Anita (FAMeulstee) keeps on going where the books take her in 2020 (1)

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Anita (FAMeulstee) keeps on going where the books take her in 2020 (1)

1FAMeulstee
Modificato: Dic 31, 2019, 7:14 pm

Welcome to my first 2020 thread!

I am Anita Meulstee, married with Frank since 1984. We live in Lelystad, the Netherlands. We both love modern art and books.
I read (almost) everything, from childrens and YA books to more serious literature, mysteries, historical fiction, fantasy and I try not to forget to throw some non-fiction into the mix.

I stumbled upon the 75 Books Challenge halfway 2008, a few months after joining LibraryThing, and have participated every year since (except 2013, when I had a huge reading dip). This group is the best thing I ever found on the World Wide Web.

Happy reading in 2020!

--
These are the 18 books that I rated 5* in 2019:
         
        

De meeste mensen deugen - Rutger Bregman
Berlijn Alexanderplatz - Alfred Döblin
Odysseia - Homeros
Bede aan de zee - Khaled Hosseini
De shockdoctrine - Naomi Klein
Mijn haat krijgen jullie niet - Antoine Leiris
Mijn botjes zijn bekleed met deftig vel - Ted van Lieshout
Hou van mij - Ted van Lieshout
Driedelig paard - Ted van Lieshout
Ze gaan er met je neus vandoor - Ted van Lieshout
De Toverberg - Thomas Mann
De Thibaults. Deel 2 - Roger Martin du Gard
Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
Verhaal van een leven 2 - Konstantin Paustovski
Verhaal van een leven 3 - Konstantin Paustovski
Grand Hotel Europa - Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer
De regenboog heeft maar acht kleuren - Peter Pohl
We noemen hem Anna - Peter Pohl

2FAMeulstee
Modificato: Feb 28, 2020, 6:45 pm

total books read in 2020: 26
1 own / 25 library

total pages read in 2020: 8,690

--
currently reading:
De vertellingen van duizend-en-één nacht vertaald door Richard van Leeuwen, 118/3215 pages, started 2020-01-01
e-book: Ideeën van Multatuli. Eerste bundel by Mutatuli, 201/783 pages, started 2020-01-03

books read in January 2020 (26 books, 8,690 pages, 1 own / 25 library)
book 26: Eskimoland by Niko Tinbergen, 211 pages, TIOLI #3 (msg 223)
book 25: Zoon van het Noorden (Odinn's child, Viking 1) by Tim Severin, 320 pages, TIOLI #3 (msg 222)
book 24: Het moerasmeisje (Where the Crawdads Sing) by Delia Owens, 382 pages, TIOLI #14 (msg 221)
book 23: Het nieuwe land by Eva Vriend, 318 pages, TIOLI #9 (msg 219)
book 22: Vrouwen & macht (Women & Power: A Manifesto) by Mary Beard, 119 pages, TIOLI #14 (msg 184)
book 21: Moederdag by Nele Neuhaus, 475 pages, TIOLI #14 (msg 183)
book 20: Sovjetistan (Sovietistan) by Erika Fatland, 446 pages, TIOLI #16 (msg 182)
book 19: Buurtsupermens (Convenience Store Woman) by Sayaka Murata, 143 pages, TIOLI #7 (msg 181)
book 18: Anne van het Groene Huis (Anne of Green Gables) by L.M. Montgomery, 343 pages, TIOLI #7 (msg 180)
book 17: Erik, of het klein insectenboek (Eric in the Land of the Insects) by Godfried Bomans, 143 pages, TIOLI #4 (msg 179)
book 16: Ochtendwind (Dawn wind) by Rosemary Sutcliff, 254 pages, TIOLI #6 (msg 178)
book 15: De jongens van Nickel (The Nickel Boys) by Colson Whitehead, 271 pages, TIOLI #10 (msg 165)
book 14: Grensgangers by Aline Sax, 392 pages, TIOLI #9 (msg 164)
book 13: De verrader (The sellout) by Paul Beatty, 303 pages, TIOLI #5 (msg 158)
book 12: Een stille vlam (A quiet flame, Bernie Gunther 5) by Philip Kerr, 367 pages, TIOLI #14 (msg 156)
book 11: Waarom vuilnismannen meer verdienen dan bankiers by Rutger Bregman, 103 pages, TIOLI #14 (msg 155)
book 10: Het achtste leven (voor Brilka) (The Eighth Life (for Brilka) ) by Nino Haratischwili, 1294 pages, TIOLI #7 (msg 137)
book 9: Pompeii het dagelijks leven in een Romeinse stad (Pompeii: The Life of A Roman Town) by Mary Beard, 458 pages, TIOLI #14 (msg 136)
book 8: Stommelen stampen slaan (Spill simmer falter wither) by Sara Baume, 240 pages, TIOLI #7 (msg 134)
book 7: Stenen voor een ransuil by Maarten 't Hart, 177 pages, TIOLI #9 (msg 133)
book 6: Tirza by Arnon Grunberg, 429 pages, TIOLI #1, (msg 132)
book 5: Ziggy by Bram Hulzebos, 176 pages, TIOLI #9, (msg 82)
book 4: De legende van Swanhilde (The Half-Drowned King) by Linnea Hartsuyker, 508 pages, TIOLI #7, (msg 81)
book 3: Huishouden (Visitation) by Jenny Erpenbeck, 173 pages, TIOLI #14, (msg 80)
book 2: De Cock en dood door hamerslag by A.C. Baantjer, 133 pages, TIOLI #6, (msg 65)
book 1: Saga's van de Westfjorden en omstreken translated by Marcel Otten, 512 pages, TIOLI #5, (msg 64)

3FAMeulstee
Modificato: Feb 28, 2020, 6:48 pm

January 2020 reading plans
De vertellingen van duizend-en-één nacht translated by Richard van Leeuwen, 3215 pages
Ideeën by Mutatuli, 3846 pages

TIOLI January 2020
#1: Read a book whose number of title words equals the number of names you find in the title
- Tirza - Arnon Grunberg, 429 pages Libris 2007 (e-library)
#2: Read a book from a best of 2019 list
-
#3: Read a book in which travel is a significant aspect of the narrative
- Zoon van het Noorden (Odinn's child, Viking 1) - Tim Severin, 320 pages (e-library)
- Eskimoland - Niko Tinbergen, 211 pages (e-library)
#4: ROLLING CHALLENGE: SOLVE MURDERS WITH CLUES FROM PAGE 1
- Erik, of het klein insectenboek (Eric in the Land of the Insects) by Godfried Bomans, 143 pages (e-library)
#5: Read a book you didn't get to in 2019
- Saga's van de Westfjorden en omstreken - vert Marcel Otten, 512 pages (e-library)
- De verrader (The sellout) - Paul Beatty, 303 pages (library)
#6: Alphabetical Order – The author’s first initial preceeds the author’s last initial in the alphabet
- De Cock en dood door hamerslag - A.C. Baantjer, 133 pages (e-library)
- Ochtendwind (Dawn wind) - Rosemary Sutcliff, 254 pages
#7: Read a book by a woman author you've not read before
- Het achtste leven (voor Brilka) (The Eighth Life (for Brilka) ) - Nino Haratischwili, 1294 pages (e-library)
- Anne van het Groene Huis (Anne of Green Gables) - L.M. Montgomery, 343 pages (library)
- Buurtsupermens (Convenience Store Woman) - Sayaka Murata, 143 pages (library)
- De legende van Swanhilde (The Half-Drowned King) - Linnea Hartsuyker, 508 pages (e-library)
- Stommelen stampen slaan (Spill simmer falter wither) - Sara Baume, 240 pages (e-library)
#8: Read a book for the January CFF Mystery Challenge Challenge
-
#9: Read a book which you obtained in November or December of 2019
- Grensgangers - Aline Sax, 392 pages (library)
- Het nieuwe land - Eva Vriend, 318 pages (library)
- Stenen voor een ransuil - Maarten 't Hart, 177 pages (e-library)
- Ziggy - Bram Hulzebos, 176 pages (e-library)
#10: Humouress' January Birthstone Challenge - Read a book with a dark red cover
- De jongens van Nickel (The Nickel Boys) - Colson Whitehead, 271 pages (library)
#11: 2020 Vision - Read a book with a title word related to eyes or sight
-
#12: Read a book recommended to you by a friend
-
#13: Read a book, with something in the first sentence which was created according to Genesis on the different days
-
#14: Read a book with a LT rating of 3.8* or more
- Huishouden (Visitation) - Jenny Erpenbeck, 173 pages (library)
- Pompeii het dagelijks leven in een Romeinse stad (Pompeii: The Life of A Roman Town) - Mary Beard, 458 pages (library)
- Een stille vlam (A quiet flame) - Philip Kerr, 367 pages (library)
- Waarom vuilnismannen meer verdienen dan bankiers - Rutger Bregman, 103 pages (e-library)
- Moederdag - Nele Neuhaus, 475 pages (library)
- Vrouwen & macht (Women & Power: A Manifesto) - Mary Beard, 119 pages (library)
- Het moerasmeisje (Where the Crawdads Sing) - Delia Owens, 382 pages (library)
#15: Read a book written/published/set in any XX20s decade
-
#16: Read a book set in, about, or written by an author residing in a country ending in "stan"
- Sovjetistan (Sovietistan) - Erika Fatland, 446 pages (e-library)

4FAMeulstee
Modificato: Feb 29, 2020, 3:56 am

Reading plans in 2020

2020 reading goal: 200 books

This year I want to tackle some big tomes (1,000+ pages), goal set at 12 big tomes.
Reading my own books is not top priority this year, ROOT goal set at 24.

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

--
Big tomes I hope to read in 2020:
Dutch translation of the complete Tales from the thousand and one nights, 3215 pages
Ideeën (1-7) by Multatuli, 3846 pages
Man zonder eigenschappen (The man without qualities) by Robert Musil, 1785 pages
De razende Roeland (Orlando furioso) by Ludovico Ariosto, 1783 pages
De essays (The complete essays) by Michel de Montaigne, 1557 pages
De hunnen by Jan Cremer, 1419 pages
Menselijke voorwaarden (Human condition) by Junpei Gomikawa, 1428 pages
De kracht van Atlantis (Atlas shrugged) by Ayn Rand, 1373 pages
De geschikte jongen (A suitable boy) by Vikram Seth, 1366 pages
Jozef en zijn broers (Joseph and his brothers) by Thomas Mann, 1344 pages
✔ Het achtste leven (voor Brilka) (The eighth life (for Brilka)) by Nino Haratischwili, 1275 pages
Luitenant-kolonel de Maumort by Roger Martin du Gard, 1077 pages
Baron by Theun de Vries, 1016 pages

5FAMeulstee
Modificato: Gen 3, 2020, 4:03 pm






--
My readings in previous years
413 books (110,873 pages) read in 2019/1, 2019/2, 2019/3, 2019/4, 2019/5, 2019/6, 2019/7, 2019/8, 2019/9, 2019/10
534 books (111,906 pages) read in 2018/1, 2018/2, 2018/3, 2018/4, 2018/5, 2018/6, 2018/7, 2018/8, 2018/9, 2018/10, 2018/11, 2018/12, 2018/13
453 books (110,248 pages) read in 2017/1, 2017/2, 2017/3, 2017/4, 2017/5, 2017/6, 2017/7, 2017/8, 2017/9, 2017/10, 2017/11, 2017/12, 2017/13
253 books   (72,474 pages) read in 2016/1, 2016/2, 2016/3, 2016/4, 2016/5, 2016/6
  29 books   (10,079 pages) read in 2015
  17 books     (3,700 pages) read in 2014
  13 books     (3,692 pages) read in ROOT 2013
  53 books   (18,779 pages) read in 2012/1, 2012/2, 2012/3
  84 books   (30,256 pages) read in 2011/1, 2011/2
121 books   (38,119 pages) read in 2010/1, 2010/2, 2010/3, 2010/4
  78 books   (21,470 pages) read in 2009/1, 2009/2
130 books   (35,151 pages) read in 2008

--
Other lists
My best of lists on the WikiThing

6FAMeulstee
Modificato: Feb 1, 2020, 4:55 am

Series I read, a list to keep track

Bernie Gunther by Philip Kerr 5/12
1 Een Berlijnse kwestie; 2 Het handwerk van de beul; 3 Een Duits requiem; 4 De een van de ander; 5 Een stille vlam; 6 Als de doden niet herrijzen; 7 Grijs verleden; 8 Praag fataal; 9 De man zonder adem; 10 De vrouw van Zagreb; 11 De schaduw van de stilte; 12 Pruisisch blauw; 13 Vergeven en vergeten; 14 Metropolis

Broeder Cadfael by Ellis Peters 8/20
1 Het heilige vuur; 2 Het laatste lijk; 3 Het gemene gewas; 4 De kwade knecht; 5 De eenzame bruid; 6 De kille maagd; 7 Het vege lijf; 8 De duivelse droom; 9 De gouden speld; 10 Een wisse dood; 11 Een hard gelag; 12 De ware aard; 13 Een witte roos; 14 Het stille woud; 15 De laatste eer; 16 Het rechte pad; 17 Een zijden haar; 18 Een lieve lust; 19 De heilige dief; 20 De verloren zoon

De Cock by A.C. Baantjer 53/70

Erica Falck & Patrik Hedström by Camilla Läckberg 7/11
1 IJsprinses; 2 Predikant; 3 Steenhouwer; 4 Zusje; 4.1 Sneeuwstorm en amandelgeur; 5 Oorlogskind; 6 Zeemeermin; 7 Vuurtorenwachter; 8 Engeleneiland; 9 Leeuwentemmer; 10 Heks

Guido Brunetti by Donna Leon 13/25
1 Dood van een maestro; 2 Dood in den vreemde; 3 De dood draagt rode schoenen; 4 Salto mortale; 5 Acqua alta; 6 Een stille dood; 7 Nobiltà; 8 Fatalità; 9 Vriendendienst; 10 Onrustig tij; 11 Bedrieglijke zaken; 12 De stille elite; 13 Verborgen bewijs; 14 Vertrouwelijke zaken; 15 Duister glas; 16 Kinderspel; 17 Droommeisje; 18 Gezichtsverlies; 19 Een kwestie van vertrouwen; 20 Dodelijke conclusies; 21 Beestachtige zaken; 22 Het onbekende kind; 23 Tussen de regels; 24 Ik aanbid je; 25 Eeuwige jeugd; 26 Wat niet verdwijnt; 27 Vergiffenis

John Rebus by Ian Rankin 3/18
1 Kat & muis; 2 Blindeman; 3 Hand & Tand; 4 Ontmaskering; 5 Zwartboek; 6 Vuurwerk; 7 Laat maar bloeden; 8 Gerechtigheid; 9 Door het lint; 10 Dode zielen; 11 In het duister; 12 Valstrik; 13 Lazarus; 14 Een kwestie van bloed; 15 De rechtelozen; 16 Gedenk de doden; 17 Laatste ronde; 18 Cold case;

Konrad Sejer by Karin Fossum 4/12
1 Eva's oog; 2 Kijk niet achterom; 3 Wie de wolf vreest; 4 De duivel draagt het licht; 5 De Indiase bruid; 6 Zwarte seconden; 7 De moord op Harriet Krohn; 8 Een andere voorkeur; 9 Kwade wil; 10 De waarschuwer; 11 Carmen Zita og døden (not translated); 12 Veenbrand; 13 De fluisteraar

Martin Beck by Maj Sjöwall & Per Wahlöö 3/10
1 De vrouw in het Götakanaal; 2 De man die in rook opging; 3 De man op het balkon; 4 De lachende politieman; 5 De brandweerauto die verdween; 6 De man die even wilde afrekenen; 7 De verschrikkelijke man uit Säffle; 8 De gesloten kamer; 9 De politiemoordenaar; 10 De terroristen

Oliver von Bodenstein & Pia Kirchhoff by Nele Neuhaus 9/9
1 Een onbeminde vrouw; 2 Moordvrienden; 3 Diepe wonden; 4 Sneeuwwitje moet sterven; 5 Wie wind zaait; 6 Boze wolf; 7 De levenden en de doden; 8 Het woud; 9 Moederdag

Het rad des tijds (Wheel of Time) by Robert Jordan (and Brandon Sanderson) 6/15
0 Een nieuw begin; 1 Het oog van de wereld; 2 De grote jacht; 3 De herrezen draak; 4 De komst van de schaduw; 5 Vuur uit de hemel; 6 Heer van chaos; 7 Een kroon van zwaarden; 8 Het pad der dolken; 9 Hart van de Winter; 10 Viersprong van de schemer; 11 Mes van Dromen; 12 De naderende storm; 13 De Torens van Middernacht; 14 Het licht van weleer

Sister Fidelma by Peter Tremayne 1/18
1 Absolutie voor moord; 2 Lijkwade voor een aartsbisschop; 3 Moord in de abdij; 4 De listige slang; 5 Het web van Araglin; 6 De vallei van het kwaad; 7 De verdwenen monnik; 8 Dood van een pelgrim; 9 Vrouwe van het duister; 10 Het klooster van de dode zielen; 11 De gekwelde abt; 12 De nacht van de das; 13 De leprozenbel; 14 Moord uit de golven; 15 Een gebed voor de verdoemden; 16 Dansen met demonen; 17 Het valse concilie; 18 De duif des doods

7FAMeulstee
Modificato: Dic 31, 2019, 4:33 pm

List of Nobel Prize for Literature winners:
(in bold the writers I have read)

1901 Sully Prudhomme
1902 Theodor Mommsen
1903 Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson
1904 Frédéric Mistral
1904 José Echegaray y Eizaguirre
1905 Henryk Sienkiewicz
1906 Giosuè Carducci
1907 Rudyard Kipling
1908 Rudolf Christoph Eucken
1909 Selma Lagerlöf
1910 Paul Heyse
1911 Maurice Maeterlinck
1912 Gerhart Hauptmann
1913 Rabindranath Tagore
1915 Romain Rolland
1916 Verner von Heidenstam
1917 Karl Adolph Gjellerup
1917 Henrik Pontoppidan
1919 Carl Spitteler
1920 Knut Hamsun
1921 Anatole France
1922 Jacinto Benavente
1923 William Butler Yeats
1924 Władysław Reymont
1925 George Bernard Shaw
1926 Grazia Deledda
1927 Henri Bergson
1928 Sigrid Undset
1929 Thomas Mann
1930 Sinclair Lewis
1931 Erik Axel Karlfeldt
1932 John Galsworthy
1933 Ivan Boenin
1934 Luigi Pirandello
1936 Eugene O'Neill
1937 Roger Martin du Gard
1938 Pearl S. Buck
1939 Frans Eemil Sillanpää
1944 Johannes Vilhelm Jensen
1945 Gabriela Mistral
1946 Hermann Hesse
1947 André Gide
1948 T.S. Elliot
1949 William Faulkner
1950 Bertrand Russell
1951 Pär Lagerkvist
1952 François Mauriac
1953 Sir Winston Churchill
1954 Ernest Hemingway
1955 Halldór Laxness
1956 Juan Ramón Jiménez
1957 Albert Camus
1958 Boris Pasternak
1959 Salvatore Quasimodo
1960 Saint-John Perse
1961 Ivo Andrić
1962 John Steinbeck
1963 Giorgos Seferis
1964 Jean-Paul Sartre
1965 Michail Sjolochov
1966 Sjmoeël Joseef Agnon
1966 Nelly Sachs
1967 Miguel Ángel Asturias
1968 Yasunari Kawabata
1969 Samuel Beckett
1970 Aleksandr Solzjenitsyn
1971 Pablo Neruda
1972 Heinrich Böll
1973 Patrick White
1974 Eyvind Johnson
1974 Harry Martinson
1975 Eugenio Montale
1976 Saul Bellow
1977 Vincente Aleixandre
1978 Isaac Bashevis Singer
1979 Odysseas Elytis
1980 Czesław Miłosz
1981 Elias Canetti
1982 Gabriel Garciá Márquez
1983 William Golding
1984 Jaroslav Seifert
1985 Claude Simon
1986 Wole Soyinka
1987 Joseph Brodsky
1988 Naguib Mahfouz
1989 Camilo José Cela
1990 Octavio Paz
1991 Nadine Gordimer
1992 Derek Walcott
1993 Toni Morrison
1994 Kenzaburo Oë
1995 Seamus Heaney
1996 Wisława Szymborska
1997 Dario Fo
1998 José Saramago
1999 Günter Grass
2000 Gao Xingjian
2001 V.S. Naipaul
2002 Imre Kertész
2003 John Maxwell Coetzee
2004 Elfriede Jelinek
2005 Harold Pinter
2006 Orhan Pamuk
2007 Doris Lessing
2008 J.M.G. Le Clézio
2009 Herta Müller
2010 Mario Vargas Llosa
2011 Tomas Tranströmer
2012 Mo Yan
2013 Alice Munro
2014 Patrick Modiano
2015 Svetlana Alexievich
2016 Bob Dylan
2017 Kazuo Ishiguro
2018 Olga Tokarczuk
2019 Peter Handke

8FAMeulstee
Modificato: Gen 11, 2020, 8:51 am

Books acquired in 2019: 7

January (7)
Essay over de geslaagde dag - Peter Handke
Misverstand in Moskou - Simone de Beauvoir
Wandeling - Thomas Bernhard
Kali : een voorwinterverhaal - Peter Handke
De pensionering van meneer Bougran - Joris-Karl Huysmans
De Thibaults. Deel 1 - Roger Martin de Gard
De Thibaults. Deel 2 - Roger Martin de Gard

9cyderry
Dic 31, 2019, 4:23 pm


10jessibud2
Dic 31, 2019, 4:34 pm

Happy new year and happy new thread, Anita! Looking forward to following you into the new decade.

11Ameise1
Dic 31, 2019, 5:05 pm

Happy new thread, Anita. Wishing you a wonderful 2020.

12lyzard
Dic 31, 2019, 5:08 pm

Hi, Anita! - best of luck with your 2020 reading plans. :)

I have the Nobel Prize Winners pencilled in for a future challenge (I definitely don't need another one now!); I will watch your progress with interest.

13SandDune
Dic 31, 2019, 5:14 pm

Happy New Year Anita!

14arubabookwoman
Dic 31, 2019, 5:30 pm

Hi Anita. I missed most of 2019, but I see your amazing reading statistics continued. You listed The Thibaults as one of your favorites. I have that one on my shelf and hope to get to it soon.

15johnsimpson
Dic 31, 2019, 6:12 pm

Hi Anita my dear, wishing you and Frank a very Happy New Year from both of us dear friend.

16foggidawn
Dic 31, 2019, 6:35 pm

Happy new year and happy new thread!

17DianaNL
Dic 31, 2019, 6:45 pm

Best wishes for 2020!

18FAMeulstee
Dic 31, 2019, 6:46 pm

>9 cyderry: Thank you, Chèli, happy New Year!

>10 jessibud2: Thank you Shelley, I hope for a great reading year for all.

>11 Ameise1: Thank you, Barbara, all the best for 2020!

>12 lyzard: Thank you, Liz, we will see how my plans work out.
I predict that the Nobel prize progress will be slow but steady ;-)

19figsfromthistle
Dic 31, 2019, 6:52 pm

Happy New Year, Anita!

20FAMeulstee
Dic 31, 2019, 6:53 pm

>13 SandDune: Thank you, Rhian, the same to you!

>14 arubabookwoman: Thank you, Deborah, reading still goes great.
The Thibaults was an awesome read. Here it was published in two parts. I rated the first part 4½ stars and the second 5 stars.

>15 johnsimpson: Thank you, John, wishing you and Karen the same.

>16 foggidawn: Thank you, Foggi!

>17 DianaNL: Thank you Diana!

>19 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita!

21charl08
Dic 31, 2019, 6:54 pm

Happy new year, Anita and Frank!

22FAMeulstee
Dic 31, 2019, 7:03 pm

>21 charl08: Thank you, Charlotte, I hope you have safely arrived in 2020 :-)

23richardderus
Dic 31, 2019, 8:02 pm

Happy 2020 ahead, Anita!

24mdoris
Dic 31, 2019, 8:04 pm

Happy new thread and all the best for 2020 Anita.

25drneutron
Dic 31, 2019, 8:58 pm

Welcome back!

26jayde1599
Dic 31, 2019, 9:01 pm

Happy New Year!

27Storeetllr
Dic 31, 2019, 9:02 pm

28Berly
Dic 31, 2019, 9:43 pm

I'll put this here, too...



Wishing you 12 months of success
52 weeks of laughter
366 days of fun (leap year!)
8,784 hours of joy
527,040 minutes of good luck
and 31,622,400 seconds of happiness!!

29cushlareads
Dic 31, 2019, 10:41 pm

Happy new year, Anita, and what an amazing reading year you had in 2019!

30SandyAMcPherson
Gen 1, 2020, 2:02 am

Dropping a star, so I can fiollow you! Yes, this group is just the greatest thing. Better than any book club, for me.

My 2020 75-book challenge thread is here

31PaulCranswick
Gen 1, 2020, 3:28 am



Another resolution is to keep up in 2020 with all my friends on LT. Happy New Year!

32CDVicarage
Gen 1, 2020, 4:24 am

I have you starred, Anita. Happy New Year!

33susanj67
Modificato: Gen 1, 2020, 5:14 am

Happy New Year, Anita!

I have clicked on the Sister Fidelma series in your series list, and I now have the library catalogue open :-)

34FAMeulstee
Gen 1, 2020, 8:03 am

>23 richardderus: Thank you, Richard dear, happy New Year!

>24 mdoris: Thank you, Mary, happy 2020.

>25 drneutron: Thank you, Jim, thanks for continuing my favorite group!

>26 jayde1599: Thank you, Jess, the same to you!

>27 Storeetllr: Thank you, Mary, happy New Year. I think the library has enough books to keep me reading for many years to come :-)

>28 Berly: Thank you, Kim, good wishes are always welcome.
I wish you a splended 2020!

35FAMeulstee
Gen 1, 2020, 8:08 am

>29 cushlareads: Thank you, Cushla, 2019 was a great reading year.
For 2020 I plan more walking and less reading.

>30 SandyAMcPherson: Thank you, Sandy, happy reading in 2020.

>31 PaulCranswick: Happy New Year, Paul, may 2020 bring what you need.

>32 CDVicarage: Thank you, Kerry, happy New Year!

>33 susanj67: Thanks, Susan, the same to you.
Glad to be at service, I hope to return to Sisiter Fildelma in 2020 :-)

36EllaTim
Gen 1, 2020, 8:09 am

Happy New Year, Anita.

Happy reading! I like your reading plans for January.

37msf59
Modificato: Gen 1, 2020, 8:26 am



And Happy New Thread, Anita! Looking forward to spending another bookish year with you!

38FAMeulstee
Gen 1, 2020, 8:55 am

>36 EllaTim: Thank you, Ella, the same to you and Marc.
I got a lot of books and e-books from the library to make a good start into the year :-)

>37 msf59: Thank you, Mark, I hope it will be a splended year again!

39witchyrichy
Gen 1, 2020, 9:14 am

Happy new year! I have just discovered Brother Cadfael and have enjoyed the first two books. Ready to read more this year. Dropped my star!

40jessibud2
Gen 1, 2020, 9:20 am

Anita, your superpower is reading and your numbers are amazing! There really ought to be a prize! :-) It will be fun to watch you fly this year!

41harrygbutler
Gen 1, 2020, 9:40 am

Happy New Year to you and Frank, Anita!

42BLBera
Gen 1, 2020, 9:46 am

Happy New Year, Anita.

43Caroline_McElwee
Gen 1, 2020, 10:05 am

Happy New Year Anita, I look forward to following along in 2020.

44The_Hibernator
Gen 1, 2020, 11:32 am

Happy New Year Anita!

45cameling
Gen 1, 2020, 11:34 am

Happy New Year, Anita! I think my goal this year is to try and read more books from my overcrowded bookshelves instead of bringing more into the house.

46PawsforThought
Gen 1, 2020, 11:53 am

Hi Anita! Happy new year!

47banjo123
Gen 1, 2020, 1:04 pm

Happy new year, Anita!

48jnwelch
Gen 1, 2020, 1:32 pm

Happy New Year, Anita!

Looking forward to another great reading year.

49FAMeulstee
Gen 1, 2020, 2:39 pm

>39 witchyrichy: Thank you, Karen, happy New Year!
The Cadfael mysteries are enjoyable, I hope to read some more this year.

>40 jessibud2: Thank you, Shelley, I plan to fly a bit less this year ;-)

>41 harrygbutler: Thank you, Harry, happy 2020!

>42 BLBera: Thank you, Beth, the same to you!

>43 Caroline_McElwee: Thank you, Caroline. I will be following your readings.

>44 The_Hibernator: Thank you, Rachel, happy New Year to you and yours!

>45 cameling: Thank you, Caro, I intend to use the library more.

>46 PawsforThought: Thank you, Paws, happy New Year!

>47 banjo123: Thank you, Rhonda, happy new reading year!

>48 jnwelch: Thank you, Joe, so do I :-)

50karenmarie
Gen 1, 2020, 3:11 pm

Happy New Year, Anita! Happy first thread of 2020, too.

51tangledthread
Gen 1, 2020, 5:13 pm

Happy New Year, Anita. All the best in 2020!

52FAMeulstee
Gen 1, 2020, 5:46 pm

>50 karenmarie: Thank you, Karen, first day and first thread of the year, all happy occasions :-)

>51 tangledthread: Thank you, the same to you!

53EBT1002
Gen 1, 2020, 7:23 pm

Happy New Year, Anita! I'm dropping off my star and looking forward to reading adventures in 2020.

54quondame
Gen 1, 2020, 10:20 pm



Happy New Year, Anita!

55Familyhistorian
Gen 1, 2020, 11:39 pm

Happy New Year, Anita. I look forward to following your reading in 2020!

56FAMeulstee
Gen 2, 2020, 8:33 am

>53 EBT1002: Thank you, Ellen!
I hope we all find a lot of great reads in 2020.

>54 quondame: Thank you, Susan!
It took me a moment to see it were books in the picture ;-)

>55 Familyhistorian: Thank you, Meg!
I hope to read a bit less and walk a bit more in 2020.

57tangledthread
Gen 2, 2020, 8:43 am

reading less and walking more? That's what audiobooks are for! (but be careful if near traffic)

58ChelleBearss
Gen 2, 2020, 9:00 am

Happy New Year! Hope 2020 is kind to you!

59paulstalder
Gen 2, 2020, 9:59 am

60Carmenere
Gen 2, 2020, 10:54 am

Happy new year, Anita! Wishing you and Frank a delightful 2020!

61FAMeulstee
Gen 2, 2020, 3:29 pm

>57 tangledthread: That won't work, I walk together with my husband and we like to chat while walking. Besides I have no portable device that could do audiobooks.

>58 ChelleBearss: Thank you, Chelle, happy New Year!

>59 paulstalder: Thank you, Paul.
Lovely picture, did you take it?

>60 Carmenere: Thank you, Lynda, the same to you!

62ronincats
Gen 2, 2020, 3:49 pm



Happy New Year, Anita!

63FAMeulstee
Gen 2, 2020, 5:46 pm

>62 ronincats: Thank you, Roni, the same to you!

64FAMeulstee
Modificato: Gen 19, 2020, 7:45 am


book 1: Saga's van de Westfjorden en omstreken translated by Marcel Otten
library, e-book, translated from Old-Icelandic, 512 pages

started 2019-12-24
finished 2020-01-02
TIOLI Challenge #5: Read a book you didn't get to in 2019

Four 13th century Icelandic saga's translated by Marcel Otten.
De saga van Gisli (Gísla Súrssonar saga)
De saga van de Grindbankbewoners (Eyrbyggja saga)
De saga van de mensen uit het Zalmrivierdal (Laxdæla saga)
Het verhaal van Bolli (can't find the original title)

65FAMeulstee
Modificato: Gen 19, 2020, 7:45 am


book 2: De Cock en dood door hamerslag by A.C. Baantjer
library, e-boek, Dutch, no translations, 133 pages

started 2020-01-02
finished 2020-01-02
TIOLI Challenge #6: Alphabetical Order – The author’s first initial preceeds the author’s last initial in the alphabet

Book 53 in the "De Cock" series, police procedurals set in Amsterdam.
A homeless man is found dead, De Cock and Vledder suspect the family of his ex-wife are involved.
As always, good for some mindless diversion.

66cbl_tn
Gen 2, 2020, 8:07 pm

Happy new year! I see you're off to a racing start with two books completed already!

67swynn
Gen 2, 2020, 8:14 pm

Dropping a star and a Happy New Year!

68Copperskye
Gen 2, 2020, 10:14 pm

Happy New Year, Anita!

69richardderus
Gen 2, 2020, 10:18 pm

Two decent reads off the bat! Yay Anita!

70SirThomas
Gen 3, 2020, 10:09 am

Happy New Year and happy new thread, Anita!
And all good wishes for 2020,

71SandDune
Gen 3, 2020, 10:54 am

Happy New Year Anita!

72nittnut
Gen 3, 2020, 11:40 am

Happy New Year! Best wishes for 2020!

73FAMeulstee
Gen 3, 2020, 4:34 pm

>66 cbl_tn: Thank you, Carrie!
I was planning to read less ;-)

>67 swynn: Thank you, Steve!

>68 Copperskye: Thank you, Joanne, happy New Year!

>69 richardderus: Thank you, Richard dear, and finished #3 just now.

>70 SirThomas: Thank you, Thomas, wishing you all the best in 2020!

>71 SandDune: Thank you, Rhian, the same to you and yours.

>72 nittnut: Thank you, Jenn, all the best for 2020!

74Donna828
Gen 3, 2020, 7:06 pm

🌟 Hi Anita and Happy New Year. I like your goal to read the big books. I consider anything over 500 pages to be a chunkster. I just checked, and Ladies of the Club, which is near the top of my TBR pile, has 1,176 pages. It’s an oldie that came highly recommended by several friends. Have you read that one?

75lkernagh
Gen 3, 2020, 11:41 pm

Happy New Year and best wishes for 2020, Anita!

76streamsong
Gen 4, 2020, 12:35 pm

Happy New Year, Anita! I value your friendship and your book reviews here on LT. Looking forward to 2020.

77FAMeulstee
Gen 4, 2020, 6:53 pm

>74 Donna828: Thank you, Donna, happy New Year!
I have a stack of books with 1,000+ pages that I want to read, so I thought to make a plan to read one every month. Sadly there is no Dutch translation of Ladies of the Club, so I haven't read it.

Planned reads:
A complete Dutch translation of Tales from the thousand and one nights in 3 books, 1056, 1112, and 1047 pages
Man zonder eigenschappen (The man without qualities) by Robert Musil, 1785 pages
De razende Roeland Orlando furioso by Ludovico Ariosto, 1783 pages
De hunnen by Jan Cremer, 1535 pages
De essays (The Complete Essays) by Michel de Montaigne, 1474 pages
Menselijke voorwaarden (Human Condition) by Junpei Gomikawa, 1428 pages
De kracht van Atlantis (Atlas shrugged) by Ayn Rand, 1373 pages
De geschikte jongen (A suitable boy) by Vikram Seth, 1366 pages
Jozef en zijn broers (Joseph and his brothers) by Thomas Mann, 1344 pages
Het achtste leven (voor Brilka) (The Eighth Life (for Brilka)) by Nino Haratischwili, 1275 pages
Baron by Theun de Vries, 1016 pages

>75 lkernagh: Thank you, Lore, the same to you!

>76 streamsong: Thank you, Janet, LT friends are the best! I am looking forward to a good reading year with all of you.

78Ameise1
Gen 5, 2020, 3:38 am

Good luck with your chunksters and Happy Sunday, Anita.

79FAMeulstee
Gen 5, 2020, 8:08 am

Happy Sunday, Barbara, I will manage the chunksters if I am not distracted by other books.

--

(not my picture)
I just saw two Goldcrests (Regulus regulus) in the garden!
It is the smallest bird in our country, usually seen in woods. This was probably a migrating pair. No own picture, they were so fast moving.

80FAMeulstee
Modificato: Gen 19, 2020, 7:44 am


book 3: Huishouden by Jenny Erpenbeck
library, translated from German, English translation Visitation, 173 pages

started 2020-01-02
finished 2020-01-03
TIOLI Challenge #14: Read a book with a LT rating of 3.8* or more

The story of a house build next to a lake in the former DDR (brandenburg), and the inhabitants in the 20th century. Each chapter about one of the inhabitants and in between a few pages about the gardener.

Beautiful written, I have liked / loved every book by Jenny Erpenbeck.

81FAMeulstee
Modificato: Gen 19, 2020, 7:44 am


book 4: De legende van Swanhilde by Linnea Hartsuyker
library, e-book, translated, original title The Half-Drowned King, 508 pages

started 2020-01-02
finished 2020-01-05
TIOLI Challenge #7: Read a book by a woman author you've not read before

Historical fiction, loosely based on the life of Harald Fairhair (9th century) with adventure, vikings, a brother and a sister and many kings.
Enjoyable read, except for a few inconsistencies.

82FAMeulstee
Modificato: Gen 19, 2020, 7:44 am


book 5: Ziggy by Bram Hulzebos
library, e-book, non-fiction, Dutch, no translations, 176 pages

started 2020-01-05
finished 2020-01-05
TIOLI Challenge #9: Read a book which you obtained in November or December of 2019

Sport reporter, goes into harness racing with buying a young trotter named Ziggy.
Nice look into the Dutch horse racing and harness racing in decline.

83EllaTim
Gen 5, 2020, 11:51 am

>79 FAMeulstee: So cute! They are very hard to photograph, just getting to see them can be tricky, I often hear them somewhere up in a tree, without being able to spot them. So great, right in your garden.

84Storeetllr
Gen 5, 2020, 12:08 pm

Five books in five days! Keep it up and you'll almost double your goal, though I'm sure the chunksters you have in store will slow that down a tad.

>81 FAMeulstee: Looks interesting! I love that era of history (to read about; I sure would not like to have lived then).

85BLBera
Gen 5, 2020, 1:19 pm

>80 FAMeulstee: I loved Go, Went, Gone and have been meaning to read more by Erpenbeck. Five books already? Amazing.

86thornton37814
Gen 5, 2020, 2:16 pm

Happy 2020 reading!

87Donna828
Gen 5, 2020, 3:29 pm

>77 FAMeulstee: I read and loved A Suitable Boy a few years ago. I am patiently waiting for the sequel.

88FAMeulstee
Gen 5, 2020, 4:03 pm

>83 EllaTim: They were right in front of the kitchen window, Ella, and I happened to be there at the right moment ;-)
Half an hour later they were gone.

>84 Storeetllr: That was the plan, Mary, read less books and the about same amount of pages (or a little less).
My favorite book about that era is The Long Ships by Bengtsson.

>85 BLBera: The other books I have read by Erpenbeck were all good reads, Beth, and Go, Went, Gone was the best.
I can spend a lot of time on reading :-)

>86 thornton37814: Thank you, Lori, the same to you!

>87 Donna828: I remember you loved A Suitable Boy, Donna, and I thought to read it soon back then ;-)

89Storeetllr
Gen 5, 2020, 4:09 pm

Oh, that's so funny, Anita. I went to look at The Long Ships and put it on my Wishlist, and it's already there!. I wouldn't besurprised if you were the one who recommended it.

90quondame
Modificato: Gen 6, 2020, 3:38 pm

>81 FAMeulstee: I've only read The Sea Queen and found it a well done historical.

91arubabookwoman
Gen 5, 2020, 6:22 pm

Very ambitious reading plans, especially The Man Without Qualities. I have it on the TBR shelf, so I'm interested in what you think after you read it.
I read A Suitable Boy many years ago. A sequel called A Suitable Girl has been promised for many years. I want to reread A Suitable Boy when and if the sequel ever appears, before reading the sequel.

92EBT1002
Gen 5, 2020, 8:03 pm

Hi Anita!

>79 FAMeulstee: Those Goldcrests must have been so lovely to see in the garden! Such a pretty little bird.

>80 FAMeulstee: I was also a fan of Go, Went, Gone so I'll be watching for more of Erpenbeck's works.

93Ameise1
Gen 6, 2020, 12:43 am

>80 FAMeulstee: I've read that one a few years ago and liked it.
Wishing you a good start into the new week. I'm back to work today.

94kidzdoc
Gen 6, 2020, 3:46 am

Happy New Year, Anita! Visitation was my introduction to Jenny Erpenbeck, and I enjoyed it, and Go, Went, Gone was even better.

95FAMeulstee
Gen 6, 2020, 2:53 pm

>89 Storeetllr: That is funny indeed, Mary.
I read it after a cecommendation of Deborah (arubabookwoman) a few years ago.

>90 quondame: Sadly The Sea Queen is not translated yet, Susan. The inconsistencies were not in history, but in the story itself, could also be sloppy translation.

>91 arubabookwoman: Indeed ambitous, Deborah, but I think I can do it. We bought the Dutch translation of The Man Without Qualities right away when it was published between 1988 and 1991. My husband had read it in German for German Literature at school. He was ambitious in his reading back then.

>92 EBT1002: Very pretty and very small birds, Ellen. I never saw any in our neighbourhood before.
Erpenbeck is a very good writer, I also loved The End of Days.

>93 Ameise1: Glad you liked it too, Barbara, she is a very good writer.
I hope your first day back at work went well

>94 kidzdoc: Thank you, Darryl!
As I said to Ellen^ I would recommend The End of Days, not as stellar as Go, Went, Gone, still a very good read.

96FAMeulstee
Gen 7, 2020, 1:28 am

I'll be gone until Thursday for our annual short stay in Rotterdam for two nights. Tonight Frank and his friend Wilco have their evening together at "The Six Days of Rotterdam", the annual six-day indoor track cycling races in Ahoy. Before they go there, the three of us will have diner together.
Tomorrow some shopping and maybe a visit to the Chabot museum.

97ChelleBearss
Gen 7, 2020, 9:56 am

Enjoy your time away!

98Crazymamie
Gen 7, 2020, 10:15 am

Happy New Year, Anita! Lovely to see the mention of The Long Ships - I started reading that towards the end of last year and then got sidetracked. You are reminding me that I need to get back to it.

99Dejah_Thoris
Gen 7, 2020, 11:39 am

Safe travels, Anita!

100PaulCranswick
Gen 7, 2020, 11:44 am

>96 FAMeulstee: Wish I was with Frank as the Six-Day event. I trained a few times as a youngster with Sean Yates who rode plenty of Six Day events.

101paulstalder
Gen 7, 2020, 11:55 am

>61 FAMeulstee: yes, I made the picture myself, close to Basel in the Black Forest. I like the mood of the picture: Does the fog grow closer or is the sun stronger - 2020 may go either way, too.

102RebaRelishesReading
Gen 7, 2020, 1:52 pm

>96 FAMeulstee: Shopping in the Lijnbaan? Many years ago I worked in a office at the big traffic circle at the end of the Lijnbaan and spent many a lunch hour walking there. Old, old memories but pleasant ones.

103richardderus
Gen 7, 2020, 3:43 pm

Have a wonderful time away, Anita, and I'll be glad to see you when you return.

104Caroline_McElwee
Gen 7, 2020, 3:53 pm

>96 FAMeulstee: Have a lovely time Anita. The museum looks interesting.

105Ameise1
Gen 7, 2020, 4:23 pm

Oh, enjoy your Rotterdam trip. Looking forward to see some photos.

106ffortsa
Gen 7, 2020, 5:29 pm

Happy New Year, Anita. What an ambitious goal you've set! Enjoy it all.

107karenmarie
Gen 8, 2020, 8:24 am

Hi Anita!

Have a lovely 2-day stay in Rotterdam, and congrats on a good start in your reading for the year.

108PersephonesLibrary
Gen 8, 2020, 2:00 pm

Big reading plans - all the best and have fun! :-)

109figsfromthistle
Gen 9, 2020, 7:15 am

Have a wonderful mini vacation :)

110Sakerfalcon
Gen 9, 2020, 9:48 am

A belated Happy New Year to you and Frank! I hope 2020 is kind to you both. Enjoy Rotterdam; I still have great memories of our day there with Darryl.

111The_Hibernator
Gen 9, 2020, 12:29 pm

Hi Anita! I'm still working on Flannagan's series! Lol. I'm such a slow reader.

112cameling
Gen 9, 2020, 5:20 pm

I hope you're enjoying your trip, Anita. I have good memories of Rotterdam when I last visited 2 years ago.

113FAMeulstee
Gen 10, 2020, 6:36 pm

We had a good time in Rotterdam. We stayed at hotel Bazaar, in the Nelson Mandela room. This hotel has all themed rooms, before we once stayed at the Frida Kahlo room and others I don't remember right now.

Frank and Wilco enjoyed their night at the cycling races, we walked a bit along the Maas, visited the Chabot museum and went to Donner, the best bookshop in town, where we bought six books:
Misverstand in Moskou - Simone de Beauvoir
Wandeling - Thomas Bernhard
Kali : een voorwinterverhaal - Peter Handke
De pensionering van meneer Bougran - Joris-Karl Huysmans
De Thibaults. Deel 1 - Roger Martin de Gard
De Thibaults. Deel 2 - Roger Martin de Gard

--
>97 ChelleBearss: Thank you, Chelle, we did enjoy our stay.

>98 Crazymamie: Thank you, Mamie, I hope you get back to The Long Ships and enjoy it as much as I did.

>99 Dejah_Thoris: Thank you, Dejah, home safe and sound.

>100 PaulCranswick: Next time the event is in Novemeber, Paul, they changed the scedule. So if you are anywhere near at that time...

>101 paulstalder: The colors are also beautiful, Paul, the clear blue of the sky and the white snow. Fog always clears eventually ;-)

>102 RebaRelishesReading: For us it is down memorylane too, Reba, Frank was born in Rotterdam and I lived there from 1982, when I went to the Erasmus Universty, until 2005, when we moved here. Only briefly on the Lijnbaan, as Donner (the bookshop) and the Bijenkorf are on the Coolsingel.

>103 richardderus: Thank you, Richard, we came home yesterday. We had not avoided sugar while away, so Frank had a bit of sugar rush yesterday, we had to work hard to keep the peace... Today was better, I spend most of the evening catching up with the threads, still a bunch unread. Bedtime now, so I'll continue tomorrow.

>104 Caroline_McElwee: Thank you, Caroline. They had an interesting exposition: the drawings of other artists that were collected by Armando during his life. A nice angle into his taste. I didn't take any pictures, but the whole collection can be seen online at https://collectie.chabotmuseum.nl/armando

114charl08
Gen 10, 2020, 6:43 pm

Sounds like a great trip, Anita! Glad you managed to fit in a bookshop too. I just read a GN about Bousquiet, an artist I'd not heard of before. Thank goodness for the explanatory notes!

115FAMeulstee
Gen 10, 2020, 6:45 pm

>105 Ameise1: Thank you, Barbara, sorry no pictures this time.

>106 ffortsa: Thank you, Judy, I expect to meat my goals. Already started wih 2 of the big tomes.

>107 karenmarie: Thank you, Karen, as always we had a good time in Rotterdam. Finished a few more books, reviews will follow later.

>108 PersephonesLibrary: Thank you, Kathy, I hope to tackle those big tomes in 2020.

>109 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita, we did.

>110 Sakerfalcon: Thank you, Claire.
We stayed at hotel Bazaar, the place where we had dinner that day. We also have fond memories, hope we can meet again this year.

>111 The_Hibernator: I hope you enjoy them, Rachel, slower reading might be prolonged fun.

>112 cameling: Rotterdam is a great city, Caro. Please let me know if you ever go there again, or anywhere else in the Netherlands, I would love to meet you.

116FAMeulstee
Gen 10, 2020, 6:53 pm

>114 charl08: Thank you, Charlotte, we always manage to find the bookshop wherever we go ;-)
I am not sure who you mean by Bousquiet, maybe spell check mangled the name?

118msf59
Gen 10, 2020, 7:47 pm

Happy Friday, Anita. It sounds like you had a lovely time in Rotterdam. I would love to visit that city.

119ronincats
Gen 10, 2020, 7:50 pm

Welcome home, Anita! Glad you had a good time in Rotterdam.

120avatiakh
Gen 10, 2020, 9:07 pm

Hi Anita - I enjoyed A suitable boy when I read it a couple of years ago. I also read Sacred Games around the same time, more of a mystery crime type read but utterly absorbing.

I have a copy of Joseph and his brothers but no plans to read it this year. Will look forward to your comments.

121EllaTim
Gen 11, 2020, 7:13 am

>113 FAMeulstee: Glad you had a good time in Rotterdam. The hotel sounds like fun, with those themed rooms.

Nice book haul. I've never read anything by Huysmans, so I'm curious now.

122kidzdoc
Gen 11, 2020, 8:17 am

I'm glad that you had a nice visit to your old home of Rotterdam, Anita. As Claire said I'll always remember and be grateful for the lovely tour that you and Frank gave to her, her sister and me.

123kidzdoc
Modificato: Gen 11, 2020, 9:14 am

Hmm...I just thought of something. Fliss (flissp), Margaret (wanderingstar), her sister Vicki and I are planning to meet in Edinburgh in the second half of August to go to the Edinburgh Festivals, as we did in 2017 and 2018. There are no direct flights on Delta from ATL to EDI, so I fly from ATL to AMS on Delta, and take a KLM Cityhopper flight from there to EDI. I could fly from EDI to AMS, and stay in Amsterdam (or, better yet, Utrecht) for a few days, and meet up with you, Frank, Ella, Connie, Sanne (ennas) and, hopefully, Jacqueline (zjakkelien) and Mark (thorold) while I'm there. Fliss will be in Edinburgh from 18-23 August, so I would probably come after then...although I need to be back in Atlanta on Labor Day weekend to attend the Decatur Book Festival with several other LTers. Will you be around in late August? I could also visit Amsterdam before I go to Edinburgh.

ETA: Oh, good...Labor Day isn't until September 7th this year. I could definitely come to Amsterdam at the end of August.

124Caroline_McElwee
Gen 11, 2020, 3:41 pm

>113 FAMeulstee: I like a lot of those drawings Anita. Glad you had a good time, and a successful spree in the bookshop.

125FAMeulstee
Gen 11, 2020, 5:10 pm

>117 charl08: Ah, thanks for the link, Chalotte, hadn't heard of him before. Some intriguing works.

>118 msf59: Thank you, Mark, happy Saturday to you!
Maybe you can come over after retirement?

>119 ronincats: Thank you, Roni, it is always good to be back at home ground.

>120 avatiakh: Thanks Kerry, I have heard many good things about A suitable boy. Bought it to join a group read in 2017, but didn't get to it. The other book sounds interesting too.
The e-library has a copy of Joseph and his brothers, the Dutch translation came fairly recent, in 2014. I have loved all Thomas Mann books, so I am eager to read this one.

126FAMeulstee
Gen 11, 2020, 5:24 pm

>121 EllaTim: Bazar is a very special place, Ella, it was started by a refugee and he still has many refugees working there. I think there is also a Bazar restaurant in Amsterdam. Just checked, it is at Albert Cuypstraat 182.
Like Celine Huysmans was trashed because of anti-semitism in his work. I haven't read him yet, but Frank is a fan of both Celine and Huysmans.

>122 kidzdoc: Thank you, Darryl, we have also fond memories of that day. We stayed at hotel Bazar, the place were we had diner that day. They have the best breakfast in town :-)

>123 kidzdoc: Oh, that would be great, Darryl. We have no plans in August, except that Frank will have to work 2 nights a week. I hope this works out!

>124 Caroline_McElwee: So did we, Caroline. The most remarkable thing about the drawings was that percentage male/female artists was about 50/50. Yet way more male artists get their work into museum collections.

127EllaTim
Gen 11, 2020, 8:03 pm

>126 FAMeulstee: Really? I know the restaurant you mean, good food, nice ambiance, good prices. And yes, lots of refugees working there.

OK I'll wait your judgment on the Huysmans.

128SirThomas
Gen 12, 2020, 2:59 am

I am glad that you had a nice trip - and thank you very much for drawing my attention to Jenny Erpenbeck. The reading was a pleasure.
Have a nice Sunday.

129PaulCranswick
Gen 12, 2020, 4:27 am

All the restaurant talk is making me hungry.

Have a great Sunday, Anita.

130EBT1002
Gen 12, 2020, 2:48 pm

I'm adding The End of Days to the wish list, Anita. Thanks for the tip!

131FAMeulstee
Gen 12, 2020, 5:38 pm

>127 EllaTim: Indeed, Ella.
We have Tegen de keer (Against Nature) by Huysmans at the shelves. It is at the 1001 books list, so I will get to it one day.

>128 SirThomas: Thank you, Thomas. I am glad you enjoyed Jenny Erpenbeck!

>129 PaulCranswick: Did you have a nice Sunday diner, Paul?
Frank made us a nice traditional Dutch diner with stew, potatoes and green beans.

>130 EBT1002: You are very welcome, Ellen!

132FAMeulstee
Modificato: Gen 19, 2020, 7:44 am


book 6: Tirza by Arnon Grunberg
library, e-book, Dutch, awarded, Libris Literatuur Prijs 2007, no English translation, 429 pages

started 2020-01-05
finished 2020-01-07
TIOLI Challenge #1: Read a book whose number of title words equals the number of names you find in the title

Not my kind of book, I hoped until the end the story would improve somehow...

133FAMeulstee
Modificato: Gen 19, 2020, 7:43 am


book 7: Stenen voor een ransuil by Maarten 't Hart
library, e-book, Dutch, no translations, 177 pages

started 2020-01-07
finished 2020-01-08
TIOLI Challenge #9: Read a book which you obtained in November or December of 2019

First published book by Maarten 't Hart (1971).
Ammer grows up in strict protestant family. He loves music, but music is only alowed for church. He manages to get music lessons on his own. His teacher is homosexual, and gets into trouble because of his sexual orientation. Later in life Ammer discovers his own homosexuality.

134FAMeulstee
Modificato: Gen 19, 2020, 7:43 am


book 8: Stommelen stampen slaan by Sara Baume
library, e-book, translated, original title Spill simmer falter wither, 240 pages

started 2020-01-08
finished 2020-01-09
TIOLI Challenge #7: Read a book by a woman author you've not read before

An older man adopts a dog, they live through 4 seasons together.
It is a beautiful written book about loneliness, harsh sides of society, a road trip and a man and his dog.

135charl08
Gen 14, 2020, 3:05 am

>134 FAMeulstee: Sounds worthwhile, Anita - and I've not read it so I've ordered a copy from the library.

136FAMeulstee
Modificato: Gen 19, 2020, 7:42 am


book 9: Pompeii : het dagelijks leven in een Romeinse stad by Mary Beard
library, translated, non-fiction, original title Pompeii: The Life of A Roman Town, 458 pages

started 2019-12-28
finished 2020-01-12
TIOLI Challenge #14: Read a book with a LT rating of 3.8* or more

Reconstruction of Roman life in Pompeii, based on what is known, debunking some myths.

137FAMeulstee
Modificato: Gen 19, 2020, 7:42 am


book 10: Het achtste leven (voor Brilka) by Nino Haratischwili
library, translated from German, English translation The Eighth Life (for Brilka), 1294 pages

started 2020-01-09
finished 2020-01-13
TIOLI Challenge #7: Read a book by a woman author you've not read before

The life of six generations of women in a Georgian family, from 1900 until the first decade of the 21st century. From Tsaristic Russia, the Russian revolution, Stalinistic times and World War II, to the decline of the USSR and the Georgian Civil war.

138FAMeulstee
Gen 14, 2020, 3:25 am

>135 charl08: It was both lovely and sad, Charlotte. I hope you can get to it soon.

139charl08
Gen 14, 2020, 3:26 am

>137 FAMeulstee: Ordered this one too. Impressed it's been translated into English.

140FAMeulstee
Modificato: Gen 14, 2020, 4:28 am

>139 charl08: You picked the right books to order, these two and Jenny Erpenbecks Visitation were the best reads this month :-)
The Eighth Life (for Brilka) is a BIG tome!

141EllaTim
Gen 14, 2020, 8:04 am

>134 FAMeulstee: I like that title, but I like the English title better, and the translation seems somehow wrong?

>137 FAMeulstee: I confess to starting this one, and getting stuck in part one, unable to finish it. It is a big tome, so hat off for you finishing and liking it.

142charl08
Gen 14, 2020, 9:32 am

>140 FAMeulstee: Maybe I should look for a kindle copy!

143PersephonesLibrary
Gen 14, 2020, 10:48 am

I haven't dared to read Haratischwili because I heard her books are brutal. But she is on my wishlist anyway.

And Erpenbeck... yep I definitely need to read her!

I read Mary Beard's Frauen und Macht and enjoyed it a lot!

144SandDune
Gen 14, 2020, 4:55 pm

>134 FAMeulstee: I've had Spill, Simmer, Falter, Wither on my kindle for quite a while. I must actually get around to reading it.

145FAMeulstee
Gen 14, 2020, 5:03 pm

>141 EllaTim: I don't think there is a perfect Dutch equivalent for the title.
The Eighth Life (for Brilka was worth the time and effort.

>142 charl08: Probably, I was glad ro read it on the e-reader.

>143 PersephonesLibrary: I wouldn't say the book is brutal. Yes, there are a some cases of brutal violence. I did see them as unavoidable in a story taking place in the century of Russian Revolution, Stalinist times, World War II, and Georgian civil war.
I just got Mary Beard's Vrouwen & macht from the library last week :-)

146FAMeulstee
Gen 14, 2020, 5:04 pm

>144 SandDune: I think it is well worth reading, Rhian.

147richardderus
Gen 14, 2020, 9:31 pm

Happy Wednesday reads to you, Anita, to build on the successes before them. the 't Haart should be translated!

148alcottacre
Gen 14, 2020, 9:35 pm

>80 FAMeulstee: I really wish my local library had some of Jenny Erpenbeck's books. Sadly, it does not. Maybe one day!

Belated Happy New Year, Anita!

149Sakerfalcon
Gen 15, 2020, 11:37 am

>137 FAMeulstee: The eighth life is on my TBR pile. I'm glad you enjoyed it and didn't think it too brutal. As you say, I would expect a certain amount of violence from that time and place in history!

150FAMeulstee
Gen 15, 2020, 6:08 pm

>147 richardderus: Thank you, Richard dear.
As far as I could find there are two of his books translated: The raging of the whole world and The Sundial. I have not read those two yet. But I am sure the are worth reading :-)

>148 alcottacre: Thank you, Stasia, happy reading year to you!
I hope your library staff comes to senses and gets Jenny Erpenbeck books for you.

>149 Sakerfalcon: There is one rather though scene, Claire. You will know what I mean when you get to read the book.

151BBGirl55
Gen 15, 2020, 7:00 pm

Hi I found you! Have a Star.

152Kristelh
Gen 17, 2020, 5:57 pm

Have a great year of reading in 2020

153humouress
Gen 17, 2020, 10:14 pm

Belated happy new year Anita!

As usual, your reading is off to a great start.

154FAMeulstee
Gen 18, 2020, 8:14 am

>151 BBGirl55: Glad you found me, Bryony.

>152 Kristelh: Thank you, Kristel, the same to you.

>153 humouress: Thank you, Nina, all the best for 2020!
I planned to read less, and it is a tiny bit less this year ;-)

155FAMeulstee
Modificato: Gen 19, 2020, 7:43 am


book 11: Waarom vuilnismannen meer verdienen dan bankiers by Rutger Bregman and Jesse Frederik
library, e-book, Dutch, non-fiction, no translations, 103 pages

started 2020-01-13
finished 2020-01-15
TIOLI Challenge #14: Read a book with a LT rating of 3.8* or more

Putting economics back with philosophy, where it originally came from. First economic theories were a part of how the writer thought about the world, like Aristoteles in Ethics. Present day economic theories put economics towards physical scienses, but it does not belong there. Conecting moral and ethic with economics gives a more wide look at all influences. And of course Bregman makes a case for a more egalitarian society.

156FAMeulstee
Gen 19, 2020, 7:58 am


book 12: Een stille vlam by Philip Kerr
library, translated, Bernie Gunther 5, original title A quiet flame, 367 pages

started 2020-01-14
finished 2020-01-16
TIOLI Challenge #14: Read a book with a LT rating of 3.8* or more

1950: Bernie Gunther arrives in Argentina, together with other Nazi's. He gets a case that seems similair to a case he worked on back in 1932/1933, where the killer was never found. Searching around in Argentina he finds some horrific people, places and practises.

157karenmarie
Gen 19, 2020, 8:01 am

Hi Anita! I hope you're having a good weekend, filled with things you love to do.

158FAMeulstee
Gen 19, 2020, 8:27 am


book 13: De verrader by Paul Beatty
library, translated, Booker Prize 2016, original title The sellout, 303 pages

started 2020-01-09
finished 2020-01-17
TIOLI Challenge #5: Read a book you didn't get to in 2019

I had a hard time getting into this story, satire on American racism is hard to understand for a white European female. But I did get some of the (black) humor, and after a while the story grew on me.

159FAMeulstee
Modificato: Gen 19, 2020, 8:37 am

>157 karenmarie: Hi Karen, thanks for leaving a note.

Thursday we went to museum Kranenburgh in Bergen to visit the Aat Veldhoen exhibition. After the visit we had a nice walk in the dunes.
The next days were spend on reading and walking :-)

ETA: Now pondering on my next reviews, to be up to date at the end of the day.

160susanj67
Gen 19, 2020, 8:37 am

Hi Anita! I reserved the first Sister Fidelma novel from the library on New Year's Day, and I picked it up today :-) I'm looking forward to it.

161Coffee.Cat
Gen 19, 2020, 9:22 am

Hope your weekend is going well Anita!

162EllaTim
Gen 19, 2020, 11:49 am

>155 FAMeulstee: I still have to start reading Rutger Bregman but he is high on the TBR list.

>159 FAMeulstee: Glad you had a nice day in Bergen!

163FAMeulstee
Gen 19, 2020, 12:03 pm

>160 susanj67: I hope you like it, Susan. If so there are a lot more.

>161 Coffee.Cat: Thank you, Abby. I am having a weekend mostly filled with reading, what more could I want!

>162 EllaTim: Thank you, Ella, we liked Bergen.
Rutger Bregman is a good writer, I hope you get to him soon.

164FAMeulstee
Modificato: Gen 20, 2020, 11:32 am


book 14: Grensgangers by Aline Sax
library, YA, Dutch, awarded, Eervolle Vermelding 2016, no translations, 392 pages

started 2020-01-17
finished 2020-01-18
TIOLI Challenge #9: Read a book which you obtained in November or December of 2019

Three related stories set in East-Berlin, the main characters are all from one family.
1961 Julian lives in East-Berlin, and works in West-Berlin. One day the wall is build, so he can't go to his work anymore. In East-Berlin he has a hard time to find a job, so he makes plans to escape.
1977 Marthe and her brother Florian go to the university. They think some things should change in the GDR. Their thoughts are noticed by the Stasi...
1989 Sybille grew up with her grandpqarents. When her grandmother has a stroken and ends up in hospital, the doctors can'r do much. She thinks her grandmother would get better treatment in the West. She tries everything to get her grandmother across the border.

165FAMeulstee
Gen 19, 2020, 12:32 pm


book 15: De jongens van Nickel by Colson Whitehead
library, translated, original title The Nickel boys, 271 pages

started 2020-01-18
finished 2020-01-18
TIOLI Challenge #10: Humouress' January Birthstone Challenge - Read a book with a dark red cover

An intense read about a bright black boy in 1960s Florida, who ends up innocently in a reform school, where racism, abuse and corruption is rampant. Very well written, the story jumps forward, just before it gets to much. I didn't expect the twist at the end.

166Caroline_McElwee
Gen 20, 2020, 11:20 am

>165 FAMeulstee: I agree it is a fine novel Anita, and that the twist surprised everyone is a sign of skill.

167streamsong
Gen 21, 2020, 11:04 am

Hi Anita!

The Nickel Boys is such an intense read but so well written. I plan to read another by Whitehead this year - but for now I need a bit of a break.

I love that you had a museum visit and a walk along the beach. It sounds like a perfect day!

168FAMeulstee
Gen 21, 2020, 5:35 pm

>166 Caroline_McElwee: Indeed, Caroline, he is a very good writer.

>167 streamsong: Thanks, Janet, sometimes lighter reads are needed after intense reads.
It was a perfect day out for both of us. It is hard to believe I couldn't do all these things some years back. My life has changed so much since the agoraphobia is gone!

169richardderus
Gen 21, 2020, 5:41 pm

>164 FAMeulstee: What does "Grensgangers" mean exactly? I used Google Translate to find out it's "borders" but...that doesn't seem like a title Sax would've given a book about people in East Berlin to me.

Happy readings!

170FAMeulstee
Gen 21, 2020, 6:14 pm

>169 richardderus: Sorry, Richard, I have fallen from my habit to provide translations of Dutch titles. I will try to pick up again.
"Grens" is "border", "gangers" is "goers". So it means people crossing the border, in this case (trying) to cross the Berlin Wall.

171alcottacre
Gen 21, 2020, 8:33 pm

>156 FAMeulstee: My local library has that one. I will have to read it sometime.

>165 FAMeulstee: I own that one. I just need to find where it is located!

172FAMeulstee
Gen 22, 2020, 6:00 pm

>171 alcottacre: The Bernie Gunther books are good, Stasia, or at least the first 5. I hope to report on the next ones later this year.
I am sure you can find your copy of The Nickel Boys, it wants to be read!

173charl08
Modificato: Gen 22, 2020, 6:17 pm

Really enjoying Spill simmer falter wither, Anita. Thanks for the suggestion. I think the writing is perfect.

174FAMeulstee
Gen 22, 2020, 6:51 pm

>173 charl08: Thanks for letting me know, Charlotte, I am always a bit nervous to disappoint when someone reads a book I recommended...

175alcottacre
Gen 22, 2020, 7:01 pm

>171 alcottacre: I was wrong, I do not own The Nickel Boys. I own Whitehead's book The Underground Railroad. Oops!

176figsfromthistle
Gen 24, 2020, 5:23 pm

Just delurking

Have a wonderful weekend!

177FAMeulstee
Gen 24, 2020, 6:01 pm

>175 alcottacre: The underground Railroad was also a very good read, Stasia.

>176 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita, the same to you!
I won't be around much: tomorrow visiting my father and Sunday visiting our friend Guido and Endo (smooth Chow Chow, from our last litter in 2009).

178FAMeulstee
Gen 27, 2020, 3:54 am


book 16: Ochtendwind by Rosemary Sutcliff
own, translated, YA, original title Dawn wind, 254 pages

started 2020-01-20
finished 2020-01-20
TIOLI Challenge #6: Alphabetical Order – The author’s first initial preceeds the author’s last initial in the alphabet

In the 6th century the boy Owain and a dog are among the few surviving Brits after the last battle against the Saxons. Owain and Dog wander together through an empty city when they meat Regina. She also has lost everything, so they decide to travel together to Bretagne, where many others have fled.
But Regina gets ill and to save her life, Owain sells himself as slave to a Saxon. He serves his master well and slowly gets used to the customs of the Saxons.

179FAMeulstee
Modificato: Gen 27, 2020, 5:35 am


book 17: Erik, of het klein insectenboek by Godfried Bomans
library, e-book, Dutch, Dutch Canon, English translation Eric in the Land of the Insects, 143 pages

started 2020-01-20
finished 2020-01-20
TIOLI Challenge #4: ROLLING CHALLENGE: SOLVE MURDERS WITH CLUES FROM PAGE 1

Dutch classic
Eric, a nine year old boy, dreams about entering the painting in his bedroom. He meets the insects who live in the painting. The insect world turns out to be just like the human world, with nice and nasty characters.

180FAMeulstee
Gen 27, 2020, 4:22 am


book 18: Anne van het Groene Huis by L.M. Montgomery
library, translated, YA, original title Anne of Green Gables, 343 pages

started 2020-01-19
finished 2020-01-22
TIOLI Challenge #7: Read a book by a woman author you've not read before

I never read this book before, maybe I would have appriciated it better when I was young.
I didn't like Anne and her overly dramatic look at things, nor the very white and privileged kids around her.

181FAMeulstee
Gen 27, 2020, 4:34 am


book 19: Buurtsupermens by Sayaka Murata
library, translated from Japanese, English translation Convenience Store Woman, 143 pages

started 2020-01-22
finished 2020-01-22
TIOLI Challenge #7: Read a book by a woman author you've not read before

Keiko works in a supermarket, she started working there when she was a student. Now 18 years later she still works there, as she likes her work. Friends and family push her to make more of her life, a low level job and no husband is not a successful career. When a male collegue is sacked, and has no place to go, Keiko gives him a place to stay at her house. Family and friends are delighted about this turn in her life.
Satirical and funny view on Japanese culture.

182FAMeulstee
Gen 27, 2020, 4:46 am


book 20: Sovjetistan by Erika Fatland
library, e-book, non-fiction, translated from Norwegian, English translation Sovietistan, 446 pages

started 2020-01-15
finished 2020-01-24
TIOLI Challenge #16: Read a book set in, about, or written by an author residing in a country ending in "stan"

Sovietistan: A journey through Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan is exact what the title says, Norwegian journalist Erika Fatland travels through these former Soviet countries. As journalists are not welcome, she travels on tourist visa.
Her travelogue is larded with history of Central-Asia, the present rulers (most are president/dictator, who rule harsh), and cultural peculiarities.
I learned a lot, and searched the web regular to learn more about briefly touched tidbits.

183FAMeulstee
Modificato: Gen 27, 2020, 4:59 am


book 21: Moederdag by Nele Neuhaus
library, translated from German, no English translation, 475 pages

started 2020-01-23
finished 2020-01-26
TIOLI Challenge #14: Read a book with a LT rating of 3.8* or more

Ninth book in the Bodenstein & Kirchhoff series, German police.
An old man is found dead several days after he died. At first it seems a simple case, but then the bodies of three women are found beneath the dog kennel. Oliver Von Bodenstein and Pia Sander and their team find more cases that are similair and start hunting a serial killer, to prevent a next murder.
Again a thrilling installment in this series. This was the most recent book, so no next one in sight yet.

184FAMeulstee
Gen 27, 2020, 5:30 am


book 22: Vrouwen & macht : een manifest by Mary Beard
library, non-fiction, translated, original title Women & Power: A Manifesto, 119 pages

started 2020-01-24
finished 2020-01-27
TIOLI Challenge #14: Read a book with a LT rating of 3.8* or more

This book contains two of Mary Beards lectures, The Public Voice Of Women (2014) and Women in Power (2017).
She uses her wide knowledge of ancient Greek and Roman culture to find the roots of oppressing women. And how these old ideas still dominate our Western culture.

185humouress
Modificato: Gen 27, 2020, 5:51 am

>168 FAMeulstee: That’s good news.

>180 FAMeulstee: Oh Anita! I may never be able to speak to you again. Anne of Green Gables is one of my favourite books.

Of course, I first read it when I was in school, about the same age as Anne; but those were not the impressions I took away. I suppose it’s all about perception. And nostalgia.

186FAMeulstee
Gen 27, 2020, 6:42 am

>185 humouress: I can totally understand Anne as childhood favourite, Nina, but the more I read the more critical I become.
Some of my childhood favorites would not stand either, if they would be first time reads. When I read them again it isn't just the story that gets to me, but also the feelings I had when I read them before.

187PaulCranswick
Gen 27, 2020, 6:56 am

Just doing my first rounds since arriving back in Malaysia, Anita. Nice to see you are reading as slowly as ever!

188EllaTim
Gen 27, 2020, 3:39 pm

>184 FAMeulstee: Interesting! I would love to read this. I'm still stranded halfway in the Iliad, and yes, male culture everywhere, with Zeus as the Big Boss. And everyone fighting and killing. But it is what they have given children to read, more than that, it was an example.

I hope you had a nice weekend visiting friends:-)

189richardderus
Gen 27, 2020, 4:10 pm

>179 FAMeulstee:, >182 FAMeulstee: *ow*ow*ow*
Book-bulleted!

>181 FAMeulstee: Ha! I'm glad you enjoyed the book as much as I did.

>184 FAMeulstee: Luckily, I already possess this book, so *nyah* I dodged one!

190sirfurboy
Gen 28, 2020, 6:50 am

I look away for a couple of weeks and come back to fine you are already at 189 messages and 22 books! Hmm.

I have saved two to my TBR. The Rosemary Sutcliffe novel, and Erik, of het klein insectenboek. Thanks :)

191johnsimpson
Gen 28, 2020, 3:48 pm

Hi Anita my dear, thank you for posting the picture of Felix for me and sorting my problem out, hope you and Frank are both well and send love and hugs to both of you from both of us dear friend.

192streamsong
Gen 28, 2020, 5:13 pm

Waving hello!

It looks like Erika Fatland's books haven't been translated into English. That's too bad. I know so little about those countries.

193humouress
Gen 28, 2020, 9:11 pm

>190 sirfurboy: She does that, you know. You have to keep your eye on this one.

194FAMeulstee
Gen 29, 2020, 5:09 am

>187 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul.
I really try hard to read less!!! ;-)

>188 EllaTim: Thank you, Ella, The Mary Beard book is a short read. Our weekend visits were good.
A very big surprise/scare, my father said he would come over for my birthday next week. He hasn't been here since my mother got immobile, I think 7 or 8 years ago... We aren't used to visitors anymore, so we'll see how it turns out.
With Guido we booked a midweek in March at the Landal Park near the Lauwersmeer. We will walk the first two trails of the Pieterpad and Guido will bring us to the starting point and pick us up at the end of the trail. If this works out we might do the next two trails later this year.

>189 richardderus: *Big smile* happy to return some bullets, Richard ;-)
If you got Women & Power then read it. It is clever and good.

195FAMeulstee
Gen 29, 2020, 5:18 am

>190 sirfurboy: Thanks, Stephen, I tried to slow down and failed ;-)
You are very welcome, I hope to see them at your thread someday.

>191 johnsimpson: You are welcome, John. Felix is adorable, so I understood you wanted to show him.
Here all is well, I hope it is the same with you and Karen.

>192 streamsong: Thanks, Janet *waving back*
Here at LT there are two English editions catalogued, but I don't know if they are available in UK or US:
Sovietistan: A Journey Through Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan/Fatland, Erika/ISBN 0857057774
Sovietistan: Travels in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan/Fatland, Erika/ISBN 1643133268
I hope you can find a copy.

>193 humouress: Hi, Nina!

196Sakerfalcon
Gen 29, 2020, 6:53 am

>182 FAMeulstee:, >195 FAMeulstee: I saw Sovietistan in Waterstones (UK bookshop chain) recently so it's definitely available here. It's on my wishlist, so I'm glad you enjoyed it.

197karenmarie
Gen 30, 2020, 1:18 pm

Hi Anita!

Whizzing along with the books as usual, I see.

198charl08
Gen 30, 2020, 1:37 pm

I am enjoying the variety of reading here, although sad you didn't like Anne. I'm sure you're right about the link to childhood nostalgia though!

199nittnut
Gen 30, 2020, 1:51 pm

Hi Anita. Your walk in the Pieterpad sounds lovely. I had a good look at the trails and I've added that to my bucket list of places to go someday. Good luck with somewhat unexpected visitors! I hope it turns out better than expected. :)

200FAMeulstee
Gen 31, 2020, 6:21 pm

>196 Sakerfalcon: Thanks, Claire, glad it it is available. I knew next to nothing about those Central-Asian countries, so it was an interesting read.

>197 karenmarie: Thank you, Karen. it is a little less as usual. With this rate I am heading for 300 this year.

>198 charl08: Can't like them all the same, Charlotte, I can see what others like about her.

>199 nittnut: Thanks, Jenn, we are looking forward to our start at the Pieterpad!
We will see how it goes Monday, my father is always nice company.

--
Because of my fathers unexpected visit next Monday, I went in cleaning mode, cleaning windows (my father has only seen pictures of the "new" windows that were installed in 2014), washing curtains, dusting, vacuming... So I have little time left to read books and threads.

I will catch up with my reviews and reading threads after my birthday on Monday the 3rd.

201jnwelch
Gen 31, 2020, 6:22 pm

I'm glad you liked Convenience Store Woman, Anita. Such an oddball book, and so good.

202EllaTim
Gen 31, 2020, 8:55 pm

>194 FAMeulstee: Sounds like good plans, Anita. Lauwersmeer is really worth a visit, and having Guido along too.

Wishing you a nice visit with your father! It must mean that he is doing better. So good luck with all the needed cleaning, but I hope it turns out all for the best.

203humouress
Gen 31, 2020, 11:38 pm

Your father’s visit and your visit to Endo sound exciting Anita.

And happy birthday in advance!

204Storeetllr
Feb 1, 2020, 2:20 pm

>136 FAMeulstee: Sounds like a very interesting book. I've always been interested in ancient Rome and, since I visited Pompeii and Herculaneum back in 2003, in what happened to those cities in the Vesuvius eruption especially.

>165 FAMeulstee: I know I need to read Nickel Boys but it's too intense for me just now so am going to wait until I'm fully recovered. Until then, it's light reading for me.

>184 FAMeulstee: Here's another book that I'm putting on the TBR list.

Huh, three BBs in one visit. Coming to your thread can be a dangerous thing, Anita! :)

205Familyhistorian
Feb 2, 2020, 8:37 pm

I had to laugh at all the frenzied cleaning, Anita. I do the same thing. Have a wonderful birthday visit.

206SirThomas
Feb 3, 2020, 2:27 am

Happy Birthday, Anita!
I wish you and yours a wonderful day.

207charl08
Feb 3, 2020, 7:53 am

>200 FAMeulstee: Hope the visit goes well Anita. I have put off a big clean up, as it turns out my friend can't make it for a visit after all (!!).

208jessibud2
Feb 3, 2020, 8:02 am

Happy birthday, Anita. Wishing you a wonderful day.

I used to tell my mum that she needed to visit more often as that was the only time I ever did a real thorough clean-up!

209figsfromthistle
Feb 3, 2020, 9:02 am

Happy Birthday!!

210RebaRelishesReading
Feb 3, 2020, 12:29 pm

Gelukkig verjaardag!

211richardderus
Feb 3, 2020, 1:42 pm

Adding my birthday wishes!

212EllaTim
Modificato: Feb 3, 2020, 2:20 pm

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Anita! (I can't sing, so you'll have to add the sound yourself)

213FAMeulstee
Feb 3, 2020, 4:06 pm

>201 jnwelch: Thank you, Joe, Convenience Store Woman was more serious and more fun than I expected.

>202 EllaTim: We were very happy that Guido offered to drive us to the Pieterpad trail, Ella. So we don't have to worry about not getting to the end of the trail that day (where the public transportation is).
Our house hasn't been this clean in years! ;-)

>203 humouress: Thank you, Nina, it was a good day today.

>204 Storeetllr: You are welcome, Mary, always happy to pass good reads along :-)
Mary Beard's Pompeii was good, her book about the Roman Empire SPQR was even a little bit better. Both recommended reads.
The brilliant part of The Nickel Boys is that Whitehead stops before it gets too heavy to read on.
And again a Mary Beard book, she is very good.

>205 Familyhistorian: I am glad not to be the only one, Meg. Although I admit cleaning more thorough when my mother was still alive...

>206 SirThomas: Thank you, Thomas, we had a good day.

214FAMeulstee
Feb 3, 2020, 4:14 pm

>207 charl08: Thank you, Charlotte, it was a lot easier with only my dad visiting. Most of the tension on birthdays used to come from my mother.
Maybe a next visit works out into cleaning ;-)

>208 jessibud2: Thank you, Shelley.
I didn't know it was so common, cleaning spurs before visitors arrive! Somehow a mother/daughter thing? I never heard my brothers about it. And as I said to Meg, I was more thorough when my mother was still alive.

>209 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita!

>210 RebaRelishesReading: Dank je, Reba!

>211 richardderus: Thank you, Richard dear!

>212 EllaTim: Thank you, Ella, I can hear it inside my head :-)

215foggidawn
Feb 3, 2020, 4:28 pm

>214 FAMeulstee: I know I do a more thorough cleaning job before my mom visits!

216FAMeulstee
Modificato: Feb 3, 2020, 4:35 pm

Well, I survived long enough to become 57 years old today ;-)
Despite that feels way too old, I had a wonderfull birthday. I hadn't had any visitors on my birthday since 2012 (my father keeps track of everything, so on arrival he told us he hadn't been to Lelystad since June 2012), so it was a big thing that my father came.


We had coffee, with the famous and delicious hazelnut pie^ from patisserie Maison Kelder in The Hague, that my father brought. Frank made us lunch, and had to leave then as he had a work related meeting. My father and I talked a bit and took a short walk in the neighborhood. His age starts to show, he always walked a lot, but now he only manages short distances. He even said he was considering using a walker. Only two moths ago he almost got angry when I suggested a walker might make walking easier for him...

217FAMeulstee
Modificato: Feb 3, 2020, 4:32 pm

>215 foggidawn: LOL, it never occured to me this was so common!

ETA: Do we need to convince our mothers they raised us well in the cleaning department? Or is it something else?

218foggidawn
Feb 3, 2020, 4:45 pm

>217 FAMeulstee: I think that's it! I don't expect that my mother will criticize my cleaning, but perhaps I want her to be proud? I laugh, sometimes, at the contrast between my childhood bedroom (it was always chaos; getting me to clean it was like pulling teeth) and my house now (usually pretty tidy, especially when guests are coming over).

219FAMeulstee
Modificato: Feb 12, 2020, 7:05 pm


book 23: Het nieuwe land : het verhaal van een polder die perfect moest zijn by Eva Vriend
library, non-fiction, Dutch, no translations, 318 pages

started 2020-01-26
finished 2020-01-28
TIOLI Challenge #9: Read a book which you obtained in November or December of 2019

Eva Vriend was born in the Noordoostpolder, a part of the province Flevoland (where I live). This is the oldest part of the province, the land fell dry in 1942. After the war farmers were selected to get land in the Noordoostpolder. It was a tough selection and Eva Vriend wants to get the stories of farmers who did NOT get a farm on the new land.

Title translated: The new land : the story of a polder that should be perfect

220FAMeulstee
Feb 3, 2020, 4:56 pm

>218 foggidawn: My mother was pretty harsh in the cleaning department. I had to clean my own room once a week, and if it was not good enough in my mothers eyes, she would throuw EVERYTHING on the floor, and I had to start over all again. She would not openly criticize my household when I moved out, but if she wasn't happy about my place she'd let me know silently.
I must admit since the dogs are gone, I put way less time in cleaning. Two persons make less mess than two persons accompanied by three dogs!

221FAMeulstee
Modificato: Feb 3, 2020, 5:07 pm


book 24: Het moerasmeisje by Delia Owens
library, translated, original title Where the Crawdads Sing, 382 pages

started 2020-01-27
finished 2020-01-30
TIOLI Challenge #14: Read a book with a LT rating of 3.8* or more

Kya was abandoned as a child and lives alone in the swamp. She loves nature and makes wonderful drawings of birds, insects, shells etc. The people of the village don't like her.
When a man is found dead, everyone points at Kyla.
The narration alternates between Kya growing up and the murder investigation years later. Lovely descriptions of nature and nice murder mistery.

Dutch title translated: The swampgirl

222FAMeulstee
Feb 3, 2020, 5:15 pm


book 25: Zoon van het Noorden by Tim Severin
library, e-book, translated, original title Odinn's child, 320 pages

started 2020-01-25
finished 2020-01-30
TIOLI Challenge #3: Read a book in which travel is a significant aspect of the narrative

First book in the Viking trilogy.
11th century, Thorgils, son of Leif Erikson, travels from Iceland to the new expantion Vinland. The colonist are driven away by local inhabitants. When Thorgils wants to know more about his deceased mother, he travers to the Far Oer islands and from there to Ireland. In Irelands he finds himself in the middle of a battle and is taken away as a slave.
Interesting, but not greatly written story. I do want to find out about the further adventures of Thorgils, so on to book 2, but not in a hurry.

Dutch title translated: Son of the North

223FAMeulstee
Feb 3, 2020, 5:21 pm


book 26: Eskimoland by Niko Tinbergen
library, e-book, non-fiction, Dutch, no translations, 211 pages

started 2020-01-30
finished 2020-01-31
TIOLI Challenge #3: Read a book in which travel is a significant aspect of the narrative

In 1932 Niko Tinbergen (a Dutch biologist and ornithologist who won a Nobel Prize in 1973) and his wife traveled to Greenland to explore nature there. This book is his travelogue.

Title translated: it is the same in English

224FAMeulstee
Modificato: Gen 3, 2021, 8:17 am

January 2020 in numbers

26 books read (8,690 pages, 280.3 pages a day)

own 1 (4 %) / library 25

12 male author / 14 female author
9 originally written in Dutch / 17 translated into Dutch
18 fiction / 8 non-fiction

26 books in TIOLI Challenges
13 e-books
  0 1001 books
  3 childrens/YA
  3 mystery/police procedural
  0 poetry

--
pages:
0 - 100 pages: 0
101 - 200 pages: 8
201 - 300 pages: 4
301 - 400 pages: 7
401 - 500 pages: 4
501 - 999 pages: 2
1000+ pages: 1

longest book 1294 pages
shortest book 103 pages
average book 334 pages

--
date first published:

13th century: 1

20th century
1900s: 1
1930s: 1
1940s: 1
1960s: 1
1970s: 1

21st century
2000s: 6
2010s: 14

--
ratings:
  2 x
12 x
  6 x
  5 x
  1 x

average rating: 3.65
--
Best books in January


Vrouwen & macht (Women & Power: A Manifesto) - Mary Beard
De jongens van Nickel (The Nickel Boys) by Colson Whitehead

=====

Walking in January: 189.70 km; average 6.12 km a day

225paulstalder
Feb 3, 2020, 7:50 pm

Happy birthday. Glad to hear you had a good day.

Good reading start into 2020 - double the number of books I have read in January.

226richardderus
Feb 3, 2020, 7:58 pm

>223 FAMeulstee: Heh...I can see Eskimoland really doesn't need translation!

Beautiful hazelnut dessert, and I'm not at all surprised it tastes as good as it looks.

227jessibud2
Feb 3, 2020, 8:23 pm

>217 FAMeulstee:, >218 foggidawn: - That made me laugh! My mother can't travel anymore but when she used to come visit me, I'd clean like mad. Once, she said to me, I don't care, it's YOUR house! She was always nuts about clean and tidy, and my bedroom, growing up, was also a bit...opposite of that standard, shall we say. Still, much as I really hate deep cleaning, I do always feel better after and promise myself to maintain it. Well, doesn't always work out that way... ;-)

228DianaNL
Feb 4, 2020, 8:16 am

Really late to the party, but proficiat Anita!

229karenmarie
Feb 4, 2020, 8:24 am

Happy Belated Birthday, Anita! I'm so glad you had such a good day. The hazelnut pie looks wonderful.

There'd be less effort here too without 3 cats! But I must say there's much less effort needed without a full-time live-in daughter. Her visits are always accompanied by more cleaning and cooking on my part.

My mom was a lacksadaisical house cleaner, and I've always kept better house than she did. My sister keeps a much cleaner house than I do. Go figure. *smile*

230Caroline_McElwee
Feb 4, 2020, 3:54 pm

Belated happy birthday. Anita, sounds like you had a pleasant day. Nice your dad joined you too. The cake looks delicious.

231FAMeulstee
Feb 4, 2020, 6:57 pm

>225 paulstalder: Thank you, Paul.
Reading ha slowed down a bit, last year I was at 45 read at this date, now at 28.

>226 richardderus: Indeed, Richard dear, on both accounts.

>227 jessibud2: I think we were all like that when we were young, Shelley, and we all seem to clean before visitors arrive ;-)
I changed when Frank moved in at my place. There were times I almost enjoyed cleaning, but that was long time ago.

>228 DianaNL: Thank you, Diana, you are always welcome, anytime!

>229 karenmarie: Thank you, Karen, it was a good day and I am glad it is over.
I don't know how much more work a child would be, but I can imagine she adds to the house work.
So you are in between your mother and your sister :-)

>230 Caroline_McElwee: Thank you, Caroline, it is good my father goes out again.

232PaulCranswick
Feb 4, 2020, 7:12 pm

Happy birthday, Anita. (slightly belatedly).

Only 26 books, what happened to you!!!!

233msf59
Feb 4, 2020, 9:42 pm

Happy Birthday, Anita. Sorry, I am a bit late. It sounds like you had a wonderful day.

I am with Paul- Only 26 books in January?

234ronincats
Feb 4, 2020, 9:56 pm

Belated Happy Birthday wishes, Anita!!

235BLBera
Feb 5, 2020, 2:25 pm

>216 FAMeulstee: That looks delicious, Anita. Happy belated birthday.

>221 FAMeulstee: I loved the nature descriptions in Where the Crawdads Sing.

236banjo123
Feb 6, 2020, 12:44 am

Happy belated birthday!

237FAMeulstee
Feb 6, 2020, 5:23 am

>232 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul.
My resolution is working out, more walking, less reading in 2020!
And in reading less Childrens/YA books and more big tomes.

>233 msf59: Thank you, Mark.
See my answer to Paul^.

>234 ronincats: Thank you, Roni!

>235 BLBera: Thank you, Beth!
So did I, she wrote very good about nature, almost like being there yourself.

>236 banjo123: Thank you, Rhonda!