

Have a lovely weekend.

Have a lovely weekend, Barbara. I hope things are going okay for you right now. I'm glad to see that you are finding a bit of time to enjoy reading.

>210 Ameise1: I'm also glad to see you enjoying the Inspector Banks series. I must get back to those; I have quite a few on my shelf waiting for me!

>228 PaulCranswick: Thanks so much, Paul. I like this series. I can need all support of cheering to reach my target of 75. I suppose I'll do it.

>229 vancouverdeb: Thanks so much, Deb. I've another busy week ahead before the holiday break but I try to do some reading.

>230 tymfos: Ah, Terri, I've read lots of that series but never in the correct order. I still have some on my shelf which are waiting to be read.

book 71 Read in German

 Der Rabbi und das Böse

This is the second book of the Commissioner Assaf Rosenthal series. This time, too, it is packed with everyday things that people in Israel are often confronted with, such as rocket alarms and what people have to do, how they deal with them and what they feel.
In this book, a shady rabbi is murdered. This case leads Rosenthal and his crew into the quarrels between Jews and Muslims, who have lived together for hundreds of years and are now in a constant struggle by politics and profit. This is about real estate trading. A far more dramatic problem, however, is the child pornography and child abuse, which Rosenthal can only uncover over time and is also the real problem that led to the murder of the rabbi.
It was a compelling reading, even if I was sometimes very angry at all the injustices.

book 72 Read in German

 The Strange Library

What a marvelous fairy tale that resembles a nightmare and yet shows that the positive thinking and the love forces can be released, which one would not otherwise dare to believe.
A boy is held in a library by a dark power. With the help of a guardian, in the shape of a sheep, and a girl, he comes free again.
Murakami's language is flowery. He is able to translate the reader into a dream world and to feel himself to be there. The illustrations in the book are great.

Happy Sunday, Barb! 3 more books to go! You can do it! Glad you liked the Murakami!

>234 msf59: Happy Sunday to you, too, Mark. I guess I'll reach the target. :-)

Happy weekend Barb!

>236 The_Hibernator: Thanks so much, Rachel. I did a lot of reading. Wishing you a wonderful Sunday, too.

book 73 Read in German

 The Passport

This is the story of Windisch and his family who want to leave dictatorial Romania and need passports. It shows the deep abundance of this region as well as the corruption and the powerlessness against the authorities.
Herta Miiller has the gift with the short chapters to write a profound novella, which goes under the skin. Their pictorial language brings the reader close to the people and their needs.

>238 Ameise1: Nice review, Barbara, added to mount TBR.

>239 FAMeulstee: Thanks so much, Anita. I hope you'll like it as much as I did.

Hi Barbara, hope you have had a good weekend my dear.

So close Barbara, hope you manage to squeeze in those last two books.

Hi Barbara! I've been out of touch and I'm spending today trying to visit some threads. I hope your holiday is a good one. I send all good wishes your way.

Hi Barbara, I'm also reading my way through book 74 and 75. I'm sure we'll manage!
I'm happy to see you enjoyed Herta Müller's book. I read another one by her and I thought it very dense.

Look at you, almost at 75. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, Barbara.

I got the Herta Müller book from the (e-)library today.

Hi Barbara, Karen and I would like to wish you and the family a very merry Christmas and whilst we celebrate take a moment to think of those less fortunate than ourselves due to war, starvation and natural disasters. Sending love and hugs.

Wouldn't it be nice if 2017 was a year of peace and goodwill.
A year where people set aside their religious and racial differences.
A year where intolerance is given short shrift.
A year where hatred is replaced by, at the very least, respect.
A year where those in need are not looked upon as a burden but as a blessing.
A year where the commonality of man and woman rises up against those who would seek to subvert and divide.
A year without bombs, or shootings, or beheadings, or rape, or abuse, or spite.

2017.

Festive Greetings and a few wishes from Malaysia!

Merry Christmas Barbara! Have a great 2017.

This is the Christmas tree at the end of the Pacific Beach Pier here in San Diego, a Christmas tradition.

To all my friends here at Library Thing, I want you to know how much I value you and how much I wish you a very happy holiday, whatever one you celebrate, and the very best of New Years!

Dear friends
My absence to LT during the past months, I regret very much. I missed you all. Thank you very much for keeping my thread warm. When I felt a week ago that the worst was behind me and I finally had more time to read and for the Christmas preparations, I caught on Monday evening the flu (despite flu vaccination) as strongly as in years no more. The doctor was concerned about my health condition and prescribed me a wealth of medications. At home I had to put the alarm clock, so I did not sleep the regular intake of the drugs. I slept nonstop for 60 hours and it was as if I lived on another star. I have not heard of all the tumulten in Europe. My husband Thomas said the world could go down and I would not hear of it. Since this morning, I feel for the first time that I am on the road to recovery.

I wish you all Merry Christmas

>241 johnsimpson: Hi John, it was unfortunately a week of my life to skip.

>242 charl08: Thanks so much, Charlotte. I'll do my best to finish the last two books.

>243 Whisper1: What a wonderful picture, Linda. Thanks so much. I wish you and yours a wonderful Holiday season, too.

>244 Trifolia: Hi Monica, we'll do it, I'm sure. It's still a few days left. I like Herta Müller's writing style and will read more of her in the future.

>245 Familyhistorian: Thanks so much, Meg. Christmas took place with a very sick Barbara but there are more Christmas in the future.

>246 FAMeulstee: I hope you'll like it as much as I did, Anita.

>247 johnsimpson: John, I hope your Christmas with your family was a splendid evening. Sending love and hugs to both of you xxx

>248 PaulCranswick: Thanks so much, Paul. What wonderful deep thoughts. Yes, I wish all of us. xx

>249 SandDune: Thanks so much, Rhian. I wish you the same, too.

>251 Ameise1: Thanks so much for this most spectacular image, Roni. I wish you a most wonderful Holiday season, too.

>251 Ameise1: I am sorry you were so ill, Barbara, sound like the past months took their toll.
I wish you a speedy recovery, so you can enjoy some of your time off.
Happy holidays!

>255 FAMeulstee: Thanks so much, Anita. I'll take it slowly the upcoming days and will enjoy my reading.

Glad to hear you are on the road to recovery. Please take it easy!

Merry Christmas, Barb! Hope you are feeling much better and can enjoy the holiday with your lovely family.

>257 charl08: Thanks so much, Charlotte. Will do so.

>258 msf59: I feel like being human again, Mark. Not much of xmas party here this year. The family celebrated it whereas me I was a bit absent.

Oh, gosh, Barbara - I'm sorry you've been so sick, but I'm very glad that you're getting better!

>261 scaifea: Thanks so much, Amber. I feel much better then last week.

Merry Christmas, Barbara!

I'm glad to hear that you are feeling better, Barbara. Working extra hard can sometimes cause you to get sick when you finally take a break. I hope you have an easier term coming up. Enjoy the rest of your time off.

>263 Crazymamie: Thanks so much, Mamie.

>264 Familyhistorian: Meg, unfortunately I gave the flu bug over to my hubster. He is getting worse hourly. We have to see a doctor in the morning. Well, this holiday season isn't under a good star in our house.
Unfortunately when I'll be back at work (9th of January) it will be as busy as in December.

Best of luck to you in your sick house, Barbara.

>266 Familyhistorian: Thanks so much, Meg.

Thank you so much, Barbara, for the greetings that you left me. I have not been very active here for a few months - just the depression and malaise caused by our current political situation. I am sorry to hear about your FIL and your recent illness.That is surprising that you were so ill despite having had the vaccine but it is good that you are feeling better. So here's to a soon-to-be new year. I hope that it is better for all of us.

Happiest of happiness to you today, and over the holidays. A tough time, but good to connect with those who you love, and who love you (((hugs)))

>268 catarina1: Thanks so much, Catarina, that you found time visiting my thread. Well, some years the vaccine is useful some years not. My hubster is at the moment seeing a doctor. I feel so sorry that I passed the flu over to him.

>269 LovingLit: Thanks so much, Megan. I hope you'll enjoy your day, too.

book 74 Read in German

 Un joli garçon

This story is about a young lawyer who grew up guarded and now has to visit the residents of an old Art Nouveau house for the law office. In this house many people live, which could not be more different. They tell their stories and the young man is so fascinated that he identifies more and more with their world. He breaks out of his usual life.
I like how Fanny Morweiser linked the different lives with great attention to detail.

book 75 Read in German

 Memory Wall

What a great short story. Alma, who is suffering from dementia, has a special implant in her head, so that she can experience her memories again and again with the help of a machine. She is a widow and her deceased man discovered a fossil shortly before his death. A fossil hunter also had to allow this organs of the orphan to be implanted in the skull, so that he finds with Alma's memoranda the location of the fossil.

Hi, Barb! I will have to find a copy of Memory Wall. I recently read and enjoyed his collection The Shell Collector: Stories. He is such a good writer.

>273 msf59: Indeed, I love his writing style. Hope you'll get a copy of it. Wishing you a great day, Mark.

Congrats on hitting 75!

>275 drneutron: Thanks so much, Jim.

Glad you are starting to feel better, Barbara, and congratulations on reaching the 75 book mark!

>277 ronincats: Thanks so much, Roni.

Hi Barbara, I'm sorry to learn that you had the flu, but happy to see you are recovering. Sorry to hear that your husband is ill now. I hope he recovers soon so you will both be able to enjoy a brilliant start of 2017.
And many, many congrats for achieving the 75-books-goal. You beat me to it with just a few hours :-)

Frohe Weihnachten & ein gutes neues Jahr!

>279 Trifolia: Thanks so much, Monica. I feel better but very tired. I hope that Thomas feels better soon.
What a beautiful book tree. Thanks so much. I was just over at your thread and saw that you made it, too. Well done, lady.

>272 Ameise1: Congratulations on reaching 75, Barbara!!

I hope your husband gets better soon.

>272 Ameise1: Intriguing concept, will see if I can get hold of it here. I've never read any Doerr.

Congrats on the 75 - beautifully timed!

>281 FAMeulstee: Thanks so much, Anita. Me too, I hope he gets better soon.

>282 charl08: Charlotte, it was my first Doerr and I liked it very much. Thanks so much. I'm happy that I did it.

Hi Barbara, congrats on reaching 75 books read my dear.

>284 johnsimpson: Thanks so much, John.

Merry Christmas, Barbara! I hope you and yours had a lovely Christmas! Congratulations on 75 books!

Barbara--75!!! You did it! Despite all that has been going on in your life. I hope you feel better ASAP and I wish you a belated Merry, Merry and an early Happy, Happy!!

Congratulations on reading 75, Barbara!

>286 vancouverdeb: >287 Berly: >288 Familyhistorian: Thanks so much, Deb, Kim and Meg. Yep, I did it. :-)

book 76 Read in German

 Einstürzende Gewissheiten

Very interesting book. Steiner, a journalist, writes about the industrialist Burkhart, who is 75 years old. The story begins with a car accident in 1975, while Burkahart's father-in-law died. A difficult story, which is rolled up in Steiner's narrative and is illuminated from different perspectives. It is not only Burkahart himself, but also his two sons, who do not make a good figure, his daughter and a former employee.
The story is varied and exciting. What really bothered me was the two chapters on Steiner and Schmid, which seemed to me to be a break in the style of the whole.

Sending love and hugs to you all my dear.

Hi Barbara! A Belated Merry Christmas to you. I'm venturing out into the LT world again today, baby steps at first, and am going to draw another line in the sand and go forward on all the threads and friends I haven't had the heart to engage in and with lately. Appropriate oohs and aahs, and congratulations and so sorrys,..... but here's an Early Happy New Year to you and best wishes for all good things in 2017.

>291 johnsimpson: Love all the hugs, John. Sending right back to you and Karen. xx

>292 karenmarie: thanks so much Karen. Sometimes it's just better to make a new start. Sending love and hugs your way xx

I hope you're having a wonderful Christmas season, Barbara. Happy New Year. I look forward to following your reading in 2017.

Belated Merry Christmas, Barbara! Also, "Congrats on 75" and "Get Well Soon". I hope you and your husband are better very soon.

>294 BLBera: Thanks so much, Beth. Looking forward to see your thread in 2017.

>295 mstrust: Thanks so much, Jennifer. Luckily we are off work until the 9th. So hopefully enough time to recover.

Thanks to the bad wifi at the hotel, I'm a little late chiming in my congrats on reaching 75. Have a wonderful 2017!

>297 thornton37814: Thanks so much, Lori. Bad wifi I had several times last summer in France. It made me crazy especially when uploading photos.

I'm sorry you were ill over the holidays. That ***** bug is everywhere, it hit me only lightly in Germany, but my parents more so, and returning to the office today I learned it's here as well.

I missed my Christmas round this year, but am back in time to wish you all the best for the New Year and a Guter Rutsch (the best of all Rutsches!) into it!

Hi, Barb! Hope the week is going well. Congrats on hitting #75! That is our magic number!

Late congratulations on reaching 75, Barbara! I hope you're getting lots of reading in.

Congrats on a great reading year, Barbara, and Happy New Year!

>299 Deern: Thanks so much, Nathalie. I feel much better zhan last week but I'm glad that school is off until the 9th. So I've enough time to recover.
I hope you'll have a Guete Rutsch, too. We'll take it slowly and easy.

>300 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. I'm glad that I made.

>301 karenmarie: Thanks so much, Karen. I'm reading a doorstopper The Cold Six Thousand by James Ellroy. I like it very much so far but I won't finish it in 2016.

>302 jnwelch: Thanks so much, Joe. There were some trouvailles this year. Happy New Year to you, too.

Doorstoppers have their place. I read 16 books with 500 or more pages, for a total of 12,804 pages. It brought my total books read down, but getting immersed in a lovely long book is very rewarding.

Happy New Year 2017 to you, Barbara.

Thanks so much, Karen. I went to the library today and Mr Postman brought a parcel. I've liszed all books on my 2017 thread. I'm very pleased with my result.

Belatedly stopping by to share my Christmas wishes Barbara so only just hearing that you and your husband were so ill over Christmas on top of everything else. I hope your husband is now starting to recover and given all you had to deal with at the end of 2016 I sincerely hope 2017 will be a better year. Off to find your new thread.

>306 souloftherose: Thanks so much, Heather. We both are feeling much better. Me too, I hope that 2017 will be a wonderful year.

Wow, thanks so much, Jennifer. Happy new year to you, too. I'll make my new year's wishes round on the 1st.

Dear friends
Thanks so much for joining me this year, for all your comments, supports and BBs. I hope to see you all in 2017.

This thread is now

Please join me on my new thread Barbara (Ameise1)'s world (1)

I wish you from my heart health, happiness, satisfaction and much exciting read in 2017. May all your wishes come true.

Looking forward to your continued company in 2017.
Happy New Year, Barbara

>311 PaulCranswick: Thanks so much, Paul. BTW I found more authors for the CAC 2017 then this year. So, I'll parcipitate.