Paul C Back to Basics in 2019 Part 6

This will be the month that we find new digs and say goodbye to our home at Kampung Warisan after an amazing 17 years. We all felt that it is time for a change.

I am Paul Cranswick, sometime group statistician, Malaysian correspondent - construction project manager and avid book accumulator.

Father of three - Yasmyne, Kyran and Belle - the first two already studying in university in the UK and hopeful of a return to the UK in the none too distant future.

Had a tough few years and this affected badly my reading last year which was the first that I have failed to reach 100 books. This year - hope springs eternal so let's see.

2019 Books

January

1. Findings by Kathleen Jamie BIAC
2. Black Robe by Brian Moore
3. Love on the Dole by Walter Greenwood
4. Football in Sun and Shadow by Eduardo Galeano
5. The Rider by Tim Krabbe

February

6. Exercises in Style by Raymond Queneau
7. My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok (AAC)
8. The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker (BIAC)
9. A Thief in the Village by James Berry
10. The House of Arden by E. Nesbit (BIAC)

March

11. The Hanging Garden by Ian Rankin (BIAC)
12. Still Midnight by Denise Mina (BIAC)
13. Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
14. Naomi by Junichiro Tanizaki
15. The Room on the Roof by Ruskin Bond
16. A Place of Execution by Val McDermid (BIAC)
17. Just William by Richmal Crompton

April

18. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne (BIAC)
19. The War with the Newts by Karel Capek
20. This Earth of Mankind by Pramoedya Ananta Toer
21. Came a Hot Friday by Ronald Hugh Morrieson
22. Petersburg by Andrei Bely

May

23. Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward (AAC)
24. The Four Feathers by A.E.W. Mason (BIAC)
25. In the American Grain by William Carlos Williams
26. The Bamboo Stalk by Saud Alsnousi
27. Soldiers of Salamis by Javier Cercas
28. Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangaremba
29. Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie

June

30. Friedrich by Hans Peter Richter
31. The Bride Price by Buchi Emecheta
32. Story of a Secret State by Jan Karski

BRITISH ISLES AUTHOR THEME CHALLENGE 2019



January 2019 - The Natural World https://www.librarything.com/topic/296824#6632759
February 2019 - Pat Barker and Peter F. Hamilton
March 2019 - The Murderous Scots https://www.librarything.com/topic/296824#6637458
April 2019 - Rosamond Lehmann and John Boyne
May 2019 - The Edwardians https://www.librarything.com/topic/299559#6656870
June 2019 - Nicola Barker and Wilkie Collins
July 2019 - YA Fantasy Series https://www.librarything.com/topic/299559#6660927
August 2019 - Anita Brookner and Jim Crace
September 2019 - Biography and Memoir https://www.librarything.com/topic/299559#6674204
October 2019 - Rose Tremain and Louis de Bernieres
November 2019 -The Jewish Contribution https://www.librarything.com/topic/301575#6688724
December 2019 - Zadie Smith and Michael Morpurgo
WILDCARD - Back to the Beginning - LIVELY and ISHIGURO

Here is a link to the thread:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/301916

American Author Challenge



American Author Challenge 2019

I will be joining Linda's challenge where I can this year and have started:

January 2019 - Chaim Potok - My Name is Asher Lev
February 2019 - Louisa M Alcott
March 2019 - Jon Clinch
April 2019 - Jesmyn Ward - Sing, Unburied, Sing

CHALLENGE - A BOOK A YEAR SINCE 1900

120 books in this challenge so I am going to have to do much better than last year!

To date : 32/120

1902 - The Four Feathers
1908 - The House of Arden
1916 - Petersburg
1922 - Just William
1924 - Naomi
1925 - In the American Grain
1933 - Love on the Dole
1936 - The War with the Newts
1941 - Evil Under the Sun
1944 - Story of a Secret State
1947 - Exercises in Style
1950 - Pippi Longstocking
1956 - The Room on the Roof
1961 - Friedrich
1964 - Came a Hot Friday
1972 - My Name is Asher Lev
1975 - This Earth of Mankind
1976 - The Bride Price
1978 - The Rider
1985 - Black Robe
1987 - Thief in the Village
1988 - Nervous Conditions
1995 - Football in Sun and Shadow
1998 - The Hanging Garden
1999 - A Place of Execution
2001 - Soldiers of Salamis
2005 - Findings
2006 - The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
2009 - Still Midnight
2012 - The Bamboo Stalk
2017 - Sing, Unburied, Sing
2018 - The Silence of the Girls

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 BOOKS

Third attempt at this tough challenge which I have failed miserably at twice.


Create Your Own Visited Countries Map

1. United Kingdom Kathleen Jamie
2. Canada Brian Moore
3. Uruguay Eduardo Galeano
4. Netherlands Tim Krabbe
5. France Raymond Queneau
6. USA Chaim Potok
7. Jamaica James Berry
8. Sweden Astrid Lindgren
9. Japan Junichiro Tanizaki
10. India Ruskin Bond
11. Ireland John Boyne
12. Czechia Karel Capek
13. Indonesia Pramoedya Ananta Toer
14. New Zealand Ronald Hugh Morrieson
15. Russia Andrei Bely
16. Kuwait Saud Alsanousi
17. Spain Javier Cercas
18. Zimbabwe Tsitsi Dangarembga
19. Germany Hans Peter Richter
20. Nigeria Buchi Emecheta
21. Poland Jan Karski

May Reading Plan

Double your number.

I got through April reading 22 books and I aim to double that in the next 31 days:

This is the plan:

1 The Four Feathers by AEW Mason (1902) BIAC COMPLETED
2 The Nebuly Coat by John Meade Falkner (1903) BIAC
3 Hadrian the Seventh by Frederick Rolfe (1904) BIAC
4. The Lake by George Moore (1905) BIAC
5. Eminent Victorians by Lytton Strachey (1918)
6. Storm of Steel by Ernst Junger (1920) GERMANY
7. Zeno's Conscience by Italo Svevo (1923) ITALY
8. In the American Grain by William Carlos Williams (1925) COMPLETED
9. Journey by Moonlight by Antal Szerb (1937) HUNGARY
10. Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie (1941) COMPLETED
11. Unknown Soldiers by Vaino Linna (1954) FINLAND
12. Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon by Jorge Amado (1958) BRAZIL
13. The Last Battle by Cornelius Ryan (1966)
14. Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay (1967) AUSTRALIA
15. Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga (1988) ZIMBABWE COMPLETED
16. The General in his Labyrinth by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (1989) COLOMBIA
17. Soldiers of Salamis by Javier Cercas (2001) SPAIN COMPLETED
18. The Last Gift by Abdulrazak Gurnah (2011) TANZANIA
19. The Bamboo Stalk by Saud Alsanousi (2012) KUWAIT COMPLETED
19. Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi (2013) IRAQ
21. Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward (2017) AAC COMPLETED
22. We, the Survivors by Tash Aw (2019) MALAYSIA

12 countries to add to the Around the World in 80 Books

Some of them have been started already.

Currently Reading

The Bamboo Stalk John Adams In the American Grain

Next is yours

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread!

>10 PaulCranswick: Thank you Anita.

>11 figsfromthistle: Thanks Amanda

I'm happy to get here at least once....
I wish you well with the WCWilliams. I have long enjoyed his poetry (which means that he probably wasn't very good). I'll look forward to your thoughts!
Wishing you equilibrium and good reading and reporting on this thread!

>14 LizzieD: Lovely to see you, Peggy. I am just over halfway through In the American Grain and it is an unusual, lyrical assortment of vignettes on the development of the American continent.

Simon Armitage has been named UK Poet Laureate in succession to Carol Ann Duffy.
I am pleased by the choice as he is my favourite poet still writing alongside Don Paterson.

All being well his tenure will be for the next ten years.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/may/10/simon-armitage-poet-laureate

Happy new thread and happy new digs, Paul!

Love the topper.

Pretty topper! Happy Sunday, and new thread.

>16 PaulCranswick: I haven't read any of his original work, but I enjoyed his translations of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and The Death of King Arthur.

Happy New Thread!

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread and happy weekend, Paul!

>17 BLBera: Thanks Beth. I am looking forward to a new start at the end of the month. We will also go to the UK in June for Yasmyne's graduation.

>18 richardderus: Thank you RD.

>19 amanda4242: Accessible poet, Amanda. Only poet to challenge him for me is Don Paterson.

>20 mahsdad: Thanks Jeff

>21 quondame: Thank you Susan.

>22 bell7: Thanks Mary. I am almost halfway into my weekend.

Happy new one, Paul. In your topper, you mention heading back to the UK this month. I hadn't realized it was so soon! All settled then?

>1 PaulCranswick: I'm so glad to hear that your long-awaited goal of moving to UK is finally coming to pass!

>1 PaulCranswick: So Mr, more about the move please. I assume it's not back to the UK this time.

Happy new thread! Moving all of your books must be a daunting prospect — I know it is for me every time I move!

I think you will like the books Outlander much better than the TV series. The books are historical fiction in the same vein as the great historical epic series from the 1970’s and 80’s. They are not romance novels - even though that is the way they were marketed when the first one was published in 1992.

They have gotten progressively longer with each book. The last one was over 1,000 pages. There is a huge amount of historical information in the books that ranges from all sorts of medical practices from the 1700’s into how the tradition of making whisky/moonshine came to the Appalachian mountains of the U.S. In-other-words, do not underestimate these books. They are not the fluff of the TV show.

And that little wimp of an actor who is attempting to play Jamie Fraser is not the man described in the books. Neither is the woman who plays Claire. Where is all the red hair for Jamie and the wild curly mess that is Claire’s? That actor might make a good James Bond, but he is NOT Jamie Fraser.

>26 jessibud2: Thanks Shelley. No it is an initial trip and to enjoy Yasmyne's graduation.

>27 Morphidae: It is moving in the right direction, Morphy at least.

>28 Caroline_McElwee: No Caroline, you are right. We are moving condos in KL as a clean start for all of us and I am in positive discussions about moving back to the UK before long. In June when I go back I am hoping to finalise these discussions and set a clear timetable.

>29 foggidawn: Yes it is Foggi! We have had a few discussions on this already!

>30 benitastrnad: Pleased by your comments on the books, Benita, but do feel that you are a tad unkind both to the actor playing Jamie Fraser (plenty of red hair surely) as well as to the series which I think is absorbing and not to fluffy. I do think he'd be a good James Bond.

Oh my word! Yasmyne is graduating already???? How can this be?????? Did she double up on classes or something????????? What are her plans for next year???????
Congratulations all around!

Happy new thread Paul, good luck with the move.

Happy New Thread, Paul. Wow, moving house! That's a major thing. Are you downsizing as your kids are off in the UK, or are you just wanting to pull up stakes for a new place ? Congratulations on Yasmyne's graduation! Will she be moving back to KL, or staying in the UK? What a lot of change ahead of you.

Happy new thread! Good luck in your move this month. Do you already have a new place picked out?

Hi Paul, happy new thread mate. Not a bad result for your boys yesterday in the first leg of the play-off semi-final and I think you will progress to the final at Wembley against Aston Villa as I think they will complete the job against West Brom.

I see that you have picked up the First Outlander book, I love these books and have read the first seven of them with the next one and the Lord John series on the shelf awaiting me. I paid a visit to the Hospice shop yesterday and added another six books to the pile, two admittedly are Cricket books and so that collection is now up to around 420 books. My collections seem to be building and the Fountain pen collection has three more added due to a purchase from a friend on the Fountain Pen UK group selling a few off, two of them will be Father's Day presents to ease my conscience a bit, what am I saying, I wanted them, end of. The pen collection now stands at 120 and there are still a few I would like but they are price dependent and my Grail pen will have to wait, that is a tad too expensive.

Hope all is well at Chez Cranswick and you have had a good weekend mate. Sending love and hugs to you, Hani and the kids from both of us, dear friend.

>33 PaulCranswick:

Our (usually = one of the Lord John spin-offs has him as a conservative wanker)
beloved Jamie of the book is repeatedly described as THE TALLEST MAN in any crowd.

Most of us wanted a younger version of most everyone's favorite TALL Scotsman, courtesy of The Phantom.

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Paul!

>39 m.belljackson:
YOU GOT IT! Clearly you have read the books. Jamie is not only described as being tall - he is also huge, as in muscular. The actor that plays him is far to slight. In the books his hair is described as dark red. Clearly not ginger.

Also, Claire's hair is described as wildly curly and very unruly.

All this is one reason why the books are better than the movie versions. Movies are usually a dim reflection of the books.

>34 LizzieD: Well because she did so well in her foundation year she was allowed to go straight to the second year in University, Peggy. She is a studious wee thing! She is thinking of taking a job in Denmark but has yet to confirm it.

>35 fairywings: Thank you, Adrienne. We have a lot of work to do.

>36 vancouverdeb: The place isn't smaller really, Deb, but is a bit newer and fresher. Yasmyne will come back for the end of Ramadan but her long term plans are not in Malaysia, I believe.

>37 ChelleBearss: SWMBO has chosen the place, Chelle. I just do what I'm told and try to negotiate the best deal.

>38 johnsimpson: It was a very good performance and an excellent result at Derby but a slender lead nonetheless in this very unpredictable league. Hopefully we can go on to Wembley and thereafter back to the EPL.

420 is your TBR pile? Mine is 4000+!

120 pens is impressive though, mate and I have to say that I have the habit of losing pens far too easily.

Best wishes right back at you and Karen.

>39 m.belljackson: In fairness Marianne, the actor is pretty tall (everyone seems tall to me anyway!) and I thought he cut a pretty impressive figure.

>40 drneutron: Thanks Jim

>41 banjo123: Thank you, Rhonda

>42 benitastrnad: I wouldn't argue, Benita, that books are often a pale imitation of the book (s), but I will stick to my opinion that the two actors in the lead roles do a fair job whether they are a complete and accurate re-creation of their "image" from the books. Claire is described as having light brown unruly locks and the actress's hair is raven black but a wee bit unruly.

The Times (London of course not New York) has compiled a list of the 100 Best Crime and Thrillers since 1945.

Seem to have chosen 1 per author which I like but have cheated a little by including both Barbara Vine and Ruth Rendall who were one and the same person.

Also feel that some of my favourites have been unduly overlooked. Ambler, MacLean, Innes, Bagley etc are all overlooked completely.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-best-crime-novels-thrillers-agatha-christ...

I have only read 26 of those listed.

>47 PaulCranswick: Ah yes, the Times of London...where one can read the first para of an article for free! Want the rest? Subscribe.

Happy New Thread, Paul! Wishing you much luck discovering and moving in to your new abode!

Happy New Thread, buddy! I look forward to seeing your new digs when the time comes.

Unfortunately, the Times won't let me read the list in >47 PaulCranswick: unless I subscribe. Is the American James Crumley on there? He's a good one who isn't as well known as he might be.

>45 PaulCranswick:

Dude! Stand him side-by-side with Gerard Butler!

Hey Paul! Happy New Thread!

Wow - Yasmyne graduating and a move in the offing. Exciting times ahead! How do you feel about Yasmyne considering Denmark?

>7 PaulCranswick: I think your world map is looking quite good! I have been working on mine for ten years or so .... What is your yearly goal that you say you have failed at so miserably?

>45 PaulCranswick:, Hi Paul, the TBR pile currently stands at 2530 books, the Cricket book collection is separate and that stands at 420 books although half of them could be added to the TBR pile so effectively that would be 2740.

>48 richardderus: Shit! I forgot about that, RD. I will schedule out their selections for the group's delectation.

>49 Carmenere: Thank you, Lynda. Hani has asked me to move forward the move a little as Erni (our maid and Princess Arabica) is going home to her small Indonesian island for the post Ramadan holidays.

>50 jnwelch: Let me have a look and reproduce the list, Joe. It is slightly (but only slightly) UK centric but there are some interesting picks, I think.

>51 m.belljackson: Now Butler is an actor I like! He would do as Bond too.

>52 streamsong: Thank you Janet. I am ok with her choosing to try Denmark (if she does) as I just want her to be happy. We will more than likely be back in Europe soon so the small distances involved in Europe don't daunt us much anymore.

My challenge is to do the 80 books in a year, Lynda!

>53 johnsimpson: I thought it would be more along those lines, John!

Book #25



In the American Grain by William Carlos Williams

Date Published : 1925 (25 of 120)
Origin of Author : USA
Pages : 234 (7,378 in total)

In reality a series of essays by Williams on American history and the continent not just the USA. Hit and miss a little but lyrical and just occasionally magical.

Most enjoyed his defence of Aaron Burr.

>57 PaulCranswick: YAY! You picked my favorite piece too.

>59 PaulCranswick: Very interesting fellow, Aaron Burr. Had Jefferson not been such a spoilsport trying to force a treason conviction with doctored letters, he could have been Emperor of Mexico!

Not a huge fan of Jefferson with his dictum of "all men are created equal", sitting unpalatably alongside slave ownership and the fathering of numerous children by one of theses slaves Sally Hemings.

Happy New thread, Paul. I was out of town for a few days and I am catching up on some neglected threads. I hope your work week is off to a good start.

Happy New Thread and happy clean start in new digs, (((((Paul)))))

>60 msf59: So far so good, Mark. The threads are as quiet as I remember them.

>61 Deern: Lovely to see you, Nathalie.

Just waving "hi".

>56 PaulCranswick: Wow - impressive global reading goal, Paul! Good luck! I see you have a very ambitious plan for May. I may add some of your titles to my challenge - which is to read 5 books with authors from or set in each of the 193(?) UN member countries plus a few other stray regions (no time limit). I've visited 14 countries so far this year, but more than half of them are countries from which I've already read 5 books, so they don't fit into a slot in my challenge.

ETA: I saw we both added Celestial Bodies by Jokha Alharthi from Oman to our libraries.

>63 laytonwoman3rd: Right back at you, Linda. xx

>64 streamsong: Perhaps a foolhardy one, Janet, as I have tried it twice and fallen well short!

Hello! : )

>66 Berly: Kimmers!

I will get to comment on this thread before you begin a new one! Hope your "interim" place works out well as you prepare for the move to the UK. Hope you don't have to wait much longer as I know you've wanted to return for awhile.

Happy new thread, Paul, and good luck with moving your books!
Time flies, Yasmyne already graduating next month... I bet you and Hani are very proud of her.

>68 thornton37814: Thanks Lori. It will take some adjustment for all of us, I'm sure but we are looking forward to it eagerly.

>69 FAMeulstee: We are proud of her, Anita. A diligent and determined young lady - I miss her every day I don't see her.

POEM OF THE DAY

Living Space

by Imtiaz Dharkar



There are just not enough
straight lines. That
is the problem.
Nothing is flat
or parallel. Beams
balance crookedly on supports
thrust off the vertical.
Nails clutch at open seams.
The whole structure leans dangerously
towards the miraculous.

Into this rough frame,
someone has squeezed
a living space

and even dared to place
these eggs in a wire basket,
fragile curves of white
hung out over the dark edge
of a slanted universe,
gathering the light
into themselves,
as if they were
the bright, thin walls of faith.

Love the imagery, Paul.

Wait, wait, wait. Yasmyne graduating?!? But she was just taking her high school (equivalent) exams last week!

>72 ronincats: Thanks Roni. I was particularly struck by it. Dharker was rumoured to have turned down the UK Poet Laureate role which if true is a real shame.

>73 Morphidae: Hahaha Morphy. I can still see her laying on the floor in Mothercare kicking her legs in the air and screaming for her teddy bear. We had bought the self-same teddy a week earlier and she spotted his doppelganger on the shelf and wouldn't leave without him!

I had at >47 PaulCranswick: made reference to the Times' list of the top 100 Crime/Thriller books since 1945 (choosing only one book per author).

Many couldn't see the link without subscribing to the paper so I thought I'd prepare my own list based on my own limited experience of the genre reading. Realised I don't read near enough thrillers/crime books these days and must put that right.

Some may remember that I was an early advocate and cheerleader for Scandi crime books and 20 or so will appear here. It is UK biased a little but then again it is where I hail from!

Here is my selections 1-25

1 MERCY by Jussi Adler-Olsen 2011
2 THE WINTER QUEEN by Akunin, Boris 1998
3 MISSING by Alvtegen, Karin 2003
4 JUDGMENT ON DELTCHEV by Ambler, Eric 1953
5 THE LONG FIRM by Arnott, Jake 1999
6 RUNNING BLIND by Bagley, Desmond 1970
7 ABSOLUTE POWER by Baldacci, David 1996
8 NO TIME FOR GOODBYE by Barclay, Linwood 2007
9 SLEEPYHEAD by Billingham, Mark 2001
10 DEATH SENTENCE by Birkegaard, Mikkel 2011
11 CHRISTINE FALLS by Black, Benjamin 2006
12 A TANGLED WEB by Blake, Nicholas 1956
13 THE SINS OF THE FATHERS by Block, Lawrence 1976
14 FORTY WORDS FOR SORROW by Blunt, Giles 2000
15 ANGELS AND DEMONS by Brown, Dan 2000
16 THE GUARDS by Bruen, Ken 2001
17 THE SHAPE OF WATER by Camilleri, Andrea 1994
18 THE EIGHTH DAY by Case, John 2002
19 THE LONG GOODBYE by Chandler, Raymond 1953
20 THE KILLING FLOOR by Child, Lee 1997
21 MURDER IS ANNOUNCED by Christie, Agatha 1950
22 THE CHATHAM SCHOOL AFFAIR by Cook, Thomas H 1996
23 LOVE LIES BLEEDING by Crispin, Edmund 1948
24 THE IPCRESS FILE by Deighton, Len 1962
25 THE GOLD COAST by DeMille, Nelson 1988

Selections 26-50

26 RATKING Dibdin, Michael 1988
27 ZOO STATION Downing, David 2007
28 RAIN FALL Eisler, Barry 2002
29 BURNED Enger, Thomas 2011
30 VANISHED Finder, Joseph 2009
31 MOONRAKER Fleming, Ian 1955
32 SHARP OBJECTS Flynn, Gillian 2006
33 THE EYE OF THE NEEDLE Follett, Ken 1976
34 THE ODESSA FILE Forsyth, Frederick 1972
35 DON'T LOOK BACK Fossum, Karin 2002
36 LOVE IN AMSTERDAM Freeling, Nicolas 1962
37 NIGHT SOLDIERS Furst, Alan 1988
38 JUST WHEN WE ARE SAFEST Gadney, Reg 1995
39 CRIME STORY Gee, Maurice 1994
40 THE GINGERBREAD HOUSE Gerhardsen, Carin 2012
41 INTO THE BLUE Goddard, Robert 1990
42 THE HUMAN FACTOR Greene, Graham 1978
43 THE CROSSING PLACES Griffiths, Elly 2009
44 THE DRY Harper, Jane 2016
45 FATHERLAND Harris, Robert 1992
46 THE LAST CHILD Hart, John 2009
47 LONELY HEARTS Harvey, John 1989
48 THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN Hawkins, Paula 2015
49 SLOW HORSES Herron, Mick 2010
50 THE FRIENDS OF EDDIE COYLE Higgins, George V 1972

Selections 51-75

51 THE EAGLE HAS LANDED Higgins, Jack 1975
52 STRANGERS ON A TRAIN Highsmith, Patricia 1950
53 MISS SMILLA'S SENSE OF SNOW Hoeg, Peter 1993
54 A TIME TO KILL Household, Geoffrey 1951
55 SPANDAU PHOENIX Iles, Greg 1993
56 JAR CITY Indridason, Arnaldur 2004
57 THE STRANGE LAND Innes, Hammond 1954
58 SHROUD FOR A NIGHTINGALE James, PD 1971
59 UNSEEN Jungstedt, Mari 2006
60 MIDWINTER SACRIFICE Kallentoft, Mons 2011
61 MARCH VIOLETS Kerr, Phillip 1989
62 THE SAVAGE ALTAR Larsson, Asa 2006
63 THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO Larsson, Stieg 2008
64 THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD Le Carre, John 1963
65 DEATH AT LA FENICE Leon, Donna 1992
66 THE OSTERMAN WEEKEND Ludlum, Robert 1972
67 COLD GRANITE MacBride, Stuart 2005
68 THE MOVING TARGET MacDonald, Ross 1949
69 NORTH FROM ROME MacInnes, Helen 1958
70 WHERE EAGLES DARE MacLean, Alistair 1967
71 FACELESS KILLERS Mankell, Henning 1991
72 COP HATER McBain, Ed 1956
73 A PLACE OF EXECUTION McDermid, Val 1999
74 LAIDLAW McIllvanney, William 1977
75 DEVIL'S PEAK Meyer, Deon 2007

Selections 76-100
76 THE DEVIL'S STAR Nesbo, Jo 2005
77 BORKMANN'S POINT Nesser, Hakan 2006
78 NINETEEN SEVENTY FOUR Peace, David 1999
79 IN THE MEMORY OF THE FOREST Powers, Charles T 1997
80 THE HANGING GARDEN Rankin, Ian 1998
81 WITH BLOOD AND IRON Reeman, Douglas 1965
82 A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES Rendell, Ruth 1998
83 THE LAST CITADEL Robbins, David L 2003
84 GALLOWS VIEW Robinson, Peter 1987
85 LENNOX Russell, Craig 2009
86 RULES OF PREY Sandford, John 1989
87 DOMINION Sansom, CJ 2012
88 LAST LIGHT Scarrow, Alex 2007
89 HARRY'S GAME Seymour, Gerald 1975
90 LAST RITUALS Sigurdardottir, Yrsa 2007
91 THE KILL ARTIST Silva, Daniel 2000
92 ROSEANNA Sjowall & Wahloo 1965
93 CHILD 44 Smith, Tom Rob 2008
94 SHOUT AT THE DEVIL Smith, Wilbur 1968
95 THE SECRET HISTORY Tartt, Donna 1992
96 THE BROKEN SHORE Temple, Peter 2005
97 THE DAUGHTER OF TIME Tey, Josephine 1951
98 DEATH IN AUGUST Vichi, Marco 2011
99 A TOUCH OF FROST Wingfield, RD 1987
100 THE SHADOW OF THE WIND Zafon, Carlos Luis 2004

>76 PaulCranswick: What a list Paul! I have only read some of them, so I will save your post!

Was it fun to make? I bet it must have been...

BEST THRILLERS/CRIME BOOKS SINCE 1945

1-20

1. Mercy by Jussi Adler-Olsen (2011) Denmark

The first book in the Department Q series as the cold case dead-ender Carl Mork looks into the case of a missing lady whom everyone else has given up. One of my favourite Scandi series.

2. The Winter Queen by Boris Akunin (1998) Russia

The first book in the wildly erratic and often hugely quirky Erast Fandorin series. This one starts with a seeming suicide and develops into an intrigue of international proportions.

3. Missing by Karin Alvtegen (2000) Sweden

I'm not sure why Alvtegen's books are not still being translated because they are really good. Here a girl has lived on the streets for years anonymously but suddenly being in the worng place at the wrong time brings her fully into focus.

4. Judgment on Deltchev by Eric Ambler (1953) UK

Eric Ambler's absolute best work was written just before the war but he did write a couple of gems after it. This one features the show trial in an unnamed Eastern European country and is riveting reading.

5. The Long Firm by Jake Arnott (1999) UK

The seamy side of the swinging sixties. Later a successful TV series.

6. Running Blind by Desmond Bagley (1970) UK

At one time probably the UK's most successful thriller writer but now extremely difficult to find in print. Easy to see why he was popular though. Great plotting and locations starting in Iceland.

7. Absolute Power by David Baldacci (1996) USA

When the badder meet the much badder. A petty criminal oversees a murder involving the great and the "not so good" and then gets framed for the same.

8. No Time for Goodbye by Linwood Barclay (2007) Canada

My favourite thriller writer still active would be Robert Goddard and Barclay is probably Canada's version of him. What do you do when you wake up and your family have disappeared?

9. Sleepyhead by Mark Billingham (2001) UK

The first book in the excellent Tom Thorne series.

10. Death Sentence by Mikkel Birkegaard (2011) Denmark

This is a disturbing book about a crime writer whose plots start to be replicated.

11. Christine Falls by Benjamin Black (2006) Ireland

For those who don't know Black is John Banville the Booker winning author, but this series is more enjoyable than his more "serious" work. Quirke is a maudlin Dublin pathologist in the Dublin of the 1950s.

12. A Tangled Web by Nicholas Blake (1956) UK/Ireland

Another pseudonymous thriller as this was written by Cecil Day-Lewis once Poet Laureate and father of Oscar winning Daniel. Hugo is accused of murdering the Police Inspector - his love Daisy doesn't believe it but can she help or hinder him?

13. The Sins of the Fathers by Lawrence Block (1976) USA

Probably my favourite American crime series. Alcoholic Matt Scudder's first venture in Hell's Kitchen.

14. Forty Words for Sorrow by Giles Blunt (2000) Canada

The first Cardinal book. Unfairly overlooked in many best of lists as this is a tremendous short series of books.

15. Angels and Demons by Dan Brown (2000) USA

The Da Vinci Code got all the plaudits but I like this one better.

16. The Guards by Ken Bruen (2001) Ireland

Mark put me onto this one and it is well worth the trouble. West of Ireland introduces a hard drinking crime solver in Jack Taylor.

17. The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri (1994) Italy

Our favourite Sicilian oldster. How he turns out a book a year at his age I have no idea, but I am ever grateful for his longevity! The characters in the Montalba series are old friends already. This is not one of the best of the series but it is the first and where you should start.

18. The Eighth Day by John Case (2002) USA

Excellent thriller involving a religious "Devil worshipping" religion which keeps the momentum going until the last page.

19. The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler (1953) USA

Defined hard-boiled. Philip Marlowe will always be Bogart for me and this is probably the last of his good outings.

20. Killing Floor by Lee Child (1997) UK

It seems funny acknowledging Child as a British author (for of course he is) given the slices of Americana dealt with each episode. First in a series that needs little introduction. If you haven't yet read any, don't be fooled by Tom Cruise's miniature muscling - the Reacher of the books is a monster!

>81 EllaTim: I love making and sharing lists, Ella, as I think might be a little bit obvious!

Paul, my husband is very happy about the football result but I suppose you are less so.
Congrats to Yasmyne on her graduation. Will look through your crime list when I have some spare time, I'm in the midst of Auckland Writers Festival, just got back from a delightful talk from C.K. Stead about how literary gossip can become literary history.

>85 avatiakh: Devastated actually, Kerry. We have lead the division all season only to fall at the last and have had more than 60% possession in all our games. Soccer is a cruel, cruel game and the refereeing was simply appalling too.

I would have liked to have been sat next to you listening to CK Stead as I am sure it would have been fascinating.

>71 PaulCranswick:
"The whole structure leans dangerously
towards the miraculous."

I love that line!

I love that poem up in >71 PaulCranswick: by Imtiaz Dharkar, Paul. Thanks for posting it.

That's also quite a thriller list! Some old favorites are there, like Jack Reacher and Montalbano, but there are lots that are new to me.

>87 foggidawn: She is thinking of some of the urban structures in the slums of South Asia and it is a very suggestive phrase isn't it?

>88 jnwelch: I have a theory as to why there are more modern than say books before I was born in my list, Joe, in that thrillers don't stay in print as long as more "serious" fiction does.

>2 PaulCranswick: Paul, I note that you mentioned not reading your usual amount of books last year. I fear this will be the year that I cannot reach 75..But, as you note, hope springs eternal.

I'm slowly posting and visiting threads tonight.

I send all good wishes.

>90 Whisper1: Lovely to see you posting, Linda.

I'll make 75 OK but I am still reeling from not managing 100 books last year which is the first time as an adult that I failed to do so. Life gets in the way!

>90 Whisper1: >91 PaulCranswick: Hope abounds!! Especially for two of my favorite readers. : )

Paul, just for you, oh lover of lists!! I know it won't be blank for long...

>92 Berly: Hahaha I am surprised it is still empty! xx

Book #26



The Bamboo Stalk By Saud Alsanousi

Date Published : 2012 (26 of 120)
Origin of Author : Kuwait (16 of 80)
Pages : 496 (7,874 in total)

A story of belonging or not belonging.

A boy is born to a Filipina maid and a Kuwaiti father. The maid was working for his mother and secretly married the man only to have the family turn against them and he divorce her. The boy grows up feeling an Arab in the Philippines and a Filipino in Kuwait. Can he overcome the prejudice he faces at every turn?

Well written and compelling story which certainly tugs at the heart sleeves.

Recommended.

>44 PaulCranswick: Wise man! Nate has yet to figure that out :)

>95 ChelleBearss: I'm sure that with constant instruction he will figure things out properly, Chelle.

A couple more additions to record:

81. Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie

Read it aeons ago but all my talk of thrillers pushed me into picking it up.

82. The Weather in the Streets by Rosamond Lehman

BIAC calling me as a replacement to The Echoing Grove which wasn't grabbing me.

>94 PaulCranswick: How bizarre...I just requested that from the library three days ago! I'm glad you responded so positively to the story.

The Weather in the Streets is a sequel, I hope you know. I read Invitation to the Waltz and have Weather somewhere around here because I liked Invitation enough to procure it.

I don't see where I came by to wish you Ramadan Mubarak, which was remiss of me. Ramadan Kareem!

So many books, so few read. I've read the Chandler, Child, Fleming, Le Carre, McBain, and the Silva. I'll probably get to the Ambler sometime soon. But that sure leaves a lot of goodness yet to discover.

>98 richardderus: I didn't know that the Lehmann book was a sequel, RD, I hope that that doesn't spoil it for me.

The Bamboo Stalk is very simply but effectively told and sympathetically too.

Thanks for the Ramadan wishes dear fellow - today two weeks done and dusted.

>99 swynn: Oh Stephen, there are plenty in that list that you would enjoy, I'm sure.

Hi Paul, I loved the list of your favorite crime/thriller books. That’s not my favorite genre but I do love a good edge-of-the-seat read occasionally. When I travel by car with my husband, as I did a few days ago, we tend to listen to that type of book. Our choice was A Drink Before the War by Dennis Lehane. It made the 12 hours go by more quickly.

My first thought when you said you were moving was of boxing up all your books. Good luck with that!

Hi Paul, hope all is well with you and the family mate. I found out yesterday that FictFact has had to close down due to a lack of funds as they made an error with Amazon and even though they rectified it Amazon has terminated funding to them. When you introduced me to this site it became very useful to me as I read a lot of books in series, luckily all members have until the end of July to download their information so at least I have it on a spread sheet now but will have to transfer this all so that I can keep up to date.

Hope you all had a good weekend mate and have a good week ahead, sending love and hugs to you all from both of us mate.

Hi, Paul. I’m glad to know that you’re doing well. The infection must have been scary!

I love all your lists, even if I disagree with some of your choices.

May your fasting seem short of each day.

Congrats to Yasmyne! I can't believe she is graduating already.

Love your lists Paul. I read Invitation to the Waltz earlier this year and would like to read The Weather in the Streets later this year.

>101 Donna828: Thanks Donna. I do like the genre and have gotten away from having enough of them in my reading mix. The problem with moving the books is two fold - firstly how to move them all - secondly where to put them when moved.

>102 johnsimpson: Oh dear, John, I hadn't realised that the site was on the verge of closing down. It was such a useful tool.
Hope to see you both in June.

>103 Matke: Yes it was pretty scary, Gail. I tend to studiously avoid doctors and especially hospitals but with that one I was immediately on the blower for a check-up!

The whole point of those lists is to generate some discussion and see which you liked and which ones you think I am bananas for including. Which ones in particular didn't you like? xx

>104 banjo123: Thanks Rhonda. I cannot believe that she still isn't 5 years old!

>105 brenzi: The Weather in the Streets was released in a nice new Virago specials edition so I couldn't resist it. Her books are pretty difficult to find here.

Continuing my synopses of my 100 best post-war thrillers now that the book cover uploads seem to have righted themselves:

21 A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie (1950) UK

My favourites pre date the war but this is Miss Marple in fine form

22. The Chatham School Affair by Thomas H Cook (1996) USA

Cook should be more lauded. I really appreciate his elegiac mysteries.

23. Love Lies Bleeding by Edmund Crispin (1948) UK

Gervase Fen was one of the better "gentleman detectives" and this is set in a private school.

24. The Ipcress File by Len Deighton (1962) UK

The Kitchen-sink version of James Bond.

25. The Gold Coast by Nelson DeMille (1988) USA

Even in Millionaire's Row you still get undesirable neighbours. Long days on the beach or by the pool to read DeMille's over long but enjoyable yarns.

26. Rat King by Michael Dibdin (1988) UK

The first book in the excellent Aurelio Zen series.

27. Zoo Station by David Downing (2007) UK

Getting caught in the wrong place at the outbreak of war is complicated when all sides want you to work for them.

28. Rain Fall by Barry Eisler (2002) USA

First outing for our likeable hit man.

29. Burned by Thomas Enger (2011) Norway

This is an intense and vividly shocking Scandi that deserves more coverage.

30. Vanished by Joseph Finder (2009) USA

Fast paced thriller by an underrated American writer.

31. Moonraker by Ian Fleming (1955) UK

A different kind of Bond. Self-questioning and fallible - more believable.

32. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn (2006) USA

She is most famous for Gone Girl but her first novel deservedly made her reputation.

33. The Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett (1976) UK

Not one of his medieval epics but this World War 2 thriller is excellent stuff.

34. The Odessa File by Frederick Forsyth (1972) UK

A particular favourite of mine with the Nazis waiting to crawl from beneath their stones.

35. Don't Look Back by Karin Fossum (2002) Norway

The first Inspector Sejer book translated into English.

36. Death in Amsterdam by Nicolas Freeling (1962) UK

Not high literature but I am fond of this as I loved the Van Der Valk series as a boy.

37. Night Soldiers by Alan Furst (1988) USA

First in a widely appreciated series of espionage books set in and around the war period in central Europe.

38. Just When We Are Safest by Reg Gadney (1995) UK

West Yorkshire native like me so gets extra points for that but Gadney's thrillers were packed full of action.

39. Crime Story by Maurice Gee (1994) New Zealand

I really don't understand why the excellent Gee is not wider known outside Oceania. Not a thriller writer per se but this is great stuff.

40. The Gingerbread House by Carin Gerhardsen (2012) Sweden

One of absolute favourite Scandi series at the moment.

>102 johnsimpson: I had not heard that about FictFact either! I've gone and downloaded my list now. Thanks for the heads-up!

Happy Monday, Paul!

PC, have you read any of Viveca Sten's ScandiCozies? I don't know of another writer who's working that vein and I quite like them. Still Waters is, IIRC, the first one.

More synopses:

41. Into the Blue by Robert Goddard (1990) UK

Very hard for me to pick my favourite Robert Goddard as they are all pretty good.

42. The Human Factor by Graham Greene (1978) UK

High literature meets espionage thriller. Late Greene but good Greene.

43. The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths (2009) UK

First in the series set in the English fenland.

44. The Dry by Jane Harper (2016) Australia

Very good debut novel set in the tinder dry Australian outback.

45. Fatherland by Robert Harris (1992) UK

Britain has lost the war but wants to win back the peace.

46. The Last Child by John Hart (2009) USA

Atmospheric outing from the American author

47. Lonely Hearts by John Harvey (1989) UK

Charlie Reznick's first appearance. Jazz and Notts County and murder

48. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (2015) UK

Doesn't quite match the hype but it is still a good read

49. Slow Horses by Mick Herron (2010) UK

MI5's misfits come up trumps

50. The Friends of Eddie Coyle by George V. Higgins (1972) USA

Misfits and misadventure abound in this 70s classic

51. The Eagle has Landed by Jack Higgins (1975) UK

Higgins' most celebrated and best work. Good film too.

52. Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith (1950) USA

Don't always strike up a conversation with a stranger on public transport

53. Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg (1993) Denmark

More high brow than hair raising but an intriguing read nonetheless

54. A Time to Kill by Geoffrey Household (1951) UK

We shouldn't allow some of these classic thriller writer to be forgotten

55. Spandau Phoenix by Greg Iles (1953) USA

It can be seen that I do enjoy this sort of thriller.

56. Jar City by Arnaldur Indridason (2003) Iceland

First Erlendur novel translated into English. Great series.

57. Strange Land by Hammond Innes (1954) UK

Favourite thriller writer of my youth. Picked this one because I love the location.

58. Shroud for a Nightingale by PD James (1971) UK

Some of the Adam Dalgleish books are on the dry side but this one held me to the end

59. Unseen by Mari Jungstedt (2006) Sweden

Scandi is best served by location. I wanted to go to Gotland on first reading this one. Good series

60. Midwinter Sacrifice by Mons Kallentoft (2011) Sweden

Probably now wearing the mantle of Henning Mankell as Sweden's leading Nordic Noir exponent

>111 ChelleBearss: I will download mine too shortly, Chelle. It is such a shame.

>112 richardderus: I haven't RD but I will look for one of them locally tomorrow.

>106 PaulCranswick:, It will be nice to see you mate, have a nice meet up with Karen along as well. Have a good week mate.

>116 johnsimpson: Thanks John, you too.

Synopses 61-80

61. March Violets by Phillip Kerr (1989) UK

First in the laconic and very good Bernie Gunther series

62. The Savage Altar by Asa Larsson (2006) Sweden

Decent Scandi with a believable leading lady

63. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (2008) Sweden

Rather undeservedly seen as the catalyst for the Scandi craze but no doubting this is good.

64. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John Le Carre (1963) UK

The best of Le Carre's pretty solid bunch.

65. Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon (1992) USA

The first in the Brunetti series.

66. The Osterman Weekend by Robert Ludlum (1972) USA

Solid but occasionally stolid work from America's Le Carre

67. Cold Granite by Stuart MacBride (2005) UK

DS McRae should be more well known.

68. The Moving Target by Ross MacDonald (1949) Canada

Lew Archer's first cynical adventure

69. North from Rome by Helen MacInnes (1958) UK

The first lady of thriller writing. She was up there with MacLean, Innes and Bagley in her day

70. Where Eagles Dare by Alistair MacLean (1967) UK

Speaking of MacLean. Biggest difficulty is picking a favourite

71. Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell (1991) Sweden

How I fell in love with Scandi

72. Cop Hater by Ed McBain (1956) USA

The sheer longevity of the 87th Precinct books deserves this one its place

73. A Place of Execution by Val McDermid (1999) UK

Recently read but this won't be the last I read from Ms. McDermid

74. Laidlaw by William McIlvanney (1977) UK

This selection is laden with Scots and this is the Scottish crime writing Grandaddy

75. Devil's Peak by Deon Meyer (2007) South Africa

The only African detective in my selections and this one is very good. Thanks to Benita for recommending this series.

76. The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo (2005) Norway

As with several policemen here Hole is an alcoholic and this re-occurs in the series frequently. First one I read and still one of the best.

77. Borkmann's Point by Hakan Nesser (2006) Sweden

This series is often a little odd ball but Nesser deserves a place amongst the Scandi princes.

78. Nineteen Seventy-Four by David Peace (1999) UK

This novel name checks several locations in Wakefield that I am familiar with but it also gave traction to Peace's writing career.

79. In the Memory of the Forest by Charles T Powers (1997) USA

What a shame that this was Power's only novel. Very atmospheric.

80. The Hanging Garden by Ian Rankin (1998) UK

This is Rankin and Rebus in great form. For a change this is the last one I read and it reminded me that I always enjoy the self-defeating Scot.

Strange, the only three I know I've read are sequential, 63-65! Oh, I've read a lot of P.D. James and most of the James Bond books, and what I could get of Ian Rankin, so probably not. Still the three in a row was a surprise.

Did you say what the order criteria was? Is #1 your favorite?

Many thanks for the lists of your favorite 100 best post-world war thrillers! I'm drawn to anything by Henning Mankell.

Your notations tempt me to add many of these excellent works to the tbr pile.

All good wishes. I'm very glad you are better.

>119 quondame: Order is alphabetical by author, Susan, so you must like the Rs!

>120 Whisper1: Thank you Linda. I still have the last 20 to go and will finish them off this evening (your morning).

>121 PaulCranswick: Red face here. I looked to titles rather than authors. I like the Tey too. And there are a couple of artist/poet detective with or without boats (other than DD's Johnson Johnson) and Arthur Upfield wrote some books after 1945 though I don't remember enough to know which are his better ones.

I'm still trying to catch up with LT after 12 days of limited internet so the 75ers seem chatty to me, Paul. Love the lists of mysteries and thrillers. I recognize more authors and have read more of those books than I have on other fiction lists. Good luck moving all your books. I am not looking forward to that when I have to move again! I should have a few years to read down the stacks the way things are going. Now if I could only stop buying books.

Paul - You and your Jazz-loving friend will enjoy the just announced NEA Jazz Masters 2020!

>123 quondame: No need, Susan it is easily done - there are not so many people anal enough to have organised the list alphabetically! I am not familiar with Arthur Upfield so I should go and look that one up.

>124 Familyhistorian: I think it may have to be done in parts, Meg. The two homes are not far apart so I'll get the main furniture that we want moved first and then see about my books in bundles. I may take the opportunity to have a cull of sorts although I am particularly bad at that!

>125 m.belljackson: Would be nice to think that I could make it to San Francisco for the event, Marianne, but I really don't see it!

PC! I just had a Malaysian Chinese lad's mum's party dessert, a flaked-coconut-rolled bomb-shaped rice flour dumplingy doobie filled with The. Best. Goo. EVER. It was called onda-onda or something similar, and filled with gooleh malacca. I know I'm not spelling them right because Google's giving me Urban Dictionary results. Do you or Hani know what I'm talking about? I want to figure out how to make this since both Rob and I loved it. How should I be spelling the name? Have you had one? Why didn't you tell me about these Asian clootie dumplings?! Meanie!

>128 richardderus: There are such countless Asian dumplings and finger foods that casting blame for missing this or that one is hardly fair! I've known of Lumpia for less than a decade, and while I feel I spent many deprived years I know only gratitude to the dancer who introduced them to our circle.

>128 richardderus: Onde Onde, RD, and I like them loads too! I'm fasting so it isn't the best time to take about the experience when you break that soft little globe and the gula Melaka (Gula is Bahasa Malay for sugar and Melaka is an historic port on the west coast Malaysia.

And there they are the little rascals:

>128 richardderus: Hani can make them nicely but they are best bought from a road side stall near our home.
Once you start eating them it is tough to stop.

SWMBO would have to tell you whether or not this is the best way to make them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWgz3aIhEd8

Not sure if you can get Gula Melaka in NYC, RD, but I guess you can.

>129 quondame: Yes, perhaps I should keep quiet, Susan! x

>131 PaulCranswick: There are few things that aren't available in either NYC or LA, but one may need connections and top quality on a vast array of things is rare. I once had a friend whose family sent care packages from Hong Kong. There were a few good days among the old ones.

>129 quondame: Profound gratitude for the young man who made them for us; outrage and contumely for the "friend" who never so much as once mentioned these silky, sweet, tangy-sweet gooey glories.

>130 PaulCranswick: I've never heard of palm-blossom sugar before! Wow. That stuff's delicious. I looked it up and wowee toledo is that stuff hard to make! No wonder it's so costly.

>132 quondame: Susan, I may need to send a care package of my own.

>133 richardderus: I'm sure that I don't know who you are making reference to?

*SLINKS AWAY SHAMEFACEDLY.....BUT RETURNS....*

I don't want to add insult to injury but they are as cheap as chips here.

That is Gula Melaka or as it is also known palm sugar. Delicious burnt taste - melted into a sticky caramel.

Hi Paul! A belated happy new thread.

Wow. Yasmyne graduating, you moving. Big things are afoot this year for sure.

I read the Outlander books 1-4 sometime prior to joining LT in 2007, then reread those first four and continued with the last four in April-July 2016. Sam Heugan and Catriona Balfe work fine for me. So does Tobias Menzies.

>76 PaulCranswick: to >79 PaulCranswick: Ooh, a list! I’ve read 19 and have 20 on my shelves to be read – either that book specifically or another book read/tbr by the same author. You said that ‘cheated’ by including Barbara Vine and Ruth Rendell, but I don’t see Barbara Vine on the list. That would make 21, if so.

>136 karenmarie: Thank you, Karen.

I thought you may have read a few on my list. The Times list is quite different from mine but apparently cannot be seen without subscription.

>134 PaulCranswick: Well, they would be, wouldn't they, so close to the source of the goods? Like California having lower food prices than Texas did.

>135 PaulCranswick: I think palm sugar is a middle eastern or at least a north African product as well, but I did get some from what was an Indonesian market until the food counter took it over to be a restaurant. It's about 0.5 miles away.

>138 richardderus: Next time Caro is over this way, I'll badger her to bring you back a hamper full of goodies RD.

>139 quondame: It could be Susan but definitely it is an intrinsic ingredient to desserts in Malaysia and Indonesia.

I am happy to see that you put one Deon Meyer book on your list. He is dry good in the thriller genre and I don’t really understand why he isn’t more popular here in the U.S.? His books also have lots to say about the current state of affairs in South Africa. Just from reading his books nothing in the Oscar Petrious trial surprised me. You can learn a lot from a thriller.

>141 benitastrnad: Exactly Benita. It was a great spot by you and I am glad I have so often followed the recommendations by my friends here - unerringly good.

Hello Paul, stopping by to get caught up and learning that the family will be busy moving house and heading to the UK for your daughter's graduation. How exciting! I love moving house but only because I use it as another opportunity to purge unused items. The other half is a bit of a pack rat so those conversations become quite involved. Of course, we needed a dremel last week and don't you know, could not find that tool anywhere (I think we got rid of it last year when I we did a mini-purge - Oops).

Sending you happy house moving and graduation travel wishes.

>126 PaulCranswick: I did the in parts thing the last time I moved, Paul, as many of the books had to be moved from the house I was living in so that it could be staged to sell - something about being able to see the walls, I think.

>143 lkernagh: Thanks Lori. I am a bit of a hoarder so I don't do overly well with throwing things away but I think we will have to!

>144 Familyhistorian: I want to see how to organise the books at least a little bit. The new place has a reading nook which is nice (Hani thought she was putting the piano there!) but I will have to think about the placement of bookshelves and bookcases.

Paul--I think I have read 20 of the best list-- I better get going on the rest!

Congrats on the big move and graduation. Good thing you told Hani a reading nook takes precedence over the piano. Sending you lots of luck as you purge. Ha! : )

>146 Berly: Not sure how much I'll purge actually, Kimmers!

I meant clothes and stuff. Not books. : )

Good luck moving house Paul. A piano nook or a book nook, that is a dilemma.

I had to move twice, a couple of years ago, and found culling books very difficult and time consuming. So in the end the movers complained about the large number of books, and I spent three months surrounded by walls of book cases. I did manage, on the second move, to separate books, so that a number of cases could go up to the attic. And those I have been culling since the move:-)

Somehow I missed the news that you were moving house. A prospect that terrifies me... Good luck with it all.

>148 Berly: Clothes are getting purged, Kimmers. 75% of my wardrobe doesn't fit me anymore.

>149 EllaTim: SWMBO spent a goodly time yesterday tying up the books so that they can be moved "easily". The 4,000 or so unread books will be first priority, Ella.

>151 PaulCranswick: I'm also not in my comfort zone, Linda.

Morning Paul! Hanni's been posting pictures of your stash. I'm impressed by both her talents and the sheer size of your collection. :)

Ooo, can we see the evidence here too please....

>153 mahsdad: Yes she is grumbling about back ache and what not, Jeff. Books are worth it, I keep telling her. Funny because she doesn't seem to want me to do it. :D

>154 Caroline_McElwee: Let me see what I can find, Caroline because I'm not an avid FB participant.

Some photos of our moving (my books anyway)

>156 PaulCranswick: Impressive. Both the quantity and the efficient tying.

These are merely to give a flavour as SWMBO has posted up a lot of pictures on FB

>157 quondame: Thanks Susan. She is doing a grand job. Somewhere in the region of 11,000 books.

Good luck with your move, Paul. I loved seeing all the books Hanni posted on FB! Moving them can’t be fun but certainly worth it.

Surround yourself with what makes you happy!

ETA: And I love the pink ribbon ties!

>160 Copperskye: I don't know whether she is making a statement as to who is doing all the work with those pink ribbons, Joanne!

That's impressive! I'm happy you're able to keep them all, especially for such a long and cumbersome move.

For my part, my late aunt had a library of around that size, which I credit as where I learnt to read. Sadly very few remain. I moved with various family members through smaller and larger houses and flats, but it was misfortune that the one after my aunt's, rest and bless her, library room, happened to be tiny. She had wall to wall bookshelves up to the ceiling. I don't know whether she gave them to charity or threw them away. There's something very sad about a book in a bin.

>162 RoseM.: Lovely to see you here.

I think you are right in that there is little more depressing that seeing books defaced or discarded.

>163 PaulCranswick:: Thank you. I don't use forum-style websites these days but this seemed a good idea to discover books. I'm only logging the books I've read from when I signed up onwards.

I remember my first high school's library deciding to get rid of several shelves of books. I still don't know why, as they didn't replace them with anything. I spotted a couple I'd wanted to borrow amongst the pile by the librarian's desk so my brother and I turned up with those supermarket "bags for life" and ran off with them. I discovered quite a few great books that way.

Hi Paul!

11,000 books. 4,000 tbr. I'm happy for you that they'll all make the move. I love the pictures of them.

I'm glad you're getting a reading nook, and few things are as exciting as figuring out book cases and what goes where!

When is the move actually scheduled? Or did I miss it above?

Moving books - yikes. I'm thinking about giving my "school" ones away to my old institution (they weren't cheap), but thinking is as far as I've got. Hate the thought of moving with them again, though I'd like a library!

Ha! We've been enjoying Hani's photos of your books over on Facebook, Paul. I suggested that you guys open a bookstore - you have the inventory already!

Hi Paul, loved seeing all the photos that Hanni posted on Facebook about the book stacks, she dared to utter the swear word, Kindle, and I had to tell her off, lol. Karen posted that it makes our stash of books look quite puny and why should we worry, lol.

Hope the week has been good to you all mate and that the move goes smoothly, sending love and hugs to all you mate.

Whew! Every time I've moved I've had more books and started asking myself why I bothered to acquire more before I had a house. But your collections makes mine look quite small in comparison. Good luck on the moving - books and all!

>164 RoseM.: I do miss not having a good library close to me here. I do think I miss out on their "give-aways"!

>165 karenmarie: The move is scheduled over the weekend.

11,000 is - I now truly appreciate - a LOT of books.

Yay to the reading nook, Karen!

>166 charl08: A library is probably too formal a description of the chaos my books are stored in.

>167 jnwelch: I'd honestly love a book shop, Joe. Aim in life, perhaps........

>168 johnsimpson: Yes I noticed here blasphemous comments about kindles! Thanks for the best wishes, John.

>169 bell7: The collecting of books will never stop, Mary, I am sure of that.

>156 PaulCranswick: >158 PaulCranswick: very impressed with SWMBOs tying skills Paul.

>170 PaulCranswick: I was lucky to be able to turn up with my twin brother and run away with their unwanted books. I can't remember by now which authors or books that that got me into, being maybe thirteen or fourteen at the time, and I'm now twenty-two. I do know that it got me through a solid five or six months before I had to ask my mother for books again.

>173 Caroline_McElwee: Yes she has tied me in knots for 23 years already, Caroline!

>174 RoseM.: We have something more than books in common, Rose, as I am a twin too. I am De Vito to my brother's Arnold.

>156 PaulCranswick: Good. lord. I need to pillage. 😀

>176 drneutron: I actually have a pillage box, Jim!

Good luck with the move this weekend, Paul!

>178 FAMeulstee: Thanks Anita xx

Paul - you have much in common with our pre-Revolutionary War John Adams: "I have spent an Estate in Books."

!!!

That's some mighty impressive book bundling! Happy weekend and good luck with the move!

Thanks for posting the book pictures! I showed them to Mrs. B, since they make my own piles look moderate.

>182 banjo123: Glad to be of assistance, Rhonda!

Book #27



Soldiers of Salamis By Javier Cercas

Date Published : 2011 (27 of 120)
Origin of Author : Spain (17 of 80)
Pages : 208 (8,082 in total)

I can see why Cercas is so feted.

He takes an interesting incident in the Spanish civil war but contrives a novel around it. A novel that delves both into the murk and chaos of history in a time of war but also the process of writing upon it.

I enjoyed most the almost memoir part where the narrator (obviously and named as Cercas himself) meets Roberto Bolano.

Short read but a provoking one nonetheless.

Just catching up here.

Love the pictures of all the books nicely tied up and ready for the move. What a daunting task you have! Just think of how fun it will be to rediscover your books when you unpack :)

Book #28



Nervous Conditions By Tsitsi Dangarembga

Date Published : 1988 (28 of 120)
Origin of Author : Zimbabwe (18 of 80)
Pages : 208 (8,290 in total)
1001 Books First Edition

This is in the first edition of the 1001 Books.

It is a well written story which details fascinatingly the extended family relationships as they impact one girl growing up in the hinterland of Zimbabwe in the late 1960s.

Her struggle for education and in some ways emancipation are the themes here but the author is most interesting in detailing the male dominated society in which she has to try to develop herself.

A good bildungsroman but not a great one and I am surprised it was considered to have "legs" enough for the 1001 list.

>185 figsfromthistle: I am looking forward to finding space for them, Anita, and figuring out how to organise them too.

Book #29



Evil Under the Sun By Agatha Christie

Date Published : 1941 (29 of 120)
Origin of Author : UK (still 18 of 80)
Pages : 274 (8,564 in total)

Formulaic but still fiendish.

The Jolly Roger Hotel is sited on a island off the South West Coast of England. When Hercule Poirot decides to vacation there it is pretty obvious that murder will ensue.

One thing for certain, if I was on my hols and that dapper little Belgian turned up at the same locale, I would pack my bags quickly and skedaddle to a different venue.

>188 PaulCranswick: LOL! Yes, vacationing with Poirot would seem a risky prospect!

>189 foggidawn: A bit like swimming in the sea Foggi when you hear that Jaws music starting up!

Fairly dreadful reading month again with only 7 books done.

I am looking to my two main challenges this month with the Around the World in 80 books and 120 Years of Books challenges both only a quarter done with 5/12s of the year completed.

I want as a minimum to read a book from each of the 12 decades this month.

Certainties are:

Celestial Bodies by Jokha Alharthi (2010) Oman
Serve the People by Yan Lianke (2007) China
Death and the Penguin by Andrey Kurkov (1996) Ukraine
The General in his Labyrinth by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (1989) Colombia
The Bride Price by Buchi Emecheta (1976) Nigeria
Midaq Alley by Naguib Mahfouz (1966) Egypt
Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon by Jorge Amado (1958) Brazil
Christ Recrucified by Nikos Kazantzakis (1949) Greece
The Late Monsieur Gallet by Georges Simenon (1931) Belgium
Zeno's Conscience by Italo Svevo (1923) Italy
Eminent Victorians by Lytton Strachey (1918)
The Nebuly Coat by J Meade Falkner (1903)

I also want to read something by Nicola Barker for the BIAC and by Pearl Buck for the AAC.

Plus finish a few that are partway

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (1991)
Exile and the Kingdom by Albert Camus (1957) Algeria

16 Books would please me this month.

I'd also like to get a few TIOLI challenges done this month.

>186 PaulCranswick: It still sounds interesting Paul. There are more books in that list that have me wondering why they were included.

I'm impressed by Hani's book moving solution. How's it going?

>191 PaulCranswick: Good luck, Paul!
Nice to see you back at the TIOLI challenges. As always you have great plans for the month :-)

Hi Paul!

>186 PaulCranswick: - Her struggle for education and in some ways emancipation are the themes here but the author is most interesting in detailing the male dominated society in which she has to try to develop herself.

Different decades, different continents, different male-dominated society, but my first thought upon reading that sentence was to ask if you've read Educated by Tara Westover, a memoir about a young woman growing up in a Fundamentalist Mormon family.

>192 EllaTim: Yes it was pretty good, Ella and I am certainly pleased I read it. Quite a road she paved for the modern african lady writers that followed her.

>193 FAMeulstee: I will be trying as usual Anita!

>194 karenmarie: You certainly have me interested in it though, Karen! I'll go seek it out.

Your comment about skedaddling to a different venue if a certain dapper little Belgian showed up reminded me of something Debbi and I have wondered about - why would anyone go to Midsomer (Midsomer Murders) or Cabot Cove (Jessica Fletcher)? Seems way too risky, doesn't it?

>197 jnwelch: Ah Yes, Joe. If only the poor buggers realised!

>197 jnwelch:
Yes, I also wondered if there were any people left in those towns or areas with so many murdered!
I used to watch the British programme" Heartbeat"- there were so many china vases and silver things stolen- and I thought - who is buying those things?

Back to books

Hi Paul - Wow on the bundles of books. Are you taking your entire library?

I agree that the 1001 list can be quite perplexing as to why certain books were included. I'll definitely keep Nervous Conditions in mind since it's a double: global and 1001.

I will try to join you in Celestial Bodies this month.

You are all making me laugh with your vacation spots to enjoy!

>199 torontoc: Jack Reacher is another one. How unlucky can one chap be? Everywhere he stops off finishes up in carnage. Stay on that Greyhound, Jack!

>200 streamsong: Yes pretty much Janet, although I am letting go some of my old read books.

When are you actually moving Paul (apols if I missed mention of it above)?

>191 PaulCranswick: I hope you enjoy your Nicola Barker selection more than I did mine; I read The Cauliflower yesterday and was not impressed. I would go into more detail, but I'm afraid I would end up using a number of words which are unfit for polite company.

Eid Mubarak old friend!

PS: Imperial Woman works as your Pearl Buck read. I gave it 4*

>202 Caroline_McElwee: We have hit something of a snag Caroline as we are unable to contact the owner to get the keys. I am a bit worried actually as he has already banked more than $5,000 in the meantime and we are celebrating the end of Ramadan surrounded by boxes.

>203 amanda4242: She is someone i have heard lauded but I haven't yet read anything by her

>204 richardderus: Thank you dear fellow.

>205 richardderus: I do like Pearl's Books.

Best of luck getting your hands on the keys and moving all those books, Paul.

Oh yes, hope the move is now underway.

>208 Familyhistorian: Meg, I hope we can do it by Thursday. The Agent is really annoying me by his inactivity to be honest.

>209 avatiakh: I hope so soon Kerry.

Sorry, Paul, that must be terrible. All packed and not able to move on. I hope it all sorts out soon.

Eid Mubarak, Paul! I've been enjoying the celebration photos over on the Guardian and remembered you must be celebrating too.

>211 FAMeulstee: Yes it is, Anita. Discovered also that the agent put the money in his own bank account before he stopped answering his phone! He is not that difficult to trace but I really don't understand what he is doing.

>212 charl08: Nice day, Charlotte, made nicer by Kyran's return this evening.

>213 PaulCranswick: Kyran's coming home! How lovely for y'all! Enjoy the time together.

It's summery here today, and while I know equatorial climes aren't as seasonal as us'ns up in the forties are, there is nothing like summer in the tropics.

Blessedly. *shudder*

Moving-ease *whammy*

>214 richardderus: Poor lad is sweating already!

Hani finds the agent and he is going to get pummelled by one of her heaviest handbags.

>213 PaulCranswick:

Maybe Kyran knows how Harry could possibly have eaten dinner with the monster who insulted his wife...?

>216 m.belljackson: Kyran is studying International Relations and Law so he would probably answer something about the need for diplomacy and country before self. I honestly don't know if I could break bread with him or them in all fairness.

I have terrible news - I have just found out from the agent who we tracked down that he has used all our money on medication for his mother. This will leave us homeless as we have to move out from this house in a week or so and no longer have sufficient funds yet to go elsewhere.

I don't believe him about the medication and will have no choice but to go to the police but it leaves us in very serious trouble too. I don't quite know what to do.

Not a great start to the new Islamic year.

Aw crap man, I am so sorry. What a despicable person to do that to you guys. Hang in there.

>220 mahsdad: Thanks Jeff. I will make a police report soon. I am more worried about where we will stay rather than the money to be honest.

>218 PaulCranswick: How horrible! {{hugs}}

>222 amanda4242: Thanks dear Amanda. I don't quite believe his story about medication - $5k buys a lot of that here!
Trying to be positive but my budget was already very, very tight and we have Yasmyne's graduation and everything to come.

>223 PaulCranswick: Even if he's telling the truth, how on earth could he think it excuses him for stealing from people who placed their trust in him?!

>224 amanda4242: I know, perhaps he thought I was loaded and it wouldn't hurt me so much.

>218 PaulCranswick: I'm so sorry to hear what has happened Paul. I hope there is some good resolution on the horizon soon.

>218 PaulCranswick: Oh my goodness. That is a nightmare and I am so very sorry I have no practical help to offer! What a time not to have won the lottery.

>226 Caroline_McElwee: I am just going to have to find some funds from somewhere and move the family wherever I can, Caroline. I'll find a way, somehow, I always do.

>227 richardderus: The lottery would be great, RD!

Oh, no, Paul! I'm so sorry. How scary and frustrating. I'm hoping for a happy solution for you and your family.

So sorry to read this Paul - fingers crossed the police can do something to help.

How very stressful!

I hope everything gets sorted out with the police and your money returned to you. Do you know where the agent lives? As payback, you could all move in with him and see how he likes that!

Wishing you a speedy solution/resolution

>229 scaifea: Just back from the Police Station, Amber. Open and shut case actually but it doesn't necessarily either get us our money back or moved when we want.

I haven't read anything for 5 days. :{

>230 charl08: Thanks Charlotte. I hope it prompts him into either returning our money or getting us into the property. I am shell-shocked to be honest.

>231 figsfromthistle: I don't think we could live together, Anita - Hani would strangle him gladly at the moment.

Oh no, Paul, that is more than terrible!
Can you rent a storage for your belongings at such a short notice?

Terrible news.
Unfortunately I can only send you hugs and good wishes.
May the Force be with you.

>234 FAMeulstee: I'll try to find alternative accommodation for us after the holiday period and see how I can scrape up the deposit. I need to find a way to reduce my debts in order to be ok again. My brother's answer is to simply run away from my debts and come back to the UK which I cannot in good conscience do. I am owed some $750,000 from projects and have debts of about $170,000 - if I can get some of that money paid to me we'll be fine but in the short term I am struggling to stay afloat.

>235 SirThomas: Thanks Thomas. I could do with Luke Skywalker to lightsaber my way to safety at the moment.

Wow. I'm sorry to hear about the unscrupulous agent, Paul. I hope that you get your money back soon, along with a goodly sum for damages.

Based on your past posts it seems that KL is filled with seamy and immoral characters. Will you be moving back to England soon?

>237 kidzdoc: I do hope so, Darryl, but I won't leave a scorched earth trail behind me. I have more principles than money at the moment but I hope that I can bring the two into equilibrium soonest.

Long shot- do you have house insurance that could cover this?

>239 torontoc: No Cyrel, we didn't have occupation of the house. I am hopeful that the police officer might focus his mind on either giving us our money back or enabling our move.

>240 PaulCranswick:

Couldn't Brother come through with a quick advance until this is settled...?

>241 m.belljackson: Brother doesn't think like that Marianne. His response is that I should just leave whatever I have here and go back. We would never be able to come back to Malaysia and I would not be able to view myself in a mirror.

Sorry to hear about your troubles, Paul. I hope it will be sorted soonish.

Aw, man, this sucks. Sorry you were betrayed like that.

Terrible news.

>243 Ameise1: Thank you Barbara

>244 drneutron: Thank you, Jim. I'll bounce back somehow.

>245 thornton37814: It is indeed, Lori

Paul, that's shattering. Prayers for you for the immediate future. What could he have been thinking?

>248 LizzieD: I also wonder the same thing about myself, Peggy. How could I have put the money into the bank account without the keys in my hand?

>249 PaulCranswick: I know that one: Because chicanery and dishonesty simply wouldn't occur to you as a business practice.

>250 richardderus: In a word....gullible, RD.

>251 PaulCranswick: No, honest and optimistic.

>252 amanda4242: At least I am glad that my friends think so, Amanda. Gives my faltering ego a little boost. xx

>218 PaulCranswick: Oh, for crying out loud, what is WRONG with people!?! I’m sorry you have to deal with this, Paul.

Sorry to hear about the dishonest agent leaving you and your family in a bind, Paul. Fingers crossed for a quick and just resolution to your conundrum.

>254 Copperskye: It seems according to our Investigating Officer, the very friendly Sgt. Augustine (a Sabahan from Borneo), the Mr. Yee Chung Hoong has previous for fraudulent works. It never rains but it pours!

Thanks Joanne.

>255 Familyhistorian: Meg, I really do hope so.

That's awful Paul! I hope you find a way to resolve this.

Let's hope so, Ella. A quiet first day in the investigations of Sgt Augustine.

Hijacking your thread for a minute.

Here is the link for the LT Meetup at the ALA conference in Washington, D. C.
http://www.librarything.com/topic/307549

go there for info.

It's the worst feeling in the world, being wrong about someone's character. You were wrong about this person, but your reasons for being wrong are the right ones: Believe the best of others. YOU will always be better off for it. But that's the very long-run view. Right now, hire some thugs to break that bastard's knees.

Kidding! Kidding!

(for legal purposes)

Hi Paul, sorry to hear about all the strife you are going through at the moment mate, you are a top bloke but maybe a little too trusting my good friend. I wish there was something that I could do to help you and the family out mate at this stressful time for you. I hope that you find some decent accommodation until this rogue is dealt with and you get your money back.

Sending love and hugs to you, Hanni and the kids from both of us dear friend.

>259 benitastrnad: Hijack away, Benita!

>260 richardderus: RD, I don't believe that I can change my nature and will usually try to see the good. Even this agent who has ruined my holiday and potentially put my family without a home I don't really want to see him behind bars. Just give me back my dosh and move on. Even if I was a familiar with the Sopranos, I don't think I'd call in a favour!

>261 johnsimpson: Thank you mate. My way out is to generate money which I have usually been ok at doing but am struggling with a little at the moment.

Hi Paul - hoping that you are moving forward somehow. What a disaster for you and family. Wishing you all the very very best.

I'm sorry to read about your moving grief Paul. I'll add my hopes to the others here that this resolves in a way that gets you to where you need to be.

>264 avatiakh: Thanks Kerry. I am a little despondent as the police went to the guy's last known residence yesterday and he seems to have scarpered.

>265 RBeffa: I hope so too, Ron, as we are in limbo at the moment.

Paul, you are beset with trouble lately! Can you find friends to stay/live with in the meantime? Can you spread the word to get people on the hunt for this thief? I can't stand injustices....and I agree that it it poor timing with the Islamic new year all in front of you. I hope this is all behind you as soon as possible.

So sorry to hear that the guy who took all your money seems to have run off. I hope something changes or you get a new opportunity to move forward soon :(

>267 LovingLit: I have arranged for a friend to contact him for an appointment to view a unit in the same apartment and then have the police on hand to nab him. I just want my money back and to be able to move.

>268 bell7: I am not having the best of runs, Mary. With all the turmoil and upset, I haven't finished a single book yet this month. I am trying desperately to scrape together enough money so that Hani and myself can go and celebrate Yasmyne's graduation. Way it is going it will just be Hani which would really sadden me.

{{hugs}}

>270 amanda4242: Thanks Amanda - much needed. xx

Some book therapy added over the last couple of weeks:

83. Story of a Secret State by Jan Karski
84. Woman of the Ashes by Mia Couto
85. Our Lady of the Flowers by Jean Genet
86. Kintu by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi
87. Norte by Edmundo Paz Soldan

Many of them bought with an eye to my Around the World in 80 Books Challenge but I have to start reading them!

Story of a secret state is very very good.

Sad that this all occurs when you'd rather be celebrating an important milestone for your family.

Dear Paul, just a visit to hope that the situation turns around positively and quickly!
I HATE for you to miss Yasmyne's graduation.

Hey, Paul, I am so sorry that things went wrong with your deposit for your new place. That is just dreadful. I hope you and the police can nab the guy and get your money back. Big hugs. My heart goes out to you. It's a lot to support a family and I know it's been some rough years for you. Hang in there, Paul. Don't feel the least bit badly about being " taken." It can happen to anyone of us.

>274 avatiakh: Have to agree, Kerry. I have started it and am completely rapt.

>275 LizzieD: Yes, it is very tough at present, Peggy.

>276 vancouverdeb: I do blame myself a bit, Deb, it has to be said.

This is my KL118 or PNB118 project in progress (the photo is about 5 months old)

This gives some idea of the eventual scale.

Wow that's a tall building! I've just downloaded Red Dog by Willem Anker from my library, it looks like a great read.

>266 PaulCranswick: Sorry to hear you've not had some better news Paul. This can't avoid being a stressful situation. I assume you are able to stay in your current abode for the time being?

Just adding my sympathy, Paul. What a tough time. I hope the police get this guy and you get your money back. Fingers crossed that you can be there for Yasmyne's graduation.

It doesn't rain but it pours for you, Paul. I'm sorry to hear that the agent has stolen your money and put your family's well being in jeopardy. I hope they catch him and you get your money back.

In the meantime, *hugs*

>281 avatiakh: It is indeed a tall building. Would rank 2nd if it was completed tomorrow.

>282 Caroline_McElwee: Not for much longer Caroline as the owners want us out because they want to sell the unit.

>283 jnwelch: I'll find a way, Joe, I usually do!

>284 karenmarie: It isn't drizzling certainly, Karen! Hugs appreciated.

I’m very sorry, Paul. I hope this gets sorted really soon.

>287 Matke: I hope so too Gail.

Oh my, this is just devastating news Paul. I do hope you manage to sort it all out.

>280 PaulCranswick: That is going to be one tall building, Paul.

>289 brenzi: I have a plan to trap the Agent - let's see how we go with that, Bonnie.

>290 BLBera: Yes it is indeed, Beth. It is a tough one to build too as the owner is trying to build a Retail Mall and Residential Towers as part of a huge complex and these portions do not form part of our works. It is causing severe coordination and logistical issues that is delaying the overall work.

Well, it sounds like you have a lot on your plate right now, Paul. I hope everything gets resolved to your benefit.

I have no words for how badly I feel for you and your family, Paul. I admire your integrity and the ability to keep your positive attitude. You are someone I look up to as I go through my own (comparatively small) struggles. Keep the faith, my friend, and know that I care and send you all the positive energy I can muster.

>291 PaulCranswick:

Just make sure the police aren't part of the scam...

>292 BLBera: Thanks Beth.

>293 Donna828: Thank you for those lovely words, Donna. x

>294 m.belljackson: Oh you cynic you! I'll make sure that I pay the police first!!

Hey - I'm from Chicago!

- where it was standard procedure when pulled over,
to hand the officer your driver's license with a twenty beneath it.

You might get faster service...

>297 m.belljackson: Hahaha Marianne - it seems the USA and Malaysia have so much in common!

Catching up, and very sorry to hear about the housing situation. Also about the reading slump, but obviously that's not the worst of it. Hope things sort out soon.

>299 swynn: Getting better, Stephen. I hope to polish off a couple of books this weekend.

>279 PaulCranswick: Awesome.
The KL118, books, your family, ...maybe in a different order...
I'm glad there are good things for you beside your problems.
I hope everything turns for the better soon!

Oh, Paul, so sorry about your troubles with the housing situation.

>301 SirThomas: Different order is right, Thomas - the books are definitely not third!

>302 banjo123: I'll find a way to overcome the difficulties, Rhonda - I usually do.

Yet more Book Therapy, I can't afford:

88. Half a Lifelong Romance by Eileen Chang

89. On Grand Strategy by John Lewis Gaddis

Book #30

Friedrich By Hans Peter Richter

Date Published : 1961 (30 of 120)
Origin of Author : Germany (still 19 of 80)
Pages : 148 (8,712 in total)

Friedrich lives upstairs from the narrator and they were born within days of each other.

The two boys are friends. Friedrich is discriminated against in school, at the cinema, at the swimming pool, in the street and sitting on park-benches.

Friedrich is Jewish.

Touching story of how Germany ramped up its oppression of the Jewish community and enabled the Holocaust. Never an apologia for the normal Germans who were horrified yet stood by but it does provide some insight on that shameful era that is sad, sympathetic and angry at the same time.

Not going to give away the story but have your handkerchief ready.

>305 PaulCranswick: No thanks. I'm more Heyery just now. Like, this-incarnation-type now.

>306 richardderus: I didn't expect you to go all gushingly romantic you Regency Buck, you.
I must read some of the Heyer's I have on the shelves soon.

>305 PaulCranswick: This has been on my Mt tbr since forever.

Hi, Paul. It looks like I missed a lot of the nasty real-life drama over here. How are things at the moment? As usual, I am wishing the best for you.

>308 avatiakh: That's funny of you to mention, Kerry, because when I looked at the work page I noticed it was in your collection.

>309 msf59: Still not moved. We are looking at a few places today. Thanks for the well wishing as always, Mark.

>279 PaulCranswick: I hate to be the one to tell you this Paul, but your building is on a lean. Thought you should know ;)

>297 m.belljackson: >298 PaulCranswick: When I crossed the border from Thailand into Malaysia (on foot) a hundred or so years ago now, I forgot to remove a 50 USD note from my passport where I kept it safe. The border guard took it out, looked at me carefully and slooooowly pushed it back over the table to me. I was so relieved he didn't take it as it definitely wasn't a bribe!! Moral of the story- the officials were solid :)

>305 PaulCranswick: I have just now finished HHhH- about a high-up-in-the-Reich Nazi whose life was under thread form the resistance. Very good and thematically similar to yours, although told in a very distinctive way.

Sorry to see your recent struggles! Hope the police nab him soon!

Happy Father's Day, Paul - is that celebrated in KL? I hope, despite tough times, you have a good one. Those are swell kids you and Hani have raised.

Judged by your progeny's lives, Paul, you and Hani deserve the special days that US parents so seldom merit. Happy Father's Day even if it's not celebrated there.

>311 LovingLit:

Progress of a sort: you can now be arrested if you add that twenty to your license on the friendly streets of Chicago!

Paul - hope this Father's Day bring a decent resolution to this latest housing and financial situation. Definitely time to get outta Dodge...

I am sorry to hear about the recent theft that is putting you in such a bad place.

There was a popular toy in the 70's; they had round weighted bottoms so that when you pushed them over they popped back upright. When I read your thread, the theme song started going through my head: "Weebles wobble but they don't fall down!"

That's you my friend. Over the years I have been impressed by the number of times you have popped back up when I would have stayed down for the count. I know you'll do it again this time.

And that's a beautiful, amazing building you are working on.

>311 LovingLit: Isn't it great what a dodgy camera angle will do?!

I have settled umpteen speed traps by small contributions to individual officer's pension funds!

I have that one on the shelves (well I did before we tied or boxed all the books) and must get to it soon, Megan.

>312 ChelleBearss: Found out today that the unit we thought we had secured was rented out to a couple yesterday - they paid $400 per month more than we thought we needed to.

>313 jnwelch: It is celebrated here, Joe, but I had forgotten completely about it! Kyran and Belle hadn't though thankfully.

>314 richardderus: Certainly those three are amongst my finest achievements, RD. They take more after their mother thankfully!

>315 m.belljackson: We did look at properties, Marianne, but SWMBO seems fixated on moving to the same place but I feel it is now fated otherwise.

>316 streamsong: Ha! I remember those too, Janet! I do have a habit of picking myself up and dusting myself down. Don't know how many times I can keep on doing it though - I hope I'm not the humanoid version of a cat because it feels as if the nine lives are close to spent. xx

Happy Father's Day Paul in this difficult time for you mate.

Happy Father’s Day, Paul. I hope you come up with a new abode in a timely manner.

>320 johnsimpson: Thanks John. Love to you and Karen.

>321 Familyhistorian: Thank you, Meg. xx

Happy Father's Day!

>323 amanda4242: Thanks Amanda. xx

>311 LovingLit: and >317 PaulCranswick: I thought that HHhH was a MARVELOUS, AMAZING, AWESOME book, Megan and Paul! Now I'm hoping that the Cranswicks settle even more quickly than I was hoping before so that Paul can hurry up and read it.
Seriously, I hope that everything is settled to your satisfaction early in this present week, friend.

>218 PaulCranswick: I haven't visited for a few weeks Paul. Sorry to hear about your problems with your accommodation.

I've been out of touch for a few months. But de-lurking because mine have been just every day hard and yours have been seriously awful. Just wanted to say that I'm humbled by your ability to even think about forgiving this guy - I would have expletive removed killed him. So Happy belated Father's day to a wonderful man - and fingers crossed that karma gets it's arse in gear and sorts things out for you.

>325 LizzieD: Good books and good luck are a combination to be sought, Peggy. xx

>326 SandDune: Nice to see you here, Rhian.

>327 BekkaJo: Thank you for the lovely words, Bekka. Most times I don't feel much like a "wonderful man" except in the sense of being full of wonder (and oft times disbelief).

>218 PaulCranswick: Oh my goodness, Paul, I am terribly sad of the situation you've been placed in. What a violation of a kind, trusting man and his family. It sickens me but I am encouraged by your optimism and your business acumen. You will survive this!

>330 Carmenere: Thank you Lynda - I will certainly try!

First part of struggles accomplished as Hani and I have made it to the UK!

Couldn't get the same flight as she wants to stay two months and I can only stay 5 days. SWMBO travelled KL-MUSCAT-MANCHESTER and I travelled KL-DOHA-MANCHESTER but we arrived within 15 minutes of each other. Car hired. Drive over to my mum's and then onto Sheffield and her pied-a-terre where we will stay tonight before a long drive up to Edinburgh tomorrow for Yasmyne's graduation. Thankfully it is at 4 pm so we have time to wake up, brush up and drive up.

>331 PaulCranswick: Congratulations to Yasmyne; I hope it's a wonderful celebration for you all.

>331 PaulCranswick: Oh I'm glad to hear you've made it to the UK and are able to celebrate Yasmyne's graduation. Hope everything goes well, and congrats to the graduate!

Congrats to Yasmyne!!

>331 PaulCranswick: Brava Yasmine! Hooray for Hani being able to stay two whole months. Moving will be less troublesome with the one of you. (I'm assuming Belle will be with Hani.)

>332 laytonwoman3rd: Up at 5 am after four hours blessed sleep into the pleasant chill of a South Yorkshire morning.
Will drive up there in about 3 hours time and it should take us about 5 hours to reach Scotland's capital.

>333 bell7: Thank you, Mary. It was tough getting her through her studies so it will be a day of pride and relief.

>334 banjo123: Thanks Rhonda.

>335 richardderus: It will be Belle, Erni, Kyran and I making the move (next week hopefully) and SWMBO rearranging all the misplaced furniture when she returns!

Congrats to the lovely Yasmine on her graduation. Well done Paul and Hani for getting her through to this day. Enjoy!

>338 Familyhistorian: Thanks Meg.

More congratulations from me Paul. Hope you get the chance to sample some of the local beverages!

>340 charl08: So do I, Charlotte!

>331 PaulCranswick: so pleased you will be able to enjoy celebrating with Yasmine, Paul. Adding my congratulations to the graduate. What did she study?

>342 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks Caroline.

She did Town Planning and Property Development.