Anita (FAMeulstee) goes there where the books take her in 2021 (11)

Welcome to my eleventh 2021 thread!

I am Anita Meulstee (58), married with Frank (59) since 1984. We live in Lelystad, the Netherlands. We both love modern art, books and walking.

I have been hanging around in this group a few months after finding LibraryThing in March 2008. I skipped one year (2013), when my reading dropped to almost nothing. This was a side effect of taking Paxil. In 2015 I was able to wean off Paxil, and a year later my reading skyrocketed. The last year it is slowing down, my initial "reading hunger" has waned a bit.

I read (almost) everything, from childrens and YA books to more serious literature, mysteries, historical fiction, fantasy and I try not to forget to throw some non-fiction into the mix.

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Pets in my life: Pandora, our start in breeding



Pandora was our second smooth Chow Chow, Nemo's half-sister, her pedigree name was Ca-Caliban's Pandora.
She was born in February 1996, and came to us in April. She was Franks dog, she adored him. I was good for walking and providing food ;-)
Pandora learned me to have patience. Even as a puppy she stopped doing anything for me, if I got impatient or mad at her. I even had to say "sorry", before she went back to normal routine. I am still grateful, as life is much easier with patience.

With her we bred our first litter, in July 1998 the first 6 "Xin-Feng" puppies were born. On the hottest day of the year, and Frank had a meeting in the afternoon.
She waited with giving birth until Frank returned, we all had to be there, Nemo & me included.



In 2000 we went to Danmark, to mate her with a beautiful blue smooth. Sadly that didn't work out. Later Pandora got an uterus infection and had to be spayed. And then she tore both ACLs within a short time, and had surgery twice. Later that year Pandora's daughter Anouska got a litter, we got one of the pups: Callisto, hoping we could continue our breeding plans with Pandora's granddaughter.
Pandora was happy with a next generation around.

Nemo and Pandora (and later Callisto too) went almost everywhere with us.
One evening we were in a pub in Rotterdam, behind the bar was one of her favourite persons. One of the customers was making trouble and was removed from the place. It went very smoothly, much to the barmans surprise. Until he found out Pandora stood right behind him, ready to help him.
Another story, same place, an old drunken Englishman was feeling alone and wanted to pet Callisto. Callisto did not like strangers and was having a difficult time. Pandora came to the rescue and took over, sat next to the man until he felt a bit better...



Eventually the two torn ligaments gave trouble. Pandora couldn't use her backlegs very well, and put all her weight on her forelegs. This caused trouble in her ellbows, and became very painful. She used to be very patient with puppies and children. The children in our mainly Turkish neighborhood had lost their fear for dogs because of Pandora, but near the end she didn't want them to pet her anymore.

Finally she became agressive, because of the pain, towards both Callisto and Nemo.
We decide it had been enough, she was PTS in May 2004, only 8 years old.

total books read in 2021: 266
75 own / 191 library

total pages read in 2021: 84.523

--
currently reading:
De vertellingen van duizend-en-één nacht deel 2 (2/3) translated by Richard van Leeuwen, 1112 pages, started 01-01-2021
Ideeën van Multatuli. Derde bundel by Multatuli, 782 pages, started 2021-02-01

e-book: De pop (The Doll) by Bolesław Prus, 928 pages

--
books read in November 2021 (26 books, 7.711 pages, 6 own / 20 library)
book 241: Salammbô (Salammbô) by Gustave Flaubert, 419 pages, TIOLI #3 (msg 74)
book 242: Majoor Frans by A.L.G. Bosboom-Toussaint, 314 pages, TIOLI #9 (msg 75)
book 243: De tijd hervonden (Time Regained; In Search of Lost Time 7) by Marcel Proust, 460 pages, TIOLI #5 (msg 76)
book 244: We hebben altijd in het kasteel gewoond (We Have Always Lived in the Castle) by Shirley Jackson, 202 pages, TIOLI #11 (msg 77)
book 245: Smeulend vuur (Konráð 3) by Arnaldur Indriðason, 302 pages, TIOLI #11 (msg 83)
book 246: De dronken detective (My gun is not so quick) by Craig Strete, 331 pages, TIOLI #13 (msg 84)
book 247: Mijn jaren bij de politie by Ellie Lust, 189 pages, TIOLI #1 (msg 85)
book 248: De kaart van mijnheer Selden (Mr Selden's Map of China) by Timothy Brook, 272 pages, TIOLI #6 (msg 128)
book 249: Gebroken (Shattered) by Dick Francis, 202 pages, TIOLI #8 (msg 129)
book 250: De zwembadbibliotheek (The swimming pool library) by Alan Hollinghurst, 395 pages, TIOLI #4 (msg 130)
book 251: De Nederlandse maagd (The Dutch Maiden) by Marente de Moor, 297 pages, TIOLI #14 (msg 131)
book 252: Adres onbekend (Address unknown) by Kathrine Kressmann Taylor, 64 pages, TIOLI #12 (msg 145)
book 253: Vergiffenis (The temptation of forgiveness; Brunetti 27) by Donna Leon, 319 pages, TIOLI #10 (msg 146)
book 254: Leviathan (Murder on the Leviathan; Fandorin 3) by Boris Akoenin, 250 pages, TIOLI #1 (msg 147)
book 255: Middaguur by Dörte Hansen, 302 pages, TIOLI #7 (msg 148)
book 256: Paddy Clarke ha ha ha (Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha) by Roddy Doyle, 351 pages, TIOLI #15 (msg 149)
book 257: Geheimen van het Wilde Woud (The Secrets of the Wild Wood) by Tonke Dragt, 358 pages, TIOLI #3 (msg 176)
book 258: De dag dat de keizer hoffelijk mijn tranen droogt (The Day He Himself Shall Wipe My Tears Away) by Kenzaburo Oë, 155 pages, TIOLI #2 (msg 177)
book 259: Meisjesherinneringen (A Girl's Story) by Annie Ernaux, 173 pages, TIOLI #14 (msg 178)
book 260: In krabbengang (Crabwalk) by Günter Grass, 208 pages, TIOLI #16 (msg 179)
book 261: De ware aard (The raven in the foregate; Cadfael 12) by Ellis Peters, 193 pages, TIOLI #8 (msg 180)
book 262: De kleur paars (The Color Purple) by Alice Walker, 319 pages, TIOLI #12 (msg 206)
book 263: Zij namen het woord by Margot Dijkgraaf, 240 pages, TIOLI #9 (msg 207)
book 264: Al wat schittert (The Luminaries) by Eleanor Catton, 832 pages, TIOLI #10 (msg 208)
book 265: De brandweerauto die verdween (The Fire Engine That Disappeared; Martin Beck 5) by Maj Sjöwall & Per Wahlöö, 237 pages, TIOLI #8 (msg 209)
book 266: De interventie (The Metaconcert) by Julian May, 327 pages, TIOLI #10 (msg 210)

November 2021 reading plans
Ideeën by Mutatuli, 3846 pages (1463/3846)
De vertellingen van duizend-en-één nacht deel 2 translated by Richard van Leeuwen, 1112 pages
De goddelijke komedie (The Divine Comedy) - Dante Allighieri, 599 pages

TIOLI November 2021 Sweep!
#1: Read a book with the word “police” either on the front or the back cover
- Leviathan (Murder on the Leviathan) - Boris Akoenin, 250 pages (library)
- Mijn jaren bij de politie - Ellie Lust, 189 pages (e-library)
#2: Read a book where the title completes the phrase "I am thankful for..."
- Humboldt's nalatenschap (Humboldt's Gift) - Saul Bellow, 493 pages - DNF
- De dag dat de keizer hoffelijk mijn tranen droogt (The Day He Himself Shall Wipe My Tears Away) - Kenzaburo Oë, 155 pages
#3: Read a book that fits 3 or more challenges from TIOLI October 2021
- Salammbô (Salammbo) - Gustave Flaubert, 419 pages (library)
- Geheimen van het Wilde Woud (The Secrets of the Wild Wood) - Tonke Dragt, 358 pages
#4: Read a book that combines the tags crime and LGBT (or QUILTBAG)
- De zwembadbibliotheek (The swimming pool library) - Alan Hollinghurst, 395 pages (library)
#5: Read a book that helps you complete the 2021 Challenges you are working on
- De tijd hervonden (Time Regained) - Marcel Proust, 460 pages (e-library)
#6: Read a book with a map / image of a map on the cover
- De kaart van mijnheer Selden (Mr Selden's Map of China) - Timothy Brook, 272 pages (library)
#7: Read a book where another book title is also shown on the front cover
- Middaguur - Dörte Hansen, 302 pages
#8: Read a book by an author of a book you finished in the past 3 months (Aug/Sept/Oct 2021)
- De brandweerauto die verdween (The Fire Engine That Disappeared; Martin Beck 5) - Maj Sjöwall & Per Wahlöö, 237 pages (library)
- Gebroken (Shattered) - Dick Francis, 202 pages (e-library)
- De ware aard (The raven in the foregate) - Ellis Peters, 193 pages (library)
#9: Read a book with OO in the title or author's name
- Majoor Frans - A.L.G. Bosboom-Toussaint, 314 pages
- Zij namen het woord - Margot Dijkgraaf, 240 pages (e-library)
#10: Read a book that can be found at LibraryThing in at least 3 languages
- Vergiffenis (The temptation of forgiveness) - Donna Leon, 319 pages (e-library)
- Al wat schittert (The Luminaries) - Eleanor Catton, 832 pages (library)
- De interventie (The Metaconcert) - Julian May, 327 pages
#11: Read a book by an author whose surname ends in the suffix '-son'
- We hebben altijd in het kasteel gewoond (We Have Always Lived in the Castle) - Shirley Jackson, 202 pages (e-library)
- Smeulend vuur - Arnaldur Indriðason, 302 pages (library)
#12: Read a title where the adjective immediately follows a noun
- Adres onbekend (Address unknown) - Kathrine Kressmann Taylor, 64 pages (e-library)
- De kleur paars (The Color Purple) - Alice Walker, 319 pages (library)
#13: Read a book by an indigenous author or featuring 1 or more indigenous characters
- De dronken detective (My gun is not so quick) - Craig Strete, 331 pages (library)
#14: Read a book with a title that refers to a woman or women
- De Nederlandse maagd (The Dutch Maiden) - Marente de Moor, 297 pages (e-library)
- Meisjesherinneringen (A Girl's Story) - Annie Ernaux, 173 pages (e-library)
#15: Read a book with a connection to The Chieftains, in memory of Paddy Moloney 1938-2021
- Paddy Clarke ha ha ha (Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha) - Roddy Doyle, 351 pages (library)
#16: Read a book in which a sunken ship or the recovery of a sunken treasure plays a role
- In krabbengang (Crabwalk) - Günter Grass, 208 pages

Reading plans in 2021
Reading books from the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die list
Read some big tomes (1000+ pages)
Read books by Nobel Prize for Literature winners

I join the TIOLI (Take It Or Leave It) challenges each month.

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Some big tomes I might read in 2021:
✔ Op zoek naar de verloren tijd (In Search of Lost Time 1-7) - Marcel Proust, 4063 pages
Ideeën (1-7) by Multatuli, 3846 pages
Man zonder eigenschappen (The man without qualities) by Robert Musil, 1785 pages
De razende Roeland (Orlando furioso) by Ludovico Ariosto, 1783 pages
✔ Een jaar uit het leven van Gesine Cresspahl (Anniversaries: From a Year in the Life of Gesine Cresspahl) by Uwe Johnson, 1596 pages
✔ De essays (The complete essays) by Michel de Montaigne, 1557 pages
De kracht van Atlantis (Atlas shrugged) by Ayn Rand, 1373 pages
De vertellingen van duizend-en-één-nacht deel 2 translated by Richard van Leeuwen, 1112 pages
Luitenant-kolonel de Maumort by Roger Martin du Gard, 1077 pages
De vertellingen van duizend-en-één-nacht deel 3 translated by Richard van Leeuwen, 1047 pages
Baron by Theun de Vries, 1016 pages

Totals since 2008:

Books read in Januari
book 1: Bankier (Banker) by Dick Francis
book 2: Ik kom terug by Adriaan van Dis
book 3: De kille maagd (The Virgin in the Ice; Cadfael 6) by Ellis Peters
book 4: 1177 v.Chr. : het einde van de beschaving (1177 BCE: The Year Civilization Collapsed) by Eric H. Cline
book 5: De dood in Rome (Death in Rome) by Wolfgang Koeppen
book 6: De laatste dag by Beppe Fenoglio
book 7: Wie vlucht en wie blijft (Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay; Neapolitan Novels 3) by Elelna Ferrante
book 8: Het onbekende kind (The golden egg; Brunetti 22) by Donna Leon
book 9: Treindromen (Train Dreams) by Denis Johnson
book 10: Angstige mensen (Anxious people) by Fredrik Backman
book 11: Boven water (Konráð 2) by Arnaldur Indriðason
book 12: De tocht van de tienduizend (The Anabasis) by Xenofon
book 13: De levende berg (The Living Mountain) by Nan Shepherd
book 14: Het Rosie resultaat (The Rosie result) by Graeme Simsion
book 15: De nachtstemmer by Maarten 't Hart
book 16: Reis door de Oriënt by Gustave Flaubert
book 17: Gewaagd leven by Astrid Roemer
book 18: Ideeën van Multatuli. Tweede bundel by Mutatuli

Books read in Februari
book 19: Morgen toen de oorlog begon (Tomorrow, when the war began; Tomorrow 1) by John Marsden
book 20: Het verhaal van het verloren kind (The Story of the Lost Child; Neapolitan Novels 4) by Elelna Ferrante
book 21: Over paden : een ontdekkingstocht (On trails : an exploration) by Robert Moor
book 22: Tegenstroom (A Necessary End; Inspector Banks 3) by Peter Robinson
book 23: Ik, Claudius (I, Claudius) by Robert Graves
book 24: Veranderingen (Change) by Mo Yan
book 25: Het holst van de nacht (The Dead of the Night; Tomorrow 2) by John Marsden
book 26: Nachtvlucht (Night Flight) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
book 27: Kindertijd (Childhood) by Tove Ditlevsen
book 28: Denken aan vrijdag (Friday on my mind; Frieda Klein 6) by Nicci French
book 29: Sodom en Gomorra (Sodom and Gomorrah; In search of lost time 4) by Marcel Proust
book 30: Rinkeldekink by Martine Bijl
book 31: Beminde (Beloved) by Tony Morrison
book 32: Lijken op liefde by Astrid Roemer
book 33: Alleen : de Pacific Crest Trail by Tim Voors
book 34: Het nut van de wereld by J.M.A. Biesheuvel
book 35: Het enige verhaal (The Only Story) by Julian Barnes
book 36: Jeugd (Youth) by Tove Ditlevsen
book 37: Huis van volmaakte eenzaamheid (House of Splendid Isolation) by Edna O'Brien
book 38: Afhankelijkheid (Dependency) by Tove Ditlevsen

books read in March
book 39: Een kroon van zwaarden (A Crown of Swords; Wheel of Time 7) by Robert Jordan
book 40: Een kille dageraad (A Killing Frost; Tomorrow 3) by John Marsden
book 41: De avond valt (Darkness, Be My Friend; Tomorrow 4) by John Marsden
book 42: Butcher's Crossing (Butcher's Crossing) by John Williams
book 43: Ik ben er even niet (I'm Off Then) by Hape Kerkeling
book 44: Bergje by Bregje Hofstede
book 45: Bezoek van de knokploeg (A Visit from the Goon Squad) by Jennifer Egan
book 46: Confrontaties by Simone Atangana Bekono
book 47: Het uur van de wraak (Burning for Revenge; Tomorrow 5) by John Marsden
book 48: Wandelparadijs Nederland: te voet door alle provincies by John Jansen van Galen
book 49: Tussen de regels (By its cover; Brunetti 23) by Donna Leon
book 50: Christus kwam niet verder dan Eboli (Christ Stopped at Eboli) by Carlo Levi
book 51: De omweg naar Santiago (Roads to Santiago) by Cees Nooteboom
book 52: Camino (Two steps forward) by Graeme Simsion and Anne Buist
book 53: Kameleon, ahoy! by H. de Roos
book 54: Groene Heinrich by Gottfried Keller

books read in April
book 55: De Cock en de dwaze maagden by A.C. Baantjer
book 56: Wachten op het donker (The Night is for Hunting; Tomorrow 6) by John Marsden
book 57: Een andere kant van vrijheid (The Other side of Dawn; Tomorrow 7) by John Marsden
book 58: Oeroeg (The Black Lake) by Hella Haasse
book 59: De duivelse droom (The Devil's novice) by Ellis Peters
book 60: De man die kon rekenen (The Man Who Counted) by Malba Tahan
book 61: Zondeval (The Hanging Valley; Inspector Banks 4) by Peter Robinson
book 62: Meisje, vrouw, anders (Girl, woman, other) by Bernardine Evaristo
book 63: Van oude mensen, de dingen die voorbijgaan (Old People and The Things That Pass) by Louis Couperus
book 64: Over liefde en over niets anders by Toon Tellegen
book 65: Jheronimus Bosch: Visioenen van een genie (Hieronymus Bosch: Visions of Genius) by Matthijs Ilsink
book 66: Drie dingen over Elsie (Three Things About Elsie) by Joanna Cannon
book 67: De waarheid over honden (The Truth about Dogs) by Stephen Budiansky
book 68: De naam van mijn vader by Rindert Kromhout
book 69: De vriend (The friend) by Sigrid Nunez
book 70: De vergelding (The dark vineyard) by Martin Walker
book 71: De drie musketiers (The Three Musketeers) by Alexandre Dumas
book 72: Leon & Juliette by Annejet van der Zijl
book 73: Alles tegen (Odds Against) by Dick Francis
book 74: Het jaar van de tuinier (The Gardener's Year) by Karel Čapek
book 75: Winnetou (Winnetou) by Karl May
book 76: Verloren woorden (The lost words) by Robert Macfarlane
book 77: Smalle paden (Thin Paths) by Julia Blackburn
book 78: Foon by Marente de Moor
book 79: Archief van verloren kinderen (Lost Children Archive) by Valeria Luiselli
book 80: De drieëntwintig dagen van de stad Alba (The Twenty-three Days of the City of Alba) by Beppe Fenoglio
book 81: Tussen Orinoco en Amazone (In Trouble Again) by Redmond O'Hanlon
book 82: Afscheid van Berlijn (Goodbye to Berlin) by Christopher Isherwood
book 83: Volwassenen onder elkaar (Adults In The Room) by Yanis Varoufakis
book 84: De Schotse marsen (The Marches) by Rory Stewart
book 85: De heilige Rita (The Blessed Rita) by Tommy Wieringa
book 86: De jaren (The Years) by Annie Ernaux

books read in May
book 87: De 3 bestaat niet by Gerbrand Bakker
book 88: De vermiste prins (The Missing Prince, Rangers Apprentice 15) by John Flanagan
book 89: Een vrouw in de poolnacht (A Woman in the Polar Night) by Christiane Ritter
book 90: De eerste wandelaar by Flip van Doorn
book 91: Grijs verleden (Field Grey; Bernie Gunther 7) by Philip Kerr
book 92: Het geheime netwerk van de natuur (The Secret Network of Nature) by Peter Wohlleben
book 93: Een paleis voor de doden by Herman Clerinx
book 94: Overtuiging (Persuation) by Jane Austen
book 95: Ik aanbid je (Falling in Love; Brunetti 24) by Donna Leon
book 96: Het zout der aarde (Salt of the Earth) by Józef Wittlin
book 97: De hengelaars van Castelnau (The origin of the world) by Pierre Michon
book 98: Het pad der dolken (The Path of Daggers; Wheel of time 8) by Robert Jordan
book 99: De Cock en de dode tempeliers by A.C. Baantjer
book 100: Brekebeen (Bonecrack) by Dick Francis
book 101: Wit konijn, rode wolf (White Rabbit, Red Wolf) by Tom Pollock
book 102: Asterix en het gouden snoeimes (Asterix and the Golden Sickle) by René Goscinny
book 103: Vlucht van de havik (Celtic bride) by Margo Maguire
book 104: Als het zaterdag wordt (Saturday Requiem; Frieda Klein 6) by Nicci French
book 105: Een lied voor Achilles (The Song of Achilles) by Madeline Miller
book 106: De betovering van lijsten (The infinity of lists: from Homer to Joyce) by Umberto Eco
book 107: Piranesi (Piranesi) by Susanna Clarke
book 108: Portnoy's klacht (Portnoy's Complaint) by Philip Roth
book 109: In het licht van de vuurtoren (The lightkeeper's daughters) by Jean E. Pendziwol
book 110: De onbeduidende Jude (Jude the Obscure) by Thomas Hardy
book 111: De passievrucht (A Father's Affair) by Karel Glastra van Loon
book 112: De vergaderzaal by A. Alberts
book 113: De zwarte heuvel (On the black hill) by Bruce Chatwin
book 114: Rituelen (Rituals) by Cees Nooteboom
book 115: De bibliotheek bij nacht (The library at night) by Alberto Manguel
book 116: Getemde schoonheid (Briana) by Ruth Langan
book 117: Ik wou (I Wish) by Toon Tellegen
book 118: Quarantaine by Ilja Leonard Pfeiffer
book 119: Claudius de God (Claudius the God) by Robert Graves
book 120: De Cock en de blijde Bacchus by A.C. Baantjer
book 121: Zondagochtend breekt aan (Sunday Silence; Frieda Klein 7) by Nicci French

books read in June
book 122: De dag van de doden (The Day of the Dead; Frieda Klein 8) by Nicci French
book 123: De essays (The Complete Essays) by Michel de Montaigne
book 124: Connemara: Luisterend naar de wind (Connemara. Listening to the Wind) by Tim Robinson
book 125: Vrijwilliger in Spanje (Volunteer in Spain) by John Sommerfield
book 126: De zwarte diamant (Black Diamond) by Martin Walker
book 127: Circe (Circe) by Madeline Miller
book 128: In Siberië (In Siberia) by Colin Thubron
book 129: БAM : een reis van niets naar niets by Jelle Brandt Corstius
book 130: Sneeuwblind (Snowblind) by Ragnar Jónasson
book 131: Robinson Crusoe (Robinson Crusoë) by Daniel Defoe
book 132: Het geluid van de berg (The Sound of the Mountain) by Yasunari Kawabata
book 133: Wat wij zagen by Hanna Bervoets
book 134: Geachte Muizenpoot en achttien andere gedichten by F. ten Harmsen van der Beek
book 135: De tijgerkat. Herinneringen aan mijn kindertijd en andere verhalen by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
book 136: Cliënt E. Busken by Jeroen Brouwers
book 137: Wraak en andere novellen (Legends of the Fall) by Jim Harrison
book 138: De gierzwaluw by Remco Daalder
book 139: Een roos van vlees (A Rose of Flesh) by Jan Wolkers
book 140: Het veelkleurig land (The Many-Colored Land; Saga of the Exiles 1) by Julian May
book 141: De 90ste verjaardag van Louis van Roosgaarde by Jan Terlouw
book 142: De gouden halsring (The Golden Torc; Saga of the Exiles 2) by Julian May
book 143: De druiven der gramschap (The Grapes of Wrath) by John Steinbeck
book 144: Johannes Viator by Frederik van Eeden
book 145: De troonveroveraar (The Nonborn King; Saga of the Exiles 3) by Julian May

books read in July
book 146: De tegenstrever (The Adversary; Saga of the Exiles) by Julian May
book 147: Kapitein Corelli's mandoline (Captain Corelli's Mandolin) by Louis de Bernieres
book 148: Aristoteles & Dante ontdekken de geheimen van het universum (Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe) by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
book 149: Bij gaslicht by F. Bordewijk
book 150: Een jaar uit het leven van Gesine Cresspahl (Anniversaries: From a Year in the Life of Gesine Cresspahl) by Uwe Johnson
book 151: Bonjour tristesse (Bonjour tristesse) by Françoise Sagan
book 152: De ziener by Simon Vestdijk
book 153: Tokio mon amour (A Tokyo romance) by Ian Buruma
book 154: Eeuwige jeugd (The Waters of Eternal Youth; Brunetti 25) by Donna Leon
book 155: De Peloponnesische oorlog (The History of the Peloponnesian War) by Thucydides
book 156: De N.V. Mateor by Havank
book 157: De Patrick Melrose-romans (The Complete Patrick Melrose Novels) by Edward St Aubyn
book 158: Pluk de dag (Seize the Day) by Saul Bellow
book 159: Heidi: kind van de bergen (Heidi) by Johanna Spyri
book 160: De rekening (The invoice) by Jonas Karlsson
book 161: Het behouden huis (An Untouched House) by Willem Frederik Hermans
book 162: Shuggie Bain (Shuggie Bain) by Douglas Stuart
book 163: Hele verhalen voor een halve soldaat by Benny Lindelauf
book 164: De gouden speld (Dead Man's Ransom; Cadfael 9) by Ellis Peters
book 165: De outdoorwaanzin by Are Kalvø
book 166: Het stille huis (The House in the Forest) by Michèle Desbordes
book 167: De trein naar Pavlovsk en Oostvoorne by Toon Tellegen
book 168: Huivering (A Song for Drowned Souls; Martin Servaz 2) by Bernard Minier
book 169: De gevangene (The Captive; In search of lost time 5) by Marcel Proust

books read in August 2021
book 170: Een bijna volmaakte vriendschap (I Called Him Necktie) by Milena Michiko Flašar
book 171: De wilde vrouwen van Pella by Theun de Vries
book 172: Hart van de winter (Winter's Heart; Wheel of Time 9) by Robert Jordan
book 173: In tijden van afnemend licht (In Times of Fading Light) by Eugen Ruge
book 174: 't Hooge Nest (The Sisters of Auschwitz) by Roxane van Iperen
book 175: Fandorin (The Winter Queen; Fandorin 1) by Boris Akoenin
book 176: De wetten van water (Stillicide) by Cynan Jones
book 177: De klokkenluider van de Notre Dame (The Hunchback of Notre Dame) by Victor Hugo
book 178: De zusterklokken (The Bell in the Lake) by Lars Mytting
book 179: De Indiase bruid (Calling Out for You; Konrad Sejer 5) by Karin Fossum
book 180: De Cock en moord op bestelling by A.C. Baantjer
book 181: Gösta Berling (The Saga of Gösta Berling) by Selma Lagerlöf
book 182: De lachende politieman (The Laughing Policeman; Martin Beck 4) by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö
book 183: Het wonder dat niet omvalt by Ernest van der Kwast
book 184: Witte tanden (White Teeth) by Zadie Smith
book 185: Thomas Mann en de zijnen (Thomas Mann and His Family) by Marcel Reich-Ranicki
book 186: Een klein leven (A Little Life) by Hanya Yanagihara
book 187: Bloedgeld (Hot money) by Dick Francis
book 188: De goede oude man en het mooie jonge meisje (The Nice Old Man and the Pretty Girl) by Italo Svevo
book 189: 1794 by Niklas Natt och Dag
book 190: Zwemmen in het donker (Swimming in the dark) by Tomasz Jedrowski
book 191: Reis naar het einde van de nacht (Journey to the End of the Night) by Louis-Ferdinand Céline
book 192: Vermoedens omtrent Jakob (Speculations about Jakob) by Uwe Johnson
book 193: De tuin van de familie Finzi-Contini (The Garden of the Finzi-Continis) by Giorgio Bassani

books read in September 2021
book 194: De grote ronde : een wandeling by Thomas Rosenboom
book 195: Lotte in Weimar (The Beloved Returns) by Thomas Mann
book 196: Ons soort mensen by Juli Zeh
book 197: Strijd om de kathedraal by Jacques Vriens
book 198: Beschadigd (Damage) by Felix Francis
book 199: De verborgen geschiedenis (The Secret History) by Donna Tartt
book 200: Een wisse dood (The Pilgrim of Hate; Cadfael 10) by Ellis Peters
book 201: Turks gambiet (The Turkish Gambit; Fandorin 2) by Boris Akoenin
book 202: Kameraad Baron (Comrade Baron) by Jaap Scholten
book 203: Alles op de fiets by Rutger Kopland
book 204: Effi Briest (Effi Briest) by Theodor Fontaine
book 205: Wat niet verdwijnt (Earthly Remains; Brunetti 26) by Donna Leon
book 206: Schemervluchten (Vesper Flights) by Helen Macdonald
book 207: Het boek van de lach en de vergetelheid (The Book of Laughter and Forgetting) by Milan Kundera
book 208: Dit zijn de namen (These Are The Names) by Tommy Wieringa
book 209: Dagboek van een oude dwaas (Diary of a Mad Old Man) by Junichirô Tanizaki
book 210: Je keek te ver : een wandeling by Marjoleine de Vos
book 211: Kindernovelle en andere verhalen by Klaus Mann
book 212: Pastorale (English pastoral) by James Rebanks
book 213: De herinnerde soldaat by Anjet Daanje
book 214: De voortvluchtige (The Fugitive; In Search of Lost Time 6) by Marcel Proust
book 215: Verheven koninkrijk (Transcendent Kingdom) by Yaa Gyasi
book 216: Zilvergaren (Spinning Silver) by Naomi Novik
book 217: Waarom sommige landen rijk zijn en andere arm (Why Nations Fail) by Daron Acemoglu & James Robinson
book 218: Illustere voorgangers (Of Illustrious Men) by Jean Rouaud

books read in October 2021
book 219: Strijd en metamorfose van een vrouw by Édouard Louis
book 220: Darius de Grote is niet oké (Darius the Great Is Not Okay) by Adib Khorram
book 221: Stilte heeft een eigen stem (The Fountains of Silence) by Ruta Sepetys
book 222: Het huis met de geesten (The House of the Spirits) by Isabel Allende
book 223: Spervuur (Crossfire) by Dick & Felix Francis
book 224: De begrafenis by François Bon
book 225: Bezonken rood (Sunken red) by Jeroen Brouwers
book 226: Zondagskind by Judith Visser
book 227: Pieterpad deel I: Pieterburen - Vorden by Toos Goorhuis & Betje Jens
book 228: Het land der zieners (The Surveillance) by Julian May
book 229: Truffels & tandoori (The Hundred-Foot Journey) by Richard C. Morais
book 230: Dit alles zal ik je geven (All This I Will Give to You) by Dolores Redondo
book 231: Toffee (Toffee) by Sara Crossan
book 232: Pax (Pax) by Sara Pennypacker
book 233: Party tijdens de Blitz (Party in the Blitz) by Elias Canetti
book 234: Het eind van de kaart by Albert Helman
book 235: Stad in de storm by Thea Beckman
book 236: De wereld volgens Garp (The World According to Garp) by John Irving
book 237: Het meer (The Lake) by Yasunari Kawabata
book 238: Darwin, Wallace en de anderen by Alexander Reeuwijk
book 239: De brief voor de koning (The Letter for the King) by Tonke Dragt
book 240: Was Getekend by Astrid H. Roemer

Monthly statistics
January: 18 books / 5.137 pages / 165,7 ppd
February: 20 books / 5.689 pages / 203,2 ppd
March: 16 books / 5.805 pages / 187,3 ppd
April: 32 books / 9.247 pages / 308,2 ppd
May: 35 books / 9.682 pages / 312,3 ppd
June: 24 books / 8.547 pages / 284,9 ppd
July: 24 books / 9.501 pages / 306,9 ppd
August: 24 books / 8.180 pages / 263,9 ppd
September: 25 books / 7.822 pages / 260,7 ppd
October: 22 books / 7.202 pages / 232,3 ppd

--
Previous threads in 2021
book 1 - 18: thread 1
book 19 - 38: thread 2
book 39 - 54: thread 3
book 55 - 86: thread 4
book 87 - 121: thread 5
book 122 - 145: thread 6
book 146 - 169: thread 7
book 170 - 193: thread 8
book 194 - 218: thread 9
book 219 - 240: thread 10

--
My reading in previous years
2008: 130 books - 35.152 pages (96,0 ppd)
2009:   78 books - 21.470 pages (58,8 ppd)
2010: 121 books - 38.209 pages (104,7 ppd)
2011:   84 books - 30.256 pages (82,9 ppd)
2012:   53 books - 18.779 pages (51,3 ppd)
2013:   13 books - 3.692 pages (10,1 ppd)
2014:   17 books - 3.700 pages (10,1 ppd)
2015:   29 books - 10.080 pages (27,6 ppd)
2016: 253 books - 72.391 pages (197,8 ppd)
2017: 453 books - 110.222 pages (302,0 ppd)
2018: 534 books - 111.906 pages (306,6 ppd)
2019: 413 books - 110.873 pages (303,8 ppd)
2020: 226 books - 79.216 pages (216,4 ppd)

--
Lists on my WikiThing
My best books by year list.
My Five star reads.
The books by Nobel prize winners I have read

Working on: Booker prize winners; Dutch prize winners

Series I read, a list to keep track

Alan Banks by Peter Robinson (re-read 4/20)
1 Stille blik; 2 Nachtlicht; 3 Tegenstroom; 4 Zondeval; 5 Schijnbeeld; 6 Woensdagkind; 7 Zwanenzang; 8 Innocent Graves (not translated); 9 Dead Right (not translated); 10 Verdronken verleden; 11 Kil als het graf; 12 Nasleep; 13 Onvoltooide zomer; 14 Vuurspel; 15 Drijfzand; 16 Hartzeer; 17 Duivelsgebroed; 18 Overmacht; 19 Uitschot; 20 Dwaalspoor; 21 Dankbare dood; 22 Slachthuisblues

Ari Thór Arason by Ragnar Jónasson 1/3
1 Sneeuwblind; 2 Inktzwart; 3 Poolnacht

Bernie Gunther by Philip Kerr 7/12
1 Een Berlijnse kwestie; 2 Het handwerk van de beul; 3 Een Duits requiem; 4 De een van de ander; 5 Een stille vlam; 6 Als de doden niet herrijzen; 7 Grijs verleden; 8 Praag fataal; 9 De man zonder adem; 10 De vrouw van Zagreb; 11 De schaduw van de stilte; 12 Pruisisch blauw; 13 Vergeven en vergeten; 14 Metropolis

Broeder Cadfael by Ellis Peters 14/20
1 Het heilige vuur; 2 Het laatste lijk; 3 Het gemene gewas; 4 De kwade knecht; 5 De eenzame bruid; 6 De kille maagd; 7 Het vege lijf; 8 De duivelse droom; 9 De gouden speld; 10 Een wisse dood; 11 Een hard gelag; 12 De ware aard; 13 Een witte roos; 14 Het stille woud; 15 De laatste eer; 16 Het rechte pad; 17 Een zijden haar; 18 Een lieve lust; 19 De heilige dief; 20 De verloren zoon

De Cock by A.C. Baantjer 57/70

Erast Fandorin by Boris Akoenin 3/7
1 Fandorin; 2 Turks gambiet; 3 Leviathan; 4 De dood van Achilles; 5 Bijzondere opdrachten; 6 Staatsraad; 7 De kroning

Frieda Klein by Nicci French 8/8
1 Blauwe maandag; 2 Dinsdag is voorbij; 3 Wachten op woensdag; 4 Donderdagskinderen; 5 Denken aan vrijdag; 6 Als het zaterdag wordt; 7 Zondagochtend breekt aan; 8 De dag van de doden

George Smiley by John Le Carré 4/9
1 Telefoon voor de dode; 2 Voetsporen in de sneeuw; 3 Spion aan de muur; 4 Spion verspeeld; 5 Edelman, bedelman, schutter, spion; 6 Spion van nobel bloed; 7 Smiley's prooi; 8 De laatste spion; 9 Een erfenis van spionnen

Guido Brunetti by Donna Leon 26/29
1 Dood van een maestro; 2 Dood in den vreemde; 3 De dood draagt rode schoenen; 4 Salto mortale; 5 Acqua alta; 6 Een stille dood; 7 Nobiltà; 8 Fatalità; 9 Vriendendienst; 10 Onrustig tij; 11 Bedrieglijke zaken; 12 De stille elite; 13 Verborgen bewijs; 14 Vertrouwelijke zaken; 15 Duister glas; 16 Kinderspel; 17 Droommeisje; 18 Gezichtsverlies; 19 Een kwestie van vertrouwen; 20 Dodelijke conclusies; 21 Beestachtige zaken; 22 Het onbekende kind; 23 Tussen de regels; 24 Ik aanbid je; 25 Eeuwige jeugd; 26 Wat niet verdwijnt; 27 Vergiffeni; 28 De troonopvolger; 29 Duister water

John Rebus by Ian Rankin 3/18
1 Kat & muis; 2 Blindeman; 3 Hand & Tand; 4 Ontmaskering; 5 Zwartboek; 6 Vuurwerk; 7 Laat maar bloeden; 8 Gerechtigheid; 9 Door het lint; 10 Dode zielen; 11 In het duister; 12 Valstrik; 13 Lazarus; 14 Een kwestie van bloed; 15 De rechtelozen; 16 Gedenk de doden; 17 Laatste ronde; 18 Cold case;

Konráð by Arnaldur Indridason 3/4
1 Smeltend ijs; 2 Boven water; 3 Smeulend vuur; 4 Þagnarmúr (not yet available in Dutch translation)

Konrad Sejer by Karin Fossum 5/14
1 Eva's oog; 2 Kijk niet achterom; 3 Wie de wolf vreest; 4 De duivel draagt het licht; 5 De Indiase bruid; 6 Zwarte seconden; 7 De moord op Harriet Krohn; 8 Een andere voorkeur; 9 Kwade wil; 10 De waarschuwer; 11 Veenbrand; 12 De fluisteraar; 13 De verduistering; 14 Zwanenzang

Martin Beck by Maj Sjöwall & Per Wahlöö 6/10
1 De vrouw in het Götakanaal; 2 De man die in rook opging; 3 De man op het balkon; 4 De lachende politieman; 5 De brandweerauto die verdween; 6 De man die even wilde afrekenen; 7 De verschrikkelijke man uit Säffle; 8 De gesloten kamer; 9 De politiemoordenaar; 10 De terroristen

Martin Servaz by Bernard Minier 2/5
1 Een kille rilling; 2 Huivering; 3 Verduistering; 4 Schemering; 5 Weerzin; 6 Afdaling

Op zoek naar de verloren tijd (In Search of Lost Time) by Marcel Proust 7/7
1 De kant van Swann; 2 In de schaduw van meisjes in bloei; 3 De kant van Guermantes; 4 Sodom en Gomorra; 5 De gevangene; 6 De voortvluchtige; 7 De tijd hervonden

Het rad des tijds (Wheel of Time) by Robert Jordan (and Brandon Sanderson) 10/15
0 Een nieuw begin; 1 Het oog van de wereld; 2 De grote jacht; 3 De herrezen draak; 4 De komst van de schaduw; 5 Vuur uit de hemel; 6 Heer van chaos; 7 Een kroon van zwaarden; 8 Het pad der dolken; 9 Hart van de Winter; 10 Viersprong van de schemer; 11 Mes van Dromen; 12 De naderende storm; 13 De Torens van Middernacht; 14 Het licht van weleer

List of Nobel Prize for Literature winners:
(in bold the writers I have read)

1901 Sully Prudhomme
1902 Theodor Mommsen
1903 Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson
1904 Frédéric Mistral
1904 José Echegaray y Eizaguirre
1905 Henryk Sienkiewicz
1906 Giosuè Carducci
1907 Rudyard Kipling
1908 Rudolf Christoph Eucken
1909 Selma Lagerlöf
1910 Paul Heyse
1911 Maurice Maeterlinck
1912 Gerhart Hauptmann
1913 Rabindranath Tagore
1915 Romain Rolland
1916 Verner von Heidenstam
1917 Karl Adolph Gjellerup
1917 Henrik Pontoppidan
1919 Carl Spitteler
1920 Knut Hamsun
1921 Anatole France
1922 Jacinto Benavente
1923 William Butler Yeats
1924 Władysław Reymont
1925 George Bernard Shaw
1926 Grazia Deledda
1927 Henri Bergson
1928 Sigrid Undset
1929 Thomas Mann
1930 Sinclair Lewis
1931 Erik Axel Karlfeldt
1932 John Galsworthy
1933 Ivan Boenin
1934 Luigi Pirandello
1936 Eugene O'Neill
1937 Roger Martin du Gard
1938 Pearl S. Buck
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
1959 Salvatore Quasimodo
1960 Saint-John Perse
1961 Ivo Andrić
1962 John Steinbeck
1963 Giorgos Seferis
1964 Jean-Paul Sartre
1965 Michail Sjolochov
1966 Sjmoeël Joseef Agnon
1966 Nelly Sachs
1967 Miguel Ángel Asturias
1968 Yasunari Kawabata
1969 Samuel Beckett
1970 Aleksandr Solzjenitsyn
1971 Pablo Neruda
1972 Heinrich Böll
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 Czesław Miłosz
1981 Elias Canetti
1982 Gabriel Garciá Márquez
1983 William Golding
1984 Jaroslav Seifert
1985 Claude Simon
1986 Wole Soyinka
1987 Joseph Brodsky
1988 Nagieb Mahfoez
1989 Camilo José Cela
1990 Octavio Paz
1991 Nadine Gordimer
1992 Derek Walcott
1993 Toni Morrison
1994 Kenzaburo Oë
1995 Seamus Heaney
1996 Wisława Szymborska
1997 Dario Fo
1998 José Saramago
1999 Günter Grass
2000 Gao Xingjian
2001 V.S. 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
2016 Bob Dylan
2017 Kazuo Ishiguro
2018 Olga Tokarczuk
2019 Peter Handke
2020 Louise Glück

Books acquired in 2021: 37

January (2)
De dood in Rome - Wolfgang Koeppen
Veerman - Emile Verhaeren

February (5)
In weerwil van de woorden - Dimitri Verhulst
Ik wou - Toon Tellegen
Gebroken wit - Astrid Roemer
De melancholie van het verzet - Lásló Krasznahorkai
De reparatie van de wereld - Slobodan Šnajder

March (2)
Olga en haar driekwartsmaten - Astrid Roemer
Alles tegen - Dick Francis

April (4)
Hele verhalen voor een halve soldaat - Benny Lindelauf
Winnetou - Karl May
Bloedgeld - Dick Francis
Brekebeen - Dick Francis

May (13)
Wandelingen door Nederland met pen en potlood. Deel 1 - J. Craandijk (e-book)
Wandelingen door Nederland met pen en potlood. Deel 2 - J. Craandijk (e-book)
Wandelingen door Nederland met pen en potlood. Deel 3 - J. Craandijk (e-book)
Wandelingen door Nederland met pen en potlood. Deel 4 - J. Craandijk (e-book)
Wandelingen door Nederland met pen en potlood. Deel 5 - J. Craandijk (e-book)
Wandelingen door Nederland met pen en potlood. Deel 6 - J. Craandijk (e-book)
Wandelingen door Nederland met pen en potlood. Deel 7 - J. Craandijk (e-book)
Nieuwe wandelingen door Nederland met pen en potlood - J. Craandijk (e-book)
Radetzkymars - Joseph Roth
De wereld van gisteren - Stefan Zweig
Het zout der aarde - Józef Wittlin
Cliënt E. Busken - Jeroen Brouwers
Wat wij zagen - Hanna Bervoets

August (4)
Strijd en metamorfose van een vrouw - Édouard Louis
Een bijna volmaakte vriendschap - Milena Michiko Flašar
Tonio Kröger en andere verhalen - Thomas Mann
Een beter milieu begint niet bij jezelf - Jaap Tielbeke (e-book)

September (1)
Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera - Nicholas Chambers

October (3)
Tiril en de toverdrank - Bette Westera (Kinderboekenweekgeschenk)
Gozert - Pieter Koolwijk (Gouden Griffel)
Pieterpad deel II: Vorden - Maastricht - Toos Goorhuis

November (3)
De wandelaar - Adriaan van Dis
Zelfmoord - Édouard Levé
Geschiedenis van geweld - Édouard Louis

Welcome!

Happy new thread, Anita!

Such beautiful dogs! All of them!

>16 jessibud2: Thank you, Shelley!

I think so too, but I am biased.

Happy new thread!

Happy new one, Anita. x

-Northern Cardinal. From a recent jaunt.

Happy New thread, Anita. I hope you had a nice weekend.

>18 drneutron: Thank you, Jim!

>19 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul.
Did I see you mention group stats somewhere on a thread? I will keep an eye on your thread!

>20 msf59: Thank you, Mark.
I wish we had northern cardinals around. Are they more red in season?

Happy new thread, Anita! Pandora sounds like a smart and loyal dog.

Pandora's a pretty poochie indeed. I know how much you must miss having a dog around.

Happy new thread, and November's reads.

>22 bell7: Thank you, Mary!
Pandora was very loyal to those belonging to her "pack". First and formost Frank, then others of our household, and including few good friends.

>23 richardderus: Thank you, Richard dear, I think you feel the same.

Happy new thread Anita!
Pandora sounds like a real sweetheart. It's so sad that you lost her too soon.

Happy new thread, Anita!

Another lovely pet story. Thank you for sharing Anita.

And happy new thread.

>25 Sakerfalcon: Thank you, Claire!
Pandora was a sweetheart to puppies, children and everyone belonging to her "pack". Sadly she went way too soon. We kept her apart from the other two for a while, but fences in the house were hard to cope with for all.

>26 SirThomas: Thank you, Thomas!
How nice to see you here during your vacation :-)

>27 charl08: Thank you, Charlotte.
It is fun to think back to our dogs of the past.

Happy new one Anita!

Hi Anita my dear, Happy new thread dear friend.

>1 FAMeulstee: Love seeing Pandora and her pups Anita.

Happy new thread, Anita! Love seeing the pictures of the chows up top.

Happy new thread!

>1 FAMeulstee: What a wonderful personality Pandora was. So sad she had to leave too soon.

>28 FAMeulstee: The interior fences do take some coping with. We have gone up to two now, one for the front hall, and one between the family room and the mid level. We had to get a higher barrier because Gizmo is a real jumper.

>29 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you, Reba!

>30 johnsimpson: Thank you, John my dear.

>31 Caroline_McElwee: Thank you, Caroline, Pandora was so proud with her litter.

>32 alcottacre: Thank you, Stasia!
Always nice to share some pictures of the Chows. I just realise our last litter was born more than 12 years ago. It was good sharing them back then :-)

>33 quondame: Thank you, Susan!
Pandora was a great dog, and a wonderful companion.

Sorry you have to cope with fences inside. I never minded them for a short time, like with the puppies. Long term not so much, especially with agresion issues on both sides.
I wouldn't have thought Gizmo was such a good jumper. She might like agility ;-)

Read, not yet reviewed:
#241: Salammbô (Salammbô) by Gustave Flaubert

Reading now:
De tijd hervonden (Time Regained; In Search of Lost Time 7) by Marcel Proust
De kaart van mijnheer Selden (Mr Selden's Map of China) by Timothy Brook
Majoor Frans by A.L.G. Bosboom-Toussaint

>36 FAMeulstee: Curious to see what you think of Salammbo. I do not think I have yet read any Flaubert other than Madame Bovary and that was eons ago.

>37 alcottacre: I usually write reviews after reading 4 or 5 books, Stasia. I always need some time to ponder.
All I can say now it that I liked Salammbô as much as Madame Bovary.

Just sort of slinking through, with this pause to say, Hello!

>35 FAMeulstee: Well, I'm pretty sure Gizmo is a chihuahua in a pug disguise. She casually goes from floor to seat to table and further if she sees any path and can get over 4' no problem. I don't think she is an escape risk really, but after Kira Mike and Becky are a bit paranoid and it's just easier to deal with the fences. It would be devastating if something happened to Nutmeg especially. As Becky points out, Nutmeg would just run to the first person she met and shower them with affection.

Happy new thread!

>21 FAMeulstee: Coming very soon, Anita.

The posting stats can be up quickly but the reading stats require me to check every thread and often to physically count books recorded.

I reckon by tomorrow you will see them.

Happy New thread, Anita!

I've gotten way behind but loved the walking pictures on your last thread - and also, of course, the photos of Pandora.

And a tardy congrats on the 3 x 75!

HAppy new thread!

>39 weird_O: Hi Bill, how nice to see a message from you.

>40 quondame: I fully understand that Mike and Becky are nervous about an escape, Susan, after what happened with Kira.
Does Gizmo go up to see things from a high place? I know some dogs prefer that.

>41 banjo123: Thank you, Rhonda!

>42 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul, you put a lot of work in keeping the stats.
I am always happy when you post them once in a while!

>43 streamsong: Thank you, Janet.
We had a good time walking, glad you enjoyed the pictures.
And thanks :-)

>44 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita!

Happy slide-into-the-weekend, Anita...I enjoyed Salammbô when I read Flaubert so many years ago.

I love the pictures and stories at the top of your new thread. Thanks for sharing them.

>47 richardderus: Thank you, Richard.
I wouldn't say I enjoyed Salammbô. It was very well written, but had some very raw and bloody scenes...

>48 Oregonreader: Thank you, Jan. The dogs gave a lot of love and joy through the years.

Happy new thread, Amanda! And thank you for the Pandora story -- I have become a wide-eyed softie for "good dog" stories.

>50 swynn: Thank you, Steve.
It is nice to dig up some memories. Don't we all love good dog stories? ;-)

>45 FAMeulstee: Gizmo levitates for food and toys. She observant but not proactively so, and I think she is into the very short term. Another doll suffered separation of body parts. So far, at least, the damage has been to ones I'm just as happy not to keep around.

>52 quondame: Sorry to read Gizmo demolished two dolls, Susan. I hope you keep the more treasured dolls out of reach.

Sweet Thursday, Anita. Yes, cardinals can get much brighter, at certain times of the year. This one wasn't as colorful. It looks like we are having a mini- group read of Swann's way this month. I am glad I am not the only one who has not read it.

I’m really enjoying your stories about your dogs,Anita. I’ve never had a dog, and I’ve always been a bit afraid of them. It’s nice to read about those different personalities, and what you have been experiencing with them.

Hi Anita and a belated happy new thread.

From your previous thread, excellent October stats.

>1 FAMeulstee: Sweet pic of Pandora and Frank. Wonderful stories about Pandora and Calisto and Nemo. Ah, too bad Pandora had so many issues. I’m not too good about dogs. What is a good age for a Chow to live to?

>2 FAMeulstee: 242 books is the number I read in 2.5 years. Your reading is impressive. Ah, Time Regained. I’m sure you’ve been seeing the Swann’s Way informal shared read. I’ve borrowed it from the Library, the Lydia Davis translation since Richard prefers it

>54 msf59: Happy Friday, Mark!
Last year I started reading Proust, starting with Swann's way in September 2020. Now I am nearing the end, reading Time regained, the last book of In Search of Lost Time.
No easy read, but I found the whole a rewarding read, with only 100 pages to go.

>55 EllaTim: Sorry dogs scare you a bit, Ella, as they can be wonderful companions.
Nemo would have tried to change your mind about him. Pandora would stay away until you felt up to meeting her. Sadly we have no dog anymore to introduce to you ;-)

>56 karenmarie: Thank you, Karen.
Chow Chows are a wonderful breed. The only breed I ever wanted to breed, just to spread the joy.
In general large dogs get less old than small dogs. Chows are in between, and most live 10 to 12 years. The oldest I ever heard about was 16 years.
Yes, I saw that some are going to read Swann's Way together. I started there last year, see my answer to Mark ^.

I just noticed I forgot to include pictures of Pandora with her puppies. Here two pictures, at the first picture the pups are 6 days old, on the second they are 5 weeks. Two pups had long hair, and four were smooth.

 

>58 FAMeulstee: Love the Pandora and the pup pictures!

Happy Friday, Anita!

At first glance I thought Pandora was flying over the heads of her puppies...or at least taking a mighty high leap over them! lol

>58 FAMeulstee: What a wonderful picture! Pandora was a gorgeous dog.

Sending you *smooches* in hopes of having a terrific reading weekend! (I'm having a crummy one, I'm afraid. Blech)

>58 FAMeulstee: That's so cute!

>58 FAMeulstee: Oh my, what a bundle Anita.

>58 FAMeulstee: Oh do they grow! Those 5 week olds make me want to go hug a pup!

>58 FAMeulstee: Very very cute :)

>59 alcottacre: Thank you, Stasia. It was 23 years ago, but I still have vivid memories of our first litter.
Happy (what remains of your) Friday!

>60 RebaRelishesReading: LOL, Reba, Pandora wasn't so agile ;-)

>61 richardderus: Thank you, Richard, and she was a good mother to her puppies. Even mothered over puppies not her own.
The start of the reading weekend wasn't easy: finishing the last Proust. It was worth reading, but not an easy read. I am glad it is done. Next read will be more on the fun side.

>62 charl08: They were very cute, Charlotte.

>63 Caroline_McElwee: Thank you, Caroline.
We had 8 wonderful weeks, but were also glad when they went to their new owners.

>64 quondame: Puppies grow so fast, Susan. They are born as blind little moles, and a few weeks later they are the cutest ever. We had a lot of visitors, not only the new owners, also many friend who came to hug them.

>65 figsfromthistle: Indeed, Anita :-)

Read, not yet reviewed:
#241: Salammbô (Salammbô) by Gustave Flaubert
#242: Majoor Frans by A.L.G. Bosboom-Toussaint
#De tijd hervonden (Time Regained; In Search of Lost Time 7) by Marcel Proust

Reading now:
De kaart van mijnheer Selden (Mr Selden's Map of China) by Timothy Brook
We hebben altijd in het kasteel gewoond (We Have Always Lived in the Castle) by Shirley Jackson
Smeulend vuur by Arnaldur Indriðason

>67 FAMeulstee: I remember fitting 4 puppies, only a few days old, on one hand. Miniature dachshund puppies, each a bit smaller and much less mobile than a hamster. I have never felt anything softer.

>69 quondame: Those are even smaller than Chow Chow puppies at birth.
The first few days the smooth (shorthaired) puppies felt like velvet, the longhaired (rough) puppies more like silk.

>70 FAMeulstee: I wouldn't be surprised if a Chow Chow puppy was bigger than an adult miniature dachshund. But probably not. They wee pups felt softer than chinchilla.

>71 quondame: My Chow Chow puppies were between 0.3 - 0.5 kg (a very large pup) at birth, that would be 0.66 - 1.1 pounds. A miniature dachshund is the smallest dachshund? We call them Kaninchen teckel, and they are supposed to weigh between 3 and 6 kg. A Chow Chow puppy would be 3 kg around 5 weeks.

>72 FAMeulstee: An adult miniature dachshund should be under 5.5kg in the US. Seriously heavy for a human infant, so nowhere near newborn puppy sized, they just are mistaken for puppies a good part of their lives.

book 241: Salammbô by Gustave Flaubert
1001 books, library, translated from French, English translationSalammbo, 419 pages
TIOLI Challenge #3: Read a book that fits 3 or more challenges from TIOLI October 2021

19th century historical fiction. Flaubert did extensive research, he even travelled to Tunis.
After the first Punic War, the hired soldiers of Carthago stand up because lack of payment. They nearly conquer the city.

Vivid descriptions of a bloody war, torture, massacres, children offered to a god, different religions and gods worshipped, and the exotic riches of the city Carthago, larded with a bit of romance.

This book is on the Swedish 1001 books list.

English and Dutch title are the same

book 242: Majoor Frans by A.L.G. Bosboom-Toussaint
own, e-book, Dutch, English translation Major Frank, 314 pages
TIOLI Challenge #9: Read a book with OO in the title or author's name

Leopold van Zonshoven is the unexpected inheritor of the fortune of his aunt. In her last will she asks him to do his best to marry Francis. It is not a condition, but he feels obliged to try.
Francis mother died young, and she grew up among soldiers, as her father was in the army. There she was nicknamed "Major Frans". Her mother was rich, but her father spilled the fortune. Francis has no intrest in marriage, she takes care of her aging father in a lapsed castle. Leopold stays there for a while, and tries to win Francis' heart.

This 19th century romance is written as letters Leopold writes to his best friend, who went to the Dutch Indies just after Leopold heard he got a fortune.

English and Dutch title are about the same

book 243: De tijd hervonden by Marcel Proust
library, e-book, translated from French, English translation Time Regained, 460 pages
TIOLI Challenge #5: Read a book that helps you complete the 2021 Challenges you are working on

In Search of Lost Time book 7
The Great War in Paris, the narrator has some encounters with people from the previous books. He has been away for a long time, because of his poor health. Later he finally accepts an invitation and returns in society life. It is a harsh confrontation with age/time, he doesn't recognise anyone, even the people he used to know. He still sees them as they were over 20 years ago.
He never fullfilled his literary aspirations, but suddenly he realises that he can bring back Time by writing. He goes back to his early memories (where the first book starts) and decides he is going to write what we now know as In Search of Lost Time.

It was a very good, sometimes exhausting reading experience. I loved how Proust connected the end to the start.

Dutch title translated: The time rediscovered

book 244: We hebben altijd in het kasteel gewoond by Shirley Jackson
library, e-book, translated, original title We Have Always Lived in the Castle, 202 pages
TIOLI Challenge #11: Read a book by an author whose surname ends in the suffix '-son'

I don't remember how or when this book was added to mount TBR. It is not a genre I like.
A creepy and dark tale, not too hard to take (then I would have stopped reading), but for me not very enjoyable. I must admit, it is very well written. It is done, I don't think I will return to Shirley Jackson.

English and Dutch title are the same

Happy Sunday, Anita! I liked >77 FAMeulstee: a little bit better than you did, though not much; and >74 FAMeulstee: A LOT more than you did. Yes, it's bloody and awful and incredibly violent...in the campiest imaginable way! I think of it as cartoonish violence, not to be taken seriously, the kind of Bugs Bunny stuff that isn't in any conceivable way real.

I mean, you read about child sacrifice...and now imagine a nation of mothers agreeing to it! Preposterous. Over-the-top Othering perpetrated by the jealous, greedy Romans to make their smack-down of an enemy state acceptable.

Anyway, I'm glad you mostly enjoyed the recent reads. *smooch*

Happy Sunday, Anita!

I started reading Proust several years ago, but the size of the print in my copies of the books has proven to be a deterrent. I finished reading the first book and never returned. I really need to at some point, but not until I get some larger print copies of the books!

>77 FAMeulstee: I've been entirely put off my the genre, despite friends attempting to press it on me. Impressed you finished this one. Definitely one for the bragging rights, but your review just confirms that I will continue to avoid it!

>78 richardderus: Happy Monday to you, Richard dear!
I can imagine reading Salammbo that way, although I (obviously) didn't.
Reading a detective right now that is that way, cartoonish and WAY over the top.

>79 alcottacre: Thank you, Stasia, happy start of the week!
I am glad Proust is done. I am lucky, as I still can read small print, although not as easy as I used to do. That is when the e-reader is handy, you can adjust the letter size.

>80 charl08: You and me both, Charlotte. I don't regret I tried, but it isn't for me. Enough other books to read with a better chnce I like them :-)

Read, not yet reviewed:
#245: Smeulend vuur by Arnaldur Indriðason
#246: De dronken detective (My gun is not so quick) by Craig Strete
#247: Mijn jaren bij de politie by Ellie Lust

Reading now:
De kaart van mijnheer Selden (Mr Selden's Map of China) by Timothy Brook
De zwembadbibliotheek (The swimming pool library) by Alan Hollinghurst
Gebroken (Shattered) by Dick Francis

book 245: Smeulend vuur by Arnaldur Indriðason
library, translated from Icelandic, no English translation, 302 pages
TIOLI Challenge #11: Read a book by an author whose surname ends in the suffix '-son'

Konráð book 3
Retired policeman Konráð is contacted by Valborg, she needs help to find her child. She gave up the child for adoption at birth. Konráð tells her he can't help, and regrets when Valborg is found murdered soon after. He decides to give it a go, and starts digging in Valborg's past.
Meanwhile we also get some clues about the murder of Konráð's father. This case was never solved, and comes back in each book of this series.

I am a fan of Arnaldur Indriðason's books, and have read all available in Dutch translation. The previous book in this series Boven water was one of the best I have ever read. So I was looking forward to this one. I reserved it at the library, 7th in line, so I was very surprised it came in within 2 days :-)
Not as good as the previous one, but still a very good read. Looking forward to the next!

Dutch title translated: Smoldering fire

book 246: De dronken detective by Craig Strete
library, translated, original title My gun is not so quick, 331 pages
TIOLI Challenge #13: Read a book by an indigenous author or featuring 1 or more indigenous characters

Private detective Jack is a serious alcoholic. Despite a young pregnant woman, Lynne Michelle, hires him to find her disappeared husband, who might be behind a recent murder attempt. Then folllows an hilarious adventure, with gunfights, corrupt police, a friend within the LAPD providing some vital information, being chased, hiding out, etc. Jack gets wounded many times, but keeps on going, with Lynne Michelle on his side.

Absurd, humorous, and way over the top, a kind of satire on "hard-boiled detective". Fun read.

Dutch title translated: The drunken detective

book 247: Mijn jaren bij de politie by Ellie Lust
library, e-book, non-fiction, Dutch, no translations, 189 pages
TIOLI Challenge #1: Read a book with the word “police” either on the front or the back cover

Ellie Lust is a former Amsterdam police officer, and nowadays television presenter.
In this book she describes her carreer, first as a young police woman, later she came out as lesbian and was involved with lhbt acceptation within the police. She got known when she appeared on Dutch television in "Opsporing verzocht" (Tracing requested), where the police asks help from the public to solve serious crimes. Then she became official spokeswoman of the Amsterdam police. After an other appearance on Dutch tv in a game show (with approval of her supriors), she had to choose between TV and her job, she choose to continue her TV work.

Interesting autobiography, although a bit shallow.

Dutch title translated: The drunk detective My years with the police

Thank you for the recommendation of Dit alles zal ik je geven in your previous thread, Anita. Another BB I loved!

>86 SirThomas: You are very welcome, Thomas. I am glad you loved it too.

>85 FAMeulstee: Mijn jaren bij de politie by Ellie Lust doesn't mean Dutch title translated: The drunk detective...more like "My Years in the Police" or colloquially "My Time on the Force".

Ooops! *smooch*

>88 richardderus: You are right, Richard dear. Oops indeed... corrected.
I am glad someone pays attention :-)

>83 FAMeulstee: I wish my local library had some of his books!

Happy Tuesday, Anita!

>90 alcottacre: Sorry your library has no Indriðason books, Stasia. I have at least liked all his books, and loved a few of them. Can you reqest them from other libraries?

Happy Tuesday to you.

>91 FAMeulstee: There are too many other books waiting for me to go through the hassle of Interlibrary Loans here. I could do it, but do not have the patience for it, lol.

>92 alcottacre: The same here, Stasia. Besides the wait for interlibrary loans, it is also rather costly. For each item from a library outside our province I have to pay 4,50 euro. In most cases I can find a secondhand copy for less.

Congratulations on finishing the Proust series, Anita. A real accomplishment!

Your reading is still going well. How are you and Frank doing at the moment?

>93 FAMeulstee: Unless things have changed here, there is not a fee for ILL. I just hate using that system because a lot of times by the time I get the book, I am no longer in the mood for it. I am very much of a moody reader.

We're so lucky that we rarely have to do ILL. We have two really awesome county library systems in the Twin Cities, which combined to make one large system. I think there may be other counties involved too, but I only pay attention to two. I've never had a book I couldn't get (in physical copy).

Have a wonderful weekend's reads!

Echoing Richard's sentiments, Anita. Have a wonderful weekend!

>94 EllaTim: Thank you, Ella, I am glad it is done.
We are doing well, just back from Rotterdam, where we stayed two nights. Just in time...

>95 alcottacre: Indeed, Stasia, it often takes a long time before a ILL comes through.
I am a less moody reader, so for me no problem there.

>96 The_Hibernator: That is great, Rachel, to have such a large library system.
I don't use ILL that much, maybe twice a year. I just requested the second book through ILL this year.

>97 richardderus: Thank you, Richard, the same to you.
We only bought one book in Rotterdams largest bookstore (Donner), Zelfmoord (Suicide) by Édouard Levé (Franks choice). I was looking for Geschiedenis van geweld (History of Violence) by Édouard Louis, but I will have to look elsewhere for that one.
We are just back, and we have been lucky as tomorrow our country goes in partial lockdown again.

>98 alcottacre: Thank you, Stasia, looking forward to my next reads :-)

Read, not yet reviewed:
#248: De kaart van mijnheer Selden (Mr Selden's Map of China) by Timothy Brook
#249: Gebroken (Shattered) by Dick Francis
#250: De zwembadbibliotheek (The swimming pool library) by Alan Hollinghurst

Reading now:
De Nederlandse maagd (The Dutch Maiden) by Marente de Moor

Wednesday we went to Rotterdam, and saw the new storage building of Museum Boijmans van Beuningen that opened this month. Now you can see all art that is in storage in this building. We didn't go in, but just admired the look of it. (Not my picture, I forgot to take my camera). I love it how you can see the skyline of the city reflected on the buiding.

>102 FAMeulstee: Oh that is gorgeous! And fun.

>100 FAMeulstee: Is Donner the bookstore in the Lijnbaan? (Does the Lijnbaan even still exist?). If so I used to spend many lunch hours there when I worked in an office on the Hofplein and you've just brought back a lot of pleasant memories for me :)

>102 FAMeulstee: That is a cool looking building! Wow.

>103 quondame: Yes it is both, Susan. I hope to get inside the next time we visit Rotterdam

>104 RebaRelishesReading: Yes, Reba, but now they are located at the Coolsingel, in the former ABN/AMRO building. The Lijnbaan still exisits, but the more fancy and expensive shops went to the Koopgoot (officially called the Beurstraverse) in the late 1990s.
ETA: Where and when did you work there?

>105 alcottacre: Indeed, Stasia, I was really impressed.

>102 FAMeulstee: That is an interesting looking building, Anita. It would probably be easy to walk straight into without realising it.

Have a lovely weekend.

>102 FAMeulstee: Wow! And how great to be able to look at any piece in the collection. I am always amazed how much public art is kept in storage 'behind the scenes'. One of the academics at work did a lovely project with schoolchildren and a gallery. The kids chose materials from a large art collection to be exhibited for the public.

>102 FAMeulstee: Great building Anita, and wonderful that it will give access to the work not on display. Most museums have more in storage than they can show at any one time.

>102 FAMeulstee: Oh Wow! How cool. The inside must be neat as well. It also looks like it has a rooftop garden on it as well- at least it looks like there are trees on the roof ;)

Enjoy the rest of the weekend

>107 PaulCranswick: It is a nice addition to the city, Paul.
The architect of the building is Winy Maas. He created more interesting buildings, like the Tianjin Binhai Library.
Happy weekend to you.

>108 charl08: It is the first museum that makes the whole collection accessilble, Charlotte, wich is great. In general less than 10% of a museum collection can be seen.
What a nice project, to let children choose what will be exhibited.

>109 Caroline_McElwee: It all started with a problem in the museum, Caroline. The storage was in the basement, and was flooded. So the museum needed a new storage. During the process was decided the new storage should be accessible for the public, and this is the result.

>110 figsfromthistle: You noticed well, Anita, there is a rooftop garden. In time it should become more green and visible.
Happy weekend.

Happy Saturday, Anita. Congrats on finishing the In Search of Lost Time series. Very impressive. I plan on starting Swann's Way today. I am not sure I will continue the series after that but you never know.

>102 FAMeulstee: The storage theme goes well with the cup shape of the building! I'd hate to have to clean it after a winter of snow and ice....

>106 FAMeulstee: I worked at Dun & Bradstreet in a mid-rise building on Hofplein -- 1970 to 1972 I think. I had only been in NL for a few months then and got a job translating reports from Dutch to English. Helped my Dutch a lot. We were living in an apartment on the waterweg in Maassluis and I took the train to work which was a lot of fun.

>112 msf59: Thank you, Mark, happy weekend.
I hope you like your fist steps into In Search of Lost Time with Swann's Way. For me the whole was a long, intense and demanding read. But I am glad I persisted.

>113 richardderus: It does, Richard dear, and people in Rotterdam call it "De pot", in a nice way derived from the official name "Depot", referring to the shape. I think some window cleaners have a full time job keeping it nice and shiny.

>114 RebaRelishesReading: That was before my time, Reba. That was a nice way to learn Dutch. Most English speaking have trouble learning Dutch, as most Dutch immediately switch to English when they hear an English accent.
We moved from Schiedam in 1970, when I was 7, and I went to Rotterdam in 1982 starting at university. The train from Rotterdam to Hoek van Holland has been rebuild into a metro line.

Finally able to post again! Problem solved. Changed password, maybe that was it.

Lovely look, De Pot. Nice and shiny potje then.
I hope there was nothing damaged, when that basement was flooded.

>115 FAMeulstee: I had to ask people all the time if they would please speak Dutch with me because as soon as they heard my accent (or in the beginning my general lack of Dutch) they would switch to English. They were all kind and willing to help when I asked though :)

>116 EllaTim: Glad the problem is solved, Ella, it doesn't really matter how ;-)

As far as I know everything was evacuated in time. Later a water basin was constructed under the Museumpark, next to the museum. Now the whole museum is renovated, taking a long time because asbestos was used a lot when the museum was build. The museum should re-open in 2026. A part of the collection is on lend to other museums, all others can be seen now in the Depot.

>117 RebaRelishesReading: An English neighbor in The Hague had the same experience, Reba. Thanks to her I passed my English exams, in return I spoke Dutch to her.

Happy weekend, Anita!

Remember ages ago we were talking about the Flevoland province of reclaimed land? There was whole descriptive section about this in a book I recently completed, called Land: How the Hunger For Ownership Shaped the Modern World which "traces our relationship with land from the beginnings of agriculture to the present day" (according to a review on Radio New Zealand National).

I love it when things line up like that :) (The book was very very good, and covered a lot of fascinating aspects of the social and geographic history of land.

Happy newish thread Anita! I'm enjoying your stories about your dogs, although I'm sorry that Pandora had to go too soon. Those are cute photos of her with her puppies.

>20 msf59: Nice! You do good camera work.

>102 FAMeulstee: Wow!

>119 alcottacre: Thank you, Stasia, same to you!

>120 LovingLit: Yes, I remember we talked about Flevoland, Megan, how nice you found that in a book.
Land ownership and regulations are important, also in politics. Our last real left wing government fell over land development in 1977.
Sadly Land: How the Hunger For Ownership Shaped the Modern World isn't translated yet, but looking at the Simon Winchester page I might be tempted by The map that changed the world or his book about the Yangtze.

>121 humouress: Thank you, Nina. We had 8 very good years with Pandora, that is what really counts. Puppies are always cute :-)
Wow indeed, I had seen pictures, but the real thing was even better.

Have a wonderful week, Anita! Happy reading!!

>123 alcottacre: Thank you, Stasia, happy reading!
So happy to see you all over the threads again :-)

>124 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita. It is so good to be back. I did not realize how much I missed the 75ers until I started interacting again.

>125 alcottacre: You are very welcome, Stasia :-)

Read, not yet reviewed:
#248: De kaart van mijnheer Selden (Mr Selden's Map of China) by Timothy Brook
#249: Gebroken (Shattered) by Dick Francis
#250: De zwembadbibliotheek (The swimming pool library) by Alan Hollinghurst
#251: De Nederlandse maagd (The Dutch Maiden) by Marente de Moor
#252: Adres onbekend (Address unknown) by Kathrine Kressmann Taylor
#253: Vergiffenis (The temptation of forgiveness; Brunetti 27) by Donna Leon

Reading now:
Leviathan (Murder on the Leviathan; Fandorin 3) by Boris Akoenin
Middaguur by Dörte Hansen
Geheimen van het Wilde Woud (The Secrets of the Wild Wood) by Tonke Dragt

book 248: De kaart van mijnheer Selden by Timothy Brook
library, translated, non-fiction, original title Mr Selden's Map of China, 272 pages
TIOLI Challenge #6: Read a book with a map / image of a map on the cover

Timothy Brook explores an early map of the sea around South East Asia, that was found back in the Bodleian Library in 2009. It was given to the library by Mr. Selden in the 17th century.
There are no other Chinese maps from that time from the sea, all others only cover the land. He speculates how the map ended up in Oxford, and who might have made it.

Interesting to read some about the 17th century trade in Asia from a Brittish point of view, I am more known with the Dutch side. Both nations were destructive while trying to protect their "trading rights".

Dutch title translated: The map of Mister Selden

book 249: Gebroken by Dick Francis
library, e-book, translated, original title Shattered, 202 pages
TIOLI Challenge #8: Read a book by an author of a book you finished in the past 3 months (Aug/Sept/Oct 2021)

Glassblower Gerard Logan gets a video tape from his friend Martin, a jockey. When Martin dies at the racetrack, the video is stolen, and Gerard gets in great trouble getting it back.

Average story, not always convincing.

Dutch title translated: Broken

book 250: De zwembadbibliotheek by Alan Hollinghurst
1001 books, library, translated, original title The swimming pool library, 395 pages
TIOLI Challenge #4: Read a book that combines the tags crime and LGBT (or QUILTBAG)

Will Beckwith, a spoiled, young, homosexual aristocrat, spends most of his days in London in the early 1980s looking for his next sexual contact. One day he saves the life of the old gay Lord Nantwich in a public restroom. When Will visits Lord Nantwich, he is asked to write Lord Nantwich biography, and is given diaries and the like.
Reading through Lord Nantwich's life, and conected with Will's own memories, we see how gay upper class life has changed (and not changed) in over 50 years. The initial steps at boarding school look similair, but where Lord Nantwich had to hide his sexual preferences in public, Will can be gay more openly. Although anti-gay forces get stronger, Will also falls victim to anti-gay violence.
The last chapters shines a complete new light on the relationship between Lord Nantwich and Will, changing everything read before.

An engaging and interesting story, with a superb twist at the end.
The only thing that kept it from a 5* read was the overabundance of (gay) sex. These scenes are well written, and never made me feel uncomfortable, but a bit much.

English and Dutch title are the same

book 251: De Nederlandse maagd by Marente de Moor
library, e-book, Dutch, AKO Literatuurprijs 2011, English translation The Dutch Maiden, 297 pages
TIOLI Challenge #14: Read a book with a title that refers to a woman or women

In the 1930s Janna, a Dutch girl, is send to an old acquiaintance of her father in Germany. He is a fencing-master, and Janna became interested in fencing at the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam.
Slowly Janna finds out how her father and Egon knew eachother in WWI. Meanwhile the Nazi's rise around them.

The idea of the story is good, but it could barely hold my interest. The book probably suffered from my great read just before.

English and Dutch title are the same

>131 FAMeulstee: Sounds, to be honest, tedious. Oft-told tale, nothing to mark it out as special.

>130 FAMeulstee: I felt the same way about it...less bedroom, more writing room, please.

There's an entire other genre for that stuff.

>129 FAMeulstee: *yawn*

>128 FAMeulstee: That intrigues me...a Chinese sea-map is a rare beast indeed. And in England...?

Marvelous reads! *smooch*

Hi Richard dear!

>132 richardderus: >131 FAMeulstee: Indeed.

>132 richardderus: >130 FAMeulstee: I will never get to the entire other genre, so a glimpse wasn't bad.
The focus on shape and length was facinating. Obviously I never was observing naked men in shared showers, so I never had that much to compare, not even in my wild years around the same time as the novel ;-)
I immediately reserved The Line of Beauty from the library, as I want to read more from him.

>132 richardderus: >129 FAMeulstee: LOL!

>132 richardderus: >128 FAMeulstee: Yes, intriguing history in England. Though a bit dry at times.

>102 FAMeulstee: The storage building of the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen is stunning! I would love to see it.

>130 FAMeulstee: Nice review of The Swimming Pool Library. I loved The Stranger's Child, the first and only novel I've read by Alan Hollinghurst, and I have The Line of Beauty on my Kindle, waiting to be read.

Last week I received a copy of Herinneringen van een engelbewaarder (A Guardian Angel Recalls) by Willem Frederik Hermans as part of my subscription to Archipelago Books, a Brooklyn based publisher of literature in translation. It looks interesting, and I'm tempted to get to it soon. Have you read it?

>134 kidzdoc: It even is looks better in real, Darryl, one day we will see it together.

I have reserved The Line of Beauty right after finishing The Swimming Pool Library. Probably going to be my first December read.

No I haven't read Herinneringen van een engelbewaarder, it sounds interesting. With also a connection to Rotterdam it should be on my list. Let me know when you start reading, I can get it from the library to read with you.
I have read some others by Willem Frederik Hermans, he is a good writer.

>130 FAMeulstee: That is the only one I am tempted to add to the BlackHole but the abundance of bedroom scenes puts me off. I don't even care for them in straight romances, lol.

>136 alcottacre: Understandable, Stasia, the same here.
I will get The Line of Beauty from the library soon, maybe that one is more to our like.

Happy Wednesday, Anita. I hope you are having a great week. I have been meaning to read Alan Hollinghurst for a number of years. I have had The Line of Beauty on shelf for a number of years.

>134 kidzdoc: I look forward to seeing that museum with you and Frank in the near future, Anita!

Would January be too soon to read Herinneringen van een engelbewaarder?

>137 FAMeulstee: The only Alan Hollinghurst book my local library has is The Stranger's Child. Have you read it yet, Anita?

Happy Wednesday!

>138 msf59: Thank you, Mark, it is a good week.
I was impressed by my first Alan Hollinghurst, I hope to read my next (The Line of Beauty) soon. You can join me if you like.

>139 kidzdoc: We are looking forward to that too, Darryl.
January suits me fine. I have to get it from the library. The only thing that could keep me from reading it then, is that the only copy in the province could be unavailable right away.

>140 alcottacre: Not yet, Stasia, The Swimming Pool Library was my first.

Read, not yet reviewed:
#252: Adres onbekend (Address unknown) by Kathrine Kressmann Taylor
#253: Vergiffenis (The temptation of forgiveness; Brunetti 27) by Donna Leon
#254: Leviathan (Murder on the Leviathan; Fandorin 3) by Boris Akoenin
#255: Middaguur by Dörte Hansen
#256: Paddy Clarke ha ha ha (Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha) by Roddy Doyle

Reading now:
Geheimen van het Wilde Woud (The Secrets of the Wild Wood) by Tonke Dragt
Humboldt's nalatenschap (Humboldt's Gift) by Saul Bellow

>141 FAMeulstee: I can wait for you to get a copy of Herinneringen van een engelbewaarder before I start reading it, Anita.

>143 kidzdoc: Okay, Darryl, I get the copy from the library early January, and let you know when I have it.

book 252: Adres onbekend by Kathrine Kressmann Taylor
library, e-book, translated, original title Address unknown, 64 pages
TIOLI Challenge #12: Read a title where the adjective immediately follows a noun

This short book was first published in 1938.
Fictional letters between two German friends, owning a galery in San Francisco. Max Eisenstein is Jewish, he stays in America. Martin Schulse returns with his family to Germany in 1932, and slowly transforms into a supporter of the new regime. No place for Jews in his life anymore, and the friendship with a Jew in America impossible.

Impressive early account of the changes in Germany when the Nazi's came to power.

English and Dutch title are the same

book 253: Vergiffenis by Donna Leon
library, e-book, translated, original title The temptation of forgiveness, 319 pages
TIOLI Challenge #10: Read a book that can be found at LibraryThing in at least 3 languages

Brunetti book 27
A mother is worried about her son, he might be taking drugs. She expresses her worries to Brunetti. When later her husband is found in the middle of the night, serverely wounded, Brunetti suspects a connection. Digging deeper he finds pharmaceutical frauds, not connected to drug dealers.
Meanwhile there are leaks from the police, and signora Elettra is a suspect.

Mildly enjoyable read, as always the interactions in Brunetti's family are highlights.

Dutch title translated: Forgiveness

book 254: Leviathan by Boris Akoenin
library, translated from Russian, English translation Murder on the Leviathan, 250 pages
TIOLI Challenge #1: Read a book with the word “police” either on the front or the back cover

Fandorin book 3
A mass murder in Paris leads police commissioner Gauche to the new passenger ship Leviathan. He goes to Southampton and travels as guest on the Leviathan's maiden voyage to Calcutta. He identifies some suspects, and starts his investiagation. On the way Erast Fandorin also boards on the ship, quitly starting his own investigation.
The story is told from the perspective of the four main suspects.

Dutch title translated: Leviathan

book 255: Middaguur by Dörte Hansen
own, translated from German, no English translation, 302 pages
TIOLI Challenge #7: Read a book where another book title is also shown on the front cover

Professor Ingwer Feddersen returns to Brinkebüll, the village in East-Frisia where he was born and raised. He has taken a sabbatical to take care of his aging grandparents.
In alternating chapters we look at the past and changes of the village, and the present day struggles of Ingwer with his grandparents.

A compelling read, the struggles in a troubled family through time, and the changes around them.

Dutch title translated: Noon (or Afternoon hour, referring to the fading custom of farmers taking a nap in the afternoon)

book 256: Paddy Clarke ha ha ha by Roddy Doyle
library, translated, Booker prize 1993, original title Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, 351 pages
TIOLI Challenge #15: Read a book with a connection to The Chieftains, in memory of Paddy Moloney 1938-2021

Written from the perspective of ten year old Patrick Clarke, getting in trouble and misbehaving with his friends in Barrytown, Ireland. Meanwhile his parents marriage is slowly falling apart.

I couldn't really relate to Paddy and his friends, bullying, misbehaving, and so mean to eachother.

English and Dutch title are the same

I love The Pot! What a great addition to Rotterdam's already spectacular architecture. I look forward to seeing for real one day, ideally with you and Frank and Darryl!

>147 FAMeulstee: I'm currently reading Akunin's other detective, Sister Pelagia. She is a great character.

>144 FAMeulstee: Sounds good, Anita!

>150 Sakerfalcon: Yes! Hopefully we can all return to Rotterdam together, Claire.

>150 Sakerfalcon: Completely agree, Claire. It is great that the complete art collection is accessable for visitors now.
Thanks for the recommendation, it looks like two Sister Pelagia books are translated. I will look for them when I finish the seven translated Fandorin boooks.

>151 kidzdoc: Okay, Darryl, I will let you know.
That would be great!

Hi Anita!

I'm out and about a bit, but am drawing a line in the sand and not even pretending to catch up on threads.

I hope you and Frank have a wonderful weekend.

>149 FAMeulstee: I didn't like it, either. Blech.

>148 FAMeulstee: American English has co-opted the Spanish "Siesta" for just such uses. My paternal grandfather called that "Noontide." He's still the only one I've ever heard use the word that way, though.

Happy weekend-ahead's reads! *smooch*

Hi Anita my dear, congrats on reaching 250 books read for the year so far, i am finally back on here after an overnight stay and real life getting in the way. During my absence my reading has been pretty good but glad to be back posting.

Hope all is well with you and Frank my dear and send love and hugs to both of you from both of us dear friend.

>153 karenmarie: So happy so see a message from you, Karen!
Wishing you and Bill a wonderful weekend.

>154 richardderus: We agree on Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, Richard dear. It brings down my avererage rating of Booker Prize winners.
Noontide would then be the best translation of the title. I wouldn't use "siesta" for this German book, as that sounds so Spanish.
*smooch*

>155 johnsimpson: Thank you, John, good to see you back.
All is well, love and hugs back to you and Karen.

I am shocked. Yesterday evening a demonstation against Covid measures in Rotterdam turned into violent riots.

In the street where we lived between 1996 and 1998, a small side street of the Coolsingel, police cars were burned. A week a go we were right there and said to eachother what a nice place it had been to live... Today I am very glad we don't live there anymore...

Read, not yet reviewed:
#257: Geheimen van het Wilde Woud (The Secrets of the Wild Wood) by Tonke Dragt
#258: De dag dat de keizer hoffelijk mijn tranen droogt (The Day He Himself Shall Wipe My Tears Away) by Kenzaburo Oë

Reading now:
In krabbengang (Crabwalk) by Günter Grass
Humboldt's nalatenschap (Humboldt's Gift) by Saul Bellow

>157 FAMeulstee: - I am so sorry to hear this, Anita. I guess crazy, ignorant people are not confined to North America. That has happened here too, even in Canada. A few months ago, people were demonstrating and protesting outside hospitals! Against health care workers! How much lower can humans sink? It's very frightening. I am glad you were safely home when the riots in Rotterdam broke out.

>159 jessibud2: Thank you, Shelley.
Crazy and ignorant people are everywhere, and they can do a lot of damage and harm.
Prostest near hospitals also happened here some time ago. It is scary, both the virus and the reaction of some.
We were very glad to be safely at home last night!

>157 FAMeulstee: I'm shocked too, Anita. Not the Netherlands I knew 40+ years ago either. Sad.

Glad you are safe and well, the news about the violence was really shocking (even from this distance).

I love Roddy Doyle. Sorry that Paddy Clarke wasn't a winner for you. For me so much of the charm of Irish writing is the unique pattern of the English, and how evocatively it is used. Plus that despite the bleakness, poverty and violence his books often make me laugh out loud. But I should add that it's been an awful long time since I read this one, so maybe I'd have a different view now.

>161 RebaRelishesReading: Understandable you are also shocked, Reba.
40 years ago it was more concentrated in Amsterdam, krakersrellen, "geen woning, geen kroning", etc.

>162 charl08: Thank you, Charlotte, I saw Rotterdam even made the frontpage of the BBC-news website :-(

The difference between English and Irish writing isn't obvious in translation. I didn't read much fun or humor in it. Then again we all read a different book, even if we read the same book.

>157 FAMeulstee: Appalled and saddened at how little empathy and responsibility is left in the world.

Saddened Saturday *smooch*

>164 richardderus: Thanks, Richard dear, I feel the same.

Sunday has arrived here, *smooch*

Hi, Anita. I’m so impressed that you read the 7 volumes of In Search of Lost Time! I just read the first, Swann’s Way, and had trouble staying awake through all of it. I don’t anticipate reading the others. But it was full of beautiful writing.

>145 FAMeulstee: Thank you so much for bringing this wonderful book to my attention, Anita!

>166 jnwelch: Thank you, Joe, it took me a little over a year. It was impossible for me to read them all straight through. I am glad I did, as the writing is beautiful at times. I don't think I will ever read them again.

>167 SirThomas: You are welcome, Thomas, glad you could find a copy.
I acccidently found it at the e-library, when I was looking for a book fitting a TIOLI challenge.

Hi, Anita. I hope you had a nice weekend. I also finished the Proust and share similar feelings about it with him. I am glad I finally read it but I do not think I will continue.

>169 msf59: Thank you, Mark, as always we had a nice and quiet weekend. Walked a bit, took the bike on Saturday.
Well done finishing Swann's Way. I completely understand if you don't continue, these are heavy reads. So many other books are calling! :-)

Happy week-ahead's reads, Anita. What a world we live in...I just reviewed Cockroaches and it's rocked me back.

Congratulations on 250 book Anita. Do you think you'll make the quadruple by the end of the year?

I heard the news about Rotterdam and thought of you. I understand that people are frustrated by restrictions but it's for everybody's safety in the end. One advantage of living in Singapore - most people are accepting of the government's dictates and these ones are saving lives. Stay safe and healthy.

Violence in the street you lived in, it’s bringing it close to home. I can imagine you were shocked!
I remember the krakersrellen vividly. They somehow were less disturbing to me then, maybe because I could understand what it was all about? And now I really don’t get those people. There was a woman in my small local supermarket, grumbling about having to wear a face mask. Of course she wore it sloppily. And then she started coughing loudly. All that whining, just because she has to wear a mask.

Just popping in to say Hi, Anita! Glad you are safe and sound.

>171 richardderus: Thank you, Richard dear, enjpy your reading week.
I saw your review of the book about the genocide in Rwanda, thumbed it. Not yet available in Dutch.

>172 humouress: Thank you, Nina.
No quadruple, I have some heavy tomes lined up, so I will get near 280 this year.
It was a combination of footbal "fans" (hooligans) who were mad about not being able to see their game (public banned from sporting events), others mad about the firework ban (while the government said the day before there would NOT be such a ban), and youngsters just looking for trouble.

>173 EllaTim: Thank you, Ella, it did feel close to home.
There is a lot of anger, and whining all over. Many people go on vacation all over the globe, as far as it is possible, like there is no pandemic. Complaining about the masks is partly because Van Dissel opposed to masks early in the pandemic :-(

>174 Berly: Thank you, Kim! It is good to see you here, and all over the threads :-)

book 257: Geheimen van het Wilde Woud by Tonke Dragt
own, Dutch, childrens, English translation The Secrets of the Wild Wood, 358 pages
TIOLI Challenge #3: Read a book that fits 3 or more challenges from TIOLI October 2021

Sequel to The Letter for the King, the story starts a few months after the end of the previous book.
Tuiri and Piak leave Tuiri's home for their meeting with knight Ristridin and his friends in spring. Ristridin went to the Wild Wood, but never returned. The tension between the countries Evielan and Unauwen is rising, and war seems inevitable. Tiuri and Piak go into the Wild Wood, where secrets are found, and many adventures.

Each time I have read this, I loved the story even more. Since childhood these two books have been my favorite children's books.

Dutch title translated: Secrets of the Wild Wood

book 258: De dag dat de keizer hoffelijk mijn tranen droogt by Kenzaburo Oë
own, translated from Japanese, Nobelprize, English translation The Day He Himself Shall Wipe My Tears Away, 155 pages
TIOLI Challenge #2: Read a book where the title completes the phrase "I am thankful for..."

A man lies in a hospital, dying of cancer. Next to him a woman who writes down what he is telling.
He is talking about his youth during WWII, and "The Man" (his father) who was worshipping the Emperor.

My first book by Kenzaburo Oë, who got the Nobel Prize in 1994. Difficult read, I think I gasped less than half of it.

Dutch title translated: The day that the emperor courteously wipes my tears.

book 259: Meisjesherinneringen by Annie Ernaux
library, e-book, translated from French, English translation A Girl's Story, 173 pages
TIOLI Challenge #14: Read a book with a title that refers to a woman or women

Annie Ernaux looks back to 1958-1961, the years she avoided writng about until now.
In summer 1958 she leaves home alone for the first time ever, so work at a summer camp. Very naive she sleeps with the leader of the camp, and becomes an outcast. She stays in love with him, but he has already found an other summer love.
After the next summer she starts at a school to become a primary school teacher, but she doesn't like it there. Philosophy and literature are the only classes she likes. A friend has the same problem, and together they decide to quit. They go for 6 months to London as au pair. After they finally go to university, but their friendship fades.

Very good account of growing up, first sexual contacts, and getting lost after finally being free from parental supervision.

Dutch title translated: Girlmemories

book 260: In krabbengang by Günter Grass
own, translated from German, Nobelprize, English translation Crabwalk, 208 pages
TIOLI Challenge #16: Read a book in which a sunken ship or the recovery of a sunken treasure plays a role

Paul Prokriefe was born on 30 January 1945, while the Wilhelm Gustloff was sinking, or in the lifeboat that saved him and his mother, or on the ship that brought them to land. His mother told various tales of his birth.
In the present Paul is a journalist, divorced father of a teenager named Konrad. He is exploring the internet, and finds a website dedicated to Wilhelm Gustloff, the man after whom the ship was named. He was killed in Switserland in 1936, by a jew named David Frankfurter. Alexander Marinesko was the captain of the Russian submarine that attacked the Wilhelm Gustlof.
The story alternates between the lives of Gustloff, Frankfurter, Marinesko and the history of the ship, and the present day, where Paul finds out his son, now living with his grandmother in former East-Germany, is becoming a neo-nazi.

Very good read, three generations each viewing history in their own way.

Dutch title translated: In crabgait

book 261: De ware aard by Ellis Peters
library, translated, original totle The raven in the foregate, 193 pages
TIOLI Challenge #8: Read a book by an author of a book you finished in the past 3 months (Aug/Sept/Oct 2021)

Brother Cadfael, book 12
A very disliked priest is found dead, probably murdered. Cadfael and Beringar do their best to find out who did this. Meanwhile king Stephen is back in power, but Empress Maude still has some followers in Shrewsbury.

Statisfying mystery, I always like to spend some time with Cadfael.n way.

Dutch title translated: The true nature

Up to date with my reviews

Reading now:
Humboldt's nalatenschap (Humboldt's Gift) by Saul Bellow
De kleur paars (The Color Purple) by Alice Walker
Zij namen het woord by Margot Dijkgraaf

>157 FAMeulstee: Very sad to see the violence Anita. I'm glad you no longer lived there too.

>182 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks, Carioline, it was very saddening.
Sometimes I long to be living in Rotterdam again, but after this I would settle for the suburbs.

>183 FAMeulstee: I sometimes feel like that about living in London, then I come home and am completely exhausted, and remember how much energy it takes!

Hi Anita!

>157 FAMeulstee: I am shocked, too, and so sorry.

>159 jessibud2: I was struggling to figure out how to say exactly this, Shelley - I guess crazy, ignorant people are not confined to North America.

Your reading is always so varied, and it’s always a pleasure to read your reviews.

>184 charl08: Having many people around and all impressions are exhausting, Charlotte. It was the main reason 16 years ago to move to a quieter part of our country. I am in better shape now, so I like to think I can take the crowds and the noise better now.

>185 karenmarie: Thank you, Karen, I will never understand why some feel the need to riot.
Crazy and ignorant people are everywhere :-(
Thanks, reading different kind of books keeps me reading.

>180 FAMeulstee: The Dutch title is better suited to the book, IMO.

>179 FAMeulstee: I think I liked it even more than you did, Anita! The bell-ringing resonances of the way ideas travel through families...just marvelous.

>178 FAMeulstee: Ick.

>177 FAMeulstee: Deeply disliked that one. I don't think Oē; and I are suited for each other.

>176 FAMeulstee: *sigh* Now to find it....

Happy Humpday! *smooch*

>187 richardderus: Thanks, Richard dear, happy Wednesday!

Crabwalk was a good read, well constructed, and I liked to see some of the previous characters from the Danzig Trilogy briefly mentioned. Next Günter Grass will be Dog Years.

Not "ick", better than you think. Although The Years might be a better first Annie Ernaux book.

I will give Kenzaburo Oë one more chance, we have 4 others on the shelves. I loved the title of this one ;-)

Then find The Letter for the King first. A childhood favorite of mine doesn't necessarely be a hit for you. Although both Amber and Kerry (avatiakh) liked it.

*smooch*

>188 FAMeulstee: Oh, okay...Pushkin Press does them in English so I might be in luck Tonke-wise.

>189 richardderus: I hope you find a copy, Richard dear.

Happy day today, Frank is celebrating his 60th birthday.
His birthday present was History of violence by Édouard Louis, the last book by Louis that was missing in our library.

Happy birthday, Frank! Big 6 0!

On the street violence whilst people's frustrations are somewhat understandable there is never any justification in the resorting to violence and public disorder. Lockdowns, mandates etc are pretty much par for the course in Asia and whilst they are not liked especially people generally uncomplainingly comply and the rare occasions that individuals pipe up in opposition they are frowned upon.

I'm not personally in favour of mandates, Anita, but I am even less in favour of public disorder. Where the government is legitimate and its dictates are lawful then as citizens we ought to comply. There could be occasions where issues of religion and conscience intrude but I really see no religious issues in the wearing of masks!

>192 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul, also from Frank.

I agree some people are frustrated. There have been many (non violent) demonstrations aigainst the Covid rules. But it looks like frustrations become more violent in wealthy nations, as if the abundance of wealth and possiblities (for most in society) makes it harder to accept a step back. France and Germany also had some violent uproar because of Covid rules.

Yesterday two of the Rotterdam rioters were convicted by instant justice, a faster way to get them to court. Both plead they never intended to hurt anyone, athough the both threw bricks and other items to the police. Whining, while both also had similair previous convictions, instead of coming forward, admit what you have done, and face the consequences.

Wearing masks is an other story here, Jaap van Dissel, the chairman of the Dutch "Outbreak Management Team" was strongly opposed to wearing masks. Later he did somewhat change his mind, but many Dutch still feel masks have no use at all, and tend not to comply to wearing masks.

Anita, I know you don't celebrate Thanksgiving, but I wanted to take this day to say how grateful I am for you, my wonderful friend here on LT.

I wish you (and yours) happiness and health on this day. And cookies. And happy birthday to Frank!! : )

>194 Berly: Thank you, Kim, I am grateful for you and all friendship I found on LT!
And a thanks from Frank, we had a lovely day yesterday.

Read, not yet reviewed:
#262: De kleur paars (The Color Purple) by Alice Walker

DNF at 55 pages, I might give it an other try someday
Humboldt's nalatenschap (Humboldt's Gift) by Saul Bellow

Reading now:
Al wat schittert (The Luminaries) by Eleanor Catton
Zij namen het woord by Margot Dijkgraaf

>191 FAMeulstee: Happy Birthday to Frank! Glad you both had a wonderful day.

Enjoy the weekend :)

>197 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita, from us both.

Frank will work both Saturday and Sunday night, so I will have lots of time to read :-)

Belated happy birthday to Frank. Time for you to update your topper opening intro! ;-)

Have a lovely Friday.

>199 jessibud2: Thank you, Shelley.
I was just thinking I should not forget to update my intro in the next thread. At the start of THIS month he still was 59 ;-)

Happy Friday tou you!

>196 FAMeulstee: I'd encourage you to sideline that Bellow. I think his roman à clef is a wee bit too precious, too dated, and too obscure to make a good showing in Dutch. I'd recommend Mr. Sammler's Planet or, a definite second choice, Henderson the Rain King to you.

I'm glad Frank is still healthy after the Bid Scare, and will be with us for a long time to come.

>201 richardderus: Thank you, Richard. It might be too dated, I had a bit of trouble with references to American politicans only named by first name. It took a lot of time to decifer those, wich didn't add to my enjoyment.
Both Mr. Sammler's Planet and Henderson the Rain King reside on the shelves in Dutch translation, Frank collected some of Bellow's works published in Dutch translation, and a few in English.

Thanks, I surely hope so.

>188 FAMeulstee: Yes, I loved the sequel, Secrets of the Wild Wood more than the first book.

>203 avatiakh: I love them both, Kerry, I always read them together :-)

Read, not yet reviewed:
#262: De kleur paars (The Color Purple) by Alice Walker
#263: Zij namen het woord by Margot Dijkgraaf
#264: Al wat schittert (The Luminaries) by Eleanor Catton
#265: De brandweerauto die verdween (The Fire Engine That Disappeared) by Maj Sjöwall & Per Wahlöö

Reading now:
De pop (The Doll) by Bolesław Prus
De interventie (The Metaconcert) by Julian May

book 262: De kleur paars by Alice Walker
1001 books, library, translated, original totle The Color Purple, 319 pages
TIOLI Challenge #12: Read a title where the adjective immediately follows a noun

Celie writes about her hard life in letters to God. Living through sexual abuse, racism, her children taken away, and married of to a man she doesn't like. Her beloved sister escaped all that, and ended up with missionairies in Africa. Celie's life improves when she becomes friends with Shrug, her husbands mistress.

English and Dutch title are the same

book 263: Zij namen het woord by Margot Dijkgraaf
library, e-book, no translations, 240 pages
TIOLI Challenge #9: Read a book with OO in the title or author's name

Short biographies of ten female French writers, from Madame de Staël and Colette to Maryse Condé and Annie Ernaux.

After reading, I have put some books on my reading list.

Title translated: They took the word (They took the floor)

book 264: Al wat schittert by Eleanor Catton
library, translated, Booker Prize, original title The Luminaries, 832 pages
TIOLI Challenge #10: Read a book that can be found at LibraryThing in at least 3 languages

Walter Moody arrives in New Zealand in 1866. Accidentally he ends up in a gathering of 12 men, who try to solve a mysterious murder. Slowly we find out what happened trough the stories of them all, together they cover the whole story of murder, greed, robbery, and opium addiction.

Well crafted mystery, suffers a bit from the very constructed form, using astrology. Especially the last (short) chapters, where the chapter descriptions get longer than the actual content.

Dutch title translated: All what sparkles

book 265: De brandweerauto die verdween by Maj Sjöwall & Per Wahlöö
library, translated from Swedish, English translation The Fire Engine That Disappeared, 237 pages
TIOLI Challenge #8: Read a book by an author of a book you finished in the past 3 months (Aug/Sept/Oct 2021)

Martin Beck book 5
While Gunvald Larsson is watching a building, because a suspect under surveillance is living there, the building explodes, and Larsson can rescue some of the other people living there. The suspect is dead, but autopsy reveals he was murdered before the explosion. The investigation takes months, Martin Beck and his collegues find two other dead men, connected to the case.

Enjoyable read.

English and Dutch title are the same

book 266: De interventie by Julian May
own, translated, original title The Metaconcert, 327 pages
TIOLI Challenge #10: Read a book that can be found at LibraryThing in at least 3 languages

Sequel to The Surveillance; people with mental powers are seen as a thread by others, after an incident in Scotland. Dennis Remillard marries to Lucille and their first children are born. Following the main characters from 1992 to 2013.
Written by Rogatien Remillard in 2113.

Some of the history is dated. Who could predict in 1987 (when Julian May wrote this book) that two years later the Iron Curtain and the Berlin Wall would fall? But it can be read as a kind of alternate history and I personally remember those days when Russia was larger and called the USSR ;-)

This book and the previous one are the link between the Saga of the Exiles and the next three Galactic Milieu books.

Dutch title translated: The intervention

November 2021 in numbers
  (Totals for this year between brackets)

26 books read, 7.711 pages, 257,0 pages a day
  (266 books read, 84.523 pages, 253,1 pages a day)

--
books:

own: 6 (75)
library: 20 (191)

male author: 12 (174)
female author: 14 (92)

originally written in Dutch: 5 (70)
translated into Dutch: 21 (196)
- original language:
  Ancient-Greek: 0 (2)
  Chinese: 0 (1)
  Czech: 0 (2)
  Danish: 0 (3)
  English: 12 (116)
  French: 3 (21)
  German: 2 (19)
  Icelandic: 1 (3)
  Italian: 0 (9)
  Japanese: 1 (4)
  Norwegian: 0 (3)
  Polish: 0 (1)
  Portuguese: 0 (1)
  Russian: 1 (3)
  Spanish: 0 (2)
  Swedish: 1 (6)

fiction: 22 (209)
non-fiction: 4 (57)

paper books: 16 (177)
e-books: 10 (89)

mystery/police procedural: 7 (47)
childrens/YA: 1 (25)

1001 books: 4 (39)
  Total 1001 books since 2008: 222
Dutch Canon: 0 (3)
  Total Dutch Canon since 2008: 35 of 125

--
pages:

0 - 100 pages: 1 (18)
101 - 200 pages: 4 (42)
201 - 300 pages: 8 (77)
301 - 400 pages: 10 (72)
401 - 500 pages: 2 (29)
501 - 999 pages: 1 (26)
1000+ pages: 0 (2)

longest book 832 pages (1596 pages)
shortest book 64 pages (42 pages)
average book 297 pages (318 pages)

--
own books read were on the shelf since:

before 2008: 3 (44)
2008: 0 (2)
2009: 0 (1)
2010: 0 (1)
2015: 1 (2)
2016: 1 (3)
2017: 0 (1)
2019: 2 (6)
2020: 3 (6)
2021: 1 (9)

--
date first published:

4th century BC: 0 (2)
16th century: 0 (1)
18th century: 0 (1)
19th century: 2 (13)

20th century
1900s: 0 (1)
1910s: 0 (1)
1920s: 1 (5)
1930s: 1 (13)
1940s: 0 (4)
1950s: 0 (10)
1960s: 3 (18)
1970s: 1 (11)
1980s: 4 (27)
1990s: 2 (29)

21st century
2000s: 2 (21)
2010s: 9 (89)
2020s: 1 (20)

--
ratings:

  1   (8)
  1 (26)
10 (96)
  6 (84)
  8 (45)
  0   (4)
  0   (3)

--
Best books in November


Geheimen van het Wilde Woud (The Secrets of the Wild Wood) by Tonke Dragt


De zwembadbibliotheek (The swimming pool library) by Alan Hollinghurst

===

walking in November: walked 25 days, 140,0 km; average 5,60 km/a day
(walking in 2021: walked 294 days 1765,2 km; average 6,00 km a day)

e-biking in November: biked 5 days, 100,7 km; average 20,14 km/a day
(e-biking in 2021: biked 40 days 875,4 km; average 21,89 km a day)

A very belated happy birthday to Frank. Turning sixty is a major milestone. I hope you found a good way to celebrate!

You have done lots of good reading again!

>211 FAMeulstee: Wow! Impressive stats!

>210 FAMeulstee: I wonder how many authors were affected by the collapse of the wall in this way!?

>211 FAMeulstee: Impressive month of walking given the wintry weather. I just want to sit in the warm near a radiator right now.

Impressive reading Anita. I still have my fingers crossed you can manage 34 books in December and reach 4x75. xx

>212 EllaTim: Thank you, Ella, it is a major milestone. Birthdays are quiet these days, Frank doesn't mind. We celebrated together with a nice meal :-)
The books still treat me well.

>213 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita, I just keep reading.

>214 charl08: I have also wordered about that, Charlotte. Probably not very many, as there were not that many speculative fiction books that included the USSR.
We still go out every day, and I was trying to keep our yearly average at 6 km a day. Not sure we can keep that up in December.

>215 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul.
LOL! At the moment I have only 11 books planned for December, and maybe 5 more. To reach 34 I would have to go to the library and read 20 picture books in an afternoon ;-)

Hi Anita my dear, a very, very belated 60th birthday greeting for Frank, i hope he had a good birthday my dear friend.

>218 johnsimpson: Thank you, John, from both of us.
Frank had a good and quiet birthday, we celebrated together with a nice diner.

Love and hugs to you and Karen.