Connie ROOTs again in 2022 part 2

Hi ROOTers,

Time for a new thread with new pictures and old but ever growing lists.

I'm Connie (68) and I live in the Netherlands (which might explain my English being a bit off sometimes) in a small town in the province Limburg called Roermond . I am retired and have worked in a school for kids from age 12 to 19 for 15 years.
Not as a teacher but as a kind of assistant to the deans.

I've been reading ROOTs since when they were called BOMBs in 2012 so this is my eleventh year. And I love to be among all the people I got to know and love here.

I'm married to Peet (72) and we have one son Jeroen (39) and one daughter Eveline (36)
Jeroen lives with his girlfriend Rianne (34) near by and they have a daughter Lonne (4 years old)
Eveline lives with her boyfriend Cyrille (40) in another town, Maastricht, half an hour from us by car.
They have two girls, Fiene (6 years old) and Marie (3 year old).

For my RL Book-club I will read books for the challenges we set for 2022
I will keep a list of them here.

Writer alphabet
01. De verdwijning van de horlogemaker - Natasha Pulley
02. Ultiem bewijs - Peter James
03. Een duistere schittering - Stacy Willingham
Other world
01. De IJzerkoning - Julie Kagawa
02. Het keren van het tij - David Hair
Bizar
01. De koopman van Peru - Natasha Pulley
02. Wat jij niet ziet - Sarah Pinborough
03. Het geheugen van Babel - Christelle Dabos
04. Kushiëls werktuig - Jacqueline Carey
Books about books
01. De puzzelvrouwen van Berlijn - Anna Ellory
02. Een langzaam smeulend vuur - Paula Hawkins
03. De boekwinkel voor gebroken harten - Robert Hillman
04. Het mysterie van Winterhuis Hotel - Ben Guterson
Duet
01. Met het bloed van mijn hart, deel 1 - Diana Gabaldon
02. Met het bloed van mijn hart, deel 2 - Diana Gabaldon
03. De vermisten van Maneschijn - Christelle Dabos
04. De genezer van Zalindov - Lynette Noni
Food
01. De patisserie - Charlotte Jacobi
02. De chocoladevilla - Maria Nikolai
03. Breach of Crust - Ellery Adams
Greek Mythology
01. Wolkenstad - Anthony Doerr
Bigger than
01. Elric van Melniboné - michael Moorcock
02. Verhalen van Aardzee - Ursula Le Guin
Witches
01. Babes in the Wood - Mark Stay
02. De geheimen van Winterhuis Hotel - Ben Guterson
Celestial bodies
01. Bij het licht van de maan - Santa Montefiore
02. The Pull of the Stars - Emma Donoghue
Colour
01. Sneeuwwit - Samuel Bjørk
02. Een kleine gouden ring - Kjell Ola Dahl
03. Rood waas - Patricia Cornwell
04. Lelieblank, scharlaken rood - Michel Faber
Multiple challenges
01. De geheimen van de kostschool - Lucinda Riley
Eyes on the cover
01. Voortvluchtig - Karin Alvtegen
02. Fatale waarheid - Robert Bryndza
Talking Animals
01.
Robots
01. Klara en de zon - Kazuo Ishiguro
School
01. De understudy - B.A. Paris , Clare Mackintosh , Holly Brown , Sophie Hannah
Writer dead
01. De liefdesbrief - Lucinda Riley
02. Stad der nevelen - Carlos Ruiz Zafón
03. Terug naar Brideshead - Evelyn Waugh
Timelines
01. Mijn zomers aan zee - Tracy Rees
02. De laatste vlucht - Julie Clark
03. Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir
04. De magische cirkel - Katherine Neville
Garden
01. De rozentuin - Tracy Rees
02. De rozentuin - Corina Bomann
Residence
01. De kelder - Brian Freeman
02. De kerk van de dode meisjes - Stephen Dobyns
03. Het gruwelhuis - Franck Thilliez
04. Het geheim van Silvermoor - Tracy Rees
05. Winterhuis Hotel - Ben Guterson MM

Fiene my eldest granddaughter



And her sister Marie, my youngest.

Lonne, my second granddaughter.

All three and grandma Connie

This is where I will keep a list of the ROOTs I read in 2022.
My rules are simple: A book counts as a ROOT when it has been on my shelves for more than 4 months. My goal for 2022 is 36 ROOTS



01. Met het bloed van mijn hart, deel 1 - Diana Gabaldon -
02. Met het bloed van mijn hart, deel 2 - Diana Gabaldon -
03. De kelder - Brian Freeman -
04. Bij het licht van de maan - Santa Montefiore -
05. Voortvluchtig - Karin Alvtegen -
06. De puzzelvrouwen van Berlijn - Anna Ellory -
07. De verdwijning van de horlogemaker - Natasha Pulley -
08. De kerk van de dode meisjes - Stephen Dobyns -
09. Een kleine gouden ring - Kjell Ola Dahl -
10. Vallend duister - Robert Bryndza -
11. Ik zal je vinden - Linwood Barclay -
12. Het gruwelhuis - Franck Thilliez -
13. Rood waas - Patricia Cornwell -
14. Het familiegeheim van Florence Grace - Tracy Rees -
15. Het geheim van Silvermoor - Tracy Rees -
16. Doodsangst - Peter James -
17. Ik volg jou - Peter James -
18. Een langzaam smeulend vuur - Paula Hawkins -
19. De puzzelman - Nadine Matheson -
20. De koopman van Peru - Natasha Pulley -
21. Verloren meisjes - Angela Marsons -
22. Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir -
23. De magische cirkel - Katherine Neville -
24. Stad der nevelen - Carlos Ruiz Zafón -
25. Babes in the Wood - Mark Stay -
26. De IJzerkoning - Julie Kagawa -
27. De IJzerprinses - Julie Kagawa -
28. Wolkenstad - Anthony Doerr -
29. Een eed zo duivels - Brigid Kemmerer -
30. De meisjes van Ravensbrück - Anna Ellory -
31. De wezens - Matt Haig -
32. De understudy - B.A. Paris , Clare Mackintosh , Holly Brown , Sophie Hannah
33. De verloren legioenen - David Hair -
34. Het keren van het tij - David Hair -
35. De vermisten van Maneschijn - Christelle Dabos -
36. Het geheugen van Babel - Christelle Dabos -
37. De gunst - Nicci French -
38. Kushiëls werktuig - Jacqueline Carey -
39. Elric van Melniboné - Michael Moorcock -
40. Lelieblank, scharlaken rood - Michel Faber -
41. Verhalen van Aardzee - Ursula Le Guin -

This is where I will keep track of all books read in 2022: ROOTs, new and shiny tree-books, e-books.

This first post is for January, February and March.



001. De liefdesbrief - Lucinda Riley - book - Forumchallenge # 1 - - BFB # 1 -
002. Met het bloed van mijn hart, deel 1 - Diana Gabaldon - book - Forumchallenge # 2 - BFB # 2 - ROOT # 1 -
003. Met het bloed van mijn hart, deel 2 - Diana Gabaldon - book - Forumchallenge # 3 - BFB # 3 - ROOT # 2 -
004. De kelder - Brian Freeman - book - Forumchallenge # 4 - ROOT # 3 -
005. Bij het licht van de maan - Santa Montefiore - book - Forumchallenge # 5 - ROOT # 4 -
006. Voortvluchtig - Karin Alvtegen - book - Forumchallenge # 6 - ROOT # 5 -
007. Sneeuwwit - Samuel Bjørk - book - Forumchallenge # 7 -
008. A Spindle Splintered - Alix E. Harrow - ebook - FF # 1 -
009. De puzzelvrouwen van Berlijn - Anna Ellory - book - Forumchallenge # 8 - ROOT # 6 -
010. De verdwijning van de horlogemaker - Natasha Pulley - book - Forumchallenge # 9 - ROOT # 7 -
011. Vertel het de bijen, deel 1 - Diana Gabaldon - book - BFB # 4 -
012. Vertel het de bijen, 2 - Diana Gabaldon - book - BFB # 5 -
013. De kerk van de dode meisjes - Stephen dobyns - book - Forumchallenge # 10 - ROOT # 8 -
014. Een kleine gouden ring - Kjell Ola Dahl - book - Forumchallenge # 11 - ROOT # 9 -
015. Vallend duister - Robert Bryndza - book - ROOT # 10 -

This is where I will keep track of all books read in 2022: ROOTs, new and shiny tree-books, e-books.

This post is for April, May and June.



016. Ik zal je vinden - Linwood Barclay - book - ROOT # 11 -
017. Het gruwelhuis - Franck Thilliez - book - ROOT # 12 - Forumchallenge # 12 -
018. Rood waas - Patricia Cornwell - book - ROOT # 13 - Forumchallenge # 13 -
019. Het familiegeheim van Florence Grace - Tracy Rees - book - ROOT # 14 -
020. De rozentuin - Tracy Rees - book - Forumchallenge # 14 -
021. Het geheim van Silvermoor - Tracy Rees - book - ROOT # 15 - Forumchallenge # 15 -
022. De match - Harlan Coben - book -
023. Doodsangst - Peter James - book - ROOT # 16 -
024. Mijn zomers aan zee - Tracy Rees - book - Forumchallenge # 16 - BFB # 6 -
025. Ik volg jou - Peter James - book - ROOT # 17 -
026. Een langzaam smeulend vuur - Paula Hawkins - book - ROOT # 18 - Forumchallenge # 17 -
027. De puzzelman - Nadine Matheson - book - ROOT # 19 -
028. Geen spat veranderd - Sophie Hannah - book -
029. Een teken van leven - R.J. Ellory - book -
030. De laatste vlucht - Julie Clark - book - Forumchallenge # 18 -
031. De koopman van Peru - Natasha Pulley - book - ROOT # 20 - Forumchallenge # 19 -
032. Verloren meisjes - Angela Marsons - book - ROOT # 21 -
033. Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir - book - ROOT # 22 - Forumchallenge # 20 - BFB # 7 -
034. Gallant - V.E. Schwab - book - OB # 1 -
035. Wat jij niet ziet - Sarah Pinborough - book - Forumchallenge # 21 -
036. De boekwinkel voor gebroken harten - Robert Hillman - book - Forumchallenge # 22 -
037. De magische cirkel - Katherine Neville - book - ROOT # 23 - Forumchallenge # 23 - BFB # 8 -
038. De geheimen van de kostschool - Lucinda Riley - book - Forumchallenge # 24 -
039. Stad der nevelen - Carlos Ruiz Zafón - book - ROOT # 24 - Forumchallenge # 25 -
040. Floddertje - Annie M.G. Schmidt - book - kids (no stars)
041. Babes in the Wood - Mark Stay - book - ROOT # 25 - Forumchallenge # 26 -
042. Ultiem bewijs - Peter James - book - Forumchallenge # 27 -
043. De patisserie - Charlotte Jacobi - book - Forumchallenge # 28 -
044. De IJzerkoning - Julie Kagawa - book - ROOT # 26 - Forumchallenge # 29 -
045. De IJzerprinses - Julie Kagawa - book - ROOT # 27 -
046. Wolkenstad - Anthony Doerr - book - ROOT # 28 - Forumchallenge # 30 - BFB # 9 - OB # 2 -
047. De chocoladevilla - Maria Nikolai - book - Forumchallenge # 31 -

This is where I will keep track of all books read in 2022: ROOTs, new and shiny tree-books, e-books.

This post is for July, August and September.



048. Gewetenloos - Karin Slaughter - book -
049. Kom eens gauw - M.J. Arlidge - book - BFB # 10 -
050. Klara en de zon - Kazuo Ishiguro - ebook - Forumchallenge # 32 -
051. Een vreemde in huis - Shari Lapena - book -
052. Het stel van hiernaast - Shari Lapena - ebook -
053. Een eed zo duivels - Brigid Kemmerer - book - ROOT # 29 -
054. De meisje van Ravensbrück - Anna Ellory - book - ROOT # 30 -
055. Winterhuis Hotel - Ben Guterson - book - Forumchallenge # 33 -
056. Een duistere schittering - Stacy Willingham - book - Forumchallenge # 34 -
057. Schijndood - Angela Marsons - book -
058. De wezens - Matt Haig - book - ROOT # 31 -
059. Terug naar Brideshead - Evelyn Waugh - ebook - Forumchallenge # 35 -
060. Terug naar het grote huis - Harriet Evans - ebook -
061. Het dossier - Anya Niewierra - ebook -
062. De understudy - B.A. Paris , Clare Mackintosh , Holly Brown , Sophie Hannah - book - ROOT # 32 - Forumchallenge # 36 -
063. De geheimen van Winterhuis Hotel - Ben Guterson - book - Forumchallenge # 37 -
064. Het mysterie van Winterhuis Hotel - Ben Guterson - book - Forumhallenge # 38 -
065. De verloren legioenen - David Hair - book - ROOT # 33 -
066. Het keren van het tij - David Hair - book - ROOT # 34 - Forumchallenge # 39 -
067. De vermisten van Maneschijn - Christelle Dabos - book - ROOT # 35 - Forumchallenge # 40 - BFB # 11 -
068. Het geheugen van Babel - Christelle Dabos - book - ROOT # 36 - Forumchallenge # 41 - BFB # 12 -
069. De gunst - Nicci French - book - ROOT # 37 -
070. Daar waar de rivierkreeften zingen - Delia Owens - book -
071. Kushiëls werktuig - Jacqueline Carey - book - ROOT # 38 - BFB # 13 - Forumchallenge # 42 -
072. Elric van Melniboné - Michael Moorcock - book - ROOT # 39 - Forumchallenge # 43 -
073. Lelieblank, scharlaken rood - Michel Faber - book - ROOT # 40 - Forumchallenge # 44 - BFB # 14 -

This is where I will keep track of all books read in 2022: ROOTs, new and shiny tree-books, e-books.

This post is for October, November and December.



074. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches - Sangu Mandanna - ebook - FF # 2 -
075. De moord in Oxford by Ruth Ware - book -
076. Fatale waarheid - Robert Bryndza - book - Forumchallenge # 45 -
077. Verhalen van Aardzee - Ursula Le Guin - book - ROOT # 41 - Forumchallenge # 46 -
078. The Pull of the Stars - Emma Donoghue - ebook - Forumchallenge # 47 -
079. De rozentuin - Corina Bomann - ebook - Forumchallenge # 48 -
080. Breach of Crust - Ellery Adams - ebook - Forumchallenge # 49 -
081. De genezer van Zalindov - Lynette Noni - ebook - Forumchallenge # 50 - OB # 3 -
082. Het laatste feest - Clare Mackintosh - book -
083. Het brievenspoor - Tracy Rees - book -

This is where I will keep track of Chunksters, books with more than 500 pages



01. De liefdesbrief - Lucinda Riley - 510 pages -
02. Met het bloed van mijn hart, deel 1 - Diana Gabaldon - 549 pages -
03. Met het bloed van mijn hart, deel 2 - Diana Gabaldon - 626 pages -
04. Vertel het de bijen, I - Diana Gabaldon - 622 pages -
05. Vertel het de bijen, 2 - Diana Gabaldon - 705 pages -
06. Mijn zomers aan zee - Tracy Rees - 507 pages -
07. Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir - 559 pages -
08. De magische cirkel - Katherine Neville - 591 pages -
09. Wolkenstad - Anthony Doerr - 636 pages -
10. Kom eens gauw - M.J. Arlidge - 522 pages -
11. De vermisten van Maneschijn - Christelle Dabos - 576 pages -
12. Het geheugen van Babel - Christelle Dabos - 501 pages -
13. Kushiëls werktuig - Jacqueline Carey - 736 pages -
14. Lelieblank, scharlaken rood - Michel Faber - 955 pages -

This is where I will keep track of all my bought books in 2022 (excluding e-books)



01. De bronzen stad - S.A. Chakraborty
02. De koopman van Peru - Natasha Pulley
03. The Left-handed Booksellers of London - Garth Nix
04. Babes in the Wood - Mark Stay
05. Een eed zo duivels - Brigid Kemmerer
06. Een klasse apart - Joanne Harris
07. Het Achterhuis - Anne Frank
08. Vertel het de bijen, I - Diana Gabaldon
09. Vertel het de bijen, II - Diana Gabaldon
10. Geen spat veranderd - Sophie Hannah
11. De meisjes van Ravensbrück - Anna Ellory
12. Een teken van leven - R.J. Ellory
13. De wezens - Matt Haig
14. De understudy - B.A. Paris, Clare Mackintosh, Holly Brown, Sophie Hannah
15. De rozentuin - Tracy Rees
16. Het geheugen van Babel - Christelle Dabos
17. De gunst - Nicci French
18. Mijn zomers aan zee - Tracy Rees
19. De laatste vlucht by Julie Clark
20. De match by Harlan Coben
21. De vermisten van Maneschijn by Christelle Dabos
22. Monterosso mon amour - Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer
23. Wat jij niet ziet - Sarah Pinborough
24. De familie Aubrey - Rebecca West
25. Dingen die je alleen ziet als je er de tijd voor neemt - Haemin Sunim
26. Gallant - V.E. Schwab
27. Ultiem bewijs - Peter James
28. De boekwinkel voor gebroken harten - Robert Hillman
29. Winterhuis Hotel - Ben Guterson
30. De patisserie - Charlotte Jacobi
31. De geheimen van de kostschool - Lucinda Riley
32. Een duistere schittering - Stacy Willingham
33. Een vreemde in huis - Shari Lapena
34. De chocoladevilla - Maria Nikolai
35. The End of Magic - Mark Stay
36. Gewetenloos - Karin Slaughter
37. Kom eens gauw - M.J. Arlidge
38. Schijndood - Angela Marsons
39. The Ghost of Ivy Barn - Mark Stay
40. De geheimen van Winterhuis Hotel - Ben Guterson
41. Het mysterie van Winterhuis Hotel - Ben Guterson
42. Donkergroen bijna zwart - Mareike Fallwickl
43. Stikdonker - Kim Faber & Janni Pedersen
44. Kruispunt - Jonathan Franzen
45. Nooit meer - Colleen Hoover
46. Mijn belofte aan jou - Colleen Hoover
47. De moord in Oxford - Ruth Ware
48. Daar waar de rivierkreeften zingen - Delia Owens
49. Het laatste feest - Clare Mackintosh
50. Fatale waarheid - Robert Bryndza
51. De storm van de echo's - Christelle Dabos
52. De koperen koning - S.A. Chakraborty
53. Het brievenspoor - Tracy Rees
54. De magie van de verboden toren - Ben Guterson
55. Emma en het kerstengeltje - Lucinda Riley & Harrie Whittaker
56. Waanzinnige Boomhut-verhalen - Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
57. Inktzwart hart - Robert Galbraith
58. Augustus - J.D. Barker
59. De Gouden Enclaves - Naomi Novik

Italics is read

This is for Book Bullets that hit me here.



01. Babes in the wood - Mark Stay BB by Jackie_K - Finished
02. Het stel van hiernaast - Shari Lapena - BB by Nickelini Finished
03. Brieven aan de duisternis - Brigid Kemmerer - BB by readergirliz

Stats for 2022 on July 19

TBR on 19-07-2022: 378 including 52 e-books = 326 tree-books

Total books/e-books read in 2022: 53 - including 2 re-reads and 3 e-book
Tree-books read in 2022: 50 including 29 ROOTs
e-books read in 2022: 3

Total tree-books into the house: 37
books bought: 29
books as presents: 8
read new books 21

Welcome ROOTers!! It's all yours!

Your granddaughters continue to be absolutely precious, Connie! Happy reading!

Thank you, Julia.

Happy New Thread, Connie

Thanks, Robert.

Finished De meisjes van Ravensbrück by Anna Ellory - ROOT # 30 -

My review

If this is Anna Ellory's debut, and this has been confirmed on several sites, then it is an impressive debut. Beautifully and respectfully written despite the many terrible subjects.
Miriam goes to her father, against the wishes of her dominating husband, when she receives word that her father is dying. She hasn't seen her father in years but doesn't want to leave him alone now. She goes to live with him and takes care of him as best she can.
Miriam comes from an abusive marriage and was forced to take medication for years by her husband, which made her drowsy and confused. But now she can finally feel like herself again. When she is looking in a closet for something she finds a bag containing the uniform of a prisoner from a concentration camp. In the hem of the suit she finds some notes, written on all kinds of paper and slowly she learns the truth about her parents' war history. The story is so well put together and really beautifully written despite the bleak subjects. I was very impressed

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Now reading Terug naar Brideshead by Evelyn Waugh, ebook, Forumchallenge # 31

The blurb NOT my review

Charles Ryder, a lonely student at Oxford, is captivated by the outrageous and decadent Sebastian Flyte. Invited to Brideshead, Sebastian's magnificent family home, Charles welcomes the attentions of its eccentric, aristocratic inhabitants, gradually becoming infatuated with them and the life of privilege they inhabit - in particular, with Sebastian's remote sister, Julia. But he gradually comes to recognize his spiritual and social distance from them, eventually discovering a world where duty and desire, faith and happiness are in conflict.

and



Winterhuis Hotel by Ben Guterson, translated by Imme Dros. Forumchallenge # 32

The blurb NOT my review

Orphan Elizabeth Somers's malevolent aunt and uncle ship her off to the ominous Winterhouse Hotel, owned by the peculiar Norbridge Falls. Upon arrival, Elizabeth quickly discovers that Winterhouse has many charms--most notably its massive library. It's not long before she locates a magical book of puzzles that will unlock a mystery involving Norbridge and his sinister family. But the deeper she delves into the hotel's secrets, the more Elizabeth starts to realize that she is somehow connected to Winterhouse. As fate would have it, Elizabeth is the only person who can break the hotel's curse and solve the mystery. But will it be at the cost of losing the people she has come to care for, and even Winterhouse itself?

Happy new thread, Connie.
What a lovely pictures of your granddaughters.

>20 connie53: I loved Terugkeer naar Brideshead, Connie, and the TV-series even more.

Happy new thread! The girls are getting so grown up now! And I love love love that picture of all 3 of them with you. That's definitely one for a frame and a prominent position somewhere.

Happy new thread, Connie! Love the photos of the girls (and you and the girls!).

Happy new thread! Great photos :)

Happy new thread, Connie. The girls are growing up so quickly!

Thanks RP and Birgit.

>25 MissWatson: I know, I can hardly believe Marie is almost 3 years old.

I bought the third instalment of the Witches of Woodville The Ghost of Ivy Barn by Mark Stay

The blurb NOT my review

The Battle of Britain rages and Faye Bright encounters the ghost of a pilot who won't give up the fight. Before she can help him, Faye is whisked away to join a motley crew of witches to perform a top secret ritual on the White Cliffs of Dover that could repel the invaders. But there's a catch. The ritual must be executed in the nuddy. Mrs Teach threatens mutiny. Miss Charlotte is intrigued. And Faye wants to call the whole thing off when she suspects there's a spy in their midst. It's up to Faye Bright to uncover the traitor, all while dealing with the ghost haunting Ivy Barn who may hold the key to the truth. But first, Faye has to learn to fly . . .

and



Schijndood by Angela Marsons

The blurb NOT my review

The dead don't tell secrets... unless you listen. The girl's smashed-in face stared unseeing up to the blue sky, soil spilling out of her mouth. A hundred flies hovered above the bloodied mess. Westerley research facility is not for the faint-hearted. A 'body farm' investigating human decomposition, its inhabitants are corpses in various states of decay. But when Detective Kim Stone and her team discover the fresh body of a young woman, it seems a killer has discovered the perfect cover to bury their crime. Then a second girl is attacked and left for dead, her body drugged and mouth filled with soil. It's clear to Stone and the team that a serial killer is at work ́ but just how many bodies will they uncover? And who is next? As local reporter, Tracy Frost, disappears, the stakes are raised. The past seems to hold the key to the killer's secrets ́ but can Kim uncover the truth before a twisted, damaged mind claims another victim ...?

I've got The Ghost of Ivy Barn too - I'm on holiday the next couple of weeks so hopefully I'll get to it then.

Hi Connie!
Happy new thread! And how nice to be hanging out with an old friend, along with your beautiful grandchildren.

Thanks, Jennifer.

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Two more books finished.



Winterhuis Hotel by Ben Guterson, Forumchallenge # 33,

My review

What a nice book, it will be on the girls' bookshelf. They will certainly enjoy reading it themselves in a few years.

Elizabeth is sent to the Winterhuis Hotel by her miserly aunt and uncle when they go on vacation themselves. She has been living with them since her parents passed away and is not really enjoying it. So she is very surprised when she ends up in a beautiful but mysterious hotel after a long bus trip. There she meets Freddy, a boy her age, who has been dumped for a few weeks around Christmas in the hotel by his parents for many years. Elizabeth and Freddy decide to explore the hotel together and soon they are captivated by all the special things the hotel offers, including a huge library where Elizabeth finds a mysterious book. Nicely written with some primitive drawings, puzzles, riddles and letter games.
I'm going to look for the sequels that are already out there.

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Een duistere schittering by Stacy Willingham, Forumchallenge #34 -

The blurb NOT my review

When Chloe Davis was twelve, six teenage girls went missing in her small Louisiana town. By the end of the summer, her own father had confessed to the crimes and was put away for life, leaving Chloe and the rest of her family to grapple with the truth and try to move forward while dealing with the aftermath. Now twenty years later, Chloe is a psychologist in Baton Rouge and getting ready for her wedding. While she finally has a fragile grasp on the happiness she's worked so hard to achieve, she sometimes feels as out of control of her own life as the troubled teens who are her patients. So when a local teenage girl goes missing, and then another, that terrifying summer comes crashing back. Is she paranoid, seeing parallels from her past that aren't actually there, or for the second time in her life, is Chloe about to unmask a killer?

My review

From information on internet this seems to be a debut novel and that promises something for the future for this excellent writer. It's a real page turner where you jump from one thing to another and constantly has an eye on yet another 'suspect'. Chloe Davis (32) has not had an easy life. When she was twelve her father was arrested and convicted for the murder of 6 young girls and that determined her further life and that of her brother Cooper. Now she is a psychologist and has a thriving practice, she has a fiancé, Patrick Briggs, who takes her past for granted and still loves her deeply. When young girls disappear again, her world is suddenly turned upside down. Because her father's crimes began and ended exactly 20 years ago. Chloe sets out to investigate on her own, and it's not without danger.
Well written, some beginner mistakes with repeating some things too often. Nothing a good editor can't change

I finished another book today.



Schijndood by Angela Marsons,

The blurb NOT my review

The girl's smashed-in face stared unseeing up to the blue sky, soil spilling out of her mouth. A hundred flies hovered above the bloodied mess. Westerley research facility is not for the faint-hearted. A 'body farm' investigating human decomposition, its inhabitants are corpses in various states of decay. But when Detective Kim Stone and her team discover the fresh body of a young woman, it seems a killer has discovered the perfect cover to bury their crime. Then a second girl is attacked and left for dead, her body drugged and mouth filled with soil. It's clear to Stone and the team that a serial killer is at work - but just how many bodies will they uncover? And who is next? As local reporter, Tracy Frost, disappears, the stakes are raised. The past seems to hold the key to the killer's secrets - but can Kim uncover the truth before a twisted, damaged mind claims another victim ...

My review

Good and exciting thriller starring the quirky inspector Kim Stone. She and her team must investigate the deaths of several young women found on the meadows just outside a research center. This center is investigating how human dead bodies react to various forms of exposure to the elements. The English version of the American body farm. If during the investigation they also find a body that has been buried there for several years, they must be able to connect the women to unmask the perpetrator.
Well written and a great book to relax.

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Started another ROOT #



De wezens by Matt Haig ROOT # 31

The blurb NOT my review

When an extra-terrestrial visitor arrives on Earth, his first impressions of the human species are less than positive. Taking the form of Professor Andrew Martin, a prominent mathematician at Cambridge University, the visitor is eager to complete the gruesome task assigned him and hurry home to his own utopian planet, where everyone is omniscient and immortal. He is disgusted by the way humans look, what they eat, their capacity for murder and war, and is equally baffled by the concepts of love and family. But as time goes on, he starts to realize there may be more to this strange species than he had thought. Disguised as Martin, he drinks wine, reads poetry, develops an ear for rock music, and a taste for peanut butter. Slowly, unexpectedly, he forges bonds with Martin's family. He begins to see hope and beauty in the humans' imperfection, and begins to question the very mission that brought him there.

Hi Connie, just stopping by to see how things are going. Good to see that you are getting some reading done, and I hope you enjoy the summer.

Hi Henrik, nice to see you swing by. I'm really enjoying the summer. It's now in the mid 20C and it's possible to do things without getting to hot and sweaty.

I just finished De wezens by Mat Haig ROOT # 31

My review

A book that is funny and serious at the same time. With many wise lessons, but also things that really made me laugh. It's all in this book. Andrew Martin is a top mathematician who has finally come to a remarkable conclusion about prime numbers. And that absolutely cannot happen according to the inhabitants of the planet Vonnador. So someone is teleported to Earth to take possession of Andrew's body and wipe out all evidence of his discovery and also of the people he may have told. The first part of the book is quite comical, the second part is mainly an exposition of Andrew's thoughts about humanity with sometimes a nice understanding of how we function.

Finished Terug naar Brideshead by Evelyn Waugh - Forumchallenge # 35 -

My review

I don't really know how to describe this book. It is a family chronicle of the Marchain family in the first half of the 20th century. The family is completely fragmented. The father lives in Venice, the mother and the 4 children in the house. But not constantly. The story is told by Charles Ryder, who befriends Sebastian, one of the sons. That's his first encounter with the Brideshead house. Later he returns to the house several times and stays there for a longer period as the lover of daughter Julia. I liked how the author managed to capture the atmosphere of that time. It captivated me, but it was hard for me to feel connected to any of the characters. Perhaps the youngest daughter Cordelia is the most appealing.

Happy new thread, Connie. The pictures of your granddaughters are nice to see especially the one of all of you together.

Finished Terug naar het grote huis door Harriet Evans -



The blurb

When Martha, a wife and mother of three, sits down one late summer's morning to write out the invitations to her eightieth birthday celebration, she knows that what she is planning to reveal at the party could ruin the idyllic life she and her husband David have spent over fifty years building. But she has to let her family know what she and David have sacrificed. She can't live a lie any more

Mijn review

Good book, with some minor flaws. It is the story of Martha, mother, grandmother and wife. Quite a few strange things have happened in the past and Martha has also made a strange decision.
David, her husband comes from an abusive family and that has influenced him forever.
When Martha decides to celebrate her 80th birthday with a big party and lunch with her whole family, she is determined to tell the truth about some past events. The whole family has come to hear that, but it doesn't go down well everywhere. The secrets are too big for some and the family is divided among themselves.
I found it especially vague at times, with references that are very unclear. And I couldn't make anything out of it. The book is a good read if you can ignore that.

Hi Connie, beautiful grand-girls! (And the photos have terrific composition.)

Thanks MJ.

I've been away from LT again for too long a time. I hope to do better in the future, but there are no guarantees about that.

Read a lot



Het dossier by Anya Niewierra, original Dutch,

The blurb

Josta Bresser, 46, is the victim of an organ harvest. During the investigation, the detectives come across Josta's dark GDR past. She was once part of the so-called 'Köningstein Gruppe' as an art forger. This team of forgers, working for the then GDR regime, was taken by the Stasi to the Hohenschönhausen prison just before the fall of the Wall. Reason: a secret file. 25 years later, this Dossier still appears to be a cause for murder. Josta tries to get hold of the Dossier, but the power of the perpetrators turns out to be great. Colossal.

My review

Josta Bresse recently became a widow and lives a quiet life in South Limburg on top of a ridge overlooking a valley through which a river meanders. She has not yet processed the death of her husband David but finds distraction in her painting. When she wakes up one day she has lost 10 days and has a fresh scar from surgery. Her doctor tells her she has lost a kidney and then the police get involved and Josta has to go back to the past in the GDR, where she made forgeries along with 4 men. She was the only one to survive this, the men have all disappeared without a trace.
Desperate, Josta enlists the help of investigative journalist Tom Adler.
Together they try to shape the chunks of information into a plausible story.
This book is well put together and is not unbelievable in any way. Mrs. Niewierra has clearly done a lot of research and delivers a pleasantly readable result.

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De understudy by B.A. Paris, Holly Brown, Sophie Hannah and Clare Mackintosh,

The blurb NOT my review

Carolyn, Bronnie, Elise, and Kendall are bound together by one thing - their four daughters are best friends at the highly competitive Orla Flynn Academy for the Performing Arts. Imogen Curwood is a new girl at the Academy and her behaviour is odd from the start. On the day she arrives, bad things start to happen. As one threatening incident follows another, the four mothers begin to ask themselves: are their girls in danger? When an attempted murder rocks the school, Imogen is pleased to report that she has an alibi. If she isn't the guilty party, someone else must be. Carolyn, Bronnie, Elise and Kendall are determined to uncover the truth and protect their daughters. But are they prepared to risk their own secrets being exposed?

My review

Definitely a very strong book and also written in a special way.

Four girlfriends, one of whom seems to have quite a bullying past, and the story about it told by their mothers. Each writer has crawled into the shoes of one of the mothers and together they have written a good story, which is captivating to the last page, (with even the possibility of a sequel, which I will buy immediately)

When a fifth girl joins the group in the second year of school and some horrific and strange things happen at the school, the mothers do everything they can to protect their own daughters. But the moms also all have their own secrets that they don't like to see revealed. This leads to all kinds of mistrust and scheming.

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De geheimen van Winterhuis Hotel by Ben Guterson,

The blurb NOT my review

Back at the Winterhouse hotel for another holiday season, Elizabeth and Freddy dig deeper into the mystery surrounding Riley S. Granger, a hotel guest who left behind odd artifacts--one being a magical book that the evil Gracella Winters attempted to use the year before to gain destructive power over the entire Falls lineage. The two friends follow a trail of clues, inadvertently attracting the attention of a suspicious new hotel guest: Elana Vesper. The clock is ticking as Elizabeth and Freddy struggle to figure out whether Elana is merely a pawn or a player in the plot to revive the spirit of Gracella. If that wasn't enough, Elizabeth suspects she is coming into her own magic ability--and she's fearful it might lead her right into Gracella's web.

My review

Second part of the Winterhuis Hotel series. There are so far 3 books and i will read part 3 soon. They are Young Adult books and I can already look forward to reading them to my granddaughters in due course. Elizbeth has traveled to the winter house hotel for her second Christmas and Freddy is there again too. They find some puzzles and ambigrams to solve and they have to look for the entrance to the underground passages under the building. Gracella also reappears in disguise.

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Het mysterie van Winterhuis Hotel by Ben Guterson,

The blrub NOT my review

As spring arrives at Winterhouse, Elizabeth settles into the joyful chaos of her new home. But it isn't long before she and Freddy are drawn into an ominous new mystery. Guests at the hotel start behaving oddly, and Elizabeth's powers manifest in thrilling--sometimes frightening--new ways. As unnatural tremors shake the foundations of Winterhouse, Elizabeth hears cries for help from Gracella Winters--an enemy she'd thought dead and buried for good. The discovery of a rare book containing secrets of an ancient ritual leads to a tragic realization: Someone at Winterhouse is trying to help Gracella rise again. Danger, intrigue, and the power of family combine in this fast - paced trilogy conclusion.

My review

Third part in the Winterhuis Hotel series and this again reads wonderfully relaxed. It is all written in the same pattern, but that seems to me also recognizable for the target group 10+.
Elizabeth and Freddy are once again faced with puzzles and clues wrapped in poems to unravel the riddle. Well written, exciting but not too much.
The writer has released a new book with new main characters and not in the Winterhuis series. I will also buy that for the children's bookcase.

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Now reading ROOT # 35

De verloren legioenen by David Hair

The blurb NOT my review

The Lost Legions is the seventh part of David Hair's The Bridge of the Tides, and concludes the series together with The Turning of the Tides. In this installment, the final few months of the Moon's Flood have begun, as Emperor Constant prepares in the West for the final stage of his plan to conquer the East. For the failed mage Alaron and his companion Ramita, the widow of the mage who built the Moon Flood Bridge, the unthinkable has happened: they have lost Corineus' Scytale. In addition, one of Ramita's newborn sons has been stolen by their deadliest enemies. In Javon, Cera Nesti has been released, and she is determined to invent something to tackle the overwhelming power of the Rondian kingdom. But between her and her target stands a group of deadly assassins who play their own deadly game. In the East, the Lost Legions of Seth Korion and Ramon Sensini must brave treacherous roads to get to safety. They carry secrets with them that could mean the end of the emperor.

And Finished ROOT # 33 for the year



De verloren legioenen by David Hair,

My review

Part 7 in the series about the Bridge of the Tides. In English there are 4 books, in Dutch 8.
This is the exciting sequel and the wars and battles are an important part of the story. Fortunately, there are also characters that appeal to me, including Alaron and Ramita. They are helped by the returned goddess Corinea and together with her they have found a way to change people and give them magic.
I know that several people find this a long-winded series, but I love it.



Continuing in part 8 Het keren van het tij by David Hair

The blurb NOT my review

Emperor Constant is finally ready to conquer the world. As Alaron and Ramita struggle to recover the key to the Ascendants' magic as well as one of Ramita's infant sons, Queen Cera must fight to take the reins of power and Seth Korion's Lost Legions desperately search for safety while trapped between two massive armies. The time has come for the Rite of Ascendancy to be performed, and for new powers to rise to save - or damn - Urte.

Nice to see you back, Connie. Congrats on reading so many ROOTs in the meantime!

Gosh, you've certainly been keeping up with your reading while you've been away from LT, Connie. It's good to see you back.

Yes, good to see you back, Connie, I hope you're keeping well.

Hi Connie! A very belated happy new thread.

>3 connie53: - >5 connie53: Lovely pics of your granddaughters and the pic of you with all three.

You’ve almost reached your ROOTs goal – fantastic.

Hi Connie! Hope all is well with you :)

Good to see you back - and you have certainly been busy reading in the meantime.

Hello dear friends, Thanks for all the well wishes. Everything is well here. Summer is here and it's very, very hot, up to 35C the last few days. There is not much one can do but sit en be calm and read. I try to do stuff around and in the house in the early hours, then I go out in the garden with my book and read until the sun is shining on my terrace. In the afternoon I stay inside and do jigsaw puzzels and read some more. Every other day I get my bicycle out to visit Peet.

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I finished Het keren van het tij by David Hair ROOT # 34 - Forumchallenge # 39 and the book gets

My review

Eighth and last part in the series 'The bridge of the tides'. Again a good read, although at one point I had read about enough battles.
At the end I had the impression that another complete series could easily follow. If it is translated I would like to read those too.
Because of all the possible spoilers that you can put in a review of the last part in a series, I limit myself by saying that I thought it was a nice book and can live very well with how it ends with all the characters.

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Now reading De vermisten van Maneschijn by Christelle Dabos original French, ROOT # 35, Forumchallenge # 40

The Blurb NOT my review

When Ophelia is promoted to Vice-storyteller by Farouk, the ancestral Spirit of Pole, she finds herself unexpectedly thrust into the public spotlight. Her gift--the ability to read the secret history of objects--is now known by all, and there can be no greater threat to the nefarious denizens of her icy adopted home than this. Beneath the golden rafters of Pole's capitol, she discovers that the only person she may be able to trust is Thorn, her enigmatic and emotionally distant fiancé. As one influential courtier after another disappears, Ophelia again finds herself unintentionally implicated in an investigation that will lead her to see beyond Pole's many illusions to the heart of a formidable truth.

>46 connie53: Is that the second or third mirror visitor book? I've only read the first one and must continue with the series :)

>46 connie53: Hi Connie, good to hear from you! There's really not much you can or want to do in heat like this, is there? How glad we are that we have books to keep us busy.

>47 curioussquared: It's the second book, Natalie! And a good one.

>48 MissWatson: I know. This morning it felt really cold with only 15 C degrees outside.

>49 connie53: Same here. It feels a bit weird after the heat of the last weeks, but it makes me feel a lot better.

It must have been hard cycling to see Peet in the heat! It's been hot here too but due for a bit of a cool down in the next few days.

>51 Familyhistorian:, It was hot indeed. I have to wait until 10 am before I can visit (they are busy with care in the early morning, getting everyone washed and ready for the day), so I away go there at the end of morning and try to be home by 12.30 so I are not on my bicycle at the hottest part of the day.

>50 MissWatson: And today we are in the 27C again and it will be warmer the rest of the next week. But those prognose about the weather can be wrong sometime.

Finished De vermisten van Maneschijn by Christelle Dabos, ROOT # 36, Forumchallenge # 40

My review

In the beginning I had to get used to this second part of the series 'De Spiegelpassante'. It had been a while since I read part 1 and I didn't remember much about it. But luckily it soon got better and I was completely in it again and could fully enjoy the somewhat bizarre story.
Ophelia was married off to Thorn and moved to another part of the world with one of her aunts. That world has been torn apart by God and now consists of 20 Arks, each of which forms its own world, headed by one of the Greek Gods. Artemis is the Goddess of the Ark where Ophelia comes from. Thorn lives on Pool, where Faroek is the ruler (he has changed his name). Thorn is not really liked by Pool inhabitants, he is appointed there as intendant and as such responsible for all the possessions and affairs of the court. Ophelia has 2 magical talents, she can travel through mirrors from one side of a city or country and she is a reader of objects. By holding something she can learn a lot about what happened to the object and who held it. And that's why she's going to marry Thorn, at their marriage she gets Thorn's talents and he gets hers at their disposal. And Thorn is eager to read the Book because he thinks there's something in it that can help it understand a problem better. Faroek is meanwhile very impressed by Ophelia and he also wants to use her talent to read the Book.
When courtiers keep disappearing, Ophelia is appointed by him as a kind of detective to find the courtiers again by means of objects.
I loved this book. A Young Adult book, but I don't care.

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And started and finished ROOT # 36, Forumchallenge # 41 Het geheugen van Babel by Christelle Dabos,

The blurb NOT my review

Ophelia, the mirror-travelling heroine, finds herself in the magical city of Babel, guarding a secret that may provide a key both to the past and the future. After two years and seven months biding her time on Anima, her home ark, it is finally time to act, to put what she has discovered in the Book of Faruk to good use. Under an assumed identity she travels to Babel, a cosmopolitan and thoroughly modern ark that is the jewel of the universe, and where automata have taken over the most humble jobs from humans. But under the surface of this pacific and orderly ark social unrest stirs, fed by the memories of a fateful purge long ago, and the inhabitants growing fear of being replaced altogether. Will Ophelias talent as a reader suffice to avoid her being lured into a deadly trap by her ever more fearful adversaries? Will she ever see Thorn, her betrothed, again?

My review

Third part in the series and now we have to wait for part 4, which will be released soon.
Ophelia leaves for the Ark Babel on her own after more than 2.5 years on her home ark Anima. She hasn't seen Thorn in all that time, but now that she knows the truth about the family ghosts, she wants to do something to further investigate the mystery. Babel is a state-of-the-art ark and to get in touch with the person, she has to undergo training to become a forerunner virtuoso. She is not received too warmly at that school and has to make a lot of effort to stay upright and pass the final exam. Then a few people die under suspicious circumstances and the search becomes really dangerous.

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Started and finished ROOT # 37, De gunst by Nicci French,

The blurb NOT my review

When Liam unexpectedly turns up in Jude's life after ten years of no contact, asking her for a favour, she just can't say no. He was her first love, and even though she is now a successful doctor and about to get married, he will always be someone special to her. But after she does the favour, she is contacted by the police, informing her that Liam has been found dead, and suddenly she is caught up in a murder investigation. And she realises this one decision could cost her everything - even her life... >

My review

A real old-fashioned Nicci French again with a story that I really liked.
As an 18-year-old girl, Jude had a summer fling with the rambunctious and somewhat rebellious Liam. But a fateful event has driven them apart. Years later, when Liam waits for her at the hospital where Jude works as a geriatrician, she is very surprised. Liam asks her for a favor. She has to go with him to a cottage for a weekend where he will explain everything to her and will tell her what the Faovur is he needs from her. Jude thinks Liam still owes her something and makes an excuse to explain to her fiancé why she'll be away for the weekend. But Liam doesn't show up and it turns out he's been murdered.
Jude also investigates herself and ends up in the house where Liam lived with a number of other people, with whom he formed a kind of living group and where his girlfriend and his 1 year old son also live. Then Jude slowly discovers what happened and that turns her world upside down.

I started yesterday in a book that was recommended to me by one of my neighbours.

Daar waar de rivierkreeften zingen by Delia Owens

The blurb NOT my review

For years, rumors of the "Marsh Girl" have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life--until the unthinkable happens.

I'm enjoying this book a lot.

Finished Daar waar de rivierkreeften zingen by Delia Owens and this book gets the full

My review

What a beautiful book and how beautifully written. I haven't cried like this in a long time in the last part of it.
The story begins when six-year-old Kya sees her mother walking away in stiletto heels and with a briefcase and she doesn't even look back to wave. Kya is left with her father and her 2 brothers and 2 sisters, all older than her. Her father is a drunk and abuses everyone in the family. Then her 2 sisters and her oldest brother also disappear. Only her brother Jodie remains.
The family lives in a cabin in a swamp area in North Carolina and the family is quite poor. Dad is a fisherman who usually converts his entire income into whiskey. Kya takes over the role of mother and housewife as best she can. She teaches herself to cook and wash. When Jodie also leaves, she is left alone with her father. Kya roams the swamp surrounding their cabin. She spends one day in her entire life at school, but after that she doesn't want to anymore. She learns to navigate the swamp in a boat and learns so much about the animals, the insects, the birds and the plants. Then her father also disappears, one day he just doesn't come home anymore. Later she meets Tate, a boy who is just a few years older and who shows her the way to her cabin when she is lost. Tate gives her little gifts that he leaves on a tree trunk, bird feathers and shells. Slowly they also start talking to each other and when Tate realizes that she can't read, he teaches her that and then a world opens up for Kya. Tate brings her all kinds of books about biology and nature. She also turns out to be very good at painting, just like her mother. Gradually she has a beautiful collection of feathers, with a watercolor and a poem or quote.
Meanwhile, she gets to know Chase and when Tate disappears from her life to go to college she has an affair with him, but Chase is a womanizer and eventually the affair is broken. And Tate comes back into her life again. Everything ripples on until Chase is found dead at the bottom of the lighthouse.
I was particularly impressed by the way the author describes nature, the loneliness of Kya, who befriends seagulls, who has to cope on her own, without significant help from the inhabitants of a village nearby. to rescue.
An absolutely beautiful book and an impressive story

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Now reading Kushiëls werktuig by Jacqueline Carey, ROOT # 38, BFB # 13

The blurb NOT my review

A decade of peace has passed in Terre D'Ange, the country founded by the god Elua. Since the world's most famous courtesan saved her queen from assassination, Phèdre no Delauny has been enjoying a quiet life until a prophetic dream calls upon her to serve her gods one last time. But what they ask may be too painful for even an anguissettte to bear. When the young son of the traitor Melisande Shahrizai--Imriel de la Courcel, who stands third in line for the crown--is kidnapped, Phèdre enters an uneasy bargain to find the boy in exchange for the information that will free her beloved childhood friend Hyacinthe from his eternal imprisonment as the new Master of the Straits. When it becomes clear that Imriel's disappearance is part of a larger, far darker scheme, Phèdre knows it is her sacred duty to end it. At her side is her loving consort Josselin, who will also risk losing himself in Phèdre's gamble to rescue Imriel and save her country from a spreading darkness. And beyond her doubt, her fear, dangles the promise of a holy mystery so great that it could transform Phèdre into justice incarnate... or consume her in the flames of her own passion. All of Phèdre's journeys have led here, to the grandest of conclusions in an epic tale of fantasy, adventure, and, above all, love.

Connie the Delia Owens book is now a movie. It translated very well to the screen. My daughter took me for my birthday as we had both read the book a couple of years ago. We both really enjoyed the book and the movie.

>55 HelenBaker: I have to look out for that movie, Helen. Thanks for the tip.

I finished Kushiëls werktuig by Jacqueline Carey today, ROOT # 38, BFB # 13, Forumchallenge # 42,

My review

It's been a long time since I read part 1 and 2 in this series. And now that I've finished part 3, I don't understand why I waited so long to get started. Although it took me a while to get back into it. Because of course I didn't know exactly what it was all about.
Once I got into it, it went fast too, this BFB. I don't want to say much about the story because I don't want to spoiler, but I found it at times too cruel and violent, but also beautifully written and intriguing at the same time. Phèdre has to endure so much to achieve her goal. But luckily she has Joscelin by her side and gets help from unexpected quarters and people.

Definitely recommended

Now reading Elric van Melniboné by Michael Moorcock ROOT # 39, Forumchallenge # 43



The Blurb NOT my review

Elric is the brooding, albino emperor of the dying Kingdom of Melnibone. With Melnibone's years of grandeur and decadence long since passed, Elric's amoral cousin Yrkoon sets his eyes on the throne. Elric, realizing he is his country's best hope, must face his nefarious cousin in an epic battle for the right to rule.

There are a few things going on over here. Some are to do with my house. No hot water for over 4 days. I had a guy over from the firm that rents me my boiler. He has been searching for the cause and came back the next day with new parts to replace the ones he thought were causing the problems. And it helped, hot water everywhere but not in the showerarea. He examined the faucets and it appeared one was broken. I bought a new one. 'Easy to install' the man in the shop said, NOT. My brother came over for 2 evenings in a row and I finally could shower Friday morning.

My brother had bad news, he was diagnosed with colon cancer. At first the doctor thought it was really, really bad but after all kinds of tests and scans they are now positive about the chance for getting better. But my sisters and I were in shock when we heard. He is dealing with it all in a very good way. And we are calmed by his mindset.

>58 connie53: It definitely sounds like there is a lot going on for you, Connie. I am heartened to hear that the doctors are now more positive, but that must have been quite a shock. Hope things improve for you!

>58 connie53: That is an awful lot going on for you! I'm glad that your brother is positive and his doctors are optimistic. And I'm glad your hot water is finally fixed. We are currently without a shower because we had a leak earlier this week, with water coming through the ceiling of the hall underneath the bath. But it is a simple fix, we just need to reseal the bath (which Pete is in the middle of doing, removing the old seal and then adding the new one).

What a week! Sending all good wishes to your brother.

Goodness, you've had quite a week, Connie. I'm glad it ended with some optimistic news on both fronts but I can imagine the shock your brother's diagnosis has caused. Sending best wishes to all of you.

>58 connie53: That is a lot to cope with, Connie.
Sending good thoughts for your brother, and to all others involved.

I hope your brother's condition continues to improve both physically and mentally, Connie

I have to have some plumbing work done in my bathroom and I have been putting it off. Fortunately, it can be put off. It's not urgent - but it will be eventually. My shower faucet started leaking a few weeks ago - right around the time school started. Of course, this is the busiest time of the semester for me, so I don't have time to take a half day off from work to deal with it. I decided to take a chance that the leak wouldn't get worse and so far it hasn't. In a week I will get the plumber and get it changed out. By then most of my beginning of the year appointments will be done.

Hi, guys! What a great support! Thanks for that. It feels really good to read them.

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On the reading front



I started reading Lelieblank, scharlakenrood by Michel Faber ROOT # 40, BFB # 14, Forumchallenge # 44

The blurb NOT my review

Sugar, a nineteen-year-old whore in the brothel of the terrifying Mrs. Castaway, yearns for a better life. Her ascent through the strata of Victorian society begins with the egotistical perfume magnate William Rackham. Infatuated with Sugar, William's patronage brings her into the circles of his family and milieu: his wife who barely overcomes chronic hysteria to make her appearances during "the Season"; his mysteriously hidden-away daughter, left to the care of minions; his pious brother, foiled in his devotional calling by his lust for the Widow Fox; as well as preening socialites, drunken journalists, untrustworthy servants, vile guttersnipes, and whores of all stripes and persuasions.

Oh what an awful week for you, Connie! My deepest hopes that your brother's condition will improve.

>66 connie53: I had to chuckle reading the blurb of this book. It sounds like it could provide distraction from your harrowing week. Plumbing concerns aside, I am glad to hear there is a positive prognosis for your brother. these diagnoses can be very worrying until a path forward is found.
I hope the coming week is worry free for you.

Hi, Connie! Stopping in to say hello and to wish your brother the very best. As a colon cancer survivor, I can tell you that treatment has improved dramatically from what it was many years ago and that my surgery was relatively pain free. I was up the next day and home the day after that. I felt like I had done a few too many sit-ups and had to give myself a few days to recover from soreness. Other than that, I was fine. I hope your brother's treatment is as easy as mine was.

Thank you, Birgit, Helen and EMA. Tomorrow my brother has his first radiation and next week 4 more. Then there will be a six-week period of waiting and in the first part of November the polyp will be removed. And we are all hoping for the best. The plumbing problem is solved, but my brother thinks it can be better. He is one that can't give a thing up before he solved it as best as he can, so I imagine there wil be some more approvements made before he is completely satisfied.

I'm now on page 299/955 of my book and I have mixed feelings about it. Mr. Faber uses a Victorian way of writing so in my head it sounds very sophisticated and elegant, but a bit old fashioned with a slight hint of humor. It has my attention, but I can easily be distracted.

Hi Connie! I too am sending good wishes for your brother, and wishing you well too.

Thanks, Jennifer. Same to you!

955 pages! I would find that very challenging. I hope it is worth the effort required and you have plenty of reading time.

Finalle finished a ROOT I started a while ago and mostly read in it on trains when it was very clumsy to take 955 pages book with me.

Elric van Melniboné by Michael Moorcock, ROOT # 39, Forumchallenge # 43, , (I know the link takes you to the wrong book, but I can't change that)

My review

Nice start to one of the sub-series. A bit clumsy Fantasy in the beginning, but eventually it started to fascinate me and it was nice to read how Elric, as emperor of the country, wants to reform that country. The 'people' who live there are really only concerned with themselves and there is little cohesion in society. Elric wants to visit the other islands of the known world to find ideas for reform.

Finished Lelieblank, scharlaken rood by Michel Faber ROOT # 40, Forumchallenge # 44 - BFB # 14,

My review

I'm a bit dubious about this book. I actually like the period in which the book is set, late 19th century London. It couldn't get any better for me. But I ran into something that I don't come across so much when I'm reading. If I wasn't reading in this book, I wasn't even thinking about it. Sometimes I could leave it alone for a day or two without regrets. But when I was reading it, I thought it was a great book written with cool humor.

Sugar's story is a story of ascension in society and personal development and at the end her career slowly declines again. Sugar is a girl who ends up in prostitution at a young age. Thanks to one of her customers, her intelligence and her own relentless commitment to keep that customer satisfied in every way, she makes herself indispensable to him. I don't want to spoiler too much and I really hope other readers give this book a chance and enjoy it just a little bit more than I did.

Starting in De warlock by Michael Scott ROOT # 41,

De blurb NOT my review

The twins of prophecy have been divided -- the end has begun. Josh has chosen a side, and he will not stand with his sister, Sophie, or with Nicholas Flamel. He will fight alongside Dr. John Dee and the mysterious Virginia Dare. With Scatty, Joan of Arc, Saint Germain, Palamedes, and Shakespeare all in Danu Talis, Sophie is on her own with the ever-weakening Nicholas Flamel and Perenelle. Unless Sophie can find her twin before the battle begins, all is lost -- forever.

I did not start in >76 connie53:. Because I found an e-book that is so much fun and feelgood that I had to start in that one. My whole RL bookclub is reading that one now or has read it and we are all very enthusiastic about it, 4 and 5 stars are given regularly.



The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

The blurb NOT my review

As one of the few witches in Britain, Mika Moon knows she has to hide her magic, keep her head down, and stay away from other witches so their powers don’t mingle and draw attention. And as an orphan who lost her parents at a young age and was raised by strangers, she’s used to being alone and she follows the rules...with one exception: an online account, where she posts videos "pretending" to be a witch. She thinks no one will take it seriously.

But someone does. An unexpected message arrives, begging her to travel to the remote and mysterious Nowhere House to teach three young witches how to control their magic. It breaks all of the rules, but Mika goes anyway, and is immediately tangled up in the lives and secrets of not only her three charges, but also an absent archaeologist, a retired actor, two long-suffering caretakers, and…Jamie. The handsome and prickly librarian of Nowhere House would do anything to protect the children, and as far as he’s concerned, a stranger like Mika is a threat. An irritatingly appealing threat.

As Mika begins to find her place at Nowhere House, the thought of belonging somewhere begins to feel like a real possibility. But magic isn't the only danger in the world, and when peril comes knocking at their door, Mika will need to decide whether to risk everything to protect a found family she didn’t know she was looking for....

I'm also reading a paper book of course.



De moord in Oxford by Ruth Ware

The blurb NOT my review

April Clarke-Cliveden was the first person Hannah Jones met at Oxford. Vivacious, bright, occasionally vicious, and the ultimate It girl, she quickly pulled Hannah into her dazzling orbit. Together, they cultivated a group of devoted and inseparable friends--Will, Hugh, Ryan, and Emily--during their first term. By the end of the year, April was dead. Now, a decade later, Hannah and Will are expecting their first child, and the man convicted of killing April, former Oxford porter John Neville, has died in prison. Hannah is relieved to have finally put the past behind her, but her world is rocked when a young journalist comes knocking and presents new evidence that Neville may have been innocent. As Hannah reconnects with old friends and delves deeper into the mystery of April's death, she realizes that the friends she thought she knew all have something to hide... including a murder

Stats for 2022 on Oktober 3

TBR on 03-10-2022: 509 including 193 e-books = 316 tree-books

Total books/e-books read in 2022: 73 - including 2 re-reads and 6 e-books
Tree-books read in 2022: 67 including 41 ROOTs
e-books read in 2022: 6

Total tree-books into the house: 48
books bought: 39
books as presents: 9
read new books: 33

Big Fat Books (500 + pages) read: 14

>77 connie53: I just bought The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches on Saturday for my birthday and I'm very excited to get to it, Connie!

>79 curioussquared:. Good for you, Natalie. Enjoy! And happy birthday!

Finished The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna - FF # 2,

My review

What a nice and feel-good book this is. It is about unconditional friendship, fidelity and love and about witches.
Mika Moon is a young witch who has never felt at home anywhere. In her youth she was placed in a large house by her 'foster mother', the witch Primrose, and raised by nannies and tutors, all of whom had to disappear from her life if she showed any sign of her witch powers. As a child, that often happened. No one stayed in her life for long, and once she was 18 years old and allowed to live on her own, she made a habit of never staying in the same city for more than a few months.
Then she is asked to come and care for the three girls Rosetta, Terracotta and Altamira and to teach them how to use their witch powers.
It is a book in which you have the desire to live there in Nowhere House yourself. A place to really feel at home and know that the people you live with will always love you and support you unconditionally.

>80 connie53: Thanks Connie!

>81 connie53: Glad you enjoyed it :)

I started another e-book this afternoon.



The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue

The blurb NOT my review

Dublin, 1918. In a country doubly ravaged by war and disease, Nurse Julia Power works at an understaffed hospital in the city centre, where expectant mothers who have come down with an unfamiliar flu are quarantined together. Into Julia's regimented world step two outsiders: Doctor Kathleen Lynn, on the run from the police, and a young volunteer helper, Bridie Sweeney.

In the darkness and intensity of this tiny ward, over the course of three days, these women change each other’s lives in unexpected ways. They lose patients to this baffling pandemic, but they also shepherd new life into a fearful world. With tireless tenderness and humanity, carers and mothers alike somehow do their impossible work.

>83 connie53: Oooh, looking forward to your thoughts on this one, Connie. I read it last year.

>81 connie53: That one sounds delightful!

>84 rosalita: I'm not that far into this book, Julia. You will read my thoughts here when I've finished.

>85 Jackie_K: Yes it was a really feelgood book which I read with much joy.

Finished De moord in Oxford by Ruth Ware yesterday and de book gets

My review

Hannah Jones is a shy girl, and the world opens for her when she goes to study at Oxford. She gets a suite with the extroverted and very wealthy April Clarke-Cliveden. Each has their own bedroom and together they share a living room. Soon they form a close group of friends with Hugh, Will, Ryan and Emily also studies at Pelham college (fictional). But then Hannah finds April murdered in their suite.
10 years later Hannah is married to Will and they are expecting their first child. When April's alleged killer, John Neville, dies in prison, Hannah begins to question Neville's conviction. With her statement she was decisive for the verdict, but Hannah is not so sure anymore. Neville has always claimed he wasn't the culprit.
When a journalist comes to Hannah for information about April's death, Hannah starts investigating herself.
The story is set in two timelines, before and after, with April's death as the turning point.
I thought it was a good story that was put together well.

On Monday I started a new tree-book.



The blurb NOT my review

Detective Erika Foster is on a late-night walk near her new house in Blackheath when she stumbles upon the brutal murder of Vicky Clarke, a true-crime podcaster.

Erika is assigned to the case and discovers that Vicky had been working on a new podcast episode about a sexual predator who preys on young female students around South London, staking out his victims in their halls of residence before breaking in at the dead of night.

When Erika discovers that Vicky's notes and sound recordings were stolen from her flat at the time of her murder, it leads her to believe that Vicky was close to unmasking the attacker, and she was killed to guarantee her silence.

The case takes on a disturbing twist when the body of a young Bulgarian student doctor is discovered in the same building, and this makes Erika question everything she thought she knew about Vicky. With very little evidence, the clock is ticking to find the killer before he strikes again.

And finished Fatale waarheid by Robert Bryndza half an hour ago. This book gets

My review

I am always so happy with a book by Robert Bryndza. And this one is no exception. A lot of characters, all of whom qualify as perpetrators. I was jumping from one idea to another. But I didn't see the end coming at all. Written with great speed. Wonderful book!
I'm not going to tell you what it's about because of spoilers.

Now starting in another ROOT and a very old ROOT indeed.



Verhalen van Aardzee by Ursula Le Guin, ROOT # 45, Forumchallenge # 46

The blurb NOT my review

The tales of this book explore and extend the world established by the Earthsea novels--yet each stands on its own. It contains the novella "The Finder," and the short stories "The Bones of the Earth," "Darkrose and Diamond," "On the High Marsh," and "Dragonfly." Concluding with with an account of Earthsea's history, people, languages, literature, and magic, this collection also features two new maps of Earthsea.

Connie so many books read, congratulations. I went upthread and saw that you've already exceeded your goal in every category?! And you even have room for more acquisitions!

>91 detailmuse:. I know. MJ. It's really hard to believe.

Room for more acquisitions is made by me because I up my total so I can buy more books!

And I finished another ROOT!



Verhalen van Aardzee by Ursula Le Guin, ROOT # 41, Forumchallenge # 46

My review

5 Stories in the world of Aardzee/Earthsea. A longer story and 4 shorter stories that are all connected together. Several characters appear in some of these stories. The style is something you have to get used to, a bit stately and old-fashioned actually. But also dreamy and sometimes beautiful and a bit elusive.

>83 connie53: I finished The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue and this book gets , Forumchallenge # 47

My review

I can't think of words to describe this book. It is harsh and heartbreaking, raw and beautiful, I can name all the contradictions there are.

Julia Powers is a nurse who works at a hospital in Dublin at the end of the First World War.
Suddenly she is responsible for 3 patients who have to give birth but who also suffer from the Spanish Flu. There is a small room for these three patients and a sort of kitchenette. She gets help from Bridie Sweeney, a young woman who was raised in a home for poor orphans by the nuns who also run the hospital. Bridie is a hard worker and a smart girl and soon Julia and Bridie are completely attuned to each other.
In a period of three days, babies are born, mothers and babies die, and a close friendship develops. And then disaster strikes.
I saw it coming and didn't want to read any further, because I really didn't want for this book to end this way. As a result, this book shot from a 7 to a 9.

>93 connie53: So glad you liked it! It's an amazing book.

>94 rosalita: It is!



Now reading De rozentuin by Corina Bomann, Forumchallenge # 48

The blurb NOT my review

Alexa has had a difficult relationship with her mother Cornelia for as long as she can remember. When Cornelia unexpectedly falls into a coma, the responsibility for her mother suddenly falls heavily on Alexa's shoulders.

While searching for Cornelia's papers, Alexa comes across a series of letters that cast doubt on everything she thinks she knows about her mother. Instead of the stiff and reserved person Alexa knows, the letters reveal a warm, passionate woman who has survived the necessary disasters. Bewildered, Alexa sets out to find out who Cornelia really is, and she gradually gets to know her mother better… and finally begins to love her.

Finished De rozentuin by Corina Bomann and this book gets Forumchallenge # 48

My review

My first book by Corna Bomann is immediately a good one. Lots of family secrets and a love that lasts forever. Richard Henderson is an American young man who lives in Hamburg as an exchange student. There he meets the young Cornelia and they fall deeply in love. When fate strikes Hamburg in the form of a violent flood disaster (The flood: true event) they are separated. They both think the other one did not survive. Years later, Cornelia has a small bookstore, a husband and a daughter, Alexa. When Cornelia has to decide which books to buy and searches in a catalogue, she comes across a book by a writer named Richard Henderson. She finds out that Richard is still alive and even though they both have families, she decides to search for Richard. That is the beginning of a journey that will have many consequences. Alexa finds out all about this history through her mother's diaries and Richard's stories. Great book that is well put together.

Now deciding wicht book to read next.

Hi Connie - just popping in to say hello, and hope you and yours are well. Looks like you've been doing some good reading the last few weeks!

>97 Jackie_K: Hi Jackie, Thanks for popping in! We are all well. I have had a few days with Fiene and Marie because their father had to go on a work-trip and Eveline needed someone to take the girls to school and back. For the most time live is rolling along quietly and uneventful.

On the Books:

Now reading



Breach of Crust by Ellery Adams

The Blurb NOT my review

Ella Mae LeFaye’s delicious pies are still drawing long lines—as well as the attention of Beatrice Burbank, president of the Camellia Club, a philanthropic organization comprised of high-society Southern ladies from the charming and affluent town of Sweet Briar, Georgia. To ensure the success of their centennial dessert cookbook, Bea hires Ella Mae to teach the tasty tricks of her trade to the club’s members at their annual retreat. Eager to work on new recipes for customers with food allergies and dietary restrictions, Ella Mae readily agrees.

But when Ella Mae finds Bea’s body floating in Lake Havenwood, she wonders what she’s gotten herself mixed up in. Someone certainly wanted Bea to eat humble pie, and the retreat offers no shortage of unsavory characters, including Ella Mae’s longtime nemesis, Loralyn Gaynor. Ella Mae definitely doesn’t need magic to tell her she must find the killer before someone else gets panned.

and



Het laatste feest by Clare Mackintosh

The blurb NOT my review

On New Year's Eve, Rhys Lloyd has a house full of guests. His lakeside holiday homes are a success, and he's generously invited the village to drink champagne with their wealthy new neighbours. This will be the party to end all parties. But not everyone is there to celebrate. By midnight, Rhys will be floating dead in the freezing waters of the lake. On New Year's Day, DC Ffion Morgan has a village full of suspects. The tiny community is her home, so the suspects are her neighbours, friends and family - and Ffion has her own secrets to protect. With a lie uncovered at every turn, soon the question isn't who wanted Rhys dead . . . but who finally killed him. In a village with this many secrets, a murder is just the beginning.

I finished Breach of Crust by Ellery Adams just now and this book gets , Forumchallenge # 49

My review

What a wonderful book. Because I was reading it for a challenge, I didn't read the series in order, this is part 5. But that doesn't matter. I thought it was a great feel-good book, which made me very happy. I'm not going to spoiler too much, but this series is definitely worth reading. Witches, magic, murder and love and pies. What more do you want?

>93 connie53: I recently read this, too, but it wasn't a ROOT. And I agree: riveting contradictions. At times, brutal -- the writing really made me feel it. I liked the ending a little less, for me a little rushed. I also liked Room so am 2/2 on liking her novels.

Kamer is a great book, MJ. I like a lot of her books. Een kus voor de heks 3,5 stars, Landen 4 stars en Verlies 3,5 stars. Het other books are on my TBR.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Reading:



Now starting in De genezer van Zalindov by Lynette Noni

The blurb NOT my review

At Zalindov, the only person you can trust is yourself. Seventeen-year-old Kiva Meridan is a survivor. For ten years, she has worked as the healer in the notorious death prison, Zalindov, making herself indispensable. Kept afloat by messages of hope from her family, Kiva has one goal and one goal only: stay alive. Then one day the infamous Rebel Queen arrives at the prison on death's door and Kiva receives a new message: Don't let her die. We are coming. The queen is sentenced to the Trial by Ordeal: a series of elemental challenges against the torments of air, fire, water, and earth, assigned to only the most dangerous of criminals. Aware the sickly queen has little chance of making it through the Trials alive, Kiva volunteers to take her place. If she succeeds, both she and the queen will be granted their freedom. But no one has ever survived. And with an incurable plague sweeping Zalindov, a mysterious new inmate fighting for Kiva's heart, and a prison rebellion brewing, Kiva can't escape the terrible feeling that her trials have only just begun.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Real live things

On Saturday I went furniture shopping with Jeroen, Rianne and Lonne. They needed a carpet for their livingroom and I wanted a new table and chairs for my dining room.

They only found a small carpet for Lonne's bedroom. But I bought a table and 6 chairs.



Two grey chairs



and 4 green ones



And Yesterday I went downtown with Jeroen and Eveline to shop for clothes. They take me out each year for that for my birthday and Mother's Day. Because of Covid we missed 2 years and now we could make up for that. I came home with lots of clothes: black low boots, a winter coat, 3 pair of trousers, 2 blouses, 2 sweaters and a dress. I was really very spoiled by them.

I love those chairs and table. I hope you have many lovely meals while you are sitting at that table.

I have been doing some clothes shopping as well. I am going to be retiring soon, so don't need to over due it, but my work clothes are looking dated and shabby. My favorite dress is now 10 years old, so I am buying a few work clothes that I hope will be able to move right along with me into retirement.

>101 connie53: Love the table and chairs, and sounds like you had a very productive shopping day!!

>101 connie53: Oh, these are very stylish! Congratulations.

>101 connie53: I bought new dining room furniture a couple of years ago and I like the table but don't like the chairs! Your chairs look like they would be very comfy for one of those faimily dinners that go on and on.

>102 benitastrnad:, >103 curioussquared:, >104 MissWatson:, >105 clue:

Thanks, Ladies! Of course we tested all chairs before buying. Lonne even tested if she could still draw and colour sitting on the chairs. Rianne carried some chairs to that table and she approved! I hope we can have a nice Christmas or Sinterklaas (december 5) lunch/brunch on that table, but that will be in 2023, because they will be delivered in February 2023.

>101 connie53: Love a successful shopping trip. Your chairs are right in my house colour tones. Nice!

Finished Het laatste feest by Clare Mackintosh and this book gets

My review

Clare Mackintosh has always been a wonderful writer in my eyes and this book is no exception. It is extremely complicated and ingenious, so it requires concentration to process and understand everything properly. That's probably why it took me so long to finish the book. Other books came along that were just a little easier to read.
This book is about a murder. Rhys Lloyd is pulled dead and mutilated from the lake after a New Year's Eve party at the new luxury holiday homes built on the edge of the lake. He was one of the initiators of the construction of these houses. There are now five, but it must become a full-fledged resort.
The border of England and Wales is somewhere in the middle of the lake and because it cannot be determined on which side of the lake the murder took place. Leo Brady, England, and Ffion Morgan, Wales, investigate together. Ffion herself comes from the village across the lake from the resort. During the course of the investigation, it comes to light that Rhys was not a very pleasant person and very misogynistic. He has antagonized everyone in the resort and quite a few of the local residents. Almost everyone is a suspect. And believe me, that's a lot of people. It was therefore a quest to tie together all the persons, clues, statements and actions to come to a surprising ending that I did not see coming at all.

That could have been a bit less for me. Hence an 8 and not a 9.

Now starting in Het brievenspoor by Tracy Rees

The blurb NOT my review

Left to perish on a bank of snow as a baby, Amy is taken in by nearby Hatville Court, where she is despised by the masters and servants alike. Heiress Aurelia is Amy's only advocate - but when Aurelia dies young, Amy's world collapses. But Aurelia leaves Amy with one last gift: a bundle of letters with a coded key that only Amy can unlock. A life-changing discovery awaits ... if only she can unlock the secret.

My first time to read your postings. The books look interesting. The pictues of your granddaughters are precious.

Nice! New wardrobe, and I like your new chairs alot!

>110 mnleona: Hi Leona, nice of you to visit my thread and thank you.

>111 mstrust: Thank you, Jennifer.

I've been so busy with real live stuff and I have neglected LT in a big way.

Peet's health is slowly going downhill. He has more trouble remembering things and when he does not take his medication he has such vivid dreams that he phones me during the night to ask where he is or why he is there. I'm constantly feeling tired because I have broken nights or very short ones.
The care-home is really good about it, they are constantly changing the things they have to do. Now they have decided his evening pills are taken when the nurse is still there. I hope that works.

Babysitting the girls is fun, but also takes up much of my time. SIL is traveling to the Scandinavian countries every week and Eveline needs me to take care of Fiene and Marie while she is working.

And, on top of that all, I've had some knee problems and get physical therapy for that once a week. It does not help a lot and I have trouble walking and cycling. I hope it will be better soon because that are my only ways to move outside the house.

I'm still reading though, but not that much. I have made a lot of jigsaw puzzles lately. Real difficult ones too.

>113 connie53: I'm sorry to hear about your broken nights and your troubles with your knee. I hope you feel better soon. I love a good jigsaw puzzle but just don't have the space in my current apartment for a big tricky one!

Sorry to hear real life is so challenging right now, Connie ❤️ sending good thoughts for Peet and your knee!

>113 connie53: Echoing the others, I'm sorry to hear things are a bit tough right now, but I hope that the solution with the nurse helping Peet to take his evening medication helps, and that your knee stops flaring up so badly soon.

Sorry to hear that real life is so stressful for you at the moment. I hope your and Peet's health problems can be improved.

>113 connie53: I'm so sorry things are difficult all around right now, Connie. I'm sending lots of good thoughts to you and Peet.

Thank you all! It feels really good to read all those lovely and encouraging thoughts you send me.

Connie, I hope your body is healing your knee behind the scenes, and you can get some sleep to help on everything.

>113 connie53: Well your plate is certainly full at the moment, but at least the people at the care home seem really professional about their job. Good thoughts to you on everything.

I'm adding my good wishes for you, Connie! You have so much going on that it's understandable that you haven't had time to read.

>121 Henrik_Madsen:, >122 mstrust: Thanks both.

Finally!!! I finished another book, not a ROOT though. This book took me 20 days to read. Not because it is an bad book, but because I have been busy doing jigsaw puzzles instead. I think I was a bit in a reading slump.

Het brievenspoor by Tracy Rees,

My review

Nice story, but just not a topper. Aurelia finds a small naked baby in the snow on the estate of her parents, Lord and Lady Vennaway. She takes the girl home and calls her Amy Snow. The story really starts when Amy has to leave the estate on seventeen -year -old after the death of the 8 -year -older Aurelia. With a full suitcase with all her possessions and a letter from Aurelia, she sets off without a goal. In her letter, Aurelia indicates where to go and tells that it will be a search and that she is not allowed to tell anyone about it. Moreover, there is a considerable amount in the letter to pay for her search. Amy goes from city to city and always meets new people who help her further. And her great love too.

Don't know what I will read now.

Found one to fit ROOTs and BFB's



The blurb NOT my review

It's December 23, 1971, and heavy weather is forecast for Chicago. Russ Hildebrandt, the associate pastor of a liberal suburban church, is on the brink of breaking free of a marriage he finds joyless - unless his wife, Marion, who has her own secret life, beats him to it. Their eldest child, Clem, is coming home from college on fire with moral absolutism, having taken an action that will shatter his father. Clem's sister, Becky, long the social queen of her high-school class, has sharply veered into the counterculture, while their brilliant younger brother Perry, who's been selling drugs to seventh-graders, has resolved to be a better person. Each of the Hildebrandts seeks a freedom that each of the others threatens to complicate

I hope this takes you out of your reading slump, Connie. Although puzzles are also lovely to spend time on!

>126 MissWatson: I know, Birgit, I'm currently tackling a puzzle by Aimee Stewart named Fairy bookcase. 1500 pieces. it is a very colorful one: Flowers, flowers and some more flowers.

Not a very great picture, but you get an idea of it.

>127 connie53: Oh that looks lovely – and complicated. I noticed that most shops offer wooden puzzles as the latest fashion in Christmas toys this season. Are they a thing yet in the Netherlands?

Not that I noticed. We celebrated Sinterklaas on December 5th with the girls and their parents. And I just bought the usual carton puzzles. I bought them online and just bought presents that were on their wish-lists.

The puzzle will keep you busy. Hope things are going better for you and yours.

Thanks, Leona

>127 connie53: That looks like a fun puzzle, Connie! I haven't done a puzzle in a few months but I think I will get back into it after Christmas when there's a little more time.

>113 connie53: Connie I can totally relate to how family worries impact on your ability to read. I am sorry to hear of Peet's declining health and your knee problems. I, too, find myself looking after grandchildren regularly and yes fun, but tiring.

My eldest daughter, Adele, has set up a jigsaw puzzle library in her community and it is becoming increasingly popular. She has had many donations of puzzles, which she pre-makes to ensure all the pieces are there. She then sends some of them my way. Once I have made them they go to the puzzle club. It is attended by people of all ages. So I have a steady supply of fresh puzzles. I have also donated some of my own stock.

I hope your knee improves as it must be very isolating to be unable to use your bike to get about.
I was wakeful last night, to much brain chatter and got up and made a warm drink and did some puzzling. I also hope that Peet's medication issues have resolved and you can get sufficient rest.

>125 connie53: I have this as an e-book. I look forward to your review.

>127 connie53: I love puzzles with books in them. I have made one similar to this. There is always so much to discover in the detail. Enjoy.

>132 curioussquared: I just finished it yesterday, Natalie. It was really a very complicated puzzle. I had some help from my brother one night while we were watching a soccer game (World championship).We could combine listening and making the puzzle ans it was very much fun. My brother visits me every Wednesday evening. As we we have done the last 40-some years, except for the Covid years of course.

>133 HelenBaker: That sounds lovely Helen, a jigsaw library is a great idea.
I did get a x-ray from my knee and it is arthrosis, so I will get a injection with corticoïde and I hope that helps. The last thing they can do is a new knee. And I would like that very much, because I had my right knee replaced and that was such a relief. So I hope it will happen to the left knee too.

I can ride my bike with some starting problems for the first 50 or so meters. So that is a good thing. And that is what I do to get to Peet and do the groceries-shopping or go to the trainstation.
Peet situation is getting better. They are now watching him take his medication and my sleep is going better too now, I'm pleased to say.

>134 HelenBaker: I will let you know in 2023! It's a big one and I'm not making much progress due to the jigsaws.

>135 HelenBaker:. I love them too. I ordered two new one, not bookcases tough. but Jan van Haasterens.

>136 connie53: I'm happy you are seeing at least some incremental improvements in things, Connie, especially in Peet getting all his medications properly taken. I'm sure that eases your mind very much. Happy New Year wishes to you and Peet.

>136 connie53: I'm glad to hear that things are improving slightly for you. All the best for a lovely holiday season!

>136 connie53: I'm surprised to read of your knee problems Connie. Riding a bike here is often recommended by doctors for the step before the shot. Of course it depends on how advanced the problem is when you first see the Dr. I was thinking riding a bilke as much as you do might help avoid "bad" knees. My sister had both of hers replaced and she's been very happy wiith the results. Good luck, I know the pain can be really bad!

>137 rosalita:, Thanks Julia. It makes a big difference in my sleeping pattern.

>138 MissWatson:, Thanks Birgit, Same to you, are you going to your sisters again? Happy Christmas and a very happy New Year.

>139 clue:, Hi Luanne. It did not help me avoid the knee problems, but I ride my bike daily, so helping avoid the problem did not work for me.

>140 connie53: Thanks Connie, I'm leaving on Friday and hope to spend some very lazy days with them!

>141 MissWatson: Nice, Birgit. Be as lazy as you can be and enjoy!!

I'm so glad to hear that things are settling down positively with Peet and your sleep is better as a result. Long may this continue!

I’m so glad you’re getting better sleep and that Peet’s medication is more consistent. Wishing you a cozy and restful holiday season!

Thanks, Jackie and RP!

Wishing you the same.

Glad to read that Peet's situation is improving, so your sleep isn't disrupted anymore, Connie.

Happy holidays & all the best for 2023 to you and your family!

See you next year :-)

>146 FAMeulstee: Thanks Anita!

Things are moving slowly over here and at the same time I don't have enough time to do the things I need to do

My calendar

23 december - Fysio and Groceries
24 december - Hairdresser and pedicure, Cleaning, Visiting Peet
25 december - Cleaning and Peet at home
26 december - X mas at Eveline and Cyrille's house
27 december - Fiene and Marie are staying overnight, making beds for the girls, visiting Peet if possible
28 december - Fiene and Marie,
29 December - Appointment with Mental-care bureau at Peets home, Game-time at my sister place
30 December/ 4 januari - BFF Vera is coming to stay for 6 days. Arrange a bedroom for her.
5 januari - Nothing I hope
6 januari - Lonne here in the morning
7 januari - Birthday Eveline

So it's busy and there are things it's to early to do now.

I know I'm a worrier and overthinker and most of the time it is not as bad as I'm thinking. But my head is full and my sleep problems have returned due to my knee-pain. Yes, I'm full of self-pitty right now

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I don't think I will finish another ROOT or new and shiny one this year so it's time for some stats

Stats for 2022

TBR on 22-12-2022: 532 including 210 e-books = 322 tree-books

Total books/e-books read in 2022: 83 - including 2 re-reads and 11 e-books
Tree-books read in 2022: 72 including 41 ROOTs
e-books read in 2022: 11

Total tree-books into the house (that are not for the grandkids) to read: 59
books bought: 59
of which books as presents: 9 = 50 bought
read books bought in 2022: 36

Big Fat Books (500+ pages) read: 14

Just getting caught up here, Connie. I can't believe how many books you're able to read. Amazing. I hope you're able to relax and enjoy your Christmas and New Years, and that there isn't too much cleaning involved :-)

You have a busy couple of weeks ahead, Connie. I hope you are able to relax and enjoy some of it even if it seems like you have a lot to do!

Great stats!

You have a very busy schedule, Connie. I hope that your concerns over the past months have mellowed so you can enjoy Christmas and the coming New Year.

Dear Connie, I hope you can work off your schedule with minimum hustle and enjoy a lovely time with your family. Happy Holidays and all my best wishes that the New Year will bring you comfort and joy.

Take care Connie, I think Vera's visit will be "good medicine" for you!

Got your message and that's OK. I have your address and I have my address book and christmas letters with me. I will be sending them out a few days after Christmas.

Just catching up, Connie, and got hit with so many book bullets - but I'll have to save them for next year. I'm sorry to hear about your brother's and Peet's health but happy that things are looking better for both of them. I hope your knee improves.

Wishing you and your family all the best for the holiday season and a joyful, healthful and happy New Year.

Hi Connie! My New Year’s Resolutions include being a better LT friend and visiting more often.

>136 connie53: I hope the corticoïde injection helped and that you can get a left knee replacement soon. I am hopeful for the same thing – I have an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon on January 5th to evaluate for knee replacement early in 2023.

Thanks All!

Today Peet decided that he did not want to come home tomorrow. One of the nurses talked to him and convinced him. That staying for a night was not a good idea, since he would have to sleep on the couch and falling of the cough would be a risk het should not take. I would not hear him fall since I would sleep upstairs and calling out probably would not be heard by me too.

And then he got thinking about being home for a few hours and let me know that he didn't want to come here and he rather stay 'home' in the care-centre. So I will visit him tomorrow and we will go for coffee and cake in the restaurant of the care-centre if that is opened for the day. Maybe take him outside in his wheelchair if the weather is good. Temps are up to 14 C degrees but is will be a rainy day.

See you all after Christmas!

>157 connie53: I hope your visit with Peet tomorrow goes well!

I hope your Christmas with Peet goes well and the restaurant is open for coffee and cake, Connie.

Busy times, Connie, I hope keeping the list takes away some of the stress. I'm sorry Peet decided not to stay over, but it seems good that he feels so safe at the care home.

Excellent stats, especially how many new/shiny books you read. Enjoy Vera's visit!

I came here to post this in case your grand-girls would like to color, sorry that I just missed their visit with you:

I hope that you, Peet and your family had a good Christmas!

Sounds like such a busy holiday season, Connie, but I hope you and your family had a nice Christmas. Happy new year! :)

Happy new year, Connie - I hope you are having a brilliant time with Vera, and that you had a good Christmas with your family. See you in 2023! (which is now - that's going to take some getting used to!)

Thanks all.

Vera just left and it was nice enough with some trouble with the hot water supply. We had three days without. That is not nice. Showering was a real challenge and the problem ws solved this afternoon just after Vera left. I felt like a very bad hostess for her. But we did some nice things like jigsaw puzzels and a trip downtown for some shopping and lunch.

>160 detailmuse: The kids will like that next year too, MJ. Thanks!