Paul's Grand European Tour 7
This is a continuation of the topic Paul's Grand European Tour 6.
This topic was continued by Paul's Grand European Tour 8.
Talk 75 Books Challenge for 2025
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1PaulCranswick
When we think of the Warsaw Pact what springs to mind first - the Berlin Wall? The tanks rolling into Hungary in 1956 or Prague in 1968? For me it is the Kremlin - the seat of power for the Warsaw Pact via the Soviet Union.
2PaulCranswick
Opening Words
My wife on her return brought me three books from the UK long anticipated by me and I am reading one of them, The Safekeep.
"Isabel found a broken piece of ceramic under the roots of a dead gourd. Spring had brought a shock of frost, a week of wet snow, and now - at the lip of summer - the vegetable garden was shrinking into itself. The beans, the radishes, the cauliflower: browned and rotting. Isabel was on her knees, gloved hands and a stringed hat, removing the dying things. The shard nicked through her glove, pierced a little hole. "
Interested.....................?
My wife on her return brought me three books from the UK long anticipated by me and I am reading one of them, The Safekeep.
"Isabel found a broken piece of ceramic under the roots of a dead gourd. Spring had brought a shock of frost, a week of wet snow, and now - at the lip of summer - the vegetable garden was shrinking into itself. The beans, the radishes, the cauliflower: browned and rotting. Isabel was on her knees, gloved hands and a stringed hat, removing the dying things. The shard nicked through her glove, pierced a little hole. "
Interested.....................?
3PaulCranswick
Poetry
Amongst my favourite American poets I would count Adrienne Rich.
I thought of this one considering both the problems presently facing the world and because it references Russia. See above.
What Kind of Times Are These
There's a place between two stands of trees where the grass grows uphill
and the old revolutionary road breaks off into shadows
near a meeting-house abandoned by the persecuted
who disappeared into those shadows.
I've walked there picking mushrooms at the edge of dread, but don't be fooled
this isn't a Russian poem, this is not somewhere else but here,
our country moving closer to its own truth and dread,
its own ways of making people disappear.
I won't tell you where the place is, the dark mesh of the woods
meeting the unmarked strip of light—
ghost-ridden crossroads, leafmold paradise:
I know already who wants to buy it, sell it, make it disappear.
And I won't tell you where it is, so why do I tell you
anything? Because you still listen, because in times like these
to have you listen at all, it's necessary
to talk about trees.
Amongst my favourite American poets I would count Adrienne Rich.
I thought of this one considering both the problems presently facing the world and because it references Russia. See above.
What Kind of Times Are These
There's a place between two stands of trees where the grass grows uphill
and the old revolutionary road breaks off into shadows
near a meeting-house abandoned by the persecuted
who disappeared into those shadows.
I've walked there picking mushrooms at the edge of dread, but don't be fooled
this isn't a Russian poem, this is not somewhere else but here,
our country moving closer to its own truth and dread,
its own ways of making people disappear.
I won't tell you where the place is, the dark mesh of the woods
meeting the unmarked strip of light—
ghost-ridden crossroads, leafmold paradise:
I know already who wants to buy it, sell it, make it disappear.
And I won't tell you where it is, so why do I tell you
anything? Because you still listen, because in times like these
to have you listen at all, it's necessary
to talk about trees.
4PaulCranswick
BOOKS READ IN 2025 (1-75)
By the way my completed dates are using the British system of DD/MM/YY
First Cycle
1. Colonel Chabert by Honore de Balzac (1832) 101 pages Fiction from before the last decade. (Completed 1/1/25)
2. Forest of Noise by Mosab Abu Toha (2024) 77 pages Poetry/Plays (completed 1/1/25)
3. Now Then by Rick Broadbent (2023) 433 pages Non-Fiction (Completed 2/1/25)
4. The Hunter by Tana French (2024) 467 pages Thriller (Completed 4/1/25)
5. Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood (2023) 293 pp Fiction from the last decade (completed 5/1/25)
Second Cycle
6. The Great Fortune by Olivia Manning (1960) 318 pp Fiction before this decade (completed 7/1/25)
7. Stag's Leap by Sharon Olds (2012) 89 pp Poetry/Plays (completed 8/1/25)
8. The Wild Places by Robert Macfarlane (2007) 321 pp Non-Fiction (Completed 12/1/25)
9. The Reborn by Lin Anderson (2010) 424 pp Thriller (Completed 25/1/25)
10. The Cold Millions by Jess Walter (2020) 337 pp Fiction from this Decade (Completed 28/1/25)
Third Cycle
11. Lost Empires by J.B. Priestley (1965) 308 pp Fiction before this decade (Completed 28/1/25)
12. After You Were, I Am by Camille Ralphs (2024) 71 pp Poetry/Plays (Completed 28/1/25)
13. The Junior Officers' Reading Club by Patrick Hennessey (2009) 327 pp Non-Fiction (Completed 29/1/25)
14. Dying Fall by Elly Griffiths (2013) 390 pp Thriller (Completed 31/1/25)
15. Fen by Daisy Johnson (2016) 190 pp Fiction from the last decade (Completed 31/1/25)
Fourth Cycle
16. In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin (2009) 237 pp Fiction before this decade (Completed 1/2/25)
17. The Power of Geography by Tim Marshall (2021) 356 pp Non-Fiction (Completed 2/2/25)
18. Macbeth by William Shakespeare (1606) 97 pp Poetry/Plays (Completed 2/2/25)
19. Night Blind by Ragnar Jonasson (2015) 210 pp Thrillers(Completed 4/2/25)
20. Take it Back by Kia Abdullah (2020) 373 pp Fiction from the last decade (Completed 5/2/25)
Fifth Cycle
21. Nagasaki by Eric Faye (2012) 109 pp Fiction before this decade (Completed 6/2/25)
22. The Shepherd's Life by James Rebanks (2015) 287 pp Non-Fiction (Completed 7/2/25)
23. Alphabet by Inger Christensen (1981) 77 pp Poetry/Plays (Completed 8/2/25)
24. Alif the Unseen by G. Willow Wilson (2012) 427 pp Sci-Fi/Fantasy (Completed 9/2/25)
25. The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane (2023) 379 pp Fiction from the last decade (Completed 10/2/25)
SIXTH CYCLE
26. Silence by Shusaku Endo (1966) 201 pp Fiction before this decade (Completed 15/2/25)
27. In the Land of the Cyclops by Karl Ove Knausgaard (2018) 297 pp Non-Fiction (Completed 16/2/25)
28. God's Gift to Women by Don Paterson (1997) 56 pp Poetry/Plays (Completed 16/2/25)
29. Our Fathers by Rebecca Wait (2020) 334 pp Thriller (Completed 16/2/25)
30. The Other Americans by Laila Lalami (2019) 301 pp Fiction from the last decade (Completed 20/2/25)
Seventh Cycle
31. Dart by Alice Oswald (2002) 48 pp Poetry/Plays (Completed 21/2/25)
32. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (2012) 294 pp Fiction before this decade (Completed 22/2/25)
33. Afternoons with the Blinds Drawn by Brett Anderson (2019) 278 pp Non-Fiction (Completed 23/2/25)
34. Comet in Moominland by Tove Jansson (1946) 203 pp (Completed 27/2/25)
35. Othello by William Shakespeare (1602) 145 pp (Completed 28/2/25)
Eighth Cycle
36. Nesting by Roisin O'Donnell (2025) 382 pp (Completed 8/3/25)
37. Selected Poems 1969-2005 by David Harsent (2007) 133 pp (Completed 8/3/25)
38. Zero Days by Ruth Ware (2023) 339 pp (Completed 15/3/25)
39. The Pigeon Tunnel by John le Carre (2016) 342 pp (Completed 16/3/25)
40. The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden (2024) 258 pp (Completed 31/3/25)
Ninth Cycle
41. Selected Poems by Zbigniew Herbert (2007) 249 pp (Completed 31/03/25)
42. Picture Her Dead by Lin Anderson (2011) 438 pp (Completed 4/4/25)
43. Poetry for and Other Chronic Conditions by A.K. Davidson (2024) 55 pp (Completed 5/4/25)
By the way my completed dates are using the British system of DD/MM/YY
First Cycle
1. Colonel Chabert by Honore de Balzac (1832) 101 pages Fiction from before the last decade. (Completed 1/1/25)
2. Forest of Noise by Mosab Abu Toha (2024) 77 pages Poetry/Plays (completed 1/1/25)
3. Now Then by Rick Broadbent (2023) 433 pages Non-Fiction (Completed 2/1/25)
4. The Hunter by Tana French (2024) 467 pages Thriller (Completed 4/1/25)
5. Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood (2023) 293 pp Fiction from the last decade (completed 5/1/25)
Second Cycle
6. The Great Fortune by Olivia Manning (1960) 318 pp Fiction before this decade (completed 7/1/25)
7. Stag's Leap by Sharon Olds (2012) 89 pp Poetry/Plays (completed 8/1/25)
8. The Wild Places by Robert Macfarlane (2007) 321 pp Non-Fiction (Completed 12/1/25)
9. The Reborn by Lin Anderson (2010) 424 pp Thriller (Completed 25/1/25)
10. The Cold Millions by Jess Walter (2020) 337 pp Fiction from this Decade (Completed 28/1/25)
Third Cycle
11. Lost Empires by J.B. Priestley (1965) 308 pp Fiction before this decade (Completed 28/1/25)
12. After You Were, I Am by Camille Ralphs (2024) 71 pp Poetry/Plays (Completed 28/1/25)
13. The Junior Officers' Reading Club by Patrick Hennessey (2009) 327 pp Non-Fiction (Completed 29/1/25)
14. Dying Fall by Elly Griffiths (2013) 390 pp Thriller (Completed 31/1/25)
15. Fen by Daisy Johnson (2016) 190 pp Fiction from the last decade (Completed 31/1/25)
Fourth Cycle
16. In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin (2009) 237 pp Fiction before this decade (Completed 1/2/25)
17. The Power of Geography by Tim Marshall (2021) 356 pp Non-Fiction (Completed 2/2/25)
18. Macbeth by William Shakespeare (1606) 97 pp Poetry/Plays (Completed 2/2/25)
19. Night Blind by Ragnar Jonasson (2015) 210 pp Thrillers(Completed 4/2/25)
20. Take it Back by Kia Abdullah (2020) 373 pp Fiction from the last decade (Completed 5/2/25)
Fifth Cycle
21. Nagasaki by Eric Faye (2012) 109 pp Fiction before this decade (Completed 6/2/25)
22. The Shepherd's Life by James Rebanks (2015) 287 pp Non-Fiction (Completed 7/2/25)
23. Alphabet by Inger Christensen (1981) 77 pp Poetry/Plays (Completed 8/2/25)
24. Alif the Unseen by G. Willow Wilson (2012) 427 pp Sci-Fi/Fantasy (Completed 9/2/25)
25. The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane (2023) 379 pp Fiction from the last decade (Completed 10/2/25)
SIXTH CYCLE
26. Silence by Shusaku Endo (1966) 201 pp Fiction before this decade (Completed 15/2/25)
27. In the Land of the Cyclops by Karl Ove Knausgaard (2018) 297 pp Non-Fiction (Completed 16/2/25)
28. God's Gift to Women by Don Paterson (1997) 56 pp Poetry/Plays (Completed 16/2/25)
29. Our Fathers by Rebecca Wait (2020) 334 pp Thriller (Completed 16/2/25)
30. The Other Americans by Laila Lalami (2019) 301 pp Fiction from the last decade (Completed 20/2/25)
Seventh Cycle
31. Dart by Alice Oswald (2002) 48 pp Poetry/Plays (Completed 21/2/25)
32. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (2012) 294 pp Fiction before this decade (Completed 22/2/25)
33. Afternoons with the Blinds Drawn by Brett Anderson (2019) 278 pp Non-Fiction (Completed 23/2/25)
34. Comet in Moominland by Tove Jansson (1946) 203 pp (Completed 27/2/25)
35. Othello by William Shakespeare (1602) 145 pp (Completed 28/2/25)
Eighth Cycle
36. Nesting by Roisin O'Donnell (2025) 382 pp (Completed 8/3/25)
37. Selected Poems 1969-2005 by David Harsent (2007) 133 pp (Completed 8/3/25)
38. Zero Days by Ruth Ware (2023) 339 pp (Completed 15/3/25)
39. The Pigeon Tunnel by John le Carre (2016) 342 pp (Completed 16/3/25)
40. The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden (2024) 258 pp (Completed 31/3/25)
Ninth Cycle
41. Selected Poems by Zbigniew Herbert (2007) 249 pp (Completed 31/03/25)
42. Picture Her Dead by Lin Anderson (2011) 438 pp (Completed 4/4/25)
43. Poetry for and Other Chronic Conditions by A.K. Davidson (2024) 55 pp (Completed 5/4/25)
5PaulCranswick
Currently Reading
6PaulCranswick
THE GRAND EUROPEAN BOOK TOUR
January : Prelude - 19th Century Europe : https://www.librarything.com/topic/367210 - Colonel Chabert by Balzac
February : Nordic Nations : https://www.librarything.com/topic/368107
1. Night Blind by Ragnar Jonasson (Iceland)
2. Alphabet by Inger Christensen (Denmark)
3. In the Land of the Cyclops by Knausgaard (Norway)
4. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (Sweden)
5. Comet in Moominland by Tove Jansson (Finland)
March : Warsaw Pact : https://www.librarything.com/topic/368897
Selected Poems by Zbigniew Herbert
April : Ottoman Empire
May : Non-National Languages
June : Caesar to Meloni
July : The Germanic World
August : Anita Fameulstee Memorial Month (Benelux)
September : Books About European Places
October : La Belle France
1. Nagasaki by Eric Faye
November : Iberian Peninsula
December : Back to the Future : 21st Century in translation
January : Prelude - 19th Century Europe : https://www.librarything.com/topic/367210 - Colonel Chabert by Balzac
February : Nordic Nations : https://www.librarything.com/topic/368107
1. Night Blind by Ragnar Jonasson (Iceland)
2. Alphabet by Inger Christensen (Denmark)
3. In the Land of the Cyclops by Knausgaard (Norway)
4. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (Sweden)
5. Comet in Moominland by Tove Jansson (Finland)
March : Warsaw Pact : https://www.librarything.com/topic/368897
Selected Poems by Zbigniew Herbert
April : Ottoman Empire
May : Non-National Languages
June : Caesar to Meloni
July : The Germanic World
August : Anita Fameulstee Memorial Month (Benelux)
September : Books About European Places
October : La Belle France
1. Nagasaki by Eric Faye
November : Iberian Peninsula
December : Back to the Future : 21st Century in translation
7PaulCranswick
British Author Challenge (Hosted by my friend Amanda)
January - The stage : https://www.librarything.com/topic/366934#8710962
Lost Empires by J.B. Priestley
February - Kia Abdullah : Take it Back & Adrian Tchaikovsky
March -
April -
May -
June -
July -
August -
September -
October -
November -
December -
January - The stage : https://www.librarything.com/topic/366934#8710962
Lost Empires by J.B. Priestley
February - Kia Abdullah : Take it Back & Adrian Tchaikovsky
March -
April -
May -
June -
July -
August -
September -
October -
November -
December -
8PaulCranswick
American Author Challenge (Hosted with occasional assistance this year by my friend Linda)
JANUARY - Pacific North West : https://www.librarything.com/topic/367006
The Cold Millions by Jess Walter
FEBRUARY - American Muslims (Guest Host) : https://www.librarything.com/topic/367970#n8746462
1. In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin
2. Alif the Unseen by G. Willow Wilson
3. The Other Americans by Laila Lalami
MARCH - Stewart O'Nan (Guest Host; Katie)
APRIL - Appalachia
MAY -
JUNE -
JULY
AUGUST -
SEPTEMBER -
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER -
DECEMBER
JANUARY - Pacific North West : https://www.librarything.com/topic/367006
The Cold Millions by Jess Walter
FEBRUARY - American Muslims (Guest Host) : https://www.librarything.com/topic/367970#n8746462
1. In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin
2. Alif the Unseen by G. Willow Wilson
3. The Other Americans by Laila Lalami
MARCH - Stewart O'Nan (Guest Host; Katie)
APRIL - Appalachia
MAY -
JUNE -
JULY
AUGUST -
SEPTEMBER -
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER -
DECEMBER
9PaulCranswick
NON-FICTION CHALLENGE
Hosted this year by my friend Benita. Challenge thread is here : https://www.librarything.com/topic/366835
January - Award Winners : The Wild Places by Robert Macfarlane
February - Maps : The Power of Geography by Tim Marshall
March - Espionage : The Pigeon Tunnel by John le Carre
April - Revolutions :
Hosted this year by my friend Benita. Challenge thread is here : https://www.librarything.com/topic/366835
January - Award Winners : The Wild Places by Robert Macfarlane
February - Maps : The Power of Geography by Tim Marshall
March - Espionage : The Pigeon Tunnel by John le Carre
April - Revolutions :
10PaulCranswick
Big Book Challenge
Link to thread : https://www.librarything.com/topic/368910#n8778254
March - Fyodor Dostoevsky or alternatives
April - Orhan Pamuk, Nikos Kazantzakis or much further back
Link to thread : https://www.librarything.com/topic/368910#n8778254
March - Fyodor Dostoevsky or alternatives
April - Orhan Pamuk, Nikos Kazantzakis or much further back
11PaulCranswick
Women's Prize Longlist (Announced 4/3/25)
1. Aria Aber, Good Girl owned
2. Kaliane Bradley, The Ministry of Time owned
3. Jenni Daiches, Somewhere Else
4. Saraid de Silva, Amma
5. Karen Jennings, Crooked Seeds
6. Miranda July, All Fours owned
7. Laila Lalami, The Dream Hotel owned
8. Sanam Mahloudji, The Persians owned
9. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Dream Count owned
10. Roisín O’Donnell, Nesting READ
11. Rosanna Pike, A Little Trickery owned
12. Rose Ruana, Birding owned
13. Lucy Steeds, The Artist owned
14. Elizabeth Strout, Tell Me Everything owned
15. Yael van der Wouden, The Safekeep READ
16. Nussaibah Younis, Fundamentally owned
1. Aria Aber, Good Girl owned
2. Kaliane Bradley, The Ministry of Time owned
3. Jenni Daiches, Somewhere Else
4. Saraid de Silva, Amma
5. Karen Jennings, Crooked Seeds
6. Miranda July, All Fours owned
7. Laila Lalami, The Dream Hotel owned
8. Sanam Mahloudji, The Persians owned
9. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Dream Count owned
10. Roisín O’Donnell, Nesting READ
11. Rosanna Pike, A Little Trickery owned
12. Rose Ruana, Birding owned
13. Lucy Steeds, The Artist owned
14. Elizabeth Strout, Tell Me Everything owned
15. Yael van der Wouden, The Safekeep READ
16. Nussaibah Younis, Fundamentally owned
12PaulCranswick
Family Photo
This thread has to be Pip:
This thread has to be Pip:
13PaulCranswick
Books Added in 2025
January & February Books 1-64 : https://www.librarything.com/topic/368611#8767173
March :
65. Good Girl by Aria Aber
66. All Fours by Miranda July
67. The Persians by Sanam Mahloudji
68. The Artist by Lucy Steeds
69. Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout READ
70. Swell by Maria Ferguson (no touchstone yet; poetry)
71. Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
72. Another England by Caroline Lucas
73. Pity by Andrew McMillan
74. Barley Patch by Gerald Murnane
75. Pax by Sara Pennypacker
76. Clear by Carys Davies
77. The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden READ
78. Praiseworthy by Alexis Wright
79. The Wardrobe Department by Elaine Garvey
80. In All Weathers by Matt Gaw
81. The Alternatives by Caoilinn Hughes
82. Dog by Rob Perry
83. The Cafe With No Name by Robert Seethaler
84. Richard II by William Shakespeare
85. Fundamentally by Nassaibah Younis
86. Great Britain? by Torsten Bell
87. Theory and Practice by Michelle de Kretser
88. The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami
89. Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange
90. Richard III by William Shakespeare
91. Rooza by Nadiya Hussain
92. Heat Wave by Penelope Lively
93. Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond
94. The Household by Stacey Halls
95. Solenoid by Mircea Cartarescu
96. Water by John Boyne
97. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
98. Barcelona by Mary Costello
99. The Night Hawks by Ellie Griffiths
100. A Little Trickerie by Rosanna Pike
101. Float Up, Sing Down by Laird Hunt
102. Birding by Rose Ruane
APRIL
103. Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
104. The Looting Machine by Tom Burgis
105. Airside by Christopher Priest
106. Wild Ground by Emily Usher
January & February Books 1-64 : https://www.librarything.com/topic/368611#8767173
March :
65. Good Girl by Aria Aber
66. All Fours by Miranda July
67. The Persians by Sanam Mahloudji
68. The Artist by Lucy Steeds
69. Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout READ
70. Swell by Maria Ferguson (no touchstone yet; poetry)
71. Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
72. Another England by Caroline Lucas
73. Pity by Andrew McMillan
74. Barley Patch by Gerald Murnane
75. Pax by Sara Pennypacker
76. Clear by Carys Davies
77. The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden READ
78. Praiseworthy by Alexis Wright
79. The Wardrobe Department by Elaine Garvey
80. In All Weathers by Matt Gaw
81. The Alternatives by Caoilinn Hughes
82. Dog by Rob Perry
83. The Cafe With No Name by Robert Seethaler
84. Richard II by William Shakespeare
85. Fundamentally by Nassaibah Younis
86. Great Britain? by Torsten Bell
87. Theory and Practice by Michelle de Kretser
88. The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami
89. Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange
90. Richard III by William Shakespeare
91. Rooza by Nadiya Hussain
92. Heat Wave by Penelope Lively
93. Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond
94. The Household by Stacey Halls
95. Solenoid by Mircea Cartarescu
96. Water by John Boyne
97. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
98. Barcelona by Mary Costello
99. The Night Hawks by Ellie Griffiths
100. A Little Trickerie by Rosanna Pike
101. Float Up, Sing Down by Laird Hunt
102. Birding by Rose Ruane
APRIL
103. Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
104. The Looting Machine by Tom Burgis
105. Airside by Christopher Priest
106. Wild Ground by Emily Usher
14PaulCranswick
2025 Book Stats
Books Read : 43
Pages Read in completed books : 11,051 pp
Longest book : Picture Her Dead : 438 pp
Shortest book : Dart : 48 pp
Mean book length : 257.00 pp
Pages per day average in completed books : 105.73
Books written by men : 22
Books written by women: 21
Non-Fiction : 8
Fiction : 15
Poetry : 9
Thriller : 7
SF/Fantasy : 2
Drama : 2
1600s : 2 books
1830s : 1 book
1940s : 1 book
1960s : 3 books
1980s : 1 book
1990s : 1 book
2000s : 6 books
2010s : 15 books
2020s : 13 books
UK Authors : 23
US Authors : 6
France Authors : 2
Ireland Authors : 2
Australia Authors : 1
Palestine Authors : 1
Iceland Authors : 1
Denmark Authors : 1
Norway Authors : 1
Japan Authors : 1
Sweden Authors : 1
Finland Authors : 1
Netherlands Authors : 1
Poland Authors : 1
Challenges :
European Grand Tour Challenge : 8 books
Non-Fiction Challenge : 3 books
American Author Challenge : 4 books
British Author Challenge : 2 book
Women's Prize Longlist : 2 book
1001 Books : 1 book
Awards :
Pulitzer Poetry Prize
Read : 43 books
Added : 106 books
Change to TBR : +63
January Books : 15
January Pages : 4,146
Pages Average : Per book : 276.40 Per Day : 133.74
February Books : 20
February Pages : 4,709
Pages Average : Per Book 235.45 Per day 168.19
March Books : 6
March Pages : 1,700
Pages Average : Per Book 283.33 Per Day : 54.84
April Books : 2
April Pages : 493
Pages Average : Per Book 246.50 Per Day : 98.60
Books Read : 43
Pages Read in completed books : 11,051 pp
Longest book : Picture Her Dead : 438 pp
Shortest book : Dart : 48 pp
Mean book length : 257.00 pp
Pages per day average in completed books : 105.73
Books written by men : 22
Books written by women: 21
Non-Fiction : 8
Fiction : 15
Poetry : 9
Thriller : 7
SF/Fantasy : 2
Drama : 2
1600s : 2 books
1830s : 1 book
1940s : 1 book
1960s : 3 books
1980s : 1 book
1990s : 1 book
2000s : 6 books
2010s : 15 books
2020s : 13 books
UK Authors : 23
US Authors : 6
France Authors : 2
Ireland Authors : 2
Australia Authors : 1
Palestine Authors : 1
Iceland Authors : 1
Denmark Authors : 1
Norway Authors : 1
Japan Authors : 1
Sweden Authors : 1
Finland Authors : 1
Netherlands Authors : 1
Poland Authors : 1
Challenges :
European Grand Tour Challenge : 8 books
Non-Fiction Challenge : 3 books
American Author Challenge : 4 books
British Author Challenge : 2 book
Women's Prize Longlist : 2 book
1001 Books : 1 book
Awards :
Pulitzer Poetry Prize
Read : 43 books
Added : 106 books
Change to TBR : +63
January Books : 15
January Pages : 4,146
Pages Average : Per book : 276.40 Per Day : 133.74
February Books : 20
February Pages : 4,709
Pages Average : Per Book 235.45 Per day 168.19
March Books : 6
March Pages : 1,700
Pages Average : Per Book 283.33 Per Day : 54.84
April Books : 2
April Pages : 493
Pages Average : Per Book 246.50 Per Day : 98.60
15PaulCranswick
Welcome to my 7th thread of 2025
16figsfromthistle
Happy new one!
17PaulCranswick
>16 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita. That is quick.
21PaulCranswick
>20 Berly: Thanks Kimmers! I will try to spin you a few yarns in this thread. xx
23PaulCranswick
>22 Kristelh: Thank you dear Kristel x
24SilverWolf28
Happy New Thread!
26amanda4242
Happy new thread!
27booksaplenty1949
Was trying to explain to a friend today how, after many years using LT strictly as a place to catalogue my books, I got drawn into the social media side. Think I wandered on to the 75 Book Challenge in COVID times and Mr Cranswick was the only person who deigned to post a comment. The rest is history. Have wandered down so many literary bi-ways as a result. Grateful.
29atozgrl
Happy new thread, Paul! Another one! I'm having trouble keeping up with you this year. I hope I can do better with this thread.
>1 PaulCranswick: Boy, that picture is really striking!
>1 PaulCranswick: Boy, that picture is really striking!
30PaulCranswick
>24 SilverWolf28: Thank you, Silver.
>25 Berly: So I suppose the collective noun for threads would be a "reel of threads."
>25 Berly: So I suppose the collective noun for threads would be a "reel of threads."
31PaulCranswick
>26 amanda4242: Thank you, Amanda
>27 booksaplenty1949: That is a very kind thing to say and I'll add that I am very grateful for your company too complete with often times wise and provoking observations. xx
>27 booksaplenty1949: That is a very kind thing to say and I'll add that I am very grateful for your company too complete with often times wise and provoking observations. xx
32PaulCranswick
>28 Deern: Thanks , Nathalie. She follows the maternal line genetically, lucky girl!
>29 atozgrl: I'm struggling a bit too recently, Irene. In terms of posting and reading. I have quite a backlog of books part started and unfinished.
>29 atozgrl: I'm struggling a bit too recently, Irene. In terms of posting and reading. I have quite a backlog of books part started and unfinished.
37PaulCranswick
>35 drneutron: Always a pleasure DocRoc.
38SandDune
>2 PaulCranswick: I've just finished The Safekeep, Paul. Thought provoking, and well worth reading but I have some issues with it overall
39PaulCranswick
>38 SandDune: I am well into it, Rhian, and my admiration is not unreserved.
40EllaTim
Happy new thread, Paul!
>39 PaulCranswick: I’ll be starting it now. Curious. But I’m dealing with a backlog in reading too.
>39 PaulCranswick: I’ll be starting it now. Curious. But I’m dealing with a backlog in reading too.
41PaulCranswick
>40 EllaTim: I think Rhian is right, Ella. It is good but imperfect. It is a debut novel after all.
42vancouverdeb
I wouldn't want to go to Russia, but the Kremlin is cool looking , Paul. My sister and her husband took a boat cruise that stopped somewhere in Russia , before the war broke out in Ukraine. But they hired a private car - maybe through the Cruise line to look around. They are somewhat cautious. My sister says she refuses to go anywhere where women are not treated equally to men - like any country like Turkey, places in the Middle East etc.
Happy New Thread, Paul.
Happy New Thread, Paul.
43vancouverdeb
>2 PaulCranswick: I was not keen on The Safekeep. You might enjoy it though.
44PaulCranswick
>42 vancouverdeb: Russia is such a huge place and there is such a lot to see - St Petersburg is - apparently because I haven't visited - one of the world's most beautiful cities. Whilst disliking the government all the Russian people I have met have been very much my cup of tea. I had a colleague on this project, Olga, who had family from both Russia and Ukraine, who I certainly now consider a good friend. She keeps in touch with Hani and I regularly (she is now in the Hague).
>43 vancouverdeb: I am still ambivalent about it, Deb. I can see the arguments for and against it.
>43 vancouverdeb: I am still ambivalent about it, Deb. I can see the arguments for and against it.
45justchris
>12 PaulCranswick: As is right and proper. And adorable. Grandkid FTW! Hope you and your loved ones are well.
46Familyhistorian
Happy new thread, Paul!
I like your plan of moving a few books at a time back to the UK but 250 sounds like it would be awfully heavy. I can picture you persuading others to add just a few to their luggage. (Seems like something I would do.)
I like your plan of moving a few books at a time back to the UK but 250 sounds like it would be awfully heavy. I can picture you persuading others to add just a few to their luggage. (Seems like something I would do.)
47PaulCranswick
>45 justchris: Thanks Chris. All are well so far! I am inviting my team at work to break fast at my house today so Hani is busy preparing food for ten.
>46 Familyhistorian: By special arrangement with Oman Air but yes it will be heavy. It is about 120 kilos
>46 Familyhistorian: By special arrangement with Oman Air but yes it will be heavy. It is about 120 kilos
48EllaTim
>47 PaulCranswick: I wonder what books will make it into the chosen 250!
>44 PaulCranswick: I’ve always wanted to visit, Petersburg, coming from the Baltic, by ship. But I wouldn’t do that now, of course.
>44 PaulCranswick: I’ve always wanted to visit, Petersburg, coming from the Baltic, by ship. But I wouldn’t do that now, of course.
49PaulCranswick
>48 EllaTim: I am trying to figure that out too, Ella!
Hopefully Russia will not always have Putin and they won't be at war much longer.
Hopefully Russia will not always have Putin and they won't be at war much longer.
50louisisaloafofbreb
Happy new thread!
52klobrien2
>49 PaulCranswick: I hope you will share your list of the 250 when it comes time. I would find that really interesting (I’m sure others would, too).
Happy new thread!
Karen O
Happy new thread!
Karen O
54PaulCranswick
>52 klobrien2: Thanks Karen.
The wife is pushing me to reduce the number to 100 books with some in the other luggage. Whichever I will certainly put up the list as and when.
The wife is pushing me to reduce the number to 100 books with some in the other luggage. Whichever I will certainly put up the list as and when.
55PaulCranswick
CARTOON
About book. Topical.
About book. Topical.
56SilverWolf28
Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/369579
58PaulCranswick
Friday lunchtime additions
96. Water by John Boyne
97. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
98. Barcelona by Mary Costello
99. The Night Hawks by Ellie Griffiths
100. A Little Trickerie by Rosanna Pike
96. Water by John Boyne
97. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
98. Barcelona by Mary Costello
99. The Night Hawks by Ellie Griffiths
100. A Little Trickerie by Rosanna Pike
59alcottacre
>2 PaulCranswick: I am interested if only I could find a copy!
>12 PaulCranswick: She is just too cute!!
>58 PaulCranswick: Nice haul, Juan. I actually have read one of them, The Ministry of Time.
Happy new thread and happy whatever!
>12 PaulCranswick: She is just too cute!!
>58 PaulCranswick: Nice haul, Juan. I actually have read one of them, The Ministry of Time.
Happy new thread and happy whatever!
60mdoris
>58 PaulCranswick: I am reading your #96 new addition right now and loving it!
61PaulCranswick
>59 alcottacre: Lovely to see you, Juana.
I now have 12 of the 16 book longlist for the Women's Prize.
The Ministry of Time looks interesting.
I had spotted on the bookstore's website that they had just gotten it in stock so I went to the bookstore at lunchtime in expectation of picking it up, but then couldn't find it. When I asked about it at the information the lady told me that it had literally just arrived and she went to hunt it down in the stockroom - it seems that I got the very first copy sold in Malaysia.
>60 mdoris: Hi Mary! I don't really know why John Boyne tends to get bad press and his books are often overlooked but he is almost always an interesting read.
I now have 12 of the 16 book longlist for the Women's Prize.
The Ministry of Time looks interesting.
I had spotted on the bookstore's website that they had just gotten it in stock so I went to the bookstore at lunchtime in expectation of picking it up, but then couldn't find it. When I asked about it at the information the lady told me that it had literally just arrived and she went to hunt it down in the stockroom - it seems that I got the very first copy sold in Malaysia.
>60 mdoris: Hi Mary! I don't really know why John Boyne tends to get bad press and his books are often overlooked but he is almost always an interesting read.
62alcottacre
>61 PaulCranswick: it seems that I got the very first copy sold in Malaysia. Cool beans! I hope that you enjoy it and all of the other books you picked up!
ETA: I just listed my books for the week over on the 'This Just In' thread if you care to take a look when you have a chance :)
ETA: I just listed my books for the week over on the 'This Just In' thread if you care to take a look when you have a chance :)
63mdoris
HI Paul. I think John Boyne is marvelous I will certainly read the other three in the series. Water, Earth Fire and Air.
64vancouverdeb
Well, Paul, I just cracked and purchased two books on line, from Waterstones Bookstore in the UK. I had to pay 15 pounds sterling for shipping! But I really wanted Somewhere Else and A Little Trickerie from the Women's Fiction Longlist prize. I could not find Somewhere Else at Blackstone books or Kenny's Book in Ireland that has free shipping to Canada, so I bit the bullet. Enjoy your new acquisitions.
65PaulCranswick
>62 alcottacre: I will go over and wallow in your purchases, Stasia. I get almost as much of a kick seeing what my pals get as I do when I add myself......almost.
>63 mdoris: He got accused of sugar coating the Holocaust with The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas which I thought terribly unfair. Firstly no reason why an Irishman couldn't write a story on the subject and secondly he showed to a younger readership both the hope of humanity, its cruelty and profound sadness.
>63 mdoris: He got accused of sugar coating the Holocaust with The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas which I thought terribly unfair. Firstly no reason why an Irishman couldn't write a story on the subject and secondly he showed to a younger readership both the hope of humanity, its cruelty and profound sadness.
66PaulCranswick
>64 vancouverdeb: Yes, Deb, I also very much want to read Somewhere Else and don't see it readily available anywhere at the moment. It isn't in Malaysia or Sheffield. My tactic now is if there is a book I really want but worry won't come here, I will use "click and collect" from Waterstones and have one of my bunch collect it from Sheffield or Wakefield's branches of the bookstore. Not available.
I could do the same for London and ask Kyran to collect it, I suppose.
I could do the same for London and ask Kyran to collect it, I suppose.
67PaulCranswick
I have a long weekend to rescue slightly a fairly disastrous reading month, so Silver's readathon will be very welcome to me!
I think that Dostoevsky and my 200 page slog into Devils did for me a little and I have finished up flailing with a number of books started and not much finished. I hope to finish six books over the next 3 days or so.
I think that Dostoevsky and my 200 page slog into Devils did for me a little and I have finished up flailing with a number of books started and not much finished. I hope to finish six books over the next 3 days or so.
68booksaplenty1949
I am still listening to Gravity’s Rainbow; also reading Oblomov although my Everyman edition of the latter, while complete, seems pretty portable compared to recent chunksters I’ve had on the go. Life and Fate still on order and in any event think I need a break from the Russian Front. Borrowed 5 Donna Leon mysteries from the book sale sorting room where I volunteer (my motto is “muzzle not the ox which treadeth out the corn”) but of course must read and return them before the sale starts.
69PaulCranswick
>68 booksaplenty1949: At least you seem just as overburdened as I am!
71PaulCranswick
>70 mdoris: I have no time whatsoever for cancel culture, Mary. I can disagree with someone vehemently on many things but still appreciate their art.
72mdoris
>71 PaulCranswick: Ditto!
73avatiakh
The 'not reading much' bug seems to be going around as I've been struck down as well. I have several I want to finish and yet I seem to read only a few pages at a time.
74booksaplenty1949
Never thought that I would be googling “when does Ramadan end in Kuala Lumpur?” one day, but we never know what life will have in store for us. In any event, I see that it will be soon (I believe a moon sighting is involved) and this will no doubt be the occasion of the feast for 10. Google also tells me that “Selamat Hari Raya” is a friendly greeting for the holiday so I hope that’s true. Connection to someone I’ve never met in a place I’ve never been has been one of the less expected joys of reading these last two? years.
75karenmarie
Happy newest thread, Paul!
Alas, a drive-by visit. I hope you and your family are all doing well. I also hope that you get a lot of good reading in to rescue your reading month.
>12 PaulCranswick: Sweet, happy child.
Alas, a drive-by visit. I hope you and your family are all doing well. I also hope that you get a lot of good reading in to rescue your reading month.
>12 PaulCranswick: Sweet, happy child.
76PaulCranswick
>72 mdoris: I was fairly sure you would say that, Mary. xx
>73 avatiakh: It is hugely frustrating, Kerry, and the more it frustrates and gets to me the less I look like finishing books.
>73 avatiakh: It is hugely frustrating, Kerry, and the more it frustrates and gets to me the less I look like finishing books.
77PaulCranswick
>74 booksaplenty1949: "Selamat Hari Raya" is pitch perfect, thank you. I know! The sweet joys of this virtual world!!
>75 karenmarie: Driving or strolling along, you are always welcome, Karen.
Pip is invariably sweet but certainly not always happy and is prone to bad temper!
>75 karenmarie: Driving or strolling along, you are always welcome, Karen.
Pip is invariably sweet but certainly not always happy and is prone to bad temper!
78booksaplenty1949
>77 PaulCranswick: Good to know. Always have that Monty Python skit in mind when I attempt an unfamiliar language—-the one where a Hungarian tourist who thinks he is asking for directions to the train station is actually saying “Please fondle my buttocks.”
79PaulCranswick
>77 PaulCranswick: My sister has actually achieved a Pythonesque moment. Years ago when she was visiting us we were in a restaurant when she wanted to order a delicious local vegetable called "kangkung". She informed the young waiter that wanted to "kang kang" which in Malay is the act of a lady spreading her legs!!
80booksaplenty1949
>79 PaulCranswick: Oh dear. Hope it was long enough ago to be a funny family story rather than a moment of mortification.
82Donna828
Catching up with you, Paul. Pip is so darn cute. Why do they have to grow up so fast? I'm sorry to hear about her "bad temper", although that kind of goes along with being a toddler in a world where one doesn't always get their way. It gets better if my memory serves me correctly.
I hope your weekend is going well and that you get back on the reading track again. I am learning to be one of the sluggards around here. I just finished No. 21 and may be done for the month.
I hope your weekend is going well and that you get back on the reading track again. I am learning to be one of the sluggards around here. I just finished No. 21 and may be done for the month.
84PaulCranswick
>80 booksaplenty1949: Hani and I thought it extremely funny whereas Julie (my sister) is far too thick skinned to be mortified.
>81 bell7: So far so good, Mary. Hani and I went out for a Hotpot Steamboat meal last night and I still feel full 10 hours later!
>81 bell7: So far so good, Mary. Hani and I went out for a Hotpot Steamboat meal last night and I still feel full 10 hours later!
85PaulCranswick
>82 Donna828: Lovely to see you, Donna. 21 books at this stage is still comfortably on track for 75!
I'm sure that Pip will grow out of her bad temper although I don't think her Grandmother ever quite managed to do so!
>83 banjo123: Thank you dear Rhonda. xx
I'm sure that Pip will grow out of her bad temper although I don't think her Grandmother ever quite managed to do so!
>83 banjo123: Thank you dear Rhonda. xx
86Kristelh
>58 PaulCranswick:. I will be starting The Ministry of Time soon. My reading is okay though I fell and broke my wrist and that is affecting my typing. I am having a hard time declding what I want to read in April. Hope you have good reading mojo this weekend.
87PaulCranswick
>86 Kristelh: I'm sorry to hear that, Kristel. I am known to be a little bit clumsy but surprisingly and without trying to tempt fate, I have never broken a bone. Even through the short period that I was cycle racing and despite being pretty awful performing in the peloton (bunch).
I will definitely read The Ministry of Time next month as it has had good reviews and because of the way the lady in the bookstore went to so much trouble to run down a copy for me.
As I am consistently one of Kinokuniya's biggest spenders in Kuala Lumpur, I have grown very friendly with a number of their staff over the years and I will miss my regular jaunts there.
I will definitely read The Ministry of Time next month as it has had good reviews and because of the way the lady in the bookstore went to so much trouble to run down a copy for me.
As I am consistently one of Kinokuniya's biggest spenders in Kuala Lumpur, I have grown very friendly with a number of their staff over the years and I will miss my regular jaunts there.
88Kristelh
>87 PaulCranswick:. I’ve never broken a bone before but it was a fall and I am a lot older so bones more brittle.
You will miss your bookstore and the relationship that you’ve formed. They’ll miss you too. Do you have a date for departure?
You will miss your bookstore and the relationship that you’ve formed. They’ll miss you too. Do you have a date for departure?
89Caroline_McElwee
I hope Ramadan has been going well for you Paul, and you are enjoying time with the family.
90PaulCranswick
>88 Kristelh: Still not, Kristel, but I hope to make an announcement here in the next month or so.
>89 Caroline_McElwee: It is done and dusted here, Caroline and I am relaxing with a nice coffee inhaling the wonderful smells of our impending feast on the morrow.
>89 Caroline_McElwee: It is done and dusted here, Caroline and I am relaxing with a nice coffee inhaling the wonderful smells of our impending feast on the morrow.
93johnsimpson
Hi Paul, Happy New Thread mate. What an adorable photo of little Pip, boy is she growing. Our beloved Yorkshire have decided on Bairstow as Red ball skipper with Malan doing the White ball stuff, not bad choices in my opinion and hopefully Bairstow will have a productive season. Sending love and hugs to you, Hani and the rest of the family dear friend.
94PaulCranswick
>93 johnsimpson: Thanks John and lovely to see you mate.
I agree with you on the picks and really hope some of our better players find their mojo because if they do, I think we will do really well. I just hope we can bowl teams out twice.
You never know mate, we might be able to catch a game together this season.
I agree with you on the picks and really hope some of our better players find their mojo because if they do, I think we will do really well. I just hope we can bowl teams out twice.
You never know mate, we might be able to catch a game together this season.
95booksaplenty1949
>94 PaulCranswick: Thanks to our previous discussion of Death of a Dissenter I am reasonably certain you are discussing cricket. Past that point I cannot go, but enjoy observing what connects people around the globe.
96PaulCranswick
>95 booksaplenty1949: John and my father were born in the same small West Yorkshire mining village of Sharlston and it was a place of coal stack, long rows of miner's terraced houses, a tight communal spirit, of football (soccer) on the street, of rugby league and importantly for John and I cricket. John still has family playing for the local "village" cricket team.
97PaulCranswick
CARTOON
I don't disagree with absolutely everything - although the method leaves much to be desired, and some of the stuff - especially on Canada and Greenland and his administration's seeming complete disdain of its allies - is beyond concerning. I don't know how you square America first with a desire to take over Canada and Greenland.
This just sort of sums him up.
I don't disagree with absolutely everything - although the method leaves much to be desired, and some of the stuff - especially on Canada and Greenland and his administration's seeming complete disdain of its allies - is beyond concerning. I don't know how you square America first with a desire to take over Canada and Greenland.
This just sort of sums him up.
98booksaplenty1949
>96 PaulCranswick: “Around the globe” criss-crosses with “around the corner.” What a world.
99PaulCranswick
>98 booksaplenty1949: Hahaha yes indeed it does.
100EllaTim
>97 PaulCranswick: Hm, yes. I saw an interview with the former head of American forces in Europe. Quite interesting, and I wish there were more good and sensible people like him speaking out.
Europe should have done more earlier he says. It’s what Trump has been saying during his first term, and I think almost every European country agrees on that now.
But beyond that he had a lot of criticism on the Trump administration, and what they are doing.
Europe should have done more earlier he says. It’s what Trump has been saying during his first term, and I think almost every European country agrees on that now.
But beyond that he had a lot of criticism on the Trump administration, and what they are doing.
101PaulCranswick
>100 EllaTim: As I have said a few times before he often has the kernel of a good idea and then goes off in a tangent of near lunacy. In that 1) Europe should pay its share and be in a better position to defend itself. 2) There is a truth in the fact that there has been a unfair trade imbalance that needs some adjustment. 3) There is a truth in the fact that open borders often lead to social problems and a less safe society.
The prescriptions on the other hand beggar belief:
1) Trying to impose a peace deal that rewards the aggression of Russia
2) Threatening a trade war on scant pretexts including Canada being the 51st State.
3) A sweep-all deportation policy which threatens to incarcerate the innocent with the guilty.
The prescriptions on the other hand beggar belief:
1) Trying to impose a peace deal that rewards the aggression of Russia
2) Threatening a trade war on scant pretexts including Canada being the 51st State.
3) A sweep-all deportation policy which threatens to incarcerate the innocent with the guilty.
102EllaTim
>101 PaulCranswick: Right Paul. I think it’s quite scary what they are doing, inside of the USA, and outside. I’m in favor of discussing all those points calmly, and trying to negotiate and coming to terms with parties as much as possible. Trump seems to try to get his way through bullying. Well he has managed to get the EU to spend more on defence.
105PaulCranswick
>102 EllaTim: Europe urgently needs a reset in my opinion, Ella. We have so many things to be proud of but our history of making war on each other is something as a student history, I would hope that the lessons of the past would teach us to avoid.
>103 hredwards: Thank you dear Harold.
>103 hredwards: Thank you dear Harold.
107PaulCranswick
>104 Berly: Always a pleasure to see Kimmers.
108PaulCranswick
>106 amanda4242: I will try to follow suit with the Grand European Tour thread within a few hours, Amanda.
109PaulCranswick
I am celebrating the end of Ramadan here today. A day of food, family and happiness.
110Caroline_McElwee
>109 PaulCranswick: Perfect Paul.
111PaulCranswick
>110 Caroline_McElwee: Thank you, Caroline. I woke up this morning not wanting to eat which is amazing after waiting a whole month to have the privilege to do exactly that!
112PaulCranswick
Lead with Hani and Yasmyne this morning and got them cheering when I informed them of the news that there had been a coup'd'etat in the US and Donald Trump had been overthrown and replaced on a temporary basis with General Mark Milley.
"Serves him right" was Hani's comment.
I told them that 77 million Americans had voted for him and were being betrayed.
"Those 77 million people were dicks" was Yasmyne's profound political commentary.
"Serves him right" was Hani's comment.
I told them that 77 million Americans had voted for him and were being betrayed.
"Those 77 million people were dicks" was Yasmyne's profound political commentary.
113PaulCranswick
I left it for 3 or 4 minutes .............
114PaulCranswick
Before announcing......"APRIL FOOL!"
115PaulCranswick
CARTOON
116PaulCranswick
The Grand European Tour Thread for April is up and can be found here:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/369649
We are visiting the land of the Ottomans.
https://www.librarything.com/topic/369649
We are visiting the land of the Ottomans.
117Berly
>112 PaulCranswick: Worst April Fools' joke ever!! Cuz we are stuck with him. And it hurts. : P
118PaulCranswick
>117 Berly: Sorry, Kimmers, but the look of pleasure on their faces was for an instant, priceless.
119PaulCranswick
Updated Ninth Cycle
120alcottacre
>65 PaulCranswick: Yeah, I well understand that 'almost.'
>91 PaulCranswick: A couple more that I had not heard of before.
Happy whatever, Paul!
>91 PaulCranswick: A couple more that I had not heard of before.
Happy whatever, Paul!
121PaulCranswick
>120 alcottacre: Birding is longlisted for the Women's Prize, Stasia, and explains why I bought it but it also has a very fetching cover.
122PaulCranswick
Well the month isn't even a day old and I have DNF'd a book already.
Report to Greco is, I am sure, a splendid book, but I am not in the mood for a semi-autobiographical philosophical novel of nearly 600 pages.
I have replaced it with Orhan Pamuk's The Museum of Innocence which, at 728 pages, is even longer, but I know that with Pamuk I am going to be enthralled by literate storytelling and I am already almost 10% through it anf thoroughly hooked.
Report to Greco is, I am sure, a splendid book, but I am not in the mood for a semi-autobiographical philosophical novel of nearly 600 pages.
I have replaced it with Orhan Pamuk's The Museum of Innocence which, at 728 pages, is even longer, but I know that with Pamuk I am going to be enthralled by literate storytelling and I am already almost 10% through it anf thoroughly hooked.
123alcottacre
>121 PaulCranswick: I have it in the BlackHole already due to its inclusion on the Women's Prize longlist, but I need my local library to get a copy!
124PaulCranswick
>123 alcottacre: It is on my list of 20 planned reads this month, Stasia.
125alcottacre
>124 PaulCranswick: I look forward to seeing your thoughts on it!
126PaulCranswick
>125 alcottacre: About to put up a couple of reviews of books I managed to just finish in time for March accounting!
127PaulCranswick
BOOK #40
The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
Date of Publication : 2024
Origin of Author : Netherlands
Gender of Author : Female
Pages : 258 pp
Women's Prize Longlist 2/16
A book of three distinct parts. I have read a number of reviews which have expressed different views on the three - some being turned off by the fairly explicit scenes of a sexual nature between the two leading female characters that dominates the middle third. Personally I thought most of that was very well written and only marginally too much.
I thought that the book built up from a fairly tedious opening to a very strong and provoking final section. I did feel that the ending felt rushed and a little bit unbelievable but overall this is a strong debut that deserves the accolades it has received.
Will it win the Women's Prize - heaven knows and I am not even sure that it beats the other book in the longlist that I have read Nesting and both must be strong contenders for the shortlist.
A final word on the author who, like Conrad, is not writing in her native language, but who nonetheless managed a very literary and literate novel.
The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
Date of Publication : 2024
Origin of Author : Netherlands
Gender of Author : Female
Pages : 258 pp
Women's Prize Longlist 2/16
A book of three distinct parts. I have read a number of reviews which have expressed different views on the three - some being turned off by the fairly explicit scenes of a sexual nature between the two leading female characters that dominates the middle third. Personally I thought most of that was very well written and only marginally too much.
I thought that the book built up from a fairly tedious opening to a very strong and provoking final section. I did feel that the ending felt rushed and a little bit unbelievable but overall this is a strong debut that deserves the accolades it has received.
Will it win the Women's Prize - heaven knows and I am not even sure that it beats the other book in the longlist that I have read Nesting and both must be strong contenders for the shortlist.
A final word on the author who, like Conrad, is not writing in her native language, but who nonetheless managed a very literary and literate novel.
128Carmenere
Happy April, Paul!
The Safekeep has been on my TBR for a bit. Thanks for your honest review.
The Safekeep has been on my TBR for a bit. Thanks for your honest review.
129Kristelh
>121 PaulCranswick:. That is quite the cover. One doesn't notice the shadow at first.
I think The Safekeep is worthy even if I didn't appreciate the 'detail'.
I think The Safekeep is worthy even if I didn't appreciate the 'detail'.
130PaulCranswick
BOOK #41
Selected Poems by Zbigniew Herbert
Date of Publication : 2007
Origin of Author : Poland
Gender of Author : Male
Pages : 249 pp
Grand European Tour
This felt like a fairly comprehensive review of the poetic works of Herbert.
Maybe the translation but the poetry about mythology did nothing much for me but his more grounded poetry on the human condition and particularly its struggles and suffering was compelling.
His alter ego Mr Cogito people's many of these poems with his life experiences and thoughts on the world and some are more effective than others. I have chosen the second part of "Five Men" from 1957 to give an example of him at his best:
when the platoon
level their guns
everything suddenly appears
in the garish light
of obviousness
the yellow wall
the cold blue
the black wire on the wall
instead of horizon
that is the moment
when the five senses rebel
they would gladly escape
like rats from a sinking ship
before the bullet reaches its destination
the eye will perceive the flight of the projectile
the ear record a steely rustle
the nostrils will be filled with biting smoke
a petal of blood will brush the palate
the touch will shrink and then slacken
now they lie on the ground
covered up to their eyes with shadow
the platoon walks away
their buttons straps
and steel helmets
are more alive
than those lying beside the wall
Selected Poems by Zbigniew Herbert
Date of Publication : 2007
Origin of Author : Poland
Gender of Author : Male
Pages : 249 pp
Grand European Tour
This felt like a fairly comprehensive review of the poetic works of Herbert.
Maybe the translation but the poetry about mythology did nothing much for me but his more grounded poetry on the human condition and particularly its struggles and suffering was compelling.
His alter ego Mr Cogito people's many of these poems with his life experiences and thoughts on the world and some are more effective than others. I have chosen the second part of "Five Men" from 1957 to give an example of him at his best:
when the platoon
level their guns
everything suddenly appears
in the garish light
of obviousness
the yellow wall
the cold blue
the black wire on the wall
instead of horizon
that is the moment
when the five senses rebel
they would gladly escape
like rats from a sinking ship
before the bullet reaches its destination
the eye will perceive the flight of the projectile
the ear record a steely rustle
the nostrils will be filled with biting smoke
a petal of blood will brush the palate
the touch will shrink and then slacken
now they lie on the ground
covered up to their eyes with shadow
the platoon walks away
their buttons straps
and steel helmets
are more alive
than those lying beside the wall
131PaulCranswick
>128 Carmenere: Lovely to see you Lynda. You are welcome my friend - a review must always be what the reader sincerely thinks and I try never to follow blindly the blurb it has or has not received before.
>129 Kristelh: It is a truly wonderful cover, Kristel and I couldn't help but buy the hardback edition.
>129 Kristelh: It is a truly wonderful cover, Kristel and I couldn't help but buy the hardback edition.
132ArlieS
>122 PaulCranswick: Congrats on your decisiveness. Admitting "I don't really want to read that" can be so hard.
133PaulCranswick
>132 ArlieS: I don't know about forever, Arlie, but I certainly wasn't in the mood for it yesterday.
134PaulCranswick
BIG BOOK CHALLENGE for April is:
Orhan Pamuk, Nikos Kazantzakis or Much Much Earlier
Link here : https://www.librarything.com/topic/368910#8803429
I will be reading The Museum of Innocence which is great so far.
Orhan Pamuk, Nikos Kazantzakis or Much Much Earlier
Link here : https://www.librarything.com/topic/368910#8803429
I will be reading The Museum of Innocence which is great so far.
135PaulCranswick
First Quarter Tread Posting:
Top 100 Personal Threads :
1 PaulCranswick 1,847
2 richardderus 1,640
3 crazymamie 1,394
4 msf59 1,286
5 katiekrug 1,149
6 Alcottacre 928
7 karenmarie 761
8 jnwelch 746
9 lauralkeet 677
10 bell7 624
11 figsfromthistle 587
12 vancouverdeb 571
13 jessibud 518
14 LizzieD 516
15 Berly 492
16 klobrien 472
17 Familyhistorian 468
18 Whisper1 451
19 BLBera 382
20 RebaRelishesReading 380
21 SandDune 339
22 The_Hibernator 319
23 drneutron 315
24 EBT 315
25 norabelle414 295
26 Caroline_McElwee 294
27 carmenere 281
28 atozgirl 269
29 (Sir)Thomas 263
30 mahsdad 254
31 Curioussquared 248
32 John Simpson 233
33 mickyfine 230
34 quondame 219
35 streamsong 195
36 foggidawn 193
37 ursula 192
38 ronireads 190
39 witchyrichy 186
40 kristel 185
41 EllaTim 178
42 weird_o 170
43 donna 169
44 ffortsa 169
45 thornton37814 167
46 laytonwoman3rd 160
47 avatiakh 149
48 Lovinglit 147
49 mdoris 137
50 mstrust 134
51 humouress 130
52 hredwards 127
53 Banjo 125
54 cbl_tn 123
55 Deern 122
56 storettler 122
57 Dejah_Thoris 121
58 CDVicarage 119
59 copperskye 117
60 Elorin 117
61 Arlie 114
62 SqueakyChu 114
63 nerdytheorist 112
64 Tess_W 112
65 kac522 100
66 PawsForThought 94
67 AMQS 92
68 LyndainOregon 84
69 arubabookwoman 82
70 Oberon 79
71 ctpress 76
72 owltherian 71
73 tiffin 71
74 elkidee 70
75 Matke 68
76 chellebears 67
77 ChrisG 67
78 SuzyQOregon 67
79 sibylline 66
80 silverwolf 64
81 sirfurboy 62
82 AnneDC 61
83 swynn 59
84 aktakukac 57
85 persephone 51
86 vivians 51
87 fairywings 48
88 ravenwoodwitch 48
89 jdavidhacker 47
90 walklover 47
91 alsvidur 45
92 teymaneeya 45
93 zoe 45
94 amanda4242 44
95 kimcassady 44
96 magician's nephew 43
97 lycomayflower 41
98 PocheFamily 41
99 lindapanzo 40
100 meanderer 37
Top 100 Personal Threads :
1 PaulCranswick 1,847
2 richardderus 1,640
3 crazymamie 1,394
4 msf59 1,286
5 katiekrug 1,149
6 Alcottacre 928
7 karenmarie 761
8 jnwelch 746
9 lauralkeet 677
10 bell7 624
11 figsfromthistle 587
12 vancouverdeb 571
13 jessibud 518
14 LizzieD 516
15 Berly 492
16 klobrien 472
17 Familyhistorian 468
18 Whisper1 451
19 BLBera 382
20 RebaRelishesReading 380
21 SandDune 339
22 The_Hibernator 319
23 drneutron 315
24 EBT 315
25 norabelle414 295
26 Caroline_McElwee 294
27 carmenere 281
28 atozgirl 269
29 (Sir)Thomas 263
30 mahsdad 254
31 Curioussquared 248
32 John Simpson 233
33 mickyfine 230
34 quondame 219
35 streamsong 195
36 foggidawn 193
37 ursula 192
38 ronireads 190
39 witchyrichy 186
40 kristel 185
41 EllaTim 178
42 weird_o 170
43 donna 169
44 ffortsa 169
45 thornton37814 167
46 laytonwoman3rd 160
47 avatiakh 149
48 Lovinglit 147
49 mdoris 137
50 mstrust 134
51 humouress 130
52 hredwards 127
53 Banjo 125
54 cbl_tn 123
55 Deern 122
56 storettler 122
57 Dejah_Thoris 121
58 CDVicarage 119
59 copperskye 117
60 Elorin 117
61 Arlie 114
62 SqueakyChu 114
63 nerdytheorist 112
64 Tess_W 112
65 kac522 100
66 PawsForThought 94
67 AMQS 92
68 LyndainOregon 84
69 arubabookwoman 82
70 Oberon 79
71 ctpress 76
72 owltherian 71
73 tiffin 71
74 elkidee 70
75 Matke 68
76 chellebears 67
77 ChrisG 67
78 SuzyQOregon 67
79 sibylline 66
80 silverwolf 64
81 sirfurboy 62
82 AnneDC 61
83 swynn 59
84 aktakukac 57
85 persephone 51
86 vivians 51
87 fairywings 48
88 ravenwoodwitch 48
89 jdavidhacker 47
90 walklover 47
91 alsvidur 45
92 teymaneeya 45
93 zoe 45
94 amanda4242 44
95 kimcassady 44
96 magician's nephew 43
97 lycomayflower 41
98 PocheFamily 41
99 lindapanzo 40
100 meanderer 37
136PaulCranswick
We are half an hour from the Women's Prize shortlist announcement and I will make my guess here:
Nesting
The Safekeep
The Dream Count
The Dream Hotel
Tell Me Everything
and
The Ministry of Time
These are my guesses. Let's see how many, if any, I get right.
Nesting
The Safekeep
The Dream Count
The Dream Hotel
Tell Me Everything
and
The Ministry of Time
These are my guesses. Let's see how many, if any, I get right.
137PaulCranswick
Canadian threads interest me as always
>135 PaulCranswick:
Currently there are 4 Canadians in the top twenty threads
Anita 11th
Deb 12th
Shelley 13th
and
Meg 17th.
>135 PaulCranswick:
Currently there are 4 Canadians in the top twenty threads
Anita 11th
Deb 12th
Shelley 13th
and
Meg 17th.
138avatiakh
>136 PaulCranswick: I was surprised that there was a NZ book on the longlist. There's an article about the writer, Saraid de Silva, in our local newspaper today, saying how she can't make a living and write books here in New Zealand, behind a paywall online. I was lucky to read the article at a cafe. The book Amma sounds interesting.
'Saraid de Silva would rather be writing her second novel than emails asking for money.
The author, whose debut novel was this year longlisted for both the Britain’s Women’s Prize for Fiction and New Zealand’s national book awards, fears losing a crucial live-in residency to funding cuts.'
'Saraid de Silva would rather be writing her second novel than emails asking for money.
The author, whose debut novel was this year longlisted for both the Britain’s Women’s Prize for Fiction and New Zealand’s national book awards, fears losing a crucial live-in residency to funding cuts.'
139PaulCranswick
>138 avatiakh: I have had to ask Kyran to buy it for me in London, Kerry, as there seems no immediate prospect of it coming here.
It is telling that an author really needs to make it big(ish) in order to survive.
It is telling that an author really needs to make it big(ish) in order to survive.
140PaulCranswick
The Women’s Prize for Fiction 2025 shortlist is as follows:
Aria Aber, Good Girl
Miranda July, All Fours
Sanam Mahloudji, The Persians
Elizabeth Strout, Tell Me Everything
Yale van der Wouden, The Safekeep
Nussaibah Younis, Fundamentally
Well I got a poor 2 out 6 right in my forecast in >136 PaulCranswick: above.
Have read The Safekeep and it is a strongish contender for sure. Good thing is that I have all the other 5 on the shelves already.
Aria Aber, Good Girl
Miranda July, All Fours
Sanam Mahloudji, The Persians
Elizabeth Strout, Tell Me Everything
Yale van der Wouden, The Safekeep
Nussaibah Younis, Fundamentally
Well I got a poor 2 out 6 right in my forecast in >136 PaulCranswick: above.
Have read The Safekeep and it is a strongish contender for sure. Good thing is that I have all the other 5 on the shelves already.
141Kristelh
>140 PaulCranswick:. I’ve read only one, The Safekeeping.
My money is on that one.
My money is on that one.
143figsfromthistle
>137 PaulCranswick: Ha! We Canadians like to stick together :)
144figsfromthistle
>112 PaulCranswick: I used this joke at work yesterday 3 out of five people fell for it :)
145PaulCranswick
>143 figsfromthistle: Important these days, Anita!
>144 figsfromthistle: It is a plausible tale though don't you think?!
>144 figsfromthistle: It is a plausible tale though don't you think?!
146Familyhistorian
>137 PaulCranswick: Looks like I'm slipping a bit. Will have to see if I can catch up with the tail end of the Canadians. Maybe being away for two weeks had something to do with that.
147PaulCranswick
>146 Familyhistorian: I love seeing how the Canadians fare in thread posting because so many times a different person has ended the year with the most posts.
148bell7
Always interesting to see the posting stats, Paul. I was solidly in the top 20 when I last saw the numbers, and find it interesting that I've broken the top 10 again. I definitely had a surge of posts in March, but I could see an ebb and flow of conversations shifting changing my exact placement over the year. That being said, I'm surprised to see that the difference above and below me is about 50 posts. Usually it's a little closer than that!
149PaulCranswick
>148 bell7: As always very consistent and solid are your posting records, Mary.
Your thread remains a personal favourite of mine. xx
Your thread remains a personal favourite of mine. xx
150humouress
Hi Paul! I'm just returning your visit and catching up. Your thread moves so fast, I've missed quite a bit in the couple of days I haven't been by.
Re Pip's temper tantrums, apparently it's often due to frustration because toddlers don't have the language to express themselves yet. I read about baby sign language so I learned some and taught my kids when they were toddlers and it helped (I'm also rewarded with a 16 year old who could talk the hind leg off a donkey; he should go into politics). But if you do go down that route - and I do recommend it - I'd go with British Sign Language (since your family is based in the UK). Most of the baby sign language books out there are based on American Sign Language. I ended up getting some basic BSL books (not baby sign language but for all users) and one came with a wall chart, which was helpful. I think we maybe learned about 10 words but I knew a family who claimed 600 (and not because any of them were deaf).
The kind of words we used were things like 'please', 'thank you', 'sorry', 'hungry', 'milk', 'biscuit', 'change' (very important if the baby is feeling uncomfortable at the bottom end) and 'sleep'. It's important that everyone in the family uses SL when talking to the child (so they pick it up faster - it took a while to convince my husband to participate) in conjunction with proper spoken sentences. Of course, if she's bi- or tri-lingual, she may take longer to speak but when she does, she'll have more languages to speak in.
Re Pip's temper tantrums, apparently it's often due to frustration because toddlers don't have the language to express themselves yet. I read about baby sign language so I learned some and taught my kids when they were toddlers and it helped (I'm also rewarded with a 16 year old who could talk the hind leg off a donkey; he should go into politics). But if you do go down that route - and I do recommend it - I'd go with British Sign Language (since your family is based in the UK). Most of the baby sign language books out there are based on American Sign Language. I ended up getting some basic BSL books (not baby sign language but for all users) and one came with a wall chart, which was helpful. I think we maybe learned about 10 words but I knew a family who claimed 600 (and not because any of them were deaf).
The kind of words we used were things like 'please', 'thank you', 'sorry', 'hungry', 'milk', 'biscuit', 'change' (very important if the baby is feeling uncomfortable at the bottom end) and 'sleep'. It's important that everyone in the family uses SL when talking to the child (so they pick it up faster - it took a while to convince my husband to participate) in conjunction with proper spoken sentences. Of course, if she's bi- or tri-lingual, she may take longer to speak but when she does, she'll have more languages to speak in.
151PaulCranswick
>150 humouress: Thank you, Nina. That is pretty interesting. She has a habit of hitting herself on the head when she doesn't get what she wants which is a little alarming!
152mahsdad
Thanks for the stats Paul.
For me, my numbers are down from last year, but that's fine. Just happy to be around. I'll keep posting my occasional drivel, and say Hi to anyone who stops by.
For me, my numbers are down from last year, but that's fine. Just happy to be around. I'll keep posting my occasional drivel, and say Hi to anyone who stops by.
153PaulCranswick
>152 mahsdad: Hahaha Jeff, I feel much the same as you do.
154Familyhistorian
>147 PaulCranswick: We are known for being polite so we like to share.
155booksaplenty1949
>154 Familyhistorian: Is sharing an aspect of politeness? I don’t mean sharing a box of Timbits, I mean sharing views and observations. Some people would see that as an American predilection, and not always a congenial one, although of course LT people are different regardless of where they’re from.
156PaulCranswick
>154 Familyhistorian: Well then the Canadians really must be polite because as far as I can remember seven or eight of you have finished a year with the most posts. Only three Americans have done that in 14 years - Mark, Richard and Amber.
>155 booksaplenty1949: I suppose we have reasonable freedom of expression on LT and in the 75ers with politeness in debate being the watchword.
>155 booksaplenty1949: I suppose we have reasonable freedom of expression on LT and in the 75ers with politeness in debate being the watchword.
157vancouverdeb
I only predicted The Safekeep from the Women's Shortlist, and mainly because it made the Booker Shortlist. I either have from the library or have a hold on all the books on the shortlist from the library. But I have a bunch of books I want to get to , so I'm not sure what I will read next. I had a number of books come in on holds and yes, I purchased two books, not from the shortlist .
158PaulCranswick
>157 vancouverdeb: I only did slightly better Deb as can be seen above. I will try to read the remaining five books on the shortlist I haven't yet read and pick my own winner (which will surely prove to be wrong!).
159PaulCranswick
CARTOON
Not sure, if it was WWF that Trump would be on top.
Not sure, if it was WWF that Trump would be on top.
160SilverWolf28
Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/369744
161SilverWolf28
Oops
162PaulCranswick
>160 SilverWolf28: Thank you, Silver. You helped me get a couple of books over the line last week.
>161 SilverWolf28: Double posted?
>161 SilverWolf28: Double posted?
163PaulCranswick
Friday lunchtime additions
103. Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
104. The Looting Machine by Tom Burgis
105. Airside by Christopher Priest
106. Wild Ground by Emily Usher
103. Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
104. The Looting Machine by Tom Burgis
105. Airside by Christopher Priest
106. Wild Ground by Emily Usher
164PaulCranswick
Hani and I are a little sad this evening as we sent Yasmyne and Pip to the airport for their UK return.
I will miss my apprentice librarian
I will miss my apprentice librarian
167m.belljackson
>166 PaulCranswick: She was just trying to order your books by ISBN...?
168amanda4242
>164 PaulCranswick: Was she trying to help you find your copy of Middlemarch?
170booksaplenty1949
Train up a child in the way (s)he should go… I am reminded of a story about Charles Darwin, who had eventually realised that an in-depth study of variations within a single species was crucial to his theory of evolution. For eight years he collected specimens of the common barnacle, which arrived by the box load and teetered in tall piles beside his dissecting table. When visiting a school friend and being shown over the house, Darwin’s son apparently asked in some confusion “Where does your father keep his barnacles?”
171PaulCranswick
>167 m.belljackson: She did seem to have a method, Marianne, but I was unsuccessful in determining exactly what it was!
>168 amanda4242: Hahaha, it is in the bookcase adjacent to the one Pip was "organizing"!
>168 amanda4242: Hahaha, it is in the bookcase adjacent to the one Pip was "organizing"!
172PaulCranswick
>169 DianaNL: Thank you, Diane. Lovely to see you by the way!
>170 booksaplenty1949: Nice story! Thanks for making me smile so early on a Saturday morning!
Yasmyne and Pip have just landed safely in Doha.
>170 booksaplenty1949: Nice story! Thanks for making me smile so early on a Saturday morning!
Yasmyne and Pip have just landed safely in Doha.
173alcottacre
>127 PaulCranswick: Another one that I have yet to get hold of - and not through lack of effort. I would really like to read that one.
>140 PaulCranswick: And I own exactly 0 books on that list. I am still trying to catch up on last year's longlist, lol. Thanks for posting it, Paul.
>164 PaulCranswick: Aw, too bad their visit is over. I am sure Pip is rearranging your books to suit her own tastes. By cover color, perhaps?
>140 PaulCranswick: And I own exactly 0 books on that list. I am still trying to catch up on last year's longlist, lol. Thanks for posting it, Paul.
>164 PaulCranswick: Aw, too bad their visit is over. I am sure Pip is rearranging your books to suit her own tastes. By cover color, perhaps?
174PaulCranswick
>173 alcottacre: I think it could well win the prize. I didn't think it flawless but it is a book that gets better as you read it rather than starts well and then flounders.
I have all the shortlist so I am now planing in which order to read them.
I take heart from the fact that she is clearly fascinated by books and that she never at any stage tried to damage any of them.
I have all the shortlist so I am now planing in which order to read them.
I take heart from the fact that she is clearly fascinated by books and that she never at any stage tried to damage any of them.
175arubabookwoman
I love the pictures of Pip rearranging your library. Mine used to do that too when they were toddlers. I hope it means she will grow up to be a reader. (Sadly, not all of mine are).
176PaulCranswick
>175 arubabookwoman: One of the things that saddens me is that my girls read less and less as they get older. Kyran is an avid reader or should I say listener as he likes audio books.
I have hopes for Pip!
Nice to see you, Deborah.
I have hopes for Pip!
Nice to see you, Deborah.
177msf59
Happy New Thread, Paul. Hooray for finally meeting Pip. How wonderful is that. And she seems to be drawn to your books. A double hooray! Sorry that they have to head back to the UK.
179alcottacre
>174 PaulCranswick: I finally broke down and ordered a copy of The Safekeep from Blackwell's Oxford and will count it towards my Thingaversary purchases. I have posted this week's haul over on the 'This Just In' thread if you want to take a look, Juan!
180Familyhistorian
The one where Pip is looking up at you is priceless. It looks like she is trying to figure out what your problem is.
181PaulCranswick
>177 msf59: Her second visit actually Mark but the gap between meetings is too long for sure. I envy you your weekly doses of Jackson.
>178 quondame: "Of books and the babe". I like that Susan! Life certainly does have its special moments.
>178 quondame: "Of books and the babe". I like that Susan! Life certainly does have its special moments.
182PaulCranswick
>179 alcottacre: I will go over and have me a good look, Juana.
>180 Familyhistorian: Hani told me to post that one, Meg, even though it is slightly blurry. I was affecting a problem really as I loved her playing with my books. She never once tore at any pages as some small ones are apt to do.
>180 Familyhistorian: Hani told me to post that one, Meg, even though it is slightly blurry. I was affecting a problem really as I loved her playing with my books. She never once tore at any pages as some small ones are apt to do.
183Kristelh
>164 PaulCranswick: what a great pictures, Paul.
185Kristelh
>184 PaulCranswick: it was cute tho and that’s better
186PaulCranswick
>185 Kristelh: The small one made it so at least!
187PaulCranswick
BOOK #42
Picture Her Dead by Lin Anderson
Date of Publication : 2011
Origin of Author : UK
Gender of Author : Female
Pages : 438pp
Thoroughly satisfying edition of this series with one long standing storyline running alongside a completely new one.
Rhona Macleod is a complex forensic investigator for the Glasgow CID who goes off piste almost as often as she takes a good looking fellow into her bed.
Recommended but not as the place to start the series.
Picture Her Dead by Lin Anderson
Date of Publication : 2011
Origin of Author : UK
Gender of Author : Female
Pages : 438pp
Thoroughly satisfying edition of this series with one long standing storyline running alongside a completely new one.
Rhona Macleod is a complex forensic investigator for the Glasgow CID who goes off piste almost as often as she takes a good looking fellow into her bed.
Recommended but not as the place to start the series.
188booksaplenty1949
>171 PaulCranswick: When you are back in the UK and she has more time to work on the shelves the system will become clearer to you.
BTW, was surprised to discover in a German university library that books there are catalogued and shelved by the date they arrived. That way every shelf is filled to the end before a new shelf is added. Those thrifty Krauts! It does mean that you have to rely on the catalogue to find anything, whereas in other systems I am familiar with, books by the same author and/or on the same subject are grouped together and you often see things of interest that you didn’t know existed. I guess Germans are willing to sacrifice serendipity for efficiency. It will be interesting to see Pip’s priorities.
BTW, was surprised to discover in a German university library that books there are catalogued and shelved by the date they arrived. That way every shelf is filled to the end before a new shelf is added. Those thrifty Krauts! It does mean that you have to rely on the catalogue to find anything, whereas in other systems I am familiar with, books by the same author and/or on the same subject are grouped together and you often see things of interest that you didn’t know existed. I guess Germans are willing to sacrifice serendipity for efficiency. It will be interesting to see Pip’s priorities.
189PaulCranswick
>188 booksaplenty1949: That is a decent plan, I suppose.
You would know where to look for the latest releases at least.
You would know where to look for the latest releases at least.
190msf59
>181 PaulCranswick: Sorry, I had forgotten that you had seen her before. Hey, twice is better, right? 😀
191PaulCranswick
>190 msf59: Doubly so in fact, Mark!
192mdoris
>164 PaulCranswick:, >165 PaulCranswick:, >166 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul., I loved the photos. As grandparents we have ALL BEEN THERE! but fun to see you having your turn!
193Familyhistorian
>187 PaulCranswick: Looks like I have a way to go before I can catch up with you on that series, Paul.
194banjo123
Happy weekend, Paul! Adorable pictures of Pip. Do Hani and Yasmyne also call her Pip, or is that your special name for her?
195PaulCranswick
>192 mdoris: Thanks Mary. I know Hani is missing the apple of her eye right now - even more grumpy than usual.
>193 Familyhistorian: You'll enjoy doing so, no doubt, Meg.
>193 Familyhistorian: You'll enjoy doing so, no doubt, Meg.
196PaulCranswick
>194 banjo123: They don't participate in the use of Pip although the Pipsqueak herself does appear to recognize it!
197humouress
>166 PaulCranswick: That's a lovely series of photos; it tells the story. I do like your expressions.
I think she was digging for the third layer of books.
I think she was digging for the third layer of books.
199PaulCranswick
Book #43
Poetry for Life and Other Chronic Conditions by A.K. Davidson
Date of Publication : 2024
Origin of Author : UK
Gender of Author : Female
Pages : 55 pp
A.K. Davidson suffers from Long Covid and she turned the difficulty of her everyday life into a poetic statement.
She will never be the Poet Laureate and some of this is simplistic but nevertheless effective and oddly touching.
Read it whilst waiting for Hani to be ready to go for brunch and then whilst we were having our Prawn Mee Pinang style (delicious).
This is "Well Dressed"
Each autumn, I pack my summer clothes away;
rediscover cosy wool and knee-length winter boots.
Right now, my summer friends are distant too.
My dancing, laughing, flirting party pals
who live life hard and loud at ninety miles per hour.
I love them, but they're not right for this season.
My autumn friends like gentle walks and quiet films.
When the winter's here again, I'll cherish
all the comforters who'll soothe and make life better.
Silk vest, cashmere sweater: ideal for freezing weather.
Spring will come eventually. Brand-new
friendships root and bud; then they start to bloom.
Now my heart is bursting but there's more than enough room.
Every friend is stored, and each one's time will come.
Recommended for a light and often touching work.
Poetry for Life and Other Chronic Conditions by A.K. Davidson
Date of Publication : 2024
Origin of Author : UK
Gender of Author : Female
Pages : 55 pp
A.K. Davidson suffers from Long Covid and she turned the difficulty of her everyday life into a poetic statement.
She will never be the Poet Laureate and some of this is simplistic but nevertheless effective and oddly touching.
Read it whilst waiting for Hani to be ready to go for brunch and then whilst we were having our Prawn Mee Pinang style (delicious).
This is "Well Dressed"
Each autumn, I pack my summer clothes away;
rediscover cosy wool and knee-length winter boots.
Right now, my summer friends are distant too.
My dancing, laughing, flirting party pals
who live life hard and loud at ninety miles per hour.
I love them, but they're not right for this season.
My autumn friends like gentle walks and quiet films.
When the winter's here again, I'll cherish
all the comforters who'll soothe and make life better.
Silk vest, cashmere sweater: ideal for freezing weather.
Spring will come eventually. Brand-new
friendships root and bud; then they start to bloom.
Now my heart is bursting but there's more than enough room.
Every friend is stored, and each one's time will come.
Recommended for a light and often touching work.
200booksaplenty1949
>175 arubabookwoman: One child caught the bug early and has an apartment overflowing with books. One came late to the party but is now a professional librarian and very keen reader. Third less so, but married a book person, so I take some credit for that.
201PaulCranswick
>200 booksaplenty1949: Not bad. Not bad at all.
202booksaplenty1949
>201 PaulCranswick: My own parents weren’t particularly interested in book ownership, unlike me, but I rarely saw either of them without a book in hand.
203Berly
>166 PaulCranswick: LOL. So cute! Didn't you mention you couldn't find a book? Glad you had such a wonderful time with Pip. Hope you get the chance again soon.
204atozgrl
>164 PaulCranswick: >165 PaulCranswick: >166 PaulCranswick: These are great photos, Paul! I'm glad you shared them with us. I certainly hope Pip grows up to be a reader. It looks like she's starting well.
205PaulCranswick
>202 booksaplenty1949: Neither of my parents are/were readers, but my Grandmother loved to read.
>203 Berly: She was quite often overtired but it was lovely spending time with her, Kimmers.
>203 Berly: She was quite often overtired but it was lovely spending time with her, Kimmers.
206PaulCranswick
>204 atozgrl: Thank you, Irene. She is sure to get plenty of encouragement from her Grandpa!
207PaulCranswick
CARTOON
The state of inner city management has come under the spotlight in the UK recently with reports of piles of garbage not removed from city streets in our "second city" of Birmingham. It is actually attributable to a strike by the city's "bin men".
The state of inner city management has come under the spotlight in the UK recently with reports of piles of garbage not removed from city streets in our "second city" of Birmingham. It is actually attributable to a strike by the city's "bin men".
209PaulCranswick
>208 Matke: The news reports are increasingly telling of giant rats, Gail. There doesn't seem much sympathy for the striking workers just at the moment!
Pip is at least nowhere near the city of Birmingham.
Pip is at least nowhere near the city of Birmingham.
210Matke
>209 PaulCranswick:
At least it’s not The Giant Rat of Sumatra!
Or let’s hope not anyway.
Typically I’m in sympathy with strikes by government workers, but the loss of garbage pickup is just plain scary.
At least it’s not The Giant Rat of Sumatra!
Or let’s hope not anyway.
Typically I’m in sympathy with strikes by government workers, but the loss of garbage pickup is just plain scary.
211PaulCranswick
>210 Matke: It seems that the strike is something to do with cuts by the local authority relating to waste recycling which the "bin men" believe will result in actual cuts to their wages.
212PaulCranswick
I have been having a think as to who are my top ten favourite living authors.
Based on books that I have read in the last few years
5 Ladies:
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Catherine Chidgey
Claire Keegan
Penelope Lively
Anne Tyler
5 Gentlemen
Rohinton Mistry
Orhan Pamuk
Graham Swift
Abraham Verghese
Colson Whitehead
Based on books that I have read in the last few years
5 Ladies:
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Catherine Chidgey
Claire Keegan
Penelope Lively
Anne Tyler
5 Gentlemen
Rohinton Mistry
Orhan Pamuk
Graham Swift
Abraham Verghese
Colson Whitehead
213vancouverdeb
I love the series of pictures of you and Pip, Paul! A couple of real cuties! I am really enjoyed Tell Me Everything and I hope you are too.
214PaulCranswick
>213 vancouverdeb: Yes, I think it is the best of the three I have read so far, Deb.
I'm not often called a cutie these days so I will thank my grandaughter and bask in some of the credit reflected off of her!
I'm not often called a cutie these days so I will thank my grandaughter and bask in some of the credit reflected off of her!
215SirThomas
Many thanks for the statistics and the beautiful pictures, Paul.
>212 PaulCranswick: Interesting list, some I already know, others increase Mount TBR...
>212 PaulCranswick: Interesting list, some I already know, others increase Mount TBR...
216PaulCranswick
>215 SirThomas: Nice to see you Thomas. On my list I pondered a while over Lively and Tyler. But the word favourite rather than best came to me and whilst I admire Ann Patchett, Barbara Kingsolver, Louise Erdrich and Elizabeth Strout (I wanted an American author here) I have long enjoyed Tyler's fairly homely musings.
There are better prose stylists than Penelope Lively but her stories are always so gentle and probing plus her late husband was a tutor of mine at University.
There are better prose stylists than Penelope Lively but her stories are always so gentle and probing plus her late husband was a tutor of mine at University.
217elkiedee
I've enjoyed some of Penelope Lively's writing for adults but I grew up on her books for children, including The House in Norham Gardens, set in Oxford where my grandparents lived (and where my mum and her sisters grew up).
218booksaplenty1949
I picked up Moon Tiger at a friend’s vacation place when I had run through the books I had brought with me. Noted that it had recently won a prestigious prize. Actually found it fairly feeble and decided that I would set no store by prizes in future, although these days it’s difficult to find a new release that *hasn’t* won a prize.
219avatiakh
Love the photos of Pip inspecting your shelves.
I'm mostly playing catch up with my reading this month. I have many books started and not finished that I'm determined to get read.
>212 PaulCranswick: I don't think I could put a short list of five together, I keep getting impressed by new writers.
I'm mostly playing catch up with my reading this month. I have many books started and not finished that I'm determined to get read.
>212 PaulCranswick: I don't think I could put a short list of five together, I keep getting impressed by new writers.
220alcottacre
>187 PaulCranswick: Yeah, it definitely sounds like a series I need to read.
>212 PaulCranswick: A rarity for me - I can actually say that I have read all of those authors :)
Happy whatever, Paul!
>212 PaulCranswick: A rarity for me - I can actually say that I have read all of those authors :)
Happy whatever, Paul!
221PaulCranswick
>217 elkiedee: I have her book The Ghost of Thomas Kempe but I have always gotten plenty from her adult fiction.
>218 booksaplenty1949: I would agree that I found Moon Tiger one of the less impressive of her novels but it did strike a chord with many. The number of books released to the suspecting public these days is far more than previous so the number of authors/books without prizes has increased immensely.
>218 booksaplenty1949: I would agree that I found Moon Tiger one of the less impressive of her novels but it did strike a chord with many. The number of books released to the suspecting public these days is far more than previous so the number of authors/books without prizes has increased immensely.
222PaulCranswick
>219 avatiakh: I am also knocking off a few of the books I had already started, Kerry.
It was great to have Pip "inspecting" the shelves and I never felt that there would be any danger of her damaging any of them.
I am sure that if I prepared a similar list next year some of the names on it will have changed.
>220 alcottacre: Nice to see you, Juana. I hope that Kerry is bearing up OK. xx
It was great to have Pip "inspecting" the shelves and I never felt that there would be any danger of her damaging any of them.
I am sure that if I prepared a similar list next year some of the names on it will have changed.
>220 alcottacre: Nice to see you, Juana. I hope that Kerry is bearing up OK. xx
223booksaplenty1949
>221 PaulCranswick: Maybe. But, say, Fame is the Spur won zero prizes. Americanah has won eight. I don’t think that reflects their relative merit.
224PaulCranswick
>223 booksaplenty1949: Oh yes I can agree with that too. There are more books and more prizes!
225PaulCranswick
CARTOON
226Kristelh
>212 PaulCranswick: I’ve read all but Chidgey.I will keep an eye out for her.
227PaulCranswick
>226 Kristelh: I thought that her novel Pet was tremendous, Kristel.
228Kristelh
>227 PaulCranswick: Thanks,Paul. I found a copy on Hoopla so i ‘hearted’ it and will work it in soon.
229booksaplenty1949
>224 PaulCranswick: Are there more new books published these days? I don’t count self-published books. Average sale=5 copies, I gather.
PS This article seems to support your contention
https://ideas.bkconnection.com/10-awful-truths-about-publishing
PS This article seems to support your contention
https://ideas.bkconnection.com/10-awful-truths-about-publishing
230PaulCranswick
>228 Kristelh: Good luck with that one, Kristel, I am sure that you'll enjoy it.
231PaulCranswick
>229 booksaplenty1949: A pretty sobering read isn't it? Number of books proliferate but the revenue from sales is stagnant at best.
232vancouverdeb
I did enjoy Tell Me Everything, Paul. I think my next read from the shortlist will be The Persians, but I am waiting for it from the library. I have enjoyed several of Penelope Lively's books. I'm not sure if I could pick my five favourite living authors of each sex. Tough one, Paul.
233louisisaloafofbreb
Hi Paul- sorry I've been off.....lots of stuff IRL
234PaulCranswick
>232 vancouverdeb: To narrow it down to 10 is not so easy. Top 3 of each is surprisingly easier.
>233 louisisaloafofbreb: Nice to see you back, Lily. Hope you are keeping ok.
>233 louisisaloafofbreb: Nice to see you back, Lily. Hope you are keeping ok.
235louisisaloafofbreb
>234 PaulCranswick: Im not rlly- one of my fam members passed just yesterday....
236PaulCranswick
>235 louisisaloafofbreb: Oh dear, Lily, I am so sorry to hear that. My condolences to you and your family.
237louisisaloafofbreb
>236 PaulCranswick: Yeah....I visited the day before her death- I miss her a lot but its life I guess
238PaulCranswick
>237 louisisaloafofbreb: An auntie or cousin?
I guess we have to take that approach in life to death. I have had a difficult relationship with my father who turned 81 on 19 March. Despite our problems, I called him to wish him a happy birthday and hope that he was doing ok after suffering a minor stroke.
He has always been a tough but very meticulous man, always with his personal feelings under control. When I saw him tearful on his birthday (video call) I was touched to my core and realized that the difficulties in life and relationships are always worth trying to overcome.
I guess we have to take that approach in life to death. I have had a difficult relationship with my father who turned 81 on 19 March. Despite our problems, I called him to wish him a happy birthday and hope that he was doing ok after suffering a minor stroke.
He has always been a tough but very meticulous man, always with his personal feelings under control. When I saw him tearful on his birthday (video call) I was touched to my core and realized that the difficulties in life and relationships are always worth trying to overcome.
239louisisaloafofbreb
>238 PaulCranswick: My great grandmother, my grandpa's mum. Yeah....honestly i havnt talked to them for years- only finding out she was dying 2 days before she died.....so that kinda sucked....i grew up with her until 4-5 years old
240PaulCranswick
>239 louisisaloafofbreb: Oh I see. I never got to meet any great-grandparents. I guess that life expectancy has increased even during my lifetime.
241louisisaloafofbreb
>240 PaulCranswick: Maybe....her funeral is this weekend....so if im not on then just assume im in Kentucky at that....
242PaulCranswick
CARTOON
To be candid, I am not against reciprocal tariffs as a matter of theory and fairness (although there are some doubts as to whether this is what Trump is doing) but a more targeted, gradualist and less aggressive approach would be preferred and be more stabilizing. Trade with China has been grossly unfair for a couple of generations but changing that is not going to be easy.
To be candid, I am not against reciprocal tariffs as a matter of theory and fairness (although there are some doubts as to whether this is what Trump is doing) but a more targeted, gradualist and less aggressive approach would be preferred and be more stabilizing. Trade with China has been grossly unfair for a couple of generations but changing that is not going to be easy.
243PaulCranswick
>241 louisisaloafofbreb: Keep your chin up Lily.
244louisisaloafofbreb
>243 PaulCranswick: I'll try my best Paul
245booksaplenty1949
>242 PaulCranswick: Once upon a time every family was more or less self-sufficient—-growing their own food, weaving their own cloth, sewing their own clothes, etc. As society evolves these tasks get divvied up among families and individuals, and people make exchanges to meet their particular needs. It’s the same with countries. As long as working conditions are safe and compensation is in line with local living standards I see nothing wrong with buying products made elsewhere.
246PaulCranswick
>244 louisisaloafofbreb: That's good, Lily.
>245 booksaplenty1949: No, I am not saying that there is anything intrinsically wrong with buying products made elsewhere, I am talking about basic fairness in the trading between countries and/or blocs. If one country levies tariffs and has quotas against another country or if that country has no welfare system and employs child or indentured labour this cannot be considered free and fair trade.
I am not a fan of globalism for these reasons as it tends to leave many areas as wastelands where nothing is made and jobs are scarce. My homeland of Northern England is in exactly that position.
I would prefer to buy locally in most instances where a feasible option is available to do so. I incidentally looked at what TVs are now manufactured in the UK and came across a brand called Cello and I will buy that product when I relocate as every little bit keeps workers going in the North East of England where they are based.
The UK doesn't grow bananas or coffee for example and these things are the sort of things that should be traded.
>245 booksaplenty1949: No, I am not saying that there is anything intrinsically wrong with buying products made elsewhere, I am talking about basic fairness in the trading between countries and/or blocs. If one country levies tariffs and has quotas against another country or if that country has no welfare system and employs child or indentured labour this cannot be considered free and fair trade.
I am not a fan of globalism for these reasons as it tends to leave many areas as wastelands where nothing is made and jobs are scarce. My homeland of Northern England is in exactly that position.
I would prefer to buy locally in most instances where a feasible option is available to do so. I incidentally looked at what TVs are now manufactured in the UK and came across a brand called Cello and I will buy that product when I relocate as every little bit keeps workers going in the North East of England where they are based.
The UK doesn't grow bananas or coffee for example and these things are the sort of things that should be traded.
247louisisaloafofbreb
I'm gonna head to bed (its 10:47pm), i'll probably be on in the morning, night!
249booksaplenty1949
>246 PaulCranswick: After WW II “Made in Japan” was synonymous with “cheap junk.” But eventually they developed brands of cameras, electronics, cars and other products that set world standards. Once British manufacture dominated the world (and “Free Trade” was British policy) but presumably there was a failure to invest in industrial/product innovation that would continue to support the rising cost of local labour. China is in this position now, as its population heads into steep decline.
250PaulCranswick
>249 booksaplenty1949: Yes I would concede on a failure to invest but it was also the case of holding on to the principle of free trade without the benefit of a level playing field.
It is true that China's population is starting to decline but hardly "steep decline" given that it fell by 2.08 million in 2023 over a population close to 1.bn people which is a 0.21% decline.
It is true that China's population is starting to decline but hardly "steep decline" given that it fell by 2.08 million in 2023 over a population close to 1.bn people which is a 0.21% decline.
251Tess_W
>242 PaulCranswick: Traditionally, the US has had rather high tariffs. It has been a presidential debate issue stemming clear back to the 1880's. (McKinley vs. Bryan) Nobody has really paid attention to it till now, because they don't like the messenger. I know I'm a minority on this site (but not in the US), but I support the following:
Per the IEEPA document (authority)
President Trump will impose a 10% tariff on all countries.
This will take effect April 5, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. EDT.
President Trump will impose an individualized reciprocal higher tariff on the countries with which the United States has the largest trade deficits. All other countries will continue to be subject to the original 10% tariff baseline.
This will take effect April 9, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. EDT.
These tariffs will remain in effect until such a time as President Trump determines that the threat posed by the trade deficit and underlying nonreciprocal treatment is satisfied, resolved, or mitigated.
One reason for this tariff is to encourage U.S. companies that relocated to countries like Mexico and China—where they could pay low wages, bypass basic health and safety regulations, and boost their profits—to bring their manufacturing operations back to the U.S. (e.g., Caterpillar, Nike, etc.).
P.S. As of this tariff, there are already rates in effect from 8-30% on clothing and shoes from some countries.
Per the IEEPA document (authority)
President Trump will impose a 10% tariff on all countries.
This will take effect April 5, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. EDT.
President Trump will impose an individualized reciprocal higher tariff on the countries with which the United States has the largest trade deficits. All other countries will continue to be subject to the original 10% tariff baseline.
This will take effect April 9, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. EDT.
These tariffs will remain in effect until such a time as President Trump determines that the threat posed by the trade deficit and underlying nonreciprocal treatment is satisfied, resolved, or mitigated.
One reason for this tariff is to encourage U.S. companies that relocated to countries like Mexico and China—where they could pay low wages, bypass basic health and safety regulations, and boost their profits—to bring their manufacturing operations back to the U.S. (e.g., Caterpillar, Nike, etc.).
P.S. As of this tariff, there are already rates in effect from 8-30% on clothing and shoes from some countries.
252Kristelh
>251 Tess_W: Well said, Tess. Thanks for posting.
253PaulCranswick
>251 Tess_W: Yes, Tess, I am also not against the principle of tariffs for the protection of home industries but as usual POTUS47 goes a little too far with it. As I have stated here so many times I have seen the dangers of unchecked globalism ad I am pleased that there is a attempt to correct that albeit that the correction is somewhat clumsily managed..
>252 Kristelh: Indeed, Kristel.
>252 Kristelh: Indeed, Kristel.
254louisisaloafofbreb
Gooooood well probably afternoon for you now, but its morning-ish for me, but either way Good Morning on my part lol
255Tess_W
>253 PaulCranswick: Just an FYI.....in 1876 the McKinley Tariff was one of the highest in history, 25%, which he raised to 30%. So a 10% baseline isn't all that historically high. (and of course, the exceptions!) Once the Great Depression hit, tariffs were then renegotiated, hoping to stimulate trade. Those lower or non-existing rates have basically been in effect without much change since then (except for NAFTA).
P.S. I'm not really a know it all about tariffs! However, when working on my Master's, the class was divided into thirds for a multi-media project. There were the tariff group, the labor group, and the civil service vs spoils system group. Guess which one I was assigned?!!!
P.S. I'm not really a know it all about tariffs! However, when working on my Master's, the class was divided into thirds for a multi-media project. There were the tariff group, the labor group, and the civil service vs spoils system group. Guess which one I was assigned?!!!
256PaulCranswick
>255 Tess_W: I don't think I would get any prizes for correctly guessing that one, Tess!
257booksaplenty1949
>250 PaulCranswick: I gather it is due to be down by a third at the end of this century if decline continues at the current rate.
258booksaplenty1949
>251 Tess_W: Well, Trump has backed off once again. Does anybody still believe he has a coherent plan? I gather that 93% of the clothing purchased in the US is made outside the country. Restoring clothing manufacturing in the US would be a time-consuming process, and at the end of it consumers would be looking at prices ten times higher. I have seen estimates that an iPhone would cost about $3,500 if assembled in the US. I really don’t think that’s going to fly.
260PaulCranswick
>257 booksaplenty1949: Those sorts of models can be a long way out if any of the variables change at all. It would not be a bad thing if the population of China reduced somewhat.
>259 PaulCranswick: Firstly trade is about targeting what you need to import and not necessarily what you don't need to import. I am not going to speculate on the priorities of the American economy as I am not American save to say that the calculations are not as simplistic as often portrayed when you are taking people off welfare in the process.
>259 PaulCranswick: Firstly trade is about targeting what you need to import and not necessarily what you don't need to import. I am not going to speculate on the priorities of the American economy as I am not American save to say that the calculations are not as simplistic as often portrayed when you are taking people off welfare in the process.
261Tess_W
>258 booksaplenty1949: Yes, he did, except for China. Coherent? Hmmm....probably not! About that $3500 Iphone.........see, that's the point. One has to decide if the current process is fair trade (equitable), morally or not?
262PaulCranswick
>261 Tess_W: With Trump I think it is clear he is looking to leverage deals to make trade more advantageous to America and to move jobs back to the American heartland which is the bedrock of his support base. Whether the plan is coherent or not is probably not the point with him - I would bet that some of those in the know made a killing over the last few days with the fall and rebound of the stock market.
I am broadly in favour of a sensible tariff policy although whether his policy proves to be sensible will become clear over time.
I will not buy an IPhone myself or one of the Chinese phones that has been developed via stealing the IP of others. Of course I can say so because I work for Samsung and am pretty much honour bound to use their phones.
I am broadly in favour of a sensible tariff policy although whether his policy proves to be sensible will become clear over time.
I will not buy an IPhone myself or one of the Chinese phones that has been developed via stealing the IP of others. Of course I can say so because I work for Samsung and am pretty much honour bound to use their phones.
263Tess_W
>262 PaulCranswick: I LOVE Samsung--it's my "dirty little secret!" I tout and always try to buy American made products. I have a tablet, maybe my 5-6th one over the years. As to the phone, I'm a droid user so I-Phones hold no appeal to me at all. Now, my husband (now retired), who owned his own appliance sales & repair business, absolutely would not sell or service their larger appliances such as washers and dryers. He would have people call him to get parts and sometimes it was year or more (if ever) to get a part. Several people who called him said Samsung told them the nearest repairman was several hundred miles away, which of course, would not be agreeable to making a service call.
264booksaplenty1949
>261 Tess_W: Lower wages in another manufacturing country does not in itself mean UNfair trade if the wages there provide a good living standard and working conditions are safe. I don’t think many Americans think working in a garment factory is an aspirational career but in less-developed countries that’s a big improvement on the alternative—-subsistence farming. If someone can make a good living by local standards producing a $1000 phone why would I want to take his job away and pay $3500 for the same phone made locally? How does it improve the standard of living in my own country if everything costs so much more?
265booksaplenty1949
>263 Tess_W: Samsung phones are made in Vietnam, I gather.
266alcottacre
>262 PaulCranswick: >263 Tess_W: I have had a Samsung phone for years now. Prior to the one I have now, I had another Samsung phone.
267Tess_W
>264 booksaplenty1949: Notice I said "fair" trade........we are saying the same thing. Unfortunately, it's often not "fair."
268PaulCranswick
>263 Tess_W: With me not quite so secret, Tess! Living where I do, Samsung appliances are obviously much more freely available and I am not quite as discerning when it comes to household equipment. Some of the kitchen appliances are Bosch, Hani's TV is LG, my Laptop is an Acer, the washing machine is a Panasonic, my coffee machine is Nespresso and Hani's is Dolce Gusto. Not really any pattern there to be honest. Most of my books were made in the UK.
>264 booksaplenty1949: For me one of the roles of government is to create the conditions for employment and wealth for its people. There is sometimes a trade-off between things that are not made in the local market and those that are or could be. There are certain products and industries which a country should reserve to itself. It is not the role of a government to worry overly about a worker in another country.
>264 booksaplenty1949: For me one of the roles of government is to create the conditions for employment and wealth for its people. There is sometimes a trade-off between things that are not made in the local market and those that are or could be. There are certain products and industries which a country should reserve to itself. It is not the role of a government to worry overly about a worker in another country.
269PaulCranswick
>265 booksaplenty1949: Amongst other places that is true. Most of the Apples are now made in China especially for this market. I would prefer to buy from Vietnam personally.
>266 alcottacre: They are reliable and sturdy aren't they, Stasia? A bit like my goodself!
>266 alcottacre: They are reliable and sturdy aren't they, Stasia? A bit like my goodself!
270PaulCranswick
>267 Tess_W: Trade with China has fundamentally been lacking in fairness. Giant companies not founded necessarily on the need to make profits, IP often not done and stolen instead, workers without the benefits and conditions of their competitors, price dumping practiced to drive the opposition to bankruptcy and create monopolies, tariffs, quotas and bureaucracy galore. The West and Trump is alive to this but I fear he is too late and will not get the support needed especially when thwarted by the globalists.
271booksaplenty1949
>270 PaulCranswick: Given Trump’s own business practices—stiffing contractors, firing workers rather than paying overtime, false advertising, etc etc I can hardly imagine that “fairness” is part of any real agenda on his part.
272PaulCranswick
>270 PaulCranswick: But I am not talking specifically and exclusively about Trump and his motivations. World trade and fair practices are not only about him even though he might want it to be. I was against unfettered "free" trade long before he took that escalator ride.
273Tess_W
>272 PaulCranswick: Agreed.
Factory workers, especially those at Foxconn, often make only a few dollars per hour.
While some workers may earn around $650-$850 per month, this is barely enough to cover basic living expenses, let alone afford an iPhone.
Deductions for housing and meals can significantly reduce take-home pay.
China Labor Watch has documented cases of workers making as little as $200 per month after deductions. Iphone assembly workers would have to work 4 weeks @ 60 hours per week just to buy and Iphone. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pegatron-iphone-workers_n_573dcb39e4b0aee7b8e91e2...
>271 booksaplenty1949: as to Trump stiffing contractors, two sides to every story. My son, after reading the article, sides with Trump. (He is also a person who hires sub-contractors who are notorious for not finishing a job, and therefore do not get paid.) He says that probably 25% of his subcontractors do not get paid or paid in full because they disappear from a job site, never to return. He builds $1 million houses and up, so supposedly does not hire shady contractors. As to overtime, what smart businessmen would not hire more people so that he would not have to pay current employees overtime? It's a standard business practice. I did notice that Trump has proposed no taxes on OT.....not sure that is right! Anyway, please do not think I am a Trump fan, although not a hater either. I'm not a hater, period. I am a fan of both conservative economic and social policies.
Factory workers, especially those at Foxconn, often make only a few dollars per hour.
While some workers may earn around $650-$850 per month, this is barely enough to cover basic living expenses, let alone afford an iPhone.
Deductions for housing and meals can significantly reduce take-home pay.
China Labor Watch has documented cases of workers making as little as $200 per month after deductions. Iphone assembly workers would have to work 4 weeks @ 60 hours per week just to buy and Iphone. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pegatron-iphone-workers_n_573dcb39e4b0aee7b8e91e2...
>271 booksaplenty1949: as to Trump stiffing contractors, two sides to every story. My son, after reading the article, sides with Trump. (He is also a person who hires sub-contractors who are notorious for not finishing a job, and therefore do not get paid.) He says that probably 25% of his subcontractors do not get paid or paid in full because they disappear from a job site, never to return. He builds $1 million houses and up, so supposedly does not hire shady contractors. As to overtime, what smart businessmen would not hire more people so that he would not have to pay current employees overtime? It's a standard business practice. I did notice that Trump has proposed no taxes on OT.....not sure that is right! Anyway, please do not think I am a Trump fan, although not a hater either. I'm not a hater, period. I am a fan of both conservative economic and social policies.
274booksaplenty1949
>273 Tess_W: Trump’s business modus operandi may be common, but he seems to have been unable to make it profitable.
275PaulCranswick
>273 Tess_W: There are conflicting reports about the Trump business ethics but I do note that he was something of the darling of the liberal elites until he declared his political affiliations.
I am not a conservative, Tess, but there are policies which I feel sympathy for which I consider eventually favour the poorer over the rich. Tariff policy does not favour the rich individual who is happy to farm his work and businesses overseas.
>274 booksaplenty1949: I'm not sure that he has always proven to be unable to turn a profit. He has a couple of billion from somewhere and he didn't inherit near that sum. Despite some fairly awful acts in office he is the only President in memory who left office with less than he entered it.
I am anything but a supporter of his but he is not wrong on everything and not the monster that he is portrayed to be although I wouldn't want him in my family!
I am not a conservative, Tess, but there are policies which I feel sympathy for which I consider eventually favour the poorer over the rich. Tariff policy does not favour the rich individual who is happy to farm his work and businesses overseas.
>274 booksaplenty1949: I'm not sure that he has always proven to be unable to turn a profit. He has a couple of billion from somewhere and he didn't inherit near that sum. Despite some fairly awful acts in office he is the only President in memory who left office with less than he entered it.
I am anything but a supporter of his but he is not wrong on everything and not the monster that he is portrayed to be although I wouldn't want him in my family!
276booksaplenty1949
>275 PaulCranswick: A broken clock is right twice a day. That’s all I’d give him credit for, personally.
277PaulCranswick
>275 PaulCranswick: He is certainly a divisive figure and I would guess that a lot of his supporters don't actually like him very much.
278Caroline_McElwee
>164 PaulCranswick: >165 PaulCranswick: >166 PaulCranswick: Sorry you had to wave goodbye to the girls.
Grrr - just seeing white squares.
>212 PaulCranswick: Hmmm, I'm sure this would change whatever day I wrote it, but here's today's:
Favourite Living Writers
5 Women
Sri Hustvedt (Fiction and NF)
Patti Smith - love her memoirs (new one due in November)
Chimamanda Ngosi Adichie
Elif Shafak
Deborah Levy (Especially her non-Fiction)
5 Men
Hisham Matar - this years find
Ian McEwan - some great books, some less so but I've been reading him for 40+ years
Tan Twan Eng
Amor Towles
Colm Tóibín
Grrr - just seeing white squares.
>212 PaulCranswick: Hmmm, I'm sure this would change whatever day I wrote it, but here's today's:
Favourite Living Writers
5 Women
Sri Hustvedt (Fiction and NF)
Patti Smith - love her memoirs (new one due in November)
Chimamanda Ngosi Adichie
Elif Shafak
Deborah Levy (Especially her non-Fiction)
5 Men
Hisham Matar - this years find
Ian McEwan - some great books, some less so but I've been reading him for 40+ years
Tan Twan Eng
Amor Towles
Colm Tóibín
279PaulCranswick
>278 Caroline_McElwee: Tan was close to my list too, Caroline.
280booksaplenty1949
Seems we can all breathe easy about phones, whatever brand we favour, since phones/parts have just been exempted from the new tariffs. Guess push-back *trumps* any principled policy.
281PaulCranswick
>280 booksaplenty1949: Clearly he is going to step back from some of the extremes of his policy but the upshot will be that the US will be in a distinctly better position viz most of its trading partners after this exchange but most of them will trust the US less than before.
282booksaplenty1949
>281 PaulCranswick: Why was a tariff on phones and parts “extreme” ? People here were defending it a few days ago.
283PaulCranswick
>282 booksaplenty1949: I wasn't referring to the phones and parts as extreme and if it came off like that it was unintended. I was talking in general terms. The strategy was clearly to get his trading parties to come to the table to discuss the issue of reciprocal tarriffs and that seems to be happening. I don't agree with indiscriminate tariffs as a government needs to decide what goods and services it gives priority to in terms of manufacture and in terms of the need to import.
284booksaplenty1949
>283 PaulCranswick: I don’t get the impression that China is “coming to the table.”
285PaulCranswick
>283 PaulCranswick: If Trump can align the West against China's trade policy it will be a huge success and long overdue. I don't agree with him on many things but the need for fairer trade with that state is certainly one issue he is on the money. COVID and the supply chain disaster that ensued prove it.
I see the rapacious nature of China's trade policy very clearly from here in South East Asia and in my frequent earlier visits to Africa.
I see the rapacious nature of China's trade policy very clearly from here in South East Asia and in my frequent earlier visits to Africa.
286booksaplenty1949
>283 PaulCranswick: But there was a discussion of how those making phones in China were living in poor conditions and making slave wages. What problem is is that we are trying to solve?
287PaulCranswick
>283 PaulCranswick: I guess we are talking about the furtherance of national interest.
288booksaplenty1949
>287 PaulCranswick: Rather than larger issues of social justice. Fair enough.
289PaulCranswick
>288 booksaplenty1949: Whatever my personal feelings about the welfare conditions in other countries, I can say with some certainty that Trump doesn't give a whit for that and is only interested in correcting the trade imbalances with other countries.
290booksaplenty1949
>289 PaulCranswick: I honestly have no idea what his priorities are, although I’m pretty sure that social justice is not among them.
This topic was continued by Paul's Grand European Tour 8.
