Anita (FAMeulstee) - the third 75 thread in 2010

links
My very short introduction

75 Books Challenge 2008

75 Books Challenge 2009, part one
75 Books Challenge 2009, part two

75 Books Challenge 2010 - first thread
75 Books Challenge 2010 - second thread

books August 2010
#107 Nobody's boy by Hector Malot, 5 stars, msg 234
#106 The Black Persian by Karl May, 4 stars, msg 233
#105 The Evil Saint by Karl May, 4 stars, msg 232
#104 The caravan of death by Karl May, 4 stars, msg 220
#103 Travel Adventures in Kurdistan by Karl May, 4 stars, msg 212
#102 In the Desert by Karl May, 4 stars, msg 209

books July 2010
#101 Buddenbrooks: The Decline of a Family by Thomas Mann, 5 stars, msg 205
#100 The last dragon by Silvana De Mari, 4 stars, msg 190
#99 The art of racing in the rain by Garth Stein, 3 1/2 stars, msg 188
#98 The kings of Clonmel by John Flanagan, 4 stars, msg 187
#97 Eep! by Joke van Leeuwen, 4 1/2 stars, msg 174
#96 Song for a Dark Queen by Rosemary Sutcliff, 4 stars, msg 173
#95 Publieke werken by Thomas Rosenboom, 3 1/2 stars, msg 169
#94 The story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski, 5 stars, msg 159
#93 The seeing stone by Kevin Crossley-Holland, 3 stars, msg 140
#92 World without end by Ken Follett, 3 stars, msg 139
#91 Dead cold by Louise Penny, 4 stars, msg 138
#90 Pilars of the Earth by Ken Follett, 3 stars, msg 137

books June 2010
#89 The Siege of Macindaw by John Flanagan, 4 stars, msg 132
#88 Kersenbloed by Floortje Zwigtman, 4 stars, msg 132
#87 Foxmask by Julliet Marillier, 3 1/2 stars, msg 132
#86 The Sorcerer in the North by John Flanagan, 4 stars, msg 132
#85 Erak's Ransom by John Flanagan, 4 stars, msg 124
#84 Wolfskin by Julliet Marillier, 3 1/2 stars, msg 108
#83 Coraline by Neil Gaiman, 4 stars, msg 102
#82 A morbid taste for bones by Ellis Peters, 3 1/2 stars, msg 101
#81 Wolf of the Plains by Conn Iggulden, 3 1/2 stars, msg 97
#80 Het Scheepsmaatje by Hector Malot, 4 stars, msg 89
#79 Still Life by Louise Penny, 4 stars, msg 88
#78 The Children of Húrin by JRR Tolkien, 3 stars, msg 75
#77 Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer, 3 stars, msg 74

books May 2010
#76 Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, 4 1/2 stars, msg 69
#75 Het maanpaard by Federica De Cesco, 3 stars, msg 68
#74 The Shield Ring by Rosemary Sutcliff, 4 stars, msg 57
#73 Gifts by Ursula K. Le Guin, 4 1/2 stars, msg 36
#72 Charlotte's web by E.B. White, 4 1/2 stars, msg 26
#71 Beyond the sea of ice by William Sarabande, 3 stars, msg 25
#70 Sword Song by Rosemary Sutcliff, 4 stars, msg 24
#69 The oakleaf bearers by John Flanagan, 4 stars, msg 23
#68 The icebound land by John Flanagan, 4 stars, msg 22
#67 The High King by Lloyd Alexander, 5 stars, msg 7
#66 Dawn wind by Rosemary Sutcliff, 4 1/2 stars, msg 6
#65 Sword at sunset by Rosemary Sutcliff, 4 1/2 stars, msg 5
#64 The Sun Over Breda by Arturo Pérez-Reverte, 3 stars, msg 4
#63 The lantern bearers by Rosemary Sutcliff, 4 1/2 stars, msg 3
#62 Frontier wolf by Rosemary Sutcliff, 4 stars, msg 2

book #62 De omweg naar de keizer by Rosemary Sutcliff
translation of Frontier wolf
own collection, translated, YA

Continuing reading the books of the Dolphin Ring Cycle

In the 4th century Alexios Flavius Aquila, roman centurion, is stationed in Germany. The fist time in command he makes a big mistake and he is send to Britain. There he gets command of the Frontier Wolves in Scotland.

Again a good story set in Roman Britain.

4 stars

book #63 De lantarendragers by Rosemary Sutcliff
translation of The lantern bearers
own collection, translated, YA

The 4th book in the Dolphin Ring Cycle

Set in the 5th century, Aquila is a roman cavalrist. After visiting his family he hears the Roman troops are leaving Britain. At the last moment he decides to desert the army to stay with his family. The farm is raided by the Saxons, his sister is taken with them and he ends up as a Saxon slave in Danmark.
After some years he manages to escape and seeks revenge. But the man who betrayed his family and led the Saxons to their farm is already dead.
He ends up with Ambrosius' army fighting the Saxons. But all events have changed him into a silent and angry man, who is not really capable to enjoy life.

4 1/2 stars

book #64 De zon van Breda by Arturo Pérez-Reverte
translation of The sun over Breda
from the library, translated, found in torontoc's thread

17th century, the Netherlands, during the 80 year War.
In history classes the 80-years War always had a prominent place. Our country came into being by fighting the Spanish troops during these years.
So I thought it would be interesting to read a story from "the other side".

We (the Dutch) lost the city of Breda (but regained it later on) to the Spanish. The descriptions of the battles and fighting, life in the army in those days, all seem to be very realistic.
But I was too much brainwashed in my youth, the Spanish should be the bad guys and the Dutch the hero's and in this book it is the other way around ;-)
That kept me from really enjoying the book.

3 stars

book #65 Zwaard des konings by Rosemary Sutcliff
translation of Sword at Sunset
own collection, translated, King Arthur

This book follows the events immediately after The lantern bearers.
It is the story of King Arthur, but not in a mythical way. Artos the Bear is portraited as leader of the British army, fighting the Saxons.
Aquila (and his son) are in this story too.

4 1/2 stars

book #66 Ochtendwind by Rosemary Sutcliff
translation of Dawn wind
own collection, translated, YA

The 6th book of the Dolphin Ring Cycle

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

4 1/2 stars

book #67 De hoge koning by Lloyd Alexander
translation of The High King
own collection, YA, fantasy, groupread

The fifth (and last) book of The chonicles of Prydain was again a good read.
I will share my thoughts in the thread of the group read.

5 stars

Hi Anita, found your new thread. Hope you are feeling better this week.

I've not read Frontier Wolf but have read the other two in Sutcliff's series. Which of them all have you enjoyed the most, do you think?

Interesting to hear your thoughts on book #64 - I'm sure we all have some of that 'brainwashing' from how we were taught history. It's quite a challenge to view things from the reverse perspective.

> 8: Genny
thank you, yes I do feel better, so I am finally catching up here and writing my reviews.

The eagle of the ninth, The lantern bearers, Sword at sunset and Dawn wind all got 4 1/2 stars.
The silver branch and Frontier wolf both got 4 stars.

So all good reads, some a little better as others ;-)
I am currently reading Sword Song (in English, as that book is not translated).

The only one of this series which I read as a child was The eagle of the ninth and that was a great favourite, so the others I've read somehow don't quite match up to that one, but I agree, they are all pretty good.

> 10: No book can stand against a youth favourite, it is probably brightened by memory in time and as an adult you can't read it the way you did back then ;-)

That is true. Also I used to re-read my childhood books a lot, so the best ones have had the benefit of several reads over many years in childhood, whereas mostly the ones I've read as an adult I've only had time to read once.

Hope you are feeling better. I love reading your reviews and wish the Jon Ewo books were available in English.

Hi Friend!

Glad you are feeling better. I'm simply stopping by to wave hello and congratulate you on reading so many quality books.

I finished Raven Summer by David Almond. Have you read this one? It is not one of my favorites of his. It is very dark.

#11: I totally agree with that! I've re-read some books I just loved as a kid and wonder now what was I thinking?? (thinking along the lines of V. C. Andrews, who is still a guilty pleasure author of mine)

Anyway, just wanted to congratulate you on your number of books read. That's quite an accomplishment! :)

Found you!

I am glad to hear you are feeling better, Anita.

Thanks for the reviews of the Rosemary Sutcliff books. I just wish my local library had them all.

> 13: Kerry
Yes, I am doing better, thank you :-)
It is sad when good books are not translated...

> 14: Linda
So am I ;-)
Raven Summer is not translated yet (as far as I know), but as soon it is I will read it!

> 15: Sara
And some do keep up when re-reading them.
Yes it is a good reading year thus far :-)

> 16: Roni
It feels good to be found :-)

> 17: Stasia
Thank you. Maybe you can find them somwhere else?

The reviews for the Ranger's Apprentice books will follow, I hope tomorrow.
Currently reading Sword Song by Roremary Sutcliff. This one is not translated in Dutch, so I read it in English.
That goes well enough, but 5 times slower as reading Dutch!

edited to change touchstone

Anita, I got curious a while ago and tried to find somewhere a set of statistics on the Dutch publishing industry. I couldn't really understand what I found. I don't know how many book titles are published by Dutch-language authors (both fiction and non) in an average year.

Do you know about a resource that would have this kind of statistic? Gerbrand Bakker and Margriet de Moor shouldn't form the sole basis (well, close to it) for my knowledge of Dutch titles!

I am searching Richard.
There is a weekly list (the A-list) of the Koninkijke Bibliotheek with newly published books, the last 5 weeks:

week 15: total 379 (proza 48; children/YA 26)
week 16: total 405 (proza 132; children/YA 35)
week 17: total 322 (proza 42; children/YA 37)
week 18: total 295 (proza 87; children/YA 37)
week 19: total 217 (proza 32; children/YA 49)

Through the link you can download earlier weeks
But I keep on searching for yearly numbers.

And of course you can search my library on original language Dutch and then collection Proza.

Found you.

book #68 Het ijzige land by John Flanagan
translation of The icebound land, Ranger's Apprentice, Book 3
from the library, YA, fantasy, translated

Will and Evanlyn are taken to Skandia as slaves.
Halt and Horace travel through Gallia to Skandia to rescue them.

4 stars

book #69 De dragers van het Eikenblad by John Flanagan
translation of The oakleaf bearers, Ranger's Apprentice, Book 4
from the library, YA, fantasy, translated

Will, Evanlyn, Halt and Horace want to go back to Araluenn.
But Skandia is invaded by Easters warriors.
They fight together with the Skandians against the invaders.

4 stars

book #70 Sword Song by Rosemary Sutcliff
own collection, YA, historical fiction

This book in the Dolphin Ring Cycle is not translated in Dutch, so I read it in English.

Bjarni Sigurdson is banned from his village for five years, because he unintendingly killed a man who kicked a dog.
He travels to Ireland and the outer islands as a hired swordsman.
A good review of this book, I can't do it better ;-)

What I love about Sutcliffs books is that in most books dogs play a role too, as companion of the main character, or just naturally being around.

4 stars

book #71 Over een zee van ijs by William Sarabande
translation of Beyond a sea of ice
from the library, translated, prehistoric fiction

40.000 years ago in Siberia, Torka's village is destroyed by a mammoth.
Torka, his grandfather Umak and the girl Lonith are the only survivors.

I did not really like nor dislike this book.
But I really don't understand why a female write takes on a male pseudoniem...
It is the first in a series, I might try the next one.

3 stars

book #72 Charlotte's web by E.B. White
translation of Charlotte's Web
from the library, translated, YA

Very sweet story about the pig Wilbur and the spider Charlotte.

4 1/2 stars

Oh Charlotte's Web... still have a copy somewhere, but my copy is a bit older (like 40 years :)

>26 FAMeulstee: *sniff* Waaah *sniff* All these years later, I still remember being horribly hurt by Charlotte's fate.

#26: Charlotte's Web was the first book I ever bought for myself. I still have that copy even all these years later.

Me four! :) I still love Charlotte's Web. I used to tally how many times I read it per day on an old bookmark. I love the old animated movie of it, too. I haven't watched the recent remake of it, though (as shown on the cover above).

Oh, Charlotte's Web! So many memories... that was some pig.

I also felt cheated by Charlotte's fate. For little girl me (and adult me, if I'm honest), the ending simply wasn't *fair*. But what a wonderfully written book it is regardless.

I think somehow her death resonated with me in a positive sense. No, i didn't think it was fair, and hated it. But it helped me understand as a young, young girl that there is a cycle of life and it's okay. She was so gracious. And such a good friend.

I never heard of this book before I joined LT ;-)
I was at the library just looking around when I saw this book and decided to read it.
No and I was not aware of a movie either, although I saw when I added the book to LT this was published when the movie came out.

I was not disappointed, I know the life cycle of spiders is a short one.
I was happy that three of Charlotte's childeren stayed with Wilbur! :-)

Charlotte's Web - "terrific"! Lovely story and a good fable on the power of words and friendship.

My granddaughter loves Charlotte's Web. We read it over and over and over.

book #73 De wilde gave by Ursula K. Le Guin
translation of Gifts
from the library, translated, YA

Good story set in a middle ages-like time. In an agricultural part of a country the people are genetically gifted with special powers, like communicating with animals or destroying things with mindpower.
A boy and a girl grow up and decide they don't want to use their powers...

4 1/2 stars

I will be absent for some time.
My mother in law died suddenly past Monday. She was 83 years old.

Since Frank is her only son (well he has a sister, but she is living in the USA and was for the past 20 years not on speaking terms with her mother), we will have to do all the arrangements. She lived in an other part of the country, so we will be a lot on the road the next week from here to there and back.

I will probably not go to the funeral, too many people and at an unfamiliair place, I don't think I can handle that. My MIL and I haven't always been on good terms, but lately it went a bit better between the two of us.

My sympathies to you and your husband's family.

Anita, I'm so sorry to hear about Frank's mother. You will both be in my prayers.

Me, too.

Sorry to hear about your loss, Anita. Thinking of you both.

I'm sorry to hear about that, Anita. Take care of yourself, ok? And we'll see you again when you're ready.

Anita, so sorry to hear your news about your mother-in-law. I guess some challenging times in the next few weeks for Frank and yourself dealing with both practical arrangements and emotional upheaval. We will be thinking of you.

Hope you have another good book to retreat to when you need it.

Sorry to hear about your mother-in-law, Anita. Best to you and Frank.

Best wishes for your travels and arrangements, and sympathy for your family.

My sympathies to you and Frank at this difficult time. Please have a safe trip on the road.

Big hugs Anita!

I'll be thinking of you and Frank!

So sorry - take care...

Anita, I am sorry for your and Frank's loss, and wish you and him as soft a landing as possible when you're done with the ordeal.

I'm sorry to hear about your mother in law. I wish you and Frank all the strength you need this week.

Sorry to hear about your mother in law, Anita. Thinking of you both.

So sorry doll. I'm very glad for you that your relationship had improved recently. You and Frank and his sis will be in my prayers. How hard. {{hugs}}

thanks everyone!
Your support means a lot to me.

I wrote a little about her on my weblog: Joop Bezemer 1927-2010

I hope to catch up with my book reviews later this week.

Anita

What lovely thoughts and poem for your mother-in-law. Thank you for sharing those. Such a difficult time. I hope you have some peaceful days ahead to rest.

Nice tribute to your mother-in-law, Anita. Glad to see you back.

Anita - What lovely sentiments on your weblog. I am thinking of you and Frank.

thanks Sherlyn, Stasia and Amy

Most of the paperwork is done, so next week we have some rest :-)

back to the books:

book #74 The Shield Ring by Rosemary Sutcliff
own collection, YA, English

The last book in the Dolphin Ring Cycle. There is a Dutch translation, that I searched for years, but haven't found yet. So I bought it in English, I really wanted to read it!

This is the story from the last Vikings and Northmen, living in the North of England in the 11th century. England is conquered by the Normans (from Normandie, William the Conquerer), but the Vikings want to stay free men and decide to fight.

4 stars

I have enjoyed reading (and partly re-reading) these books in chronological sequence. I like Rosemary Sutcliffs writing style, she makes the ancient times come alive. And I like the fact that in almost all books (the main) characters have dogs as compagnion.
Horses play a large role in some of the books.

What a lovely poem that Frank read.

Thinking of you and Frank.

Love
Linda

Only one more to 75, Anita! Great going, especially with all you have had going on.

> 58: thank you Linda
we both liked that poem at thought it was a good one for the funeral.

> 59: Already there Stasia ;-)
I have read 3 books that I haven't listed here yet, I finshed #75 on May 28th!

You finished your 75 already? Awesome! :) You should go on to 100. You could easily make that by the end of the year.

#60: Cool beans! I cannot wait to see what they are.

The Shield Ring was one that I read and reread a lot as a child - not as much as The Armourer's House but several times - I think it had been one of my mum's books and I liked the fact that it had a little girl as the central character.

Anita, you aren't planning on just...leaving...the group now that you're at 75 books? That would be most un-fun. I would miss knowing that you're around.

Hi Anita. I was just catching up and I am sorry to hear about your mother in law. I hope you and Frank are doing all right.

#64 Second that, Richard!

> 63: Luci
I am glad you have happy memories of Sutcliffs books as well.
Some I have read when I was young, others later.

> 64: Richard dear
I would not leave this group! How dare you even THINK that???

We are still busy handling all things at my late MIL's place. We have until July 5th to get all things out, get the place re-painted. She was a heavy smoker, the ceiling and walls, that used to be white, are now brownish...
And I am in the midst of gardening season (the roses started flowering!!! YAY!), so I have not much time for you all at LT at the moment.

> 65: thank you Bente.
I won't leave Bente, just a little less active at the moment, will be back at full speed at the end of the summer, or maybe earlier ;-)

So, now on to the next messages: the books I recently read :-)

What's your #75 going to be, Anita? Wait.. your challenge was to read 175 this year, right.. and not a paltry 75 like some of us here? So you'll definitely have to be around in this group. We won't let you leave .. we will stalk you .. we will hound you .... we will sic richard on to you!

book #75 Het maanpaard by Federica De Cesco
from the library, YA, the title means The Moonhorse

This book was originally written in French, the Dutch book is translated from the German translation.

A girls book.
A Mongolian girl saves a beautiful white horse from wolves.
A prince comes along and he wants her horse and takes it. But an earthquake happens and their parents die.
The girl rescues the prince and together with the white horse they live though some adventures.
The white horse dies when he rescues them both from an attacking bear.
Together they travel on to the capital where they succesfully fight his bad uncle who took the throne.

Nice book for horse loving girls :-)

3 stars

book #76 Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
from the library, Childrens, translated, awarded with the Newbery Medal

Sweet story about the small mouse Despereaux, who falls in love with a princess

4 1/2 stars

> 67: Caroline
Last year I had trouble reading 75 books in a year... So I would not have thought I would reach 75 so soon ;-)
But I will keep on reading and list my readings here. No stalking or hounding needed!! LOL

I loved Despereaux! That's one of my favorite children's books. I give a copy to all my nieces, nephews and friends' children when they're old enough to read this.

Congratulations on reaching the 75th book in the challenge! *removing tracking hounds now that Anita has promised to stay in the group*

> 71: thank you Caroline, I think that it is a good book to give to children.
*sigh* I don't think my Chow Chows would have liked tracking hounds following me...

Summary May 15 books all fiction

language: 12 translated from English, 2 in English, 1 translated from German
gender: 6 male author, 9 female author
own vs library: 7 books owned, 8 books from the library
awards: 1 Newbery Medal winner
rating: 3 books 3 stars, 5 books 4 stars and 6 books 4 1/2 stars

Best book in May The High King by Lloyd Alexander, 5 stars

book #77 Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
from the library, fantasy, YA, translated

The title sounded familiar, so I took it with me from the library.

A fun fantasy read about Artemis Fowl (a little confusing, a 12 year old BOY, while Artemis is a goddess in Greek mythology...) a criminal whizzkid who tries to outsmart the elves.

3 stars

book #78 De kinderen van Húrin by JRR Tolkien
translation of The Children of Húrin
from the library, fantasy

One of the old myths of Middle Earth.
It was published in a shorter version in The Silmarillion, this is a more extended version, pulled together by Christopher Tolkien, based on diffent versions his father wrote.
The tragic life of Túrin, son of Húrin and Morwen and his sister.

A nice read, not only for Tolkien fans, but also for those who like myths.

3 stars

Congrats!

Glad you liked Despereaux, Anita! So did I. (Did they abbreviate the title to just Despereaux now? Or is that the international title?)

I'm still building up my Artemis Fowl collection, so as soon as I have book 1, I'll start it.

*smoothes down ruffled feathers*

Well, since you're still going to be here, I can go off of Red Alert status. When my mother, a heavy smoker as well, died, I had to have her house repainted inside AND outside, the carpets replaced, and the appliances changed. It was so horribly stinky from years and years of smoke!

It's no wonder that I never smoked, growing up in that choking fog.

Desperaux has charmed so many, and me among the!

My daughter and I both loved The Tale of Despereaux and I also loved her Because of Winn Dixie which I read in one sitting. I've enjoyed the Artemis Fowl books too.

The Children of Hurin is on my tbr pile but I won't be reading it this year. Yours are the first comments I've seen for it.

thanks Stasia and Jim!
Now on to 2 x 75 ;-)

> 78: Sara
No the title is much longer, but Despereaux is a lot easier to type than Despereaux of het verhaal van een muis, een prinses, een schoteltje soep en een klosje garen that is the official Dutch title. And the short title does not need translation ;-)

I look forward to your comments on Artemis Fowl

Oops, I forgot to post my congratulations on reaching 75!! Some great books, too.

> 79: Richard dear
It is unbelievable, I haven't had my computer on for three whole days!
Too few hours in a day ;-)

House keeping, gardening, the Chows and the house of my late MIL keep me busy.

I must admit, I am a smoker too, but we have always at least one window open for fresh air, so the ceiling still looks "apple white", the color we painted it nearly 5 years ago.

I am glad you liked Despereaux too!

> 80: Kerry
I will look for other books by Kate DiCamillo, Because of Winn Dixie and The miraculous journey of Edward Tulane are translated :-)

I even never heard of The Children of Hurin, but saw it in the library ;-)
I am not a die-hard Tolkien fan, but LOVE The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. I read some of the other works like The Silmarilion but that never grabbed me like The Lord of the Rings did...

> 83: Roni
Thank you :-)

I bought The Children of Hurin when it was first published, but never got around to reading it. The Simarillion is my favorite Tolkien story to date, so I think Hurin will be interesting.

book #79 Stilleven by Louise Penny
translation of Still Life
from the library, mystery

I never read mysteries, well in my youth I did read Enid Blytons Famous Five books ;-)
But I do like detectives on television, so when so many in this group recommended Louise Penny, I put it on my TBR.

The book did live up to it and now I am a Three Pines fan too!!!

4 stars

book #80 Het Scheepsmaatje by Hector Malot
translation of the French book Le Mousse meaning "The Ship-boy"
from the library, childrens/YA

I am surprised there are so few copies of Nobody's Boy by Hector Malot on Library Thing.
Over here it is one of the Classics, published numerous times, abridged and retold for children, like Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Hector Malot wrote Le Mousse in 1901 for his granddaughter and it should have been published after his death. But the manuscript was only found again in the 1990s and was first published in 1997.

A ship gets into trouble near the Normandic coast. Fisherman go for the rescue and one of them finds a young girl on the ship. All sailors have fled, but shipwrecked in the storm.
The girl lives happily with her rescuer and works on the fishing boat as ship-boy.
Later is found that she is the heir of a rich English ship-owner.

A book like Nobody's Boy, but shorter and less complex in language and subject. The same romantic look at humanity.
It was a good read, I love those books written for the mainstream at the end of 19th century, early 20th century ;-)

4 stars

> 87: Luxx
I will look forward to your thoughts on The Children of Hurin.

Glad you enjoyed Still Life!

> 88 Another prod for reading the Three Pines series! I must make more effort to get to it.

ETA to fix horrendous spelling!

Anita's on the bus for Three Pines, too! Woot!

#88, 93 I found a copy of Dead Cold second-hand today, but that must wait until I've read Still Life. I think I'm at the bus stop, not quite yet on the bus!

Angela and Stasia
Yes I did like and enjoy it, looking forward to the next one :-)

Sherlyn and Genny
I hope you both get a chance to read it soon, I am looking forward to see your thoughts about it.

#95 Janet has kindly lent me her copy, so now I've got no excuse, except all the other books waiting in the queue!

book #81 Wolf in een zee van gras by Conn Iggulden
translation of Wolf of the Plains
from the library, historical fiction, recommended by several in the 75 group last year (yhoitink and cameling both rated it 5 stars)

For me it was not a great read, but a good one.
The book tells the story of the young years of Genghis Kahn.

Sadly the next books are not translated (yet), I would like to know what happens next, but I think it would be a bit too much to read this in English, so I have to be patient ;-)

3 1/2 stars

#97: I own that one, but have not read it yet. One of these centuries I will get to it.

I hope the others in the series are translated soon for you, Anita!

Anita, I've got a copy of Joke van Leeuwen's Iep!, it has just been published in English here in New Zealand. Not many Dutch children's books come my way so I'm eager to read it.

> 98: Stasia
Of course you will get to it, maybe even this decade?
I can wait, lots of other books to read :-)

> 99: Kerry
YES!
Joke van Leeuwen writes great childrens books, I loved Iep!.
Let me know when you read it, I will join you, this is one I would like to re-read.

book #82 Het heilige vuur by Ellis Peters
translation of A morbid taste for bones
from the library, mystery, middle ages, Brother Cadfael

While reading Louise Penny and liking the mystery, I remembered the TV-adaptions of Brother Cadfael.
So I ordered the first Brother Cadfael book from the library and it was what I hoped for: a cosy mysterey, set in medievel times in England.

I surely will read more Brother Cadfael mysteries.

3 1/2 stars

book #83 Coraline by Neil Gaiman
translation of Coraline
from the library, YA, fantasy

I loved The Graveyard Book so on to an other YA book by Gaiman.
The best way to describe this book is light horror with humor. I don't like too scary books, but Gaiman stays just on the edge of my coping ;-)

Coraline Jones moves to a new place where she is bored with her parents and neighbors.
Then she finds a doorway to a parallel world where her "Other Mother" and "Other Father" live. They give her anything she wants.
But things are not what they seem and soon Coraline has to fight to save herself and her parents from the creepy "Other Mother".
Dave McKean’s drawings match perfecty with the story.

4 stars

So glad you liked Ellis Peters's Brother Cadfael debut! I really thought the books were wonderful.

>103 richardderus:: Richard dear
Yes, I liked it, good reading for a rainy afternoon ;-)
I did not know you have read them too, probably eons ago, before LT?

I am reading more non-YA books lately and other genres, thanks to all the great recommendations here and one book leads to an other and an other...

#101 Hi Anita - like Richard, I am pleased you liked the first Brother Cadfael story. I love them - and she was really one of the first to do something like this. I remember when I first saw them in the shops, I thought "aha, here's someone cashing in on the medieval sleuth idea in The Name of the Rose" - this was just after that book had become famous - but then I looked at the publication dates and saw that Ellis Peters had been writing them for years before then.

She also wrote as Edith Pargeter, mainly historical novels. She was a very generous and agreeable lady. I almost got to meet her about 20 years ago - I did a little freelance translation work for her and we corresponded, but then she died before I had the chance to meet her face to face.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the rest of the series when you read more.

Edited for punctuation.

>104 FAMeulstee: Oh yes, Anita, I read them BLT-Before LibraryThing-my mother and I both loved them, so we bought them as they came out and shared them.

And I am so glad that LT has ruined...I mean, influenced...others' reading habits, not just mine!

>105 gennyt: I've often wondered what Pargeter was like, Genny. She had such an acute vision of the past! The Brothers of Gwynedd quartet of novels was great fun to read, and it felt like a movie unspooling before my eyes.

>105 gennyt:: Genny
Thanks for telling me more about Edith Pargeter. I might look for her other work, is it a little like Cadfael, or completely different?

>106 richardderus:: Richard
Of course LT has changed my reading habits!
Especially this group has made me read other genres and books I owned for ages but hadn't read yet ;-)

book #84 Drager van de wolvenvacht by Julliet Marillier
translation of Wolfskin
from the library, historical fiction, fantasy

This book catched my eye at the library.
I had not heard of this writer before, but the text on the back made me decide to try it.

The book starts in medieval Norway where the Vikings live, young Eyvind wants to be a Wolfskin (a warrior of Thor) when he grows up.
At 15 he becomes a Wolfskin like his brother Eirik.
Then chieftain Ulf wants to go to a magical land across the sea (the Orkney Islands), to settle there. Eirik and Eyvind go with him.
But also with them goes Ulfs younger brother Somerled, Eyvinds bloodbrother from his youth. Sommerled has his own plans for a new settlement.

A long and intriguing saga that kept me reading. Norse and Keltic myths are woven through the story.
The publisher here labelled it Fantasy, but I think it is more Historical Fiction.
I liked it and the good news is: there is a sequel :-)

3 1/2 stars

Hi Anita:) I'm adding the Brother Cadfael mysteries to my wishlist. I'm glad you liked Coraline, I enjoyed it too earlier this year. I hope you are doing fine, Anita!

Maybe I have to add the your last read too:) And btw, I think LT has changed everybody's reading habits.

>109 Apolline:: Bente
I hope you like the Brother Cadfael mysteries too :-)

I am doing well enough, a bit tired and not enough time for LT at the moment. Frank is nearly done with going through all his mothers worldly goods. And with some help her appartment will be empty next week.
I hope to catch up soon, reading some other threads as my own. But keeping the garden in shape is time consuming too.

>110 Apolline:: Yes everyone here is influenced by the others in the group.

>108 FAMeulstee: Oh hell. I dodged that one before by telling myself that it was a fantasy novel, to which I am violently allergic, and now you tell me it's really historical fiction.

Take it back! Take it back!

#100 - I'll probably read Iep in about 3 or 4 weeks. I have a few more YAs to get through and some library books. I'll post here when I'm about to get to it.
I still haven't read anything by Juliet Marillier in spite of all the great reviews she gets. I really should make an effort.

>107 FAMeulstee: Re Ellis Peters' other writing as Edith Pargeter (her real name) - there are two series of historical fiction, the Brothers of Gwynedd quartet (starting with Sunrise in the West) and the Heaven Tree trilogy (starting with The Heaven Tree). They are not mysteries, but like the Cadfael stories are set in the middle ages, and convey the period very readably. Richard (post 106) described her writing well:

She had such an acute vision of the past! The Brothers of Gwynedd quartet of novels was great fun to read, and it felt like a movie unspooling before my eyes.

In recalling these I realise that though I enjoyed what I have read so far, I have not finished either of those series of books, so will be hunting for the remaining volumes myself now!

#102: Glad you liked Coraline. I've seen the movie (loved it!), but I really want to find a copy of the book as well. I've read a couple of Neil Gaiman's books/short stories and really enjoyed them (Neverwhere's my favorite so far). He writes more dark fantasy stuff than horror, so not to worry about him being too gory.

> 112: Richard dear

I wrote a funny and lengthy answer yesterday and then... the connection with the site broke. It stayed down until bedtime :-(

In short: NO! I wont take it back!

But how could you ever be allergic to fantasy?
Most is not THAT bad ;-)

> 113: Kerry
That would be nice. I own the book, so I can start any moment ;-)

> 114: Genny
I can't find a translation of the Brothers of Gwynedd, but there is a translation of the Heaven Tree triology.
I will look forward to your reviews :-)

> 115: Sara
I haven't read Neverwhere yet, but it is on the TBR list. I hope you find a copy of Coraline soon. My favorite so far is The graveyard book.

>116 FAMeulstee: Anita dear love, fantasy *acid reflux at the very thought* is heinously overwrought prose written by borderline-criminally undertalented writers about overused and undercooked ideas of Magick and Nobilitie and Faerie *retch*

It IS that bad. *sniff* I don't WANNA wishlist that Marillier book! It's really a standard fantasy novel, and you're just enjoying baiting me. That's it. That's what it is.

> 118: Richard
You don't have to list Wolfskin, but it is historical fiction, situated in the 9th century ;-)

Nooooooooooo

*trudges off to wishlist, unable to resist historical fiction*

#117: The Graveyard Book: yes, that's another one I want to read by him. I was so impressed he won the Newbery for that.

#118: Hee hee! Your aversion to fantasy almost made me want to poke fun. But I won't, 'cause I'm nice like that. ;) I used to think the same thing about fantasy/sci fi, until I started going through my books and realized I owned quite a bit of the stuff (Harry Potter, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Last Unicorn, etc etc).

#108: My local library has that one! I hope I enjoy it as much as you did, Anita. Thanks for the recommendation.

>120 richardderus:: Richard
There is a tiny little bit of magic in the book... mythical magic that is....

> 121: Sara
I did not read very much fantasy either, although Lord of the Ring was for long my all time favourite book.
But this year I read a lot of it: the Harry Potter books, the Chronicles of Prydain, John Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice books, Ann McCaffrey, Naomi Novik...

> 122: Stasia
That is good news, I hope you like it too!

book #85 Losgeld voor Erak by John Flanagan
translation of Erak's Ransom, Ranger's Apprentice, Book 7
from the library, YA, fantasy

This is book 7, but the story takes place before book 5 and 6, so I decided to read it after book 4.

Oberjarl Erak has gone south for a last raid, but is captured and held hostage.
Will, Evanlyn, Halt, Gilan and Horace are send south with Svengal and his crew to get Erak by paying the ransom.
But of course things don't go as expected: Will gets lost and they all have to fight in the desert.

4 stars

#124: I am glad to know you are still enjoying that series :)

#123: Yes, I've noticed you've been reading a lot of fantasy. And it's almost rubbed off on me, because I started going through my fantasy tags for books to read this year. Luckily for me, "fantasy" is one of my 1010 category challenges.

> 125: Yes Stasia, I just finished book 6 The Sorcerer in the North and was lucky at the library yesterday because there was book 7 The Siege of Macindaw, so that I am reading now :-)

> 126: Sara
I go with the flow, and it looks like the flow is mainly fantasy mixed with a little bit of Historical Fiction, YA and Cosy Mystery.

#127: The Siege of Macindaw is the last one that the library has, so that is as far as I have read in the series. Maybe you will have better luck than I have at your local library with the rest of the series.

> 128: I am sorry for you Stasia, Erak's Ransom was good too and I hope to read The Kings of Clonmel soon too. Only the last book is not translated (yet), but I am sure the library will get it soon after it is published.

#129: I have read Erak's Ransom - I forgot about that one because it goes backwards from The Siege of Macindaw. I am anxiously awaiting the rest of the series!

ETA: I just checked my local library's website and it does have The Kings of Clonmel! Woot! The book is checked out so I have put it on hold. Thanks for reminding me to check again, Anita!

>130 alcottacre:: Good for you Stasia!

book #86 De Magiër van Macindaw by John Flanagan
translation of The Sorcerer of the North, Ranger's Apprentice, Book 5
from the library, YA, fantasy

Will gets stationed on an Isle, but soon he has to leave together with Alyss to investigate strange things happening in a Northern Castle.
Has there really an ancient evil sorcerer returned?
Ends with a cliffhanger, so be sure you have the next book ready!

4 stars

--

book #87 Drager van het Vossenmasker by Juliet Marillier
translation of Foxmask, sequel to Wolfskin
from the library, Historical Fiction with a touch of fantasy

It is set 17 years after Wolfskin. Creidhe is in love with Thorvald, who just found out who his father is.
Thorvald want to find his father and plans to go with his friend Sam, who owns a ship.
Creidhe hides on the ship to go with them.

They sail to the Lost Islands (loosely based on the Faroe Islands) where Asgrim rules, who has for years a conflict with the Unspoken after one of them stole Foxmask.
The Unspoken punish the tribe by taking away the life of every new born.

All thre youngsters change and mature in their time at the Lost Islands.

3 1/2 stars

--

book #88 Kersenbloed by Floortje Zwigtman
not translated
from the library, YA, historical fiction, homosexuality

Prequel to Schijnbewegingen, set in 1870.
Victor has a terrible time at his first year at boarding school.
Strange things happen after a teacher has told in class about the Greek God Pan...
And why are some friends hiding out together so often?

4 stars

--

book #89 Het beleg van Macindaw by John Flanagan
translation of The Siege of Macindaw, Ranger's Apprentice, Book 6
from the library, YA, fantasy

Sir Keren holds Alyss at the stronghold and betrayed the country to the Scotti.
Will and Horace, forty Skandians and Malcom plan to stop Keren, free Alyss and save Araluen again.

4 stars

#132: I did not have the next book ready when I read The Sorcerer of the North and was royally perturbed that my local library did not have it yet!

> 133: Stasia
You warned me, thanks again, and I thought that was important enough to mention here ;-)

#134: Definitely!

Summary June 13 books all fiction

language: 1 Dutch, 11 translated from English, 1 translated from French
gender: 8 male author, 5 female author
own vs library: all books from the library
awards: 2 award winners Still Life and Artemis Fowl
rating: 2 books 3 stars, 4 books 3 1/2 stars and 7 books 4 stars

Difficult to decide what my best read was, I did not expect I would like Still Life so much. The three Ranger's Apprentice books were very good too.

book #90 Pilaren van de aarde by Ken Follett
translation of Pilars of the Earth
from the library, historical fiction, England, 12th century

Love, hate, birth, death in a monastry in Kingsbridge, England, 12th century.
A cathedral is build, a city grows while we follow the main persons: a monk, a builder and women with ideas about equality of man and woman that are very 20th century.
The book is written well, it kept me reading, but it is not a great work, more a soap opera set in the Middle ages ;-)

3 stars

book #91 IJskoud by Louise Penny
translation of Dead cold
from the library, mystery

The sequel to Still life, Armand Gamache is back in Three Pines to solve an other murder.
In this a book a citation of one of my favorite Leonard Cohen songs Anthem:

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in

It was good to be back in Three Pines :-)

4 stars

book #92 Brug naar de hemel by Ken Follett
translation of World without end
from the library, historical fiction, England, 14th century

Again love, hate, birth, death in Kingsbridge, England, 150 years later, 14th century.
Power is slowly moving from nobility to the leaders in the cities. The curch is still mighty and more corrupted.
Women feel still too modern and emancipated... Never the less I did enjoy the book.

3 stars

After the two Ken Follett books now something lighter:


book #93 De zienersteen by Kevin Crossley-Holland
translation of The seeing stone
from the library, YA, historical fiction, Arthurian

The year is 1199, a young boy named Arthur lives in England near the Welsh border.
In 100 short chapters we learn about his life with his parents and others around the castle.
Merlin gives him a special black stone, in this stone Arthur sees the story of King Arthur.
In his own life there are some parallels with the mytical King, beside his name...

3 1/2 stars

You are moving along at a fast clip, Anita! You will hit 250 this year at this rate!

Oh pooh! You got to read a Three Pines book before me :) Good for you.

And, I'd passed over the Tolkein book, but may go back and pick it up now thanks to your comments. Thx.

Oh I love Cadfael... so glad they're available!!

I liked the Cohen quote -- first time for me.

Well you're on a roll. If it is true that your goal was 150 for the year, it looks like you're gonna make it. Actually looks like you will even if it isn't your goal :)

*waving as I pass through the threads: 'Hi, Anita!'*

> 141: Roni
The wheather is warm and some days hot, I am not doing well in hot weather, best thing during the day is sitting and read a bit.
So reading goes well, I am not sure I will hit 250 this year, it could but then I should avoid 1000+ pages tomes like Follett's books ;-)

> 142: Susan
Thanks for your nice comment at my weblog.
I have to get the Cadfael books from an other library in the regio, I will get others soon.
In my opinion "The Future" is the best album Cohen made, for over 15 years it is one of my all time favourites.
I had no goal this year, just read and see how many...

> 143: hi Stasia
waving back

Hey Anita! Looks like you've been busy reading lately:) Congrats on Netherlands reaching the final in the World Cup! It must be crazy down there these days:) Exciting match last night. I'm hoping for Spain tonight, though Germany is very good this year. Have a lovely day!

Good morning (my time), Anita! I hope the library has a special "express" check-out line for you...seems like you're their best customer. I hope July is as good a reading month for you as June was.

> 145
hi Bente, you got it your way, the final will be Spain against us ;-)
I did not look to our team, way too thrilling for me, I get nevous... I started watch when it was 3-1 and the Uruguay made 3-2, so I went back to hide in the garden ;-) A big sigh when the game was over!

> 146
Good evening (my time LOL) Richard Dear
I am not sure, there might be other speedreaders out here.
You remind me of the most ingenious new thing they have at our library: when you bring back your books you put them on a moving counter so they can be taken by others immediately:

It is an "intelligent system" it can sort out the books from the moving part to be transported elswhere.

Well it is still too hot here and I am totally absorbed by The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, what a great book!

Congratulations to the Netherlands for making the World Cup finals! I am sure it will be an exciting match!

Yes, I'll be rooting for NL against Spain, even though I don't follow football!

Your 'intelligent system' library looks very space age. I thought ours was very up to date with a clever self-service check out and return which knows what book it is as soon as you put it down on the surface, but that looks far more advanced!

#147: That is an amazing photo! Thanks for sharing. I don't think our library system is quite ready for that yet. Maybe in a few hundred years. ;)

#150: I know what you mean. My local library still stamps the books, which completely surprises me.

#147 I think I would have been a wreck too if it was Norway playing. Unfortunately we're just too lousy to get to any of the cups, either the European or the World Cup....that's why I have added Spain as my favourite, sort of a substitute, and have been so for years. I'm quite impressed by Uruguay though, such a small country and they're in the bronze final.

I loved your library system btw:) I think it is light years away from my local library...

Have a lovely weekend Anita!!:)

> 149: Genny
In the previous library building we already had the self-service check out.
In the new library the self service return was added. If you return a book the sytem tells you if the book can be put on the moving counter, or should be put in the big "mail box", or better "book box", where the books from other branches go.

> 150: Sara
I had not been to a libray for years, so I had no idea what to expect nearly two years ago :-) But I am very happy with the library.

> 151: Stasia
That is what I remember from my youth. My greatst problem with the libray in those days was that you only could take two books, that could not be returned the same day. Both problems are solved in this library LOL

> 152: Bente
I just watched parts of the game between Germany and Uruguay. So all medals are for European countries...

Tomorrow is the big day... we keep fingers and paws crossed for our national team!!!

#151: Some of our libraries still do that, too, but usually when there's a power outage. We do the self check-outs, which are always nice for everyone (the patrons: makes them feel self-sufficient; us: less work on our part--lol!). We haven't started with the automated check-ins, though, because most of the library systems in our area who use them are bothered with them always breaking down. Such is technology, I guess.

#151: Nope, no self checkouts here either, which is just fine with me - I hate those dratted things at the grocery store and do not want to have to deal with them at the library!

I feel really old-fashioned saying this, but I would be very sad to see an automated system come to my local library. It's a small, village affair, so the librarians know everyone, and checkout time is a mini socializing time too. I really love that friendly, comfy feel to the library. I do, however, understand that at bigger libraries it would be a big help!

Anita

Congratulations on reading so many great books!

Thinking of you and hoping you are well,

Love
Linda

> 154, 155 & 156
There is always one of the librarians near the check-in / check-out. And they are always available if someone has a question. I always feel very welcome :-)

> 157: Linda
Thinking of you too, I hope you have a nice and quiet day today.

The final is played now... I am trying not to wach, it is thrilling, after regular playing time no winner yet.

book #94 Het verhaal van Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
translation of The story of Edgar Sawtelle
from the library, fiction

This is a great book, I loved it!
It is the story of three generations of dog breeders and trainers.
It is a story of sibling rivaly and murder.
It is a story of a boy and his dog.
It is a tragedy with similarities to Hamlet.
It is greatly written and kept my interest all the way.

5 stars!

Commiserations to the Dutch team, Anita. But at least you did a lot better than England!

thank you Genny, there is only one winner and many more loosers in a World Cup...

I guess I'm the minority here. I love self-checkouts (at the grocery/hardware store, library, etc). I'm not worried about self-checkins phasing out my job, because you still need people to maintain the machines and shelve everything.

#158> I was just glad to see two different teams competing in the final for a change.

Love the self-checkout at the library though I still chat with the librarians.

Anita - I'll be starting Iep in the next day or so. I have to finish Boneshaker as it's due back at the library in a couple of days. I'll post here again when I start reading.

#140> The only Kevin Crossley-Holland novel I've read is Gatty's Tale which I really loved, it's a side story to the Arthur books. I also loved his Faber Book of Northern Legends.

I love the shelf-checkout lines at the grocery store too. Mostly because I like to bag my own groceries (I'm persnickety about my bread not being smooshed and my eggs making it home in one piece and the teenage baggers at the local grocery store are decidedly *not*), plus it's best for everyone that I interact with as few people as possible on grocery shopping day - I get grumbly.

Persnickety! LOL, that's a good way of putting it. I'm kind of the same way about how stuff is put into my bags. And I'm with ya on the grumbly bit. I've certainly never been considered the super friendly, talkative sort (that's putting it nicely). ;)

Hey, Anita! Just waving as I go through the threads and try and catch up!

Just letting you know that I'll be reading Iep! tomorrow morning.

> 164 & 165: Sara
I rarely do any shopping, but when I go with Frank I put everything in the bags and I am the same about it. But we have no baggers at the shops, so we have to do it anyway ourselves.

> 166: Hey Stasia
I wanted to catch up with your thread but was already over 200 msg's behind :-( I promise to try with the next one...

> 167: Kerry
I will join you after I finish Song for a Dark Queen (nearly finished, 50 pages to go).
I found The last elf today at the library :-)
It was so quiet there (summer holliday) that I nearly had the whole library for myself!

book #95 Publieke werken by Thomas Rosenboom
No English translation available.
own, historial fiction, winner of the Libris Literatuur Prijs 2000

End of the 19th century, two cousins, one Walter Vedder lives in Amsterdam and is luthier, the other Christof Anijs lives in Hogeveen and is pharmacist.
They both want to do good, but get lost in too high ideals.
At the end not all is idle, some good comes from their deeds.

I liked the idea of the story, but not so much the writing.
It was hard to keep reading but I wanted to know how all would come to an end.

3 1/2 stars

Well I'm glad you were intrigued enough to finish. :)

Thanks for the kind note. xoxox

#169: The cruelest words in the English language: 'No English translation available.' I am deprived :) lol

> 170: Susan
I really hate to leave a book unfinished, so that rarely happens, one time this year and one time last year.

> 171: Stasia
Only for English readers! The others don't care ;-)

book #96 Drie zangen voor een koningin by Rosemary Sutcliff
translation of Song for a Dark Queen
own, YA, historial fiction

Again a good book by Rosemary Sutcliff.
This book tells the story of Boudica, Queen of the Iceni. She lead an army of Celtic tribes against the Romans in the 1st century.

4 stars

book #97 Iep! by Joke van Leeuwen
English translation available
own, childrens, fantasy, winner of the Woutertje Pieterse prijs 1997

Warre likes to watch birds.
One day he finds a bird-looking-like-a-girl or is it a girl-looking-like-a-bird?
She has legs, but instead of arms she has wings.
He takes her home to his wife Tine and they take care of her.
But one day she flies away, leaving Tine and Warre behind. They miss her, so they leave their home to search her.

Joke van Leeuwen writes beautifully and creative. Her drawings add a lot to the story.

4 1/2 stars

I'm finding Iep delightful and the line drawings are irresistible. I love how it starts with the three lines. In the English translation the couple are - Warren and Tina. Anyway little Beedy has just flown out the window so I must go find her.

By coincidence I've brought home two books from the library, both translated from Dutch - Gerbrand Bakker's The Twin and Cees Nooteboom's Nomad's Hotel: Travels in time and space. I read the first chapter of both over a coffee and am hooked. I see Nooteboom has written a book called In the Dutch Mountains which I'm going to have to investigate.

Hi Anita

I'm taking a few minutes tonight to check in. Thanks for your lovely message. You are such a wonderful, dear friend.

#174: Iep! looks like something I'd read. Weird that LT predicted I wouldn't like it. I'll still look for it.

#174: Iep looks fun! Thanks for the reminder about that one.

Hi Anita, some nice reading lately. I really need to read some Rosemary Sutcliffe...

> 173 I have read a tiny bit about Boudica, so Song for a Dark Queen sounds like something I would like.

Hello Anita, catching up at last... I don't think I've read that particular Sutcliff. Iep does sound delightful.

and re #175 I've added In the Dutch Mountains to my wishlist - such an intriguing title, as there aren't any mountains in the Netherlands...

> 175: Kerry
I am glad you like Eep! too :-)
I haven't read The Twin but haven't read it myself.
My husband likes Nooteboom, I have some of his on my TBR.

> 175: Kerry & 181 Genny
We Dutch have something with mountains, because there are no mountains in our country ;-)
In the Dutch Mountains: a Dutch band called The Nits had a song called that
(wikipedia article, videoclip)

Jacques Brel in his song Mijn vlakke land (My flat country)
Wanneer de regen daalt op straten, pleinen, perken,
op dak en torenspits van hemelhoge kerken,
die in dit vlakke land de enige bergen zijn
(When the rain pours on streets, squares, parks
on roof and spire of heavenhigh churches
that are the mountains in this flat country)

> 176: hi Linda
Thanks for stopping at my thread.
I hope you are well today.

> 177 & 178: Sara and Stasia
I hope you can get a copy of Iep!, as the English translation Kerry read came from New Zealand... And Sara the LT predictions are rarely spot on ;-)

> 179: Heather
Thank you.
Yes, you should read some Rosemary Sutcliff (without an "e" at the end) :-)

> 180: Sherlyn
I hope you like it too.
Wikipedia has an article about Boudica.

book #98 De koning van Clonmel by John Flanagan
translation of The kings of Clonmel, Ranger's Apprentice, Book 8
from the library, YA, fantasy

Again an enjoyable stay with Will, Halt and Horrace who travel over sea to Hibernia.

4 stars

book #99 De kunst van het rijden in de regen by Garth Stein
translation of The art of racing in the rain
from the library, ficion

A story told by a dog called Enzo.
There are many reviews, so I will keep it short.
The story itself started nice but got a bit over the top melodramatic further on with a bit too constructed ending.
I would rate it 3 stars, but because Enzo is such a great character, I will add an extra half star for him.

3 1/2 stars

#187: I have that one on hold at the local library, so I am hoping to get my hands on it soon.

#188: I agree with you about the melodrama in that one. It got to be too much for me. Enzo is a great character though, you are right.

book #100 De laatste elf by Silvana De Mari
english translation called The last Dragon or The last Elf
from the library, YA, fantasy, recommended by Kerry (avatiakh)

A lovely and sometimes very funny fantasy about the last elf (and the last dragon) on earth. His ideas about humans are a bit strange, so his first encounter with a woman and her dog is very funny.
But there are dark forces, an ancient prophecy and many humans disliking elves and dragons....

4 stars

Congratulations on hitting 100, Anita!

Yay, 100!

Congratulations on reaching 100, Anita!

Congrats on 100 books!!!

Congratulations on reading 100 books so far!

#185 I need to thank you for pointing my spelling error out to me Anita because I've discovered that's the reason why I thought my local library didn't have any of her books! They have lots of books by Rosemary Sutcliff though...

thanks everyone!

> 195: Heather that is an often made mistake, I am glad you will be able to read some of Sutcliff's books too :-)

Congrats on reaching 100 books already, Anita, although I fear this means the weather has not been good for gardening! We are now harvesting tomatoes, zucchini squash, and bell peppers.

> 197:
You are right Roni!
Although yesterday it started to cool down and it seems we will keep some cooler weather the next week :-)

It makes me feel good to eat from my own garden.
We had a lot of raspberries, the red currants tasted great this year and there are so many white currants I could not eat them all by myself ;-)
Now we are eating blueberries, Japanese wineberries and the first plums, although the birds eat the most of the plums, but we don't mind to share.

Oh wow, more berries than you can eat? Sounds good! Although my parents grew all sorts of vegetables and fruit in our back garden as a kid, I am a bit of a gardening virgin myself. This was my first year of growing my own. Most of the year was taken up with battling the chipmunks (they love digging holes underneath plants and munching their roots I have discovered!). I received advice to fumigate them from their little nest in the trunk of our maple tree but my 6 year old announced that this would be 'cruel and nasty' so I limited myself to trying to protect my precious plants while she left little offerings of sunflower seeds outside the chipmunk family's 'door' each morning!!!! This year I have managed 6 feet tall tomato plants which have so far produced lots and lots of green tomatoes which seem to hold no hope of ever turning red - no doubt they will turn red while we're away on vacation and the chipmunks will eat them - or maybe I'm just a pessimist? :-) We have also eaten a lot of zucchini flowers fried in batter tempura style (I don't know how it happened but it would appear that every single one of our zucchini flowers on this first attempt was a male - thus no pollination!) In fact, the only thing that seems to have grown well is the lettuces I grew in pots. I refuse to quit though and am busy planning next year's garden!

Hi Anita
And, congratulations on reading 100 books thus far this year!

> 200: thank you Linda

> 199: Linda
I only grow fruits, no vegetables, fruits are easier to mix into a flower/cottage garden, as we have.
Mainly my knowledge of gardening comes from the days I had no garden, just a lot of potted plants on my balcony. Back then Frank and I watched every Friday night Gardeners' World at the BBC, presented by the late Geoff Hamilton, so I was well prepared when I got my first own garden in 1998.
Gardening is a lot of try and error, a lot of work and patience. If a plant does not do well, maybe it will grow better next year, and if it still does not thrive the next year, it might need an other place in the garden or is just not a plant that grows for me.
I am not sure if chipmunks like tomatoes, I had tomatoes in the first year of my first garden, we had a lot of tomatoes and the birds did not like them. But tomatoes grow not "decorative" enough for my taste, so I never planted them again, I went for blueberries and currants (took those with me when we moved over here).
Our garden is protected against rodents by the dogs, I don't think they would allow any rodent to settle in our garden ;-) So it is just the birds.

Hi Anita, congratulations on reaching 100 books! And on the berries too. I had quite a few raspberries from one small cane, and a lot of black-currants - but the birds got all of those before I could pick them. One minute they were not quite ripe, the next they were all gone! I may need to get some nets before next year - I don't mind sharing some with the birds but not all of them!

Hi Anita! :)

> 202: Genny
We had such an abundance of berries this year, that we could easely share with the birds LOL
If the birds eat a lot you can use nets. The white currants are NOT eaten by birds, as they don't see them.

> 203: hi Angela :-)

book #101 De Buddenbrooks : roman over het verval van een familie by Thomas Mann
Original German, English translation Buddenbrooks: The Decline of a Family
own, German classic

The decline of a merchant family in 19th century Lübeck, Germany, is so amazing well written, I really hated it when I finished the book.
It is unbelievable Thomas Mann wrote this at such a young age (the book was published in 1901 and Mann was born in 1875), he writes with such an insight in social, cultural and family influences.

5 stars

Anita
Have you read Bashan and I. If not, I highly recommend it.

205- I'm wishlisting that one!

> 207: Linda
Yes, I read that one last year, it was the first book of Thomas Mann I ever read.

> 208: Angela
I hope you like it as much as I did!

I have two more of him I want to read some day Doctor Faustus and The Magic Mountain

Now I needed someting else, so I decided to read some Karl May starting with:


book #102 Kara Ben Nemsi, de held uit de woestijn by Karl May
translation of Durch die Wüste, in English translation: In the Desert
own collection, translated, YA

Adventure, now in the Orient where our hero, known as Old Shatterhand in the Wild West, is called Kara Ben Nemsi.
He travels with his loyal friend Hadji Halef Omar from the Sahara to Egypt, saving some good guys and gals, fighting some bad guys, along Mekka to Kurdistan.

I really love these books!
I started to read them when I was 10 years old.
Through the years I have read all 50 books translated in Dutch at least 5 times each ;-)

4 stars

Hi Anita - so glad that you enjoyed The Last Elf and congratulations on going past 100 books for the year. I got stuck about halfway through The Magic Mountain but the problem was more with me than the book. I'll have to look for a copy of Buddenbrooks.

> 210:
hi Kerry
I have heard more that the right mindset is needed when reading The Magic Mountain and that it is not an easy read.
But I will see when I get there ;-)

book #103 Door het woeste Koerdistan by Karl May
translation of Durchs wilde Kurdistan, in English translation: Travel Adventures in Kurdistan
own collection, translated

Further traveling adventures with Kara Ben Nemsi and Hadji Halef Omar in Kurdistan.

4 stars

I wish my local library had some of May's books!

that would be nice Stasia, to have someone reading along with me :-)

The local college library does have some of them. Unfortunately, they are all in German.

awww that is a bummer!
There are some translations, it should be possible to find them!

Yeah, but I have to read the books I already have!

The only Thomas Mann book I have read is Death in Venice, which I did love, but I've always been afraid of the bigger ones. Which would you recommend as a starter - Buddenbrooks or The Magic Mountain?

> 218:
hi Janet
I haven't read The Magic Mountain yet, but I found Buddenbrooks easy to read, easier then I thought it would be ;-)
If you like dogs I also recommend Bashan and I.
Anita

book #104 Van Bagdad naar Istanboel by Karl May
translation of Von Bagdad nach Stambul, in English translation: The caravan of death
own collection, translated

Further traveling adventures with Kara Ben Nemsi and Hadji Halef Omar in Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey and Bulgaria.

4 stars

Popping through to say hello! Hope you are doing fine Anita!

I am doing well enough, thank you Bente!
The weather is much cooler lately, yesterday our house finally cooled off to 20 degrees Celsius :-)

>219 FAMeulstee: - Thanks for the recommendation. I think I have a copy of Buddenbrooks already, so I'll probably try that one first.

I have been absent I know, I am two Karl May books behind listing here, but I have good reason:

Our new family member Ari, a Pekingese, more on my weblog.

Anita, Ari is adorable!

Woo! How do your Chows like him? He almost looks like a mini-Chow in your pictures.

Oh, how cute! Great pics, Anita. Thanks for sharing.

thanks Cathy, Roni and Stasia

The Chows were a bit offended at first, but are starting to get used to him.
Ari was a bit overwhelmed at first (he grew up with only small dogs around) but he is learning fast ;-)

Awww....Ari is adorable!!

yes, he surely is Angela!

What a cutie! :) He looks so fluffy.

way to cute Sara :-)
And long haired, he looks a lot like a rough Chow Chow pup, but he will stay a lot smaller.
Chimay and Eoos are gradually accepting his presence.

Now back to the books:

book #105 Door het land der Skipetaren by Karl May
translation of Durch das Land der Skipetaren, in English translation: The Evil Saint
own collection, translated

Further traveling adventures with Kara Ben Nemsi and Hadji Halef Omar in Bulgaria, Macedionia and Albania.

4 stars

book #106 De bandiet der Albaanse bergen by Karl May
translation of part of Der Schut (English translation The Black Persian) and Im Sudan
own collection, translated

Conclusion of the traveling adventures with Kara Ben Nemsi and Hadji Halef Omar in Easern Europe. And their meet up in Kurdistan some years later.

4 stars

Here my Karl May reading ends for now.
Now I am reading Alleen op de wereld (Nobody's Boy) by Hector Malot a classic childhood favourite. In 1999 a new Dutch translation was published.

book #107 Alleen op de wereld by Hector Malot
translation of Sans famille (English translation Nobody's boy)
own collection, childrens, translated

The well known (at least in Europe, I haven't seen many English copies on LT) story of the foundling Rémi.

He grows up with mother Babarin, thinking she is his real mother, but when Mr Babarin comes home he is sold to a traveling artist Vitalis.
With Vitalis and his troop (3 dogs and an ape) he travels through France.
After the death of two of the dogs, the ape and Vitalis Rémi is taken in by a nice family of horticulturists.
But disaster strucks after two good years, hail destroys everything and the Acquin family is split up, leaving Rémi alone again.
With a friend Mattia, who is musican they travel through France once again.
They try to visit all Acquin family members, so everyone can stay in touch.
Visiting Alexis Acquin Rémi takes his place into the mine, the mine gets flooded and Remi, Alexis' uncle and some others get stuck for a long time.
Then Rémi and Mattia hear Rémi's real parents are looking for him, so they travel to England.
Rémi wants to like his parents, but Mattia does not trust them.
Rémi gets arrested for a crime he did not commit, but Mattia gets some help and they escape to France.
There he finds finally his real family.

I have fond memories of this book, but re-reading I found my memory not too reliable (or I might have read an abbreviated edition).
The story is richer and more layered as I thought it was.
In my mind the main part of the book was the travelings with Vitalis and his troop, but that is only a small part of it.
Before Emile Zola wrote Germinal Hector Malot wrote in this book about the sad lives of miners and other social problems in 19th century France and England.
It is a beautiful written tearjerker...

5 stars

What a wonderful addition to your pet kingdom!

Hugs to you!

#234: I read Germinal and rated it a 5-star book, so I am going to have to track down an English version of the Malot book. Thanks for the review and recommendation, Anita!

> 235: thank you Linda

> 236: Stasia
I haven't read Germinal yet, but hope to read it soon.
Be sure you get an unabridged copy of Nobody's boy!

Ari today:

More photos on my weblog.

What a cutie!

He is just adorable! Thanks for sharing the pictures, Anita.

The Last Dragon looks like my kind of book. Have you read Patricia Wrede? Seems like I've asked you this before -- and if so you've answered too (my brain, my brain)

Love your new pup!

thanks Roni, Stasia and Susan

Ari brings a lot of fun in our house: PUPPY POWER!

And yes Susan you have asked before LOL
But still no Dutch translations :-(
Luckely my brain is still somewhat functioning ;-)

#238: Aawww, makes me want to squash my face into your puppy's fur--he's so FlUFfY! :) I have a cat like that, except most of her fluff is just her tail.

> 238: Sara
He looks a little like a big Persian cat with his flat face.
He would like your face in his fur, he likes most people :-)

Aww, Ari is even cuter there than in the first photos, with his little pink tongue poking out.

#244: Yes, a Persian, that's what I was thinking of, thanks! :) I'm glad your dog is so friendly. My dog loved it when I rubbed his belly and blew raspberries on him, but not so much when strangers tried to do it.

> 245: thanks Catherine, we think so too.
The first photos he was just living here, the second batch shows that Ari is at home here ;-)

> 246: Sara
Only Ari is that friendly!
And I am not sure how he will be when he is grown up, but for now he loves all people and the attentention that comes with that.

Chimay tolerates it when strangers pet her.
Eoos tolerates it sometimes, most people are not allowed to touch her at all!

Haven't finished any books because of:

Raising a pup is time consuming and way too much fun!!
More photos on my weblog.

Anita, every picture is cuter. Enjoy him while he's a baby--he'll grow up all too soon!

He is just one big fluffball! Achoo.

That much cuteness in one puppy shouldn't be allowed.

*hurriedly thinks about shedding hair, 6am walks and vet bills to counteract puppy craving*

Oh that last one...! I am in Puppy Envy!

I think I need to trade Stella in on a newer model.

> 249: Roni
We enjoy puppy Ari wholeheartedly (is that a word? if not it shoud be!).
He has grown so much already since he came here.

> 250: Stasia
Fluffy, fluffy, fluffy and beneath that a sweet cuddly puppy.
About "Achoo": Frank is allergic to some dogs, but he never had problems with the Chows and Ari goes well so far... So there might be hope ;-)

> 251: Catherine
LOL!
We think it is all worth it!
And besides, we already have two, so one more isn't such a big thing ;-)

> 252: NO Richard
not trade, give Stella a nice playmate, she might like it.
But I do understand puppy-envy ;-)

#253: Some dogs I have trouble with, others I don't so you never know!

wholeheartedly is indeed a word and you used it perfectly!!

I'm very happy for you! A new puppy and lots of love in your house!

Ahh-haha!!! The pictures of Ari make me laugh and smile and want to cuddle him close... look at that little pink tongue!!!

#248: Ah, yes, decisions, decisions. Which ball to choose? ;) My mum's pup has the same "dilemma" every day--too many toys and her attention's all over the place. I wish my life were that simple. Anyway, I'm glad to see your puppy playing! He's adorable. :)

thanks everyone

Sorry I have been missing for so long.
Ari takes a lot of time and I haven't been able to read much lately.
I am not sure if I have to blame Ari or the recent raising of my anti-depressants...
I hope it is not the pills, it would be terrible to be back in "not able to read limbo"!

Hi, Anita. We have missed you! We don't begrudge Ari your time though. Hope it is not the medication, but if it seems to be, do check with your doctor if there is an "in-between" level you might try, between your previous level and the new one!

Good to hear from you Anita. I've been absent for nearly all of September as well - sometimes so called real life does take over! If Ari is to blame, that's quite understandable - I guess he needs a lot of time, and he is so cute! I hope it's not the medication, or if it is, that you can get it sorted.

Hey, Anita! Glad to see you checking in. I agree with Roni about checking with your doctor about your meds. I hope Ari is continuing to bring you joy!

hi Roni, Genny and Stasia!

I have missed you all too.
Raising a pup is time consuming, although Ari is blending in very well with the Chows.
Yesterday Eoos and Ari finally started to play together, there had been some attempts before, but Eoos can be a bit rough in play and Ari did not appriciate that. But Eoos figured out to be more cautious and Ari trusted her enough so... off they went in the garden!
Both were exhausted afterwards ;-)

At the end of this month I have my next appointment with my psych, so I will see what we can do with the meds. The raise was necessary, I was becoming too lethargic. The alternative is to change to other meds.
To stop slowly and then start other pills is terrible and takes months, so I want to avoid that for as long as possible. Although I know that after some years the pills wear off and then change is inevitable...

I am glad to hear that Eoos is starting to warm up to Ari a bit!

I hope you have a good appointment with your psych adn that you get the meds situation straightened out.

Hi Anita,
I'm still enjoying the pictures of your dogs (Ari is so cute). Because my kids are scared of dogs and we never quite know when we might be moving from country to country, I continue to live out my love of dogs via other people's - though generally from a great distance "argh! mommy! dog! dog! help! help!". Photos are good! I feel happy though because my daughter felt brave enough to actually stroke two dogs at a block party our street held recently. I was very pleased about that as the dog owners in our neighbourhood have started to cross the street every time we approach them to avoid the inevitable panicking and screaming!

I really feel for you regarding your meds, the need to keep changing them and the inevitable side effects they bring with them. My best friend has multiple sclerosis and has suffered from manic depression for over 20 years so I have some idea what the whole messing around with different medications can be like. Hang in there and I hope you're back to reading at full steam soon!

> 264: Stasia
We are all happy with it, Chimay the most, because Eoos does not try to play with her anymore ;-)
So do I...

> 265: Linda
I am glad to help you live out your love for dogs ;-)
I will try to take some pictures next week, Ari grows so fast!

With the meds there is no permanent balance, so it is always try and error and the balance between effect and side effects.
Before these meds I had for years others that worked fairly well against my depressions, but kept me from reading all these years too. But I rather do not read than be in deep depression all the time, so I was pleasantly surprised when with these pills my ability to read came back after a year.

For now I keep it at a temporary dip.

Temporary dips are good! Better than none at all. Hmmm.... my dosages were recently changed. Wonder if that's contributing to the 'tastelessness' as in 'bland' that I'm getting from my reading most of the time too. Just nothing is keeping my interest. My appt is tomorrow so I'l check it out! thx.

> 267: Susan, how did your appt turn out? Changing meds or dosage?

I am doing a bit better, not yet finished any book, but nearly ready with a major re-do of my website, I tend to do that in the fall ;-)

Ari is doing well, won his first prize at a dogshow last saturday. I just updated the weblog Ari at the dog show

Congratulations Ari!

oooh, was hoping for Ari pictures when I visited your thread, Anita, and very much enjoyed the pictures of him at the show. What a triumphant initiation!

But next, I want pictures of Eoos and Ari playing!

Thanks for sharing the pictures of Ari, Anita! Glad to hear that he won first prize! You must be a proud mama :)

tanks Genny, Roni and Stasia

Yes proud mommy here ;-)
If you don't mind Roni, I uploaded a picture of Ari (alone) at my profile...
The problems with taking pictures of Eoos and Ari playing are:
- they mostly do it inside and are too fast for the flash
- lately the weather is awful, so if they play outside not enough light for pictures (and again, too fast for flash...)

Can you tell I tend to be a perfectionist??? LOL!
But I will try and one of these days I will succeed in this

Last Thursday I took some photos of Ari, Hella (Dutch Shepherd) and Poppy (Staffordshire Bull Terrier) who went all to the same show. I hope to publish them this evening or tomorrow at the weblog.

Wow, what a puffball!! He must have at least 4 inches of insulation all around--his head is almost lost. Looking forward to further pictures.

Hi Anita! How are you? I love your little puppy, it's so cute! Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Give the little one a hug from me:)

> 273: Roni
Not 4 inches, nearly 4 inches :-)
And the hanging ears hide his head too.
Playing pictures are one the way together with a next thread!

> 274: Bente
I am well enough, thank you.
Haven't read much recently, but am catching up.
Ari loves hugs, so he says: Thank You!!!

next thread the fourth 75 thread in 2010

Thx for asking about my appt -- yes, upped the dosage. I'm a bit better but still struggling -- then again, this is a tough time by anyone's standareds ;->

xoxo