MissBrangwen reads by starlight

Boierul Ilie, Cisnădioara

Hi, my name is Mirjam and this is my fifth year in the Category Challenge. 2024 was my best reading year since the early 2010s, and I hope that this will continue in 2025!

I live in the north of Germany close to the North Sea with my husband. We are both college teachers and besides reading, we love traveling. I also sing in a choir.

This year my thread looks a little different compared to the previous years and I have many more categories. I don't have a specific numerical goal for each of them, but simply wish to track what I read. I also hope that these categories will make me read what I really want.
Regarding the CATs and KITs, I plan to complete AlphaKIT and most of SFFKIT and MysteryKIT, but I will only drop in and out of the others. My hope is that this will allow for more spontaneous reading. I will also do BingoDOG because it is one of my favourite things about LT!

The Category Challenge is my favourite LT group because I love the kind atmosphere, the comfort it brings, the community spirit and of course all the books it makes me add to my shelves and wish list!

Last year my thread title had a loose connection to Narnia, so this time I was looking for a Middle-earth allusion and while we were watching "The Desolation of Smaug" today, the idea of this title came to my mind. It also fits because I am using multiple pictures from Boierul Ilie in Romania in this thread. We visited this place in October and it was fantastic - probably the closest you can get to Hobbiton outside of New Zealand, and it is even more inspiring because it has all been built on private land over many years by a small team who wish to provide a relaxing and natural space to others. It is not finished yet, so one day it will be even better.

~~~

Again, I don't have a dedicated theme, but use pictures from my travels from 2024 that have a connection to books.

~~~

My reading year runs from Dec 24 to Dec 23!

(Boierul Ilie, Cisnădioara)

J.R.R. Tolkien
All books connected to J.R.R. Tolkien in any way.

1. Die Karte von Wilderland by John Howe & Brian Sibley

(Boekhandel Riemer, Groningen)

Australia
All books set in or about Australia.

(Boierul Ilie, Cisnădioara)

Rereading Fiction
This category is reserved for fiction. Non-fiction rereads are not included.

(Shakespeare Coffee & Poetry, a book café in Brașov)

Doorstoppers
All books that have more than 600 pages, or more than 500 if the print is tiny.

(Bookstall at Chatuchak Market, Bangkok)

Diversity
Books by BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ authors as well as any other authors outside of what I have usually read so far.

1. Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
2. The Idea of You by Robinne Lee
3. Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman
4. Der Dichter by Yi Munyol
5. Pageboy by Elliot Page
6. Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde
7. I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver

(Shakespeare's First Folio at the British Library, London)

Literary Classics
Books written before 1975 that are somewhat literary - I make this distinction to make sure that I won't simply fill this category with mysteries ;-)

1. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
2. The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole
3. Egmont by Johann Wolfgang Goethe
4. Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde

(Cărturești Carusel, Bucharest)

Literary and General Fiction
All novels that are not genre fiction and not classics.

1. Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
2. Der Dichter by Yi Munyol
3. Der Vater eines Mörders by Alfred Andersch

(The Lindisfarne Gospels at the British Library, London)

Historical Fiction
All novels written at least sixty years after the time they are set in.

1. The Second Mrs. Astor by Shana Abé
2. Firstborn by Alison Weir
3. Elizabeth of York - The Last White Rose by Alison Weir
4. Children of War by Ahmet Yorulmaz

(South Kensington Books, London)

Romance

Contemporary Romance
1. The Idea of You by Robinne Lee
2. I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver

Historical Romance
3. Once Upon A Christmas by Diane Farr
4. The Winter Companion by Mimi Matthews
5. Slightly Sinful by Mary Balogh
6. The Astronomer's Obsession by K. Lyn Smith

(Casa Vlad Dracul, Sighișoara, the alleged house of Dracula's namesake)

Mysteries
Mysteries and crime novels of all kind.

Golden & Silver Age Mysteries
1. An English Murder by Cyril Hare
2. The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie

Cosy Mysteries
3. Due or Die by Jenn McKinlay

Historical Mysteries
4. The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredericks

Police Procedurals

Psychological Thrillers
5. The Wrong One by Dervla McTiernan
6. Under Her Care by Lucinda Berry

(Free library in Sibiu)

Fantasy
All non-Tolkien fantasy books.

1. Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

(William Shakespeare and others in the Poet's Corner, Westminster Abbey, London)

Poetry

1. Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman

(Boekhandel Riemer, Groningen)

Nonfiction

Autobiography | Memoir | Letters | Biography
1. Pageboy by Elliot Page

History
2. A Brief History of the British Monarchy by Jeremy Black

Politics | Sociology | Critical Theory
3. Es ist 5 vor 1933 by Philipp Ruch
4. Du hast die Wahl by Marc Raschke

Religion

Travel

Others



Great Courses

(A wall painting at the Erasmus Büchercafé, a book café in Sibiu)

Graphic Novels

(Cărturești Carusel, Bucharest)

Series

"Bedwyn Series" by Mary Balogh: Slightly Sinful (5/6)
"Nobody Series" by Diane Farr: Once Upon A Christmas (2/2) - series completed
"Parish Orphans of Devon" by Mimi Matthews: The Winter Companion (4/4) - series completed
"Library Lover's Mysteries" by Jenn McKinlay: Due or Die (2/15)

Series not read in order

"Hercule Poirot" by Agatha Christie: The Mystery of the Blue Train (6/36)

Series started in 2025

"Legends & Lattes" by Travis Baldree: Legends & Lattes (1/2)
"The Whitesky Saga" by Waubgeshig Rice: Moon of the Crusted Snow (1/2)
"Something Wonderful" by K. Lyn Smith: The Astronomer's Obsession (1/3)
"Tudor Rose" by Alison Weir: Firstborn (0.5/3), Elizabeth of York - The Last White Rose (1/3)

(Cărturești Carusel, Bucharest)

Catch all
For all books that do not fit in any of the categories.

1. Was ist eigentlich Demokratie by Tina Ruthe, Sally Lisa Starken & Sophie Schrade (ill.)

(Bookstall at Chatuchak Market, Bangkok)

Short Reads
Single short stories and articles (when I do not read the whole collection) read for leisure - texts read for work are not included.

Short stories and other prose

Articles and essays

1. A place you've never been: Due or Die by Jenn McKinlay
2. Either "Library" or "Thing" in title:
3. Writing about writers: Der Dichter by Yi Munyol
4. Oldest book on your TBR:
5. A holiday in title: Once Upon A Christmas by Diane Farr
6. A long title (5+ words): Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
7. Features adoption/foster care/nontraditional family: I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver
8. Medical topic: Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman
9. The sun on cover/in title:
10. Child as a main character: Von weit her by Robert Munsch, Saoussan Askar & Rebecca Green (ill.)
11. Newly in public domain: The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie
12. Author has your or relative’s 1st or last name:
13. Read a CAT: Under Her Care by Lucinda Berry
14. Totally random:
15. Features a birth: The Winter Companion by Mimi Matthews
16. Nonhuman narrator:
17. Features winged creature(s):
18. A profession in title: The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredericks
19. Travel:
20. Recommended by a friend or LT member: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
21. Set in your favorite season:
22. Originally published in a language not your own: Children of War by Ahmet Yorulmaz
23. Hollywood!: Pageboy by Elliot Page
24. A piece of furniture on the cover: Die Karte von Wilderland by John Howe & Brian Sibley
25. Features fire: The Wrong One by Dervla McTiernan

(Bran Castle, known as Dracula's castle, although there really is no resemblance to the one in the novel)

AlphaKIT
This year I am going to choose a paper book from my shelves for each letter, ideally one that I have been meaning to read for a long time.

January: O-S
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Once Upon A Christmas by Diane Farr
The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole
Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
The Second Mrs. Astor by Shana Abé
Slightly Sinful by Mary Balogh

February: G-L
Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman
Egmont by Johann Wolfgang Goethe
Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde

March: A-U
Elizabeth of York - The Last White Rose by Alison Weir
Children of War by Ahmet Yorulmaz
I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver
Der Vater eines Mörders by Alfred Andersch
Under Her Care by Lucinda Berry

MysteryKIT

January: Winter Mysteries
An English Murder by Cyril Hare
Due or Die by Jenn McKinlay

February: Vintage Mysteries
The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie

SFFKIT

January: Cozy Fantasy
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

February: The Art of SFF
Die Karte von Wilderland by John Howe & Brian Sibley

(Bran Castle)

Other CATs & KITs

January CultureCAT - Migration and Displacement: Von weit her by Robert Munsch, Saoussan Askar & Rebecca Green (ill.)
January ScaredyKIT - Diverse Perspectives: Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
January RandomKIT - Eat, drink and be merry: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

February ScaredyKIT - Haunted Houses: The Wrong One by Dervla McTiernan

March CultureCAT - Neurodiverse Voices: Under Her Care by Lucinda Berry
March ScaredyKIT - Real Life Monsters: The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredericks
March RandomKIT - Wishes: I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver

(William Wordsworth in the Poet's Corner, Westminster Abbey, London)

Other LT Challenges

Reading Through Time - Monthly challenges & quarterly eras.

The Global Challenge - Tracking my global reading over the years.

Hosting Commitments

February SFFKIT: The Art of SFF
September MysteryKIT: Silver Age Mysteries
September RTT: Highlands & Islands
Yearlong CultureCAT: Bonus CAT 1 - South East Asia/Pacific Islander

Extra

Extra

Boierul Ilie, Cisnădioara

My December has been a bit stressful, so I created this thread rather late, but now it is finally up! My new reading year has started yesterday because my husband and I traditionally start reading a fresh book on Christmas Eve after our Christmas dinner and giving each other our presents, and I have begun reading An English Murder by Cyril Hare.

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate, and welcome to my first thread of 2025!

What great cats & pics! Good luck with your 2025 reading. I also start my reading year on December 25 and have for years, to start reading any new books that I get for Christmas!

Wishing you a great year of reading! So happy you did so well last year. Hope that continues!

What wonderful pictures! I really want to go to Carturesti in Bucuresti.

Your pictures are really nice. Good reading in 2025.

What wonderful pictures! I’d love to visit Boierul Ilie someday!

Looking forward to following your reading this year.

Love the pictures you have chosen this year. I look forward to following you again. My thread will be up by January 1st (fingers crossed)

You've chosen lovely pictures for your thread. I look forward to following your reading again in 2025.

Isn't it fortunate that you have lovely photos from your travels to decorate your thread? Glad to see you are ready for 2025.

I'd like to know what happens if a customer wants a book from the bottom of a pile in the Bangkok bookstore. Looks very tricky!

My husband and I have spent a very quite Christmas. He is still on crutches because of his broken foot, so we have mostly been reading and we also watched the Hobbit trilogy and plan to continue with The Lord of the Rings. Usually our Christmas is much busier with lots of driving and visiting relatives, and I must say that I enjoyed this quiet holiday for a change, although I am looking forward to visiting my mom when he is better.

>28 Tess_W: Thank you! I think it is so nice to be able to spend the Christmas days starting fresh.

>29 majkia: Thank you! I really hope so, too, it has done wonders for me.

>30 Jackie_K: When I stumbled upon pictures of it online I knew we had to go there! We also spent some time in the café upstairs which was really nice.

>31 mnleona: Thank you, I am glad you like them!

>32 Charon07: It really is worth a visit and it will be even better when the interior is finished. Right now you can enter it, but it is mostly empty.

>33 dudes22: Thank you! I am looking forward to following along with you, too.

>34 beebeereads: Thank you, I will look for your thread!

>35 RidgewayGirl: Thank you, I'll follow your thread, too! You always hit me with BBs!

>36 VivienneR: Ha, when I uploaded the Bangkok pictures I thought about exactly the same thing!

The first book of my new reading year was An English Murder by Cyril Hare, which had been lingering on my shelf for quite some time. It was the perfect book to curl up with at Christmas!



Book No 1

"An English Murder" by Cyril Hare
First published in 1951
Faber & Faber
Paperback, 202pp.
Rating: 4 stars - ****

CATs & KITs: January MysteryKIT - Winter Mysteries
My own categories: Mysteries - Golden & Silver Age Mysteries

This golden age mystery has all the ingredients of a good Christmas mystery: An old country house, guests snowed in, interesting characters and a baffling murder. It really delivers and I enjoyed reading it immensely. It was a radio play before it became a novel and I think it shows because there is a lot of dialogue, so sometimes I would have wished for a little more description, but it makes for an intense reading experience.
Published in 1951, you can also see the changes in society after the war, which makes the case even more interesting.

I will be keeping a close eye on your Australian books, mysteries and non-fiction categories. I hope you have a great reading year.

>39 Zozette: Thank you! The Australian books are a completely new category, so I am excited about it!

My second book was a BB from Christina, Once Upon A Christmas by Diane Farr. I read the first book of the series in May and was happy to get to the second book at Christmas time.



Book No 2

"Once Upon A Christmas" by Diane Farr
Series: Nobody Series (2/2)
First published in 2000
Signet
ebook, 208pp.
Rating: 4 stars - ****

CATs & KITs: January AlphaKIT - O-S
BingoDOG: A Holiday in Title
My own categories: Romance - Historical Romance, Series

Celia Delacourt is in mourning for her family and has nowhere to go, when she is invited by her rich aunt, a duchess, to spend Christmas on her estate. Celia cannot decline, although she is wary and expects that the duchess has her own reasons for inviting her poor relation. When Jack, the heir, arrives, he is completely different from what Celia expected.

This is a great holiday story and I totally enjoyed it. Usually I don't really like humorous books, but this one had me chuckling and laughing out loud many times. The characters are wonderful - both the good and the bad ones - and it is simply a fun and escapist read with the right amount of swoon-worthiness and romance.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Diane Farr!

>37 MissBrangwen: I am sorry to hear about the broken foot. I had a broken ankle years ago and the best advise I got was after the cast was removed to use the foot. It really, really hurt but necessary.

Wishinyou a successful and happy reading year in 202. I am looking forward to folloswing along. 😄

>42 mnleona: He is already using it slightly, but he's still wearing the boot - we'll see how it goes! Thank you for your kind words.

>43 DeltaQueen50: Thank you, Judy, I'm looking forward to following your thread, too! I always find new books to add to my wish list!

>41 MissBrangwen: I'm so glad you enjoyed Once Upon a Christmas! You've reminded me that there are still several Farr books I haven't read yet...

>45 christina_reads: I have a couple more on my kindle, too! :-)

The Winter Companion by Mimi Matthews is the last of the Parish Orphans of Devon books. I wished to read it way earlier, but then waited so that I could read it during Christmas time, since it is set in that season.



Book No 3

"The Winter Companion" by Mimi Matthews
Series: Parish Orphans of Devon (4/4)
First published in 2020
Perfectly Proper Press
ebook, 299pp.
Rating: 5 stars - *****

BingoDOG: Features a birth
My own categories: Romance - Historical Romance, Series

I absolutely loved, loved, loved this book! It is a wonderful end to this series and while I could't wait to get to the happy end, I did not want it to end at the same time because I wanted to spend more time with the main characters!

This is the story of Neville, the last of the four friends to get his own book. Neville has a speech impediment that results from an accident he had as a child. He lives and works on his friend Justin's estate (Greyfriar's Abbey) and likes his secluded life.
It's Christmas and the couples from the previous books visit Justin and Lady Helena at the abbey. Clara, a lady's companion, travels with the mother of one of the visitors, and she brings an old pug with her. Neville and Clara bond over the animal, but they believe that they cannot have a future together. Neville is afraid of any changes because of his personal history and difficulties, and Clara has her own challenges and responsibilities. Yet, they cannot ignore their feelings...

This novel does not have as much of a plot compared to the other novels, but I enjoyed this because it allows the author to develop the characterization and the relationship of Clara and Neville. I rooted for them while they slowly learned to open up and trust each other. I felt for Neville when he started to believe in himself and his strengths, and I went through all the emotions with Clara, her fears, her anger and her love.

I also appreciate that Neville's speech impediment is handled respectfully and that he learns to live with it instead of it being the aim to overcome it.

Animals play an important role in the novel - the pug, Justin's dogs, the abbey's horses and also Dartmoor ponies. I do love animals, so I enjoyed this a lot, and it was great to have a theme of animal protection in a historical novel/romance. It is something I have not encountered before.
Another thing I loved was that although the book does contain Christmas elements such as decorating the abbey, it is not a picture-perfect Christmas. Instead, there are storms and heavy rain, the characters have to walk through mud, and it is grey outside. This fits the setting of the abbey much more than a romance-typical snowy Christmas, and it stays true to how the setting was established in the first book.

As I enjoyed this series so much, I was excited to see how it ended, and I particularly enjoyed the way Mimi Matthews wrapped it up through a letter. Like this, the reader learns about what became of the other characters while the end still concentrates on the central couple and is not too corny. I was a bit afraid that Neville and Clara would be overshadowed because this was the last book, but thankfully that did not happen!
As you might see, I suffer from a heavy bookish hangover, but I am looking forward to reading the other series written by Mimi Matthews and am so happy that I discovered this author through LT!

Happy New Year! The photos you selected are very enticing!

Happy New Year and good luck with your reading.

Enjoy your 2025 reading!

>48 LadyoftheLodge: >49 lowelibrary: >50 thornton37814: Thank you and the same to you!

>47 MissBrangwen: Glad you enjoyed the Parish Orphans of Devon series. I also like the Somerset Stories series and while checking which books I hadn't read yet, found the last one A Lady of Conscience on Kindle for $1.49. A new year present.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year. Looking forward to following your thread again this year.

>47 MissBrangwen: I've never heard of that series, but it sounds interesting. I'm putting the first one down to seek at the library.

>52 pamelad: And the first one in that series too!

>52 pamelad: The first one is already on my kindle, yay! It's good to hear you liked that series as well.

>53 beebeereads: Thank you for visiting!

>54 thornton37814: It was a BB from Christina - I hope you enjoy it!

Happy New Year everyone! :-)

>47 MissBrangwen: I'm so glad you enjoyed the book and series! I have really enjoyed everything I've read by Matthews. I believe she is starting a new series this year!

>56 christina_reads: I can't wait to read more by her, although first I wish to finish a few other series. I already heard a bit about her new one and I think it looks a bit different from what she has written so far - I'm excited to see what it's about!

Here's my 24 End-of-Year Meme - I almost forgot to do it this time!

Describe yourself: The Nobody

Describe how you feel: Slightly Wicked

Describe where you currently live: Under One Roof

If you could go anywhere, where would you go: 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea

Your favourite form of transportation is: The Horse and His Boy

Your favourite food is: Assaulted Caramel

Your favourite time of day is: Bangkok Wakes To Rain

Your best friend is: An Elephant Named Maliwan

You and your friends are: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

What’s the weather like: Summer in February

You fear: The Crow Folk

What is the best advice you have to give: How To Lose A Guy Before Christmas

Thought for the day: Life Begins On Friday

What is life for you: Glitterland

How you would like to die: Little Deaths

Your soul’s present condition: The Blind Earthworm in the Labyrinth

What was 2024 like for you? The Lady Always Wins

What do you want from 2025? The Perfect Deal

Your Best Friend is a great answer.

Happy New Year, Mirjam! I loved looking at the images you chose. You got me with the Parish Orphans of Devon books - adding the first in the series to The List.

>47 MissBrangwen: Just love Mimi Matthews!

>47 MissBrangwen: Happy New Year! What gorgeous pictures you have chosen for your thread this year! I've never heard of this series before but your review makes me want to read it too :D

Paying a return visit, Mirjam and it won't be my last!
Great categories and I look forward to keeping in touch with your progress in the coming weeks and months.

>59 mnleona: Thanks! I thought it was a good one, it would be great to have an elephant as a friend :-)

>60 Crazymamie: It seems to be a firm favourite of several members of this group! I hope you enjoy it.

>61 Tess_W: Me too, I liked this series so much!

>62 shimmermarie: I hope you enjoy it when you get to it! It seems to be very popular among several members here!

>63 PaulCranswick: Thank you, I have starred your thread, too!

You have some great pictures and quite some categories to fill. I am very interested in An English Murder, sounds like a great book!

>58 MissBrangwen: At least your caramel was only assaulted, the options I had with cozy mysteries all had some sort of "deadly" word prefacing the food.

>65 Tallulah_Rose: It is a good golden age mystery indeed.

>66 thornton37814: Haha, the titles of these books can be perilous for sure!

Last weekend I finished Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree, which I had wanted to read for ages.



Book No 4

"Legends & Lattes" by Travis Baldree
Series: Legends & Lattes (1/2)
First published in 2022
Tor
ebook, 309pp.
Rating: 4 stars - ****

CATs & KITs: January SFFKIT - Cozy Fantasy, January RandomKIT - Eat, drink and be merry
BingoDOG: Recommended by a friend or LT member
My own categories: Fantasy, Series

Viv is an orc who has been wandering for many years, going on quests and fighting, but she finally wants a change. She decides to realize her dream of opening a café in a city where nobody has ever heard of coffee. The story follows her as she follows through with her plan, hires a bunch of eclectic characters for the various tasks, experiences setbacks and becomes successful, and most of all finds friends as well as a bit of romance.

This book is totally hyped and my husband loves it, but I must admit that I was a bit disappointed in the beginning. The first half of the book was a bit too low stakes, too cozy, too slow for me. I did enjoy the setting and adored the characters, though, especially Thimble. And I did love the second half, when there is more of an actual story, so much that I did not want it to end. I really hope that Travis Baldree writes more books featuring the crew of Legends & Lattes!

>68 MissBrangwen: I enjoyed Legends & Lattes a lot. I'm reading its prequel Bookshops & Bonedust at the moment but it's not quite grabbing me in the same way.

>69 SandDune: I was a bit disappointed when I found out that it is a prequel and not a sequel. I hope that there will be more books set in the coffeeshop.

My next read was another I had wanted to read for a very long time: Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice.



Book No 5

"Moon of the Crusted Snow" by Waubgeshig Rice
Series: The Whitesky Saga (1/2)
First published in 2018
EWC Press
ebook, 218pp.
Rating: 4 1/2 stars - ****°

CATs & KITs: January ScaredyKIT - Diverse Perspectives, January AlphaKIT - O-S
BingoDOG: A long title (5+ words)
Other LT challenges: Global Challenge (Canada)
My own categories: Diversity, Literary and General Fiction, Series

Evan and his partner Nicole live on a reserve in northern Canada with their children. Their community is a tight-knit one, although there are problems like unemployment and addiction. Some of the community members have resumed living in a more traditional way, such as going out to hunt or learning about plant medicine.
When the reserve is suddenly cut off from the south, with no reception and no power while being almost snowed in, these traditional skills become more important than ever. But new challenges arise, especially when outsiders find their way in. As time goes by, the story becomes considerably darker and the danger grows.

In the beginning I found it a bit hard to connect to Evan and Nicole, but apart from that, I was captivated by this novel and read it straight through in two sittings. It is not only an extremely gripping and exciting read, but also a glimpse into life on a reserve and into Anishinaabe culture and history. The author weaves this together with shades of horror literature and Indigenous mythology in a skillful way.

I have already bought two more novels by Waubgeshig Rice and cannot wait to read them!

>71 MissBrangwen: I’m glad to hear you liked this one. I have the audiobook but haven’t gotten around to listening to it yet—nudging it up the list!

>72 Charon07: I did not know what to expect because the reviews I read were very mixed, but I loved it. I do hope you enjoy it!

I plan to read through all the picture books I ordered for the new courses I am going to teach, and it is even better when they line up with a CAT or KIT. So for this month's CultureCAT, I read From Far Away by Robert Munsch and Saoussan Askar, illustrated by Rebecca Green. I read the German edition of the book.



Book No 6

"Von weit her" by Robert Munsch, Sassouan Askar & Rebecca Green (ill.)
Original Title: From Far Away
First published in 1995/2017
Orlanda
Hardcover, 32pp.
Rating: 4 stars - ****

CATs & KITs: January CultureCAT - Migration and Displacement
BingoDOG: Child as a main character

This book was first published in 1995, written by Robert Munsch together with Sassouan Askar, who was seven years old at the time and had fled from Lebanon to Canada. It was republished in 2017 with totally new illustrations. The book tells her story in a way children can understand: The peril in Lebanon, traveling to Canada, having to adjust to a new school, the fear and worries, learning a new language, and finally finding friends and a new home.

I think that the story is a bit disjointed and there is one aspect, involving a paper skeleton at the school that Sassouan is afraid of, that I think might be a bit hard for young children to grasp and empathize with. Apart from this, it is an excellent and important book that could be used in different settings and situations.
The illustrations are clear and striking. They are colorful without overshadowing the story. One thing I particularly liked was that the other children in Sassouan's class are shown to be diverse as well, which makes the book even more inclusive.

>68 MissBrangwen: I bought the first two books in that series for my daughter for Christmas, and am hoping to borrow them once she has read them.

>71 MissBrangwen: I also really enjoyed this one.

>71 MissBrangwen: - I read/listened to the sequel to this Moon of the Turning Leaves at the end of 2024 and liked it just as much - maybe more.

Hi Mirjam! Finally got around to your thread, catching up after the holidays takes a long time! Those pictures make me want to pack my suitcase and go book-buying. Enjoy your reading year!

>68 MissBrangwen: I've been wanting to read this for quite a while, but I keep prioritizing other reads. Your review pushes it up the pile again.

>71 MissBrangwen: >76 dudes22: I loved Moon of the Crusted Snow and am about 70% through Moon of the Turning Leaves Audio for both of these. The indigenous narrator lends such credibility to the story with the proper pronunciation of names and common words that are woven throughout the novel.

Mirjam, I'll be curious if you read any of his backlist. Which ones did you buy?

>75 Crazymamie: That's an excellent gift, and I am glad to hear you enjoyed Moon of the Crusted Snow as well.

>76 dudes22: I am so happy to hear that! Sometimes I hesitate to read a sequel if I liked a book very much because I don't want to be disappointed.

>77 MissWatson: Welcome back, and I hope you have a great reading year, too!

>78 beebeereads: You've convinced me to try the audiobook at one point, too. I kept guessing about the pronunciation, so I'd listen to it even if just for that.

I bought Moon of the Turning Leaves and Legacy. Unfortunately, Midnight Sweatlodge, his short story collection, seems to be out of print and the copies I found are ridiculously expensive, and it is not available as an ebook, but I'll continue looking for it from time to time.

Your reading year is off to a great start! >38 MissBrangwen: I know I have a book by Cyril Hare somewhere in my TBR stash, but I think it's a different one. I'll add this one to the wishlist!

>80 cbl_tn: I added Tragedy at Law to my kindle after reading An English Murder and hope that it will be just as good.

My first audiobook of the year was The Second Mrs. Astor by Shana Abe. I chose it because of the Titanic connection, but it proved to be so much more than that.



Book No 7

"The Second Mrs. Astor" by Shana Abé
First published in 2021
Tantor Audio
Digital audiobook, 10h 46min
Rating: 4 1/2 stars - ****°

CATs & KITs: January AlphaKIT O-S
My own categories: Historical Fiction

This novel is subtitled A Novel of the Titanic, but although of course Titanic's shadow hangs over all of the story, the couple only board the ship around two thirds into it. Until then, we follow Madeleine Force as she lives in New York and Bar Harbour as a young, pretty woman, who comes from a family that is rich, but not nearly as rich as others - the Vanderbilts, the Guggenheims or the Astors. She meets John Jacob Astor IV and he starts courting her, and we see his world through her eyes. It is a world of unbelievable luxury, but also of duty and many traps and pitfalls. Madeleine is not accepted by The Four Hundred even after the marriage, so a trip to Europe seems like an escape, and when this escape comes to its inevitable end, she boards Titanic with negative feelings, even without knowing what will happen to the ship and those on board.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Lauren Ezzo. The novel is well written, and the audiobook is narrated extremely well, too. I felt like I was really listening to Madeleine telling her story. I became totally fascinated with it, and when I was not listening, I looked up pictures of the people mentioned, and googled facts and researched my questions. Despite her wealth, Madeleine is depicted in such a relatable way that I could only feel for her, and despite the age gap of 29 years, her love for Jack Astor is shown in a credible way. I learned a lot about US society after the turn of the century, and about the Astor family, and it all came to life as I experienced it through Madeleine's eyes.

>81 MissBrangwen: I think Tragedy at Law is a better book than An English Murder. I hope you enjoy it!

>83 NinieB: I don't know when I will get to it, but I'm already looking forward to it!

I had started the Library Lover's Mystery series by Jenn McKinlay, a BB from Amber, in 2023. I wanted to continue with the second book, Due or Die, several times, but postponed it because it features a snowstorm and I wished to read it in winter - and now I finally did.



Book No 8

"Due or Die" by Jenn McKinlay
Series: Library Lover's Mysteries (2/15)
First published in 2012
Berkley Prime Crime
Kindle, 283pp.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars - ***°

CATs & KITs: January MysteryKIT - Winter Mysteries
BingoDOG: A place you've never been
My own categories: Mysteries, Series

About nine months ago, Lindsey Norris started a new job as the director of the Briar Creek Library on the Connecticut shore. She has introduced a few new activities to the library, like the crafternoons when a circle of women do crafts and talk about the books they have read, and like that she has made a few friends and feels at home in the small town. When the Friends of the Library elect a new president, things become exciting, and shortly after, a person is murdered.

I enjoyed this book more than the first one because the flow was better and the characters were already established. I like the small community in Briar Creek and this novel features a heavy snowstorm which adds atmosphere and interest. As the cover shows, there is also a dog, and I adore this new character.
The actual case does not feature that heavily in the story, but I did not mind because I liked the other elements more anyway: Lindsey's friendships, her work at the library, and her love interest, a good-looking boat captain - although I must criticize that their final dialogue, when they finally agree on a date, is much too stilted and out of character, and would have liked to read a more playful, fun version..
I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

Yay for Briar Creek! It's the one cozy series that I've stuck with so far (with the others I've tried, the writing just gets too awful after three or four books).

>85 MissBrangwen: The series looks interesting, think I'll have to watch out for it. I although thoroughly enjoyed the Bunburry series some years ago, but I have not yet read the latest books. I also relly recommend that series, it's set in the Cotswold and featrures a millionaire (I think he must be) and two old ladies in a small town, where murders happen frequently and the trio sets out to solve them.

>86 scaifea: It was a great BB for sure!

>87 Tallulah_Rose: I listened to the first three Bunburry books but then abandoned the series because I did not really enjoy it. I liked the main characters, but it was a bit too cosy for my taste and I wished for more of a plot. It might be better in print, though!

>88 MissBrangwen: I listened to the first Bunburry book and felt as you, little plot!

>89 Tess_W: I liked the second one a little more, but disliked the third one, so I decided not to continue with the series.

I had never heard of the novel The Idea of You by Robinne Lee until I saw the trailer of the film on instagram in the beginning of January and wanted to watch it. When I discovered that it was based on a book I decided to read the book first.

Robinne Lee is a Black author, which is why this belongs in my category of "Diversity", although the main characters are both white.



Book No 9

"The Idea of You" by Robinne Lee
First published in 2017
St Martin's Griffin
ebook, 373pp.
Rating: 4 stars - ****

My own categories: Diversity, Romance

Solène is 39 years old, divorced and mother to a twelve year old girl. Her ex-husband gifts the girl a meet and greet with her favorite boyband, August Moon, one of the hottest bands in the world right now (think Take That or One Direction). A few days after that, the main star of the band, Hayes, calls Solène at her gallery and asks her out. Solène is surprised, not only because he is so famous, but also because he is almost twenty years younger than her. Nevertheless she agrees to meet him, and they start a relationship that at first is mostly sexual, but that becomes more than that over time. There are many obstacles though: Not only their age difference as it is perceived by Solène and by society, but also their different schedules and life styles, and the fact that Solène's daughter is such a big fan of August Moon.

This was a much more serious novel than I thought. It deals with the way women above a certain age are seen by the world and the problems and views they must deal with, but also with the topics of trust, relationships, motherhood, stardom and fame. I expected a rather lightweight comedy and instead found myself gripped by a love story that was often hard to bear.

One aspect I must criticize is that Solène is very wealthy herself, so while I felt for her and could also identify with her to a certain extent, I would have preferred to read about a person living a more down to earth life. On the other hand, the plot might have been even more improbable in that case.

The novel is also very steamy, and while I don't mind that in general, it becomes a bit repetitive and I sometimes wanted to scream at Solène and Hayes to finally really talk instead of having sex again!

Apart from that, I loved this book, and I loved the characters and can't wait to watch the film. I know that the changes that were made in the adaptation are quite big, but I think they are for the better as far as I can tell right now - because another aspect I really did not love was the ending, and I can't wait to watch the film's more positive ending. The unhappy end is unnecessary in my opinion because they could have worked around their difficulties if Solène had been more open to that!

I read another picture book: Was ist eigentlich Demokratie? by German journalists Tina Ruthe and Sally Lisa Starken, illustrated by Sophia Schrade.



Book No 10

"Was ist eigentlich Demokratie?" by Tina Ruthe, Sally Lisa Starken & Sophia Schrade
Series: Toni aus der Orangenkiste (1/3)
First published in 2023
CE Community Editions
Hardcover, 32pp.
Rating: 5 stars - *****

My own categories: Catch All

This picture book explains the principles of democracy in an engaging way. Toni and her mother move to a new city, into the 'box of oranges', a colorful apartment building. When the oldest inhabitant wins 5000€ in a competition and decides to share the money with everyone living in the building, they need to decide what to do with it. There are many different wishes, but they decide on the two most important ones (the renovation of the playground or a bigger vegetable patch), there are speeches, and in the end everyone votes by putting an orange in the respective box. The playground wins and when it is finished, it even features an accessible swing so it can be used by everyone. Toni's mom explains to her that what they did was democracy, and why it is important.

This is simply a fantastic book - the message, the story, the illustrations, the diverse cast of characters. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

>92 MissBrangwen: That book sounds great. I looked it up at our local library and they have it so I put it on my list to check out the next time I am there.

>93 Tallulah_Rose: It's so great that your library has this! I hope you (and your children?) will like it!

>94 MissBrangwen: Yeah, I'm definitely going to read it with the children. Especially this close to the election it will be a nice background for our big girl. The book will be way above her, but I think the metaphor is quite nice and will give her the clue about democracy.

>91 MissBrangwen: I really appreciate this review! I saw the movie last year and was wondering how different it was from the book and debating whether or not I wanted to read it. Sounds like I should add it to my list.

>96 purpleiris: I watched the movie this past weekend and enjoyed it, too - I think it's definitely worth it to do both since they do differ despite some key similarities.

Just dropping in to say hello. Looks like you are enjoying some good reading!

>98 VivienneR: Thanks for stopping by! Yes, I have had a good start to my reading year.

I haven't updated my thread for two weeks or so... I have been reading, but not that much, and I have not really had the concentration to write reviews, the reason being the current state of things in Germany (and the world), and also my health (I have been suffering from migraines again). But I have a long weekend and want to spend some time this evening and tomorrow catching up with my reviews!

I finished one audiobook, Slightly Sinful by Mary Balogh, book 5 in the Bedwyn Series.



Book No 11

"Slightly Sinful" by Mary Balogh
Series: Bedwyn Series (5/6)
First published in 2004
Tantor Audio
Digital audiobook, 11h 24min
Rating: 3 stars - ***

CATs & KITs: January AlphaKIT - O-S
My own categories: Romance - Historical Romance, Series

***Contains spoilers for book 4, Slightly Tempted!***

Although this was not utterly bad, it is my least favourite in the series so far. I think that this is quite sad, because I was looking forward to Alleyne's book so much, especially after the ending of book 4 which had me screaming!

The heroine is Rachel York, who has found a home in a brothel - she does not work there, but has nowhere else to go because her circumstances are desperate. When she goes to the battlefield after the Battle of Waterloo to look for treasures, she finds a naked man left for dead who is still alive, though, and is moved so much that she takes him with her to the city. Of course that man is Alleyne Bedwyn, who has lost his memory after being wounded. Rachel nurses him back to health and they feel drawn to each other, but it looks as if they don't have a chance, as Alleyne does not remember who he is and if he has a wife somewhere, and Rachel's situation seems hopeless to say the least, as she has lost everything she had to a scoundrel.

The premise sounded ok to me and I have enjoyed all the other installments quite a lot, but this one just moved so slowly. The pacing was odd, and I think that there would have been several chances to make the story more exciting that the author did not take for whatever reason (as an example, I thought that someone would recognize Alleyne publicly instead of Rachel finding out his identity by letter). I did like the supporting cast, but sometimes Rachel's friends seemed more like caricatures than real characters.

I still enjoyed it because I love the author's style and also Rosalyn Landor's narration, but it could have been better. I am looking forward to the final book, though!

>101 MissBrangwen: I was also a bit disappointed in Alleyne's book -- but I hope you will enjoy the next one, Slightly Dangerous, which I believe is the most popular in the series!

>102 christina_reads: I have it queued up and I'm really excited to listen to Wulfric's story!

>100 MissBrangwen: It’s a good thing we have books to escape into when the need arises. I hope the migraines go away!

My plan for AlphaKIT this year is to choose a paper book from my shelves for each letter, ideally one that I have been meaning to read for a long time. So while I had already covered both letters with books I had read for other categories, I specifically chose Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck for the letter S (and O by coincidence). This book had been waiting on my shelf for eight and a half years!



Book No 12

"Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck
First published in 1937
Pan Books
Paperback, 95pp.
Rating: 5 stars - *****

CATs & KITs: January AlphaKIT - O-S
Other LT challenges: Global Challenge (USA)
My own categories: Literary Classics

I am so happy that I finally read this, although happy might not be the right word. I bawled my eyes out at the end, I really did. What a masterpiece. How can so much be conveyed in such a short text? The impotence, the helplessness, the desperation. I don't know if I would give five stars to such a bleak text under usual circumstances, but I have to, because the characters and their emotions were so real to me and I know that I will think about this story for days and days to come. Apart from George and Lenny, Candy is the character who stood out to me the most and whose story broke my heart.
And well, of course I felt that it would all culminate in tragedy, but I did not see that ending and I am still recovering. I still feel it like a punch in the gut.

>104 MissWatson: Oh yes, whatever would we do without that means of escape?

For the letter O, I chose The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole, which has been on my shelf even a few months longer than the previous book.



Book No 13

"The Castle of Otranto" by Horace Walpole
First published in 1764
Penguin Classics
Paperback, 160pp.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars - ***°

CATs & KITs: January AlphaKIT - O-S
My own categories: Literary Classics

The Castle of Otranto is often called the first gothic novel, and it was an interesting read. In the opening chapter, the heir of Otranto dies on the day of his wedding. Mysterious events follow, and in the attempt to ward of a curse, his father, the current prince, decides to marry the bride himself - although he is already married! Add two beautiful princesses, a dashing and youthful hero, secret passages, atmospheric churches, a trapdoor, ghosts and specters and shadowy omens, and you have a really weird story. To me, it was more fun than scary, and I often had to laugh - I am not sure if that was the intended effect, and I hope that Walpole's contemporaries found it to be more spooky than I did.

My edition (Penguin Classics) features an introduction and an appendix of reviews, prefaces and excerpts of literary works ranging from 1765 to 1833. It took me some time to read these, but I learned that many writers and critics were not in favor of the book and Walpole's attempt to connect the earlier tradition of romances with the style of the modern novel.

It is a worthwhile read nonetheless and I am eager to discover its influence when I read more gothic novels in the future.

With this one I have caught up!

I read The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman in spring last year and then wished to read her poetry collection, Call Us What We Carry. However, I had not realized that the poems mainly dealt with the pandemic. So while the poems are amazing, it took me a long time to read through them because it is still hard for me to remember the pandemic and it is a topic I seldom feel equipped to focus on. This is why I only finished now. In the past few days I made a concerted effort to read through the remaining pages.



Book No 14

"Call Us What We Carry" by Amanda Gorman
First published in 2021
Vintage
Paperback, 236pp.
Rating: 5 stars - *****

CATs & KITs: February AlphaKIT - G-L
BingoDOG: Medical Topic
Other LT challenges: Global Challenge (USA)
My own categories: Diversity, Poetry

This is a diverse and quite large collection of poems, but all of them are powerful. As said above, the main topic is the covid-19 pandemic, and Amanda Gorman writes about how it felt - the shock, the loneliness, the distance, the fear. She connects it to the 1918 flu, and also to the experiences of Black Americans, both in history and in the year 2020.
The author's style is incredibly poignant and sharp, her way with words is often surprising, but never feels forced. She also plays with form, for example, there are erasure poems using historical letters and documents, as well as visual poetry and one poem resembles a game of hangman.
It was not possible for me to read more than two poems in a row because there was so much to ponder and the words left such a strong impression.
Despite all the despair and sadness, a deep strength runs through these poems, and I am glad that I persisted despite the difficult topic.

>107 MissBrangwen: Oh wow this would be right up my alley! Definitely adding this to my to-read list!

>109 shimmermarie: I hope you enjoy it!

>107 MissBrangwen: Glad you liked it. I also enjoyed it quite much and think it was hilarous at some parts as well. Spooky I wouldn't say, but I guess the reception has been a bit different back in Walpole's time.

>108 MissBrangwen: I'm not a poetry reader but Amanda Gorman seems so extraordinary that it would be a shame not to. Your beautiful description reinforces this!

>111 Tallulah_Rose: Judging from the appendix, many people felt as we did about the spookiness, which was surprising to me! But then it seems that being spooky wasn't even the goal and is more something that we expect as readers from the present day.

>112 Cecilturtle: I hope you like the poems should you decide to read them! I'm trying to get into the habit of reading poetry again.

I finished my first nonfiction book of the year! I'd say "yay" except that it was disappointing. I read A Brief History of the British Monarchy by Jeremy Black and I should have done more research on the author before I bought it.



Book No 15

"A Brief History of the British Monarchy" by Jeremy Black
First published in 2023
Robinson
ebook, 226pp. + family trees and index
Rating: 2 stars - **

My own categories: Nonfiction - History

I snatched this book as a kindle deal last year because I am looking to reactivate my knowledge of British history and it looked good to me, similar to other publisher series like the Very Short Introductions etc.
This book gives you overview of the British monarchs. It is structured along the different kings and queens which means that it jumps around a bit. When one person dies, the next subchapter starts with the next monarch's childhood when, of course, the previous ruler was still alive.

Unfortunately, I found it a bit hard to read the book because the author throws around a lot of facts and makes many references. You need to have a quite a lot of previous knowledge to understand these, which to my mind defeats the purpose of such a book. I fought my way through, but also wondered from time to time why some details were included and others were not. On the other hand, I do understand that it is a difficult task to write such a short book on such a big topic and cuts have to be made.

The last chapter deals with the future of the monarchy, and this is where the author truly shows his colors. His political stance shines totally through, and I disagree with most of what he says, and even more with the way he works: Presenting his personal opinions as facts without backing them up. I just want to build a time machine and send him back to when the British Empire was still alive, since he is such a fan of it.
I did some more research now and saw that I should have expected this, my bad for not looking a bit deeper before reading the book.

I had A Brief History of the British Monarchy listed as a possiblity for my Short/Brief/Little History category but after reading your review I removed it. Thanks for the review. You probably save me from being disappointed in it. Plenty of other choices for me.

>114 MissBrangwen: I just want to build a time machine and send him back to when the British Empire was still alive, since he is such a fan of it. 🤣

>115 Zozette: I am glad to have saved you the trouble!

>116 kac522: :-)

I finished another audiobook: The Wrong One by Dervla McTiernan. I really like what I have read/listened to of her Cormac Reilly series so far, so when I saw this standalone novella, I did not hesitate. Unfortunately, it is another Audible Original by her and not available in other formats.



Book No 16

"The Wrong One" by Dervla McTiernan
First published in 2022
Audible Originals
Digital audiobook, 3h 54min
Rating: 4 stars - ****

CATs & KITs: February ScaredyKIT - Haunted Houses and Haunted Locations
BingoDOG: Features Fire
My own categories: Mysteries - Psychological Thrillers

Clara Coleman has moved into a historic house in New Jersey with her son Sebastian after the death of her husband. When she is arrested for murder, the teenager calls Simon Miller, an old friend of his father and a policeman. Simon is on leave because of an injury and he is convinced that Clara is innocent, so he starts investigating. What did really happen, and what has the old house got to do with it?

This novella is a cross between a police procedural and a psychological thriller and also has supernatural elements. It is told from Simon's and Sebastien's points of view and it is gripping and exciting, with twists that I did not see coming. Dervla McTiernan just knows how to write and how to tell a story!

I have read Es ist 5 vor 1933: Was die AfD vorhat und wie wir sie stoppen (It is 5 to 1933: What the AfD is planning - and how we stop it) by Philipp Ruch for quite some time. It is not a long book, but I could only stomach it in small dosages. Today I finished.



Book No 17

"Es ist 5 vor 1933: Was die AfD vorhat und wie wir sie stoppen" by Philipp Ruch
First published in 2024
Ludwig
ebook, 223pp.
Rating: 4 stars - ****

My own categories: Nonfiction - Politics

This book draws parallels between the Weimar Republic and today's situation when once again a right-wing extremist party, the AfD, is reaching for power in Germany. The author argues that while usually we look upon the Weimar politicians and society as weak because they did not prevent the Third Reich, they did in fact much more than we do today.
The author then proceeds to prove how dangerous and radical the party is. Of course I knew that they were, but still it is something different to read endless quotes, from speeches to social media posts to messages from private chats, to learn in detail how their anti-democratic plans are financed by the very system of democracy itself, how much power they already have. I am feeling sick to my stomach and I will never understand why they haven't been forbidden long ago.

The only aspect I must criticize is that the book is written in a very casual, often snippy style, which I found exhausting to read and which, in my opinion, is not that appropriate. I would have preferred the book to be written in a clearer style. This doesn't take away from the importance and urgent message of the book, though.

>114 MissBrangwen: This is so coincidental for me to see this post today. I have been watching The Crown. I know I am very late to the party on this one. Prior to my move, I had on my shelves a book about the monarchy, portions of which I had enjoyed. In my cleanout, I let it go. Now I wish I hadn't. I would like a quick, easy read that refreshes my brain about the Windsors at least. LMK if you find anything else that works for you in this category. I haven't spent any time researching yet.
Sorry this one didn't work for you. I have no recollection of the title of the one I donated. :-(

>120 beebeereads: Oh no, I know that feeling of regret! I'll let you know if I find anything, and please tell me if you do.

>119 MissBrangwen: Great and important book according to title and your opinion on it. Did he actually give some advice on how to stop the AfD? I am really anxious to see the election in 2 weeks...

>105 MissBrangwen: Wow, what a great review! It's been a while since I've had a book leave me with such a 'gut punch' feeling.

>122 Tallulah_Rose: According to him, banning the AfD is the only option that will work, and we know how that is going so far. I am very anxious, too.

>123 Jackie_K: Thank you so much! It has been some time for me, too, before this one.

>120 beebeereads: I sadly understand your comments. When we moved, I also did a massive book cleanout and regretted it. My neighbor is a retired literature teacher and also did this, to her chagrin. We often talk about the "book cleanout" dilemma when we meet.

>92 MissBrangwen: I borrowed Was ist eigentlich Demokratie from our local library. We read it this evening. My 10yo read it already a couple of days by herself and I read it to the 5yo today. He liked the story and understood it quite well. I liked it as well and especially liked the divers and varied characters living in the house. I look forward to other books by the authors.

>124 MissBrangwen: Late to the party, but somewhat familiar with the issue;) How does one ban a political party in a democracy/republic? (hypothetical question!)

>125 LadyoftheLodge: I once did that, too - not a massive cleanup, but enough to regret it. I ended up purchasing some of the books again, but sometimes it was a struggle to find the correct edition.

>126 Tallulah_Rose: Thank you so much for sharing your experiences! It is so good to hear that your children like the book.

>127 Tess_W: In Germany it is possible to ban a political party if it is the party's goal to end democracy itself or if it works against democratic principles or the constitution. This is a part of the Grundgesetz (Basic Law, Germany's constitution) and was implemented to prevent dictatorship. The government, the Bundestag (federal parliament) or the Bundesrat (parliament of representatives of the Bundesländer/states) can make a request to the constitutional court to ban the party, and the court will decide.

>128 MissBrangwen: TY for that history lesson! Very interesting. In the U.S. that would be unconstitutional. Every election since I have voted we always have candidates from the Communist and Socialist parties on the ballot. They never receive more than 1% of the vote, but they are there.

>128 MissBrangwen: >129 Tess_W: Oh it is not really easy to ban a party. We also have Socialist/communist parties around, they usually do not get more than a couple of votes. Some of those are monitored by the Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution) and are ranked as extreme left or right and therefore a threat to democracy. As far as I know there was one party banned from the political spectre, that was the NPD back in the 90s(?). They were on the extreme right end. There are probably more, but I might be a bit to young to remember. The AfD (that's the party that gets so much support from Elon Musk these days) is also cloesely monitored and some parts of it are already ranked as extreme right. But our whole system works different than the one in the U.S.... I guess it would be too much to explain it here on LT ;)

>130 Tallulah_Rose: "I guess it would be too much to explain it here on LT ;)"
Exactly, and I'd like to leave it there for now, please. Although I read political books and review them, I'd prefer my thread not to get too political so that it remains somewhat of a safe haven for me (and others).

>127 Tess_W: How does one ban a political party in a democracy/republic?

Should we in the United States be fortunate enough to survive our current crisis -- and I don't think our odds are much better than 50/50 -- we will have to figure out a way to do precisely this. The Republican Party's attempt to destroy our democracy must be punished with the death penalty for the party.

Please see what I wrote above in >131 MissBrangwen:. There are other groups on LT where such topics can be discussed. My thread is not the place for that.

>131 MissBrangwen: Yes, you arecompletely right. I apologize for letting it go out if hands a bit.

>131 MissBrangwen: I'm with you, I just like to learn history/government of which I am unfamiliar! Yes, I don't like political debate, it does get out of hand! I've left a group in last several years due to that very thing.

>135 Tess_W: I agree. I also see LT as a safe place to stay away from politics. I also left a group in the last few years because of that kind of discussion.

>134 Tallulah_Rose: >135 Tess_W: >136 LadyoftheLodge: Thank you for understanding! As said above, I do read political books and therefore the topic cannot be totally avoided, but I'd like it to stay within certain bounds.

A colleague lent The Poet by Yi Munyol to me. She has been learning Korean for years and has also traveled to South Korea, but she mainly insisted for me to read this because of the topics of poetry and literature. I read the German edition, Der Dichter.



Book No 18

"Der Dichter" by Yi Munyol
Original Title: 시인 (Si-in/Shiin)
First published in 1987 (I also found 1991 and 1992 - not sure why!)
Bibliothek Suhrkamp
Hardcover, 276pp.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars - ***°

BingoDOG: Writing about writers
Other LT challenges: Global Challenge (South Korea)
My own categories: Diversity, Literary and General Fiction

This novel is a fictionalized biography of the Korean poet Kim Pyong-yon. I must admit that I had never heard of Yi Munyol before my colleague brought the book to my attention, but apparently he is one of the most popular South Korean authors. There are parallels between Kim Pyong-yon's and Yi Munyol's lives, and the story has also been interpreted as the story of Korean writers in general.
Kim Pyong-yon is born to a rich and noble family, but their fortune comes to an end when his grandfather becomes a traitor and joins a group of northern rebels. According to Korean culture, the following generations are shunned, and his parents, his brothers and the boy himself have to flee and live in poverty. The novel explores how he becomes a poet in the aftermath.
Yi Munyol himself was born to an upper class family, but his father defected to North Korea, and being the son of a traitor had a devastating effect on his life.

It was very hard for me to get into this novel, mainly because the narrative perspective is so far removed from the actual story that it almost feels like reading a legend. Because of this, the story felt weirdly emotionless to me, although it is such a sad story. The second half was more interesting, especially because different purposes and the raison d'être of poetry are explored and presented.
All in all, the novel has a dreamlike quality and I am sure that I would have understood it better if I knew more about Korean culture. It was an interesting and at times fascinating read, but also laborious!

I have owned The Map of The Hobbit, illustrated by John Howe and published with a text by Brian Sibley, for many years, but until now I have never properly looked at it or read the accompanying booklet. I have the German edition of this, Die Karte von Wilderland.



Book No 19

"Die Karte von Wilderland" by John Howe & Brian Sibley
Original Title: The Map of Wilderland
First published in 1995
Klett-Cotta
Paperback, 23pp. + map
Rating: 4 1/2 stars - ****°

CATs & KITs: February SFFKIT - The Art of SFF
BingoDOG: A piece of furniture on the cover
My own categories: Tolkien

This map is based on the map drawn by J.R.R. Tolkien for The Hobbit. John Howe, one of the most renowned Tolkien artists, redrew it and also illustrated it lavishly with images from the novel and decorations in an Anglo-Saxon looking style.
The accompanying booklet contains a text by Tolkien scholar Brian Sibley in which he retells the novel. There is also a short explanation of each location that is featured in the map. There are more illustrations in the booklet as well.

The map is stunningly beautiful, although this mainly goes for the illustrations. I am not a fan of the really bright green of the actual map. Apart from this I really enjoy this. The painting that was used for the cover of this edition is probably one of my very favourite Middle-earth paintings ever. It was created by John Howe as well and shows the front hall of Bag End and the view through the open door.

>139 MissBrangwen: great pics!

>140 Tess_W: Glad you like them!

Today I read Firstborn by Alison Weir, a short prequel to her Tudor Rose series. This was the first time I read anything by this author.



Book No 20

"Firstborn" by Alison Weir
Series: Tudor Rose (0.5/3)
First published in 2022
Headline Review
ebook, 30pp.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars - ***°

My own categories: Historical Fiction, Series

This is called a short story, but it is rather like a collection of scenes, inner thoughts and flashbacks around the birth of Elizabeth of York that, I assume, set the scene for the first proper book of the series of which she is the protagonist. The reader gets to know the key players, such as her parents, her uncle (the future Richard III) and the Earl of Warwick, as well as her future husband, Henry VII.
It is an easy read and I do enjoy the writing style, so I am looking forward to reading more.

The story itself has 30 pages by the way, the rest of the book contains a preview of the next book.

I have developed a strong cold and I'm not at work, but I am well enough to read and I'm so happy about that! This morning I finished Du hast die Wahl by Marc Raschke. The title is a wordplay: You have the..., and then Wahl can either mean choice or election in a political sense. Not surprisingly, this book deals with the upcoming new elections in Germany.



Book No 21

"Du hast die Wahl" by Marc Raschke
First published in 2025
Pinguletta
ebook, 98pp.
Rating: 4 1/2 stars - ****°

My own categories: Nonfiction - Politics

Marc Raschke is a journalist whom I have followed on social media for quite a long time. In this book he wants to give readers some orientation regarding the new elections. He does not tell readers which party to vote for, but he does give information about the current discourses, he exposes some popular beliefs and fake news, and gives a lot of evidence for what he says.
It is a short book and the language is easy. Sometimes it feels a bit simplistic, but it is written in this way to make it accessible to everyone and to reach as many readers as possible, which makes sense and is essential in these times.

Hello Mirjam! Sorry to be away from your thread till now; the first two months have been busier than normal. I love your pictures from your journeys in Romania; they made me think I had a glimpse into Hobbiton. And I look forward to reading about your various reading journeys this year.

>139 MissBrangwen: I am in awe of the map you show on your picture of this book. Your theme for the February SFFKit encouraged me to select from my TBR the book A Middle Earth Traveller. Like yours, it features the artwork of John Howe, except that his are penciled drawings of the people, places, and things of ME. Everything from the hedge that the Hobbits planted along the Old Forest to the horse-themed armor of Rohan, and even some glimpses into the Battle of Unnumbered Tears. TY for your interest in this place and its many interpretations!

>144 threadnsong: I am so glad that you like the pictures from Boierul Ilie! It was such a special place. Oh, and A Middle Earth Traveller has been on my wish list for so long! It sounds wonderful. It was my goal with this theme to inspire us to take the time to really seek out these kind of books and really look at the art!

My next audiobook was Pageboy by Elliot Page, narrated by the author.



Book No 22

"Pageboy" by Elliot Page
First published in 2023
Penguin Audio
Digital audiobook, 08h 23min
Rating: 4 stars - ****

BingoDOG: Hollywood!
My own categories: Diversity, Nonfiction – Memoir

In this memoir, Elliot Page tells the reader about many different experiences throughout his life so far, and about his long way to finally living as a trans man. There is so much heart break in this, so many dark times, so many instances of cruelty, equally from his family, his surroundings and the acting industry, that this is a truly heavy read. It was easy for me to empathize with the author, though – not only because he simply is a human being explaining his suffering, but also because even as a straight cis woman, I share some of his experiences, especially when it comes to the behaviour of his father.
I have seen many reviews that criticize that the memoir is not structured in a linear way, but I did not mind that. It even felt more natural to me, like sitting down with a friend. In natural conversation, you don’t recall your life from beginnings to contemporary times in an orderly fashion either.
One thing I did not understand was the inclusion of so many ex partners and crushes in the book. It became a bit repetitive and some parts were less interesting because of that.
Apart from this, though, I appreciate this raw and honest description of Elliot Page’s life.

My cold became much worse again on the weekend and yesterday was the first day that I was able to read again. My husband has it, too, and we will both be at home for the remainder of the week. Luckily we don't have influenza like some of our colleagues, but a mere common cold/infection.
Today I finally finished The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie.



Book No 23

"The Mystery of the Blue Train" by Agatha Christie
Series: Hercule Poirot (6/36) - not reading series in order
First published in 1928
Planet Three Publishing
Hardcover, 248pp.
Rating: 4 stars - ****

CATs & KITs: February MysteryKIT - Vintage Mysteries
BingoDOG: Newly in public domain
Other LT challenges: Reading Through Time Monthly (February) - Color My World
My own categories: Mysteries - Golden & Silver Age Mysteries, Series

Ruth Kettering, the daughter of an American millionaire, is murdered on the luxurious Blue Train on her way to the French Riviera. Her father asks Poirot for help. The immediate suspects are her estranged good-for-nothing husband, who has an affair with a vivacious French dancer, and the man she was once in love with, a shady count. And what about the famous rubies she had with her?

I really enjoyed this mystery. Not one of my absolute favorites, but not boring either, and the characters were interesting. A Christie story featuring travel or transportation is usually a winner!

In the last few years I totally failed in two of my reading goals: Reading more plays and reading more by Johann Wolfgang Goethe. I consider him to be my favourite classic German author, but I hardly read him anymore. So for this month's AlphaKIT, I chose one of the Goethe plays I hadn't read so far: Egmont.



Book No 24

"Egmont" by Johann Wolfgang Goethe
First published in 1788
Suhrkamp BasisBibliothek
Paperback, 184pp.
Rating: 4 stars - ****

CATs & KITs: February AlphaKIT G-L
Other LT challenges: Reading Through Time Quarterly (I) - Renaissance/16th Century
My own categories: Literary Classics

Goethe started working on this play in 1775, but only finished it in 1787. This makes it very hard to classify and it has both elements of Sturm und Drang as well as classicism. Moreover, it is heavily influenced by Shakespeare, both due to the subject matter and structure as well as through intertextual references and almost direct quotes.

The play is set in 16th century Brussels during the reformation. The protagonist, Egmont, is a Dutch count in the Spanish Netherlands. The Protestants are fighting against Spanish Rule. Egmont is very popular among the people, but he is also respected by the Spanish king and a member of the Order of the Golden Fleece. There is unrest in the Low Countries, but Egmont feels safe and does not flee even though he is warned. When the king sends the cruel and despotic Duke of Alba, Egmont agrees to meet him, but he is captured. His mistress Clärchen tries to save him and to rouse the people, but it is futile.

I expected this play to be hard to understand because I know next to nothing about the historical background, but it was accessible and not hard at all. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I did a bit of background reading to understand the basics and then I was swept up in this historic tale. I was moved by Egmont's fate and fascinated by the different characters appearing in the story.

My edition includes the actual text (107pp.) and also an appendix which features a timeline of Goethe's life, explanations of terms and persons, an overview of the history of the play's composition and a commentary. There is also a long review by Friedrich Schiller which has been influential when it comes to how the play is received even today. The appendix helped me to further understand and appreciate the play, although the commentary is a bit wordy.

For the other letter of February's AlphaKIT, L, I chose another play: Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde. This is only my second book by this author, the other being Lord Arthur Savile's Crime from the Little Black Classics collection. His most famous works are still waiting on my shelf.



Book No 25

"Lady Windermere's Fan" by Oscar Wilde
First published in 1892
Penguin Popular Classics
Paperback, 70pp.
Rating: 4 1/2 stars - ****°

CATs & KITs: February AlphaKIT G-L
My own categories: Diversity, Literary Classics

It's young Lady Windermere's birthday and she is going to throw a ball in the evening. In the morning, she receives the first visitors, and a duchess gives her the information that Lord Windermere is having an affair with a certain Mrs Erlynne. Lady Windermere, who has been raised as a Puritan and who follows a rigid moral code, starts looking for evidence of her husband's betrayal. Other characters appear, and a sequence of charades, mistakes and confusions ensues. However, there are also earnest topics and conservations, and the plot itself is exciting. I could not wait to see how it developed.
This play is clever and humorous with a serious undertow, and it was a delight to discover some of the most famous Oscar Wilde quotes within the play. The witty dialogue is a joy to read, too.

>149 MissBrangwen: That's a good one, isn't it? You have such a treat waiting for you in The Importance of Being Earnest.

>149 MissBrangwen: >150 kac522: I remember reading Lady Windermere's Fan back at university and enjoying it quite much with all the mistakes. I do not remember the ending and will have to read it again. But you are really in for a treat with The Importance of Being Earnest. I just borrowed it from the library and think I will read it soon again.

>150 kac522: >151 Tallulah_Rose: I am really looking forward to it!

I finished Elizabeth of York - The Last White Rose by Alison Weir yesterday. It feels like I am really getting back into historical fiction and I am so happy about that!



Book No 26

"Elizabeth of York - The Last White Rose" by Alison Weir
Series: Tudor Rose (1/3)
First published in 2022
Headline Review
ebook, 522pp.
Rating: 4 stars - ****

CATs & KITs: March AlphaKIT - A-U
Other LT challenges: Reading Through Time Quarterly (I) - Renaissance/16th Century
My own categories: Historical Fiction, Series

Elizabeth of York was the mother of Henry VIII and this novel follows her from her childhood during the War of the Roses until her death. She lived through turbulent times and was always in the centre of them as a daughter, niece and wife of the monarch and the mother of the future king. Despite the luxury and importance, there was also a lot of heartbreak and despair.

This was my first full-length novel by Alison Weir and I was surprised by how easy it was to read it. There is an easy flow to the writing and although the War of the Roses was certainly complicated, it was not hard to follow the story. Sometimes I would have wished for the direct speech to be a bit more elaborate, and I found the ending to be a bit sudden. But all in all I really enjoyed this novel and am looking forward to continuing with this series.

>149 MissBrangwen: Thank you for reminding me of this book. I've put it on my WL so I won't forget! I've only read one Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray and I did like it!

>154 Tess_W: I hope you enjoy it when you get to it! I definitely plan to read more by Oscar Wilde in the future, including The Picture of Dorian Gray, which has been on my shelf for years.

Next month we will spend a week on Crete, our second trip there. The first time was in 2022 and I was very stressed because of the pandemic and other things, and did not succeed in reading any books set there before the trip. This time I did some research and bought Children of War by Ahmet Yorulmaz, which I finished today. It was originally written in Turkish and was translated by Paula Darwish.



Book No 27

"Children of War" by Ahmet Yorulmaz
Original Title: Savaşın Çocukları
First published in 1997
Neem Tree Press
ebook, 167pp.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars - ***°

CATs & KITs: March AlphaKIT - A-U
BingoDOG: Originally published in a language not your own
Other LT challenges: Global Challenge (Greece)
My own categories: Historical Fiction

The author Ahmet Yorulmaz was born in 1932 into a family of Cretan Turks. The story depicted in this novel might have some similarities to his family's story, but it was based on three diaries found in the city of Ayvalik in Turkey where Yorulmaz lived.
The Cretan Turks were Muslims who lived on Crete for several hundred years. They were displaced in the 1920s after the Treaty of Lausanne. A population exchange between Turkey and Greece was decided, which forced the Cretan Turks and other Muslims to move to Turkey, mainly Anatolia, and Christian Greeks living in Turkey to move to Greece. About two million people were displaced and often had to move to places where they did not understand the local language at all.

Children of War starts in 1897 and it is the story of young Hassan who lives in a village on Crete with his parents and siblings. They have a hard life as farmers tending to olive trees and growing vegetables, but they are content and they are fully a part of the village where Christians/Greeks and Muslims/Turks live together as a community. However, tensions arise mostly due to events in other parts of the world. After a while, the family decides to make their way to Chania, the main city of the island. On the way they are forced to stay in a refugee camp for a while where horrible things happen, and then they finally reach Chania, where they stay until the 1920s. Hassan grows up and finds his way in the adult world. We learn about his jobs, his relationships to women, his friends and his aspirations, but always there is the conflict in the background, the catastrophe that is looming. From the beginning of the novel, it is clear that Hassan will eventually have to leave Crete.

I learned a lot from this novel. There are a few notes to each chapter as well as a glossary and an immensely helpful introduction written by the translator. I also looked up many things online because I realized how little I knew about the subject and the creation of the states of Greece and Turkey.
Although the novel deals with such a heavy and sad topic, it is quite a quick read. The language flows easily and Hassan is an outgoing and, despite it all, rather positive character. I rooted for him and wanted to know what would happen next. Ultimately, I think the novel could have been a bit longer - the ending felt too abrupt to me. This fits the overall style of the book, but still I would have liked to learn more. Another thing I must criticize is the depiction of women, especially when it comes to Hassan's relationships.
The novel still is absolutely worth a read and I am happy I came across it and had the chance to learn about these important parts of history.

>156 MissBrangwen: Sounds like a worthwhile read. I have read some fiction about the population exchange between Greece and Turkey but for the life of me cannot think of the author. I'll add this one to the wishlist.

ETA and hope you have a lovely holiday, of course.

>157 charl08: Oh, please tell me if the title or author come back to you again! I'd definitely be interested.

>156 MissBrangwen: We visited Crete when we were in Greece for a week but that was before the pandemic. It was one of our favorite trips.

>159 LadyoftheLodge: It's wonderful, isn't it? We visited towards the end of the pandemic and everything was still very quiet. I'm curious to see how it is now, although we will be there somewhat off-season still.

Hi LT friends, I haven't been here for a little while. I had a terrible attack of migraines that became so bad that I had to go to the hospital. I'm back at home but have to take things easy, and today is the first day that I feel up to posting something. I am reading a bit, but not that much at a time. Things will be a bit slower here, but I'm happy to be back!

I bought The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredericks last year after it was mentioned in one of threads. This month's ScaredyKIT was the perfect prompt to read it. I finished this one before my attack started.



Book No 28

"The Lindbergh Nanny" by Mariah Fredericks
First published in 2022
Minotaur Books
ebook, 355pp.
Rating: 4 1/2 stars - ****°

CATs & KITs: March ScaredyKIT - Real Life Monsters
BingoDOG: A profession in title
My own categories: Mysteries - Historical Mysteries

I started reading this novel knowing next to nothing about Charles A. Lindbergh or the Lindbergh kidnapping, although that soon changed as I went on googling sprees while being sucked further into the story.

The novel begins when young Betty Gow applies for the position of a nanny to the Lindbergh family, the most celebrated and illustrious family of the day. Contrary to her expectations, she is hired. The job is demanding and there are many pitfalls, but she grows fond of Charlie, the baby. While Betty is the narrator, the reader still only learns about her past step by step - she has secrets of her own and there are reasons why this position, where she has to give up her own life completely, is welcome to her.
Through Betty's eyes, we get to know the glamorous Lindberghs, but also other family members as well as the staff. And we feel the disaster coming nearer.
The first part of the novel, before the kidnapping, felt a bit drawn out at times, but apart from that I enjoyed it. The novel almost feels like a different book after the kidnapping, though. The tension, the confusion, the blame that could be lain on almost anyone. The consequences for Betty's life, her mourning for the little boy she had grown to love, the scrutiny of the press. I could not stop reading and the story gripped me for days, even after I had finished.

>161 MissBrangwen: Glad to see you’re back. That must have been horrible!

>161 MissBrangwen: I hope you feel much better soon, Mirjam. Migraines are horrible - sometimes the symptoms can be so bad they are mistaken for having a stroke.

I'm sorry to read about the migraines. I hope you are feeling much better and have put them behind you for good.

Just adding well wishes. Glad you've been able to get back to the books - sounds like you have had a good read with >162 MissBrangwen:

>161 MissBrangwen: Adding my well wishes for your healing. Migraines are no fun and I am sorry you even had to go to the hospital.

So glad you found Alison Weir! She is so readable and brings the eras in her research to vivid life. I learned much about the War of the Roses from her book of the same name.

>163 MissWatson: >164 Jackie_K: >165 DeltaQueen50: >166 charl08: >167 threadnsong: Thank you for your kind words and your concern!

>167 threadnsong: I definitely want to read more by her soon!

When I was able to read again, at least for a bit, I was looking for something really nice and easy, and decided to read The Astronomer's Obsession by K. Lyn Smith. It was my RTT choice for January, but I hadn't managed to read it back then.



Book No 29

"The Astronomer's Obsession" by K. Lyn Smith
Series: Something Wonderful (1/3)
First published in 2021
Davenwood Press
ebook, 373pp.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars - ***°

Other LT challenges: Reading Through Time Monthly (January) - Look to the Heavens!
My own categories: Romance - Historical Romance, Series

Celeste and Harry are childhood friends. She is the daughter of an earl, he is an innkeeper's son who has become an astronomer, largely supported by her father who recognized his talent and decided to help him, partly in lieu of the son he had wished for.
After several years apart - Celeste having lived with her mother in Paris, Harry working at an academy in Berlin - they meet again at the earl's estate, Redstone Hall. The earl is experiencing health difficulties, but he has one big wish: To complete the construction of a telescope until a certain astronomy conference will be held at Redstone Hall. Harry will do anything to help the man he is indebted to so much, and Celeste goes above and beyond to make her father happy. And of course, Celeste and Harry soon cannot deny their feelings for one another, but there are many obstacles in their way.

This is an unusual regency romance, but I did enjoy it immensely. The language is too modern, as is the attitude of the characters, and at first that disturbed me, but then I just accepted it and went with the ride and was rewarded with an interesting and captivating novel. Yes, it is a romance, but the story of the telescope is intertwined with it, which elevates it a lot. There is also a dash of mystery, as well as the story of Celeste's parents and a side romance among the staff, and it all drew me in and made me excited to read on. Some of the dialogue is a little flat, and I think the author could have done more with the ending, but it was her first novel and I will definitely continue with the series because I cannot wait to learn more about the other characters.

There is an afterword explaining more about the astronomical details, the inspiration and what is fact and what is fiction (for example, the Venus transit featured in the novel only occurred several decades later in reality). I appreciated that and it was interesting to learn more.

>169 MissBrangwen: This sounds like a BB to me! Checking out my Kindle--I own it! Thanks for the review. I am glad to know you are feeling better.

So sorry to hear about your migraine experience. I can sympathize completely.

I have not had a chance to share my remaining March reads so far, but I am going to do so today. Once I really felt better after my migraines attack, I had to grade loads of papers to meet deadlines, and then had a ton of other work to do. But now I am free for two weeks until the day after Easter Monday! Tomorrow we are going to fly to Crete for a week, and after that I'll hopefully visit LT daily again and also catch up with all of your threads.

>170 LadyoftheLodge: Oh, I do hope you enjoy it! I hope to read the second book in the series soonish.

>171 VivienneR: Thank you for your kind words!

I bought I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver as a kindle deal last year, and it was the perfect fit for the March RandomKIT - wishes!



Book No 30

"I Wish You All The Best" by Mason Deaver
First published in 2019
Pan Macmillan
ebook, 327pp.
Rating: 4 1/2 stars - ****°

CATs & KITs: March AlphaKIT - A-U, March RandomKIT - Wishes
BingoDOG: Features adoption/foster care/nontraditional family
Other LT challenges: Global Challenge (USA)
My own categories: Diversity, Romance - Contemporary Romance

Benjamin is in the last year of high school when they come out to their parents as non-binary and are thrown out of their house with only the clothes they wear. Not knowing what else to do, Ben calls their sister Hannah whom they have not met for years, and moves in with her and her husband. They transfer to a new school, where they meet Nathan, a popular and handsome boy. The two develop a close and complex friendship, but after their first coming out went so wrong, Ben does not dare to open up to Nathan - not about their gender identity, and not about the feelings they have.

This is a wonderful novel that drew me in because of the characters who felt totally real and authentic to me. Usually I don't prefer high school settings, but this one was well done and felt like a school with a positive atmosphere, so I enjoyed reading about it. I rooted for Ben and their personal story of growing confident and strong, and for Ben and Nathan as a couple. There are so many tender and touching scenes, and I could't stop reading. The only aspect I have to criticize is that some of the dialogue feels a bit artificial, especially towards the end. I still totally loved this novel, though. The author is non-binary, too, so that makes me confident that the book is a good representation of non-binary identities, and I am looking forward to reading more of their work.

As I have written in this thread before, my plan for AlphaKIT this year is to choose a paper book from my shelves for each letter, preferably one I have been meaning to read for a long time, and definitely read that no matter if I can also cover the letter accidentally by books read for other challenges.
March's letter U was the first time I broke my rule because I don't have many U books on my shelves, and there were none I wanted to read after my health problems and having a huge work load. They were all too long and/or too serious and literary. So I chose a book from my kindle instead: Under Her Care by Lucinda Berry.



Book No 31

"Under Her Care" by Lucinda Berry
First published in 2022
Thomas & Mercer
ebook, 273pp.
Rating: 3 stars - ***

CATs & KITs: March CultureCAT - Neurodiverse Voices, March AlphaKIT - A-U
BingoDOG: Read a CAT
My own categories: Mysteries - Psychological Thrillers

This thriller is set in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where the mayor's wife is found brutally murdered close to a creek. The one who found her is Mason, a 14 year old boy who has autism, and he soon is the prime suspect. The police call Casey Walker, a local psychologist and autism expert, to try and get the boy to talk, and also to calm his mother who is the epitome of a helicopter mom. Casey wants to help, but she soon finds out that there is more to this case than first meets the eye.

I was very interested in the premise of this novel and I was hooked at the beginning, but I was a bit disappointed at how it developed. I think that much more could have been done with this story. While I wished to read on to find out more and to know how it would end, I was not a fan of how it actually was handled and I feel like some elements are missing.

For my A book, I did stick to my rule again, and I read Der Vater eines Mörders by Alfred Andersch. This has been published in English as The Father of a Murderer.



Book No 32

"Der Vater eines Mörders" by Alfred Andersch
First published in 1980
Diogenes
Paperback, 140pp.
Rating: 4 stars - ****

CATs & KITs: March AlphaKIT - A-U
Other LT challenges: Global Challenge (Germany)
My own categories: Literary and General Fiction

This novella depicts a Greek lesson at a grammar school in Munich in 1928. In the beginning of the lesson, the headmaster enters the room to inspect the class. The reader experiences the lesson from the perspective of student Franz Kien, who does not have good grades in the subject. However, the two striking aspects of the novella are that the headmaster is Gebhard Himmler, father of Heinrich Himmler (one of the main architects of the Holocaust), and that the text is autobiographical, with Franz being the alter ego of Alfred Andersch. He really was a student at this school, and he really met Gebhard Himmler during a Greek lesson.

The story is like a chamber play, the blackboard and teacher's desk are a stage, and we witness it all play out. The interactions between the headmaster and the young teacher, the fear and excitement of the students, Franz's nervousness and his thoughts about Himmler. Moreover, there is the political background, and it is apparent when Franz thinks about his family, his classmates, and about what he knows about his headmaster's son.

There is an afterword by the author in which he explains why he decided to fictionalize his experience and that contains more information about the text.

This is a quick read, but it is gripping and disturbing, and I do recommend it.

>174 MissBrangwen: I totally understand that sometimes a Challenge means you have to look elsewhere for your book!

>175 MissBrangwen: Oh wow, this one sounds fascinating. Not so much a chance encounter with someone famous, but actually Heinrich Himmler's father as a headmaster. So glad he wrote this book so that later generations can learn about his experiences.

>162 MissBrangwen: Glad you liked that one, it's on my TBR. I've read many things Lindbergh, both fiction and non-fiction. Don't know why it fascinates me!

>177 Tess_W: I had never heard of the case before I encountered the book, but to me it is fascinating because there is still debate over what happened, and because it affected a man who was considered to be such a hero. I am looking forward to reading your review of the book when you get to it!

I just posted my second thread of the year, please join me here!

>162 MissBrangwen:, >177 Tess_W: You might consider reading Hour of Gold, Hour of Lead: Diaries and Letters of Anne Morrow Lindbergh, 1929-1932 by Anne Morrow Lindbergh if you haven't already read it. It's been a long time since I've read her books but really would like to reread them, she was remarkable.

>180 clue: Thank you for the recommendation! I'll add it to my list.