EllaTim's 2018 Pleasure of Reading

Illustration, painting by Reinier Vinkeles, from the Amsterdam City Archive.

Hi, I'm Ella, from Amsterdam, Holland, living with my husband, Marc.

I love books, nature, gardening in my allotment garden, birds, our garden cat, music, movies and books.

I used to read mainly fantasy and science fiction and still do, but last year I started a project of reading around the world, and found that very interesting. It´s nice to step out of my comfort zone a bit, and do a bit of armchair travelling.

My plans for this year are:
- continue reading around the world (not nearly finished!)
- participate in some reading challenges and group reads
- reading some more of the dutch classics that i managed to avoid when I was in high school;-)
- and have fun with unplanned reading (that's why the title of my thread for this year)

And also to finish some books that I left half read last year, likes Les Miserables that I read only part 1 of, and really would like to read in its whole.

It´s really so hard to choose, but here are my favourites of 2017:

Children´s books:
- Sans Famille Nobody's Boy by Hector Malot, 10/10, France
- The poet's dog by Patricia MacLachlan, 10/10, USA
- The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnet, 9/10, UK

Detective:
In the Heat of the Night, John Ball, 9/10, detective, USA

Fantasy:
- The Fifth Season, N.K. Jemisin, 9/10, USA
- The Fox Woman, Kij Johnson, 9/10, Japan, USA author
- Anansi Boys, Neil Gaiman, 9/10, UK
- Wyrd Sisters, Terry Pratchett, 9/10, England

General
- Homage to Catalonia, George Orwell, 10/10, Spain, author English
- Meneer Beerta, J.J. Voskuil, 10/10, The Netherlands
- Oorlog en terpentijn War and Turpentine, Stefan Hertmans, 10/10, Belgium
- Deutschstunde The German Lesson, Siegfried Lenz, 9/10, Germany
- Gehen, Ging, Gegangen Go, Went, Gone Jenny Erpenbeck, 9/10, Germany
- Max Havelaar, Multatuli, 9/10, The Netherlands/Indonesia
- The Complete Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi, 9/10, graphic novel, autobiography, Iran

Non-Fiction
- De oorlog heeft geen vrouwengezicht The Unwomanly Face of War, Svetlana Alexievich, 9/10, Belarus
- Tien geboden revisited (no touchstone), Hans Achterhuis en Maarten van Buuren, 9/10, Netherlands
- De Wadden, Mathijs Deen, 9/10, Netherlands
- Between the world and me, Ta-Nehisi Coates, 10/10, USA

Poetry, translations:
- De 100 allermooiste gedichten van de Europese poëzie, Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer en Gert Jan de Vries, 10/10, poetry translations, Europe

Books read in 2018:

January

1. Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens (UK, 835 pages) ****1/2 (UK)
2. I capture the Castle by Dodie Smith **** (UK)
3. Love story, with murders by Harry Bingham ***1/2 (UK)
4. The Rainbow Troops by Andrea Hirata **** (Indonesia)

February
5. Niets liever dan zwart by Antjie Krog ****1/2 (South Africa)
6. Brood voor de vogeltjes by Simon Carmiggelt (Dutch) ****
7. The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (USA) ****
8. The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths (UK) ***1/2
9. The Bottle Factory Outing by Beryl Bainbridge (UK) ****
10. Hoe duur was de suiker by Cynthia McLeod (Surinam) ***1/2
11. De vorm van water by Andrea Camilleri (Italy) ****

March
12. Schildpadden tot in het oneindige by John Green *** (USA)
13. Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell, (UK) *****
14. Epitaph for a spy by Eric Ambler (UK) ***1/2
15. Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb (UK) ****1/2
16. Het Dovemansorendieet by Maarten 't Hart (dutch) ****
17. Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb, fantasy (UK) ****1/2

Reading now:
- Detour to Santiago by Cees Nooteboom, audiobook, Spain. This book is sometimes wonderful, and sometimes annoying. Partly due to the reader, maybe, but I need an audio.
- No is not enough by Naomi Klein. Reading it with trepidation, as all the bad things happening in the world don't leave me cold, but I want to understand them better as well!

DNF
The Taxidermist's Daughter by Kate Mosse

Reading around the world:

My main thread for the reading around the world challenge can be found here

I´m now following the most extended version;-) of this challenge, trying to read first one book of all countries around the world (192 at the moment), but aiming for five read per country. For some countries this will be near impossible, but I´ll see how it goes. I found this idea first in Paul C.´s thread, but Janet (streamsong) is doing the extended version as well.

And here's my map:

visited 32 states (14.2%)
Create your own visited map of The World

Challenges:
BAC
January
I capture the castle by Dodie Smith
February
The Bottle Factory Outing by Beryl Bainbridge
March
Planning to read Eric Ambler

AAC
February
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

Non-fiction Challenge
January
No is not Enough by Naomi Klein (started)
February: biography
Dickens biography (started) by Claire Tomalin
March: travel
Detour to Santiago by Cees Nooteboom

Seems this challenge is a difficult one for me. But I would like to finish some reading for it.

A few comments on the books I'm reading now
No is not enough, by Naomi Klein

I'm in the first chapters where she is talking about brands, that is the move away from physical production, to production of a Brand, so in effect just the selling of an image. Where production is outsourced to whatever factory in a third world country, where goods can be made by people who are almost slaves. Sigh.
I didn't know this, makes me feel like never buying anything anymore.
She says that is how Trump has collected his millions. I'm not surprised.

His presidency is based on false promises. The jobs he has promised in industry, and coal mining will not arrive. Because big brands have outsourced production to cheap labour countries. What will happen when his voters start feeling cheated? The next war that he is already trying to have start?

Very worrying is Trump's climate denial. Klein argues that Trump has a close link to the fossil fuel industry. And with Russia. Very strange.

Next is yours

Happy New Year to everyone, and happy reading!

Happy reading in 2018, Ella, looking forward following your readings!

Hi Anita, nice to see you here, and I guess I'll be mostly (slowly) following yours;-)

Hope your 2018 is filled with good reads!

Happy Reading in 2018, Ella!

Dropping off a
And wishing you

Hi Lori, Marc and Roni, thank you very much! Wishing you a very Happy New Year as well!

Welcome back!

Happy New Year, Ella and happy reading 2018.

Happy 2018, Ella!

Have you read the next two after The Fifth Season? They're equally good, IMO.

Thanks Barbara!

Thanks, Joe!
No, not yet, but I'm planning to read them this year. Sometimes it's nice to have something to look forward to:-)

Happy New Year, Ella!

Happy New Year
Happy New Group here
This place is full of friends
I hope it never ends
It brew of erudition and good cheer.

Happy New Year! I wish you to read many good books in 2018.

>16 Storeetllr: >17 PaulCranswick: >18 The_Hibernator: And happy returns to you, Mary, Paul And Rachel!

We had dinner with a friend and she lent me a gardening book
De Groene Overmacht by Maarten 't Hart

I read a small sample and had to laugh, a good kind of gardening book.

Now I do have to read it, she'll want it back.

Happy New Year, Ella. I hope you have a wonderful year of reading.

>20 EllaTim: Maarten 't Hart is always fun in his non-fiction books, enjoy!

Hi Ella, just dropping my star off my dear.

>21 BLBera: Hi Beth, thank you!

>22 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita, I really needed that laugh as I'm trying to read No is not enough by Naomi Klein, about Trump and his politics etc. So a fun garden story in between can't hurt.

>23 johnsimpson: Hi John, nice to see you! I'm reading a chunkster as well, Nicholas Nickleby, and making good progress in it.

Hi Ella! Glad you're making good progress with NN! I plan on reading another 2-3 chapters today.

Hi, Ella . Dropping a star.



Glad to hear you liked The Fifth Season. I purchased it on sale last year, but haven't yet started to read it. Maybe this year - I'll have to put it on my list!

>25 karenmarie: Hi Karen, I'm really liking it. Your reading plan, 2 or 3 chapters a day is working well for me too.

>26 rretzler: Hi Robin, I've been looking for your thread, but couldn't find it, shall try again. I thought The Fifth Season Interesting and very original, so very worth while.

I have been out to my favourite bookshop today (Boekhandel Scheltema)
Bought a cookbook Mari plukt de dag it's part cookbook and part gardening book with lots of vegetarian recipes.
And saw some other books that I might buy later, photo books from National Geographic, with wonderful pictures, 125 years of National Geographic, a new Tonke Dragt, and "Waarom de buren nooit deugen" by Marc van Roosmalen.

Happy weekend, Ella.

>28 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara, and to you too.

Richard mentioned blue filter glasses on Karen's thread. It made me think, I've been having trouble getting to sleep at night. Can it be caused by the bright white light of this iPad background? I'm experimenting with reversed colours now, very weird effect, as the picture colours are reversed as well:-(, but the black background is more restful to the eyes. It seems the bright white blue light of LED lights can even damage the eyes.

>29 EllaTim: You can turn on "night shift" on ipads - it automatically adjusts the colours on the screen to warmer shades that are easier on the eyes and doesn't affect your sleep as much as the bluer "normal" shades do. Just google "night shirt ipad" and you should get tons of hits, including the official apple website. I think it's set to turn on and off with the sunrise and sunset, but you can change that to hours that suit you better.

>30 PawsforThought: Hi Paws, that's a good suggestion and would be wonderful, but my iPad is too old for it. It's still working great, but it is a hand-me-down. I'm now using the reversed colour scheme for LT, and I do think it is making a difference. But I am seeing some weird pictures here:-)

I was reading in my new cookbook, I really want to start using it, but oh man, the first recipe was a dinges tambouille. Now what is a tambouille, and did I accidentally buy a very fancy complicated posh cookbook. I was already thinking of returning it to the shop, but decided to look the word up in google. Well I found a reference to the word in an older cookbook by the same author. It's nothing posh, she had wanted to use the word 'meuk ' (=mess) but her editor thought it not fancy enough, so she chose the French translation, and look, suddenly there is this chic and delectable recipe;-)
What a trick, that's how restaurants do it as well.

The sun came out yesterday, no more rain or cloudy sky for the moment. 😊 It also means it's gotten colder, just a bit of frost.

I started pruning my grapes, but unfortunately I'm now noticing that the thumb and wrist pain I have been ignoring is serious enough to warrant a doctors visit. And also to lay off the iPad games.

Happy new year. I have just starred this thread :)

>34 sirfurboy: Hi Stephen, happy new year to you too!

Nicholas Nickleby is coming along nicely. Chapter 34.
Alternating with I capture the castle which turns out to be a surprising good book, funny, original.
And then a chapter in No is not enough as this is a lot heavier to read.

I've heard good things about doughnut economics by Kate Raworth, noting it here to maybe check out later.

We went to the Amsterdam hortus today, an afternoon with my sister. Looking for the first flowers of the year, and yes, they were there, though not many.

Cyclamen. Sarcococca (very nice smelling), the very first snowdrops.



Bought a book:
Plants in the spotlight

Descriptions of 50 threatened plant species growing in the hortus, with details about their ecology and habitat. Like the cork oak. Growing directly behind the entrance, a small tree, but already 70 years old. Completely adapted to growing in areas where there are forest fires.

It cost me the total of 1 Euro. I could do worse.

>36 EllaTim: Hey! I've been to the Hortus! It was lovely there (and a nice break from all the people and sounds).

"First flowers". Sigh. We're having -21°C today.

>35 EllaTim: I skipped the group read of Nicholas Nickleby, I tried Charles Dickens twice and was not impressed twice...

>36 EllaTim: Nice way to spend your afternoon. No snowdrops in my garden yet, they will come soon. The very last rosebuds are still trying to become real flowers. They probably won't succeed ;-)

>37 PawsforThought: I'm glad you liked it, it's one of my favourite parts of town, and I'm always glad for the quiet there.

It's a very protected space, in the middle of the city it's warmer. But it has been just beneath 0 Celsius, with a bit of sun out now and again. So safe enough to see the last of the autumn roses with the first of spring flowers. We'll have to wait and see if we will have any real winter this year.
-21 , that is really cold! Is it a cold spell, or just the usual?

>38 FAMeulstee: When you have tried him twice, you know enough. So too bad. I've always enjoyed him, except for an occasional quibble with his wordiness:-;

They were just coming, not really out yet. But it's such a sheltered garden, I guess everything is early there.

>39 EllaTim: It's a bit of a cold spell, but only because the rest of the winter has been pretty mild. These kinds of temperatures used to be normal for January until about 10 years ago when we started having a lot of mild winters. Early to mid January is always the coldest time - cold snaps with as cold as -30°C used to be common. We're lucky here on the coast though, it's always milder than further inland (and further north, of course).

Hi Ella!

We read I Capture the Castle for book club one year and I really enjoyed it.

I think you're making better progress on Nicholas Nickleby than I am, but I am really enjoying it - just a bit scattered lately and not focusing for long periods of time.

>34 sirfurboy: You are much further along with Nicholas Nickleby than I am. I'm going to spend most of the day tomorrow reading all three group reads.

>41 karenmarie: Hi Karen! Nice to see you. I finished NN, and enjoyed it. As long as you're still enjoying reading, that's the main thing, I guess.

>42 rretzler: Hi Robin, have fun with it! I'm glad I finished NN, although I didn't want it, I have started to feel some pressure to finish those group reads in time.

1. Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens. (UK) ****1/2



This was a reread for me, but I had forgotten most of the plot, so still lots of surprises.
The main story concerns Nicholas Nickleby and Kate, his sister. Their father has died, and they and their mother are left without any money. They go to London to ask for help from their one remaining uncle Ralph Nickleby, but he turns out to be a miser and a scoundrel.

Ralph tries to get rid of Nicholas as soon as possible and lands him a job as assistant schoolmaster in a boarding school in Yorkshire. We follow Nicholas in his adventures there, and meet horrible schoolmaster Wackford Squeers and his family. Circumstances in the school are dreadful. Nicholas meets another important character, the boy Smike, who has spent nearly all of his life as a drudge in that school.

In London, Ralph Nickleby has managed a job for Kate as well, and has then realised he can use her for her beauty, and lets her meet his "friends", the rascally sir Mulberry Hawk, and his circle of followers.

There is lots to follow, but I don't want to write a complete synopsis. While reading I have been admiring Dickens for addressing the wrongs he saw in his society, while at the same time writing a novel that is fun, interesting, cozy and heart rending at the same time.

I think he has done a wonderful job, and the one half star off is for the parts where I thought he could have been just a bit shorter on another soliloquy by mrs Nickleby, or another of his side stories.

I would be interested to know how the book was received then. It seems it did make a difference.

>44 EllaTim: Lovely review of Nicholas Nickleby, Ella. I enjoyed it, too. My main qualm was the number of coincidences - even more than usual for CD. But I feel like a Grinch even saying that, in view of the positives of the book.

Hi Joe, I enjoyed the book very much. I haven't even noticed those coincidences, it's sort of part of reading a nineteenth century novel. Drama more important than realism?

>46 EllaTim: Probably drama did outrank realism in a lot of the books then - although our friend Jane Austen's books earlier in the century seem realistic, or at least, more realistic and less dependent on coincidence.

London also was much smaller in population back then; it nonetheless struck me how often the characters ran into each other and overheard each other and saw each other do things, and how every character met and knew the other characters, one way or another. And more, e.g. Ralph Nickleby's business fortunes, on solid footing throughout the book, plummet for no apparent reason (a bad investment - something he hadn't done before that) just as he's getting his comeuppance toward the end of the book..

As I said, I feel like a Grinch even mentioning it, as Dickens makes it all magical and has us enthralled with the characters and their fates.

>47 jnwelch: You'd be surprised how many times you run into people you know in big cities.

And Dickens is often considered the biggest of the realism authors. The social aspects (work houses, child abuse, child labour, etc.) of his novels are a testament to that.

>47 jnwelch: Yes, her books are quite different in style.

Yes, the sudden plummet of his business, I suppose that can happen, look at the latest banking crashes, but it was rather sudden. But of course we have to see Ralph punished in some way. (I thought this one of the most somber parts)

>48 PawsforThought: That's right Paws, but maybe that's also the reason the plot is a bit ridiculous here and there, he's trying to get his point across through the story. How realistic was he, I wondered, were circumstances as bad as that?

>48 PawsforThought: Ha! You probably know that I live in a big city, and travel to big cities all the time, including London. No, you don't run into people like it happens in NN, believe me.

Here's a pretty good article on Dickens and Coincidence, and how he progressed from the early books like NN: http://www.academia.edu/6264760/Wonderful_Chains_Dickens_and_Coincidence

>49 EllaTim: . But of course we have to see Ralph punished in some way. Right, exactly, Ella.

I do think he was realistic about the social circumstances, and agree with Paws that he was known for that. He was also influential in improving those circumstances. I want to read Claire Tomalin's biography of him and learn more some time.

>49 EllaTim: I think that might be part of it. He's trying to balance showing the realism of the way poor people are living with a plot that will make people care, and some funny things to make them not depressed, and that means things might have to get a bit ridiculous at times.
Things were definitely as bad as that. Kids working 14 hours days in unbelievable conditions, etc. That's why he wrote the books the way he did, because he saw how absolutely ghastly life was for many people and wanted people to realise that, and to care enough to change how it was. I listened to a very interesting radio show before Christmas about A Christmas Carol and they were discussing how Dickens's novels actually brought about change in real life (laws about child labour and so on).

>50 jnwelch: I have no idea where you live.
I've lived in London, and ran into people I several times. I met a guy in a museum one day and then quite literally ran into him on a bridge on the other side of town two days later. And that's not the only time it's happened. I'm not saying that it's normal to run into people constantly but it DOES happen, even in massive cities, and London wasn't as massive back then, so I don't think it's as unlikely as you think.

>44 EllaTim: It wouldn't be Dickens if it were not "wordy." You liked it a bit better than I did. I finished an hour or so ago.

>50 jnwelch: Interesting article, Joe. You should share it in the group read if you haven't already (I may have missed it)

>44 EllaTim: Very nice review, Ella.

>51 PawsforThought: >50 jnwelch: I think how often you run into people you know depends upon many factors - what circles you hang out in, how long you have lived there, how often you are out and about...When I worked years ago for an international accounting firm and was required to network, I found myself running into people I knew quite often. Now that I work from home and am more of a homebody, I, of course, run into fewer people I know, even when I am just grocery shopping.

>53 rretzler: Absolutely. Almost every job I've ever had have "forced" me to be out and about on a regular basis, and I usually enjoy being out (if I'm not at home reading, etc.) in my free time as well - that obviously affects how likely I am to run into someone.

Had a nice day at the allotment, finished pruning the grapevine with the help of a friend, bit of sun. Tomorrow and the rest of the week will be rainy and stormy. As I'd we haven't had enough rain this autumn and winter, yuck!

>50 jnwelch: Thanks for the link to that article, Joe, interesting. And for mentioning Claire Tomalin, I think I'd like to read a biography, and she's getting a lot of praise!

>51 PawsforThought: And he had to keep people interested and coming back for more, as the book was published in instalments. It's quite a balancing act!

>53 rretzler: Thanks Robin!

The radio says it's Blue Monday today, the most depressed day of the year. One look out of the window is enough to confirm it, or better make it Grey Monday (with rain).

I need something uplifting!

What about this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXzM-13lFXU

Performed in Amsterdam's cheapest concert hall.

We have Snowy, Frigid Monday, going on here in the Midwest. At least I have the day off. I am glad.

Hope you had a nice weekend, Ella.

>55 EllaTim: Yeah, it's not an easy feat.

>56 EllaTim: It's depressing here too. The sky is so overcast that I never notised when the sun rose and set, and it's incredibly windy - I nearly fell over on my way to work this morning because of it.

>57 msf59: Then good to have the day off, Marc! I'm guessing you'll be keeping indoors today:-;

>58 PawsforThought: Yuck! Keep safe Paws.

I found an audio series on mr. Dickens in the library, they have these college series, thought it a good follow up to NN, still a bit in the mood for Dickens.

>56 EllaTim: You tube Vivaldi :-D

>51 PawsforThought: Got it, Paws. Never mind. I disagree with you if you're saying the NN experience (all those coincidences) happens in big cities, but that's okay.

>55 EllaTim: Claire Tomalin's biography is the one Mark recommends, Ella. He actually was talking yesterday about re-reading it, inspired by the Nicholas Nickleby group read.

>61 jnwelch: I have that on the wishlist Joe. But I was looking for instant gratification, and the college professor will do. He's a bit old-fashioned reminding me of a former teacher, but he's well-informed and interesting.

>56 EllaTim: Hi Anita, how did you like the giant balalaika, (if that's its name?). This is shot in the bikers throughway under the Rijksmuseum, used to be a wonderful place for street musicians.

>62 EllaTim: Yes, I think it is a basbalalaika.
I was in the Rijksmuseum last year :-) I am glad the throughway is still there. With the first plans for renewal it was deleted, but enough people protested, so it came back.

>56 EllaTim: Ella, I had to look up Blue Monday and apparently it really is a "thing" determined by a mathematical equation (actually 2). The Wikipedia entry is here. Who knew?

Blue Monday reminds me of a song I like by the group New Order - something from my college days.

Hi Ella!

>56 EllaTim: I loved it. Violin, tuba, 2 accordians, and one ... bass? That's one of the more unusual instrument I've ever seen.

I have had to skip all the NN talk and your review.... but I'll try to remember to come back to it when I've finished.

>63 FAMeulstee: Yes And I'm very glad, one of my favourite places, not only because it's a short and safe way to the city centre for all of us bikers, but also because of the street musicians that used to play there. I have fond memories of a steel drum player, who just went on playing even if he was all alone there and it was raining cats and dogs. Marvellous combination of sounds, steel drums and rain, did wonders for my mood when I happened to pass through:-)

>64 rretzler: Hi Robin, they say it's pseudoscience but I could believe it.

Blue Monday is a good title for a song!

>65 karenmarie: I love street musicians, this group could be from Russia. They play very well, I think.

Maybe we should have used spoilers? I hope we didn't betray anything to you.

Library day today, I borrowed two books


Will report later!

2. I capture the Castle by Dodie Smith **** (UK)


I liked this book a lot, but it also annoyed me a lot.

The story of a more or less upper class family, who have to deal with poverty. The father is a writer, who hasn't written anything for a long time. They live in an old castle but can't pay the rent.

The story is told by Cassandra, the youngest daughter. Her older sister, Rose, is sick and tired of being poor, but then a rich family comes to live around the corner and Rose hopes for a way out through marrying one of the two brothers of this family.

It was an interesting story, that, for me ended first in a very funny scene where the children decide to treat the fathers writing block in their own way, but then unfortunately in a downer where dads reputation apparently has to be restored again by a very pompous explanation about Creativity, and Art.

>69 EllaTim: I've been meaning to read that one for a long time. It looks interesting, but I've seen several people being "meh" about it so that doesn't bode too well.

Hi Ella!

>67 EllaTim: No no. You write anything you want in a review on your own thread. And as soon as I see review type noise, I skip. It's my issue, not yours. And on the NN thread, it's my issue, too. I know it's my thread, but people seem to be getting along fine without me so far, several are done.

I read on Anita's thread about the storm and that you have two trees that will need to be taken out. Sorry to hear that, I hope you're all fine.

Sorry to read onAnita's thread that two trees are damaged in your garden. Luckily, your are safe. I saw yesterday evening pics from the storm. It looked awful.
Thinking of you, Ella.

Oh, sorry about your trees. We lost quite a few (I think it was 8 or 9, but it might have been more) at our summer house in a winter storm a few years ago. It's a bit of a vicious spiral when trees fall because the trees that are left will be more exposed to future storms and thus more likely to fall, and so on. And we have very little topsoil down there (never more than 100 cm, some place it's bare rock) so when the trees go, there's not much holding the soil together.
Glad you and yours weren't hurt otherwise.

>69 EllaTim: You liked it better than I did.

>70 PawsforThought: Not meh, I liked it. But it's a story about an excentric family. And the relationships are weird, And annoying, but there was a wonderful moment near the end, that really made me laugh out loud, and then she had to spoil it again. So quite a ride.

>71 karenmarie: Hi Karen Thanks for saying that! Still, I'll try and review what I 'm writing before posting next time.

>72 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara, I was glad I could stay inside. I saw some of the same images you saw, I think. So I called my friends and family, and everyone was alright and no damage, fortunately.

>73 PawsforThought: Yes, I know, parts of a forest can go like that, when the first one falls, and the rest is not used to withstanding storms. So when trees fall at your place the topsoil can be washed away? That would be a pity.

>74 thornton37814: I guess so Lori. I did like the writing, even though the story was a bit up and down:-)

>75 EllaTim: Yeah, it can have an effect. Since the roots are so shallow they pull all the soil cover (moss and grass) with them when the tree falls, and there's nothing to protect the soil from the rain etc., and fewer roots to bing it together.
Luckily there are still plenty of trees left, and there are younger ones growing up to replace the fallen ones. We try to cut down the big ones before they fall to avoid some of the problems.

>76 PawsforThought: Good for you, to be so thoughtfull. I love those places though, where an old tree has gone down, and all the young ones are growing as fast as they can to fill in the void:-)

>77 EllaTim: Well, we've had to deal with the consequences once and would like to not have to do it again. (A tree fell on the neighbour's veranda - their insurance covered it so it was fine but still...)

Popping by to say hi, Ella.! Great to meet you!I'm sorry to read about your storm. We have a lesser storm on it's way here - apparently we should get our candles and flashlights ready in case of a power outage. I don't we will suffer any tree damage - not us, at least. We are in a townhouse, so we make sure to only have small trees or shrubs on our property.

Hi Ella! I'm very late making the rounds, but Happy New Year!

I read Naomi Klein's book Shock Doctrine a few years back and found it chillingly accurate. I should definitely read No is Not Enough. I've started out the year reading several political books and I'm not sure I can stomach much more Trump right now, though. The discouraging part is that the people who should be reading these books, either don't read them, or dismiss them as fake news. :(

Trust Trump to appoint an ambassador to the Netherlands who has said that Muslims are burning politicians there. What an embarrassment both of them are!

>32 EllaTim: Love your cookbook story!

I'm glad the storm did not do any more damage than it did. And I'm jealous of your flowers. We call a different plant snowdrops. Ironically, I don't plant them because to me, they have a very nasty fragrance. I like your snowdrops better!

Hi Ella! Popping in for a quick hello and to wish you a good day and week.

Same here, Ella. I hope the week goes well.

>79 vancouverdeb: Hi Deborah, nice to see you! I hope your storm has gone by now without doing damage. Candles are very romantic of course but a power outage in winter not so.

>80 streamsong: Hi Janet! I can completely understand having enough. I don't find it easy reading, worrying, disheartening. It isn't just about Trump, she talks about globalisation, worker rights, things that apply here in EU, and globally as well. So definitely worth reading about.

The ambassador has presented himself to the Dutch media, has been firmly questioned and scolded, and has apologised to the Dutch public the next day. He had gotten us confused with a different country he said.

>81 karenmarie: >82 jnwelch: Hi Karen, and Joe, and a good week to you too!

Blackbird singing in the back garden. Come on boy, much too early, it's supposed to be winter!
Listen to it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmpEWlmgRxQ

Aren't birds singing the most peaceful and wonderful sound? I only listened to a bit of it, but thanks for sharing. I'm staring at 3 male cardinals and a titmouse in a tree near my feeders right now.

Ah, I love blackbirds. But that does feel very early in the year.

>85 karenmarie: It is wonderful, And blackbird has a lovely song.

>86 PawsforThought: It is Paws, very early. Usually the song thrush is the first of the year. But the weather is unusually warm all of a sudden, and the blackbirds have reacted to it, I guess.

I saw the first flowering daffodils as well, and no, not in the garden centre, but along the read, a bit of a south facing slope. But also very early.

>87 EllaTim: Daffodils? Jeez. When I was living in London (which is similar in climate, I think?) the daffodils bloomed in February - which felt otherworldly to me who's used to them appearing in May!

Lots of rain today, but not so bad with the wind, Ella. Wow! Your daffodils are very early. I thought we got early daffodils, snowdrops and crocuses, , but no sign of them as yet. I think we have had to much overcast and too little sun so far this month. Usually early February is when we would see them first.

Oh! I thought I Capture the Castle was so cute! Though I understand where the annoyance comes in, too. The characters were certainly flawed.

>87 EllaTim: When I was in The Hague last Sunday I saw blooming snowdrops, daffodils and daisies!
Over here no spring flowers yet, the leaves of the snowdrops came up, expect the flowers soon. But I had a very late rose blooming last week.

Today was the warmest January 24 in the records, officially.

It was my mothers birthday, she turned 92, and we were out all day, did some birding on the read, but no time to read today. Blooming snowdrops at my mothers house.

Hi Paws, and Deborah, and Anita, so it is really that warm here!

>90 The_Hibernator: Hi Rachel, I'm glad you enjoyed it! But what did you think of the ending?

Sorry to hear about your trees, but happy birthday to your mother.

I also liked I Capture the Castle and perhaps a little more than everyone did. I am especially enamored of the 1920's and 1930's, so that hit a chord with me. I thought it was a lovely story and very humorous. I felt a little sad for Stephen because he was so nice and loved Cassandra so much, but I guess he was intelligent enough to see that she didn't love him and helped her to perhaps win Simon in the end.I think most people and most families are flawed in some way, but it was nice to see that although they had a lot of hardships, they seemed to get along wonderfully and lovingly.

Congrats to your mum! 92 is an impressive age.

>93 rretzler: Yes, it was a lovely story, and very humorous!
I felt sorry for Stephen and also pretty angry on his behalf, it seemed he was the only one willing and able to do some work. And then it turns out he is the son of the help, and his mother has told him to always be subservient...

>94 PawsforThought: Thank you Paws!

3. Love story, with murders by Harry Bingham ***1/2 (UK)



This is the second of the series about police woman Fiona Griffiths. She is doing well here, in a good relationship with a colleague. But there are other love stories here.

The remains of a young woman are found, scattered in several strange places. Then the remains of a man, scattered in a similar fashion. Of course it seems the murders must be connected, and an investigation is begun, but it gets bogged down, and seems to go nowhere. Fiona has her own ideas, and starts investigating her own hunches.

It's a well written story with some good highlights in it. But somehow i lost interest at two thirds of the story, it felt like the rest was all wrapping up and took too long. I also didn't like the ending, where Fiona goes after a criminal with the help of very unconventional methods. It somehow seems unfair, the story was more like a thriller at that point. Just not my preference.

A little belated Happy Birthday to your Mum!

Hi Ella!

Oh yes, belated Happy Birthday to your Mum.

I'm sorry you didn't like Love Story, With Murders. I loved the whole series but I can see how its veering off from police procedural to thriller didn't work for you. Fiona is not a conventional policewoman at all.

Happy Saturday, Ella. I have wanted to read I Capture the Castle, for years now. I have to get to it.

Have a great weekend.

Happy Saturday, Ella!

>96 EllaTim: Love Story wasn't my favorite Fiona Griffiths either, but the next books in the series make up for the disappointment. I hope you'll give her one more chance. :)

>97 aqeeliz: >98 karenmarie: Thanks for the birthday wishes!

Hi Karen. No, don't read me wrong, I can still enjoy a book as a whole, even when I didn't like some parts of it. But I'm not a fan of the thriller genre.

>99 msf59: Don't miss it Marc, it's a memorable one! Have a good trip, as you'll be leaving soon.

>100 Storeetllr: I had read earlier , probably in your thread that the second book was a bit less, so, glad to hear I wasn't the only one, and that the next book is better again.

Happy Sunday everyone.

4. The Rainbow Troops by Andrea Hirata **** (Indonesia)


Set on the island of Belintong this is a touching story about a small Islamic school. It's a school for the poor, as it's the only school that's free, but it's struggling. Only nine students have come the first day, but they need ten or they will be closed down, and the children will be sent home, and get no education at all. But luckily at the very last moment a tenth student arrives.

We then follow their lives and adventures. Interesting and sometimes funny. Their parents have sent them to school in hopes of getting out of the prison of poverty, but will they make it?

There is a lot of tin to be found, and the big mining company plays a big role on the island, but it doesn't care about the poor people or the environment. An important part in the story arrives when there is tin found under the school, and the school is threatened to be bulldozed down. Some of the children give up and drop out of school, but their teacher doesn't let it happen, she protests and finally wins the battle with the mining company, with the help of the students, a big victory.

In the last part of the book it still becomes clear that fortune is not on the side of the school, or the students, and although the book has an optimistic tone, I didn't think it was a very optimistic book. Yes education is important, but it hasn't seemed to help the students a lot.

Ps found in the threads of Paul Cranswick.

>102 EllaTim: Sounds good, Ella, did you read it in English?
I saw the Dutch translation available at the e-library.

Hi Anita, I read it in English, just didn't think it would be translated in Dutch as well, silly!

I would like to see the movie they made of it. I looked up the island on the internet and it looks so beautiful!

I found myself still thinking about The Rainbow Troops. Mainly because of a feeling of inconsistency in it. The first parts with their hopeful optimistic tone, and the last part with it's less than positive ending. Could be that the first part was written much earlier, and the last part added later. I couldn't find a lot about Hirata on the web. Seems he wrote more books later, but they have not been translated.

Hi Ella!

Having just finished Nicholas Nickleby, I just read your review and liked it a lot. I also like the discussions about it that followed.

Wishing you a good Thursday.

>Thanks, Karen!

I've started reading Tomalin's biography of Dickens. It seemed interesting to get some background on his life and the times.

My husband and I decided to take part in the selling part of King's Day fun here. We'll be selling books (me) and small thingies (he). :-) We did it once before and it was really fun. Selling books that would have gone to the trash otherwise, good ones, Russian library, French lit. It was like a real live version of LT with book lovers comin up and asking questions about the books.

I won't have as nice a collection now, this will be books I want to get rid of myself, but I'll do my best to make them presentable. Gardening and nature books. Some cooking books. And for the rest, decisions..

We went out to see the movie Jane, a documentary about life and work of Jane Goodall. Turned out to be very interesting. Something about her youth, her mother, that she always dreamed of going to Africa and working with animals. Reading Tarzan books and dr. Doolittle. About the work, observing the chimpanzees, and things she discovered.
Beautiful shots of her, the wildlife, the interactions between Jane and the chimps.
Interesting fact that she was chosen for the research by dr. Leaky partly because she did not have a scientific background. He wanted someone without preset opinions.

>208 EllaTim: Oh, I'd love to see that. Doubt it'll make its way here, so I'll wait for streaming/DVD.

Jane Goodall and her work has always fascinated me! I'm going to look for that documentary.

Hope you are having a great weekend, Ella!

>109 PawsforThought: I think it should become available that way, Paws. Very interesting whatever way you are going to see it.

>110 Storeetllr: Thanks, Mary. I'm having a bit of a lazy day today.

5. Niets liever dan zwart by Antjie Krog (South Africa) ****1/2



Writer and poet Antjie Krog, and here I need to add she is white, was an active member of ANC, living in a small town, working for a school for black students, when she witnessed the murder of a black gang leader. She is an acquaintance of the perpetrators, and they involve her in it, by hiding the gun in front of her house.
Here she feels herself in a moral conflict, she feels she has to go to the police, but doing so she is betraying her colleague.

After this beginning that I thought was very clear and interesting followed a number of chapters that were very different. She tells the story of the black king Moshoeshoe, and his relations with white christians, and white colonialism. It took me some time to get into this story.

And she relates how she spends a couple of months in Berlin, on a scholarship, her impressions of the country, the contrast to South Africa, but the main thing is the philosophical discussions about the black South African philosophy of community. We western, white people are focussed on individuality. In South Africa people used to feel themselves part of a community. Much of this feeling is destroyed by the circumstances people have to live in.

Antjie Krog has worked for the truth committee and writes about how amazed white people were about the willingness of black people to forgive. They see it as healing their humanity.

Now I must confess I thought this all very interesting, of course, but I had a hard time understanding the philosophical conversations in the book. They are very abstract and complex, and it was hard to get a feel for what she meant. And I do think that is needed, just intellectual understanding is no good, I think.

But I have read books I didn't completely understand before. She can write, she is a poet, and there were some absoultely beautiful scenes. She has made me think, and she got me interested. So in all I don't regret I read this, even if I was glad to finish the book.

I had wanted to read another book of hers Country of my skull. Oberon reviewed it for the January non-fiction challenge. But my library didn't have it. Still going to keep looking for it.

>112 EllaTim: Sounds good and interesting, you make me want to read Antjie Krog.

>113 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita! She made me want to read more too, she's written poetry as well. But maybe the new book by bishop Tutu? Or another South African author? Possibilities...

I have to rant a bit, skip it when you're not in the mood.

Why are librarians so cranky and difficult? Well, in my library branch, I mean.
Last year I discovered the wonderful option of borrowing a book and having it sent to my nearby branch. Now this year I found the website of Muziekweb, central music library, located in Rotterdam. Marvellous options for borrowing, and browsing. From my own computer. Cd's are then sent to Amsterdam, and you have to pick them up at the library there. My simple question was " can they be sent to this branch, instead of to the Amsterdam central library"
Answers "I don't know", " there's always something knew" (Muziekweb has been there for several years), then she goes to the back, where her chief sits I guess, and asks, "No we don't do that"' "Call the central library and ask them"
Well how helpful.

I just tried, and it worked, I get a cd sent to me in two weeks time, and hope it will be a big surprise for the helpful people in my branch.
(thankfully they are not all like this but there are some misbaksels there, and yes I have had earlier run-ins with them)
End of rant.

Good news from this: I managed to order a cd through the library system, as a surprise for my husband. Arvo Pärts Da Pacem.

>115 EllaTim: answer to your rant:
I don't know... some peole just are cranky, or are going through a difficult time in their life.
Glad it worked out, I could have told you Muziekweb would deliver it to your branch, as I used to use it a lot in the years I could not read much. Until they doubled the fee from 2,50 to 5 euro per CD, so now I don't do that anymore. Unless it is music I can't obtain any other way.

Re your rant, Ella: good for you for persisting. Sorry you had to go through that.

>116 FAMeulstee: Yes you are right Anita, but in my branch it's not the first time this happens. Sorry for you that it has become so expensive! I'm very lucky this year it's free in mine, wonderful.

>Hi Joe, thanks for saying that!

>108 EllaTim: Sounds fantastic!

6. Brood voor de vogeltjes by Simon Carmiggelt (Dutch) ****



I wanted to read something light and short, and picked this one by Simon Carmiggelt.

It's pure nostalgia to read it. He used to write short daily pieces, small stories for the Amsterdam paper 'Het Parool'. They were well loved, and he used to read them on TV, the last program of the evening. He was a wonderful reader, with a melancholy voice, and these are all rather melancholy small stories, about people he met on the streets, or, (often) in pubs.

But I had a good laugh with them, so I intend to read some more of those in between the heavier stuff.

(YouTube has some of those programs like this one here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ofu3ZkGw2w
Not a light story at all but beautiful)

I'm like you, Ella, I like to mix up heavier reads with lighter one, or else I can tend to get a bit depressed.

And I agree - many cats are not loners at all and very much need their people.

Not much reading gotten done, last night I was exhausted by my volunteer job. I'm on the housing committee of my block of social housing. We had a meeting, and there are some very talkative members on it. Sigh. They want a forceful leader, I'm afraid that's not me, but it's no one else too, there's a sore lack of forceful leaders.

Now if I had the talent of mr. Carmiggelt I could have made a good story out of this, but alas.

Heading for a quiet and silent afternoon at the allotment.

>108 EllaTim: I've been meaning to watch Jane for awhile. Thanks for reminding me.

>115 EllaTim: It's so frustrating when people who are supposed to be helpful are not. I seem to find that more and more these days - many people will not try to get an answer to something. It really makes me appreciate the people who do, when it really should be a part of their jobs, sadly. I always go out of my way to thank the people who are helpful (but there is a part of me that thinks that everyone should just be that way to begin with.)

>120 EllaTim: I love that cover!

Hi, Ella. Thanks for keeping my thread warm, while I am working or on vacation. Much appreciated. I hope your week is going well.

>123 rretzler: Hi Robin, I thought about it, and I guess there's something going on with their personnel management, I keep seeing new people, and I overheard them grumbling about it.
Yes, and I also think it is part of the job, to be helpful to the public.

>124 msf59: Hi Marc, they are so cute!

We went to the allotment today. We've had a couple of days of frost, so there's ice on the water.
We saw one of these:



Not my picture, and not taken this year, but it's obvious that ice is not their thing. But it won't last, temperatures are going up.

>126 EllaTim: Beautiful picture, Ella, white herons are so common now. I remember the time when they were very rare. And in my youth even the grey herons were rare...

Hi Anita, I just read they are doing so well here, that they have been taken off the red list of endangered species. So that's very good news.

Herons weren't rare where I lived as a child, but if you grew up in the city, they were a rarity there. My husband says the same thing, he grew up in Amsterdam and never saw one as a child, and now they visit the market for the fish:-)

>128 EllaTim: I was talking about the 1970s, when we lived in a village 10km from Utrecht. There we saw grey herons a few times a year.

>129 FAMeulstee: Should have been a great spot for them! Lots of water, and trees for nesting.

I must confess my memory is spotty, how often did we see them?

I looked them up at the SOVON site. There it says that 1963 was the worst year in numbers and that the population has grown from there, but with bad years from cold winters. There are maps as well, and i can see that there were lots of herons near where I grew up (West-Friesland).

>130 EllaTim: The winter of 1963 was bad for all water birds, everything was frozen for a long time!

More recent was the winter of 2012, then the cormorant (aalscholver) population in the Oostvaardersplassen was decimated. The years before we often saw groups of 50 or more flying from the Oostvaardersplassen to the Markermeer. The years after we rarely saw a group of 10, but last year I finally saw larger groups again.

Some of the white storks (ooievaars), who have their nests near the highway, stay here all year. In the winter of 2012 they were regular provided with "eendagskuikens" so they survived.

>131 FAMeulstee: All the water fowl have a tough time when there is a long winter. I hope for them that the frost will be gone soon. Though for the young skaters I'd wish for a couple of days of frost more, but never mind, my influence with the weather gods is nil.

And good thing the storks were fed. It's so nice they are here again! Here in Amsterdam people feed the grey herons, during bad winters.

I know the cormorants have moved up north as well, better water quality, didn't know they suffer from the cold as well, but it stands to reason.

Winter isn't very bad right know, the small waters near Amsterdam are frozen, but the larger ones, like the small river the Gaasp will stay open, large boats pass through each day. A good place for cormorants to fish.

For the American author challenge I read

7. The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (USA) ****



Not a fun book to read, not at all, but impressive.

Cora, a slave girl, born an a plantation in Georgia, decides to run away, because of the awful circumstances the slaves have to live in. She finds her way to the Underground Railroad. In the story this is a real railroad, with trains that run underground.

So this is in part a fantasy, and in part history. The train then takes her to several next stops, where she thinks each time that now life will be better, but it turns out wrong each time. In South Carolina, North Carolina, Indiana, each time she meets with new atrocities. And she is being hunted by a white slave catcher.

At first the story was pretty confusing for me, I had to read some reviews to understand what was going on, that these stops are part of history for black people in America. It makes for an impressive story, as Cora goes from one stop to the next. I was relieved it ended on a slightly more hopeful tone, with her travelling West with a couple of wagons.

Can't sleep tonight, and have to get up earlier than usual tomorrow, and on Sunday still earlier. Made myself a cup of tea, and started a new detective series.

Elly Griffiths Ruth Galloway series. A recommendation from my sister who has good taste in detectives.

I'm reading the first in the series, and liking it a lot.
The Crossing Places
Ruth is a forensic anthropologist, so there's mention of prehistory, but also of the landscape, of birds, and there is a murder, possibly.

Hi Ella!

>126 EllaTim: I really like that picture.

>134 EllaTim: The best thing to do when you can't get to sleep - make a hot drink and read. I woke up at 3:45 a.m. and won't go back to sleep now (7:50 a.m.). I'm going to go back to my book soon.

I really liked The Crossing Places but haven't pursued the series. It looks like I need to keep my eye open for The Janus Stone, the second in the series.

>134 EllaTim: Sorry you couldn't sleep last night, Ella. I hope tonight sleep will come easy.

I have the Ruth Galloway series on mount TBR, someday I will get to them ;-)

>135 karenmarie: Hi Karen. Yes, I noticed your posts this morning, And wondered what time it was at your place. Tea and reading do help, i did get a couple of hours of sleep, later.

Well my sister loves the series and she's the one who alerted me to Sue Grafton as well!

>136 FAMeulstee: I like the first book, and with your reading speed you will manage that mount TBR, I think.

>133 EllaTim: I'm not reading your review too closely as that's the one I'll be reading. I've got a couple books ahead of it.

>138 thornton37814: Good, I wouldn't want to spoil it for you!

Sorry you are having trouble sleeping, Ella and I hope you sleep well tonight. The idea of having a goose for a watchdog is kind of a good one! I too have read several of the Elly Griffith's series. Interesting characters.

>140 vancouverdeb: Thanks Deborah, I did sleep better tonight!

8. The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths (UK) ***1/2

The main character Ruth Galloway is a forensic anthropologist, living on her own in a small house near the sea.

She gets involved in a murder mystery because the police find bones and ask her to look at them. It turns out they are not recent but prehistoric. But from this beginning she still gets involved in what is a recent case.

It was interesting to read, anthropology, landscape, birds, the mystery. I do have some issues with it. The plot (I could predict the culprit), believability, details that seemed wrong and annoyed me.

I did spend some time browsing through Norfolk nature sites. Sighing happily.

>126 EllaTim: This appears to be an egret of some kind?

>133 EllaTim: Hooray for the AAC and The Underground Railroad. Glad you enjoyed it.

Hope your week is off to a good start, Ella.

Hi Ella - I'm loving all the bird talk. I enjoy seeing the European species. We have blue herons, but not grey herons. Although our blue herons are grey. :)

I like the sound of The Crossing Places. "anthropology, landscape, birds, the mystery" - sounds good.

I have so many mysteries on my TBR pile, that I'll hold off for a while although I have added it to mylist of 'somedays' that I keep.

>142 msf59: Yes, it's the Great Egret. Those bird names can be pretty confusing. isn't it a lovely bird, and there's more of them each year. Today we saw a stork, nearly died out in the Netherlands in the fifties and sixties.

Hooray for the challenges and the AAC. Had wanted to read Joan Didion as well, but NN tripped me up.

Thanks Mark, nice day today, bit of sun, sun, birds, we went to our allotment.

>143 streamsong: Hi Janet, and our grey herons are blue;-) But yours are bigger, of course. (I looked them up and it's really true).

It's nice to have a list for somedays.

>134 EllaTim: I highly recommend the Ruth Galloway series. I read the first one a few years ago and then immediately read the rest of the series. I'm now waiting not so patiently for the next book to come out a little later this year. She has another series, Stephens and Mephisto or The Magic Men, which I also enjoy. It is more difficult to get the books in the US, so I have to order them from Book Depository.

>133 EllaTim: Interesting review. The reviews on this one seem all over the place because of his unique depiction of the Underground Railroad.

>145 rretzler: Hi Robin, Thanks for the thumbs up for the rest of the series. I heard there was a new one out, my sister mentioned it;-)
How come it is difficult to get the books in the USA, you can't order them from Amazon? Sorry, I always thought Amazon had everything.

>146 The_Hibernator: Yes, and it's in the title of the book as well. And then it isn't about the historical Underground Railroad, but about a fantasy one. I knew it, I had already read a review.

We also have Great Blue Herons, and like yours, they are grey. It's always a treat to see them. I often see them when spring and summer are upon us. Not to long now. I'm awake in the middle of the night, but I'll try going back to sleep soon . I peeked out and we have a little bit of snow. It is supposed to be melted by noon. Fingers crossed! :-)

Here is a link to the type of herons that we have here.

http://stanleyparkecology.ca/conservation/urban-wildlife/herons/

Update about my library issues, that I had written about earlier.

Yesterday my cd from the music library arrived. I went to pick it up, and there was a new librarian at my branch. A very very nice and helpful guy. Who had heard about the music library before. He had to look all over the place to find the actual cd, so it's obvious that was a bit new. And then he told me I can have it for six weeks!

I couldn't believe it so I contacted the music library to be certain and yes, six weeks. And again very helpful. So, I'm very happy now.

>148 vancouverdeb: Hi Deborah, sorry about your waking night. Hope you manage to get some sleep soon. Here it's 12.30, it is strange to think of you in the middle of the night.

I visited the link you gave, interesting information. Yours look even greyer than ours. And our grey herons seems to be a bit more resilient, they have adapted to people and the city so well that they even make their nests in the park and in the zoo.

Hi, Ella. I'm another fan of the Ruth Galloway series. I'm reading A Dying Fall right now.

P.S. Amazon U.S. has them - I get them on Kindle, usually.

>133 EllaTim: That looks like an interesting (although perhaps also a depressing) read. It sounds like a clever idea.

>147 EllaTim: >151 jnwelch: The books are released in the UK several months to a year ahead of their release in the US. That goes for both series - although the Ruth Galloway is released in the US on a much more timely basis than the Magic Men/Stephens and Mephisto series. Case in point, Vanishing Box was released in the UK in November 2017, but it was just recently added to Amazon US within the last few weeks. I preordered it from Book Depository (which is owned by Amazon). I can't stand to wait for them to come out in the US and Book Depository has free shipping so I import them!

Happy Valentine's Day, Ella.

>149 EllaTim: Yay!

>151 jnwelch: Another fan, and you are on nr 5 already, I will have to move nr 2 up in my planned reads.

>152 sirfurboy: Hi Stephen! Nice to see you, do you still have a thread in this group, I haven't seen you around.
Yes interesting idea certainly. Well it isn't a light read of course. But not totally hopeless and depressing as I feel it helps when people understand each other's histories, and what makes it so difficult to move beyond them.

>153 rretzler: Ah, Thanks for explaining! And I have a better idea of how much you like them now! (Will have to look this Book Depository up one of these days)

Have a Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

9. The Bottle Factory Outing by Beryl Bainbridge (UK) ****



Freda and Brenda spend their days working in an Italian-run wine- bottling factory. A work outing offers promise for Freda, and terror for Brenda, passions run high on that chilly day of freedom, and life after the outing never returns to normal.

One could call this book a comedy, but it's a special kind of comedy, sharp and wry, bleak and toe-curling.

Brenda and Freda are polar opposites in nearly everything. Freda is a dreamer and an optimistic schemer. Brenda is a pessimist and a born victim according to Freda. The outing turns into an unexpected disaster.

I wouldn't hesitate to read a next book by mrs Bainbridge!

>149 EllaTim: Tha is good news, Ella, happy to read there are also helpful librarians :-)
I had a very short visit to the library today, only returning my books and managed to take nothing home.

Hi Anita, yes, and I'm now enjoying my new cd.

So you resisted temptation?

>157 EllaTim: Yes I did resist, Ella, I am mighty proud of it. I did not even try to find one of the 137 books on my library wish list :-)
I keep trying to read as many own books I can. 328 childrens and YA books are waiting for years on the shelves. And I haven't even started to count the other unread books...

Ella, a little friendly Olympic rivalry! So Canada took the gold and silver in the 10,000-metre speed skating and 5,000 metre speed skating with Ted-Jan Bloemen. but I understand that he recently he immigrated to Canada from the Netherlands, so the victory is partly yours.

Yes, I had a look your grey herons and they seem quite bold and busy in the city. Ours are a little shyer and keep to themselves, but not our geese. I see the herons on my walks with Poppy, sometimes. They are quite darling.

>158 FAMeulstee: Oh what a library list, do you have it with you when you go to the library? But no, first your own books, I understand.

>159 vancouverdeb: Hi Deborah, it was a pity Kramer lost, but it's because of the history he has with it. Because friendly competition is what the games are for! So it's good there is some competition. At the last games the Olympic committee wanted to throw the 10.000 m out, because it was only interesting for the Dutch they said, so now that has changed.

>158 FAMeulstee: Yes, it is a long list, mainly because of all the recommendations here. I don't have to take it with me, I can always log in and check it at one of the computers at the library.

Bird Backyard garden count. I had never heard of this, but saw it in Marc's thread. We were at the allotment today, with wonderful sunny weather, and heard and saw some birds. I did not count as we were busy, but we heard or saw the following:

- a pair of mallards
- two oystercatchers flying over calling loudly, the first of the year
- European blue tit singing
- Great tit, singing
- Song Thrush, singing
- great spotted woodpecker, calling and drumming
- and a Eurasian collared dove at the feeding table, with a Robin

Still frost expected the coming week, but today an early spring feel in the air. Snowdrops and the first flowering celandines.

I'm having a bit of a reading slump, I had started on The Taxidermist's Daughter by Kate Mosse. I had read good things about her books, but I'm not happy with this one.
It seems to be a thriller. The author writes about the girl, who is taking over her father's job, cutting up birds. It's not that I'm squeamish about that but the way Kate Moses describes this is making me think this will be another of those horrible serial killer cutting up victim novels. Yuck.
Have not decided to go on reading or leave it.

Hope the reading slump is not a lasting one, Ella.

I am trying to get my LT mojo back after a tough month or so.

Hi Paul, nice to see you! Hope you get your mojo back. And that work goes a bit more smoothly, being busy is good but it wasn't all smooth sailing I understand.

Hi Ella!

>162 EllaTim: What a great bird count. Good for you.

>163 EllaTim: Sorry that you're in a bit of a reading slump. I hope you can find something worthwhile very soon.

>162 EllaTim: Love the bird list, Ella. Good for you. Other than the ubiquitous mallards, I have never seen the rest of those birds.

I am off today for a holiday, so I plan on doing the bird count one more day.

>166 karenmarie: Hi Karen, all thanks to the sunny weather.

I've decided to let the The Taxidermist's Daughter go. I looked up some reviews and the plot is not going a way I will like.

>167 msf59: Hi Marc! It's surprising isn't it, how different the bird populations are, I have to look up your birds. Though I can recognise some birds as related to ours, like those woodpeckers, they are still different species.

Have fun counting!

Great list of birds, Ella!

I think it's really interesting to see your related but different species. I've been (slowly!) reading The Beak of the Finch which addresses the forces that split groups into new species and sometimes bring them back again.

I think I'll follow this up with Oliver Sack's book Island of the Color Blind which apparently addresses traits in human populations in the islands in the South Pacific. It also fits into the Non-Fiction Travel challenge next month.

Hi, Ella.

I love your >162 EllaTim: post. Sounds idyllic. What a variety of birds.

Forgive my across-the-pond ignorance - what is "the allotment"?

>163 EllaTim: I don't blame you for not wanting to read The Taxidermist's Daughter - I'm not a big fan of thrillers, either, nor of books with a lot of gore and violence. For me to read a book like that, it needs to have a redeeming feature that will make me look past all of the gore.

Big waves from Davos.

>169 streamsong: Evolution is fascinating. The book by Olivier Sacks sounds interesting. I have read one of his books before The man who mistook his wife for a hat. He seems to be a good writer, so I'll be waiting for your review!

>170 jnwelch: Allotment garden=community garden. Originally meant for working class people to grow some extra food. But nowadays a refuge for city folks who don't have a garden. Mine is on the outskirts of town. Call it a datsja, but think a lot smaller.

I'm very happy with mine, though it is still smaller than a Tiny house.

>171 rretzler: Same for me Robin, but I didn't see the redeeming feature here. Found something more interesting in the meantime.

>172 Ameise1: Hi Barbara, waving back to you on your mountain.

>170 jnwelch: Thanks, Ella. The word is new to me for this, but your own garden like that sounds great.

It looks like we are getting some winter late in the season, Ella. Next week will be way to cold to work outside.
I noticed in my garden the first color of the crocuses, hints of yellow and purple between the leaves.

>175 FAMeulstee: I heard something like -10. Today was a nice day but cold. Maybe we'll plan a museum visit, nice and warm inside.
Lovely those crocuses! We heard the birds singing today.

Had a bout of insomnia last night, the kind where you wake up early and start worrying.
Lesson: don't read facebook right before bedtime. I can worry about world problems and about neighbourhood stuff, and everything in between. Tonight i composed an email to one of the city councellors, will I send it, I don't know.

Of course I turned to reading, and so I finished:

10. Hoe duur was de suiker by Cynthia McLeod (Surinam) ***1/2
(Translated as The Cost of Sugar)



A historical novel, about Surinam in colonial times (end 18th century).

The story tells about the life of two stepsisters, Elsa and Sarith. The one is kind and goodhearted, the other beautiful and spoiled.
Love life, jealousy, society, slavery, all aspects of Surinam society in those times that are touched upon. Plantation life, the dutch planters and their slaves. The awful way that people could treat their slaves. Though in the novel not every white person is bad, some definitely are very cruel in their treatment of their black slaves. Part of the novel concerns the rebellion of black people, who ran away to the jungle, made villages there, and became a problem for their white so called masters.

The novel is really the most interesting because of how well the author shows the workings of society, what Surinam was like in those days. This is all depicted in a very lively fashion and well worth reading.

>177 EllaTim: Sorry to read you suffered from insomnia, Ella. Trying to avoid things that make you worry before bedtime might be better then. At least you finished a book :-)

Hi Anita, thanks, and yes, a book I liked!

Reading now
The shape of water


I'm on page 20, and wow it's good!

>179 EllaTim: Ah, the first Montalbano, nice! I have been looking for that one, but my library doesn't have it. I have read two short Montalbano prequels last year.

>179 EllaTim: Oh, I'm a big Montalbano fan, Ella. I hope you have a good time with The Shape of Water.

Here is another Montalbano fan. Enjoy it.

Thanks Anita, And Joe, And Barbara. I'm definitely enjoying the Montalbano. The first of a series, so there's more to come.

Anita, my library has only two copies as well. But lots of people love this series, could you request your library buy this first book?

We went to the allotment yesterday. There's real frost coming, we had to go check everything to prepare. But on the way I saw a couple of Nile Geese with a chick, one day old, I think. Silly buggers, pardon the word, but I don't think it will survive the cold :-(

Happy Sunday, Ella. I am also a fan of the Montalbano series and have read the first 6. I should get back to them, but there are so many.

Hope you are having a good weekend.

>183 EllaTim: Requesting books should be possible. I never did before, so I have to look up how I should do it. I better wait a while, as I am a bit unstable at the moment and would feel very sad if they refuse.

Poor baby goose, not a good time right now.

>184 msf59: Hi Marc, happy Sunday to you too. So many good books, it's a problem isn't it?

>185 FAMeulstee: I have never requested a book too. I do see other people in LT do so, but I never even thought of it. I can understand your reluctance, hope you feel better soon!

11. De vorm van water by Andrea Camilleri (Italy) ****
(English title The shape of water)

A very good police story. Montalbano is a police officer on the island of Sicily. The story starts with two garbage man finding a dead man. It looks like a natural death, but Montalbano has suspicions about it.

What follows is an interesting story. A good view into Italian society, and a complex resolution.

I thought it was really good, the people are real individuals, Montalbano is a likeable guy, and the view of Italian society is interesting, though pretty negative.

Reading now, obviously a real Classic, two Introductions and a Note on the text, before I could start reading the actual book;-)

Happy Wednesday, Ella. It's freezing cold here too.

>189 Ameise1: Hi Barbara! It might be colder at your place! But it has been snowing here, and it is looking beautiful. I might even go out, later.

Down and Out is really good, but i nearly put it down after the first very unpalatable chapter, what was that about? Now I'm enjoying it though, it contains some dangerous passages for anyone who likes to eat in a restaurant. Can I ask to be allowed to inspect the kitchen next time I do? I have paid a visit to the kitchen in the restaurant in my street, and was unpleasantly surprised by the smell.

It's really cold today. I just came home. Went to the allotment this afternoon, and fed the birds.
We saw a lot of birds as well, because of the cold. We have some ponds, that don't freeze, ideal for water birds that want some open water.

So we saw two special birds, a Kingfisher, and a Jack Snipe. The last one I'm not really certain of, they're rare, and we could have seen it better. But the first is absolutely certain.

>191 EllaTim: Kingfishers are so beautiful, Ella, with their vivid colors they always make me happy when I see one.
I had to look up the Jack Snipe, I have never seen them. They seem to be around in this the time of year.

>191 EllaTim: Beautiful photo of a kingfisher. Where I grew up we had a small river where I walk along for going at school. On a regulary basis I so a kingfisher.
Sweet Thursday from snowy Zürich.

>192 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita, Yes, I love seeing them too.
The Jack Snipe was not the first time for me, but it must have been at least twenty years ago.

>193 Ameise1: Such a small river must be just the thing for a kingfisher, with clear streaming water, I suppose? Nice.

And a good day to you, both.

No snow here today, but very cold, with strong wind from the east. Went out to feed the birds again. Just this couple of days, till the worst has passed. We saw the kingfisher again, and lots old ducks. skating kids on a flooded pasture. And that in the icy cold, brrr, not for me.

12. Schildpadden tot in het oneindige by John Green ***

I need an audiobook to listen to, or I won't manage to do the exercises I have to do for my bad back. So this was my audio for the last weeks. And I know lots of people loved this book, but I didn't.

I didn't hate it, or I wouldn't have finished it, but I really didn't like the reader. (Dutch translation, this doesn't pertain to any English reader). I felt annoyed by her voice and her reading, and maybe as a consequence I felt annoyed by the OCD thoughts of Asa. And they form a large part of the story

I don't feel I can do the book justice, so I'll leave the review.

Hi Ella!

Wow, what a gorgeous Kingfisher. Our Belted Kingfishers are drab compared to yours. Jack Snipe was new to me, and they are so cute with that long bill and beautiful markings. And the Nile Geese are so distinctive. I love looking up the birds you mention.

I only listen to audiobooks in my car, but the idea of listening to one while doing exercises is a good one. I might rearrange some things in my Retreat to get a good routine going and start listening too.

>191 EllaTim: We have a Kingfisher here too, it can often be seen around our rockpools.

Sadly this is not my photo (it was taken by Robert Hart):

Hi, Ella! Love your bird pics and lists of sightings. So envious - my own backyard is a wasteland. Even the squirrels have deserted it. I'm preparing a bird feeding station and hope to get and keep lots of birds over the year.

Loving the bird pics!

>196 karenmarie: Hi Karen, yes they are lovely, our most colourful bird. I look up your birds as well, it's fun to do.

For me, it really helps to have something to listen to, I can get very impatient otherwise.

>197 sirfurboy: Hi Stephen, what a wonderful photo. And would it be fishing in salt water then?

>198 Storeetllr: Hi Mary, even the squirrels have deserted it, must be really bad. A feeder station is a great help for the birds, but in weather like this I must feed every day, the birds get used to it.

>199 thornton37814: Hi Lori!

>200 EllaTim: Yes, this kingfisher can be seen fishing in both salt water rockpools and the nearby freshwater rivers.

>201 sirfurboy: Nice! I have always only known them to fish in fresh water, most typical the small river Barbara mentioned.

I listened to a chapter of the book by Nooteboom I have been reading (listening to) since January. It's been slow going, partly due to the library app, that will revert to the beginning of a chapter when I have stopped reading halfway through, partly to the reader, who seems to think he's reading poetry in Spanish, add to that Nooteboom's flowery descriptions.

But it seems I'm finally getting the necessary click with it, and starting to like it. He knows a lot about Spanish history, and when he's talking about a place he's visiting he can tell so much. It is a pity there are no pictures in an audiobook.

Hi, Ella. I just put the Montalbano series on my TBR list after discovering them at the library when I was looking for the first Gianrico Carofiglio book for the two Guidos group read. Glad to hear that it has so much love!

Hi Robin, I hope you like it. I just looked up your Gianrico Carofiglio, and he's on my TBR list now. Thanks for the recommendation!

13. Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell, (UK) *****

Written in 1933, during the crisis. Orwell writes about his experiences as a homeless person first in Paris then in London.

In Paris he finds a friend, and after nearly starving they manage to find jobs in a hotel. Not the coveted job of a waiter, no, washing dishes, making the breakfast etc. They are paid and don't starve, but they work all day, for very long hours. Don't read about what that means when it comes to hygiene for instance. But it will have improved.

In London he becomes a tramp, wandering from sleeping house to sleeping house, as tramps are not allowed to sleep for more than one night in the same place. There's charity, and it's taken and resented.

It sounds bleak, and it is, but Orwell is such a good writer that I kept on reading anyway. He spends some time wondering about the use and necessity of this inhumane treatment of people. He made me think about it all.

Here in Amsterdam more people are homeless than there used to be. The crisis, people from Eastern Europe, refugees who haven't gotten a status and are supposed to return to their home country but can't.

The Amsterdam Rekenkamer has made a report about it recently, the director says there that the quality of a society can be measured by how it deals with its weakest members, and I quite agree with that.

>205 EllaTim: Good review, Ella, added to my library wishlst.
I completely agree with the director of the Rekenkamer in Amsterdam!

Hi Anita, thanks, it was certainly worth while, and a fast read. I like Orwell, and plan to read more by him.

14 Epitaph for a spy by Eric Ambler (UK) ***1/2



This was a light and fast read. A spy novel, of course. But it reminded me a lot of Agatha Christie. The settings, of a hotel near Nice, a small set of suspects, and the protagonist, mr Vadassy, who made me think of captain Hastings ;-)

Mr. Vadassy is a languages teacher in Paris (in 1937). He goes on holiday to a hotel near Toulon. After just one day there he is arrested by the police, they think he is a spy. He protests, and they agree to temporarily release him if he will work with them to uncover the real spy, who must be one of the other hotel guests.

The novel follows Vadassy's thoughts and actions, he tries to be clever, but it doesn't really work out.

I always thought Eric Ambler wrote hard-boiled spy and crime fiction, but to my relief this book is just enjoyable, Christie-like, and not hard-boiled at all. Ambler writes well. A film was made of this book, and I can imagine why as I could picture everything before my minds eye very easily.

Hi Ella!

>208 EllaTim: Books that remind one of Agatha Christie sound intriguing!

Hi Karen. Yes, I was surprised by it as well, but I did see a certain similarity, though there are differences too of course. Try it and see what you think?

>191 EllaTim: I love kingfishers too. Ours are called belted kingfishers, but they look very similar.

>197 sirfurboy: Great photo.

Hi, Ella. Good review of the Orwell memoir. I really want to read that one. There are several of his NF books I want to get to.

A spy novel can be just the thing, Ella! Glad you enjoyed Epitaph for a Spy.

>211 msf59: Hi Marc! Kingfishers everywhere it seems. I like the Kookaburra as well, know it only from the zoo of course.
I'm going to read more Orwell too. It is a NF indeed, I hadn't thought of that. It's definitely lighter in tone than 1984, even with the bleak subject.

>212 vancouverdeb: Hi Deborah, spy novels are outside of my comfort zone, but I did like this one, for the BAC.

Today:



Must be spring.

I started in Reading Lolita in Teheran, but after the first chapter I'm thinking I should read Lolita first. So I have put it aside for the moment.

Lolita would be my first Nabokov and it has never appealed to me, but after the first beginning discussion in Reading Lolita in Teheran I started to think it could be interesting.

Beautiful picture, indeed a sign of spring!

>205 EllaTim: Orwell is a favorite of mine but I've never gotten around to reading that one - its been on my TBR for years. I suspect its because I knew it would be bleak - I can handle bleak fiction much better than bleak non-fiction!

>215 EllaTim: I too have been meaning to read Lolita one of these days. I wonder if anyone else would be interested and whether it could be a group read?

>217 rretzler: I don't know Robin. I would never have considered reading it, as I feel repelled by the subject. I'm not a literary reader, I like good writing, but I'm usually more interested in a good story, so I care about the subject of a book.

I had started on the first pages of Reading Lolita in Teheran and there the author talks about Lolita and draws a comparison to a totalitarian state. She talks about the women in her reading group and how they all have to wear veils and chadors and wear black.

I think I would be interested in a group read, but let me try a couple of pages first. I don't want to be stuck with a book I really don't like!

Have you read any Nabokov before? I haven't.

>218 EllaTim: (and >217 rretzler: )

I have never read Lolita either, and probably for the same reasons as you. I like a good story, and I think I would find Lolita disturbing, without obviously offering a good story.

Having said that, I do read out of my comfort zone too. I have recently finished one book I was somewhat disturbed by, and I have had another one on the go for some time that I cannot seem to finish because it too is disturbing... indeed distressing.

If there were a group read of Lolita I would be willing to join. I won't add it to my TBR otherwise though.

>214 EllaTim: LIKE!

Happy Friday, Ella. I have been meaning to read Reading Lolita in Teheran for years and I have read Lolita. I may be due a reread at some point.

>219 sirfurboy: Hi Stephen. I do read outside of my comfort zone as well. But I find it hard to get over disturbing, or distressing, I tend to leave books like that to the side. Or quit halfway through. If Lolita were to be a group read I wouldn't want to lead it, as it would mean I can't quit anymore!

>220 msf59: Yes aren't they beautiful, very common birds here, but always a feast to sea.

I liked the first chapter of Reading Lolita in Teheran. When you have already read Lolita you might be interested in her take on it?

Woke up early, worry, worry. Sigh. Useless to try to sleep. I am looking for a book on the ecology of grassland. (when you can't sleep try to do something)

Needed to read something fun so I decided to participate in the group read of Robin Hobb's Assassin books.

Assassin's Apprentice


A reread of a book I loved first time I read it. Very satisfying.

>222 EllaTim: Sorry to read you woke up so early, Ella. And did you find a book about ecology of grassland?

>223 EllaTim: Great choice. I love Robin Hobb's work.

>224 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita. It's unfortunate, I wake up early and worry about the state of the world. Yes, I know, just one person, what can you do. But that's so frustrating to me.

I thought I found something good, a British book about all the things living in a meadow, but I seem to have lost the reference again. Will try to find it again.

>225 sirfurboy: Hi Stephen, you too, eh? I already finished my first, and want to do a reread of the whole trilogy.

15. Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb (UK) ****1/2

This was a very satisfying reread. A very good story, interesting world. It's such a rich book. Somehow it reminded me now of a pack of colourful Tarot cards. But the people are real and convincing.

Anyway, I feel I don't have to write a real review, as this is such a golden oldie. On to the next one.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the moment I'm putting aside both the Lolita's. I read some reviews about Reading Lolita in Teheran that said that they thought the book a bit dry, and that the author discusses a list of books, and that the reviewers felt they had to have read them. They came up with a list of names of books most of which i have not read. So it's not just Lolita, but more books. I would feel I was reading a prescribed reading list, and I like to make my own choices.

Reading now:

I saw a couple of trumpeter swans yesterday and today a bunch of little birds - I'm not sure what type. Maybe chickadees's or wrens? I'm not sure. Enjoy your new books!

Hi, Ella! Sorry about your early rising and worrying about world problems that you can't solve. I often do the same, mostly around 3 in the morning, but I find that listening to certain audiobooks can put me back to sleep again, so I keep my audiobook device near my pillow. Depending on the book, my dreams can be pretty weird, but it's so worth it to get enough sleep.

Lolita has never appealed to me so I haven't read it for much the same reasons as you gave for not wanting to read it. The only Russian lit I've ever read, in fact, is The Master and Margarita, which I really enjoyed a lot. I did try to read War and Peace last year but gave up after about 100 pages. It wasn't terrible, but I found it a bit boring, and I've been having trouble reading anyway since November of 2016, so I gave it up.

I haven't read the Hobb Assassin books but may try the first one on your recommendation.

Have a good week!

I want to read Lolita someday, if others want to join I am willing to put up a thread for a group read.
Maybe September or October?

I started the Dutch translation of Reading Lolita in Teheran in 2009, but abandoned it after 50 pages.

>227 EllaTim: Glad you liked Assassin's Apprentice, Ella. Are you going to continue with the series group read?

>231 FAMeulstee: Anita, I think I would like to join in a group read of Lolita - September or October would work for me.

>229 vancouverdeb: Hi Deb, nice to see trumpeter swans. They look beautiful. And the bunch of little birds, those are the hardest to see what they are.

>230 Storeetllr: Hi Mary. Yes, at three in the night everything seems more difficult. When I wake later I sometimes get up and make coffee. The audiobook solution is a help to me as well. I downloaded some meditation/relaxation tapes. Listening takes your mind off thinking;-)

I have read War and Peace, and liked it, but it was a big time investment. Started in The Master and Margarita but that didn't click with me.

>232 rretzler: Hi Anita, I think there were people interested. I can't say more than maybe, as I want to be able to quit reading when I really don't like it.

Ah, that's good to hear, although I liked the idea of the book, but maybe I can find an alternative for a book from Iran.

>233 EllaTim: Yes, certainly. I like Robin Hobb, and there are some new books out I haven't read yet:-) It's nice to have a group read to chat about the books.

>233 EllaTim: Group reads are not supposed to burden you, Ella, it can be just the nudge to get you started. And a bit of help by reading what others think about a book.
Everyone can opt out at any time, or return any time in the future :-)

>234 FAMeulstee: Thanks for the reassurance Anita:-)

>231 FAMeulstee: Okay, if you are willing to organise a group read, I will join that. Thanks Anita.

>228 EllaTim: As well as the Assassin's Apprentice trilogy, Robin Hobb has written many other follow on works all set in the same world and with the same characters. She only very recently brought this to a very satisfying conclusion. I think the Liveship Traders books are the next in the series. Plenty to enjoy there if you have not already found them.

I think Robin Hobb is especially good on characterisations, although her world building is second to none too and these are excellent stories.

>223 EllaTim: I have been wanting to read Hobb for years. I think I Assassin's Apprentice on shelf somewhere.

Happy Wednesday, Ella. I may be interested in a Lolita reread. Let's see how my fall reading schedule goes.

>236 sirfurboy: I saw that there are some new books out that I haven't read yet. So nice. I'm now on a Robin Hobb binge.

>237 msf59: You should definitely try her books, Marc. When you don't like Assassin's Apprentice she's obviously not for you, but I love her

Hi Ella!

I read Reading Lolita in Tehran for our book club in 2005. My notes say I finished it but didn't like it. Hmm. I can't remember anything about it.

I abandon books when they're not working for me. I'm glad you do the same. Too many books, too little time.

>239 karenmarie: Hi Karen!

Thanks for the confirmation. When you can't remember anything about it, that's not a good sign. I often forget the plot of books I read, but I will remember something, and I remember whether I liked it!

It's too bad, I liked the idea of the book, and the introduction.

Hi, Ella! Hope you are having a great weekend so far!

I also abandon books when they aren't working for me, except most of the time I (try to) finish early review books so I can write a legitimate review. Like Karen says, too many books and too little time!

Still reading Robin Hobb, part three.

And Nooteboom, De Omweg naar Santiago.



My reading of it is as slow as his road to Santiago. Still, Each time I feel I should do a reread as soon as I finished it, there's so much in it!

It's a sunny day here, but with wind coming directly from the North Pole. Off to the allotment anyway.

>242 EllaTim: I hope to get to Omweg naar Santiago this year, Ella, I bet walking to Santiago de Compostella would take you even longer ;-)

>241 Storeetllr: Hi Mary! Thanks! Yes, I get the wanting to write a legitimate review, but I could imagine that a book is so bad, you just couldn't finish it, than my feeling would be that it would be a legitimate review to write that. :-)

>243 FAMeulstee: Hm, I have thought about it, there is something attractive about a pilgrimage. But I know I would be very slow... Yes, you should certainly try it, it's a really good combination of art and history, and more. But it did take me some time to get into it.

Bookweek over and now I know what book I'd like to buy...
Alle Vogels by Koos van Zomeren, illustrated by Erik van Ommen

All the bird stories by Koos van Zomeren, with drawings by Erik van Ommen.

Have a look at Erik van Ommen at work here:
https://youtu.be/Cjv5466IWJ4

Maybe wait for next years Bookweek, Ella? ;-)
The book by Koos van Zomeren looks good, I will look for it at the library.

On birdbooks: I grew up with Zien is kennen! and now I have Vogels van West- en Midden-Europa, and the two books by Kester Freriks Vogels kijken : alle driehonderd Nederlandse vogelsoorten and Het nieuwe vogels kijken. Tweehonderd en meer zeldzame vogelsoorten in de Lage Landen

>246 FAMeulstee: There's still a birthday in between, or the library;-)

Oh, a birdbook comparison. Oke, I grew up without birdbooks, but I now have a nice collection:
Gids voor de vogels van Europa, my oldest with notes of where and when I saw a bird.

Sijsjes en Drijfsijsjes, the birds of Amsterdam, with notes about the birds and where they can be found in or around Amsterdam, and lots of background information.

Het Vogeljaar en Vogelzang by Thijsse, I like the last one, as it helped me a lot to learn to recognise birds by their songs.

and my latest buy ANWB vogelgids van Europa.

The last is very thorough, but I usually take my oldest book with me, because I know it so well. And I'm really not a very good birder, it's nice to see something rare, but I'm not travelling hours to do so.

I know and like Vogels van West- en Midden-Europa, I like that series, good and accessible information. I don't know the two by Kester Freriks.

But nowadays I will often check waarneming.nl or birdpix.nl. The last site has some very good photographers.

>247 EllaTim: The ANWB vogelgids van Europa is very high rated on LT, I will look for it at the library.
I won't travel to see birds either, but I like to identify the birds I happen to see.

With most of the mobile phones having internet access, you don't need to carry a book around. I sometimes check waarneming.nl when I think I saw a very rare bird, to see if others also saw it.

>248 FAMeulstee: Good idea to try it from the library. I know it is high rated, that's why I bought it. But I now find the layout, with lots of fine print on a page, too daunting. I don't like using it. But that's a very personal thing, maybe it won't bother you at all.

Nice day at the allotment today. Bit of sun, warm enough to sit in it. Some birds at the feeding table, the doves already rookooing and showing off.

Reading part 3 Assassin's Quest. Still enjoying it, but a bit bothered, because of the reread I'm doing I know that the part I'm reading now will not end well for Fitz! (Again, he's very unlucky)

Oh, go " crazy', Ella, like the rest of us and purchase the book you are wanting. No waiting, you deserve a treat!

"Some birds at the feeding table, the doves already rookooing and showing off." Hooray for the birds!

Happy Wednesday, Ella. Hope the week is going well.

Hi Ella!

I hope you're having a good week.

I haven't done any traveling yet to see birds, but am interested in doing so. I just need to find out what's going on in my county. We're near a very large reservoir (about 20 miles away), and I know they get a lot of waterfowl and bald eagles over there. Right now we're getting a tiny bit of snow and the birds are anxiously queuing up at my feeders.

>250 vancouverdeb: Hi Deborah, I had a treat today, a day out with an old friend, and lots of laughing and talking, and nice weather and all. But for book buying I have to be careful. My book cases are bulging with books doubled up on the shelves. It doesn't matter, enough to read from the library.

>251 msf59: Hi Mark! Nice week, had a good day out. My friend and I had a laugh, we saw this gray bird sitting on a fence, maybe a buzzard. We sneaked up on it very slowly and carefully, afraid it would fly away, then suddenly we were close enough to get a really good view, and it turned out to be made of wood. What a cheat!

>252 karenmarie: Hi Karen! Feeder buzzing with activity, those small birds have to eat a lot when it's cold, so they're extra hungry.
A reservoir with bald eagles, wow. Do they breed there? Must be worth while to go out and see.

Listening to
Het Dovemansorendieet by Maarten 't Hart



Dutch, no translation. Title would loosely translate to "The Deafmansears diet"

Read by Hanneke Groenteman, who is an excellent reader.

The chapter I'm reading now is pretty funny, about his family' diet, when the author was a child (brown beans with molasses, buckwheat groats, no wonder they were all so skinny). It's funniest when you can picture the author with it;-)

I'm having a busy time, with more to do, than I like, leaving me with little energy for LT. So sorry when I'm less active than I have been.

>254 EllaTim: Yes, lots of humor in that book, Ella.
I don't do audio books, but Hanneke Groenteman reading this one sound tempting!

16. Het Dovemansorendieet by Maarten 't Hart (dutch) ****

A fast and funny read, but interesting as well. A mixture of fact and autiobiographical fiction (it's always a bit unclear how serious he is, how much is exaggeration).

He talks about food and weight, but uses it as well to tell about his childhood experiences with eating. Growing up in the forties and fifties in a rather poor and religious family. It's interesting to compare and think back on my own upbringing.

Contradicting himself nicely, as one of the principles of his proposed diet is that nothing should taste too good, going on to talk about how good some things taste, and his efforts to learn how to cook well.

He always takes a refreshing point of view as he likes to go against dogma's, and sacred cows.

So, eat the core of your apples as well, and where have all the good apples gone?

17. Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb, fantasy (UK) ****1/2

I'm going to be lazy and skip the review. It was a reread for me, and I enjoyed it tremendously, with now and then a bit of slogging, because there are parts where things are really bad for Fitz, the protagonist.