(Sir)Thomas way through 2021 with friends and books

This was our culinary advent calendar - a great delicious idea from one of our favorite restaurants.
Since the restaurant had to remain closed due to CORONA, they got creative. I hope we can visit them again soon in 2021.
And maybe this year there will be a calendar again - we would be happy.
But I am confident, they said they already have many ideas

I hope you had a good slide into 2021 - I hope you all stay healthy and the New Year will be a happy one for all of us.

Hi everybody, my Name is Thomas, I am 59 years young and I live in a small town in northern Baden Württemberg, Germany.
2020 was again a good reading year for me - 153 finished books.
This is my 9th year in this awesome group, and every year is going better and better with books and friends.

And as a Russian proverb says:
Who has the books to the friend, knows no boredom.

and another one by Walter Ludin:
Warning: reading can lead to thinking.

My reading performance in this group:
2013: _84 books
2014: 109 books
2015: _78 books
2016: 107 books
2017: 130 books
2018: 127 books
2019: 151 books
2020: 153 books

A great idea from Paul Cranswick was A BOOK A YEAR FOR THE FIRST 59 YEARS OF MY LIFE
This is my updated list:
1961 Ein Mann in einer fremden Welt / Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein
1962 Die Physiker / The Physicists: A Play by Friedrich Dürrenmatt
1963 Platon im Stripteaselokal / Misreadings by Umberto Eco
1964 Am Freitag schlief der Rabbi lang / Friday the Rabbi Slept Late by Harry Kemelman
1965 Der Wüstenplanet / Dune by Frank Herbert
1966 Die phantastische Reise / Fantastic Voyage by Isaac Asimov
1967 Die Vergangenheit der Zukunft (Future History) / The Past Through Tomorrow by Robert A. Heinlein
1968 2001 - Odyssee im Weltraum / 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
1969 Papillon / Papillon by Henri Charrière
1970 Und die Großen läßt man laufen / Murder at the Savoy by Maj Sjöwall & Per Wahlöö
1971 Der Exorzist / The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
1972 Sieh doch die Harlekins / Look at the Harlequins! by Vladimir Nabokov
1973 Momo oder die seltsame Geschichte von den Zeit-Dieben und von dem Kind, das den Menschen die gestohlene Zeit zurückbrachte / Momo by Michael Ende
1974 Carrie / Carrie by Stephen King
1975 Dhalgren / Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delany
1976 Interwiew mit einem Vampir / Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
1977 Sternentanz / Stardance by Jeanne Robinson & Spider Robinson
1978 Stadtgeschichten / Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin
1979 Per Anhalter durch die Galaxis / The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
1980 Der Name der Rose / The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
1981 Cujo / Cujo by Stephen King
1982 Freitag / Friday by Robert A. Heinlein
1983 Christine / Christine by Stephen King
1984 Der Talisman / The Talisman by Stephen King & Peter Straub
1985 Contact / Contact by Carl Sagan
1986 Es / It by Stephen King
1987 Der Elektrische Mönch: Dirk Gently's Holistische Detektei / Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams
1988 Fool on the hill / Fool on the hill by Matt Ruff
1989 Hyperion / Hyperion by Dan Simmons
1990 The Stand / The Stand (unabridged) by Stephen King
1991 Sofies Welt / Sophie's World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy by Jostein Gaarder
1992 Fräulein Smillas Gespür für Schnee / Smilla's Sense of Snow by Peter Høeg
1993 Alpträume / Nightmares & Dreamscapes by Stephen King
1994 Asche zu Asche / Playing for the Ashes by Elizabeth George
1995 Dunkle Kammern / The Dark Room by Minette Walters
1996 The Green Mile / The Green Mile by Stephen King
1997 G.A.S. / Sewer, Gas and Electric: The Public Works Trilogy by Matt Ruff
1998 Wächter der Nacht / The Night Watch by Sergej Lukianenko
1999 Die 13 1/2 Leben des Käpt'n Blaubär / 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear by Walter Moers
2000 Das Haus = House of leaves / House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
2001 Jack Taylor fliegt raus / The Guards: A Novel by Ken Bruen
2002 Die Bibel nach Biff : die wilden Jugendjahre von Jesus, erzählt von seinem besten Freund / Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore
2003 Ich und die anderen / Set This House in Order by Matt Ruff
2004 Der Turm / The Dark Tower by Stephen King
2005 Olympos / Olympos by Dan Simmons
2006 Am Ende war die Tat / What Came Before He Shot Her by Elizabeth George
2007 Der Tod und der Dicke / Death Comes for the Fat Man by Reginald Hill
2008 Das Spiel des Engels / The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
2009 1Q84 / 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
2010 Raum / Room by Emma Donoghue
2011 5 Dinge, die Sterbende am meisten bereuen / The Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing by Bronnie Ware
2012 Ein plötzlicher Todesfall / The Casual Vacancy by J. K. Rowling
2013 Das Dickicht / The Thicket by Joe R. Lansdale
2014 Fiona: Als ich tot war 7 The Strange Death of Fiona Griffiths by Harry Bingham
2015 Opferweg / Saint Odd by Dean Koontz
2016 Lovecraft Country / Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff
2017 Und dann steht einer auf und öffnet das Fenster by Susann Pasztor
2018 Von der Kunst, schlechte Nachrichten gut zu überbringen by Jalid Sehouli
2019 Kurt by Sarah Kuttner
2020 Trauer: Der Reiseführer durch ein fremdes Land by Katrin Brunner

Reading List for January
1. Der Distelfink / The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
2. Ich mag mich irren, aber ich finde dich fabelhaft / Young Man with a Horn by Dorothy Baker
3. Irisches Verhängnis by Hannah O'Brien
4. Dunkle Gewässer / Edge of Dark Water by Joe R. Lansdale
5. Die unvergleichliche Miss Kopp schlägt zurück / Lady Cop Makes Trouble by Amy Stewart
6. Jazz / Jazz by Toni Morrison
7. Paradise City by Zoë Beck
8. Das Dorf in den roten Wäldern / Still Life by Louise Penny
9. Hawaii by Cihan Acar
10. Die Morde von Pye Hall / Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
11. Die Springflut / Springfloden by Cilla Börjlind and Rolf Börjlind
12. Untergetaucht: Eine junge Frau überlebt in Berlin 1940 - 1945 by Marie Jalowicz Simon
13. Wir haben schon immer im Schloss gelebt / We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
14. Borne / Borne by Jeff VanderMeer
15. Mord im Spiegel / The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side by Agatha Christie

Reading List for February
16. Das Rosie-Projekt / The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
17. Spuk in Hill House / The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
18. Tödliche Nachbarschaft / Vallan varjoissa by Viveca Sten
19. Krähensommer by Brigitte Glaser
20. Die Blechtrommel by Günter Grass
21. Tief eingeschneit / Dead Cold by Louise Penny
22. Tschernobyl: Eine Chronik der Zukunft / Tschernobylskaja molitwa by Swetlana Alexijewitsch
23. Ich breche dich by L. C. Frey
24. Berge des Wahnsinns / At the Mountains of Madness by H. P. Lovecraft
25. Carlotta steigt ein / A trouble of fools by Linda Barnes
26. Bittersüße Schokolade / Como agua para chocolate by Laura Esquivel
27. Ernst ist das Leben (Bunbury) / The importance of being earnest by Oscar Wilde
28. Madame le Commissaire und der verschwundene Engländer by Pierre Martin

Reading List for March
29. Die dritte Stimme / Den tredje rösten by Cilla Börjlind and Rolf Börjlind
30. Schief gewickelt by Regula Venske
31. Das verlassene Haus / The Cruellest Month by Louise Penny
32. Die Bücherdiebin / The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
33. Später / Later by Stephen King

Reading List for April

Reading List for May

Reading List for June

Reading List for July

Reading List for August

Reading List for September

Reading List for October

Reading List for November

Reading List for December

Yesterday we celebrated New Year's Eve at home with a fondue and a bottle of champagne.
It was pretty quiet, this year no fireworks were allowed to be sold.

So we should be well prepared for what is to come....

A warm welcome to you!

Happy reading in 2021, Thomas!

We arrived safely in the New Year. Officially fireworks were also banned here, but there was only slightly less than the year before. Frank worked the night and arrived at 9:30, then we could finally give eachother a big New Years hug :-)
Wishing you and yors all the best for 2021!

I wish you a Happy New Year. May it be better than the old one.

Happy New Reading Year, Thomas!

Welcome back!

And keep up with my friends here, Thomas. Have a great 2021.

Champagne and fondue sounds like a pretty good New Year's!
We had champagne too, but our neighborhood went over the top with fireworks. And being so close to Mexico, people brought home the stuff that sounds like grenades, ha.

Enjoy your reading in 2021.

Here's to a brighter, better, bookier 2021!!

I'm sending all good wishes for 2020!

>18 FAMeulstee: Thank you, Anita.
We also had a few fireworks, but much less than usual. As a result, there was also much less smoke and fog.

>19 Ameise1: Thank you, Barbara - I wish you the same!

>20 PersephonesLibrary: Thank you, Kathy - the best wshes to you!

>21 drneutron: Thank you, Jim.

>22 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul - I will do my best, I think I am on a good way.

more sleep
Thank god I don't have any problems with that.
more music
We slided into the new year with Concert recordings on TV and internet. A TV station that only broadcast music that day - without advertising! Bob Dylan, Chaka Khan, Metallica, Roger Waters, Mariah Carey, A salute to Prince, Shakira, Alice Cooper,... a wide range. And just before midnight Jean-Michel Jarre virtually in Notre Dame on youtube.
more tea
We start every morning with darjeeling and often have green tea in the afternoon.
more books
Well I do my very best...
more sunsets
I hope we will have some this spring at the sea.
more creating
I will try
more long walks
We will go for a walk in the afternoon - this is thank god allowed.
more long laughter
Oh yes, this is really wesentlich
more long hugs
Thank god i can hug my wife. But I long for hugs from friends.
But here I feel hugged by all of you - a good feeling
more long dreaming
Without dreams the world is poorer.
more road trips
It's always good to see new things
more fun
This is what we all need
more love
Most important of all!

I wish you all the same and may your dreams come true!

>23 mstrust: Thank you, Jennifer
Too much is never good - with us the animals were very happy about the somewhat quieter time ...

>24 thornton37814: Thank you Lori, the same to you!

>25 Berly: Thank you, Kim, you are so right!

>26 Whisper1: Thank you, Linda - best wishes to you too

Dropping off my and wishing you the best of new years in 2021!

Thank you Roni, the same to you!

Ok, time for the first book of the year.
I started it on 20.12.23. - it was a birthday book. Sometimes I start a book by an author at the LibraryThing birthday list at the homepage. And when it is a recommendation of this gorgeous group - all the better!
This one took a little longer - 1,024 pages - and I had a little eye issues. Floaters in the right eye - but I am getting used to it.
The doctor says it's a sign of aging, but the left eye is just as old....


1. Der Distelfink / The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
German title translated: The Goldfinch - finally a suitable translation - the German titles are often terrible
The life story of Theo Decker. As a child he loses his mother in a bombing in a museum. He survives, a dying man gives him his ring and asks him to take down a picture - the goldfinch.
He takes both with him. The picture accompanies him all his life. He is taken in by the rich family of a friend, later picked up by his father, who has disappeared until now, and becomes a drug addict.
When his father dies, he flees to the business partner of the man who died in the museum, who takes him in.
To save him financially, he makes crooked deals, also the painting continues to occupy him.
This is a very rambling and very well told story. It is not boring, but quite long.

>32 SirThomas: Happy Sunday, Thomas. I liked that one too.

>32 SirThomas: Nice review, Thomas, I hope to read it someday.
Dutch titles often have the same problem. The bird is also called "distelvink" in Dutch, but better known as "puttertje", which is the title of the Dutch translation.

>33 Ameise1: Thank you, Barbara - good books are something beautiful.

>34 FAMeulstee: Thank you, Anita - it is worth to give it a try.
My reading was like a wave, sometimes I was deeply immersed, sometimes I thought there must be land in sight at some point now. But the diving prevailed.
I often get upset about the German titles, but then the content reconciles me...

Don't get me started on German titles! I think the worst was Young Man With a Horn by Dorothy Baker about the life of a Jazz musician. The German title has got nothing to do with the original nor does fit the novel in any way: "Ich mag mich irren, aber ich finde dich fabelhaft". What? I actually asked the publishers what they were thinking: It's a quote from a Jazz song (which is not mentioned in the book - how am I supposed to know that?). It's a pity because the novel is great and very intensely written.

Just dropping my star here. Happy new year / Frohes neues Jahr.

>36 PersephonesLibrary: OMG - how does a book with a title like that ever find a buyer?
But thank goodness for booksellers - and the great recommendations of this group.
Thanks for that - my public library has it in stock and I have already borrowed it.

>37 sirfurboy: Thank you, Stephen - the same to you and Welcome!

>38 SirThomas: I asked myself that as well... I expected something completely different from the title. Luckily, the surprise was a positive one. I hope you'll enjoy it!

Thanks for the recommendation, Kathy - I had a quick look and couldn't stop.


2. Ich mag mich irren, aber ich finde dich fabelhaft / Young Man with a Horn by Dorothy Baker
German title translated: I may be wrong, but I think you are fabulous

A biography of a white jazz musician.
The first contact with the book is like putting your foot in cold water. You have to get over yourself a bit to go all the way in. The book was written in 1938, and you can tell.
But once you're all the way in, you don't want to come up!
Rick Martin doesn't make music, he IS the music. He dives deep into the flame and burns in it.
I read the book in one go, listening to an album by Bix Beiderbecke in the background - Great.
While reading, I asked myself, why didn't you practice more when you had recorder lessons and later guitar lessons?
But I didn't feel the fire then and when I see the end I think - maybe fortunately. I am satisfied with my life as it is. Especially because of books like this.

Two already! Look at you go. I also enjoyed The Goldfinch and I am glad you can enjoy the music, too. : )

>40 SirThomas: I am so glad you enjoyed it - despite the title. :)

>41 Berly: Thank you, Kim. I have to admit, that I startet the first one in 2020. And th second one was rather short...
Books and music is apretty good combination - often but not in every case.

>42 PersephonesLibrary: It was a pleasure, Kathy. Thank you again for the recommendation!

The next book is again a recommendation from this wonderful group - thank you, Barbara!

3. Irisches Verhängnis by Hannah O'Brien
German title translated: Irish Doom
Hannah O'Brien returns from Denmark to take over as head of homicide in Galway.
She has to deal with rejection, as a commissioner from the service wanted the position.
It's not easy for her, as she was born in the area and doesn't have only good memories.
She finds support in her colleague Rory Coyne, who has 6 daughters and second sight, and business detective Peter Burke.
When a first murder is followed by more murders, she is under a lot of pressure, especially since her family clan also seems to play a role. In addition, her daughter disappears, which doesn't make her life any easier.
A very atmospheric novel, exciting and varied.
I have already ordered the next volume in the series from the public library.

My female quota is 100% so far - and all good books. This is a good start to the year.
Last year it was 30%, let's see where I end up this year.

The first week of the year is over and already the good resolutions are forgotten, the next book is by a male author:


4. Dunkle Gewässer / Edge of Dark Water by Joe R. Lansdale
German title translated: Dark Waters - the German title is not bad at all
Just as Stephen King is literarily at home in Maine, Joe R. Lansdale is in East Texas; many of his books are set here.
Sue Ellen lives in poverty on the Sabine River, her mother is an alcoholic, her father stalks her. When, while fishing, she pulls out May Lynn, a friend who had a sewing machine tied to her legs, she begins to investigate.
With a friend (he is gay), a girlfriend (she is black) she wants to scatter May Lynn's ashes in Hollywood, she wanted to be an actress. In her diary they find a card with clues to money from a bank robbery by her brother.
Poor, black, gay in Texas in the thirties - not a good combination for the three detectives.
An increasingly fast-paced and bloodthirsty story develops, especially when a maniacal killer comes after them. It is well written, but a bit too gritty for me (perhaps at the moment).

I have not yet implemented the good resolutions to do more sport - apart from long walks, I haven't do sso much. The year has only just started, but there are still chances for improvement.

Although, there's nothing like this moment of the day:
When you get up from the sofa to get a beer from the fridge and your heart rate monitor tells you:
You've reached your goal!

>46 SirThomas: Haha, I feel you! I know sport would be really good for me, but I just don't manage to do it. But when I work I wouldn't know when. Maybe we can join and found a sport selfhelp group to keep each other motivated.

>45 SirThomas: This one sounds really good, until the "too gritty" part. Hm. I may put it on my 'want to read but maybe not just now' list...
Thanks for the great review!

>44 SirThomas: Glad to hear, that you liked it.

>46 SirThomas: LOL

Wishing you a wondeerful weekend, Thomas.

>47 PersephonesLibrary: This would be a good idea, Käthe - we could set goals together - like a situp or 3 squats for every 10 pages ;-).
In the spring I will do more sports outside again. I play some golf, but at the moment the course is closed because of frost. i'm not very good, but it's a lot of fun and much less elitist than i thought before, although there are people like that too.

>48 scaifea: Thank you Amber. Lansdale writes very well, he's one of my favorite authors.
I love the Hap and Leonard Series, also the Drive-in Series is great.

>49 Ameise1: Thank you, Barbara, the same to you.
I am always happy when I get recommendations. This group is just fantastic. In every way.

To find a reason for the sport, we have again a feast weekend ;-).
Yesterday we had saffron pasta with garlic shrimp - fantastic.
You take some olive oil, fry a few cloves of black garlic briefly in it (the garlic is fermented and therefore a bit sweeter and not quite as spicy). Then you add the shrimps.
At the same time, cook the pasta and add a few saffron threads to the water.
When the shrimps are cooked, add the noodles and mix everything.
This tastes extremely delicious.

Today we are making a roast beef, low temperature 2-3 hours at 80° C (176° F), with noodles and a very tasty sauce, which consists of red wine and cardamom, among other things.

In addition, the sun is shining today and we just came back from a walk.
This afternoon we go out again.

>51 SirThomas: Your Sunday roast sounds delicious!

It was very delicious!
I am so glad and grateful that my wife loves to cook and cooks so well.
Yesterday we had the rest of the meat cold and roasted potatoes.
I love leftovers.

I agree - leftovers are great! I generally cook a couple of big meals each week and the we live on the leftovers for the rest of the week. Cold roast meat sandwiches are one of my favorite things!

Yes that is also delicious.
My favorite leftover meal is on New Year's Day.
We make our fondue not with oil, but with meat broth.
The leftover meat is chopped up and added to the broth at the end. The noodle soup the next day is simply the best. (OK, the noodles are freshly cooked, but I still count it as leftover food).

And back on track again...


5. Die unvergleichliche Miss Kopp schlägt zurück / Lady Cop Makes Trouble by Amy Stewart
German title translated: The incomparable Miss Kopp strikes back
Constance Kopp works as a deputy sheriff and prison guard.
When she lets a prisoner escape, she sets out to find him herself. Against all odds. After all, a woman in 1915 does not do such a thing.
A beautifully light-footed story, without ignoring the serious background.
Thanks for the recommendation, Kim!

And a nice quote from my calendar, which brings something new every day....

What is your name?
Fuck you!
Nice name.

>55 SirThomas: Leftover beef with noodles was a staple in our family while I was growing up! Careful: I'm close to inviting myself over to you house for dinner!

If you walk right away, you might arrive when the contact restrictions are lifted ;-).
Hopefully times will get better again by the middle of the year.
But seriously - Cooking for book lovers would be our pleasure.

>50 SirThomas: It's only natural to be more active during spring and summer, I guess... though when I think about it I am as lazy then as I am now. :-) BUT I got a "50-day-challenge" card set with sporty ideas for everyday. I was thinking: "Well, I hate jogging but this sounds like fun - things I can do simply at home." Guess what the first challenge was... Indeed: "Don't think about it. Get your running shoes on and go for a run."

I am quite motivated to resume yoga...

Since I don't own running shoes, I would have trouble meeting this challenge ;-).
You woke me up with the mention of yoga.
Yoga is just class - for body and mind - I highly recommend it.
My wife and I are in a hatha yoga group with a very good teacher. We practice once a week - usually. Since my wife belongs to the risk group due to her health we cannot participate. At the moment the yoga school is closed anyway. We miss it very much.
The only thing I still do are the breathing exercises to relax in between.
We have "forgotten" the other exercises - We have been practicing for years, it should not be a problem to do it at home. I will get better - I promise!

>56 SirThomas: Yay! I am glad you like this series. : )

>61 SirThomas: Have you tried to find yoga classes online? I have several DVDs and also a live class I do occasionally in the comfort of my living room. I also laughed when you mentioned doing squats or situps every 10 pages of reading or so. I have to do that at home when I am working. For every couple of pages I scan in, I try to do something active just so I am not sitting in a chair all day. Good luck!

Finally found your thread!

>1 SirThomas: I have advent calendar envy! What a great idea the restaurant had!

>32 SirThomas: I read that one last year and enjoyed it. Even the length of it worked.

Have a great rest of the week.

>62 Berly: Thank you, Kim. I am the problem.
I have many years of experience and also instructions for at home from our yoga teacher. I just have to do it.

>63 figsfromthistle: Yes, the calendar was just great!
The restaurant is really very good and they have good ideas even in normal times.
When I think back over the past year, we ate "there" more often during the lockdown than at normal times.

This weekend we want to get the food from another good restaurant, we have already asked in the house if we can bring someone something delicious.

If the book is good, the page number doesn't matter, I often think: oh is it already over?

Thank you, Anita, I wish you the same!

6. Jazz / Jazz by Toni Morrison
German title translated: Jazz - Thank God this title was not messed up
Harlem, 1926 - an older man shoots his young mistress. His wife attacks the corpse, later she talks to the mother.
The story and the back story are told from different perspectives. Beautiful.
I think the book can be compared not only with a piece of music, in which a theme is played in different variations (Which is reflected in the title). I think it also has something of a painting, Toni Morrison paints with words.

This book is good for my statistics in several ways - it increases my quota of female authors, it's a paper book (lately I seem to be leaning more towards ebooks), and I have another Nobel Prize winner in my list.

7. Paradise City by Zoë Beck
A recommendation from my radio station.
Germany in a not too far future. Climate change has caused the seas to swell. The people live under constant surveillance by the state, there is a further development of smartphones and networked devices for health monitoring. The press is state dependent, but there is a small group of independent journalists underground. Liina is one of them and is sent by her boss to the provinces to investigate a very banal story. When she comes back, her boss and secret lover had a serious accident. Is this related to her story, what was he investigating? As more people die, it becomes dangerous.
The book is exciting and well written, but it gives me too many inconsistencies.
Liina knows too many important people who suddenly play a role ...
But the technology bothered me most. The book was published in 2020 - journalists find it very easy to enter false identities into the system. You can retrace the motion profiles of your dead colleagues for months, but all you have to do is turn off GPS to become invisible to surveillance and travel around with the wrong identity. The health monitoring device remains on. Messages are sent that are deleted by the people after they have been read - everything is already archived today and what has been deleted is retained - the Trumpists at Parler have just noticed that too.
With these mistakes I couldn't really enjoy the book.

Looks like many of us are going to have great reading months, Thomas.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Toni Morrison is on my reading list for this year. It's a shame I haven't read anything by her - though I've got books. ("Yay" about the title translation :D)

Looks like you are doing great on the reading front, if not on the exercise front. I need to improve on both!

>67 PaulCranswick: The times are good for reading. I like to travel in my mind, it is a good alternative to travel in the real world, which is not possible right now. With a book you'll be on another continent in no time, or even further...
I wish you a wonderful sunday, Paul.

>68 PersephonesLibrary: For that, I thank this group (and you too) for bringing books to my attention that I would otherwise overlook.
The next one is a good book, but the german title is a mess - I will post it a bit later, now I will have a walk in the snow!
I wish you a wonderful sunday, Käthe!

>69 ronincats: Thank you for visiting me, Roni!
There are ups and downs, but it seems, my exercising is permanent down
I wish you a wonderful sunday, Roni!

>70 SirThomas: I just came back from shovelling snow for an hour... and snow suddenly loses its magic. ;-) BUT I will count that as sports again. Happy Sunday - enjoy your walk!

We were awakened this morning to snow being shoveled in front of our house. This is an advantage of an apartment complex where many elderly people and tenants live. The clearing & cleaning services are done by companies.
Sometimes I miss our house a little, especially the space for books and our fireplace.
But then I think of the summer, when I sit late in the afternoon with a book and a glass of good red wine on the sunny balcony under the awning in the shade and listen all around me to the hum of the lawn mowers and think - thank God I do not have to do that anymore.
We had a nice relaxing feast weekend, yesterday we made salmon tarte flambée. We have a baking stone and our oven reaches 300°C (572°F). The dough gets crispy and stays juicy. Today we supported a restaurant again (not the one with the calendar, but also very good) and made a collective order for our house. When we picked it up at noon today, the streets were clear.
My wife had a veal schnitzel Viennese style with fries, I had a beef roulade (stuffed with ham and pickles).
These are things we don't make ourselves, French fries only taste good out of the deep fryer, and that's too much effort for us at home, beef roulade only I like and I don't want to impose on my wife to cook something she doesn't like.

8. Das Dorf in den roten Wäldern / Still Life by Louise Penny
German title translated: The village in the red woods, but there is another german title: Denn alle tragen Schuld - Because all are to blame
I hate it when the same book is published with different titles.
This is also a recommendation from the group, but I never found it because I was looking for the wrong title.
A small village in Canada, a dead woman, a shocked village community.
Lovingly told in detail, no big shock moments, but still suspenseful.
I will gladly continue reading the series

>73 SirThomas: I loved that one and the second book, Thomas.
Sadly the Dutch publisher stopped after book 2, and the the next publisher started at book 8, continued to book 9 and also quitted :-(

Your restaurant order sounds so delicious!

When we moved a couple of years ago we traded a bigger yard for a smaller one, and although my husband grumbles sometimes about missing the space, I know he doesn't miss the longer mowing time.

>72 SirThomas: It sounds like a delicious meal! And your salmon tarte too, as I like salmon a lot.
I used to have to mow half of our yard, just half, because the neighbor on that side insisted on putting down lawn seeds twice a year and his grass always grew into our yard. He moved away a few years ago and we have the desert landscaping. We just have to use a trimmer along the sidewalk and cut back our Mexican Birds of Paradise.

>73 SirThomas: Publishing under two titles definitely makes it hard to find a book. It is even worse when you buy the same book twice because you did not realise that you already read it under the other title.

Not that I would ever do such a thing.

*cough*

:)

>74 FAMeulstee: That's a great pity, Anita.
Then I'd rather put up with the German titles...

>75 scaifea: Thank you very much, Amber, it was delicious.
I also had to get used to the smaller space first - especially because of the exposed books, but overall I enjoy the situation very much.

>76 mstrust: Thank you Jennifer, we enjoyed the meal.
I miss gardening the least - although our herbs used to grow better. There is just very little room in the pot.

>77 sirfurboy: This has never happened to me either ;-).
By the way, that was the reason why I cataloged my library in Librarything.
In some bookstores they look a bit strange when I look at a book, run out for a moment and then come back in and buy it. Then when I explain that I need internet to check if I already have the book, they understand. Some of them are now on LT themselves.
Unfortunately, it took me a little longer to realize that LT is much more than just a catalog of my books.

9. Hawaii by Cihan Acar
A recommendation from my daily newspaper.
A homeless Turk wanders disoriented through his hometown and searches for himself.
Heilbronn at the hottest time of the year. Kemal is 21 and already has life behind him. He was a soccer star in Turkey until a self-inflicted car accident left him unable to play.
We accompany him from Thursday to Sunday on his ways through Heilbronn, he meets friends, racists, fanatics...
The book is great written, as a reader I had the feeling to move together with him through the area.
Maybe it also helped that I used to work in Heilbronn and know the city a little bit...

>80 SirThomas: I think I need to quit LT... another book bullet shot into my direction. Going to get that one!

Don't do it, I don't want to lose you!
Besides, book bullets are the only bullets that give pleasure.
I hope you will enjoy the reading.
By the way, the title is appropriate this time - Hawaii is the nickname of a residential area in Heilbronn, where mainly Turks live.

>81 PersephonesLibrary: I am sorry. Quitting LT is not an option. Just saying. ; )

Sir Thomas, I am glad you get to read in the summer to the sounds of lawn mowers and enjoy the fact that you no longer have to do that!! Or shovel the walks. Small pleasures--enjoy them!

>79 SirThomas: I love the idea of you rushing out of a store to check if you have the book. :) I am sure the book sellers are just glad you didn't then opt to purchase it online!

>83 Berly: I do, Kim!- the small pleasures are often the best pleasures.

>84 sirfurboy: I very rarely buy books online, only when I am looking for an out of print used book.
Our local bookstore also has an online presence, here you can order books and pick them up later. But you can also buy ebooks through it. I don't know how much they earn from it, but it's probably a few percent.
Since I read a lot on vacation, I mainly take ebooks with me.

Douglas Adams has said that the answer to all questions and problems of the universe is: 42.
I have the hope that for the solution of a few smaller problems of the universe (but bigger for us) also the 46 plays a role.

>86 SirThomas: Nicely said. : )

Thank you, Kim.
I think I should read something from him again sometime....

>82 SirThomas: + >83 Berly: Come on, I don't have any more space!! :D I asked the publisher for a copy. Fingers crossed he will send me one as I have banned myself from buying any new books in January (ban starting ... um... tomorrow).

Happy reading weekend!!

For a book buying ban, tomorrow is always a good day....
And if you are really looking for space...
__

I wish you a happy reading weekend, too!!

And again a recommendation of this great group, this time from several sides (and a continuation novel in my daily newspaper - but which I have not read because I am too impatient).
Unfortunately, it weakens my female quota, but the book is worth it.

10. Die Morde von Pye Hall / Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
German title translated: The murders of Pye Hall
Two books for the price of one!
Susan Ryeland is an editor at a publishing house. When an author dies (presumed suicide) she is asked to oversee his last book, but the last chapter is missing. Therefore, she begins to search and doubts the suicide theory.
A really beautifully written and exciting novel. It also reprints the late author's novel, which also gives clues to Susan's search - a fine parody of Agatha Christie. You can tell that Anthony Horowitz had a lot of fun writing it.
Definitely not my last Horowitz.

>90 SirThomas: *snork!* I love the books in the lazy susan!

>90 SirThomas: LOL, I showed Frank that first picture and we both thought it was very funny, Thomas.

>92 scaifea: My wife not so much ;-)
I wish you a wonderful sunday, Amber.

>93 FAMeulstee: I am happy when I can bring some smiles into the world.
I wish you and Frank a wonderful sunday, Anita.

But I must confess that the pictures are a bit posed...
Today have a reading sunday - a rainy, snowy, stormy day. But I think we will go out for a walk, anyway. And as they say in the north - there is no bad weather, there are only unsuitable clothes.

11. Die Springflut / Springfloden by Cilla Börjlind and Rolf Börjlind
English title: Spring Tide - German title translated: The Spring Tide
Olivia Rönning is a police officer in training. For practice, she is asked to investigate an old case. A pregnant woman was buried by the sea and left to the tide.
The policeman investigating the case at the time cannot be found at first; he is living as a homeless person.
But Olivia overcomes many odds and determines new findings.
Then another murder occurs and she is threatened herself.
The book starts very dark, but then develops into a well-written exciting story with 2 likeable main characters despite all their quirks.

>90 SirThomas: Ahhh, the windowsill shelving… it works great until it doesn't. It looks like this has been a good reading month!

>90 SirThomas: Aah, nice ideas! I have got already some in the car, three piles next to the bed... and I also keep some in my locker at work. I was thinking about building a little fort out of the books I have already read.



>91 SirThomas: Does Moonflower Murders have anything to do with the Mugpie Murders? I just realized that I have got the first one on my wishlist but can't remember why...

>96 false-knight: It actually only worked for the photo, Emery ;-).
A move brought sharp cuts, an ebook reader brought some relaxation again.
Yes, January has already started well with quantity, but thank God also quality.

>97 PersephonesLibrary: What a wonderful idea, Käthe - I love it!
As far as I know, Moonflower Murders is the 2nd volume in the Susan Reyland series. I hope a translation will be available soon.
Magpie Murders is the first volume, I know that I saw the book first in our daily newspaper, but I don't read the serial there because the bits are too small for me. Then different people in this group rated the book very well, but I don't know who was ultimately responsible for it either, it could have been Roni or Jim ...

>98 SirThomas: I wasn't the first, but definitely rated it quite high. Moonflower Murders is the second involving the main character introduced in Magpie Murders. I'm on the library reserve list, but it may be a while before my turn comes.

>98 SirThomas: Noted. I am not really a crime novel reader but I like the design of Horowitz' covers... I know... not the best reason to buy a book. :) Aaand I have to read Hawaii first anyway. My reading copy arrived today!

>99 drneutron: I thought so - thank you, Jim!

>100 PersephonesLibrary: A good cover is usually a sign that the overall concept is right and that the publisher has taken good care of the book. I think it's also a good indication of the quality of the content.
Enjoy reading Hawaii, I hope you like it, Käthe.

Yesterday was the international day of remembrance of the victims of the Holocaust.
Therefore, it is very fitting that I was able to finish this book the same day:


12. Untergetaucht: Eine junge Frau überlebt in Berlin 1940 - 1945 by Marie Jalowicz Simon
English title: Underground in Berlin: A Young Woman's Extraordinary Tale of Survival in the Heart of Nazi Germany - German title translated: In hiding: A young woman survives in Berlin 1940 - 1945
The story of a young Jewish woman who evades her deportation and goes into hiding in Berlin. She receives unexpected support from many sides, but also has to endure a lot.
The book is written in a very clear style and catchy, sometimes even a bit humorous. But then the reader suddenly realizes again what this woman has taken on everything to survive and in what danger she was always hovering.
The book is highly recommended, especially in these days when right-wing machinations and anti-Semitism are resurfacing.
Marie Jalowicz Simon had to go into almost complete isolation (also inwardly and emotionally) in order to survive - and there 11 year old idiots compare themselves with Anne Frank, just because they are not allowed to invite guests to her birthday!

A quote from Max Mannheimer that was in my calendar yesterday fits here:
You are not to blame for what was, but responsible for it not happening again.

>102 SirThomas: What I had forgotten: Thank you, Anita (figsfromthistle) for the recommendation!

And since not everyone is familiar with the German news:
We have restrictions because of CORONA, among others contact restrictions, less people together, less contagion.
There are people who see this as an inadmissible restriction of their basic rights, think that Corona is only a mild flu and that the vaccination will implant a chip with which Bill Gates can control us all...
Due to the restrictions, family celebrations with several people are also not allowed.
On a CORONA demo a girl ("Jana from Kassel") compared herself with Anne Frank, because she had to celebrate her birthday secretly.

Well - let's compare:
Anne was blamed for the evil in the world - Jana blames everyone else.
Anne's family was brutally murdered - Jana's behavior can kill her grandparents.
Anne was completely isolated - Jana was even allowed to go to demos
When Anne was discovered, she was murdered - Jana's possible punishment - pocket money reduction

Yes that can be compared very well, can't it? :-(

>102 SirThomas: I have got that one somewhere on my shelves... I agree with your last sentence: It made me so angry to see those protesters lamentating about dictatorship and freedom of speech - while watching Belarus at the same time where people are arrested, beat or simply dissappear...

>102 SirThomas: I had missed that. It saddens me and I think it despicable that there are still people who try to deny that the Holocaust actually happened.
Have a great weekend, Thomas.

>105 PersephonesLibrary: You are so right, Käthe.
Those who lament the loudest are just those who allow only one opinion - their own.
To be of a different opinion is not oppression!

>106 PaulCranswick: Yes, Paul, this is terrible. And this has also in no way to do with freedom of expression, but is simply abhorrent.

I wish you both a wonderful Sunday in spite of everything!

But now for something enjoyable - books!
The weekend was rainy and I decided not to start my computer - so I had a lot time to read.
The first two are recommendations from Emery (false-knight), the last from Paul (Cranswick).
I LOVE THIS GROUP!

13. Wir haben schon immer im Schloss gelebt / We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
German title translated: We have always lived in the castle - finally an adequate german title again!

Merrycat and her sister live isolated on the outskirts of a village with their uncle, who is in a wheelchair.
The book begins with Merrycat going shopping. The village seems mad, but very slowly you realize that Merrycat is more the mad one.
The reader learns that almost the entire family has been poisoned, Merrycat's sister has been accused and acquitted.
Later, another cousin moves in, who is out for money.
The sense of menace keeps changing from protagonist to protagonist, each having normal moments, yet being mad again. A gentle horror that entertains the reader well.
The book is only a year younger than me, but I feel much older....

14. Borne / Borne by Jeff VanderMeer

A destroyed city, haunted by biotechnically modified creatures, including a giant bear. Rachel and Wick have adapted to life as best they can and try to stay out of the wars. But each has his own story. When Rachel finds a piece of bioengineering that grows slowly and seems to be very intelligent, things come to a head.
The bear reminded me of Stephen King's Shardik in his Dark Tower series. This book sucked me into the story as much as King often manages to do for me.
Highly recommended.

15. Mord im Spiegel / The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side by Agatha Christie
German title translated: Murder in the Mirror

I love Miss Marple.
This time she is recovering from bronchitis when she learns that a villager has died. She was poisoned while speaking at a party with the lady of the house, a famous actress.
With her inimitable manner and knowledge of human nature, she begins to unravel the background of the crime and uncover the murderer.
A great reading pleasure.

Happy Sunday, Thomas!

Shirley Jackson is fantastic, isn't she?

Yes, she manages to make the reader feel slightly uneasy about their own perceptions. I have another book by her, I'm looking forward to it.
Have a wonderful Sunday, Amber.

>109 SirThomas:, >110 SirThomas:: !!! I'm so glad you liked them!

You've read some very good books! I admire Shirley Jackson so much.

>114 false-knight: It was a pleasure, thanks again Emery.

> 115 Thank you, Jennifer, I will bring forward the next book by her.

And the first stats of the year:

Books read: 15
Pages read: 6,052 (longest 1,024 / shortest 224 / average 403)

Personal rating:
average rating
highest rating
lowest rating

Author nationalities:

Canada: 1 / 1 / 1
England: 2 / 2 / 2
Germany: 4 / 4 / 4
Sweden: 2 / 2 / 2
USA: 7 / 7 / 7

Sum: 16 / 16 / 16

Counting mode: All authors of the books / Main Author(s) or Editor(s) per book / Only different authors

Gender:
female authors: 11 / 11 / 11
male authors: 5 / 5 / 5

alive authors: 11 / 11 / 11
dead authors: 5 / 5 / 5

date first published:
1930-1939: 1
1960-1969: 2
1990-1999: 1
2000-2009: 1
2010-2019: 8
2020-2020: 2

>117 SirThomas: Looks like a very good start this year, Thomas!

>118 FAMeulstee: Thank you, Anita - Yes, bookwise and otherwise.
We had a good start into 2021, we had fine food - homemade and picked up from restaurants. We are healthy, the first of our neighbours are vaccined yet. The two who had the virus are at home again and they are not so bad.
But there is a small drop of melancholy, we have moved our vacation. In March, the risk was too great for us to go to an island. We have booked a vacation apartment, but it is not sure whether restaurants and stores are allowed to open, maybe there are travel restrictions. So we play it safe and booked for October.
This year we definitely want to go to the North Sea again. We accept the cancellation fees.

>119 SirThomas: Sorry to read you have canceled your March vacation, Thomas, so now you have to wait for October.

We still go ahead for a week walking the Pieterpad in March. The supermarkets will be open, there is a nice kitchen in the holliday cottage, and both Guido and my husband are good cooks ;-)

Looks like you had a very good reading month, Thomas.

>120 FAMeulstee: It is ok, Anita, so we have more time to look forward to ;-)
We will have a vacation in spring - but not so far from home.
I wish you good luck for your vacation.

>121 ronincats: Thank you, Roni, I hope I can continue.

>117 SirThomas: Great statistics and a lovely choice of books! Fingers crossed that the spring vacation will work out for you!

>123 PersephonesLibrary: Thank you, Käthe - I had a lot of help in choosing the books.
And I'm really proud of my female/male ratio.
For the vacation I bn good hope, since we do not want to go far away, we can plan at very short notice.

16. Das Rosie-Projekt / The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
German title translated: The Rosie Project

A light, funny story about a professor with Asperger's syndrome trying to find the perfect wife and get by in life.
It made me smile more than once - and that's good in these times.

17. Spuk in Hill House / The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
German title translated: The Haunting of Hill House - Again a suitable German title :)

A haunted house is to be scientifically investigated. A scientist invites 2 women who are sensitive to the supernatural, plus a nephew of the house owner.
The atmosphere in the house is gloomy, there are eerie phenomena, when the professor's wife arrives, things start to move.
I really like the writing style and how the author plays with the reader's expectations. As in Book # 13, it is not clear who is ultimately responsible for the psychic phenomena.

>126 SirThomas: I read that one last year and honestly, I don't remember much of it. I just remember that I kind of destroyed the reading experience myself. While reading it I remembered the name "Hugh Crain" and a story connected to it. Unfortunately, it was the story of the 90s movie adaptation.... I have expected a very different ending and was quite surprised, almost disappointed... It gave the book a completely different meaning.

>126 SirThomas: Oh, I absolutely *love* this one! And the 1963 movie is fabulous - scariest movie I've ever seen.

>125 SirThomas: Indeed, a smile now and then is needed, Thomas, even more in these strange times.
I also enjoyed this one. I thought the next two in the series are a bit less, but still can make you smile on occasion.

>127 PersephonesLibrary: For me it's always difficult to know both, book and movie, Käthe. Usually the book wins.
Hugh Crain doesn't appear here personally, but he doesn't seem to have been a nice person.
I'm not sure how much of the book I'll remember either. I enjoyed reading it, but it's certainly not a book that stays in my head for long.

>128 scaifea: It was a great read, Amber. I'm not sure if I'll be able to see the movie, I'll have to look for it.

>129 FAMeulstee: It was a nice change of pace, Anita, very good in these times. I don't know yet if I will read the follow up volumes, right now I have too many BB's in my inventory.

Today I had my first haircut at home!!!
Hairdressers have been closed for 2 months. Since I wear my hair short, they already looked pretty wild.
So I bought a hair clipper and my wife went for the haircut.
It actually looks pretty good - and my head is much lighter!

18. Tödliche Nachbarschaft / Vallan varjoissa by Viveca Sten
English title: In The Shadow of Power
German title translated: Deadly neighborhood

An inconsiderate neighbor with a new building on the island. A fire with one death. Is it related to the dispute, or are there other reasons - the builder is also shady and has connections to Russia.
Again, very well written and exciting. But it was not outstanding, the two main characters remained pale, last time Nora had difficulties in the job, this time Thomas does not know if he can stay in the police. He is listless and unfocused - sometimes the book makes the same impression on me.
Not that it's bad, but others are better.

>131 SirThomas: ...and my head is much lighter! Ha, you must have very thick hair! Glad the home haircut went well.
>126 SirThomas: I loved that one. And the 1963 movie version with Claire Bloom and Julie Harris is the best.

>133 mstrust: After more than 2 months, some things are growing on the head. On Monday I have a video conference - Let's see what the colleagues say, or, if they ask me to turn off the camera....
Now I seriously have to look for the film, you and Amber have made me very curious, Jennifer!

>128 scaifea: / >133 mstrust: I found a bluray in good condition on the internet and ordered it.
You have made me very curious and I am looking forward to it.
Even if I have to watch it alone, because my wife can not watch such movies.

As my last haircut was done by my youngest daughter who fled the scene of the crime halfway scared and halfway in floods of laughter, I can appreciate your feeling different without most of your hair!

>135 SirThomas: Oh, yay! I hope you love it!

>137 scaifea: me too ;-)

>135 SirThomas: Yes, let us know what you think after you've watched it.
>136 PaulCranswick: Oh, dear. But you would have mentioned if one of your ears was missing. :-D

>136 PaulCranswick: I hope you still recognized yourself in the mirror, Paul.
Anyway, my video conference yesterday went without incident ;-)

>139 mstrust: Since the package is already on its way, I hope to be able to report soon.
Why do I have to think of Thursday Next now?

>130 SirThomas: It's only me to blame for spoiling the book for myself. I remember that I liked the psychological implications a lot.

>131 SirThomas: Yay, I am looking forward to a haircut, too. It has been growing for a while now, and it takes forever to dry. But even if the hairdresser's are open now, I don't feel comfortable to go there. I hope your week is going smoothly!

>141 PersephonesLibrary: I feel the same way, Käthe. For me, it sometimes depends on my personal situation when reading the book.
Yes, and the protagonists and their interpersonal relationships are well described and act according to their nature. Nevertheless, Shirley Jackson manages to surprise and confuse the reader without anyone behaving differently than previously described.

With us, the hairdressers will probably be allowed to reopen on March 1. My wife is really looking forward to it, too.
With my haircut, it was relatively easy, kind of like shearing sheep. With the help of tips from a friend who has been cutting her own familys hair for a long time and the Internet, we have prepared well.
Well, the hairdresser takes 15-20 minutes with me, my wife shaved over an hour on me, but the result turned out very well. With a little practice it will certainly go faster...

The next one is again a BB of this gorgeous group - Thank you, PaulStalder


19. Krähensommer by Brigitte Glaser
German title translated: Crow Summer

Inci is a young Turkish woman growing up in Germany. After a fter a drastic experience, she begins training with the police. When she learns by chance that a tattoo of a crow was seen during a robbery, she is frightened. She also has such a tattoo and with her a childhood friend. She does not believe that he is guilty and begins to investigate secretly. An exciting and well-written young adult book about young adults in Cologne.

Yesterday was very sunny after all the snowfall.
Therefore, I finished work early and we went outside.

>144 SirThomas: I looove this picture! It almost looks like a Caspar David Friedrich painting.

>144 SirThomas: Oh, that's lovely! Thanks for sharing!

>144 SirThomas: That's a beautiful pic! Hang-on-the-wall worthy.

>144 SirThomas: Wow! So beautiful! Thanks for sharing, Thomas.

>145 PersephonesLibrary: Thank you, Käthe - I wish I could paint - such scenes are rare.
This time there were only clouds and sky - and no exhaust fumes from airplanes.

>146 scaifea: Thank you, Amber.

>147 mstrust: Thank you, Jennifer. You give me an idea there!

>148 FAMeulstee: Thank you, Anita.

I like to share it, such pictures do me good too.
When I see it, I think I have it good after all.
Sure there are restrictions and we had to postpone our vacation - But we only have to walk one kilometer and have such a beautiful view.

And we have very tasty food!
We think that the whole hustle and bustle around Valentine's Day is way too commercial and don't want to participate.
But one of our favorite restaurants (The one with the advent calendar) had such a great menu, we couldn't resist.
It is pre-cooked and just needs to be warmed up and served. It was again very tasty.
And to stay true to our principles, we ate it today:

- Salmon rillettes with saffron on ackersalad cream, plucked winter salad.
- Leek soup with bacon croutons
- Stuffed guinea fowl in cognac cream, colorful vegetables and hand-scraped spinach spaetzle
- Raspberry mousse with chocolate ice cream parfait and heart decoration (raspberry meringue)
It was again very tasty, we drank the espresso afterwards in the beach chair in the sun.

>151 SirThomas: Oh gosh, that looks so good!

>150 SirThomas: Especially at the moment it is very easy to get caught in that toxic atmosphere... That's why it's so important to remember this kind of appreciation. That's why I love walks in the nature in general. They help keep me grounded.

>151 SirThomas: This is so sweet - and the food looks delicious! (Ignore that I read "stuffed guinea pig" first...)

>151 SirThomas: That does look a very sophisticated meal, Thomas.

It is a good time to celebrate love.

>152 scaifea: It tasted just as good, Amber!

>153 PersephonesLibrary: Yes, nature also helps me a lot to find the right proportions. When you walk with your eyes open, you see so much beauty. That helps me a lot for everyday life.

Thank you Käthe - it was delicious! - And I can ignore the stuffed guinea pig very well. Although, some people think it is a delicacy. But I do not think I want to test it myself.

>154 PaulCranswick: Yes, it is a very fine restaurant and they go to great effort to make sure that the food is also good to eat at home.
You are right, Paul - this is a good time to celebrate love. We are enjoying it already more than 39 years, 36 of them as a married couple.

>155 SirThomas: That is an impressive longevity, Thomas. It is our 25th early next month.

>151 SirThomas: That looks and sounds so delicious! Pass the fork!
We had a Valentine's lunch out. Philly cheesesteaks and spicy Buffalo wings. Not the most romantic and incredibly messy but we did share, and I made chocolate covered strawberries.

>156 PaulCranswick: That's also a great achievement - in these fast-moving times. I wish you and Hani all the best, Paul!

>157 mstrust: You also get a spoon if you want, Jennifer.
Your lunch sounds delicious too, I love buffalo wings - and then the chocolate strawberries - yummy!

>73 SirThomas: Oh, I love this series. I have read four books so far but will definitely continue it.

>91 SirThomas: I recently finished that one too. It was a wonderful reading.

>95 SirThomas: I just saw that another branch of my library has got a copy of it. I'll put it on my very long library list. Sigh ;-)

You did some great reading so far.

Dropping in to say hello

>151 SirThomas: What a lovely valentines menu.

>159 Ameise1: >73 SirThomas: I am currently working on the 2nd volume of the Armand Gamache series and enjoying it.
>159 Ameise1: >91 SirThomas: I hope for a German translation of the 2nd volume of the Susan Ryeland series.
>159 Ameise1: >95 SirThomas: I feel with you, Barbara.

>160 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita. It's things like this that enrich my life - and the visits to my thread

And back to the books:

20. Die Blechtrommel by Günter Grass
German title translated: The Tin Drum

An egocentric dwarf tells about his life, other things do not interest him - and still you learn a lot about the time shortly before to shortly after the 2nd World War. From Danzig to the Rhineland.
The language takes some getting used to, but you can get used to it. Sometimes, the sentences make detours, sometimes very drastic, sometimes humorous, sometimes sentimental.
Maybe a bit rambling, but hey, the book was published in 1959.

This was also a suggestion from the group - thank you, Paul Cranswick and for the Nobel Prize list.
I had started working my way through chronologically earlier, but then I tired. Now I have taken a liking to it again:

1901 Sully Prudhomme - Intimes Tagebuch
1902 Theodor Mommsen - Römische Geschichte
1903 Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson - Meisternovellen
1904 Frédéric Mistral - Mireille
1904 José Echegaray y Eizaquirre - Meisterdramen
1905 Henryk Sienkiewicz - Quo Vadis?
1906 Giosuè Carducci - Gedichte
1907 Rudyard Kipling - Dschungelbücher
1908 Rudolf Christoph Eucken - Sinn und Wert
1909 Selma Lagerlöf - Wunderbare Reise des kleinen Nils Holgerson mit den Wildgänsen
1910 Paul Heyse - Italienische Novellen
1911 Count Maurice Maeterlinck - Das Leben der Termiten
1912 Gerhart Hauptmann - Große Erzählungen
1913 Rabindranath Tagore - Gitanjali
1915 Romain Rolland - Meister Breugnon
1916 Verner von Heidenstam - Karl der Zwölfte und seine Krieger
1917 Karl Adolph Gjellerup - Seit ich zuerst sie sah
1917 Henrik Pontoppidan - Der Teufel am Herd
1919 Carl Spitteler - Prometheus der Dulder
1920 Knut Hamsun - Segen der Erde
1921 Anatole France - Die Schuld des Professors Bonnard
1922 Jacinto Benavente - Der tugendhafte Glücksritter
1923 William Butler Yeats
1924 Wladyslaw Reymont
1925 George Bernard Shaw
1926 Grazia Deledda
1927 Henri Bergson
1928 Sigrid Undset
1929 Thomas Mann - Buddenbrooks
1930 Sinclair Lewis
1931 Erik Axel Karlfeldt
1932 John Galsworthy
1933 Ivan Alekseyevich Bunin
1934 Luigi Pirandello
1936 Eugene O'Neill
1937 Roger Martin du Gard
1938 Pearl S. Buck - Die gute Erde
1939 Frans Eemil Sillanpää
1944 Johannes Vilhelm Jensen
1945 Gabriela Mistral
1946 Hermann Hesse
1947 André Gide
1948 T.S. Elliot
1949 William Faulkner
1950 Bertrand Russell
1951 Pär Lagerkvist
1952 François Mauriac
1953 Sir Winston Churchill
1954 Ernest Hemingway
1955 Halldór Laxness
1956 Juan Ramón Jiménez
1957 Albert Camus
1958 Boris Pasternak - Doktor Schiwago
1959 Salvatore Quasimodo
1960 Saint-John Perse
1961 Ivo Andric
1962 John Steinbeck
1963 Giorgos Seferis
1964 Jean-Paul Sartre
1965 Michail Sholokhov
1966 Shmuel Yosef Agnon
1966 Nelly Sachs
1967 Miguel Ángel Asturias
1968 Yasunari Kawabata
1969 Samuel Beckett
1970 Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
1971 Pablo Neruda
1972 Heinrich Böll - Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum
1973 Patrick White
1974 Eyvind Johnson
1974 Harry Martinson
1975 Eugenio Montale
1976 Saul Bellow
1977 Vincente Aleixandre
1978 Isaac Bashevis Singer
1979 Odysseas Elytis
1980 Czeslaw Milosz
1981 Elias Canetti
1982 Gabriel Garciá Márquez
1983 William Golding
1984 Jaroslav Seifert
1985 Claude Simon
1986 Akinwande Ouwoe
1987 Joseph Brodsky
1988 Naguib Mahfouz
1989 Camilo José Cela
1990 Octavio Paz
1991 Nadine Gordimer
1992 Derek Walcott
1993 Toni Morrison - Jazz
1994 Kenzaburo Oe
1995 Seamus Heaney
1996 Wislawa Szymborska
1997 Dario Fo
1998 José Saramago
1999 Günter Grass - Die Blechtrommel
2000 Gao Xingjian
2001 Vidiadhar Surjprasad Naipaul
2002 Imre Kertész
2003 John Maxwell Coetzee
2004 Elfriede Jelinek
2005 Harold Pinter
2006 Orhan Pamuk
2007 Doris Lessing
2008 J.M.G. Le Clézio
2009 Herta Müller
2010 Mario Vargas Llosa
2011 Tomas Tranströmer
2012 Mo Yan
2013 Alice Munro
2014 Patrick Modiano
2015 Svetlana Alexievich - Tschernobyl: Eine Chronik der Zukunft
2016 Bob Dylan
2017 Kazuo Ishiguro
2018 Olga Tokarczuk
2019 Peter Handke
2020 Louise Gluck

28 out of 117 - this is still expandable

ETA: added 2015 - Now at 29

Happy Wednesday, Thomas. I've read Die Blechtrommel many years ago and was so impressed.
I admire all of you who can work with such lists. For me, life is far too short to have read everything that ever received an award. There are so many good books that never get a prize, but they are worth reading.

You are right, Barbara - I do not claim to fill the list completely.
But I got another Nobel-BB with Alexander Solschenizyn, soI thought I should take a look at which Nobel Prize winners I have already read. Especially since I have all until 1999 as a deluxe edition on the shelf.

🙃 sounds wonderful.
BTW you should put those you've read into bold. It's easier to find them. 😉

Thank you, this is a very good idea, Barbara.
DONE

🤗

>163 SirThomas: Started at the beginning, Thomas, I haven't seen anyone doing that before.
My list looks completely differen, more are filled at the end.

I probably won't ever read them all, but is nice to bold an author now and then. This is going to be a good month with reading Mo Yan and Toni Morrison.

The order is related to the fact that the books came as a subscription. So I read them in the order they were delivered. At some point I lost interest and stopped years ago in 1922.
I enjoyed Toni Morrison very much - have fun with it, Anita.

21. Tief eingeschneit / Dead Cold by Louise Penny
German title translated: Deeply snowed in, but there is another german title: Und die Furcht gebiert den Zorn - And fear gives birth to anger
And again the same book is published with different titles.

The second in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series.
It's set in the village of Three Pines again - this time a woman is electrocuted during a curling tournament. Armand Gamache likes solving Christmas mysteries - old cases of his colleagues, but this time he gets the files of a current case - a homeless woman was strangled in Montréal.
He discovers that the two cases are connected. Lovingly drawn characters, a good plot structure, very well written.
A book for long winter evenings - even if the snow has thawed in our area.
I will definitely continue with the series.

22. Tschernobyl: Eine Chronik der Zukunft / Tschernobylskaja molitwa by Swetlana Alexijewitsch
German title translated: Chernobyl: A Chronicle of the Future

A collection of memories from various people affected by the 1986 disaster.
Liquidators, doctors, nurses, former residents, returnees, children, parents....
A harrowing read.
There are a few parallels to today's situation, relatives were not allowed to say goodbye to dying people, they are dangerous.
What also frightened me - war refugees move there because it is safer there despite the danger to life!
An important book and very well written, which is certainly not easy to read, but it is very worthwhile.
After reading the book, nuclear energy is not an option. - for me it wasn't before.

In addition, the book adds to my personal Nobel list (but that was not the reason to read it).

>172 SirThomas: I am glad you were touched by it as I was.

Die Blechtrommel is still unread on my shelves - but it's definitely one I am going to read!

I think I need to give Penny a chance. Maybe there's finally a crime series I will enjoy. :)

Have a lovely weekend, Thomas!

>163 SirThomas: I am happy to see your list appear, Thomas. I have managed to read something by over 70 of the laureates so far but I am stuck so far in 2021.

Have a great weekend.

>173 PersephonesLibrary: Yes, I was.
The Blechtrommel is really worth reading.
I hope so for your sake, it's one of the quieter series.
Thank you, I wish you the same, Käthe!

>174 PaulCranswick: That's a great achievement, Paul. I think it will take me a long time to get to that number.
I wish you the same!

>175 SirThomas: Calm is no problem at all. I just don't like it when I know on page 80 how it will end. :) They shouldn't be too forseeable.

OK, I see what you mean.
Here I had a sneaking suspicion, but long after page 80.
If the story is good and the book is well written, I can still enjoy it. Besides, I'm someone who doesn't see through everything right away ;-).
But that's my personal attitude, everyone has their own taste here - and that's fine.
For me it's worse when unpredictable things happen on the last pages or the murderer appears for the first time. I think the reader should have at least the same chances as the investigators. If I'm smarter than them, I'm happy.
But of course it shouldn't be too obvious either. It's a fine line.

I agree. Of course, it should make sense - and surprise characters (how I loath the "presumed-death" coming to life again!) who appear without warning just comfortably at the end are annoying as well. I guess, I should just stay away from crime novels. :)

>171 SirThomas: Good to read that you liked that one too.

>172 SirThomas: That one I have as an audio book but I haven't listened to it yet.

Happy Sunday, Thomas.

>178 PersephonesLibrary: There are supposed to be one or two good books in other genres, too, Käthe ;-)

>179 Ameise1: I have already got the next volume, Barbara.
Tschernoby is worthwhile to be read, but I can't say how it works as an audiobook.

I wish you all a wonderful week!

>181 MelissaHerbert: Oh, I am important enough to be noticed by a spammer ;-)

23. Ich breche dich by L. C. Frey
German title translated: I break you

A woman commits suicide, a paper rose is sent to her boyfriend. A child abduction, paper roses are also left behind. The inspector sees connections to an old case - but the perpetrator was shot then. Slowly he and the dead woman's boyfriend find out that they are being manipulated. Also, shocking things from the past of the dead come up. Exciting and varied writing, but sometimes a bit too thick and staying on the surface.

24. Berge des Wahnsinns / At the Mountains of Madness by H. P. Lovecraft
German title translated: Mountains of madness - Wow, the German title fits.

I read the book out of an impulse. I read the news about newly discovered life forms in Antarctica, in a comment to it this book was recommended.
A new Antarctic expedition is being planned. A survivor of the last expedition breaks his silence to prevent the expedition. For terrible things happened then.
Although the book is very short, it is very lengthy, but towards the end the action speeds up.
It was a bit tiring to read.

>180 SirThomas: But only one or two... million. 😅

Then you have some work to do...

>184 SirThomas: I think "tiring to read" sums Mountains of Madness up pretty well. How well do you think Lovecraft translates into German? (How do you say "the Cyclopean water-city of that nighted, penguin-fringed abyss" in German???)

>187 false-knight: Unfortunately, my English skills are not as good as they should be. I can make myself understood (also with the help of internet tools), but it is not enough for reading books in the original. If you can't read fluently, it's not much fun, even if my ebook-reader has a translation program integrated.
Therefore, I read only short stories so far.

I tried to compare your quote in the original and in the translation:
Original
All this flashed in unison through the thoughts of Danforth and me as we looked from those headless, slime-coated shapes to the loathsome palimpsest sculptures and the diabolical dot-groups of fresh slime on the wall beside them looked and understood what must have triumphed and survived down there in the Cyclopean water-city of that nighted,penguin-fringed abyss...
Translation
All das schoß Danforth und mir gleichzeitig durch den Kopf, als wir von diesen enthaupteten, schleimüberzogenen Gestalten auf die fluchwürdigen Palimpseste und weiter auf die diabolischen Gruppen frischer Schleimtupfen an der Wand schauten schauten und begriffen, was hier unten in der zyklopischen Unterwasserstadt triumphiert und überlebt haben mußte, in diesem nachtschwarzen, von Pinguinen gesäumten Abgrund...

I think, the original is more intense.
Maybe I should try harder after all....

So... is it normal that I tried to read Lovecraft and didn't understand anything?

I don't have so much experience with Lovecraft, but I think you are not alone...

>188 SirThomas: Yeah, Lovecraft's writing style is, uh…unique in ways that are probably just a real pain in the neck to translate. (Or to read in English. I like a lot of his stories, but the man could not leave a thesaurus alone.)

von Pinguinen gesäumten Abgrund yesssss

You are so right, Emery.

Today my calendar offers wisdom again:

Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.
Oscar Wilde

Falling on your face is also a forward movement.
Micky Beisenherz

25. Carlotta steigt ein / A trouble of fools by Linda Barnes
German title translated: Carlotta gets in

An ex-law student, ex-taxi driver, ex-policewoman is hired by an elderly lady to look for her missing brother. In the process, she gets on the trail of a big case.
Suspenseful, varied, sarcastic, funny....
A very good vacation read or something light for in between.

>193 SirThomas: Both made me laugh! :) Have a lovely weekend, Thomas! Will there be another BBQ?

>195 PersephonesLibrary: I'm glad you like it, Käthe.
The sayings are from the Raben Kalender.
This weekend it is unfortunately too cold for BBQ.
Yesterday we had pizza from the wood oven from our favorite Italian restaurant. It is very large, so we have some left over for today, plus we will have bresaola with arugula as an appetizer.
Tomorrow we will have venison.

Dropping in to say hello.

I haven't read anything by Lovecraft yet. Have a lovely Sunday.

A hello back, Anita.
I'm not sure if I should advise you to try it.
Have a lovely Sunday too.

26. Bittersüße Schokolade / Como agua para chocolate by Laura Esquivel
English title: Like Water for Chocolate
German title translated: Bittersweet chocolate

A beautiful little book about love and the power of cooking.
Tita is not allowed to marry because, as the youngest daughter, she has to take care of her mother. To be close to her, her beloved marries her sister. Little by little, she emancipates herself and finds her own life. The story is set in revolutionary Mexico. Beautifully told with magical elements.

27. Ernst ist das Leben (Bunbury) / The importance of being earnest by Oscar Wilde
German title translated: Earnest is life (Bunbury)

A wild round of confusions about 2 English idle rich youngsters with an amorous double life.
Lots of puns and superficialities, but still exposing.
A real reading pleasure, which is probably also due to the translation by Elfriede Jelinek, who has also included a few allusions to the present, but which seem as if Wilde had included them from the beginning.
The book is conceived as a play. While reading it, I could really see the actors playing in my mind's eye.
I miss the theater!

>200 SirThomas: Wilde is brilliant - one of my faves!

I am so glad I went to the theater in the short break between lockdowns last autumn. It was brilliant, too. And I am so looking forward to culture companies opening again. Fingers crossed that I can go and watch Rigoletto at the Seebühne in Bregenz!

I hope for you, that you can go - I saw pictures of the set - fantastic!

28. Madame le Commissaire und der verschwundene Engländer by Pierre Martin
German title translated: Madam Commissioner and the missing Englishman

Isabelle Bonnet, the head of an anti-terrorist unit, is seriously wounded in an attack. To relax, she goes to the country, to her birthplace.
When a woman is murdered and an Englishman disappears without a trace, Isabelle is asked by her boss to investigate. there is currently nobody suitable on site. The investigation is designed to help her cope with her trauma. Of course she is overqualified, intellectually and physically.
But that makes it appealing. The book is very light and dynamic, and I enjoyed reading it very much.
Thank you, Paul S for your recommendation.

And the stats:

Books read: 13
Pages read: 4,481 (longest 778 / shortest 162 / average 345)

Personal rating:
average rating
highest rating
lowest rating

Author nationalities:

Australia: 1 / 1 / 1
Belarus: 1 / 1 / 1
Canada: 1 / 1 / 1
England: 1 / 1 / 1
Germany: 4 / 4 / 4
Mexico: 1 / 1 / 1
Sweden: 1 / 1 / 1
USA: 3 / 3 / 3

Sum: 13 / 13 / 13

Counting mode: All authors of the books / Main Author(s) or Editor(s) per book / Only different authors

Gender:
female authors: 7 / 7 / 7
male authors: 6 / 6 / 6

alive authors: 8 / 8 / 8
dead authors: 5 / 5 / 5

date first published:

1890-1899: 1
1930-1939: 1
1950-1959: 2
1980-1989: 2
1990-1999: 1
2000-2009: 1
2010-2019: 5

>202 SirThomas: Yes, it would be amazing. :)

>204 SirThomas: Great statistics, Thomas!

>204 SirThomas: You are doing well, Thomas, reading again more female than male writers :-)

I think there is a typo at the first row of "date first published": 1890-1999.

>204 SirThomas: Nice stats! Enjoy the rest of the week.

>205 PersephonesLibrary: Thank you, Käthe - I have gathered many suggestions from the group.

>206 FAMeulstee: Yes, but the ratio is unfortunately getting a little worse.
Thank you for the hint, Anita, I have corrected it.

>207 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita - I wish you the same.

>204 SirThomas: Another one savouring your stats! Hope all is well, Thomas.

Thank you very much, Paul - I'm glad you like them.

All is well with us, I've had several video conferences every day this week so I wanted to see something other than a screen afterwards, so I've been a bit absent.
Last night the lockdown was extended until the end of this month, which means our spring break is off. Friday the 12. we would have gone to the North Sea. This morning, the agency that arranged our vacation home has already contacted us and asked for our account number.
We would rather have gone than get the money back....
But we have already booked at the beginning of the year for the end of October, because we expected the extension.
Now I'm having the money transferred to the October trip and hope that the situation will ease up a bit by then.
In Germany the vaccination campaign started a bit slow, but now it seems to be getting better.
We should also have an appointment by summer.

I am sorry that you can't do your trip - North Sea would have been wonderful for sure. Currently, I am completely in travel mood, too. And if it's just for two days in Basel or Munich. For now, I travel through books. :) Is the October trip going to the North Sea? Have you been there already?

It feels like our government has given up here... and I don't expect to be vaccinated before the ending of the year. That's annoying but that's life. I will focus on my home and my garden this year.

Yes, the North Sea would have been wonderful. But the disappointment is not so big, because we had expected it. Therefore, we have also already booked at the beginning of the year for October.
We fell in love with the island of Sylt many years ago. In March it is not yet so crowded and you have time to talk to people in the restaurants and stores. We love the sea, the wind, long walks and good food.
Often our daily routine looks like this: Sleep in, breakfast, 2 hours walking - mostly to the restaurant ;-), 2 hours lunch, 2 hours digestive walk back, reading, evening walk.
We book the next stay as soon as we leave. It is a small vacation apartment on the outskirts of Westerland, behind the dike. When we go south, we are almost alone on the beach, in the other direction are many good restaurants and also stores to stroll.
Many find it boring to always vacation in the same place, we do not. We also like to try something new, but these 2 weeks are our relaxing vacation, which we always enjoy very much. (as well as the 4 days wellness vacation in the pre-Christmas period in Tyrol in Tannheim).
We hope that from early summer we can also make a few smaller short trips.
Our seniors on the street are now almost all vaccinated. My wife and I are around 60, I expect in the fall, she might get it earlier since she is in a risk group. It's also very nice at home, as I keep being told (>144 SirThomas:). We are doing well and try to make the best of the situation - which we usually manage quite well.
I wish you all the best, Käthe!

>212 SirThomas: I feel cold just remembering the North Sea, Thomas!

Have a splendid weekend.

OK, for swimming the North Sea is less suitable, but this is not, what we want to do.
For me temperatures above 30° C (86° F) are only nice in the sauna, but that is a matter of opinion.
And there is the motto: There is no bad weather, there are only unsuitable clothes ;-).
I wish you a splendid weekend too, Paul.

The weekend was varied - my wife is active in the hospice association and she had a closed meeting of the board - I support her as best I can. And I got the 2nd haircut at home.
Since my wife was not home on Saturday, I had time for a video. She can't watch thrillers or worse, so I do that when she's not around.
Therefore I could finally devote myself to "Bis das Blut gefriert" (The Haunting) - the 1963 version.
>128 scaifea: I love the movie - Thank you for the tip!
You don't need gallons of blood and special effects to make a scary movie, A good director, a good cinematographer, good actors and a loose staircase are enough - even in black and white (or because of it). Of course, not everything from the book could be carried over into the film, but the cuts were well made. Mrs. Montague (Markway) was changed quite a bit, but I find her character almost better than in the book.

But there were also books:


29. Die dritte Stimme / Den tredje rösten by Cilla Börjlind and Rolf Börjlind
English title: Third Voice - German title translated: The Third Voice

The series is really great.
Olivia comes back from a sabbatical and doesn't want to return to the police force. When her neighbor hangs himself, she and her mother take care of his daughter. Then it turns out it wasn't a suicide.
A dismembered woman's body is found in Marseille, Abbas El Fassi knew the woman and goes there with Tom Stilton. the reader learns more about Abbas' past. Since the two cases are related, Olivia and Tom have to investigate together again. He additionally has to deal with getting revenge on a former colleague whom he blames for his crash. The coincidence that brings Olivia and Tom back together seems a little too big for me, but otherwise it's a great book with very true to life characters ind difficult situations.
I will definitely stick with it.

30. Schief gewickelt by Regula Venske
German title translated: Wound crooked

After the haircut I lay down in the bathtub, I can't use my ebook reader there, so I stood in front of the bookcase and looked for a paperback book. Since today is International Women's Day, it should have been written by a woman. I ended up finishing it yesterday after all.

The anonymous woman sends the airhead packages with full diapers, because she is raising his child alone. He tries to find out which of his many former girlfriends is responsible for this. The wife and the gay friend try to get to the bottom of Luftikus' changed behavior. The anonymous wife gets support from the emancipated girlfriend. Due to the secrecy, the situation is misunderstood by everyone, which leads to a death in the end. Funny, ironic, suspenseful. I found it interesting that only the secondary characters have names, the main characters are only referred to by the name for their stereotype.
A quick read enjoyment.

>215 SirThomas: Hats off to your wife - I imagine hospice work to be hard but it's so important!

Concerning scary movies: Agreed! I think the best horror movies are basically working with atmosphere (and I don't talk about cheap jump scares). Blood and intestines may be disgusting but they are not "scary". (E.g. the blood flood scene in The Shining was only effective because of the whole atmosphere.)

Have a great week, Thomas!

Yes, that is an activity for which I am not suited.
She started doing it when her mother died, mainly she is involved in grief counseling. I try to support her in the background as best I can.
The association does not operate an inpatient hospice, but is active on an outpatient basis. And as it happens when you are committed to it, she is now on the board. This is much more strenuous for her than the actual work.

Have a great week, too, Käthe!

The psychological strain must be hard. So thanks to your wife for doing this - and thanks to you for supporting her.

Thank you very much, Käthe, I have passed it on to her.
Sometimes it is a strain, but you also get a lot back through this activity.

>215 SirThomas: Oh, I'm so glad you liked it! And I agree: the fact that nothing actually ever happens is the scariest thing of all - that anticipation is so unsettling! And the camera angles are so very well done.

I'm glad too, Amber. The movie was really a pleasure to watch.

31. Das verlassene Haus / The Cruellest Month by Louise Penny
German title translated: The abandoned house, but there is another german title: Der grausame Monat - The Cruellest Month
And again the same book is published with different titles.

A clone of Miss marple and Hercule Poirot meets Professor Moriarty.
At a séance, a woman scares herself to death, but it turns out she was murdered.
Armand Gamache comes back to Three Pines.
At the same time, dark clouds gather over him. In the first two books the Arnot case that halted his career is only hinted at, here you learn more about it.
Again, lovingly drawn characters and a good story.

Today we would have gone on vacation.
We miss the sea





But here it is also beautiful and we look forward to October!
And we also have small joys here, today my wife got a pretty bouquet of flowers, tomorrow we get delicious food again.

Marvellous pics, Thomas! I miss the ocean a lot and understand that you are disappointed. I do it like you - and am creating a lovely life just here where I am - doing garden work, organizing my apartement to my taste... etc.

Thank you, Käthe.
I try to see all the good moments - and there are a lot.
As I quoted Sir Francis Bacon in Amber's thread:

It’s Not Happy People Who Are Grateful, It’s Grateful People Who Are Happy.

I try to be grateful for what I have, most of the time I succeed.
Also today - we just picked up our menu, it looks great, we just have to prepare it a bit.
I will report later how it tasted.

>225 SirThomas: Lovely photos, Thomas. Makes me yearn for the sea too.

Have a great Sunday.

Thank you, Paul, the same to you!

32. Die Bücherdiebin / The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
German title translated: The Book Thief

Death is a philosopher and a gifted storyteller.
He tells the story of Liesel Meminger, who grows up with foster parents in Bavaria during World War 2.
A book that made me laugh, a book that made me cry, a book full of beauty, a book full of cruelty, a wonderful book.
I could hardly put the book aside, sometimes I had to because I couldn't make out the letters as my eyes glazed over.
Thanks to Amber for the recommendation!

>176 PersephonesLibrary: A beautiful quote from The Book Thief that describes why I can enjoy books even if I can guess the ending early on:

Natürlich bin ich gemein. Ich verderbe euch den Spaß und nehme das Ende vorweg, das Ende des gesamten Buches und besonders dieses Abschnitts. Ich habe euch zwei Ereignisse im Voraus verraten, weil ich nicht an Heimlichtuerei interessiert bin. Heimlichkeiten langweilen mich. Ich weiß, was passieren wird, und ihr auch. Es ist die Art und Weise, wie es passiert, die mich ärgert, verwirrt, fasziniert und erstaunt.

Of course I'm being mean. I'm spoiling your fun and anticipating the end, the end of the whole book and especially this section. I've given you two events away in advance because I'm not interested in secrecy. Secrecy bores me. I know what's going to happen, and so do you. It's the way it happens that annoys, confuses, intrigues, and amazes me.

Oh, I have got Zusak's book at home - still unread. But I have to get to read that somewhen soon! The quote is lovely. Can I just add one perspective to explain: If the book is written well and the characters are interesting, then I don't mind knowing about the ending. But the crime novels I happen to have read usually rely on the big reveal at the ending. I know, I have just chosen the wrong cns so far... :)

>230 SirThomas: I'm so glad you loved the book, Thomas! It really is very well done, isn't it?

>232 PersephonesLibrary: The Book Thief is really worth reading, Käthe!

I agree with your perspective, unfortunately most books that reveal the end too soon are also poorly written. This is especially the case in cns.
Life is too short for bad books, but as said, there are alternatives ;-)

>233 scaifea: It is one of the best I have read lately, Amber.

As promised, the menu sequence of the weekend:

Yesterday we had the food from the restaurant, we had ordered more sushi and therefore saved the soup for today. There was:
Sushi (Hoso-Maki with salmon & tuna) with pickled ginger, wasabi and soy sauce.
Green shrimp curry with pak choi, green asparagus and glass noodles
Passion fruit variation (tartlet / sorbet)

Today we ate the soup - gyoza (dumplings) in miso vegetable soup.
The main course and dessert were homemade:
Rosemary potatoes and beef tenderloin (first cooked sous vide, then seared) with fermented pepper.
Pumpkin seed oil ice cream.

The whole thing was delicious again - another couple of reasons for gratitude. Also for getting the new Stephen King yesterday, even though it doesn't come out until tomorrow.

Scrumptious! I love miso soup, shrimp curry and pickled ginger too, which I keep a jar of in my fridge and snack on. Pumpkin seed oil ice cream is a new one for me though. Describe please?

Last night Mike made a feast for us- he grilled marinated carne asada and pick up still warm flour tortillas from the local Mexican bakery. He chopped onions and fresh cilantro and shredded cheese. I have Covid so he had to do it all and I couldn't really taste, but I could tell everything was good anyway.

>231 SirThomas: There's a similar quote in Barchester Towers; Trollope reveals the ending of the novel and then says:

"And here perhaps it may be allowed to the novelist to explain his views on a very important point in the art of telling tales. He ventures to reprobate that system which goes so far to violate all proper confidence between the author and his readers by maintaining nearly to the end of the third volume a mystery as to the fate of their favourite personage.

…Our doctrine is that the author and the reader should move along together in full confidence with each other. Let the personages of the drama undergo ever so complete a comedy of errors among themselves, but let the spectator never mistake the Syracusan for the Ephesian; otherwise he is one of the dupes, and the part of a dupe is never dignified.

I would not for the value of this chapter have it believed by a single reader that my Eleanor could bring herself to marry Mr. Slope, or that she should be sacrificed to a Bertie Stanhope. But among the good folk of Barchester many believed both the one and the other."

The stakes are lower than in The Book Thief, though.

>236 SirThomas: Oh, that sounds delicious!!

>237 mstrust: Oh what a mess,I hope you are doing well and get well soon and your sense of taste comes back soon, Jennifer.
Your food also sounds very tasty, for grilling the weather is just too bad. But it will soon be warmer again.

The ice cream is very easy to make, you only need 3 ingredients:
500 ml of whipped cream (at least 32% fat content).
400 ml sweetened condensed milk
3 tablespoons of pumpkin seed oil

You whip the cream until stiff, then carefully add the condensed milk, finally add the oil. Mix the whole well.
Then pour into small ramekins and freeze.
The amount of oil you can change according to taste.
The ice cream becomes very creamy even without ice cream maker

Instead of pumpkin seed oil we also use ginger or tonka bean.

>238 false-knight: Thank you for the quote, Emery. I agree completely, and it is also beautifully worded.
Unfortunately, my English is not good enough to read most of the books in the original.

The food was really delicious, thank God my wife is good at cooking - I'm only good for auxiliary work in the kitchen. I can cook a little bit, but it is not enough for higher standards.

Happy Monday!

>230 SirThomas: Glad you enjoyed that one! It is one of my favourites.

Happy Tuesday, Anita!
It is now also one of mine.

33. Später / Later by Stephen King
German title translated: Later

A short story by Stephen King - 304 pages with quite large letters are already very short with him.
Jamie Conklin lives with his single mother, a literary agent.
He sees dead people shortly after their death and can talk to them. When he asks them something, they can't lie to him. When an author dies, he uses his gift to save his mother from ruin.
His mother's friend is a police officer and uses this gift to save her job.
But this time the dead man does not disappear. With the help of a neighbor, he manages to deal with the situation. But then the situation escalates.
A small but fine horror story by one of my favorite authors.

>239 SirThomas: Thanks so much for explaining, I've never seen an ice cream recipe like that! It's so intriguing. So when you use ginger or tonka bean, you're using ginger or bean oil?

>244 mstrust: For the ginger ice cream we take ginger powder and freshly grated ginger (or very finely chopped candied).

For the tonca bean ice cream we grate the tonka bean with the ginger grater, a little vanilla extract also fits.

Have fun trying it out, Jennifer.

Thanks for this, Thomas!

I am glad if I can help you.
I am interested to know if you like it.

>243 SirThomas: What did you think of the ending? I haven't read it, but some people in a FB group I'm in found it really dissatisfying (I don't know why, exactly, because they wouldn't post spoilers).

>240 SirThomas: Trollope's got a lot of good quotes, but if he wasn't actually being paid by the word he sure wrote like he was.

>248 false-knight: It's not really closed, there are open endings.
Sure, an ending like in a fairy tale - and they lived happily ever after - might be more satisfying, but life isn't like that.
I don't think I'm giving too much away below, but to be on the safe side I used the spoiler tags.
The book ends with the words - We'll find out. Later.
It leaves the reader in the dark, which adds to the horror in my eyes.
The ending and also the last word fit very well with the theme and title of the book.
I don't think it is a cliffhanger for a series. I don't rate King that way. But we may find out - Later.

My second thread is open.

>225 SirThomas: Lovely photos. Where is that?

>251 sirfurboy: This is the North Sea beach on the island of Sylt near Westerland. In the last picture you can see the skyscraper they built right on the beach. Yes, it's ugly, but the rest is beautiful.
We miss the island very much.