(Sir)Thomas way through 2021 with friends and books (Part 2)

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(Sir)Thomas way through 2021 with friends and books (Part 2)

1SirThomas
Mar 21, 2021, 3:57 am

Welcome to my second thread!



The pictures of the food are from last year when we had to leave the island after three days - it was delicious!

Actually, right now we would be at the North Sea with long walks on the beach and good food.
Now we walk at home and cook ourselves - also very good.
We have booked for the end of October and hope it works out.

Hi everybody, my Name is Thomas, I am 59 years young and I live in a small town in northern Baden Württemberg, Germany.

Since health plays a big role in all our lives at the moment, a quote from Mark Twain:
Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.

2SirThomas
Mar 21, 2021, 3:57 am

My reading performance in this group:
2013: _84 books
2014: 109 books
2015: _78 books
2016: 107 books
2017: 130 books
2018: 127 books
2019: 151 books
2020: 153 books

This year I'm a little further along than I was this time last year - and I've managed to read more female authors than male.

3SirThomas
Mar 21, 2021, 3:57 am

A great idea from Paul Cranswick was A BOOK A YEAR FOR THE FIRST 59 YEARS OF MY LIFE
This is my updated list:
1961 Ein Mann in einer fremden Welt / Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein
1962 Die Physiker / The Physicists: A Play by Friedrich Dürrenmatt
1963 Platon im Stripteaselokal / Misreadings by Umberto Eco
1964 Am Freitag schlief der Rabbi lang / Friday the Rabbi Slept Late by Harry Kemelman
1965 Der Wüstenplanet / Dune by Frank Herbert
1966 Die phantastische Reise / Fantastic Voyage by Isaac Asimov
1967 Die Vergangenheit der Zukunft (Future History) / The Past Through Tomorrow by Robert A. Heinlein
1968 2001 - Odyssee im Weltraum / 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
1969 Papillon / Papillon by Henri Charrière
1970 Und die Großen läßt man laufen / Murder at the Savoy by Maj Sjöwall & Per Wahlöö
1971 Der Exorzist / The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
1972 Sieh doch die Harlekins / Look at the Harlequins! by Vladimir Nabokov
1973 Momo oder die seltsame Geschichte von den Zeit-Dieben und von dem Kind, das den Menschen die gestohlene Zeit zurückbrachte / Momo by Michael Ende
1974 Carrie / Carrie by Stephen King
1975 Dhalgren / Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delany
1976 Interwiew mit einem Vampir / Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
1977 Sternentanz / Stardance by Jeanne Robinson & Spider Robinson
1978 Stadtgeschichten / Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin
1979 Per Anhalter durch die Galaxis / The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
1980 Der Name der Rose / The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
1981 Cujo / Cujo by Stephen King
1982 Freitag / Friday by Robert A. Heinlein
1983 Christine / Christine by Stephen King
1984 Der Talisman / The Talisman by Stephen King & Peter Straub
1985 Contact / Contact by Carl Sagan
1986 Es / It by Stephen King
1987 Der Elektrische Mönch: Dirk Gently's Holistische Detektei / Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams
1988 Fool on the hill / Fool on the hill by Matt Ruff
1989 Hyperion / Hyperion by Dan Simmons
1990 The Stand / The Stand (unabridged) by Stephen King
1991 Sofies Welt / Sophie's World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy by Jostein Gaarder
1992 Fräulein Smillas Gespür für Schnee / Smilla's Sense of Snow by Peter Høeg
1993 Alpträume / Nightmares & Dreamscapes by Stephen King
1994 Asche zu Asche / Playing for the Ashes by Elizabeth George
1995 Dunkle Kammern / The Dark Room by Minette Walters
1996 The Green Mile / The Green Mile by Stephen King
1997 G.A.S. / Sewer, Gas and Electric: The Public Works Trilogy by Matt Ruff
1998 Wächter der Nacht / The Night Watch by Sergej Lukianenko
1999 Die 13 1/2 Leben des Käpt'n Blaubär / 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear by Walter Moers
2000 Das Haus = House of leaves / House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
2001 Jack Taylor fliegt raus / The Guards: A Novel by Ken Bruen
2002 Die Bibel nach Biff : die wilden Jugendjahre von Jesus, erzählt von seinem besten Freund / Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore
2003 Ich und die anderen / Set This House in Order by Matt Ruff
2004 Der Turm / The Dark Tower by Stephen King
2005 Olympos / Olympos by Dan Simmons
2006 Am Ende war die Tat / What Came Before He Shot Her by Elizabeth George
2007 Der Tod und der Dicke / Death Comes for the Fat Man by Reginald Hill
2008 Das Spiel des Engels / The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
2009 1Q84 / 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
2010 Raum / Room by Emma Donoghue
2011 5 Dinge, die Sterbende am meisten bereuen / The Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing by Bronnie Ware
2012 Ein plötzlicher Todesfall / The Casual Vacancy by J. K. Rowling
2013 Das Dickicht / The Thicket by Joe R. Lansdale
2014 Fiona: Als ich tot war 7 The Strange Death of Fiona Griffiths by Harry Bingham
2015 Opferweg / Saint Odd by Dean Koontz
2016 Lovecraft Country / Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff
2017 Und dann steht einer auf und öffnet das Fenster by Susann Pasztor
2018 Von der Kunst, schlechte Nachrichten gut zu überbringen by Jalid Sehouli
2019 Kurt by Sarah Kuttner
2020 Trauer: Der Reiseführer durch ein fremdes Land by Katrin Brunner

4SirThomas
Mar 21, 2021, 3:57 am

Reading List for January
1. Der Distelfink / The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
2. Ich mag mich irren, aber ich finde dich fabelhaft / Young Man with a Horn by Dorothy Baker
3. Irisches Verhängnis by Hannah O'Brien
4. Dunkle Gewässer / Edge of Dark Water by Joe R. Lansdale
5. Die unvergleichliche Miss Kopp schlägt zurück / Lady Cop Makes Trouble by Amy Stewart
6. Jazz / Jazz by Toni Morrison
7. Paradise City by Zoë Beck
8. Das Dorf in den roten Wäldern / Still Life by Louise Penny
9. Hawaii by Cihan Acar
10. Die Morde von Pye Hall / Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
11. Die Springflut / Springfloden by Cilla Börjlind and Rolf Börjlind
12. Untergetaucht: Eine junge Frau überlebt in Berlin 1940 - 1945 by Marie Jalowicz Simon
13. Wir haben schon immer im Schloss gelebt / We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
14. Borne / Borne by Jeff VanderMeer
15. Mord im Spiegel / The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side by Agatha Christie

Books read: 15
Pages read: 6,052 (longest 1,024 / shortest 224 / average 403)

Personal rating:
average rating
highest rating
lowest rating

Author nationalities:

Canada: 1 / 1 / 1
England: 2 / 2 / 2
Germany: 4 / 4 / 4
Sweden: 2 / 2 / 2
USA: 7 / 7 / 7

Sum: 16 / 16 / 16

Counting mode: All authors of the books / Main Author(s) or Editor(s) per book / Only different authors

Gender:
female authors: 11 / 11 / 11
male authors: 5 / 5 / 5

alive authors: 11 / 11 / 11
dead authors: 5 / 5 / 5

date first published:
1930-1939: 1
1960-1969: 2
1990-1999: 1
2000-2009: 1
2010-2019: 8
2020-2020: 2

5SirThomas
Mar 21, 2021, 3:58 am

Reading List for February
16. Das Rosie-Projekt / The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
17. Spuk in Hill House / The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
18. Tödliche Nachbarschaft / Vallan varjoissa by Viveca Sten
19. Krähensommer by Brigitte Glaser
20. Die Blechtrommel by Günter Grass
21. Tief eingeschneit / Dead Cold by Louise Penny
22. Tschernobyl: Eine Chronik der Zukunft / Tschernobylskaja molitwa by Swetlana Alexijewitsch
23. Ich breche dich by L. C. Frey
24. Berge des Wahnsinns / At the Mountains of Madness by H. P. Lovecraft
25. Carlotta steigt ein / A trouble of fools by Linda Barnes
26. Bittersüße Schokolade / Como agua para chocolate by Laura Esquivel
27. Ernst ist das Leben (Bunbury) / The importance of being earnest by Oscar Wilde
28. Madame le Commissaire und der verschwundene Engländer by Pierre Martin

Books read: 13
Pages read: 4,481 (longest 778 / shortest 162 / average 345)

Personal rating:
average rating
highest rating
lowest rating

Author nationalities:

Australia: 1 / 1 / 1
Belarus: 1 / 1 / 1
Canada: 1 / 1 / 1
England: 1 / 1 / 1
Germany: 4 / 4 / 4
Mexico: 1 / 1 / 1
Sweden: 1 / 1 / 1
USA: 3 / 3 / 3

Sum: 13 / 13 / 13

Counting mode: All authors of the books / Main Author(s) or Editor(s) per book / Only different authors

Gender:
female authors: 7 / 7 / 7
male authors: 6 / 6 / 6

alive authors: 8 / 8 / 8
dead authors: 5 / 5 / 5

date first published:

1890-1899: 1
1930-1939: 1
1950-1959: 2
1980-1989: 2
1990-1999: 1
2000-2009: 1
2010-2019: 5

6SirThomas
Editado: Abr 21, 2021, 3:13 am

Reading List for March
29. Die dritte Stimme / Den tredje rösten by Cilla Börjlind and Rolf Börjlind
30. Schief gewickelt by Regula Venske
31. Das verlassene Haus / The Cruellest Month by Louise Penny
32. Die Bücherdiebin / The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
33. Später / Later by Stephen King
34. Carlotta fängt Schlangen / The Snake Tattoo by Linda Barnes
35. Meine Schwester, die Serienmörderin / My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
36. Pygmalion / Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw
37. Der lange dunkle Fünfuhrtee der Seele / The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul by Douglas Adams
38. Die Bibel nach Biff : die wilden Jugendjahre von Jesus, erzählt von seinem besten Freund / Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore
39. Typisch! Kleine Geschichten für andere Zeiten by Frank Hofmann
40. Die Jahre des Schwarzen Todes / Doomsday Book by Connie Willis

Books read: 12
Pages read: 4,423 (longest 831 / shortest 47 / average 369)

Personal rating:
average rating
highest rating
lowest rating

Author nationalities:

Australia: 1 / 1 / 1
Canada: 1 / 1 / 1
England: 2 / 2 / 2
Germany: 2 / 2 / 2
Nigeria: 1 / 1 / 1
Sweden: 2 / 2 / 2
USA: 4 / 4 / 4

Sum: 13 / 13 / 13

Counting mode: All authors of the books / Main Author(s) or Editor(s) per book / Only different authors

Gender:
female authors: 6 / 6 / 6
male authors: 7 / 7 / 7

alive authors: 11 / 11 / 11
dead authors: 2 / 2 / 2

date first published:

1910-1929: 1
1980-1989: 2
1990-1999: 2
2000-2009: 4
2010-2019: 2
2020-2021: 1

7SirThomas
Editado: Maio 1, 2021, 3:19 am

Reading List for April
41. Die Angst des Tormanns beim Elfmeter by Peter Handke
42. Schuld - Macht - Sinn: Arbeitsbuch für die Begleitung von Schuldfragen im Trauerprozess by Chris Paul
43. Schnitzeljagd / Small World by David Lodge
44. Mörderisches Ufer / I sanningens namn by Viveca Sten
45. King Kong und die weiße Barbie? by Benjamin Tomkins
46. Der Club Dumas / El club Dumas by Arturo Pérez-Reverte
47. Kains Opfer by Alfred Bodenheimer
48. Madame le Commissaire und die späte Rache by Pierre Martin
49. Machos und Macheten / Captains Outrageous by Joe R. Lansdale
50. Whisky mit Mord / Single Malt Murder by Melinda Mullet
51. Dimension 12 / Dimension 13 by Robert Silverberg
52. Whisky für den Mörder / Death Distilled by Melinda Mullet
53. Das Böse kommt auf leisen Sohlen / Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
54. Redshirts / Redshirts by John Scalzi
55. Das Ende vom Lied by Alfred Bodenheimer

Books read: 15
Pages read: 4,677 (longest 464 / shortest 120 / average 312)

Personal rating:
average rating
highest rating
lowest rating

Author nationalities:

Australia: 1 / 1 / 1
England: 1 / 1 / 1
Germany: 3 / 3 / 3
Spain: 1 / 1 / 1
Sweden: 1 / 1 / 1
Switzerland 2 / 2 / 1
USA: 6 / 6 / 5

Sum: 15 / 15 / 13

Counting mode: All authors of the books / Main Author(s) or Editor(s) per book / Only different authors

Gender:
female authors: 4 / 4 / 3
male authors: 11 / 11 / 10

alive authors: 14 / 14 / 12
dead authors: 1 / 1 / 1

date first published:

1959-1960: 2
1969-1970: 1
1980-1989: 1
1990-1999: 1
2000-2009: 1
2010-2019: 9

8SirThomas
Editado: Jun 2, 2021, 2:23 am

Reading List for May
56. Irisches Roulette by Hannah O'Brien
57. Die Stadt der Toten / City of the Dead by Sara Gran
58. Der Netzwerkeffekt / Network Effect by Martha Wells
59. Compulsory by Martha Wells
60. Goldbergs Liste by Thomas Lang
61. Das Ende der Welt / Claire DeWitt and the Bohemian Highway by Sara Gran
62. Die Tote im Götakanal / Roseanna by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö
63. Der Mann, der sich in Luft auflöste / Mannen som gick upp i rök by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö
64. Das Ende der Lügen / The Infinite Blacktop by Sara Gran
65. Die wundersame Geschichte von September, die unter das Feenland fiel und mit den Schatten tanzte / The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There by Catherynne M. Valente
66. Lev in Glasgow by Harry Bingham
67. Die Hirnspirale / Coils by Roger Zelazny and Fred Saberhagen
68. Die Türen seines Gesichts / The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth and Other Stories by Roger Zelazny
69. Der Mann auf dem Balkon / Mannen på balkongen by Per Wahlöö and Per Sjöwall
70. Fuck you very much / The Price You Pay by Per Wahlöö and Per Sjöwall 71. Space Opera / Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente
71. Space Opera / Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente
72. Königin außer Dienst / Rinkeldekink by Martine Bijl
73. Der Verein der Linkshänder / De vänsterhäntas förening by Håkan Nesser
74. Wie die Null aus dem Nichts entstand / Istanti fatali. Quando i numeri hanno spiegato il mondo by Umberto Bottazzini
75. The Night Beat by Harry Bingham
76. Zombieparade / Zombieparade by Max Brooks
77. Mars / Mars by Asja Bakić

Books read: 22
Pages read: 5,627 (longest 608 / shortest 7 / average 256)

Personal rating:
average rating
highest rating
lowest rating

Author nationalities:

Bosnia 1 / 1 / 1
England: 3 / 3 / 2
Germany: 2 / 2 / 2
Italy: 1 / 1 / 1
Netherlands: 1 / 1 / 1
Sweden: 7 / 7 / 3
USA: 11 / 11 / 6

Sum: 26 / 26 / 16

Counting mode: All authors of the books / Main Author(s) or Editor(s) per book / Only different authors

Gender:
female authors: 13 / 13 / 7
male authors: 13 / 13 / 9

alive authors: 16 / 16 / 11
dead authors: 10 / 10 / 5

date first published:

1960-1969: 3
1970-1979: 1
1980-1989: 1
2010-2019: 16
2020-____: 1

9SirThomas
Editado: Jul 14, 2021, 2:11 am

Reading List for June
78. Das andere Ufer der Zeit / Time and again by Jack Finney
79. Der Graf von Monte Christo / Le Comte de Monte-Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
80. Totenfang / The Restless Dead by Simon Beckett
82. Ziemlich gute Gründe, am Leben zu bleiben / Reasons to Stay Alive
by Matt Haig
83. Love / Lisey's Story by Stephen King
84. Im Strom der Zeit / From Time to Time by Jack Finney
85. Die Teufelin / The Life and Loves of a She-Devil by Fay Weldon
86. Flucht in die Schären / I fel sällskap by Viveca Sten
87. Ich weiß, was du letzten Sommer getan hast / I Know What You Did Last Summer by Lois Duncan
88. Die ewigen Toten / The Scent of Death by Simon Beckett
89. Bertrams Hotel / At Bertram's Hotel by Agatha Christie
90. Die dunklen Wasser von Arcachon by David Tanner
91. James Bond: Ewig und ein Tag / Forever and a Day by Anthony Horowitz
92. Der Zombie Survival Guide: Überleben unter Untoten / The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks
93. Erwartung / Marko effekten by Jussi Adler-Olsen
94. Gaston - Alles für die Katz / Gaston - le cas lagaffe by André Franquin

Books read: 17
Pages read: 7,893 (longest 1,494 / shortest 46 / average 464)

Personal rating:
average rating
highest rating
lowest rating

Author nationalities:

Denmark: 1 / 1 / 1
England: 6 / 6 / 5
France: 2 / 2 / 2
Germany: 1 / 1 / 1
Sweden: 3 / 3 / 3
USA: 5 / 5 / 4

Sum: 18 / 18 / 16

Counting mode: All authors of the books / Main Author(s) or Editor(s) per book / Only different authors

Gender:
female authors: 5 / 5 / 5
male authors: 13 / 13 / 11

alive authors: 12 / 12 / 11
dead authors: 6 / 6 / 5

date first published:

1846-1899: 1
1960-1969: 1
1970-1979: 3
1980-1989: 1
1990-1999: 1
2000-2009: 2
2010-2019: 8

10SirThomas
Editado: Ago 12, 2021, 3:12 am

Reading List for July
95. Farnhams Oase / Farnham's Freehold by Robert A. Heinlein
96. Die Akademiemorde / Akademimorden by Martin Olczak
97. Charly / Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
98. Der Tote am Pranger / Death in the Stocks by Georgette Heyer
99. Mord ohne Mörder / No Wind of Blame by Georgette Heyer
100. Verheißung / Den grænseløse by Jussi Adler-Olsen
101. Aké, Jahre der Kindheit / Aké by Wole Soyinka
102. Der Mathelehrer und der Tod by Marc Hofmann
103. Sein erster Fall / The Bigger They Come by A. A. Fair
104. Die Leiche im rosa Nachthemd / Turn on the Heat by A. A. Fair
105. Goldaktien / Gold Comes in Bricks by A. A. Fair
106. Die Mitternachtsbibliothek / The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
107. Mr Monk und die Feuerwehr / Mr. Monk Goes to the Firehouse by Lee Goldberg
108. Die Verlockung des Autoritären: Warum antidemokratische Herrschaft so populär geworden ist / Twilight of Democracy. The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism by Anne Applebaum

Books read: 14
Pages read: 4,431 (longest 608 / shortest 192 / average 317)

Personal rating:
average rating
highest rating
lowest rating

Author nationalities:

Denmark: 1 / 1 / 1
England: 3 / 3 / 2
Germany: 1 / 1 / 1
Nigeria: 1 / 1 / 1
Sweden: 1 / 1 / 1
USA: 7 / 7 / 5

Sum: 14 / 14 / 11

Counting mode: All authors of the books / Main Author(s) or Editor(s) per book / Only different authors

Gender:
female authors: 3 / 3 / 2
male authors: 11 / 11 / 9

alive authors: 7 / 7 / 7
dead authors: 7 / 7 / 4

date first published:

1930-1939: 3
1940-1949: 2
1950-1959: 1
1960-1969: 1
1980-1989: 1
2000-2009: 1
2010-2019: 2
2020-____: 3

11SirThomas
Editado: Set 2, 2021, 3:09 am

Reading List for August
109. Warten auf Godot / En attendant Godot by Samuel Beckett
110. Mr Monk besucht Hawaii / Mr. Monk goes to Hawaii by Lee Goldberg
111. Frei. Luft. Hölle.: Mein Selbstversuch, den Outdoor-Wahnsinn lieben zu lernen / Hyttebok frå helvete by Are Kalvø
113. Ein Drei-Tassen-Problem by Stefan Winges
114. Das Haus des Windes / The Round House by Louise Erdrich
115. Unzertrennlich: Über den Tod und das Leben / A Matter of Death and Life by Irvin D. Yalom and Marilyn Yalom
116. Armageddon - Das Musical / Armageddon: The Musical by Robert Rankin
117. Ur und andere Zeiten / Prawiek i inne czasy by Olga Tokarczuk
118. Billy Summers / Billy Summers by Stephen King
119. Ich bin viele / We Are Legion by Dennis E. Taylor
120. Die bösen Geschichten der schwarzen Witwer / Tales of the Black Widowers by Isaac Asimov
121. Totenpfad / The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths
122. Der Müllmann by Helmut Wolkenwand
123. Flauschig / Fuzzie by Hanna Bervoets
124. Nemesis / Nemesis Rising by Jilliane Hoffman
125. Endstation für neun / Sér grefur gröf by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö
126. Das gefrorene Licht / Sér grefur gröf by Yrsa Sigurdardottir
127. Berlin ist zu groß für Berlin by Hanns Zischler

Books read: 19
Pages read: 6,599 (longest 720 / shortest 155 / average 347)

Personal rating:
average rating
highest rating
lowest rating

Author nationalities:

Canada: 1 / 1 / 1
England: 1 / 1 / 1
Germany: 3 / 3 / 3
Iceland: 1 / 1 / 1
Ireland: 1 / 1 / 1
Netherlands: 1 / 1 / 1
Norway: 1 / 1 / 1
Poland: 1 / 1 / 1
Sweden: 2 / 2 / 2
USA: 9 / 9 / 9

Sum: 21 / 21 / 21

Counting mode: All authors of the books / Main Author(s) or Editor(s) per book / Only different authors

Gender:
female authors: 9 / 9 / 9
male authors: 12 / 12 / 12

alive authors: 15 / 15 / 15
dead authors: 6 / 6 / 6

date first published:

1950-1959: 1
1960-1969: 1
1970-1979: 1
1990-1999: 2
2000-2009: 4
2010-2019: 8
2020-2029: 2

12SirThomas
Mar 21, 2021, 3:58 am

Reading List for September

13SirThomas
Mar 21, 2021, 3:59 am

Reading List for October

14SirThomas
Mar 21, 2021, 3:59 am

Reading List for November

15SirThomas
Mar 21, 2021, 3:59 am

Reading List for December

16SirThomas
Editado: Jul 29, 2021, 1:44 am

This was also a suggestion from the group - thank you, Paul Cranswick and for the Nobel Prize list.
I had started working my way through chronologically earlier, but then I tired. Now I have taken a liking to it again:

1901 Sully Prudhomme - Intimes Tagebuch
1902 Theodor Mommsen - Römische Geschichte
1903 Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson - Meisternovellen
1904 Frédéric Mistral - Mireille
1904 José Echegaray y Eizaquirre - Meisterdramen
1905 Henryk Sienkiewicz - Quo Vadis?
1906 Giosuè Carducci - Gedichte
1907 Rudyard Kipling - Dschungelbücher
1908 Rudolf Christoph Eucken - Sinn und Wert
1909 Selma Lagerlöf - Wunderbare Reise des kleinen Nils Holgerson mit den Wildgänsen
1910 Paul Heyse - Italienische Novellen
1911 Count Maurice Maeterlinck - Das Leben der Termiten
1912 Gerhart Hauptmann - Große Erzählungen
1913 Rabindranath Tagore - Gitanjali
1915 Romain Rolland - Meister Breugnon
1916 Verner von Heidenstam - Karl der Zwölfte und seine Krieger
1917 Karl Adolph Gjellerup - Seit ich zuerst sie sah
1917 Henrik Pontoppidan - Der Teufel am Herd
1919 Carl Spitteler - Prometheus der Dulder
1920 Knut Hamsun - Segen der Erde
1921 Anatole France - Die Schuld des Professors Bonnard
1922 Jacinto Benavente - Der tugendhafte Glücksritter
1923 William Butler Yeats
1924 Wladyslaw Reymont
1925 George Bernard Shaw - Pygmalion
1926 Grazia Deledda
1927 Henri Bergson
1928 Sigrid Undset
1929 Thomas Mann - Buddenbrooks
1930 Sinclair Lewis
1931 Erik Axel Karlfeldt
1932 John Galsworthy
1933 Ivan Alekseyevich Bunin
1934 Luigi Pirandello
1936 Eugene O'Neill
1937 Roger Martin du Gard
1938 Pearl S. Buck - Die gute Erde
1939 Frans Eemil Sillanpää
1944 Johannes Vilhelm Jensen
1945 Gabriela Mistral
1946 Hermann Hesse
1947 André Gide
1948 T.S. Elliot
1949 William Faulkner
1950 Bertrand Russell
1951 Pär Lagerkvist
1952 François Mauriac
1953 Sir Winston Churchill
1954 Ernest Hemingway
1955 Halldór Laxness
1956 Juan Ramón Jiménez
1957 Albert Camus
1958 Boris Pasternak - Doktor Schiwago
1959 Salvatore Quasimodo
1960 Saint-John Perse
1961 Ivo Andric
1962 John Steinbeck
1963 Giorgos Seferis
1964 Jean-Paul Sartre
1965 Michail Sholokhov
1966 Shmuel Yosef Agnon
1966 Nelly Sachs
1967 Miguel Ángel Asturias
1968 Yasunari Kawabata
1969 Samuel Beckett
1970 Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
1971 Pablo Neruda
1972 Heinrich Böll - Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum
1973 Patrick White
1974 Eyvind Johnson
1974 Harry Martinson
1975 Eugenio Montale
1976 Saul Bellow
1977 Vincente Aleixandre
1978 Isaac Bashevis Singer
1979 Odysseas Elytis
1980 Czeslaw Milosz
1981 Elias Canetti
1982 Gabriel Garciá Márquez
1983 William Golding
1984 Jaroslav Seifert
1985 Claude Simon
1986 Akinwande Ouwoe Soyinka - Aké, Jahre der Kindheit
1987 Joseph Brodsky
1988 Naguib Mahfouz
1989 Camilo José Cela
1990 Octavio Paz
1991 Nadine Gordimer
1992 Derek Walcott
1993 Toni Morrison - Jazz
1994 Kenzaburo Oe
1995 Seamus Heaney
1996 Wislawa Szymborska
1997 Dario Fo
1998 José Saramago
1999 Günter Grass - Die Blechtrommel
2000 Gao Xingjian
2001 Vidiadhar Surjprasad Naipaul
2002 Imre Kertész
2003 John Maxwell Coetzee
2004 Elfriede Jelinek
2005 Harold Pinter
2006 Orhan Pamuk
2007 Doris Lessing
2008 J.M.G. Le Clézio
2009 Herta Müller
2010 Mario Vargas Llosa
2011 Tomas Tranströmer
2012 Mo Yan
2013 Alice Munro
2014 Patrick Modiano
2015 Svetlana Alexievich - Tschernobyl: Eine Chronik der Zukunft
2016 Bob Dylan
2017 Kazuo Ishiguro
2018 Olga Tokarczuk
2019 Peter Handke - Die Angst des Tormanns beim Elfmeter
2020 Louise Gluck

30 32 out of 117 - this is still expandable

17SirThomas
Mar 21, 2021, 3:59 am

Now we will go for a walk, this week's books will come a little later.
A wonderful Sunday to you all!

18drneutron
Mar 21, 2021, 11:04 am

Happy new thread!

19PaulCranswick
Mar 21, 2021, 11:34 am

Happy new thread, Thomas.

>1 SirThomas: Love the coastal topper.

20PersephonesLibrary
Mar 22, 2021, 5:02 am

Happy new thread, Thomas! And marvellous picture above! Currently, I am always dreaming of travelling and the ocean... :)

Can I add something to your past thread about the Stephen King book? (I almost posted it there before I saw your new thread.)

Ooh, I got my reading copy but haven't touched it yet... But soon - as he is my favourite horror writer! Did you know that his son is writing great horror stories, too - but especially graphic/comic ones? I was in love with the graphic novel Locke and Key by Joe Hill before I knew he was King's son.

Have a great start of the week!

21mstrust
Mar 22, 2021, 10:40 am

Happy new thread, Thomas!
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for your travel plans!

22SirThomas
Mar 22, 2021, 11:56 am

>18 drneutron: Thank jou, Jim.

23SirThomas
Mar 22, 2021, 11:59 am

>19 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul - it is from 2018.
The pictures comfort me a little when I can't see the coast for real right now.

24SirThomas
Editado: Mar 22, 2021, 12:12 pm

>20 PersephonesLibrary: Thank you, Käthe - may our dreams come true...
Stephen King is my favourite horror writer too.
I have a couple of books by Joe Hill, I love Christmasland and Black Box - a collection of stories.
Two short stories written with his father - Vollgas and Im hohen Gras have not convinced me so much
I recently read a graphic novel based on a story of his - The Cape.
I wish you a great week too.

25SirThomas
Mar 22, 2021, 12:12 pm

>21 mstrust: Thank you, Jennifer!

26SirThomas
Mar 22, 2021, 12:15 pm

Today has been stressful, lots of video conferencing, just had our water meters replaced, now just airing out.
The installer wore a mask and was clean ;-) - but safe is safe.
Now I leave the screen to see something else, a short walk and a paper book will do me good....

27SirThomas
Mar 23, 2021, 2:31 am

>24 SirThomas: By the way - there is again a mess with the german titles:
Black Box - original title: Twentieth Century Ghosts
Blind - original title: Heart-Shaped Box
This has led to both books being autocombined.

28SirThomas
Mar 23, 2021, 8:48 am

And as promised the books:


34. Carlotta fängt Schlangen / The Snake Tattoo by Linda Barnes
German title translated: Carlotta catches snakes

The second case for Carlotta Carlyle.
This time she is on the lookout for missing women - a teenager and a prostitute who her ex-partner at the police needs to exonerate himself.
Again, enjoyable to read.

29SirThomas
Mar 23, 2021, 8:49 am

Another recommendation from Emery - Thank you!

35. Meine Schwester, die Serienmörderin / My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
German title translated: My Sister, the Serial Killer

Korede is a nurse, her sister is beautiful and regularly kills her lovers.
Then Korede has to clean up after her again.
Blackly humorous and well written, a pleasure to read.

30SirThomas
Mar 23, 2021, 8:49 am


36. Pygmalion / Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw

A nice sharp-tongued play - I don't think I need to say more about it....

31SirThomas
Mar 23, 2021, 8:49 am


37. Der lange dunkle Fünfuhrtee der Seele / The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul by Douglas Adams
German title translated: The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul - YAY for this translation!

Again, I don't have to tell many - I love Douglas Adams and his humor!

32SirThomas
Mar 23, 2021, 12:14 pm

Happiness is when the dentist sits in front of you and tells you, I can't see where to drill.

Three weeks ago I was at the dental cleaning, a "strange" spot was noticed, an x-ray was taken and caries was detected.
Today I had the appointment for treatment. The dentist examined again very thoroughly and looked at the picture. He found nothing.
He drilled despite this, maybe he was bored...
It was only a small repair on a filling, now I am happily back home.

33mstrust
Mar 23, 2021, 1:35 pm

Glad to hear the dentist's visit went so smoothly!

34SirThomas
Mar 24, 2021, 4:33 am

>33 mstrust: Thank you, Jennifer.
As Sir Francis Bacon said:
It's not happy people who are grateful, it's grateful people who are happy.
Now I'm both - grateful and happy!

35scaifea
Mar 24, 2021, 7:25 am

Hi, Thomas!
Yay for such an easy dentist appointment!

I'm a big Douglas Adams fan, too. I need to get round to a reread sometime...

36SirThomas
Mar 25, 2021, 4:39 am

Hi Amber!
I was somewhat relieved.
A re-read of Adams is always a good idea....

37Berly
Mar 25, 2021, 4:44 pm

I dread dentist visits--so glad yours went well! Another Stephen King fan here. I have The Gunslinger Dark Tower Book 1 awaiting me. Like I need anther series. LOL.

38FAMeulstee
Mar 27, 2021, 10:23 am

Happy new thread, Thomas!

We are back from a week walking. Sadly we are still in lockdown, restaurants closed, so no dining out.
I hope we will be able to get back to normal this year.

39PersephonesLibrary
Mar 28, 2021, 11:40 am

Got >29 SirThomas: and >30 SirThomas: on my reading pile but I am not sure when I will get to them.

>32 SirThomas: My favourite kind of dentist's appointments. Though luckily he has never had to use the drill on me.

"He drilled despite this, maybe he was bored..." Ooookay. What did you say to him before the appointment? 🙃

Have a nice start of the week tomorrow, Thomas!

40SirThomas
Mar 30, 2021, 12:08 pm

>37 Berly: You definitely need this series, Kim!
The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed. - With this sentence I was drawn in and it has never let me go.

41SirThomas
Mar 30, 2021, 12:11 pm

>38 FAMeulstee: Thank you, Anita. We also miss going out to eat very much.
But we hope with you for better times soon.

42Berly
Mar 30, 2021, 12:13 pm

>40 SirThomas: Okay, but not in April. I already have 7 books for group reads!! Aaaaah! What have I done? ( I just finished 2 in March to ease the pressure a little. Phew!)

43SirThomas
Mar 30, 2021, 12:15 pm

>39 PersephonesLibrary: Enjoy it, Käthe!
Since I had a fixed appointment, the dentist planned a bigger drilling action for me and probably had too much free time.
However, it was not very unpleasant.
A wonderful week to you too!

44SirThomas
Mar 30, 2021, 12:26 pm

Sorry for the delay.
It was varied days - On Friday, the booking system for vaccination appointments was activated again.
We are both eligible for vaccinations, my wife for health reasons and in her job as a grief counselor and me because we take care of our elderly neighbor. He is not yet fully fit after his cancer surgery, but still independent at home.
Therefore, I have been busy booking vaccination appointments for my wife and me. With her I got an appointment immediately, for me it worked out a few hours later.
On Saturday she was vaccinated, on Sunday I was. We both had 2 days slight problems with the vaccination reaction, but now it is getting better.
In June we have our 2nd appointment.
Today, the vaccine was blocked again for under 60-year-olds, there were probably side effects. My wife is just over it, I just under it, let's see what else comes.
But we are full of confidence.

45SirThomas
Mar 30, 2021, 12:28 pm

>42 Berly: That's the wonderful thing about books, they don't go bad if you leave them for a while.

46Berly
Mar 30, 2021, 12:40 pm

Glad you and your wife got in for your first dose! I got mine on Sunday. No side effects other than the sore arm. I go back in April for #2. Which vaccine did you get? I received the Pfizer one.

47SirThomas
Mar 30, 2021, 12:54 pm

I am happy for you, the best wishes for your #2.
We had Astra Zeneca. Apparently, the side effects here are higher at the first dose and barely present at the second. With Pfizer it is supposed to be the other way around. But I do not want to scare you ;-)

48Berly
Mar 30, 2021, 12:55 pm

: P

49SirThomas
Mar 30, 2021, 1:16 pm

:)

But seriously, it's really not that bad.

50SirThomas
Mar 31, 2021, 6:17 am

There were also a few books again:


38. Die Bibel nach Biff : die wilden Jugendjahre von Jesus, erzählt von seinem besten Freund / Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore
German title translated: The bible according to Biff : the wild youthful years of Jesus, told by his best friend

Again a very humorous book, it recounts the youthful years of Jesus, which are not mentioned in the Bible.
Some may find it offensive when Jesus practices raising the dead on lizards, or he apprentices with a magician.
Also, judo is invented for him because he does not want to attack anyone and therefore does not want to learn karate. Ju do - the way of the Jew.
Moore has his own humor - I love it.

51SirThomas
Mar 31, 2021, 6:17 am


39. Typisch! Kleine Geschichten für andere Zeiten by Frank Hofmann
German title translated: Typical! Little stories for other times

A pretty little book with short stories to smile and think about, very nicely illustrated.

52SirThomas
Mar 31, 2021, 6:18 am


40. Die Jahre des Schwarzen Todes / Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
German title translated: The years of the Black Death

A BB from the group, unfortunately I don't remember from whom.
A time travel novel from the year 2054, Kivrin is sent to the Middle Ages, by a miscalculation she lands not in 1320, but in 1348, when the plague was raging. At the same time, a flu epidemic breaks out in Oxford and a quarantine is imposed. Will they still manage to save her?
Well written, exciting to read.
Fun fact: the book was published in 1992 and has a prophetic quality - the first thing to run out in the pandemic is toilet paper.

53FAMeulstee
Mar 31, 2021, 10:36 am

>52 SirThomas: Doomsday Book was mentioned on various threads in 2020, Thomas. It was one of my first "pandemic-reads" last April.

54SirThomas
Abr 1, 2021, 1:23 am

>53 FAMeulstee: Thanks for the info, Anita - and thanks for the recommendation back then!
Lately, I've been adding BB's to my wish list right away and noting in the private comment how I became aware of the book. Then it doesn't happen to me anymore that I forget where the recommendation came from.

55SirThomas
Abr 1, 2021, 2:16 am

And the stats for March:

Books read: 12
Pages read: 4,423 (longest 831 / shortest 47 / average 369)

Personal rating:
average rating
highest rating
lowest rating

Author nationalities:

Australia: 1 / 1 / 1
Canada: 1 / 1 / 1
England: 2 / 2 / 2
Germany: 2 / 2 / 2
Nigeria: 1 / 1 / 1
Sweden: 2 / 2 / 2
USA: 4 / 4 / 4

Sum: 13 / 13 / 13

Counting mode: All authors of the books / Main Author(s) or Editor(s) per book / Only different authors

Gender:
female authors: 6 / 6 / 6
male authors: 7 / 7 / 7

alive authors: 11 / 11 / 11
dead authors: 2 / 2 / 2

date first published:

1910-1929: 1
1980-1989: 2
1990-1999: 2
2000-2009: 4
2010-2019: 2
2020-2021: 1

56SirThomas
Abr 1, 2021, 2:16 am

And the stats for the first three months:

Books read: 40
Pages read: 14,956 (longest 1,024 / shortest 47 / average 374)

Personal rating:
average rating
highest rating
lowest rating

Author nationalities:

Australia: 2 / 2 / 2
Belarus: 1 / 1 / 1
Canada: 3 / 3 / 1
England: 5 / 5 / 5
Germany: 10 / 10 / 10
Nigeria: 1 / 1 / 1
Mexico: 1 / 1 / 1
Sweden: 5 / 5 / 3
USA: 14 / 14 / 12

Sum: 42 / 42 / 36

Counting mode: All authors of the books / Main Author(s) or Editor(s) per book / Only different authors

Gender:
female authors: 24 / 24 / 19
male authors: 18 / 18 / 17

alive authors: 30 / 30 / 25
dead authors: 12 / 12 / 11

date first published:

1890-1899: 1
1910-1929: 1
1930-1939: 2
1950-1959: 2
1960-1969: 2
1980-1989: 4
1990-1999: 4
2000-2009: 6
2010-2019: 15
2020-2021: 3

57FAMeulstee
Abr 1, 2021, 3:56 am

>55 SirThomas: >56 SirThomas: Always nice to see your stats, Thomas, you are doing well.

58SirThomas
Abr 1, 2021, 5:11 am

Thank you, Anita.

59mstrust
Abr 1, 2021, 10:06 am

That was a very good March for you. Great job!

60PersephonesLibrary
Abr 1, 2021, 2:24 pm

Great statistics, Thomas! I wish to you a happy, book-filled Easter weekend!

61SirThomas
Abr 2, 2021, 6:25 am

>59 mstrust: Thank you, Jennifer!

>59 mstrust: Thank you, Käthe, the same to you!

62SirThomas
Abr 2, 2021, 12:36 pm

Spring is here!


I wish you all Happy Easter.

63PersephonesLibrary
Abr 2, 2021, 12:38 pm

>62 SirThomas: Beautiful! Happy Easter weekend!

64figsfromthistle
Abr 2, 2021, 9:54 pm

>62 SirThomas: Quite beautiful! Have a wonderful Easter weekend.

65mstrust
Abr 3, 2021, 3:56 pm

66Ameise1
Abr 4, 2021, 3:09 am

Happy Easter, Thomas.
You did some wonderful reading this year.
Congrats on your first dose.

67SirThomas
Abr 4, 2021, 4:21 am

>63 PersephonesLibrary: Thank you, Käthe - I wish you the same.

>64 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita - Have a wonderful Easter weekend too.

>65 mstrust: Thank you, Jennifer - Happy Easter to you.

>66 Ameise1: Thank you, Barbara - I wish you the same.
With the great recommendations of this group, it's easy ;-)
Thank you, that gives us a little more confidence - I hope that soon it will be possible to vaccinate everyone.

68SirThomas
Abr 4, 2021, 4:51 am


41. Die Angst des Tormanns beim Elfmeter by Peter Handke
German title translated: The fear of the goalkeeper at the penalty kick

Another tick on my Nobel list.
In confused sentences it is told how a confused man wanders through Vienna and a border town and leaves the reader confused.
OK, he got the Nobel Prize, maybe the narration is prize-worthy. But it didn't appeal to me, unfortunately.

69SirThomas
Abr 4, 2021, 4:52 am


42. Schuld - Macht - Sinn: Arbeitsbuch für die Begleitung von Schuldfragen im Trauerprozess by Chris Paul
German title translated: Guilt - Power - Meaning: Workbook for Guidance on Guilt Issues in the Grieving Process

The title is ambiguous, it can also be interpreted this way: Guilt Makes Sense.
It is a textbook for grief counselors, my wife bought it for her volunteer work. To be able to support her, I also read it. It is very interesting.
People cannot live without someone being responsible. A fate cannot be endured powerlessly, there must be someone to blame.
Blame sometimes also serves to maintain a connection to the deceased - whether you blame yourself, or the deceased.
Blame can also serve to (unconsciously) exert power.
It will be shown how a grief counselor can deal with this complex and help the griever cope.

70PersephonesLibrary
Abr 5, 2021, 4:12 am

>68 SirThomas: I think it has rarely happend that I completely understood why someone got a particular prize. I have read Patrick Modiano - and was bored to near-death.

71SirThomas
Abr 8, 2021, 2:01 am

>70 PersephonesLibrary: Thanks for your support, Käthe - and for the warning.
Thank goodness there are enough alternatives.

72SirThomas
Abr 18, 2021, 5:27 am

After being busy for a while, it's time for an update:


43. Schnitzeljagd / Small World by David Lodge
German title translated: Scavenger hunt

A satire about professors of literature who are busy traveling around the globe and meeting at conferences. In between, a young man who does the same, but to look for a woman he met at one of those conventions.
I love David Lodge's way of writing.

73SirThomas
Abr 18, 2021, 5:27 am


44. Mörderisches Ufer / I sanningens namn by Viveca Sten
English title: In the name of truth
German title translated: Murderous shore

The 8th volume of the series, this time Nora and Thomas have private and professional problems.
On Sandhamn a child disappears, at an important trial of Nora a witness recants his testimony.
Thomas' wife is professionally successful and hardly ever at home, Nora's fiancé has to fly away shortly before the wedding.
The book is as always varied and well written, but somehow lacks the right momentum....

74SirThomas
Abr 18, 2021, 5:27 am


45. King Kong und die weiße Barbie? by Benjamin Tomkins
German title translated: King Kong and the white Barbie?

A collection of funny short stories from the life of the author.
Some are very funny, some are not.

75SirThomas
Editado: Abr 18, 2021, 5:28 am


46. Der Club Dumas / El club Dumas by Arturo Pérez-Reverte
English title: The Club Dumas
German title translated: The Club Dumas

Another BB from the group, thank you, Amber.
Lucas Corso is a book hunter, he has two missions - to verify the authenticity of a Dumas manuscript and to find 2 copies of a book whose illustrations were created by the devil himself.
He gets assistance from Irene Adler and is hunted by Rochefort and Milady.
Is it all still real?
Very exciting, very well written.

76SirThomas
Abr 18, 2021, 5:28 am


47. Kains Opfer by Alfred Bodenheimer
German title translated: Cain's sacrifice

Another BB from the group, thank you, Paul.
Rabbi Klein is asked to translate Hebrew texts found on a murder victim.
This brings a man under suspicion whose wife had written an email to the victim.
Klein gets a guilty conscience and starts to investigate himself.
Some of it is reminiscent of Rabbi Small by Harry Kemelman, but the book is stand-alone, with ironic overtones as well, but more serious. It also has interesting theories about Cain and Abel and Job.
Very much worth reading.

77SirThomas
Abr 18, 2021, 5:29 am

It's still a bit cold, but spring is coming and the potted plants are blooming....

78scaifea
Abr 18, 2021, 9:00 am

Hi, Thomas!
I'm so glad you enjoyed The Club Dumas, and I'm also a big fan of David Lodge.

79mstrust
Abr 19, 2021, 9:42 am

>77 SirThomas: So that's where orange cats come from.

80SirThomas
Abr 19, 2021, 12:14 pm

>78 scaifea: I am glad that you are glad, Amber.

>79 mstrust: I used to think they only grew in clay pots, but apparently gray pots work too.

81figsfromthistle
Abr 19, 2021, 9:21 pm

I quite enjoy Reverte's writing.

>77 SirThomas: Very cute.

Have a wonderful start to the week

82SirThomas
Abr 20, 2021, 5:17 am

Thank you, Anita, I wish you the same.

83SirThomas
Abr 21, 2021, 3:12 am


48. Madame le Commissaire und die späte Rache by Pierre Martin
German title translated: Madam Commissioner and the late revenge

Isabelle Bonnet stays in the country, a separate police station has been set up for her, she is supposed to take care of cold cases. In the process, she discovers references to current cases. At the same time, she has to take care of a man who is in the witness protection program. Unfortunately, he does not behave as inconspicuously as he should.
There is a lot to do for her and her quirky assistant Apollinaire.
Enjoyable and varied - the book doesn't take itself too seriously.

84SirThomas
Abr 22, 2021, 5:20 am


49. Machos und Macheten / Captains Outrageous by Joe R. Lansdale
German title translated: Macho men and machetes

I love the series!
Hap saves a girl's life, her father gives him a lot of money out of gratitude.
He and Leonard get the grandiose idea to go on a cruise, unfortunately the ship is barely seaworthy.
After an argument with a crew member, they are given a wrong departure time and stranded in Mexico with no money.
They are attacked by criminal policemen with machetes, rescued by a fisherman and his beautiful daughter.
Since they are in trouble, our heroes try to help them, which does not necessarily improve the situation, as they tangle with mafia killers who know no scruples.
But now it turns out that friends can be relied on.
Hard, brutal, funny, abstruse - but what do you expect with these 2 heroes, a white conscientious objector and his gay friend, a black Vietnam veteran.
As I said, I love the series!

85PaulCranswick
Abr 24, 2021, 8:55 am

A little envious of springtime in Europe with my not having any seasons to speak of here other than wet and humid or wetter and humid.

Have a lovely weekend, Thomas.

86SirThomas
Abr 25, 2021, 2:45 am

>85 PaulCranswick: We could do with a bit of moisture, it's far too dry again.
It would also be better for my hay fever.
But we're going for a little hike in the woods later, then we'll pick up our lunch. We have made a collective order for our house.
So we have a triple effect - we support the local retstaurants, feed the hungry - and get delicious food ;-).

Have a lovely weekend too, Paul.

87SirThomas
Abr 25, 2021, 2:46 am

I became aware of this series by Barbara (Ameise1) - thank you!

50. Whisky mit Mord / Single Malt Murder by Melinda Mullet
German title translated: Whisky with murder

A photojournalist inherits a whisky distillery in Scotland and is threatened to sell it as soon as possible.
She goes there with a friend, and the threats continue. Slowly she becomes more familiar with the people and the company, then a body is found.
Lots of local color, interesting facts about whiskey and its production, suspense and reading pleasure.

88SirThomas
Abr 25, 2021, 2:47 am

SF I've neglected a bit this year, so....

51. Dimension 12 / Dimension 13 by Robert Silverberg
German title translated: Dimension 12 - The German editor was probably superstitious ;-)

A collection of short stories, some of which are very good, but a few have not aged well.
For example, it is noticeable that the only women working on a spaceship are only there to fix the men's hormone congestion....
The preferred means of communication in the year 2560 is the fax.
But otherwise very well and excitingly written with surprising turns.

89SirThomas
Abr 25, 2021, 2:47 am

And one more household tip:

Remember: The more books I buy, the less shelf space I have to dust!

90mstrust
Abr 25, 2021, 5:42 pm

Silver lining!

91figsfromthistle
Abr 25, 2021, 7:32 pm

>89 SirThomas: Ha! Love that tip ;)

92FAMeulstee
Abr 26, 2021, 4:57 pm

>86 SirThomas: Same here, Thomas, very dry weather. Frank also suffers from all the pollen, and wishes for some rain. What did you have for lunch?

93SirThomas
Abr 28, 2021, 9:09 am

>90 mstrust: You name it, Jennifer!

>91 figsfromthistle: Sometimes I wish I had some space on the shelf to dust, Anita ;-).

>92 FAMeulstee: They have predicted some rain for the evening, Anita.
My wife had asparagus ragout with herb crêpe, boiled potato and salad, I had turkey cutlets with mushroom cream sauce, spaetzle and buttered vegetables.
Our neigbours had partly the same as we, partly burgundy roast with spaetzle and buttered vegetables.

It was very tasty again - not as tasty as the food from our favorite restaurant (the one with the wonderful advent calendar last year), but it was already ready to eat in the warming box.

94SirThomas
Maio 1, 2021, 3:08 am


52. Whisky für den Mörder / Death Distilled by Melinda Mullet
German title translated: Whisky for the murderer

The second part of the series.
This time Abigail has to take care of a former rock star who is being threatened, a big event at her distillery is also coming up.
Again a lot of atmosphere and well written,

95SirThomas
Maio 1, 2021, 3:08 am


53. Das Böse kommt auf leisen Sohlen / Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
German title translated: Evil comes on silent soles

The book starts like an old rusty carousel, I needed some time to find my way around.
At first I wanted to get off, but little by little it went better and faster and wouldn't let me go.
Even if I had wanted to, I would not have been able to.
About the plot only so much: Read it yourself!

96SirThomas
Maio 1, 2021, 3:09 am


54. Redshirts / Redshirts by John Scalzi
German title translated: Redshirts

A BB from Jennifer - and what a BB it is.
Andrew Daly is transferred to the spaceship Intrepid as a lab technician. When he realizes that the new guys on the ship are always the first to die on missions, he starts to think and tries to change his fate.
A parody, no a homage to Star Trek wonderfully, funny and exciting written.

97SirThomas
Maio 1, 2021, 3:10 am


55. Das Ende vom Lied by Alfred Bodenheimer
German title translated: The end of the song

A woman is pushed in front of a train, she had stalked Rabbi Klein before.
When his wife is suspected of murder, he must investigate again.
A slow and leisurely crime novel - worth reading.

98SirThomas
Maio 1, 2021, 3:18 am

And the stats for April:

Books read: 15
Pages read: 4,677 (longest 464 / shortest 120 / average 312)

Personal rating:
average rating
highest rating
lowest rating

Author nationalities:

Australia: 1 / 1 / 1
England: 1 / 1 / 1
Germany: 3 / 3 / 3
Spain: 1 / 1 / 1
Sweden: 1 / 1 / 1
Switzerland 2 / 2 / 1
USA: 6 / 6 / 5

Sum: 15 / 15 / 13

Counting mode: All authors of the books / Main Author(s) or Editor(s) per book / Only different authors

Gender:
female authors: 4 / 4 / 3
male authors: 11 / 11 / 10

alive authors: 14 / 14 / 12
dead authors: 1 / 1 / 1

date first published:

1959-1960: 2
1969-1970: 1
1980-1989: 1
1990-1999: 1
2000-2009: 1
2010-2019: 9

99FAMeulstee
Maio 1, 2021, 3:24 am

>98 SirThomas: April was a good reading month for you, Thomas.

100PaulCranswick
Maio 1, 2021, 4:58 am

I had just updated my stats, Thomas but not yet posted them so you got your updates in in time. Have a great weekend.

101SirThomas
Maio 1, 2021, 6:44 am

>99 FAMeulstee: Thank you, Anita - I do my very best....

>100 PaulCranswick: Your stats are always impressive, Paul.
Have a great weekend too.

102mstrust
Maio 2, 2021, 9:51 am

I'm so glad you liked Redshirts too!
Happy Sunday!

103SirThomas
Maio 7, 2021, 8:15 am

Thank you Jennifer, I wish you a nice weekend.
If it is now also already a new weekend ;-)
But I have a (small) excuse, I was on literary duck hunting.
It was again very much fun.

104SirThomas
Maio 7, 2021, 8:16 am

And i did some reading...


56. Irisches Roulette by Hannah O'Brien
German title translated: Irish roulette

This time Grace O'Malley has to deal with a case from her environment. The brother of her colleague is suspected of having murdered a co-worker.
The investigation leads to large-scale betting fraud...
Again very atmospheric I enjoyed the reading a lot.

105SirThomas
Maio 7, 2021, 8:16 am


57. Die Stadt der Toten / City of the Dead by Sara Gran
German title translated: The city of the dead

A recommendation of the author from Jim (drneutron) - thanks for that!
A man has disappeared in the turmoil of the great flood in New Orleans. Claire DeWitt is hired to find him.
The book is clever, sarcastic, suspenseful and well written.
Dirk Gently would have understood Claire DeWitt way of working very well ;-).

106SirThomas
Maio 7, 2021, 8:18 am


58. Der Netzwerkeffekt / Network Effect by Martha Wells
German title translated: The Network Effect

I love the series!
Murderbot is supposed to protect an expedition, but it gets kidnapped and has to fight again.
But it gets support.
An ice-cold synthetic killer with feelings, who prefers to watch soap operas.
What a combination!

107SirThomas
Maio 7, 2021, 8:21 am


59. Compulsory by Martha Wells

A very short Murderbot story - 7 pages, but thrilling!

108drneutron
Maio 7, 2021, 9:09 pm

>105 SirThomas: I’m glad you liked it!

109PaulCranswick
Maio 7, 2021, 10:51 pm

Pretty good reading week, Thomas!

Have yourself a splendid weekend, dear fellow.

110SirThomas
Maio 9, 2021, 6:51 am

>108 drneutron: You have already given me many good recommendations - thank you very much for that.

>109 PaulCranswick: I do my best, Paul - I wish you a splendid week too.

111PersephonesLibrary
Maio 9, 2021, 3:35 pm

Great readings - I am sorry for the Tomkins experience. I thought it would be bad. But I am glad you like the Bodenheimer books. I have put "Der böse Trieb" aside - maybe I'll try an earlier case of Rabbi Klein someday.

I love the kitty pic - is it possible to get an offshot of your Garfield plant? Orange cats are wonderful.

112SirThomas
Maio 10, 2021, 2:00 am

Thank you, Käthe.
I have made the experience that books by comedians often don't fit for me. The experience is much better on stage than on the page.
But it's good to have such reading experiences, then you appreciate the good books all the more.
If the first sentence already captures you completely:

"It’s not like I haven’t thought about killing the humans since I hacked my governor module. But then I started exploring the company servers and discovered hundreds of hours of downloadable entertainment media, and I figured, what’s the hurry? I can always kill the humans after the next series ends."

Rabbi Klein is a pleasant read, I like to read series in chronological order to enjoy the development of the protagonists. I'm not sure that's a given here, though.

I would have loved to make you a cutting, but unfortunately the Garfield plant was completely faded the last time I looked at it. The color has changed, now green predominates, which is nice too.

Have a good start to the week!

113SirThomas
Maio 11, 2021, 5:11 am


60. Goldbergs Liste by Thomas Lang
German title translated: Goldbergs list

Minkin, a former prosecutor is now a drunk and a private investigator.
He is supposed to travel to Seville and pick up a list in a bar. Stupidly, he has no other information and is also afraid to fly.
Little by little, he finds clues that lead to the World Cup and to strange ingredients in beer. And when it comes to beer, he is an expert - at drinking it...
When the first of his contacts die, he realizes that things are getting serious.
Not so the book, it is very trying funny, little exciting and did not work for me at all - this was one of the few books I was glad when it was over.

114SirThomas
Maio 11, 2021, 5:12 am


61. Das Ende der Welt / Claire DeWitt and the Bohemian Highway by Sara Gran
German title translated: The end of the world

Paul, a friend of Claire DeWitt is murdered.
She begins to investigate in her inimitable way and does not notice how she slowly falls into an abyss.
The reader gets to know Claire and her background better and better.
A captivating book.

115SirThomas
Maio 13, 2021, 3:31 am

eBook readers are a beautiful thing, but what happens when a file error occurs while transferring books and it takes forever to fix?
You go to the bookcase and get inspired.
The boot duration of a paper book is unmatched ;-)


62. Die Tote im Götakanal / Roseanna by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö
English title: Roseanna
German title translated: The dead woman in the Goeta Canal

The first book in the Martin Beck series - from the "inventors" of the Swedish crime novels.
No longer quite young, but aged very well.
The body of an unknown woman is found in the Goeta Canal. Martin Beck and his colleagues have no clues to her identity. In meticulous work they solve the case and set a trap for the murderer.
A pleasure to read every time.

116FAMeulstee
Maio 13, 2021, 10:05 am

>115 SirThomas: I enjoyed that one too, Thomas. I have still a few of that series left to read.
The English title is completely different, the Dutch title is near the German title: "The woman in the Göta Canal".

117SirThomas
Maio 15, 2021, 4:30 am

The books in the series just keep getting better and better, I've really enjoyed all of them, Anita.
German titles of foreign language books, that is often a big annoyance for me. Here the title at least has something to do with the story. That is not always the case.

118SirThomas
Editado: Maio 15, 2021, 6:13 am


63. Der Mann, der sich in Luft auflöste / Mannen som gick upp i rök by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö
English title: The Man Who Went Up in Smoke
German title translated: The Man Who Went Up in Smoke
This time the translation of the title fits

Martin Beck is sent to Hungary, a journalist has disappeared, there are almost no clues.
Little by little he finds clues, but they don't necessarily help him. Since he can only investigate semi-officially, he is almost on his own.
Not a thriller, the authors give the story room to develop. But that is just the good thing about it.

119SirThomas
Editado: Maio 15, 2021, 6:13 am


64. Das Ende der Lügen / The Infinite Blacktop by Sara Gran
German title translated: The end of the lies

After an attempted murder, Claire goes into hiding and begins to investigate.
At the same time, the story of her youth and the disappearance of her friend is told again.
More and more the threads interweave.
Again very refreshing and exciting story.

120SirThomas
Maio 17, 2021, 1:57 am

A wisdom from my calendar:

Let's face it: the applications of artificial intelligence are limited.
Artificial stupidity, on the other hand, is universally applicable because it really can replace humans 100%.
Volker Surmann

121SirThomas
Maio 20, 2021, 2:41 am

Looking around for books for my thingaversary I found the May List of the Month.
There I became aware of a book by Catherynne M. Valente. I treated myself to this book in advance:


65. Die wundersame Geschichte von September, die unter das Feenland fiel und mit den Schatten tanzte / The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There by Catherynne M. Valente
German title translated: The wondrous story of September who fell under the fairyland and danced with the shadows

September is back home and misses the fairyland. Suddenly she finds access again and realizes that the inhabitants are not well. Magic and shadows of the people disappear. She discovers that her own shadow is responsible for this, which she had given away to save Fairyland. Now she has to go on another adventure.
Lovingly told with many good ideas. A book to dream away.

122SirThomas
Maio 20, 2021, 2:42 am


66. Lev in Glasgow by Harry Bingham
German title translated: Lev in Glasgow

A short story from the FIONA series.
Lev tells how he helps Fiona locate someone for her. It is a bit bumpy to read as he tells it in his own words and is not English.
Still, I got along well, even though English is not my first language either. Exciting and a good read, but the actual Fiona books are better.

123SirThomas
Maio 20, 2021, 2:42 am

A birthday book - I chose it on Saberhagen's birthday:

67. Die Hirnspirale / Coils by Roger Zelazny and Fred Saberhagen
German title translated: The brain spiral

Donald BelPatri lives in prosperity but without memory.
When he tries to remember the past, his psychiatrist dies.
But little by little his memories come back. When his girlfriend is kidnapped, he uses his rediscovered ability to make direct contact with computers to free her. But his enemies also have special abilities.
An exciting SF adventure book, I enjoyed reading it.
It's hardly noticeable that technology has advanced since then.

124SirThomas
Maio 20, 2021, 4:32 am

Today is my 11th Thingaversary, so I added a few books to my library, however I didn't buy them all, some are from the public library:

1. Der Graf von Monte Christo The complete edition with almost 1,500 pages. Thanks Paul C. for reminding me about this book again, I had an abridged edition that I didn't move with.
I'm not sure I can wait until June....

2. Das Andere Ufer Der Zeit In Paul's thread 11/22/63 was recommended, this book is recommended there....

3. Im Strom der Zeit The second volume of the series.

4. Unsichtbare Parasiten Another book by the author - the movie is great

5. Fit ohne Geräte: Trainieren mit dem eigenen Körpergewicht The CORONA belly must go - whether it helps, remains to be seen...

6. Fuck you very much The book has been on my wish list for a long time

7. Königin ausser Dienst Browsing through new additions to the public library, I always find good books....

8. Mars This one sounds very interesting.

9. Wie die Null aus dem Nichts entstand: und weitere Sternstunden der Mathematik In school I had math as an advanced course, let's see if I can understand the book....

10. Wie man die Zeit anhält A very interesting summary drew my attention to the book - and I already read a book of the author

11. Ziemlich gute Gründe, am Leben zu bleiben A very interesting topic, I know some people who suffer from depression. Maybe it will help me to understand and help....

12 Space Opera As I said, the book really jumped out at me, I'm already excited.

125scaifea
Maio 20, 2021, 7:22 am

Oh, The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my all-time favorites! I hope you love it.

And Happy Thingaversary!

126mstrust
Maio 20, 2021, 3:08 pm

Happy Thingaversary! That's a lot of books!

127FAMeulstee
Maio 20, 2021, 6:53 pm

Happy Thingaversary, Thomas!

128SirThomas
Maio 21, 2021, 1:31 am

>125 scaifea: Thank you, Amber!
I have very good memories of the last time I read the book - years and years ago.
And I've already taken a glimpse - I think I'm going to love it!

>126 mstrust: Thank you, Jennifer!
So are the rules, you buy one book for each membership year and also one book for the coming year 😉.
OK, I was a little creative in my interpretation of the buying...

>127 FAMeulstee: Thank you, Anita!

129SirThomas
Maio 21, 2021, 2:51 am


68. Die Türen seines Gesichts / The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth and Other Stories by Roger Zelazny
German title translated: The Doors of His Face

A collection of short stories, very varied with great ideas, but you can see that the book is a bit older.

Die Türen seines Gesichts The Doors of his Face, The Lamps of his Mouth:
A kind of Moby Dick / The old man and the sea on a strange planet

Dezemberwelt The Keys to December:
If I adapt a world to my needs, does this have an impact on the existing forms of life, what is responsible?

Der Teufelswagen / Devil Car:
Mad Max with intelligent cars and a lonely hero

Die 2224 Tänze des Locar / A Rose of Ecclesiastes:
A poet tries to understand Martians and their history

Der Drache und die Jungfrau / The Monster and the Maiden:
A fragment about a victim on an alien planet

Der Sammler / Collector’s Fever:
A collector tries to kidnap an intelligent stone, but his ignorance about his object of collection takes revenge

Die Graue Schwester / This Mortal Mountain:
The highest mountain in the universe is to be climbed, but it resists...

Sturm über Tierra del Cygnus / This Moment of the Storm:
A former spaceman helps the inhabitants of a town in a storm, but he remains lonely

Die großen, trägen Herrscher / The Great Slow Kings:
Two kings are looking for new subjects, but their time is going much too slowly to cope with it

Museumsstück / A Museum Piece:
In order to survive, an artist becomes an exhibit in a museum. There he can live his life unnoticed. But it turns out that he is not the only one

Göttlicher Wahnsinn / Divine Madness:
A man temporarily experiences time backwards, can he influence it?

Corrida / Corrida:
A bullfight from another perspective

Liebe ist eine imaginäre Zahl / Love Is an Imaginary Number:
One man's delusions

Der Mann, der die Faioli liebte / The Man Who Loved the Faioli:
A philosophical story about dying, death and love

Luzifer / Lucifer:
A man in a deserted city

130mstrust
Maio 21, 2021, 1:11 pm

>128 SirThomas: Yes, I believe the rule is one for each year plus one extra. Then you just start snatching up everything else you want.

131SirThomas
Maio 22, 2021, 3:41 am

>131 SirThomas: I have already done that, Jennifer - I have added a new book to my collection.
I was impressed by the movie She-Devil and was curious about the book.
Besides, it would be horrible to receive new books only once a year.

132SirThomas
Maio 23, 2021, 4:24 am

As I said, now 5 books have been added again....

133SirThomas
Maio 23, 2021, 4:36 am

And books were read as well:


69. Der Mann auf dem Balkon / Mannen på balkongen by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö
English title: The Man on the Balcony
German title translated: The Man on the Balcony
The translation of the title fits again...

This time Martin Beck's team has to deal with 2 series, a child murderer and a brutal robber who attacks people in parks.
The investigators reach their limits, but do not give up.
I love the series.

134SirThomas
Maio 23, 2021, 4:37 am


70. Fuck you very much / The Price You Pay by Aidan Truhen
German title translated: Fuck you very much
The title is at least a quote from the book...

Jack Price is a loner, but still well-connected and lives inconspicuously in his penthouse apartment.
When his neighbor is murdered, he begins to investigate, suspecting connections with his work as a drug dealer.
The situation gradually escalates and the Seven Demons, the most notorious of all hit squads, are sent after him. But he knows how to defend himself.
Crazy, fast, brutal, funny, I love it.

135SirThomas
Maio 23, 2021, 4:43 am

Yesterday was the final of the European Song Contest.
Germany finished second to last - Phew.
A good reason for the next book Space Opera.
However, the consequences for the last one are a bit harder than only the ignominy...

136PaulCranswick
Maio 23, 2021, 6:39 am

>135 SirThomas: I saw we beat you into last place, Thomas and garnered not a single point in the process! Seems strange that the public vote so outweighed the national juries.

137FAMeulstee
Maio 23, 2021, 6:57 am

>135 SirThomas: The Netherlands didn't do much better, Thomas, with no points from the public either.
My favorite was France.

138PaulCranswick
Maio 23, 2021, 8:20 am

>137 FAMeulstee: I thought Malta was good fun.

139SirThomas
Maio 25, 2021, 1:48 am

>136 PaulCranswick: >137 FAMeulstee: >138 PaulCranswick: I must confess, I would not have placed the German contribution much further in front.
But hey - if I had sung, there would have been minus points for the first time in the history of the ESC!

140SirThomas
Maio 25, 2021, 2:18 am

And the book on the subject:


71. Space Opera / Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente
German title translated: Space Opera
finally an adequate "translation" of the title

The idea is great, since the living beings of the galaxy have almost wiped each other out in wars, a song contest has been created. Newly discovered communities must participate to see if they are sentient. The problem: the last one will be destroyed.
For Earth, Decibel Jones and the absolute Zeros is chosen, as the other contestants on the list are unfortunately all long dead. Decibel is also on the decline - and the most important band member is also already dead.
Great ideas about the various creatures - singing zombie viruses, artificial intelligences, singing flamingos....
But does it all have to be described in sentences that feel like they go on for several pages? If she had brought in more of her own style and not tried so cramped to imitate Douglas Adams, it would have been better.
It's as if a small town construction company suddenly wants to compete with Magrathea....

141SirThomas
Jun 2, 2021, 2:18 am

I had little time for LT, but I did have some time to read:


72. Königin außer Dienst / Rinkeldekink by Martine Bijl
German title translated: Queen out of service

A very moving book in which the author describes how she tries to regain her life after a stroke. She describes very vividly what it is like to no longer be yourself.
The book can also help outsiders to better understand stroke patients.

142SirThomas
Jun 2, 2021, 2:18 am


73. Der Verein der Linkshänder / De vänsterhäntas förening by Håkan Nesser
German title translated: The association of left-handers

A body is found during construction work. The dead man was the main suspect in an old murder that Inspector Van Veeteren had solved at the time. But since he was murdered with the others, he cannot be the murderer. Van Veeteren, long retired, begins to investigate.
When another body is found, Inspector Barbarotti comes into play.
Not a high-speed thriller, but exciting and very well written.

143SirThomas
Jun 2, 2021, 2:19 am


74. Wie die Null aus dem Nichts entstand / Istanti fatali. Quando i numeri hanno spiegato il mondo by Umberto Bottazzini
German title translated: How the zero came from nothing

A small history of mathematics and its impact on life.
Interesting and instructive.

144SirThomas
Jun 2, 2021, 2:19 am


75. The Night Beat by Harry Bingham

Fiona Griffiths' first assignment as a patrol officer.
Unfortunately only a short story, but all the better for it.
One of the few books I have read in English.

145SirThomas
Editado: Jun 2, 2021, 2:24 am


76. Zombieparade / Zombieparade by Max Brooks
German title translated: Zombieparade

Three zombie short stories - quite nice to read.

146SirThomas
Editado: Jun 2, 2021, 2:24 am


77. Mars / Mars by Asja Bakić
German title translated: Mars

A collection of short stories about women in strange situations.
Some disturbing, some surprising, but always very well written and thought-provoking.

147SirThomas
Jun 2, 2021, 2:21 am

And the stats for May:

Books read: 22
Pages read: 5,627 (longest 608 / shortest 7 / average 256)

Personal rating:
average rating
highest rating
lowest rating

Author nationalities:

Bosnia 1 / 1 / 1
England: 3 / 3 / 2
Germany: 2 / 2 / 2
Italy: 1 / 1 / 1
Netherlands: 1 / 1 / 1
Sweden: 7 / 7 / 3
USA: 11 / 11 / 6

Sum: 26 / 26 / 16

Counting mode: All authors of the books / Main Author(s) or Editor(s) per book / Only different authors

Gender:
female authors: 13 / 13 / 7
male authors: 13 / 13 / 9

alive authors: 16 / 16 / 11
dead authors: 10 / 10 / 5

date first published:

1960-1969: 3
1970-1979: 1
1980-1989: 1
2010-2019: 16
2020-____: 1

148FAMeulstee
Jun 2, 2021, 4:26 am

>144 SirThomas: Congratulations on reaching 75, Thomas!

>147 SirThomas: May was a good reading month.

149mstrust
Jun 2, 2021, 10:14 am

Congratulations on 75! Your assignment is completed!

150sirfurboy
Jun 3, 2021, 6:18 am

Congratulations on reaching 75. You had a good month there.

Some interesting titles - but I dare not add too many German titles to my TBR when I still have some old ones you recommended over a year ago that I have not got to yet!

151SirThomas
Jun 5, 2021, 4:38 am

>148 FAMeulstee: Thank you, Anita.
Yes, there were many books, but some of them were very short.

> 149 Thank you, Jennifer.
Completed? Really? Oh no I don't want to stop! Only a few pages, then I will go to bed - I promise ;-)

>150 sirfurboy: Thank you, Stephen.
I think that's a problem that we're all familiar with.
Mount TBR is growing faster than we can climb.

152PaulCranswick
Jun 5, 2021, 6:57 am

>147 SirThomas: You read a book 7 pages long, Thomas?!

Belated congratulations on passing 75 books already.

153SirThomas
Jun 5, 2021, 8:42 am

Thank you, Paul.
Well, you can't call it a book, it's a short story by Martha Wells, a prequel to the Murderbot series.
But I think it's worth mentioning.

154SirThomas
Jun 6, 2021, 3:40 am


78. Das andere Ufer der Zeit / Time and again by Jack Finney
German title translated: The other shore of time

A time travel novel mentioned by Stephen King as the inspiration for 11/22/63.
Simon "Si" Morley is one of the very few people to meet the psychological requirements for time travel.
He is trained to travel to the new York of 1882.
Once there, he immediately feels at home and begins to "rummage" through his fiancée's family history.
But in the present the project gets problems, the financiers want to see something for their money.
The idea of traveling without "technical" aids, using only the power of imagination is great.
Beautifully written, the reader feels himself transported to New York 1882.
I am already looking forward to the sequel.

155SirThomas
Jun 6, 2021, 3:53 am


79. Der Graf von Monte Christo / Le Comte de Monte-Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
English title: The Count of Monte Cristo
German title translated: The Count of Monte Cristo

I probably don't have to say much about the content, the book belongs to general knowledge.
A wonderful revenge drama - even after almost 1,500 pages you think - too bad, already over?
Paul C. has suggested the book for a reading in June, I briefly looked in May, whether my edition is the right one and could not put the book out of my hand. I'm sorry I couldn't control myself.

156FAMeulstee
Jun 6, 2021, 6:19 am

>155 SirThomas: Glad you loved Monte Cristo, Thomas, I coudn't put it down either when I read it 5 years ago.
And it is calling from the shelf for a re-read someday.

157PaulCranswick
Jun 6, 2021, 8:29 am

>155 SirThomas: I have started it today, Thomas, and I have to say that you are right. Other than it is a pretty heavy tome at 1,169 pages long, it is difficult to put down once opened. Given the fact that I want my number to tick on this month, I have decided to read it over 8 days but with a smaller book read each day along the way to impel my reading must faster (if that makes sense).

158SirThomas
Jun 6, 2021, 11:47 am

>156 FAMeulstee: Yes - I hear a calling too.
It's a book you want to start again as soon as you finish it.

>157 PaulCranswick: Have fun with it, Paul.
I needed a little bit more than 8 days and had smaller books in between - so it makes much sense!

159SirThomas
Jun 13, 2021, 6:20 am

Update Time:


80. Totenfang / The Restless Dead by Simon Beckett
German title translated: Catching the Dead

David Hunter has professional problems, his job at the university is in peril, as he no longer gets any assignments from the police, when he is called to a dead body.
It is suspected to be the body of a murder suspect, but he doubts this. The fact that the father of the murder suspect has a lot of influence doesn't make things any easier.
David dives deeper and deeper into the story and gets closer to one of the people involved than is good for the case.
Atmospheric and well written.

160SirThomas
Jun 13, 2021, 6:20 am


81. Lazarus / Lazarus by Lars Kepler
English title: Lazarus

Joona Linna chases a brilliant serial killer who hunts him.
Very suspenseful, very brutal.
I didn't like the book that much, I felt like the authors were looking for a shock for the reader and then see how they could work it into the story.
I have no problem with harsh scenes, but not for their own sake.

161SirThomas
Jun 13, 2021, 6:20 am


82. Ziemlich gute Gründe, am Leben zu bleiben / Reasons to Stay Alive
by Matt Haig

German title translated: Pretty good reasons to stay alive

The author describes how he lived with his depression and how he got out of it.
It helps friends and relatives of patients to better understand what depression means.

162SirThomas
Jun 13, 2021, 6:20 am

After a very busy week, we were out shopping yesterday and went to a restaurant for dinner for the first time in 8 months.
Inside we have not dared, we sat outside on the terrace and enjoyed the delicious food and the view.
A whole new feeling of normality.

But WHO points out that the return to normality is possible only for those who were normal before.
This is a pandemic and not a miracle.

163mstrust
Jun 13, 2021, 11:35 am

Wow, eight months. Our shutdown was very short so we've had patio dining at most places we go for just about a year. Indoor dining resumed almost everywhere here maybe six months ago.
I'm glad you two had a good night out and enjoyed it!

164Berly
Jun 14, 2021, 12:02 am

>162 SirThomas: We still have places that are not open for indoor dining, but I have managed to eat out once and we went to the movies last week!! It felt strange and wonderful. I really enjoyed my popcorn. Somehow it tastes better in the theatre than at home. ; )

165SirThomas
Jun 15, 2021, 7:55 am

>163 mstrust: Thank you, Jennifer it was a little bit strange, but beautiful!
Indoor dining is also allowed but we did not want to - we felt a little bit unsafe and the view was too beautiful - this is the look from our table:

And sorry for my fault - it was lunch, not dinner.

>164 Berly: Strange and wonderful - this is the right expression, Kim!
We managed very well with self cooking (thank God my wife is an excellent cook) and out-of-home service.
But when you sit at the table for the first time again and study the menu, you realize what was missing.

166SirThomas
Jun 17, 2021, 5:33 am


83. Love / Lisey's Story by Stephen King
German title translated: Love - I can understand transferring an English title into German, but why do you have to replace an English title with another English title?

There is a movie adaptation planned for this book as a series, so I thought I should re-read it.
Lisey has been the widow of a very successful writer for 2 years.
When she is stalked by a maniac, she gets messages left for her by her husband. He sends her on a wild goose chase where she finds herself and fights off the stalker. A story about love, goodbyes and grief. And, of course, some horror.
The suspense curve is similar to the Corona numbers - very flat for quite a long time, but then rising extremely steeply....
Not one of his best books, but definitely not one of the worse.

167SirThomas
Jun 17, 2021, 5:33 am


84. Im Strom der Zeit / From Time to Time by Jack Finney
German title translated: In the stream of time

The second and last book of the series.
This time Si Morley is to prevent the First World War and save the Titanic.
Again very atmospheric written with beautiful pictures of the time.
But I had the feeling that the author has lost some of the mood.

168SirThomas
Jun 17, 2021, 5:34 am

Talking about series, we are both huge fans of FRIENDS and when there is nothing interesting on TV we watch the series on blu ray.
Earlier this month we were once again at the end and started a new canned - Golden Girls.
Three old women and one of their mothers in a shared house.
Sarcastic, funny and still funny.
But then the shock - one of the ladies said she was 55 - they are younger than us! Yet we are still so young ;-)

169mstrust
Jun 17, 2021, 11:27 am

I think previous generations tended to look older at a younger age. Like seventeen year-olds in the 50's could look twenty-five, or thirty year-olds could look forty. All I can figure is they had kids at younger ages, didn't have 50SPF and everyone over fourteen smoked ;-)

170FAMeulstee
Jun 17, 2021, 4:38 pm

>168 SirThomas: We were young when we were watching Golden Girls ;-)

171SirThomas
Jun 18, 2021, 8:36 am

>169 mstrust: You're right, Jennifer!
But still the teenager in me cringes when he looks in the mirror to shave in the morning after getting up.

>170 FAMeulstee: So did we, Anita.
Therefore, for the sake of good memories, we also bought the DVDs of the series.

172PaulCranswick
Jun 19, 2021, 7:45 pm

Happy Father's Day, Thomas if you are celebrating.

Have a lovely weekend.

173Ameise1
Jun 20, 2021, 10:47 am

Happy Sunday, Thomas. It's always dagerous coming over to your thread 😉. So many good books.

174SirThomas
Jun 21, 2021, 6:39 am

>172 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul. Unfortunately we can not celebrate father's day. We tried, but we were not succesful. But it is good the way it is.
The best wishes to you, Hani and your children.

>173 Ameise1: Thank you, Barbara, I wish you a god start into the week!
It is also dangerous for me to visit other threads - especially yours.
But getting to know new books outside my own horizon is worth any adventure!

175SirThomas
Jun 21, 2021, 7:04 am

On Saturday we had our 2nd shot.
Our first dose was Astra Zeneca, my wife got the same again, I got Biontech/Pfizer. She is a little over 60, I am a little under 60, hence the difference. But anyway, both offer good protection.
After the shot, you have to go to a rest room for 15 minutes for monitoring. There was a TV set showing the European Championship match between Portugal and Germany.
I came into the room full of euphoria, then Portugal scored the first goal.
After that we walked home, when we arrived it was 1:2, it ended 2:4 - all's well that ends well.
Yesterday we were pretty tired and knackered, today we're feeling better, only the arm still hurts a little.

176scaifea
Jun 21, 2021, 9:00 am

Yay for your second shots!!

177SirThomas
Jun 21, 2021, 9:13 am

Thank you and for you a wonderful day with the trip to the bookstore!

I posted to you while you posted to me :)

178FAMeulstee
Jun 21, 2021, 10:10 am

>175 SirThomas: Congratulations on the second vaccinations, Thomas!
And on the win of the German team :-)

179Ameise1
Jun 21, 2021, 11:43 am

>174 SirThomas: 😂 So true.
Congrats on your second shot.

180SirThomas
Jun 22, 2021, 10:31 am

>178 FAMeulstee: Thank you, Anita - and congratulations on 3 wins!

>179 Ameise1: Thank you, Barbara!

181SirThomas
Jun 22, 2021, 12:41 pm

And there were books too:


85. Die Teufelin / The Life and Loves of a She-Devil by Fay Weldon
German title translated: The she devil

I love the film.
The book is less funny and a bit more brutal, but also a very good read.
The revenge of a betrayed wife who puts up with a lot, but when it becomes too much, strikes back mercilessly.

182SirThomas
Jun 22, 2021, 12:41 pm


86. Flucht in die Schären / I fel sällskap by Viveca Sten
German title translated: Escape to the archipelago
English title: In Bad Company

The ninth volume of the series.
It didn't really work for me this time. It's well written and suspenseful again, but I wasn't drawn into the story. I even found myself reading across, just 1-2 sentences per page to finish faster.
This time only Thomas has personal problems, but Nora takes her case too personally.
Nora accuses a criminal of tax crimes who abuses his wife.
When he almost beats her to death, she flees. This triggers a wave of violence.
Sandhamn plays a big role again - and that's good, the book makes you want to visit the island. Despite the many dead ;-)

183SirThomas
Editado: Jun 22, 2021, 12:43 pm


87. Ich weiß, was du letzten Sommer getan hast / I Know What You Did Last Summer by Lois Duncan
German title translated: I Know What You Did Last Summer - wow it fits

A novel about 4 teenagers who caused a hit and run accident and are confronted with it again after a year.
Very well written and exciting.

184SirThomas
Jun 25, 2021, 4:37 am


88. Die ewigen Toten / The Scent of Death by Simon Beckett
German title translated: The eternal dead

David Hunter is called to a discovery of a body in a condemned hospital. During the investigation, they find a walled-off hospital room with more bodies.
The police call in a private forensic scientist, David is left with only the first body. The new forensic scientist seems to be very good, but is very arrogant.
Since David can't resist investigating himself, there are of course exciting stuations again and he discovers that the cases are connected.
And also an old enemy appears again.
Again very exciting and varied written and very good to read.

185Ameise1
Jun 25, 2021, 4:13 pm

I've read all of this series some years ago and loved them.

186SirThomas
Jun 26, 2021, 3:44 am

Yes the series is really good.
I am curious if there will be a volume 7.
Have a wonderful weekend, Barbara!

187Berly
Jun 27, 2021, 4:31 pm

Hurray for the second shot!! And all the books. : )

188SirThomas
Jun 28, 2021, 4:17 am

Thank you, Kim - I am always glad to see you.
The weekend was hot and humid, so we turned on our fountain and read in the shade on the terrace - more about the books later.
Although - with your temperatures we can not keep up - thank God!

189SirThomas
Jun 28, 2021, 9:23 am

... and to the books of the weekend:


89. Bertrams Hotel / At Bertram's Hotel by Agatha Christie
German title translated: Bertram's Hotel

A suggestion from Paul S - many thanks for that!
Miss Marple is on vacation - in a hotel that is still run like in the good old days.
Of course she notices that the beautiful appearance is to cover dark abysses.
Very enjoyable read I love the series very much.
It amused me a bit that people who (for me) live in the good old days long for the good old days.

As the great philosopher Karl Valentin said: Today is the good old days of tomorrow.

190SirThomas
Jun 28, 2021, 9:23 am


90. Die dunklen Wasser von Arcachon by David Tanner
German title translated: The dark waters of Arcachon

Again a suggestion from Paul S.
Journalist Antoine Kirchner is sent to Arcachon, a minister was found dead in a fishing net.
Lots of local color, lots of food and drink, a very symphatic and intelligent investigator.

191SirThomas
Jun 28, 2021, 9:24 am


91. James Bond: Ewig und ein Tag / Forever and a Day by Anthony Horowitz
German title translated: Forever and a Day - probably the best at the book

The first mission of James Bond as 007.
In France, 007 is found dead, the newly trained James Bond is to solve the death and takes over the number.
Everything a James Bond movie needs, women, action, explosions. But still the book did not appeal to me, it remained strangely bloodless - even if a lot of blood flowed.
Magpie Murders was much better!

192SirThomas
Editado: Jun 29, 2021, 2:09 am

apropos bloodless:

92. Der Zombie Survival Guide: Überleben unter Untoten / The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks
German title translated: The Zombie Survival Guide: Surviving Among the Undead

A survival manual for the zombie apocalypse.
Quite nice

193mstrust
Jun 29, 2021, 9:12 am

Morning, Thomas! I liked At Bertram's Hotel too. So very English!

194SirThomas
Jul 1, 2021, 9:19 am

>193 mstrust: Yes, it's a whole different world....

195SirThomas
Jul 1, 2021, 9:20 am


93. Erwartung / Marko effekten by Jussi Adler-Olsen
English title: The Marco Effect
German title translated: Expectation

Criminal clans, beggar children, criminal banks, child soldiers....
Again a very well written book with a lot of suspense.
I love the series!

196SirThomas
Editado: Jul 11, 2021, 4:10 am


94. Gaston - Alles für die Katz / Gaston - le cas lagaffe by André Franquin

German title translated: Gaston - All for the cat
The title is a pun, on the one hand Gaston does everything for his cat, on the other hand "for the cat" means the work is in vain

I love the comics about the inventive office boy Gaston and the disasters he causes.
I chose this volume because it completes my BINGO.

ETA: number corrected

197SirThomas
Jul 1, 2021, 9:22 am

And there it is - I don't know where I saw this, but I began immediately to collect:
one-word-title:
Krähensommer by Brigitte Glaser
by or about marginalized group:
Untergetaucht: Eine junge Frau überlebt in Berlin 1940 - 1945 by Marie Jalowicz Simon
dark or light word in the title:
Dunkle Gewässer by Joe R. Lansdale
character you'd be friends with:
Das Dorf in den roten Wäldern by Louise Penny
arts & recreation:
Ich mag mich irren, aber ich finde dich fabelhaft by Dorothy Baker
Title describes you:
Später by Stephen King
You heartily recommend:
Die Morde von Pye Hall by Anthony Horowitz
nature or environment
Paradise City by Zoë Beck
classical element in the title:
Die Bibel nach Biff : die wilden Jugendjahre von Jesus, erzählt von seinem besten Freund by Christopher Moore
2 or more authors:
Die Springflut by Cilla & Rolf Börjlind
impulse read:
Mord im Spiegel by Agatha Christie
contains love story:
Pygmalion by George Bernhard Shaw
read a CAT or KIT related title:
Gaston – Alles für die Katz by André Franquin
Southern hemisphere:
Das Rosie-Projekt by Graeme Simsion
made you laugh:
Der lange dunkle Fünfuhrtee der Seele by Douglas Adams
suggested by another generation:
Borne by Jeff VanderMeer
new to you author:
Ich breche dich! by L. C. Frey
set somewhere you'd like to visit:
Irisches Verhängnis by Hannah O'Brian
about history or alternate history
Die Jahre des Schwarzen Todes by Connie Willis
20 or fewer LT members:
Hawaii by Cihan Acar
less than 200 pages:
Berge des Wahnsinns by H. P. Lovecraft
senior citizen protagonist:
Bertrams Hotel by Agatha Christie
type of building in the title:
Wir haben schon immer im Schloss gelebt by Shirley Jackson
about time, or time word in title:
Das andere Ufer der Zeit by Jack Finney
about or contains magic
Bittersüße Schokolade by Laura Esquivel

198SirThomas
Jul 1, 2021, 9:22 am

And the stats for June:

Books read: 17
Pages read: 7,893 (longest 1,494 / shortest 46 / average 464)

Personal rating:
average rating
highest rating
lowest rating

Author nationalities:

Denmark: 1 / 1 / 1
England: 6 / 6 / 5
France: 2 / 2 / 2
Germany: 1 / 1 / 1
Sweden: 3 / 3 / 3
USA: 5 / 5 / 4

Sum: 18 / 18 / 16

Counting mode: All authors of the books / Main Author(s) or Editor(s) per book / Only different authors

Gender:
female authors: 5 / 5 / 5
male authors: 13 / 13 / 11

alive authors: 12 / 12 / 11
dead authors: 6 / 6 / 5

date first published:

1846-1899: 1
1960-1969: 1
1970-1979: 3
1980-1989: 1
1990-1999: 1
2000-2009: 2
2010-2019: 8

199SirThomas
Editado: Jul 1, 2021, 9:23 am

The first half of the year:

Books read: 94
Pages read: 33,153 (longest 1,494 / shortest 7 / average 353)

Personal rating:
average rating
highest rating
lowest rating

Author nationalities:

Australia: 2 / 2 / 2
Austria: 1 / 1 / 1
Belarus: 1 / 1 / 1
Bosnia: 1 / 1 / 1
Canada: 3 / 3 / 1
Denmark: 1 / 1 / 1
England: 15 / 15 / 11
France: 2 / 2 / 2
Germany: 16 / 16 / 14
Italy: 1 / 1 / 1
Netherlands: 1 / 1 / 1
Nigeria: 1 / 1 / 1
Mexico: 1 / 1 / 1
Spain: 1 / 1 / 1
Sweden: 16 / 16 / 8
Switzerland: 2 / 2 / 1
USA: 36 / 36 / 24

Sum: 101 / 101 / 72

Counting mode: All authors of the books / Main Author(s) or Editor(s) per book / Only different authors

Gender:
female authors: 46 / 46 / 30
male authors: 55 / 55 / 42

alive authors: 72 / 72 / 51
dead authors: 29 / 29 / 21

date first published:

1846-1899: 2
1910-1919: 1
1930-1939: 2
1950-1959: 2
1960-1969: 8
1970-1979: 5
1980-1989: 7
1990-1999: 6
2000-2009: 9
2010-2019: 48
2020-____: 4

200FAMeulstee
Jul 2, 2021, 10:51 am

I enjoyed looking over your stats, Thomas, you are doing well the first half of 2021!

201SirThomas
Jul 11, 2021, 4:07 am

Thank you, Anita - I am always glad to see you here.

Sorry for the delay, I was busy with RL.
I sit at my PC all day in my home office, so I'm glad when I don't have to look at a screen for a while. And I don't really like typing on my smartphone.
Last saturday we had guests the first time this year. We celebrated 14 days of our second vaccination. All the guests where from our house, a couple - she had the 2nd shot on the same day as us, he had it already before - and the neighbor we take care a little bit. It was a little strange but beautiful when we sat on the terrace and drank champaign together.
Then I used the breaks in the rain to repair our fountain, the pump and lights had failed.
I am not a good do-it-yourselfer, but with the support and advice of the potter who made it, I managed. Unfortunately, she lives over 200 kilometers away, so she couldn't just drop by....
Thursday we went to a concert for the first time. It was open air, we had to go to the chairs with masks and should stay seated the whole time.
It was very cloudy but stayed dry and was beautiful.
Yesterday we had lunch in a restaurant - again with guests. The older couple and we invited another neighbor - he provides us with vegetables and lettuce from his own garden and we wanted to say thank you to him. It was a sunny day, so we sat outside with delicious food and drinks.
It's wonderful when life gets a little more normal again, hopefully it stays that way....

202SirThomas
Jul 11, 2021, 4:25 am

And there were books:

95. Farnhams Oase / Farnham's Freehold by Robert A. Heinlein
German title translated: Farnham's Oasis

An old-fashioned adventure SF novel.
The cold war escalates, but Hugh Farnham has taken precautions and the family with guests save themselves in a bunker. They survive the nukes but find themselves in a future world with strange customs. But the brave hero finds his way even here.
A little too thick on patriotism, but the book is from 1964, but it is excitingly written and a good read, but there are better ones like Stranger in a Strange Land.

203SirThomas
Jul 11, 2021, 6:01 am


96. Die Akademiemorde / Akademimorden by Martin Olczak
German title translated: The Academy Murders

A recommendation from Barbara (Anmeise1) - many thanks for that.
Eight members of the Swedish Nobel Prize for Literature Committee are killed within a few days.
A solitary inspector and her old friend, an antiquarian bookseller, begin to investigate and get on the trail of a story that is already very old.
Beautiful, exciting, with many quotes from Nobel laureates.
I love the book!

204SirThomas
Jul 11, 2021, 6:13 am


97. Charly / Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
There is an alternative german title that fits better: Blumen für Algernon

A beautiful story of a mentally handicapped man who becomes a genius through medical treatment and then finds that the effect will not last. Also, his mental state does not always keep up with his intellectual development.
The book is written in diary form, the writing corresponds to the respective intellectual state of Charly.

205SirThomas
Jul 11, 2021, 6:49 am


98. Der Tote am Pranger / Death in the Stocks by Georgette Heyer
German title translated: The dead man in the pillory

In the Academy Murders, Why shoot a butler by Georgette Heyer was recommended. My library didn't have it, but this one did.
A man is found stabbed to death, there are many suspects, including family. Enjoyable to read with lots of humor.
I had the impression that the author had a lot of fun writing it herselve.

206SirThomas
Jul 11, 2021, 6:49 am


99. Mord ohne Mörder / No Wind of Blame by Georgette Heyer
German title translated: Murder without murderer

Another cosy read.
Another country house, this time a man is shot, all suspects have an alibi - or don't they?

207FAMeulstee
Jul 12, 2021, 1:34 pm

>201 SirThomas: A lot of "first time's", Thomas, enjoy life returning to normal :-)

Over here the goverment went way to fast with reopening in June. So now we are partly back to restrictions, as the numbers are going up very fast.

208SirThomas
Jul 13, 2021, 6:11 am

With us the numbers are going up too. But slowly and and still low.
Hopefully it will not get worse again.
Today it is raining again - a good weather for working ;-)

209SirThomas
Jul 14, 2021, 2:09 am


100. Verheißung / Den grænseløse by Jussi Adler-Olsen
English title: The Hanging Girl
German title translated: Promise

A rural police officer asks for help in an old murder, the next day he shoots himself.
Through their investigation, connections are uncovered to a cult leader who was involved in the case at the time.
Very well written and again exciting to the end.
I love the series.

210SirThomas
Jul 14, 2021, 2:10 am

Yesterday was Wole Soyinka's Birthday.
So I continued my little tradition of birthday books and started a book by him. This also has the advantage that my list of read Nobel laureates becomes a bit longer again...

211SirThomas
Jul 24, 2021, 11:33 am

Update time:


101. Aké, Jahre der Kindheit / Aké by Wole Soyinka

A wonderful autobiography of his childhood in Nigeria.
Wole Soyinka paints a beautiful picture with words, without omitting the not so nice parts.
I love it.

212SirThomas
Jul 24, 2021, 11:34 am


102. Der Mathelehrer und der Tod by Marc Hofmann
German title translated: The math teacher and the death

Gregor Horwath is a math teacher in Freiburg and a bit quirky. When a colleague falls out of a window, he begins to investigate. Four of his students help him. Unfortunately, he is pretty much in the dark - until it is almost too late.
Humorous, exciting, lots of local color.
It was a recommendation from the daily newspaper - and because it was reduced in price and we went to Freiburg that day, I bought it.
It was fun to read.

213SirThomas
Jul 24, 2021, 11:34 am


103. Sein erster Fall / The Bigger They Come by A. A. Fair
German title translated: His first case

Donald Lam is a failed lawyer who applies to be a private investigator.
Bertha Cool is fat and stingy and hires him.
Donald is short and skinny, but highly intelligent. He is assigned to serve divorce papers on a fugitive man and becomes involved in a murder. The situation seems hopeless, but he finds an ingenious way out.
The author is an affair of Erle Stanley Gardner.

214SirThomas
Jul 24, 2021, 11:35 am


104. Die Leiche im rosa Nachthemd / Turn on the Heat by A. A. Fair
German title translated: The corpse in the pink nightgown

Donald Lam is asked to look for a missing woman.
When a witness is murdered, he falls under suspicion again.
But he can pull his head out of the noose again and solve the case in the end. And of course he gets a beautiful woman again.

215SirThomas
Jul 24, 2021, 11:35 am


105. Goldaktien / Gold Comes in Bricks by A. A. Fair
German title translated: Gold stocks

Cool and Lam are hired to protect a millionaire's daughter who is obviously being blackmailed.
Donald gets on the trail of a stock scam, gets involved in a murder, and is able to save himself again thanks to his cunning.
The series is a great vacation read

216SirThomas
Jul 24, 2021, 11:35 am

This week we were in Freiburg, my wife had a control appointment in the hospital and we used the trip to spend some time in her old hometown. We spent a lovely time in this wonderful city.
Normally I am always present during the check-up - we always do it this way, because the patient does not always hear everything. The spouse can be very supportive of the patient and also ask questions that the patient may be too shocked to ask.
Unfortunately, I was not allowed to go because of COVID19, but thank God everything is fine and we could finish the evening in a very good Japanese restaurant:

217FAMeulstee
Jul 24, 2021, 5:10 pm

>216 SirThomas: Glad to read all was fine with your wife, Thomas. Your Japanese dinner looks very tasty!
We have visited Feiburg once, only an afternoon. We still want to go back there one day.

218scaifea
Jul 25, 2021, 8:09 am

That's great news about your wife's check-up, and your meal looks wonderful!

219SirThomas
Jul 25, 2021, 9:17 am

>217 FAMeulstee: >218 scaifea: Thank you for the good thoughts.
She has to go for a check up every year, this year we were a little tense since we couldn't go last year.
Yes, the food was very tasty. Basho-an is not a sushi bar but a traditional Japanese restaurant, it has very tasty sushi of course but offers so much more.

>217 FAMeulstee: A visit to Freiburg is always worthwhile, it is a very beautiful city and the surrounding area offers many excursions, we are happy to advise you...

220mstrust
Jul 25, 2021, 11:57 am

What a feast! I love Japanese food and your meal looks delicious.
I'm glad the check up went well!

221SirThomas
Jul 27, 2021, 5:01 am

Thank you, Jennifer, we love it too - and if it's so delicious - all the better.

222SirThomas
Jul 29, 2021, 1:37 am


106. Die Mitternachtsbibliothek / The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
German title translated: The Midnight Library (Wow - that fits!)

The book has been mentioned so many times here in the group that I don't even know anymore who I have to thank for the BB. Many thanks to all of you!
I bought it in Freiburg - traditionally, every time I visit Freiburg, I go to the Rombach bookstore and buy a book (unfortunately, the "Buchhandlung Am Schwarzen Kloster" no longer exists - they were specialized in SF, fantasy and horror).
Since the cover is so beautiful, I wanted to be able to look at it on the shelf rather than as an ebook.

It's a beautiful book about mindfulness and taking joy in the supposedly small things.
Nora Seed tries to kill herself and ends up at the Midnight Library, where she gets the chance to look into alternative lives and see what would have happened had she made different choices at different times. In the process, she learns a lot about her own life and herself.
Beautifully written with many good thoughts.

223SirThomas
Jul 29, 2021, 1:37 am


107. Mr Monk und die Feuerwehr / Mr. Monk Goes to the Firehouse by Lee Goldberg
German title translated: Mr Monk and the Fire Brigade

I owe this BB to Jennifer, thanks to you too.
Need we say much more about Mr. Monk?
He settles in with his assistant and solves the murder of a firefighter's dog. That he solves other murders and gets into many abstruse situations is obvious.
Exciting and funny, the scurrilities of Adrian Monk are described in spite of everything so that he keeps his dignity.

224SirThomas
Jul 29, 2021, 1:37 am


108. Die Verlockung des Autoritären: Warum antidemokratische Herrschaft so populär geworden ist / Twilight of Democracy. The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism by Anne Applebaum
German title translated: The lure of authoritarianism: Why Antidemocratic Rule Has Become So Popular

A very interesting book, how demagogues take advantage of the search of many people for simple answers to complex issues.
These agitators are only looking for power, for this they also put lies into the world - only the fewest act out of pure conviction.
A very good and also a little scary book.

225mstrust
Jul 29, 2021, 9:03 am

I'm so glad you liked the Monk! I was just checking on the book series and found that it continued up to 2015, so much longer than the show. I have a few more on the shelves that I'll get to soon.

226SirThomas
Jul 29, 2021, 9:24 am

So far I have 4 books in the series and am looking forward to them.
It could be that there will be more on my shelves in the future....

227figsfromthistle
Jul 29, 2021, 3:17 pm

Dropping in to say hello and congrats on reading 108 books so far!

228Whisper1
Jul 29, 2021, 10:00 pm

Tom, 108 books!! That is incredible!

I may have mentioned that my partner Will, who passed away two years ago, lived in Darmstadt Germany when he graduated from medical school and joined the Army, and was stationed there. Did I spell this correctly?

He talked of Germany so often. We planned to visit.

229SirThomas
Jul 30, 2021, 5:38 am

>227 figsfromthistle: Thank, Anita. I am glad to hear from you!

>228 Whisper1: Thank you, Linda - reading is what I do best ;-)
It is a great pity that you could not make your visit. It would certainly have been very pleasant in Darmstadt. (You spelled it right).
Unfortunately, I can't describe the city to you, I've never been there myself.

230SirThomas
Jul 31, 2021, 12:17 pm

A suggestion from Paul Cranswick, he wanted to know my 10 favorite authors - I gave him 15.
However, the list is very dependent on the day and can change every now and then.
As a teenager I was a total fan of Karl May, but that was a long time ago.
I also love Tolkien, but only the 4 books of the Ring Cycle (if you count the Hobbit).
The list is not balanced at all, but that's just me:

Stephen King
Matt Ruff
Joe R. Lansdale
Dan Simmons
Douglas Adams
Reginald Hill
Sergei Lukyanenko
Ursula Poznanski
Harry Bingham
Elizabeth George
J. K. Rowling
Haruki Murakami
Salman Rushdie
Walter Moers
Henning Mankell

And there are some books I love by authors not named here. But since I have read only a few books by them, they are not included here. But who knows what the future will bring....

231SirThomas
Ago 1, 2021, 3:14 am

And again a month is gone:

Books read: 14
Pages read: 4,431 (longest 608 / shortest 192 / average 317)

Personal rating:
average rating
highest rating
lowest rating

Author nationalities:

Denmark: 1 / 1 / 1
England: 3 / 3 / 2
Germany: 1 / 1 / 1
Nigeria: 1 / 1 / 1
Sweden: 1 / 1 / 1
USA: 7 / 7 / 5

Sum: 14 / 14 / 11

Counting mode: All authors of the books / Main Author(s) or Editor(s) per book / Only different authors

Gender:
female authors: 3 / 3 / 2
male authors: 11 / 11 / 9

alive authors: 7 / 7 / 7
dead authors: 7 / 7 / 4

date first published:

1930-1939: 3
1940-1949: 2
1950-1959: 1
1960-1969: 1
1980-1989: 1
2000-2009: 1
2010-2019: 2
2020-____: 3

232PaulCranswick
Ago 1, 2021, 5:01 am

>231 SirThomas: I managed only 12 books last month, Thomas, and turned a thousand less pages than you did, but with all going on around me recently it wasn't too bad either.

>230 SirThomas: Mankell rocked!

Have a great Sunday, dear fellow.

233FAMeulstee
Ago 1, 2021, 6:40 am

>230 SirThomas: I was also a fan of Karl May in my teens, Thomas, and my love for J.R.R. Tolkien started back then too.
Karl May didn't hold up with recent rereads, but Tolkien still stands.

234Somema7299
Ago 1, 2021, 7:14 am

Este utilizador foi removido como sendo spam.

235SirThomas
Ago 1, 2021, 10:15 am

>232 PaulCranswick: Thank you, have a wonderful Sunday too, Paul.
You name it, Paul. I read Mankell not only one time and I will definitely come back to him some day.
12 books isn't too bad at all - and as John Lennon, said:
Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.

>233 FAMeulstee: That's how it is with me too, Anita.

>234 Somema7299: I don't need more money, my unknown friend, I am rich. I have wonderful friends here.

236SirThomas
Ago 5, 2021, 8:34 am

and August had has books too:


109. Warten auf Godot / En attendant Godot by Samuel Beckett
English title: Waiting for Godot
German title translated: Waiting for Godot (Wow the title fits!)

Another book for my Nobel Prize list.
I think it works better as a play than "just" reading it.
Sometimes I drew parallels to my own life, here too there are phases when nothing progresses...

237SirThomas
Ago 5, 2021, 8:34 am


110. Mr Monk besucht Hawaii / Mr. Monk goes to Hawaii by Lee Goldberg
German title translated: Mr. Monk visits Hawaii

Natalie is invited to a friend's wedding in Hawaii.
Of course, Mr. Monk can't stay alone and travels with her. Of course, he solves murders again in his inimitable way.
Among other things, he also plays golf - when he plays the ball out of a sand bunker, he finds that he has also spread grains of sand on the grass and begins to clean up...
Another reading pleasure!

238SirThomas
Ago 5, 2021, 8:35 am


111. Frei. Luft. Hölle.: Mein Selbstversuch, den Outdoor-Wahnsinn lieben zu lernen / Hyttebok frå helvete by Are Kalvø
German title translated: Free. Air. Hell.: My self-attempt to learn to love the outdoor madness

Warning: If you are a nature lover and spend a lot of time in nature, read the book only when you can laugh at yourself.
Warning: do not eat or drink anything while reading the book, there may be unsightly stains if you suddenly splutter off.
The author is a Norwegian comedian and describes how he wants to understand why his countrymen are so obsessed with spending as much time as possible outside in nature. So he starts various self-experiments.
Very well written, very funny.
Thank you, Anita (FAMeulstee) for recommending this tidbit!

239SirThomas
Ago 5, 2021, 8:36 am


112. Ein Bräutigam und zwei Bräute / More Stories from My Father's Court by Isaac Bashevis Singer
German title translated: One groom and two brides (It is the title of a story of the book)

A suggestion from Paul Stalder, many thanks for that!
I did not get the book he described.
The book is a collection of incidents from the author's childhood in Warsaw. His father is a rabbi, so he is often asked for advice.
Very nicely written, but often they end rather abruptly, as the child only tells how he experienced them from his own perspective.
Now I have already read 35 Nobel Prize winners....

240SirThomas
Ago 5, 2021, 8:36 am


113. Ein Drei-Tassen-Problem by Stefan Winges
German title translated:A three cup problem

An ingenious eccentric detective, a doctor as a roommate, no the book is not set in London, but in Cologne in the Brabanter Straße 21B.
A man is killed behind a theatre, the police asks Marius van Larken for help and he is able to solve the case.
A very short quite interesting story that puts Sherlock Holmes in Cologne.
But it does make a difference whether the Royal Shakespeare Company performs Hamlet or a student theater - although both can be an enjoyable experience.

241FAMeulstee
Ago 5, 2021, 8:56 am

>238 SirThomas: So happy you also liked the outdoor adventures of Are Kalvø :-)

242SirThomas
Ago 5, 2021, 9:22 am

Just thanked you in your thread, Anita!
This must be thought transmission!

243ronincats
Ago 5, 2021, 10:51 pm

Catching up, Thomas, after four months! Shame on me. Thank you so much for your visits and support on my thread.

244SirThomas
Ago 6, 2021, 1:34 am

Thanks so very much for your visit, Roni - I'm always glad to see you.
It's great that you found some peace and time to travel around the group again.
No shame - only pleasure. You are here - and that is all that matters.

245Berly
Ago 6, 2021, 2:11 am

Hello, Sir -- 113 books already?! Congratulations! I am not even at half of that. : ) I also want to say thank you for all your support and enthusiasm. Even though I haven't been posting much, I loved getting messages from my LT buddies. It's been a little rough, but things are looking up.

>216 SirThomas: Glad your wife's visit went well and that food looks yummy! And a little getaway never hurts.

246SirThomas
Ago 6, 2021, 3:14 am

Thank you, Kim - this year seems to be a reading year for me, I've never been this fast - though there were some very short books among them.
I'm very glad to see you here and you're feeling better and able to make the rounds again.

Yes we are very glad that everything is ok - and a visit to the old home is always good.
This week she got an MRI just to be on the safe side, we were able to get that done here in the area. Here, too, everything is ok.

247SirThomas
Ago 12, 2021, 2:47 am

Another suggestion from this wonderful group - Thank you, Paul C!


114. Das Haus des Windes / The Round House by Louise Erdrich
German title translated: The House of the Wind

Joe is 14 and living a happy adolescence in a reservation in North Dakota.
When his mother is raped and nearly killed, his world comes apart at the seams.
Together with his father, he tries everything to help her cope with the trauma, but it's not so easy when the perpetrator must be released.
Joe sets out to find background information and grows up faster than he'd like.
Terrible and Beautiful. The general living conditions, the legal situation, the effects of the crime on the family are terrible. And yet the book is beautifully written.
A very suspenseful book that is thought provoking on several occasions.
Louise Erdrich is a wonderful narrator.

248SirThomas
Editado: Ago 12, 2021, 3:14 am


115. Unzertrennlich: Über den Tod und das Leben / A Matter of Death and Life by Irvin D. Yalom and Marilyn Yalom
German title translated: Inseparable: About death and life

When Marilyn learns that she is dying of cancer, she decides to write a book with her husband about her dying. Also with the ulterior motive that after her death he will have a purpose and a reason to go on living.
The book is beautiful and hopeful despite the subject matter.
Schon der erste Kontakt mit dem Buch hat mich sehr berührt:
Grieve is the price we pay when we have the courage to love others.
A quote from Rabbi Sanford Ragins
When he told her that he would somehow manage to go on living and let her go in peace, it touched me deeply.
His journey through the deep depression after her death is also very touching - as a psychiatrist, of course he knows the mechanisms, but it is something very different to go through the valley of pain yourself
Reading this, I felt deep gratitude for my life with my wife.

249SirThomas
Ago 12, 2021, 2:54 am

And Now for Something Completely Different - as the great philosophers Monty Python said.

I'm really looking forward to the new Stephen King - Billy Summers - the book should arrive at my bookstore today.
Not only is it by my favorite author, but the German title finally matches the original ;-)

250SirThomas
Ago 15, 2021, 11:01 am

The other books are not finished yet, but I could not wait.
Now I hardly can put it down.
So I sit outside reading and listening the thunder nearby.

251SirThomas
Ago 18, 2021, 9:35 am

The King is finished - and a few other books:


116. Armageddon - Das Musical / Armageddon: The Musical by Robert Rankin
German title translated: Armageddon: The Musical

Human History is a soap opera that airs across the universe.
When ratings drop, a team is sent to Earth to bring pizzazz back into the series. Elvis Presley also makes an appearance as a time traveler.
Quite funny, but trying way too hard to sound like Douglas Adams - the original is much better!

252SirThomas
Ago 18, 2021, 9:35 am


117. Ur und andere Zeiten / Prawiek i inne czasy by Olga Tokarczuk
English title: Primeval and Other Times
German title translated: Primeval and Other Times

A story about a village in Poland, seemingly nothing changes and yet everything changes, including 2 world wars.
Pleasant to read, well written, but I didn't really warm up to it.
But my Nobel list keeps filling up....

253SirThomas
Editado: Ago 19, 2021, 11:54 am


118. Billy Summers / Billy Summers by Stephen King
German title translated: Billy Summers

The classic story, a hitman takes one last job, he wants to retire. A girl in danger, he saves her and makes a commitment.
But again just brilliantly told. Again with references to other books (Hemingford Home, a hotel,...).

Edith: Author corrected...

254SirThomas
Ago 18, 2021, 9:36 am


119. Ich bin viele / We Are Legion by Dennis E. Taylor
German title translated: I am many

A recommendation from the group - also from Jim (drneutron) Thanks for this.

Bob has sold his software company and is rich, he wants to be frozen after he dies, this happens sooner than he thought.
When he awakens 100 years later, the USA is a fundmentalist Christian state and he is a software program preparing to colonize space as a Von Neumann probe.
A true reading pleasure full of ingenious ideas.
I found only one logic flaw - when Bob is restored from an old backup, he remembers things that happened after the backup. But that doesn't bother at all!

255SirThomas
Ago 18, 2021, 9:36 am


120. Die bösen Geschichten der schwarzen Witwer / Tales of the Black Widowers by Isaac Asimov
German title translated: The wicked stories of the black widowers

A collection of short stories about a men's club that meets regularly for dinner and solves tricky criminal cases.
Actually, the waiter Henry solves them....
A pleasure to read. Isaak Asimov writes not only good SF!

256SirThomas
Ago 18, 2021, 9:37 am

Yesterday I started a new birthday book - Elly Griffiths had a birthday when I picked it out.
Tomorrow we are going to Berlin for a few days, hopefully the train drivers won't strike.
We have booked a splendid hotel with a wonderful restaurant and are really looking forward to it.

257mstrust
Ago 18, 2021, 9:52 am

Have a great time!

258SirThomas
Ago 18, 2021, 11:33 am

We will endeavor ;-)

259FAMeulstee
Ago 19, 2021, 8:40 am

>253 SirThomas: Oops, you forgot to put in the right writer, Thomas.
I think this one was by Stephen King ;-)

260SirThomas
Ago 19, 2021, 11:55 am

Thank you, Anita.
Copy and Paste has some risks...

261FAMeulstee
Ago 19, 2021, 12:18 pm

>260 SirThomas: It also happens to me sometimes, Thomas, despite the risk "copy and paste" still is the easiest way :-)

262PaulCranswick
Ago 20, 2021, 10:49 pm

Stopping by to wish you a lovely weekend, Thomas.

263SirThomas
Ago 26, 2021, 2:37 am

>261 FAMeulstee: I made myself a template, that is helpful, but then I am too stupid to look at it properly before publishing ;-).

>262 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul - we had.
The best wishes to you!

264SirThomas
Ago 26, 2021, 2:52 am

Please excuse the delay, after the vacation I had a lot to do.

We had a long weekend in Berlin.
We had a wonderful time, even though it was a little bit too crowdy for us.
But the hotel was great and the restaurant was much better. Friday we had dinner there. It was gorgeous.
The restaurant is on the 5th floor, has walls and ceiling made of glass and is surrounded by bamboo trees.
A small impression:
A rock of chocolate cream accompanied by fruit and sorbet.

The picture didn't turn out so well, I didn't want to stand out. The original was much better - before I ate it ;-)

265FAMeulstee
Ago 26, 2021, 4:06 am

>264 SirThomas: So good you could get away for a few days, Thomas.
The hotel sounds wonderfull, and even though you think the picture turned out less, the chocolate cream looks yummy!

266SirThomas
Ago 26, 2021, 4:20 am

Thank you, Anita - the whole Menu was a delight!
5 courses plus 2 starters and pralines for the Espresso and digestive.

267SirThomas
Ago 26, 2021, 7:33 am

...and there were books...


121. Totenpfad / The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths
German title translated: Dead Man's Path

Another birthday-book. Elly Griffiths birthday is August, 17 - the day I began to read.
Ruth Galloway is a single woman forensic archaeologist.
Police officer Harry Nelson is struggling with an unsolved case, so when bones are found, he calls her in to help. But the bones are old and related to an old dig. When another child is abducted, Ruth finds the remains. Together with Harry, she also tracks down the old case.
The atmosphere of the Norfolk countryside is well captured.

268SirThomas
Ago 26, 2021, 7:33 am


122. Der Müllmann by Helmut Wolkenwand
German title translated: The garbage man

Heinrich is a single father and works in the garbage business. He brokers waste and raw materials.
When he is supposed to recover a CD for a friend, the suspect is shot in front of him.
As he begins to investigate on his own. His special training in the army comes in handy. This puts him in the position of having to dispose of other "garbage" as well.
Funny and exciting.

269SirThomas
Ago 26, 2021, 7:33 am


123. Flauschig / Fuzzie by Hanna Bervoets
German title translated: Fluffy

I discovered the book while browsing through the new publications of the public library.
Stories about different unhappy people and their little fluffy ball that talks to them. Partly they meet each other - also through the ball.
Different than usual, funny, sad, profound, superficial - a book to read and think about.

270mstrust
Ago 26, 2021, 1:58 pm

>264 SirThomas: How fun! The kitchen really made that look like a rock and foliage.

271figsfromthistle
Ago 28, 2021, 7:39 am

Happy weekend!

Glad you had a wonderful time in Berlin.

272SirThomas
Ago 30, 2021, 5:08 am

>270 mstrust: Yes - and it was delicious too!

>271 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita.

273SirThomas
Ago 30, 2021, 7:46 am

After a rainy weekend, it's update time again:


124. Nemesis / Nemesis Rising by Jilliane Hoffman
German title translated: Nemesis - and another translation that fits...

C. J. Townsend is back in Miami and working as a prosecutor.
She has left Cupido behind, but the snuff club is still active. She's doing everything she can to bring down the members, even if it's not according to the rules.
At the same time, she and Dominick are trying to adopt a child at almost 50.
Both of these things put a lot of stress on her, of course, but she has faced other challenges before.
Very exciting, somewhat brutal, very well written.
I found the adoption story a bit forced, but not much....

274SirThomas
Ago 30, 2021, 7:47 am


125. Endstation für neun / Sér grefur gröf by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö
English title: The Laughing Policeman
German title translated: Final station for nine

The series has accompanied me since my youth and I still love it.
9 people are murdered on a bus, including a young colleague of Martin Beck.
The investigation is under high pressure, is the colleague just a random victim, or was he the target?
Only late the darkness clears, when a cold case comes into play.
A good look at police work with vividly described protagonists, still very much worth reading despite its age.

275SirThomas
Ago 30, 2021, 7:47 am


126. Das gefrorene Licht / Sér grefur gröf by Yrsa Sigurdardottir
English title: My Soul to Take
German title translated: The frozen light

Thóra Guðmundsdóttir is supposed to help a client investigate ghostly apparitions in his newly built esoteric hotel and possibly negotiate a price reduction with the sellers of the property.
When she arrives at the hotel, a murder occurs and her client falls under suspicion.
Dark, cold and exciting.

276SirThomas
Ago 30, 2021, 7:48 am


127. Berlin ist zu groß für Berlin by Hanns Zischler
German title translated: Berlin is too big for Berlin

A loan from my neighbor for our Berlin trip.
Stories and pictures from Berlin and its history.
Very interesting.

277FAMeulstee
Ago 30, 2021, 6:32 pm

>274 SirThomas: Glad to see you enjoyed The laughing policeman, Thomas.
It doesn't happen often we read the same book in the same month.

278SirThomas
Ago 31, 2021, 2:05 am

With your reading speed, it was bound to happen, Anita ;-).
And when you're reviewing a book that's on my shelf and almost jumps into my hand by itself, the likelihood is even higher.
I'm glad it happened!

279SirThomas
Set 2, 2021, 2:26 am

And again a month is gone:

Books read: 19
Pages read: 6,599 (longest 720 / shortest 155 / average 347)

Personal rating:
average rating
highest rating
lowest rating

Author nationalities:

Canada: 1 / 1 / 1
England: 1 / 1 / 1
Germany: 3 / 3 / 3
Iceland: 1 / 1 / 1
Ireland: 1 / 1 / 1
Netherlands: 1 / 1 / 1
Norway: 1 / 1 / 1
Poland: 1 / 1 / 1
Sweden: 2 / 2 / 2
USA: 9 / 9 / 9

Sum: 21 / 21 / 21

Counting mode: All authors of the books / Main Author(s) or Editor(s) per book / Only different authors

Gender:
female authors: 9 / 9 / 9
male authors: 12 / 12 / 12

alive authors: 15 / 15 / 15
dead authors: 6 / 6 / 6

date first published:

1950-1959: 1
1960-1969: 1
1970-1979: 1
1990-1999: 2
2000-2009: 4
2010-2019: 8
2020-2029: 2

280FAMeulstee
Set 2, 2021, 4:28 am

>279 SirThomas: You did well with your readings in August, Thomas.

281SirThomas
Set 3, 2021, 2:02 am

Thanks, Anita - the many rain has also helped a little ;-)