Paul's Grand European Tour 21
This is a continuation of the topic Paul's Grand European Tour 20.
This topic was continued by Paul's Grand European Tour 22.
Talk 75 Books Challenge for 2025
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1PaulCranswick
November and the Grand Tour jaunts into the Iberian Peninsula (essentially Spain and Portugal with the addition of tiny Andorra)
2PaulCranswick
The Opening Words
I plan to read Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, which I bought yesterday as it fits a TIOLI challenge.
This is actually from the preface:
"Hold out your hands and let me lay upon them a sheaf of freshly picked sweetgrass, loose and flowing, like newly washed hair. Golden green and glossy above, the stems are banded with purple and white where they meet the ground. Hold the bundle up to your nose. Find the fragrance of honeyed vanilla over the scent of river water and black earth and you understand its scientific name: Hierochloe odorata, meaning the fragrant, holy grass. In our language it is called wiingaashk , the sweet smelling hair of Mother Earth. Breathe it in and you start to remember things you didn't know you'd forgotten.
Interested.........................?
I plan to read Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, which I bought yesterday as it fits a TIOLI challenge.
This is actually from the preface:
"Hold out your hands and let me lay upon them a sheaf of freshly picked sweetgrass, loose and flowing, like newly washed hair. Golden green and glossy above, the stems are banded with purple and white where they meet the ground. Hold the bundle up to your nose. Find the fragrance of honeyed vanilla over the scent of river water and black earth and you understand its scientific name: Hierochloe odorata, meaning the fragrant, holy grass. In our language it is called wiingaashk , the sweet smelling hair of Mother Earth. Breathe it in and you start to remember things you didn't know you'd forgotten.
Interested.........................?
3PaulCranswick
Poetry:
For me, as a lover of history of proud Brit, November is taken up by Remembrance and mostly of that dreadful conflagration the misnamed Great War. It produced many wonderful poets and I am of course most familiar with those from my own country - Brooke, Sassoon, Gurney, Read, Thomas, Rosenberg, Binyon, Blunden, Jones, Aldington, Grenfell, Sorley, Graves and especially Wilfred Owen.
This is Owen's brilliant but eminently sad Anthem for Doomed Youth
What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
— Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells;
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,—
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
And bugles calling for them from sad shires.
What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.
The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.
For me, as a lover of history of proud Brit, November is taken up by Remembrance and mostly of that dreadful conflagration the misnamed Great War. It produced many wonderful poets and I am of course most familiar with those from my own country - Brooke, Sassoon, Gurney, Read, Thomas, Rosenberg, Binyon, Blunden, Jones, Aldington, Grenfell, Sorley, Graves and especially Wilfred Owen.
This is Owen's brilliant but eminently sad Anthem for Doomed Youth
What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
— Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells;
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,—
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
And bugles calling for them from sad shires.
What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.
The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.
4PaulCranswick
BOOKS READ IN 2025 (1-75)
By the way my completed dates are using the British system of DD/MM/YY
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
44. Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout (2024) 326 pp (Completed 14/4/25)
45. The Museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk (2008) 728 pp (Completed 19/4/25)
46. The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey (1975) 538 pp (Completed 20/4/25)
47. Richard II by William Shakespeare (1595) 109 pp (Completed 20/4/25)
48. Blaming by Elizabeth Taylor (1976) 168 pp (Completed 7/5/25)
49. The Blue Bird by Maurice Maeterlinck (1908) 287 pp (Completed 9/5/25)
50. Wild Grass by Ian Johnson (2004) 292 pp (Completed 12/5/25)
51. Original Sin by P.D. James (1994) 551 pp (Completed 13/5/25)
52. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (1977) 178 pp (Completed 16/5/25)
53. Swell by Maria Ferguson (2025) 81 pp (Completed 21/5/25)
54. Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq (2022) 212 pp (Completed 31/5/25)
55. October by China Mieville (2017) 329 pp (Completed 31/5/25)
56. All Our Yesterdays by Natalia Ginzburg (1952) 418 pp (Completed 7/6/25)
57. Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare (1599) 104 pp (Completed 7/6/25)
58. Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton (2024) 279 pp (Completed 9/6/25)
59. Don't Skip Out On Me by Willy Vlautin (2019) 293 pp (Completed 11/6/25)
60. Small Boat by Vincent Delecroix (2023) 122 pp (Completed 17/6/25)
61. The Forward Book of Poetry 2025 edited by William Sieghart (2024) 121 pp (Completed 20/6/25)
62. The Cement Garden by Ian McEwan (1978) 133pp (Completed 23/6/25)
63. Crooked Seeds by Karen Jennings (2024) 190 pp (Completed 29/6/25)
64. The White Album by Joan Didion (1979) 223 pp (Completed 29/6/25)
65. Crow Lake by Mary Lawson (2002) 338 pp (Completed 4/7/25)
66. The Experience of Pain by Carlo Emilia Gadda (1963) 225pp (Completed 5/7/25)
67. Coriolanus by William Shakespeare (1608) 307 pp (Completed 6/7/25)
68. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls (1961) 282 pp (Completed 7/7/25)
69. The Eloquence of the Sardine by Bill Francois (2019) 194 pp (Completed 8/7/25)
70. House of Lords and Commons by Ishion Hutchinson (2017) 68 pp (Completed 9/7/25)
71. Theory & Practice by Michelle de Kretser (2024) 183 pp (Completed 12/7/25)
72. The Seeker by S.G. MacLean (2015) 398 pp (Completed 16/7/25)
73. The Pigeon by Patrick Suskind (1988) 77 pp (Completed 27/7/25)
74. The End of Eddy by Edouard Louis (2014) 192 pp (Completed 30/7/25)
75. The Artist by Lucy Steeds (2025) 294 pp (Completed 31/7/25)
By the way my completed dates are using the British system of DD/MM/YY
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
44. Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout (2024) 326 pp (Completed 14/4/25)
45. The Museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk (2008) 728 pp (Completed 19/4/25)
46. The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey (1975) 538 pp (Completed 20/4/25)
47. Richard II by William Shakespeare (1595) 109 pp (Completed 20/4/25)
48. Blaming by Elizabeth Taylor (1976) 168 pp (Completed 7/5/25)
49. The Blue Bird by Maurice Maeterlinck (1908) 287 pp (Completed 9/5/25)
50. Wild Grass by Ian Johnson (2004) 292 pp (Completed 12/5/25)
51. Original Sin by P.D. James (1994) 551 pp (Completed 13/5/25)
52. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (1977) 178 pp (Completed 16/5/25)
53. Swell by Maria Ferguson (2025) 81 pp (Completed 21/5/25)
54. Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq (2022) 212 pp (Completed 31/5/25)
55. October by China Mieville (2017) 329 pp (Completed 31/5/25)
56. All Our Yesterdays by Natalia Ginzburg (1952) 418 pp (Completed 7/6/25)
57. Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare (1599) 104 pp (Completed 7/6/25)
58. Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton (2024) 279 pp (Completed 9/6/25)
59. Don't Skip Out On Me by Willy Vlautin (2019) 293 pp (Completed 11/6/25)
60. Small Boat by Vincent Delecroix (2023) 122 pp (Completed 17/6/25)
61. The Forward Book of Poetry 2025 edited by William Sieghart (2024) 121 pp (Completed 20/6/25)
62. The Cement Garden by Ian McEwan (1978) 133pp (Completed 23/6/25)
63. Crooked Seeds by Karen Jennings (2024) 190 pp (Completed 29/6/25)
64. The White Album by Joan Didion (1979) 223 pp (Completed 29/6/25)
65. Crow Lake by Mary Lawson (2002) 338 pp (Completed 4/7/25)
66. The Experience of Pain by Carlo Emilia Gadda (1963) 225pp (Completed 5/7/25)
67. Coriolanus by William Shakespeare (1608) 307 pp (Completed 6/7/25)
68. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls (1961) 282 pp (Completed 7/7/25)
69. The Eloquence of the Sardine by Bill Francois (2019) 194 pp (Completed 8/7/25)
70. House of Lords and Commons by Ishion Hutchinson (2017) 68 pp (Completed 9/7/25)
71. Theory & Practice by Michelle de Kretser (2024) 183 pp (Completed 12/7/25)
72. The Seeker by S.G. MacLean (2015) 398 pp (Completed 16/7/25)
73. The Pigeon by Patrick Suskind (1988) 77 pp (Completed 27/7/25)
74. The End of Eddy by Edouard Louis (2014) 192 pp (Completed 30/7/25)
75. The Artist by Lucy Steeds (2025) 294 pp (Completed 31/7/25)
5PaulCranswick
Books Read 76-
Completion dates are based on the British system of (DD/MM/YY)
July
76. The Pine Islands by Marion Poschmann (2017) 180 pp (Completed 31/7/25)
August
77. Audition by Katie Kitamura (2025) 197 pp (Completed 2/8/25)
78. Girlhood by Julia Copus (2019) 73 pp (Completed 3/8/25)
79. Home Boys by Alex Wheatle (2018) 231 pp (Completed 3/8/25)
80. The South by Tash Aw (2025) 270 pp (Completed 4/8/25)
81. Safe as Houses by Simone van der Vlught (2012) 262 pp (4/8/25)
82. The Wrecking Light by Robin Robertson (2010) 90 pp (8/8/25)
83. Highway 13 by Fiona McFarlane (2024) 296 pp (8/8/25)
84. The Cafe With No Name by Robert Seethaler (2023) 220 pp (Completed 10/8/25)
85. The Heeding by Rob Cowen (2021) 118 pp (Completed 16/8/25)
86. Once the Deed is Done by Rachel Seiffert (2025) 455 pp (Completed 16/8/25)
87. Canoes by Maylis de Kerangal (2021) 152 pp (Completed 17/8/25)
88. The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller (2024) 371 pp (Completed 24/8/25)
89. The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien (1954) 407 pp (Completed 24/8/25)
90. Universality by Natasha Brown (2025) 156pp (Completed 31/8/25)
September
91. Misinterpretation by Ledia Xhoga (2024) 321 pp (Completed 5/9/25)
92. Woke Racism by John McWhorter (2021) 187 pp (Completed 5/9/25)
93. Lit Up Inside by Van Morrison (2014) 201 pp (Completed 7/9/25)
94. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman (2020) 377 pp (Completed 7/9/25)
95. Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann (2017) 291 pp (Completed 11/9/25)
96. When We Flew Away by Alice Hoffman (2024) 282 pp (Completed 15/9/25)
97. Devotions by Mary Oliver (2017) 442 pp (Completed 15/9/25)
98. The Rest of Our Lives by Benjamin Markovitz (2025) (Completed 30/9/25)
October
99. Touch Wood: Poems and a Story by Dannie Abse (2002) 88 pp (Completed 2/10/25)
100. Tin Man by Sarah Winman (2017) 195 pp (Completed 5/10/25)
101. Judas 62 by Charles Cumming (2021) 499 pp (Completed 15/10/25)
102. The Blazing World by Jonathon Healey (2023) 598 pp (Completed 28/10/25)
103. Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin (1967) 229 pp (Completed 30/10/25)
November
104. Water at the Roots by Philip Britts (2018) 148 pp (Completed 1/11/25)
105. The Story of a Heart by Rachel Clarke (2024) 256 pp (Completed 1/11/25)
106. We Gather Together: Celebrating the Harvest Season by Wendy Pfeffer (2006) 44 pp
107. I am David by Anne Holm (1963) 195 pp (Completed 2/11/25)
108. Doctor Who: Stones of Blood by David Fisher (1978) 190 pp (Completed 2/11/25)
109. Tales from Watership Down by Richard Adams (1996) 238 pp (Completed 3/11/25)
110. We Always Treat Women Too Well by Raymond Queneau (1947) 125 pp (Completed 4/11/25)
111. The Last Man by Mary Shelley (1826) 470 pp (Completed 5/11/25)
112. Reading the Globe by Ann Morgan (2015) 371 pp (Completed 6/11/25)
113. The Chosen by Chaim Potok (1966) 281 pp (Completed 8/11/25)
114. A Lucky Man by Jamel Brinkley (2018) 240 pp (Completed 9/11/25)
115. Fifteen Wild Decembers by Karen Powell (2023) 279 pp (Completed 9/11/25)
Completion dates are based on the British system of (DD/MM/YY)
July
76. The Pine Islands by Marion Poschmann (2017) 180 pp (Completed 31/7/25)
August
77. Audition by Katie Kitamura (2025) 197 pp (Completed 2/8/25)
78. Girlhood by Julia Copus (2019) 73 pp (Completed 3/8/25)
79. Home Boys by Alex Wheatle (2018) 231 pp (Completed 3/8/25)
80. The South by Tash Aw (2025) 270 pp (Completed 4/8/25)
81. Safe as Houses by Simone van der Vlught (2012) 262 pp (4/8/25)
82. The Wrecking Light by Robin Robertson (2010) 90 pp (8/8/25)
83. Highway 13 by Fiona McFarlane (2024) 296 pp (8/8/25)
84. The Cafe With No Name by Robert Seethaler (2023) 220 pp (Completed 10/8/25)
85. The Heeding by Rob Cowen (2021) 118 pp (Completed 16/8/25)
86. Once the Deed is Done by Rachel Seiffert (2025) 455 pp (Completed 16/8/25)
87. Canoes by Maylis de Kerangal (2021) 152 pp (Completed 17/8/25)
88. The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller (2024) 371 pp (Completed 24/8/25)
89. The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien (1954) 407 pp (Completed 24/8/25)
90. Universality by Natasha Brown (2025) 156pp (Completed 31/8/25)
September
91. Misinterpretation by Ledia Xhoga (2024) 321 pp (Completed 5/9/25)
92. Woke Racism by John McWhorter (2021) 187 pp (Completed 5/9/25)
93. Lit Up Inside by Van Morrison (2014) 201 pp (Completed 7/9/25)
94. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman (2020) 377 pp (Completed 7/9/25)
95. Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann (2017) 291 pp (Completed 11/9/25)
96. When We Flew Away by Alice Hoffman (2024) 282 pp (Completed 15/9/25)
97. Devotions by Mary Oliver (2017) 442 pp (Completed 15/9/25)
98. The Rest of Our Lives by Benjamin Markovitz (2025) (Completed 30/9/25)
October
99. Touch Wood: Poems and a Story by Dannie Abse (2002) 88 pp (Completed 2/10/25)
100. Tin Man by Sarah Winman (2017) 195 pp (Completed 5/10/25)
101. Judas 62 by Charles Cumming (2021) 499 pp (Completed 15/10/25)
102. The Blazing World by Jonathon Healey (2023) 598 pp (Completed 28/10/25)
103. Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin (1967) 229 pp (Completed 30/10/25)
November
104. Water at the Roots by Philip Britts (2018) 148 pp (Completed 1/11/25)
105. The Story of a Heart by Rachel Clarke (2024) 256 pp (Completed 1/11/25)
106. We Gather Together: Celebrating the Harvest Season by Wendy Pfeffer (2006) 44 pp
107. I am David by Anne Holm (1963) 195 pp (Completed 2/11/25)
108. Doctor Who: Stones of Blood by David Fisher (1978) 190 pp (Completed 2/11/25)
109. Tales from Watership Down by Richard Adams (1996) 238 pp (Completed 3/11/25)
110. We Always Treat Women Too Well by Raymond Queneau (1947) 125 pp (Completed 4/11/25)
111. The Last Man by Mary Shelley (1826) 470 pp (Completed 5/11/25)
112. Reading the Globe by Ann Morgan (2015) 371 pp (Completed 6/11/25)
113. The Chosen by Chaim Potok (1966) 281 pp (Completed 8/11/25)
114. A Lucky Man by Jamel Brinkley (2018) 240 pp (Completed 9/11/25)
115. Fifteen Wild Decembers by Karen Powell (2023) 279 pp (Completed 9/11/25)
7PaulCranswick
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)
6. I am David by Anne Holm
March : Warsaw Pact : https://www.librarything.com/topic/368897
Selected Poems by Zbigniew Herbert
April : Ottoman Empire
The Museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk
May : Non-National Languages : https://www.librarything.com/topic/370571
June : Caesar to Meloni : https://www.librarything.com/topic/371345
All Our Yesterdays by Natalia Ginzburg
The Experience of Pain by Carlo Emilia Gaddo
July : The Germanic World :
1. The Pigeon by Patrick Suskind
2. The Pine Islands by Marion Poschmann
3. The Cafe With No Name by Robert Seethaler
August : Anita Fameulstee Memorial Month (Benelux) :
https://www.librarything.com/topic/372858
1. The Blue Bird by Maurice Maeterlinck
2. Safe as Houses by Simone van der Vlught
September : Books About European Places : https://www.librarything.com/topic/373424#n8936462
1. When We Flew Away by Alice Hoffman (Amsterdam)
October : La Belle France
1. Nagasaki by Eric Faye
2. Small Boat by Vincent Delecroix
3. The Eloquence of the Sardine by Bill Francois
4. The End of Eddy by Edouard Louis
5. Canoes by Maylis Kerangal
6. We Always Treat Women Too Well by Raymond Queneau
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)
6. I am David by Anne Holm
March : Warsaw Pact : https://www.librarything.com/topic/368897
Selected Poems by Zbigniew Herbert
April : Ottoman Empire
The Museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk
May : Non-National Languages : https://www.librarything.com/topic/370571
June : Caesar to Meloni : https://www.librarything.com/topic/371345
All Our Yesterdays by Natalia Ginzburg
The Experience of Pain by Carlo Emilia Gaddo
July : The Germanic World :
1. The Pigeon by Patrick Suskind
2. The Pine Islands by Marion Poschmann
3. The Cafe With No Name by Robert Seethaler
August : Anita Fameulstee Memorial Month (Benelux) :
https://www.librarything.com/topic/372858
1. The Blue Bird by Maurice Maeterlinck
2. Safe as Houses by Simone van der Vlught
September : Books About European Places : https://www.librarything.com/topic/373424#n8936462
1. When We Flew Away by Alice Hoffman (Amsterdam)
October : La Belle France
1. Nagasaki by Eric Faye
2. Small Boat by Vincent Delecroix
3. The Eloquence of the Sardine by Bill Francois
4. The End of Eddy by Edouard Louis
5. Canoes by Maylis Kerangal
6. We Always Treat Women Too Well by Raymond Queneau
November : Iberian Peninsula
December : Back to the Future : 21st Century in translation
8PaulCranswick
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 - Norah Lofts & Gerald Durrell
April - PD James & Paul Bailey
Original Sin by PD James
May - Nancy Mitford & Paul Scott
June - Elizabethan & Jacobean : Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
July - Dodie Smith & Mervyn Peake
August - Emily Tesh & Alex Wheatle
Home Boys by Alex Wheatle.
September - Leone Ross & Alan Moore
October - Sarah Moss & Christopher Isherwood
November - DOCTOR WHO : Stones of Blood by David Fisher
December - Historical Fiction : Fifteen Wild Decembers by Karen Powell)
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 - Norah Lofts & Gerald Durrell
April - PD James & Paul Bailey
Original Sin by PD James
May - Nancy Mitford & Paul Scott
June - Elizabethan & Jacobean : Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
July - Dodie Smith & Mervyn Peake
August - Emily Tesh & Alex Wheatle
Home Boys by Alex Wheatle.
September - Leone Ross & Alan Moore
October - Sarah Moss & Christopher Isherwood
November - DOCTOR WHO : Stones of Blood by David Fisher
December - Historical Fiction : Fifteen Wild Decembers by Karen Powell)
9PaulCranswick
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 - The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey
MAY - Pulitzer History Prize Winners
JUNE - Willy Vlautin - Don't Skip Out on Me
JULY - Romance
AUGUST - True Crime - Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
SEPTEMBER - Alice Hoffman - When We Flew Away
OCTOBER - Westerns
NOVEMBER - David Treuer
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 - The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey
MAY - Pulitzer History Prize Winners
JUNE - Willy Vlautin - Don't Skip Out on Me
JULY - Romance
AUGUST - True Crime - Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
SEPTEMBER - Alice Hoffman - When We Flew Away
OCTOBER - Westerns
NOVEMBER - David Treuer
DECEMBER -
10PaulCranswick
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 : October by China Mieville
May - China : Wild Grass by Ian Johnson
June - Natural Disasters
July - Creatures of the Sea - The Eloquence of the Sardine by Bill Francois
August - The Movies -
September - Means of Transport
October - Bibliography -
November - Holidays and Festivals - We Gather Together: Celebrating the Harvest Season by Wendy Pfeffer
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 : October by China Mieville
May - China : Wild Grass by Ian Johnson
June - Natural Disasters
July - Creatures of the Sea - The Eloquence of the Sardine by Bill Francois
August - The Movies -
September - Means of Transport
October - Bibliography -
November - Holidays and Festivals - We Gather Together: Celebrating the Harvest Season by Wendy Pfeffer
11PaulCranswick
50 Modern Classics of the last 50 years
1975 : The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey
1976 : Blaming by Elizabeth Taylor
1977 : Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
1978 : The Cement Garden by Ian McEwan
1979 : The White Album by Joan Didion
1988 : The Pigeon by Patrick Suskind
2002 : Crow Lake by Mary Lawson
2008 : The Museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk
2009 : In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin
2012 : Nagasaki by Eric Faye
2014 : The End of Eddy by Louis Eduoard
2017 : The Pine Islands by Marion Poschmann
2019 : The Other Americans by Laila Lalami
2020 : The Cold Millions by Jess Walter
2021 : The Heeding by Rob Cowen
2022 : Heart Lamp Stories by Banu Mushtaq
2023 : Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood
2024 : The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
2025 : Nesting by Roisin O'Donnell
1975 : The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey
1976 : Blaming by Elizabeth Taylor
1977 : Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
1978 : The Cement Garden by Ian McEwan
1979 : The White Album by Joan Didion
1988 : The Pigeon by Patrick Suskind
2002 : Crow Lake by Mary Lawson
2008 : The Museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk
2009 : In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin
2012 : Nagasaki by Eric Faye
2014 : The End of Eddy by Louis Eduoard
2017 : The Pine Islands by Marion Poschmann
2019 : The Other Americans by Laila Lalami
2020 : The Cold Millions by Jess Walter
2021 : The Heeding by Rob Cowen
2022 : Heart Lamp Stories by Banu Mushtaq
2023 : Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood
2024 : The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
2025 : Nesting by Roisin O'Donnell
12PaulCranswick
Big Book Challenge
Link to thread : https://www.librarything.com/topic/368910#n8778254
I am currently failing miserably with this challenge and it is almost an embarrassment putting it on my thread. Hopefully this month I can make it look a little more respectable.
March - Fyodor Dostoevsky or alternatives
April - Orhan Pamuk, Nikos Kazantzakis or much further back
The Museum of Innocence
May - Iberian Tomes : Cervantes, or alternatives
June - Victorian Ladies : George Eliot, or alternatives
July - Gunter Grass or alternatives
August - Harry Mulisch or alternatives
September - Americana - Larry McMurtry or alternatives
October - Non-Fiction Biggies - The Blazing World by Jonathan Healey
November - Pasta Grande - Alessandro Manzoni or alternatives
Link to thread : https://www.librarything.com/topic/368910#n8778254
I am currently failing miserably with this challenge and it is almost an embarrassment putting it on my thread. Hopefully this month I can make it look a little more respectable.
March - Fyodor Dostoevsky or alternatives
April - Orhan Pamuk, Nikos Kazantzakis or much further back
The Museum of Innocence
May - Iberian Tomes : Cervantes, or alternatives
June - Victorian Ladies : George Eliot, or alternatives
July - Gunter Grass or alternatives
August - Harry Mulisch or alternatives
September - Americana - Larry McMurtry or alternatives
October - Non-Fiction Biggies - The Blazing World by Jonathan Healey
November - Pasta Grande - Alessandro Manzoni or alternatives
13PaulCranswick
The Time Machine
This is intended to be a 26 month process as I aim to finish it at the end of 2027. I will be reading 200 books one from each of the last 200 years, I will read them in date order and limit myself to one book per author.
Starting 1 November 2025 and ending 31 December 2027
November Plans
1826 : The Last Man by Mary Shelley READ
1827 : The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni
1828 : Pelham by Edward Bulwer Lytton
1829 : The Misfortunes of Elphin by Thomas Love Peacock
1830 : At the Sign of the Cat and Racket by Honore de Balzac
14PaulCranswick
BOOKER SHORTLIST
THE BOOKER PRIZE shortlist has been announced:
Kiran Desai - The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny
Ben Markovits - The Rest of Our Lives - READ
Katie Kitamura - Audition - READ
Susan Choi - Flashlight - Owned
Andrew Miller - The Land in Winter - READ
David Szalay - Flesh - Owned
Current ranking:
1. Markovitz
2. Miller
3. Kitamura
THE BOOKER PRIZE shortlist has been announced:
Kiran Desai - The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny
Ben Markovits - The Rest of Our Lives - READ
Katie Kitamura - Audition - READ
Susan Choi - Flashlight - Owned
Andrew Miller - The Land in Winter - READ
David Szalay - Flesh - Owned
Current ranking:
1. Markovitz
2. Miller
3. Kitamura
15PaulCranswick
Books Added in 2025
January & February Books 1-64 : https://www.librarything.com/topic/368611#8767173
March & April Books 65-124 : https://www.librarything.com/topic/369865#8810025
May & June Books 125-210 : https://www.librarything.com/topic/371621#8881561
July & August Books 211-305 : https://www.librarything.com/topic/373093#8921718
September & October Books 306-490 : https://www.librarything.com/topic/374475#8969012
January & February Books 1-64 : https://www.librarything.com/topic/368611#8767173
March & April Books 65-124 : https://www.librarything.com/topic/369865#8810025
May & June Books 125-210 : https://www.librarything.com/topic/371621#8881561
July & August Books 211-305 : https://www.librarything.com/topic/373093#8921718
September & October Books 306-490 : https://www.librarything.com/topic/374475#8969012
16PaulCranswick
2025 Book Stats
Books Read : 115
Pages Read in completed books : 29,555
Longest book : The Museum of Innocence : 728 pp
Shortest book : We Gather Together : 44 pp
Mean book length : 257.00 pp
Pages per day average in completed books : 94.42
Books written by men : 61
Books written by women: 55
Books written by both : 1
Non-Fiction : 19
Fiction : 54
Poetry : 19
Thriller : 12
SF/Fantasy : 5
Drama : 6
1590s : 2 books
1600s : 3 books
1820s : 1 book
1830s : 1 book
1900s : 1 book
1940s : 2 books
1950s : 2 books
1960s : 8 books
1970s : 6 books
1980s : 2 books
1990s : 3 books
2000s : 11 books
2010s : 33 books
2020s : 40 books
UK Authors : 55
US Authors : 23
France Authors : 7
Ireland Authors : 2
Australia Authors : 3
Palestine Authors : 1
Iceland Authors : 1
Denmark Authors : 2
Norway Authors : 1
Japan Authors : 1
Sweden Authors : 1
Finland Authors : 1
Netherlands Authors : 2
Poland Authors : 1
Turkey Authors : 1
Belgium Authors : 1
India Authors : 1
Italy Authors : 2
South Africa : 1
Canada Authors : 1
Jamaica Authors : 1
German Authors : 2
Malaysia Authors : 1
Austria Authors : 1
Albania Authors : 1
Various Authors : 1
Challenges :
European Grand Tour Challenge : 23 books
Non-Fiction Challenge : 7 books
American Author Challenge : 8 books
British Author Challenge : 7 books
Time Machine Challenge : 1/200
Women's Prize Longlist : 5 books
1001 Books : 2 books
50 Modern Classics from the Last 50 Years : 5/50
Booker Prize Longlist : 6/13
Awards :
Pulitzer Poetry Prize
Booker International : 1 book
Nobel Winners : 1 new
Women's Prize : 1
Women's NF : 1
Miles Franklin : 1
Walter Scott Prize : 1
Read : 115 books
Added : 505 books
Change to TBR : +390
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 : 6
April Pages : 2,194
Pages Average : Per Book 365.67 Per Day : 109.70
May Books : 8
May Pages : 2,098
Pages Average : Per Book 262.25 Per Day : 67.68
June Books : 9
June Pages : 1,883
Pages Average : Per Book 209.22 Per Day : 62.77
July Books : 12
July Pages : 2,738
Pages Average : Per Book 228.17 Per Day : 88.32
August Books: 14
August Pages : 3,298
Pages Average : Per Book 235.57 Per day 106.39
September Books: 8
September Pages : 2,340
Pages Average : Per Book 292.50 Per Day : 78.00
October Books: 5
October Pages : 1,609
Pages Average: Per Book 321.80 Per Day : 51.90
November Books: 12
November Pages : 2,837
Pages Average : Per Book 236.40 Per Day : 315.22
Books Read : 115
Pages Read in completed books : 29,555
Longest book : The Museum of Innocence : 728 pp
Shortest book : We Gather Together : 44 pp
Mean book length : 257.00 pp
Pages per day average in completed books : 94.42
Books written by men : 61
Books written by women: 55
Books written by both : 1
Non-Fiction : 19
Fiction : 54
Poetry : 19
Thriller : 12
SF/Fantasy : 5
Drama : 6
1590s : 2 books
1600s : 3 books
1820s : 1 book
1830s : 1 book
1900s : 1 book
1940s : 2 books
1950s : 2 books
1960s : 8 books
1970s : 6 books
1980s : 2 books
1990s : 3 books
2000s : 11 books
2010s : 33 books
2020s : 40 books
UK Authors : 55
US Authors : 23
France Authors : 7
Ireland Authors : 2
Australia Authors : 3
Palestine Authors : 1
Iceland Authors : 1
Denmark Authors : 2
Norway Authors : 1
Japan Authors : 1
Sweden Authors : 1
Finland Authors : 1
Netherlands Authors : 2
Poland Authors : 1
Turkey Authors : 1
Belgium Authors : 1
India Authors : 1
Italy Authors : 2
South Africa : 1
Canada Authors : 1
Jamaica Authors : 1
German Authors : 2
Malaysia Authors : 1
Austria Authors : 1
Albania Authors : 1
Various Authors : 1
Challenges :
European Grand Tour Challenge : 23 books
Non-Fiction Challenge : 7 books
American Author Challenge : 8 books
British Author Challenge : 7 books
Time Machine Challenge : 1/200
Women's Prize Longlist : 5 books
1001 Books : 2 books
50 Modern Classics from the Last 50 Years : 5/50
Booker Prize Longlist : 6/13
Awards :
Pulitzer Poetry Prize
Booker International : 1 book
Nobel Winners : 1 new
Women's Prize : 1
Women's NF : 1
Miles Franklin : 1
Walter Scott Prize : 1
Read : 115 books
Added : 505 books
Change to TBR : +390
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 : 6
April Pages : 2,194
Pages Average : Per Book 365.67 Per Day : 109.70
May Books : 8
May Pages : 2,098
Pages Average : Per Book 262.25 Per Day : 67.68
June Books : 9
June Pages : 1,883
Pages Average : Per Book 209.22 Per Day : 62.77
July Books : 12
July Pages : 2,738
Pages Average : Per Book 228.17 Per Day : 88.32
August Books: 14
August Pages : 3,298
Pages Average : Per Book 235.57 Per day 106.39
September Books: 8
September Pages : 2,340
Pages Average : Per Book 292.50 Per Day : 78.00
October Books: 5
October Pages : 1,609
Pages Average: Per Book 321.80 Per Day : 51.90
November Books: 12
November Pages : 2,837
Pages Average : Per Book 236.40 Per Day : 315.22
17PaulCranswick
Family Photo
18PaulCranswick
Welcome to my 21st thread of 2025
19mdoris
Hi Paul, Wow, am I the first to visit your new #21 thread? It is still Halloween here. Ding dong, bark, bark, trick or treat! 🎃
20PaulCranswick
>19 mdoris: You are indeed, Mary and lovely it is to see you here bright and early my friend. We are already into November by 10 hours here in Malaysia.
21louisisaloafofbreb
got a whole lot of tours Paul haha, happy new thread!
22amanda4242
Happy new thread!
24PaulCranswick
>21 louisisaloafofbreb: Stuck in my Malaysian outpost, Lily, I shall always reserve the right to travel virtually!
>22 amanda4242: Thank you dear Amanda
>22 amanda4242: Thank you dear Amanda
25PaulCranswick
>23 Kristelh: Thank you, my book twin. x
26louisisaloafofbreb
>24 PaulCranswick: Yup, although I've traveled to a few places, Ocean City was really pretty, and our hotel was right on the boardwalk!
27PaulCranswick
>26 louisisaloafofbreb: We have some very well traveled members in the group but I have not done terribly so far:
USA, Ireland, UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Russia, Spain, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Sao Tome & Principe, Bahrain, UAE, India, South Korea, China (HK), Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, New Zealand.
28 countries so far.
USA, Ireland, UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Russia, Spain, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Sao Tome & Principe, Bahrain, UAE, India, South Korea, China (HK), Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, New Zealand.
28 countries so far.
28louisisaloafofbreb
>27 PaulCranswick: ooooo thats so cool :o have you seen Romania? Its sooooo pretty
29PaulCranswick
>27 PaulCranswick: No Lily, I haven't been there as yet but the mountains of Transylvania appeal and repel in equal measure as I would be checking that my garlic and crucifixes were firmly in place.
30louisisaloafofbreb
>29 PaulCranswick: haha, that's funny
31avatiakh
>1 PaulCranswick: That's a lovely photo of Ronda. I've been there a few times and explored most of the town.
Happy New Thread.
>29 PaulCranswick: My son told me a day or so ago to google 'castles in Romania' and I have to admit they have some beautiful ones.
Happy New Thread.
>29 PaulCranswick: My son told me a day or so ago to google 'castles in Romania' and I have to admit they have some beautiful ones.
34PaulCranswick
>31 avatiakh: I love Andalusia, Kerry. I had a cycle training camp in Nerja and we used to cycle around the area (some very, very tough climbs) and I also spent happy hours in Ronda, Granada, Antequera, Cordoba and Frigiliana.
It is on Hani's bucket list and you may remember we have one "lapsed" group member there, Liliana, who Hani is still in touch with on FB.
>32 quondame: Thank you, Susan. x
It is on Hani's bucket list and you may remember we have one "lapsed" group member there, Liliana, who Hani is still in touch with on FB.
>32 quondame: Thank you, Susan. x
35PaulCranswick
>33 atozgrl: Lovely to see you, Irene.
36vancouverdeb
Happy New Thread, Paul. Enjoy the books.
37avatiakh
>34 PaulCranswick: Yes, I loved all those places, though traveled by car not bike! Most of my visits have been during my LT years.
Did you visit Setenil de las Bodegas. It's an amazing cave town and the antipodal place to where I live here in Auckland so had to go there.
Did you visit Setenil de las Bodegas. It's an amazing cave town and the antipodal place to where I live here in Auckland so had to go there.
38PaulCranswick
>36 vancouverdeb: Thank you Deb.
>37 avatiakh: I didn't get as far as Setenil de las Bodegas, Kerry and it sounds like I should have done. The closest I think I came to it was on a training ride out to Cordilleras Beticas.
>37 avatiakh: I didn't get as far as Setenil de las Bodegas, Kerry and it sounds like I should have done. The closest I think I came to it was on a training ride out to Cordilleras Beticas.
39humouress
Happy new thread Paul!
>3 PaulCranswick: Wilfred Owen really gets to the heart of the evils of war, for me.
We spent a lovely couple of weeks in Andalusia and Madrid this summer. It was nice to take the family back to where I used to visit at their age - though everything has changed so much since then.
>3 PaulCranswick: Wilfred Owen really gets to the heart of the evils of war, for me.
We spent a lovely couple of weeks in Andalusia and Madrid this summer. It was nice to take the family back to where I used to visit at their age - though everything has changed so much since then.
40ArlieS
Happy new thread Paul
re previous thread: yum @ olives. Black preferred, but I'll happily consume green as well.
re previous thread: yum @ olives. Black preferred, but I'll happily consume green as well.
41PaulCranswick
>39 humouress: Thanks Neighbour.
It is 35 years since I was there so I believe that it must be quite different in Andalusia now.
>40 ArlieS: Thank you Arlie.
Indeed on the olives. I probably prefer black over green 4 days out of 7.
It is 35 years since I was there so I believe that it must be quite different in Andalusia now.
>40 ArlieS: Thank you Arlie.
Indeed on the olives. I probably prefer black over green 4 days out of 7.
42EllaTim
Happy new thread, Paul!
And beautiful site for your starter picture. Would love to go there.
I decided not to try Don Quichote for this month, as it would mean tackling another chunkster.
And beautiful site for your starter picture. Would love to go there.
I decided not to try Don Quichote for this month, as it would mean tackling another chunkster.
43figsfromthistle
Happy new thread!
44SilverWolf28
Happy New Thread!
45PaulCranswick
>42 EllaTim: Lovely as always to see you here, Ella.
I think Don Quixote needs a level of single minded dedication I cannot muster just at the moment.
>43 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita. xx
I think Don Quixote needs a level of single minded dedication I cannot muster just at the moment.
>43 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita. xx
46PaulCranswick
>44 SilverWolf28: Thanks Silver. xx
47msf59
Happy Weekend, Paul. Happy New Thread. I love that topper. We plan on going to Portugal next May.
48PaulCranswick
>47 msf59: Thanks Buddy. Hani is going to Portugal next week!
49Kristelh
Happy November reading Book Twin. Will you be going to Portugal too? How's things going at work? It sounded like you might have new work starting up in the area? Or did I misunderstand?
50PaulCranswick
>49 Kristelh: 'Fraid not, Kristel - Hani will be going with three lady friends she has got to know in Sheffield. I hope that December will see us reunited.
I am helping Samsung secure and negotiate the new job that is coming for them but I don't intend to work on it therafter.
I am helping Samsung secure and negotiate the new job that is coming for them but I don't intend to work on it therafter.
51PaulCranswick
BOOK #104
Water at the Roots by Philip Britts
Date of Publication : 2018
Origin of Author : UK
Gender of Author : Male
Pages : 148 pp
Fervent.
Britts was a pacifist horticulturist who objected to war, embraced God and left Devon to join a agrarian community in Paraguay. He was a pastor, he was a leader and an inspirer. He was tireless and fearless. He was a poet.
He died in great pain at just 31 years of age from a fungal infection found in the soil in a remote part of Brazil.
This book collects what poems of his have survived and some of his musings on peace, submission to God and farming.
This is his poem - "The Promise"
I hate the silent coming in
Of the cold and bitter tide,
So calm and so remorseless
The salt sea waters ride,
And when the sky is sodden
With heavy clouds and low,
I hate the coming of the tide,
So merciless and slow.
And yet if you were standing there
Alone on the sodden sand,
And in your eyes the helplessness
Of your unaided hand -
I would come and stand beside you,
That you might face with me,
The sorrow of the darkened sky,
The menace of the sea.
Water at the Roots by Philip Britts
Date of Publication : 2018
Origin of Author : UK
Gender of Author : Male
Pages : 148 pp
Fervent.
Britts was a pacifist horticulturist who objected to war, embraced God and left Devon to join a agrarian community in Paraguay. He was a pastor, he was a leader and an inspirer. He was tireless and fearless. He was a poet.
He died in great pain at just 31 years of age from a fungal infection found in the soil in a remote part of Brazil.
This book collects what poems of his have survived and some of his musings on peace, submission to God and farming.
This is his poem - "The Promise"
I hate the silent coming in
Of the cold and bitter tide,
So calm and so remorseless
The salt sea waters ride,
And when the sky is sodden
With heavy clouds and low,
I hate the coming of the tide,
So merciless and slow.
And yet if you were standing there
Alone on the sodden sand,
And in your eyes the helplessness
Of your unaided hand -
I would come and stand beside you,
That you might face with me,
The sorrow of the darkened sky,
The menace of the sea.
52richardderus
New-thread orisons, PC!
53foggidawn
Happy new thread, Paul!
>27 PaulCranswick: I can only claim England, Russia, and Estonia so far (as well as the USA, 32 states + D.C.), though if you count airports, I guess I've technically been in Finland and Switzerland. So many places I would like to go...
>27 PaulCranswick: I can only claim England, Russia, and Estonia so far (as well as the USA, 32 states + D.C.), though if you count airports, I guess I've technically been in Finland and Switzerland. So many places I would like to go...
54PaulCranswick
>52 richardderus: Thank you, dear fellow.
>53 foggidawn: 32 States is good going though, Foggi!
I would add a few countries too if I counted airports. Portugal, Turkey, Japan and Qatar.
>53 foggidawn: 32 States is good going though, Foggi!
I would add a few countries too if I counted airports. Portugal, Turkey, Japan and Qatar.
56Matke
Happy new thread, Paul!
>3 PaulCranswick: I love WWI poetry.
And olives? Oh, yes indeed. Sicilians are my favorite but I will happily eat any olives at any time.
>3 PaulCranswick: I love WWI poetry.
And olives? Oh, yes indeed. Sicilians are my favorite but I will happily eat any olives at any time.
57PaulCranswick
>55 drneutron: Thank you, Doc Roc
>56 Matke: It is a special interest of mine too, Gail, and Isaac Rosenberg's work is probably my favourite.
I couldn't tell a Greek, from a Spanish, from an Italian, from a Turkish, from a North African but I do know I like olives of pretty much all extractions.
>56 Matke: It is a special interest of mine too, Gail, and Isaac Rosenberg's work is probably my favourite.
I couldn't tell a Greek, from a Spanish, from an Italian, from a Turkish, from a North African but I do know I like olives of pretty much all extractions.
58atozgrl
>45 PaulCranswick: My DH just attempted to read Don Quixote last month, but gave up after getting a little way in. I do not plan to attempt it for the November read.
60atozgrl
>59 PaulCranswick: I warned him. I tried when I was college age and I didn't get very far. It seems like a lot of us have had that problem.
61amanda4242
>59 PaulCranswick: I got through it a few years ago. I don't recommend it.
62booksaplenty1949
>61 amanda4242: This is all very distressing. I read Don Quixote when I was in school—-too young, I’m sure—-and decided to tackle it again when Spain came up in the challenge. Even invested in a third copy, as a more readable translation than the other two I own. Now those I fancied would be my fellow readers are throwing in the towel. ☹️
63louisisaloafofbreb
>31 avatiakh: They really do, my dad sent me a few photos when he went
64PaulCranswick
>60 atozgrl: I certainly am not ruling it out in the future when I have more time on my hands, Irene, but I don't want to get stuck by particular books this month.
>61 amanda4242: I will get through it eventually Amanda just not this month - same for War and Peace and The Brothers Karamazov and Moby Dick and and and Middlemarch.
>61 amanda4242: I will get through it eventually Amanda just not this month - same for War and Peace and The Brothers Karamazov and Moby Dick and and and Middlemarch.
65PaulCranswick
>65 PaulCranswick: I'm not throwing in the towel exactly.....just waving it a little.
>66 PaulCranswick: Hahaha sometimes, Lily, you are on an entirely different wavelength. I looked back and we are referring to the beauty of the castles in Romania - where apparently gaining access is easier than achieving egress.
>66 PaulCranswick: Hahaha sometimes, Lily, you are on an entirely different wavelength. I looked back and we are referring to the beauty of the castles in Romania - where apparently gaining access is easier than achieving egress.
66PaulCranswick
BOOK #105
The Story of a Heart by Rachel Clarke
Date of Publication : 2024
Origin of Author : UK
Gender of Author : Female
Pages : 256 pp
This book won the second edition of the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction beating out one of my two favourite reads of the year, Raising Hare, by Chloe Dalton. Whilst I don't agree with the decision, I can see why it was so as this is a very important story well told.
There are basically three stories going on here at the same time for much of the book until they coalesce. First Keira's story - the little girl involved in a fatal car accident and her family's confrontation with that tragedy. Second little Max whose heart is failing him and who without a donor will surely die and soon. Thirdly the history of transplantation of body organs.
The latter was interesting but not as captivating as the human stories unfolding. It is a book that uplifts as it saddens; that cheers and inspires as it tearfully numbs you. I am not sure that I could be as brave as Keira's family or as stoic as little Max, but this book has lead me to reassess some of my thoughts on this subject which is surely the purpose intended.
The Story of a Heart by Rachel Clarke
Date of Publication : 2024
Origin of Author : UK
Gender of Author : Female
Pages : 256 pp
This book won the second edition of the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction beating out one of my two favourite reads of the year, Raising Hare, by Chloe Dalton. Whilst I don't agree with the decision, I can see why it was so as this is a very important story well told.
There are basically three stories going on here at the same time for much of the book until they coalesce. First Keira's story - the little girl involved in a fatal car accident and her family's confrontation with that tragedy. Second little Max whose heart is failing him and who without a donor will surely die and soon. Thirdly the history of transplantation of body organs.
The latter was interesting but not as captivating as the human stories unfolding. It is a book that uplifts as it saddens; that cheers and inspires as it tearfully numbs you. I am not sure that I could be as brave as Keira's family or as stoic as little Max, but this book has lead me to reassess some of my thoughts on this subject which is surely the purpose intended.
67PaulCranswick
BOOK #106
We Gather Together: Celebrating the Harvest Season by Wendy Pfeffer (illusrated by Linda Block)
Date of Publication : 2006
Origin of Author : USA
Gender of Author : Female
Pages : 44 pp
I think that I can safely say that this is the first picture book that I have read whilst on LT. Beautiful and informative it was too.
We look at the turning of the season and in that cyclical movement how we give thanks and have given thanks throughout the ages for the providence that nature provides us.
We look at the early civilisations, the Egyptians, the Jews, the Indians, the Japanese, British, the Americans (imported and indigenous) and how all those
cultures have celebrated the festivals of harvest.
I would have thought this a wonderful educational tool for the younger students and enjoyable to the older ones such as I, too!
We Gather Together: Celebrating the Harvest Season by Wendy Pfeffer (illusrated by Linda Block)
Date of Publication : 2006
Origin of Author : USA
Gender of Author : Female
Pages : 44 pp
I think that I can safely say that this is the first picture book that I have read whilst on LT. Beautiful and informative it was too.
We look at the turning of the season and in that cyclical movement how we give thanks and have given thanks throughout the ages for the providence that nature provides us.
We look at the early civilisations, the Egyptians, the Jews, the Indians, the Japanese, British, the Americans (imported and indigenous) and how all those
cultures have celebrated the festivals of harvest.
I would have thought this a wonderful educational tool for the younger students and enjoyable to the older ones such as I, too!
68booksaplenty1949
>67 PaulCranswick: I assume “autumn” isn’t really a thing in Malaysia. How did you cross paths with this book?
69booksaplenty1949
>64 PaulCranswick: In my pretentious youth I had the idea that I would put off reading Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, etc until I learned to read Russian. That day never came and I had to play catch-up with Russian lit in much later life. A mistake. Finally read Oblomov for the Big Book Challenge. Eugene Onegin still TBR.
70PaulCranswick
>68 booksaplenty1949: Just by online research really. I have very fond memories of harvest festivals at school, of occasionally helping at local farms as a boy, and I am a tad homesick for home and family.
>68 booksaplenty1949: I read the into to Eugene Onegin and I reckon I will love it. For a lover of poetry I have something of an aversion to very long (epic) poems but this does seem engaging.
>68 booksaplenty1949: I read the into to Eugene Onegin and I reckon I will love it. For a lover of poetry I have something of an aversion to very long (epic) poems but this does seem engaging.
71PaulCranswick
BOOK #107
I am David by Anne Holm
Date of Publication : 1963
Origin of Author : Denmark
Gender of Author : Female
Pages : 195 pp
A very interesting but exceptionally far fetched adventure of a boy escaping from an unnamed Eastern European Concentration Camp in the middle of the Cold War (almost certainly meant to be Bulgaria) and making his way to Denmark.
It is a triumph of good over evil and imagination over rationality.
I am David by Anne Holm
Date of Publication : 1963
Origin of Author : Denmark
Gender of Author : Female
Pages : 195 pp
A very interesting but exceptionally far fetched adventure of a boy escaping from an unnamed Eastern European Concentration Camp in the middle of the Cold War (almost certainly meant to be Bulgaria) and making his way to Denmark.
It is a triumph of good over evil and imagination over rationality.
72richardderus
>67 PaulCranswick: Pretty art, too! All harvest festivals make me feel the warm sense of comfort in community that ordinarily makes me queasy and wary.
73PaulCranswick
>72 richardderus: Yeah, I think it is the most spiritually meaningful and enjoyable of all festivals where our pagan souls come face to face to organized religion and face it down beautifully.
74PaulCranswick
BOOK #108
Doctor Who: The Stones of Blood by David Fisher
Date of Publication : 1978
Origin of Author : UK
Gender of Author : Male
Pages : 190 pp
British Author Challenge
Tom Baker was my absolute favourite Doctor. My age I guess, but he and Jon Pertwee are my idea of how the Doctor should have been played.
Here in a pretty silly story of Druids, and deadly stones, Doctor Who together with Romana and K9 arrive on Earth in the West Country of England just in time to face a deadly and not quite inanimate foe.
Doctor Who: The Stones of Blood by David Fisher
Date of Publication : 1978
Origin of Author : UK
Gender of Author : Male
Pages : 190 pp
British Author Challenge
Tom Baker was my absolute favourite Doctor. My age I guess, but he and Jon Pertwee are my idea of how the Doctor should have been played.
Here in a pretty silly story of Druids, and deadly stones, Doctor Who together with Romana and K9 arrive on Earth in the West Country of England just in time to face a deadly and not quite inanimate foe.
75booksaplenty1949
>73 PaulCranswick: Both Christianity and Judaism follow yearly cycles of religious festivals which reflect the natural cycle—in the Northern Hemisphere.
76booksaplenty1949
“In short, our gentleman became so caught up in reading that he spent his nights reading from dusk till dawn and his days reading from sunrise to sunset, and so with too little sleep and too much reading his brains dried up, causing him to lose his mind.” This quotation from ch 1 of Don Quixote probably explains why so many in the group have instinctively rejected the book as their Iberian Peninsula selection for November. But I perservere.
77hredwards
Happy New Thread Paul!!
In talks of travel above, where in the USA have you been?
I'm just curious as I live in "fly over country" as it's often called. I've been around parts of the USA but never outside the country.
Happy November also.
In talks of travel above, where in the USA have you been?
I'm just curious as I live in "fly over country" as it's often called. I've been around parts of the USA but never outside the country.
Happy November also.
78PaulCranswick
>75 booksaplenty1949: Japan and China and India have similar festivals geared towards the rice harvesting.
79PaulCranswick
>76 booksaplenty1949: Good for you our intrepid pioneer!
>77 hredwards: I have only been to Florida, Harold, and for work. I have four or five days in Jacksonville a few years ago.
>77 hredwards: I have only been to Florida, Harold, and for work. I have four or five days in Jacksonville a few years ago.
80banjo123
>71 PaulCranswick: I read this as a kid (or maybe teen?) and really liked it. I still remember some of the scenes.
I liked Don Quixote, when I read it a few years ago, but will say that the second half was unnecessary.
I liked Don Quixote, when I read it a few years ago, but will say that the second half was unnecessary.
81PaulCranswick
>80 banjo123: Yeah I do think it works tremendously as YA fiction, Rhonda.
The second half - that is like 600 pages?!
The second half - that is like 600 pages?!
82Familyhistorian
Happy new thread, Paul. I thought I’d comment before this thread passes me by.
83PaulCranswick
>82 Familyhistorian: Always wonderful to have you stop by, Meg.
84PaulCranswick
BOOK #109
Tales from Watership Down
Date of Publication : 1996
Origin of Author : UK
Gender of Author : Male
Pages : 238 pp
If this was billed as a sequel to Watership Down then the advertising was off because it is nothing of the sort. To be fair it doesn't really try to be concentrating instead on mildly diverting stories told by the rabbits to each other regarding their proud ancestor.
For those who loved the original book so much (I was one of those) there will be disappointment here that that magic was not recreated but, putting aside that disappointment, the stories can be enjoyed for what they are: pleasant, diverting and echoing a better world.
Tales from Watership Down
Date of Publication : 1996
Origin of Author : UK
Gender of Author : Male
Pages : 238 pp
If this was billed as a sequel to Watership Down then the advertising was off because it is nothing of the sort. To be fair it doesn't really try to be concentrating instead on mildly diverting stories told by the rabbits to each other regarding their proud ancestor.
For those who loved the original book so much (I was one of those) there will be disappointment here that that magic was not recreated but, putting aside that disappointment, the stories can be enjoyed for what they are: pleasant, diverting and echoing a better world.
85booksaplenty1949
>81 PaulCranswick: Only 497 in my edition.
86PaulCranswick
>85 booksaplenty1949: Hahaha well, that is ok then!
87Caroline_McElwee
>74 PaulCranswick: Agreeing re Tom Baker Paul. He was fun, and such a great voice. The scarf and the jelly babies too.
88alcottacre
>84 PaulCranswick: I am one of those who loved the original book so much too, Paul. I may give Tales from Watership Down at some point, but probably not any time soon.
Happy whatever, brother!
Happy whatever, brother!
89RBeffa
>84 PaulCranswick: Well that is a disappointment. I too loved Watership Down long ago. I also planned to read this book which is small and very pretty. I have it on my read soon shelf along with several other juvenile/young adult type of stories.
90booksaplenty1949
>89 RBeffa: When an author revisits his/her “greatest hit” 25 years later, in his/her late 70s, the motivation is probably commercial rather than artistic. Reviews on LT are pretty scathing.
91RBeffa
>90 booksaplenty1949: I read Watership Down around 1976 and I have been afraid to reread it. I passed the book around to friends and it seemed to be universally loved. I mentally still think of trucks as hrududus after all these years. It was a very special book and I never thought it could be recreated but I hope I don't find discouragement in "The Tales" book. I'll think of it not as a sequel. I read several of Richard Adams other books long ago and have enjoyed them mostly, but not as anything extraordinary.
92PaulCranswick
>87 Caroline_McElwee: I have had a weakness for jelly babies ever since, Caroline!
>88 alcottacre: I think if you come to it fresh you'll think that it is ok, but with the knowledge of the original book, I think it is almost guaranteed that you will be deflated somewhat.
>88 alcottacre: I think if you come to it fresh you'll think that it is ok, but with the knowledge of the original book, I think it is almost guaranteed that you will be deflated somewhat.
93PaulCranswick
>89 RBeffa: As I say, Ron, the book is not bade exactly on its own terms but I don't think it is judged on its own terms!
>90 booksaplenty1949: Yes, I saw those reviews and added my own. The over arching feeling was one of disappointment. I think he was pressured into writing it by fans of the original book and, twenty-four years on, the mojo was probably not still with Richard Adams.
>90 booksaplenty1949: Yes, I saw those reviews and added my own. The over arching feeling was one of disappointment. I think he was pressured into writing it by fans of the original book and, twenty-four years on, the mojo was probably not still with Richard Adams.
94PaulCranswick
>91 RBeffa: Yes, Ron, that is exactly the right way to go into the book. It is certainly not a sequel to the original book and some of the stories are fine but the whole thing is a bit lightweight.
95bell7
A belated happy new thread, Paul. I haven't read Watership Down, but I did read and enjoy Braiding Sweetgrass when my book club read it a couple of years ago. Hope it's a good read for you!
96PaulCranswick
>95 bell7: Lovely to see you, Mary. I am guessing that you must be close to starting a new thread too?
You really ought to get to Watership Down - essential reading I would say.
I am a bit spoiled for choice with Native American authors this month and may try to get to Rebecca Nagle too.
You really ought to get to Watership Down - essential reading I would say.
I am a bit spoiled for choice with Native American authors this month and may try to get to Rebecca Nagle too.
97vancouverdeb
I've never read Watership Down , Paul and I don't think I want to do so now. I think as child I could read and enjoy books about animals, like Charlotte's Web and Wind in The Willows, but as an adult that does not appeal. Maybe I am wrong though. I read Black Beauty but even as a girl I never understood the appeal of horses. I read on someone's thread that you might be in the UK for Christmas ? On a holiday or permanently ?
98PaulCranswick
>97 vancouverdeb: I don't know whether I would appreciate it quite as much now, Deb, but I did love the book as a young adult and I got a buzz out of reading it for the kids about 20 years ago - the buzz caused by their obvious enjoyment of it.
There is a strong possibility that I will be returning to the UK in December - for how long depends on a few issues but it will possibly be a semi permanent arrangement because we won't give up Malaysia entirely either.
There is a strong possibility that I will be returning to the UK in December - for how long depends on a few issues but it will possibly be a semi permanent arrangement because we won't give up Malaysia entirely either.
99Kristelh
>97 vancouverdeb:, >98 PaulCranswick:. Deborah and Paul, I read Watership Down as a quite old adult and it was still very, very good and worth reading.
100PaulCranswick
>99 Kristelh: I seem to recall putting it into my top 100 books list a few years ago, Kristel and it would definitely still be in there.
101PaulCranswick
BOOK # 110
We Always Treat Women Too Well by Raymond Queneau
Date of Publication : 1947
Origin of Author : France
Gender of Author : Male
Pages : 125 pp
I'm not sure what I was expecting from this book but Queneau entertains with an hilarious piss-take both of the attitudes of a decaying Empire as well as the hamfisted methods of those of stand against it.
As funny as it was disturbing and it was in subject matter if not delivery quite disturbing.
How far would you go to survive a siege and would you enjoy yourself at the same time?
For those not dispelled and repelled by trigger warnings of senseless violence, rape, wanton sex, profanity and even shades of necrophilia, go ahead and enjoy this book.
We Always Treat Women Too Well by Raymond Queneau
Date of Publication : 1947
Origin of Author : France
Gender of Author : Male
Pages : 125 pp
I'm not sure what I was expecting from this book but Queneau entertains with an hilarious piss-take both of the attitudes of a decaying Empire as well as the hamfisted methods of those of stand against it.
As funny as it was disturbing and it was in subject matter if not delivery quite disturbing.
How far would you go to survive a siege and would you enjoy yourself at the same time?
For those not dispelled and repelled by trigger warnings of senseless violence, rape, wanton sex, profanity and even shades of necrophilia, go ahead and enjoy this book.
102PaulCranswick
BOOK #111
The Last Man by Mary Shelley
Date of Publication : 1826
Origin of Author : UK
Gender of Author : Female
Pages : 470 pp
Turgid.
This would have been a very good novel if it had half the number of pages and the tale told in half the number of words. Shelley was obviously both a visionary as well as being gifted as a writer but I would suggest that the florid prose was a result of the influence of being married to the most flowery of romantic poets.
I found it funny that she sets the action (sort of) in our own time and we don't seem to have made much in the way of technological advance, the Greeks and Turks are still at each other's throats, the Empire is still athwart the globe but she has at least seen off the Monarchy which, strangely, is still in fact in situ, if not in the greatest of health.
The novel got better as it came closer to the end but it was a last manful struggle to get there.
The Last Man by Mary Shelley
Date of Publication : 1826
Origin of Author : UK
Gender of Author : Female
Pages : 470 pp
Turgid.
This would have been a very good novel if it had half the number of pages and the tale told in half the number of words. Shelley was obviously both a visionary as well as being gifted as a writer but I would suggest that the florid prose was a result of the influence of being married to the most flowery of romantic poets.
I found it funny that she sets the action (sort of) in our own time and we don't seem to have made much in the way of technological advance, the Greeks and Turks are still at each other's throats, the Empire is still athwart the globe but she has at least seen off the Monarchy which, strangely, is still in fact in situ, if not in the greatest of health.
The novel got better as it came closer to the end but it was a last manful struggle to get there.
103bell7
>96 PaulCranswick: Yes, I really should start one soon. Just need to find a spare moment somewhere in here to get it done! I'll look forward to seeing what you read for indigenous authors this month :)
104amanda4242
>102 PaulCranswick: Sounds like one of those books that are a chore to read, but would make a great movie.
105PaulCranswick
>103 bell7: At least Braiding Sweetgrass, Mary. I was just over at yours just now. Probably need to set it up before Friday as you may be happily busy for a while thereafter. xx
>104 amanda4242: Wasn't it made into a movie fairly recently, Amanda? I don't watch many movies these days but I thought I had seen something about it.
>104 amanda4242: Wasn't it made into a movie fairly recently, Amanda? I don't watch many movies these days but I thought I had seen something about it.
106amanda4242
>105 PaulCranswick: The only movie I could find of it is from 2008. Everyone keeps adapting Frankenstein instead of branching out!
107PaulCranswick
>106 amanda4242: 2006 is fairly recent, by my slow moving timing.
108atozgrl
>102 PaulCranswick: That sounds a lot like my reaction to Frankenstein. It's been many, many years now, but IIRC that book started alright but turned really long and boring. I think I'll pass on this one.
109PaulCranswick
>108 atozgrl: I liked certain passages of it, Irene, but it was too bloated to work as a coherent piece of writing.
111alcottacre
>92 PaulCranswick: Thanks for the heads up, Paul.
>101 PaulCranswick: I am passing on that one, I think. The trigger warnings alone put me off the book.
>102 PaulCranswick: Passing on that one too. I hope you get a good read in soon!
>110 avatiakh: I must have missed it too, Kerry.
Happy whatever, Paul!
>101 PaulCranswick: I am passing on that one, I think. The trigger warnings alone put me off the book.
>102 PaulCranswick: Passing on that one too. I hope you get a good read in soon!
>110 avatiakh: I must have missed it too, Kerry.
Happy whatever, Paul!
112SirThomas
Happy New Thread, Paul - and again an impressive speed...
I read Watership Down long before my time at LT, and I have fond memories of it.
>101 PaulCranswick:, >102 PaulCranswick: Thank you for the warning...
I read Watership Down long before my time at LT, and I have fond memories of it.
>101 PaulCranswick:, >102 PaulCranswick: Thank you for the warning...
113booksaplenty1949
>106 amanda4242: Everyone keeps adapting Romeo and Juliet too. When a work has a compelling, universal theme it invites regular revisiting.
PS There are many theories about how many possible plots exist. Some suggest as few as 7. This is a bit broader: https://www.openculture.com/2020/08/37-possible-stories.html
PS There are many theories about how many possible plots exist. Some suggest as few as 7. This is a bit broader: https://www.openculture.com/2020/08/37-possible-stories.html
114booksaplenty1949
>108 atozgrl: I also re-read Frankenstein recently and found the concept brilliant but the execution uneven.
115PaulCranswick
>110 avatiakh: Oh my goodness, Kerry!! I have forgotten all about it in my rush to finish books! I will belatedly put it up after this.
>111 alcottacre: Lovely to see you, Juana. I thought that the Queneau book was entertaining but certainly not for everyone. The Shelley book was a bit heavy going.
>111 alcottacre: Lovely to see you, Juana. I thought that the Queneau book was entertaining but certainly not for everyone. The Shelley book was a bit heavy going.
116PaulCranswick
>112 SirThomas: Lovely book right, Thomas.
>113 booksaplenty1949: I might get to Romeo and Juliet before the year is out.
>113 booksaplenty1949: I might get to Romeo and Juliet before the year is out.
117PaulCranswick
>114 booksaplenty1949: Her writing is florid to say the least.
118booksaplenty1949
>117 PaulCranswick: Apparently the earlier version of Frankenstein is less elaborated with moral asides. I gather it is also available from some publishers. I am thinking of checking out the new movie, so will look for this edition of the book.
PS Published by Penguin. Have ordered.
PS Published by Penguin. Have ordered.
119Kristelh
>101 PaulCranswick:. I’ve read this author but I think I will skip this one. Thanks for taking one for me.
120amanda4242
>113 booksaplenty1949: There are other compelling works out there, but I have a sneaking suspicion they aren't adapted because to do so would require filmmakers to actually read the book instead of just watching the previous versions and going off of them.
121booksaplenty1949
>120 amanda4242: A great novel can make a terrible movie, and vice-versa. I think we all agreed that Jaws the book would be long forgotten if Steven Spielberg hadn’t come along. Moby Dick, on the other hand, loses a lot if all we see is a man chasing a whale, which is probably all a movie version can offer.
122atozgrl
>121 booksaplenty1949: Having rewatched the movie version of Moby Dick a couple of years ago, I can say that it really, really drags in the middle--the very problem you point out.
123amanda4242
>122 atozgrl: So it's just very faithful to the book?
124atozgrl
>123 amanda4242: It has been so long since I read the book that I don't know for sure how faithful the movie was. But if the story drags in the middle for both, that was certainly faithful.
125booksaplenty1949
>123 amanda4242: No, of course not. Book is an epic existential struggle with strong echoes of King Lear.
126amanda4242
>124 atozgrl: & >125 booksaplenty1949: Decent first chapter, thrilling end, and boring as hell in between is my memory of Moby Dick.
127PaulCranswick
>118 booksaplenty1949: I haven't read it but my son raved about its quality. I won't be rushing to it after The Last Man.
>119 Kristelh: I didn't hate it at all, Kristel and found it more interesting than Exercises in Style. The subject matter was more than a little bawdy though.
>119 Kristelh: I didn't hate it at all, Kristel and found it more interesting than Exercises in Style. The subject matter was more than a little bawdy though.
128booksaplenty1949
>126 amanda4242: Story definitely padded out with lots and lots of whale/maritime info. Not one of my favourite classics, I must confess.
129PaulCranswick
>120 amanda4242: If a book is in the public domain how are the film rights agreed upon?
Just occurred to me.
>121 booksaplenty1949: I can certainly agree with that but the skill is in the adaptation isn't it?
Just occurred to me.
>121 booksaplenty1949: I can certainly agree with that but the skill is in the adaptation isn't it?
130amanda4242
>128 booksaplenty1949: My strongest memory is of the chapter that's just a setup for a dick joke. And it's not even a good joke!
131PaulCranswick
>122 atozgrl: It shames me to admit that I have neither read the book nor watched the movie as yet.
>123 amanda4242: Faithfulness to a book can be its undoing when it comes to film but a more coherent and watchable storyline is only good if the whole thing works. For example I thought that the changes to The Thursday Murder Club in terms of plot made more sense than the book but the execution was turgid.
I still shudder at Pierce Brosnan's cockney accent.
>123 amanda4242: Faithfulness to a book can be its undoing when it comes to film but a more coherent and watchable storyline is only good if the whole thing works. For example I thought that the changes to The Thursday Murder Club in terms of plot made more sense than the book but the execution was turgid.
I still shudder at Pierce Brosnan's cockney accent.
133PaulCranswick
>124 atozgrl: Hahaha Irene, most long books can tend to drag in the middle whilst a great movie seems to be over just when you are getting absorbed into it.
>125 booksaplenty1949: Now you are making me want to go and pick it up!
>125 booksaplenty1949: Now you are making me want to go and pick it up!
134amanda4242
>131 PaulCranswick: I still shudder at Pierce Brosnan's cockney accent.
Better or worse than Dick Van Dyke's?
Better or worse than Dick Van Dyke's?
135PaulCranswick
>126 amanda4242: And that makes me less thrilled at rushing to start it - as the bit in between is pretty long!
>128 booksaplenty1949: Ah twice confirmed that it is one for the future not now!
>128 booksaplenty1949: Ah twice confirmed that it is one for the future not now!
136PaulCranswick
>130 amanda4242: That is intriguing, Amanda. I didn't get the impression of Melville as being a humorist.
>132 amanda4242: Ah yes there is that, but I presume the estate would still be entitled to something?
>132 amanda4242: Ah yes there is that, but I presume the estate would still be entitled to something?
138amanda4242
>136 PaulCranswick: I didn't get the impression of Melville as being a humorist.
He wasn't.
I presume the estate would still be entitled to something?
No. The point of public domain is that no one has exclusive rights to the work anymore, so everyone has access to them.
He wasn't.
I presume the estate would still be entitled to something?
No. The point of public domain is that no one has exclusive rights to the work anymore, so everyone has access to them.
139LovingLit
>3 PaulCranswick: I remember this poem from English class in the 1990s!!... the alliteration! the staccato! the imagery!
I've still got it :)
>102 PaulCranswick: >108 atozgrl: me too re: Mary Shelley and Frankenstein. I believe I am still officially 'reading' Frankenstein, having started it at the beginning of *last* year.
I've still got it :)
>102 PaulCranswick: >108 atozgrl: me too re: Mary Shelley and Frankenstein. I believe I am still officially 'reading' Frankenstein, having started it at the beginning of *last* year.
140avatiakh
>115 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul. I finally located my copy of The Club Dumas, it was precisely where I thought it should be but I'd overlooked it several times in the past week.
141PaulCranswick
>138 amanda4242: Then it does surprise me that there are not more "period" movies out there, Amanda.
>139 LovingLit: It is a favourite of mine, Megan. Possibly not my absolute favourite war poem but it is up there.
Shelley's prose is purple if there was ever a colour to describe someone's writing.
>139 LovingLit: It is a favourite of mine, Megan. Possibly not my absolute favourite war poem but it is up there.
Shelley's prose is purple if there was ever a colour to describe someone's writing.
142PaulCranswick
>140 avatiakh: Hani is currently in Vilamoura in the Algarve and drove up to Lisbon yesterday. She was enthralled by the city and sent me umpteen photos of the place. I may try to use one of them for the thread.
143booksaplenty1949
>129 PaulCranswick: Not every novel can be successfully reduced to a 2+ hour adaptation.
144ocgreg34
>1 PaulCranswick: Belated Happy New Thread!
145PaulCranswick
>143 booksaplenty1949: But Netflix seems geared up to make books into serial productions.
>144 ocgreg34: Thanks, Greg.
>144 ocgreg34: Thanks, Greg.
146PaulCranswick
With many apologies I am pleased to say that the Grand European Tour thread for November is finally up and featuring a photo from Lisbon taken a mere few hours ago by my astonishing wife.
https://www.librarything.com/topic/375175
We are visiting the Iberian peninsula.
https://www.librarything.com/topic/375175
We are visiting the Iberian peninsula.
147Familyhistorian
>131 PaulCranswick: Was that supposed to be a cockney accent? I wasn't sure when I watched the adaptation of The Thursday Murder Club.
148PaulCranswick
>147 Familyhistorian: That is what I thought on occasions but, yes, apparently it was supposed to be some garbled version of cockney, Meg!
149SilverWolf28
Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/375180
151PaulCranswick
>149 SilverWolf28: Thank you, Silver
>150 amanda4242: Thanks, Amanda and yay! I have already made a few suggestions for your consideration, although I see you are well advanced in your choices already. xx
>150 amanda4242: Thanks, Amanda and yay! I have already made a few suggestions for your consideration, although I see you are well advanced in your choices already. xx
152louisisaloafofbreb
Hiya Paul!
154louisisaloafofbreb
>153 PaulCranswick: How are ya doin?
155amanda4242
>151 PaulCranswick: I can always rely on you to add to my list of potential authors!
156booksaplenty1949
>145 PaulCranswick: That’s often a better choice, say for a Victorian novel with many subplots.
157PaulCranswick
>154 louisisaloafofbreb: I'm quite good this week, Lily, thank you.
>155 amanda4242: My pleasure as always, Amanda, but you also listed a few that I am not very familiar with which is a very good thing, I think.
>155 amanda4242: My pleasure as always, Amanda, but you also listed a few that I am not very familiar with which is a very good thing, I think.
158PaulCranswick
>156 booksaplenty1949: I think so too - Trollope, Collins, Dickens, Thackeray and others cannot be squeezed easily into small spaces!
159louisisaloafofbreb
>157 PaulCranswick: Your very welcome, I should probably try to fall asleep again since it is 1:23am
160PaulCranswick
Almost three in the afternoon here!
161louisisaloafofbreb
>160 PaulCranswick: Oh wow! That's a big time jump, and its early in the morning when its late for me
162PaulCranswick
I'm 13 hours in front of you
163louisisaloafofbreb
>162 PaulCranswick: Thats a whole lot of hours, an hour more than half a day
164PaulCranswick
BOOK #112
Reading the Globe by Ann Morgan
Date of Publication : 2015
Origin of Author : UK
Gender of Author : Female
Pages : 371 pp
This book was not what I thought it would be.
I thought I would be immersed in reviews of books from all across the globe, why choices were made and what the author thought of the experience of reading them.
Instead we got the "politics of world literature - an apologia for the undue influence of the French and mainly the English language on cultures, languages and publishing throughout the world - self flagellation on the pernicious results of cultural imperialism by the West on the rest of the World.
Ho hum.
We just get a list at the end of the 196 books she read to represent the countries whose number she challenges in the first sections of her book.
This book should not be in the literary criticism section of the bookstore and I was annoyed that it is marketed as one thing and seeks to become another. Also a bit irritating that she portrays what she is doing as some sort of unique idea when many of us on LT have been doing something similar over an extended period.
Not recommended.
Reading the Globe by Ann Morgan
Date of Publication : 2015
Origin of Author : UK
Gender of Author : Female
Pages : 371 pp
This book was not what I thought it would be.
I thought I would be immersed in reviews of books from all across the globe, why choices were made and what the author thought of the experience of reading them.
Instead we got the "politics of world literature - an apologia for the undue influence of the French and mainly the English language on cultures, languages and publishing throughout the world - self flagellation on the pernicious results of cultural imperialism by the West on the rest of the World.
Ho hum.
We just get a list at the end of the 196 books she read to represent the countries whose number she challenges in the first sections of her book.
This book should not be in the literary criticism section of the bookstore and I was annoyed that it is marketed as one thing and seeks to become another. Also a bit irritating that she portrays what she is doing as some sort of unique idea when many of us on LT have been doing something similar over an extended period.
Not recommended.
165msf59
Happy Weekend, Paul. We just booked our Portugal trip. I think it is 15 days total, with an add-on in Gibraltar, which looks very nice.
I am still making my way through my music collection. I am currently in the "R"s. I have many Rolling Stones CDs so I was planning on skipping them, since I know them so well, (I did that with the Beatles) but I decided to listen to some early Stones, with Aftermath & Between the Buttons. Both are very good but for me they really came alive with Beggar's Banquet. It was a complete transformation. It is like it was a different band altogether. Thoughts?
Oh yeah- I also listened to Talk is Cheap, Keith Richards first solo album which is terrific. I think it is better than any of the post- Tattoo You Stones LPs.
I am still making my way through my music collection. I am currently in the "R"s. I have many Rolling Stones CDs so I was planning on skipping them, since I know them so well, (I did that with the Beatles) but I decided to listen to some early Stones, with Aftermath & Between the Buttons. Both are very good but for me they really came alive with Beggar's Banquet. It was a complete transformation. It is like it was a different band altogether. Thoughts?
Oh yeah- I also listened to Talk is Cheap, Keith Richards first solo album which is terrific. I think it is better than any of the post- Tattoo You Stones LPs.
166booksaplenty1949
>164 PaulCranswick: Was it an “apologia for” or a *condemnation of* the undue influence of imperial powers on world literature? “Self-flagellation” suggests the latter, which I agree is extremely tedious. Thanks for the heads-up on this book.
167amanda4242
>164 PaulCranswick: Her blog for the reading project is interesting and has reviews of the books she read; too bad her book wasn't good.
https://ayearofreadingtheworld.com/thelist/
https://ayearofreadingtheworld.com/thelist/
168PaulCranswick
>165 msf59: My favourite period of the Stones is definitely the three album run of Beggar's Banquet, Let it Bleed and Sticky Fingers. Unlike so many I am not overly fond of Exile on Main Street and think the mix is too fuzzy. I have 137 "R" artists in my catalogue Mark from Radiohead to the Rutles.
The latter were of course a brilliant spoof band of the Beatles. Here just for you buddy is their song "Unfinished Words"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek3x5_eiax8&list=RDek3x5_eiax8&start_rad...
The latter were of course a brilliant spoof band of the Beatles. Here just for you buddy is their song "Unfinished Words"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek3x5_eiax8&list=RDek3x5_eiax8&start_rad...
169PaulCranswick
>166 booksaplenty1949: My review is a bit sloppy isn't it? It was condemnation of. You want to read a book from every country so go ahead and don't throw all the tiresome anti-colonial stuff into the mix.
>167 amanda4242: I think that I was just a bit annoyed that it wasn't more about the books, Amanda. She probably felt that she had covered that ground in her blog but it would have been a much more interesting book had it been so.
>167 amanda4242: I think that I was just a bit annoyed that it wasn't more about the books, Amanda. She probably felt that she had covered that ground in her blog but it would have been a much more interesting book had it been so.
170PaulCranswick
Friday lunch time additions
491. New Cemetery by Simon Armitage
492. The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich
493. Northerners: A History by Brian Groom
494. Tilt by Emma Pattee
495. The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins
491. New Cemetery by Simon Armitage
492. The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich
493. Northerners: A History by Brian Groom
494. Tilt by Emma Pattee
495. The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins
171booksaplenty1949
Less than an hour left of the 22-hour LibriVox recording of Woodstock. That will be 1826 off the list. As aforementioned I am reading Keble’s The Christian Year week by week for 1827. For 1828 I plan to read Mary Russell Mitford’s play Rienzi. And looking ahead to 1829 I ordered Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship and Travels, which arrived today. I have never been a big Goethe fan, but re-reading his Italian Journeys for this year’s Grand European Tour challenge I saw a more attractive side, so willing to give him another chance.
172PaulCranswick
>171 booksaplenty1949: Well done. I also considered Goethe for 1829 but did want to try out Thomas Love Peacock at some stage too. I don't think that I will finish Manzoni's The Betrothed for 1827 this weekend but I hope to make quite a dent in its 800 plus pages.
173avatiakh
>164 PaulCranswick: Oh dear, what a disappointing read. I find some reading books memoirs quite delightful and others not worth my time. I just got I'd rather be reading by Anne Bogel in a library sale and the first few paragraphs are fun. She mentions David Lodge's Changing Places and the party game Humiliation where the professors have to own up to literary works they've not read.
174PaulCranswick
>173 avatiakh: Kerry, what a great game!
Ten of my missing pieces of the literary canon jigsaw:
Middlemarch
Bleak House
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
War and Peace
The Brothers Karamazov
Moby Dick
Emma
Vanity Fair
The Tin Drum
Don Quixote
Ten of my missing pieces of the literary canon jigsaw:
Middlemarch
Bleak House
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
War and Peace
The Brothers Karamazov
Moby Dick
Emma
Vanity Fair
The Tin Drum
Don Quixote
175amanda4242
Hijacking your thread for a moment to say that I've put up a poll to select an era to feature for next year's BAC. It will be open until next Friday.
https://www.librarything.com/topic/375179#8994446
https://www.librarything.com/topic/375179#8994446
177booksaplenty1949
>172 PaulCranswick: Ah yes, the Great Italian Novel. Read it last year and found it, erm, something of a mixed bag, but felt better and stronger for becoming familiar with something so tied to the Risorgimento and Italian identity.
178atozgrl
>174 PaulCranswick: I'm stunned. You are more well read than I, Paul, but I've read all of those except Middlemarch, The Tin Drum, and Don Quixote. Of course, I read Moby Dick in high school because we were studying it, and Bleak House for a college course. The rest I read because I wanted to. But that was back in the days when I had lots of reading time, before I went into the working world.
179booksaplenty1949
>174 PaulCranswick: Read them all except Hunchback. All are chunksters, except Emma. Have other Austen novels failed to engage you?
180PaulCranswick
>177 booksaplenty1949: Let's see....so far not too bad.
>178 atozgrl: I know I surprise myself sometimes that I can still list those as not done yet! To be fair to myself I have read more than a third of the 1001 books (not that that is proof of anything), I have read much of Dickens but not that one, I have read much of Austen but not that one. I have read Crime and Punishment but not that one. I have read Anna Karenina but not that one.
The fact that I can recognize the books that I haven't read means of course that there are plenty I can list as having read.
I did go onto listchallenges.com and checked my performance against the 100 Books you should read before you die compiled by the BBC. I scored 61 out of 100 which puts me in the top 5% of the 3,477 people that took the challenge.
>178 atozgrl: I know I surprise myself sometimes that I can still list those as not done yet! To be fair to myself I have read more than a third of the 1001 books (not that that is proof of anything), I have read much of Dickens but not that one, I have read much of Austen but not that one. I have read Crime and Punishment but not that one. I have read Anna Karenina but not that one.
The fact that I can recognize the books that I haven't read means of course that there are plenty I can list as having read.
I did go onto listchallenges.com and checked my performance against the 100 Books you should read before you die compiled by the BBC. I scored 61 out of 100 which puts me in the top 5% of the 3,477 people that took the challenge.
181PaulCranswick
>179 booksaplenty1949: A mixed experience. Surprisingly, I loved Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park. Pride and Prejudice was ok but I didn't care for Snse & Sensibility.
182avatiakh
I've read six of those, can't remember if I've read The Tin Drum as it's so long ago.
Bleak House & The Hunchback of Notre Dame I'd be ok reading, not sure if I want to read Moby Dick.
I'll have to think of my own list. I probably own the books but never pick them up.
Bleak House & The Hunchback of Notre Dame I'd be ok reading, not sure if I want to read Moby Dick.
I'll have to think of my own list. I probably own the books but never pick them up.
183PaulCranswick
>182 avatiakh: Since I probably average 150 a year over the last 45 years, I must be close to 7,000 books read so far.
If I look at some of my peers on here that read at least double that then some can make reference to 15,000 books read. I am in awe of them.
If I look at some of my peers on here that read at least double that then some can make reference to 15,000 books read. I am in awe of them.
184booksaplenty1949
>183 PaulCranswick: If we read all day, every day we couldn’t begin to scratch the surface of All Previous World Literature. And of course we actually have to incorporate reading into the rest of daily life. Book CHOICE is the key. I am deeply grateful to you for expanding my reading horizons—-suggesting new lines of literary inquiry, reminding me of books I’ve owned for years without reading, and, very important, giving me the motivation of having someone to share impressions and ideas with. Many people, actually—-you have quite an entourage. I don’t care if you NEVER get to Middlemarch. I don’t even care if it’s because you’re reading The Lord of the Rings for the 12th time. I’m in awe of you.
185msf59
>168 PaulCranswick: You can't beat that rock trio from the Stones. I am a fan of Exile too. Yes, it sounds a bit under-produced but there are so many terrific songs on there. I skipped the main Radiohead LPs, since I listened to them a couple of years ago. I did listen to In Dreams and Hail to the Chief. What an incredible band. I wish I could have them in concert. I have heard of the Rutles. Eric Idle, right? But I am not sure I have heard anything by them.
186booksaplenty1949
Finished Rienzi. 1828 bites the dust. Mary Russell Mitford’s play is not a well-known work, I admit, but the story of Rienzi also inspired a novel by Bulwer-Lytton which in turn provided the plot of Wagner’s first opera. In *its* turn an inspiration to Adolf Hitler, apparently.
187PaulCranswick
>184 booksaplenty1949: What a lovely thing to say. Thank you so much. I am not sure that I am deserving of such praise but I will say that I am so grateful to my good friends in this group for keeping me energized and interested and alert to all that is good in books and reading - you very very much included.
I had a long talk with my son, Kyran, yesterday and I am so proud of the articulate human being he has become. He is working as a teaching assistant in Lambeth College in London and is so enthusiastic about what he is doing. He told me about helping a couple of his students one of who is dyslexic by sorting out some blue tinted sheets to place over her reading which apparently helps her to decipher her words and then spotting that one of his students must be short-sighted and finding out the next day with his encouragement that the boy was diagnosed as such and was benefiting greatly from spectacles at seventeen! I am so happy that he is fulfilled by what he is doing.
I had a long talk with my son, Kyran, yesterday and I am so proud of the articulate human being he has become. He is working as a teaching assistant in Lambeth College in London and is so enthusiastic about what he is doing. He told me about helping a couple of his students one of who is dyslexic by sorting out some blue tinted sheets to place over her reading which apparently helps her to decipher her words and then spotting that one of his students must be short-sighted and finding out the next day with his encouragement that the boy was diagnosed as such and was benefiting greatly from spectacles at seventeen! I am so happy that he is fulfilled by what he is doing.
188PaulCranswick
>185 msf59: Yes the Rutles had Eric Idle but the main player is a chap called Neil Innes who is terrifically gifted, funny and makes pastiche songs remarkably like the Fab Four.
>186 booksaplenty1949: That is an astonishing reach isn't it? I can sort of see the link between Wagner and Adolf and poor old Bulwer-Lytton roped in for good measure!
>186 booksaplenty1949: That is an astonishing reach isn't it? I can sort of see the link between Wagner and Adolf and poor old Bulwer-Lytton roped in for good measure!
189atozgrl
>187 PaulCranswick: How wonderful to hear that Kyran is doing so well and helping his students so much! You have good reason to be proud. Thanks for sharing that.
190PaulCranswick
>189 atozgrl: I am proud of him, Irene. He is a sensitive soul and he gets a little too involved with things around him but the fact that he is so engaged with what he is doing makes me so pleased.
191louisisaloafofbreb
Hiya paul- I got a question: how do you cut someone off that you forgave (when you shouldn't have) kindly?
192booksaplenty1949
>188 PaulCranswick: Adolf expressed his gratitude by ensuring that Wagner’s Bayreuth Festival could continue during the war years by arranging for convalescing German soldiers to be bussed in to attend performances. I have personally attended Bayreuth with great enjoyment but still have to sympathise with a wounded German soldier, not necessarily an opera fan, sitting through a four hour performance of Parsifal. On an unpadded seat (better for the acoustic, apparently).
193booksaplenty1949
>187 PaulCranswick: A parent can’t ask for more.
194PaulCranswick
>191 louisisaloafofbreb: I cannot answer that, Lily, I always try not to cut people off.
>192 booksaplenty1949: It may have been a tactic to make them want to get back to the front as soon as possible!
>192 booksaplenty1949: It may have been a tactic to make them want to get back to the front as soon as possible!
195louisisaloafofbreb
>194 PaulCranswick: I try that too but i think this time its quite needed
196PaulCranswick
>193 booksaplenty1949: My three terrors are so different to each other and I can honestly say that I love the three of them, equally.
197PaulCranswick
>195 louisisaloafofbreb: These things, Lily, you need to work out for yourself. Some times we must stay away from people but it is not possible for people to advise you how to deal with others that they know nothing about.
198louisisaloafofbreb
>197 PaulCranswick: -shrug- guess thats true, i'll figure something out
199PaulCranswick
>198 louisisaloafofbreb: The one thing I would advise you is that if you come to a sudden determination to do something drastic; go and sleep on it first before putting it into action as something once done cannot be taken back.
200louisisaloafofbreb
>199 PaulCranswick: I'll try that
201PaulCranswick
Sunday brunch additions
496. Return to my Native Land by Aime Cesaire
497. Red Queen by Juan Gomez Jurado
498. The Stranger's Child by Alan Hollinghurst
499. Closely Watched Trains by Bohumil Hrabal
500. The Snowdonia Killings by Simon McCleave
501. Girl by Ruth Padel
502. The Pit by Peter Papathanasiou
503. Hum by Helen Phillips
504. The Clues in the Fjord by Satu Ramo
505. The Peasants by Wladyslaw Reymont
496. Return to my Native Land by Aime Cesaire
497. Red Queen by Juan Gomez Jurado
498. The Stranger's Child by Alan Hollinghurst
499. Closely Watched Trains by Bohumil Hrabal
500. The Snowdonia Killings by Simon McCleave
501. Girl by Ruth Padel
502. The Pit by Peter Papathanasiou
503. Hum by Helen Phillips
504. The Clues in the Fjord by Satu Ramo
505. The Peasants by Wladyslaw Reymont
202PaulCranswick
>200 louisisaloafofbreb: Go and get some rest and it may not seem so necessary in the morning.
203Kristelh
>174 PaulCranswick:. I've read all of those, my book twin!
204PaulCranswick
>203 Kristelh: Zoinks! Kristel put up ten of your missing pieces and let's see if I have read any of them!
205Kristelh
>204 PaulCranswick: I haven't read The Betrothed yet. Maybe next year though. Did you have a working list to pick the missing pieces?
Okay, I took a look at the world library list of 100 and took ones that are on my list to read someday.
Berlin Alexanderplatz
Sentimental education
Jacques the Fatalist
Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy
The Trial
The Castle
Demons
Memoirs of Hadrian
The Betrothed
Joseph and His Brothers
Okay, I took a look at the world library list of 100 and took ones that are on my list to read someday.
Berlin Alexanderplatz
Sentimental education
Jacques the Fatalist
Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy
The Trial
The Castle
Demons
Memoirs of Hadrian
The Betrothed
Joseph and His Brothers
206booksaplenty1949
>174 PaulCranswick: Is it your intention to get to these works “someday”? If I were making my own list of mp of the lcj I would leave off any works I personally wouldn’t read except at gunpoint, literary canon or no.
207PaulCranswick
>205 Kristelh: I have read only one of them : The Trial and have another one almost done, The Betrothed will definitely be finished this week. Thanks for coming up with that so quickly, twin.
>206 booksaplenty1949: I do certainly intend to read all of them and hopefully sooner rather than later.
>206 booksaplenty1949: I do certainly intend to read all of them and hopefully sooner rather than later.
208booksaplenty1949
>207 PaulCranswick: Good—-this will help me draw up my own list.
209booksaplenty1949
>205 Kristelh: Have read all but Joseph and His Brothers and The Castle. All well-worth the time with the exception of Memoirs of Hadrian. Landmark book for Gay Lib but didn’t engage me.
210avatiakh
Paul, I know you like lists and here's my local Women's Bookshop's 50/50 Women 1975-2025 books as voted by readers. Their previous list was 1970 to 2020 and I have a bookmark from an earlier 20 books for 20 years list 1989-2009 celebrating their 20 years in business that I like to consult from time to time having only read 6 on that list.
Their owner, Carole Beu, was a wonderful chair at many of the Auckland Writers Festival events I attended in the past. She was so knowledgable and asked the right questions.
https://womensbookshop.co.nz/pages/6112-5050Women
Their owner, Carole Beu, was a wonderful chair at many of the Auckland Writers Festival events I attended in the past. She was so knowledgable and asked the right questions.
https://womensbookshop.co.nz/pages/6112-5050Women
211Kristelh
>209 booksaplenty1949:. I recently bought the Hadrian book thinking I wanted to read it but then found out it was Gay/Lib book so now I am not excited so it probably will not rise to the top very fast.
212PaulCranswick
>208 booksaplenty1949: I am looking forward to seeing that one!
>209 booksaplenty1949: I don't even have Joseph and His Brothers on the shelves.
>209 booksaplenty1949: I don't even have Joseph and His Brothers on the shelves.
213PaulCranswick
>210 avatiakh: That is an interesting list. I have read 20 of them and have most of the others on the shelves.
>211 Kristelh: I did start it once but found all the architectural references mightily dull.
>211 Kristelh: I did start it once but found all the architectural references mightily dull.
214Kristelh
>213 PaulCranswick:. I’ve read other books with architectural references that I liked. Hawksmoor, Ken Folletts,Pillars of the Earth. I think those two make good companion reads.
215PaulCranswick
>214 Kristelh: My memory may be failing me a little but it was architecture, artifacts and sculpture that featured heavily in the opening 50 pages or so but in a way that just didn't engage me. I cannot say that the subject is one I would normally avoid given my profession but the manner in which it was conveyed was stultifying.
216avatiakh
>213 PaulCranswick: I've read 19 from the list and like you have several more on my shelves. I want to read Bel Canto, I started it years ago and wasn't enthused but so many others praise it that I've kept my copy and will try again. There's a couple I wouldn't pick up at all.
Fiona Kidman's books probably aren't well known outside New Zealand, This Mortal Boy sounds like a worthwhile read.
Fiona Kidman's books probably aren't well known outside New Zealand, This Mortal Boy sounds like a worthwhile read.
217PaulCranswick
>216 avatiakh: We are close in numbers, Kerry! I have read Bel Canto and, whilst I thought it was good, I certainly didn't rate it as highly as many of our peers do.
I don't have any books by Fiona Kidman as yet.
I don't have any books by Fiona Kidman as yet.
218PaulCranswick
BOOK #113
The Chosen by Chaim Potok
Date of Publication : 1966
Origin of Author : USA
Gender of Author : Male
Pages : 281 pp
Sometimes you get to books at precisely the right time, the stars align and you are blown away by writing that absorbs you utterly.
I loved this sensitive story of friendship, faith, understanding difference and duty. What a storyteller Chaim Potok was. In the same year that Bernard Malamud published his brilliant novel, The Fixer, Potok quite possibly tops his achievement with this wonderful book.
Very, very, very highly recommended.
The Chosen by Chaim Potok
Date of Publication : 1966
Origin of Author : USA
Gender of Author : Male
Pages : 281 pp
Sometimes you get to books at precisely the right time, the stars align and you are blown away by writing that absorbs you utterly.
I loved this sensitive story of friendship, faith, understanding difference and duty. What a storyteller Chaim Potok was. In the same year that Bernard Malamud published his brilliant novel, The Fixer, Potok quite possibly tops his achievement with this wonderful book.
Very, very, very highly recommended.
219avatiakh
>218 PaulCranswick: I loved this one, and went on to read every Potok book I could lay my hands on. Yet to read The Fixer.
>217 PaulCranswick: Humiliation game strikes me. I haven't read anything by Kidman as yet though I own a ten of her books. I will be doing a focus on NZ & Australian fiction next year as I clear some space. I collected older NZ fiction at book fairs & used bookshops for a while, so I do have a lot. I donated some of those recently to the local Rotary bookfair.
>217 PaulCranswick: Humiliation game strikes me. I haven't read anything by Kidman as yet though I own a ten of her books. I will be doing a focus on NZ & Australian fiction next year as I clear some space. I collected older NZ fiction at book fairs & used bookshops for a while, so I do have a lot. I donated some of those recently to the local Rotary bookfair.
220booksaplenty1949
>212 PaulCranswick: Individual vols of Mann’s Joseph series are donated regularly to the book sale I volunteer at but to date I have declined the opportunity to buy them. Perhaps I should reconsider, or at least look for them in the new translation.
221booksaplenty1949
>216 avatiakh: Bel Canto not worth your time IMHO. Classic middlebrow fiction.
222PaulCranswick
>219 avatiakh: I don't know, Kerry, but rarely does an author manage to convey such sensitivity as Potok achieves. I also liked My Name is Asher Lev but this was even better.
I have a number of authors on my shelves (William Boyd springs to mind) for whom I have a large catalogue of books with hardly any read.
>220 booksaplenty1949: I don't think I have ever seen it in any bookstore here. I would definitely add it to my library if I did.
I have a number of authors on my shelves (William Boyd springs to mind) for whom I have a large catalogue of books with hardly any read.
>220 booksaplenty1949: I don't think I have ever seen it in any bookstore here. I would definitely add it to my library if I did.
223PaulCranswick
>221 booksaplenty1949: I think it was worth reading, but certainly not among my favourites. I'm not sure what it is that makes some people love it so, that is the joy of reading, I suppose.
224avatiakh
>220 booksaplenty1949: I picked up the Penguin Modern Classics edition of Joseph and his brothers at a used bookshop for NZD$10 a couple of years ago. At 1200 pages it is definitely an ambitious read that I'm not ready to tackle. I also got a copy of his Dr Faustus after having an interesting online conversation with a musician who'd read it.
His brother & his son were writers and I've read Heinrich Mann's Young Henri of Navarre though didn't get to its sequel and I have Klaus Mann's Mephisto on my shelves to read as well.
>221 booksaplenty1949: Thanks for your comments. I'll still give it a try again seeing I own a copy.
>222 PaulCranswick: I've managed to collect a lot by some individual writers and then find it hard to prise them open. Generally I read one of their books and love it so collect a bunch more but have moved on to the next shiny thing. Bernice Rubens was one of the few that I collected and read everything and loved every one.
His brother & his son were writers and I've read Heinrich Mann's Young Henri of Navarre though didn't get to its sequel and I have Klaus Mann's Mephisto on my shelves to read as well.
>221 booksaplenty1949: Thanks for your comments. I'll still give it a try again seeing I own a copy.
>222 PaulCranswick: I've managed to collect a lot by some individual writers and then find it hard to prise them open. Generally I read one of their books and love it so collect a bunch more but have moved on to the next shiny thing. Bernice Rubens was one of the few that I collected and read everything and loved every one.
225klobrien2
>218 PaulCranswick: The Chosen was one of my favorite books growing up! Well, it still is! Might need a reread.
Have you seen the movie that was made back in…1981 (had to go look it up). Maximilian Schell, Rod Steiger, and Robby Benson. Also a favorite of mine.
I’m so happy that you liked the book so much!
Karen O
Have you seen the movie that was made back in…1981 (had to go look it up). Maximilian Schell, Rod Steiger, and Robby Benson. Also a favorite of mine.
I’m so happy that you liked the book so much!
Karen O
226Familyhistorian
>201 PaulCranswick: The new books are creeping up there, Paul. Are you still hauling home the tomes or concentrating on adding e-books these days?
227PaulCranswick
>224 avatiakh: Mine were probably Graham Greene and Somerset Maugham, Kerry. Of course if you discount Famous Five, Doctor Who and the thrillers of Innes, Ambler
>225 klobrien2: I just thought the book was lovely, Karen. Spoke of a better world and told a story that would give guidance to many.
>225 klobrien2: I just thought the book was lovely, Karen. Spoke of a better world and told a story that would give guidance to many.
228PaulCranswick
>226 Familyhistorian: No Meg they are mainly of the real book version yet. I have added 30 or so books on E-Book format but the rest are paper. That is 30 mind since the beginning of September which would sound a decent number until you remember that in the period I have added 200 books already!!
229PaulCranswick
BOOK #114
A Lucky Man by Jamel Brinkley
Date of Publication : 2018
Origin of Author : USA
Gender of Author : Male
Pages : 240 pp
I saw somewhere Jamel Brinkley being compared to Alice Munro. Well I think it is misplaced but only because their concerns are dissimilar - but if solely on the basis that he is an accomplished writer of short stories then the comparison is apt.
The purpose of a short story is to distill, to compress but still manage to immerse the reader. Brinkley succeeds in this and he adds another important purpose of the medium which is the ability to discomfit the reader; to take the reader out of their comfort zone and ask them questions that maybe are not easy to provide pithy answers to.
Recommended.
A Lucky Man by Jamel Brinkley
Date of Publication : 2018
Origin of Author : USA
Gender of Author : Male
Pages : 240 pp
I saw somewhere Jamel Brinkley being compared to Alice Munro. Well I think it is misplaced but only because their concerns are dissimilar - but if solely on the basis that he is an accomplished writer of short stories then the comparison is apt.
The purpose of a short story is to distill, to compress but still manage to immerse the reader. Brinkley succeeds in this and he adds another important purpose of the medium which is the ability to discomfit the reader; to take the reader out of their comfort zone and ask them questions that maybe are not easy to provide pithy answers to.
Recommended.
230vancouverdeb
>210 avatiakh: I have only read 13 from that list, Paul.
231PaulCranswick
>230 vancouverdeb: Not a bad score, I think Deb. I was surprised that I had 20.
232Kristelh
>210 avatiakh:. I love lists! I’ve read 29 of the first half and 31 of the second list. I should check out the ones I haven’t read.
233EllaTim
>210 avatiakh: I’ve read fifteen from this list, and I know most titles. What I find surprising is the number 1, a totally unfamiliar title for me. I’m now really curious.
234booksaplenty1949
>210 avatiakh: I have read 7, of which 2—Bel Canto and My Brilliant Friend—I regard as a waste of my time.
235PaulCranswick
>232 Kristelh: That is pretty impressive, Kristel. I managed 21 from the second list.
>233 EllaTim: Chidgey is a tremendous writer, and a New Zealander and of course the list is from that fine country thus explaining her prominence.
I adored her book Pet which I read last year.
>233 EllaTim: Chidgey is a tremendous writer, and a New Zealander and of course the list is from that fine country thus explaining her prominence.
I adored her book Pet which I read last year.
236PaulCranswick
>234 booksaplenty1949: If the list was made up of 50 books by women authors for the fifty years before that (1926-1974) then I am sure that your numbers would have been much more impressive.
237booksaplenty1949
>236 PaulCranswick: I think you’re on to me.
PS I did a lot better on this list, esp first half: https://thethornfieldreview.org/2015/09/20/the-evolving-canon-100-works-of-narra...
PS I did a lot better on this list, esp first half: https://thethornfieldreview.org/2015/09/20/the-evolving-canon-100-works-of-narra...
238hredwards
Paul,
I had a recording of the Rutles years ago. I found them remarkably spot on.
"Piggy In The Middle" comes to mind.
I had a recording of the Rutles years ago. I found them remarkably spot on.
"Piggy In The Middle" comes to mind.
239Kristelh
>235 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. I have Pet by Chidgey set as a tbr on Hoopla. So it is on my radar.
240Kristelh
>237 booksaplenty1949:
From this list I've read 64, I am currently reading The Tale of Genji and I have several of them on my tbr list.
From this list I've read 64, I am currently reading The Tale of Genji and I have several of them on my tbr list.
241avatiakh
>233 EllaTim: The Axeman's Carnival is a wonderful read. I had put it off as I wasn't keen to read another book from the perspective of a bird but I fell in love with Tama the magpie from the first page. It won the top award for fiction here a couple of years ago.
I've liked all five books by Chidgey that I've read, each one is quite different from the others.
I've liked all five books by Chidgey that I've read, each one is quite different from the others.
242booksaplenty1949
>240 Kristelh: The Tale of Genji probably my next chunkster.
243EllaTim
>235 PaulCranswick: >241 avatiakh: Thanks! I need to look for her books, obviously. I happen to love magpies, as well.
>237 booksaplenty1949: Interesting list!
>237 booksaplenty1949: Interesting list!
245PaulCranswick
>237 booksaplenty1949: I managed 42 on that list so far.
>238 hredwards: Yes, wonderful stuff, Harold. Shangri-La is one of my favourite tracks.
>238 hredwards: Yes, wonderful stuff, Harold. Shangri-La is one of my favourite tracks.
247PaulCranswick
>241 avatiakh: Sign of an excellent writer is that they are not married to a single theme or style.
>242 booksaplenty1949: Japanese fiction/lit with a few exceptions is not at the top of my own personal list of favourites.
>242 booksaplenty1949: Japanese fiction/lit with a few exceptions is not at the top of my own personal list of favourites.
248PaulCranswick
>242 booksaplenty1949: I am something of a magpie myself, Ella - a book magpie.
249Kristelh
>246 PaulCranswick:, Many of those books are on the 1001 book list (I use the combined list) and I’ve been reading 1001 for 20 years now.
I agree a good author is one that can write many stiles and themes.
We are all part of flock (Magpies).
I agree a good author is one that can write many stiles and themes.
We are all part of flock (Magpies).
250SirThomas
>244 PaulCranswick: The book is going on my wish list, Paul.
However, your touchstone leads to a book by Philip José Farmer—also worth reading, but in completely different genre.
However, your touchstone leads to a book by Philip José Farmer—also worth reading, but in completely different genre.
251Caroline_McElwee
>218 PaulCranswick: Good indeed Paul. I'm a Potok fan, and will be rereading My Name is Asher Lev and its sequel over Winter.
252booksaplenty1949
>247 PaulCranswick: A variety of themes is certainly a mark of excellence. I’m not sure that an author’s style changes a lot from book to book, although sometimes there are different narrative voices in the same novel. But a close reader would still see a commonality between them.
253richardderus
>244 PaulCranswick: Not really surprising, but disappointing...I thought The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny was more Booker-worthy.
254PaulCranswick
I am sorry guys as I have been off LT for a few days as I have had terrible migraine issues coupled with an exhausting work schedule.
My reading had been going brilliantly this month until two days ago when I have read nothing! Hopefully I will be good by this evening.
My reading had been going brilliantly this month until two days ago when I have read nothing! Hopefully I will be good by this evening.
255PaulCranswick
>249 Kristelh: I also follow the 1001 Books list and have a yen to read all of them one day. I am edging ever closer to 400, Kristel.
>250 SirThomas: Let me go and check that out and correct it Thomas, thanks for pointing it out to me.
>250 SirThomas: Let me go and check that out and correct it Thomas, thanks for pointing it out to me.
256avatiakh
>254 PaulCranswick: Hope you are feeling better and have some time to read.
257PaulCranswick
>251 Caroline_McElwee: I am a big fan too, he is a great storyteller.
>252 booksaplenty1949: Adaptability is a key indicator of excellence but people can also write vastly different books and both of them being duds!
>252 booksaplenty1949: Adaptability is a key indicator of excellence but people can also write vastly different books and both of them being duds!
258PaulCranswick
>253 richardderus: Hi Rd,
I am just about to start it but I do like the thought of Kiran Desai's book more.
>256 avatiakh: I hope I can break open a book later this evening, Kerry
I am just about to start it but I do like the thought of Kiran Desai's book more.
>256 avatiakh: I hope I can break open a book later this evening, Kerry
259Caroline_McElwee
>254 PaulCranswick: I hope you have shaken the migraines Paul.
260Kristelh
I’m so glad you’re back on-line, @PaulCranswick. I was starting to worry about you. I hope your headache is gone and that work lets up on you a bit. I’ve read 796 1001 books on the combine list. I won’t read them all, I know, because not all are available in translated copies and some just are not very appealing.
261booksaplenty1949
Thinking about books generally acknowledged to be Very Great Classics which I have never read, Rabelais’ two major works come to mind. Anyone here have thoughts on them? LT review with 33 “thumbs” is intriguing.
262Kristelh
>261 booksaplenty1949:, I haven't read Gargantua and Pantagruel but it is on my tbr list.
263PaulCranswick
>259 Caroline_McElwee: Hi Caroline. I am slowly feeling a bit better but I do need the weekend to try and recuperate. One more day to go tomorrow!
>260 Kristelh: Aw thank you, Kristel. 796! Wowzer!
>260 Kristelh: Aw thank you, Kristel. 796! Wowzer!
264PaulCranswick
>261 booksaplenty1949: I have the books on the shelves and had sort of shortlisted them this year but didn't get around to them.
>262 Kristelh: We might organize a three way read of it next year?!
>262 Kristelh: We might organize a three way read of it next year?!
265amanda4242
>254 PaulCranswick: Sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well, my friend.
266Kristelh
I don't have it on my list to read until 2030. I have all the books 1000 pages and over listed by page count for our year long reads. 2026 is USA Trilogy by John dos Passos.
Chunksters from 1001 (1000 + pages)
Remembrance of Things Past - Read
A Dance to the Music of Time - Read
The Taebaek Mountains - No English translation yet. French translation is available
One Thousand and One Nights - read
Dream of Red Mansions - was a year long read but I didn't read it
Monkey: Journey to the West - read
Romance of the Three Kingdoms - has been a year long read but I didn't read it
The Water Margin - I didn't read it when it was a year long read
Pilgrimage Volume 1,2,3,4 - Dorothy Richardson - started,
Jahrestage ( Anniversaries) - read english translation
Clarissa - read
Joseph and His Brothers - I failed to read it
A Suitable Boy I failed to read it
Les Misérables - read
War and Peace, read
The Tale of Genji - currently reading
U.S.A 2026 year long read
The Count of Monte-Cristo - read
Your Face Tomorrow 2028
The Lord of the Rings 2029, read
The Man Without Qualities - read
Kristin Lavransdatter read
2666 read
Blonde read
Infinite Jest read
Against the Day
Cecilia, or Memoirs of a Heiress- Fanny Burney
Gargantua and Pantagruel 2030
Gone With the Wind read
Tom Jones read
Don Quixote read
Bleak House read
I’ve read 19 of these.
Chunksters from 1001 (1000 + pages)
Remembrance of Things Past - Read
A Dance to the Music of Time - Read
The Taebaek Mountains - No English translation yet. French translation is available
One Thousand and One Nights - read
Dream of Red Mansions - was a year long read but I didn't read it
Monkey: Journey to the West - read
Romance of the Three Kingdoms - has been a year long read but I didn't read it
The Water Margin - I didn't read it when it was a year long read
Pilgrimage Volume 1,2,3,4 - Dorothy Richardson - started,
Jahrestage ( Anniversaries) - read english translation
Clarissa - read
Joseph and His Brothers - I failed to read it
A Suitable Boy I failed to read it
Les Misérables - read
War and Peace, read
The Tale of Genji - currently reading
U.S.A 2026 year long read
The Count of Monte-Cristo - read
Your Face Tomorrow 2028
The Lord of the Rings 2029, read
The Man Without Qualities - read
Kristin Lavransdatter read
2666 read
Blonde read
Infinite Jest read
Against the Day
Cecilia, or Memoirs of a Heiress- Fanny Burney
Gargantua and Pantagruel 2030
Gone With the Wind read
Tom Jones read
Don Quixote read
Bleak House read
I’ve read 19 of these.
267PaulCranswick
>265 amanda4242: Thank you, Amanda. Slowly better.
>266 Kristelh: I have read 6 of those listed, Kristel.
>266 Kristelh: I have read 6 of those listed, Kristel.
268SilverWolf28
Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/375310
269booksaplenty1949
>267 PaulCranswick: Read 8. Reading 1. On the other hand, haven’t even heard of 6 of them.
270PaulCranswick
>268 SilverWolf28: Thank you, Silver
>269 booksaplenty1949: There is one I hadn't heard of which is A Dream of Red Mansions. One of them is not published in English as far as I know and the Korean speaker who does so will be thanked by all lovers of the 1001 books.
>269 booksaplenty1949: There is one I hadn't heard of which is A Dream of Red Mansions. One of them is not published in English as far as I know and the Korean speaker who does so will be thanked by all lovers of the 1001 books.
This topic was continued by Paul's Grand European Tour 22.
