Paul C's 2017 Reading & Life - 36

Back to one of my favourite Hani photos from her Yorkshire solourn.

Paul's Poetry

This is another of my love poems. Written about 20 years ago.

Fragile

love is fragile
as an eggshell

fingers should caress
some surfaces
with the lightest of touches

I have been awoken -
a sleeping heart beats again
in harmonious time.

a love made stronger
has resuscitated me.

to a world grown opaque
you have added colour;
you have used an artist's brush-strokes
to paint upon the canvas of my feelings.

ME & MINE

Me?
I was 50 in September 2016 and have enough unread reading material on my shelves to take me safely into my seventies! I have lived in Malaysia since 1994 and have a long suffering (but never quietly) wife, Hani (sometimes referred to as SWMBO), three children Yasmyne (20), Kyran (18) and Belle (13), as well as a supporting cast which includes my book smuggling assistants Azim (also my driver and a part time bouncer who, despite his muscles, lives in almost as much fear of my wife as I do) and Erni (my housemaid, almost-little sister and the worlds greatest coffee maker). On this thread you'll probably read as much about the vagaries of life, book buying and group related statistics as you do about the actual books themselves.



I have added 3,000 books to my shelves in four years but late last year I decided to sort my books from the 4,500 books unread into the essentials of 900 fiction and 180 non-fiction books and I will try to make a serious dent in that list this year.

I will also be reading, as usual, plenty of poetry which is another passion and, as you have seen above, a faltering pastime.

BOOKS READ

JANUARY

1. The Magician's Wife by Brian Moore (1997) 229 pp
2. Maus I : My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegelman (1986) 159 pp
3. Midwinter Sacrifice by Mons Kallentoft (2006) 440 pp
4. Out in the Midday Sun : The British in Malaya 1880-1960 by Margaret Shennan (2000) 471 pp
5. Blood Child and Other Stories by Octavia E. Butler (2003) 214 pp
6. The Assault by Harry Mulisch (1985) 185 pp
7. 100 Prized Poems : Twenty-Five Years of the Forward Books (2016) 176 pp
8. The Broken Shore by Peter Temple (2005) 400 pp
9. Spring Flowers, Spring Frost by Ismail Kadare (2000) 182 pp
10. The Hare with Amber Eyes by Edmund de Waal (2010) 352 pp
11. Varamo by Cesar Aira (2002) 89 pp
12. The House in Paris by Elizabeth Bowen (1935) 250 pp

FEBRUARY

13. The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart (1970) 456 pp
14. A Blaze of Autumn Sunshine : The Last Diaries by Tony Benn (2013) 294 pp
15. City of Secrets by Stewart O'Nan (2016) 190 pp
16. The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett (1983) 210 pp
17. The Poetry of Jaroslav Seifert by Jaroslav Seifert (1998) 246 pp
18. Dogs at the Perimeter by Madeleine Thien (2011) 253 pp

MARCH

19. Up the Junction by Nell Dunn (1963) 133 pp
20. Middle Passages by Kamau Brathwaite (1992) 120 pp
21. Maus II : A Survivor's Tale : And Here My Troubles Began (1991) 136 pp
22. Sapiens : A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari (2011) 466 pp
23. Fences by August Wilson (1985) 101 pp
24. No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod (1999) 262 pp
25. Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand (2001) 399 pp

BOOKS READ

APRIL

26. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (2003) 343 pp
27. Strange Shores by Arnaldur Indridason (2010) 296 pp
28. The Confessions of Nat Turner by William Styron (1967) 415 pp
29. When I Was Old by Georges Simenon (1970) 452 pp
30. On the Black Hill by Bruce Chatwin (1982) 262 pp
31. And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (2013) 444 pp
32. The Cry by Helen Fitzgerald (2013) 307 pp
33. I Shall Not Hate by Izzeldin Abuelaish (2010) 236 pp
34. Ariel by Sylvia Plath (1965) 81 pp
35. Shout at the Devil by Wilbur Smith (1968) 391 pp
36. A Perfidious Distortion of History : The Versailles Peace Treaty and the Success of the Nazis by Jurgen Tampke (2017) 269 pp
37. Doctor Who and the Web of Fear by Terrance Dicks (1976) 150 pp
38. The Haw Lantern by Seamus Heaney (1987) 51 pp

May

39. Then by Morris Gleitzman (2009) 196 pp
40. March: Book One by John Lewis (2013) 121 pp
41. Selected Poems : 1940-1982 by Norman Nicholson (1982) 78 pp
42. Doomsday Book by Connie Willis (1992) 587 pp
43. The Englishman's Boy by Guy Vanderhaeghe (1997) 402 pp
44. Castle Rackrent by Maria Edgeworth (1800) 97 pp
45. Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee (1999) 220 pp
46. And the Weak Suffer What They Must? by Yaris Varoufakis (2016) 246 pp

June

47. Il Postino by Antonio Skarmeta (1985) 112 pp
48. How to Fight Islamist Terror from the Missionary Position by Tabish Khair (2012) 190 pp
49. 1914 by Jean Echenoz (2012) 118 pp
50. Resistance by Carla Jablonski (2010) 121 pp

BOOKS READ

July

51. The Endless Steppe by Esther Hautzig (1968) 281 pp

August

52. Miss Buncle's Book by D.E. Stevenson (1936) 299 pp
53. Amok by Stefan Zweig (1922) 121 pp
54. The King's Revenge by Don Jordan (2012) 328 pp

September

55. A Voice in the Night by Andrea Camilleri (2012) 278 pp
56. Listening to Van Morrison by Greil Marcus (2010) 183 pp
57. The Trouble with Poetry by Billy Collins (2005) 85 pp
58. S. : A Novel About the Balkans by Slavenka Drakulic (1999) 201 pp
59. The World's Two Smallest Humans by Julia Copus (2012) 52 pp

BOOKS READ

October

60. Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less by Jeffrey Archer (1976) 334 pp
61. My Uncle Oswald by Roald Dahl (1979) 264 pp
62. Words Under the Words by Naomi Shihab Nye (1995) 157 pp
63. The Dig by Cynan Jones (2014) 156 pp
64. The Rainbow Troops by Andrea Hirata (2005) 292 pp
65. Tudors by Peter Ackroyd (2012) 471 pp
66. Exit West by Mohsin Hamid (2017) 231 pp
67. Tenth of December by George Saunders (2013) 251 pp
68. Poems New and Collected by Wislawa Szymborska (1998) 270 pp
69. Now by Morris Gleitzman (2010) 182 pp
70. When Adam Opens His Eyes by Jang Jung-Il (1990) 126 pp

November

71. For Bread Alone by Mohamed Choukri (1973) 215 pp
72. The Other Country by Carol Ann Duffy (1990) 53 pp
73. Memories of My Melancholy Whores by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (2005) 115 pp
74. Embers by Sandor Marai (1942) 249 pp
75. The Spectre of Alexander Wolf by Gaito Gazdonov (1948) 167 pp
76. Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami (2002) 615 pp
77. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys (1966) 126 pp
78. The Barbary Figs by Rashid Boudjedra (2010) 191 pp
79. The Many Days : Selected Poems of Norman MacCaig by Norman MacCaig (2010) 121 pp
80. The Family of Pascual Duarte by Camilo Jose Cela (1942) 166 pp

December

81 The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (2013) 243 pp
82 Six Poets Hardy to Larkin by Alan Bennett (2015) 206 pp
83. To Have and Have Not by Ernest Hemingway (1937) 180 pp
84. Night School by Lee Child (2016) 462 pp
85. A Thousand Mornings by Mary Oliver (2012) 77 pp
86. A Very British Coup by Chris Mullin (1982) 220 pp
87. The Rehearsal by Eleanor Catton (2008) 317 pp
88. A Month in the Country by JL Carr (1980) 111 PP
89. Remembrance of the Daleks by Ben Aaronovitch (1990) 211 pp
90. November by Sean O'Brien (2011) 83 pp
91. Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf (2015) 179 pp
92. The Kremlin File by Nick Carter (1973) 184 pp
93. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanthi (2016) 225 pp

MY FAVOURITES THIS YEAR

British Author Challenge 2017



JANUARY : IRISH BRITONS - ELIZABETH BOWEN (DONE) & BRIAN MOORE (DONE)

FEBRUARY : SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY - MARY STEWART (DONE) & TERRY PRATCHETT DONE

MARCH : A DECADE OF BRITISH NOVELS : The 1960s - 10 Novels by Men; 10 Novels by Women - 2 DONE

APRIL: SOUTH YORKSHIRE AUTHORS : AS BYATT & BRUCE CHATWIN (DONE)

MAY : BEFORE QUEEN VIC : 10 Novels written prior to 1837 1 DONE

JUNE : THE HISTORIANS (Historical Fiction / Historians) GEORGETTE HEYER & SIMON SCHAMA

JULY : SCOTTISH AUTHORS : D.E. STEVENSON (DONE) and R.L. STEVENSON

AUGUST : BRITAIN BETWEEN THE WARS (Writers active 1918-1939) WINIFRED HOLTBY & ROBERT GRAVES

SEPTEMBER : THE NEW MILLENNIUM (Great Books Since 2000) A novel chosen from each year of the new century 1 DONE

OCTOBER : WELSH AUTHORS (Born in or associated with Wales) : JO WALTON & ROALD DAHL (DONE)

NOVEMBER : POET LAUREATES : British laureates, children's laureate, National Poets - 1 DONE

DECEMBER : WILDCARD (Chosen via a vote) : ELIZABETH GASKELL & NEIL GAIMAN DONE

American Author Challenge



American Author Challenge 2017

January- Octavia Butler Blood Child and Other Stories
February- Stewart O' Nan City of Secrets : A Novel
March- William Styron The Confessions of Nat Turner
April- Poetry Month - Ariel by Sylvia Plath
May- Zora Neale Hurston
June- Sherman Alexie
July- James McBride
August- Patricia Highsmith
September- Short Story Month Tenth of December
October- Ann Patchett
November- Russell Banks
December- Ernest Hemingway To Have and Have Not

Canadian Author Challenge



January : Anne Michaels & Robertson Davies

February : Madeleine Thien DONE & Rohinton Mistry

March : Anne Hebert & Alistair McLeod DONE

April : Magaret Atwood & Guy Vanderhaeghe DONE

May : Louise Penny & Leonard Cohen

June : Heather O'Neill & Dan Vyleta

July : Carol Shields & Wayson Choy

August : Ruth Ozeki & Douglas Coupland

September : Lori Lansens & Steven Galloway

October : Alice Munro & Arthur Slade

November : Gil Adamson & Guy Gavriel Kay

December : Donna Morrisey & Wayne Johnston

ANZ Author Challenge



I will be doing Kerry's ANZAC Bingo Challenge 2x12

ANZAC Bingo 2x12
1: Read a book about conflict or war
2: Read a book with more than 500 pgs
3: Read an Aussie crime novel COMPLETED The Cry by Helen Fitzgerald
4: Read a book using word play in the title
5: Read a book about exploration or a journey
6: Read a book that's been longlisted for the International DUBLIN Literary Award
7: Read a book that's part of a series COMPLETED Then by Morris Gleitzman
8: Read a memoir/biography (can be fiction)
9: Read a book written under a pen name
10: Read a book with a musical plot
11: Read a book with water featured in title/cover : COMPLETED The Broken Shore by Peter Temple
12: Read a book with an immigrant protagonist : COMPLETED Now by Morris Gleitzman

OTHER CHALLENGES

Guardian 1000 (998) Books - 331 read https://www.librarything.com/topic/270237#6197972

1001 Books First Edition - 287 read https://www.librarything.com/topic/268508#6162704

Booker Prize Winners - 25 read https://www.librarything.com/topic/268508#6165614

Nobel Prize Winners Read - 63 out of 114 laureates read something. https://www.librarything.com/topic/270794#6207224

Pulitzer Prize Winners (6 main categories) - 23 read https://www.librarything.com/topic/270794#6207348

National Book Award Winners (Fiction) - 16 read https://www.librarything.com/topic/270794#6208562

Women's Prize Winners - 5 read https://www.librarything.com/topic/270794#6208568

Giller Prize Winners - 6 read https://www.librarything.com/topic/270794#6208574

Miles Franklin Winners - 5 read https://www.librarything.com/topic/270794#6208578

Walter Scott Prize Winners - 2 Read https://www.librarything.com/topic/270794#6209474

Baillie Gifford Winners - 3 Read https://www.librarything.com/topic/270794#6209503

James Tait Black Winners - 17 read https://www.librarything.com/topic/270794#6209513

Whitbread/Costa Winners (4 categories) - 23 winners read https://www.librarything.com/topic/270794#6209540

Dublin International Literature Award - 7 winners read https://www.librarything.com/topic/270794#6209556

PEN Faulkner Award Winners - 3 read https://www.librarything.com/topic/270794#6209725

National Book Critics Circle Awards - 6 read https://www.librarything.com/topic/270794#6209733

CURRENTLY READING

READING PLAN FOR DECEMBER

By hook or by crook get to 100 Books!

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 BOOKS

I have not included the UK and USA in this as so much of our reading is from those two places but these are my 80 countries. Authors should have been born there, been a citizen of that country or are clearly associated with it.


Create Your Own Visited Countries Map

1 AFGHANISTAN Khaled Hosseini
2 ALBANIA ISMAIL KADARE
3 ALGERIA RASHID BOUDJEDRA
4 Angola
5 Antigua
6 ARGENTINA CESAR AIRA
7 AUSTRALIA PETER TEMPLE
8 AUSTRIA STEFAN ZWEIG
9 Bangladesh
10 BARBADOS KAMAU BRATHWAITE
11 BELGIUM GEORGES SIMENON
12 Bosnia
13 Brazil
14 CANADA BRIAN MOORE
15 CHILE ANTONIO SKARMETA
16 China
17 COLOMBIA GABRIEL GARCIA MARQUEZ
18 CROATIA SLAVENKA DRAKULIC
19 CZECHIA JAROSLAV SEIFERT
20 Denmark
21 DOMINICA JEAN RHYS
22 Dominican Republic
23 Egypt
24 Ethiopia
25 Finland
26 FRANCE JEAN ECHENOZ
27 GERMANY JURGEN TAMPKE
28 Ghana
29 GREECE YANIS VAROUFAKIS
30 Haiti
31 HOLLAND HARRY MULISCH
32 HUNGARY SANDOR MARAI
33 ICELAND ARNALDUR INDRIDASON
34 INDIA TABISH KHAIR
35 INDONESIA ANDREA HIRATA
36 IRAN MARJANE SATRAPI
37 IRELAND ELIZABETH BOWEN
38 ISRAEL YUVAL NOAH HARARI
39 ITALY ANDREA CAMILLERI
40 Jamaica
41 JAPAN HARUKI MURAKAMI
42 Kenya
43 KOREA JANG JUNG-IL
44 LITHUANIA ESTHER HAUTZIG
45 Malawi
46 Malaysia
47 Mexico
48 MOROCCO MOHAMED CHOUKRI
49 Mozambique
50 New Zealand
51 Nigeria
52 Norway
53 PAKISTAN MOHSIN HAMID
54 PALESTINE IZZELDIN ABUELAISH
55 Peru
56 Philippines
57 POLAND WYSLAWA SZYMBORSKA
58 Portugal
59 Romania
60 RUSSIA GAITOR GAZDUNOV
61 Saudi Arabia
62 Senegal
63 Serbia
64 Sierra Leone
65 Singapore
66 Somalia
67 SOUTH AFRICA JM COETZEE
68 Spain
69 Sri Lanka
70 St. Kitts
71 Sudan
72 SWEDEN MONS KALLENTOFT
73 Switzerland
74 Syria
75 Tanzania
76 Trinidad
77 Turkey
78 Ukraine
79 ZAMBIA WILBUR SMITH
80 Zimbabwe

IRISH AUTHOR CHALLENGE 2018

Format

I will select five males and five females and there will be two special months.

January : EDNA O'BRIEN
February : WILLIAM TREVOR
March : DEIRDRE MADDEN
April : Samuel Beckett
May : IRISH CRIME WRITERS
June : ANNE ENRIGHT
July : COLM TOIBIN
August : MOLLY KEANE
September : RODDY DOYLE
October : POETS & PLAYWRIGHTS
November : EMMA DONOGHUE, JENNIFER JOHNSTON, MAGGIE O'FARRELL
December : JOHN BANVILLE, SEBASTIAN BARRY, COLUM MCCANN

BRITISH AUTHOR THEME CHALLENGE 2018

JANUARY - DEBUT NOVELS - https://www.librarything.com/topic/275745#6259410
FEBRUARY - THE 1970s - https://www.librarything.com/topic/276329#6262597
MARCH - CLASSIC THRILLERS - http://www.librarything.com/topic/276329#6266669
APRIL - FOLKLORE, FABLES AND LEGENDS - https://www.librarything.com/topic/276329#6264065
MAY - QUEENS OF CRIME - https://www.librarything.com/topic/275745#6260378
JUNE - TRAVEL WRITING - http://www.librarything.com/topic/276329#6266685
JULY - THE ANGRY YOUNG MEN - http://www.librarything.com/topic/276329#6266706
AUGUST - BRITISH SCIENCE FICTION - http://www.librarything.com/topic/276329#6265570
SEPTEMBER - HISTORICAL FICTION - http://www.librarything.com/topic/276329#6266539
OCTOBER - COMEDIC NOVELS - https://www.librarything.com/topic/276329#6266707
NOVEMBER - WORLD WAR ONE - https://www.librarything.com/topic/275745#6258461
DECEMBER - BRITISH SERIES - https://www.librarything.com/topic/276796#6268684

WILDCARD - THE ROMANTICS - https://www.librarything.com/topic/276796#6271176

The format of the British Author Challenge next year will be slightly different in that it will be based upon themes.
That said for guidance I will choose 10 books each month to help and guide that theme along but, as you know me, you can then read what you jolly well like anyway!

75ER BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2016

NEXT ONE IS YOURS

Happy new thread!

>21 drneutron: Thanks Jim. You are quick off the mark tonight buddy.

Happy New Thread, mate! I tried to stall Jim, but he was too quick for me.

>23 jnwelch: Well he is the Rocket Man, Joe, after all.

>24 PaulCranswick: LOL!

Happy new thread, Paul!

With the new rules by RD, this could be your last thread. When this one is at 346 you have met your goal ;-)

>25 jnwelch: Jim is often at warp speedwhether on LT or at the office.

>26 FAMeulstee: I have 321 posts to go which is still pusjing it some but is not impossible.
RD knows that rules are meant to be broken.

>27 PaulCranswick: In my count it is two posts less, did you forget the last two posts on your previous thread?

>28 FAMeulstee: No, I don't think so Anita , but I will double check. I calculate the total with this post to 9,682

ETA You were right Anita, the total is 9,684 and I hadn't yet added the last two posts on thread #35.

Happy New Thread, Paul. Love the Yorkshire topper. It sure looks like you are ending the year with a BANG!

>27 PaulCranswick: I will confess that I'm a bit hyperactive... I've been known to really frustrate my team with the way my thoughts and attention jump around. There's actually a designated "Calm Jim Down" engineer on the team. Food usually works. 😁

Happy new one Paul! Last one of the year?

Ahhh...I love the smell of goals being met in the morning. Or the afternoon. Or, really, any old time.

>1 PaulCranswick: My favourite Hani photo Paul.

Fragile love poem too.

Once again wishing you a happy new thread.

Happy new thread mate, I am sure you will reach 10,000 posts mate, the gang on here will work hard to get you there.

How

many

more

do

you

need?

Been enjoying all the Yorkshire photos, Paul. My crew leaves Yorkshire on Sunday for 2 weeks in Milano, so there will be plenty of room for you! Have a wonderful holiday with your family.

>37 EBT1002: - >42 EBT1002: According to my count he now needs 300 more posts this year :-)

Okay, Paul, so here is a book post to help you on your way.

I am currently reading Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity and Reservoir 13. Both are, in their own drastically different ways, excellent so far.

And something along the lines of Yorkshire



YUM

>44 FAMeulstee: Of course, Paul doesn't even need these shenanigans to make 300 (now 297) more posts by the end of the year. There are nine more days in 2017.
But it's kind of fun to see if we can tip him over the edge by the end of today! (although in which time zone....???)

>47 EBT1002: Today ends here in 39 minutes and I think Paul is already at tomorrow ;-)

A Moment of Inspiration for you, Paul:

>44 FAMeulstee: - Just 300? There's more than a week left in the year/month. He can do it in a couple of days, I'd be willing to bet!

>30 msf59: Thanks Mark. I am trying to concentrate on LT and books but I was hit by a flu bug a bit yesterday and sloped straight into bed last night without even getting my thread fully up and running.

I feel a little bit better this morning but my nose is still blocked and I have a sore throat. No fever thankfully and I have a busy day of meetings with the Chinese investor here and a visit to two of my project sites.

>31 drneutron: Lovely story, Jim! I am glad that they have assigned someone to take care of you, buddy, as you are precious to so many of us in this group that you so splendidly administer.

>32 jessibud2: No Shelley, I am hopeful that there will be one more to wrap up the year (if that is not being too presumptuous!).

>33 richardderus: Yes well my morning is your evening and your afternoon is my early hours and your evening is my morning so none of us can ever be confuse. :D

>34 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks Caroline. She has done some splendid ones yesterday but not put on facebook yet as she doesn't want my sister to know she is in North Yorkshire and not available for babysitting duties! She will be at my mum's from tomorrow.

I have to confess that the poem "Fragile" was one of my favourite poems of mine back in the day and I wrote it thinking about the first girlfriend I had after my first love who had broken up with me just prior to my finals. I was right about the fragility too as our quite topsy-turvy relationship barely made two months!

>35 amanda4242: And once again being hugely honoured and humbled that my Queen of the BAC has never missed the first day of my new threads.

>36 johnsimpson: Thanks John. Really I am caught between wanting to get to the milestone "naturally" and being inordinately proud that my pals would nudge me gently over the line slightly nefariously! The latter of course wins every time!

>37 EBT1002: >38 EBT1002: >39 EBT1002: >40 EBT1002: >41 EBT1002: >42 EBT1002:

You

are

a

simply

splendid

person

Ellen.

With

pals

like

you

11,000

is

possible

>43 kac522: It would be lovely to meet up with them some time Kathy as Sheffield is really so close.

>44 FAMeulstee: Yes Anita. With you supervising I am taking on wings. xx

>45 EBT1002: Jon McGregor has long been a lauded writer in the UK so it is great to see him get some good coverage stateside.

I should go and find the Kick-Ass boss book because I am far too nice to my staff most of the time according to Hani!

>46 EBT1002: Ooh that looks great. Cheese in Yorkshire is pretty damned good to be honest. Wensleydale is our most famous cheese I would say.

>47 EBT1002: For posting Ellen I follow LT time. i.e. the time that it records that I post rather than the time here in Malaysia otherwise everyone would be confused. There is presently a thirteen hour time difference.

>48 FAMeulstee: And I have just finished a Doctor Who book where time gets even more confusing, Anita!

>54 PaulCranswick: Hey, what am I chopped liver?? Grins...

Sorry to hear about the bug! I hope it is brief!

>49 richardderus: A meat-coated skeleton? What more inspiration could I ask for RD?!

>50 jessibud2: I got my mojo back Shelley but my friends have put it into overdrive!

Happy New Thread, Paul, and here's to the new record that is coming soon!

>60 ronincats: Thank you so much Roni. It is the third time that I have passed 9,000 posts but I never reached 10,000.
Stasia, Amber and Mark have also achieved 9000 posts before (Mark this year) and Richard has gone late 8,000s three times before.

^^Ooh, the Royalty Club...

>62 msf59: Yikes and I am a republican in the sense of being anti-monarchist rather than an adherent of the GOP (Greed Over Poverty).

89.

Remembrance of the Daleks by Ben Aaronovitch

Date Published : 1990
Pages : 211
Series : Doctor Who (7th Doctor)

I will admit to never having watched Sylvester McCoy as Doctor Who but he is recreated here quite splendidly by Aaronovitch who went on to greater fame with his Rivers of London books.

A bit more depth here than in some other Doctor books as the wily old Time Lord sets up the Daleks for a bit of a fall.

7/10

>64 PaulCranswick: How funny. I just bought myself Doctor Who: Touched by an Angel.

Just think how much closer England is to Germany than Malaysia is...

I thought I had written something on this thread when I visited before, but I don't see a post. Surely I didn't read and lurk???

In case I did read and lurk, here's today's message to you: hope you're getting ready for a wonderfully happy holiday, Paul! And that means that I hope you're shaking your bug so that you get up in the morning 100% yourself!

Happy new thread, Paul. Are you really going to do one more thread this year?

I finally looked up the time difference between where I am and where you are, Paul. Well, actually I did it because my son went to China. The difference is 16 hours.

>65 richardderus: I almost bought another Doctor Who book yesterday too but I went all Arthurian instead as I shall explain later.

>66 richardderus: Yes and the two countries have always gotten along so swimmingly.

>67 LizzieD: Lurking is always encouraged Peggy, but I would welcome the odd (and I don't mean strange) post now and again given the push for posts at the year end.

>68 LizzieD: You are a sweet, Peggy. I can still feel my throat somewhat when I am swallowing but it is bearable and my nose is less blocked.

I did have a bit of trouble this morning going to my meeting in that the battery on my car decided to expire this morning. Fortunately Azim lives nearby and was able to wing in on his motor bike and rescue the situation with a new battery.

>69 Familyhistorian: That doesn't of course just depend upon me Meg, but if I keep up 60 posts a day then I would need another one before the end of the year.

>70 Familyhistorian: 16 hours! That is quite a way isn't it, Meg? Still the ether is kind enough to place us virtually side by side for 75er purposes. xx

>72 PaulCranswick: I hope everything works out with the Chinese, Paul. Good for Azim coming to the rescue.

>73 PaulCranswick: So are you still going to be posting when you are in the air? Does the time change you realize by flying to the UK give you extra hours to post in 2017?

>74 Familyhistorian: Hah! That would be a good idea wouldn't it?! The time shown on each post gives the time wherever LT is based. Seems to be Eastern Standard Time but I could be wrong - so I don't gain any hours at all. I will probably have an advantage in that I won't be able to sleep but internet access will be an issue and I don't surf when flying - I read!

>75 PaulCranswick: I clock it as Eastern Standard Time, Paul. (I Goggled it, so it must be right.) It messes me up at the end of the month sometimes as it is 3 hours ahead of me so I am still on December 22 but it is already on December 23. Oh right, you still have that reading thing. How close are you to 100 now?

And end of year Book Spree!

193. The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley (1982) 1,009 pp

Why? I am keen to do a fair bit of Arthurian reading next year.

194. The Thirst by Jo Nesbo (2017) 632 pp

Why? It is the new Harry Hole!

195. The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne (2017) 701 PP

Why? This one caught my eye and its a while since I read any Boyne books

196. Under a Pole Star by Stef Penney (2016) 596 pp

Why? Now the third of her novels. All entice but none yet read.

197. Company K by William March (1933) 238 pp

Why? Supposed to be the best WW1 Book written by an American.

198. A Long Way to Shiloh by Lionel Davidson (1966) 268 pp

Why? Unfairly forgotten thriller maestro gets some of his books reissued.

199. The Winter King by Bernard Cornwell (1995) 495 pp

Why? Because it is included in the BAC for next year.

200. Kingfisher by Gerald Seymour (1977) 351 pp

Why? I have always enjoyed Seymour's thrillers

>76 Familyhistorian: Just finishing #90. #91 also close. It is going to be a near run thing.

Takes me up to a nice round 200 to end the year.

>78 PaulCranswick: Choose skinny books!

>80 Familyhistorian: There were certainly some Chunksters amongst my picks yesterday with 4 of the 8 in excess of 500 pages.

I have included Our Souls at Night and Train Dreams which are both worthies but slim volumes.

>77 PaulCranswick: I remember liking both Mists of Avalon and The Winter King when I read them several years ago. Avalon was a little uneven and longer than it really needed to be, but it was still an enjoyable read.

90.

November by Sean O'Brien

Date of Publication : 2011
Pages : 83 pp

The book which preceded this collection was the first to win simultaneously in the UK the Forward Prize as well as the TS Eliot Prize in the same year, but this collection is possibly its equal.

He does he good version of modern epic as in The Novembrists which is about his childhood in Newcastle and On the Toon, a sort of dystopic look at the Northern city on the Tyne. His word play and structure is very formidable and not every poem worked for me, or more likely was fully understood by me but where he is good he is very much so.

Haunting, nostalgic and somewhat wistful this is at its best when his concerns are personal rather than inanimate or too universal. This is part of a longish poem of his called "Elegy".

They stole the sweets and flowers anyway
And bagged your clothes like rubbish in the hall.
Here in the flat your boxed-up books and ornaments
Forget themselves, as you did at the end.
The post still comes. The state that failed to keep the faith
Pursues you for its money back. There’s nothing worse,
You used to say, than scratting after coppers.
Tell that to the clerks who’d rob your grave,
Who have no reason to remember how
You taught the children of the poor for forty years
Because it was the decent thing to do.

It seems there’s no such thing as history.
We must have dreamed the world you’ve vanished from.
This elegy’s a metaphysical excuse,
A sick-note meant to keep you back
A little longer, though you have no need to hear
What I must say, because your life was yours,
Mysterious and prized, a yard, a universe away.

If poetry is your thing then this is for you.

8/10

>82 amanda4242: I now have Mary Stewart, Rosemary Sutcliff and TH White also to read next year, so I will soon see which is my favourite.

>84 PaulCranswick: You are going full-on with the Arthuriana! Just remember that strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.

>85 amanda4242: A woman awaiting me with a sword of any description is an uncomfortable image, Amanda, believe me!

So Boudica is not your kind of gal then Paul ha!

>85 amanda4242: Wow, I didn’t realize Mists of Avalon was 1000 pages! I read it so long ago I guess I forgot. Those are some great Arthurian choices!

I really enjoyed The Heart's Invisible Furies when I read it last month, Paul! Enjoy! A great yarn and an insightful book too.

Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones.

Happy new thread, Paul. I think this photo is one of my favorites as well.

Hooray for book sprees.

You've had a great year of reading; I'm sure 2018 will be wonderful as well.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and may 2018 be a good vintage for you and the family Paul.

Wishing you and your delightful family a very Merry Christmas, Paul. Looking forward to catching up with you the next time I'm in KL ... Feb?

My daily post ;-)
How did the visit of the Chinese investor turn out?

Jon McGregor is new to me with Reservoir 13, Paul, but I am enjoying this very unusual narrative voice. It has taken a while for some of the characters to emerge but the setting emerged almost immediately.

I tend to stay in my own time zone which is 3 hours behind LT. So if I finish reading a book at 11:30pm my time, I clock it as completed on the day it still is here, even though LT would have you believe I finished it in the wee hours of the next morning.

>95 EBT1002: If you go to your account settings, you can change the time zone.

Just popping in to check on the post count

and

add

to

it!! : )

Forgot to ask, are you on the mend Paul?

So, that meeting...how'd it go?

>96 amanda4242: I had no idea!!!
Cool. I have now learned one thing today. I love when that happens even when I'm propped up in bed with a nasty cold.

Hi Paul!

And it worked! So cool.

Hi Paul!

Hi Paul!

Having fun preparing for next year? I'll be very interested in your opinion on the Arthuriana...

Zipping right along, Paul! Happy new thread!

Remarkable Creatures is great when it stays with the astonishing fossil beds, not so intriguing when it veers into romance.

It also is the type of historical fiction that inspires a deeper search for the historical truth, as with Cuvier.

>77 PaulCranswick: Another nice haul. I started readingKingfisher back in October and was enjoying it but had to send it back to the library. I'll try again next year. I did read & enjoyed The Collaborator a couple of weeks ago.

I can't remember if you are a fan of Van Morrison or not but came across this interesting review of In another world: Van Morrison and Belfast by poet Gerald Dawe.
https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/bittersweet-insights-into-van-morrison-...

Hi Paul, stopping by to wish you and your loved ones peace, joy and happiness this holiday season and for 2018!

>104 EBT1002: LT isn't always the best at advertising its features.

Hi Paul. I can't add pictures but I wanted to add my best wishes for the holiday season to you and your family and wishing for a better 2018.

I will add to your post count, Paul, and send my best wishes for Happy Holidays for you and your family. Thank you for you support as I struggled with my reading this year. I think I should get to count my last book as reading 3 books!

>87 Caroline_McElwee: A fascinating personage for sure, Caroline. I have done a fair bit of reading about the Iceni and her ups and downs. In my late teens I wrote an epic wannabe poem about her which reading back today is excruciatingly bad.

>88 drneutron: I want to read a chunkster a month next year Jim and reduce some of the huge tomes in the home. Some people reckon a chunkster is 600+ pages but my classification starts at 500 pages, but then again I always like to be slightly different.

>89 vancouverdeb: I'll let you into a secret, Deb; that is why I bought it as I remembered well your enthusiasm for it. You got two sales because Yasmyne called me from the airport and asked me to recommend a book for her to read and I recommended that one to her too!

>90 Ameise1: Thank you so much Barbara. I have missed you in these last couple of months as you have been bogged down but it is always lovely receiving your posts and I hope to have many more of them in 2018.

>91 BLBera: Thank you Beth. My reading has been patchy and sporadic in 2017 but I hope to do so much better in 2018!

>92 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks Caroline. I am looking forward to 2018 with much hope and a little trepidation. Business continues to be challenging but promising. Hani and I have plenty of decisions about our futures and the kids continue to grow and astound us both.

>93 cameling: That would be great, Caro. Meeting up with you is always such a highlight and we do have a good natter and plenty of excellent food and drink. Maybe treat you to Mexican next time around.

>94 FAMeulstee: Thanks Anita. The meeting was a fairly cagey one as we set out timescales for both investment and moving the project (s) forward. It is not at all easy dealing with them as they will suddenly huddle in a mandarin conversation and set out a very odd position which I will then slowly bring back into line. Was overall as I expected it to be and I think we remain on track.

>95 EBT1002: I plan to read something of his next year Ellen as I have also heard such splendid things about his first two books.

I follow LT time in logging my books and keeping all the stats as most of the group are in and around that time - it also sort of gives me another half a day's reading time!

>96 amanda4242: I like it as it is Amanda, to be be honest, because then I know roughly what time it is for everybody else and the stats make more sense that way.

>97 Berly: >98 Berly: >99 Berly: >100 Berly: >101 Berly: You are such a sweetie Kimmers!

>102 Caroline_McElwee: Being busy is forcing me to be ok, Caroline. Still a bit stuffed up and throat a bit tickleish but I am definitely better than yesterday.

>103 richardderus: I could probably do with you alongside me RD to give them a wee bit of plain speaking. Basically we have set a timeline for the first project to get the deal over the line by Chinese New Year (early February). I think I am a patient and fairly diplomatic chap but they do test my patience a little sometimes by some very obtuse actions. Giving me documents asserting their good intentions written entirely in Chinese characters is as non-plussing as it is probably intended to be reassuring. I had a chinese speaker with me yesterday and at least it seems that the documents were what they said they were!

>104 EBT1002: Sorry to see you are with me in the outpatients Ellen. Get better soon. xx

>105 EBT1002: Amanda is a fount of such information, Ellen. I didn't know about that either.

>106 EllaTim: I always over prepare Ella. It is in my genes, I suppose, but when it starts to unravel I am next to useless!

Plans for 2018 reading:

1 2017 book a month
1 Chunkster a month
BAC
AAC
ANZAC
Irish Author Challenge
Around the World in 80 Books
1 Non-fiction per month

So no pressure at all!

>107 harrygbutler: Thanks Harry. It is going along nicely but I am getting slightly more help than usual too!

>108 m.belljackson: historical fiction that inspires a deeper search for the historical truth

Ooh I like that Marianne - isn't that what great fiction should be always about?

>109 avatiakh: I have always like Seymour's thrillers Kerry and would like to read a few of them next year.

I am a huge, huge fan of Van the Man - Crazy Love is our song for Hani and I.

>110 lkernagh: Thank you so much Lori. I have loved keeping up with you this year as always and look forward to more of the same in 2018.

>111 amanda4242: That is why we have treasures like you Amanda. xx

>112 jessibud2: Shelley one of the highlights of every year on LT is getting closer to my friends in the group and this year has been no exception. I love to see your thoughtful and warm posts across the group but especially here. I look forward to keeping up with you again in 2018.

>113 Donna828: Count away Donna! Thank you as always for your friendly posts and for sharing the growing up of your delightful grandchildren. You are rightly proud of them. xx

>114 amanda4242: Thank you dear Amanda - my Queen of the BAC!

Pleased t say that the top ten threads have passed the number of posts that were managed by the top ten in 2013. And we are probably 2 days away from passing the 2016 figures.

Top ten just now:

Paul C 9,782 posts
Mark 9,605
Joe 7,171
Amber 6,917
Kim 4,814
Mamie 4,405
Ellen 3,912
Katie 3,887
Karen 3,803
Charlotte 3,471

It is that time of year again, between Solstice and Christmas, just after Hanukkah, when our thoughts turn to wishing each other well in whatever language or image is meaningful to the recipient. So, whether I wish you Happy Solstice or Merry Christmas, know that what I really wish you, and for you, is this:

Happy holidays to you and yours, Paul!

>128 ronincats: Thank you for that lovely universal message Roni.

Seems so appropriate to the group don't you think?

>129 Copperskye: Thanks Joanne. Lovely keeping up with you this year as always.

Merry Christmas, Paul. Hope you'll have a good time with family and friends this holiday season.

>132 ctpress: Thanks Carsten. Almost makes me yearn for the chilly Northern Hemisphere. Almost.

>122 PaulCranswick: I am wondering if I can avoid all plans for this coming year and Just Read.

(Still trying to get closer to 300 before the end of the year)

Love the topper photo.

Hi Paul, wishing you and the family a very Merry Christmas dear friend and sending love and hugs to you all from both of us mate.

Forgot to mention, a great book haul there mate, one or two I have to read but maybe not next year. For my 2018 challenge it is books of 500 or more pages but the BFB (Big Fat Books) group I administer we have gone for 600+ pages as there are too many that are 501,502,503 pages long and this group is for serious Chunkster readers.

Happy Christmas, Paul!

Hi Paul!



Stopping by to wish you and yours all good things this holiday season.

Happy Christmas, and following holidays Paul!

This makes *me* long for the snowy Northern Hemisphere, and I live in it.

Happy holidays! I am thankful this holiday season for all the good friends I have made in this group. You are all so supportive. I don't know what I'd do without you!

>134 charl08: That is what I largely finish up doing having made such detailed plans and then failing spectacularly.

I am cheering you on towards 300 books.

>135 johnsimpson: Thanks mate. I'll be on my rounds on Christmas Day. Hope to see you next week.

>136 johnsimpson: I guess that I am not a serious chunkster reader, John, so I'll stick with 500 as the divide! Give me a link to the group you administer mate and I'll go and look you up.

>137 scaifea: Thanks Amber. I am sure that Charlie is excited with the imminent arrival of Santa Claus!

>138 karenmarie: Thank you to Karen, you are already a special friend to me in the group my dear. xx

>139 EllaTim: Thank you Ella. What a pleasure it has been this year to get better acquainted .

>140 richardderus: That is beautiful RD. I am so pleased you were able to come back to us these last few months. It has made posting much more fun again.

>141 The_Hibernator: Awww that's lovely Rachel. You always light up the threads with your presence. xx

>143 PaulCranswick:, How do I show a link mate, not very tech really.

>146 johnsimpson: Here's how:

{a href="http://www.librarything.com/groups/2017bigfatbookschall"}The Big Fat Books Group{/a}

Copy that; then when you paste it somewhere replace "{}" with these ">" and your link is complete.

>147 richardderus:, Thank you Richard.

>148 johnsimpson: De rien, mon ami.

(Or in other words, Happy Christmas, to you and yours!)

I hope you had a good and quiet day today.

>146 johnsimpson: I am glad RD followed up on that as I am not great at explaining that stuff myself, Jon.

>147 richardderus: Thank you RD.

>148 johnsimpson: Sort of ditto. Again. But no link, John?

>149 richardderus: Merci beaucoup, mon ami. Nous sommes benis par ton retour.

>150 SandDune: Thank you, Rhian

>151 FAMeulstee: Fairly quiet but I did get another book done, Anita.

>154 rretzler: Thank you so much Robin.

91.

Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf
Date of Publication : 2015
Pages : 179

Kent Haruf's final literary offering is this posthumously published short novel about a love affair between two ageing neighbours.

It is poignant and thought-provoking and as wise as everything else is written by the hand of this fine writer. Humane and wry, tender and minutely observant, this is a hugely enjoyable read that packs an emotional punch in a velvet encased glove.

Is it his best work? No, I would say not, but it is still a fitting swansong and highly recommended.

9/10

>157 PaulCranswick: I am not, myownself, a Haruffite. I dabbled. I dried my dabblers and departed. Am I more than usually distrustful to suspect this tome's choristers are swayed by sentiment given its place in Haruf's ouevre?

>158 richardderus: No. To be honest, RD, I don't think so. I find his prose so uncluttered and what appears a little homespun still has the wherewithal to fascinate.

>159 PaulCranswick: Your word I shall accept as Gospel and shake the dust of that place from my lectorial sandals.

As an aside, who the hell thought Xmas fireworks were a good idea?

>160 richardderus: I don't like fireworks at the best of times unless it was a rocket up trump's rump.

Another Hani photo and this time an ecclesiastical one in Selby, East Riding of Yorkshire.

Is it too late to wish you a happy new thread? LOL Hope you are having a great Christmas.

>163 thornton37814: It is never too late, Lori! A bit quiet. Kyran is sleeping whilst Hani is not when she should be at home with my mum in the UK.

>162 PaulCranswick: Another nice photo, Paul! I wish you all the best, and safe travels to the UK.

Well, since I haven't been around much and am just catching up....

...I feel that it is only right...

...that I contribute to your getting...

...to your 10,000th post.

Hope you are feeling better, Paul.

What's the count up to now?

>165 harrygbutler: Thanks Harry. She has a couple more that I really like but which she hasn't put up on facebook yet for me to tap from.

>166 rretzler: >167 rretzler: >168 rretzler: >169 rretzler: >170 rretzler: >171 rretzler:

Thanks
so
much
Robin.
You
are
a
gem.
Less
than
200
to
go
now
in
part
thanks
to
your
gooodself.
xx

>161 PaulCranswick: - Couldn't agree more!

>173 jessibud2: Would be a lovely Christmas present for him now wouldn't it? And for all of us especially.

>171 rretzler: 169 posts to go.

Merry Christmas to you and yours, Paul!

>176 AMQS: Thanks Anne. Lovely to see you back in the fray. xx

Hi Paul - any chance of a peek at next year's Irish challenge, save me going back in the threads looking for it. I spent yesterday searching out some Irish reads for my son and would like to compare what I found with what you went with.

>178 avatiakh: Sorry Kerry, I have been slow setting up this thread properly!

IRISH AUTHOR CHALLENGE 2018

January : EDNA O'BRIEN
February : WILLIAM TREVOR
March : DEIRDRE MADDEN
April : Samuel Beckett
May : IRISH CRIME WRITERS
June : ANNE ENRIGHT
July : COLM TOIBIN
August : MOLLY KEANE
September : RODDY DOYLE
October : POETS & PLAYWRIGHTS
November : EMMA DONOGHUE, JENNIFER JOHNSTON, MAGGIE O'FARRELL
December : JOHN BANVILLE, SEBASTIAN BARRY, COLUM MCCANN

>96 amanda4242: Thanks for the tip on changing LT time on my account, Amanda. I appreciate it even if Paul doesn't because he is ahead of LT time, I am behind it and always trying to catch up!

I hope you are having a good Christmas, Paul.

>180 Familyhistorian: A very quiet one so far, Meg and I even went to one of my project sites this morning to witness a load test on a crane gantry. Not exactly what I had planned for my stocking but still.

Merry Christmas Paul! XX

Merry Christmas Paul - you have been busy visiting the threads :)

I hope all is well with you and yours and that the whole family will be re-united soon.

Hani takes wonderful pictures.

Seasons Greetings from Philadelphia, Paul! I hope that we can meet up again in 2018, and the offer for a personalized guided tour of New Orleans for you and Hani still stands.

Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, whatever Paul! Wishing a wonderful 2018 !

^Happy Holidays, Paul. Sorry that the family is away. More reading time, right?

>157 PaulCranswick: it’s another of those fine novellas Paul. I liked the movie with Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, not as good as the book, but well observed.

When do you and Kyran leave for England? All the best for a happy reunion day! At last!

Stopping by to wish you the best of the end of 2017 and the start of 2018.

Hope you get to catch up on the festive fun when you get to the UK, Paul! I'm sure the reunion will be great.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Wishing you peace, contentment and a share of this fellow's wisdom to face the New Year, Paul.

>182 BekkaJo: Have a lovely day, Bekka. xx

>183 calm: I have indeed, Calm and I love this time of year! It has been a little frustrating too though as the site has been down a couple of times already today.

>184 kidzdoc: I do hope that we will be in a position to take you up on that my dear friend - gator tails and all. In any event I am sure that we'll be able to meet up again very soon.
Have a lovely day with your parents.

>185 vancouverdeb: Thanks Deb. It has been lovely sharing time with you in 2017 and I look forward to more of the same in 2018.

>186 msf59: Yes indeed Mark. Kyran and I did have a great dinner at our favourite Italian restaurant tonight and I managed five energising lemoncello drinks to celebrate yuletide.

>187 Caroline_McElwee: I really enjoyed it Caroline and I am sure that I will like the movie which I am now on the look out for.

>188 jessibud2: Should be 27 or 28 of December. Looking forward to it mostly. xx

>189 Kristelh: Thank you so much Kristel. lovely to see you here.

>190 charl08: Yes I think that the feeling of Christmas is more acute in the UK than here in the tropics, Charlotte, but I had a good day nonetheless.

>191 torontoc: Thank you, Cyrel. xx

>192 laytonwoman3rd: Much better owl than howl, Linda. xx Thank you dear lady.

Happy Holiday Season, Paul.

Wishing you safe, peaceful travel
and a joyful family reunion!

Hugs!

Happy Holidays to you and yours! Its such a joy to be a part of this group, and I’m glad to call you friend.

Merry Christmas Dear Friend!

wishing a holiday and new year of peace for you and yours!

>181 PaulCranswick: I am sure that your holiday season will improve, Paul. Will you be in England or Scotland for New Year's?

Hi Paul - it's a Merry Christmas for me, but I'm wishing you peace, joy and 10,000 posts this holiday season!

I am visiting early today (it is the 26th over here now), as I probably won't have time today or tomorrow to leave my daily post ;-).

Safe travels!

Safe travels, Paul!

>198 -Cee-: Cee! Lovely to see you here. That is a Christmas present on its own. xx

>199 mahsdad: Likewise I am glad to be your friend, too Jeff. You are indeed a star!

>200 Whisper1: Thank you dear Linda. This would be a poorer place without you in it.

>201 banjo123: Thanks Rhonda.

>202 Familyhistorian: We will be in England because Yasmyne doesn't get back to Scotland until the 3rd.

>203 Dejah_Thoris: Peace, joy and 10,000 posts - what a lucky guy to get such wishes from a Princess!

>204 FAMeulstee: It is indeed already Boxing Day here, Anita, but whatever the time, you are always welcome. xx

>205 jessibud2: Thanks Shelley. xx

>179 PaulCranswick: Oh thanks for that Paul. My son will be doing a history paper on Modern Ireland in the next semester, so has been watching some documentaries and films such as Michael Collins. He asked me to find some suitable fiction and so I went and looked at all the 'Irish books you must read before you understand Ireland' type book lists out there.

I've told him to read Trinity which I read at about his age but I've added a fair number of Irish books to my own lists, some I already knew about but quite a number are new to me.

The Book of Evidence & Birchwood by John Banville
Thy Tears Might Cease by Michael Farrell
A Star Called Henry by Roddy Doyle
Ratman's Notebooks by Stephen Gilbert
Borstal Boy by Brendan Behan
The Last September by Elizabeth Bowen
Strumpet City by James Plunkett
Seek the Fair Land by Walter Macken
The Past by Neil Jordan
City of Bohane by Kevin Barry
Studs Lonigan trilogy by James Farrell
Galway Bay by Mary Pat Kelly
Ireland by Frank Delaney
The Ginger Man by J P Donleavy
The Year of the French by Thomas Flanagan
The guards by Ken Bruen
The Informer by Liam O'Flaherty
The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence Sterne
Collected Stories by Frank O'Connor
The Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers
Nothing Happens in Carmincross by Benedict Kiely

>210 avatiakh: That is a really interesting list, Kerry. I have only read five of them actually:
Roddy Doyle
James Plunkett
Frank Delaney
Ken Bruen
Erskine Childers

The Banville and possibly the Sterne may get done next year.

Well I know you like lists and I'm trying to add to your post count too. I have the Ken Bruen home from the library at present, mainly thanks to netflix as I was going to watch the tv series then decided to read the book first.

>212 avatiakh: It was a favourite of Mark as I recall and he recommended it to me. Enjoyed it quite a bit as I recall.
I have been known to enjoy the occasional list!

Yes, Mark has already expressed his enthusiasm for The guards on my thread. How did you find the Delaney, I've been meaning to read this one for a long while.

>214 avatiakh: Yes, it wasn't bad but not amongst my favourites. I thought that Strumpet City was excellent.

Meri Kirihimete with friends & Whanu - Have a great festive season whatever you do

>216 roundballnz:
Thanks mate. I have our tickets and we will be in the UK on the 28th morning.

>195 PaulCranswick: it’s a Netflix original Paul.

>217 PaulCranswick: safe travels Paul.

Just popping by. I hope you had wonderful Christmas and a happy new year.

Hi Paul!

Safe trip for you and Kyran.

>218 Caroline_McElwee: Hani has Netflix so I shall go and find it.

>219 BBGirl55: Lovely to see you Bryony. I do hope you'll be busy in the group in 2018.

>220 karenmarie: Thank you so much Karen.

Still a bit under construction, but here's the new group: https://www.librarything.com/groups/75booksin2018

Happy Boxing Day!

>222 drneutron: You are a star, Jim. Thanks for giving us another year!

Belated Holiday Wishes, aka Happy Boxing Day!!

Wishing you and Kyron a Bon Voyage. Do you read on the flight or is it a sleeper one?

Do you have your books all picked out for your trip, Paul?

>224 Berly: Thank you dear Kimmers.

>225 avatiakh: Kerry, I am very much looking forward to having the 12 hour London flight to read away. My hopes of reaching a hundred books this year rather depend upon it!

>226 Familyhistorian: Yes, indeed. I have the nine books required to finish by end December (although hopefully one or two will be left behind as I'll finish them today) and a few to start the year off (Edna O'Brien, Joan Didion included).

>179 PaulCranswick: Hmm. I don't think I have any Edna O'Brien on my shelves but I have learned that I tend to love Irish authors' works (that is a massive overgeneralization, I realize, but you your own good self introduced me to William Trevor and I have been introduced via LT more broadly to Enright, Toibin, Doyle, Barry....)

Anyway, I read The Little Red Chairs last year; it was remarkable. I'm tempted to just snag myself a copy of The Country Girls...

Oh, and I'm still sick, two weeks into this crud. I hope your recovery has been more rapid.

And I'm sure you're already starting your first 2018 thread but we must not neglect this one!

>228 EBT1002: I have the Country Girls Trilogy with me to start the year off with the Irish Author Challenge and to get two 1001 Book First Edition books done at the same time. Ireland does have more than its fair share of great authors.

>229 EBT1002: I hope you shake off the crud soon, Ellen, I have done so already but am still a little bit asthmatic at times.

>230 EBT1002: This year I want to see out 2017 before starting 2018's thread.

Thought I would share this photo of Hani and my Mum on Christmas Day with my latest niece (my sister's third child), Elizabeth.

>157 PaulCranswick:

Finely written, yes, but what a bummer of an ending, notably for lone old folks at home...

Paul - so great that you are finally booked back to England for your own personal Love Actually.

Happy 2018!

>233 m.belljackson: Yes I would agree about the ending, Marianne. I would have much preferred a more upbeat ending as the two of them obviously deserved it.

>234 m.belljackson: I don't exactly see myself as a cross between Messrs Grant and Firth but Hani would get away with one of the leading roles, I'm sure.

Checking in to boost your count, Paul, and wish you safe travels with a happy reunion at the end.

>236 ronincats: Thanks Roni. It will be great to see the family again and I hope to be able to see a bookshop or two as well.

I took my daughter out for a coffee this afternoon, we both took our current read with us and then only got a couple of pages down as Dana never stopped talking about the trouble she was having getting into her book, Mistborn. I'm also struggling to get into The Windup Girl but know that 30mins SSR (silent sustained reading) would do wonders for us both.

Here is another lovely Hani photo.

>238 avatiakh: Talking about reading always hurts one's reading doesn't it, Kerry?!

I have your book on the shelves but don't reckon on getting round to it any time soon.

Awww. I think you could pull off Firth's character.

>241 The_Hibernator: *Beams and blushes* With smooth talking like that Rachel, you'll remain as popular as ever!

Hi Paul. I think I’ve just got time for belated Christmas wishes before you abscond from the warmer side of the world. Thank you for your wishes on my thread. Safe journey!

Safe travels, long haul & airports are always great for reading .....

>243 humouress: Thank you dear neighbour. New Year resolution to meet-up in Singapore?!

>244 roundballnz: Indeed they are great places to read; I need them to be too as I am struggling to get to 100 and days are fast running out.

99 posts to go now until 10,000. A little bit of second wind, hopefully.

>246 PaulCranswick: That means only 20 posts a day which is nothing for you!! Happy reading on the plane.

>247 Berly: Hahaha I don't want to count any chickens, or posts as yet, Kimmers.

Just 99?

Will you set up another thread in 2017?

>227 PaulCranswick: Hope the plane proves a positive reading experience! I got distracted by the films on my last one, although some of the cuts were a bit ridiculous.

>232 PaulCranswick: Lovely!! :)

Safe travels and see you again in your next 2017 thread.

>246 PaulCranswick: That's very doable. Will you be visiting London on this trip?

>245 PaulCranswick: Absolutely, for a meet up in the New Year. When do you get back?

Safe travels, Paul.

>249 charl08: >250 charl08: >251 charl08:

You are a gem, Charlotte.

Yes I think we are good for another wrap up thread to end the year.

I never bother with the films on the plane. Like you say too distracting.

>252 Deern: Thank you Nathalie. One more equals the best total number of threads in a year too just to round it off nicely!

>253 avatiakh: Yes, Kerry, I hope to have at least one day there and hopefully meet up with Caroline to shop for some poetry volumes.

>254 humouress: I am only in the UK for ten days, Nina. Work calls me back and some of it will be Singapore based! I am therefore confident we will finally get a meet up done in 2018!

>255 Ameise1: Thank you Barbara. Good old British Airways! I am still a patriot - possibly a misguided one. xx

92.

The Kremlin File by Nick Carter

Date of Publication : 1973
Pages : 184

Nick Carter is a chauvinist pig. He is a throwback to an age where women fell at the hero's feet, a black and white world of obvious goodies and baddies and a world where the intrepid fellow is pretty much bullet proof whatever the odds.

Intended as a sexed up version of Britain's James Bond, this is pure escapism. Made me wince sometimes and the prose was clunky at best, but these books are as palatable as they are mildly to be frowned upon.

Story set in what I took to be Trinidad was preposterous, but it doesn't matter as the plot is incidental.

6/10

93.

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanthi

Date of Publication : 2016
Pages : 225

I found this book very hard to read knowing the inevitable outcome that the story sort of fades mid-chapter with the author so full of promise struck down by a most virulent cancer.

Yet this is still hopeful. Looking at the possibility of new treatments, discussing the advances in science that improves survival rates and discussing clearly, unsentimentally and sometimes a little clinically the patient doctor relationship and the struggles to overcome cancer as well as the living in full knowledge of close mortality.

I found the last parts extremely touching as a new life enters the fray (Paul and his wife's child) only for the author to realise and recognise that their time together would be fleeting but cherished.

8/10

>259 PaulCranswick: Some light reading, eh, Paul? I read a few of the Nick Carter-Killmaster books but never really warmed to the series. Apparently there were more than 250 published during its 26-year run.

I am fast running out of days!

Seven books to read in five days. I hope that I can down three on the flight.

Which would leave four books in four days.

Fingers crossed!

>262 PaulCranswick: Good luck on the reading, Paul!

>261 harrygbutler: Harry, I have read dozens of them but they are definitely trash. Escapist but trash nonetheless.

>263 harrygbutler: Thanks mate.

Good day to you, Paul!

My daughter got The Country Girls trilogy for me for Christmas, so I just may join you in January for the Irish Author’s challenge.

>232 PaulCranswick: Lovely photo of your mum, Hani, and Elizabeth. Your mum looks remarkably well for the health issues she’s had in the last several years. Brava!

>248 PaulCranswick: Cluck, Cluck.

You’ll make 100, I’m sure of it.

>232 PaulCranswick: are, the generations. Lovely photo Paul. You’ll be joining them soon.

Happy Hani Reunion Day!

Safe travels, Paul. And happy reading. Just make sure you don't end up sleeping through the long hours...... ;-)

Stopping by to wish you and your family a belated Christmas and all the wonders of a new year. Good luck on the reading, too...

I still need to read the third in Kent Haruf's trilogy. It's on the shelves so I'll try to get to it in 2018.

Wishing you safe travels, 100 books accomplished, and of course 10,000 posts! (I can help with the latter, the other two not so much.)

Safe travels Paul! Looking snowy up north :/

>262 PaulCranswick: Easy. (For you, anyway.)

>232 PaulCranswick: Lovely photo. Mum looks well.

I hope you got some reading done, Paul, and arrive safely in the UK.

(69 posts to go!)

Paul--See? You've already met you 20-post quota for the day! Not that I am telling anyone to let up, mind you. Post away! And good luck with the 7 books in 4 days. No movies on the plane.

Hi- happy holidays Paul (although, I am sure in Malaysia you wouldn't get any yuletide holidays....). I hope you have had a good, or productive Christmas, and are looking forward to the New Year :)

Safe travels, Paul, and happy reading. (Enjoy it, the only pressure is coming from yourself.)

I’ll add my wishes for your safe travels and a joyous reunion.

And keep reading!

Just saying Cook is 173 not out .....

I have landed in Heathrow and waiting for my connections to Manchester. Will get back and respond to your lovely posts shortly and start my last thread of 2017!

Glad to hear you've landed safely.

Yay! Continued safe travels. We'll look forward to the reading update!

Happy reading, Paul!

>266 karenmarie: It is a nice photo of Hani, my mum and baby Elizabeth isn't it?

Well I managed to finish three books in transit to give a chance - more later.

>267 Caroline_McElwee: Well I am already with my Mum, Caroline. Hani is in Sheffield and will join us soon.

>268 richardderus: Thanks RD. She is keeping me on tenterhooks at the moment. I was looking for her at the airport as we were supposed to get my taxi back to Wakefield and she drop off her hire car at the same time (my brother will give me a car) but somehow she misunderstood the plan and I'll be seeing her soon.

>269 jessibud2: I did sleep for the first few hours, Shelley, but still managed to get plenty of reading done.

>270 witchyrichy: Thank you so much Karen. xx

>271 EBT1002: I have also the third to read and will probably join you on it next year, Ellen. 100 is a bit closer. 10,000 almost there.

>272 BekkaJo: Yes there was a sprinkling of white over on the M62, Bekka, but nothing too difficult to get through.

>273 humouress: Well it is now down to four in four days so I did make the progress I expected on the trip.

>274 laytonwoman3rd: She isn't too well actually, Linda, but brushes up nicely as they say! First job when I arrived was to take her up to see her Doctor! She has a cold and is worried about her ability to get pneumonia.

Nice review of When Breath Becomes Air, Paul. It was one of my favorite reads of last year, and the epilogue written by his wife, a fellow physician, was especially moving. I attend the Wellcome Book Prize Brunch this spring in London, in which three authors of the prize's shortlisted books spoke about them, along with Paul Kalanithi's ?younger brother. His talk was quite memorable, as he encouraged the audience to live each day fully, especially if we were facing the end of our lives, in memory of Paul.

>275 FAMeulstee: I did manage to get some done, Anita, you'd have been proud of me.

>276 Berly: Yes Kimmers, no movies for me. Three books though.

>277 LovingLit: Well we do sort of have the holiday, Megan. Malaysia is not prejudiced when it comes to holidays - it celebrates everybody's holidays. Not like here of course where nobody seems to be working!

>278 Familyhistorian: Hehehe, I am good at making life difficult for myself, Meg.

>279 Dejah_Thoris: Thank you Princess; I'll do my best.

>280 roundballnz: And he finished up on 244 not out and England with a great chance of saving some pride. I was advocating the dropping of Cook and Broad and they have proved me a great judge as usual!

>282 amanda4242: Made it across to West Yorkshire without too much hassle and my good lady wife has just turned up too!

>283 karenmarie: Coming soon, Karen, honestly!

Hey, Paul. I like the idea of celebrating everybody's holidays. I'm glad you're reuniting with Hani, and hope you enjoy the rest of '17.

>284 EllaTim: Thanks Ella. Keeping on keeping on.

>289 kidzdoc: I thought some of the book extremely moving but elements of it a little clinical. The winding up about the new addition and, I agree, the afterword from his wife was heart rending. Certainly a book I will remember a long while, Darryl but perhaps not quite as good as Being Mortal.

>294 jnwelch: We have 17 days public holidays in Malaysia, Joe and these include:

Christmas Day
Eid (end of fasting) and (Haj)
Chinese New Year

Glad you’ve landed safely with the fanily Paul.

Agreeing that Being Mortal was the better book, but I’m glad I read When Breath Becomes Air.

What’s the holiday reading btw? assuming there will be time for reading, very little of that for me the past four days, but I’m home now with plans to make up for it, if not quite get to 100 this year.

Glad to read you are safely in the UK and reunited with Hani.

(only 46 more posts to go!)

>297 Caroline_McElwee: I am hoping to do a last thread, Caroline and will stick my reviews on there, but the internet connection is not too great to be honest. I am also pleased to have read When Breath Becomes Air and hope to finish Hillbilly Elegy another much lauded non-fiction book from recent times.

>298 FAMeulstee: I will be close to the finish line if I can get the last thread set up.

Hi Paul and Happy whatever day it is!

(only 44 more posts to go)

43.

Looks like it's time for a new thread again.

Hi Paul,
I better post before you do!
Wishing you a wonderful 2018 and awesome reading in the year to come.

Adding my contribution to the numbers....

Hope you had a good holiday and glad you can be with your family!

Here's my contribution to your closing sprint:

Happy New Year!

>292 PaulCranswick: Not the only one .... Was a wonderful innings to watch, all class, one for the ages .....

adding a post, while enjoying a delightful summer evening here in NZ and sipping on a chilled rosé.

Adding a post to say I'm glad you arrived well and the family is finally reunited. Have a great time together! Should I not post here again: Happy New Year in advance! :)

I wish I was >308 avatiakh: but instead I'm wrapped up warm and wondering if I really need to go outside in the cold! Reading Mirror, Shoulder, Signal which is odd, but compelling.

>300 EBT1002: Thanks Ellen. I woke up trying to figure out whether it was Saturday or Friday. I believe that it is still Friday!

>301 karenmarie: Hahaha Karen. That makes it so much easier!

>302 amanda4242: It is Amanda but the internet here sucks so setting up won't be easy.

>303 mdoris: Thank you Mary. Lovely to see you. I shall be following along with you next year as always.

>304 jessibud2: You are a gem as always, Shelley.

>305 ChelleBearss: You too Chelle. I keep looking out for you all on FB. Take good care of those little ones my dear friend.

>306 majleavy: Thanks Michael. It has been great to have your erudite company this year and I trust that you'll be joining the gang again in 2018.

>307 roundballnz: Isn't it typical that England sends its weather to Melbourne to save the Aussie's bacon!?

>308 avatiakh: Now I am jealous as I look out on a Yorkshire snowbound morning about to dare myself to bathe!

>309 Deern: Thanks dear Nathalie. Kyran and Belle are together at my brothers house and I am at my mums.

>310 charl08: Exactly the same feeling here too, Charlotte. I was supposed to take Hani's hire care back over the Pennines this morning but I have given up on that idea already!