Anita (FAMeulstee) - the first 75 thread in 2010

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Anita (FAMeulstee) - the first 75 thread in 2010

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1FAMeulstee
Modifié : Mar 9, 2010, 3:13 pm

Well with some recounting (counting each Narnia book seperate and not all as one book) I just reached 75 in 2009 today!

So it's time to create my spot in the 2010 group ;-)

links
My very short introduction

75 Books Challenge 2008.
75 Books Challenge 2009, part one
75 Books Challenge 2009, part two

75 Book Challenge 2010 - part two

books March 2010
#35 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling, 5 stars, msg 244
#34 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling, 5 stars, msg 244
#33 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling, 5 stars, msg 244

books February 2010
#18 Elsewhere by Garbrielle Zevin, 4 stars, msg 132
#19 Herinneringen aan de klim op de ambtelijke ladder by Koos van Beuzekom, msg 156
#20 Sword at sunset by Rosemary Sutcliff, 4 1/2 stars, msg 171
#21 Tracker by Gary Paulsen, 4 stars, msg 172
#22 Number the stars by Lois Lowry, 4 stars, msg 173
#23 Gentlemen of the road by Michael Chabon, 4 1/2 stars, msg 185
#24 The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander, 4 stars, msg 192
#25 Animals in Translation by Temple Grandin, 4 1/5 stars msg 193
#26 The picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, 3 1/2 stars msg 197
#27 De wateren van Finn by Alet Schouten, 5 stars, msg 198
#28 The chronicles of Robin Hood by Rosemary Sutcliff, 4 stars, msg 205
#29 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling, 4 1/2 stars msg 207
#30 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling, 4 1/2 stars msg 212
#31 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling, 5 stars, msg 221
#32 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling, 5 stars, msg 226

books January 2010
#1 Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey, 3 1/2 stars, msg 18
#2 Dragonquest by Anne McCaffrey, 3 1/2 stars, msg 37
#3 Moreta, dragonlady of Pern by Anne McCaffrey, 3 stars, msg 44
#4 Dragonseye by Anne McCaffrey, 3 stars, msg 55
#5 Piep: een kleine biologie der letteren by Midas Dekkers, 3 stars, msg 56
#6 Ties that bind, ties that break by Lensey Namioka, 3 1/2 stars, msg 71
#7 A step from Heaven by An Na, 4 stars, msg 71
#8 Elske by Cynthia Voigt, 3 1/2 stars, msg 80
#9 The book of Three by Lloyd Alexander, 4 stars, msg 85
#10 In Europe: Travels Through the Twentieth Century by Geert Mak, 5 stars, msg 91
#11 Het lied van de dolfijn by Federica de Cesco, 4 stars, msg 96
#12 The White Dragon by Anne McCaffrey, 4 stars, msg 100
#13 Het einde van Mantlemass by Barbara Willard, 3 stars, msg 108
#14 Moby Dick by Herman Melville, 5 stars, msg 112
#15 The life and times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson, 4 stars, msg 114
#16 The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, 4 1/2 stars, msg 121
#17 Inkheart by Cornelia Funke, 3 stars, msg 123

2BookAngel_a
Déc 24, 2009, 9:08 pm

Yay for you! Welcome to next year... ;)

3cushlareads
Déc 25, 2009, 12:53 am

Congratulations on getting to 75 books this year!

4alcottacre
Déc 25, 2009, 5:06 am

Glad to see you back, Anita! Congratulations on making it to 75 in 2009 despite everything.

5FAMeulstee
Déc 25, 2009, 6:08 am

thanks Angela, Cushla and Stasia

2009 was an awfull year, awfully GOOD in some ways and awfully bad in other aspects. I am glad I did get some reading done in between.
I hope 2010 will be an less eventfull year ;-)

Anita

6alcottacre
Déc 25, 2009, 1:22 pm

#5: I hope 2010 will be an less eventfull year.

For your sake, I hope so too!

7drneutron
Déc 25, 2009, 1:36 pm

Welcome back!

8FAMeulstee
Déc 25, 2009, 2:21 pm

> 6 we will see Stasia

> 7 thanks Jim for setting up again for next year.

9BookAngel_a
Déc 25, 2009, 5:47 pm

6 - Yes, boring is good sometimes, isn't it?

10FAMeulstee
Déc 25, 2009, 7:45 pm

> 9 that would be nice for a change ;-)

11KLmesoftly
Déc 26, 2009, 3:03 am

Congrats on reaching your goal this year (I'm still off by four), and good luck in '10!

12FAMeulstee
Déc 26, 2009, 6:06 pm

thank you Krys,
the same to you :-)

13richardderus
Déc 27, 2009, 2:49 am

Hi Anita! Well done on your 2009 challenge year, and fair fortune on this year too.

14FAMeulstee
Déc 27, 2009, 12:32 pm

thanks Richard dear :-)

15Whisper1
Jan 1, 2010, 3:29 am

I'm so glad to see your thread! It just would not be the same without you!

16FAMeulstee
Jan 1, 2010, 10:03 am

I am glad to see you posting here Linda!
A whole new year to go with all my LT buddies :-)

17porch_reader
Jan 1, 2010, 10:07 am

Happy New Year, Anita! Hope it is a great one for you!

18FAMeulstee
Modifié : Jan 5, 2010, 3:56 pm

thanks Amy, the same to you :-)

My first book of 2010:



Drakevlucht by Anne McCaffrey
translation of Dragonflight
from the library, fantasy

My second book about the dragonriders of Pern.
Again an enjoyable journey with dragons and humans.
I have three more Pern books waiting :-)

3 1/2 stars

19ronincats
Jan 1, 2010, 11:47 am

Happy New Year, Anita. Got you starred!

20agatatera
Jan 1, 2010, 12:29 pm

Have a good year 2010 with a lot of great books :D

Starred ;)

21FAMeulstee
Jan 1, 2010, 4:33 pm

thanks Roni and Aga,

Happy New Year to you too!

22richardderus
Jan 1, 2010, 5:27 pm

Oh Anita, how I envy you discovering the Pern books. The first four or so were so wonderful, so richly textured and enfolding! I've re-read The White Dragon in the past two years, and it withstood the passing-of-time test TG.

23FAMeulstee
Jan 1, 2010, 5:39 pm

Richard dear: the 75 groups have mostly added to reading more fantasy books, I really enjoy them. The Pern books were recommended by Susan (Suslyn).

24richardderus
Jan 1, 2010, 6:32 pm

Suse is a wonder, isn't she? Such good suggestions! I've never seen her hit a false note yet.

I look forward to hearing your opinions of the next few Pern tales!

Side note: There was a "Pern" television series planned about ten years ago, and nothing came of it. I hope some cable channel will re-think of it! I think computer graphics are good enough in this day and time to make the series work as it would NOT have done until now.

25FAMeulstee
Jan 1, 2010, 6:44 pm

sadly only some of the Pern books are translated :-(

Hmmm, a television series, that would be nice!

26saraslibrary
Jan 1, 2010, 6:51 pm

Hey, Anita. :) As promised, I thought I'd drop by real quick. I'm impressed--you're already done with your first book? :O Well done! Oh, and a Happy (belated) New Years! :)

27suslyn
Jan 2, 2010, 7:48 am

Oh good -- you're enjoying Pern. They are fun :) And, no, ask Roni -- you'll see some of my rec's fall extremely flat!!

xoxo

Happy New Year Anita!

28FAMeulstee
Jan 2, 2010, 2:50 pm

> 26 Sara, I started the book on New Years Eve and it was a quick read ;-)

>27 suslyn: Susan, I totally forgot to place a commend at your profile, I did read two of the Pern books Dragonsdawn and Dragonflight and liked them.
Now I am reading Dragonquest.

and a Happy New Year to you too!

29thomasandmary
Jan 2, 2010, 3:53 pm

Happy New Year Anita! Congratulations on making 75 in 2009 and already having your first one done for 2010! I too am grateful you mentioned the Sherman Alexie book in your best of 2009 as I am heading to a Boder's Express today that is closing and everything is on clearance. I will be looking to purchase that one. Thanks for the reminder.

30ronincats
Jan 2, 2010, 6:29 pm

Oh, but Susan, the ones we love in unison far outweigh the few we don't agree on, don't they! Anita, I may have already said this on your last thread, but the first 5 books are considered the best, Dragonflight, Dragonquest, Dragonsong, Dragonsinger, and The White Dragon. After that, we still read them from affection, but much of the sensawunda is gone. Still some good episodes, though.

31tiffin
Jan 2, 2010, 8:09 pm

Wouldn't it be great to ride a dragon? As long as you don't look down, that is.

32suslyn
Jan 2, 2010, 9:02 pm

I'll just take a couple of the little ones :) Greens or blues are fine

33ronincats
Jan 2, 2010, 9:19 pm

Wait a minute--aren't the greens the horny ones?

34Whisper1
Jan 2, 2010, 9:33 pm

I'm simply stopping by to say if Anita recommends a YA book, or any book for that matter, walk, don't run to your local bookstore or library to obtain a copy!

Hi Anita! Hugs to you!

35richardderus
Jan 3, 2010, 1:08 am

>33 ronincats: Yes, Roni, greens are horny *females* if you can imagine such a thing in a 1970s SF book.

I'd love to ride a dragon. Ruth, Jaxom's white, being my first preference, followed by F'nor's Canth.

That TV show...it haunts me, they got as far as casting F'lar and Lessa then pffft because no network would commit to the kind of money it would take. This, I fear, is the ongoing and accelerating downside of fragmenting the TV viewing market. Where will the money come from to do this sort of biiig visual storytelling?

36FAMeulstee
Modifié : Jan 3, 2010, 12:17 pm

> 29 Regina
I hope you like The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian !

> 30 Roni
Sadly Dragonsinger and Dragonsong are not translated. The fantasy market in the Netherlands is small.
Most Dutch are too businesslike (sp? I hope the translator found the right word) to be carried away by a fantasy ;-)

> 31 Tui
It must be great to ride a dragon, I would even dare to look down, but where to keep such an enormous animal? And I would not like to move to Pern, I would miss you all too much ;-)

> 32 Susan
I like the little ones too, they might be easier to keep in a small house!
A golden or a bronze... or better: a golden AND a bronze!

> 33 Tui
I think so, but no eggs when able to fire.

> 34 Linda
You are such a dear!
hugs back to you!

> 35 Richard
No network will take such a huge effort.
Like with Tolkien we have to wait for a dedicated movie maker to take the challenge.

edited for spelling errors

37FAMeulstee
Modifié : Jan 5, 2010, 3:59 pm



book #2: Draketocht by Anne McCaffrey
translation of Dragonquest
from the library, fantasy

My third book about the dragonriders of Pern.
Again an enjoyable read about Pern, dragons and humans.
I liked this one the best (until now of course).

I have two more Pern books at home and requested one more at the library.

3 1/2 stars

38saraslibrary
Jan 3, 2010, 4:36 pm

Ok, my interest is peaked. I'll have to look around at my local used bookstores and see if I can find some Pern books. Unfortunately, I don't think I own one Anne McCaffrey book. :O

39FAMeulstee
Jan 3, 2010, 4:42 pm

> 38 Sara
There are many, many Pern book available in English :-)
You might take Roni's advice in msg 30.
Anita

40avatiakh
Jan 3, 2010, 4:56 pm

Hi Anita - got you starred. Already had my rave on your 2009 thread about how much I loved the Pern books. If you want a dragon ride 'experience' the best I can recommend is going to see 'Avatar'. There's some excellent 3D dragon stuff going on there.

41saraslibrary
Jan 3, 2010, 5:04 pm

#39: There are many, many Pern book available in English

So I've heard! :D And thanks for pointing out ronincats's message. That'll give me a few to start with. And, of course, thanks ronincats! :) The list helps.

42FAMeulstee
Jan 4, 2010, 2:37 pm

> 40 Kerry
Thanks for the recommendation, but I don't think I am ready to go to a movie theater. Last year we started to go to dog breed shows with Eoos and we will continue this year. That is enough exitement outside of my home, especially when Eoos does well: she won Best of Breed at the last show and I did not dare to look, kept my eys closed, so I missed the moment of "glory" ;-)

> 41 Sara
Well, then I will see them on your thread :-)

43fantasia655
Jan 4, 2010, 5:37 pm

Hi, Anita! I gotcha starred! :)

Catey

44FAMeulstee
Modifié : Jan 5, 2010, 4:02 pm



book #3 Drakenvrouwe by Anne McCaffrey
translation of Moreta, dragonlady of Pern
from the library, fantasy

My fourth read about the dragonriders of Pern.
Again an good read about Pern, dragons and humans.

3 stars

I started the next Pern book Dragonseye and requested one more The white dragon at the library. After that I have probably had enough Pern for now ;-)

45richardderus
Jan 5, 2010, 5:06 pm

Quite the Pern-fest, Anita! And I think it's a very sad thing that the Dutch are too businesslike (which I take to mean practical, literal-minded) to cut loose and love some dragon fun!

I hope you're wrong about finding that dedicated moviemaker to do the Pern series, since movies cost so VERY much and these would not necessarily earn money outside the USA, UK, and Canada. But you probably are right. Drat.

46FAMeulstee
Jan 5, 2010, 5:16 pm

Yes Richard
you take it right, after all we are a country of traders and most Dutch are very down to earth.
In November we were in France, there are much better products availabe in the shops. Historically here the best products are "export quality", ment for markets abroad, while the French keep their best products for their own market.

47richardderus
Jan 5, 2010, 5:38 pm

I know this is completely strange, but the two things I think of when I think of the Dutch are 1) Prince William the Silent, the first modern political assassination victim and 2) Krakatoa, since y'all owned Indonesia at that point. I had a Dutch boyfriend once (Onno, what a gorgeous guy he was) and he looked at me like I was completely insane when I shared that with him. Thought I'd add to my bad rep there in Holland. ;-P

48FAMeulstee
Jan 5, 2010, 6:16 pm

You don't add to bad rap with me with these statements ;-)
More adding to my idea of you being an intelligent person who uses his brain!

49suslyn
Jan 5, 2010, 8:24 pm

I can't remember what came to mind about Holland before I visited (Pilgrims and my ancestors?). But now I think "green." I call Holland "The land of the udder." Wonderful cheese, the VLA!!!!, the nicest folk... I'm a Holland addict. It would be in my top 5 places I'd move to if I got to choose where (countryside somewhere... Drenthe maybe?)

:)

50FAMeulstee
Jan 6, 2010, 11:23 am

Well at least no tulips and wooden shoes mentioned here :-)
Although I have a lot of tulips in the garden and do wear wooden shoes when working on wet days in the garden.

Drenthe is nice, but for me more for a few weeks vacation.

I am totally charmed by the new land, where we live now. No history, no ancient families who rule, a new place for everyone. A few "old" houses (from the 50s, when this land was made) and the rest of the city build in the 70s and later.

51lunacat
Jan 6, 2010, 11:40 am

Just to jump in here with an agreement that I would like this year to be a boring one as well.

52FAMeulstee
Modifié : Jan 6, 2010, 12:20 pm

Let's both go for a boring and uneventfull year Jenny!
Kittens and puppies are adorable, but wear you out ;-)

53Whisper1
Jan 6, 2010, 12:24 pm

Hi Anita

I just finished a very good YA book that might interest you.

Ties that Bind; Ties That Break by Lensey Namioka is very good!

54FAMeulstee
Jan 6, 2010, 12:26 pm

LOL Linda
I just responded in your thread :-)

55FAMeulstee
Jan 7, 2010, 7:56 am



book #4 Drakenoog by Anne McCaffrey
translation of Dragonseye
from the library, fantasy

My fifth read about the dragonriders of Pern.
Set in earlier times just before the second fall.

3 stars

56FAMeulstee
Modifié : Jan 7, 2010, 8:16 am



book #5 Piep: een kleine biologie der letteren by Midas Dekkers
own collection, Dutch

I had a few books I started to read some time ago and had not finished yet. This was one of them. Written for the Dutch "week of the book", a small lecture about animals in literature.
The author is a biologist and writer. He writes with humor and funny twists. He wonders why animals mainly appear in childrens books, fairy tales and cooking books.
Fun read.

3 stars

57Whisper1
Jan 7, 2010, 8:56 am

Piep sounds fascinating.

Hello to you dear one! I hope you are well. It is great to see your posts. I know you had a difficult year last year and it is all the more special now to see you back posting regularly.

58tiffin
Modifié : Jan 7, 2010, 10:00 am

>47 richardderus: etc., Anita, my Dad served in Holland (and England, Italy, France) in the war, with the special services branch of the Canadian army. His cover was entertainment officer for the Canadian troops but his real purpose was as a liaison with the various underground movements, getting people out of the country, food in, etc. He loved the Dutch people for their courage and had many wonderful stories. An amateur artist, he always sought out and tried to help any artists he came in contact with, so bought and brought home wonderful pieces of art. You should see my house, Anita: you'd think my family was Dutch, with all the Dutch art here that I've inherited from Dad. But his proudest piece was the watercolour of a windmill a young girl had run up to his jeep and given him when Amsterdam(I think it was Amsterdam) was liberated. She had painted it herself and it was just a rolled up piece of paper when she gave it to him. He framed it and it hung over his bed always.

59FAMeulstee
Modifié : Jan 7, 2010, 12:13 pm

>57 Whisper1: hi Linda
I am very happy to be back too!
Outside the world is cold and white (see my weblog) so it is good to sit with my laptop and chat about books :-)

Sadly not many books of Midas Dekkers are translated, maybe you would like The Way of All Flesh: The Romance of Ruins.

Anita

60richardderus
Jan 7, 2010, 12:07 pm

>58 tiffin: Tui, what a story! Dad must have been a delightful person to know. I love that he treasured that young child's spontaeous, heartfelt gift so much.

I see where you get your generous spirit.

61FAMeulstee
Jan 7, 2010, 12:11 pm

> 58 hi Tui
It is great that your father was one of those brave men who helped to free us from the Germans and cherished the art he brought home. And nice that you have them now.
Thanks for sharing, this is what I love here in this group: how we talk about books and other things, the stories we share and how this makes this group a great community.
Ohh sometimes it is difficult to say in English what I mean, but I hope you understand what I want to say ;-)
Anita

62richardderus
Jan 7, 2010, 12:17 pm

Anita, your English is very, very good, and if you work hard to say the things that you mean, you're not alone! But believe me when I tell you that I frequently forget that you aren't a native speaker of the tongue.

63FAMeulstee
Modifié : Jan 7, 2010, 12:29 pm

blush... thank you Richard dear

and thanks to translation sites I mostly use InterGlot ;-)

64suslyn
Modifié : Jan 7, 2010, 5:41 pm

Wonderful story. The Dutch indeed are a stalwart and courageous people IMO. Took the nephew to the Ten Boom haus when we were in Haarlem last July.

I agree with Richard, Anita -- your Enlgish is great :)

ETA Even if mine isn't LOL

65FAMeulstee
Jan 7, 2010, 6:00 pm

thank you Susan,
and you are just dyslectic, so am I ;-)
Anita

66alcottacre
Jan 8, 2010, 2:22 am

#58: Love the story, Tui!

67cushlareads
Jan 8, 2010, 2:56 am

#58 tui, that is a beautiful story about your Dad.

Happy new year Anita!

68kidzdoc
Jan 8, 2010, 7:58 am

Nice story, Tui!

69tiffin
Jan 8, 2010, 12:04 pm

Anita, your English is waaaaay better than my Dutch! I know one word and one phrase. I think you speak English really well. And thanks, all...it was meant as a tribute to the Dutch spirit.

70FAMeulstee
Jan 8, 2010, 3:00 pm

LOL Tui, wait until you hear me speak, my writing is better, believe me!

It was not only a tribute to the Dutch spirit, also a wonderful tribute to your Dad. Very much appriciated.

71FAMeulstee
Jan 8, 2010, 3:46 pm

two books today:



book #6 De lange weg van Ailin Tao by Lensey Namioka
translation of Ties that bind, ties that break
from the library, YA, recommended by Linda (Whisper1)

A young Chinese girl, living in China early 20th century, refuses to have her feet bound, as tradition dictates. Her father supports her, so her feet stay intact, but her engagement with a boy from a wealthy family is adjourned.
Only lower class women have "normal" feet, so Ailin is no longer of use for her family, girls are not worth much, they marry and go live with their husbands.
Luckely her father sends her to a missionaries school, where she learns English. When her father dies, she has no support at home and has to learn to stand on her own feet.

When I was halfway reading this book I was afraid it would go like the books from my youth, where poor "heathen" girls or boys became christians and lived happy after... I was glad it did not turn out that way.
It was an engaging read about China in its declining years, changing culture and western interference.

3 1/2 stars



book #7 Enkele reis paradijs by An Na
translation of A step from Heaven
from the library, YA

A young Korean girl, Young Ju, emigrates with her partens to the United States in search for a better life. Her parents struggle to make enough money to survive and Young Ju has to adept to the american way of life, while at home she has to speak Korean. She feels trapped between two cultures. Her father gets abusive and starts drinking because of his unablility to adapt in a strange culture.

A beautiful written story about immigrants struggling to become accepted in a new country. All seen through Young Ju's eyes, written in short chapters in wich is told about a day or part of a day of her life.

4 stars

72lunacat
Jan 8, 2010, 3:57 pm

#52

Its the kittens that have given me the most relief! Is it bad when little terrible monsters are a calming influence??

73FAMeulstee
Jan 8, 2010, 4:38 pm

well, there must have been a lot going on in your life if it feels that way.
The little monsters are great, but tiring, I am glad Eoos is 10 months now!
hugs
Anita

74tloeffler
Jan 8, 2010, 8:15 pm

I love the pictures of your dogs, Anita! You're right, their red coats look fabulous against the white snow.

75profilerSR
Jan 8, 2010, 10:27 pm

Great reviews! You express yourself very well, IMO.

76alcottacre
Jan 9, 2010, 3:38 am

#71: I already have Ties that Bind, Ties that Break in the BlackHole and I read A Step from Heaven last year, so I am dodging book bullets today!

77FAMeulstee
Jan 9, 2010, 6:33 am

> 74 Terri
thank you, they like the cold weather :-)

> 75 thanks Sherlyn

> 76 I am glad I don't add to your BlackHole Stasia.
I would not know how you would rename it if it keeps growing ;-)

Anita

78alcottacre
Jan 9, 2010, 6:34 am

#77: The beauty of it being called the BlackHole now is that I never have to rename it again, lol.

79BookAngel_a
Jan 9, 2010, 8:47 pm

Hi Anita...may the new year bring you lots of good books...

80FAMeulstee
Jan 10, 2010, 3:27 pm



book #8 Elske by Cynthia Voigt
translation of Elske
from the library, YA, fantasy

I took this book from the library because it is from Cynthia Voigt. I loved her Tillerman books.

Elske grows up with a Viking like tribe. Her grandmother helps her to escape. She ends up as a servant (and friend) for a Queen to be, Beriel.
Beriel has to fight to get her throne back from her brother.

This book was not as gripping as the Tillerman books, but absolutely not bad either. An engaging read about an imaginary land, in dark ages, with strong female main characters, who have to pay a price for their ideals.

3 1/2 stars

81alcottacre
Jan 11, 2010, 1:54 am

I have read a couple of Voigt's books, but not that one. I will have to see if I can find a copy. Thanks for the recommendation, Anita!

82Whisper1
Jan 11, 2010, 1:04 pm

Ditto what Stasia said.

83lunacat
Jan 11, 2010, 1:13 pm

Ditto the ditto

84FAMeulstee
Jan 11, 2010, 3:55 pm

Elske is the 4th book in the Kingdom series. Somehow only the first two and the 4th are translated. I vaguely remember I did read the first one Jackaroo.
I think I will read the first two soon.

85FAMeulstee
Jan 11, 2010, 4:07 pm



book #9 Het boek van Drie by Lloyd Alexander
translation of The book of Three
from my own collection, YA, fantasy, re-read, groupread

The first book of The Chronicles of Prydain.
More in the spoiler thread Group Read: The Chronicles of Prydain

4 stars

86Whisper1
Jan 11, 2010, 11:19 pm

WOW Anita...Nine books already! You are on a roll.

I hope it is not as cold where you are as it is here in NE Pennsylvania.

87fantasia655
Modifié : Jan 12, 2010, 3:01 am

>80 FAMeulstee:: That series does sound really good. My best friend loves the second book in that series, On Fortune's Wheel but I don't think she knew it was a series and I didn't either, thanks for the info, Anita, I'll see if my library has the first one. :)

88FAMeulstee
Jan 12, 2010, 4:33 pm

> 86
Yes Linda, lots of reading these days!
In wintertime I read more, nothing to do in the garden, so there is more time for reading. I think I will slow down when I start with Moby Dick.

It is freezing here some weeks now and we had some snow. The cold is not so bad, just some extra clothes when I go out to walk the dogs. And they love this weather.
How bad is it in NE Pennsylvania?

> 87
I hope to see your comments soon on your thread Catey :-)

Anita

89Whisper1
Jan 12, 2010, 6:16 pm

Anita. It is 19 degrees. I'm tired of winter already.

90FAMeulstee
Jan 12, 2010, 6:29 pm

Linda
The nights are around that, the days a bit more, -2 Celsius, hmmm I think that is 28, 29 degrees Fahrenheit.
Other years I had more problems with wintertime, but the snow helps, it lightens the world a bit.
So I don't need a flashlight when walking the dogs in the dark ;-)

I hope spring comes fast for you,
hugs
Anita

91FAMeulstee
Modifié : Jan 13, 2010, 11:22 am



book #10 In Europa: reizen door de twintigste eeuw part 2 by Geert Mak
available in English: In Europe: Travels Through the Twentieth Century
from my own collection, Dutch, non-fiction

It took me almost 2 years to read the two books. Mak writes fluently, but especially the parts about WWI, WWII and the Juguslavian war were emotionally draining for me, so I read the books in little parts.

Geert Mak traveled through Europe in 1999, following the main history of the 20th century. From the WWI battlefields in Belgium and France to Sebrenica, from Russia to Northern-Ireland. He talks to people who were in the events, survivors and bystanders. Thus writing a very personal and compelling portrait of the changes that Europe went through the 20th century.

higly recommended!
5 stars

92alcottacre
Jan 13, 2010, 12:43 pm

#91: That one looks right up my alley, Anita. Thanks for the recommendation!

93richardderus
Jan 13, 2010, 12:55 pm

>91 FAMeulstee: This one sounds like a must-have, Anita. "Thanks" for letting me know it exists. *grumble*

94FAMeulstee
Jan 13, 2010, 2:32 pm

Stasia and Richard
you both are welcome ;-)

I am so happy I finally managed to add to Richards TBR LOL!

95Whisper1
Jan 13, 2010, 2:40 pm

Oh, I must get that book for Will. He reads WWI and WWI books.

It sounds great. Thanks for the recommendation!

96FAMeulstee
Modifié : Jan 16, 2010, 3:34 pm



book #11 Het lied van de dolfijn by Federica de Cesco
from the library, translated (German), YA, Japan

I like the books Federica de Cesco writes, especially the ones situated in Japan.

Yumiko lives at an island in the South-East of Japan. She is a great swimmer, her mother dived for perls, before she got crippled. One day Yumiko meets a dolphin, they become friends and the dolphin saves her when she gets caught in bad weather.
But the fishermen don't like the dolphins and want to slaughter them all...

A good read!
4 stars

97marieke54
Modifié : Jan 15, 2010, 5:23 pm

> 91

I enjoyed Geert Mak’s “In Europe” immensely and stayed at home the Sunday evenings during two winters, when the series based on that book and complementary to it was on tv. It consisted of 35 parts and won several European prizes.

98FAMeulstee
Jan 15, 2010, 5:23 pm

Yes Marieke, I watched the tv-series too.
That was why my husband gave me the book for my birthday. But somehow reading has a larger impact on me as watching TV, a more direct link with my emotions it seems, so reading the book was harder and took a long time.

99marieke54
Jan 15, 2010, 5:43 pm

Yes, the series was "easier", but beautiful in itself, I saw it after reading the book. As the link doesn't work, I will put the url for the series on the articles-thread.
For me the different impact of books and films is mostly a matter of (not) tiredness. When tired, books have little or no impact on me, films still do.

100FAMeulstee
Jan 16, 2010, 3:30 pm



book #12: De witte draak by Anne McCaffrey
translation of The White Dragon
from the library, fantasy

My last book about the dragonriders of Pern.
Again an enjoyable read about Pern, dragons and humans.

I liked this one the best.

4 stars

101Whisper1
Jan 16, 2010, 4:48 pm

Anita

What a guy Frank is, your birthday is February 3! and he gave you an early present!

102FAMeulstee
Jan 16, 2010, 4:54 pm

dear Linda

No he gave it nearly two years ago, it took me that long to read it...

But in an other way you are right, he just booked today for the big pre-sale at our favorite bookshop on my birthday this year :-)
Pre-sale and an extra 20% off... I'll bet we will find some gems!

Anita

103Whisper1
Jan 16, 2010, 6:30 pm

Good luck!

104cameling
Jan 16, 2010, 6:44 pm

I'm a huge Anne McCaffrey fan and I'm glad you enjoyed The White Dragon. I agree with you, I think it's the best of the Pern series.

105suslyn
Jan 16, 2010, 8:05 pm

I'm so glad you enjoyed your romp thru Pern. Hoping more are translated for you soon :)

106FAMeulstee
Jan 17, 2010, 7:25 pm

> 103 I will let you know Linda!

> 104
I would not call myself a huge fan, Caroline, but I did enjoy my stay at Pern

>105 suslyn:
Susan, there are a 2 or 3 others translated, but sadly the public library does not have them.

107Apolline
Jan 18, 2010, 8:57 am

#91 I guess I am a little behind on that one, but it seems really interesting. It goes straight to the ever growing TBR pile. Thanx:)

108FAMeulstee
Jan 19, 2010, 6:23 pm

Aquired my first book this year, well book, booklet is a better term for a small (6 x 9 cm) book, only 40 pages long.
I found out here on LT that this existed, the last story of Mantlemass. As I thought I owned them all, I went looking for this last one and found it on-line last week!



book #13: Het einde van Mantlemass by Barbara Willard
translation of the chapter Mantlers from Keys of Mantlemass
own collection, translated, YA

A very short story, in tiny letters (in a few years I will need a magnifying glass to read it) that marks the end of Mantlemass and the Mengel family.

3 stars

109Whisper1
Jan 20, 2010, 9:32 am

Anita

I try to obtain large print books when ever I can. I'm finding that there are some books I cannot read because the print is so small.

110richardderus
Jan 20, 2010, 12:14 pm

Anita, so glad you liked The White Dragon best of the series (that you've read, but believe me when I tell you that you've read the best by now). It is my very favorite McCaffrey book, and Ruth's relationship to Jaxom is an enduring pleasure of characterization.

*happy sigh*

111FAMeulstee
Jan 20, 2010, 3:34 pm

>109 Whisper1: Linda
I used to have very good eyes, I could even read the tiny print on a bank note that was supposed to be onlyt readable with a magnifyer.
But it might be wise to go for large print books in the future ;-)

>110 richardderus: I am glad I made you happy Richard!

112FAMeulstee
Modifié : Jan 22, 2010, 2:04 pm



book #14: Moby Dick by Herman Melville
own collection, translated, classics, group read

What can I say about a book that is reviewed by so many?

Ishmaël signs up with the whale vessel Pequod, his captain is Ahab. The captain lost his leg to the white whale Moby Dick and wants one way or another his revenge.
That is the well known story in short, but that is only a part of this book. The rest is filled with all kind of knowledge about whales, different species of whales, whalers, descriptions of whales in ancient times, pictures of whales (and comment on those pictures), how whales could be classified etc.

The modern reader who expects a straight on story, will be disappionted. But I found the spiraling thoughts of a 19th century writer facinating. It gave me the feeling Melville had to include everything known about whales at the time.

I did read the translation by Barber van de Pol.

5 stars!

113alcottacre
Jan 23, 2010, 12:28 am

#112: I am so glad that you enjoyed Moby Dick!

114FAMeulstee
Modifié : Jan 25, 2010, 6:39 pm



book #15: Het wonderbaarlijke leven van de Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson
translation of The life and times of the Thunderbolt Kid
from the library, translated, non fiction
I am not sure who mentioned/recommended this book in last years group, or was it the year before?

A funny, auto-biographic book about the autor growing up in Des Moines in the 50s.
(I admit, had to look up Des Moines in the atlas, as I had no clue where it might be)

4 stars

115BookAngel_a
Jan 25, 2010, 7:44 pm

I have that book on Mt. TBR! Glad you liked it...

116Whisper1
Jan 25, 2010, 9:39 pm

Anita

As a child of the 1950's, I'm very interested in your most recent read. Thanks for your recommendation.

117FAMeulstee
Jan 26, 2010, 1:58 pm

Angela and Linda

It was a light and funny read, with many things that even I recognised, as non-American child of the 1960's. Bill Bryson has a way with words that I like (if the translator did him justice).

Anita
(back to The Graveyard Book, it is great so far)

118richardderus
Jan 26, 2010, 9:38 pm

Anita, Bill Bryson has a wonderful way with words. I'm really glad that the translator was able to catch that...I wonder often if I'm not *missing* something when I read a translation. What does the original sound like in my head, I ponder; to no avail, with Dutch books, since Dutch is Greek to me.

Heh.

119FAMeulstee
Jan 27, 2010, 2:35 pm

well Richard dear
It is better to miss something due to translation, than missing all, because there is no translation at all ;-)
Anita

120richardderus
Jan 27, 2010, 5:35 pm

This is the truth...I'd never even know that I didn't know of Margriet de Moor, and I would be so much the poorer for it. Her books...! Her graceful, beautiful sentences describing such pain and loss and sometimes, just sometimes, hope!

121FAMeulstee
Jan 27, 2010, 5:53 pm



book #16: Het kerkhof by Neil Gaiman
translation of The Graveyard Book
from the library, translated, YA, Newbery medal

The Graveyard Book is a fantastic fantasy book.
A toddler escapes when his family members are murdered. He end up at the local graveyard and escapes from the murderer. The death people of the graveyard take it upon themselves to take care of him and call him Bod. We follow Bod growing up at the graveyard.

Although the book is crowded with murders, ghosts, vampires, werewolves etc. the story never gets too scary. The story is original, sometimes cute, sometimes funny and at all times engaging and stunning.

Each chapter starts with a illustration by Chris Riddell, that matches greatly with the text.

In his afterword Neil Gaiman tells that The Graveyard Book is related to Kiplings The Jungle Book (not the Disney version!), so I might look into that.

4 1/2 stars

122alcottacre
Jan 28, 2010, 12:11 am

#121: I really like that one too, Anita. Glad to see you did as well.

123FAMeulstee
Jan 31, 2010, 3:49 pm



book #17: Hart van inkt by Cornelia Funke
translation of Tintenhertz, English translation Inkheart
from the library, translated, YA, Zilveren Griffel

Well, what to say...
The idea is clever, a man and his daughter live together. The man has a special gift, he can read and make the persons in a book come alive. He was not aware of this and so some villains come alive and terror their surroundings. His wife disappeared at the same time.

The story at times was a bit too scary for me (yes I know I am a wimp) and on the other hand dragging at times...

So I liked it and disliked it, but I did start the sequel.

3 stars

124FAMeulstee
Modifié : Mar 1, 2010, 3:28 pm

Summary January - 17 books

language: 2 Dutch - 15 translated into Dutch
gender: 11 female author -6 male author
own vs library: 5 owned - 12 from the library
awards: 1 Newbery winner, 1 Zilveren Griffel winner
rating:
5 x 3 stars
4 x 3 1/2 stars
5 x 4 stars
1 x 4 1/2 stars: The Graveyard Book
2 x 5 stars: In Europe: Travels Through the Twentieth Century and Moby Dick

2 books were group reads, 8 were Young Adult books and 1 reread

125thomasandmary
Modifié : Jan 31, 2010, 7:13 pm

Wow Anita, January was a good reading month for you! Enjoyed reading all of your reviews. Have a good February.

126alcottacre
Fév 1, 2010, 12:48 am

Great summary, Anita!

127cushlareads
Fév 1, 2010, 2:35 am

Hi Anita,

Just popped in to catch up on 3 weeks of your thread and was delighted to see your review of the book by Geert Mak - I saw it at the Basel library on Saturday and it looked great, but I didn't know if I should put in the 900 pages worth of effort. Now I will - thank you!!

128FAMeulstee
Fév 1, 2010, 3:19 pm

> 125: Regina
thank you, January was an extremely good reading month :-)
I am not sure I can keep this pace, but it was a great start of the year.

> 126: thank you Stasia

> 127: Cushla
Yes, it is certainly worth the effort!
I hope to read a review someday at your thread ;-)

129cameling
Fév 1, 2010, 4:21 pm

I enjoyed Inkheart and loved the concept of being able to read oneself into a book. But I did not like the sequel nor the 3rd book. I thought she ran out of ideas and was just repackaging the first and just putting a different wrapper around it

130FAMeulstee
Fév 1, 2010, 4:40 pm

> 129: Caroline
I liked the concept too, but just did like, not love the book.
I started the sequel, but decided this afternoon it was not worth to read on, so I think I will return it to the library unfinished...

131alcottacre
Fév 1, 2010, 4:52 pm

I read number 2, but have never gotten around to number 3 and I do not think at this point I ever will. I just cannot get up the gumption when the author just seemed to be phoning the books in after the first one.

132FAMeulstee
Modifié : Fév 2, 2010, 2:39 pm

You are right Stasia!
So I started my next library book:



book #18: Ergens by Garbrielle Zevin
translation of Elsewhere
from the library, translated, YA

Thanks to Marcia (allthesedarnbooks) and Linda (Whisper1), who recommended this book.

Fifteen year old Lizzie dies after she was run over by a car. She wakes up at a boat, that brings her to Elsewhere. There her grandmother waits for her, she never knew her grandmother, she died before Lizzie was born.
In Elsewhere you live backwards, so everyone gets younger until they are babies again and go back to earth for their next life.
Lizzie has a difficult time adapting to life in Elsewhere, being a teenager who's life so abrubtly ended.

A very good book, recommended.
4 stars

133alcottacre
Fév 2, 2010, 2:37 pm

#132: I have that one home from the library now to read. I hope I enjoy it as much as everyone else seems to have done.

134FAMeulstee
Fév 2, 2010, 2:41 pm

> 133
I hope so too Stasia, we will find out next Sunday?

135richardderus
Fév 2, 2010, 3:08 pm

Anita, wondferful reviews! (Meaning I didn't have to add any books to my wishlist because I've already read them, ha ha ha.)

136FAMeulstee
Fév 2, 2010, 3:35 pm

> 135
Richard dear, looking back I should have noticed your review before I decided to take Inkheart and its sequels from the library...

137alcottacre
Fév 2, 2010, 3:53 pm

#34: Probably not that soon. Too many books in the queue ahead of you.

138Whisper1
Fév 2, 2010, 3:55 pm

Anita

I'm glad you liked Elsewhere. I own Inkheart but after your review, I'll let it sit on the shelf awhile longer.

Happy Almost Birthday! I hope tomorrow is as special as you are in every way!!!!

139richardderus
Fév 2, 2010, 3:57 pm

Happy (mumble)ty-first birthday in 3 hours, Anita!!

140lunacat
Fév 2, 2010, 4:15 pm

I'm glad you liked Elsewhere as well. FlossieT very kindly sent me a copy so I will get round to it at some point :)

141FAMeulstee
Fév 2, 2010, 5:38 pm

> 138 & 139
Thanks Linda & Richard, 22 minutes to go and I am off to bed.
I just catched up with all threads here and now my eyes are a bit tired.

> 140
I hope you will like it too, Jenny!

142alcottacre
Fév 3, 2010, 10:13 am

Happy Birthday, Anita! I hope you have a great one!

144FAMeulstee
Fév 3, 2010, 4:17 pm

thank you Stasia and Linda!

I had a great day:
- no visitors (only phone calls)
- Frank and I went shopping at Ikea
- then we went to the pre-sale of our favorite bookshop
- We took 10 books home

best birthday ever! :-)

Anita

145alcottacre
Fév 3, 2010, 4:18 pm

What books did you get? I hope they are good ones!

146FAMeulstee
Fév 3, 2010, 4:29 pm

I will add them tomorrow Stasia and list them here.

147alcottacre
Fév 3, 2010, 4:31 pm

Cool!

148souloftherose
Fév 3, 2010, 4:45 pm

A possibly belated Happy Birthday Anita (I have no idea what time it is in whose country).

Your birthday sounds wonderful, I love IKEA (and books obviously).

149Whisper1
Fév 3, 2010, 5:28 pm

A day of Ikea and books and Frank...This sounds like a wonderful time.

Hugs to you Anita. You are very special to me!

150ronincats
Fév 3, 2010, 6:43 pm

I would have sworn I posted a Happy Birthday to yuo this morning. In fact, I KNOW I did, because I told you to ask your husband and dogs to give you hugs for me. But I don't see it here, so I'll do it again! Happy Birthday!

151Copperskye
Fév 3, 2010, 11:27 pm

Happy Birthday! It sounds like you had a great day!

152FAMeulstee
Modifié : Fév 4, 2010, 9:30 am

thanks everyone
(Heather you were just in time and Roni, you did, in the Kitchen!)

Sadly the was not much YA in the sale. The list of books we bought yesterday:
- Witte kraanvogel boven Tibet door Federica de Cesco
(YA, one of my favorite authors)
- Himalaya by Michael Palin
(travel book with a lot of photo's, I always liked the tv shows with Michael Palin traveling around the world)
- Bidden wij voor Owen Meany (translation of A Prayer for Owen Meany) by John Irving
(some of this group mentioned last year, or the year before that they thought this was Irvings best book)

- Sneeuw (Snow) by Orhan Pamuk
(for Frank, he liked My name is Red)
- Dünya by Tomas Lieske
(for Frank, he likes this Dutch writer)
- Aangeschoten wild (translation of A Most Wanted Man by John Le Carré
(for Frank)

- Het verslag van Brodeck by Philippe Claudel
(good news, this book by Claudel is translated in English, I think Brodeck: A novel is the American edition and Brodeck's Report the UK edition)
- Van oude mensen, de dingen die voorbijgaan by Louis Couperus
(in English: Old people and the things that pass, a Dutch classic we already owned as awfull paperback, this is a beautiful bound edition, not in the sale part of the bookshop, but both of us wanted a better edition)

and two books of Plato, the last two of his complete works translated in Dutch.
Wettensupplement, Brieven and Wetten (Laws)
Now we miss only 3 of them.

153alcottacre
Fév 4, 2010, 10:32 pm

Nice haul, Anita! What a great birthday present (for you and Frank.)

154TrishNYC
Fév 4, 2010, 10:38 pm

Happy Birthday!!

155dk_phoenix
Fév 5, 2010, 8:35 am

Hope it was a wonderful birthday!

156FAMeulstee
Fév 5, 2010, 2:53 pm

thanks ladies!

on to book #19
Herinneringen aan de klim op de ambtelijke ladder
This book was written by my father, self publiced and only ment for distribution among family and a few close friends.
Basicly his memories of his working life. Started as a trainee civil servant in a small village shortly after WWII and retired as city manager in The Hague 45 years later.

It was difficult to read, it felt like a must read and I don't do well with that. And of course many memories pop up, not all good...

I can't rate this book

157alcottacre
Fév 5, 2010, 4:18 pm

#156: I think it is terrific that your father self-published his book, Anita, and what a legacy to leave for his family!

158Whisper1
Fév 5, 2010, 4:54 pm

Anita

BIG hug to you and healing energy.

159FAMeulstee
Fév 5, 2010, 5:18 pm

> 157
That is one side Stasia and I do appriciate he wrote this for us. But it was not an easy read for me.

> 158
Thanks Linda, hug back!

160alcottacre
Fév 5, 2010, 5:40 pm

#159: I am sure it wasn't.

161cameling
Fév 5, 2010, 9:10 pm

Anita : I think it's a nice legacy for your father to leave you all a book he wrote of his memories. Do you think that he wrote the book because he wanted you to understand him better? I think it's touching that future generations in your family will hear his voice through his words. I'm sorry that it was hard for you to read it.

162FAMeulstee
Fév 6, 2010, 11:11 am

> 161 Caroline
Yes, I think he did. And some others urged him to write, city government has changed a lot during his working years. He could sometimes tell very funny stories about his work, when he had the right audience.
On the other hand his career had a large impact on our family, he was rarely available for us, first because he studied in the evenings, later because he worked long hours. He left our upbringing to my mother, who was not really capable to raise 5 kids.
Anita

163richardderus
Fév 6, 2010, 11:19 am

>162 FAMeulstee: Anita, it's always hard to hear what our parents were thinking when they should have been thinking of us. But it's equally hard to wonder what the WERE thinking, since human nature says we want to know so much about the people important to us.

From my point of view, there is no way and no need to rate this book. It's only important that it exists and that you have read it. Everything else is secondary.

I admire you for making room in your mind for this difficult subject.

164cameling
Fév 7, 2010, 5:23 am

I wonder what future generations will think of the choices I've made with my life. I think we can all do what we think *at the time* is the best for ourselves and our families, and hope the repercussions of our actions or decisions will not adversely affect too many people for too long of a time.

165Whisper1
Fév 7, 2010, 9:14 am

Caroline
You raise a very interesting point. Years ago friends and I would often get together for dinner, a few glasses of wine and sit around the dining room table pondering in-depth subjects.

One friend said how upset she became when people told her that her parents "did the best they could." She strongly said NO they did NOT!

I still struggle with this phrase. I know as a parent I made mistakes and wish I could go back in time and re-do some things. Yet, I know my intentions were never malicious, vindictive or purposefully hurting.

At the risk of sounding defensive regarding my child rearing and that of my parents, I know their actions were different, were neglectful and harmful. They were abusive, self absorbed and selfish, no doubt about it. How the authorities did not get involved is a mystery to me.

I believe there is a difference between natural human error and overt neglect. I guessing what Anita and I experienced is different than the "normal", everyday errors that parents make.

And, the bottom line is that parenting is the most difficult task ever known to man and womankind.

166cameling
Fév 7, 2010, 10:41 am

Linda - I think there are the normal folks and then there will always be outliers on the bell curve. Hopefully these outliers are the neglectful or abusive ones because that will mean that there are fewer of those around ...... not that I mean I'm glad you were a child of one. I just would feel so sad if I knew that parents like the ones I had and still have were the outliers because that would mean that there are more people who were traumatized in some way as children than not.

I wish there was a way to run a psychological test on people before they are allowed to conceive so that only people with the necessary parenting mental and emotional capabilities were allowed to have children.

I do agree wholeheartedly with you though, that parenting is the most difficult task known to man/womankind even though I'm not a parent. I see my friends struggle to do what's right for their children and their bewilderment when, despite all that they've done to try to bring up their kids right, some turn down the wrong path and fall into the arms of gangs. Sometimes I think you can try and do everything possible to bring up children as decent people, but in the end, it's a crapshoot as to what they actually end up being.

167lunacat
Fév 7, 2010, 1:57 pm

#165

I can relate to what your friend said.

Whilst talking with someone, we were discussing my childhood and the problems I had faced.

She said something very interesting, when I was backtracking on daring to criticise my mother. I said that I felt I didn't have the right to look at my childhood in a negative way because she did the best she could in difficult circumstances.

She replied with:

"She did her best, but it wasn't enough."

I have thought about that a lot since. The point was, I was failed, through no fault of her, me or anyone else. I was a victim of utter tragedy and circumstance. That doesn't give me the right to throw it in her face, as she tried as hard as she could. But it also means that I DO have the right to feel angry/frustrated/upset/etc about my childhood.

Don't get me wrong, me and my mother now have a much healthier relationship, we understand each other more in ways that we never did when I was younger. And I had some very good times as I was growing up.

But I also had some very bad ones. And she, and I, made mistakes that had they not been made, would have made it easier.

Therein comes the......she did her best, but it fell short.

168FAMeulstee
Modifié : Fév 8, 2010, 11:39 am

> 163 - 167
Thanks for adding to this discussion!

Beside the points Linda and Jenny mentioned there is one more I want to add:
we sometimes tend to forget the genetics....

In my case it was not only my upbringing, but I am a child of my parents and geneticly a mix of them. And them together was an unfortunate mix, very sensitive kids with a mother who was unpredictable and a mostly absent father.
I do have a better relationship with my parents now, it will never be great, but it is managable.
But my sisters went an other way in life and think they should push their way on others, after years I decided they were not worth the days of misery I had after any contact we had...

And to Caroline, I really don't believe in tests before having children. As a breeder of dogs I know when you select on only one trait, other problems will pop up around ;-)

169saraslibrary
Fév 8, 2010, 2:28 pm

Oops, Happy Belated Birthday, Anita! :) I've been very bad about keeping up with other people's threads, as you can tell, but I just wanted to pop over real quick and see how your reading/life is going. Wish I could chat some more, but I need to get to work ASAP. Btw, thanks for mentioning Elsewhere! I have that book (somewhere in my room); I just need to start on it. Thanks! :)

170FAMeulstee
Modifié : Fév 9, 2010, 7:01 pm

thank you Sara,
Have you found Elsewhere yet?
Anita

171FAMeulstee
Modifié : Fév 10, 2010, 10:18 am



book #20: Zwaard des konings by Rosemary Sutcliff
translation of Sword at sunset
owned, translated, TIOLI (red spine)

The story of King Arthur told by Rosemary Sutcliff.
Artos the Bear pictured as a hard fighting man, who tries to keep Brittain together, fighting the Saxons, without magic, nor fairytales
This version reminds a bit of Mary Stewart's Merlin Triology, altough Merlin does not appear in this version. But I think I like this one better.

4 1/2 stars

172FAMeulstee
Fév 10, 2010, 10:07 am



book #21: Het spoor by Gary Paulsen
translation of Tracker
from the library, translated, YA, recommended by Pam (PamFamilyLibrary)

John lives with his grandparents at their farm, as his parents died in an aircrash when he was young. His grandfather has cancer and the doctors just told him he has not much time left.
The past years, at the start of the hunting season, John went hunting for deer with his grandfather. Not for fun, but because the meat is needed.
This year he is going alone for the first time.

A short story about life and death, hunting and being hunted.
Recommended, especially for al those people/teens who think milk and meat are produced at a factory.

4 stars

173FAMeulstee
Fév 10, 2010, 10:28 am



book #22: Number the stars by Lois Lowry
gift from Linda, English, YA, Newbery winner

A lovely story of resistance and courage in occupied Danmark.

4 stars

174alcottacre
Fév 10, 2010, 10:50 am

#171: I am a fan of Mary Stewart's Merlin trilogy, so I will check out Sword at Sunset. Thanks for the recommendation, Anita.

Looks like you have had several good reads in a row! Congratulations.

175FAMeulstee
Fév 10, 2010, 1:08 pm

Yes I was lucky Stasia!

Rosemary Sutcliff is nearly always a treat (have been disappointed by a few of hers) and I had this one waiting for some years now.

The other two were good recommendations from fellow 75'ers, both short reads so I finished them both today.

176alcottacre
Fév 10, 2010, 1:19 pm

I have only read one of Sutcliff's books, Sword Song, a couple years ago. My local library is pretty limited in the selections from her. It does not have Sword at Sunset.

177FAMeulstee
Fév 10, 2010, 1:24 pm

And Sword Song, her last book, is one of the few that is not translated :-(

178alcottacre
Modifié : Fév 10, 2010, 1:28 pm

#177: Sorry!

BTW - do you have any others of Sutcliff's that you recommend? I will see if my local library has them if you do.

180alcottacre
Fév 10, 2010, 2:03 pm

Thanks for the list, Anita. I am off to see if the local library has any of them!

181saraslibrary
Modifié : Fév 11, 2010, 3:25 pm

#170: Yes, I actually found Elsewhere, if you can believe it, in less than 5 minutes (a new record)! :D I must be getting more organized (ha!) or more familiar with my collection. Onto the towering pile of TBR books it goes. Now, must resist the urge to add some Lois Lowry and Gary Paulsen books to the pile. Trying to resist, trying ... and failing. ;) (I'm still deciding between some Anastasia books and The Giver or Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. And I think I only have Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, which I've already read, so I'll have to pass on any more by him.)

182FAMeulstee
Fév 11, 2010, 5:41 pm

> 180
Well that is quick for an unorganised collection ;-)

Our books are very organised, Frank used to put new books at random in his bookcases, but then I could not find anything in his collection. My books were ordered on alphabet.
So then we merged the two collection, split them in childrens/YA and adult (and a few sub collections like art, nature etc), ordered alphebetical. Everything is easely found, but it is a very unconvenient to add a book by an author starting with an A ;-)

I can't advise you on Lois Lowry, as I read only one book.
Hatchet is the first in a series Brian Robeson.

183saraslibrary
Fév 11, 2010, 11:17 pm

I don't like being so disorganized with my books either; it just happens (excuses, excuses, I know ;). Ideally, I'd have proper shelves and everything in alphabetical order like a public library. I had actually started doing that in one room until I ran out of shelves. But, as you mentioned, I had to re-shuffle my books whenever I bought new ones. For now, my biggest priority is making sure they're filed so they don't get squashed, collect mold, or get peed on by one of my moody cats. (The latter happened only once--once was enough of a learning experience! :D--and thankfully, the books were cheap enough to replace.)

Hatchet is the first in a series Brian Robeson.

Well, phew! :) At least I'm done with book 1, so I don't have to worry about reading the series out of order. That's usually my luck--reading a book that's a sequel, so I have to go back and find the others so I know what's going on.

I'm still not sure which Lois Lowry book I want to start yet, but thanks anyway. :) I guess it depends on what kind of mood I'm in. Maybe one of her Newbery books if I'm feeling academic, and/or her Anastasia series if I'm up for more fluff. We'll see. Thanks again for reminding me about these two authors! :)

184Whisper1
Fév 12, 2010, 8:52 am

Sara

I highly recommend Number the Stars. The Silent Boy is also a great book!

185FAMeulstee
Fév 12, 2010, 4:27 pm



book #23: Heren van de weg by Michael Chabon
translation of Gentlemen of the road
from the library, translated, found on bibliothecara's thread

An adventure story set in the Caucasus, 10th century.
Two jews, the one the opposite of the other, Zelikman a blonde skinny Frank and Amram an enormous African, travel the road together.
They get involved with a prince who wants his kingdom back and a lot of, sometimes comical, adventures follow.

The story is written in poetic language using sometimes very rare words, so each sentence has to be read carefully.
Even my knowledge of horsebreeds was usefull, as one of the horses was an Akhal-Teke ;-)

4 1/2 stars

186alcottacre
Fév 12, 2010, 5:29 pm

#185: I am glad you liked that one, Anita. It is one of my favorites by Michael Chabon.

187FAMeulstee
Fév 12, 2010, 6:37 pm

I might look into other books by him, at the library I can get translations of The amazing adventures of Kavalier and Clay, The Yiddish policemen's union, Wonder boys and Summerland, any recommendations?

188alcottacre
Fév 12, 2010, 6:44 pm

I really liked The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay and Summerland. I have not read Wonder Boys. I liked The Yiddish Policemen's Union, but not as much as I expected to. Just my 2 cents!

189avatiakh
Fév 12, 2010, 11:20 pm

I also loved Gentlemen of the Road and second Stasia's recommendation of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay& Summerland. Summerland is a children's fantasy based around baseball.

190saraslibrary
Fév 13, 2010, 2:19 am

#184: Thanks, Linda! :) I've noticed Number the Stars on several other people's lists for the past couple years, including yours, I think. Since I don't own The Silent Boy (I haven't even heard of it before), I'll probably read Number the Stars instead. Thanks again.

191FAMeulstee
Fév 13, 2010, 2:10 pm

thanks Stasia and Kerry
I'll first look for those two

192FAMeulstee
Fév 13, 2010, 2:30 pm


book #24 De zwarte ketel by Lloyd Alexander
translation of The Black Cauldron
from my own collection, YA, fantasy, re-read, groupread

The second book of The Chronicles of Prydain.
More in the spoiler thread Group Read: The Chronicles of Prydain

4 stars

193FAMeulstee
Modifié : Fév 16, 2010, 7:19 pm


book #25 Denken als de dieren by Temple Grandin
translation of Animals in Translation
from the library, non-fiction

I find it difficult to write a review for this book, then I saw that Faith (dk_phoenix) wrote an exellent review.

4 1/2 stars

194alcottacre
Fév 17, 2010, 1:48 am

I read Faith's review already, so between the two of you, I am convinced I need to read this book :)

195aglawton
Fév 19, 2010, 1:04 pm

re 179
I would be really interested to know what makes these the best of Rosemary S's books to you? Either via Library Thing or posted somewhere at www.rosemarysutcliff.wordpress.com ...

196FAMeulstee
Fév 19, 2010, 5:29 pm

> 195
I left a comment on your profile page with my answer.

197FAMeulstee
Modifié : Fév 19, 2010, 5:47 pm


book #26 Het portret van Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
translation of The picture of Dorian Gray
own collection, classic

This was not an easy book to read, it was scarier than I expected.
The moral downfall of Dorian Gray, who does not loose his beauty, instead his portrait does.
As intelectual excersise in it's time, I found it interesting. But emotionally I had a hard time with it.

3 1/2 stars

198FAMeulstee
Fév 21, 2010, 3:54 pm


book #27 De wateren van Finn by Alet Schouten
own collection, Dutch, YA, sadly not translated

I think the book I re-read the most ever!

Although historical not completely correct, this is a great read.
The travels and adventures of Finn, a boy who has lost his family, but is found by an abbot. He grows up in the small abby with stories about Saint Brendan. When the abbot dies he is send off into the world. He helps people who are running from Vikings and Huns, but he always longs to make a voyage like Saint Brendan did.
In the end he sails off with two friends, like Brendan did.

5 stars

199alcottacre
Fév 22, 2010, 12:49 am

Boy am I sorry I do not know Dutch! That one sounds terrific.

200FAMeulstee
Fév 22, 2010, 3:34 pm

I am still hoping that a translation-fairy will come bye and translate all my favourite Dutch books, so they will be available for all of you too ;-)

201tloeffler
Fév 22, 2010, 3:43 pm

Here's a great idea! Anita can translate the good Dutch books into English for all of us! In her spare time!

202Whisper1
Fév 22, 2010, 6:59 pm

Terri...You are a genius.
Anita, for the time being though, I certainly do appreciate all the wonderful recommendations you give me regarding YA books that are translated.

203Copperskye
Fév 22, 2010, 11:03 pm

Hi Anita - >193 FAMeulstee: Have you read Temple Grandin's Animals Make Us Human? It is also wonderful.

204FAMeulstee
Fév 23, 2010, 3:34 pm

>201 tloeffler:, 202
Spare time????
I need that to read!
I just keep waiting for the translation-fairy LOL

>203 Copperskye:
Joanne, sadly the only other book by Temple Grandin (and Tony Attwood) that is translated is Asperger's and girls.
But I have seen this one and hope that someday I will become available in Dutch.

205FAMeulstee
Fév 23, 2010, 3:41 pm


book #28 De roemruchte daden van Robin Hood by Rosemary Sutcliff
translation of The chronicles of Robin Hood
own collection, awarded (Zilveren Griffel 1971), YA

The well known adventures of Robin Hood, retold by Rosemary Sutcliff.

4 stars

206FAMeulstee
Modifié : Fév 24, 2010, 1:40 pm

> 199
I saw one of her other books Flight into danger at amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Flight-into-Danger-Alet-Schouten
Don't look at the cover, because it is wrong.
I like this one as much as Finn :-)

207FAMeulstee
Modifié : Fév 24, 2010, 2:06 pm

Looking around in my own library, I decided I would finally start reading the Harry Potter books.
When the Harry Potter mania started, someone pushed a little too hard that I should read them. I don't like to be pushed that much, so in reaction I avoided to read them.
In the meantime I have seen the first three Harry Potter movies on TV and liked them, so....
Btw, my husband Frank DID read them all.


book #29 Harry Potter en de steen der wijzen by J.K. Rowling
translation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
own collection, YA

Well what to say about a book everyone has read but me ;-)
Yes, it is good
Yes, I liked it
Because I had seen the movie, it was not too scary (I am a whimp, I know).
Not 5 stars, because I think there might be even better books ahead.

4 1/2 stars

208profilerSR
Fév 24, 2010, 5:50 pm

I'm so glad you're not a Muggle anymore! I'm glad you enjoyed the book. What fun to just be starting out on the Harry Potter journey!! I love the cover of your edition.

209Whisper1
Fév 24, 2010, 8:11 pm

Anita

Like you, I felt too many people pushed for me to read The Harry Potter books. I confess, I haven't even read one. Some day...some day.

210Copperskye
Fév 24, 2010, 9:15 pm

I love stopping by your thread, Anita, and seeing all the book covers that are so different than those we have in the US. They are beautiful!

I read the first Harry Potter and then a few chapters into the second. I apparently wasn't reading aloud fast enough and my son started reading them with a flashlight without me.

211souloftherose
Fév 25, 2010, 12:53 pm

#207 I hope you enjoy the series Anita. Book 3 was my favourite I think. I've been thinking about doing a reread of the series myself....

212FAMeulstee
Fév 25, 2010, 2:45 pm

thanks Sherlyn, Linda, Joanne and Heather for leaving a note :-)
I do like Harry potter, finished book 2 today.
But I am glad I waited until the series was complete, so I can read them all in a row.


book #30 Harry Potter en de geheime kamer by J.K. Rowling
translation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
own collection, YA

I am hooked!
Two down, five to go :-)

4 1/2 stars

213alcottacre
Fév 25, 2010, 5:19 pm

#212: I really like the Dutch covers! I am glad you are enjoying the series - book 3 is my personal favorite, so I am hoping you like it.

214FAMeulstee
Modifié : Fév 25, 2010, 6:00 pm

> 213 hi Stasia
I had not looked at other covers, but did because you and Sherlyn mentioned, and I have to agree :-)
You will hear about book 3 soon, day after tomorrow if I keep reading this fast.

215alcottacre
Fév 25, 2010, 6:01 pm

Looking forward to your thoughts on book 3! (and seeing the cover, too)

216FAMeulstee
Fév 25, 2010, 6:08 pm

you might look in my library, Stasia ;-)

217alcottacre
Modifié : Fév 25, 2010, 6:30 pm

Good idea!

ETA: That is my favorite so far! I am going to have to buy the books in Dutch just for the covers.

218richardderus
Fév 25, 2010, 9:46 pm

I am profoundly grateful to you, Anita, for this long spell of reviewing books I've either already read or can't read because they're not translated (yet--I expect the translation fairy any minute now).

*smooch*

219FAMeulstee
Fév 26, 2010, 4:13 pm

> 217
Buy more books Stasia? LOL!

>218 richardderus:
I am happy to make you happy Richard ;-)
Have not seen any fairy here (yet)....

220porch_reader
Fév 26, 2010, 8:45 pm

Anita - I'm glad that you are enjoying the Harry Potter series. I have read for the first 5, but have been saving the last two just because I don't want the series to end. I think I'll break down and read them soon!

And, I love the Dutch covers too.

221FAMeulstee
Fév 27, 2010, 2:41 pm

We could read the last two together Amy :-)
I know the feeling when you don't want a book or a series to end, but I find my curiosity is always greater, so I read on.


book #31 Harry Potter en de gevangene van Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
translation of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
own collection, YA

WOW!
This was the best one yet!!
Three down, four to go :-)

5 stars

222alcottacre
Fév 28, 2010, 12:26 am

#221: That one is my favorite in the series. Glad to see that you liked it too!

223saraslibrary
Fév 28, 2010, 2:47 pm

Omg! You're already up to Prisoner of Azkaban? I'm impressed! I'm like you--I don't like books pushed on me from all sides either. I'm certain I'll like the books (I've seen most of the movies, and had the books recommended to me by almost everybody I know); so I already went ahead and bought almost all of them. I'm just intimidated by their size. Maybe I'll work in the first Harry Potter book this year....

Good luck with the rest, Anita! That's just amazing how far you've gotten. :)

224cameling
Fév 28, 2010, 3:04 pm

Glad you are enjoying the Harry Potter series. I liked them all but I was definitely ready for the final one.

225FAMeulstee
Fév 28, 2010, 5:26 pm

> 222 Yes I liked it Stasia!!

> 223 I don't know Sara, I am reading these books like mad and can't stop ;-)

> 224 Caroline, I do like them very much, I just finished the 4th book

When I keep reading like this, I will finish them before the gardening season starts. When the weather gets better my reading time will be limited, the plants in the garden will start to call for attention :-)

226FAMeulstee
Fév 28, 2010, 5:30 pm


book #32 Harry Potter en de vuurbeker by J.K. Rowling
translation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
own collection, YA

An hour before February ended I finished this book. I could not put it down, so today my time at the computer is a bit limited ;-)
I am not sure which one was better, the previous book or this one. I liked them both very much.

5 stars

227Whisper1
Fév 28, 2010, 6:46 pm

Anita

I'm enjoying your journey with Harry Potter. Ok, now, I have to read these books!

228alcottacre
Mar 1, 2010, 3:13 am

#226: Another one of my favorites! I am so glad you are enjoying the books, Anita.

229FAMeulstee
Mar 1, 2010, 2:03 pm

> 227
Oh yes Linda!
I think you will like them too. I would love to know your thoughts about them :-)

> 228
Yes I am enjoying the Stasia
I am reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix now, the story is getting a bit darker...

230FAMeulstee
Mar 1, 2010, 4:04 pm

Summary February - 15 books

language: 2 Dutch - 1 English - 12 translated into Dutch
gender: 10 female author -5 male author
own vs library: 11 owned - 4 from the library
awards: 1 Newbery winner, 1 Zilveren Griffel winner
rating: 1 no rating
1 x 3 1/2 stars
5 x 4 stars
5 x 4 1/2 stars: best non-fiction Animals in Translation
3 x 5 stars: De wateren van Finn, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

1 book was a group read, 1 TIOLI, 10 were Young Adult books and 1 reread

231cameling
Mar 1, 2010, 5:48 pm

What are you going to read once you finish with the HP series, Anita?

232FAMeulstee
Modifié : Mar 1, 2010, 6:16 pm

> 231 Caroline
I have two library books: Trawler by Redmond O'Hanlon and ummm... have to look... Straw Dogs: Thoughts on Humans and Other Animals by John Gray.

Further plans for March: the third book of the Chronicles of Prydain for the group read, then I have to get His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik for the TIOLI challenge and I have some YA books waiting here at home ;-)

That are a lot of plans for someone who does not like to plan her readings ahead!
It just happens to happen lately LOL

233profilerSR
Mar 1, 2010, 6:57 pm

I think Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was my favorite. When it first came out, I read it two times straight in a row!!!

234Whisper1
Mar 1, 2010, 7:43 pm

Anita

Seeing all these posts from you and noting all the books you are reading reminds me of how much I missed you last year! It is so darn good to have you back!

235FAMeulstee
Mar 2, 2010, 3:40 pm

> 233: Sherlyn
I nearly finished Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, tomorrow the last chapters.
It is darker as the previous books, but enough humor to keep me going.

> 224: Linda
I am happy to be back!
My reading will slow down a bit, as today my gardening season started :-)
The sun was shining and the snowdrops are nearly blooming, so I did some cleaning up.

236cameling
Mar 2, 2010, 4:59 pm

Anita: Haha ... I'm impressed with your planning prowess. I'm doing a few group reads this year and challenges, and I'm actually finding myself feeling a little hemmed in by all the books that I HAVE to read. I didn't realize how much I much prefer just going with the flow and picking up books to read almost at random with no planning involved at all.

Having said that, I am enjoying the books I'm reading for my group reads (thank goodness).

237FAMeulstee
Mar 2, 2010, 5:28 pm

> 236: Caroline
The funny part was that I had not really thought about my reading plans until you asked!
Then I realised that I had reading plans.

I don't do well when I HAVE to read a book either. So I keep escaping routes in my head to back out if needed.
For the books from the public library I have an easy solution, if I don't read them in three weeks time I return them unread (have done that twice in the past year).

I like to read randomly, but the best is a good series, like Harry Potter: I don't have to think about a next read for a while.

238Whisper1
Mar 2, 2010, 10:03 pm

Happy gardening Anita. How I envy you! I look out my window to piles of white snow. This evening my grand daughter and I read a book regarding butterflies. I long to see my beautiful purple butterfly bush.

Spring will be most welcome when it arrives.

239cameling
Mar 3, 2010, 12:02 am

That's a problem I have with borrowing books from the library. I find some that I am interested in at the moment, I take them home, I try to finish up something else I'm reading so that I can get to them, and then suddenly they don't seem quite the book(s) I feel like reading just then anymore and I pick something else up from my bookshelf instead. Most of the time, I'll get to them in the week before i have to return them out of guilt.

240heraclied22
Mar 3, 2010, 3:21 am

Ce message a été signalé par plusieurs utilisateurs et n'est plus affiché. (afficher)
You are gay hahaha

You are gay hahaha

241Pengu
Mar 3, 2010, 3:28 am

HI

242FAMeulstee
Mar 5, 2010, 3:13 pm

> 238
Thanks Linda
On my weblog some photos of the snowdrops :-)

> 239: Caroline
That happens to me sometimes too ;-)

243souloftherose
Mar 5, 2010, 3:22 pm

Beautiful photos of the snowdrops Anita - we are starting to get those coming through here too (finally!)

244FAMeulstee
Modifié : Mar 5, 2010, 3:41 pm

I have been absent the past days, totally absorbed by Harry Potter!
I have been reading and reading, the last three books were great and I had to go on to know how it all would end...



book #33 Harry Potter en de Orde van de Feniks by J.K. Rowling
translation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

book #34 Harry Potter en de halfbloed prins by J.K. Rowling
translation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

book #35 Harry Potter en de relieken van de dood by J.K. Rowling
translation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

all three own collection, YA

There are very few books that kept me reading so intens. I gulped every word into my brain, almost like an addict.
J.K. Rowling has created a great magical world, characters to love and dislike, who live through breath taking adventures.
I lauged, I cried and I will certainly revisit Harry Potter to read again, and again.

I am not certain yet what my favorite book is.
Ater Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire the books get darker.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: I got the feel of Germany in the 1930s, where more and more laws made the inimaginable possible.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince goes on where the previous book left us. War and resistance... Characters grow and a glimpse of the dreams and believes of the generation living before Harry Potter did.
And then the final Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and again not all is black and white, good and evil go hand in hand and so go life and death. A very exiting, but never too scary quest must be finished... And it does, but not in a way I had expected.

all three books 5 stars

245souloftherose
Mar 5, 2010, 5:46 pm

I'm glad you enjoyed the books Anita - I thought your comments on the last three books were apt. I've been meaning to reread the series but aside from the fact that rereads get drowned in all the exciting new books or the unread books I know I ought to have read by now, there were certain events in the last three books which I know will make me cry buckets if I reread them so I keep putting it off.

I really hope J K Rowling continues writing because I think she's really good at it and I'd love to see what else she can come up with. Although the hype would be unbelievable.

246Whisper1
Mar 5, 2010, 9:10 pm

Anita

simply stopping by to say how much I enjoy learning about your Harry Potter addiction. It is wonderful to fell the excitement you have about these books!

247alcottacre
Mar 6, 2010, 1:40 am

#244: I am glad that you finally read (and more importantly, loved) the HP books, Anita!

248profilerSR
Mar 6, 2010, 9:40 am

Woohoo! I'm so glad you loved the HP series! Your comments summed up what I loved about those books as well.

249dk_phoenix
Mar 6, 2010, 11:16 am

Happy to see your reaction to the HP books :) I still get a bit giddy when I re-read them...

250lunacat
Mar 8, 2010, 2:03 pm

Glad to see you are a HP convert. I adore them, and they are must-reread-every-year books. And they still have the ability to make me laugh, cry, feel, love and learn something new every time. Especially about courage, good, evil and death.

I could go on but I won't. It will just make me want to reread them again! Especially Deathly Hallows.

251BBGirl55
Mar 9, 2010, 7:50 am

you read harry potter you read harry potter you read harry potter, so glad that you enjoyed them, I love your aditions covers!!

252FAMeulstee
Mar 9, 2010, 2:54 pm

> 245 Heather
I really hope J K Rowling continues writing because I think she's really good at it and I'd love to see what else she can come up with.
I would like that too, but I think the expectations for other books from her would be so enourmous... I am not sure she would dare.

>246 Whisper1: Linda
I think you would like them too!

> 247 Stasia
Yes I did enjoy them, very much!

> 248 Sherlyn
Great minds...? :-)

> 249 Faith
Happy to make you happy ;-)

> 250 Jenny
I am sure other things will get my attention the next time I read them.

> 251 Bryony
yes, that sums it up ;-)
I did not think the covers were very special, until others mentioned it. Then I saw the other covers here at LT and have to agree, they are very good.

It is good to be among so many other Harry Potter lovers and to be part of the club now!

253FAMeulstee
Modifié : Mar 9, 2010, 2:58 pm

Well, it is time to move on to a next thread.

Past saturday I made a nice photo of Chimay:

254tloeffler
Mar 9, 2010, 3:05 pm

Beautiful!

255FAMeulstee
Mar 9, 2010, 3:10 pm

thanks Terri!

I just created the second thread

256saraslibrary
Mar 9, 2010, 5:54 pm

#252: I agree with you on J. K. Rowling shying away from creating another Harry Potter series. I know she's put out The Tales of Beedle the Bard, but of course, it's not as popular as H.P.

#253: Aawww, so cute! I just want to squeeze him/her(?) with hugs. I love dogs.

On to your next thread now... Congrats on being such a prolific reader so far! :) It's inspiring. If only I didn't have a job or responsibilities. ;)

257FAMeulstee
Mar 9, 2010, 6:06 pm

> 256 Sara
Chimay is a 5 year old bitch ;-)
She was from our 3th litter and the first pup that managed to stay with us.
Mother of our 4th and 5th litter, and her daughter Eoos was the second pup who stayed ;-)
On my profile is a link to the website, dedicated to our Chow Chows.

My readings go well this year, at least seem to go a lot better as last year!

Anita

258saraslibrary
Mar 14, 2010, 9:55 pm

(Oops, sorry I'm so slow in getting back.)

Chimay's beautiful! Wow, quite the long line of Chows you had there. 5 years old would put her at, what, 35 in human years? Not too bad. I have one male terrier, and he's in his teens, so I've already stopped counting how old he is in human years. :) He's older than god.

I've visited your Chow's site and loved it. I haven't been there in awhile, so I'll have to stop by again and see how much your dogs have grown. Thanks! :)

259Whisper1
Mar 15, 2010, 11:34 am

Anita's chow site is incredible!

Anita, I am in awe of your design talent and computer savy.

I also want to tell you about a wonderful YA book I finished last night. It is at the top of my list of favorites for 2010.

I think you will enjoy Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer. It is so good it blew me away!

260FAMeulstee
Mar 15, 2010, 5:37 pm

> 258: Sara
Thank you! Yes they say 7 human years for 1 dog year, but that is only a very rough estimate.
I love old dogs, they often have such a wise look in their eyes.

Thanks for visiting my site, Eoos turned one on the 4th, time flies!

> 259: Linda
Thanks :-)
That book sounds good, so I looked around, but there is no translation yet... If it is that good I am sure it will be translated in time!

Anita

261Whisper1
Mar 16, 2010, 9:22 pm

Anita
Simon, my sheltie, is now 11 years old. His eyes are so darn expressive. He is highly intelligent and such a wise, wise soul.

262suslyn
Mar 21, 2010, 7:21 am

Finally got caught up. I read "time for a new thread" but didn't find the link...

Loved the parenting discussion and your insights from your dog-breeding program. I remember around the time of Roe v. Wade that I had a band folder that asked if this woman should carry her child to term. She had syphyllis and it went down from there. Then we opened the folder and found she hadn't and the child was Beethoven...

Why was that on my 6th grade band folder? And, just did some research on the net, which says the whole story was a lie anyway... wowsers (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Did_Beethoven%27s_mother_have_syphilis)