Just Joey's Book Blog

Snak75 Books Challenge for 2016

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Just Joey's Book Blog

1Trifolia
Redigeret: dec 26, 2016, 2:18 pm

Welcome to my 2016-thread

December
78. Historical Fiction: A Guide to the Genre by Sarah L. Johnson - 4 stars
77. The Novel Cure : An A-Z of Literary Remedies by Ella Berthoud - 4 stars
76. Steinz gids voor de wereldliteratur by Pieter Steinz - 4 stars
75. The Monogram Murders by Sophie Hannah (2014) - 2 stars
74. Butcher's Crossing by John Williams (US, 1960) - 4 stars
73. Sherlock Holmes : de complete avonturen by Arthur Conan Doyle - 3 stars
72. De onderwaterzwemmer by P. F. Thomése (NL) - 3 stars

November
71. The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen - 3 stars
70. The Final Solution. A Story of Detection by Michael Chabon (2004) - 3 stars
69. Mismatch hoe we dagelijks worden misleid door ons oeroude brein by Ronald Giphart & Mark Van Vugt (NL, 2016) - 3 stars

October
68. De groene pen by Eloy Moreno (2011) - 3 stars
67. The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante - 4,5 stars
66. The Summer that Never Was by Peter Robinson (2003)- 3 stars
65. Dry Bones that Dream by Peter Robinson (1995) - 3,5 stars

September
64. Het verborgen leven van Eurídice Gusmão by Martha Batalha - 4 stars
63. The Black Path by Åsa Larsson (SE, 2006) - 3 stars
62. The Blood Spilt by Åsa Larsson (SE, 2004) - 3,5 stars
61. Lijk op zolder by Sandra Berg (NL, 2014) - 3 stars
60. One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by Agatha Christie (GB, 1940)
59. Ostend: Stefan Zweig, Joseph Roth, and the Summer Before the Dark by Volker Weidermann (DE, 2014) - 4 stars
58. Sad Cypress by Agatha Christie (GB, 1940) - 4 stars
57. Karl und Anna by Leonhard Frank (DE, 2014) - 3,5 stars
56. Hoe lees ik? met inspirerende voorbeelden uit de literatuur by Lidewijde Paris (NL, 2016) - 4 stars
55. The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd (US, 2014) - 4,5 stars
54. The Rabbit Back Literature Society by Pasi Ilmari Jääskeläinen (SU, 2006) - 3 stars

August
53. Appointment With Death by Agatha Christie (GB, 1938) - 3 stars
52. Je bent wat je doet van zelfkennis naar gedragsverandering by Roos Vonk (NL, 2014) - 3 stars
51. Hoe we onszelf voor de gek houden abc van denkfouten by Suzanne Weusten (NL, 2013) - 3,5 stars
50. Dumb Witness by Agatha Christie (GB, 1937) - 4 stars
49. The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity by Carlo Cipolla (IT, 1988) - 4 stars
48. Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie (GB, 1936) - 4 stars
47. Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift (GB, 2016) - 4 stars
46. Murder in Mesopotamia by Agatha Christie (GB, 1936) - 3 stars

July
45. The A.B.C. Murders by Agatha Christie (GB, 1936) - 4 stars
44. Death in the Clouds by Agatha Christie (GB, 1935) - 3,5 stars
43. Three Act Tragedy by Agatha Christie (GB, 1934) - 3 stars
42. When the Devil Holds the Candle by Karin Fossum (NO, 1998) - 3 stars
41. A Street Cat Named Bob : how one man and a cat saved each other's lives; a true story by James Bowen (GB, 2012) - 4 stars
40. The Chemistry of Death by Simon Beckett (GB, 2006) - 4 stars
39. Het zwijgen van Maria Zachea : een ware familiegeschiedenis by Judith Koelemeijer (NL, 2001) - 3,5 stars
38. De vergelding by Jan Brokken (NL, 2013) - 4 stars

June
37. The Ice-Princess by Camilla Lackberg (SE, 2002) - 4 stars
36. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (N, 2014) - 2,5 stars
35. Dikke Freddy aan Zee met zonnige groeten vanuit de Koningin der Badsteden : een reeks columns by Erik Vlaminck - 3 stars
34. The Red Room by Nicci French (GB, 2001) - 2,5 stars

May
33. Le crime du comte Neville by Amélie Nothomb (BE, 2016) - 4 stars
32. Where I'm Reading From: The Changing World of Books by Tim Parks (GB, 2015) - 3 stars
31. Wie vlucht en wie blijft (Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay) by Elena Ferrante (IT, 2014) - 4,5 stars
30. Morgenvroeg in New York (Constellation) by Adrien Bosc (FR, 2016) - 3 stars
29. Het geluk van een wijngaard (La Templanza) by María Dueñas (ES, 2015) - 4 stars
28. Smartphonestress by Alexander Markowetz (non-fiction, 2016)- 4 stars
27. De nieuwe achternaam (The Story of a New Name) by Elena Ferrante (IT, 2012) - 4,5 stars
26. The Wicked Boy: The Mystery of a Victorian Child Murderer by Kate Summerscale (GB, 2016) - 3 stars
25. De geniale vriendin (My Brilliant Friend) by Elena Ferrante (IT, 2011) - 4,5 stars

April
24. Het Nassau-geheim (The Nassau-secret) by Gregg Loomis (US, 2015) - 2 stars
23. Een handvol sneeuw (The End of Days) by Jenny Erpenbeck (DE, 2012) - 3,5 stars
22. Niels Lyhne by Jens Peter Jacobsen (DK, 1880) - 4 stars
21. Kameraad Baron : een reis door de verdwijnende wereld van de Transsylvaanse aristocratie by Jaap Scholten (NL, 2010) - 3 stars
20. De tweede zonde (The Second Deadly Sin) by Åsa Larsson (SE, 2012) - 4 stars

March
19. Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf (US, 2015) - 4 stars
18. Zonder gezicht (Victim Without a Face) by Stefan Ahnhem (SE,) - 3 stars
17. Zonnestorm (Sun Storm) by Åsa Larsson (SE, 2003) - 3,5 stars
16. Dierbaar (The Cold Song) by Linn Ullmann (SE, 2011) - 2 stars
15. Muidhond by Inge Schilperoord (NL, 2015) - 3,5 stars
14. Stille vriendschap by Michel Follet (BE, 2015) - 2 stars

February
13. Het einde van het Romeinse Rijk by Maarten Van Rossem (NL, 2016) - 3,5 stars
12. We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler (US, 2013) - 4,5 stars
11. The Forsaken Inn by Anna Katharine Green (US, 1890) - 4 stars
10. De Wand (The Wall) by Marlen Haushofer (AT, 1962) - 3,5 stars
9. Als de winter voorbij is by Thomas Verbogt (NL, 2015)- 3,5 stars
8. A Month in the Country by J. L. Carr (GB, 1980) - 4 stars

January
7. Peyton Place by Grace Metalious (US, 1957) - 3 stars
6. Arend by Stefan Brijs (BE, 2000) - 3 stars
5. Brekend: geen nieuws vandaag: Hoe ik aan het nieuws verslaafd raakte - en er weer vanaf kwam (Dutch Edition) by Louis Stiller (NL, 2016) - 4 stars
4. 100 Days of Happiness: A Novel by Fausto Brizzi (IT, 2015) - 3,5 stars
3. Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith (GB, 2008) - 3 stars
2. H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald (GB, 2014) - 3,5 stars
1. De zwarte brug by Erik Vlaminck (BE, 2016) - 4 stars

2Trifolia
Redigeret: okt 2, 2016, 12:31 am

I'm Monica and I'm back for my 7th year on LT and with this group. I'm a 40-something historian living in the Flemish (northern) part of Belgium and work as an archivist, a job far more exciting than it sounds.

If you want to find out about my reading-tastes, it's best to browse my library or my previous threads but in short, I mix world literature, classics, historical fiction, non-fiction and new novels. In between, I like to read detectives and mysteries. I'm not into SF, horror and fantasy, but if someone can convince me to read out of my comfort-zone, I have been known to give something a try (with mixed results).

I read for different reasons. One of them is pleasure. Nothing compares to the pleasure of diving into a book and be completely drawn into it. Another reason is reflection. A book can make me think of who I am, why am I doing the things I am doing and why are other people doing the things they are doing, etc. I'm also reading for aesthetic reasons. The mere beauty of books and what is in them: a sentence, a thought, an insight,... is very fulfilling.

I have some long-standing challenges in some other groups, which I have been neglecting for the best part of 2015 but I hope to continue them this year and even participate in some other challenges.

I secretly hope to have more visitors on my thread, but I think that will depend on what I feed it with. At the top of my thread, you can find the books I read so far. I intend to add some comments shortly.

My previous threads:
- 2015-thread
- 2014-thread: part 1 - part 2
- 2013-thread
- 2012-thread
- 2011-thread: part 1 - part 2
- 2010-thread: part 1 - part 2

My “other” threads:
- Tour through Europe;
- Global Reading-Tour;
- Reading through Time
- 1001 Books to read before you die


3Ameise1
feb 6, 2016, 1:00 pm

Welcome back, Monica. It's great to see you here again. Happy reading in 2016 and happy weekend.

4Crazymamie
feb 6, 2016, 2:00 pm

Hello, Monica! Welcome back!

5Trifolia
feb 6, 2016, 2:25 pm

Thank you, Barbara, both for the welcome and the lovely picture. That animal seems to enjoy the winter-sun.

Hi Mamie, thanks for visiting. I'll be checking the threads asap. I have a lot of catching up to do!

6kidzdoc
feb 6, 2016, 2:28 pm

Welcome back, Monica!

7Trifolia
feb 6, 2016, 2:47 pm

1. De zwarte brug by Erik Vlaminck (BE, 2016) - 4 stars

What makes a quiet, ordinary man who has always functioned within the boundaries of what is acceptable go beyond these limits and attempt to murder a famous politician? That must have been the question that the author asked himself when he wrote this book. Leo, a man born shortly after the war in a large, rather disfunctional family, becomes a psychiatric nurse rather by accident but leaves his job after a serious incident and becomes a librarian until he retires and begins to write comments to the newspaper about things that bother him. Althought the story is straightforward, the story-lines are not. There are flashbacks and flashforwards that add a certain tension to this book and all add colour to Leo's personality. The short chapters are told from different points-of-view and the result is a compelling read. The end is a bit disappointing but that doesn't make this book less worth its while.
I've read another book by this author (you can find the review here here) and on rereading that review, I notice I particularly liked the same things in this book as I did in the first one.
I also want to add I've read this book on the day it was published. That's a first for me, because I usually wait until I've read a few reviews. But Vlaminck's first book had captivated me so much, that I really wanted to read it asap.
Unfortunately, it's not available in another language yet, but here's
my question to you: have you read any similar books with ordinary, not so ordinary characters?

8Trifolia
feb 6, 2016, 2:48 pm

>6 kidzdoc:, thanks, Darryl!

9drneutron
feb 6, 2016, 7:53 pm

Welcome back!

10mahsdad
feb 6, 2016, 8:58 pm

Star dropped. I might not be very vocal, but I will stop by from time to time.

11thornton37814
feb 6, 2016, 9:09 pm

Welcome back, Monica.

12dragonaria
feb 7, 2016, 7:13 am

Hi Monica! Yes, you have to feed the animals *wink, wink*

>7 Trifolia: I like that you posed a question and I hope you do get more responses.

I was just looking at my fiction list and thinking that many of the main characters are or at least start out being very ordinary people going about their business and getting caught up in extraordinary situations or discovering they have extraordinary powers. The Overseer is one example.

13Trifolia
feb 7, 2016, 3:46 pm

>9 drneutron: - Thanks, Jim, it's great to be back. I'm still working my way through all the threads.
>10 mahsdad: - Thanks for visiting,Jeff. I do hope you'll get vocal on my thread :-)
>11 thornton37814: - Thanks, Lori. I've already starred your thread and will jump in as soon as I see a fish-hook book to catch.
>12 dragonaria: - Hi, Kimberly, I also hope to get more responses but I think I've been absent for so long and so often these past two years that most people have either forgotten me or don't know me yet.
The Overseer looks like a book I might like to read although I'm not sure if it's not too violent or gruesome?

Currently, I'm reading Die Wand (The Wall) by Marlen Haushofer, a dystopian novel about a woman who finds herself locked up behind an invisible wall in the mountains. It's quite disturbing and I'm not sure where this story is going to take me (it doesn't look very promising), but it is a fascinating book. I'll probably finish it tomorrow. Have any of you read it yet and if so, did you like it?

14SandDune
feb 7, 2016, 3:52 pm

>13 Trifolia: Hi Monica - I don't think I've visited your thread before but I thought I'd drop in to say that I absolutely loved The Wall - it was pretty much my favourite book of 2014. I found it a very powerful read.

15Trifolia
feb 7, 2016, 4:30 pm

>14 SandDune: Thanks for your comment. I noticed you're very much into dystopian novels, so your comment means even more to me. This book is sooo out of my comfort-zone, but strangely enough, I like it too.

16cbl_tn
feb 7, 2016, 5:09 pm

Hi Monica! Found and starred!

17arubabookwoman
feb 7, 2016, 7:48 pm

Welcome back Monica!

I have read The Wall and liked it very much. I read it a long time ago though. It was made into a less good movie.

18labfs39
feb 7, 2016, 9:51 pm

Hi Monica. I was so happy to hear that you created a thread after all. I do love to know what you are up to reading-wise. I have been trying to think of books that contain ordinary/unordinary characters and can't really think of any that meet your exact meaning, as I understand it. So many novels are about ordinary people who end up in unordinary circumstances, fewer are about ordinary people who become unordinary, not because of outside influences, but because of something within themselves. Raskolnikov? And his doppelganger from Knut Hamson's Hunger? Otto and Elise from Every Man Dies Alone (although I guess they were reacting to an outsider force)? Perhaps unreliable narrators? Do they fit the profile?

I remember reading reviews of The Wall. Someday, perhaps!

19DianaNL
feb 8, 2016, 5:12 am

Hi Monica, it's good to see you here!

20paulstalder
feb 8, 2016, 5:29 am

Hej Monica, great to have you back here!

21dragonaria
feb 8, 2016, 6:31 am

>13 Trifolia: hmm...perspective I imagine. I'm a big fan of action movies, Bruce Willis style, so I didn't think The Overseer was too violent. Now, to be sure there was violence, but that was sort of a by-product, not the focus.

22Trifolia
feb 8, 2016, 2:30 pm

>16 cbl_tn: Hi Carrie, thanks for finding, starring and commenting! I look forward to a busier year here on LT.

>17 arubabookwoman: Thanks, I always like it when people whose book-choice I admire likes the books I'm reading. I don't think I will go out of my way to see the movie, because somehow when I see a movie after I read the book, I'm most often disappointed (the other way round too, as a matter of fact). Lovely to meet you here, btw.

>18 labfs39: It's great to see you posting on my thread, Lisa! Can I persuade you into starting one of your own? Please? :-)
Knut Hamsun's main character comes close, although - if I remember well - he didn't have much choice, whereas this character has. I think it's the eternal question why some people grow up to be criminals and their siblings not. Although in this case, it's more a question of what made an ordinary man decide to do something so offensive after having been a bit of a goody-goody soul for the bigger part of his life. Is it frustration? Probably, in this case.
Btw, I think The Wall would be your cup of tea (plenty) and it's short and crisp.

>19 DianaNL: - It feels good to be back, Diana.

>20 paulstalder: Happy to meet another long-time friend over here. I'll never forget that you pointed out one of my favourite books ever. I hope to be able to return the favour one day.

>21 dragonaria: Oh, I'm not squeamish about violence as long as it's functional (although I hate this cliche as it's most often a cover-up for blatant violence). On second glance, it might appeal to my historical interest too, so I'll put The Overseer in my "waiting-room", a sort of antechamber for the wishlist. A book that goes to the waiting-room has to stand the test of time (in other words, the test of my patience having to hold a few days before I actually buy the book).

23Trifolia
feb 8, 2016, 2:56 pm

2. H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald (GB, 2014) - 3,5 stars

This book was brought to my attention by lunarreader, a fellow-Belgian LT'er who has the amazing capacity to read all the books that are or become my favourites (well, that's a bit overdone, but I guess you get the picture). It's a non-fiction book written by Helen Macdonald in which she is writing about grieving for her father after his untimely death. Her grief turns into more or less of a depression and one day she decides to train a hawk. Now that might be a bit of an unusual decision for me and perhaps for you too, but in Helen's case, it was not so extraordinary because she was used to working with raptors. It was also a means to cope with her father's death because they shared a mutual love for nature and he had supported her all his life.
She intertwines her own story and her adventures with her hawk with the story of T.H. White (the eccentric author of the Arthurian legend) who had tried something similar.

I can't say I was really bowled over by this book, but that's not because of Helen Macdonald's style which was excellent. I just could not relate to the way she was coping with her grief and I have no real affinity with having pets, let alone raptors as companions (although I can understand a lot of people can find solace in their pets). But paraphrasing what Tolstoj mentioned in Anna Karenina (All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way), I think everyone's entitled to grieve the way works best for him or her. Two years ago, I read a book by Nina Sankovitch (Tolstoy and the Purple Chair: My Year of Magical Reading) who had lost her sister to cancer and had decided to read a book a day during one year to cope with her grief. So that is another way of dealing with the death of a loved one. I guess the contemplation that goes along with the writing-process is healing.
So all in all, it's an excellent book, but it didn't really work for me.
My question to you: have you found solace in a book?

24vancouverdeb
Redigeret: feb 8, 2016, 3:06 pm

I've yet to read H is for Hawk, though I know it has been very popular here on LT and in North America for quite some time. Have I found solace in books ? I would say yes. When I lost a little boy at 17 weeks into my pregancy, I sought out books about people that had losses of family. I still remember it 14 years on . A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows Through Loss . But I think I find solace in many books, those about family dysfunction, or say when my son got married last summer and it was a tense time , knowing that others found it that way via books or real life was solace to me.

I think I read for entertainment and to better understand the world. Good to see you back!

25Ameise1
feb 9, 2016, 12:38 am

>23 Trifolia: I got this one as an audio. But it has to wait there ate others which I like to listen before.

26dragonaria
feb 9, 2016, 6:47 am

>23 Trifolia: I've been seeing H is for Hawk around quite a bit, thank you for the review. It's not one I'd seek out, but at least now I know what it's about!

As to your question, I can't say I've ever found solace for grief in a book. However, my sister and one of our cousins were all close and used to talk books all the time (cousin passed away at 34 and my sister a year later at 43). We had memorial book markers made with their picture and a little verse. Now when I find a book that I want to "share" with them, I use their marker and I do find a little comfort in that.

27lkernagh
feb 10, 2016, 9:16 am

Welcome back Monica!

28souloftherose
feb 10, 2016, 9:44 am

Welcome back Monica!

29Trifolia
feb 10, 2016, 2:15 pm

>24 vancouverdeb: - Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. It must have been hard for you, so it's good you found a book that helped you through the mourning-process. I also often find solace or at least distraction in a book.

>25 Ameise1: - I noticed you listen to audio-books quite a lot. I haven't tried that yet because I can't think of a situation where it would be easier to listen than to read. Is it more convenient for you to listen?

>26 dragonaria: That's so beautiful, Kimberly, to have memorial book markers. I'm sure it's comforting and such a nice gesture.
I haven't found solace in a specific book, but I can find solace in reading in general. When my father died two years ago, I didn't read for quite a few weeks. My father was also my book-buddy and we always discussed books. When he grew older he asked me to choose books for him so I had a fairly good idea what he liked and what he didn't like. Now I cannot read a book without thinking of what my dad would have thought about it. Somehow it's a way of keeping him very close to my heart.

>27 lkernagh: >28 souloftherose: Great to see you here, Lori and Heather! I was a bit worried that after my on-and-off-presence these past few years, you might have given up on me, but I'm glad you found your way to my thread.

30Ameise1
feb 10, 2016, 2:31 pm

>29 Trifolia: Monica, I listen only to audios when I'm driving car or being on public transportation or at the gym. Otherwise I read real books.

31Trifolia
feb 11, 2016, 2:01 pm

>30 Ameise1: - Ah, ok, that would not work for me: I rarely drive a car alone for a longer period of time (carpooling to work, travelling with companions, etc.), I rarely use public transportation and I never go to the gym. The only time I think I'd be able to listen to audiobooks is when I take a walk, but the idea of walking is to clear my head, so that probably would not work either. Well, you can't have it all. I did by a second or technically a third e-reader but I do not use the first one so often anymore since it has become vintage (no backlight, no wifi) after 7 years of service.
Well, it's time I caught up with backlogging my January-reads.

32Trifolia
feb 11, 2016, 2:29 pm

3. Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith (GB, 2008) - 3 stars

A lot has been said and written about this book about a child-serial killer in Russia in the 1950s. In this book, Leo Demidov, a Russian apparatchik, becomes entangled in a murder-investigation and sees himself shattered by the totalitarian regime he once defended so staunchly.
I liked certain aspects of the book because they were unusual: the setting in Stalin's Russia, the inside view of communism and how a totalitarian regime works, the twists and turns of the plot which kept me very much awake.
But I also had some issues: although the author evidently did a lot of research to create a genuine look and feel of the period, I found his main character Leo Demidov and his wife were far too good to be true. Not good in the moral way (which they often were), but good in the way that I found them artificial. I also thought the plot was a bit gimmicky and the end a bit too much "and they lived happily ever after".
But all in all, it was a good read because it opened my eyes to a period and a part of the world I haven't read much about lately. And, strangely enough, it felt like a breath of fresh air (maybe a bit weird to state it like that for this kind of gruesome book) after all the scandi-crime.

Meanwhile, I've started reading a non-fiction-book about nobility in Transsylvania under communist rule and have found out that reality often was even worse than the fiction portrayed in this book. More about that later.

33dragonaria
feb 12, 2016, 12:52 am

>32 Trifolia: they've made a movie from this book, but I enjoyed the read too much to see how they tortured it on screen. Like you, I wasn't as taken with the characters or the plot as with the description of the state of living. Two things that really stuck with me were the living conditions and the classroom where children didn't want the teacher to know their names.

34DianaNL
feb 12, 2016, 7:33 am



Have a happy weekend.

35labfs39
feb 12, 2016, 8:35 pm

>32 Trifolia: I have Child 44, but have put off reading it because I hate reading about serial killers. But I do read a lot about Russia. A case in point, and an excellent book I'm half way through at the moment is Darkness at Noon. It's about a man who has supported the Communist Revolution from the beginning, fought in the Civil War, and even believed in the Party once the Purges began. But then they come for him, and he ponders his life and choices, deciding "Now I must pay." It's about the psychology of those who supported Soviet Communism far beyond what was logical. Sort of like Sasha Abramsky's grandfather in House of Twenty Thousand Books. He was Jewish, his father was sent to the gulags, he was prevented from pursuing opportunities, yet he was a devoted Communist long past the point where it made sense.

But, back to Tom Rob Smith. I did read The Farm, which has an interesting premise: a man receives a call from his father saying his mother has just been admitted to an asylum; then a call from his mother saying don't believe anything his father says, he's lying to cover up a crime. Whom do you believe? Unfortunately, I didn't think the writing was that good, and I thought the author missed an opportunity to really delve into the human psyche a bit more.

36Trifolia
feb 13, 2016, 1:31 pm

>33 dragonaria: I saw the movie listed on my movie-channel, but I don't want to see it. The book was more than enough for me.
>34 DianaNL: Thank you, Diana, I'm enjoying it so far.

37Trifolia
feb 13, 2016, 1:39 pm

>Bang, bang, you shot me down with two book-bullets, Lisa. Koestler's book and Abramsky's are both going on the wishlist, no need for a waiting-room here. Books like that interest me because they focus on the motives of people, how and why they are able to do things even if every bit of common sense says otherwise. And given the way things are going in Russia nowadays, it won't hurt to try to understand a bit more.
I would not recommend Child 44 to you, though. It is more focused on effect than on psychology.

As for The Farm, I'm not tempted. I recognize the feeling of reading books with excellent premises that fail to deliver.

38Trifolia
feb 13, 2016, 1:53 pm

4. 100 Days of Happiness by Fausto Brizzi (2015) - 3,5 stars

This book is both a comedy and a tragedy and I think Italian writers are particularly skillful in this combination. In short, this book is written from the point-of-view of a man who hears he has only a 100 days to live before he dies of liver-cancer. This is not a spoiler, since it is mentioned right at the start of the book. When he hears this diagnosis, he tries to spend them in a fulfilling way, but has trouble to out what that exactly means. The book is lively, funny, yet tragic and I'm not sure whether I like this book or if I think it's a bit too fluffy about a serious subject (hence the 3,5 stars). All in all it was a heart-warming read, but it could have done with a bit of a miracle in the end, sadly enough.

I'm in a bit of a reading-slump or rather experiencing "l'embarras du choix". I'm currently reading five books but I don't seem to get on with any of them. It's a luxury-problem though and nothing what a good night's sleep can't fix. I think I'll work my way through them one by one.

39labfs39
feb 13, 2016, 2:54 pm

>37 Trifolia: In the interests of full disclosure, I can't put Darkness at Noon down, but I got bogged down in The House of Twenty Thousand Books. The part I mentioned about his grandfather's relationship with communism is only a part of the book, mostly it deals with his obsession with book collecting and the people who surrounded him. It's good, but gets a bit repetitive, IMO.

40vancouverdeb
feb 13, 2016, 6:13 pm

I had to drop reading Child 44 due to the serial killer aspect . Too gruesome for me . I did enjoy The Farm quite a bit, to my surprise. It was more a psychological mystery / thriller. That said, I completely understand you need to read what works for you. I am the very same. I hope the reading slump disappears soon for you.

41Crazymamie
feb 14, 2016, 10:28 am



Happy Valentine's Day, Monica!

42Trifolia
feb 16, 2016, 3:12 pm

>39 labfs39: Thanks for the warning. I think I'll stick with Darkness at Noon.
>40 vancouverdeb: Still not much progress on the reading-side. I'm still reading all the books and not focussing much. I've even added another one about the history or Russia and one on Peru. One of these days, I'll glue my hand to one book and stick with it till I finish it.
>41 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie!

I'm a bit distracted because I had my first full check-up after I had surgery last year and today I heard I am fit as a fiddle. I already felt fit, but it's good to hear a specialist confirm this. So at last, I can put this whole nasty episode behind me and enjoy the little trivia of life again. I count my blessings!

I've just watched the movie 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff, which, if I remember correctly, was hot here on LT a few years ago. I never could get my hands on the book, but I liked the movie. It's so romantic to write letters. I used to be an avid letter-writer and I still miss the writing, the waiting and the excitement of receiving letters from all over the world. I hope this tradition would come back, one way or the other. Despite all the evident benefits of e-mails and texting, there's nothing like the feeling of a piece of paper, addressed to you.

43vancouverdeb
feb 16, 2016, 6:57 pm

Monica, so happy to hear that you are fit as a fiddle! Yes indeed, enjoy the trivia of life, whether that be reading books, discussing libraries or just watching TV. Do whatever makes you happy!

44lkernagh
feb 16, 2016, 9:38 pm

Congratulations on the 'fit as a fiddle' news, Monica! That is wonderful! As much as I enjoy the book 84, Charing Cross Road, I absolutely love the movie!

45labfs39
feb 16, 2016, 10:39 pm

I'm so glad to hear that you are "officially" well. It must be a relief. I hope this year is a relaxing one for you--you deserve it!

I've read 84, Charing Cross Road, but haven't managed to get my hands on the movie. There is supposedly a sequel as well, though I haven't read it. I loved getting letters, with real stamps. Too often now, I communicate with people through soundbites. And the closer I am to the person, the more likely they are to get the shortest, fastest missive (text vs email vs letter). I do appreciate good repartee on text, but it too often leads to misunderstanding. At least with letters, you had time to think our what you wanted to say, write it, address the envelope, find a stamp, and walk down to the mailbox. It gave one time to reconsider...

46PaulCranswick
feb 17, 2016, 1:28 am

>23 Trifolia: February often brings gifts and one of them is you coming back to the group (albeit a little tardily!).

Books bringing solace - a couple of books I read last year would probably fall into that category:

Being Mortal
&
Ammonites and Leaping Fish

In terms of books that really gladden my heart then Cider with Rosie and My Family and Other Animals would hit the spot.

47Ameise1
feb 17, 2016, 5:08 am

Good morning, Monica. It's so wonderful to hear that you're 'fit as a fiddle'. Enjoy life! :-)

48cbl_tn
feb 17, 2016, 5:14 pm

Congrats on the good report from your doctor! That's great news!

I saw the movie of 84, Charing Cross Road before I read the book. I love them both. I hope you'll be able to get a copy of the book one day.

49DianaNL
feb 19, 2016, 7:20 am

50Trifolia
feb 19, 2016, 11:50 am

>43 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Deb. I've had a busy week at work and the weekend will also be packed with all sorts of things, but I'll be taking a short holiday in about 3 weeks and I intend to "shop till I drop" then if not sooner.

>44 lkernagh: Hi Lori, a movie with Anthony Hopkins is always a hit with me, but in the end I thought it was a bit sad. Beautiful, but sad anyway.

>45 labfs39: Thanks, Lisa. It is a relief and I hope for a bit of "uneventfulness" in my life for a while. I've been wondering if people still write letters nowadays. Writing a christmas-card or birthday-card is the closest thing I come to real writing nowadays. Who would have thought 30 years ago.

>46 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul, thanks for the book-titles. I don't know if they would work for me, but I'd have to read them first.

>47 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara, I am and I will!

>48 cbl_tn: Thank you, too Carrie. I'm always a bit wary to read the book after I've seen the movie and vice versa as it often turns out one of them will be the lesser of the two. But with all this endorsement, I might just give it a try.

>49 DianaNL: Thanks, Diana. :-)

51Trifolia
feb 19, 2016, 12:19 pm

5. Brekend: geen nieuws vandaag: Hoe ik aan het nieuws verslaafd raakte - en er weer vanaf kwam (Dutch Edition) by Louis Stiller (2016) - 4 stars

I don't know if you've already experienced information-overload. I have. I haven't exactly gone over the limit, but I think I'm often flirting with it. The title (Breaking: no news today: how I got addicted to news and disaccustomed) is an accurate description of the content of this short book. The author offers some interesting insights. I learned that it is not so much the information that causes unrest but all the tiny snippets of news on all sorts of things that reach us unfiltered. Our brain is just not adapted to so much information.
In this book the author describes how he tried to manage (or at least think about managing) the overload. Barring all news was not an option if you intend to participate in an evolving world. Using news-filters seemed interesting, but apparently was not working the way it should have. During his search-process, the author discovered that he felt a lot better if he discarded most little news-flashes that are of no importance and read full-fledged articles that give him more insight into anything that interests him instead. I've discovered that I'm also more fulfilled when I spend an hour reading a few articles on contemporary news-topics like Syria or the presidential campaign than when I try to catch up with the latest news. So as a result of this book, I refrain from too much hot and breaking news (which is often irrelevant or repeated) and look for the deeper layers of topics. I noticed that this has made me a lot more fulfilled, satisfied and content. And if a book can do this, it deserves all its 4 stars.

52paulstalder
feb 19, 2016, 3:39 pm

>42 Trifolia: Good to hear such good news. So what are you fiddling for us ? Some classic? some country? some Celtic? Or any other tune?

53gennyt
feb 19, 2016, 3:39 pm

Hi Monica! Lovely to catch up and see what you've been reading. Having been absent, I missed the fact that you'd had surgery last year, but I'm glad to hear you've been given a clean bill of health!

I agree about letter writing. About 25 years ago, when I had just moved to a new town away from all my university friends, I used to go to a cafe every day during my lunchbreak and write long, long letters to all the friends I was missing, while I drank my coffee. These days I'd be sitting there with my smartphone looking at the brief posts they put on Facebook and posting there myself. It's not the same. A bit like the subject of your most recent read - I think fewer, more in depth connections with friends are probably more satisfying than many superficial ones, if we could only re-train ourselves into that habit.

54vancouverdeb
feb 19, 2016, 5:35 pm

As far as writing letters go, my sister still writes letters. She is not keen on typing, so it suits her to hand write a letter. You are right though, most of us send emails to family that live a distance away, or call them. Perhaps it is an improvement over the days of yore. I recall having all of my family, save my parents and siblings, living about 1400 miles/ 2250 km away them. We did write letters but they did take about 5 business to get there and maybe once a month we could afford to phone for a brief time during the " cheaper time" , that being before 7 or 8 am our time or after 11 pm , so it made for a challenge. Nowadays my mom has grandchildren that far away and further, but they do facetime chats , email each other with pictures and phone calls are free, if you pay $25 dollars per month. That is a big advantage I think.

55kidzdoc
feb 20, 2016, 3:56 am

>51 Trifolia: Nice review, Monica. I'll have to keep Stiller's recommendation in mind.

56Trifolia
feb 20, 2016, 1:00 pm

>52 paulstalder: It would sound like this :-)

>53 gennyt: How lovely to find you here, Genny! I missed you last year, but I'm glad you have come back to LT.
About the letter-writing, I think Deb (>54 vancouverdeb:) is right that today's means of communications are a lot more practical and I would not trade them in for going back to letter-writing, but as you imply, letter-writing is a different, more fulfilling form of communication. Maybe it's like handwriting and calligraphy or hand-writing and typing. As beautiful and meaningful as it is, the practicalities of life make us choose the most modern ways. But maybe letter-writing should be reinstalled as an art-form.
A few years ago I read The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas Carr and it had a lasting impact on my thoughts about the internet. This book made me realize that the internet is doing things to our brains that I do not necessarily want on a permanent basis, e.g. it reduces our concentration and long-term memory, because we get used to smaller chunks of information, hidden behind hyperlinks, etc. For some people, reading a book has become almost impossible because they simply can't bring themselves to sitting down and holding their concentration. I have a colleague who doesn't find it necessary to memorize things or learn new things because he believes all information is available on the internet (needless to say he's not very succesful in his job).
So maybe we should consider all these "old" things like letter-writing, memorizing poems, reading books, learning a language, reading maps, etc. as a way of keeping our brain in shape and enjoy the beauty of it. But oh my, that would mean slowing down life considerably. One can dream :-)

>54 vancouverdeb: I agree that our modern ways of communications are a lot more practical, but I sometimes miss the "romance" of receiving a hand-written letter and taking my time to write one and everything it involved (the fragrance, the paper, the ink, the stamps, the attachments,...). But if I had to choose, I'd definitely choose for practicality.

>55 kidzdoc: Being the thoughtful and well-informed reader that you are, I don't think you're at risk of getting lost in too much news-noise, Daryll.

Stem: Do you still write letters to anyone?

Nuværende optælling: Ja 5, Nej 8

57Trifolia
feb 25, 2016, 3:09 pm

6. Arend by Stefan Brijs (BE, 2000) - 3 stars

Arend is the Dutch word for eagle, but it's also the name of the protagonist of the book, an unloved boy who despite his efforts to not be born, is depending on his evil, frustrated mother (who is a victim of her father herself) to grow up. Arend does grow up and more or less befriends a compassionate neighbour, but in the end, well...

I have read other books by Stefan Brijs and imo, he's one of the more talented Flemish writers. However, he has a way of writing about very tough topics, like child-abuse and child-neglect and he does not beat around the bush, to say the least. Despite the exquisite literacy of the book, I found this hard to read. It made me feel uncomfortable and I don't know if any story should be so explicitly told and what goal it serves. I guess this is a moral discussion. Does one really have to be confronted with explicit pain and sorrow, in order to feel moral compassion or empathy? Are we really that stupid to have to read about cruel things in order to know that bad things happen to good people? I don't feel I need to, but maybe others do. So the three stars are merely for the literacy of the book. Not recommended for the reason mentioned above.

58DianaNL
feb 26, 2016, 4:51 am

59PaulCranswick
feb 26, 2016, 5:08 am

>56 Trifolia: I do still write letters Monica - everyday as part of my work - but also occasionally to friends. I would agree that more modern forms of communication have the advantage of ease but not often that personal touch. There is something exciting about opening the letter box and finding that someone has taken the trouble to pick up pen to put thoughts on paper for you.

I received a letter every year from a member of this group wherein she relates the course of the last year for her and her hopes and plans for the coming one. I think it is a wonderful tradition and I feel so blessed that she chooses me, amongst others, to share her thoughts and dreams with.

Have a lovely weekend, Monica.

60Trifolia
feb 27, 2016, 11:40 am

>58 DianaNL: Thanks, Diana, I hope the same for you too.
>59 PaulCranswick: You are lucky indeed to have friends who still write letters. It is a lovely tradition.

61Trifolia
feb 27, 2016, 11:54 am

7. Peyton Place by Grace Metalious (US, 1957) - 3 stars

I was too young to watch the series, but the title always rang a bell. So when a new Dutch edition of this book was released last year, I thought it was time to finally read what the fuss was all about. I guess most people know how the story goes and I do not want to spoil things for those who have not read the book. I can see why the book caused a scandal, because it scratches the thin surface of decency under which lies hypocrisy, adultery, etc. It is not world-literature and in many ways, the premises are a lot more promising than the end-product, but I'm glad I read it because it is part of popular, cultural history.

62Ameise1
mar 5, 2016, 5:01 am

Happy weekend, Monica.

63PaulCranswick
mar 25, 2016, 4:36 am

Have a wonderful Easter.



64Ameise1
mar 25, 2016, 6:42 am

Monica, I'm thinking of you and all Belgian people. I wish you a relaxed weekend.

65DianaNL
mar 25, 2016, 7:06 am

66PaulCranswick
maj 20, 2016, 11:07 pm

Missing you here Monica. Hope all is well and that you will pay us all a visit soon.

67Trifolia
maj 21, 2016, 1:07 pm

Thank you Barbara, Paul and Diana for passing by. I'm doing well. Life has been busy but blissfully uneventful.

I hope you are all doing well. I'll try to do the rounds and see what you've been up to and reading lately. And I'll try to jot down a few comments on all the books I read so far. I hope to get in touch with you again asap.

68Trifolia
maj 21, 2016, 1:09 pm

8. A Month in the Country by J. L. Carr (GB, 1980) - 4 stars

A thought-provoking tale of a man trying to come to terms with his past as soldier in the War. Through and despite his work on a painting and the interaction with people, he tries to find his balance again. It was not the tale in itself that grabbed me, but the beautiful delicate prose. Recommended if you're into this sort of miniature, introvert literature (like I am).

69paulstalder
maj 21, 2016, 2:45 pm

Hej Monica, pleased to hear from you again. Looking forward to all the books you have read in the meantime.

70Ameise1
maj 22, 2016, 2:41 am

Hi Monica, it's wonderful to see you posting. I'm looking forward to your readings.
Wishing you a wonderful Sunday.

71lkernagh
maj 25, 2016, 12:21 am

Hi Monica! Hope all is well with you. Happy to see the 4-Star rating for A Month in the Country. I am hoping to get around to reading that one sometime this year. Take care of yourself. Your presence is missed.

72Trifolia
maj 26, 2016, 1:33 pm

>69 paulstalder:, >70 Ameise1:, >71 lkernagh: How lovely to see you have found my thread again. I'll catch up with a couple of short comments on the books I read earlier this year, but I must tell you that none of them compare to the ones I've read lately. Still, first things first...

9. Als de winter voorbij is by Thomas Verbogt (NL, 2015) - 3,5 stars

I had never even heard of this novelist, but Thomas Verbogt appears to be a rather prolific Dutch writer who excells in psychological novels, focussing on the inside and not on too much action. I would compare his style to Patrick Modiano. His tone is melancholy, subdued and poetic.
In this book, the main character thinks about a few little events or rather moments that had a huge impact on his life: a stolen kiss, a love never admitted,... As he grows older, he realizes the importance.
The beauty of this book and the reason I will probably continue to read other books by Thomas Verbogt (in small doses is his beautiful prose and the way he made me think about the fact that small things that happened in the past and seemed so unimportant, can mean so much to other people. It's a wonderful thing if you are able to convey that to a reader.

73Trifolia
maj 26, 2016, 1:44 pm

10. De Wand (The Wall) by Marlen Haushofer (AT, 1962) - 3,5 stars

What a weird book: one morning, when on holiday in the Alps, a woman finds herself locked in behind an invisible wall. On the other side, she sees everyone and everything is dead and on her side of the wall, she only finds a few animals that help her survive. And it's her seemingly hopeless yet ceaseless attempt to survive that fills the pages. You should not read this book to get to the end, because, well, actually, there is no end. But the way in which Haushofer manages to express the evolution of the woman locked in her own lonely, yet at times idyllic world, is breath-taking.

The reason I only gave 3,5 stars to this book has a lot to do with the fact that I'm not really into dystopian novels. Who knows why I keep reading them (probably because people whose reading-choices I admire, often like this kind of books). But if you are into dystopian novels, this book is one I can safely recommend.

74Trifolia
maj 26, 2016, 1:54 pm

11. The Forsaken Inn by Anna Katharine Green (US, 1890) - 4 stars

After all this introspection and dystopia, I needed something lighter and in my case an old-fashioned whodunnit always does it. As I browsed through my library, I found this book by Anna Katherine Green, who seems to have invented the detective-novel as a genre. I enjoyed her first book, so I decide to try another one and was not disappointed. In this one, a murder-mystery is solved (of course) without too much ado. It's rather old-fashioned of course and not up to par with modern detective-novels, but for a fan of old mysteries like me, this was a quick and enjoyable read.

75Trifolia
maj 26, 2016, 2:01 pm

12. We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler (US, 2013) - 4,5 stars

This book deals with what it means to grow up in a not so normal family. I won't go into too much detail, because it would spoil it for anyone who has not read this book yet, but I absolutely loved it. The subtle way in which the author tells her bitter-sweet story made me think about what it means to be human and what behaviour, manners and education mean. Highly recommended, trust me.

76Trifolia
maj 26, 2016, 2:16 pm

13. Het einde van het Romeinse Rijk by Maarten Van Rossem (NL, 2016) - 3,5 stars

To complete my February-reads, I chose this non-fiction-book by a retired Dutch history-professor who is quite famous or even notorious in the Netherlands. In Belgium, where I live, he is not a household-name, but apparently, the man is omnipresent in the Dutch media. Although I sometimes like his bold writing-style (he even has his own magazine!), I often don't agree with him and his frank opinions and I do question the way he seems to give facts, when in fact they're merely interpretations.

In this short book, he researches the question if what is happening in Europe today has any or much resemblance with the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century, as some people seem to think. I was a bit disappointed because he elaborated on the history of the Roman Empire and its fall, but far less on what is happening today, which should have given his thesis more perspective.
I agree with his conclusion that there are resemblances but still a lot more differences, but the way we both come to this conclusion is very different. Yet, you may or may not agree with Van Rossem's points of view, his main merit is that he is polemic and he forces the reader to make up his mind. He claims to be an expert on American history, so I presume we'll see and hear a lot of him on Dutch television these next few months.

77Trifolia
Redigeret: feb 27, 2021, 2:36 pm

-

78cbl_tn
maj 28, 2016, 4:33 pm

Hi Monica,

I will miss your thoughtful reviews. We seem to share similar reading tastes, and I have discovered some good books and authors through your comments. I hope the future continues to hold lots of good books and reading for you. Wishing you all the best with your new projects.

79dragonaria
maj 29, 2016, 12:06 pm

certainly will be sorry to see you go, but completely understand...I wish you much success! and if you ever get bored, I imagine at least a few of us will still be around!

80souloftherose
maj 31, 2016, 11:33 am

Monica, I'm afraid I have mainly been a lurker on your thread this year but will be sorry to see you good although I totally respect your decision to move on to other things. Hoping you find a lot of enjoyment and pleasure in your new projects.

81Trifolia
sep 2, 2016, 1:23 pm

I decided to join LT again. I won't elaborate on the reasons why, but in short I noticed I missed you all too much, I missed your inspirational buzz and everything with it. So, here I am again and I intend to stay this time.
I'll shortly comment on the books I read since I left off, in order to properly pick up the thread where I left it. And I'll try to visit the threads of the people who are dear to me. It's good to be back.

82Trifolia
sep 2, 2016, 1:27 pm

14. Stille vriendschap by Michel Follet (BE, 2015) - 2 stars

A quick and easy read, part of a series meant for people who have difficulties with reading. I picked it up because it was written by a radio-presenter I like, but although well-written, it was far too simple for my taste.

83Trifolia
sep 2, 2016, 1:46 pm

15. Muidhond by Inge Schilperoord (NL, 2015) - 3,5 stars

It is important to know that this book was written by a psychologist. It is written from the point of view of a man who's been treated for pedophilia. He returns home to his mother, adamant to not let this happen again. We see how the man struggles and finally loses his battle. Despite this dreadful subject, it is full of compassion for a man who is fighting his demons. Very thought-provoking and beautifully written.
I read this book because it was shortlisted for a Dutch literary prize. The title refers to a tench, a fish he keeps in his aquarium.

84Trifolia
sep 2, 2016, 1:51 pm

16. Dierbaar (The Cold Song) by Linn Ullmann (SE, 2011)- 2 stars

This book was recommended to me by a friend whose taste I usually share, but in this case, we didn't. I just could not relate to this story, set in Sweden and dealing with a murder and relationships falling apart. I rarely have to struggle so hard to finish a book.

85Trifolia
sep 2, 2016, 2:01 pm

17. Zonnestorm (Sun Storm) by Åsa Larsson (SE, 2003) - 3,5 stars

A quick and enjoyable murder-mystery always helps me to digest some heavy books. I find Larsson a clever writer and she is one of my favourite scandi-crime-writers. I had already read the fourth in the series, but decided to start reading the series in order.

Btw, I have subsribed to a (legal) e-book-platform which offers unlimited access to hundreds of books. I had doubted to join because I was afraid the choice would be limited. However, I discovered that I wanted to read a lot of the books that were available back then. Since I joined, a lot more books were added (a lot of rubbish but a lot of very good literature too). And the Larsson-books were added too.

86Trifolia
sep 2, 2016, 2:08 pm

18. Zonder gezicht (Victim Without a Face) by Stefan Ahnhem (SE,) - 3 stars

Rather a new name and yet another Scandi-crime-writer and a new series. I don't know where those Scandinavian writers keep inventing those weird plots and stories, but they manage to do the trick. In this case, policeman Fabian Risk (what's in a name) has to investigate a few murders which all seem to be linked. The book has its flaws and it's not for readers with a weak stomach, but it is something out of the ordinary.

87Trifolia
sep 2, 2016, 2:13 pm

19. Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf (US, 2015) - 4 stars

A gentle read about two elderly people who are looking for comfort and company. Slightly naive, a bit abrupt in the end, but all in all a good read after all the murder and mayhem in the two books I read earlier.

Okay, this concludes the list of books I read in March. Still 40 or so more to come till I reach my September-reads. Please bear with me.

88dragonaria
sep 3, 2016, 8:07 am

>87 Trifolia: I read that one and quite agree with you on the abrupt end.

Glad to have you back!

89cbl_tn
sep 3, 2016, 9:01 am

It's wonderful to see you back! I have read one of Asa Larsson's books, I think. I remember liking the main character and wanting to read more. I just haven't yet. I'm glad you found a source where they're readily accessible to you.

90Ameise1
sep 3, 2016, 9:22 am

You got me with the Ahnhem series. My local library has copies of both books. I'll put them on my library list.

91Trifolia
Redigeret: sep 3, 2016, 9:48 am

>88 dragonaria: - Thank you, Kimberly. It feels good to be back.

>89 cbl_tn: - Thank you, too, Carrie. I had underestimated the fact that I would miss you all so much.
I like Larsson's books, partly because of the main character who's a bit unconventional and partly because of the setting in the north of Sweden. I love to read about those remote places and how people manage to live there.

>90 Ameise1: - Be sure not to start reading the books after a heavy lunch, Barbara!

I had thought of adding some thoughts on the books I read in April, but it'll have to wait. The weather is excellent and I'll go outside to enjoy the sun. Who knows how long it will last. Besides, I'm reading The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd and thoroughly enjoying it. The book already deprived me of two hours of much needed sleep last night. It's always a very bad idea to start a book right before bed-time...

92Crazymamie
sep 3, 2016, 10:07 am

SO good to see you back, Monica!

93Trifolia
sep 3, 2016, 2:21 pm

>92 Crazymamie: - Thanks, Mamie! I enjoy being back.

94Trifolia
sep 3, 2016, 2:25 pm

20. De tweede zonde (The Second Deadly Sin) by Åsa Larsson (SE, 2012) - 4 stars

Another part in the Larsson-series that I really enjoyed. Again a pretty convincing plot and great story-telling.

95Trifolia
sep 3, 2016, 2:36 pm

21. Kameraad Baron : een reis door de verdwijnende wereld van de Transsylvaanse aristocratie by Jaap Scholten (NL, 2010) - 3 stars

An award-winning history-book about the fate of Transsylvanian aristocracy before, during and after communist rule. The author interviewed a lot of people who lived through all the hardships they had to endure under the communists. The book consists of three distinctive parts and is very well-documented. However, although I felt for the people who suffered and it opened my eyes to a part of history I was unaware of, it lacked something and I can't tell precisely what. It may be that the many interviews were juxtaposed too much and the bigger story was not told, but it did not really stand out for me as an extraordinary history-book. But it seems a bit smug to write this about a book with such a tough subject...

96Trifolia
sep 3, 2016, 2:40 pm

22. Niels Lyhne by Jens Peter Jacobsen (DK, 1880) - 4 stars

Something completely different: a Danish literary gem, dating back to 1880 about a boy growing up and the struggles that involves. Very poetic, very beautiful, highly recommended.

97vancouverdeb
sep 3, 2016, 8:11 pm

Great to see you back, Monica! I really enjoyed Our Souls at Night. Kent Haruf was a great author. I am sorry that he recently died - maybe 6 months ago? Enjoy the sun - I'm trying to do the same :)

98paulstalder
sep 4, 2016, 8:03 am

Thank you Monica for sharing your thoughts about LT and the part it plays in your life. I put a lot work into LT, cataloguing and enriching the CK parts and I have reduced my social participating. So I have sympathy for your dealings with LT and I am pleased to see around again.

I have got two Åsa Larsson books and your comments bring me to moving them further up the TBR heap :)

99Trifolia
sep 4, 2016, 12:35 pm

>97 vancouverdeb: - Your glowing review of Kent Haruf's book was the main reason I picked it up in the first place. I was not disappointed. It's for things like that, that I decided to come back to LT. You cannot get this kind of information anywhere else. And it also comes in such enjoyable wrappings. Thanks for the book-bullet!

>98 paulstalder: - Thanks for visiting, Paul. I think LT is a considerable part of many people's lives and it's not always easy to find a good balance.
You must be one of the most prolific members, enriching the CK-parts. I try to add the information I have too, but I'm not as diligent and persevering as you.
I'm looking forward to what you will think about Åsa Larsson's books, when you actually get to read them.

100Trifolia
sep 4, 2016, 12:44 pm

23. Een handvol sneeuw (The End of Days) by Jenny Erpenbeck (DE, 2012) - 3,5 stars

Shortlisted for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award Shortlist (2016), this book is written by a German author and I found it quite weird. In this book, the main character dies a lot of times, but then continues to live in the next chapter as if her life has taken another turn. It reminded me of Kate Atkinson's Life after Life, but I found the former more literary. I wonder if one of the authors has influenced the other or if this a coincidence or a trend in literature.
Anyway, I could not really relate to any of the characters. Although they were portrayed as real people, it felt as if I was watching behind a glass wall. A very odd experience, because it had all the characteristics of an excellent book. It just did not work for me.

101Trifolia
sep 4, 2016, 12:50 pm

24. Het Nassau-geheim (The Nassau-secret) by Gregg Loomis (US, 2015) - 2 stars

I had high hopes for this book, because it dealt with the alleged links between Wallis Simpson and the nazi-regime, but what a silly detective-story that was. No further comments...

This concludes the list of books I read in April. 24 done, 34 to come...

102FAMeulstee
sep 4, 2016, 2:17 pm

Glad you are back Monica!

>85 Trifolia: Zonnestorm sounds good, I got an e-reader in January, so I am curious wich e-book platform you use. I get most of my e-books from bibliotheek.nl.

103Trifolia
sep 4, 2016, 3:04 pm

>102 FAMeulstee: I use Bliyoo, both for the books and the magazines. I have considered bibliotheek.nl, but since I'm not a Dutch resident, I have no access. I also subscribed to Elly's choice. Not all books are that good, but for 35 euro per year you get 120 books and there are plenty of good ones.

104FAMeulstee
sep 5, 2016, 7:45 am

>103 Trifolia: Thanks Monica!

105Trifolia
sep 5, 2016, 1:36 pm

25. De geniale vriendin (My Brilliant Friend) by Elena Ferrante (IT, 2011) - 4,5 stars

Without a doubt the best book I read this year. Although the story sounded a bit stuffy, I decided to take a try because 1) I have a soft spot for Italian novels, 2) I had read glowing reviews of the series (which is not always the best reason to read a book), 3) it was available on my ereader and I felt like facing a challenge because I knew that it was part of a 4-book-series. However, it proved no challenge, it turned out to be pure bliss. The story is quite simple about two friends with a different personality who grow up in Naples, Italy. The story begins when one of the women (the narrator) receives a phone-call from the son of her friend to tell her that she's missing and to ask her help. And then she tells the story of their lifelong friendship and their evolving lives. It's a story of two smart but rather poor girls who grow up in the backstreets of Naples, between mafiosi-friends and relatives with everything that comes with it. But there is so much more. There's the atmosphere, the style, the characters, the structure, ... everything was right in this book. Reading Ferrante was an experience and I would recommend it to anyone who likes reading.

106Trifolia
sep 8, 2016, 6:55 am

26. The Wicked Boy: The Mystery of a Victorian Child Murderer by Kate Summerscale (GB, 2016) - 3 stars

This is the third book I read by Kate Summerscale because I like the genre she writes in, namely well-researched yet accessible non-fiction. The author does not use a scholarly style although she uses the right techniques for writing history. In this book, she unravels the story of two brothers who killed their mother in their father's absence in cold blood and then continued their lives as if nothing had happened until family and neighbours were alarmed. Summerscale used all kinds of different sourcesto explain what really happened and why. She does not stop after the boy's sentence (one of the boys was actually not sentenced), but tries to find out what happened to him afterwards. And this turned out to be the bigger surprise.
All in all, I was slightly disappointed because the author could not pinpoint why the boy had done what he had done, but I guess with the sources that were at hand, she did a very good job. It's the fate of the historian that his or her luck depends on what the sources deliver. At times, I found the writing a bit uninspired but that's mainly because it's not fiction and the author clearly wanted to add all the facts and procedures. If you're into this kind of books, it's recommended, but do not expect to read a thriller.

107Trifolia
sep 8, 2016, 6:58 am

27. De nieuwe achternaam (The Story of a New Name) by Elena Ferrante (IT, 2012) - 4,5 stars

The second book in the Neapolitan novels and my fear that the second book would not possibly live up to the expectations of the first book quickly dampened. The author continues to deliver a very well-composed story. Highly recommended.

108Trifolia
sep 8, 2016, 7:03 am

28. Smartphonestress by Alexander Markowetz (non-fiction, 2016)- 4 stars

There seems to be a lot of attention for the risks of too much social media. In this book, the author describes how are productivity and effectiveness take a plunge when we become too attached to our smartphone and offers suggestions for a digital detox. Insightful but imo it's better to act on it than to read about it.

109cbl_tn
sep 8, 2016, 12:30 pm

>105 Trifolia: I've had my eye on that series! I think Donna has been reading them and giving them good marks.

110Trifolia
sep 12, 2016, 1:54 pm

>109 cbl_tn: - I can recommend them wholeheartedly, Carrie!

111cbl_tn
sep 12, 2016, 6:55 pm

I discovered that the first book in the trilogy is available as an Overdrive Audiobook through the public library. I've put a hold on it!

112Trifolia
sep 16, 2016, 3:23 pm

>111 cbl_tn: - I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did, Carrie.

Well, at this pace, I'll still be commenting on books I read months after reading them. So, I'll try to speed up things a little...

29. Het geluk van een wijngaard (La Templanza) by María Dueñas (ES, 2015) - 4 stars

Don't be fooled by this rather romantic cover. Agreed, it is a slightly romantic novel, but this is so much more. It all starts when the Spanish-born widower Mauro Larrea gets into financial trouble and loses his wealth in Mexico. He thinks up a plan to regain his fortune but things work out rather differently than planned. I loved this book because Mauro is such a character, the historical setting is genuine and original, the story is excellent and the style is lovely. I'm very much looking forward to reading other books by Maria Dueñas because she seems to be an author who can tell a story! Loved it.

113Trifolia
sep 16, 2016, 3:30 pm

30. Morgenvroeg in New York (Constellation) by Adrien Bosc (FR, 2016) - 3 stars

Award-winning book by a French author, based on true facts, i.e. the plane-crash that took place in 1949. The author tries to find out both what happened to the flight and who were the passengers on board. I have mixed feelings about ths book. Fictionalized non-fiction is not an easy genre to write: you either overdo the fiction or you stick to the facts too much. In this case, it was the latter. Although my heart went out to the people who lost their lives, I could not really connect with any of them. All through the story, they remained a bit stand-offish. Not a bad book but a bit too much caught between fiction and non-fiction to be convincing either way.

114Trifolia
sep 16, 2016, 3:33 pm

31. Wie vlucht en wie blijft (Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay) by Elena Ferrante (IT, 2014) - 4,5 stars

What superlatives can I add to my other comments on this series?

115Trifolia
sep 16, 2016, 3:47 pm

32. Where I'm Reading From: The Changing World of Books by Tim Parks (GB, 2015) - 3 stars

Every now and then, I like to read a book about non-fictional aspects of literature, e.g. what is literature and how or why do we read, etc.
Among other things, the author mentions that literature is far less international than we might think (or at least that's how I interpreted it) and is becoming increasingly uniform because of the force of English as the lingua franca of our time. Not only do authors write in English instead of their own language, their vocabulary is also adapted to American standards so that the larger group of readers will be able to understand. I think the author is right. Books written by authors from from smaller countries and especially from third world countries are far less likely to be published worldwide unless they tick all the boxes. An interesting book that made me think and that I will probably read again.

116Trifolia
sep 16, 2016, 3:59 pm

33. Le crime du comte Neville by Amélie Nothomb (BE, 2016) - 4 stars

A charming little novella by an author who keeps surprising me, about a count who is broke and who hears that he will kill someone at his own party although he has no intention of doing so.
A very quick read, quirky and less shallow than one would expect from such a short book, one that certainly made my day and even now still makes me smile. And I could not help falling a bit in love with count Neville. Recommended!

That concludes the list of books I read in May... 3,5 months to go...

117paulstalder
sep 16, 2016, 4:41 pm

Oh, you read some interesting books, I know Stupeur et tremblements by Nothomb, so I probably should find that again...

I just heard about the beer pipeline of Brügge where the beer flows in a pipeline from the brewery to the filling station on the outskirts of the city :) interesting idea.

118Trifolia
sep 16, 2016, 5:02 pm

>117 paulstalder: - Indeed, it took some years, but the beer-pipeline in Bruges is finally finished. It's able to transport 6.000 litres per hour!
Here's a video.

119cbl_tn
sep 16, 2016, 7:21 pm

>112 Trifolia: That one sounds interesting, but it doesn't look like it's been translated into English yet. I don't think my Spanish is quite up to novel reading.

120Trifolia
sep 29, 2016, 10:58 am

34. The Red Room by Nicci French (GB, 2001) - 2,5 stars

To be honest, I don't remember a lot about this book, but I cannot have liked it very much since I only gave it a 2,5 star-rating. I wonder why I keep reading Nicci French since I hardly ever like their books...

121Trifolia
sep 29, 2016, 11:06 am

35. Dikke Freddy aan Zee met zonnige groeten vanuit de Koningin der Badsteden : een reeks columns by Erik Vlaminck - 3 stars

This is a collection of columns about the imaginary Fat Freddy, a sort of poor, lazy bum who does not work but writes letters to politicians and celebrities to ventilate his thoughts and opinions. Vlaminck has written other books by Fat Freddy , which I have not read, but this time Fat Freddy moved to Oostende (Ostend), a seaside-town that I know pretty well. At times I thought it was extremely funny, but probably only because I know the people he writes to and the situations he writes about.

122Trifolia
sep 29, 2016, 11:11 am

36. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (N, 2014) - 2,5 stars

At the risk of being ostracized by some readers of my thread, I thought this to be an overrated book. I found it sentimental, which is fine if it can keep up till the end. Unfortunately, it did not culminate into either a big happy ending or a big tragedy, but went out with merely a sizzle.

123Trifolia
sep 29, 2016, 11:17 am

37. The Ice Princess by Camilla Lackberg (SE, 2002) - 4 stars

First in a series of detective-novels, set in Fjallbacka in Sweden with punchy Patrick Hedström and vivacious Erika Falck as the main sleuths. I had read other novels in the series, so I was happy to read this one. And again, I was not disappointed. Good entertainment.

124Trifolia
sep 29, 2016, 11:27 am

38. De vergelding by Jan Brokken (NL, 2013) - 4 stars

Excellent account of the events that took place in the author's village during and after the war. The story shows how a village can be torn apart and how innocent people become victims when bad things happen to good people and how war can stretch its tentacles long after peace-treaties are signed. I thought this to be a very well-written, though-provoking book with not too much and not too little information. Not translated, unfortunately.

125Trifolia
sep 29, 2016, 11:41 am

39. Het zwijgen van Maria Zachea : een ware familiegeschiedenis by Judith Koelemeijer (NL, 2001) - 3,5 stars

Another non-fiction read. After she has a stroke, the children of Maria Zachea decide to take turns and look after their mother instead of sending her to a hospice. Although the children think it will only be for a short while, Maria Zachea does not die and lives on for years without speaking. The story of Maria Zachea and her family is told by each of her surviving children and hence, we get a perspective from both the older children, who were born in the fifties which were still rather strict and formal, and the younger children, who enjoyed (or took) a lot more freedom. This formula also gives the book a sort of dynamics and interaction that a singular voice could not have obtained.
All in all this was an interesting read but I can't help feeling it would have been better if the author had not tried so desperately to give all the children a voice. Sometimes less is more.

126Trifolia
sep 29, 2016, 11:46 am

40. The Chemistry of Death by Simon Beckett (GB, 2006) - 4 stars

Crime fiction with a troubled forensic anthropologist as the main sleuth. This one is the first in a series (David Hunter) , set in England. Rather heavy but very enthralling. I fear the day it will be made into a televison-series...

127Trifolia
sep 29, 2016, 11:52 am

41. A Street Cat Named Bob : how one man and a cat saved each other's lives; a true story by James Bowen (GB, 2012) - 4 stars

For all the cat-lovers on LT who have not read this one yet, hightlight this book in your to-read-list.
In this book, former drug-addict James Bowen tells the story of how he found a cat, or rather, how a cat found him and how this was the start of his rehabilitation. This book is both hilarious, heart-warming and heart-breaking. The fact that this seems to be a true story gives it extra sheen, but even if only half of it is true, it's still a very enjoyable read, even for someone like me who's not even fond of cats.

128Whisper1
sep 29, 2016, 11:59 am

Congratulations on reading so many books thus far this year, and good ones at that! I've added The Chemistry of Death to my to be read pile.

I'll be back to check for more.

129Trifolia
sep 29, 2016, 12:11 pm

>128 Whisper1: - A slight interruption of the internet forced me to stop posting for a few minutes and I was happy to see your post here, Linda!
I thought The Chemistry of Death was a bit out of the ordinary. I liked reading it and would recommend it to all the not too soft-hearted crime-fiction fans.
Unfortunately, I'm still backlogging books I read months ago, which is not ideal for giving thoughtful impressions. However, I'm quickly moving forward now as I have been reading a vast amount of books by Agatha Christie and I don't think they need a lot of comments. You either like them or you don't.

130Trifolia
sep 29, 2016, 12:18 pm

42. When the Devil Holds the Candle by Karin Fossum (NO, 1998) - 3 stars

A few years ago I started reading the detective novels by the Norwegian writer with Konrad Sejer as the main sleuth. Unfortunately, I was not able to finish the whole series because my library had not collected them all. So I was happy to find this one online as part of my e-book-subscription. The funny thing is that in this book, Konrad Sejer hardly plays a part as the story is told from the point-of-view of the culprit who is also the victim. Fossum is different from other detective-novelists because she focuses on psychology rather than on plot. I'm afraid she may become a bit preachy though...

131Trifolia
sep 29, 2016, 12:28 pm

Okay, I admit, I gave in to my Agatha Christie-addiction and continued my long-standing challenge to read each and every book by this author, starting with the Hercule Poirot-series.
In short, Hercule Poirot solved all the murders:
43. Three Act Tragedy by Agatha Christie (GB, 1934) - 3 stars


44. Death in the Clouds by Agatha Christie (GB, 1935) - 3,5 stars


45. The A.B.C. Murders by Agatha Christie (GB, 1936) - 4 stars


46. Murder in Mesopotamia by Agatha Christie (GB, 1936) - 3 stars


48. Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie (GB, 1936) - 4 stars


50. Dumb Witness by Agatha Christie (GB, 1937) - 4 stars


53. Appointment With Death by Agatha Christie (GB, 1938) - 3 stars


58. Sad Cypress by Agatha Christie (GB, 1940) - 4 stars


132cbl_tn
sep 29, 2016, 7:34 pm

>122 Trifolia: I'm in the OverDrive hold queue for the audio of All the Light We Cannot See. I hope it works better for me than it did for you.

>123 Trifolia: I.ve been meaning to get to Camilla Lackberg's series. I saw a Library Journal review yesterday for a TV series based on the her books.

133vancouverdeb
sep 29, 2016, 10:34 pm

Ha! I saw the information about the beer pipeline on the Canadian news :) It made me chuckle just a bit! I am very keen on Karin Fossum and the Agatha Christie's are fun !

134Trifolia
sep 30, 2016, 12:00 pm

>132 cbl_tn: - I liked All the Light We Cannot See up till the final chapter. That blew it for me. If not, I think I might have given a 4-star-rating. So don't worry too much about it.
The TV series were already broadcast here and I liked them very much. I think TV series are always special enough to both watch the series and read the books. And I love the Swedish scenery which is always a bonus with Scandi-crime.

>133 vancouverdeb: - Hi Deb, yes, I think we are partners in crime :-)

Okay, I will try to finish my backlogging this weekend, so I can finally be up to date and elaborate on the books I read. I have read a couple of excellent ones lately!

135Trifolia
sep 30, 2016, 12:09 pm

47. Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift (GB, 2016) - 4 stars

A short read, but what a read. I had never read any books by Graham Swift before, but if this book is exemplary of the books he writes, I'll add him as a favourite.
The story starts on Mothering Sunday in the 1920s, when personnel get the day off to visit their mother and the rich go on a a picnic. In fact, this is a very subtle, multi-layered story, written in such a beautiful style and language, that it would not even matter if there was no story. But there is, and it only adds to the quality of this book. I won't go into details because it would ruin the pleasure of unveiling the story yourself, but believe me, if you're into beautiful literature, it's highly recommended.

136Trifolia
sep 30, 2016, 12:19 pm

49. The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity by Carlo Cipolla (IT, 1988) - 4 stars

With Italian writers, it's sometimes difficult to know if they're being funny or serious. But in this essay, the author manages to be both. Under a coat of humor and irony, lies a chunk of truth that is applicable in everyday life which I thought to be extremely thought-provoking. He develops a way to define stupidity, then describes the danger of stupidity and adds suggestions for dealing with it. It is a fun and easy read and an unexpected eye-opener. And I notice I'm able to use it in everyday life to put things in perspective. Recommended.

137Trifolia
sep 30, 2016, 12:26 pm

51. Hoe we onszelf voor de gek houden abc van denkfouten by Suzanne Weusten (NL, 2013) - 3,5 stars

In short this seems to be a short and very readable version of Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, about how we are able to fool ourselves and make mental mistakes. A quick read which I thought was useful for paying attention to your own thoughts and how they influence your behavior.

138Trifolia
sep 30, 2016, 12:34 pm

52. Je bent wat je doet van zelfkennis naar gedragsverandering by Roos Vonk (NL, 2014) - 3 stars

A self-help-book to find ways to act rather than to plan or rather execute the plans you make. A quick, easy and all in all quite unnecessary read for me. But it did motivate me to practice my French with Duolingo for 10 minutes every day, so maybe not so unnecessary after all..

139FAMeulstee
okt 1, 2016, 3:23 am

hi Monica, you had some good reads :-)

>123 Trifolia: I saw recently some tv-adaptions of Camilla Lackberg, I didn't know they were available in Dutch translation.
>124 Trifolia: De vergelding sounds good.
>126 Trifolia: Will look for Simon Becket
>130 Trifolia: The third Karin Fossum is waiting for me at the library :-)

140Trifolia
okt 1, 2016, 3:35 am

> Indeed, Anita, but the best is yet to come :-)
You can find the Dutch titles by Camilla Läckberg here: http://www.librarything.nl/series/Erica+Falck+%2526+Patrik+Hedstr%C3%B6m

141Trifolia
okt 1, 2016, 4:22 am

54. The Rabbit Back Literature Society by Pasi Ilmari Jääskeläinen (SU, 2006) - 3 stars

A young teacher gets an invitation to join an exclusive club of writers, but during the party to celebrate this, the leader disappears and strange things happen. It seems one of the former members disappeared and nobody is willing to talk about this.
I don't know what to think of this book. It started out really well as it took me by surprise and immediately got my attention. It was weird, unusual, funny, enthralling and much more. But eventually, it did not live up to its expectations. Red herrings were all over the place, but few were actually picked up, symbolism was used, but with no actual meaning to it, the plot in itself was very weak and it all turned out to be less special than I'd expected at first.
But all in all, I enjoyed most of the read. Only the outcome was disappointing. If I had written my comments after I had read the first chapters, you'd all have rushed off to the bookshop. Now, I mildly recommend it if you are into something special without expecting too much in the end. But a good read... (sigh) as I mentioned, I don't know what to think of this book.

142FAMeulstee
okt 1, 2016, 9:10 am

>140 Trifolia: I only recently started to read mysteries, Monica, and I am glad to get plenty of good suggestions on the threads :-)

143Trifolia
okt 1, 2016, 9:23 am

55. The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd (US, 2014) - 4,5 stars

Based on true facts, this is the story of the Grimké-family, a family of southern slave-owners and their slaves in the 1800s and more specifically of Sarah Grimké and her slave Hetty (Handful). Despite her family's wishes and against all expectations, Sarah and her younger sister Nina become champions of both abolition and women's rights. Sarah's life is well-documented and the author reconstructed it rather accurately, but Hetty is fiction due to a lack of sources from slaves
The story is told from different points of view and progresses over different periods of time. This way, the readers get a good view of different thoughts and opinions and is integrated within the lives of the protagonists.
I thought this to be an excellent book, well balanced and well-written. Highly recommended, especially if you like fictionalized non-fiction.

144Trifolia
Redigeret: okt 1, 2016, 9:37 am

56. Hoe lees ik? met inspirerende voorbeelden uit de literatuur by Lidewijde Paris (NL, 2016) - 4 stars

After having heard that a reader would not know what to ask a writer about his book because she thinks it is about nothing, Dutch book-publisher Lidewijde Paris decides to write a book on how to read literature. She takes the reader by the hand, explains literature, shows them what to look for in books and gives plenty of examples. I thought this to be very enlightening. This is the sort of book that deserves an occasional reread.

145Trifolia
okt 1, 2016, 9:37 am

57. Karl und Anna by Leonhard Frank (DE, 2014) - 3,5 stars

A quaint novella about two men in captivation during the war. One of them is single, the other man recently married. The latter tells the former everything about his wife, about his life, about his home, so when the single man gets an chance to flee, he decides to go to the wife and pose as her husband. And although she does not believe he is her husband, she decides to go along and eventually falls in love with him.
Although the story was a bit limited, it was special because of its beautiful prose and the way the author manages to get into the heads of the protagonists. Not the best I've ever read, but good enough for me.

146Trifolia
okt 1, 2016, 9:58 am

59. Ostend: Stefan Zweig, Joseph Roth, and the Summer Before the Dark by Volker Weidermann (DE, 2014) - 4 stars

In the summer of 1936 a number of writers, poets and other artists gather in Ostend, a lively summer-resort at the Belgian coast. Being refugees or exiled from their own countries (Germany, Austria,...), they don't come as tourists, but because it is hard, if not impossible to stay at home. In this book, based on true facts and thorough research, the author writes about these exiles and focuses on the refined Stefan Zweig and the troubled alcohol-addicted Joseph Roth.
Despite the merry atmosphere in Ostend, there are black clouds gathering and although the exiles are very much aware of this, they are not able to turn the tide.
All through the story we are reminded of what is happening in nazi-Germany and how it affects and ruins people's lives, long before the war actually starts. It is no surprise to see that most of these exiles did not survive the war.
This was a gripping read and the fact that I know Ostend and its history quite well (I live close to the town and part of my family lived there), adds something special. But even without the personal interest, this is an extraordinary book. Recommended.

147Trifolia
Redigeret: okt 29, 2016, 3:50 am

61. Lijk op zolder by Sandra Berg (NL, 2014) - 3 stars

The title of this book translates "Body in the attic" and the editor's description sums it up pretty well: relaxing and romantic.
It was just what I needed after the former, rather heavy, read: a nervous psychologist moves to one part of an old cottage on the same day as her neighbor, a relaxed detective-writer. Guess who she turns to when she finds a body in the attic... Yes, right, fluff etc. but it did the trick.

148paulstalder
okt 1, 2016, 3:32 pm

Hej Monica, I also like Läckberg and Fossum very much. And I always enjoy a Agatha Christie in between (even more than Asterix :) )
I put Karl und Anna on my wishlist. I will try to get it from my library.

Happy weekend. I happen to be near Lugano in the Ticino, enjoying a few days of holidays.

149Trifolia
okt 1, 2016, 3:58 pm

>148 paulstalder: - Lucky you, enjoying a holiday in Ticino! I have once spent half a day in Ascona and it was enough to make me dream of revisiting the area. But it's pretty expensive over there!

150paulstalder
Redigeret: okt 1, 2016, 4:30 pm

I just started TIOLI Challenge #15: Read a book by a Dutch or Flemish author.
Dutch and Flemish authors are guest authors at the Frankfurter Buchmesse this year. Maybe you can give us some hints?

>149 Trifolia: It is very expensive here. We are together with our church here, over 80 people. Well, let's see what comes. It's more like a good possibility to get to know the people from the church.

151PaulCranswick
okt 8, 2016, 11:12 pm

>148 paulstalder: Paul I would put almost all Scandi in the readable column. Possibly Anne Holt and Leif GW Persson would be a little more heavy going but I love most of the rest of it. Carin Gerhardsen is a particular favourite at the moment.

Have a great weekend, Monica.

152vancouverdeb
okt 8, 2016, 11:28 pm

Some fabulous reads, Monica! " Body in the Attic" sounds like fun and both Karl and Anna and the book that takes in place in Ostend sound very interesting.

153Trifolia
okt 9, 2016, 10:46 am

>150 paulstalder: - I have added a few of both my favourite Flemish and Dutch books to the TIOLI-challenge. Someone commented that the authors were all male, but come to think of it, very few Flemish female writers have been translated and frankly, I don't particularly like the few who have been translated. And apparently, it's still difficult for most people to know the difference between Flemish and French-speaking Belgians, while it's actually pretty easy: the first speak Flemish, the last speak French...

>151 PaulCranswick: - There are so many Scandi-crimes, that it's impossible to keep up. It must be the long winters, I guess, that makes Scandinavian writers so prolific.

>152 vancouverdeb: - Indeed, Debbie, I've read some fabulous books. Not all very highbrow, but I enjoyed them anyway.

154paulstalder
okt 9, 2016, 11:16 am

>153 Trifolia: it's still difficult for most people to know the difference between Flemish and French-speaking Belgians, while it's actually pretty easy: the first speak Flemish, the last speak French... *grin* Since I read Belgian authors in German, the differences are pretty small :) .... We have the same problem in Switzerland: Adolf Muschg, Anne Cuneo, Giovanni Orelli and Leo Tuor - they all write in a different language ...

155Trifolia
okt 9, 2016, 11:26 am

>154 paulstalder: - I guess the Swiss are one of the few people who actually understand what it's like to have different official languages. And probably also experience the fact that French-speaking Swiss are believed to be French, German-speaking Swiss to be German and Italian-speaking Swiss to be Italian... although I must admit, when I crossed the alps and arrived in Ticino, I had a hard time reminding myself that the Italian-speaking people actually were Swiss. Languages are both interesting and confusing:-)

156paulstalder
okt 9, 2016, 11:56 am

We do have our differences and animosities but we are proud to be Swiss and therefore belong together. I have liked being in the Ticino but I would never want to live there :) they are Ticinesi ... Meeting other Welsche (French speaking) or Ticinesi (Italian speaking) abroad is fun and sometimes irritating for the hosts - they assume that we can talk in our mother tongue with each other, but no, we are happy to speak English together. We would not become friends but we would defend Switzerland together if someone would try to attack our country.

157Trifolia
okt 9, 2016, 12:20 pm

>156 paulstalder: - As a Belgian, I know everything about "differences and animosities" :-) I never realized you Swiss are feeling so strongly about your languages. When I'm in Switzerland, I first check which language is used locally and then try to adapt.

158Ameise1
okt 10, 2016, 3:38 pm

Hi Monica, I've read The Life of Hunger by Amélie Nothomb. You reminded me to read more of her. Chimming in with all the differences of languages in one country. We were the first weekend of October at Sedrun for my elder daughter's boyfriend's 30th birthday party. His monther tongue is Rhaeto-Romance. All his friends were speaking it during the party. Even it's difficult for us to understand most of it we had a great time.
I was absent several weeks on LT but I try to do better. I wish you a wonderful start into the new week.

159Trifolia
okt 25, 2016, 2:42 pm

>158 Ameise1: - I know all about RL preventing us from LT. I have a few days off next week in which I hope to catch up with threads and reading. I've already bought The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante and I can't wait to get started (to be honest, I have already read the first chapter...).

I'm considering to join a local book-club. I've never done that and I'm a bit reluctant to join because I'm a pretty shy and private person, but on the other hand, they always read and discuss amazing books, so the people who go there must have a similar reading-taste to mine. I don't know any of them though... Still thinking...

160Ameise1
okt 25, 2016, 3:28 pm

>159 Trifolia: I'm glad to hear zhat you'll have a few days off. Enjoy it.

I've never joined a book-club. First, I don't know one and second I wouldn't have time for it.

161cbl_tn
okt 25, 2016, 4:05 pm

My turn just came up for the Overdrive audio of My Brilliant Friend! I'll start it as soon as I finish my current audiobook.

162vancouverdeb
Redigeret: okt 25, 2016, 8:23 pm

In Canada, we have two official languages, English and French. However, the further west that you go, the less French that you hear. However, all federal signs, like airports , signs leading to airports, anything sold in stores must be labelled in both English and French. So in Canada , we do know about having two languages. My brother's kids go to an all French school, despite being born to one English speaking parent and his wife speaks both English and French. In my part of Canada, we see much more the Chinese language in addition to English and French. When I go a banking machine aka ATM - not sure what you call them, I have choice of English, French, Chinese, and Punjabi and I think something Arabic. I only recognize some of the language options available to me. :)

163Trifolia
okt 29, 2016, 3:47 am

>160 Ameise1: - I'm still thinking about the book-club. It might be a good idea, it might be complete disaster.

>161 cbl_tn: - I hope you enjoy My Brilliant Friend as much as I did. I'm not sure why, bit I find the series mesmerizing. I'm looking forward to your review because it might shed some light on why I like it so much.

>162 vancouverdeb: - I didn't know that French was spoken outside Quebec and that Chinese is spoken in your part of Canada. I once had a Canadian pen-pal who lived in Toronto and he was furious with the French because he thought the French Canadians had far too many rights as a minority. I thought he was a bit harsh, but maybe he had a bad experience, I don't know.

I'll list the last five or so books I read these past few months. I seem to have gone through a sort of reading-slump. It seems hard after Elena Ferrante's books to engage in other books with the same intensity, so I indulged in some detective-series I'm reading somewhat in order. Nothing special, just some pages to relax.

164Trifolia
okt 29, 2016, 3:50 am

60. One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by Agatha Christie (1940) - 3 stars


I seem to have forgotten to mention one other book I read in the Poirot-series. I found this one a bit far-fetched and not that good. Or maybe I've had an overdose of Agatha Christie...

165Trifolia
okt 29, 2016, 3:55 am

62. The Blood Spilt by Åsa Larsson (SE, 2004)- 3,5 stars

63. The Black Path by Åsa Larsson (SE, 2006) - 3 stars


Number two and three in this series evolving around Rebecka Martinsson. That completes the series which consists of 5 books, but I suspect there will be new books.
Overall, I thought the books were entertaining and recommended if you like Scandi-crime. I particularly liked the setting in the north of Sweden.

166Trifolia
okt 29, 2016, 4:01 am

64. Het verborgen leven van Eurídice Gusmão by Martha Batalha - 4 stars

Excellent book about the clever and energetic Brasilian girl and woman Eurídice Gusmão who has many talents, but who discovers that her role is confined to that of a wife and a mother, without an opportunity to put her many other talents to use. Her sister chooses a different path, but also has her problems. And when the two meet after being estranged, that creates a whole different dynamic.
Very well written, witty yet thought-provoking. I don't think it's been translated in English yet, which is a pity because it has all the elements of a modern classic.

167Trifolia
okt 29, 2016, 4:05 am

65. Dry Bones that Dream by Peter Robinson (1995) - 3,5 stars


66. The Summer that Never Was by Peter Robinson (2003)- 3 stars


The series evolving around DCI Banks is one of the other detective-series I'm trying to complete sooner or later. I've now read 13 out of 23 books. Always entertaining in light doses and these books were no exceptions.

A BIG sigh of relief, because I've finally caught up with the books I read so far this year.

168vancouverdeb
okt 29, 2016, 4:35 am

Oh I know that feeling of trying to keep up with the books that you read on LT. Some sort of review to dream up - I always kind of dread that part.
Yes, unfortunately there are many in Canada outside of Quebec who feel angry with Quebec and feel that Quebec'er's get special treatment. Part of the anger stems from the many times Quebec has held a referendum to separate from Canada. If you visit Quebec, you can find areas where people refuse to speak English, though they know the language. Quebec does have it's own separate pension plan and some laws different from the rest of Canada . The rest of Canada has tried hard to to appease the Quebecois. Personally I have no issue with it, but I suppose if I lived closer to Quebec, maybe I would feel differently.

169cbl_tn
okt 29, 2016, 10:32 am

Congrats on catching up with your reviews! You've reminded me that I've long intended to try Peter Robinson's series, but I have yet to do it...

170FAMeulstee
okt 29, 2016, 10:39 am

Hi Monica!
>165 Trifolia: & >167 Trifolia: I have added the first books of Rebecca Martinsson & DCI Banks to my wishlist, both are available as e-book at the library :-)
I am reading my last Elendur book and started the Wallander-series.

171Trifolia
okt 29, 2016, 4:05 pm

>168 vancouverdeb: - That sounds very familiar to me, living in a country where linguistic quarreling has become a national sports. If only people would respect one another, it would be a lot easier.

>169 cbl_tn:- Thank you, Carrie. I can recommend the DCI Banks-series. I think the first books must be a bit dated by now, but I've never thought of giving up on the series. There's always something that surprises me. I'd recommend to read them in order though, unless you don't mind to go back and forth in Banks' personal life.

>170 FAMeulstee: - Oh, Anita, you'll have plenty to read if you decide to read all those series!

Guess what! I finished The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante today. It's the fourth and final book in the Neapolitan novels -series and I loved each and every sentence, every word of it. I really don't know what's so appealing about these books, but it is what it is. I'll think about a (mini-)review and post it here as soon as possible.

172Ameise1
okt 29, 2016, 4:32 pm

>165 Trifolia: Monica, my local library has got the whole series. It looks like I should give it a try.

173Trifolia
okt 30, 2016, 3:26 am

>172 Ameise1: - You should, Barbara, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

174PaulCranswick
okt 30, 2016, 3:53 am

I am pretty much up to date on DCI Banks, I think Monica with the exception of his latest. I want to spend more time on series reading next year as I have gotten behind on so many that I enjoyed.

Have a lovely Sunday.

175ChelleBearss
okt 30, 2016, 10:29 am

Hi Monica! Finally found and starred your thread :)

176Trifolia
okt 30, 2016, 2:06 pm

>174 PaulCranswick: - I think the DCI Banks-series was one of the first series I tried to read in order. I find this series better than many others because the main character evolves through the series. Do you have favourite series?

>175 ChelleBearss: - Lovely to see you here, Chelle. Thanks for the star!

177Trifolia
okt 30, 2016, 2:12 pm

67. The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante - 4,5 stars

There is always a risk when a book is hyped that you might not like it. There's even a bigger risk when that book is recommended to you, that your expectations might turn into disappointment. However, there's often a little voice in me (sometimes disguised as the voice of a friend or colleague) that wants to find out what the fuss is all about. That little voice has sometimes resulted into a few hours wasted on a terrible book but every so often, it has granted me pleasant moments. Not in this case though. The first in this Neapolitan novels-series has enthralled me from the very first moment of the first book, right until the last page of the last book I kept reading, very late into the night, read while cooking, before getting up, stealing away precious minutes from breakfast, lunch, dinner, postponed cleaning, ironing, shopping groceries, all because I was mesmerized by the lives of two Italian girls, Lenu and Lila, growing up in the poor and dangerous heart of Naples in Italy. Through the eyes and words of Lenu, we are given a whole spectre of ordinary, yet no so ordinary life in Naples. We get to meet their family, friends, relatives, enemies. We get under their skin, grow up with them, grow old with them, feel their pains, their struggles, their victories, their blood pulsing through their veins. The lives of Lenu and Lila are intertwined and although they start out as neighbours and practically are doomed to become friends, they're also rivals, Lenu is studying hard to make something of her life while Lila, the more brilliant of the two, quits school at a very early age and tries to lead her own life. The first book finishes when the girls are 16. I was reluctant to pick up the second book, because a sequel often proves to be a bit less than the first one. However, it did not disappoint me. On the contrary, the characters were even more fleshed out, matured and aged and evolved in their own directions. The quality continued in book three. Just recently the fourth and final book was released in Belgium and I took the first opportunity to buy it. And again, I was not disappointed. The plots twisted and turned, meandered and surprised and in the end, the book finished in a very appropriate way.
I'm not giving away too much of the plot and stories, because I don't want to spoil it for future readers. If you decide to read these novels and you're not captivated by the first pages, then leave it. If otherwise, you have a lot of great reading-time ahead of you.

178FAMeulstee
okt 31, 2016, 7:12 am

>177 Trifolia: I have read so many good things about Elena Ferrante's books, Monica, I think I now want to know too what the fuss is about.

179thornton37814
okt 31, 2016, 8:49 pm

>167 Trifolia: I just read the first Inspector Banks novel. I thought it was "ho-hum" but I've heard the series improves so I haven't given up on it yet.

180Trifolia
nov 1, 2016, 2:17 pm

>178 FAMeulstee: - You could give it a try, Anita. I haven't met anyone yet who did not like these books.

>179 thornton37814: - Banks is probably a bit dated and the pace is quite slow, but sometimes, it's just what I need and like, so I don't give up either. But the series is probably best taken in small portions.

181Trifolia
Redigeret: nov 1, 2016, 2:32 pm

68. De groene pen (The Green Pen) by Eloy Moreno (2011) - 3 stars


I found this book by accident, trying to locate another book. It is written by a Spanish author who self-published it first and when it became a hit, managed to have it published.
The story is about a man who realizes that due to the many hours both he and his wife work, his marriage is falling apart, he hardly sees his son growing up and his life is confined to working, sleeping and surviving the daily rat-race. Then he cooks up a plan to get a better life, but things don't go as planned, on the contrary, everything goes terribly wrong. Eventually, he travels to the Pyrenees, where he has time and space to reflect. In the end, everything is sorted out.

Although the story is a bit predictable, even cliche, I found the style quite engaging. The way he described his feelings, how his world was falling apart and how he found solace in the mountains was impressive. A feel-good-book that made me think about what really matters in life.

182PaulCranswick
nov 5, 2016, 11:40 pm

>176 Trifolia: Monica, I like the Banks series myself. Other favourites:

Montalbano Andrea Camilleri
Inspector Wallender - Henning Mankell
Inspector Erlendur - Arnaldur Indriadson
The books of Carin Gerhardsen
Jack Reacher - Lee Child
Gabriel Allon - Daniel Silva
Lucas Davenport - John Sandford
Commissario Bordelli - Marco Vichi
Lennox - Craig Russell
Bernie Gunther - Philip Kerr

and a heap more

Have a great weekend.

183vancouverdeb
Redigeret: nov 6, 2016, 1:54 am

Oh, the The Green Pen sounds like my kind of book. Great review of both Green Pen and also the Elena Ferrante novel. Like you, I have heard so much about that series and I am afraid they won't live up to the hype. I have the first in the series, but it has not grabbed me yet.

I agree with Paul on some of his choices ( not that all of his series aren't good ones, just some I've not read , and some were not my cup of tea).

Inspector Wallender - Henning Mankell
Inspector Erlendur - Arnaldur Indriadson
And my beloved Maisie Dobbs series.
And Karin Fossum and her Detective Sejer series
David Downing and his Zoo Station series.

I've been pondering Coffin Road by Peter May who also writes a number of series.

Best of luck finding some good go- to - books

184Trifolia
nov 6, 2016, 2:09 pm

>182 PaulCranswick: - Plenty of good suggestions, there, Paul, thanks!

>183 vancouverdeb: - Yes, you might like The Green Pen, Debbie. My thought exactly about being afraid it won't live up to the hype. It surely lived up to mine.
Thanks for sharing your favourite series. There are so many to choose from, life's too short.

Currently, I'm busy with other things than reading, but will probably be able to catch up soon.

185Trifolia
Redigeret: nov 6, 2016, 2:48 pm

69. Mismatch hoe we dagelijks worden misleid door ons oeroude brein (Mismatch, how every day we are misled by our ancient brain) by Ronald Giphart & Mark Van Vugt (NL, 2016) - 3 stars

This is a non-fiction book, written by an author of fiction and a scientist. They believe that the biological development of the human brain cannot keep up with our cultural progress through time. So, in short humans still think with the brains of the first human beings and act upon it accordingly. This has its repercussions on most aspects of our lives and it results in wrong actions that are not in sync with what we should do. There are plenty of examples to choose from. One of them is that our primitive brain is trained to eat all you can eat in order to survive. But in 21st century, this behavior is no longer necessary and even self-destructive. So there is a mismatch between our primitive brains and our contemporary lives. In this book, the authors elaborate on all sorts of aspects of this behavior: work, love, etc., how it affects our lives and what we should be aware of. I am not sure if it is all that scientific, but it was a fun read and "se non è vero, è ben trovato".

186Ameise1
nov 13, 2016, 4:52 am

Happy Sunday, Monica.

187PaulCranswick
dec 17, 2016, 7:56 pm

>182 PaulCranswick: & >183 vancouverdeb: Maybe we shouldn't have given so many suggestions for series reading Monica as we haven't seen you since!

Have a lovely weekend.

188Trifolia
dec 20, 2016, 11:02 am

I have been busy, busy, busy which is my only excuse for not being present on LT. I have a few days off now, which should enable me to both prepare the Christmas-turkey (although in my case it will be a duck) and catch up with LT. And maybe, probably make it to 75 before the end of the year.

So this is where I left off:

70. The Final Solution. A Story of Detection by Michael Chabon (2004) - 3 stars

I don't really know what to think of this book but somehow I think this is either a very easy book or I completely miss the point. It's about a man being killed and a bird gone missing during the war and in the end, the very elderly Sherlock Holmes solves the case. Maybe the importance of this book is the fact that it is a mystery written by Michael Chabon who apparently intends to write novels in all different genres. Although this was an entertaining read, I was a bit underwhelmed. Or maybe my expectations were a bit too high.

189Trifolia
Redigeret: dec 20, 2016, 11:09 am

71. The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen - 3 stars

A wealthy family has lost all its fortune and accepts the offer of moving to a house in the country, where family-secrets are unravelled and in the end, the girl marries the boy.
Chicklit pur sang which was all I was capable of, being under the weather with the flu. Excellent read when half my brain was not functioning, but a bit too sweet for my taste.

190Trifolia
dec 20, 2016, 11:17 am

72. De onderwaterzwemmer by P. F. Thomése - 3 stars

This book consists of three parts in which we follow an episode in the life of the main character. In the first one, the boy's father drowns during the war, in the second one, the man experiences a drama in the heart of Africa and in the third part, the elderly man is thinking over his life and comes to a conclusion. Although I liked the author's style and the story itself had some strong elements, I was not too impressed by the book as a whole and not at all by its outcome. I've read somewhere that some books should not be read right until the last pages, because the outcome is disappointing or trite and that kills the rest of the book. I think this was this sort of book. If I had stopped 20 pages earlier, or even 10, I might have given it 4 stars, now it's only 3.

191PaulCranswick
dec 20, 2016, 11:17 am

>188 Trifolia: I also read it recently Monica and thought it started much better than it finished. Not bad but certainly not great either. Fingers crossed for 75 with only two books to go.

192Trifolia
dec 20, 2016, 11:23 am

73. Sherlock Holmes : de complete avonturen by Arthur Conan Doyle - 3 stars

After a few disappointing reads and feeling a bit stressed and under the weather, I thought I'd resort to good old Sherlock to get out of my reading-slump. Unfortunately, I only got grumpy and frustrated with this blasé know-it-all, which shows that I'm probably a bit too stressed for my own good and in need of either a short break and/or a book that blows me away. Or maybe instead of choosing the easy books, I should read something more challenging.

193Trifolia
dec 20, 2016, 1:45 pm

Guess what, I've already set up my thread for 2017...
but I will keep posting here till December 31st 2016.

194dragonaria
dec 21, 2016, 7:57 am

so sorry you have the flu! I hope you feel better soon!

195Trifolia
dec 21, 2016, 12:06 pm

No worries, Kimberly. I was backlogging, so the flu is already past history. But thanks for the wishes anyway!

196vancouverdeb
dec 22, 2016, 5:14 am

Stopping by to say hi and wish you a Merry Christmas, Monica! It is great to have you back and look forward to seeing you in the "75's next year! :)

197Trifolia
dec 22, 2016, 11:49 am

>196 vancouverdeb: - Merry Christmas to you too, Deb. I thought I'd start early this time, so I already set up a thread in the 75 books Challenge for 2017. And I made some plans for my reading. A new year, a change of tactics, we'll see how that goes, but I'm pretty excited to get started. I hope to see you over there soon too.

198PaulCranswick
dec 23, 2016, 11:18 pm



Wouldn't it be nice if 2017 was a year of peace and goodwill.
A year where people set aside their religious and racial differences.
A year where intolerance is given short shrift.
A year where hatred is replaced by, at the very least, respect.
A year where those in need are not looked upon as a burden but as a blessing.
A year where the commonality of man and woman rises up against those who would seek to subvert and divide.
A year without bombs, or shootings, or beheadings, or rape, or abuse, or spite.

2017.

Festive Greetings and a few wishes from Malaysia!

199Trifolia
Redigeret: dec 24, 2016, 9:15 am

>198 PaulCranswick: - Wouldn't it be nice, indeed. Thank you for your kind wishes and a very merry Christmas and a very happy 2017 to you too, Paul.

200Trifolia
dec 24, 2016, 9:15 am

74. Butcher's Crossing by John Williams (US, 1960) - 4 stars


The story begins with Will Andrews, the son of a preacher who has decided to quit his studies at Harvard. Will wants to get away from his sheltered life in Boston and goes in search of adventure. He is able to persuade an experienced hunter, Miller, to take him on a hunt.. Together with two other companions, they begin a long and dangerous journey from Butcher's Crossing in Kansas to a pristine valley in Colorado that Miller knows. The size of the herd they find surpasses their expectations and what follows is a ruthless massacre. Blinded by greed and because of their obedience to the leader, they let themselves be surprised by winter and get snowed in. When they return to Butcher's Crossing after six months, everything has changed.
The all-consuming greed and the inevitability of fate are the main themes. This book is not about surprising story-lines, finely detailed characters or profound ideas. The strength of this book lies primarily in the atmosphere, the exquisite descriptions and the subtle yet profound theme. Highly recommended literature.

201ChelleBearss
dec 24, 2016, 9:18 am


Merry Christmas!!

202Ameise1
dec 25, 2016, 5:36 am

Monica, I wish you Merry Christmas.


203Trifolia
dec 26, 2016, 2:38 pm

>201 ChelleBearss: - Thank you, Chelle. A very merry belated Christmas to you too!

>202 Ameise1: - And a very merry belated Christmas to you too, Barbara! I wonder if the car is stuck there :-)

204Trifolia
Redigeret: dec 26, 2016, 2:41 pm

And here is number 75:

75. The Monogram Murders by Sophie Hannah (2014) - 2 stars


To sort of celebrate my year of reading the series about Hercule Poirot (I read nine this year) I decided to read this one.
This book is an authorized sequel to the series of detective novels by Agatha Christie with Hercule Poirot in the lead. And indeed, in this book, the Belgian sleuth appears with his typical characteristics and habits ... or not. Anyone who is somewhat familiar with the character of Hercule Poirot will notice some errors immediately. It seems odd to me that Poirot wants to rest his gray cells in a rather mediocre guest house in the neighborhood, that he drinks coffee (really!) in a shabby establishment in a crooked state. And there are other inaccuracies. Moreover, the story is weak, the plot is inconsistent, the characters are caricatures and Poirot needs five chapters or so to close the case, or better, to explain the solution to his sidekick, a goofy policeman who seems to have the IQ of a moron.
Still, I liked this book because it has convinced me even more of the absolute superiority of Agatha Christie in her genre.

205Ameise1
dec 26, 2016, 2:59 pm

Congrats on reaching 75. Well done, lady. :-)

206FAMeulstee
Redigeret: dec 26, 2016, 3:09 pm

Congratulations on reaching 75, Monica!

207Trifolia
dec 26, 2016, 4:08 pm

>205 Ameise1: - Thank you, Barbara.
>206 FAMeulstee: - And thank you too, Anita.

I've been listing some other books that I've read this year, although reading is probably not the right word for it. I've been browsing through them and consulting them over and over again and will be doing so for the coming years, I think.
So I decided to mention them here too, and add them to my list.

208Trifolia
dec 26, 2016, 4:10 pm

76. Steinz gids voor de wereldliteratuur (Guide to World-literature) by Pieter Steinz - 4 stars

Excellent guide to books, with plenty of lists, referrals, book-suggestions, book-webbing, from a well-read man. A book to turn to over and over again and never grow tired of.

209Trifolia
dec 26, 2016, 4:17 pm

77. Historical Fiction: A Guide to the Genre by Sarah L. Johnson (2005) - 4 stars

Another excellent book on historical fiction, published in 2005 with hundreds of titles, sorted by genres and themes, focusing on English-language novels published since the mid '90s. A real must-have for anyone who likes historical fiction.
In 2009, the author published a new version focusing on English-language historical novels for adults published between mid-2004 and mid-2008.

210Trifolia
dec 26, 2016, 4:21 pm

78. The Novel Cure : An A-Z of Literary Remedies by Ella Berthoud - 3 stars

This book is packed with book-suggestions if you're in a certain state of mind: fear, jealousy, sadness, ... whatever is troubling you. Not sure if this book is meant to be serious of funny as I found it a bit unbalanced. But it's a fun book to browse every now and then.

211Trifolia
dec 30, 2016, 4:07 pm

Well I'm finally able to sit down today (10 p.m) after preparing and serving a 10-course dinner for 10 guests. It took me a few days of organizing, shopping, preparing, etc. but my guests loved it, enjoyed every dish and the atmosphere was excellent so I'm happy. Tomorrow I honestly look forward to clean up my kitchen and the rest of my house and get ready for the new year. I may even be able to do a bit of reading. Life is good right now.
I hope you all have an excellent start of 2017!!

212ChelleBearss
dec 30, 2016, 5:13 pm

Wow, 10 courses! That's an undertaking I have never tried! Glad it was a success!

213FAMeulstee
dec 31, 2016, 6:12 am

I hope the cleaning up is done now, Monica, I hope life stays good and wish you a very happy start in 2017!

214PaulCranswick
dec 31, 2016, 6:56 am



Looking forward to your continued company in 2017.
Happy New Year, Monica

215Trifolia
dec 31, 2016, 7:46 am

>212 ChelleBearss: Me too, Chelle. It's not something I do on a regular basis, but it was worth the effort.

>213 FAMeulstee: Not quite finished, just taking a mini-break. But it won't take long.

>214 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul. I very much look forward to 2017. Looking forward to seeing you all over the threads too next year :-)

216Ameise1
dec 31, 2016, 11:53 am

Wow, Monica, I'm very impressed with your 10 courses dinner. I would like to have sat amongst your guest.

217Trifolia
dec 31, 2016, 12:24 pm

>216 Ameise1: You'd have been most welcome, Barbara.

218Trifolia
jan 1, 2017, 2:34 pm

This thread is closed now. You're very welcome to visit my new thread for 2017...