Barbara (Ameise1)'s world (3)

Welcome to my third thread.

Because I'm staying in Davos in the ski resorts, here is a little historical overview of Davos.

The current settlement of the Davos area began in the High Middle Ages with the immigration of Rhaeto-Romans. The village of Davos is first mentioned in 1213 as Tavaus. From about 1280 the barons of Vaz allowed German-speaking Walser colonists to settle down, and conceded them extensive self-administration rights, causing Davos to become the largest Walser settlement area in eastern Switzerland. Natives still speak a dialect that is atypical for Graubünden, showing similarities with German idioms of western parts of Switzerland, especially the Upper Valais. In 1436, the League of the Ten Jurisdictions was founded in Davos.

From the middle of the 19th century, Davos modeled on Sokołowsko became a popular destination for the sick and ailing because the microclimate in the high valley was deemed excellent by doctors (initiated by Alexander Spengler) and recommended for lung disease patients. Robert Louis Stevenson, who suffered from tuberculosis, wintered in Davos in 1880 upon the recommendation of his Edinburgh physician Dr. George Balfour. Arthur Conan Doyle wrote an article about skiing in Davos in 1899. A sanatorium in Davos is also the inspiration for the Berghof Sanitorium in Thomas Mann's novel Der Zauberberg (The Magic Mountain). Between 1936 and 1938, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, then at the end of his life and living in Davos since 1917, depicted Davos and the Junkerboden. His painting has a both Romantic and pantheistic atmosphere and simplified formal structure.

     

January
# 1 the Cold Six Thousand by James Ellroy 2017 ROOT Challenge (4½ stars)
# 2 The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (5 stars)
# 3 The Collected Short Stories of Elizabeth Bowen by Elizabeth Bowen (4½ stars)
# 4 Geraubte Liebe by Dacia Maraini (4½ stars)
# 5 Fragrant harbour by John Lanchester (4½ stars)
# 6 North and South by Elizabeth Gaskill (4 stars)
# 7 The Winter Vault by Anne Michaels (3½ stars)

February
# 8 The Hare with Amber Eyes by Edmund de Waal (5 stars)
# 9 Kiss Kiss by Roald Dahl (4 stars)
#10 Dogs at the Perimeter by Madeleine thien (4 stars)
#11 Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O'Nan (4 stars)
#12 I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett (3½ stars)
#13 Place de l'Étoile by Patrick Modiano (4½ stars)
#14 I Will Have Vengeance by Maurizio de Giovanni 2017 ROOT Challenge (4½ stars)
#15 The Spy Who Came In From The Cold by John Le Carré (4 stars)
#16 The Reluctant Hero by Michael Dobbs 2017 ROOT Challenge (4 stars)
#17 The Sacred Cut by David Hewson 2017 ROOT Challenge (4½ stars)
#18 Miss Buncle's Book by D. E. Stevenson (4 stars)
#19 Julia by Otto de Kat (4 stars)

March
#20 The Devil's Cave by Martin Walker (4½ stars)
#21 Dr. Jekill and Mr. Hide by Robert Louis Stevenson (4 stars)
#22 Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys (4½ stars)
#23 Benegas by Francisco José Jurado (4 stars)
#24 Töte deinen Nächsten by Michael Herzig (4½ stars)
#25 Every Day Is For the Thief by Teju Cole (5 stars)
#26 Mord unterm Nordlicht (3½ stars)

American Author Challenge 2017

January: skipped
February (Stewart O'Nan): Last Night at the Lobster (2017-02-11)

British Author Challenge 2017

January
The Collected Stort Stories of Elizabeth Bowen by Elizabeth Bowen read in German (2017-01-06)
February
I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett Listen in German (2017-02-15)
March
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold by John Le Carré Listen in German (2017-02-21)
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys (2017-03-02)
July
Miss Buncle's Book by D. E. Stevenson (2017-02-27)
Dr. Jekill and Mr. Hide by Robert Louis Stevenson (2017-03-02)
October
Kiss Kiss by Roald Dahl (2017-02-05)
December
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskill read in German (2017-01-18)

Canadian Author Challenge 2017

January
The Winter Vault by Anne Michaels (2017-01-29)
February
Dogs at the Perimeter by Madeleine Thien (2017-02-07)

Take It or Leave It Challenge


January
2.: Read a book with a compound word in the title
The collected Short Stories of Elizabeth Bowen (German title: Sommernacht) 2017-01-06
3.: Read a book from a best of or notable books of 2016, name the list
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead 2017-01-04
6.: Read a book whose title includes at least two of the same number
The Cold Six Thousand by James Ellroy 2017-01-02

February
5.: Read a book where both “humor” and “romance” are words listed in the tags for that book
Miss Buncle's Book by D. E. Stevenson 2017-02-27
12.: Read a book where the title starts with the last letter of the previous title
The Reluctant Hero by Michael Dobbs 2017-02-23
17.:Read a book by an author whose full name is at least 5 syllables long
Place de l'Étoile by Patrick Modiano 2017-02-15
18.: Read a book with a title word beginning with "L"
Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O'Nan 2017-02-11
19.: Read a memoir by a living author of a different gender from yours
The Hare with Amber Eyes by Edmund de Wall 2017-02-04
20.: Read a book whose title only contains one noun
I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett 2017-02-15

March
2.: Read a book set in a real country other than the US, Great Britain, France or Germany. Name the country.
Töte deinen Nächsten by Michael Herzig (Switzerland) 2017-03-08
4.: Read a book by a female author with a female main character
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys 2017-03-02
5.: Read a book by an author who publishes under three names
Benegas by Francisco José Jurado (4 stars) 2017-03-05
6.: Read a book with "day" or "light" in the title or author's name
Mord unterm Nordlicht 2017-03-12
7.: Read a book where the author's first or last name has exactly five letters
Dr. Jekill and Mr. Hide by Robert Louis Stevenson 2017-03-02
11.: Read a book written by an author who has won a Windham Campbell Prize
Every Day Is For the Thief by Teju Cole 2017-03-11
15.: Read a book that holds an odd-numbered position in a series
The Devil's Cave by Martin Walker 2017-03-01

currently reading

 Beyond Reach  The Marseille Caper  Oil On Water

currently listening

 The Ocean at the End of the Lane

>1 Ameise1: Love the history on Davos! Happy new thread.

Happy New Thread, Barbara. Beautiful photos of Davos up there.

I'm a great fan of The Magic Mountain, due for a third reading in another 8 years or so - and I am thrilled to see your own shots of Davos. Thank you, Barbara!

>8 Oberon: Welcome on my new thread, Erik. Isn't it an interesting history? Being first a specialty from Davos: Bündner Nusstorte

>9 jnwelch: Welcome and thanks so much, Joe. I'm sure you would like being here, especially at Kaffi Klatsch

>10 LizzieD: Welcome, Peggy. The Magic Mountain is a very good book. I was today on Schatzalp and enjoyed a few hours on the sun deck.

Happy new thread, Barbara, Davos looks beautiful on the pictures.
Enjoy your David Hewson!

>11 Ameise1: So is that some form of pie? Looks very interesting.

Hi Barbara! Excellent info and pictures about Davos, and the Bündner Nusstorte looks scrumptious.

I hope you've been having a good day, regardless of the broken rib.

>14 FAMeulstee: Thanks so much, Anita. Davos is a nice place. As you know I enjoy the Hewson's book very much.

>15 Oberon: Erik, its made of walnuts and honey. It's absolutely delicious.

>16 karenmarie: I'm sure you would like the Bündner Nusstorte. Right now I have a peace with some coffee.
So far I had a wonderful day at the sun deck and enjoyed my audio book. Thanks so much, Karen.

book 16

 The Reluctant Hero
ROOT 2017

This is the third volume of the Harry Jones series. This time, Harry wants to help a friend who sits in a Central Asian republic in a feared prison. Harry smuggles into the country with the help of a parlementary delegation. Once there, he quickly realizes that his plan is more than difficult. They are guarded around the clock and officially denied to have an American citizen as a prisoner. Only with great difficulties and with the help of two parliamentarians and a local peace movement group did the project succeed. In doing so, he not only brings himself into danger but also his colleagues.
This is an exciting thriller.

Cake or not, I have to say - Happy new thread, Barbara, dear. xx

Lovely photos of Davos, Barbara! Happy new thread!

>21 PaulCranswick: Thanks so much, Paul. It is a cake, very sweet and nourishing.

>22 ronincats: Thanks so much, Roni. I like being here in winter.

Hi Barbara, Happy new thread and great thread topper photo's my dear. I hope your rib injury is not causing you too much discomfort and you are enjoying your holiday as much as you can, sending love and hugs.

>25 johnsimpson: Thanks so much, John. Unfortunately I caught a terrible cough which doesn't help the healing of the broken rip much.
Nevertheless, I spent some lovely hours at the sun.

Happy new thread! That treat in >11 Ameise1: looks really good!

>27 drneutron: Thanks so much, Jim and yes, it is delicious.

Happy new thread Barbara. Davos looks lovely.

>29 charl08: Thanks so much, Charlotte. I like being here. Today it's snowing. I do some grocery and packing because we're heading home tomorrow. Marina already went home due to lots of work she needs to do until she is back to school.

Barbara, I'm sorry to hear about your poor rib. That must hurt. At least you have a bit more time off work to recover.

I just picked up the first Cotton Mather book from the library :-)

And happy new thread!

>31 susanj67: Thanks so much, Susan. I'm off work also next week and here is hope that I feel better by then. Luckily the painkillers are doing there work but I'm not aloud to move to fast.

Enjoy The Templar Legacy.

I'm glad to see the painkillers are doing their work - I hope the pesky cough subsides as well.

>33 lunacat: Me too, Jenny.

Happy Friday, Barb! Happy New Thread! Love those Davos toppers! Beautiful.

How is that rib doing?

Those photos at the the top are beautiful, of course, but can't hold my interest like the one in >11 Ameise1: ... YUM.

Happy new thread, Barbara!!

>35 msf59: Thanks so much, the painkillers are doing there tricks when I'm moving slowly.
Davos is beautiful even when it's snowing like now.

>36 scaifea: Thanks so much, Amber. I just bought some more Bündner Nusstorten for taking them back home.

Happy new thread, Barbara. Love the photos of Davos. How lovely.

>40 Ameise1: Thanks so much, Beth.

Hi Barbara, hope your cough is not causing you rib pain my dear, hope you have had a good day and wish you all a really nice weekend dear lady, sending love and hugs.

>41 johnsimpson: Thanks so much, John. The cough isn't very nice for my rip but I have to go through it. Today we had a snowy day, tomorrow it should be better when we are driving back home.
Love and hugs to you and Karen xx

>42 Ameise1:, Thanks Barbara and love and hugs to you and the family my dear.

Hello there, Barbara! Hope you are feeling better. Unfortunately, with broken ribs, one must give them time to heal.

>43 johnsimpson: :-)

>44 michigantrumpet: Thanks so much for stopping by, Marianne. I love the gif. Yep, the doctor told me the healing needs up to six weeks.

Quick hello, Barbara, and hope the pain is well-managed now.

What exciting things are you eating besides the Bündner Nusstorte?

>47 karenmarie: Thanks so much, Karen. It is well-managed now.

Well other things which are specialty are Biräbrot (a special pear bread)

and capuns

and Bündner Gerstensuppe

Your opening photos are breathtaking! Thanks for sharing them!

>48 Ameise1: That looks wonderfully filling, Barbara. The pear bread especially looks like something I could have a close relationship with!

Have a great weekend. xx

>49 Whisper1: Thanks so much, Linda. It's wonderful seeing you here.

>50 PaulCranswick: Paul, I suppose you would like it very much.

Happy weekend to you, too.

Within the next hour we are on the road heading back home.

Hope you are home safely now, Barbara, how did the broken rib take the travel home?

Safe travels! And safe arrivals!

>54 FAMeulstee: we are safely back home, Anita. Thomas is a wonderful driver and did also put the seat in a comfortable way for me.
Happy weekend.

>55 karenmarie: Thanks so much, Karen. We made it safely back home. Here in Zürich it looks more like spring. I can see several bulbs in zhe garden. Can't wait til they are blooming.

I just wanted to wish a happy Davos stay, but I see you're home again. So happy Sunday and while I must still read up on the older thread, wishing you a quick recovery from the broken rib and that the pain (and coughs) end right now!

I hope you are putting your feet up at home and that the pain is staying under control.

>48 Ameise1: The food looks good. Yum!

Happy Sunday, Barb! How are you feeling? I hope much better.

>58 Deern: Thanks so much, Nathalie. The painkillers help very much and I feel much better. Yep, we're already back from Davos and I still have another week of hoilday.
I hope your recovery is going well. Happy Sunday.

>59 lunacat: Yep, my feet are up and I'm reading. Isn't that cool?
Happy Sunday, Jenny.

>60 msf59: I can tell you that all dishes are delicious, Mark. I'm sure you would like them, too.

I feel much better and I'm sure I'm soon back to myownself. Happy Sunday.

book 17

 The Sacred Cut
ROOT 2017

This is the third book of the Nic Costa series. It is just before Christmas and Rome is surprised by a big snow storm. Nic, Gianni, Leo and Teresa fight on all fronts. On the one hand, the heads of the various secret services gather together. They have the feeling that with their dark machinations they can trick the four main proganists, on the other hand, a most sophisticated golf war veteran is on revenge. In the midst of all this happenings is a Kurdish teenager who hopes for a better future than in her country and an American who is confronted with the past of her father and at the same time fallen for Nic.
As always, it was an exciting reading.

Next reading:

 Julia
I saw the author mentioned on Charlotte (charl08)'s thread.

I'm glad you're safely home, Barbara, and wish you a wonderful second week of holiday!

>66 karenmarie: Thanks so much,Karen. I'm sure it will be filled with lots of reading.

>65 Ameise1: Hope you enjoy it Barbara. Hope you are feeling a little better.

Welcome home, Barbara! How are you feeling?

>68 charl08: It's a god reading so far. It grips my attention.

>69 scaifea: Thanks so much, Amber. I feel much better than a few days ago.

Barbara, Thanks for sharing the pictures and history of Davis. It looks like a magical place. When I get around to reading The Magic Mountain, I will have your pictures in my head. I will imagine you one the sun deck letting your broken rib heal. What a bad time to develop a cough. Ouch!

Hi Barbara--Glad you had such a wonderful time on vacation and that you still have another week left to continue recovery at home. The pictures up top are absolutely beautiful and I appreciate the history blurb you wrote. Wishing you less pain and more great books! Virtual hugs (so they don't hurt.)!!

>72 Donna828: Hi Donna, it's wonderful seeing you here. I'm glad to know that you have now some pics when reading Mann's book one day. I can tell you thaz I enjoyed some beautful hours on the sun deck.

>73 Berly: Thanks so much, Kim. I'm happy too to have another week off. I will do some preparations for school but mostly I'll be reading.

I'm enjoying all the photos of your local cuisine and am now suitably hungry even though I should not be.

>76 thornton37814: I know, it's so delicious, but you could try a Nusstorte or Biräbrot with a cup of coffee or tea as a snack.
It's wonderful to see you here, Lori.

Hi Barbara, hope you are not in too much pain with your rib and that your cough is going. Have a nice relaxing week off my dear and along with school preparation hope you get a goodly amount of reading done, sending love and hugs.

>78 johnsimpson: Thanks so much, John. With the help of the meds everything should go smoothly. xx

Glad Julia is gripping. Hope you have a good week.

>80 charl08: Thanks so much, Charlotte.
I'm very impressed how Kat can describe with few words an imperium of feelings.

Happy Monday, Barbara! I hope you're feeling progressively better...

Have a good start to the week, Barb!

>82 scaifea: Thanks so much, Amber. I didn't take painkillers today and I think it works fine so far.

>83 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. I went shopping and then started to cook dinner (vegetable strudel) before reading. Everything is ready for dinner, I only need to heat the oven.

book 18 ♫ Listen in German

 Miss Buncle's Book
BAC July

This was a very amusing reading. Miss Buncle, a rather gray mouse, writes a novel about the people in her village. The novel turns out to be humorous for some, and as annoyance for others as it reveals the most secret things one would rather not share with anyone. Nobody finds out who wrote the book, as Miss Buncle wrote under a pseudonym. The confusion is great and the secret John Smith is hunted. Also innocent people come to the crossfire.

Next listening:

 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

book 19 Read in German

 Julia
Found that author on Charlotte's (charl08)'s thread.

This is a very sensitive story. Christiaan Dudok is old and decides to put an end to his life. In the few hours before his suicide he makes his life review. Most important to him is the time with Julia, when he was to learn a year of practice in Lübeck with a competitor company of his father, where he met Julia. But everything is different. Julia's brother is a theater-maker and a communist, so he and Julia are constantly on the run at the time of WWII. In the Kristallnacht Christiaan sees Juliet the last time. She urges him to go home to the Netherlands. There he has to take over the company of his father, who dies soon after Christiaan's return. Christaan ​​marries a woman in the Netherlands. He is never really happy with her because his thoughts are often with Julia. In his last hours Christiaan thinks back to his life without bitterness.
De Kats's writing style is pregnant and without embellishment. He lets the reader immerse himself in the thought-world of the protagonist and thus follow his life.

Next reading:

 The Devil's Cave

Wow! 19 books already!

>90 Whisper1: Yep, I had a god start into the reading year, but there will come times when it'll slow down.
What a great quote on this pic. Thanks so much, Linda.

>77 Ameise1: I've seen Biräbrot at our local Aldi store. They don't stock it all the time, but I'll know to try it next time they have it. I'll be on the lookout for Nusstorte.

>92 thornton37814: Oh, that's fantastic. Put a bit butter on a slice of Biräbrot. It's amazing.

>84 Ameise1: Hoping you held up okay without the pain meds and urging you not to overdo it!! ; )

>90 Whisper1: so true!

>94 Berly: Second day without painmeds and it goes really well. I had to try it before going back to work. I only went to the hairdresser today and I spent a great time there. Then some shopping for dinner and lots of reading.
As you can see Kim I had a good day, thanks so much.

>95 Ameise1: Very glad to hear it! Did you make out well at the hairdresser?

Oh, I'm so glad that you're able to go without pain medicine so soon! That's great news!

>96 Berly: Oh yes, I got a nice cut.

>97 scaifea: Me too, Amber. With the cough I thought I should restart taking zhe meds but when I woke up this morning I have a good feeling.

Yay for no pain meds! It sounds like you're healing really well. Just remember to take it easy and not push yourself too hard.

Sorry, duplicate!

Hi, Barb! Hope your week is going well. Is that snow sticking around?

>100 lunacat: >101 lunacat: Thanks so much, Jenny. I take it very easy. Today my headmaster called and asked me how I intend to work the upcoming week. I told him 100% because I have several things in the upcoming three weeks which can't be delayed. On the other hand I asked him that If I need help that he could put a help at my side. It looks good so far.

>102 msf59: Thanks Mark, the snow is gone but it is very cold.

I'm glad to hear that you're feeling well enough to not need pain meds, Barbara. Here's to lots of reading and relaxing for you!

>105 karenmarie: thanks so much, Karen. Just finished another book. See below.

book 20 Read in German

 The Devil's Cave

Even the fifth case of the Bruno Chef de Police series did not disappoint. In addition to great food, which my mouth waters during the reading, the action was varied and exciting. This time, Bruno had to pursue the dark machinations of an aristocratic family. Money and greed were in the foreground and the villains did not hesitate to approach their goal. They brought the people from Bruno's beautiful village into disrepute and danger and even Bruno had to justify his actions again and again.

Next reading:

 Wide sargasso Sea

>108 Ameise1: I enjoyed that one when I read it a couple years ago (maybe longer).

>109 thornton37814: Good to know, Lori. So far I like it.

>108 Ameise1: late to the party here! This one benefits from reading Jane Eyre doesn't it? Seeing as I have yet to read that (can you believe it??), I guess I will have to wait before tackling it.

>111 LovingLit: Yep, I've read that in the blurb, too. I'm almost half wyy through and still in the Caribbean but it should go over to good old England soon.
I like it. It's written through the eyes of the protagonists and therefore it makes it so vividly.

>108 Ameise1:, >112 Ameise1: Oh, interested in your comments on this one. It's on my tbr. Happy Thursday! :)

Hi, Barb! Boo to cold. It will warm up soon. I have never read Wide Sargasso Sea.

>113 Deern: Go for it, Nathalie. It's a very good book. Sweeet thursday to you, as well.

>114 msf59: Hi Mark, the sun came out now but there is still a chilly wind. I read Wide Sargasso Sea for the BAC march. I really like it and should be able to finish it today.

book 21 ♫ Listen in German

 Dr. Jekill and Mr. Hide
BAC July

This was an amusing listening. What first began as completely harmless showed itself with time as a transformation comedy of the first kind. I like how Stevenson leads the reader very slowly to the two protagonists, in order then to give an extra tension with a fulminate turn of the story.

Next listening:

 The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Hi Barbara! I really enjoyed the Ocean at the End of the Lane and hope you do too. Even though it's still early days yet, I hope your rib is mending.

>119 karenmarie: Thanks so much about your opinion of my next listening. For two days I didn't take any meds just to know where I am. This morning I had to take a small amount but it's almost nothing comoared to the pain meds I took last week.

>120 Ameise1: Hi Barbara!! Glad you are on the mend, and that you are not trying to be a martyr, that you are willing to take a little pain med when you need it. ; )

Loved The Ocean at the end of the Lane! Hope you do, too. Happy Thursday!

book 22 Read in German

 Wide Sargasso Sea
BAC March

A great story about a young Kreolin, who lives in her dream world, so she can survive, because she lives all her life just against evil. She is growing up when slavery has been banned. She belongs nowhere, since she is neither a white nor a black one. She is a mixed-blood who is treated like a dog. Her mother was crazy by all these happenings and now everyone believes that this is happening to her too. She never gets a real chance. Only once did she feel safe, when she was at the monastery school.
I like how Rhys writes this story with great sensitivity. The narrative is in the form I times out of the view of the young girl, then again from the view of her husband. This style of writing makes the story so lively.

Next reading:

 Benegas

Oh, Gaiman! WOOT!

>124 scaifea: This is my first Gaiman, Amber. I know that lots of LTres are reading him.
Happy Friday.

Happy Friday Barbara. I didn't find Jeanne Rhys' book comfortable to read, but I'm glad that I did read it.

>126 charl08: Hi Charlotte, I guess I know what you mean. As an independent woman living nowadays it's unbelieveable what happend close to two hundred years ago to this young girl. We women tend to feel with them and our feelings are going from anger to suffer with them. That leads to an uncomfortable feeling.
BTW there are still too many women on this planet who can't live how they should. :-(

>125 Ameise1: You've picked a good one to start with, although, to be fair, I love all of his stuff...

>128 scaifea: Thanks so much, Amber. I'm looking forward to it.

Have a wonderful weekend, Barbara. I hope you are feeling better.

>130 BLBera: Thanks so much, Beth. Wishing you a wonderful weekend, too. I feel much better. I'm going back to work on Monday. Holiday is over.

I hope you have a nice, relaxing weekend before work kicks in again, and get some decent reading in :)

Hi Barbara! Ah, the holiday is over. I'm sorry for that and hope that you have a wonderful weekend (it sounds like lots of fun things are going on for you) and that next week goes smoothly and that you get help when you need it!

I hope the ribs are healing nicely and are less painful, Barbara.

>112 Ameise1: so you reckon you could read it without having read Jane Eyre? Or have you already read that and if so is it making your reading experience any better? (so many questions!)

Hi, Barbara! Glad you're safely home and seem to be on the mend. Have a great weekend!

>132 lunacat: Thanks so much, Jenny. I will finish one book today. I'm not sure if I'm able to finish two books this weekend.

>133 karenmarie: Yep, winter holiday is over and spring holiday is coming up in 8 weeks. Me too, I hope I won't have too much pain when working 100%.
This evening we have dinner with mx siblings and partners at my sis place and tomorrow we have brunch with my hubster's family.

>134 ronincats: It's much better, Roni. I probably will take zte meds with when starting work on Monday.

>135 LovingLit: Megan, I haven't read it but I read some articles about it. I would say you can read Wide Sargasso Sea without haven't read Jane Eyre.

>136 tymfos: Thanks so much, Terri. I feel much better than last week.

Happy weekend, Barbara, will your collegue be back when you start Monday?

>142 FAMeulstee: Thanks so much, Anita. I do hope so. I didn't get any notice from her.

>144 DianaNL: Thanks so much, Diana. :-)

Happy Saturday, Barb! We are driving to Michigan today, to spend the whole day and night brewery hopping. It will be a family trip. Smiles...

>146 msf59: Have fun, Mark.

Happy Saturday, Barbara! Have fun with sibs and partners tonight.

book 23  Read in German

 Benegas

This is Francisco José Jurado's first book. It is located in Cordoba and contains three criminal cases that Inspector Benegas and his team have to solve.
As a dedication, this is to be read in each case:

For Montalbano, for Carvalho, for Kurt Wallander.
For Camilleri, Henning Mankell and Manolo Vázques Montalbán.
If they are not the same. If they are not really the same.

Lost stories
In addition to the fact that in this case Inspector Benegas and his team are presented, it is about finding a dead man in the river. At first it seemed that this case can be solved very quickly, but there are enough mafia-like activities in Cordoba that could be connected with the dead. Soon, however, Benegas, with the help of an old historian and his wife, notes that this dead man has something to do with the dark Spanish chapter of the Civil War when children were taken away, taken to orphanages, and given a new identity.

Hell's throat
In this story, a professor is hanged in his office. Benegas doubts that it was suicide. When the phone rings in the bag of the dead man and the caller sends death threats, Benegas and his team begin the investigation. Soon they will lead the team to the luxury sex industry, internet pornography and money laundering. It takes a while, however, until all the loose ends give an overall picture.

black-and-white
In this short chapter the author writes how he is engaged as a ghostwriter and the stories of the inspector Benegas emerged. The son of a banker wants to succeed as a writer, but can not write himself. So the father decides that a ghostwriter writes the books for his son. For each story the author receives 9000 euros. He knows that he has sold his soul to the devil and wants to turn the story in the last book so that everyone knows that the son of the banker did not write the stories himself.

WHO KILLED FRANKIE JURADO?
In this case the revenge of the Ghostwiters will be described. The investigation and writing run parallel, so also Inspector Benegas and his team sometimes do not know what is reality and what is not. It is very exciting and subtly written and keeps you tied to the end.
Here is a small excerpt from the preface of the ghostwriter:

The only way to raise my voice against the powerful was to mix life and literature. So all the facts here are absolutely true. Perhaps only a part is true, and the others have taken place in my performance. It is, therefore, obvious that any resemblance to reality is pure coincidence. And any resemblance to fiction pure wickedness.

I must give the author, Francisco José Jurado, a great deal of praise for bringing all these cases, which are very amusing to read, to a whole.

Next reading:

 Töte deinen Nächsten

Happy weekend, Barbara!

>151 scaifea: Thanks so much, Amber.

Hello, Barbara!

Hi Barbara, hope you are having a really nice weekend my dear and that your ribs are healing ok, sending love and hugs dear friend.

>149 Ameise1: Excellent review, Barbara! I've thumbed your review over on the book page.

Sounds like you have a lovely weekend planned.

>153 Berly: Thanks so much, Kim. What a lovely pic. We had a beautiful spring day and I could spent a few hours in the garden until a heavy storm came up in the kate afternoon.

>154 alcottacre: Hello Stasia, it's lovely to see you here. Welcome and happy weekend.

>155 johnsimpson: Thanks so much, John. We just came home from my sis place where we had a good dinner and chat with my siblings and their partners.
My rib feels much better, thanks so much.

>156 michigantrumpet: Thanks so much, Marianne. That means a lot to me when an English speaking person thumbs my review.

We had a great evening and I'm looking forward to tomorrow's brunch at the best vegetarian restaurant of Zürich.

>140 Ameise1: good to know!

>161 LovingLit: :-)

>149 Ameise1: This sounds great Barbara. I'll have a look and see if I can find a copy here.

Glad you are having a good weekend full of food and family. I was out last night having tapas and cocktails. The food was wonderful. Glad to be back on the sofa drinking coffee and choosing something to read!

I hope Sunday is treating you well :)

>163 charl08: Sounds like you had a nice evening, too.
This book is written original in Spanish. I read a German translation. I don't know if it is translated in English.

>164 lunacat: Thanks so much, Jenny. We were out and had a wonderful brunch at the most famous vegetarian restaurant. The food was delicious.

Hi Barbara! I'm glad you've been having a nice weekend, especially with family. Books, too, of course!

>167 karenmarie: Thanks so much, Karen. It was a wonderful weekend. Tomorrow, I'm going back to work.

Hope your ribs are continuing to improve, Barbara. Good to hear you had a wonderful weekend.

Great review of Benegas (having trouble finding the touchstone), by Francisco Jose Jurado. I just thumbed it. Any book dedicated in part to Montalbano and Camilerri has my attention.

>169 jnwelch: Thanks so much, Joe. My rib is still here (I can feel it) but doesn't hurt too much. We had indeed a wonderful evening. One of Marina's school friend just arrived for a sleep-over. We'll soon have a pizza festival for dinner.

For the touchstone I needed to copy the number with a :: than it worked. It's indeed a good book.

>165 Ameise1: From a quick look on Amazon looks like his books aren't in English yet. Hopefully someone will sort that out!

>171 charl08: I keep my fingers crossed that it will be soon.

Ribs might be playing up Barbara but it isn't slowing down your reading!

Trust that you had a splendid weekend.

>173 PaulCranswick: Indeed, I had.

Hi, Barb! Hope your Monday goes well and I hope you enjoyed your weekend.

Hi, Barbara! Happy Monday!

oh my, I missed so much when I got behind on your thread. I'm glad your rib is healing, and I hope the cough is gone as well.

You've been reading some great books. I'll have to look for the Benagas when it is translated to English. I'm just a backward American who can only read in my own language. Sigh.

Did I read correctly that you found Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hide a comedy? I've never thought of it that way! Very interesting. But then, I'm so susceptible to horror stories that I NEVER go see them at the movies.

Hope the healing continues without any problems.

eta: Great pictures of Davos at the top of your thread.

I hope that your first day back after holiday was good, Barbara.

>175 msf59: Thanks so much, mark. All pupils and my team colleague were back to school today and we had a good start.

>176 scaifea: >179 karenmarie: Thanks so much, Amber and Karen.
With the normal cast in the classroom it ran well and was also fun. The two students from the Zurich University of Teacher Education, who are centers in their preparations, are giving us more problems because they are strating to teach in our class from March 27th. They reported on the last Thursday by mail, so they can pass today at 12.30pm, to clarify various. My team colleague and I have waited, but no one appeared. At 1pm I tried to reach them on the mobile phone, but it came only the Combox. When I arrived in the teacher's room, colleagues told me that the students were calling, that they would not come and they would have told me yesterday Sunday by email. I checked all mails and found no news from yesterday but one of today's noon. A student is sick and therefore they do not appear today, but next Friday. I was pretty angry that I was first lied and 2. the two young women have no idea of ​​communication and 3. it seems that their vigor is not excessive either.

>177 lunacat: Oh, that's beautiful. Thanks so much, Jenny.

>178 ffortsa: It's wonderful to see you, Judy. I know RL can be busy and therefore not much time to visit threads. I have indeed read some wonderful books and enjoyed them very much.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide was a listening and because I formed the pics in my head it was like a comedy. I've never seen it as a movie.

The healing of my rib goes smoothly. I don't have problems after my first work day.

Glad your collegue returned today, Barbara.
It must have been very annoying waiting for those two, I hope they do a better job in the classroom.

Your thread has taken off like a rocket! I'm glad your ribs are healing.
>170 Ameise1: pizza festival!

>184 FAMeulstee: Thanks so much, Anita. I hope that they're coming next Friday. I won't accept any excuse.

>185 mstrust: Thanks so much, Jennifer. I had lots of LT and reading time.
Pizza festival is always good, isn't it?

All caught up with you, Barbara! You have been doing some very good reading. And you are reminding me that I need to get back to the Martin Walker series - I love Bruno!

>188 lunacat: That one I could have needed today, Jenny. I worked through without lunch break due to a meeting. I'm doing me a favour now: a pot of tea and some reading.

>190 Ameise1: Nice to see you, Mamie. I love the Bruno series, too. Haven't read it for a long time, too.

Sorry to hear that it's been such a busy day for you! I hope tomorrow is easier.

>192 lunacat: Me too, Jenny.

Enjoy your pot of tea and book. You've earned it.

>194 mstrust: Thanks, Jenny. I had a fabulous reading time and tea. Should be able to finish the book tomorrow.

book 24 Read in German

 Töte deinen Nächsten

This is the third volume of the Johanna di Napoli series. Somehow I left out the second book, but will still catch up.
Her nemesis Hügeli is in prison but this only brings Johanna anger, as she is accused of blocking him with locks and barriers with unfair methods. Therefore she is postponed and has to examine threatening letters against Germans. She would not have expected it to be the next adventurous and dangerous case. A German national visitor is shot. Johanna has informed her superiors that there is danger, but was not taken seriously. Now, with the help of her old colleague Köbi, she is trying to push the investigation, since she no longer trust anybody within the police.
A fast-paced crime novel from Zurich with many unexpected twists.

Next reading:

 Every Day Is For the Thief

Happy Wednesday, Barbara. I hope all is going as smoothly as possible.

>198 lunacat: Thanks so much, Jenny. Everything is fine. I'm enjoying some hours of reading.

Hi Barbara! I hope this week is going well for you with your colleague and other help and especially with regard to your rib not giving you too many fits!

Keep taking good care of yourself and keep up the good reading!

>200 karenmarie: Thanks so much, Karen. My week went well so far.

So glad your ribs didn't bother you at work this week, Barbara. And how frustrating regarding your student teachers not showing and not giving proper notice. I don't know why one being ill would prevent the other from coming unless it was her only transportation.

>202 ronincats: The student who is ill wrote me todsy that she isn't able to come tomrrow. Her doctor has forbidden her to go out of the house. This is ok with me. I have no idea if the other one will show up tomorrow. Transportation is no problem. We have one of the best public transportation world wide.

Oh dear, what a shame these students seem like they aren't very committed. Hope the next ones turn other to be more professional.

Hi Barbara, glad you have had a good week so far my dear and I hope you rib is not causing you too much discomfort. Amy has been busy sorting things out today and thank you for your messages dear friend.

>294 Charlotte, I have to stick with them until the end of May. I hope that the one who isn't ill will show up today.

Three years ago I had one student whom I had to tell that she isn't qualified as a teacher. It's not good to do such things.
Mostly I have very good students and it's always a pleasure to have them.

>205 johnsimpson: Thanks so much, John. My week is goung well and there us only minor pain with rib.
I keep my fingers crossed that Amy will find soon a new job. xx

I wish you the very least of pain with your rib. I hope you have a lovely weekend!

>208 vancouverdeb: Thanks so much, Deb. I'm soon on my way to work.
Happy Friday to you.

Happy Friday to you, Barbara! I'll bet you're glad to be almost done with your first week back. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Have a good weekend, Barbara!

Happy weekend, Barbara!
Did your student show up today?

>210 karenmarie: >212 FAMeulstee: Thanks so much, Karen and Anita. Yesterday, I saw the students. In the morning only one was here because of the illness of the other one who joined us in the afternoon. The young woman who came in the morning should have prepared and done a survey that they can prepare for the subjct (circus) which they have to teach. Anyway, she arrived and I asked her how she will do this survey and how long it will take. After she explaned it to me I noticed that she didn't prepared it and doesn't have a clue what she should do. I got angry and told her if she would like to become a teacher than she has to do a mager effort. So it was up to me to do all the work because I wouldn't let down the student who was ill.
Gosh, I suppose there is some hard work in the near future for me.

>211 mstrust: Thanks so much, Jennifer. Currently I enjoy our garden. Lovely temperatures and a great spring feeling.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend too.

Happy Saturday, Barb. Back to winter here. Boooo!

Hope you have a nice weekend.

Hi Barbara! It sure hasn't been a good start with these student teachers, has it? I hope they learn their responsibilities quickly so you don't have the extra burden of their work.

In the meantime, I hope your weekend is relaxing and that you can be outside and enjoy your garden.

>215 msf59: Sending you lots of spring waves, Mark. I realy enjoy my Saturday.

>216 karenmarie: Karen, me too. I really hope they will do better.
Oh, we do have such a lovely day and I spend a lot of time outside.

book 25 Read in German

 Every Day Is For the Thief
Author of Windham Campbell Prize

This story reads like a kind of diary. A young man from NY returns to Nigeria after years. He tells what he experiences during his three-week vacation. It is not only the encounters with relatives, acquaintances and former friends, who delight him and show on the other hand that he is no longer a part of this system, but also how his old homeland changed during his absence of more than fifteen years or has remained standing. What is most noticeable is the daily corruption. Several times a day you are asked to pay for nonsensical circumstances. It shows the life of the middle class, from which his family originates, as well as those who have to deal with the various everyday inconveniences. But there are the small joys of life. He is also thinking about the past, especially the slavery trade, which is not processed on either side (Nigeria and the USA). The young man is always thinking about whether he should return to Nigeria, but ultimately decides for his new home the USA.
This book is written with a lot of love for a home country, with all its fascination of happiness, joy, corruption and all the inconveniences.

Next reading:

 Mord unterm Nordlicht
Great Scandinavian female authors - killer good in shape.

>216 karenmarie: One of the teachers at Belle's school spoke to me this morning - he teaches Belle and Kyran arabic/quran reading once a week. It seems some parents at the school have become increasingly aggressive and intolerant to the teachers in light of frustration because of increased fees with decreased service. I told him that I was a bit miffed that I was paying as much for Belle as i had been for Belle and Kyran combined several years ago. I was especially aggrieved because having put my other two kids through the school, they introduced sibling discount just when I had only one left in school! That said my beef is with the school not its teachers who cope wonderfully in the main.

Have a great weekend.

>221 PaulCranswick: Glad to hear that the teachers of your kids were/are good. I'm speaking about student teachers and there the quality isn't always good. Years ago I had to tell a student teacher that she won't pass and were better of to find another profession.

Happy weekend to xou too.

Hi Barbara! I am so glad to hear the rib is cooperating and not causing much pain. Now if your two student teachers would just get their acts together and do their work, oh, and show up! Wishing you a relaxing, recuperative weekend with books, of course. : )

>223 Berly: Thanks so much, Kim. My reading started off with finishing a five stars book and the currently reading is very exciting too.

Happy weekend to you, too.

So much is going on in your life, Barbara. I hope that the student teachers improve. Their poor attitude is not what you need when coping with your own recovery! It looks like you have read a lot of good books lately!

Your two last books look very interesting, Barbara! Every Day is For the Thief and Mord unterm Nordlicht Ah, I see that you are just reading the second book that I mentioned. My daughter in law teaches kindergarten as well as special needs , but she is off with my son to Iceland, Denmark, and The Netherlands for Spring Break. They just left today, for two weeks. I'm glad to hear that your rib is healing. Sorry about the student teachers -not what one needs at anytime, but especially when you are recuperating.

>225 Familyhistorian: Meg, during the last sevueral years I had the whole range of student teachers from brilliant to no-go. From this two young woman it's just one who must show a major improvement. The other was ill so I can't say much.
I had indeed read some fabulous books.

>226 vancouverdeb: Deb, Every Day is For the Thief is a brilliant story and I can highly recommend it.
For how long are your son and DIL travelling? I've never been to Iceland but the other two countries are beautiful.

Loved your review of the Teju Cole Barbara. I've enjoyed everything I've read by him, hope that he writes more.

Happy Sunday, Barb! Still cold here for the next few days. Boo! Enjoy your day.

>229 charl08: Thanks so much, Charlotte. It was the first book of him I've read. I don't know if my library has got other books of him. However, this book I can strongly recommend.

>230 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. I'm enjoying another beautful spring day in the garden. Sorry to hear that you're back to cold.

book 26 Read in German

 Mord unterm Nordlicht

This book contains eighteen criminal short stories from Scandnavian female authors. The subtitle of the book also calls this "Great Scandinavian female authors - murderously good in form".
The stories always start quite harmlessly and often end in a killing situation. They are written witty, sometimes you can also guess how they go out. The authors play with the feelings of the normal person in normal everyday situations, which are usually solved better in real life than with death. For this, one can feel as a reader in the situation of the protagonists.
The following authors wrote:
Anne B. Ragde, Toril Brekke, Ditte Birkemose, Kim Smage, Marianne Peltomaa, Maj Sjöwall, Guri Hagen, Anna Grue, Sólrún Michelsen, Gretelise Holm, Johanna Sinisalo, Leena Lehtolainen, Unni Lindell, Marit Nerem, Kjersti Scheen, Birgitta Stenberg, Helena von Zweigbergk and Jorun Thorring

Next reading:

 Beyond Reach

Happy Sunday, Barbara!

>235 scaifea: Thanks so much, Amber.

Nice review of Every Day Is for the Thief, Barbara. I was certain that I owned a copy of it, but my LT library says otherwise. I'll read his collection of essays soon.

>237 kidzdoc: Thanks so much, Darryl. I hope you'll find a copy of it. It's a wonderful book about everyday life.

Happy Sunday, Barbara!!

Happy Sunday, Barbara! Enjoy your spring weather. It's 13:33 and the temp is only 32F. No hammock for me today!

>239 Berly: Thanks so much, Kim. I spent some lovely hours in the garden.

>240 karenmarie: Oh dear, sorry to hear that you are back to cold temps, Karen. I really enjoyed the time in the garden. It looks like that the whole upcoming week is so beautiful.

Glad to hear of your hours in the garden. It was lovely here too, so we did the same, potting on tomatoes and peppers. Including some unknown chilli plants that we will have to guess at, and hope we don't mistake a strong one for a mild one!

Sorry to hear about your student teachers. I hope they begin to improve quickly.

I understand that Iceland is very beautiful too, Barbara. My maternal great grandparents came from Iceland , so the country is of particular interest to my family. I am flying phobic, but my mom , my brothers, my neice and now my son and his wife are spending 6 days in Iceland and driving around the ring road. I am just getting the occasional picture via Instagram. The last one was of a volcanic crater. Really fascinating! After that, they spend 3 nights in Copenhagen and three nights in Amsterdam. My daughter in law teaches school, and right we have two weeks off for spring break, so that is why they are traveling right now. I'm sure they will love all of the places that they visit. So exciting! My grandparents were Icelandic, but born here in Canada. My mom does not speak Icelandic, but her parents did. She hopes to go back to visit perhaps this summer.

>233 Ameise1: good premise! I have never read short crime fiction.

>243 lunacat: Ah potting plants sounds wonderful. The nights here are still too cold for baby vegetables plants. So that have to wait. I hope once your peppers are shoeing there shape you're able to tell which is which one.
Happy new week, Jenny.

>244 vancouverdeb: Deb, that sounds fascinating. It's great to be in the country where your roots are. We did once plan to spend the the summer holiday in Iceland but due to the huge volcan eruption it wasn't possible going to Iceland. It's still on the bucket list.
I'm always astonished how people can travel during two weeks. I could never do it that way.
Wishing you a good start into the new week.

>245 LovingLit: Happy new week, Megan. I have read short crime fiction on other occasion and I like it. You should try it.

Just popping in with Happy Monday wishes!

>249 Berly: Thanks so much, Kim. It was a good Monday. I hope yours is going well too.

Please join me on my new thread.