Connie is back, part 3

Welcome to my third Thread

I'm known to most of you, but here is a small introduction.
I'm Connie (68) and I live in the Netherlands (which might explain my English being a bit off sometimes). I am retired and have worked in a school for kids from age 12 to19 for 15 years.
Not as a teacher but as a kind of assistant to the deans. So lots of lists and administrational things. And organizing parent evenings.

Since I can't rehome books (I just can't part with them) they just move to another room in the house. My favorite genres are Fantasy and Thrillers, but I like novels too. Especially in summer when it's warm and sultry.

I'm married to Peet (71) and we have one son Jeroen (38) and one daughter Eveline (35)
Jeroen lives with his girlfriend Rianne (33) near by and they have a daughter Lonne (3 years old)
Eveline lives with her boyfriend Cyrille (39) in another town, Maastricht, half an hour from us by car.
They have two girls, Fiene (5 years old) and Marie (2 year old).

Here is a picture of the family, made a few years ago.



My family
Cyrille, Jeroen, Peet
Rianne, Eveline, Me

Fiene a few weeks ago



Just last week on the beach

Lonne

Marie



Marie on her second birthday with dad Cyrille who turned 39 on the exact same day.

This is where I will keep track of all books read in 2021: ROOTs, new and shiny tree-books, e-books.



001. Draken van een verdwenen maan - Margaret Weis & Tracey Hickman - book - BFB # 1 - ROOT # 1 -
002. Bloedrode maan - Geoffrey Huntington - ebook -
003. Het boek der stormen - James Clemens - book - BFB # 2 - ROOT # 2 -
004. Graaf in Moskou - Amor Towles - ebook -
005. Livaks waagstuk - Juliet E. McKenna - book - ROOT # 3 -
006. Het boek van vergeten woorden - Pip Williams - ebook -
007. Een duister vermoeden - Elizabeth George - book - BFB # 3 - ROOT # 4 -
008. Verloren onschuld - Elizabeth George - book - BFB # 4 - ROOT # 5 -
009. Het Paradijs - Toni Morrison - book - ROOT # 6 -
010. Een inktzwart hart - R.J. Ellory - book - ROOT # 7 -
011. Een mooie dag om te sterven - R.J. Ellory - book - ROOT # 8 -
012. Duizend schitterende zonnen - Khaled Hosseini - book - ROOT # 9 -
013. De vliegeraar - Khaled Hosseini - book - ROOT # 10 -
014. Het stille huis - Ruth Rendell - book - ROOT # 11 -
015. Het onzichtbare leven van Addie LaRue - V.E. Schwab - book - BFB # 5 -
016. De vrouw en de weduwe - Christian White - ebook -
017. 1953 - Rik Launspach - book - ROOT # 12 -
018. Laten wij aanbidden - Ann-Marie MacDonald - book - ROOT # 13 - BFB # 6 -
019. De eed van de zwaardvechter - Juliet E. McKenna - book - ROOT # 14 - BFB # 7 -
020. Het oneindige verhaal - Michael Ende - book -
021. Livaks fortuin - Juliet E. McKenna - book - ROOT # 15 -
022. Here is the Beehive - Sarah Crossan - ebook - read in English -
023. Verdwenen - Val McDermid - book - ROOT # 16 -
024. Win - Harlan Coben - book -
025. A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking - T. Kingfisher - ebook - read in English -
026. Clean Sweep - Ilona Andrews - ebook - read in English -
027. Sweep in Peace - Ilona Andrews - ebook - read in English -
028. One Fell Sweep - Ilona Andrews - ebook - read in English -
029. Sweep of the Blade - Ilona Andrews - ebook - read in English -
030. Sweep with Me - Ilona Andrews - ebook - read in English -
031. The Once and Future Witches - Alix E. Harrow - ebook - read in English -
032. Roverandom - J. R. R. Tolkien - book - ROOT # 17 -
033. Alias Grace - Margaret Atwood - book - ROOT # 18 -
034. Wie niet horen wil - Nicci French - book -
035. Een verre horizon - Santa Montefiore - book -
036. De Nazaten van Shannara - Terry Brooks - book - ROOT # 19 -
037. Winter in de kleine bakkerij - Jenny Colgan - ebook -
038. De druïde van Shannara - Terry Brooks - book - ROOT # 20 -
039. Heks van vuur en oorlog - S. Christina - book -
040. De zevende zus - Lucinda Riley - book - BFB # 8 -
041. Wen er maar aan - Maike Meijer - book -
042. Schaduwland - Robert Bryndza - book -
043. Het geheime kistje van Elle - Aline van Wijnen - book -
044. De elfenkoningin van Shannara - Terry Brooks - book - ROOT # 21 -
045. De wakers van Shannara - Terry Brooks - book - ROOT # 22 -
046. Het bloemenmeisje - Anya Niewierra - ebook -
047. De helden van New York - R.J. Ellory - book - ROOT # 23 -
048. Klifi - Adriaan van Dis - book -
049. Vrij uitzicht - Anya Niewierra - ebook -
050. Niemand zeggen - M.J. Arlidge - book -
051. Het laatste offer - Petra Hammesfahr - book - ROOT # 24 -
052. Dorsvloer vol confetti - Franca Treur - book - ROOT # 25 -
053. Ronja de roversdochter - Astrid Lindgren - book - ROOT # 26 -
054. De overlevenden - Jane Harper - book -
055. De schemering en de dageraad - Ken Follett - book -
056. De weg naar Callisto - Torsten Krol - book - ROOT # 27 -
057. Doods geheim - Robert Bryndza - book -
058. Een voor een - Ruth Ware - book -
059. De brief voor de koning - Tonke Dragt - book -
060. Geheimen van het Wilde Woud - Tonke Dragt - book -
061. Valse getuige - Karin Slaughter - book -
062. Gegijzeld - Clare Mackintosh - book -
063. Ons huis - Louise Candlish - book -
064. Middernachtbibliotheek - Matt Haig - book -
065. In het niets - Christian White - ebook -
066. De offers - Jeroen Windmeijer - book - ROOT # 28 -
067. Leon & Juliette - Annejet van der Zijl - book - ROOT # 29 -
068. Het negende huis - Leigh Bardugo - ebook -
069. De tiende vrouw - Roel Janssen - book - ROOT # 30 -
070. Een weg door de bergen - Elizabeth McGregor - book - ROOT # 31 -
071. Kerewin - Keri Hulme - book - ROOT # 32 -
072. Wreed spel - Angela Marsons - book -
073. Over the Woodward Wall - A. Deborah Baker - ebook -
074. Olympos - Dan Simmons - book - ROOT # 33 -
075. Wie wind zaait - Nele Neuhaus - book - ROOT # 34 -
076. Artemis - Andy Weir - book -
077. Door het sleutelgat - Ruth Ware - book -
078. The Crow Folk - Mark Stay - book -
079. De duivel en de duistere diepte - Stuart Turton - book - BFB # 12 -
080. Laat me nooit alleen - Kazuo Ishiguro - ebook -
081. Het boek van wraak - James Clemens - book - ROOT # 35 - BFB # 13 -
082. Een vloek zo eenzaam - Brigid Kemmerer - book -
083. Een hart zo vurig - Brigid Kemmerer - book -
084. Het boek der poorten - James Clemens - book - ROOT # 36 - BFB # 14 -
085. Mirakelse Maurits en zijn gestudeerde knaagdieren - Terry Pratchett - book - ROOT # 37 -
086. Duistere Maan -Meredith Ann Pierce - book - ROOT # 38 -
087. De meisjes - Annet Schaap - book -
088. Winterzon - John Grisham - ebook -
089. Nachtreizigers - David Baldacci - ebook -
090. Het pakket - Sebastian Fitzek - book - ROOT # 39 -
091. De jongen, de mol, de vos en het paard - Charlie Mackesy - book -
092. Snowflower en de geheime waaier - Lisa See - ebook -
093. Een dodelijke opleiding - Naomi Novik - book - ROOT # 40 -
094. Diepe toverij - Diane Duane - book - ROOT # 41 -
095. Lichtval - Nicolet Steemers - book - ROOT # 42 -
096. De kleur van de zee by Anita Shreve - book - ROOT # 43 -
097. Erken mij by Esther Verhoef - book - ROOT # 44 -
098. De laatste ontmoeting - Anita Shreve - book - ROOT # 45 -
099. De horlogemaker van Londen - Natasha Pulley - book -
100. Remote Control - Nnedi Okorafor - ebook -

This is where I will keep track of Chunksters, books with more than 500 pages



01. Draken van een verdwenen maan - Margaret Weis & Tracey Hickman - 573 pages -
02. Het boek der stormen - James Clemens - 505 pages -
03. Een duister vermoeden - Elizabeth George - 587 pages -
04. Verloren onschuld - Elizabeth George - 724 pages -
05. Het onzichtbare leven van Addie LaRue - V.E. Schwab - 574 pages -
06. Laten wij aanbidden - Ann-Marie MacDonald - 600 pages -
07. De eed van de zwaardvechter - Juliet E. McKenna - 512 pages -
08. De zevende zus - Lucinda Riley - 688 pages -
09. De schemering en de dageraad - Ken Follett - 734 pages -
10. Kerewin - Keri Hulme - 783 pages -
11. Olympos - Dan Simmons - 777 pages -
12. De duivel en de duistere diepte - Stuart Turton - 538 pages -
13. Het boek van wraak - James Clemens - 590 page -
14. Het boek der poorten - James Clemens - 554 pages -

This is where I will keep track of all my bought books in 2021 (excluding e-books)



01. Een dodelijke opleiding - Naomi Novik
02. De verloren legioenen - David Hair
03. Het keren van het tij - David Hair
04. Het onzichtbare leven van Addie LaRue - V.E. Schwab
05. Een voor een - Ruth Ware (gift from Peet)
06. De schemering en de dageraad - Ken Follett (gift from Peet)
07. Het oneindige verhaal - Michael Ende
08. Klifi - Adriaan van Dis
09. Het geheime kistje van Elle - Aline van Wijnen
10. Win - Harlan Coben
11. Een verre horizon - Santa Montefiore
12. Wie niet horen wil - Nicci French
13. De brief voor de koning - Tonke Dragt
14. Heks van vuur en oorlog - S. Christina - (gift from Peet)
15. Schaduwland - Robert Bryndza
16. De zevende zus - Lucinda Riley
17. Doods geheim - Robert Bryndza
18. Niemand zeggen - M.J. Arlidge
19. De overlevenden - Jane Harper
20. Geheimen van het Wilde Woud - Tonke Dragt
21. Rosa en het vriendschapsengeltje - Lucinda Riley & Harry Whittaker
22. Wat wij zagen - Hanna Bervoets
23. Valse getuige - Karin Slaughter
24. Gegijzeld - Clare Mackintosh
25. Ons huis - Louise Candlish
26. Middernachtbibliotheek - Matt Haig
27. Wreed spel - Angela Marsons
28. Stad der nevelen - Carlos Ruiz Zafón (gift from Peet)
29. De duivel en de duistere diepte - Stuart Turton
30. Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir
31. Artemis - Andy Weir
32. Door het sleutelgat - Ruth Ware
33. The Crow Folk - Mark Stay
34. Bij het licht van de maan - Santa Montefiore
35. De liefdesbrief - Lucinda Riley
36. Een vloek zo eenzaam - Brigid Kemmerer
37. Een hart zo vurig - Brigid Kemmerer
38. De puzzelvrouwen van Berlijn - Anna Ellory
39. De puzzelman - Nadine Matheson
40. Ik volg jou - Peter James
41. Een langzaam smeulend vuur - Paula Hawkins
42. Doodsangst - Peter James
43. De verdwijning van de horlogemaker - Natasha Pulley
44. De horlogemaker van Londen - Natasha Pulley
45. De meisjes - Annet Schaap
46. Floddertje - Annie M.G. Schmidt
47. Ik zal je vinden - Linwood Barclay
48. Wolkenstad - Anthony Doerr
49. Vallend duister - Robert Bryndza
50. Sneeuwwit - Samuel Bjørk
51. Verloren meisjes - Angela Marsons
52. De laatste leerling - Naomi Novik
53. Het familiegeheim van Florence Grace - Tracy Rees
54. Het geheim van Silvermoor - Tracy Rees

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And for Book Bullets that hit me here.



01. Graaf in Moskou by Amor Towles BB by Jackie_K that followed me from 2020
02. The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue BB by Susanj67
03. De boekwinkel voor gebroken harten by Robert Hillman BB by John Simpson
04. A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow BB by curioussquared
05. De jachtpartij by Lucy Foley BB by Nickelini
06. Moon of the crusted snow by Waubgeshig Rice BB by Nickelini
07. The other passenger by Louise Candlish BB by Susanj67
08. Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts by Kate Racculia BB by curioussquared
09. De gastenlijst by Lucy Foley BB by QuestingA
10. The Crow Folk by Mark Stay BB by Jackie_K
11. The midnight library by Matt Haig BB by Persephoneslibrary
12. Schuldig in eigen ogen by Agatha Christie BB by Robertgreaves.
13. Here is the Beehive by Sarah Crossan BB by Nickelini
14. Bermtoeristen by Arkady Strugatsky and Boris Strugatsky BB by Sibylline

Cursief is read

This is where I will keep a list of the ROOTs I read in 2021.
My rules are simple: A book counts as a ROOT when it has been on my shelves for more than 6 months.



01. Draken van een verdwenen maan - Margaret Weis & Tracey Hickman -
02. Het boek der stormen - James Clemens -
03. Livaks waagstuk - Juliet E. McKenna -
04. Een duister vermoeden - Elizabeth George -
05. Verloren onschuld - Elizabeth George -
06. Het Paradijs - Toni Morrison -
07. Een inktzwart hart - R.J. Ellory -
08. Een mooie dag om te sterven - R.J. Ellory -
09. Duizend schitterende zonnen - Khaled Hosseini -
10. De vliegeraar - Khaled Hosseini -
11. Het stille huis - Ruth Rendell -
12. 1953 - Rik Launspach -
13. Laten wij aanbidden - Ann-Marie MacDonald -
14. de eed van de zwaardvechter - Juliet E. McKenna -
15. Livaks fortuin - Juliet E. McKenna -
16. Verdwenen - Val McDermid -
17. Roverandom - J. R. R. Tolkien -
18. Alias Grace - Margaret Atwood -
19. De Nazaten van Shannara - Terry Brooks -
20. De druïde van Shannara - Terry Brooks -
21. De elfenkoningin van Shannara - Terry Brooks -
22. De wakers van Shannara - Terry Brooks -
23. De helden van New York - R.J. Ellory -
24. Het laatste offer - Petra Hammesfahr -
25. Dorsvloer vol confetti - Franca Treur -
26. Ronja de roversdochter - Astrid Lindgren -
27. De weg naar Callisto - Torsten Krol -
28. De offers - Jeroen Windmeijer -
29. Leon & Juliette - Annejet van der Zijl -
30. De tiende vrouw - Roel Janssen -
31. Een weg door de bergen - Elizabeth McGregor -
32. Kerewin - Keri Hulme -
33. Olympos - Dan Simmons -
34. Wie wind zaait - Nele Neuhaus -
35. Het boek van wraak - James Clemens -
36. Het boek der poorten - James Clemens -
37. Mirakelse Maurits en zijn gestudeerde knaagdieren - Terry Pratchett -
38. Duistere Maan - Meredith Ann Pierce -
39. Het pakket - Sebastian Fitzek -
40. Een dodelijke opleiding - Naomi Novik -
41. Diepe toverij - Diane Duane -
42. Lichtval - Nicolet Steemers -
43. De kleur van de zee - Anita Shreve -
44. Erken mij - Esther Verhoef -
45. De laatste ontmoeting - Anita Shreve -

For my RL Book-club I will read books for the challenge we set for 2021
We have 21 categories and per category we have to read 21 books between the members, max. 4 books per person per category.

The categories are

Big fat books
** Een mooie dag om te sterven by R.J.Ellory
** De eed van de zwaardvechter by Juliet E. McKenna
** Niemand zeggen by M.J. Arlidge
** De schemering en de dageraad by Ken Follett
New to you authors
** Het boek van vergeten woorden by Pip Williams
** Klifi by Adriaan van Dis
Beautiful covers
** Here is the Beehive by Sarah Crossan
** The Crow Folk by Mark Stay
** Een hart zo vurig by Brigid Kemmerer
Recommendations
** De vrouw en de weduwe by Christian White
** Het bloemenmeisje by Anya Niewierra
** De brief voor de koning by Tonke Dragt
** De jongen, de mol, de vos en het paard by Charlie Mackesy
Fairytales
** Mirakelse Maurits en zijn gestudeerde knaagdieren - Terry Pratchett
Alphabet
** Bloedrode maan by Geoffrey Huntington
** De vliegeraar by Khaled Hosseini
** De weg naar Callisto by Torsten Krol
Numbers
** 1953 by Rik Launspach
** Het negende huis by Leigh Bardugo
** De tiende vrouw by Roel Janssen
Not occidental
** Duizend schitterende zonnen by Khaled Hosseini
** Snowflower en de geheime waaier by Lisa See
Snake
** Roverandom by J. R. R. Tolkien
** Erken mij by Esther Verhoef
Object with Awareness
** Het oneindige verhaal by Michael Ende
** Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews
Festive days
** Sweep with Me by Ilona Andrews
** Winter in de kleine bakkerij by Jenny Colgan
** Winterzon by John Grisham
** Nachtreizigers - David Baldacci
Name of a City
** Graaf in Moskou by Amor Towles
** De helden van New York - R.J. Ellory
Non-hetero love
** Een duister vermoeden by Elizabeth George
** Laten wij aanbidden by Ann-Marie MacDonald
** In het niets by Christian White
Holiday
** Een verre horizon by Santa Montefiore
** Vrij uitzicht by Anya Niewierra
Allitiration
FF on the cover
** Het laatste offer by Petra Hammesfahr
** Dorsvloer vol confetti by Franca Treur
** De offers by Jeroen Windmeijer
Highest rating on LT or GR
** Een inktzwart hart by R.J. Ellory
** Win by Harlan Coben
** Gegijzeld by Clare Mackintosh
LOT (=ROOT)
** Draken van een verdwenen maan by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman
** Het Paradijs by Toni Morrison
** De wakers van Shannara by Terry Brooks
** Het boek der poorten by James Clemens
First name
** Livaks waagstuk by Juliet E. McKenna
** Ronja de roversdochter by Astrid Lindgren
Weather
** Het boek der stormen by James Clemens
** Wie wind zaait by Nele Neuhaus
Relay
** Verloren onschuld by Elizabeth George
** Olympos by Dan Simmons

It's all yours!

Happy new thread, Connie.

Lovely photos up top.

Thanks Paul. I've changed some just a minute ago.

Happy new thread, Connie!

Lovely pictures of your granddaughters.

Added a few more from the latest bunch!

Last week my brother came on Tuesday and Thursday to help me with the garden. Thursday his partner Karin came too

This is what we pruned



The front yard looks like this now







The back yard on one side of the house behind the garage with my brother in it when he started



And how it looks now





I have some weeding to do but it keeps raining. We have about 10 minutes of sunshine and then it pours down for another ten minutes. So I finally gave up.

What I am reading

tree-book



De duivel en de duistere diepte by Stuart Turton



Een dodelijke opleiding by Naomi Novik

ebooks



Middlegame by Seanan McGuire



A Song below Water by Bethany C. Morrow

Reading time! Marie is clearly more interested in her own book.

>16 connie53: That is a lot of work done, Connie!

>18 connie53: How sweet, all granddaughters with grandma :-)

Happy new thread, Connie!

Your family is so beautiful - thank you for sharing them with us!

Hi Connie my dear, Happy new thread and what gorgeous photos of your Granddaughters, thank you for sharing with us. Sending love and hugs from both of us dear friend.

Happy new thread, Connie. Lovely pictures of your family, and your grandkids.

>18 connie53: Now I’m curious, what is Marie reading there?

Happy New Thread, Connie! I love all the family photos. I can't wait to read to my little Jackson.

Happy New thread. Great family photos!

>22 EllaTim: A Dikkie Dik book, Ella.

Thanks all.

Due to the wet, really wet weather we have there are lots of snails in the garden. Yesterday evening, when I went out in the backyard to throw things in the garbage bin I heard a loud 'crack'. I stepped right on a large one. This morning I had to clear the thing away. Yikes! But I could not leave it just outside the backdoor.

Happy new one! I love the work you've done on the yard. Now I need to get to mine... 😀

Great photos of family and of yard. It's nice to have those images in mind when visiting your thread.

>25 connie53: Mystery solved! And they are fun, good choice.

>24 jayde1599: Thanks Reba!

>25 connie53: Always a good thing, solved mysteries, Ella. Marie has her own favorite books. The other book is a poetry book for toddlers and called Peuterpoëzie.

Happy new thread, Connie, and what a good thing to spend time with the grands doing...reading!

So.... next chapter. Peet took another fall because he stubbornly decided to walk with his rollator to the bathroom on his own. And he was not supposed to do that. So he fell against the toilet and hit his head hard. Not wearing (stubborn again) his device for calling a nurse or his mobile phone he had to scream for help. He has two wounds on his forehead which were glued together and scrape wounds to his arms and hands!

>32 connie53: Ouch, sounds like Peet has a hard time to accept his limitations. Of course that is not easy.
How are you coping with this all, Connie?

>32 connie53: Oh, no. I'm sorry, Connie. I understand Peet's frustration, but I also know that this adds more worry for you! *hugs* friend.

(((Connie))) So sorry to hear about Peet's fall. I hope this doesn't set him back too far and that, perhaps, he will learn to accept his limitations a bit better. Take good care of yourself through all of this, please.

Finished De duivel en de duistere diepte by Stuart Turton and this book gets

My Review

This is a very different book than De zevenvoudige dood van Evelyn Hardcastle and I had to get used to that fact in the beginning/
It takes place entirely on a VOC ship that is on its way from Batavia to Amsterdam. There are many different characters, but the main one is Arent Hayes, he is a kind of bodyguard of Samuel (Sammy) Pipps, who is taken as a prisoner to Amsterdam to be tried there. Jan Haan, the governor-general of Batavia and his wife Sara and daughter Lia also play an important role. All sorts of mysterious things are happening around a ghostly apparition called the leper and it's believed to have something to do with Old Tom, another rumor that is circulating.
Everyone on board has secrets, no one is honest and Arent has to act as a detective to Sammy. It's an exciting story, but you have to know beforehand that you can expect something quit different from Mr. Turton's first book

Now reading

Laat me nooit alleen by Kazuo Ishiguro



The blurb from the back cover

Hailsham seems like a pleasant English boarding school, far from the influences of the city. Its students are well tended and supported, trained in art and literature, and become just the sort of people the world wants them to be. But, curiously, they are taught nothing of the outside world and are allowed little contact with it. Within the grounds of Hailsham, Kathy grows from schoolgirl to young woman, but it's only when she and her friends Ruth and Tommy leave the safe grounds of the school (as they always knew they would) that they realize the full truth of what Hailsham is.

Thank, Amber, Anita and Reba.

Well, what can I say. I do take good care of me. I take my rest with books and talk a lot with Jeroen, our son and with Peet's friend Jos. It really frustrating to see that Peet is making himself worse each time he thinks he can do things himself. His usual physiotherapist is on holyday and he now has another one for the upcoming 3 weeks and this one is much stricter with Peet. That might be a good thing because that's what Peet needs right now. But he also has to realize that when he wants to come home at all he has to keep to the rules. This fall makes perfectly clear that Peet is not ready to come home yet which gives me a few more weeks of peace and quiet and me time!

>37 connie53: Proof again that there's no night without stars, Connie. Peet's got to accept that life has changed and that isn't going to alter just because he thinks it should!

Thanks, Richard! So true!

Normally I am a person who Knows My Own Mind. Startling, I realize, for you to hear this...as I've always been such a soft-spoken crowd-goer-alonger.

Stop laughing.

Anyway. I need help. The wisdom of the crowd is sought to help be decide between two equally strong contenders for Read of the Month. I am simply incapable to unparalyzing myself from the FOMO I get thinking about this problem.

Please vote on the poll or you will be directly responsible for my re-admission to the Goofy Garage this birthmonth.

Happy Friday, Connie. I hope you and the family are doing well. I am glad you enjoyed Never Let Me Go. I loved that one.

Happy New Thread! What lovely photos of your grandchildren!

I'm sorry to hear about Peet's fall.

It's so hard to give up one's independence.

Here's a precuationary tale for Peet. I'm sure he's heard similar stories - but I'm so glad he didn't have worse injuries. My father insisted he could do things - and ended up falling and breaking a hip. Once home, he insisted on more of the same - and ended falling a second time with a spiral fracture to the large bone in his leg. Those two fractures put an end to his mobility. I hope I can meet my physical limitations with more grace - but sure I will be a stubborn old lady when it's my turn.

Hugs to you, Connie.

>37 connie53: Glad to hear you're taking care of yourself. Wishing you strength and peace as you deal with this.

Happy new thread and belated congratulations on reading 75, Connie. Good for you for getting away with your friend when you could.

I completely understand your concern about Peet coming home having gone through the same thing myself. I wish you strength and patience for when that happens. Ask for support, you may be surprised at how people will help when they know what you require.

Thanks all. Yes I do ask for help when I need it and will have someone to talk to through the city council.

I'm "back" from a nice weekend with some minor hick-ups. Fiene came to stay from Friday to Sunday. Her mum and dad had booked a long weekend in Zandvoort where the GP formula I was. So Fiene was dropped of on Friday. We had a great, but for me exhausting time, Fiene suffered from a case of homesickness on Friday, crying when she saw a photo of here parents somewhere in the room, needing hugs and not wanting to sleep in her 'Grote meiden-bed" (Big girl-bed) so she slept in my bed on Peets side but very close to me so we could hold hands and have whispered conversations about what we were going to do on Saturday.
Marie spend those days with Cyrille's parents and that was even worse since Marie is too little to understand when mum and dad where coming back ( 2 nights is not something she understands yet) She did not want to eat, sleep, bath and play and just kept asking for mama and papa.

Saturday was great for Fiene and I. We went to visit grandpa by bus and had a drink with him in the restaurant. Went back home and visited a toyshop on the way. Played with the old Barbie's from Eveline, ate French fries and frikkadels and ice-cream. And she had a good night in the big girl-bed.
Yesterday she was picked up by grandpa Lou, because school started today for the first time since the summer holidays. Marie was happy to see at least her big sister again.

Finished Laat me nooit alleen by Kazuo Ishiguro and this book gets

My review

This is a strange book and I don't really get the hype about it. Kathy, Ruth and Tommy are students at a secluded school. Throughout the story you discover that they are clones of 'normal people' in the outside world. In school they learn mainly about creative subjects. We follow them at different stages of their training and in different institutions. And we find out why they were created. And above all we follow the development of their friendship with all the ups and downs.

Now reading

Het boek van wraak by James Clemens ROOT # 35, BFB # 13

The blurb from the back cover NOT my review

In her hands, the young wit'ch Elena holds the awesome energies of blood magick - and more. For the fate of all Alasea hinges on her recovery of the Blood Diary, a potent talisman forged five hundred years ago, then locked away behind wards too strong for any mage to break. Only with the secrets recorded in its pages can Elena defeat the Dark Lord, but the diary lies hidden in A'loa Glen and from that terrible land no traveler returns ...

I bought some new books



De liefdesbrief by Lucinda Riley

The blurb from the back cover NOT my review

When Sir James Harrison, one the greatest actors of his generation, passes away at the age of ninety-five he leaves behind not just a heartbroken family but also a secret so shocking, so devastating that it could rock the English establishment to its core. Joanna Haslam is an ambitious young journalist, assigned to cover the legendary actor's funeral. The great and the good of the celebrity world are there. But Joanna stumbles on something dark beneath the glamour: the mention of a letter James Harrison has left behind, the contents of which others have been desperate to conceal for over seventy years. As she peels back the veil of lies that has shrouded the secret, she realizes that there are other forces attempting to prevent her from discovering the truth. And they'll stop at nothing to reach the letter before she does.



Een vloek zo eenzaam by Brigid Kemmerer

The blurb from the back cover NOT my review

Prince Rhen, the heir to Emberfall, was cursed to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year; he could only be saved if a girl fell for him. But at the end of each autumn he turned into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction... and destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope. Washington, D.C. native Harper Lacy's father is long gone, her mother is dying, and her brother constantly underestimates her because of her cerebral palsy. When she is sucked into Rhen's cursed world, Harper doesn't know where she is or what to believe. As Rhen regains hope, they learn it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.



Een hart zo vurig by Brigid Kemmerer

The blurb from the back cover NOT my review

The curse is finally broken, but Prince Rhen of Emberfall faces rumors that he is not the true heir-- and that forbidden magic has been unleashed in Emberfall. Grey knows the heir's true identity, but has been on the run since he destroyed Lilith. He has no desire to challenge Rhen, until Karis Luran once again threatens to take Emberfall by force. Her own daughter Lia Mara sees the flaws in her mother's violent plan, but can she convince Grey to stand against Rhen, even for the good of Emberfall?

>46 connie53: I had similair feelings about Laat me nooit alleen, Connie, rated it half a star less.
I will give Ishiguro a second chance, maybe I will get to De rest van de dag later this year.

Happy Wednesday, Connie. Glad you had a good weekend with Fiene, despite the hiccups. I am enjoying Cerulean Sea and should finish it tomorrow.

>45 connie53: What a nice story, about you and Fiene, Connie. You are a real grandma to her! So sweet.

I hope you are doing alright.

Exhausting as children are, they are the only things we can see the future in!

Sending warm wishes, hoping Peet is getting the care he needs.

Hi all. Things are happening fast here. We had a official talk with the doctor and she told us very carefully that she believes that Peet will not good enough to come home anymore. He is not making progress with walking at all and has also problems with bathroom activities of all sorts. He needs someone to keep an eye on him 24/7. And that is something I can't give him. She thought it would be impossible and to much to ask from me. I was so relieved that she could see that. We both would have liked Peet to get better and be able to function alone in the house. But he can't walk alone with his rollator because the danger of falling is so big. He could break a hip or something else and his mental state makes it very dangerous to have a new surgery. Peet was very sad and angry. That's very understandable and he has to proces the whole idea of not living at home anymore. But he can come for visits and birthdays and Christmas. Just for a couple of hours with some people around to walk with him and his rollator. His mental health is also deteriorating. His memory of recent events is really bad and that makes him odd things that are really not for him at all.
The CareHotel will make the necessary steps to get a permanent place for him in a good facility elsewhere.

To be continued!

>52 connie53: Oh no.

I am so very sad with you and Peet. It is a very very very tough transition to make, and prognosis to process.

>52 connie53: So sad to hear your news Connie. It's a difficult time for your family but it sounds like you're getting good advice and that Peet will be well cared for without putting an impossible burden on you. Sending strength and good wishes to you.

>52 connie53: So sorry to read Peet isn't progressing, Connie, but instead is taking a turn to worse.
I hope they find a good place for him soon.

*hugs*

I'm so sorry, Connie. It's at least good that the doctor realizes that you shouldn't be expected to take all this on by yourself, and I'll keep you both in my thoughts, and hope that Peet can come to terms with the new normal.

*more hugs*

Thanks dear Friends. I did see it coming for the last few months since his surgery. That did not go well at all and he did not do any better on the contrary. Before his surgery it was already difficult to leave him alone at home for even a few hours. But now it so much worse. So this it the best solution for him but also for him. I get a bit of my freedom back and can visit my children and grandchildren, hairdresser or dentist without fear of finding him somewhere fallen and hurt.

Thanks for the update, Connie. I hope they find Peet a comfortable place to reside. It sounds like the perfect solution. I wish you the best, moving forward.

It is so sad to read the latest news about Peet, from what you have said Peet will be in the best place with the best care available and you will have peace of mind that you won't find him on the floor or injured when you have to go out. It is hard to adjust to this new regime but you, Peet and the family will all have peace of mind and he can visit even if only for short periods of time.

It would have been a terrible burden for you to bare on your own and would not been good for your health both physical and mental and this would have had an adverse effect on Peet. I am so sad it has come to this but you said you had seen things coming for a while so it has not been the big shock it could have been but is still not very nice after such a long time together.

We send you, Peet and the family very special Yorkshire love and hugs and we will keep you all in our thoughts dear friend.

>52 connie53: & >57 connie53: Dear Connie, I was so sad reading your updates about Peet and yourself. Constant care is of course best administered by the professionals and hopefully he will be able to visit and your family visit him and make life a little bit more bearable for all of you.

My hugs to you all. xx

I'm very sorry to read about Peet's lack of improvement, Connie, but the recommendation of the rehabilitation physician makes sense, given your description. On one hand that is a tough pill to swallow for both of you, but caring for him sounds like too much of a burden to put on one person.

I fully expected that my father would also have to be transferred to an assisted living facility or nursing home in February of last year after his two week long hospitalization for a stroke and protacted seizures, as my mother has dementia and is incapable of caring for herself or being left alone. Fortunately I was able to get him transferred to the superb rehabilitation hospital affiliated with the healthcare system they use which is close to their hospital, and within days he was in vastly better condition, and by the time he was ready for discharge after three weeks there he was almost miraculously improved.

I hope that he is transferred to a facility that is relatively close to you and/or your children.

>61 kidzdoc: Thanks Darryl for your kind thoughts. The facilities we prefer are in our town. One is actually across the road from where he is now.

Yesterday I got a mail from the Care Hotel that Covid was found by 6 patients, Peet is not one of them and the 6 patients are not on his floor, but all patients have to stay in their own rooms and visitors are not allowed for some time. They are very careful because most patients are elderly and some have other physical problems as well. We now get daily mails with updates and all patients will be tested regularly.
Peet is very calm about it. 'It is what it is', he said when I phoned him this morning. We will keep in contact by phone.

I'm sorry to hear about the covid cases in Peet's facility, Connie. But it sounds like they're handling it with a smart amount of caution and I'm very glad none of the cases are on Peet's floor.

What a difficult time for you, your family and the folks in Peet's facility. Much sympathy and good thoughts for you all.

Thanks friends. Peet is handling it well. He is a bit grumpy but he understands why this is. He was tested yesterday (every client was) and he is still covid-free. So that's a good thing.

>65 connie53: Oh, yay for the negative covid test! Whew!

I'm glad that Peet's SARS-CoV-2 test was negative, Connie. Can I assume that he's fully vaccinated?

>67 kidzdoc: You can Darryl. With Pfizer so that's a good thing. My sister and brother in law had Astra Zenica but they were infected anyway two weeks ago. So there is no guarantee. Pfizer seems to work better We are glad we had two of those.

Peet is allowed 2 visitors a day with masks and only in his room. So things are looking better for him.

Hi Connie,
Good Peet tested negative, and is allowed to have visitors again.

My niece and her partner both were vaccinated with Pfizer, and were both infected last month. Their little (unvaccinated) daughter got it too. He was really ill for a week, niece and daughter had only mild symptoms. So I am not sure there is a big difference between the vaccinations, they all reduce the chance on hospitalisation.

I know you can get infected anyway, Anita. And I think we will be vaccinated again in a couple of months.

Yesterday I had a meet with my friends from my RL book-club. It was so nice to get out again. We had a real good time and the weather was nice too, a bit of sun and not to cold to sit outside. Of course we visited bookstores and some of us did actually buy books (Me being one of them). We had lunch and diner together, both very enjoyable.

My books



Een langzaam smeulend vuur by Paula Hawkins

The Blurb, NOT my review

Laura has spent most of her life being judged. She's seen as hot-tempered, troubled, a loner. Some even call her dangerous.
Miriam knows that just because Laura is witnessed leaving the scene of a horrific murder with blood on her clothes, that doesn't mean she's a killer. Bitter experience has taught her how easy it is to get caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Carla is reeling from the brutal murder of her nephew. She trusts no one: good people are capable of terrible deeds. But how far will she go to find peace?

Innocent or guilty, everyone is damaged. Some are damaged enough to kill.



Ik volg jou by Peter James

The blurb NOT my review

To the outside world, suave, charming and confident doctor Marcus Valentine has it all. A loving wife, three kids, a great job. But there's something missing, there always has been. . . . or rather, someone . . . Driving to work one morning, his mind elsewhere and not on the road, he almost mows down a female jogger on a crossing. As she runs on, Marcus is transfixed. Infatuated. She is the spitting image of a girl he was crazy about in his teens. A girl he has never been able to get out of his mind. Lynette had dumped him harshly. For years he has fantasized about seeing her again and rekindling their flame. Might that jogger possibly be her all these years later? Could this be the most incredible coincidence? Despite all his attempts to resist, he is consumed by cravings for this woman. And when events take a tragically unexpected turn, his obsession threatens to destroy both their worlds. But still he won't stop. Can't stop.

Hi Connie. Very sorry to hear about Pete’s condition not improving. A difficult transition for both of you!
But it sounds like it’s inevitable, and the best choice for both of you.
And then on top of it, a Covid scare. Glad he wasn’t infected, and is allowed to have visitors again. Yes, a third vaccination will probably follow.

Finished Het boek der poorten by James Clemens and that book gets



My review

Strong and exciting adventure with different storylines. Elena and her travel companions are scattered all over their world. Each group has gone to one of the wind-directions to destroy the gates to the 'Defence'. And of course this is not without a struggle. There are deaths and injuries. Love is found and there is a lot of magic. A wonderful book to dive into. I will definitely be reading part 5 soon, but that will have to wait a while.

I don't really know if 'Defence' is the right word for 'Weer' that is used in the Dutch translation. That's a kind of negative against the positive, black against white, good against bad.

>73 connie53: Thanks Ella. Yes it's not really how we envisioned our retirement days. For Peet is is quit hard to accept. We will do everything to let him go home for a few hours sometimes.

>72 connie53: Maybe "resistance" is a better word...?

Thank goodness for Peet's continued negative tests! And your continued good health.

>74 richardderus:. He is again tested negative so that's good.

'Weer' comes from the Dutch 'zich verweren' which translates into to defend oneself.

Hi, Connie. Just checking in. Glad to hear that things are at least stable in your life. May it continue...

Thanks Mark!

Bought three more books in the last few days. Books I spotted while a the bookstore in Den Bosch. I did buy two books there. But 5 would be to much to carry around the whole day.



Doodsangst by Peter James Series: Roy Grace 13

The blurb from the backcover, NOT my review

What does it take for a decent man to turn into a killer? Greg, a married man, has been having an affair for three years with another man's wife. One evening, after a fight with her at their rented love nest, he storms out. When he returns an hour later she is dead. Did he kill her in a fit of rage and blank it out, or did someone else do it while he was out of the building? Detective Superintendent Roy Grace of the Sussex Police, assigned to the case, soon discovers that there is more than one person who had a reason to kill her. But only one man has the most to lose - and when his marriage and career are at stake, what lengths will he go to protect all that he holds dear? And what will he do next?



De horlogemaker van Londen by Natasha Pulley

The blurb from the backcover, NOT my review

In 1883, Thaniel Steepleton returns to his tiny flat to find a gold pocketwatch on his pillow. But he has worse fears than generous burglars; he is a telegraphist at the Home Office, which has just received a threat for what could be the largest-scale Fenian bombing in history. When the watch saves Thaniel's life in a blast that destroys Scotland Yard, he goes in search of its maker, Keita Mori--a kind, lonely immigrant who sweeps him into a new world of clockwork and music. Although Mori seems harmless at first, a chain of unexpected events soon proves that he must be hiding something. Meanwhile, Grace Carrow is sneaking into an Oxford library dressed as a man. A theoretical physicist, she is desperate to prove the existence of the luminiferous ether before her mother can force her to marry. As the lives of these three characters become entwined, events spiral out of control until Thaniel is torn between loyalties, futures and opposing geniuses.



De verdwijning van de horlogemaker by Natasha Pulley

The blurb from the backcover, NOT my review

1888. Five years after they met in The Watchmaker of Filigree Street, Thaniel Steepleton, an unassuming translator, and Keita Mori, the watchmaker who remembers the future, are traveling to Japan. Thaniel has received an unexpected posting to the British legation in Tokyo, and Mori has business that is taking him to Yokohama. Thaniel's brief is odd: the legation staff have been seeing ghosts, and Thaniel's first task is to find out what's really going on. But while staying with Mori, he starts to experience ghostly happenings himself. For reasons Mori won't--or can't--share, he is frightened. Then he vanishes. Meanwhile, something strange is happening in a frozen labor camp in Northern Japan. Takiko Pepperharrow, an old friend of Mori's, must investigate. As the weather turns bizarrely electrical and ghosts haunt the country from Tokyo to Aokigahara forest, Thaniel grows convinced that it all has something to do with Mori's disappearance--and that Mori may be in serious danger.

Finished another one ROOT # 37

Mirakelse Maurits en zijn gestudeerde knaagdieren by Terry Pratchett

My review

It was an okay book, but it made me a little nervous, especially in the beginning. Then I really thought: 'Do I want to read this?'. But it's for a challenge so I've read it like I should. The rhythm bothered me too much. There are some nice characters among the rats, including Peach, Nutritious and Unsafe Beans.

I decided to donate all my Pratchett books to the second hand store. Not my kind of books.

>79 connie53: I feel the same way about Pratchett, and also feel guilty for feeling that way. I think I should laugh more than I actually want to as I read them.

Splendid Wednesday wishes!

>80 richardderus: Good to hear I'm not the only one, Richard. On mu RL book-club we have some great fans, even their nicknames are from Pratchett: Esk and Margraat.

My Wednesday was real good, lots of reading done.
Tomorrow I feel go to my daughters place to watch Marie while Eveline is working upstairs. That a Thursday that will be fillen with play and fun.

>81 connie53: Wonderful plan for your Thursday. Enjoy it, and may your next read be everything this one wasn't.

Now reading another ROOT and hope to finish that one today



Duistere maan by Meredith Ann Pierce

The blurb NOT my review

He was the youngest prince the unicorns had ever known: Aljan son-of-Korr, Dark Moon. A silver crescent on his brow and a white star on his heel were tokens that one day he was destined to become the legendary Firebringer--but Jan had no knowledge of fire, nor of where to find it. Swept out to sea while defending the unicorns, Jan is washed up on a distant shore, only to find himself the revered captive of a strange race of two-foots who treat him with awe, even as they hold him against his will. It is here that he witnesses the magic of fire for the first time and, even more importantly, discovers how he himself can create it. But can he escape and bring the knowledge back to the unicorns in time to save them?

And Peet was tested negative again.

Finished ROOT # 38 Duistere Maan by Meredith Ann Pierce -

My Review

You don't often read a book in which an unicorn has the leading role. So I thought this was a very nice book. Yan is the prince of the unicorns but falls from a cliff into the sea during an attack of griffins. He is rescued by two-legs and held captive by them in the king's palace. He manages to escape and then follows a journey back to his own people / herd. In the meantime, he also manages to make a peace treaty with the griffins and with other beings, such as herons and forest people. Now I have to look for part 3.

>84 connie53: That is excellent news!

A decent read to go with it, too, a darn good way to start your weekend.

I bought two books because it's Children's book-week in the Netherlands

I bought and finished De meisjes by Annet Schaap



The blurb not my review

A sleeping beauty who never wakes up, a frog that never becomes a prince, a girl who is a monster: Annet Schaap adapted seven well-known fairy tales, five by the Brothers Grimm and two by Charles Perrault, into surprising stories about seven girls, all with their own dreams and desires, girls who are no longer fairytale characters but people of flesh and blood.

My review

I only have one word for this: Adorable. The fairy tales are recognizable but always have a different twist so that they have a different ending than you expect. Reads very easily and is suitable for older children, between 8 and 12 years.

The other book is Floddertje by Annie M.G. Schmidt



The blurb NOT my review

Floddertje in the bath, Floddertje at the hairdresser, Floddertje in the kitchen, Floddertje cleaning, Floddertje visiting... Whatever Floddertje and her dog Smeerkees do, it becomes a delicious mess. Yet Floddertje is rewarded with an honorary ribbon from the mayor at the end of her adventures.

I read some stories in that book to Lonne and she loved it.

Finished a small ebook to fit one of the Forumchallenge categories. We needed some books about festive days and this was one I found on my digital shelves

Winterzon by John Grisham



The Blurb NOT my review

Imagine a year without Christmas. No crowded malls, no corny office parties, no fruitcakes, no unwanted presents. That’s just what Luther and Nora Krank have in mind when they decide that, just this once, they’ll skip the holiday altogether. Theirs will be the only house on Hemlock Street without a rooftop Frosty; they won’t be hosting their annual Christmas Eve bash; they aren’t even going to have a tree. They won’t need one, because come December 25 they’re setting sail on a Caribbean cruise. But, as this weary couple is about to discover, skipping Christmas brings enormous consequences–and isn’t half as easy as they’d imagined. A classic tale for modern times. Skipping Christmas offers a hilarious look at the chaos and frenzy that have become part of our holiday tradition.

My review

Blair, Luther and Nora's daughter, leaves for Peru a few weeks before Christmas to do volunteer-work. Luther and Nora decide to not celebrate Christmas that year. No cards, no party, no tree, no Frosty the snowman on the roof. Luther has calculated that the prior year cost him well over $6,000. instead they book a cruise to the Caribbean. When their neighbours hear of their plan, they are very displeased, because with one house not decorated the street can't win the first place of 'Best decorated street'. Nora and Luther have to constantly defend their decision. But then Blair announces that she's coming home as a surprise after all, arriving at the airport that afternoon, and she brings home her new Peruvian fiancé to show him how they celebrate Christmas in America. Amusing story.

Hi Connie, thanks so much for dropping in at my thread.
I'm so sorry to hear how you and Peet are doing. Even if it is not easy, it is better if it is housed in a good institution and you can find your everyday rhythm. Covid doesn't make life easier, luckily there is the phone. Nice to read that you have a great family and your granddaughters keep you fit. I'm thinking of you. Love and hugs xx

>89 connie53: Thanks, Barb. It's not ideal but the best thing for him. He can't walk safely, he has a fall or an almost fall every week and he can't take care of himself. Dressing and personal hygiene is difficult for him. And I would have to be home 24/7. His memory is deteriorating too. Especially his short time memory.

>89 connie53: Still sad for both of you, Connie. When our balance goes it is extremely dangerous - I remember reading that in Being Mortal - a book that I found really consoling.

Thanks for the tip, Paul.

Finished yesterday Nachtreizigers by David Baldacci this book gets



The Blurb NOT my review

Tom Langdon, a weary and cash-strapped journalist, is banned from flying when a particularly thorough airport security search causes him to lose his cool. Now, he must take the train if he has any chance of arriving in Los Angeles in time for Christmas with his girlfriend. To finance the trip, he sells a story about a train ride taken during the Christmas season.

My Review

Never knew David Baldacci could write quite funny. This story is set during a train journey. The journey begins in Washington and ends in Los Angeles. All passengers are on their way to family to celebrate Christmas. So is Tom Langdon. He has chosen the train because he has more or less misbehaved when checking in for a plane and he is actually no longer welcome there. A famous director/producer has also chosen the train because he wants to make a film about a train journey. He has a scriptwriter with him and that is surprisingly the woman Tom had a passionate relationship with years ago. When the train also carries several other notable characters, including Agnes Joe, Regina and Father Kelly, there's plenty of material for a heartwarming Christmas story that ends when the train gets hit by a massive avalanche and they have to celebrate Christmas Eve in a snowed-in train with little food left but lots of love.

More good reading done, Connie! I hope your weekend will unfold pleasantly.

>93 richardderus: Thanks Richard. I hope so too. Peet is coming home for a few hours this afternoon. His friend Jos and I will pick him up, because our son was tested positive for Covid and is now in quarantine with is partner and daughter. They will get tested tomorrow.

Oh dear, I'm sorry to read that your son tested positive. I keep my fingers crossed that his course will be mild and that his partner and child will test negative.

>95 Ameise1: I would be highly surprised if they did, Barbara. I think it's almost impossible to live in the same house and not be infected. Jeroen is feeling rather poor. His fever was high but is dropping now. He sleeps a lot.

I keep my fingers crossed that everyone will be better soon. This pandemic is maddening.

>94 connie53: Sorry to read that your son got Covid, Connie, sending healing thoughts.
I hope Peets visit today will be pleasant for all.

Happy Sunday, Connie. Sorry to hear about your son. We pray for a speedy recovery. I hop you are finding some comfort in the books.

Sorry, too, about your son getting Covid. I hope it stays mild and he recovers soon. Hope also that Peet's visit home was pleasant and uneventful.

>94 connie53: Oh dear, that isn't a happy thing, Connie...your son has my sympathy.

I hope Peet's visit home is a good one.

Yikes! I hope your son gets better soon!

Started last Saturday and finished today Het pakket by Sebastian Fitzek. This book gets



The Blurb NOT my review

Emma's the one that got away. The only survivor of a killer known in the tabloids as 'the hairdresser' - because of the trophies he takes from his victims. Or she thinks she was. The police aren't convinced. Nor is her husband. She never even saw her tormentor properly, but now she recognises him in every man. Questioning her sanity, she gives up her job as a doctor in the local hospital and retreats from the world. It is better to stay at home. Quiet. Anonymous. Safe. No one can hurt her here. And all she did was take a parcel for a neighbour. She has no idea what she's let into her home.

My review

What a strange book is this. The first part was very confusing, the second part more exciting and the third part absolutely over the top absurd. It is about Emma who no longer dares to leave the house after a rape because she is so paranoid and suffers from anxiety that she sees her violator everywhere. If the postman gives her a package for a neighbor, who does not come to get the package, she has to bring it herself. She then suddenly cán leave the house because when the postman gave her dog accidentally some chocolate instead of a dog biscuit and the dog gets terrible sick. She forces herself to walk to the vet. When she passes the man's house and she decides to go inside. The story starts to get some pace but then in the third part all of a sudden numerous suspects appear. That makes it all too unbelievable for me.

Hi everyone! Thanks for the well wishes. He is getting better every day. The fever is gone only his headache and muscle strain stays but it's getting less. Rianne and Lonne got tested today, but they don't feel sick at all. So if they are positive they are not that ill as Jeroen was.

Peet's visit went okay. His friend and I went to get him by car and he kind of inspected the house. He tried to climb the stairs but he could only get to the forth step and then he came down again. Friend Jos stayed with him during that experiment. Peet then admitted he could not go home anytime soon. So he's kind of getting used to the idea of another place for permanent care. After an hour and a half he wanted to go back to the care hotel again.

Glad to read Peets visit went well, Connie. Sounds like he is starting to accept his situation now.

I think so too, Anita and I'm glad he does. Otherwise it would be an endless conversation every time I visit him.

Good news all around. Glad Peet is coming to terms with his new situation. That will be so much easier for everyone.

Thanks Reba.

Read De jongen, de mol, de vos en het paard by Charlie Mackesy and gave it



My review

I just finished reading this book in one sitting. That is not so difficult because it takes less than half an hour. But it's definitely a book I'll be flipping through more often while it's here. And what beautiful simple illustrations! What Charlie can do with a simple curve is touching.

Now reading and almost finished Snowflower en de geheime waaier by Lisa See



The blurb NOT my review

Humble farmer's daughter Lily is no ordinary girl. If properly bound, her feet will be flawless and in 19th century China, where a woman's eligibility is judged by the shape and size of her feet, this is extraordinary good luck. Lily now has the power to make a good marriage and change the fortunes of her family.But first she must undergo the agonies of footbinding, learn nu shu, the secret women's writing, and a girl will be chosen as her "old-same", a relationship almost akin to marriage. Lily's "old-same", Snow Flower, comes from a refined family and is elegant and educated. Even though their worlds are far apart they develop a deep bond through their letters written in nu shu, which they paint on fans and embroider on handkerchiefs. Lily and Snow Flower find comfort in their friendship. But when they come of the age to be married, a misunderstanding threatens to change everything.

And I finished the book above and give it

My review

An intriguing story set in 19th century China, in a remote province. It is the story of Lily who, as a little girl, has no value at all to her family. Sons, those are the children parents want. Girls have to be married off and in many cases disappear from the parental home for good. However, Lily has something that makes her a little more valuable. She has just the right feet that, when properly bound, will be the perfect lily feet. That increases her chances of marrying into a more important family. She also becomes the laotong (best friend) of Snow Flower. As usual, the two girls write a real contract. Thus they are connected for life. We follow the girls throughout their lives, which are often cruel, laborious and sad. Lily tells the story when she is 80 years old and has survived everyone. With this book you gain some insight into the life of a woman, with all its drawbacks and fixed rules. With men who aren't always good and trying to get pregnant forever to produce sons.

>110 connie53: I think there's a lot to admire in See's story but I didn't enjoy it very much.

I hope you're keeping well!

>111 richardderus: I'm still good, Richard. Thanks for asking. The situation stays the same. Peet is slightly improving, but not enough to come home permanently. Luckily I don't have to search for a place for him. The Care Hotel does that for us and they get priority when there are free places. It would be a whole other thing when I had to do it myself. With waiting-lists and urgentie-points.

Finished another ROOT # 40 and give this book

Een dodelijke opleiding by Naomi Novik

My Review

First I had to get used to the writing style and the tone of the story. Because it's completely different from what I'm used to from Naomi Novik. I even put the book aside for a while because I found the story so strange. However, several members of my Real-Live book club loved it, so I gave it another chance and started over. When I read the beginning with more attention, I still found it strange, but much easier to follow and in the end I even really liked it and now I can't wait for the sequel. El (Galadriel) is the daughter of a sorceress and is admitted to the school for sorcerers' children. It is a strange school that hangs somewhere in the void and consists of different layers for each school-year and with each new year the floor turns down towards the gate thats opens at the end of the exam-year. Than you will have to fight to get out alive. Something that about half of the pupils do, but the chance of survival is always greater in the school than in the outside world.
The school is infested by 'Mals', weird creatures made up of the magic that the students possess and who are very eager to kill the children in order to eat their magic.
El is an outcast and has no friends at the school. However, when the 'Mals' attack her, she is always rescued by Orion who has a talent for destroying the 'Mals'. El finds this particularly irritating, because that way she builds up a debt with Orion. Orion is just as much of an outcast as she is and they get used to each other. Tensions also increase as the transition to the final year approaches. Highly recommended, but a little perseverance at the beginning.

Hi Connie, I've been absent from LT for a while and find all this news about Peet. I'm both sorry that you have to go through all this and at the same time relieved that you get the best care possible. It is a good thing that caretakers not only think of Peet but also of you and your ability to cope. You're in my thoughts and I hope you'll be able to settle into some sort of a comfortable modus vivendi soon.

>114 Trifolia: Thanks.

Peet will be moving to this new place coming Tuesday. We just heard about it last Thursday so we are very busy to find furniture and such for his room. It's a one room appartement with a tiny kitchenette and a bathroom with the necessary adjustments.
Jeroen is now moving some stuff from Rianne's uncle. Like a table, a stand-up chair (is that the right word?), a low closet for his clothes.
A lot of people are helping to collect things for us. A nephew has some dining-chairs, my brother has a tv set. Rianne's mother gives some table lamps. And we will have to visit the second hand store for a bedside table.

Peet's new place sounds nice! And how wonderful that you have people jumping in to help out. Fingers crossed that the move goes perfectly and he - and you - love the place!

>115 connie53: (((((HUGS)))))) to both of you.

>115 connie53: - Hi Connie, I hope Peet settled into his new home safely and that he's happy there. I also hope that this home is not too far away from your home so you can visit him as often as you want.
Enjoy the weekend! And enjoy the reading.

Happy Saturday, Connie. Just checking in. How is Peet doing in his new place? Comfortable?

Hi everyone. The moving went smoothly only the TV connection is not working yet. I spend 4 hours on the phone in the last four days with the client-support department from the provider. Today I spoke almost for one hour with a very nice guy who was very patient and understanding. We were almost there when the call was disconnected for some reason. After calling again I was advised to wait till tomorrow because they did not activate the account.

>120 connie53: - I'm happy to hear that the move went well, but I feel your frustration about the TV-connection. It reminds me of the numerous calls I had to make to correct a mistake someone at the call-centre had made about an extra option for my mother's TV and phone-connection. But in the end everything was settled and, out of the blue, we even got compensation for all the stress they had caused. The man on the telephone mentioned that they had decided to do so because I had always stayed calm and friendly and understanding (little did he know how I really felt :-)). So let's hope for something similar for you.

>120 connie53: That is both excellent and wildly frustrating news! I'm so so happy for you that Peet will be in a safe, secure environment, but the TV provider's antics make my blood pressure rise fot you!

Sending hugs and happy-outcome whammys northeastward.

>120 connie53: AARRRRRGGGGGG!! How frustrating!!

Hi All! Well, my brother came to the rescue. He said the provider could give us another device that could be put in the TV, (CI-module). And Jeroen installed it yesterday. Peet can watch tv now only using one remote control. And that goes well.

I had a rather strange week. 2 men are painting the outside woodwork and it's very nice to have them around and talk with them a bit at lunchtime and on coffee-breaks. We had one of the men before to do the same thing and we were quit happy with the work he did. Now he had a nice young guy with him. Although it was nice it was also not the same as being alone. I decided I would only do the necessary household stuff, like groceries and cooking and cleaning upstairs. Down stairs was no option. They had to walk in the house sometimes and mopping and vacuuming was completely useless. So I read a lot.

I finished Lichtval by Nicolet Steemers and the book gets

My review

Nice story about a family that always spends their holiday on Ameland in their second home. For the past two years, only the parents have been there because the situation has changed with the fateful death of the eldest daughter Ellis. Her sisters and brother were also there and each has their own version of the story. This time, the main character from the book, Aline, is persuaded to come because brother Jules is turning 18. Aline has never been able to talk about the accident (a fall from the lighthouse) and has more or less repressed her memories. Returning to the island brings new facts to light and reveals the truth.

>124 connie53: I'm glad your recent read was a good one, that Peet's frustration could be dealt with relatively easily, and that you're getting yourself into your new habits.

All is going well, yay!

>124 connie53: We have people washing the external facade of our apartment building at the moment and I hope it can be a cause to get me reading more, Connie!

Hope you (and Peet) have a pleasant weekend.

I have been busy with jigsaw puzzels and not much with reading but I finally finished my last ROOT and reached my goal.

De laatste ontmoeting by Anita Shreve ROOT # 45 and I give it

My review

What a beautiful book this is. The story is intriguing enough but the author has a very nice use of language, which I really enjoyed. Actually all her books are very good. Linda and Thomas have a passionate love affair that lasts 35 years but they have only seen each other in 3 periods. Once a few months when they were in class together, once a few days when they were twenty-seven, and now they bump into each other by accident at a writer's festival. That's what the first part of the book is about and the story then goes back in time in the next two parts so that you slowly get to know what happened in those years.
Really very beautiful

Hi Connie. I haven’t been visiting LT a lot lately, no energy for reading. Glad to read Peet’s transition to a new care home went well. Still, it must have been an emotional time for the both of you.

>127 connie53: Good for you, sounds like it was a good read, so congratulations.

Finished my probably last book for 2021 De horlogemaker van Londen by Natasha Pulley and I give it

My review

And again I don't know what to say about this book. It's a bit of a confusing story. Some reactions from other people are very enthusiastic, but I don't see it that way. I have a feeling that parts are being skipped, but that could also be just me. I'll read the sequel, but not right now.

Happy Yule, Connie, to you and Peet and all yours!

https://pics.cdn.librarything.com//picsizes/d5/a2/d5a2ada47f63cf66369376c7a674368422f7345_v5.jpg 3x">

Thanks John and Richard

The same to you and all 75-ers.

Finished book # 100 for the year

Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor and this small book gets

My review

What a beautiful but strange story. Read in English but easy to follow.
Fatima spends a large part of her early years in a Shea tree where she can quietly watch the world. This tree has coconut-like fruits and the pulp is used to make Shea Butter, which is the source of livelihood for her family.
One day the ground at the base of her tree opens up and a box with a pod in it comes up. From that day on, everything goes wrong. She can suddenly summon a light from within herself that can kill everything around her. Her father sells the pod and box to a politician who wants to resell it to a medical research company. But Fatima still has her light and one day she lets it go and accidentally kills her whole family and the whole village.
Confused, she flees and lives for a while in a forest with only the company of Movenpick, a fox that follows her everywhere. Everyone in the country knows who she is and she uses her 'gift' to help people who are seriously ill to a quiet end of life and if she is threatened by bad things. After many wanderings, she returns to her village.
The story is full of beautiful sentences and a bit dreamy.

Have a lovely holiday, Connie.

Thanks, Paul!

Have a nice holiday with the family, Connie. We miss you!

Thank Mark. Live is taking over LT time and read-time.

https://pics.cdn.librarything.com//picsizes/5d/02/5d029540654e5a9636b45767a774368422f7345_v5.jpg 3x">

Forget your stresses and strains
As the old year wanes;
All that now remains
Is to bring you good cheer
With wine, liquor or beer
And wish you a special new year.

Happy New Year, Connie.

Happy New Year, Connie!

All the best for 2022, Connie!

Thanks all. Happy New Year for everybody!