Anita (FAMeulstee) reads on in 2017 (3)

Dette er en fortsættelse af tråden Anita (FAMeulstee) reads on in 2017 (2).

Denne tråd er fortsat i Anita (FAMeulstee) reads on in 2017 (4).

Snak75 Books Challenge for 2017

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Anita (FAMeulstee) reads on in 2017 (3)

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1FAMeulstee
Redigeret: mar 11, 2017, 5:02 pm

More landscape art from Flevoland: The Green Cathedral by Marinus Boezem in Almere
 

178 poplar trees were planted, they mimic the size and shape of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Reims, France.

2FAMeulstee
Redigeret: maj 31, 2017, 7:05 pm

total books read in 2017: 67
own 45 / 22 library

total pages read in 2017: 17.534
--

currently reading
--

Books read in February 2017 (34 books, 7.778 pages)
book 67: Kinderverhalen by Mies Bouhuys, 176 pages, , msg 277
book 66: De Cock en het duel in de nacht (De Cock 38) by A.C. Baantjer, 135 pages, , msg 276
book 65: Het bittere kruid by Marga Minco, 90 pages, , msg 265
book 64: De vloek van Woestewolf by Paul Biegel, 135 pages, , msg 263
book 63: Lang zul je leven : bakerrijmpjes by Ienne Biemans, 43 pages, , msg 254
book 62: De kleine kapitein by Paul Biegel, 127 pages, , msg 253
book 61: Nachtlicht (Inspector Banks 2) by Peter Robinson, 243 pages, , msg 248
book 60: Bij nader inzien by J.J. Voskuil, TIOLI #21, 1207 pages, , msg 242
book 59: The Poet's Dog by Patricia MacLachlan, 88 pages, , msg 229
book 58: Kwaad bloed by Marita de Sterck, TIOLI #13, 159 pages, , msg 228
book 57: Laatste verhalen van de eeuw by Paul Biegel, TIOLI #7, 222 pages, , msg 227
book 56: Heerlijke nieuwe wereld by Aldous Huxley, TIOLI #8, 301 pages, , msg 220
book 55: Dief van de duivel by Mikael Engström, TIOLI #4, 272 pages, , msg 214
book 54: Wie is Julia by Alyssa Brugman, TIOLI #5, 195 pages, , msg 203
book 53: Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín, 316 pages, , msg 200
book 52: Ver heen by P.C. Kuiper, TIOLI #16, 168 pages, , msg 192
book 51: Misdaad en straf by F.M. Dostojewski, TIOLI #2, 568 pages, , msg 183
book 50: Van den vos Reynaerde by Willem, transl H. Adema, TIOLI #11, 127 pages, , msg 176
book 49: Lasse Länta by Cor Bruijn, TIOLI #6, 176 pages, , msg 174
book 48: Man zonder land by Kurt Vonnegut, TIOLI #9, 143 pages, , msg 155
book 47: Dromen van mijn vader by Barack Obama, TIOLI #15, 415 pages, , msg 153
book 46: Lawines razen by An Rutgers van der Loeff, TIOLI #18, 160 pages, , msg 149
book 45: Walden ; Burgerlijke ongehoorzaamheid by Henry David Thoreau, TIOLI #10, 412 pages, , msg 139
book 44: De rode prinses by Paul Biegel, TIOLI #20, 128 pages, , msg 134
book 43: De verjaardag van de eekhoorn by Toon Tellegen, TIOLI #14, 36 pages, , msg 110
book 42: De verjaardag van alle anderen by Toon Tellegen, TIOLI #14, 112 pages, , msg 110
book 41: Bajaar by Martha Heesen, 124 pages, , msg 109
book 40: De eeuwigheid verzameld : Helene Kröller-Müller (1869-1939) by Eva Rovers, 602 pages, , msg 104
book 39: Overal en nergens by Bill Bryson, TIOLI #19, 287 pages, , msg 103
book 38: De Cock en de ontluisterende dood (De Cock 37) by A.C. Baantjer, 138 pages, , msg 103
book 37: Zand erover by Laura Broekhuysen, TIOLI #17, 110 pages, , msg 83
book 36: Sjanetje by Thea Dubelaar, TIOLI #12, 95 pages, , msg 54
book 35: Krik by Miep Diekman, TIOLI #1, 174 pages, , msg 42
book 34: De twaalf rovers by Paul Biegel, TIOLI #3, 94 pages, , msg 20

3FAMeulstee
Redigeret: feb 27, 2017, 10:29 am

Books read in January 2017 (33 books, 9.756 pages)
book 33: In de ban van de ring by J.R.R. Tolkien, 1242 pages,
book 32: Fiona : In koelen bloede by Harry Bingham, 448 pages,
book 31: Fiona by Harry Bingham, 448 pages,
book 30: Het olifantenfeest by Paul Biegel, 112 pages,
book 29: Stille blik (Inspector Banks 1) by Peter Robinson, 299 pages,
book 28: Het eiland daarginds by Paul Biegel, 95 pages,
book 27: De mens is een grote fazant by Herta Müller, 126 pages,
book 26: Swing by Paul Biegel, 92 pages,
book 25: Haas by Paul Biegel, 192 pages,
book 24: Liefde (My struggle 2) by Karl Ove Knausgård, 602 pages,
book 23: Anderland by Paul Biegel, 90 pages,
book 22: Het gen: een intieme geschiedenis by Siddharta Mukerjee, TIOLI #3, 666 pages,
book 21: Tussen de wereld en mij by Ta-Nehisi Coates, TIOLI #14, 148 pages,
book 20: 7 jaren van een wielrenner by Herbert Friedrich, TIOLI #17, 366 pages,
book 19: De inspirerende wijsheid van de Dalai Lama by Dalai Lama, TIOLI #12, 191 pages,
book 18: Zout op mijn huid by Benoîte Groult, TIOLI #15, 243 pages,
book 17: Padden verhuizen niet graag by Gerard Brands, TIOLI #13, 120 pages,
book 16: Francesco by Jean Dulieu, TIOLI #7, 167 pages,
book 15: Het knoopjeskabinet by Edmund de Waal, TIOLI #2, 320 pages,
book 14: De aanslag by Harry Mulisch, 256 pages,
book 13: We moeten allemaal feminist zijn by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, TIOLI #1, 64 pages,
book 12: Dokter Zjivago by Boris Pasternak, TIOLI #5, 685 pages,
book 11: Kikker in de kou by Max Velthuijs, TIOLI #9, 28 pages,
book 10: Ik maak nooit iets mee by Guus Middag, TIOLI #8, 132 pages,
book 9: Een goudvis van tweeduizend pond by Betsy Byars, TIOLI #6, 107 pages,
book 8: Hidden Doe : Wij zijn Mesquakie, wij zijn één by Hadley Irwin, TIOLI #18, 122 pages,
book 7: De donkere kamer van Damocles by Willem Frederik Hermans, 335 pages,
book 6: Het veterdiploma by Wiel Kusters, TIOLI #19, 47 pages,
book 5: Onvoltooide geschiedenis by Boualem Sansal, TIOLI #4, 251 pages,
book 4: De wervelstorm by Ivan Southall, TIOLI #16, 178 pages,
book 3: Nachtverhaal by Paul Biegel, TIOLI #11, 159 pages,
book 2: Oorlog en vrede 2/2 by Leo Tolstoj, TIOLI #10, 769 pages,
book 1: Oorlog en vrede 1/2 by Leo Tostoj, 756 pages,

4FAMeulstee
Redigeret: maj 31, 2017, 7:05 pm

Reading plans in February 2017

5FAMeulstee
Redigeret: feb 25, 2017, 7:23 am

Books aquired in 2017: 6

February 2017:
Bajaar by Martha Heesen (e-book, Gouden Lijst 2012)
Kwaad gesternte by Hannah van Binsbergen (VSB Poëzieprijs 2017)
Tussen de wereld en mij by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Walden ; Burgerlijke ongehoorzaamheid by Henry David Thoreau
Tegen verkiezingen by David van Reybrouck
The Poet's Dog by Patricia MacLachlan
Binnen de huid by J.J. Voskuil
Terloops : Voettochten 1957-1973 by J.J. Voskuil

6FAMeulstee
Redigeret: jan 31, 2017, 6:12 pm

Reading plans in 2017

I have a large collection (now 764 books) of mostly awarded childrens & YA books. At the moment I am reading them all, mostly alphabeticly, to decide wich to keep. The ones not to keep are donated to a library in Rotterdam (where we lived until 2005).

I will try to read more of my own books, of the 244 books I have read in 2016 83 were own and 161 from the library.

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

Next one is yours

7lunacat
jan 31, 2017, 6:20 pm

Hi Anita :) Can't believe the rate at which you're reading!

8charl08
jan 31, 2017, 6:28 pm

Love the green cathedral. Happy new thread!

9mstrust
jan 31, 2017, 6:53 pm

Hi Anita, and Happy New Thread! What great pics!

10FAMeulstee
jan 31, 2017, 7:17 pm

>7 lunacat: I am am enjoying every page, Jenny :-)

>8 charl08: Thanks Charlotte, because our province is fairly new (the land came dry in the 1950s/1960s) there was room enough for large lanscape art projects. I try to show one each thread.

>9 mstrust: Thank you Jennifer, at the first picture the trees are young, the other nearly full grown.

11kidzdoc
jan 31, 2017, 8:16 pm

Happy new thread, Anita! I like the green cathedral.

12msf59
jan 31, 2017, 8:41 pm

Happy New Thread, Anita! Love the toppers.

13LovingLit
jan 31, 2017, 8:47 pm

I am in awe of your reading also :)
And also, I love the green cathedral! When were the trees planted? A while ago by the looks.....

14ronincats
jan 31, 2017, 10:08 pm

I prostrate myself in submission to your awesome reading abilities, Anita!!

15PaulCranswick
feb 1, 2017, 12:09 am

Happy new thread, Anita.

33 books so far!!!

16Berly
feb 1, 2017, 2:07 am

Happy New Thread!!



17sirfurboy
Redigeret: feb 1, 2017, 4:33 am

Happy new thread... hmmm... if enough people say that you will need to start another new one :)

ETA

The green cathedral is interesting. Then again Flevoland is pretty interesting! I remember studying it in Geography when I was at school.

18FAMeulstee
feb 1, 2017, 5:29 am

>11 kidzdoc: Thanks Darryl, maybe one day I can take you to the green cathedral :-)

>12 msf59: Thank you Mark, the idea is facinating and it turned out well in real.

>13 LovingLit: Thanks Megan, the trees were planted 30 years ago, so they are near their end now.
Next to it there is a "negative" as you can see at this picture. That can last forever as long at the grass is mowed regular.

19FAMeulstee
feb 1, 2017, 5:35 am

>15 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul, yes reading still comes easy :-)

>16 Berly: Thank you Kim, I like blue colors.

>17 sirfurboy: Yes, that is how it goes ;-)
It is a very special province, Flevoland. Because it is new land there was no traditional eshtablishment, everyone came from somewhere else. So the community is more equal and open than in older parts of the country.
Nice to know we are known enough to be studied at school.

20FAMeulstee
Redigeret: feb 1, 2017, 6:15 am


book 34: De twaalf rovers by Paul Biegel
own, Dutch, YA, awarded, Nienke van Hichtum prijs 1973, Zilveren Griffel, 1972, English translation The twelve robbers, 94 pages, TIOLI #3

Twelve robbers, a king and a beggar are the main characters in a story with adventure and fun. The illustrations of Peter Vos are spot on.

21scaifea
feb 1, 2017, 6:38 am

Happy new thread, Anita! I love the Green Cathedral!!

22FAMeulstee
feb 1, 2017, 7:10 am

>21 scaifea: Thanks Amber, the Green Cathedral is beautiful indeed!

23EllaTim
feb 1, 2017, 8:46 am

>Hi Anita! Nice pictures of the Green Cathedral. My hubby and I have visited it, last summer. It was quite a search, involving us getting lost, and following a small track through fields full of pumpkins, but worthwhile. The poplars are big now!

Happy new thread.

24thearlybirdy
feb 1, 2017, 9:01 am

Happy new thread, Anita! I like your toppers. The negative is really cool.

25Ameise1
feb 1, 2017, 9:22 am

I love the topper. Happy new one, Anita.

26karenmarie
feb 1, 2017, 10:10 am

Hi Anita! Happy new thread, and thank you for sharing the topper, and, even more, >18 FAMeulstee: the negative space!! Fantastic.

27foggidawn
feb 1, 2017, 11:44 am

Happy new thread!

28lunacat
feb 1, 2017, 11:46 am

Are they planning to plant another set once those trees have reached their end, or was it purely meant to be a temporary - if long lasting - piece of artwork?

29Morphidae
feb 1, 2017, 12:34 pm

It's a shame they are at the end of their life cycle.

30ChelleBearss
feb 1, 2017, 1:34 pm

Happy new thread!

31FAMeulstee
feb 1, 2017, 2:12 pm

>23 EllaTim: Hi Ella, good you were there last summer. I want to visit this month, with the bare trees it looks different I think.
Have you been to other landscape art in Flevoland (Polder Garden of Love and Fire, Observatorium, Aardzee, etc)?

>24 thearlybirdy: Thanks Birdy, it is nice to share these landscape art projects at my thread.

>25 Ameise1: Thank you Barbara, there is quit a lot of art in public space.

>26 karenmarie: Thanks Karen, it is an intriguing project that I wanted to share here.

32jessibud2
Redigeret: feb 1, 2017, 2:15 pm

Anita, that's a lovely art installation. But I am confused about something. Did you say that the trees are at the end of their life cycle? What kind of trees are they? I thought trees, especially large trees, usually live much longer than 30 years. Will they be replaced with another variety of tree, in the same space, do you know? It seems a lot of thought and effort went into creating that piece and would be a shame if it will just die

33FAMeulstee
feb 1, 2017, 2:17 pm

>27 foggidawn: Thanks Foggi!

>28 lunacat: The plan was to let nature have its way, Jenny. Most people want things to stay the way they are, so I am not sure if that is really going to happen. They could plant a second one, but that is probably up to the artist.

>29 Morphidae: It will be different, Morphy, but I can imagine that with broken and dying trees it still can be a beautiful place. It is what the artist intended...

>30 ChelleBearss: Thanks Chelle!

34FAMeulstee
feb 1, 2017, 2:26 pm

>32 jessibud2: Those are Lombardian poplars, Shelly, they grow narrow and fast, and don't get very old. They are used to fill a place quickly, sometimes together with slower maturing trees who live longer. The artist intended that it would be an creattion with limited life.
Ten years after the trees were planted concrete paths were added, representing the cross ribs and support beams of the cathedral.

35jessibud2
feb 1, 2017, 3:12 pm

>34 FAMeulstee: - Oh, thanks for that explanation. I don't know much about trees, to be honest but I guess that makes sense, then. Anyhow, it looks lovely!

36EllaTim
feb 1, 2017, 4:18 pm

>31 FAMeulstee: No, I wasn't aware of the other landscape art. I knew of the Green Cathedral, from a friend. We usually go birding in Flevoland, Lepelaarsplassen, Oostvaardersplassen, and we saw a sign for the Green Cathedral accidentally and decided to visit. Now that you mention them, I will look up some of the other art!

>34 FAMeulstee: The poplars were looking good, and they can live a couple more years, in my own neighbourhood Lombard poplars have been planted 90 years ago, and are still thriving. So the Cathedral will last a couple more years, I hope.

37johnsimpson
feb 1, 2017, 4:27 pm

Hi Anita, happy new thread my dear and your thread toper photo is stunning. I really love the idea of a green cathedral and it looks great with a negative cathedral nearby.

38FAMeulstee
feb 1, 2017, 5:15 pm

>36 EllaTim: >31 FAMeulstee: You can find them all at the Land Art Flevoland website including locations.

>36 EllaTim: >34 FAMeulstee: It depends on what ground they are planted, they can get older, but the chance they fall or break gets more the older they are.
In my neighborhood the first poplars went down, they were planted in the early 1980s.

>37 johnsimpson: Thank you John, it is beautiful there.

39vancouverdeb
feb 2, 2017, 1:13 am

Happy New Thread, Anita! What a beautiful formation of trees.

40DianaNL
feb 2, 2017, 4:04 am

Happy new one, Anita!

41FAMeulstee
feb 2, 2017, 7:03 am

>39 vancouverdeb: Thank you Deborah, it is beautiful.

>40 DianaNL: Thanks Diana!

42FAMeulstee
feb 2, 2017, 7:22 am


book 35: Krik by Miep Diekman
own, Dutch, YA, no translations, 174 pages, TIOLI #1

Miep Diekman is a great storyteller. A tale about a kingdom, with a king and his 3 sons. The two eldest are twins and not very nice. The youngest, named Rik, is a nice boy. When the king dies he leaves his country to all three. The twins take each a side of the country, one the north, the other the south and they leave a small part in the middle for their brother Rik.
The first and largest part of the story was great, but in the end it felt as the writer didn't know how to end the story. It felt like it was cut at random.

43karenmarie
Redigeret: feb 2, 2017, 7:38 am

Hi Anita! Happy Thursday to you.

The Lombardian Poplars remind me of Italian Cypress. I also learned a new term - fastigiate - having the branches more or less parallel to the main stem.

44thearlybirdy
feb 2, 2017, 8:53 am

Morning, Anita. Nice review. Happy Groundhog's Day!!!

45FAMeulstee
feb 2, 2017, 9:41 am

Thanks Karen and Birdy!

>43 karenmarie: That is a new word for me too, fastigiate, we don't have a one word translation for that in Dutch.

46jnwelch
feb 2, 2017, 10:02 am

Happy New Thread, Anita. Fun to see the Green Cathedral up top. Fastigiate - new word for me, too. I like trees like that.

47Crazymamie
feb 2, 2017, 10:09 am

Happy new one, Anita! Your topper is so cool.

48FAMeulstee
feb 2, 2017, 1:36 pm

>46 jnwelch: Thanks Joe, I like those trees too, one of my favourites the Japanese Cherry 'Amonogawa', grows like that.

>47 Crazymamie: Thank you Mamie.

Tomorrow, if the weather permits, Frank and I will go to the Green Cathedral, as a birthday outing for me. I think it will be beautiful with the bare trees.

49ronincats
feb 3, 2017, 12:24 am

Best wishes for very Happy Birthday, Anita!

50Copperskye
feb 3, 2017, 12:47 am

Enjoy your birthday!!

51Berly
feb 3, 2017, 1:27 am

Did someone say Birthday?? Hope it is a Happy one!!

52FAMeulstee
feb 3, 2017, 4:11 am

>49 ronincats: >50 Copperskye: >51 Berly: Thanks Roni, Joanne and Kim!
I barely believe I am 54 now ;-)

53scaifea
feb 3, 2017, 6:38 am

Oh, dang, I missed your birthday - happy belated! I hope it was the best one yet!!

54FAMeulstee
Redigeret: feb 4, 2017, 8:25 am


book 36: Sjanetje by Thea Dubelaar
own, Dutch, YA, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1980, no translations, 95 pages, TIOLI #12

Sjanetje has to stay with mrs Bloem. She doesn't like it there, but her mother is ill and her father is at sea. Her brother has Down Syndrom and stays for the time being in a home. Sjanetjes misses her parents and her brother. Her brother comes once a week, on Sundays. He is fun, but can be embarrassing at times. Through the weeks Sjanetje and Mrs Bloem get along better.

55FAMeulstee
feb 3, 2017, 6:39 am

>53 scaifea: You missed nothing, Amber, it is today, so thank you!

56jessibud2
feb 3, 2017, 6:47 am

Happy birthday, Anita!

57sirfurboy
Redigeret: feb 3, 2017, 6:59 am

Fijne verjaardag, Anita.

58cal8769
feb 3, 2017, 7:13 am

Have a Happy Birthday!

59karenmarie
feb 3, 2017, 7:49 am

Happy Birthday, dear Anita! I hope you're having a lovely day.

60nittnut
feb 3, 2017, 9:33 am

Happy Birthday Anita! Best wishes.

61aktakukac
feb 3, 2017, 9:57 am

Happy Birthday! Enjoy your day :)

62Ameise1
feb 3, 2017, 10:31 am

Happy Birthday, Anita. Have a fabulous day.

63FAMeulstee
Redigeret: feb 4, 2017, 10:17 am

>56 jessibud2: >57 sirfurboy: >58 cal8769: >59 karenmarie: >60 nittnut: >61 aktakukac: >62 Ameise1:

Thanks Shelley, sir Furboy, Carrie, Karen, Jenn, Rachel and Barbara!

We went this afternoon to The Green Cathedral and will go out to dinner tonight.

Some pictures from this afternoon:
  
From left to right: side view, front view, groundplan

  
From left to right: picture of Marinus Boezem planting the trees (at the display), Ari in The Green Cathedral (tired of marking almost all the trees!), Frank

64ronincats
feb 3, 2017, 12:13 pm

To clarify, Amber, when I wished Anita Happy Birthday yesterday, it was already her birthday there in the Netherlands!

Sounds like you are having a lovely day, Anita!

65lunacat
feb 3, 2017, 12:28 pm

Looks like it was a lovely birthday outing Anita. I hope you've had a wonderful day. Happy Birthday!

66jnwelch
feb 3, 2017, 1:19 pm

Happy Birthday, Anita.

Looks like you're already having a fun one. Enjoy the dinner tonight.

67Crazymamie
feb 3, 2017, 1:27 pm

Happy Birthday, Anita! Hope it is full of fabulous!

68thearlybirdy
feb 3, 2017, 1:27 pm

Happy Birthday, Anita!!!!! I hope you have a terrific day! Those pictures are lovely.

69Trifolia
feb 3, 2017, 2:22 pm

Hartelijk gefeliciteerd, Anita!

70EllaTim
feb 3, 2017, 2:35 pm

Hartelijk gefeliciteerd Anita. I hope you´re having a great day. (had? the times are quite confusing at the top of the posts)

And thinks for the link to the Flevoland art site. Enough options for a visit, but first we have the Batavia werf on our wishlist.

71charl08
feb 3, 2017, 3:40 pm

Looks like a lovely birthday Anita. Felicitations!

727stormsKaylee
feb 3, 2017, 3:44 pm

Denne bruger er blevet fjernet som værende spam.

73johnsimpson
feb 3, 2017, 4:30 pm

Happy birthday Anita and hope you have a really good one my dear.

74FAMeulstee
feb 3, 2017, 5:51 pm

>64 ronincats: Yes Roni, I had a very good day :-)

>65 lunacat: Thanks Jenny, no visitors, two phonecalls & lots of nice messages on my thread here, couldn't be better!

>66 jnwelch: Thank you Joe, yes good afternooon and diner at the Italian was very good :-)

>67 Crazymamie: Thanks Mamie, as I said to Jenny before, couldn't be better!

>68 thearlybirdy: Thank you Birdy. It was great to see The Green Cathedral with the bare trees. And Ari liked the walk there ;-)

75FAMeulstee
feb 3, 2017, 6:00 pm

>69 Trifolia: Dank je, Monica!

>70 EllaTim: Bedankt Ella, yes I had a great day.
(je kan de tijd veranderen, rechts bovenaan op Mijn profiel klik op Bewerk profiel en dan daar links op Accountinstellingen klikken, op die pagina kan je de tijdzone aanpassen)

>71 charl08: Thank you Charlotte, past years my birthdays get better and better, no visitors, no obligations, only doing nice things :-)

>72 7stormsKaylee: Thanks Kaylee!

>73 johnsimpson: Thank you John, it was a great day

76vancouverdeb
Redigeret: feb 4, 2017, 6:09 am

Happy Birthday, Anita! It sounds like you had a wonderful day! I hope you got lots of books as presents! :)

77avatiakh
feb 3, 2017, 8:45 pm

Anita, what a delightful birthday outing.

78ChelleBearss
feb 3, 2017, 9:18 pm

Happy Birthday! Hope you had a great day!

79Ameise1
feb 4, 2017, 3:25 am

>76 vancouverdeb: Pst, Deb, it was Anita's birthday

Happy weekend, Anita.

80DianaNL
feb 4, 2017, 5:57 am

Proficiat, Anita! I hope you had a great day.

81FAMeulstee
feb 4, 2017, 8:00 am

>76 vancouverdeb: Thanks Deborah, my ordered books came in today :-)

>77 avatiakh: Thank you Kerry, I like the artists imagination, a Cathedral in trees.

>78 ChelleBearss: Thanks Chelle, yes I had a great day.

>79 Ameise1: She noticed, Barbara, and thanks the same to you!

>80 DianaNL: Thank you Diana, my birthday coudn't have been better.

82FAMeulstee
feb 4, 2017, 8:08 am

The books for my birthday came in today, I always get money from my parents and I buy some books.
Frank gave me two nice Islay malt whiskys, a bottle of Bruichladdich and a small bottle of Bowmore. The past year I started to drink and like whisky and I am trying some new ones. The Bruichladdich was the first I liked and I tried the Bowmore last nigt, it tastes good too :-)

The books: Bajaar by Martha Heesen (e-book, Gouden Lijst 2012), Kwaad gesternte by Hannah van Binsbergen (winner VSB Poëzieprijs 2017), my own copy of Tussen de wereld en mij by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Walden ; Burgerlijke ongehoorzaamheid by Henry David Thoreau and my own copy of Tegen verkiezingen by David van Reybrouck.

And I ordered, but didn't receive, as it will come next week:
The Poet's Dog by Patricia MacLachlan

83FAMeulstee
feb 4, 2017, 8:31 am


book 37: Zand erover by Laura Broekhuysen
own, Dutch, YA, awarded, Eervolle vermelding 2003, no translations, 110 pages, TIOLI #17

Meike is the youngest of 4 sisters. She has always known there is something odd in her family, but she was never able to understand. On vacation with her sisters on the island Vlieland they finally start to talk to eachother.

The idea of the book was good, but too many loose ends to make it a good read.

84streamsong
feb 4, 2017, 8:35 am

A belated Happy Birthday to you! I'm glad it was such a good day!

I love the landscape art. It looks like Ari did, too! It's such an interesting concept and I hadn't seen it before.

85SirThomas
feb 4, 2017, 10:41 am

Happy Birthday Anita!
Just stopping by to gratulate you - great you had a good day.
The Green cathedral is great, I love the association of church and nature.

86FAMeulstee
feb 4, 2017, 5:07 pm

>84 streamsong: Thanks Janet!
I admire that someone can think this and really awesome it was realised.
Ari was busy, marking almost all the trees ;-)

>85 SirThomas: Thank you Thomas!
Funny was that our local TV had an item about the Green Cathedral the same day.

87SandDune
feb 4, 2017, 5:07 pm

>82 FAMeulstee: Happy belated Birthday Anita! Enjoy the whisky. I have been to Islay twice and visited the Bowmore distillery (as it is one Mr SandDune likes) but not Bruichladdich.

88FAMeulstee
feb 4, 2017, 5:24 pm

>87 SandDune: Thanks Rhian, I have tried and liked Caol Ila, Bruichladdich and Bowmore. I didn't like Bunnhabhain.
A few years back Frank went to Islay and visited almost all distilleries there.

89msf59
feb 5, 2017, 9:01 am

Happy Belated Birthday, Anita! Hope you had a great day and are enjoying your weekend.

90charl08
feb 5, 2017, 11:23 am

I'm not a whisky fan, but a friend raves about Talisker.

The books sound great. I'm hoping for some for my birthday too, and then have a ten year thingaversary to celebrate!

91FAMeulstee
feb 5, 2017, 3:14 pm

>89 msf59: Thanks Mark, today a last birthday celebration, we went to diner with my oldest brother and his wife.

>90 charl08: Thank you Charlotte, I have Tallisker on my list, I have heard praise about that one too.
I was checking your thingaversary and see I came on LT exactly one year later, it is my 9th :-D


My brother Aart, me, sister in law Angelien & Frank at the restaurant where we had a wonderful diner.
Ari was there too, but was under the table, like a well behaved dog should be: invisible for others & out of everybodies way.

92msf59
feb 5, 2017, 4:06 pm

Hooray for a birthday celebration! Nice photo.

Probably a dumb question, but have you read Harry Mulisch? I am currently enjoying The Assault.

93FAMeulstee
Redigeret: feb 5, 2017, 4:10 pm

>92 msf59: No dumb question Mark. Yes, I did read it recently together with Paul and Darryl, I loved it too, hope you feel the same!
The review is on my previous thread .

94EllaTim
feb 5, 2017, 4:22 pm

>75 FAMeulstee: Dank je voor de aanwijzingen, meteen veranderd, nooit gezien!

Have fun tasting whiskys, lots of choices! And looking forward to your reviews of those nice birthday presents.

95FAMeulstee
feb 5, 2017, 5:30 pm

>94 EllaTim: Graag gedaan, Ella, ik kwam er ook pas na een paar jaar achter... ;-)

Two of those books I have already read and wanted to have my own copy, so my husband can read them too. Last month I read Tussen de wereld en mij and I read Tegen verkiezingen last year.
I hope to read Walden ; Burgerlijke ongehoorzaamheid this month.

review Tussen de wereld en mij
review Tegen verkiezingen

96AMQS
feb 5, 2017, 8:35 pm

Hi Anita! Love the green cathedral -- wow!

97Berly
feb 5, 2017, 9:44 pm

>91 FAMeulstee: That looks like a fun celebration of a wonderful day. : )

98Ameise1
feb 6, 2017, 10:41 am

>91 FAMeulstee: This is a lovely photo, Anita.

99FAMeulstee
feb 6, 2017, 12:45 pm

>96 AMQS: Thanks Anne, we love it too!

>97 Berly: Yes it was, Kim, we hadn't seen eachother for some time, so we had a lot to talk about.

>98 Ameise1: Thank you Barbara, we had a lovely time there :-)

100EllaTim
feb 6, 2017, 6:19 pm

>95 FAMeulstee: I'd like to read Walden as well. The idea of going to live in a cabin in the woods is appealing. I have a small mini-cabin at my allotment, but I can't do a Walden there, lots of neighbours. Still, I'm interested.

101vancouverdeb
feb 6, 2017, 7:29 pm

Thanks for sharing your birthday photo, Anita! Looks like you all had fun!

102FAMeulstee
feb 7, 2017, 4:19 pm

>100 EllaTim: Yes it is appealing, Ella, we have a mini-cabin in the garden, that wouldn't work either ;-) Yours is on a "volkstuin"?
I just started to read Walden.

>101 vancouverdeb: Thanks Deborah, yes we had fun and very good food to go with the fun :-)

103FAMeulstee
feb 7, 2017, 4:44 pm

Finished one book last night and two books today:


book 38: De Cock en de ontluisterende dood by A.C. Baantjer
from the library, e-book, police mystery, 37th book of 70 De Cock, 138 pages

De Cock and Vledder are faced with the grueling murder on a teacher. More are killed the same way...

These books aren't great, but always statisfactory reads with a well tied ending.



--


book 39: Overal en nergens by Bill Bryson
from the library, non-fiction, translated, TIOLI #19, original title Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe, 287 pages

Much fun with Bill Bryson traveling through Europe in 1990. With some memories of a similair trip he did in 1972 with Stephen Katz.

104FAMeulstee
Redigeret: feb 8, 2017, 12:10 pm


book 40: De eeuwigheid verzameld : Helene Kröller-Müller (1869-1939) by Eva Rovers
from the library, Dutch, non-fiction, biography, no translations, 602 pages

Biography of Helene Kröller-Müller, founder of the national museum Kröller-Müller.
Born in Germany, she married a succesful Dutch businessman. She started a Modern Art collection in the first decades of the 20th century with the main focus on Vincent van Gogh. She wanted to build a large museum for her collection on the Veluwe, but after the crash of 1929 she and her husband lost a lot of money, so these plans had to be cancelled. Afraid her collection could be split up and sold by her children, she decided to give the collection to the Dutch government, on condition there would come a museum for the collection. A year before her death the national museum Kröller-Müller opened.

Fun fact: Helene Kröller-Müller and her family lived a few years on Haringvliet 94 in Rotterdam. Since 1966 RSG is situated on that adress.
(RSG=Rotterdams Studenten Gezelschap, the student association where my husband and I met back in 1982).

105EllaTim
feb 7, 2017, 5:19 pm

>102 FAMeulstee: Yes, volkstuin. We do see lots of trees from the windows, but that's about it:-)

106cammykitty
feb 7, 2017, 11:43 pm

Hope you slipped Ari something yummy at the restaurant! Good photo, and looks like you've had quite a few fun reads too.

107karenmarie
feb 8, 2017, 9:37 am

Hi Anita! Thanks for sharing the photo of you, Aart, Angelien and Frank. And Ari, too, under the table. *smile*

Hope you're having a good day with lots of reading.

108FAMeulstee
Redigeret: feb 8, 2017, 12:09 pm

>106 cammykitty: Yes of course I did, Katie, that is why Ari behaves so well when we are at a restaurant. Of all the food I get, he gets one of two little bites :-)

>107 karenmarie: Thank you Karen! Yes Ari too, that is his only inconveniance, he can't stay home alone, so we always take him with us. In case emergency he doesn't mind to stay in the car.

I have a day filled with reading, I finished 2 childrens books and one YA book.

109FAMeulstee
feb 8, 2017, 12:24 pm


book 41: Bajaar by Martha Heesen
own, Dutch, YA, awarded, Gouden Lijst 2012, no translations, 124 pages

Julia and her 5 sisters live with their grandma. It is in the years right after the 2nd World War. Their mother died in the last year of the war, giving birth to the twins. Their father went to Germany and never returned. Julia must take care of her youngers sisters when her grandma isn't around.
They have a horse, named Bajaar, the best time for Julia is when she can be alone, riding Bajaar.

110FAMeulstee
Redigeret: feb 8, 2017, 12:39 pm


book 42: De verjaardag van alle anderen by Toon Tellegen
own, Dutch, YA, awarded, Zilveren Griffel 1999, no translations, TIOLI #14, 112 pages

Funny short stories, each 2 or 3 pages, with matching illustrations by Geerten ten Bosch.
Almost very animal gives a party on his birthday, some prefer to spend this day in solitude, others never have a birthday.



--


book 43: De verjaardag van de eekhoorn by Toon Tellegen
own, Dutch, YA, awarded, Gouden Penseel 1996, English translation The Squirrel's Birthday and Other Parties, TIOLI #14, 36 pages

Squirrel has his birthday soon, he sends invitations to all animals. On his birthday he is nervous, will the others like his party?

111Morphidae
feb 8, 2017, 12:40 pm

>108 FAMeulstee: Why can't Ari stay at home?

112FAMeulstee
feb 8, 2017, 12:47 pm

>111 Morphidae: Ari has separation anxiety, Morphy, after a lot of training he could stay home for 2 hours when Chimay was still around. Now he is the only dog, and it came back even worse. I tried to train him again, but that went so slow, that we decided not to bother anymore, as he is able to stay in the car for a longer time. He can almost always come with us, so it is no big deal.

113Morphidae
Redigeret: feb 8, 2017, 12:57 pm

>112 FAMeulstee: Aw, poor guy. Maia fusses a little when we leave and when we come back but other than that, she basically just sleeps in her kennel. We try not to leave her for long or past a "potty time." She is not a good "outside dog." She's better off at home.

114FAMeulstee
feb 8, 2017, 1:04 pm

>113 Morphidae: Not every dog does well on his own, Morphy, we were lucky with the Chow Chows, they all didn't mind to stay at home. Ari is a real companion dog, he needs company ;-)
If Maia feels better at home, that is the best place for her to stay.

115Ameise1
feb 8, 2017, 1:06 pm

Happy Wednesday, Anita. I hope the week is going well

116FAMeulstee
feb 8, 2017, 3:46 pm

>115 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara, all is well in Lelystad :-)

117Ameise1
feb 8, 2017, 4:19 pm

:-)

118Morphidae
feb 8, 2017, 4:50 pm

What type of dog is Ari? Sometimes I think it's the breed. From what I've heard Chows are pretty independent. Maia is a Shih Tzu/Pomeranian Cross. Both are companion/lap dog breeds. Not quite so independent but Maia doesn't do well with loud noises, dogs or people "rushing" up to her/us, etc. She prefers the quiet of home. And we do too. She gets all excited and won't calm down when out. It's a shame. She's so pettable when calm she would have made a great therapy dog.

119cbl_tn
feb 8, 2017, 5:06 pm

Wishing you a belated Happy Birthday! I also love the Green Cathedral photos, and the Ari sighting! My Adrian had separation anxiety when I first adopted him, but he grew out of it after a few months. He stays in his crate with the TV on while I'm at work. I'm able to go home for lunch so he's not alone for more than 4-5 hours. If there's a day when I can't make it home for lunch, I make arrangements for him to stay with a friend.

120FAMeulstee
feb 8, 2017, 5:07 pm

>118 Morphidae: Ari is a Pekingese, some of them do well on their own, some don't.
Ari came to us fairly late at 3 months, his first 3 months he had been with his mother & brother and some other Pekingese. At first he was afraid of every other breed, including our Chow Chows, but he adapted very soon. I did a lot with him in the first weeks, as socialising works the best in the first 16 weeks of a dogs life. He doesn't like loud noises, but does not panick, he can handle almost anything when he is in his buggy ;-)
So it is not only the breed, but also what they are exposed to when they are young.

121FAMeulstee
feb 8, 2017, 5:13 pm

>119 cbl_tn: Thank you Carrie, Ari is happy to be seen ;-)
He can almost always come with us, so his separation anxiety isn't a big thing. And he doesn't mind to stay in the car, except on hot summer days, that is a good alternative. If it had been necessary, like it is for you, I would have looked into other ways to deal with it.
Adrian is lucky to have you :-)

122Morphidae
feb 8, 2017, 5:27 pm

>120 FAMeulstee: Okay, now you know we have to see a picture of Ari in his buggy.

123cbl_tn
feb 8, 2017, 5:32 pm

>120 FAMeulstee: I bought a stroller for Adrian a couple of years ago. I have longer legs so I can walk a lot farther than he can. (Or at least farther than he wants to!) He loves riding in the stroller once he's walked off his excess energy.

124FAMeulstee
feb 8, 2017, 5:35 pm

>122 Morphidae: Frank and Ari last year & close up Ari in his buggy:
 

125FAMeulstee
feb 8, 2017, 5:38 pm

>123 cbl_tn: They are very handy, we have the same problem with Ari. He can walk very good for a Pekingese, but after two miles (3 kilometer) he gets tired. We bought the stroller after a day walking around at a floral exhibition, when I ended up carrying Ari for most of the time...

126Morphidae
feb 8, 2017, 5:42 pm

127cbl_tn
feb 8, 2017, 5:46 pm

>124 FAMeulstee: Perfect! >125 FAMeulstee: I've carried Adrian home a few times myself. The stroller has made my life so much easier!

128FAMeulstee
feb 8, 2017, 5:52 pm

>126 Morphidae: & >127 cbl_tn: Thanks ladies!

I am off to bed now.

129LovingLit
feb 8, 2017, 6:05 pm

>18 FAMeulstee: I love that! It is even better with the 'negative' in the adjacent field.

>91 FAMeulstee: Ari was allowed in the restaurant? I am a little surprised. Cute buggie though! I bet he loved cruising in that.

130Morphidae
feb 8, 2017, 6:52 pm

>129 LovingLit: I think it's more common in Europe.

131msf59
feb 8, 2017, 7:34 pm

Hi, Anita! You are a reading machine, my friend. Glad you like the Bryson. I want to read more of his work. It has been awhile.

132FAMeulstee
feb 9, 2017, 9:24 am

>129 LovingLit: Thanks, Megan, it is lovely to walk there, we will go again when the trees are green again.
Yes, many restaurants, bars etc. allow (well behaved) dogs, it is up to the owner what they allow. In Rotterdam, where we lived before, about 75% of the restaurants and nearly all bars would allow dogs, where we live now there are less, so we were happy to have found one nearby.

>130 Morphidae: Indeed Morphy, I know it is different in other parts of the world.

>131 msf59: Thanks Mark, I don't know if the easy reading is ever going to end, but as long as it lasts, I am going to enjoy it!
Bill Bryson is always good and funny :-)

133ChelleBearss
feb 9, 2017, 9:31 am

>124 FAMeulstee: that is just adorable!! In Canada most restaurants will not allow a dog unless it is a personal service animal (eg: for the blind)
Our dogs have to stay at home alone, but they have each other for company. The one time I left our black lab in the car to run into the grocery store he ate a seat belt!

134FAMeulstee
feb 9, 2017, 9:31 am


book 44: De rode prinses by Paul Biegel
own, Dutch, YA, awarded, Zilveren Griffel & Zilveren Penseel 1988, no English translation, TIOLI #20, 128 pages

The Red Princess lives at the palace with her parents, the King and the Queen. At her 12th birthday she is allowed to leave the palace for the first time for a ride in a red carriage. She is kidnapped by 3 robbers who take her far away into the wilderness. She manages to escape, but life outside the palace is SO different...

135FAMeulstee
feb 9, 2017, 9:35 am

>133 ChelleBearss: Thank you Chelle, Ari is always adorable ;-)
That is the same here, even places that don't allow other dogs have to accept service dogs.
Ouch, eating a seat belt... Ari always is in the back of the car where he can't do much damage, only his cushion and he hasn't started to eat it yet.

136michigantrumpet
feb 9, 2017, 2:46 pm

Stopping by, only to be completely amazed by all your reading! You have got quite the momentum!

Dogs generally aren't allowed in restaurants here in Massachusetts either-- unless they are service dogs. What a cute furbaby you have!

137Whisper1
feb 9, 2017, 3:09 pm

Sorry to have missed sending birthday wishes to one of my all-time favorite 76 challenge members. You are such a dear, wonderful soul. From the first, i felt connected to you.

I hope you had a jolly day!



Much Love!

138FAMeulstee
feb 9, 2017, 4:32 pm

>136 michigantrumpet: Thanks Marianne, indeed momentum is the right word :-)
Thanks again on Ari's behalf!

>137 Whisper1: Thank you, Linda, for your lovely words, besides it is nice to stretch my birtday to a birthweek.
I had a great day. Although I love the picture, I am happy my birthday wasn't so crowded ;-)

139FAMeulstee
feb 10, 2017, 10:55 am


book 45: Walden ; Burgerlijke ongehoorzaamheid by Henry David Thoreau
own, translated English, autobiography, original title Walden and On the duty of Civil Disobedience, TIOLI #10, 412 pages

Walden
Thoreaus account of the two years he spend at the shore of Walden Pond. He turned his back to society to live in hamony with Nature, building his cabin and trying to be self sufficient. A sharp observer of nature, many beautiful descriptions of the wildlife surrounding him. Interweaved with philosophical thoughts, a mixture of Christian beliefs, Hinduism and Confucianism.
He objected slavery and war, respected indigenous people, sounded somewhat grumpy on the progress of modern times (halfway 19th century, his main trouble was the railway).

On the duty of Civil Disobedience
Essay on peaceful resistance against unjust government. Thoreau refused to pay taxes for a government that accepted slavery and went to war in Mexico. My impression is that his thoughts lean heavely on Confucianism, although Confusius teaches to obey government, he encourages to stand up to a corrupt or unjust government.

140EllaTim
feb 10, 2017, 11:28 am

Hi Anita, you are so fast, you have finished Walden already and I have hardly begun. Well, I accept my master:-)
I know nothing about Confucianism, but am curious what made you think of it in connection to Thoreau?

141Whisper1
feb 10, 2017, 11:31 am

Hi Anita

Years ago, I visited Walden Pond and the place where Thoreau built his cabin. There is a rebuilt replica of his original structure. In addition, there is an area where there is a carin, a group of stones, where visitors leave behind a stone for remembrance.

The entire area is lovely.

142FAMeulstee
feb 10, 2017, 11:45 am

>140 EllaTim: There are some citations by Confucius in the text, Ella, and I happen to know a bit about Confucianism. Thoreau was one of the first Americans to incorporate Eastern philosophies.

>141 Whisper1: It is wonderful that the place is still there, Linda, so visitors can see where Thoreau spend his two years.
Did yo ever read Walden?

143jessibud2
feb 10, 2017, 12:18 pm

>141 Whisper1: - I visited there, too, in 2014. It really is a lovely place!

144karenmarie
feb 10, 2017, 7:05 pm

Hi Anita! Lots of good books and interesting discussions about dogs.

We were having lunch with friends last Saturday. Near the end of the meal, when David said he was going to step away for a minute or two, Terri asked him to check on Stan. I asked who Stan was, and she said that Stan was their friends' dog that they were taking care of for 2 weeks while their friends were on a vacation. David came back from checking and said that Stan was sleeping. Sure enough, when we left the restaurant we went to visit Stan in their SUV, cozy in a cute doggy bed, windows cracked, pleasant if a bit chilly temperatures, with the sun slanting in to warm him. He looked up sleepily and then went back to sleep. (He's a 14-year old Jack Russell Terrier). I thought it was rather cute.

145Berly
feb 11, 2017, 1:11 am

>124 FAMeulstee: Love the photos of Frank and Ari!! I read Walden a long time ago--glad you enjoyed it. Happy Saturday.

146Ameise1
feb 11, 2017, 3:47 am

Happy weekend, Anita.

147FAMeulstee
feb 11, 2017, 6:18 am

>144 karenmarie: Thanks Karen, old dogs are always cute. I can imagine how Sam was looking up and going back to sleep.
Sometimes even Ari prefers the car, when we visit my parents. He always goes inside with us, and within 5 minutes he decides it is way too warm there and then I bring him back to the car where he will be sleeping until we return.

>145 Berly: Thanks Kim! Walden wasn't what I expected, it was better. I guess I had more a diary or something alike in mind.

>146 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara, the same to you.

148msf59
feb 11, 2017, 6:33 am

Happy Saturday, Anita! I do not think I have ever read Walden. Hard to believe, right?

149FAMeulstee
feb 11, 2017, 6:43 am


book 46: Lawines razen by An Rutgers van der Loeff
own, Dutch, YA, awarded, Beste Kinderboek 1954, English translation Avalanche!, TIOLI #18, 160 pages

Switserland, 1950s, a lot of snow falls in a short time. A large part of the country is in danger of avalanches.
Werner Altschwank lives in a small village. The inhabitants will be evacuated the next day, but that night the avalanche destroys some houses in the village, one of these houses is the Altschwanks house....

This was a popular book in its time, it was translated in 15 languages and a movie was made after the book.

150FAMeulstee
Redigeret: feb 11, 2017, 6:45 am

>148 msf59: Thank you, Mark, happy Saturday to you!
Not hard to believe, I can't say I have read every Dutch classic either ;-)
You might wat to give Walden a try!

151johnsimpson
feb 11, 2017, 4:06 pm

Happy weekend Anita my dear, sending love and hugs.

152FAMeulstee
feb 12, 2017, 8:03 am

>151 johnsimpson: Thanks John, love and hugs to you and Karen.

153FAMeulstee
Redigeret: feb 12, 2017, 8:31 am


book 47: Dromen van mijn vader by Barack Obama
from the library, translated English, non-fiction, autobiography, original title Dreams from my father, TIOLI #15, 415 pages

I wasn't aware that Barack Obama wrote this long before he became president of the USA.
Describing his life from his early years in Hawaï until his return to university (Harvard, 1988). As a descendant from a black man from Kenya and a white American woman, growing up with his mother and her parents, he struggles with racial identity. His upbringing was "privileged white", society is seeing him as "black". When his mother married an Indonesian, he lived some years in Indonesia.
After graduating in 1983 he went to work in Chicago as community organiser. That same year, Harold Washington had become the first black mayor of the city. He worked there for 3 years, when he decided he could do more if he went back to university to learn more a bout law.
Before continuing his education on Harvard Law School, Obama went to Kenya to meet his family. There he finds his "black" roots and sees the struggle of a country that has to come to terms with its colonial history.

154DianaNL
feb 12, 2017, 8:37 am

155FAMeulstee
Redigeret: feb 12, 2017, 9:08 am


book 48: Man zonder land by Kurt Vonnegut
from the library, translated English, non-fiction, essays, original title A man without a country, TIOLI #9, 143 pages
found on Kaitlyns thread (SnowcatCradle).

"There is no reason good can't triumph over evil, if only angels will get organised along the lines of the maffia."
Written at the time George W. Bush was president of the USA, Vonnegut writes about the many things that aren't right. Satirical rants of an old humanist, condemning the war in Irak, our addiction to fossil fuels and inequality.
I liked his view on Marx' quote "Religion is the opium of the people. ", opium/religion not as the addictive drug, but as a relief from pain, that you can use or not use, but shouldn't withheld from others who find their comfort in it.

Enlightening read that is important again with the new president...

156karenmarie
feb 12, 2017, 10:17 am

Happy Sunday, Anita! I love Vonnegut. I don't have that title, but might bring out one of his other books. And we thought Baby Bush was bad. We should be so lucky, now!

157jnwelch
feb 12, 2017, 10:40 am

Happy Sunday, Anita.

I'm impressed you took on reading Walden. That's some pretty dense reading. I read it in college, and remember wishing he had more of a sense of humor. :-)

158PaulCranswick
feb 12, 2017, 10:49 am

>155 FAMeulstee: I haven't read that one by Kurt Vonnegut, Anita - looks a good 'un.

Have a great Sunday.

159msf59
feb 12, 2017, 12:34 pm

Happy Sunday, Anita! I read and loved Dreams from My Father, just before Obama became president. I was just surprised he didn't talk about being born in Kenya. Kidding, of course...

160FAMeulstee
feb 12, 2017, 12:41 pm

>154 DianaNL: Thanks Diana, same to you!

>156 karenmarie: I read my first Vonnegut in 2011 Slaughterhouse five, Karen, then I saw A man without a country on one of the threads and it sounded good. I think it one of his last books. I am not sure Baby Bush was less evil, but the republicans sure do their best to make it look that way now :-(

>157 jnwelch: Thank you Joe, happy Sunday to you too!
Walden was a dense, but not a difficult read. Henry David Thoreau was very serious about his thoughts, sometimes nearing science but as we know now, not exactly right in some of his conclusions.

>158 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul, almost happy Monday to you ;-)
Yes it is a good one, I think it was the last one Vonnegut wrote.

161FAMeulstee
feb 12, 2017, 12:43 pm

>159 msf59: Hi Mark, Happy Sunday!
It was a very well written book, he should be a writer. Wasn't that one of the rumours the Republicans spread about him?

162msf59
feb 12, 2017, 12:44 pm

Yes, it was and they continue to believe it. Ignorant knuckle-heads.

163FAMeulstee
feb 12, 2017, 12:47 pm

>162 msf59: One of the first use of "alnernative facts"... :-(

164LovingLit
feb 12, 2017, 4:20 pm

>139 FAMeulstee: I almost started this one a while ago, and then got cold feet. Hehe. I know it is a must-read, and you have bumped it up the life with your review.
Isn't it funny how the railway as an indicator or massive social change gat his going, imagine what he'd think now!!? He may even attribute all todays' ills to the durn railway....who knows.

And I also have Dreams of my Father on the shelf! Oh dear, I have some hefty reading to do. How will I fit it all in!! (I know that is a silly question around here, as we are all struggling with that) :)

165Ameise1
feb 13, 2017, 12:39 am

Wishing you a good start inzo the new week, Anita.

166charl08
feb 13, 2017, 2:28 am

>153 FAMeulstee: I was amazed how well this book was written after reading some political books that are dryer than dust. Hopefully he will write some more now.

167Berly
feb 14, 2017, 5:41 am

>153 FAMeulstee: >155 FAMeulstee: I haven't read either one Anita--thanks for the reviews. And for posting on the Obama thread. I think you were the first one to finish and post and you weren't even trying!

168sirfurboy
feb 14, 2017, 6:01 am

>149 FAMeulstee: Finally one that has an ebook edition :) Added to my ever growing TBR.

169lunacat
feb 14, 2017, 7:13 am

It's beautifully sunny over here in the east of England - I hope the same weather has reached you across the Channel.

170karenmarie
feb 14, 2017, 8:56 am

Hi Anita!

>160 FAMeulstee: Baby Bush at least had competent 'handlers' and people who, except mostly for Chaney, weren't quite so venal.

171FAMeulstee
feb 14, 2017, 11:11 am

>164 LovingLit: There are no "musts" in reading, Megan, only interesting books you might like ;-)
Yes, Thoreau would blame it all to modern times, darn railway, darn cars, darn factories etc. In his eyes modernisations already had gone way to far halfway the 19th century!
The Obama book was an easy read, he writes well and it was an interesting story to read.

>165 Ameise1: Thank you Barbara, only a few days before your next break, you earned your vacation!

>166 charl08: Indeed, Charlotte, it was the same to me, luckely I missed the dryer than dust ones ;-)

>167 Berly: I recommed both, Kim. I always participate in the TIOLI challenges, Obama fitted there, and then I remembered the Obama thread.

172FAMeulstee
feb 14, 2017, 11:17 am

>168 sirfurboy: The writing feels a bit dated, as it was written in the 1950s, hope you like it when you get to it!

>169 lunacat: Yes Jenny, we had beautiful weather, both yesterday and today. Sunny with some remains of the snow left for Ari's pleasure.

>170 karenmarie: Probably, Karen, but Bush & Co had way to many ties to the war in Irak :-(

173FAMeulstee
feb 14, 2017, 11:28 am

Yesterday my last birthday book arrived: The Poet's Dog by Patricia MacLachlan, 6 books added this year.

Today we returned from a short trip (one night) to Rotterdam. Frank goes there every month to visit his aunt, she lives in a home because she suffers from dementia. He always stays a night over, and once in a while Ari & me accompany Frank.
We statyed at Hotel Bazar and had dinner & breakfast there, both delicious!
And I delivered 17 childrens/YA books to the private library in Rotterdam-West, where I donated books last year. So now I have 17 books culled, added 6 books: still 11 books down :-)

174FAMeulstee
feb 14, 2017, 11:47 am


book 49: Lasse Länta by Cor Bruijn
own, Dutch, awarded, Beste Kinderboek 1955, no translations, TIOLI #6, 176 pages

Lasse and his family live in the north of Sweden. They live in the old nomadic way, following their reindeer. Lasse's father, Olav is the head of their tribe. We follow them from early spring until the end of summer.

Lasse and his family are Sami people, in this book they are called Lapps, as they were called outside their world in this time (the book was written in the 1950s). There is also an explicit Christian moral.

175karenmarie
feb 14, 2017, 11:48 am

>172 FAMeulstee: Well, that is true.l And going to war in Iraq was immoral, illegal, and unethical. We'll have to see what the Bloviating Orange Gasbag does - I, like everybody else, feels like he's been in office more than the 24 days that this torture has been so far.

176FAMeulstee
feb 14, 2017, 12:03 pm


book 50: Van den vos Reynaerde by Willem, translation H. Adema
from the library, Middledutch with Dutch translation, classic, English translation Of Reynaert the Fox, TIOLI #11, 127 pages

Dutch tale from the Middle Ages, written by "Willem die Madoc maecte" (Willem who made Madoc), translated into modern Dutch, both versions side by side on the pages.

Reynaert the Fox is summoned to the court of King Nobel the Lion. First Bruun the Bear is send to get Reynaert, when he fails Tybeert the Cat goes. Reynaert fools them both, but finally gives in when Grimbeert the Badger comes for Reynaert, he gives in (as ignoring a summon 3 times is a capital crime). He is found guilty for many crimes at the court of the King, but he outwits even the King and Queen.

177FAMeulstee
feb 14, 2017, 12:07 pm

>175 karenmarie: That is about the only positive thing I can think of about the present president, Karen, no direct ties to warfare...

178charl08
feb 14, 2017, 3:19 pm

>173 FAMeulstee: That sounds like a positive trip all round Anita. Love the idea of all those book donations. I'm sure they will be appreciated.

179scaifea
feb 15, 2017, 6:48 am

Hi, Anita! Happy Wednesday!

180msf59
feb 15, 2017, 7:28 am

Happy Wednesday, Anita! Hope the week is going well. Yah, for The Poet's Dog. That one is a gem.

181thearlybirdy
feb 15, 2017, 8:02 am

Good morning, Anita. Sorry, I haven't been around much. 50 books!!!! You're running laps around me. Good work. I hope you're doing well.
>124 FAMeulstee: Ari is sooooo cute, and he has a buggy!!!

182FAMeulstee
feb 15, 2017, 11:42 am

>178 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte, it was a good trip. All donations are appriciated, I am glad to help a little bit :-)

>179 scaifea: Thank you, Amber, the same to you!

>180 msf59: Thanks, Mark, yep, good reading week, just finished Crime and punishment. I will read The Poet's Dog when I am finished with my planned TIOLI reads.

>181 thearlybirdy: Good afternoon, Birdy, yes still reading fast :-)
We got the buggy after I had carried Ari most of a day and I got very tiered of it. Ari loves his buggy, and so do I :-)

183FAMeulstee
feb 15, 2017, 12:17 pm


book 51: Misdaad en straf by F.M. Dostojewski
own, translated Russian, classic, English translation Crime and punishment, TIOLI #2, 568 pages

St Petersburg, the student Raskolnikov is depressed. He thinks he can commit the perfect murder. After the murder he gets more and more depressed and at times he gets overwhelmed by feelings of guilt. The police seems to get to him.
The book is completely written by the point of view of Raskolnikov, his thoughts, actions and interactions make you wonder if he is just crazy or a troubled soul who lost his way. The ending was a bit too sweet to my taste, but anyway a good read.

184charl08
feb 15, 2017, 3:07 pm

>183 FAMeulstee: Wow, another Russian classic. I want to get to this too. Though my copy of Life and Fate hasn't been touched yet, so maybe I should read that first...

185Ameise1
feb 15, 2017, 3:37 pm

I love Dostojewski. That one I loved too. I read it in my late teens.

186FAMeulstee
feb 15, 2017, 3:55 pm

>184 charl08: I try to read at least one Russian classic a month, Charlotte, so I am still on track. Books on the shelves should go first, although I manage less than I hoped ;-)

>185 Ameise1: Dostojewski was a very good writer, Barbara, I was happy to read this one. Not sure if the next one will be The brothers Karamazov or The idiot.

187johnsimpson
feb 15, 2017, 4:36 pm

Hi Anita, hope you are having a good week my dear, sending love and hugs.

188Berly
feb 15, 2017, 11:42 pm

Love Dostoevsky!! I have read many of his, including The Brothers K, but I have not read The Idiot...yet. Enjoy!

189LovingLit
feb 16, 2017, 2:20 am

>164 LovingLit: >171 FAMeulstee: oops, i made a boo boo, I don't have Dreams of my Father on the shelf at all. I have The Bridge....a long one, and a not recent one. But still, I will read it one day :) As you say, there are no 'musts'!!

190thearlybirdy
feb 16, 2017, 6:44 am

Good morning, Anita. I'm just happy knowing there's a book out there called The Idiot.

191FAMeulstee
feb 16, 2017, 7:06 am

>187 johnsimpson: Thank you, John, all is well, love and hugs to you and Karen.

>188 Berly: Thanks, Berly, good to know you love Dostojewski! Still not sure wich book is going to be my next Russian.

>189 LovingLit: Mistakes happen, Megan, The Bridge looks good too!

>190 thearlybirdy: Good morning, Birdy, glad to make you happy with a book title! :-)

192FAMeulstee
Redigeret: feb 16, 2017, 7:34 am


book 52: Ver heen by P.C. Kuiper
from the library, Dutch, non-fiction, according to GoodReads there is a hard to obtain English translation "A Mood Apart", TIOLI #16, 168 pages

The author was a professor in psychiatry, he wrote the Dutch manual for psychatry in his time.
He got serverely depressed and had psychotic delusions in the 1980s, was treated in his own hospital, but they found no cure. After a short stay back home he was admitted to an other psychatric hospital, and, oh irony, was cured with a medicine he always advised against using...
His delusions were similair to those who suffer from Cotrard's Syndrome (Fiona the main character in Talking to the dead suffers from this condition), he thinks he is dead. Not only dead, but in hell, everything he notions seems to confirm his delusions, the people who care for him are not who they seem to be, but devils who are punishing him...

After his recovery collegues urge him to write about this time, as he has an unique insight being a psychatrist and a patient.
A very interesting read, Kuiper isn't the best writer, but his story is penetrating, as I have suffered from depression myself. He also pinpoints the suffering of those who care about him, having to deal with a loved one who sudddenly goes mad.

193EllaTim
feb 16, 2017, 7:53 am

Hi Anita, Interesting things in your thread, as always.

I looked up The Poet's Dog, a BB for me, as a book written from the point of view of a dog seems interesting.

Good luck with your next Dostojewski. I loved the Brothers Karamazov, but got completely stuck in The Idiot. I'm very interested what your experience will be!

194FAMeulstee
Redigeret: feb 16, 2017, 7:56 am

>193 EllaTim: You can get my copy of The Poet's Dog when I have read it, Ella.
Ah, more praise for The brothers Karamazov, on the phone yesterday my father said he had read it too...

195LovingLit
feb 17, 2017, 1:15 am

>192 FAMeulstee: well, that sounds fascinating! What a set of insights the author must have had.

196charl08
feb 17, 2017, 2:13 am

>192 FAMeulstee: Sounds a bit similar to Susan Kay Jamieson who also wrote about her own mental health as a psych expert. I like these memoirs, will have a look for the translation. Thanks Anita.

197msf59
feb 17, 2017, 6:38 am

Happy Friday, Anita! I enjoyed your thoughts on Crime and Punishment. I read it many years ago and would love to do a revisit.

198FAMeulstee
feb 17, 2017, 6:54 am

>195 LovingLit: Yes it was. Sadly he didn't return to work after his illness, as they retired him a few years early when he got ill.

>196 charl08: I hope you can find a copy, Charlotte, on LT there are none, I only found one mention of it at GoodReads.

199FAMeulstee
feb 17, 2017, 6:55 am

>197 msf59: Thanks Mark, it was agood read. Have you read any other books by Dostojewski?

200FAMeulstee
feb 17, 2017, 7:09 am


book 53: Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín
from the library, e-book, translated English, original title Brooklyn, 316 pages

Ireland, 1960s, after her father has died Eilis needs a job. In Ireland there are very few jobs, so her sister Rose urges her to go to the USA. With help of a catholic priest in Brooklyn she takes the big step and starts a new life in Brooklyn.
Like with Nora Webster (who is briefly mentioned in this book), the book didn't completely pull me in. I do like the story, it could be engaging, but somehow it isn't to me.

201thearlybirdy
feb 17, 2017, 7:10 am

Morning, Anita. Sorry the book wasn't very good.

202jessibud2
feb 17, 2017, 7:15 am

>200 FAMeulstee: - I hadn't read the book but I did see the movie version and it was lovely.

203FAMeulstee
Redigeret: feb 17, 2017, 7:28 am


book 54: Wie is Julia by Alyssa Brugman
own, YA, translated English, awarded, Eervolle Vermelding 2003, TIOLI #5, original title Finding Grace, 195 pages

Rachel graduated from highschool, but isn't really sure what she wants. She is hired to take care of a brain injured woman, Grace (in the Dutch translation her name is Julia), who lives near the university, where Rachel starts her first year. At first she is afraid of Grace, but gradually she starts to wonder who Grace was before her accident.
At the university she gets to know some people and a very nice boy. She finds out more about Grace and her life, and finds out more about who she is and what she wants in life.

Written with humor, this was a good coming of age book.

204FAMeulstee
feb 17, 2017, 7:27 am

>201 thearlybirdy: Good morning, Birdy, it happens, it wasn't a bad book and I think others will enjoy it. My next book was better :-)

>202 jessibud2: Thanks Shelley, I can imagine the story would be more engaging on screen.

205ChelleBearss
feb 17, 2017, 8:25 am

You've been doing some great reading here, Anita! I've always wanted to get to Crime and Punishment but haven't taken the big step yet

206FAMeulstee
feb 17, 2017, 9:28 am

>205 ChelleBearss: Thank you, Chelle, maybe you get to Crime and punishment one day. For years I never thought I would read any of the Russian classics.

207charl08
feb 17, 2017, 2:03 pm

>200 FAMeulstee: Oh, I loved this. I wonder how well it translates though, as in English he says a lot with very little, if you know what I mean.

208evilmoose
feb 17, 2017, 2:50 pm

Heya Anita - some good reading here, and ah, the talk of dogs reminds me of when I lived in Washington DC, and there was a certain cafe that in summer would allow dogs. I think it was just on one day? And you would walk past on that day, and the outdoor tables would be swamped, dogs everywhere, dog bowls, it was hilarious and wonderful. Anyway, happy reading!

209michigantrumpet
feb 17, 2017, 3:18 pm

>139 FAMeulstee: >141 Whisper1: >143 jessibud2: You must come for a massive meet up and we can go to Concord MA and visit the state park at Walden!

>183 FAMeulstee: Congratulations on completing Crime and Punishment. I liked that and The Brothers Karamazov.

>200 FAMeulstee: I, too, felt "meh" about Colm Toibin's Brooklyn. I don't mind good strong descriptive passages, but this got bogged down so much in detail, that I had to force myself to finish. One instance where I can say I much preferred to movie to the book.

210johnsimpson
feb 17, 2017, 3:49 pm

Hi Anita, Karen has had a good day and has got her scan appointment for Monday. Hope you have had a good day my dear apart from the sad news of the death of Dick Bruna. I hope you have a great weekend my dear and send love and hugs.

211FAMeulstee
feb 17, 2017, 4:30 pm

>207 charl08: I am not sure if it is the translation, Charlotte, there was a lot said with little words. Maybe I just don't like his style of writing. It all felt very distant.

>208 evilmoose: Thanks Megan, there is a similair tradition in our country. The day after the last day of outdoor swimming season, dogs (and their owners) are invited to have fun for one day in the swimmingpool.

>209 michigantrumpet: Thanks, Marianne, but I doubt I will ever travel that far ;-)
So an other vote for The brothers Karamazov
It wasn't those passages that bothered me, more that it felt like a huge distance between the characters and me. Like looking through a binocular the wrong way.

>210 johnsimpson: Thank you, John, good to hear Karen had a good day.
Yes, it is sad we lost Dick Bruna.

212Ameise1
feb 18, 2017, 4:40 am

Happy weekend, Anita. I liked Brooklyn more than you.

213FAMeulstee
feb 18, 2017, 7:30 am

>212 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara, I am glad you liked it more. I think Colm Tóibín just isn't for me, enough others to read :-)
Happy weekend!

214FAMeulstee
feb 18, 2017, 7:45 am


book 55: Dief van de duivel by Mikael Engström
own, YA, translated Swedish, awarded, Zilveren Zoen 2007, TIOLI #4, no English translation, 272 pages

Shorlty after the death of his father Steppo gets in big trouble. After drinking some alcohol, made by themselves, he and his friend Hakan steal a car. His friend drives and they flee from the car when it is totally crashed. After this his friend disappears.
Steppo used to have good results on school, but since his father died, he doesn't care anymore. He is secretly in love with a girl in his class, but she has always been the scapegoat of the class, so he doesn't dare to tell his friends.
Then the owner of the stolen car finds him, a young criminal, and Steppo is in more trouble...

215PaulCranswick
feb 18, 2017, 8:11 am

Anita, see that you are still reading up a storm - a book a day, at least.

Have a great weekend.

216charl08
feb 18, 2017, 8:24 am

>213 FAMeulstee: On the plus side, Toibin has written loads, so finding utility you don't like him means you've got loads of space for reading other people:-)

Hope you have a good weekend.

217thearlybirdy
feb 18, 2017, 8:47 am

Morning, Anita. I hope you have a good weekend. 55 books in counting, excellent work!

218FAMeulstee
feb 18, 2017, 9:44 am

Happy weekend everyone!

>215 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul, yes it keeps on going, my reading.

>216 charl08: Indeed, Charlotte, after two tries I give up on Toibin, still have lots of other books I want to read :-)

>217 thearlybirdy: Thank you, Birdy, now I am 2/3 into Brave new world.

219suslyn
feb 18, 2017, 1:13 pm

So glad you're enjoying your reading!! Fun :) xox

220FAMeulstee
feb 18, 2017, 1:30 pm


book 56: Heerlijke nieuwe wereld by Aldous Huxley
from the library, translated English, TIOLI #8, original title Brave new world, 301 pages

What can I say, it is a classic!

Set in future times, humanity is united and free of war. Babies are born in laboratories, conditioned from day one to their future place and work in society. People are kept happy with daily doses of drugs and sex. A few "Savage Reservations" have remained, there behind fences some native people live like in the old days.

221FAMeulstee
feb 18, 2017, 1:33 pm

>219 suslyn: Thanks Susan, I am so glad reading goes so well this year!

222karenmarie
feb 18, 2017, 3:06 pm

>200 FAMeulstee: I just received a used copy of Brooklyn as a gift from a friend. Hmmm. It may languish for a while on the shelves.....

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend.

223johnsimpson
feb 18, 2017, 3:38 pm

Hi Anita, hope you have had a really nice Saturday my dear and wish you a lovely Sunday, sending love and hugs.

224jnwelch
feb 18, 2017, 4:31 pm

If voting is going on for The Brothers Karamazov, Anita, count me as yes. It's the only Dostoevsky I read twice. I found it a powerful book.

225Familyhistorian
feb 18, 2017, 9:11 pm

>82 FAMeulstee: Happy belated birthday, Anita. Good people are born in February.

I have never tasted Islay whiskey but I can tell you it is a beautiful island. At one time they had 7 distilleries on Islay. My ancestors came from there and I should try a dram or two but I know I am allergic to rye whiskey so hesitate to try Scotch - my theory is that my ancestors over-indulged and so developed an allergy that was past on to some of their descendants. LOL

226FAMeulstee
feb 19, 2017, 10:13 am

>222 karenmarie: Don't let my review keep you from reading Brooklyn, Karen, as many did love it.

>223 johnsimpson: Thank you John, the same to you and Karen.

>224 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe, I was in doubt between The brothers Karamazov and The idiot for my next Russian, seeing all the love for the brothers, that will be my next Dostojewski.

>225 Familyhistorian: Thank you Meg, Aquarius is the best ;-)
My husband visited Islay a few years back, and he used to be the only whisky drinker in the house.
Maybe your ancestors left because of the allergies? ;-)

227FAMeulstee
feb 19, 2017, 10:25 am


book 57: Laatste verhalen van de eeuw by Paul Biegel
own, Dutch, childrens/YA, stories, awarded, Woutertje Pieterse prijs 2000, TIOLI #7, no translations, 222 pages

Short stories for children, some tense, some funny and some fairy-like. Populated with animals, kings, queens, giants and ordinary people. most of them funny. With illustrations by Fiel van der Veen.

228FAMeulstee
feb 19, 2017, 10:33 am


book 58: Kwaad bloed by Marita de Sterck
own, Dutch, YA, awarded, Zilveren Zoen 2007, TIOLI #13, no English translation, 159 pages

Belgium, 1950s, Emma is send away to a catholic girls boarding school, as her sister is ill. She isn't brought up catholic, and the other girls tell her the strangest things. The nuns warn the girls about boys, but what is the problem? Emma hopes she can go home soon, but each month her parents tell her she should stay one more month... Then Emma decides she has to do someting drastic, so she can go back home.


229FAMeulstee
feb 19, 2017, 10:38 am


book 59: The Poet's Dog by Patricia MacLachlan
own, English, childrens/YA, no translations yet, 88 pages, found on Joe's thread (jnwelch)

A brother and sister are lost in a snowstorm. A dog, who once was saved by a poet, saves the children and takes care of them.
Very beautiful and touching.


230cammykitty
feb 19, 2017, 10:48 pm

LOL, Kwaad Blod sounds like quite the escapist read. ;) And I'll have to look for The Poet's Dog. I've read a lot of MacLachlan's books and like them quite a bit.

Ari! That tongue! He's so cute in his little buggy.

231ronincats
feb 19, 2017, 10:51 pm

Just stopping by to drop off hugs for you, Anita, plus ones for you to pass along to Ari and Frank!

232FAMeulstee
feb 20, 2017, 6:18 pm

>230 cammykitty: Thanks Katie, yes go for The Poet's Dog it it good (most books with dogs are, but this one is even better!).
Ari said to thank you :-)

>231 ronincats: Thanks Roni, from all of us!

233thornton37814
feb 20, 2017, 6:33 pm

>229 FAMeulstee: I'm glad you enjoyed that one as much as I did.

234msf59
Redigeret: feb 20, 2017, 6:54 pm

>199 FAMeulstee: "Have you read any other books by Dostojewski?" No, I have not. Bad Mark?

Hooray for The Poet's Dog!

235FAMeulstee
feb 21, 2017, 7:22 am

>233 thornton37814: Thanks, Lori, that book is doing well in the group, and it deserves to be widly read.

>234 msf59: Never bad Mark :-)
Everyone should read what he likes to read, so many books, so little time.
Yes, hooray, I am happy I found it, thanks to all the warbling here!

236charl08
feb 21, 2017, 7:44 am

>229 FAMeulstee: I'm tempted by this one (I love the cover).

>228 FAMeulstee: on the other hand I am put off my the covet entirely.

237Ameise1
feb 21, 2017, 9:45 am

Happy Tuesday, Anita.

238FAMeulstee
feb 21, 2017, 5:27 pm

>236 charl08: The cover of The Poet's Dog is good, Charlotte, the story is even better!
Luckely the story of >228 FAMeulstee: was better than the cover ;-)

>237 Ameise1: Thank you, Barbara, your Tuesday wasn't that happy :-(

239Ameise1
Redigeret: feb 22, 2017, 3:17 am

>238 FAMeulstee: Not really but when I got up this morning the sun is shining. Big smile.

240Familyhistorian
feb 22, 2017, 9:24 am

Yay for sunshine. Hope your Wednesday is better than your Tuesday, Barbara. At least, I think it is Wednesday today. All the days seem to be blending into each other this week. Whatever day it is it is pink shirt day here today (anti-bullying).

241FAMeulstee
feb 22, 2017, 12:32 pm

>239 Ameise1: I hope the rest of your day was sunny too, Barbara, over here it was wind and rain...

>240 Familyhistorian: I never heard of pink shirt day, Meg, anti-bullying is always good.

242FAMeulstee
Redigeret: feb 22, 2017, 12:50 pm


book 60: Bij nader inzien by J.J. Voskuil
own, Dutch, no translations, TIOLI #21, 1207 pages

Amsterdam, between 1946 and 1953, first autobiographic novel by J.J. Voskuil, published in 1963.
The writers alter-ego, Maarten Koning, starts his study Dutch in 1946, endless discussions between him and his friends about literature, existentialism, and their professors. Eventually almost all friendhips decline after graduation.

I love this author!



And with this book I finish a TIOLI sweep :-)

243Familyhistorian
feb 22, 2017, 7:54 pm

>241 FAMeulstee: Anti-bullying campaigns started in Canada and are held at different dates in different places in the world. Here in BC, we show our support by wearing pink shirts.

244charl08
feb 23, 2017, 5:40 am

>242 FAMeulstee: Oh, I'm always so intrigued by books that aren't available in English. This one sounds great.

The pink shirts were news to me too! Good to hear about.

245FAMeulstee
feb 23, 2017, 9:10 am

>243 Familyhistorian: Thanks for the explanation, Meg.

>244 charl08: Yes it was great, Charlotte, I finished his other work, "Het Bureau", last year. In 7 books (over 5000 pages) he describes his working life at the institute for Ethnology. The German translation of these books is nearly finished.

246EllaTim
feb 23, 2017, 6:21 pm

Voskuil's book series Het Bureau was made into a radioplay, some years ago. I still want to read the books, all my aunts were listening to the series, and very enthusiastic about it. But the 5000 pages are immense, how did you manage them?

247FAMeulstee
feb 24, 2017, 3:38 am

>246 EllaTim: I just started one day in 2012, Ella, but then I had to go back taking anti-depressants that made me unable to read. I managed to finish book 4, but could not read further. Last year I picked up again with book 5 and finished the series.
It reads like a literary soap, nothing much happens, but you want to read on ;-)

I loved all his books and yesterday I ordered two more at Boekwinkeltjes.nl : Binnen de huid and Terloops: voettochten 1957-1973.

248FAMeulstee
feb 24, 2017, 3:50 am


book 61: Nachtlicht by Peter Robinson
from the library, translated English, Inspector Banks 2, original title A dedicated man, 243 pages

A man is found murdered. Investigating the case, inspector Alan Banks finds he was a well loved former professor, who settled in the village some years ago. He had some minor troubles with some of the residents of the village, but nothing much for inspector Banks to go for.

Again a statisfying read, I will read more books about inspector Alan Banks.

249LovingLit
feb 24, 2017, 3:55 am

>200 FAMeulstee: I meant to read Brooklyn before the film came out, but never got to it. I still want to read it and see it! Which reminds me, I have my book club book has arrived at the library, and I must collect it. We are watching the DVD of it at next book club....The Light Between Oceans.

250Ameise1
feb 24, 2017, 3:59 am

I love the Inspector Banks series. Happy Friday, Anita.

251msf59
feb 24, 2017, 6:32 am

Happy Friday, Anita! I hope you had a very nice week.

252FAMeulstee
Redigeret: feb 24, 2017, 3:57 pm

>249 LovingLit: I hope you like Brooklyn, Megan, I rarely see films these days, so I'll skip it ;-)
I looked up The light between oceans, sounds good, I will keep it in mind.

>250 Ameise1: Hi Barbara, yes, I found Inspector Banks on your thread :-) How are you today?

>251 msf59: All nice an quiet in Lelystad, Mark, and many good books, what more could I want? :-)

253FAMeulstee
feb 24, 2017, 7:06 am


book 62: De kleine kapitein by Paul Biegel
own, Dutch, childrens, awarded, Gouden Griffel 1972, English translation The Little Captain, 127 pages

The little captain lives on a stranded ship on the top of a dune. Together with some kids he rebuilds the ship. On a stormy night the little captain and his three friends sail away with the ship. Many adventures ahead!

Adventurous book for children, two more books about "The little captain" were written.

254FAMeulstee
feb 24, 2017, 7:10 am


book 63: Lang zul je leven : bakerrijmpjes by Ienne Biemans
own, Dutch, nursery rhymes, awarded, Nienke van Hichtum prijs & Vlag en Wimpel 1989, no translations, 43 pages

Nursery rhymes, with illustrations by Mance Post.

255johnsimpson
feb 24, 2017, 4:15 pm

Hi Anita, you are really motoring on with your reading my dear, hope you had a nice Friday and wish you a really good weekend dear lady, sending love and hugs.

256michigantrumpet
feb 24, 2017, 5:19 pm

257streamsong
feb 24, 2017, 5:20 pm

Hi Anita -- book bullet with The Poet's Dog. I'm rather fond of dog stories. :-)

And I totally agree that Ari looks so cute in the buggy! My dog is the opposite of yours - she's OK here at home with her best friend, a feral cat she adopted. But she panics if I leave her alone in the car for even a few minutes.

Have a great weekend!

258karenmarie
feb 24, 2017, 5:22 pm

Hi Anita! I wish you a lovely weekend with lots of good reading!

>249 LovingLit: The Light Between Oceans is a stunning book, IMO. I want to see the movie, but our book club read it last year and loved it.

259FAMeulstee
feb 24, 2017, 7:14 pm

>256 michigantrumpet: Thank you Marianne, that is the plan :-)

>257 streamsong: Thanks Janet, funny how different dogs are. I hope you will love The Poet's Dog too.

>258 karenmarie: Thank you Karen, the same to you!

260FAMeulstee
feb 25, 2017, 7:23 am

As I enjoyed my latest J.J. Voskuil so much again, I decided I need to read more by him and ordered Binnen de huid and Terloops : Voettochten 1957-1973, today both books arrived.
And I wishlisted most other Voskuil books, I am a completist ;-)

261nittnut
feb 25, 2017, 8:36 am

>229 FAMeulstee: This is making its way up my TBR pile. It's getting a lot of love here at LT.

Happy Reading weekend! I am hoping for some reading this weekend too. In between field hockey and feeding my people.

262FAMeulstee
feb 25, 2017, 10:27 am

>261 nittnut: All I have seen were positive reviews for The Poet's Dog, Jenn, I hope you get to it soon :-)
Happy weekend, I hope you get to some reading.

263FAMeulstee
feb 25, 2017, 11:06 am


book 64: De vloek van Woestewolf by Paul Biegel
own, Dutch, YA fantasy, English translation The curse of the werewolf, 135 pages

Doctor Kroch receives a letter and a lot of gold. The name of the sender is unreadable, he needs the doctor because of a servere case of... goldfever! At first the doctor does not take it seriously, but when two robbers try to steel the gold, he finds out something odd about the gold. And there starts a wonderful fantasy story.

Originally written as a TV-play in the 1970s, it was later rewritten as a book.

264Ameise1
feb 25, 2017, 12:53 pm

Happy weekend, Anita. Wishing you lots of reading time.

265FAMeulstee
feb 26, 2017, 3:17 am


book 65: Het bittere kruid by Marga Minco
own, Dutch, English translation Bitter herbs, 90 pages

A nameless girl tells the story, she is the youngest in a Jewish family of five. The book starts when they return to their home in Breda, after evacuation during the German invasion. In short chapters she tells what happend to her and her family during WWII. At the end she is the only one who survived.

A very short book, a very poignant story...

266FAMeulstee
feb 26, 2017, 3:18 am

>264 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara, not as much reading as I hoped.

Yesterday we got a call from the home in Rotterdam where Franks Aunt lives and were told she has turned much worse. She suffers from dementia. Last visit two weeks ago she didn't recognise Frank anymore... So we will go there today.

267charl08
feb 26, 2017, 3:35 am

Sorry to hear about Frank's Aunt. So hard a disease. I hope your trip is straightforward.

I saw your post in >265 FAMeulstee: and realised we'd talked about reading this at the same time. Sorry! My brain is more than a little scattered by the new job. I thought she says so much with so little. The optimist father saying 'it couldn't happen here' to keep his family cheery was so sad. And the boy who meets her and directs her - having read Mulisch, the bravery of it really struck me.

268PaulCranswick
feb 26, 2017, 3:43 am

>266 FAMeulstee: My Gran passed away in 1994 after "suffering" in her last 18 months with daily increasing dementia. It is heartbreaking especially because occasional glimpses of the old person sometimes get through.

Thinking of you both. xx

269Ameise1
feb 26, 2017, 4:22 am

Oh dear, dementia is so awful. I think we have to get used to this kind of illness due to getting older. I suppose our body isn't adjusted for the age we can reach. Thinking of you both and sending lots of positive vibes. Love and hugs xx

270FAMeulstee
feb 26, 2017, 1:27 pm

Franks Aunt was a little better today, as she did recognise Frank, but after 10 minutes she fell asleep again.
Frank and his sister are the only family left and since his sister lives in the USA, it all comes down on Frank. His aunt is over 5 years there now.

After the visit we went to museum Boijmans van Beuningen to visit the exposition "Mad About Surrealism", with works from Salvador Dalí, Max Ernst, René Magritte, Joan Miró and Pablo Picasso. Pictures will follow.

>267 charl08: Thanks Charlotte, it is a nasty desease. She went to a home at the end of 2011.
I saw you were reading Bitter herbs. As I was reading the long Voskuil book, I couldn't join you immediately. Indeed Marga Minco uses very few words to tell a lot...

>268 PaulCranswick: Thank you Paul, it is sad to see.

>269 Ameise1: I am afraid that is true, Barbara.

271Berly
feb 26, 2017, 1:40 pm

Hi Anita--Sorry to hear about dementia. My Mom is battling this one, too. During my last visit home, she didn't recognize me one night. I came back from the restroom after dinner and when I sat down she asked me where I grew up. Uh-oh!! I wish you good luck.

Can't wait to see the museum pictures! What a great collection of artists at the exhibit.

272FAMeulstee
feb 26, 2017, 5:08 pm

>271 Berly: Thanks Kim, dementia it a hard one to cope with...

I keep te pictures for my next thread, and try to keep this one until the end of the month.

273harrygbutler
feb 26, 2017, 11:08 pm

Anita, I'm thinking of you and Frank as you face his aunt's decline, and wishing you both comfort and strength.

274LovingLit
feb 27, 2017, 12:44 am

>252 FAMeulstee: The Light Between Oceans is good so far, I mean its a good story. A tad page-turny for me though.

Tough family illnesses.....especially dementia. It's tough.

275FAMeulstee
feb 27, 2017, 9:54 am

>273 harrygbutler: Thank you Harry, we will need it.

>274 LovingLit: Sound good, Megan, I have put it on my library wish list.
Yes it is tough, and I am glad I can come here for some comfort.

276FAMeulstee
feb 27, 2017, 9:59 am


book 66: De Cock en het duel in de nacht by A.C. Baantjer
from the library, e-book, police mystery, 38th book of 70 De Cock, 135 pages

De Cock and Vledder get a funeral card, they want to attend the funeral, but find out this criminal died 3 years ago... In the next days some people who knew him get murdered. De Cock is determined to find out what is going on.


277FAMeulstee
feb 27, 2017, 10:04 am


book 67: Kinderverhalen by Mies Bouhuys
own, Dutch, stories for children, awarded, Beste Kinderboek 1966, no translations, 176 pages

Stories for children, some funny, some good and a few too moralistic. I remember reading this book by myself, when I was young. Back then I loved these stories, especially the ones with horses :-)

278FAMeulstee
feb 27, 2017, 10:14 am

I don't think I will finish a book tomorrow, so here are my February statistics:

February 2017
I have read this month 34 books, 7.778 pages.

23 of my own and 11 from the library
21 Dutch, 13 translated
28 fiction, 6 non-fiction

19 childrens/YA
4 e-books
23 TIOLI books
Denne tråd er fortsat i Anita (FAMeulstee) reads on in 2017 (4).