EllaTim reading in 2021. Spring, and summer too.

One of my favourite places to visit: Beeckestijn, behind the sea dunes. A lovely park to walk in. This is the orchard, behind it a herb garden.

https://buitenplaatsbeeckestijn.nl/

Time for making a new thread. I don't have lots of time, so this is the lazy version. Just making a couple of later-to-fill-in posts. And then all visitors welcome in!

The Song of the Dodo by David Quammen

Finished in 2021

1. The Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith (UK) ***1/2
2. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Marton (Australia) ***
3. Kikkermuziek (=Frog Music) by Emma Donoghue (Irish/Canadian) ****
4. Tea with the Black Dragon by R. A. MacAvoy (USA) ***1/2
5. The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander (USA) ****1/2
6. A Finer End by Deborah Crombie (USA) ***
7. And Justice There is None by Deborah Crombie (USA) ***1/2
8. Now May You Weep by Deborah Crombie (USA) ***1/2
9. To Hold the Crown by Jean Plaidy (UK) ***
10. The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander (USA)
****
11. Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow (Australia) ****
12. Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend (Australia) ****
13. Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend (Australia) ***1/2
14. The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue (Can/Ireland) ****
15. The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken (UK, 1962) ****
16. The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander (USA) ***1/2
17. Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells (USA, SF) ****
18. The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood (Can, myth retelling) ***1/2
19. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (USA) *****
20. A Darker Domain by Val McDermid (UK) ***
21. Kruistocht in Spijkerbroek by Thea Beckman (Dutch) ***
22. Little Free Library by Naomi Kritzer ****

Reading in 2021

January
Started:
- 1493 ebook
- Martin Chuzzlewit ebook
- Foon library
- Mary Poppins audio
- The Hobbit audio 23-01-20
- Stuff Matters by Mark Miodownik (12-01-20)

Read in 2021. second half.

23. Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson (USA, SF, 1992) ****
24. A Paradise Built in Hell by Rebecca Solnit (USA, non-fiction) ****1/2
25. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (Fantasy, USA, 2007) ****
26. The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss (fantasy) ***1/2
27. The Long Way to a small, angry Planet ****
28. A Closed and Common Orbit ****
29. Record of a Spaceborn Few ***1/2
30. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke (UK, fantasy) ****
31. Moordenaar zonder gezicht by Henning Mankell (Sweden, police story) ***
32. The Dogs of Riga by Henning Mankell (Sweden, police story) ***
33. The White Lioness by Henning Mankell (Sweden, police story) ***
34. Jacoba, Dochter van Holland by Simone van der Vlugt (dutch, historical novel) ****
35. Twelve Fair Kingdoms by Suzette Haden Elgin (USA, fantasy) ****
36. The Grand Jubilee by Suzette Haden Elgin (USA, fantasy) ****
37. And then there'll be Fireworks by Suzette Haden Elgin (USA, fantasy) ****
38. Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones (UK, fantasy) ****
39. The Magicians of Caprona by Diana Wynne Jones (UK, fantasy) ****
40. Witch Week by Diana Wynne Jones (UK, fantasy) ****
41. The Lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones (UK, fantasy) ****
42 Mixed Magics by Diana Wynne Jones (UK, fantasy) ****
43. Conrad’s Fate by Diana Wynne Jones (UK, fantasy) ****
44. The Pinhoe Egg by Diana Wynne Jones (UK, fantasy) ****
45. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (fantasy, UK) ****
46. Lifeboats by Diane Duane (fantasy, USA, novella) ****
47. Wat wij zagen by Hanna Bervoets (dutch) ****
48. Zwarte Sneeuw by Simone van der Vlugt (dutch, youth, historical) ***1/2
49. A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik (USA, fantasy) ***
50. His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik (USA, fantasy)****
51. Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik (USA, fantasy) ***1/2
52. De Lege Stad by Simone van der Vlugt (dutch, historical novel) ****
53. Winterijs by Peter van Gestel (dutch, youth) *****

Nr5

Nr6 and finished!

Reading now: on Wednesday Marc went to have his second vaccination. By coincidence we met a friend there, and she praised a book she had read (there was time to talk). The Song of the Dodo by David Quammen.

I started reading it yesterday. It's a big one, 1000 pages. But interesting and easy to read. I'm in Indonesia now, reading about Alfred Wallace and the islands of Bali and Lombok.



She remembered another book of his first: Spillover: Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic. Written in 2012, Very prophetic. Seems very interesting as well, but first this one.

Finished another one in the Murderbot series.

17. Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells (USA, SF) ****



Very entertaining and readable story. Murderbot has to solve a murder in this one. Funny, interesting, and I finished it nearly in one go. Well, it's just over a 100 pages, so almost a novella? But I am having trouble finishing my books, so this was a relief.

Found on Joe's thread, I think.

Happy new thread (almost) Ella.

The Song of the Dodo sounds interesting although its size is rather daunting. Spillover sounds like it would keep me awake and cause more anxiety that I need. Good on you for reading them though :)

Happy new thread, Ella!

>10 RebaRelishesReading: Hi Reba. Thanks. Almost indeed.

The Song of the Dodo is filled with things I like and am interested in. Islands, travel, birds and animals, and science. Spillover is intention, I don't know if it'll get further than that;-)

>11 FAMeulstee: Thanks Anita! Working on finding a picture. That's always fun to do.

Happy new thread, Ella!

Happy new thread!

>13 PaulCranswick: >14 drneutron: Thanks Paul, and Jim!

What a beautiful topper, Ella! Happy new thread!

>16 jessibud2: Hi Shelley. Thanks, and thanks!

Happy new thread, Ella.

I was reading NRC handelsblad for Saturday (22/5) and the "Talk of the Town" column (A2, Amsterdam) is about wind turbines in Amsterdam ("Windturbines dicht bij huizen : ondanks protest komen ze er toch"). Is this the development you were protesting?

Happy new thread, Ella!

Your garden topper is gorgeous.

Happy New Thread!

I haven't read Song of the Dodo, but I'm a David Quammen fan.

-A Northern Cardinal, from one of my many walks.

Happy New Thread, Ella. I hope your week is off to a fine start.

>18 sirfurboy: Yes Stephen, That's it. Tomorrow final council meeting, tonight a last protest. But they will place them anyway. Very disappointing.
Good for you, reading NRC. Don't tell me you have a subscription!

>19 scaifea: Thanks, Amber. It looks lovely with all those white flowers, doesn't it.

>20 streamsong: Hi Janet! Oh, that's nice to hear. What did you read of his?

>21 msf59: Thanks, Mark. Lovely bird. Have fun walking. I hope I can do some bird watching too, when possible.

Happy new thread!! And there is that dang Murderbot again!! I really need to get going on this series, huh?! : )

>22 EllaTim: No subscription to NRC sadly. I have a subscription to Le Monde but would not read fast enough to read two non English newspapers every day. However our library service gives access to various titles and so I look at the weekend edition of NRC through that.

Sorry to hear the protests were ignored.

Hi Ella my dear, happy new thread dear friend.

>23 Berly: Hi Kim! Yes, definitely Murderbot rocks.

>24 sirfurboy: Hi Stephen. Wow, reading Le Monde. When I'm in France I take a look at the papers, but I find them very difficult to read. There's something like a special journalists language maybe. So you can read NRC online? That's really good of your library. My branch has some English papers, but not online. But they are closed right now.

>25 johnsimpson: Hi John! Nice to see you, and thanks!

Spent the evening listening to discussion in the Amsterdam City Council. Our councilwoman is a fast talker but basically all she said was variations of Nono no no no. Now listening to Van Morrison to cool down. Sigh.

https://youtu.be/b1ecN3rOoFQ

Hi Ella, and happy new thread.

>8 EllaTim: I’m glad Marc’s gotten his second vaccination. And I have The Song of the Dodo on my shelves, so won’t have to take a BB for it! I’ve had it on my shelves for 10 years and will be interested in seeing what you think of it.

I’m sorry about the placement of the wind turbines so close to homes and nature preserves.

>28 karenmarie: Hi Karen! Thanks. For the moment I'm just reading Murderbot. I'm mostly reading E-books, and finding it harder to swap books when I'm doing that. Good for you, you bought Song of the Dodo because of good reviews? And now it's 1000 pages, a bit intimidating isn't it? I'll try to report on it.

>22 EllaTim: Hi Ella - I read David Quammen's Spillover which, having worked in a microbiological research lab, I loved and thought very accurate.

Then he wrote an entire issue (May 2016) for National Geographic magazine about Yellowstone Park. This became his book Yellowstone: A Journey Through America's Wild Heart. I was able to hear him speak in Missoula and got a signed copy of that one - although I blush to admit I haven't read in his entirety.

He is a contributing writer for National Geographic, and although I haven't read anymore of his books, I do like the NG articles.

>30 streamsong: Aha, so Spillover is good, and accurate, that's good to know. You would be a good judge then.

Good for you, hearing him speak, and getting an autographed copy. I can understand you love his NG articles. He seems to excel at both science and more popular travel writing. At least both are present in The Song of the Dodo. (And how I would love to see Yellowstone).

18. The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood (Can, myth retelling) ***1/2



A retelling of part of the Odyssee, from the perspective of Penelope, Odysseus' faithful wife, who had to wait twenty years for his return.
And also her twelve handmaidens get a say in the form of a Greek Chorus.

It's a rather cynical point of view, interesting, and it's clear that Margaret Atwood has thought about this story. Still, I didn't really enjoy the book!

Best read, I think, after reading the original. I do know the story, and have read at least parts. And the problem for me is that Atwood's version lacks the freshness, the colourfulness of the original. This story is an original take on it, the chorus really adds something as well. Still.

>32 EllaTim: I agree 100% with your review here! Atwood is clever and knows Homer, but it's just not a great book. *shrug*

>33 scaifea: Hi Amber! Thanks for agreeing with me! The book did receive a lot of praise and I started to doubt my own feelings. But I just didn't enjoy it. Can't help that, can you?

A friend gave me a very nice present, a book:
Sinagote by Theunis Piersma



I started reading it this morning, it's the story of Sinagote the spoonbill. And the new research into the life of birds that has become possible by the use of digital tracking. Fascinating research as so much more becomes known of how birds live, their individual habits.
Beautiful pictures as well.

>34 EllaTim: I feel that way too, when I don't like a book that so many praise. It's hard not to start doubting, but we really shouldn't!

>35 EllaTim: Looks like a lovely book, Ella. Spoonbills are beautiful and intriguing birds. It is odd to see the small tracking device on her back.

>36 scaifea: Quite right! Well, one can always say " I didn't enjoy it." Doesn't give a judgement on the book's quality.

>37 FAMeulstee: They are lovely aren't they. I don't get to see them that often, but one flew over the allotment just a couple of days ago.

I visited my neighbour at the hospital today. She asked me for a book of poetry, in her home. " Ik ging naar Bommel om de brug te zien." I looked the poem up on the internet, and happened on this fun site, of street poetry.

https://straatpoezie.nl/?fwp_kaart=49.156212%2C1.277052%2C53.648187%2C7.625777



A different kind of street art, but it was fun to browse.

Happy new thread to you, and best to Marc as well, Ella!

>39 ronincats: Hi Roni, thanks very much!

I'm very busy and feeling stressed lately. But still reading. Light stiff, it's all I can manage at the moment. Sorry for dropping out here, can hardly manage to visit people's threads. I hope it will get better! I want a holiday but it's only getting worse at the moment.

Breathe in, breathe out, Ella, and pace yourself. No worries here, just do what works for you. We will be here.

>38 EllaTim: Thank for the link, Ella, indeed fun to look around.
This one I see almost every day: https://straatpoezie.nl/gedicht/het-snelverkeer-raast-voorbij/

>41 EllaTim: Don't worry about the threads, we will be here any time, whenever you feel up to it.

>42 jessibud2: Hi Shelley. Thanks. Breathing, and enjoy the moment.

>43 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita. Glad you liked it. I have seen the building, like it, but never noticed the poem. Interesting.

And thanks, for reassuring me, both of you.

Started two new books:
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, and A Paradise Built in Hell by Rebecca Solnit. Both are off to a great start.

19. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (USA) *****

A very good story, and well told. Sara Geuen has done a lot of research to get the stories right. It makes for an interesting tale. I was captured at once, by the story of Jacob who looses everyone and everything. And finds himself again in the circus. Second characters are great as well, Rosie the Elephant an important and memorable one among them.
Recommended!

Hi Ella!

I'm sorry you're stressed, glad you're reading. Sometimes light stuff is the best we can do, isn't it?

Sorry you didn't like The Penelopiad. I have it on my shelves and have never been tempted to read it and now.... perhaps it may be time to just cull it.

>46 EllaTim: I loved Water for Elephants. I remember being charmed that in my copy there were photographs of circuses and circus folk.

>47 karenmarie: Hi Karen! Very glad for light stuff. Reading feels like getting away from it all, and i need that.

I can see you liking the pictures in the book. They made it all feel more real, and near. So interesting.
I remember going to the circus as a child. And the circus was a thing on tv, a series!

>47 karenmarie: Hi Karen! Reading feels like a nice, safe place at the moment, so i prefer it on the light side. I need that.

I can see you loving those pictures. They give a good image of the times. No more travelling circuses now, at least I don't think so? I can remember a visiting circus, when I was a child, but they have fallen on hard times I guess.

I started the first Karen Pirie detective, because you were praising them. Must say, they are good, but almost too dark for me.

It's raining outside, and there's a lot of wind, very enjoyable, when you are inside and cozy and reading a good book.

Had my second vaccination today. Had to stand in line for over an hour, but we got to chatting. A fun woman, sometimes you meet people by accident, you wish you had known years earlier.
And then fifteen minutes waiting for that possible negatieve reaction. My GP had hired a singer and pianist. So nice.

>50 EllaTim: Congratulations on getting your second vaccination, Ella!

>51 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita. Still two weeks to wait for full effect. I'll keep wearing that mask.

20. A Darker Domain by Val McDermid (UK) ***

The second in the detective Karen Pirie series.
A bit disappointing. It felt disjointed, and unrealistic. Partly dealing with the miners strike in 1984, partly taking place in Italy.
A story can be fantasy, but you have to be able to believe it. Here it just felt too contrived, like those people wouldn't do that. Sorry.

Your doctor sounds pretty great - hiring entertainment for the wait time! Wow!

I love the look of the spoonbill. Glad you are enjoying the book. Have you seen one?

Hi Ella, I'm not going to read all new posts above, I just try to keep up with your thread from here on.

>53 scaifea: Hi Amber. I loved it, music is so relaxing when you are a bit anxious!

>54 msf59: Such a pretty bird, Yes I have seen them, but not that often.

>55 connie53: Hi Connie. No, of course not. I'm not managing to keep up at all at the moment, so I'll be doing the same.

Hi Ella!

I'm glad you've gotten your second vaccination, sorry you didn't like the second Karen Pirie. Ah well, thank goodness there are so many books out there!

>57 karenmarie: Hi Karen! I’m glad as well. We’re having a surge of infections again, fourth wave, Delta variant. Very fast, and a bit scary.
Ah, but I liked the first Karen Pirie, so she is definitely getting a second chance.

>58 EllaTim: That is really scary, Ella. I have the same feeling about the measurements that where loosened to quickly in my opinion. All the excuses Rutte and de Jonge made are just that. Those words can't make the infection rate go down. We have to sit through it now.

>59 connie53: Hi Connie. It's so annoying! Just when we thought we could finally plan some fun things to do, visit a museum, something we've missed doing, and then we have to take care again, and watch it, and people are not wearing masks anymore. And those excuses are worthless, grrr.

21. Kruistocht in Spijkerbroek by Thea Beckman ***



This book I read when I was a child. I liked it but wasn't wild about it, and now I still feel the same.
The story is interesting. A boy moves to the Middle Ages, by time machine. And is stranded there. He meets a children's crusade, and decides to join them. Soon he is trying his best to help those children in what they need.
This really is an interesting way to have a view of what it meant to live in the Middle Ages. Not so much the historical facts, but more, how did people think, what was important to them, what was life like?
The problem with it, I didn't think Thea Beckman completely succeeded, the book is a view from the outside, and stays a view from the outside.

Yes, that! I started wearing a mask again in the supermarket. Every time I go there I see more people wearing them again. I did not go today. It's raining not cats and dogs, but elephants and giraffes here in Limburg.

Reading isn't going great. I start feeling tired after a couple of pages. And have to put the book down. Haven't found something that completely grabs my attention.

>62 connie53: Oh yes, I saw the news of the rain. Scary, those floods, cars in the roads. I hope your neighbourhood is keeping dry?

>61 EllaTim: I loved it way more than you did, Ella. But I do understand your problem. I don't think it is possible to get much further than the outside for a 20th century writer, and neither for a 20th century main character ;-)

>64 EllaTim: We are dry and safe as we live in Roermond up in the northern part of Limburg. My daughter lives in Maastricht so she might have some trouble, but I don't think so, she would have called if that was going on.

It seems as though most if not all of Western Europe is experiencing a sharp surge in cases of COVID-19. I've had my eye on Portugal, as I hope to return there in late September, and there has been a sharp rise there as well, with nearly all of the cases in Lisbon and the Algarve being due to the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2. Cases are beginning to rise in the United States as well, particularly in areas with low vaccination rates.

>65 FAMeulstee: That’s probably true Anita. I like historical fiction, so I’ll be looking at some more examples.

>66 connie53: That’s good, then Connie.

>67 kidzdoc: Yes. It’s worrying, isn’t it. It’s wave after wave. We had hoped for some time off, visiting some museums now it seemed possible again. Both vaccinated. But it feels unsafe again. And in Israel they are giving booster shots already. I am sorry, I know you love to go to Portugal. But this delta variant is really spreading right now.

>68 EllaTim: Yes, it is concerning, Ella. I still intend to travel to Portugal in September, primarily because I need to meet two friends and look at the town that we are thinking of retiring to. It's been just over six months since I received my second Pfizer-BioNTech jab, and that vaccine has been shown to provide good protection against the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, the predominant strain in Lisbon and the Algarve, so I feel safe going there, and I will wear a mask in public, practice social distancing and other recommended hygienic measures, and avoid large gatherings and crowded public transportation, as I've been doing here. However, it's entirely possible that Portugal and/or the European Union may close its borders to vaccinated tourists from outside of the EU or institute quarantine requirements after arrival. If either of those things happen then I'll have to postpone my trip. I'll go ahead and make refundable hotel and flight reservations once my group's work schedule for September is posted, and keep my fingers crossed.

I really hope you can go to Portugal in september, Darryl.

Sorry for mis-using your thread, Ella!

>69 kidzdoc: Good precautions, Darryl! I hope your trip will be possible. And why would Portugal bar vaccinated travellers? Doesn’t sound necessary.

>70 connie53: No problem, Connie. Be my guest;-)

I just watched part of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. Nice to watch the expectant hopeful faces of the young athletes. Feeling sorry for the lack of atmosphere in the stadium. Not the best time to participate. Most sorry for the Dutch participants who turned out COVID positive after the flight to Japan. Really disastrous for them.

Just watched the movie Das Weisse Band from director Michael Haneke. Strong, bleak and sad movie. In black and white. Playing just before the First World War. Imagine circumstances so bleak and authoritarian that people were glad for a war. "Now everything will change".

Rain was promised today, so we stayed at home. I made some jelly from a mix of gooseberries and black currants. Tasted nice.

>73 EllaTim: Did you watch "Zomergasten", Ella?
I thought Roxane van Iperen had a very clear message. We didn't watch the movie.

>74 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita. I watched a part of it, not enough for it to be coherent. I might try later. I did see the discussion of the movie, interesting. The movie meant staying up late, but it was worth it. I think she is right, the children are meant to feel bad about themselves. The acting was wonderful, it's a bleak story, but it has some lovely parts, mainly because of some of the children's scenes.

Read a short story from Tor.com. I’m listing it because my reading is going so slowly.

22. Little Free Library by Naomi Kritzer ****



I can’t remember how I found it, but it’s really nice. I wouldn’t mind reading more of this author.
You can find it here: https://www.tor.com/2020/04/08/little-free-library-naomi-kritzer/

>60 EllaTim: "It's so annoying! Just when we thought we could finally plan some fun things to do, visit a museum, something we've missed doing, and then we have to take care again, and watch it, and people are not wearing masks anymore."

Exactly the same here. There is a Montana touring company that produces 'Shakespeare in the Parks'. It's always a fun gathering. People bring lawn chairs and sometimes picnics to the outdoor performances; you see friends you haven't seen for a while. But with the unhealthy air quality due to the surrounding forest fires, the two performances have been moved inside. I'm sure they won't be any masks. I hate to miss it, but ...

>77 streamsong: Hi Janet! Nice to see you here.
I’m so sorry, about the smoke outdoors again. Shakespeare in the Parks sounds wonderful. But I wouldn’t want to go indoors to see it either!

23. Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson (USA, SF, 1992) ****



In this novel Mars is colonized by a group of a 100 people. The story follows their actions, how they have to deal with lots of problems in a physically hostile environment. Their relationships, but also their dreams.
Many of them dream of a different society, different than how things are on Earth, where there is war again, of course.
But of course they have taken Earths problems with them, as after the first colonisation exploitation of Mars becomes profitable, and Multinational companies are trying to take over.

I thought it Interesting, well thought out, sometimes poetic and beautiful. But it took me a lot of time to get through it, as the story didn't draw me on. I read some reviews here, "dry as dust" was said. Well I don't agree completely, but easy reading it definitely isn't. Each chapter is a new story line, with a new main protagonist, that made it harder to stay involved as well.
It is very timely at the moment of course, though I don't think the Elon Musk expedition counts as any kind of serious space exploration. It's more in the area of Space Exploitation.

I am interested in the second of this series of three, but I will wait a bit to start it.

Reading now: A Paradise Built in Hell by Rebecca Solnit.


Very interesting, I'm in the second chapter now. Her writing is easy to follow, the subject fascinating.

Hi Ella! It looks like your reading is picking up again.

>60 EllaTim: I have never stopped wearing masks when out in public, and now with the delta variant making its way through the US am restricting my time out more again anyway.

>73 EllaTim: Yum to homemade jam.

I'm glad that we'll both be watching the US-Netherlands women's football/soccer tomorrow.

>81 karenmarie: Hi Karen!

Yes, that Delta variant is too contagious to take lightly. Be careful, we want to get through this!

I’ll be watching a bit later than the official time. Lots to see, some very spectacular sports. The BMX!

Watched a movie tonight Hors Normes by director Olivier Nakache.
I thought it was really good. A plea for more humane treatment of people with psychiatric problems.
And somehow it fits in with what Rebecca Solnit is saying. That people can be better than we expect them to be. And that we need more community.

A bit of a sad day today. Attended the funeral of a neighbour who'd also become a friend. I'll miss her. Her son gave a eulogy, i knew some of her story, but not all of it. It was quite something. But the last part, that she spent with us was very good, not in the least because of who she was.
Learn as much as you can, said her son. It saved her life when people did that.

>84 EllaTim: Sorry you lost a friend, Ella.
(((hugs)))

Aw, I’m so sorry Ella.

Sorry for your loss, Ella. And that is well-said, her son's words.

Sorry for your loss, Ella. It sounds like she raised a wise son.

Thank you everybody. Hugs much appreciated. Yes, her son is a special person. Who also got his share to deal with.

Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend and neighbour, Ella.

>91 EllaTim: Thanks, Connie.

Hi, Ella. Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. It sounds like she had a good send-off. A Paradise Built in Hell sounds interesting. I am a Solnit fan.

So sorry about your neighbor. Sounds like a pretty wise son.

I'm sorry for your loss, Ella. His son does sound quite wise.

>92 msf59: >93 drneutron: >94 kidzdoc: Thanks Marc and Jim and Darryl! Yes, a wise son and a wise mother.

>92 msf59: Great Marc. I really like her writing so far. It makes me think about the world, but there is optimism there, which we all need right now.

Today a visit to the cardiologist. I’d had some bouts of chest pain. Worrying? The works today, bloodwork, echo, ECG, bike test. Everything fine, I get an A when it comes to heart health. So reassuring. Pain probably has a different cause. I should lose some weight, and I’ll try to work on my physical condition a bit.

>96 EllaTim: - I went through the same thing, Ella, a few years ago. I also learned that stress can manifest in many ways, and, after all the tests, the doctor thinks this could have been due to stress. Mine wasn't pain so much as pressure, like a cat sitting on my chest constantly. Only, they weren't! That said, diet changes and exercises would certainly help me if I had the self discipline to stick to them....

Glad you aced the tests!

Hi Shelley. O yes, stress, I think it has a lot of influence on the body. Hope you are doing now?
Self discipline is tough, I try to do well, but it’s hard to keep it up.

I've also learned that digestive issues can seem like heart pain. Is that what they're going to look at next?

>99 RebaRelishesReading: Hi Reba. Yes, that’s right. I got a prescription for some medication for that. I learned that most cases of chest pain are not heart related at all. So I am relieved. My youngest brother had a sudden cardiac arrest, out of the blue, some years ago, my mother has arrhythmia, so I was worried. But I feel okay now.

Glad to hear you’re feeling better, Ella.

I understand the worry you felt - we have a (massive) family history of heart disease and heart issues so anytime anyone has symptoms I get worried.
I had pretty bad pains in the heart area during my teens, but it was essentially growing pains in the sternum and ribs. I’ve been spared symptoms since then (aside from panic attacks, which can also feel like heart pain), thankfully.

>101 PawsforThought: Hi Paws. Yes, it is worrying when it’s a family thing. Glad you are doing well now. Did you have an assessment like I did now?
I am very glad I had it. I had heard from a medical doctor years ago that I had a heart murmur. So another reason to think something might be wrong. Not the case at all it turns out. No leaking valves or anything.

>100 EllaTim: Glad to hear it turned out not to be your heart and hopefully the meds will help.

>102 EllaTim: No, just a simple check up. I was an otherwise healthy teenager, and most of the family history hadn’t showed up yet at that point. I’ve never had issues since.

>103 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks Reba!
>104 PawsforThought: Glad to hear that Paws.

More bad news. Friend of mine who has not been vaccinated (afraid) visited the funeral of a family member. Started to feel really bad afterwards, and asked her alternative healer if anything was wrong. No, you are fine, this supposedly clairvoyant says. My friend called me later to tell me she had pneumonia, and no it wasn’t COVID. I tell her, she can’t rely on what this person said and should get tested. Nono.
Next thing, of course prescribed antibiotics don’t help, and finally she had to be admitted into the hospital. And yes, she has COVID.
After two days she does better and goes home. Two days later her brother is very worried, borrows the key, goes looking and finds her on the floor. She has suffered a severe stroke and is now in hospital. Probably will have to rely on a wheelchair in future, meaning she will have to find a new house, if she recovers enough. I am both horrified for her, I know she will really hate to be dependent, hates hospitals, loses so much by this. And really angry, why ever did she not get vaccinated, etc. And I also understand how this all his come about but it makes me feel so helpless.
Sunday we will be visiting her in hospital. Sigh.

>105 EllaTim: - Oh Ella, what a horror story! How awful for her but it should be a cautionary tale for other non-believers of vaccines.

Should you be going to visit her if she still has covid? Will she get vaccinated now?

>106 jessibud2: Hi Shelley. It is a real horror story. A stroke is a rare risk but it happens unfortunately. Yes, visiting is allowed, we both are vaccinated, and the hospital will be providing protective clothing and masks. Good question about the vaccination, I sure hope so! Then again, for reasons of bureaucracy maybe not.

I’m really very worried for her.

>96 EllaTim: Glad the visit to the cardiologist went well, Ella. Such a relieve.

>105 EllaTim: How sad that the fear about the vaccination got her in a really bad state.

>108 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita. Yes, fear of the vaccination, fear of the testing, fear of the hospital. It is sad.

So sorry this has happened to your friend.

I'm sorry that your friend died from COVID-19, Ella. It does induce a hypercoagulable state, in children as well as adults, and it's sad that her denial and lack of trust in Western medicine caused her premature death.

>110 drneutron: >111 kidzdoc: Thanks Jim and Darryl. It was a major stroke, and she is in hospital, no, she isn't dead, and we are visiting tomorrow. But we heard from her sister that she doesn't want to live anymore. I understand, but it will not be an easy visit tomorrow.

Picked something immersive to read:
The Name of the Wind

Hi Ella!

>84 EllaTim: I’m sorry about your friend.

>96 EllaTim: I’m glad you got the works and got an A on heart health. Good luck with the weight and physical conditioning.

>105 EllaTim: Horrified for her and really angry with her. That’s the way it seems to be going these days with our reactions to unvaccinated people. I feel that way about my brother-in-law. I’m sorry that your friend’s life will change so dramatically. I hope your visit goes well, although if she’s not vaccinated I hope the protective clothing and masks are enough.

>112 EllaTim: Doesn’t want to live any more. How sad. You definitely have a rough visit ahead of you tomorrow, but I can understand your wanting to go.

>114 karenmarie: Hi Karen! Yes, it’s rough. It’s so sad isn’t it, seems like people have been brainwashed, in a way.
We can’t do much for her. Not leave her alone is the best thing I guess.

We visited her today. Visit went well, we spoke about what happened, how she is feeling now, a very little bit about her not wanting to go on, and then we got to the subject of FOOD. A very important one to her, as she has been suffering from eating problems for over thirty years. And the food in hospital is lousy. She needs to eat well, but she didn’t eat anything of her dinner. We, Marc and me, ate it all, instead of her. Marc disliked the beans, I got a hot flush after drinking the soup. So that probably had a flavor enhancer in it.
This is the second time I visited a friend who really needed to eat well, and refused the food because it was so bad. As a child I was taught not to say that food was awful. But everyone knows, I think, that sick people need to eat well!
Tomorrow we are cooking something for her and bringing it into hospital. I said this is poverty, but Marc says poor countries do it better, there the family has to cook for the patient. Providing better meals than this.

I'm glad your friend is feeling better about wanting to go on, sorry the hospital food is so awful. I was shocked when my husband had heart surgery in 2002 at how awful it was. It was also awful at the 24/7 unit his mother was in. Good for you and Marc to take her some good food.

And I think today's your birthday? Happy birthday!

Happy birthday, Ella!

Happy birthday, Ella!

and another "happy birthday" wish from me too.

>117 karenmarie: Hi Karen! So the bad hospital food is universal? I looked up what hospital sites say about taking food to a patient. Don’t bring a warm meal, it might spoil, they say. Bring cake, or cookies, or candy. They’re crazy.

Thanks, Karen and Anita, Shelley and Reba. How did you know about my birthday? Anyway, had a really nice day, with a trip to a place in the woods. Nice and sunny weather, and a great birthday meal.

>121 EllaTim: You mentioned your birthday in your thread two years back, Ella. That is how I knew it.

I hope you’ve had a good birthday Ella!

>122 FAMeulstee: Well done, Anita!

>123 PawsforThought: Had a lovely day outside Paws, at the waterside, looking at people windsurfing, and in the forest, and a nice meal to top it off.
Real birthday celebrations aren’t easy now, I am being more careful, because of this delta thing, and my relatives are avoiding public transport.

24. A Paradise built in Hell by Rebecca Solnit (USA, non-fiction, 2009) ****1/2



A very interesting look at human behavior during and after a disaster. Rebecca Solnit argues that people are actually quite resourceful and helpful to each other during these times, and capable of going to great lengths to help each other. The idea that the public would start panicking and looting is usually wrong, so where did it come from?
Quite interesting to think about, who would you trust, and if you would ask your neighbor for help then, why are we living so separate from each other in normal life?
She talks about several examples of disasters, and how the public and authorities acted in the face of it. Citing what she calls Elite Panic, the fear of the elites that the public will act badly, she then goes on to talk about New York during 9/11, and New Orleans during and after Hurricane Katrina.
Last chapter is on climate change, and future disasters, of which we certainly will be getting our share. I am pessimistic about this, I think there is more going on than Elite Panic, it’s more like Elite Egocentricity and callousness. Will rich people really be willing to change their way of life?
Anyway, it’s a really interesting book, that made me think, even about myself and my own prejudices;-)

That sounds like an important book, Ella. One I would normally be drawn to read. But these days (for a long time now), I seem to be leaning toward lighter things, not so grim. Of course, that said, I just finished one and am in the middle of another, that aren't really *light*. Still, the news is as bad as I can handle right now so I will add this to my list for *someday*... Good review!

>126 jessibud2: Hi Shelley! Now I’m thinking my review has been off, because her message isn’t so grim at all. What she’s saying is that basically most people are decent and can be trusted to do the right thing in a crisis.
But those are grim times, aren’t they. Reading something light or totally immersive can be the right idea at the moment.

Our friend called us from the hospital today. She is feeling a bit better, pain is less. She has had lots of visitors, friends, family, and is enjoying their visits. So, enjoying things, is a good thing I think.

25. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (Fantasy, USA, 2007) ****
Part 1 of the Kingkiller trilogy



This fantasy proved really immersive and kept me reading. The story of Kothve, magician in training, as told by himself, later. Kothve is part of a family of traveling musicians. They run into trouble, and his whole family is killed by mysterious demons. He is still a young boy and now has to make his own way, through poverty, and then to the university to learn magic.
It was really good, in most parts, though I thought the part of the story that deals with Kothve’s relationship with Denna was too drawn out. But other parts are great, the library for instance.

>129 EllaTim: I'm glad to hear you liked that one, even if you had some smaller reservations. I've been meaning to read for years (even started to read it but thing got in the way).

Hi Ella. Happy belated birthday. Good to hear your friend in hospital is feeling better and enjoys the visits of friends and family.

Hi Ella!

>121 EllaTim: I honestly don’t remember how I knew it was your birthday, but it was on my desk calendar. I was going to say that it was on the 2010 birthday thread that Anita posted on my last thread which has a lot of 75er birthdays, but you didn’t post there. I’m glad you had a nice day.

>122 FAMeulstee: Ah, ha! I must have gotten it there, too. Thanks, Anita.

>128 EllaTim: I’m glad your friend is doing better and has had lots of visitors.

Nice review of A Paradise Built in Hell, Ella. Does she talk about the behavior of people in the midst of an epidemic or pandemic? I daresay that Americans have performed poorly as individuals for the past 17 months, and seem to be getting worse rather than better.

>130 PawsforThought: Hi Paws! It’s nice to have an escapist read, and i like his writing style. But it is a fat one, and part two is fatter, and part three has not been finished yet.

>131 connie53: Hi Connie! Thanks for the birthday wishes.

>132 karenmarie: Hi Karen! O migh, you are well organized, (and i am not, oops)

>133 kidzdoc: Hi Darryl. No, no pandemics. The book was written before Covid. I think a pandemic is a different thing altogether, making for more paranoia.
Unfortunately Holland has not been behaving a lot better. Very disappointing, to say the least. Lying, untruths, misinformation from the beginning, making people paranoid. And then all these conspiracy theories! Have you heard the world is flat? Who would have thought it!

Happy belated birthday!! And I am glad your friend is feeling better. The Patrick Rothfuss sounds really good. I read The Slow Regard of Silent Things and gave it a 4.

>135 Berly: Hi Kim. Thanks!
A 4 to A Slow Regard of Silent Things! I will be looking forward to reading that. Like the title anyway.

No reading today, just a lot of podcast listening. History and politics. Interesting, not dry at all.

Hi, Ella. I have added A Paradise built in Hell to my audio list. I am a Solnit fan. I am glad you enjoyed The Name of the Wind. I loved that one, along with the follow-up. It seems like he stalled out on the third.

Hi, Ella!

HERE is a video clip of ruby-throated humming birds (our variety) fighting at a woman's feeder. I'm sorry her camera stayed so close, but it certainly gives you the idea.

I want to reread KSR's MARS trilogy again. I mostly loved all of them. In fact, I mostly love KSR even when he's teaching and preaching. I very much enjoyed *Name/Wind* too and read the sequel, which I thought wasn't quite as good.

I'm sorry about your friend with COVID. What a sad story! As a friend said about her unvaccinated daughter, "She's an adult and has to make up her own mind and take the consequences." That would keep me up nights.

>61 EllaTim: That is a book I have been meaning to get hold of... although yeah, I was worried it might be a bit too much of an outside look.

Sorry I missed your birthday, but Happy 12th Thingaversery! And I'm glad your heart is healthy.

>138 msf59: Hi Marc! It’s really worth it. Lots of people here are Solnit fans, i can’t remember unfortunately where i found the recommendation. What is your favorite book of hers?

>139 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! Loved that video. Wonderful birds, turning full circle in the air. So innocent looking and still so aggressive and competitive!

Yes, it is worrying when people you love refuse vaccination. My friend has been awfully unlucky. She was in bad health anyway, for years suffering from chronic fatigue. Eating problems, she is much too thin. She didn’t look good when we visited her in hospital yesterday.

>140 sirfurboy: Hi Stephen! History and fantasy combined, yes, go for it. It has been translated.

Horrified to miss your birthday, Ella. Please accept my belated good wishes both for that and this upcoming weekend.

>143 PaulCranswick: Thank you very much Paul! Good wishes are always welcome, later or earlier.
We had a nice and busy Saturday, at the allotment. Sunday will be a homey one, rain, thunder and lightning predicted.
Finished a book, so thinking what to read next.

26. The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss (fantasy) ***1/2



This is part two in the Kingkiller Chronicle.
"Kvothe takes his first steps on the path of the hero as he attempts to uncover the truth about the mysterious Amyr, the Chandrian, and the death of his parents. Along the way, Kvothe is put on trial by the legendary Adem mercenaries, forced to reclaim the honor of the Edema Ruh, and travels into the Fae realm where he meets Felurian, the faerie woman no man can resist."

The largest part of the story is a series of challenges Kvothe has to face, away from the university. It’s again a good story, holding my attention. But i thought it s bit less than part one. Somehow Rothfuss goes on and on about women here, free sex with those Adem mercenaries. It felt a bit too much, the story would have been better without.

>145 EllaTim: I loved both The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear.
So now you are waiting with us for the next Kingkiller Chronicle book :-)

>145 EllaTim: That's on my TBR list too. But it's such a big book and I need to read some lighter books right now.

>145 EllaTim: Hi Connie! Yes, it’s a big one. I had it on my ereader, physical weight doesn’t matter there.

Reading now: the Wayfarer series by Becky Chambers. There’s a new book out, and i want to get to it. But i was in the mood for a reread first.

27. The Long Way to a small, angry Planet ****
28. A Closed and Common Orbit ****
29. Record of a Spaceborn Few ***1/2

All three good and fast reads. Becky Chambers writes well, her stories are interesting, sometimes funny, and original. My preference in this series of three is the second book, the third one lacked a bit of a good plot. Though her thinking there was very interesting, the Exodan Fleet, and how such a fleet would work. I found myself wishing for it. Suppose we could treat our Earth as one ship in that fleet, Spaceship Earth, where everyone takes care of each other, and all belong, and have food, a place, and a job. Sigh. Wishing.

Listened to a podcast, an interview with writer/journalist Chris De Stoop. Interesting. I had his book Dit is mijn Hof on my TBR list, and what to get to it soon, if possible.

Hi Ella

Catching up here

>84 EllaTim: I'm sorry about the loss of your friend.

>149 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita! Thank you. I miss her.

Reading now:
Jonathan Strange and mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

It’s a tome, 900 pages, but i like the start of the story, and I like the writing.

It’s been praised a lot in this group, Joe, Paul, Paws…

And there has even been a tutored read of it:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/129806
How nice!

>151 EllaTim: Your edition is even longer than mine ("only" 772 pages)!

Hope you like it as much as I did.

>152 PawsforThought: Hi Paws. Mine is an e-book. I don’t know how reliable that page count is. I’m certainly enjoying it! Love some of her descriptions, like the scene in the stone Cathedral, very impressive.

Had a very clumsy fall today. Stepped into the bathroom at my neighbors house. It’s a bit of a step up, and i forgot that, and tripped. Fell sideways into the bathroom, holding onto the door handle. So i closed the door onto my ankle. Ouch. It hurt.
Nothing broken, or really hurt. But it was a shock and pretty painful. It’s going to turn pretty blue. I’ve not done much anymore today.

>154 EllaTim: Sorry you tripped over the step up, Ella.
I hope the ankle will be pain free soon.

>151 EllaTim: Oooh, add me to the list of those who loved this one - I hope you do, too!

>154 EllaTim: Oh no! I'm sorry that you had a spill, but thankful that you're not badly hurt!

>154 EllaTim: Oh OUCH!! So sorry, Ella. I hope it heals quickly and that you get to do a lot of reading while you stay off of it.

>155 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita. Glad to say it's pain free today!
>156 scaifea: Hi Amber. Glad to hear you loved it.
>157 RebaRelishesReading: Hi Reba. It's doing well today. Tomorrow we're visiting the allotment again.
I'm afraid I've done more podcast listening than reading today.

I hope that your ankle injury doesn't require anything more than rest and analgesia, Ella.

>159 kidzdoc: Hi Darryl! No, it’s going well, almost pain free, and I walked some distance on it today, thanks for your good wishes.

And now I’m wide awake after only three hours of sleep. Gave up on sleeping, and made some coffee.

>160 EllaTim: I had the same, Ella, gave up and started with coffee at 5 am.

>160 EllaTim: I had to walk around site this morning (only the podium area thankfully as it is 118 floors high) and realised that I need to try and get a little fitter now that the swimming pool has reopened.

Have a great weekend, Ella.

>151 EllaTim: Wow! What a doorstop of a book.

>154 EllaTim: Ouch! Hope it heals quickly.

Happy Saturday, Ella. Have you recovered from your fall? All good now?

Hi Ella.

>154 EllaTim: Oh, I’m sorry about your fall.

>160 EllaTim: Completely understand the Gave up on sleeping, and made some coffee.

I hope you are completely recovered from the fall.

>163 figsfromthistle: >164 msf59: >165 karenmarie: Thanks for the well wishes, everybody. Ankle still a bit sore, but not a problem anymore.

>163 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita! It's a real doorstopper, but good. Catchy, and original.
>164 msf59: Hi Marc. All good. Had a walk yesterday, autumn in the air, but sunny. Means bird migration, love autumn.
>165 karenmarie: Hi Karen! I thought you'd understand..

Hi, Ella. I’m glad the Murderbot book worked well for you. You’re cruising through a lot of my favorite books right now. I love those Patrick Rothfuss books, and can’t wait for the long-delayed new one. The Becky Chambers books are fab, too, and Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell knocked me over. There was a really good TV adaptation of JSAMN, too.

This happened three years ago today.

>168 kidzdoc: Hi Darryl! Oh, what a surprise! That was a nice evening wasn't it? It feels so long ago, must be the Covid that has changed everything. Wouldn't it be nice if we could meet again!

>168 kidzdoc: Hi Darryl! What a surprise. Doesn't it feel long ago, that we could all meet like this? And a nice evening wasn't it? I hope it won't be too long until we can do something like this again!

We have been out of town for a couple of days, visiting Den Bosch. An exhibition by a French artist in the Brabants museum. Eva Jospin. She makes sculptures in paper. Dream forests, the exhibition was called Paper Tales. Very surprising, and beautiful.

A couple of days in a bed and breakfast without a TV, so I finished my book, finally. And read part of a new one, that I couldn't finish because it was one of theirs. A Wallander. De Jonge Wallander by Henning Mankell. It's a series of short stories, telling Wallander's early life as a cop. Maybe I'll finish it later.

First night of our outing we passed in IJsselstein, a small town halfway to Den Bosch, near the river Lek. Fun fact, this town features in Marc's favourite childhood book Fulco de Minstreel. And of course there's a statue of him, near the town's library.



We took a walk through the town, saw a small exhibition about it's past. Interesting fact: Jacoba van Beieren ordered it's citizens killed, just like that. We learned about her in school, but I never knew her to be so bloody minded. Must read up on her.

Finished: 30. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke (UK, fantasy) ****



In nineteenth-century England, all is going well for rich, reclusive Mr Norell, who has regained some of the power of England's magicians from the past, until a rival magician, Jonathan Strange, appears and becomes Mr Norrell's pupil.

I thought this an interesting and entertaining story. Some bits even lovely, in the last parts. My favourite figure is Stephen Black, and I was glad he got some good parts finally. My only complaint that I thought those 900 pages could have been a bit less.

>171 EllaTim: I also loved Fulco when I was young, Ella. Didn't know he had a statue.
The Lek brings up memories, my mother was born and raised in a house next to the Lek. My father lived in the next (tiny) town Nieuwpoort.
I have read Jacoba, dochter van Holland, but don't remember anything about IJsselstein in it.

>173 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita! Marc immediately made the link to IJsselstein and Vianen. I don’t know how old the statue is, but it has a distinct seventies feeling about it;)

I loved the river landscape, how nice to grow up next to it. Do you watch the book program on TV: Brommer op Zee? There’s a new book out, by Matthijs Deen, on the river Rhine. They talked about are you a river or a sea person.
We also visited castle Loevenstein, quite a sight as well, with the river so close, and the natural landscape surrounding it. Of course the boats would have been different, when Hugo de Groot lived there.

Jacoba: No, I don’t think it’s mentioned often, i looked her up on Wikipedia. It says that it was on the request of the citizens of Utrecht. Barbarian times. Two towns that are a mere 15 km apart? I will be looking for the book anyway.

Finished: 31. Moordenaar zonder gezicht by Henning Mankell (Sweden, police story) ***



It was a senselessly violent crime. On a cold night in a remote Swedish farmhouse, an elderly farmer is bludgeoned to death and his wife is left to die with a noose around her neck. And as if this didn't present enough problems for the Ystad police inspector, Kurt Wallander, the dying woman's last word is foreign, leaving the police the one tangible clue they have. It also could be the match that inflames Sweden's already smoldering anti-immigrant sentiments. In this case, unlike the situation with his ex-wife, his estranged daughter, or the beautiful but married young prosecutor who has piqued his interest, Wallander finds a problem he can handle. He quickly becomes obsessed with solving the crime before the already tense situation explodes, but he soon comes to realize that it will require all of his reserves of energy and dedication to solve.

Definitely a good story. A real mystery, unfortunately I found the writing style a bit dry, and factual.

Visited our friend today who had Covid and then a stroke recently. She’s been moved from hospital to a nursing home. It’s hard to see her there, she’s a lot younger than the other residents on her floor. The nurses are busy and often don’t have time enough for all the needs of their patients.
Our friend really wants and tries to improve, but has heard today that she will never be able to stand on her own, or move from hospital bed to wheel chair on her own. It must be so tough for her.

A visit to the cancer hospital. Scan results in, not decidedly positive, some change that could be nothing. Wait for next scan. Yuck, nerve wracking.

Anyway, yesterday, when i was home, I felt so aware of my good fortune. Having both hands and arms, feet and legs, in working order. Being able to make my own meals, in my own kitchen. I made an omelet, with vegetables and rasped potatoes.

After those scans it’s the same feeling, oh, another two, now three months added. We’re going to the beach, it’s a sunny day.

Maybe strange to write about it here, but writing helps me. And I don’t have to worry that anyone who reads here knows us. Don’t feel free to share on Facebook.

Happy Wednesday, Ella. We are the best support group in the world, my friend. Sorry about the inconclusive scans but glad to hear you are generally upbeat.



-Ruby-throated hummingbird

>177 EllaTim: Sorry to hear the results weren't decidedly positive and there's uncertainty ahead, but good to hear you're feeling good about your life and living it! A beach day sounds wonderful - we're having proper autumn weather here so no such things for me.
Take care.

So sorry about your friend and the scans. Keeping you in my heart and hoping for good outcomes.

>177 EllaTim: Sorry the scan results stay stressful, Ella, this way you keep on waiting for the next one.
Glad you still find ways to enjoy, like a day on the beach.

>178 msf59: Hi Marc. Yes, best support group for everything;-) Thanks for the lovely birdie.

>179 PawsforThought: Hi Paws! Sorry about the autumn weather in your place. We are, after a rainy summer, finally enjoying some dry and sunny times. We can use it!

>180 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you Reba.

>181 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita. Yes, it keeps you stressed. I am trying to put it out of my mind as much as possible. And enjoy the nice times! We’re planning a museum visit. Frieda Kahlo in the Cobra Museum in Amstelveen. But first have to organise these coronapass things.

>182 EllaTim: We went to the Cobra museum last Wednesday, Ella, just before the coronapasses were required.
We printed our coronapasses last month (as I don't have a mobile thay can be used for the pass), it was easy to do.
The Frida and Diego exhibition was great. We parked the car in Ouderkerk a/d Amstel and walked to the museum and back. On our way back we saw a spoonbill only 20 meters away.

>183 FAMeulstee: Nice! Isn’t it nice to be able to go to a museum again? And you walked from Ouderkerk? That’s quite a distance!

I hope I’ll be able to get those passes in time.

This summer we've had a pair of breeding Eurasian hobbies (falco subbuteo) at our allotment complex. They have their nest up in the row of poplars on the dike.
You can't miss them, they have this piercing shriek, and they are calling a lot, last months. Smallish falcons, hunting for dragonflies and small birds.

Placing a picture from my mobile phone is still a challenge.

I'm sorry that your husband's most recent scans were discouraging, Ella. I pray that the next ones will be better for him.

I'm also sorry to hear about your friend's highly disabling case of COVID-19.

Connie, Sanne (Ennas) and I saw the exterior of the Brabants Museum in 's-Hertogenbosch two days after we met you for the first time in Amsterdam in 2018. We were touring the city using a mobile app that Sanne told us about, Erfgoed 's-Hertogenbosch, and we decided to keep walking and not go inside.

I'll have a very brief stay at Amsterdam Schiphol next month, as I'll have to change planes en route from Atlanta to Lisbon, but unfortunately I won't have enough time to stop for a visit. My return journey on 4 November also passes through Schiphol, and if my November work schedule gives me more time off than I anticipate I may delay my return flight to Atlanta and stay in Amsterdam for a few days. I'll let you, Anita, Connie and Sanne know if I do.

>186 kidzdoc: Thanks, Darryl. Those scans are anxiety provoking indeed. But we had an earlier scare, that turned out to be nothing, so keep fingers crossed.

You have seen so much already! But the interior of the museum was worth it this time!

We’ll be waiting to hear how things go in November, would be nice to have a get together then.

>187 EllaTim: I hope and pray that the latest scans don't show anything worrisome. One of my parents' dearest neighbors who has breast cancer received quite a scare on, I think, a CT scan of her chest and abdomen early this year, but the PET scan showed nothing.

I had an absolutely lovely day in 's-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch) with Connie and Sanne three years ago, and considering how easy it was to take the train from Utrecht Centraal to 's-Hertogenbosch it wouldn't take much to get me to return to that lovely city and visit the museum.

Yes, I'll let you know about November as soon as my group's work schedule for that month is posted.

>188 kidzdoc: I am sure we will all look forward to a get-together, Darryl! Of course, hoping that this autumn will be better in terms of Covid numbers.

Nice day at the allotment, some sun, some wind, a lot of work (we are mowing the central field). Our hobbies showed up several times, and we saw a large bird of prey flying over. Bigger than a buzzard, but what it was?

^I love the look of the Eurasion Hobby, Ella. I had not been familiar with this falcon. I think you are lucky to watch a pair in your allotment.

>191 msf59: Thanks Marc! Good picture. We see them quite often, narrow wings, looking like a large swift in flight. Yes, it’s fun to watch them, and point them out to people who have never seen them before. We saw them today, there are lots of dragonflies active, so they have good hunting these days.

^Your hobby reminds me of our American Kestrel, another small falcon. They are not found in our neighborhood but I see them from time to time on my walks.

>193 msf59: Another beauty. I like those warm colours. We have our own kestrel, the Common kestrel. That’s our most common falcon, easy to spot as they ‘pray’ in flight when hunting.

The kestrel is a marvellous animal isn't it?
I love the book by Barry Hines and the film that it spawned. The books by Helen MacDonald and T.H. White about their falconry are also fascinating reads.

Hi Ella.

>176 EllaTim: I’m so sorry to hear this about your friend.

>177 EllaTim: >177 EllaTim: Oh my. The waiting has to be just terrible. I’m so sorry. But being aware of your good fortune and making an omelet and going to the beach are all good things. Hang in there.

>195 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul. I always like watching kestrels hovering in flight. Should like to read the book.

>196 karenmarie: Hi Karen. Thanks. We're doing our best to keep hanging ( so this is a bit too much for my knowledge of English)

Autumn has really started here. Yesterday morning we had some sun at the allotment. A nice working morning, ending with soup for all. And then it started raining, and it will be raining all sunday.
We bought some oliebollen to eat, and today I’m listening to music and reading. Sometimes a rainy day is nice.

For the bike lovers among us: this afternoon is famous Paris Roubaix. And it’s raining cats and dogs. Very slippery and bad roads. What’s the English word for kasseien? Cobblestones?
Twitter #ParisRoubaix

>199 EllaTim: I watched yesterday, Ella, the first time ever Paris Roubaix for women :-)
Lizzy Deignan won, and Marianne Vos was second.

>200 FAMeulstee: I missed it, but read about a bad fall for one of them. The finish for the men was spectacular.

I’ve been reading the Wallander series by Henning Mankell. Mixed feelings. Two of the three books I’ve read are set partly out of Sweden (Riga, and South-Afrika). Those parts didn’t convince me at all. I’m finding them boring, unconvincing. While the parts that are set in Sweden I do find interesting, those do hold my attention. It’s weird. Does he think Sweden is not glamorous enough? An ordinary police story not exciting enough?
Anyway. I found myself skipping the South Africa pages in the last book.
And it’s 440 pages! When half of them are boring. I was thinking about something like a satisfaction quotient. Amount of satisfaction divided by time investment needed …

And I feel like reading something cozy, what with the weather, and it’s autumn.

>202 EllaTim: Henning Mankell lived in southern Africa (Mozambique, I believe) for many years, that's probably why he included that in the Wallander book/s. He wrote several other non-Wallander books that were either set in Africa or touched on the subject in some other way.

>203 PawsforThought: Hi Paws! That explains a lot of course. But why is it that those parts don’t come alive, is it me?

>202 EllaTim: >204 EllaTim: I loved all Wallander books, Ella, and didn't mind when the story went abroad. De witte leeuwin was one of my favorites, together with Dwaalsporen. Maybe you were expecting a story in Sweden?

>205 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita. No, I don’t think that’s it. But it has to feel realistic. And I liked De witte leeuwin for the parts where Wallander is featured. There’s more emotion there, maybe. We see things from his point of view.

You are a much faster reader, than I am, maybe that’s it. I just start thinking how a book could be shorter, because it takes me so much time;-)

>204 EllaTim: I’ve never read any of his books, so I can’t say.

>206 EllaTim: That could be it, many times I want books to be longer ;-)

>207 PawsforThought: You haven’t? Not a detective reader?

>208 FAMeulstee: I used to like them long as well. Now I sometimes wish for an excerpt to read. No, in fact what i would like is a book that has something to say in a few paragraphs.

>209 EllaTim: I read tons of mystery novels, just not very many Swedish ones. I find the Scandi-noir genre very overrated. Most of the Swedish detective and crime novels I’ve read or looked through have been either bad or simply not interesting to me.

>220 PaulCranswick: Your view of Swedish detectives mirrors my view of Dutch ones:-) I remember you liking Agatha Christie, so do I. Any other favorites?

I am feeling a bit nostalgic this evening. My internet provider has stopped analog radio (FM). I listen to the radio a lot, I have a good tuner, and like classical music. And now I get a voice message, and no music. I found my old Nokia mobile phone, and have been using it all evening. Sound is not bad, but i keep thinking of my first radio when i moved out of my parents house, an old one, tubes radio, vintage style. It had a wonderful warm sound. Lots of stations, AM, Long wave, short wave.
Not every new thing is better. Have to buy some kind of replacement, all ugly plastic looking black boxes. Sound quality? Just a guess.

Here’s a song to remember by: https://youtu.be/r9qz_bnJVlw

>211 EllaTim: I'm very fond of the golden age mystery writers like Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers. I've also started reading Ngaio Marsh and am planning to start reading Margery Allingham soon too.

I think my aversion to Swedish crime novels is two-fold. Partly it's too close to home to feel believable. I know that Åsa Larsson's books are usually quite well-liked and considered well-written, but I have a hard time buying that they'd be that much crime happening in Lapland. I mean, Kiruna has a population half the size of the (small) town I currently live in, and we've had 3 murders in 20 years. The idea feels less likely than the murder rate of Midsomer parish.
Secondly, I don't like gory books. I'm a fan of both mystery books and horror novels, but I can't handle blood and guts and precise details about how the murder happened, etc. And a lot of modern crime novels are very detailed. So I simply don't read them.

I have actually been planning to read at least a few books by Sjöwall & Wahlöö (who more or less invented the Scandi-crime genre) and Maria Lang. But the modern ones I can manage without. And if I never have to see Camilla Läckberg's name or face again I'll be very pleased.

Hi Ella!

>197 EllaTim: ‘Hang in there’ is a way of telling someone to not give up, despite difficulties.

>198 EllaTim: Olliebollen sound wonderful. And yay for autumn.

>211 EllaTim: Ah, radio. I have a clock radio in the kitchen tuned to my one-and-only station, a National Public Radio affiliate. I also tune in to the cell phone app occasionally when I’m in other rooms.

I'm not a fan of scandi-crime. I've tried several authors and give up after one or two in a series. My one-and-only favorite is Smilla's Sense of Snow, but I haven't read anything else by Høeg.

I'm another one who doesn't like scandi-crime. Too graphic and dark for me.

>212 PawsforThought: Oh yes, Agatha Christie, I love her books. They are more like a quirky puzzle with lots of characters and things going on. Dorothy Sayer as well, but Agatha Christie has been a favorite for a long time. We used to swap her books, till we had read them all.

Good point, when things are set close to home you are bound to check and compare. And of course the murder rate of Midsomer Parish is sky high. Dangerous place.

I will avoid Camilla Läckberg, thanks for the warning.

>213 karenmarie: Hi Karen. How come you have only one radio station available? I have a choice between several, some dutch national, some commercial, and even BBC3, and a classical station from Belgium. That’s to say, I had this choice. :-(

I liked Smilla’s Sense of Snow as well. And the authors Paws mentions, Sjöwall & Wahlöö, who are less gritty.

>214 RebaRelishesReading: Hi Reba, we have that in common, it seems. Why does it have to become worse every time?

I started the Wallander series by Henning Mankell and read:
31. Moordenaar zonder gezicht by Henning Mankell (Sweden, police story) ***
32. The Dogs of Riga by Henning Mankell (Sweden, police story) ***
33. The White Lioness by Henning Mankell (Sweden, police story)
Mixed feelings about them. I liked the parts set in Sweden a lot better than the parts set in Riga or South Africa. In book 3 I started skipping those, as they felt so boring to me. Maybe I’ll pick up book 4, or finish book 3 later, but not at the moment.

Finished 34. Jacoba, Dochter van Holland by Simone van der Vlugt (dutch, historical novel) ****.



Historical novel about the life of Jacoba van Beieren. It’s set as written by Jacoba herself, while she was locked up in the old castle, the Gravensteen in Gent, by her cousin Philip of Burgundy. Only 24 at the time, but from age 15 she led an exciting and adventurous life. Struggling to free herself from oppressing customs of the time. Like having to get married for political reasons to someone not of your own liking at all.
Interesting for the view it gave me of life at the times (around 1420). But also for the story of her life as a woman striving to make her own decisions. The situation in my own country, with interior conflicts. Political unrest. How cities could take their own decisions and closed their doors to factions they didn’t want to support. War.
I started this book because we visited IJsselstein, where her name was mentioned as having ordered the town to be spoiled, when she was only 16. This incident isn’t mentioned in the book, but it’s obvious she was ambitious, and took part in a lot of fighting in order to get her rightful, inherited, position as countess, of Holland and Zeeland.
Looking back from our own age, I can only say how glad I am power isn’t inherited anymore, and close towns like Utrecht and IJsselstein fighting each other has become unthinkable. (With the exception of soccer matches)

>217 EllaTim: That was a real lovely book, Ella.

Catching up on threads or trying to.

>218 connie53: Hi Connie! Nice to see you here.
Yes, I liked it too.

And as I seem to be in the mood for history I started this one:

A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century by Barbara W. Tuchman



It’s a big tome, but I am 48 pages in already. It’s well written, engaging and interesting, and I’ve already learned a number of new things. Now chuckling about the class divisions, and how they tried to regulate what people were allowed to wear. (Not with a lot of succes if I understood well)

This is a non-fiction.

>219 EllaTim: Barbara W Tuchman is a favourite historian of mine, Ella. The Guns of August is definitely a top ten non-fiction choice of mine.

The Ozark Trilogy by Suzette Haden Elgin (USA, fantasy) ****



Actually this is three books:
35. Twelve Fair Kingdoms
36. The Grand Jubilee
37. And then there'll be Fireworks

I really enjoyed this quirky story. Set on a planet, that was colonized by people from the Ozark mountains. Only, here magic plays a large role.
It was a lot of fun to read.
In the first book, a young girl, Responsible of Brightwater, is going on a quest to try and find the cause of some magical “accidents”. A way to meet all of this world, and enjoy the people. After that the plot thickens, and there is disaster around the corner.

Strange, I remember posting on people’s threads, but it seems my posts have gone..

Still enjoying A Distant Mirror but looking for something light to read as well.

>222 EllaTim: I noticed you were very quiet, Ella.
I hope your next post do come through.

>223 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita! I did visit your thread, and complimented Frank! And then I couldn’t find my post anymore.
But I have been quiet, feeling tired a lot.

Found myself an easier read: Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones



Witches and warlocks, a castle, a sister who is a witch. It started interesting, and I am liking it.

>224 EllaTim: Ooh, nice! I really need to get back into reading Diana Wynn Jones - there’s a group read of Howl’s Moving Castle now in October and November so I’m doing a re-read.

>224 EllaTim: Well thanks anyway, Ella, at least you tried to post.
That one was translated as De negen levens and won a Zilveren Griffel in 1981. That is how I first found Diana Wynne Jones, and later I did read all her books available in translation.

>225 PawsforThought: >226 FAMeulstee: Hi Paws, hi Anita! How nice, you are both fans, love it.

Paws, in which group is this group read? I haven’t seen anything about it. Seems like a good one to participate in.

>227 EllaTim: It's in the Geeks who love the Classics group. You're welcome to join us! (I haven't even started yet.)

The thread is here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/335760

Happy Friday, Ella. The Ozark Trilogy sounds interesting. I had never heard of it before. Have a good weekend.

>228 PawsforThought: Thanks Paws. I’ll be looking for the book. Nice excuse for watching the movie again.

>229 msf59: Hi Marc! Thanks, and same to you. No, the Ozark Trilogy seems to be not so very well known. It’s a very feminist book, it’s more fun to read for women, I’m afraid.

>230 EllaTim: That was my immediate thought, too. I’ve been meaning to watch some more Studio Ghibli films, and I never say no to re-watching that one.

>231 PawsforThought: Studio Ghibli is worth it. I’ve watched this one ages ago, nice to see it again.

Ella, struggling to figure out your reading numbers for this year. 30?

>233 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul. Don't even try Paul, my thread is a mess. I will try to do some sorting soon.

And now I can add the Chrestomanci cycle, by Diana Wynne Jones. Lots of fun, and I read straight through.



38. Charmed Life
39. The Magicians of Caprona
40. Witch Week
41. The Lives of Christopher Chant
42. Mixed Magics
43. Conrad’s Fate
44. The Pinhoe Egg
All by Diana Wynne Jones, as contained in The Chrestomanci Series

Seven books, and all a lot of fun, interesting, sometimes grim. I enjoyed them so much that I read straight through the whole of this omnibus.
Interesting to see, how Diana Wynne Jones manages to make them all interesting, and all a bit different and captivating and fresh. Though she does repeat herself a bit as well. The theme of the untrustworthy uncles comes back quite a lot. I loved the last one, where nature and natural magic has a large place.

I’m having a bit of trouble posting, have to use my old iPad, as on the new one posting doesn't seem to work??Very strange.

>235 EllaTim: Ooh, I want to read those! Immediately going on my TBR list.

>236 PawsforThought: I hope you'll like them as much as I did Paws!

Finished: 45. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (fantasy, UK) ****

I really enjoyed this quirky, funny story. Wynne Jones is such an original writer. The moving castle is a memorable thing. But her protagonists are real people.
Story: Sophie is living a bit of a boring life, working hard in her mother's hat store. Not sticking up for herself. But then she meets the witch of the west, who turns her into an old woman. It's funny, because Sophie now suddenly feels herself free to not care so much for what people think. But of course she is very upset, and she runs away from home. And meets all kinds of interesting adventures.

I will start looking for the movie, interested into what Miyazaki has done with the book.

I'm having to deal with this strange LT bug. I have a new iPad, but I have to post from the old one, as LT is not responsive at all on the new. Nothing works in the Talk pages at least. Can't post at all.

>239 EllaTim: Have you signed in to LT on your new device, Ella?

I hope you can figure out the issues with your new iPad, Ella. What a bummer.

>241 msf59: I thought so Anita, but maybe I can try to check out and then in again. You never know what could help.

>242 EllaTim: It is a bummer, Marc. The new device is faster, and I'm having trouble loading the old one. Got to get this solved!

I’m so glad you liked Howl’s Moving Castle, Ella. I’m planning on reading the other books in the series after I finish re-reading and then on to Wynne Jones’ other books.

>243 PawsforThought: I really liked it. Is it part of a series? Isn’t it funny, she is a really English author, but we like her, Dutch and Swedish, and people in Japan like her stories.

>244 EllaTim: There are two more books, Castle in the Sky and House of Many Ways. I don’t think Sophie is in the second one, but Lettie is, and Sophie and Howl are in the third one. I haven’t read them, though, only read a bit about them.

I came across Wynne Jones partly because of Studio Ghibli and partly because of Neil Gaiman, who only has good things to say about her, and I trust his judgement.

>254 EllaTim: Ah, I thought it was a stand-alone book. I liked Sophie. And the book. But I’m not immediately tempted to read the next books. I am still looking for the movie! Have to get my DVD-player working again.

Oh, yes, I’d trust what Neil Gaiman has to say as well.

>246 EllaTim: I probably won’t get to them this year - too much else planned.

I hope you find the film, I know all of Studio Ghibli’s films are on European Netflix, but I don’t know about other places.

>247 PawsforThought: Hi Paws. Yes, other things interfering. I hope they are nice things.

I have a copy of the movie somewhere, I just don’t have a working DVD player anymore. No Netflix subscription and not planning on one either. Will start looking for a way to play that DVD.

Hi Ella!

Hope all is well with you and that you have your iPad issues solved.

Hi Anita. Yes, thanks, everything is working again. I’m a bit busy, and preoccupied by the Covid explosion here in Holland. Twitter is eating a lot of my time, as I’m so worried right now!

Started but not finished:
What Angels Fear by C.S. Harris

Recommended by my sister, I got more than halfway through, but it seems detectives are just not working for me anymore.

A poem I love, that came to mind after a discussion on the importance of nature:

" Ik heb van ’t leven vrijwel niets verwacht,
’t geluk is nu eenmaal niet te achterhalen.
Wat geeft het? – In de koude voorjaarsnacht
Zingen de onsterfelijke nachtegalen. "

By J.C.Bloem

Read:
46. Lifeboats by Diane Duane (fantasy, USA, novella) ****



A nice not too long novella in the Young Wizards series. To appreciate the story you really have to have read the earlier books in this series.
I thought the book a bit slow to start, but in it's core there is a really sweet story of befriending an alien. Recommended when you are in the mood for something not too heavy. (and for dog lovers)

Reading now:
Wat wij zagen by Hanna Bervoets

Our neighbour is clearing up her house, and gave me a number of her books. The book above is one of them, but there are a number of old ones.

Zwarte Sneeuw by Simone van der Vlugt (historical youth book)
Wintereis by Peter van Gestel. This is an original dutch book, but this book is a translation into German. What to do with it?
Wallensteins Tod by Schiller (old and cheap version, destined for the garbage bin)
De Herberg met het Hoefijzer by A. Den Doolaard
Verhalen by Arthur van Schendel
Marlene Dietrich Ihre Filme - Ihr Leben Heyne Filmbibliothek
Aufzeichnungen 1942-1948 by Elias Canetti
Les jeux sont faits by Jean Paul Sartre
Jeugdherinneringen by Jan Ligthart
Over Opvoeding by Jan Ligthart
Droomkoninkje by Herman Heijermans
Verzamelde lyriek tot 1905 by Herman Gorter (not even unpacked from the plastic wrappings
De Deltavrouw by Catharina van der Linden (poetry)
De Vrouw van het vloeiend gewest by Catharina van der Linden (poetry)
Nuclear Power: The Critical Question
Orpheus in de Dessa by Augusta de Wit

Our neighbour is rather elderly. She used to teach German language. It’s nice that she gave me those books, not all of it for me, but maybe some can go to a secondhand bookshop.

>254 EllaTim: A pity that the book by Peter van Gestel is in German, Ella, as it it a very good book. One of few that won all three major prizes (de Gouden Griffel, de Nienke van Hichtumprijs en de Woutertje Pieterse prijs).
En Droomkoninkje, I still want to read it again someday. My mother read it to me when I was 5 or 6.

>255 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita. Oh, wow. Yes, it is a pity. So that’s why the translation of course.

I want to read Droomkoninkje as well. How nice that your mother read it to you.

I just finished the first book of this batch.

47. Wat wij zagen by Hanna Bervoets (dutch) ****



The story of Kayleigh, who starts working at a company doing moderator work for facebook. She talks about the working conditions, bad, but she needs the job. She makes friends with the other workers, and falls in love with one of the women. All seems to go well, but then they start to go wrong. The job starts getting to them.

It’s not an in your face story. I feel I need to think about what happened and why. There’s an unexpected open ending as well.

The people in the book are forced to watch and judge those crap videos all day, and they start getting influenced by them. Most people don’t have to watch, they choose to. Is that even worse?

This novella was a bookweek gift. Well done, nice hardcover edition.

48. Zwarte Sneeuw by Simone van der Vlugt (dutch, youth, historical) ***1/2



Family of small farmers have to let their farm go, bad harvests. They move to a coal mining town, and start working in the coal mines. The story takes place around 1840, working circumstances were very bad, with people earning next to nothing, no insurance, and even small children had to work as well to make ends meet.

The story focusses on the oldest daughter, Emma. She accidentally gets locked up in the mine with the son of the owner, when an accident happens. In this way they get to know and trust each other. After they are rescued he tries to help her, but he can’t do much.

This is a good, interesting story, with even a bit of a happy ending. The only problem for me, while I was reading it, that I am so familiar with Alleen op de Wereld by Hector Malot, the french writer. It dates to around the same time, and has a similar scene of people getting locked up in a mine underground. And I kept thinking how much better I liked that one. Sorry, comparing is no good, but I couldn’t help it.

Still an interesting book, that I wouldn’t hesitate to give to a young reader.

Started on Wintereis by Peter van Gestel.
A bit weird to read a dutch book in German translation. But it is really good. A story that unfolds slowly. Set in Amsterdam, just after the war. Reading is slow of course, I have to read it almost out loud to myself, as that makes it easier to understand.

Hi Ella!

I'm drawing a line in the sand and going forward from here. I wish you a good Sunday and lots of good reading.

>260 karenmarie: Very wise Karen! Have a nice Sunday as well.

>259 EllaTim: That is a challenge to read it in German, Ella, I would not even consider it.
I hope you enjoy the story.

>262 FAMeulstee: Up till now I am liking it. It’s not as difficult as it would seem. It is a youth book, so no long difficult sentences. I have to look up a word here and there.
I can’t bear to throw such a good book out unread, so I am giving it a read. I don’t have a destination for it after that, unfortunately.

Started reading Naomi Novik.

Finished
49. A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik (USA, fantasy) ***



Novik is a good author, but this book felt like another YA school crossed with hungergames type of story. It is an interesting setting, but the amount of competition going on, and everybody looking out for their own interests. Okay, realistic, but real life has a lot of that going on as well. I did finish it pretty fast, as it was interesting.

I am now rereading His Majesty’s Dragon a golden oldie, that I am really enjoying again. The affection in the relation between human and dragon makes it a joy to read.

>264 EllaTim: Don't know whether that book is any good or not, but it is a beautiful cover.

Have a lovely weekend.

>265 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul! Yes, it is a beautiful cover. And a nice weekend to you as well.

We are waiting for a massive Covid surge. Lockdown reinstalled. Christmas with my mother will have to be postponed. Amsterdam is already swamped with omicron. I’m thinking of sending people small Christmas presents by mail. Unfortunately the shops have closed. We weren’t prepared for that, so today we didn’t buy any presents but a wheel clamp. There’s an epidemic of car theft going on as well.

>266 EllaTim: - Ella, I heard about the lockdown in your country, on our news tonight. Lots of restrictions here too, changing almost daily, as the numbers of omicron continue to rise. It's deja vu... :-(
Maybe with a lockdown, the car thieves will reconsider. After all, there is nowhere for them to go!

>266 EllaTim: Sorry to read that Christmas with your mother is cancelled, Ella.
As always we will have diner at my fathers place, although again not in the restaurant.

>267 jessibud2: Hi Shelley! This new variant is everywhere. So restrictions are unavoidable I’m afraid. Our government is calling it a strict lockdown, but it isn’t as bad as last year in Italy. Might be the same measures as in your place.

Those car thieves are in it for the money, and selling and dealing are probably going on as usual. I find myself eyeing all similar cars with suspicion, but that’s nonsense of course.

>268 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita. Good for you, that you will be able to have christmas with your father. I hope he is doing well at his new place.

Took a walk outside, it’s just beneath 0 celsius, enough to feel that it’s freezing, but I like that. And the sun is out. Bought “krentenbollen”, and black kale (cavolo nero) for dinner tonight.

I’m enjoying the second in the series of Temeraire. Need some fun and light reading, as I am still rather busy.

Hi Ella!

>266 EllaTim: Oh my goodness. How awful. Last minute lockdown, closed shops. I’m sorry but glad that you’re postponing Christmas with your mother. An epidemic of car theft on top of Omicron is terrible.

>270 EllaTim: Yum - just looked up krentenbollen and may make some when Jenna comes home next week for 4 days. It's hard to get currants out here without either ordering online or driving 30 miles to a specialty shop, so will use all golden raisins.

>271 karenmarie: Hi Karen! I was very sorry, but it’s really necessary. I am calling her more often to make up for it. Yes, the poor shopkeepers who lose their Christmas sales. I am going to order some books, to keep the bookshops going;-)

Krentenbollen in name, but in practice raisin bollen. My mother made them, for New Years Eve. Good memories. Have fun with Jenna!

https://pics.cdn.librarything.com//picsizes/d5/a2/d5a2ada47f63cf66369376c7a674368422f7345_v5.jpg 3x">

>273 johnsimpson: Hi John! Thanks, and a merry Christmas to you too. 🎄

Merry Christmas, Ella! I hope you have the very best holiday the circumstances allow and that the new year brings with it only good things.

>266 EllaTim: Sorry to hear about the lockdown. It is tough to be away from those we love. Hopefully, it will be the last lockdown for you.

Wishing you a peaceful Christmas.

Have a great holiday, despite the lockdown, Ella. Good luck to you all.

>275 PawsforThought: Hi Paws! Thanks and a merry Christmas to you too.

>276 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita. Thank you, and wishing you a nice Christmas as well.
Yes, let’s hope next year will be better. Who would have thought this would all last so long?

>277 msf59: Hi Marc! Love that owl. And a merry Christmas to you too.

Have a lovely holiday, Ella.

>280 karenmarie: >281 ronincats: >282 PaulCranswick: Hi Karen, hi Roni, hi Paul! Thank you for the Christmas wishes! And happy holidays to you too!

Love those socks Paul!

Started De Herinnerde Soldaat by Anjet Daanje. It’s a library book, and I have only five days left to read it. But it’s very good, so I’ll be trying.

I'm late to the game for holiday wishes but I will say an early Happy New Year, Ella, to you and Marc.

>285 jessibud2: Hi Shelley! Late or early never mind. Thank you, and best wishes to you too.

Finished the first two in the Temeraire series. Fun.

50. His Majesty’s Dragon ****
And
51. Throne of Jade***1/2

By Naomi Novik

Both of them are good fantasy, adventure stories. Naomi Novik has developed this alternate history very well. Dragons and Napoleontic wars. But the first book has this little extra of the developing relationship between Laurence and the young dragon Temeraire.
Good entertainment for the winter holidays.

52. De Lege Stad by Simone van der Vlugt (dutch, historical novel) ****

Interesting historical novel. WWII in Rotterdam. Starting with the bombing of the city in 1940. Seen through the eyes of a young woman. It’s a familiar story but well told, and with, for me, new elements.

>284 EllaTim: How is De herinnerde soldaat going Ella?

>287 EllaTim: I also enjoyed the Temeraire books back in 2010.

>289 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita! I really like De herinnerde soldaat but I had to put it on ereader, for easier reading. Always takes a bit of time, to do that. And in the meantime I started another Temeraire.

Will have to update my reading list, before the end of the year.

53. Winterijs by Peter van Gestel (dutch, youth) *****



Young Thomas lives with his father in Amsterdam, his mother has died. One day he befriends a new boy in school, Zwaan. He goes with him to his home and meets his family, cousin Bet, and aunt Jos. When his father gets a job in Germany, he starts living with this family temporarily. While the three children are getting to be better and better friends, we slowly find out what has happened to this Jewish family, their parents.
It’s all very understated. The children don’t talk about a lot of things. But it comes across anyway. A strong book, not light, with this sense of loss coming across so strongly. A very good book, my first five star read of the year.

>291 EllaTim: Glad you loved Winterijs, Ella.
Did you switch to the Dutch edition, or kept with the German edition?

>292 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita! Yes, I really loved it. I read the German edition, but I found it in the e-library as well in Dutch. I think I will give it a reread in dutch later, there was a lot to think about in the text.
I didn’t find the German very hard, as a lot of the book is conversation between the kids. And the translator kept pretty close to the original dutch. I had to look up some words here and there, but not too much.
And now I am looking for a destination for the German language book.

We will be spending tomorrow evening at our friend's place in the nursing home. So I'll be early to wish everyone:

I didn’t manage 75 books this year. But I might have started 75! A lot just didn’t get finished.

I read a lot of fantasy, and enjoyed it. Two discoveries for me: Suzette Haden Elgin, and Diana Wynne Jones!
For some reason mysteries and detectives didn’t do it for me this year.

I read some new to me dutch authors. Simone van der Vlugt.

I read and liked some books for children or youth. Might do some more of this.

Best two:
Non-fiction:
A paradise built in Hell by Rebecca Solnit ****1/2



Fiction:
Winterijs by Peter van Gestel *****

Next year’s intentions?
I watched a long interview with writer Yuval Noah Harari on dutch TV, interesting and fun to watch. Making it easier to start a book of his, as I feel I know him a bit now.

I will be following along with Paul’s ABC challenge. Maybe some of the other challenges. The january theme of the AAC challenge seems interesting as well. We’ll see.

And some dutch authors? Was browsing the December adds for interesting new books.

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Forget your stresses and strains
As the old year wanes;
All that now remains
Is to bring you good cheer
With wine, liquor or beer
And wish you a special new year.

Happy New Year, Ella.

>297 johnsimpson: >298 PaulCranswick: Hi John, hi Paul! Thank you both very much, and best wishes for next year. And the same to every visitor this year, the friendship and kindness in this group was heartwarming.