Trifolia reads again in 2021

Read in 2021

December
40. Black Water Lilies by Michel Bussi - 4 stars
39. Het raadsel literatuur by Karina van Dalen-Oskam - 4 stars
38. Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk - 4,5 stars
37. Free: Coming of Age at the End of History by Lea Ypi - 4 stars
36. The First Woman by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi - 4 stars
35. The Promise by Damon Galgut - 4,5 stars
34. Intimacies by Katie Kitamura - 4 stars
33. Il desiderio di essere come tutti by Francesco Piccolo - 4 stars

November
32. The New Silk Roads: The Present and Future of the World by Peter Frankopan - 3 stars
31. 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak - 4 stars
30. On the Edge of Reason by Miroslav Krleža - 4 stars

October
29. How to Stay Sane in an Age of Division by Elif Shafak - 4 stars
28. The Walk by Robert Walser - 3 stars
27. The Distance Between Us by Renato Cisneros - 3 stars

September
26. How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue - 4,5 stars
25. Summerwater by Sarah Moss - 2,5 stars

August
24. A Nearly Normal Family by M. T. Edvardsson - 3,5 stars
23. A Start in Life by Anita Brookner - 3,5 stars
22. De wereld gaat aan vlijt ten onder by Max Dendermonde - 3 stars

July
21. The Forbidden Promise by Lorna Cook - 3 stars

June
20. I Am An Island by Tamsin Calidas - 4 stars

May
-

April
19. Il guardiano della collina dei ciliegi (Het jaar dat Shizo Kanakuri verdween) by Franco Faggiani - 4,5 stars
18. Notes on a Nervous Planet by Matt Haig - 4 stars
17. The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa - 2,5 stars
16. My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout - 3 stars
15. H(A)PPY by Nicola Barker - 3 stars
14. Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben - 3 stars
13. The Girl with Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee (2015) - 3 stars
12. Solitude: In Pursuit of a Singular Life in a Crowded World by Michael Harris (2017) - 2 stars

March
11. Idaho by Emily Ruskovich - 3 stars
10. The Dutch House by Ann Patchett (2019) - 4 stars
9. The Wife and the Widow by Christian White (2019) - 3 stars
8. Autumn by Ali Smith (2016) - 4 stars
7. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (1996) - 3 stars
6. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (2020) - 3,5 stars

February
5. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman (2020) - 3,5 stars
4. The German Lesson by Siegried Lenz (1968) - 4,5 stars

January
3. De opgang by Stefan Hertmans (2020) - 3 stars
2. The Ice Palace by Tarjei Vesaas (1963) - 3 stars
1. Pale Blue Ink in a Lady's Hand by Franz Werfel (1941) - 4 stars

STATS
author's nationality:
Australia: 1
Austria: 1
Belgium: 1
Cameroon: 1
Canada: 1
Croatia: 1
Germany: 1
Italy: 2
Japan: 1
Netherlands: 1
North Korea: 1
Norway: 1
Peru: 1
Sout Africa: 1
Sweden: 1
Switzerland: 1
Turkey: 1
UK: 8
USA: 5

original language:
Dutch: 2
English: 23
German: 3
Italian: 2
Japanese: 1
Norwegian: 1
Spanish: 1
Swedish: 1

gender:
male: 18
female: 14

fiction vs non-fiction:
fiction: 28
non-fiction: 6

fiction genre:
Biography & Memoir: 3
Fantasy: 2
Historical fiction: 1
History: 1
Mystery: 3
Recent Fiction: 7
Recent Nonfiction: 1
Science & Nature: 1
Science Fiction: 2
Suspense & Thriller: 4
Travel: 1
Young Adult: 1

After a two-year break I've decided to join the 75-group again.
I'm Monica, aka Trifolia but some of you may remember me as JustJoey or MGovers.

I first joined in 2010 and had a thread every year up until 2018. After that I was preoccupied with a lot of other things and on top of that I had a major reading slump in 2019-2020. I blame A Gentleman in Moscow for this because this book made such an impression on me that I simply was not able to pick up another book out of fear I would feel let down after this amazing reading-experience. I have not read very much in 2019 (25 books) and 2020 (11 books), but my yearly average of 2010-2018 is 82 so I think my place is here among the 75'ers anyway.

I'm a 50-something historian working as an archivist / records-keeper, living in the vicinity of Bruges in Belgium. Apart from reading, I enjoy gardening, hiking, cooking and baking. I've also been busy with genealogy, doing research into my family roots.

As for my reading-tastes, they are still much the same: a mixture of modern literature, classics, world-literature, mysteries and thrillers. Being Flemish, I also read Dutch and Flemish literature, but my focus is primarily on the quality of the book rather than on the nationality of the writer or the original language it is written in.

I mostly read my books on an e-reader because it's more practical. I've tried audiobooks but that doesn't work for me. I'm too distracted (annoyed) by the reader's voice which imo weighs too heavy on my reading-experience.
If I like a book very much, I usually buy the book on paper and remove a book I didn't like. So book by book, my library changes from a collection of random books I bought, received or collected at some point in my life to a library that mainly consists of books I really enjoyed or cherish. It's a work in progress but it gives me much pleasure.

I look forward to keeping track of the books I read and adding my comments to them. But I particularly look forward to finding old friends here on LT and maybe, hopefully, get acquainted to some new people who share my reading-tastes.

Hi! Saw your introduction, and thought I'd share a link to the Genealogy group here on LT: https://www.librarything.com/ngroups/1700/Genealogy%40LT

Happy reading!

Welcome back! Of course we remember you, and I'm glad you're joining us again.

Glad to see you back with us, Monica. Happy reading in 2021!

>3 fuzzi: - Hi Fuzzi, thanks for sharing the link. I will take a look over there.

>4 drneutron: - Thank you, Jim. I'm surprised that you still remember me after all these years and so many of us who have come and gone, changed names etc. I hope I'll be able to catch up again.

>5 FAMeulstee: - Thank you, Anita. It feels a bit strange after all these years, but I hope to find my routine soon.

1. Pale Blue Ink in a Lady's Hand by Franz Werfel (1941) - 4 stars


One day, when he receives a letter from a woman he knew long ago, the complacent Leonidas, a middle aged senior civil servant, realizes that his perfectly balanced life might come to an end.
Packed with satire, humour and compassion, this superb novella about the inner struggle of a man also accurately reflects the zeitgeist and standards of the 1930s in Austria.
Franz Werfel was the third husband of the notorious Alma Mahler-Gropius-Werfel and his wife might have had an influence on this novella.
Although I do not find an English cover here on LT, I'm certain this book has been translated. It's well worth reading.

Monica - what a lovely surprise. Didn't recognise you by name obviously, but I am so pleased to see you back.

Hi Monica, good to see you back here.

>8 PaulCranswick: - Thank you, Paul. It's nice to see a familiar name here again. And yes, I guess it does not help that I have a new name if I 'd like people to find me. You did a good job, though.

>9 connie53: - Thank you, Connie. I noticed you were back again too. I look forward to see what you read this year.

2. The Ice Palace by Tarjei Vesaas - 3 stars


Beautifully written story, set in a breath-taking Norwegian landscape, about the budding friendship between two girls that ends abruptly and traumatically. Although the setting is magnificent and the language and the style are beautiful, I thought the story and the characters were too flimsy in itself to leave a lasting impression on me.

3. De opgang by Stefan Hertmans - 3 stars

Written in Dutch by the author of War and Turpentine and not yet translated.

A few years ago, the author discovered that he had lived a large part of his adult life in a house in Gent (Belgium) in which a notorious Belgian collaborator, his Dutch wife and his children had lived during the war.
The author goes in search of the story of this house and its inhabitants, using the same method as his previous novels: trying to reconstruct the past and mixing it with his own experiences and thoughts. Although Hertmans definitely is a very good writer, he mixes historical fiction and non-fiction which does not result in either high-quality fiction or non-fiction.
On one hand, the author is not objective enough: he fills in the gaps with (rather dull) fiction, he's selective about his sources and he's omnipresent in his own story. On the other hand, he does not succeed to bring his characters to life and fails to let the readers empathize. His choice to mix two genres results in a disappointment for me, both as a historian and as a fiction-reader. I would have preferred it if Hertmans would have limited himself to one genre and stuck to it. The thing that saved it a bit is his beautiful language use.

That being said, I'm not opposed to mixing the genres. I know a few great examples, HhhH by Laurent Binet probably being the most representative, but it is not easy to make it work.

I'm currently reading The German Lesson by Siegfried Lenz and I'm loving it so far. It's very absorbing.

Welcome to the group! Like fuzzi, I hope you'll join us over in the genealogy group.

>12 Trifolia: I will be interested to see your review of Lenz's masterpiece, Monica. The only copy I could find in Malaysia is almost three times the cost of most other paperbacks. They must realise that I want it badly!!

>13 thornton37814: - Thanks and done, as you already noticed :-)

>14 PaulCranswick: - My initial plans to read more have been thwarted this week and I'm wondering how I ever managed to read 100+ books in a year. But Lenz' work is a masterpiece indeed and it keeps getting better, if at all possible.
I'm bypassing the problem of finding a copy by reading it on my e-reader. It's even included in my Kobo-subscription (lucky me). But I will probably buy the paper version eventually and add it to my "perfect library".

Hi Monica! It's good to see you back! >7 Trifolia: I do see one English translation that is out of print, but enough libraries have a copy that I should be able to borrow it via ILL at some point.

Goedenavond, Monica!
Thank you for your visit - I thought I return it right away. And look at that - I just had the Werfel book in my hands today. I wouldn't have thought of reading it at the moment, but maybe that's not a bad idea!
Reading your intro I am kind of glad I haven't read A Gentleman in Moscow yet - it has been on my wishlist since its publication. And Lenz's novel is waiting on my shelves as well.
It looks like we have some reading interests in common. I am glad you sad hello.
Have a lovely start of the week!

>16 cbl_tn: - Hi Carrie, I'm so happy that you found me here. I think you'd like Werfel's book.

>17 PersephonesLibrary: - Hi Käthe, thanks for visiting my thread. Oh, but do read A Gentleman in Moscow. I thought it to be one of the best books if not the best book I ever read. Fortunately, I've realized that I have not read every book ever written yet, so there might be even better books available. But I haven't met anyone yet who has read this book who hasn't loved it. And it just might be the right book for you too. Highly recommended. But please don't feel pressured.

Yes, we do seem to have similar reading tastes. I look forward to your reading-adventures this year.

>18 Trifolia: I am probably the one of very few who didn't like A Gentleman in Moscow, Monica.
My thoughts can be found in my September 2017 thread.

>19 FAMeulstee: - Well, it's interesting to see it from your point of view and in a way I understand, Anita. I obviously see it differently, but that's okay, isn't it. I guess that, apart from being entitled to having a personal opinion, it's also a fact that we may or may not like a book because it just does not appeal to us. Or because we attach more importance to certain aspects. I just loved the Count and was happy to accept it was more about character than about history, while you did not connect to the Count and find the latter more important. Then, I understand that you did not like the book.
I had a similar experience with Where the Crawdads Sing. I really did not like this book, while I have not read anything negative about this book (or maybe I have overlooked) :-)
But hey, that's what I've missed during my absence: book-discussions!

>20 Trifolia: Of course you see it differently, Monica, you really liked the book!
I expected more Russia, and got a chaming, improbable Count ;-)
In the end we all read a different book, as we have other backgrounds, and other expectations.

Yes, a few others feel the same like you about Were the Crawdads Sing, but many loved it. I though it was very good. But then I know next to nothing about the area where the story is set.
What was it that you disliked, the girl, the mystery?

Welcome back, Monica. It's good to see you again. I was amazed at first when I saw your user name on my thread, because I had no idea who might be hiding behind it. I hope that this one stays now and that I don't have to get used to another again soon ;-).
I myself wasn't active on LT last year and this year not as often as I'd like. This pandemic is simply too demanding professionally, so that I tend to spend my little free time reading.
Happy reading 2021.

>20 Trifolia: I did see a fairly negative review of Where the Crawdads Sing but I cannot remember by whom.

>21 FAMeulstee: - It's actually funny to notice that the reasons you did not like A Gentleman in Moscow are more or less why I did not like Where the Crawdads Sing. I just could not relate to the main character and thought the story to be quite implausible. It more or less killed all the positives like the setting e.g.
And yes, I agree, it sometimes depends more on how we perceive a book or what we are or have been dealing with in RL rather than on the intrinsic qualities of a book if we like it or not. That's what makes it so interesting. I've also noticed that for some books I lower my standards if the book gives me a good feeling, despite its flaws. Or I have higher standards if the book is promoted too much. Weak, I know :-)
But all in all, I like it when people have different opinions as long as they are honest and polite, because these opinions are windows to another perspective and that imo is always enriching. So thanks for sharing your opinion :-)

>22 Ameise1: - Hi Barbara, yes it is little old me. I know I have been a bit unstable with my name here on LT, but I think Trifolia is here to stay. I've given it a lot of thought and there are multiple reasons (too lengthy to explain) why I feel good about this one.
I've also been struggling to free up time to read, but on the other hand, I find that reading is a thing that gives me peace in these mad times. Let's hope things will get better soon, for all of us!

>23 PaulCranswick: - Hm, even for me it would be a herculean task to try to find this. But I'll take your word. Have you read any of the two books and if so, what is your opinion? Thanks for stopping by, btw :-)

To be honest, Where the Crawdads sing was one of the books I could sell without having read it... I have just read the summaries and that was enough to know that it's just not my cup of tea.

Have a lovely weekend, Monica! I hope you are doing well.

>24 Trifolia: I haven't read either, Monica.

Have a lovely weekend.

Today is my 11th Thingaversary here on LT.
As some of you have noticed, I have not been active here over the last couple of weeks. I hate to admit that stress got the better of me. My uncle died and apart from the grief, the pain of not having been able to visit him for over a year now because of Covid and not having been able to say goodbye to him triggered something that's probably best described as stress. I have not been able to function the way I ususally do because I lacked the energy I ususally have and I have not been able to handle many things that I normally handle easily. I guess it's only a temporary slump that I'll be able to fix with a slowing down my pace, enjoying early spring and being kind to myself. I realize that a lot of people are a lot worse off than me but for now, I just needed time for myself.
I gradually regain energy to pick up the thread again, so I thought my Thingaversary was a good day to start.
I hope the sun is shining wherever you are, like it is shining here now and you are enjoying whatever it is you are doing.

I’m so sorry that your uncle died, and I understand how that can just sap every bit of energy. Your Thingaversary is indeed a good day to step back into the group! I hope you find some good books today.

>28 Trifolia: *hugs*
I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you can settle into slowing down and relaxing and find some good ways to practice self-care.

I realize that a lot of people are a lot worse off than me but for now...
This is always true for all of us, but I think it's important to remember that it doesn't make our own problems any less real or valid and it definitely doesn't mean that we all don't deserve the care and attention we need to heal.

*more hugs* and a Happy Thingaversary!

>28 Trifolia: I'm so sorry for you loss, Monica. I guess these times of not being able to see someone you love because of Covid there is no way to say goodbye. Than it takes more time to get some feeling of peace and closure. But I'm glad you are now able to make the decision to slowly move back to a new normal. I'm sure you will get there. Take all the time you need.

Monica, I am sorry to hear about your loss and all the the difficulties! It's okay to feel overwhelmed, don't worry. Take time for yourself and take your time to mourn. It's a difficult moment in extraordinary times. But I am glad you wrote! I am there if you want to write.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Monica. Gentle hugs.

>29 drneutron: - Thank you, Jim. I'd forgotten how warm and friendly the people in this group are. That is such a relief and so rare on the internet these days. And thanks for implicitly reminding me of the unwritten rule that I'm supposed to buy 11 books now. I'll stretch it out over the months though :-)

>30 scaifea: - Oh Amber, thank you so much. Your kind words hugged me like a soft blanket on a winter's day. It felt and still feels so good to read them.

>31 connie53: - Thank you Connie, for your support and your kind words. I know you're going through tough times yourself, so I appreciate it even more that you're doing the effort to stop by and comfort me.

>32 PersephonesLibrary: - Hi Käthe, thank you so much for offering to be a friend in these difficult times. It means a lot to me, especially since it seems we share many common hobbies and interests and even stressful times (but not the crawling creatures :-)).

>33 Ameise1: - Thank you Barbara. You're so kind.

Well, today was my uncle's funeral. Because of Covid, we could only attend with 15 people but it was a beautiful ceremony in which we celebrated and remembered this wonderful man's life. And in a strange way, I feel more peaceful now as if the ceremony healed me.

So my next babystep is to find a book that interests me with the following criteria: interesting characters, strong storyline, well written, maybe a touch of humor, a secret, a mystery or a fascinating history, nothing about war, illness or death but also no romance, in short not too heavy but not too light either.
If you think of anything ... suggestions are welcome.

>34 Trifolia: Oh, good! I worry that my words don't really convey what I want them to sometimes, but I'm glad they worked for you this time. *adds more hugs to the pile*

I'm also so glad that the ceremony was helpful and healing.

And no one will be shocked that I'm going to recommend The Thief for your next read. Ticks all those boxes on your list.

>35 scaifea: - Thanks for the hugs and the recommendation, Amber! It's totally different from the books I usually read, but that might just be the thing I need right now. I've added it to my Thingaversary-list, along with Circe by Madeline Miller (all that Greek on your thread, you know...).

>36 Trifolia: Yay!! I loved Circe, too!

I'm so glad that the ceremony was meaningful and gave you some peace.
I had the same experience when my brother in law died suddenly in January. We could only have 30 people max. But it was a very beautiful goodbye.

4. The German Lesson by Siegfried Lenz - 4,5 stars

In the aftermath of World War II and as the son of a Nazi loyal policeman, Siggi, a young man who is in an institution to be re-educated, is assigned to write an essay on “the joy of duty”. When he fails to get something on paper in time, he is punished and obliged to write the essay after all. It eventually becomes the beginning of a book in which he tells his life story and in which duty plays a leading role.

Flashbacks give us a glimpse of Siggi's life and how he ended up in the situation he is now in. Each chapter is a separate scene in which the storyline is rolled out in fine detail. Leading roles are played by the father and a painter who is forbidden by Berlin to paint, but other characters of his family and close-knit community are fleshed out well too.
In addition, Siggi also tells the story of his experiences in the institution, observing his fellow inmates, the guards and the psychologists who observe them and are supposed to cure them. In the end, you wonder who is more in need of healing.

I thought this was an amazing book. It is very well written, with beautifully crafted characters and an interesting storyline. But especially the way in which Lenz elaborates the theme of duty is impressive. Strongly recommended for those who love books to reflect on.

Belated Thingaversary wishes. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. This last year has been difficult in so many ways, not the least of which is the separation from loved ones that makes it so hard to comfort each other when faced with illness and death. I am glad that you were able to attend your uncle's memorial service this morning and that it gave you the emotional support you need to heal and move forward.

>37 scaifea: - Circe's planned for March (unless you hit me with other BB's first.

>38 connie53: - Thank you, Connie. It is strange that even in the greatest sadness there is beauty and peace too.

>40 cbl_tn: - Thank you, Carrie.

We both stepped away from LT for about the same amount of time and have come back within weeks of each other. I guess out synergy is still there. :-)

I'm sorry to hear about your uncle and your struggles to deal with your loss during this whole Covid mess. Take care of yourself and stay well.

My thingaversary is coming up soon too. I've decided to don a mask and visit some actual bookstores, something I haven't done in over a year. I'm very excited. I am tickled (and not surprised) that two of the three books on your list to purchase are favorites of mine (My Name is Red and Circe). The third I haven't read. I'll look forward to seeing what else you choose.

All of your reviews have been interesting, but it's the last one that may prove to be a book bullet. You know I love reading about WWII, throw in "well-written" and a book to reflect on, and I'm sold.

P.S. I'm nodding my head vigorously in regards to your praise for HhhH. Fantastic book. I also liked Gentleman in Moscow. Have you read anything else by Towles? I haven't.

>42 labfs39: - Hi Lisa, I'm so happy you found my thread! The synergy is still there indeed. I chuckled when I saw which book you are currently reading. Post 147 on Carrie's (cbl_tn) thread in this group will explain why.

I'm doing a lot better now, thanks to a bit of rest, selfcare and the friendly support of my friends here on LT. LT has proven to be a safe haven for me which I'm very grateful for.

I'm already looking forward to see what you come home with for your thingaversary. I'm sure the majority will end up in my TBR-pile if it is not already there :-)

And yes, I think Siegfried Lenz The German Lesson is one you'll probably enjoy. It's a lot better than I probably was able to convey in my review, but you know what I like. It's one of the best books I ever read and I don't even enjoy reading about WWII as much as you do.

My worship of A Gentleman in Moscow is a bit ridiculous, I know, but this book has moved me very deeply. I have read Towles' other book Rules of Civility but it did not quite live up to my expectations.

Oh my, I'm sooo glad we can revive our conversations on books etc. I'm still not reading like I used to but being active on LT is so energizing that I'm rather confident that I'll be able to read and participate more this year.

Thank you for keeping in touch, Monica. I really appreciate it!

>44 PersephonesLibrary: - You're very welcome, Käthe. I enjoy your presence here and on LT in general.
Unfortunately, I cannot view the picture, so now I'm curious because the other one >26 PersephonesLibrary: was so cute.

Oh, it didn't show... :( It was actually a card to wish you a great week. Has it worked despite not being shown? :D

5. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman (2020) - 3,5 stars

After The German Lesson, I needed something to unwind a bit and this was the perfect book.
Some elderly people in a classy retirement home meet every Thursday to try to solve old murder cases. But when a real murder happens, they offer their services to the police.
Despite the clichés that you would expect in such humorous stories (the oldies who outsmart the police, etc.), the characters were developed rather well and there were also enough plot twists to remain exciting until the end. A nice book to read in between.

>47 Trifolia: That sounds like fun! I think it's already on my OverDrive wishlist.

>34 Trifolia: These have been such tragically difficult times for so many of us, Monica. I hope that your stress levels are down.

>39 Trifolia: I really want to find a copy of this one - it has been on my wishlist for the longest time.

>47 Trifolia: well, on the ol’ list that one goes!

Dropping in to say hello.

>47 Trifolia: BB for me. Sounds great!

>48 cbl_tn: - Yes, it is fun. I can see it made into a movie or as the first of a series but I don't know if that will be the case.

>49 PaulCranswick: - Thank you, Paul. I'm feeling a lot better now, thanks to the friendly support I got here and in RL as well. That makes all the difference.
I can really recommend The German Lesson. It's not an easy read, but very engaging.

>50 drneutron: - Wow, Jim. I think that's a first :-)

>51 figsfromthistle: - Hi Anita, thanks for visiting and reporting the BB.

6. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (2020) - 3,5 stars

This book was brought to my attention by Käthe (PersephonesLibrary) and apparently she is not the only one who has read and enjoyed this book.
Things have not been going well for Nora Seed for a while and when she also loses her cat, her job and her connection with her environment, she decides to commit suicide. That plan only partially succeeds because she ends up in a kind of in-between zone, in a library where she can change all the decisions she made in her life. But it all turns out somewhat differently than expected.
Although the book is rather light-hearted and also contains quite a lot of humor and self-perspective, it makes you think about your own decisions, how things could have turned out differently and whether this would have been a good thing. It also shows you that small decisions can have major consequences, not only for yourself but also for others, both in a positive and negative sense. And any book that can make you think about such a thing is worth reading.

7. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (1996) - 3 stars

This book was recommended to me by Amber (Scaifea >35 scaifea:) (@ thanks, Amber!)
At first my rationally historically formed mind had difficulties to combine an ancient setting with guns and watches, but after a while, I started to enjoy the story of Gen (Eugenides), a thief who's forced by the king's magus to go on a road-trip to steal a precious stone. But things work out differently than planned.
It's a bit out of my comfort-zone, because I'm not into fantasy and I have not read YA for a while, but I liked it.
It reminded me of The Letter for the King and The Secrets of the Wild Wood by Tonke Dragt that I adored when I was a kid. Apparently my favourite books were fantasy back then... who would have thought...

>53 Trifolia: it makes you think about your own decisions, how things could have turned out differently and whether this would have been a good thing Too bad we couldn't all have a Midnight Library experience. I would love to know how things would have turned out had I not made certain decisions. That home perm I had in the 80s comes to mind :-)

>55 labfs39: -- LOL - We all had perms back then, didn't we? I never tried one at home, but the result was equally... well 80s...

>54 Trifolia: I also loved the Tonke Dragt books, still do. Back then I think we called it "imaginary history", or someting like it.

>47 Trifolia: Ooh, I am desperately waiting for my ARC - but the German edition will be published in May, so I'll have to be a bit more patient.

>53 Trifolia: I am glad you liked it, Mon!

Have a lovely week!

>54 Trifolia: Similar thoughts to mine Monica but I would have marked it much higher. I thought the storytelling was compelling.

>57 FAMeulstee: - Indeed, Anita. I guess at the time, we did not care how they were called, we just read them :-). And after Tonke Dragt, did you also move on to Thea Beckman? Happy days!

>58 PersephonesLibrary: - You have something to look forward to, then. Never a bad thing. And it compensates for all the shiny new books you have before all of us, ordinary mortals :-)

>59 PaulCranswick: - Imagine how good a book must be then if I rate it higher :-) No, seriously, I read it in English, so maybe some of the finesse was lost for me. Or maybe I'm more grumpy than I realize.

8. Autumn by Ali Smith (2016) - 4 stars

This book had been on my radar for a while, but Carrie's (cbl-tn) review convinced me to finally read it. And what a reading-experience it has been.
Usually, I like a solid story, fleshed out characters, a nice plot, a strong theme. This book was completely different. It's a whirlwind of thoughts, facts, impressions, ideas,... and I loved it. The story pivots around the almost but not yet comatose Daniel and his former, much younger, neighbour and friend Elisabeth (with an s) who comes to visit.
Their memories, thoughts and experiences about bureaucracy, brexit, war, holocaust, art, xenophobia, love, friendship, life in general are the backbone, with threads that lead to the Profumo-scandal and Christine Keeler but also to the British female painter and founder of the British Pop art movement Pauline Boty, to the ramifications of Brexit, Charles Dickens, the murder of Jo Cox, etc. The form of the book represents the chaos of the time we're living in.
I wonder if everyone will be able to understand what it is all about, but there was plenty in it for me to make this a very unique and ejoyable reading experience. I'm already looking forward to read the next one of this seasonal quartet.

Sigh. I need to read Ali Smith. Lovely review, Monica!

Yes, at least I have to wait for some of the books. 😋

>61 Trifolia: Lol, I just finished Autumn yesterday. My book had the same cover too. I haven't yet written my review. I didn't enjoy it quite as much as you, perhaps because I had a harder time with some of the European not-so-current events and spent quite a bit of time googling Christine Keeler, Profumo, Boty, etc. I loved the relationship between Daniel and Elisabeth, especially when she was a child.

>61 Trifolia: I am so pleased to hear that you enjoyed Autumn! It's my favorite of the quartet so far. I have yet to read Summer.

>54 Trifolia: Woot! I'm glad you liked it! And I'm very happy to read that you're feeling a bit better. *hugs*

>60 Trifolia: Of course, Monica, also Thea Beckman and Jan Terlouw :-)
I have read them all again since joining LT. The science fiction books by Tonke Dragt are also very good (Afroi).

>62 PersephonesLibrary: - Yes, I think it's a beautiful book, Käthe. I'd never expected to like it but I did.

>63 labfs39: - I can understand that and why you did not like it so much, because I believe it's necessary to know more of the background to really understand what it is all about. I've been interested in Great Britain for many decades and have been following what's going on there rather closely. The book is a jigsaw puzzle and the more pieces you can link together, the better view you get. But I'm happy to read in your thread that you'll continue to read the series.

>64 cbl_tn: - Oh, you're almost there, Carrie. I'll try to read Winter asap.

>65 scaifea: - Yes, I did, Amber & thanks for the book-suggestion!

>66 FAMeulstee: - You are brave, Anita! I've considered reading the books again but I'm a bit worried that I might not like them as much as I used to do and that my memories will be tarnished.

9. The Wife and the Widow by Christian White (2019) - 3 stars

I noticed this book on Connie's thread and it looked very promising to me: after he disappears, a wife finds out that her husband has been keeping secrets from her. She goes looking for him on an Australian island. There she meets the other protagonist of this story who has her own family-secrets to deal with. A lot of people have been lyrical about the plot-twist and I must admit it surprised me too. But it was not enough to make me forget the flat characters and the rather weak plot.
I gave it three stars after all, because it did surprise me and because, despite its flaws, I always have a soft spot for this sort of brain-candy.

10. The Dutch House by Ann Patchett - 4 stars

After having been on LT for over 11 years now, I think it's time to make use of the Recommendations generated by LT. Commonwealth has been there for a long time, but I decided to read the more recent book by Ann Patchett that was recommended. It seems LT despreately wants me to read her books. I know it's AI (at least I think it is) and I like to mess around with it, changing the list of books to base my recommendations on. But apart from the messing around, when I let LT make recommendations based on my favourite books, Ann Patchett seems a must-read for me. I did not particularly like her State of Wonder, but I decided to give it a try.

This book is told from the point of view of a younger brother with an older sister who are abandoned by their mother when they were children. They live in a beautiful house but when the father remarries and he dies a few years later, the evil stepmother expells them from the house. We follow the siblings through puberty and adulthood with the house they lost as a constant in their lives. In the end, there are a few plot-twists that I did not see coming and frankly, I don't know if I needed them.
I have mixed feelings about this book. One one hand, I liked the way the siblings and the others were portrayed, the relationship between them, the way the characters evolved and interacted. But on the other hand, I lacked a historical atmosphere. The story starts in the 1950s and spans out over 5 decades, but apart from the odd mention of a date or a name, it's never clear when the story takes place. The characters just evolve, without being affected by the time they are living in.
Maybe that was a deliberate choice of the author, because the book offers enough to think about as it is, but to me it's the difference between a good book and an excellent book.

>69 Trifolia: I've only read one of Ann Patchett's books - Bel Canto. I thought it was good and I've had my eye on others since then, but I've never managed to fit another one into my reading. Maybe her writing didn't make as much of an impression on me as I first thought?

>69 Trifolia: I am a huge fan of Bel Canto, but the only other book I've read by her, Run, left me cold. Perhaps unfairly, because I haven't read many of her books, but I think of her as a one-hit wonder.

Happy weekend!

You are reading fantastic books lately.

Wishing you a lovely Sunday, Monica.

>69 Trifolia: I was wondering if I should read The Dutch House but now, I know, I just would be disappointed. It is so important to me to get a feeling for the decade or time a book takes place. To me it feels lazy when authors don't dive into a story deep enough to make the time felt by simple details in the story.

>68 Trifolia:. Sorry to hear this book disappointed you a little, Monica.

>69 Trifolia:. Now you have made me want to see what my recommendations are. I never look at them really.

> 70 - I agree, Carrie. Ann Patchett seems to be one of those writers who does not leave an impression on me either. Contrary to the either "love it or hate it"-type authors. I'm not sure why but it's good to know that I'm not the only one feeling like this.

>71 labfs39: - Indeed. Maybe we're being a bit harsh for Ann Patchett. Maybe I should try Bel Canto now ... or maybe not :-)

>72 figsfromthistle: - Thanks, Anita. Indeed, coming back to LT has had a positive impact on my reading. The only negative is that it's sometimes hard to keep up with all the threads. I'm more of a lurker anyway.

>73 PaulCranswick: - Thanks, Paul. Sunday was excellent, the rest of the week not so much :-). Work...

>74 PersephonesLibrary: - Yes, I agree, Käthe. It would have made the difference between mediocrity and excellence, because the characters had the potential. Too bad, really.

>75 connie53: - Never mind, Connie. I actually enjoyed it while I read it, because of the anticipation. Only afterwards, I felt a bit let down. So maybe we should use a double standard when reviewing books. Like when you eat cake, it's ever so good but you may live to regret it afterwards :-)
Those recommendations are interesting. That and the "what should you borrow"- feature. Apparently, I should borrow 31 books from you, plenty of which that you rated with 4+ stars.

Does anyone of you actually use these features to get inspiration?

>76 Trifolia: Yes, I use the recommendation feature especially when picking books for my Santee during SantaThing. LT thinks you should borrow Bel Canto from me. ;-)

>77 cbl_tn: - Okay, okay I hear you about Bel Canto :-) But maybe I should try the ones you rated even higher first? Please? :-) Any specific suggestions ? :-)

Behind the Scenes at the Museum was a 5 star read for me. Down River is an engaging thriller with a very strong sense of place (North Carolina). A Thousand Acres is a very good contemporary take on King Lear. And I see several recommendations for the Matthew Shardlake series. I think that series would be a good fit for you.

>76 Trifolia: I don't use the auto-generated recommendations from LT--I have so many recommendations from friends here that I don't feel I need them. But, I went on your page, Monica, to see what LT recommends we borrow from one another. Funny, your third recommendation to me is Pratchett's State of Wonder, and my third to you is, wait for it, Bel Canto. Now clearly that doesn't make sense as you didn't like it. Your #1 recommendation is Dead Souls, which does make sense, and which I think I have in an anthology somewhere. My #1 recommendation to you is Educated, which while good, is not something I would personally recommend to you. I can't make sense of the LT algorithm, it doesn't seem to factor in whether you liked the book, nor whether it is already something I have already read. For instance, the #5 recommendation to me is Sense of an Ending, which I have and have read. So, while it's fun to browse, I think I'll stick to asking you for recommendations and getting them from your reviews. ;-)

>76 Trifolia: I see we have 152 books in common! And I can borrow 123 books! Lots of 4 star books too. Lots of them are by Belgian writers that I've never heard of.

I never did use these features but it's fun to read them.

>79 cbl_tn: - Ouch, that's several BB in one post! :-)
I've orderedDown River because it's different from the books I usually choose, but the others also appeal to me. It's strange to see that after a long time of not finding any books to read, I now find myself in a situation of "so many books, so little time". But I prefer the latter over the former! Thanks for your recommendations!

>80 labfs39: - I've looked into the list we should borrow from each other and it's very weird indeed. Most of my recommendations to you seem to be in the crime-genre which I know is a genre you do not like and I would not recommend them to you anyway. I'm also curious to know the algorithm because it does not make too much sense.
Apparently, my preferences are not easy to read because I ususally don't like the majority of the books that are recommended based on AI. Sometimes I can see why it's recommended but it's often based on the wrong parameter. I'm so pleased that humans still do a better job in that respect too. And it's way more fun!

>81 connie53: - 152 is a lot of books. ANd yay for 123 books to be borrowed, although, as I mentioned it's probably not the best of recommendations. But sometimes I come across a book that would have stayed under the radar otherwise.

This has been a very busy and stressful week so I did not finish any book. It's typical that I've started on 4 different books but did not finish any of them. I hope to have a calmer, less erratic week ahead.

>82 Trifolia: Sorry you are having "one of those" weeks. Which four books are you working on at the moment?

>82 Trifolia: I understand why you started 4 books and not finish any of them. Sometimes it's not the right time or the right mindset to read a certain book. I have that happening to me too.

>83 labfs39: - Oh, I guess that's life and there are worse things, I guess, but my concentration is a bit off. So far, they are all engaging reads though.

Currently , I've started
- Idaho by Emily Ruskovich
- Circe by Madeline Miller
- Bevroren goud (Frozen Gold) by Cilla Börjlind, Rolf Börjlind (probably not translated)
- The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa

and up next are
- My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk
- Girl, Woman Other by Bernardine Evaristo
and who knows The Girl with Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee :-)

> 84 - It's good to know that I'm not the only one who experiences this. All I need to do is to sit down and concentrate on one book at a time, but somehow, I'm often distracted. What are your tips and tricks to resolve this?

>85 Trifolia: Read something entirely different. For my Dutch online book forum we have a big challenge on the go. We are not a very big Forum, maybe just 20+ active members (even a few from Belgium) and a lot of lurkers. Everybody is welcome to our group. There is no way to catalog your books as it is on LT. We just talk about books and have meets and discuss our lives. We were founded by 3 women somewhere in the 90s using the guestlist of a Publisher. That did not work to well so they found a space to host a forum. Before Covid we did meet a few times per year in bigger cities in the Netherlands, now we have to settle for zoom-meets.
Each year we have a challenge. This time we have to read 210 books in 21 categories, so 10 books p.c. Each person can read 2 books p.c.

See https://www.librarything.nl/topic/329595#n7458818 first post of that thread!

So I decided to read a fantasy book for one of the categories. But I could not get into it. And decided to go for a novel instead. Fantasy is sometimes too magical and you have to pay attention when you read that.

So when books don't do what you want them to do, just read another one that's more suitable to your state of mind at that particular moment.

>85 Trifolia: I liked both Circe and Song of Achilles and was able to hear Madeline Miller speak (and get a signed copy) at the Decatur Book Fest a few years ago. Also there were Darryl (kidzdoc), Kay (ridgewaygirl) and a couple of other LTers. I haven't read The Memory Police, but look forward to hearing your review, as it's on my radar as well. I really liked her book, The Housekeeper and the Professor. I also have Hotel Iris, which I feel like I have read, but which isn't marked so in LT. I read My Name is Red a couple of years ago, and it was a surprise favorite. I liked the structure as much as the plot. I hope you like it too, as I suspect you know that I read and liked it. I have Snow, also by Pamuk, and hope that I am disappointed when I read it.

Your question about how to read your way out of a reading doldrum is pertinent to me at the moment as well. I started A High Wind in Jamaica, but am struggling to stay with it. I'm going to close my laptop after this message and try and give it some undivided attention. Hopefully I will get sucked in. Unlike you, I only read one book, sometimes two if they are a fiction and nonfiction, at a time. If I start to flag with that book, I'm stuck not reading anything until I finish it. That's usually, but not always, the incentive I need. Occasionally I mark a book with the tag "bookmark stuck" in LT and put it up, bookmark still in it. The idea is I will get back to it someday. That doesn't usually happen, but I try not to give myself a hard time about it.

Ok. Off to read High Wind

Oooh you're in for a real treat with Circe - I hope you love it as much as I did!

Oh, starting several reads and finishing none... I know that feeling. I usually put ALL of them aside and read something completely different. When I can't really focus it is usually a comic, graphic novel or young adult novel. Something I can read quickly and have not to focus very hard on. This usually helps me to re-focus and then I know which book I actually want to read at that exact moment. The other books get postponed for later and I only focus on the one.

And if that doesn't help - I give myself a break and do a puzzle. :)

Have a lovely week, Monica!

>86 connie53: - Your RL-groups sounds lovely and diverse. I knew you were seeing your book-friends in RL but had no clue how it worked. It seems the perfect combination of mixing pleasure with a bit of gentle pressure to step out of the comfort-zone and get acquainted with other books you wouldn't have considered otherwise.

>87 labfs39: - I enjoyed what I read from Circe so far. I'm at the point that she is banished by her father. Currently I'm focussing (really!) on Idaho but I have very mixed feelings about this one. I love it and hate it at the same time. I'm trying to figure out what is causing what. I'll get back on this once I figured it out and have finished the book.
I did not realize Yoko Ogawa had also written The Housekeeper and the Professor. I read that one too (of course :-)) and notice I gave it 3,5 stars. When I reread my review, I think it's a bit of an Ann Patchett-issue.

>88 scaifea: - Me too, Amber, believe me, me too :-)

>89 PersephonesLibrary: - That's good advice, Käthe. Usually, a detective or some chicklit (aarrhh) does it for me. The latter because i's usually so trite that I appreciate good literature all the more afterwards.

I can't believe the week is already half gone. Sometimes I think I skip days entirely because weeks go by so fast.

>90 Trifolia: I didn't write a review of The Housekeeper and the Professor, so I don't have details, but I like books about memory, memory loss, and the role of memory in history. The Gift of Rain wowed me even more in this regard.

>90 Trifolia: Time is flying by - I can't believe March is basically over. But I think I say that every year.
Have a lovely Sunday and I hope you managed some reading time!

>91 labfs39: - You'll probably like The Memory Police then. I've started and read a few chapters (well, actually, I just wanted to read the first page, but that's the way it turned out...) and I like it so far. Very engaging and thought-provoking.

>92 PersephonesLibrary: - Well, I can repeat my post from last week. It seems my post-day is Wednesday and yours is Sunday. But somehow we meet each other in the middle :-).

I came across this interesting article on Flemish literature.
It provides a nice overview of the Flemish literary landscape and its roots. You can find the article here

>94 Trifolia: Thank you for sharing that article. It was very helpful in giving me an overview of Flemish literature. I have bookmarked it and will use it for book suggestions going forward.

>94 Trifolia: Thanks for sharing the article - that's very intriguing! I am curious if there are translations and will keep them in mind (but for May... ;-).

Hi Monica. Keeping up with threads is almost impossible to do. I want to wish you Fijne Paasdagen.

>94 Trifolia: Oh, thanks so much for this link. I just saw that my library has got three books by Stefan Hertmans. Have you ever read something by him?

Happy Easter, Monica.

>95 labfs39: - Yes, it's one of the best short overviews on Flemish literature I've come across so far and with the right emphasis.
I'm happy to notice that I have read quite a few of these books myself over the years. I wasn't aware of that fact because since highschool, I have a love-hate relationship with Flemish literature.

>96 PersephonesLibrary: - Oh, I'm sure there are several translations. In 2016, Dutch and Flemish literature were the theme at the Frankfurter Buchmesse and I believe quite a few Flemish books were translated for this occasion.
I found a website where you can find an overview of the Flemish books translated to German here (and to English here)

>97 connie53: - Yes, it is quite impossible to follow the threads, but I'm happy you found me. Vrolijk Pasen!

>98 Ameise1: - Happy Easter to you too, Barbara.
I read The Ascent, The Convert and War and Turpentine. I liked the latter the best. Hertmans has a distinct style which most readers like, me not so much.

I'm happy to see that I read 6 books last month which has not happened since december 2018. And I'm looking forward to read more. Maybe I'm finally crawling out of my book-slump. Yay!

>94 Trifolia: Thanks for that overview, Monica. I do have a few of those authors on my shelves and will look to add a few more.

>99 Trifolia: Yay for leaving behind the book-slump! I'm happy with my progress since the beginning of the year as well. Not that I've read that many, but more than all of last year combined, so that's good.

Idaho by Emily Ruskovich (2017) - 3 stars

I already read this book a few weeks ago but I wasn't quite sure why I didn't like this book as much as I had expected. The book, set in Idaho, is about a man whose first wife murdered one child, after which their second child fled and was never found again. The man remarries and the new wife tries to reconstruct the past while the man slips further and further into hereditary dementia.
The book is told from different narrative points of view and with flashbacks that jump back and forth to different stages in the story. That gives the story a confusing impression that correlates well with the man's dementia and the woman's confusion. The author uses a rich and stylish language, but I did not like the fact that she gave her characters no depth, no color. Their voices are all alike. Whether it is the first wife, the second wife, the cellmate and even the husband, only through their actions, you can know who is speaking now. Although the book certainly has certain literary qualities (beautiful language, intriguing story), the characters' lack of personality is a real letdown. I can't help but feel that the author would have better told the story from one point of view, which would have made the whole thing more believable and intimate.

>100 PaulCranswick: - You're welcome, Paul.

>101 labfs39: - Yay indeed, Lisa and you're part of me crawling out of it. I'm still not reading like a couple of years ago when one book led to another, but the joy of reading is definitely coming back.

Happy Easter! I am so glad to hear that you're coming out of your reading slump. March was my best reading month in a long time as well.

>99 Trifolia: Awesome, thank you!! I just love that I can understand the titles in their original language as well. :)

>102 Trifolia: Funny, I have got that books somewhere on my shelves. Not yet read, but soon.

I hope you enjoy a lovely Easter weekend, Monica!

12. Solitude: In Pursuit of a Singular Life in a Crowded World by Michael Harris (2017) - 2 stars

A book about the need for solitude and quiet in a world that is superconnected and always busy. The message is excellent, the package not so much. The author mixes his own experiences with facts and figures, but it's all a bit haphazard. Probably irrelevant for people who are already convinced of the value of solitude and not convincing to people who are afraid to go offline.

13. The Girl with Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee (2015) - 3 stars


I had this book on my shelf for almost 5 years but it wasn't until my reading-twin Lisa recently bought it and noticed it in my library, that we decided to read it together. RL prevented us (me) from reading it chapter by chapter or even part by part, but we somehow managed to read and finish it synchronically.
This book is the autobiography of a North-Korean girl who, more by luck than reasoning left North-Korea and after some spectacular episodes in China and Laos finally ended up in South-Korea where she met her American husband to be.
This book was a bit too polished and one-sided for my taste, but autobiographies have that intrinsic quality of course. It is a good story though and Lisa apparently liked it better than I did. You can find Lisa's comments on her thread

>106 Trifolia: Have you read Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain? I read it years ago, but I still think of it and her examples. It was the first time I had read about the difference between being shy and being introverted, or that you could be a shy extrovert, which explained some of my family.

>107 Trifolia: I have some reservations about Lee's book as well. Her experience is so outside the norm from what I've read of other North Korean defectors that it is hard to fathom. As you say, it would be interesting to hear her mother and brother's perspective.

>108 labfs39: - I have read Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking a few years ago, but to be honest, I cannot say it left a lasting impression. I tend to read too much of this sort of self-help-books (a guilty pleasure, turned into a bad habit), so this probably says more about me than about the quality of the book.

I read your review on Lee's book and I could not have said it better myself (I'm not talking about grammar and vocabulary).

>109 Trifolia: In this case, we are opposites (fraternal twins, maybe)? I tend to eschew self-help/pop-psychology books, except when it comes to parenting. Perhaps that's where my insecurities are strongest. Although an introvert myself, I am not shy, and needed help better understanding people who were. I did find it helpful.

Ha, ha, thanks

I got a little behind in reviewing, and the fact that the books I read didn't really touch me, didn't help either. So I'll just post mini reviews and look ahead.

14. Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben - 3 stars

You can always count on Harlan Coben to clear your head completely and get sucked into an exciting story without having to put in too much effort.
The story: the husband of an ex-soldier and fighter pilot is murdered. Research shows that there is a link with her sister who died in a tragic way a few years earlier. A true page-turner with an ending that even I did not see coming (for once).

15. H(A)PPY by Nicola Barker - 3 stars

You may wonder why I read dystopias again and again when I'm not actually a fan of them. Psychologists would undoubtedly have an extensive explanation for it, but the fact is that when I saw this book I was yet again stimulated to read it. It takes place in the future where everything is good and pleasant and people are controlled and guided by artificial intelligence. But suddenly the main character Mira has problems with her wiring and all kinds of unwanted signals come through that refer to a distant past and another continent. In addition to the story, I found the way of writing and the page layout particularly fascinating. The author plays with colors, fonts and shapes and makes them part of the story. I found that particularly intriguing. The fact is that you cannot read this book in an audio version.
In the end I thought the story was a bit too thin to really make it a hit. It definitely pulled me out of my comfort zone, but it still hasn't made me a real fan of dystopias.

16. My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout - 3 stars

This book has been on my reading list for a long time, if only because it keeps popping up in my personal recommendations on LT. The story is about a woman who has to spend several months in hospital and receives a visit from her mother who she has not seen for years. Following this visit, she reflects on her childhood and youth. We are gradually learning more about Lucy. On the one hand, I thought it was a beautiful book, very well written, in a very elegant, sophisticated style, in a beautiful rhythm. But on the other hand, I found the story and the way she presented various themes a little too easy and superficial: she touched them and they were gone. I think it lacked a little depth. Otherwise this book would certainly have reached the level of a classic for me.

17. The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa - 2,5 stars

And yet another dystopia. On an island, all kinds of objects disappear one by one. They are banned, destroyed and most people forget about them. But some people are genetically different so they don't forget things. They are prosecuted and arrested by the memory police, after which they are never heard from again. Some manage to go into hiding, but that becomes increasingly difficult as more and more things disappear.
The story builds up nicely, the atmosphere becomes more and more oppressive and seems to lead to a climax, but turned out to be an anti-climax for me. Perhaps this is inherent in dystopias and at the same time the reason why I rarely find them interesting. As with otjher dystopias, I think more could have been done with it.

>112 Trifolia: Interesting about dystopias. I have to be in the mood for them, but will read them from time to time. For a while I read quite a few YA dystopias because my daughter was into them. I was trying to think if there was a genre I didn't like, but felt compelled to read. Perhaps mysteries? I will occasionally pick one up because it is highly rated, but I'm not sure I've ever really enjoyed one. I don't particularly like short stories, either, but I don't feel compelled to read them.

>113 Trifolia: I have only read one book, Olive Kitteridge, by Elizabeth Strout and was disappointed, despite it being set in Maine. I didn't like the structure, which was like short stories, see above. I also felt that there wasn't one nice mother in the entire book.

>114 Trifolia: Too bad about The Memory Police. I like books about memory, but after reading your review, I think I'll hold off on reading this one. At least, for your sake, Ogawa's books tend to be short.

>15 Trifolia: Your comments made me smile, Monica. Maybe the reason we challenge ourselves with genres we don't really consider our things is probably because we often think that we are the problem but eventually realise that, no, it is just a genre we don't care for.

Sorry to see that most of your recent reads have fallen somewhat flat. Good luck with the upcoming reads!

Have a lovely weekend.

>115 labfs39: - When I think about it, dystopias, sc-fi and fantasy are not my least favourite genres but the genres that I have to be in the mood for when reading. I read Tolkien way back before the hype and loved it. But the movie killed it for me. The same with Outlander. I really should not watch the film-version if I liked a book.

I have read Olive Kitteridge too but I did not really get the point of that one either.

I'm not sure if you would not like The Memory Police more than I did. Lois (Avaland) seemed to like it a lot better than I did and I can relate to her review. Well, I actually think you probably would like it. It would be interesting to find out, but no pressure :-)

>116 PaulCranswick: - Indeed, Paul, I was the girl who did not like Alice in Wonderland (still don't), so that should have been a warning. As much as I would like to step out of my comfort zone, I have my limits... and preferences.

Thanks for stopping by, btw.

>117 Trifolia: not my least favourite genres but the genres that I have to be in the mood for when reading Good way to put it.

I was excited about the Outlander series at first, because they were going to spend a whole season (16 episodes at first) on each book. In tv terms, that's a lot. I also liked Ron Moore's philosophy toward historical fiction and accuracy, and Terry Dresbach did a great job with costumes. But by the second season they were already making serious plot deviations. Then Terry left, and Ron stepped back. Keeping Murtagh alive was the last straw. I understand that changes are necessary when moving from the book to the screen, and it was even interesting to think about and discuss, but to keep a character in the show because they are popular with viewers was asinine. *rant over*

>118 labfs39: - I was excited about Outlander, Lord of the Rings and quite a few other series as well, because I liked the books so much. But apparently I seem to have these images in my head about the characters, the landscape, etc. and I find it hard to appreciate the filmed version. E.g. in my memory, the scenery in Lord of the Rings was green and lush and in the film version, it was muddy and brown. I guess it's too compelling for me. The scenery in the book may have been muddy and brown too, but at least if I like it to be green and lush, I see it green and lush. Not so in a filmed version. That's probably why I don't like to listen to audiobooks either. The voices can really annoy me. I guess I prefer my books pure, without a screen or scrambler between the author and me.
Gosh, I sound (am) picky and I haven't even started about changing plots and characters! :-)

18. Notes on a Nervous Planet by Matt Haig - 4 stars

Ok, I admit, I gave in to a guilty pleasure by reading this book by Matt Haig. I enjoyed his The Midnight Library and as I'm always interested to read how other people cope with the current madness of hyperconnectivity, I could not resist reading this book.
I have read quite a few other books on this theme but what struck me most about this one was the fact that the author has experienced severe depression and panic attacks (still does occasionally) but manages to cope with it in the most uplifting way. He's very open about his mental struggles and shows that despite feeling extremely low at times, life is very much worth living.
This is not a theoretical handbook but a book full of reflections, ideas and suggestions on how to view, tackle or process things. It is light-hearted and optimistic, but also heartbreaking (when he talks about his own experiences) and inspiring. And from now on, thanks to Matt Haig, I will observe the starry sky with even more attention. I can heartily recommend this book to anyone who wants to know how that works.

19. Il guardiano della collina dei ciliegi (Het jaar dat Shizo Kanakuri verdween) by Franco Faggiani - 4,5 stars

Apparently, this book has not yet been translated to English yet which is a shame, because it will certainly end up in my list of favourite reads of 2021.
The story is based on a true story of the Japanese boy who was selected to run the marathon at the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, but failed to make it to the finish line due to exhaustion and heat. Overcome with shame, he disappeared from the race and was reported missing. More than 50 years later, he still finishes that race.
The Italian author Franco Faggiani dramatizes the story by turning the Japanese boy into an introvert who intensely enjoys nature but succumbs to the pressure of his parents and the expectations of others. After his fiasco and after all kinds of wanderings, he returns to Japan under another name, where he takes care of a forest of cherry trees, sacred trees in Japan. But the shame about his past continues to gnaw, and it isn't until he finishes the marathon decades later that he can free himself from the demons of his past.
This synthesis, however, detracts from the layering of this book and the main character. The story is told in exquisite style and helps the reader to immerse themselves in the beauty of Japanese nature.
A book to cherish. I really hope it gets translated into English soon.

>107 Trifolia: I have read a biography of male escapee from North Korea (Escape from Camp 14). It was very impressive. I will put this one on my wishlist as well.

>114 Trifolia: Hm... I still want to read that one. Not sure when though. :)

I hope you are doing well, Monica!

20. I Am An Island by Tamsin Calidas - 4 stars


The true story of a woman who leaves her busy life behind and starts a new life on an island in the Hebrides, Scotland.
A robbery at their home in busy London is the last push Tamsin Calidas and her husband need to make the final move. Rather thoughtlessly, they decide to buy a dilapidated farmhouse on a remote island. The idyllic dream is soon shattered by dour and downright hateful islanders, rough weather conditions and setbacks in the execution of their plans to run a farm. When the husband can't take the pressure anymore and leaves his wife and the island, things get a lot worse. But Calidas perseveres and eventually embraces nature as her ally.

The story is beautifully written and told with warmth and passion but is also drenched in disappointment and bitterness. I can imagine - a criticism she apparently received - that she paints a very negative picture of the other islanders because her expectations did not match those of the other islanders who traditionally inhabit the island and see newcomers as invaders, especially because as a single woman, she does not provide for offspring and thus economic future for the island.

This autobiography not only tells the story of a woman trying to find her space, but also makes the reader pause to consider whether you can really escape your old life and whether the grass is greener elsewhere.

>123 Trifolia: Sounds good, albeit bleak.

21. The Forbidden Promise by Lorna Cook - 3 stars

In retrospect 3 stars is probably a bit too much for this historical fiction with one story about a young woman who helps a pilot after a plane crash in WWII and another woman who discovers what really happened all those years ago. A bit too shallow with predictable characters but it worked for me on a (rare but) hot summer's day.

22. De wereld gaat aan vlijt ten onder(The world is going down on diligence) by Max Dendermonde- 3 stars


Years ago I read excerpts of this book in high school. I couldn't remember much about it, but the strange title had always stuck with me. When I came across the book recently, I finally decided to read it in its entirety. The story is about the maverick Alex Weatherwood who lives from day to day. His way of life is in stark contrast to that of the family of scientists who settle in a remote place in the Northeast of America to build a laboratory where they can test their strange experiments.
The work is socially critical and although the tone remains light, it is a strong indictment of the dehumanization of society through the exaggerated desire for progress. Although the work is more than 60, almost 70 years old, I found it fascinating how topical the theme of this book is. The characters are a bit flat and cliché, the plot a bit too simple, but the book itself is strangely surprising and charming.

23 A Start in Life by Anita Brookner - 3,5 stars


What a sad book about the life of a young girl growing up in the family with a good-for-nothing father and a former actress of a mother who has had her day. The mother retreats like a diva to her bedroom where she is served by her dowdy housekeeper, while the father divides his time between his wife and his mistress. And meanwhile, the daughter tries to build a life of her own, based on the foundations of French literature. This is Brookner's debut and while I didn't find it as impressive as Hotel du Lac, I really liked the way she portrayed her characters. But oh, what a sad story it is.

24. A Nearly Normal Family by M. T. Edvardsson - 3,5 stars

A curious psychological thriller about a family in which the daughter is suspected of a murder. The mother, a rational lawyer and the father, an emotional pastor, each try to deal with this fact in their own way. The story is told sequentially from the point of view of each of the three characters and through flashbacks you soon discover that there is something more going on besides the usual teenage angst. A nice book, nice as a summer read but it will not end up on my list of favorites because it lacked some depth.

25. Summerwater by Sarah Moss - 2,5 stars

I'm a little disappointed after the rave reviews that seemed to be popping up everywhere about this book at one point. But I don't really understand what everyone was so excited about. The story is quite simple: a number of families who do not know each other are trapped in their holiday home for days due to the pouring rain. Everyone has their own background, concerns and problems. They are described one by one and at a certain moment there is a climax. I thought it was all a bit flat and boring and it didn't really lead to anything. Or maybe it was just the wrong book at the wrong time for me.

26. How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue - 4,5 stars


And finally a book that could surprise and captivate me. More than 10 years ago I started a personal challenge to read a book from every country in the world. Initially it sufficed for me if the book was set in that country, but in the meantime I find it more interesting to choose books written by native authors. And that approach has already yielded a lot of great reading material. Due to circumstances I somewhat neglected that challenge and when I came across a book by Imbolo Mbue, a writer from Cameroon, I remembered that challenge and decided to breathe new life into it. And what a book to start over. It captivated me from the first page and never bored me. It is the story of an African village and its inhabitants that are destroyed by the toxic presence of the American multinational Pexton. When the children get sick one by one and die all too often, the village decides to revolt and take matters into their own hands. I don't want to spoil the reading pleasure of future readers by telling too much of the story, but it is absolutely beautiful. The story is delicately told, with varying points of view, each from a different perspective but all from the side of the underdogs, which gives the whole story much more depth than if the author had opted for the clash between the good and the bad. Added to this is a very beautiful use of language, a very empathetic style, a lot of nuance and a surprising introduction of "the children" as a separate narrator, making the story even more unique and layered. The other characters are also well developed. In combination with the captivating story, all this made it a pleasure to read this book. I'm already curious about the other book by Imbolo Mbue that I definitely want to read, but I'm saving it up for a while because I want to extend my reading pleasure a bit. But this one is highly recommended.

>123 Trifolia: That's the kind of memoir I like to read. Close to being travel literature, but not quite. Some of my favorites in this genre are The Egg and I and The Road to Andorra.

>130 Trifolia: I'll have to keep an eye out for this one!

>129 Trifolia: To be honest, I'm not sure Summerwater will be the book for me either. I'm not interested enough in the premise to even pick it up, but then family dramas of this sort rarely work for me.

>130 Trifolia: How Beautiful We Were, on the other hand, sounds much more interesting to me. I've never read anything from Cameroon, and the idea of using a plural narrator as the children's pov is creative. I'm so glad you landed on a good read after several meh books. Your challenge is a fun one. I wonder how many countries I have covered in my reading travels. Not many I suspect.

>131 cbl_tn: - Both books are very different, but I recommend wholeheartedly. The books you mentioned also look nice and something I'd like to read.

>132 labfs39: - I would not recommend Summerwater to you either, Lisa, because I suspect you are not the "huis clos"-type of reader. And there's just not enough to even try to persuade you to give it a try. But How Beautiful We Were is a hit. Can't wait to hear what you think about it if you do get to read it (no pressure :-)).
My Reading Globally challenge is extremely rewarding because it takes me to places I'd never imagined. I've read some excellent books that I probably would not have considered if it had not been for this challenge.
And somehow, I suspect you have traveled a lot more than you give yourself credit for.

>133 Trifolia: After writing my last message I remembered that LT had an auto-generated count of nationality of authors. The map for my data shows 79 countries, but that is an inflated number because it includes books that I haven't read yet or are on my wishlist. There are also over 500 books that don't have a country associated with them. But it was fun looking at. You can see my map here.

27. The Distance Between Us by Renato Cisneros - 3 stars



This book is a bit confusing because the author, a journalist, starts his story by stating that his book is fiction, when in reality he is the son of the infamous Chilean General Cisneros who is omnipresent in some of the most black pages in the country's more recent history.
When he falls into depression after a broken relationship, his psychologist advises him to look for the life story of his deceased father in order to come to terms with his own past.
Little by little he reconstructs his father's life, but he continues to struggle with this very enigmatic figure: a ruthless, unyielding man who did not shy away from putting his bold statements into practice, but also a man who wrote sentimental love poems and who enchanted women with his charm.
I found the fact that the author also includes the ancestors in the story and shows that a large part of his father’s personality was already ingrained in his genes. I also liked the writing style. But every now and then he faltered a bit too long at certain events. If it is a fiction book, it could have been a little more condensed. But no doubt the author wanted to tell the whole, complex story, including his own experiences.
The unclear line between fiction and non-fiction made it difficult for me to empathize with the story. A difficult book to place, but in a strange way, well worth reading it.

ETA Touchstone

>135 Trifolia: The Distance Between Us sounds interesting, if confusing. It's nice to see you back.

>136 labfs39: - Well, it is a confusing book. I'm not sure if I'd recommend this one.
Thanks for stopping by. It's good to be back.

28. The Walk by Robert Walser - 3 stars


A seemingly simple story from 1917 turns out to be an allegory of life: a writer leaves his house with the intention of making a number of visits during the day and taking care of business. He starts his walk in good spirits, but gradually his thoughts run away with him and his encounters with others do not all go as planned.
This is a strange story where you get completely inside the head of the rather gaudy writer. I enjoyed the refined writing style, but I think you should read this book in a short period of time with as few interruptions as possible. Only then will you be able to follow the main character's stream of thoughts.
Unfortunately, I was a bit distracted soon after I started reading so I probably should read this book again to fully enjoy it. But I did not like it well enough to do this.

Btw, I looked at the English covers of the book to add to this review, but thought the Dutch cover best represented this book. If you like the cover, you'll probably like the book too.

29. How to Stay Sane in an Age of Division by Elif Shafak - 4 stars


I read this book after seeing a TED talk with Turkish writer Elif Shafak.

I was very enthusiastic about this talk because I recognized myself in many of the points she made. She refers, among other things, to the frustration you feel as a non-English speaker in expressing yourself and to the increasing entanglement between fiction and politics and the narrowing that this entails with regard to fiction. Although this talk is several years old, I think her insights have become even more relevant today. She touches on how non-Western writers are easily narrowed down to a national stereotypical image and they are not supposed to tell other stories that those which are within expectations.
It is something that has intrigued me for a long time. About 10 years ago, I conceived the plan to “read a book from every country in the world”. But gradually I started to wonder more and more what that exactly means. While I was initially satisfied if the book was set in the country itself, I have since focused more on books that are preferably written by a native author and are "representative" of a country. And while my intent was to get closer to a source, maybe that's what Shafak is warning about. According to Shafak, the stories of authors should be seen separately from politics and nationality and you should not narrow an author to his nationality.
But even if you realize this, there is also the risk that only "representative" books are translated and thus come to our attention, that authors from mainly non-Western countries only translate when they write such a representative book, while Western writers are allowed to cover much more diverse themes. So there is a whole range of authors that do not come into the picture because they simply do not get translated. I read something similar with Tim Parks in his book Where I'm Reading From: The Changing World of Books, but the identity of the author, ironically, makes it that little bit more authentic.

Anyway, I was impressed by Elif Shafak's talk and decided to read her latest book, written in the full corona pandemic. It is interesting to see how this author seemingly effortlessly captures, defines and interprets the collective global feelings of disappointment and bewilderment, concern, anger, apathy. And how in a final chapter she discusses a more correct relationship between information, knowledge and wisdom as a way to get out of that downward spiral.

Allow me to limit my review to stating that I am in the habit of pointing out interesting statements and insights as I read, but that I stopped doing so after five pages because I'd mark just about the entire book. Highly recommended.

N.B. The other TED talks by Elif Shafak are also very worthwhile. So much food for thought.

>139 Trifolia: I thought I had read something by Shafak, but it's only because I have had The Bastard of Istanbul on my shelf for so long. I will definitely watch the TED talks you mention, as these are just the sorts of questions I like to think about. I will report back once I've watched them. Thanks for this thought-provoking review.

>140 labfs39: - Have fun. I'm already looking forward to what you'll think of it. I'm currently reading Shafak's 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World and liking it so far.

30. On the Edge of Reason by Miroslav Krleža - 4 stars


When a settled man in his fifties almost accidentally accuses a prominent politician of being a murderer (which he actually is), the consequences are dire. Although he is given several opportunities to admit his "mistake", he decides to resolutely choose honesty from now on and give up his hypocritical existence. Within a week, the group turns against him and he loses all the foundations on which he has built his life.
This sometimes funny, sometimes poignant story is told from the point of view of the protagonist who is ostracized from the group. He is a somewhat strange figure, where it is not clear whether he actually wants to be consistent or suffers from some form of madness. Because through his encounters with others, you get the impression that there is more going on. Or is the peer pressure so great that the individual is crushed anyway.
Despite the fact that it has a limited storyline, I really liked this relatively short novel.

>142 Trifolia: Another one I think I would like. I've read only a couple of books, Baba Yaga Laid an Egg and How We Survived Communism and Even Laughed, by Croatian authors.

>143 labfs39: - I think you would like this book, Lisa.

I'm still stuck in 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak. Although I love the book so far (one third read), so much is happening in RL, that I just don't have the time to sit down and read. To be continued.

I have been playing with the Charts and Graphs of LT. It's fun to analyze what I've read over the years, how wide I spread my net and where the blind spots are.
I'm surprised to see this year (so far) I read:
- 30 books from 18 different nationalities, originally written in 8 different languages
- only one book from my own country, but fifteen from English-speaking countries.
- a fine balance of male and female authors
- more than 80% fiction
- more genres than I thought I did.

It's an eye-opener for me and it will probably inspire me to diversify my reading.

Here's an overview of how I read in 2021 so far:

STATS
author's nationality:
Australia: 1
Austria: 1
Belgium: 1
Cameroon: 1
Canada: 1
Croatia: 1
Germany: 1
Italy: 1
Japan: 1
Netherlands: 1
North Korea: 1
Norway: 1
Peru: 1
Sweden: 1
Switzerland: 1
Turkey: 1
UK: 8:
USA: 5

original language:
Dutch: 2
English: 20
German: 3
Italian: 1
Japanese: 1
Norwegian: 1
Spanish: 1
Swedish: 1

gender:
male: 15
female: 14

fiction vs non-fiction:
fiction: 25
non-fiction: 5

fiction genre:
Biography & Memoir: 3
Fantasy: 2
Historical fiction: 1
History: 1
Mystery: 3
Recent Fiction: 5
Recent Nonfiction: 1
Science & Nature: 1
Science Fiction: 2
Suspense & Thriller: 4
Travel: 1
Young Adult: 1

>145 Trifolia: Ooh, I love reading stats. I do have to chuckle at our similarities: total number of books, number of countries, number of translations. I tend to read a smidge more women and nonfiction titles, but not by much. I haven't broken them out by genre. That will be a fun project for this weekend. lol

According to my charts and graphs page, here is my genre breakdown:

Historical fiction - 11
Biography and memoir - 6
History - 4
Science fiction - 4
Recent fiction - 3
Graphic novel - 1
Suspense & thriller - 1
Religion & spirituality - 1

Your reading covers many more genres than mine

Edited to adjust numbers. I realized that I hadn't added reading dates to several of my books, and thus they weren't counted. I added reading dates and edited the numbers above, but six books are still not being counted. Not sure why or which ones. Grrr.

>146 labfs39: - It's probably not a surprise to you that I love stats too. Our similarities aren't either :-)
Apparently, unlike what I thought, I do like fantasy or science fiction since I read four of those this year and only one historical fiction which I consider my favourite genre.

>147 labfs39: - You have a lovely mix of genres, too. But due to your comment, I noticed that five of my books are missing too. So I investigated this. It seems several genres can be attributed to one book.
So if you'd like to quickly add more genres, read I am an Island by Tamsin Calidas. This books delivers no less than six dfferent genres. Now I wonder which books has the most genres attributed to it :-)

>145 Trifolia: After seening your numbers, Monica, I compared my own speadsheet with the LT charts and graphs.
And then spend some time correcting faults :-)
I didn't dive into the genres (yet).

>149 FAMeulstee: - Oh nice! And what trends have you discovered?

So far (262 books read) 31 nationalities and 17 original languages.

I only read books in Dutch, 69 were original Dutch, the others translated into Dutch.
The largest part is original English: 108 (UK: 50; USA: 43; Australia: 8; Ireland: 4; New Zealand: 2; Canada 1)
Original French: 21
Original German: 19
Original Italian: 9

I am going to make a full overview at my thread at the end of the year.

>151 FAMeulstee: - 262 books! Wow, how do you do that?

>152 Trifolia: Spending each day a lot of hours on reading :-)
I can do so because I don't work, have no kids, not even pets anymore. Besides walking a bit every day, an occasional family visit, and house/garden keeping, most of my time is dedicated to reading.

31. 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak - 4 stars


The book begins with the death of the Turkish prostitute Leila and the ten minutes and 38 seconds in which she reflects on her life from birth, on her difficult childhood in a small town, her flight to Istamboul, and her further life to the point that she is murdered. In the second part, Leila's friends, who are already introduced in the first part, try to give her a dignified funeral and in the third part the book ends nicely from Leila's perspective.

I have mixed feelings about this book. In the first part, Shafak shows herself to be a great storyteller. Told from Leila's point of view, using scents and spices, she brings to life a story that is both heartbreaking and heartwarming in an image-rich language and style. I found the second part a lot less because the story there was rather tragicomic and the characters felt and acted rather cliché. But when Shafak switched back to Leila in the very short third piece, it's all tied together rather nicely.

Despite the lesser second part, I really enjoyed this book. The strength lies mainly in the beautiful writing style and less in the characters who, except for Leila, felt quite flat. Involuntarily I thought of an oriental jewelery box, beautifully decorated on the outside but empty on the inside. But nevertheless beautiful to look at and to enjoy. Very special.

>153 FAMeulstee: - Spending each day a lot of hours on reading... Lucky you!

>154 Trifolia: Wonderful review, Monica.

32. The New Silk Roads: The Present and Future of the World by Peter Frankopan - 3 stars


A non fiction book about the rise of the countries in the East. Although written in 2018 it already feels outdated. As a reader in 2021, I could not shake off the feeling that we're living in a different world than the one Peter Frankopan sketches and that the covid pandemic and climate change have shifted the course of our future in ways no one could have foreseen. Although this was a very interesting book, it turns out to be risky to write a visionary book that can stand the test of time.

33. Il desiderio di essere come tutti (The desire to be like everyone else) by Francesco Piccolo - 4 stars

The Premio Strega is just about the most important literary prize in Italy and with such an intriguing title I needed no more encouragement to read it. But contrary to what I had expected, i.e. some sort of philosophical or psychological novel about interaction with others, this turned out to be an autobiography of a man who at a very young age - in a rather unusual way - became involved in the Italian communism and somehow struggled with it all his life.
The book tells the story of political Italy, which may put readers off a bit, but it is above all a very profound, introspective reflection on what it means to belong to a group and thus turn away from others and even from yourself. The book ends hopefully with the insight that he has had enough of the moral superiority that comes with group feeling (of any group) and that we are all human beings who need to keep talking to each other despite our differences and differences of opinion.
A unique book from a unique voice, but I'm afraid it hasn't been translated into English yet. And that's a shame because the situation is very recognizable and universal. The parallels of the populist Berlusconi and the radical right with other politicians and political movements of our time are not so far to seek and the voice of the author is universal.

34. Intimacies by Katie Kitamura - 4 stars

I had this book on my radar for a while due to various rave reviews. This is a strange book about an anonymous woman who starts working as a translator in the International Court of Justice in The Hague. And although there is a clear storyline in it, this does not seem to be the most important part of this book. What dominates is the vague feeling that the main character is somewhere wedged between several worlds and does not really belong anywhere. Not in her work, not in her relationships with friends, partners, family. Although she's present and participating, she doesn't seem to belong anywhere.
I was left with the question whether this is an unconscious choice on her part or a consequence of the fact that as a translator in an international context of an indeterminate origin she finds herself in a kind of twilight zone, an invisible voice that interprets another and fills in the gaps left bij others.
Lots to think about and highly recommended.

>157 Trifolia: risky to write a visionary book that can stand the test of time

Yes, and as you say, these day even three years is forever given how much has happened.

>158 Trifolia: >159 Trifolia: I don't know if it was planned, but these two seem to be exploring a similar theme of belonging. I like when books I read relate to one another. Both of these sound really good, but since only one is translated into English, I will look for Intimacies.

>160 labfs39: - even three years is forever given how much has happened... indeed, who would have thought.

No, it was not planned and I had not noticed it until you mentioned it.
The Italian book is all about Italy and Italians and it focusses on being more open and respectful for the opinions of others, to listen and to try to understand each other, even if you disagree. It's mind-boggling and maybe symptomatic that a book that was written in 2013 and that has won one of the most prestigious literary prizes of Italy has not been translated into English yet. Probably too inconvenient for the average reader? I wish I knew why it was translated into Dutch then.

>161 Trifolia: It is interesting which books are translated and into which languages. I don't know much about international publishing and the business of translation. I do know that translated books make up only 3% of the US publishing market, and most of them are published by small presses.

In the article, Why Are So Few Translated Books Published in America?, the author describes the difficulties in even getting an editor's attention, never mind the funding for a good translation and marketing. Like many things, it comes down to who you know.

>162 labfs39: - I don't know much about the translation business either, but apparently over 50% of fiction that is published in the Netherlands and the Flemish part of Belgium is translated. But 50% in our small region is probably even less than 3% in America.

>163 Trifolia: That's true. The scale is probably vastly different. I also wonder how much of the 3% is science/tech related, not fiction or narrative nonfiction.

35. The Promise by Damon Galgut - 4,5 stars


The story begins with the death of the mother of the white Swart family on a farm in South Africa and a promise her husband made on her deathbed to give a small house on their land to the black maid. It is the start of four long chapters, each set in a different decade in which something happens to a different member of the family. The promise of the father runs like a red thread through the story, but it is actually not the most important issue in this book.
In parallel with the personal events, South Africa's history also seeps through: the apartheid, the initial optimism under Nelson Mandela, the growing disillusionment and frustration and ultimately the chaos, corruption and climate impact.
As a reader you look through the eyes of various characters in a kind of collective stream of consciousness. The perspective is constantly changing from one to the other, sometimes even mid-sentence, but while this might be confusing, it works great. It is striking that the black characters are never in that stream of consciousness but always have to watch from the sidelines and are viewed and treated from the white point of view. And that in itself is significant. But the white point of view is anything but unison either. As a reader you do have to pay attention, but it is never unclear whose head you are in.

It is also wonderful how the author manages to sketch a complete character in a few sentences without falling into clichés. There is always something that makes them something unique. They are all people of flesh and blood, often not pleasant people at all, but because of their petty traits and because of what they experience, you can understand their situation (or sometimes not at all).

This is a very mathematical work: four decades, four main characters, four parallel events that unfold in four different ways, etc. Yet it never feels forced. The book sparkles and vibrates, surprises and continues to fascinate until the last page.

This book turns out to be one of the biggest surprises of 2021. There is still so much to say about it and much more to think about, but I don't want to say too much about it so as not to spoil the reading pleasure. Highly recommended.

36. The First Woman by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi - 4 stars

In my quest to read more internationally, I came across this book by this Ugandan author. It was described as a girl's quest for her absent mother, but although that quest runs like a thread through the story, it is much more the coming of age story of Kirabo who grows up in a village in Uganda with her wealthy grandparents and who is well surrounded by her family. But it is also about the relationship between men and women, between women themselves, the importance and strength of the family, of the clan, the contrast between the countryside where people live from agriculture and the city where people live a Western lifestyle, about the choices you can make as a woman in Uganda (and they turn out to be less obvious than we would suspect with our Western point of view).
It was refreshing to read a book that for once was not about the contrast between black and white, but where the focus was mainly on the customs, traditions and mutual relationships of the Ugandans. Kirabo is a strong main character, but a number of other characters, especially the women, also come out well. This was a wonderful book to read.
Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi is also the author of Kintu and apparently that one is also something to look forward to.

37. Free: Coming of Age at the End of History by Lea Ypi - 4 stars


A memoir of the Albanian Lea Ypi who was born in 1979 in one of the most isolated countries in Europe. While she, influenced by her teachers and the society that surrounds her, raves about the regime, about Stalin and socialism, her parents and grandmother seem to have the greatest difficulty to hang the obligatory photo of "Uncle Enver" (Hoxha), the then leader of Albania, in their house.
In each chapter we get a better picture of how things evolved in Albania and although the collapse of Eastern Europe initially seemed to skip Albania, the country eventually made the transition to democracy in its own way. Only then does Lea discover that her parents are very different people than she had always thought.

Heaven falls on her head not only on a personal level. She also has to watch how her familiar world changes and experience how the country is plunged into chaos and civil war.
Through gripping anecdotes and introspection, Ypi paints a nuanced, authentic picture of what it feels like to grow up as a child and teenager in a country, first under dictatorship, later in chaos. It is striking that, despite her parents' choices and history she does not really embrace the new democracy because she also sees and experiences the disadvantages of it. It is impossible to describe the richness of this book in detail but through her eyes you get a wonderful and personal picture of an important fragment of the history of Albania. In the end, like so many others, she will leave her country to go abroad to study.

Lea Ypi is Professor of Political Theory in the London School of Economics. The title of her book is probably a nod to the book by Francis Fukuyama, her American colleague who wrote the book The End of History and the Last Man and in which he described the end of the Cold War as the end of the ideological struggle.
This memoir is interesting from several angles: historical, political, philosophical, sociological, etc. It is one of those books that makes you think.
I liked it very much because it gave me an original perspective of a place and period of time I have witnessed as a (slightly older) bystander living in the West and I found it very insightful. Very well written. Highly recommended.

Have a lovely holiday, Monica.

>168 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul.

38. Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk - 4,5 stars


It seems December is an excellent month because after 4 four stars and 1 four and a half stars here comes my second four and a half stars. And this is arguably the weirdest book of the bunch.
The story is told from the point of view of an elderly lady who lives alone in a hamlet in Poland close to the border of the Czech Republic. When one of her two neighbors is found dead, she becomes involved in the police investigation. Soon more people are killed and this story seems to evolve into a classic whodunit. Anyone who has ever read Agatha Christie will quickly figure out who the killer is. But that's not what this book is about at all. For much more interesting than the plot is the unforgettable character of the old woman who watches and observes everything. It soon becomes clear that she has her own view of things and that she is not afraid to give her opinion either. This often results in funny, but also moving scenes. Slightly maladjusted, but unforgettable and also very recognizable as a character. Added to this is the extremely precise, beautiful, image-rich language that makes this book a joy to read.
I've been quite hesitant to read Nobel laureates until now. They often seem difficult to digest to me. After reading this book I will have to change my opinion, because this is undoubtedly one of the most surprising and enjoyable books of the year (and we are already at the end of December).
Highly recommended.

39. Het raadsel literatuur (The Riddle of Literary Quality) by Karina van Dalen-Oskam - 4 stars


This book is the result of a research project "The Riddle of Literary Quality" of the prestigious Huygens Institute for Dutch History in collaboration with the Fryske Akademy and the Institute for Logic, Language and Mathematics (University of Amsterdam) that ran from 2012 to 2020.
The aim was to find out to what extent, in addition to cultural and social aspects, there are also formal characteristics that make a text literary or not. The research was broad-based: on the one hand, a large reader survey was organized on the basis of 401 books, and on the other, those 401 books were analyzed by a computer for various measurable characteristics that were compared with each other. Finally, the results of the survey were compared with the results of the computer analysis. And from that came surprising results. For example, genre fiction (thrillers and romance) is often regarded by readers as less literary, while computer analysis shows that a number of books, especially thrillers, often do not differ that much and sometimes even score higher than so-called literary books.
It also appeared that the novels by women in the reader survey systematically scored worse on a literary level than is objectively measurable in the texts. Some texts (particularly by men) were rated higher by the readers than might be expected on the basis of formal characteristics.
These are just some of the insights that emerged from the research, but there is much, much more of course and it is explained systematically and in great detail in this book. But perhaps the most important thing is that there is still no answer to the question of what actually makes a text literary.

The book is unfortunately only available in Dutch but there is a link to the project in English: https://literaryquality.huygens.knaw.nl/?page_id=179 and https://literaryquality.huygens.knaw.nl/? page_id=36

During my search for the links I also came across this message (see 2nd message: Replication of The Riddle in the UK: https://literaryquality.huygens.knaw.nl/?page_id=51

And apparently you can still participate in the UK study: https://nquire.org.uk/mission/the-2020-reader-review/contribute
I don't know if this is also intended for non-Brits, but it doesn't specify that it wouldn't.

As a personal note I can add that thanks to this book, I finally know why I really dislike the books of a specific Dutch author. Although he has been nominated for awards many times and has won quite a few, his language seems to be no different from the one used in chicklit. Perhaps this says more about me (i.e. that I think language is important in a literary novel) than about the author, because he is very successful after all.

40. Black Water Lilies by Michel Bussi - 4 stars


During the Christmas season, it's always a little harder to concentrate for long periods of time, so I decided to read a detective story that had landed on my to-read list years ago and of which I was reminded by Arubabookwoman (Deborah) who recently read another book by this author.
It is located in Giverny, in and around the gardens of the Impressionist painter Claude Monet. It all starts with the murder of a wealthy ophthalmologist. I expected a classic whodunit, but it turned out differently. I can't say much so as not to ruin the plot, but the denouement was a very nice surprise that I didn't expect at all, although in hindsight the leads were up for grabs. Recommended for those who want a variation on a classic whodunit. I will definitely be looking for other books by Michel Bussi.

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

Happy New Year, Monica.