Connie ROOTs for another year in 2023

Happy New Year!

Hello all my co-ROOTers. It's good to start a new year (little late in the month)

I'm known to most of you but here is a small introduction.

I'm Connie, 70 years old and I live in a small town in The Netherlands.

I'm a retired secretary at a college and was looking forward to a nice retirement with my husband, Peter. Sadly enough he now lives in a care-centrum since he fell with his bike and damaged a nerve in his neck which was operated on. The surgery failed and his walking is rather bad and unstable. Taking care of him in our home was impossible and he moved to a place nearby. So for the first time in my live I life alone.
I have a son, Jeroen (40) who lives with his partner Rianne (36) and their daughter Lonne (5)
And a daughter, Eveline who (37) lives with her partner, Cyrille (40) and their daughters Fiene (6) and Marie (3).

I'm a very proud grandmother and have lots of children's books. Fiene is learning to read her self and loves that, the other 2 girls are loving books too. So it is probably genetically ;-))

I have read books for as long as I can remember and bought a lot of books too. My current TBR is 322 tree-books (excluding all ebooks)

For my RL Book-club I will read books for the challenges we set for 2023
I will keep a list of them here.

20.

ABC Writer
01. De escaperoom - Megan Goldin

ABC Title
01. Donkergroen bijna zwart - Mareike Fallwickl
02. De jasmijnzussen - Corina Bomann

Arabic nights

Begin- and end-letter
01. De Innamorati - Midori Snyder
02. Mortuarium - Patricia Cornwell

Belgium Author

Elements

Fantastic Beasts
01. The House That Fought - Jenny Schwartz

Secret Companies
01. De laatste leerling - Naomi Novik

Geography
01. Dochter van het moeras - Karen Dionne

Smaller than
01. Inktzwart hart - Robert Galbraith
02. De valkentroon - Karen Miller

Long title (at least 8 syllabes)
01. Hele verhalen voor een halve soldaat - Benny Lindelauf
02. De magie van de verboden toren - Ben Guterson
03. Hotel op de hoek van bitter en zoet - Jamie Ford

LGBTQ+

Metal
01. The Gilded Cage - Lynette Noni
02. Silver in the Wood - Emily Tesh

Murderer

Nordic Mythology
De lessen van Loki - Joanne Harris

Treasure Hunting

Seasons
Een Noorse winternacht - Karen Swan

Time -designation
01. Levenslang - Harlan Coben
02. Augustus - J.D. Barker

Comparatieve

Wings
01. Stikdonker - Kim Faber & Janni Pedersen

Me with Marie and Fiene

Lonne

ROOTs are all tree-books and e-books I own that have been in my house for more then 4 months.
I decided to include e-books too because if I don't, they will accumulate rapidly and I did not get them just because I could, but because I want to read them.

01. Hele verhalen voor een halve soldaat - Benny Lindelauf -
02. Donkergroen bijna zwart - Mareike Fallwickl -
03. Kruispunt - Jonathan Franzen -
04. The Ghost of Ivy Barn -Mark Stay -
05. De Innamorati - Midori Snyder -
06. Dochter van het moeras - Karen Dionne -
07. Hotel op de hoek van bitter en zoet - Jamie Ford -
08. Stikdonker - Kim Faber & Janni Pedersen -
09. De jasmijnzussen - Corina Bomann -
10. De laatste leerling - Naomi Novik -
11. De escaperoom - Megan Goldin -
12. Een Noorse winternacht - Karen Swan -
13. Silver in the Wood - Emily Tesh -
14. De gouden enclaves - Naomi Novik -
15. Mortuarium - Patricia Cornwell -
16. De valkentroon - Karen Miller -
17. De jongen, de mol, de vos en het paard - Charlie Mackesy -
18. De lessen van Loki - Joanne Harris -
19. Nooit meer - Colleen Hoover -
20. Mijn belofte aan jou - Colleen Hoover -
21. Toen de wereld brak - John Boyne -
22. Augustus - J.D. Barker -

Read books in January, February and March

01. Inktzwart hart - Robert Galbraith - Forumchallenge # 1, BFB # 1 -
02. Hele verhalen voor een halve soldaat - Benny Lindelauf ROOT # 1, Forumchallenge # 2 -
03. De magie van de verboden toren - Ben Guterson Forumchallenge # 3 -
04. Donkergroen bijna zwart - Mareike Fallwickl - ROOT # 2, Forumchallenge # 4 -
05. Kruispunt - Jonathan Franzen - ROOT # 3, BFB # 2 -
06. The Ghost of Ivy Barn - Mark Stay - ROOT # 4 -
07. De Innamorati - Midori Snyder - ROOT # 5, Forumchallenge # 5 -
08. The Gilded Cage - Lynette Noni - Forumchallenge # 6 -
09. De verrader van Evalon - Lynette Noni -
10. Dochter van het moeras - Karen Dionne - ROOT # 6, Forumchallenge # 7 -
11. Juniper Wiles - Charles de Lint - SLS # 1 -
12. Juniper Wiles and the Ghost Girls - Charles de Lint - SLS # 2 -
13. Hotel op de hoek van bitter en zoet - Jamie Ford - ROOT # 7, Forumchallenge # 8 -
14. Stikdonker - Kim Faber & Janni Pedersen - ROOT # 8, Forumchallenge # 9 -
15. De jasmijnzussen - Corina Bomann - ROOT # 9, Forumchallenge # 10 -

Read books in April, May and June

16. De laatste leerling - Naomi Novik - ROOT # 10, Forumchallenge # 11 -
17. De escaperoom - Megan Goldin - ROOT # 11, Forumchallenge # 12 -
18. The House That Walked Between Worlds - Jenny Schwartz -
19. House in Hiding - Jenny Schwartz -
20. The House That Fought - Jenny Schwartz - Forumchallenge # 13 -
21. Een Noorse winternacht - Karen Swan - ROOT # 12, Forumchallenge # 14 -
22. Silver in the Wood - Emily Tesh - ROOT # 13, Forumchallenge # 15 -
23. De gouden enclaves - Naomi Novik - ROOT # 14 -
24. Mortuarium - Patricia Cornwell - ROOT # 15, Forumchallenge # 16 -
25. De valkentroon - Karen Miller - ROOT # 16, Forumchallenge # 17, BFB # 3 -
26. De jongen, de mol, de vos en het paard - Charlie Mackesy - ROOT # 17 -
27. De lelievallei - Tracy Rees -
28. De lessen van Loki - Joanne Harris - ROOT # 18 - Forumchallenge # 18 -
29. Atlas, het verhaal van Pa Salt - Lucinda Riley & Harry Whittaker - BFB # 4 -
30. Nooit meer - Colleen Hoover - ROOT # 19 -
31. Mijn belofte aan jou - Colleen Hoover - ROOT # 20 -
32. Levenslang - Harlan Coben - Forumchallenge # 19 -
33. Toen de wereld brak - John Boyne - ROOT # 21 -
34. Augustus - J.D. Barker - ROOT # 22 - Forumchallenge # 20, BFB # 5 -

BFB read in 2023

01. Inktzwart hart - Robert Galbraith - 1185 pages -
02. Kruispunt - Jonathan Franzen - 572 pages -
03. De valkentroon - Karen Miller - 778 pages -
04. Atlas, het verhaal van Pa Salt - Lucinda Riley & Harry Whittaker - 698 pages -
05. Augustus - J.D. Barker - 668 pages -

Books into the house, bought, gifts or won.

01. De jongen, de mol, de vos en het paard - Charlie Mackesy
02. Toen de wereld brak - John Boyne - Won in a Lottery
03. De gevangene - B.A. Paris - Bought with a Book gift card from Hans
04. De waarheid - Colleen Hoover - Bought with a Book gift card from Hans
05. Noah en het speurengeltje - Lucinda Riley & Harry Whittaker - Bought with a Book gift card from Hans
06. De logé - Heather Gudenkauf
07. Al die schitterende hemels - Trent Dalton
08. Wacht op mij - Santa Montefiore - Bought with a Book gift card from Eveline
09. Sterrenvlucht - Brandon Sanderson - Gift from Peet for my birthday
10. Cytonic - Brandon Sanderson - Gift from Peet for my birthday
11. De wrede prins - Holly Black
12. De verbannen koningin - Holly Black
13. Sterrenzicht - Brandon Sanderson - Gift from Peet for my birthday
14. Bloedlijn - Angela Marsons - Boekenweek 2023
15. Dolende zielen - Angela Marsons - Boekenweek 2023
16. De gevallen koning - Holly Black - Boekenweek 2023
17. De eerlijke vinder - Lize Spit - Boekenweekgeschenk 2023
18. De Lincoln Highway - Amor Towles
19. Besjes in het bos - Margaret Atwood
20. Het gouden rijk - S.A. Chakraborty
21. Ze hadden hun schaapjes geteld - Benny Lindelauf
22. Levenslang - Harlan Coben
23. De lelievallei - Tracy Rees
24. Heeft iemand Charlotte Salter gezien? - Nicci French
25. Duivelsbocht - Robert Bryndza
26. Films die nergens draaien - Yorick Goldewijk
27. Atlas, het verhaal van Pa Salt - Lucinda Riley & Harry Whittaker - For Mothers-day from Peet
28. Getuige - Lars Kepler - Gekregen van Eveline

Cursief is read

This one is for BookBullets that hit me here

01. Sneeuwblind - Ragnar Jónasson BB by Nickelini

Welcome to all visitors!
I'm glad you stopped by to follow my reading adventures.

Hi Connie, I wish you a healthy and fabulous new year. Dropped a star and looking forward to your reading. 😀

Thanks Barbara! Same to you.

Eagerly awaiting your set up! Have a wonderful year of reading.

Thanks, Jean.

I'm ready!

Happy New Year, Connie! As always your granddaughters are just little bundles of sunshine in your thread. Happy reading to you.

Happy new year Connie! Your lovely girls are looking so grown-up, aren't they?

Wishing you a great year of reading and family. I hope that Peet is doing well.

Thanks Jackie and Julia! I know. I can't believe how quickly they grow.

Happy to see you and your beautiful family here again. Wishing you happy reading this year!

Happy New Year, Connie! Cheers to another year of ROOTing!

Thanks, CL. I will have to read a sentence first. I did not read anything yet.

Thanks, Lynda! Cheers to you too.

Currently reading a tree-book



Kruispunt by Jonathan Franzen

The blurb NOT my review

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

And an e-book



The gilded cage by Lynette Noni

The blurb NOT my review

Kiva trades one cage for another when she leaves behind a deadly prison for a deceptive palace in this dark and dangerous sequel to The Prison Healer, which Sarah J. Maas called "a must-read." Kiva Meridan is a survivor. She survived not only Zalindov prison, but also the deadly Trial by Ordeal. Now Kiva's purpose goes beyond survival to vengeance. For the past ten years, her only goal was to reunite with her family and destroy the people responsible for ruining their lives. But now that she has escaped Zalindov, her mission has become more complicated than ever. As Kiva settles into her new life in the capital, she discovers she wasn't the only one who suffered while she was in Zalindov--her siblings and their beliefs have changed too. Soon it's not just her enemies she's keeping secrets from, but her own family as well. Outside the city walls, tensions are brewing from the rebels, along with whispers of a growing threat from the northern kingdoms. Kiva's allegiances are more important than ever, but she's beginning to question where they truly lie. To survive this time, she'll have to navigate a complicated web of lies before both sides of the battle turn against her and she loses everything.

Hi Connie! -- loving those beautiful fresh faces! I have the Franzen book planned for soon-ish, hope you're enjoying it.

Happy reading and ROOTing, Connie. I am sorry about your husband and do hope he eventually improves. You are a brave soul and I can tell your grandkids bring you much joy.

Happy new year, Connie. I have you starred! Lovely pictures of the girls :)

Welcome back, Connie! Love those photos of the girls! They're getting so big :)

Thanks, ladies.

Happy New Year, Connie! The girls are growing up so quickly!

>32 connie53: I know, it's ridiculous.

I missed your new thread. Looking forward to seeing what you read in 2023.

>33 Robertgreaves: Well, you found it. Welcome Robert.

I bought my first book for the year.



De jongen, de mol, de vos en het paard by Charlie Mackesy

The blurb NOT my review

A journey, in search of home.
Charlie Mackesy's beloved The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse has been adapted into an animated short film. This beautifully made hardback celebrates the work of over 100 animators across two years of production - with Charlie's distinctive illustrations brought to life in full colour with hand-drawn traditional animation and accompanying hand-written script. "I made a film with some friends about a boy, a mole, a fox and a horse - their journey together and the boy's search for home. I hope this book gives you courage and makes you feel loved."

Happy New Year Connie, and happy reading in 2023.

Thanks, QA!

Found your thread! Here's hoping for a great reading year for one and all. Cheers!

Hi Connie, I'm glad to see you back again. I doubt very seriously those darling girls have a gene that causes them to read. I don't think anything is as much an incentive for children than parents and grandparents who read! I hope you and the girls have a great reading year.

Thanks, Jerry and Luanne!

>39 clue:. A good example will certainly work, Luanne. Thanks for the well wishes!

My plans for reading have changed somewhat. My RL book-club had its own challenge for the year.
20 categories with 20 spaces to fill.

The 'smaller then' categorie starts with a BFB with 1303 pages
And my planned book has 1185 pages and is next in the line down so I start that one today.



It's Inktzwart hart by Robert Galbraith aka J.K. Rowling,

The blurb NOT my review

When frantic, disheveled Edie Ledwell appears in the office begging to speak to her, private detective Robin Ellacott doesn't know quite what to make of the situation. The cocreator of a popular cartoon, The Ink Black Heart, Edie is being persecuted by a mysterious online figure who goes by the pseudonym of Anomie. Edie is desperate to uncover Anomie's true identity. Robin decides that the agency can't help with this--and thinks nothing more of it until a few days later, when she reads the shocking news that Edie has been tasered and then murdered in Highgate Cemetery, the location of The Ink Black Heart. Robin and her business partner, Cormoran Strike, become drawn into the quest to uncover Anomie's true identity. But with a complex web of online aliases, business interests and family conflicts to navigate, Strike and Robin find themselves embroiled in a case that stretches their powers of deduction to the limits--and which threatens them in new and horrifying ways...

Happy New Year, Connie; here's to more ROOTing :). Your granddaughters are so adorable.

Happy New Year! Fiene was just a newborn when I last looked at a picture of her. Now she has a little sister! The girls are gorgeous. Must run in the family...

Thanks, Elizabeth and EAM.

They all are very pretty girls. I fear that's not entirely on me;-))

My ROOTing has not even started since I'm reading a very Big Book, 1185 pages >41 connie53:. I'm happy to say I'm now past the half way point and enjoying the story. It's rather complicated so I made a list of people mentioned in the story. It's quit long (168 names, aliases, email-addresses and nicknames) and I'm trying to combine those like Robin and Cormoran have to do in the book. I love making lists so I'm really enjoying the job.

>45 connie53: I read that one last year and wish I had kept a list linking all the aliases and things! It was definitely a bit tricky to keep everyone straight.

>46 Caramellunacy: I know. It is a nice to be able to combine some of them. When I've finished the book I will eliminate the names that don't matter to the story. I'm very nearly at the end of the book, still 320 pages to go. ;-)). (320 pages is a book on it's own). But I have very little to do this week so perhaps I will finish it soonish.

Finally finished my first book for 2023

Inktzwart hart by Robert Galbraith - Forumchallenge # 1, BFB # 1

My review

Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott belong to my favorite detective couples. The books about them are never boring and usually quite complicated. This sixth part is that too. Many, many characters (at one time I had a list of 189 names), conversations in the form of tweets, forum chats and emails, all in column shape and with their own layout. Really well done.

The subject is the murder and attempted murder of Edie Ledwell and Josh Blay. Shortly before, Edie came to ask Robin fro help. Robin had to reject this because of staff shortages and because they don't really have experience with online stalking.

Edie and Josh are the makers of a series of cartoons that have fairly lurid subjects but who are received with great enthusiasm by certain people. A cult arises around the cartoons, but they are attacked by someone who calls himself Anomie and Edie wants Cormoran and Robin to find out who that Anomie is. Later when later they hear about the murder of Edie, they get involved in the search and have to do everything they can to bring the whole case to a successful conclusion.

Very exciting and complicated and with a outcome that I didn't see coming at all.
Tribute to the author and definitely recommended.

>48 connie53: Nice review, Connie. I read the first two or three in this series and I liked the characters but I think the plots are too complicated for my little brain. I think I finished every one not exactly sure what had happened. :-)

>49 rosalita:. I can see what you mean. I did feel that too, sometimes. It's very complicated and I think that's why I did not see where it would go and who was the perpetrator. But in retrospect it was obvious. And in 1185 pages you get a lot of information to remember.

Now reading:



Hele verhalen voor een halve soldaat by Benny Lindelauf

Original Dutch. Not translated. The title in English would be something like: 'Whole stories for half a soldier'

The Blurb NOT my review

Six brothers are called upon to serve in the army. On the way to the front, they must report to a border post. The brothers do not have suitable gifts or money to be able to cross the border. However, they know stories in abundance. Stories about a bewitched lake, about a puppeteer who is willing to kill to be successful and about a young man who is so beautiful that the men from his village prefer to kill him out of pure jealousy.
The brothers tell this stories as if their lives depends on them. And that is so true.

Hi Connie, I have the that Cormoran Strike book on my shelf just waiting for me. I skipped your review down to the last paragraph so that I could see what you thought of it and was glad to see you liked it. I don't think I'll have time to read it until March but I look forward to it!

>51 clue: Hi Luanne. I hope you like it just as much as I did. Just be prepared to read about a lot of persons. Don't get intimidated ;-)

Finished my first ROOT for the year

Hele verhalen voor een halve soldaat by Benny Lindelauf - Forumchallenge # 2, ROOT # 1

My review

In fact, this book consists of several stories told by six brothers who are leaving one by one to a war that seems to last endlessly. And it's the book with the story of the guard. On their way to the war the brothers encounter a barrier-pole standing in the middle of nowhere and they have to donate a gift for peace, but they have nothing but stories to tell and the guard has time to listen. So the brothers each tell a story.
I thought the best one was the story of Zetta, a very little girl who is bought from her mother to act as a Marionet for an old puppeteer.
The story of the guard about the white wolf is also very good. Nice book to read.

Now reading De magie van de verboden toren by Ben Guterson



The blurb NOT my review

After the tragic loss of their sister, Zack and his siblings band together to investigate a Morse Code-inspired mystery in this stunning novel about grief and resilience. When Zack's younger sister dies in a tragic accident, his family moves to a small town in the Northwest to try and heal from all the pain. Eleven-year-old Zack blames himself for his sister's death, and he struggles to find any comfort in his new surroundings. Vista Point is home to many mysterious landmarks: The great domed Tower casts inscrutable shadows, and what is the cryptic message in its ceiling medallion? There are several hidden watering holes and even a secret cave in the woods with messages written on its walls. Zack, at first, feels lost in Vista Point. Until he meets Ann, a girl who lives in the area and shows Zack all the special places to be discovered. But there's something that seems a bit strange about Ann--and perhaps a secret she is keeping from him. With emotional depth, an unforgettable setting, and a winning cast of characters, this masterful novel thoughtfully explores the grieving process, and how a season of pain can evolve into a summer of healing.

I finished De magie van de verboden toren by Ben Guterson, Forumchallenge # 3 and the book

My review

Another wonderful book by Ben Guterson. With riddles to solve yourself and a fantasy touch.
Zack and his family moved from the big city to a quiet place in a small village after the death of their youngest daughter and sister Susan.
Zack blames herself for her death and withdraws into his room with his books. Zack's parents have bought a large old house where they want to start a bed and breakfast. Their 4 other children help to refurbish and clean the house, but they also explore the surroundings of their house and in particular the large tower that is there.
Then Zack sees a girl walking there who looks a lot like his deceased sister. When he sees the girl he goes after her. Ann and he become friends and are together as much as possible. Ann shows him that the tower is not closed and Zack is completely under the spell of a text that they find there. Over time, his older brother and sisters also get involved. Together they try to unravel the mystery of the tower.

Nice book for younger children between 10 and 12 years old. Certainly if they try to resolve the riddles themselves.

Now starting in Donkergroen bijna zwart by Mareike Fallwickl

Original German, not translated into English, Title: Darkgreen almost black.



The blurb NOT my review

Raffael, confident and charismatic, and Moritz, sensitive and loyal. Since their first meeting as young children, the boys have been inseparable.
Moritz and his mother Marie are new in the lonely mountain village and Marie should be happy with the friendship. But she does not trust Raffael, with his easy smile and ice -cold blue eyes. When a new girl, Johanna, strats at the school of the two friends, a fatal triangle is created, which puts pressure on friendship until it splashes apart with a bang. One evening sixteen years later, Raffael turns up suddenly at Moritz's house. Everything will be put at stake for on more time.

Finished Donkergroen bijna zwart by Mareike Fallwickl, Forumchallenge # 4, ROOT # 2,

My review

Intriguing book, with many layers, told by 3 of the 4 main characters; Moritz, Johanna and Marie.
Marie moves with her son Moritz and baby daughter Sophia van Vienna to a house in Dürnberg in Austria. Her husband Alexander stays in Vienna to finish his doctor's studies.
Moritz meets Raffael on a playground and it turns out that they both will go to the same kindergarten. They become inseparable friends. When they are in their teens Johanna enters their lives. Johanna provides a shaky balance between the two boys.
The story jumps from one period to another. And as a reader you get to know the story of this, rather toxic, triangle bit by bit.
Marie, the mother, sees a lot but keeps all these things to herself. She sees that Raffael has sadistic traits and that her son allows all the mean without doing a thing.
Occasionally it was quite painful to read, then you just want to skip those pieces because it is so unjustified what happens.
But you have to read on because you want to know how it ends.

I'm sure I won't finish my current read, Kruispunt by Jonathan Franzen. To many pages for one day left. It is my third ROOT for the year. So I'm a bit behind schedule.

I got your very nice letter yesterday. I was too tired to read it last night, but read it with my breakfast this morning. Lots of things happening in your life. I am getting ready to retire at the end of the month and finding that there is lots of paperwork to do. I was not prepared for that and since I am still teaching classes I am finding it hard to get things done on time. I have found time to read, but not so much knitting. Thank you for the letter. It was great fun to read it.

Hi Connie, just popping in to say hello, see what you’re reading and wish you successful ROOTing for 2023.

It’s lovely to see your beautiful grandchildren - and you’re looking very well yourself. Good genes all round obviously!

Good reading too - you’ve persuaded me to try the Cormorant Strike series which hadn’t really appealed to me till I read your review. I like a challenging mystery, so thanks for that!

>59 benitastrnad: Thanks Benita, glad you liked it.
Retirement is a big thing to happen, not only because of the paperwork. I don't know how things are organized in the US. Perhaps you can google for things you need and must do after. And make a list of them. So you can cross things off. And make sure you give your self time to relax.

>60 floremolla: Hi Donna, I hope you enjoy the books about Cormorant Strike when you get to them.

O my. I did not update my reading progress for a few days

I finished ROOT # 3, BFB # 2 Kruispunt by Jonathan Franzen on the 7th of February and gave it

My review

Extensive and intriguing story about a fairly dysfunctional family in a small American town at the beginning of the seventies of the last century. Father, mother, 3 sons and 1 daughter. And everyone is a bit shaky in their actions. Only the youngest son, Judson, can be called 'normal'. I noticed that I could easily put this book aside and that is not really a good sign. But when I was reading, it turned out to be interesting again. Religion plays a very big role in this book. That of course depends on the time and the place, but for me it was a bit over the top and difficult to empathize with those feelings.
I didn't really get a bond with one of the characters, although the oldest Clem, gets the closets
All in all a nice but not a great book for me.

Now reading The Ghost of Ivy Barn by Mark Stay



The blurb NOT my review

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

A lot of books have entered the house

Toen de wereld brak by John Boyne. Won in a lottery.
De waarheid by Colleen Hoover. Bought with a gift card
Noah en het speurengeltje by Lucinda Riley & Harry Whittaker. Bought with a gift card for the girls
De gevangene by B.A. Paris. Bought with a gift card
De logé by Heather Gudenkauf
Al die schitterende hemels by Trent Dalton

>62 connie53: I just started The Ghost of Ivy Barn yesterday too! Enjoying it very much so far (the audiobook narrator is fantastic).

>64 Jackie_K: Looking forward to your review, Jackie. I might finish it today.

I decided to count read e-books too. They have to be on my TBR-list for more than 4 months

>65 connie53: I'm looking forward to your review too! You're a bit further ahead than me, I'm about half-way, so it won't be finished today (I listened for 4 hours while doing a lot of ironing yesterday, I don't have any more to do so will be reading the rest in smaller chunks!).

>67 Jackie_K: I did finish The Ghost of Ivy Barn by Mark Stay, ROOT # 4 yesterday but could not say anything about it because it was rather difficult to do a lot of typing while on the couch. But today my new dining-table and chairs arrived so here I go.

The book gets

My review

Another wonderful book by Mark Stay. We follow Faye Bright, her father Terrence and Bertie again in their fight against the Germans in WWII. It is an alternative world because magic is reasonably accepted, especially in the town of Woodville where Faye lives and where her father runs the local pub. The inhabitants of Woodville turn a blind eye to magic and pretend for most of the time nothing magical happens. Faye is confronted with 2 dead pilots, a German and one of the Allies, when they crash into the barn of Larry Dell during an air fight. With the help of Mrs. Teach and Miss Charlotte knows how to send one pilot to the hereafter, but the Polish Leo cannot be sent there so easily.
If a magical ritual has to take place elsewhere in Great Britain, all three ladies are called away to the White Cliffs of Dover.
Of course nothing goes without a struggle and Faye has her hands full on all the tasks she has to perform.
Cozy and friendly story that you know will never end badly. So not nail biting exciting, but nice reading. And Mr. Stay more or less promises another part.

Yesterday I started in De innamorati by Midori Snyder

A deep ROOT, because while I entered the book in 2012 when I joined LT, I must have bought before that.



The Blurb NOT my review

The frustrated in love know it, the barren women, the silent poets, the lustful priests - all those who suffer from cursed lives. By ones and twos, in carriages, on horseback, on foot, they flock to the Maze at the heart of the city Labirinto. Five pilgrims, with their enemies, their drinking buddies, and their chance-met companions, journey across a richly imagined Renaissance Italy alive with adventures and magic, to meet in the great Labyrinth. Their adventures grow ever more baroque, comical, and magical, until they reach the heart of the Maze, and perhaps, their hearts' desire.

>68 connie53: I'm so glad you enjoyed it! And yes, there's another one due out I think later this year.

Popping in to say hi, Connie!

Hi Jackie and Natalie

Here are pictures of the new dining table and chairs.



You can see the old table against the bookcase in the livingroom

>72 connie53: It looks lovely, Connie! And the chairs look super comfy.

We want to replace our dining table, too -- our current one was never meant for the space it's in and is just a little IKEA table that only seats about 4 people. But we are thinking of moving this year or next year so we figure we should wait to buy a nice table until we know where it will go.

>72 connie53: That looks lovely, Connie! I love that it's such a light, airy space.

>72 connie53: Really nice! It looks very welcoming and comfortable.

>73 curioussquared: Waiting for the move to take place and buying a new table than is a very good idea, Natalie. You need space for a bigger table.

>74 Jackie_K: Lots of windows in the room make it very light indeed. I love the space you can see behind the couch (where the old table is now waiting for transportation to the secondhand store). The girls have room enough for playing with the Barbies. I don't like a room that's packed with stuff.

>45 connie53: Thanks, Julia. The chairs are really comfy and I love the big table.

>72 connie53: The room looks gorgeous, Connie. Enjoy!

Thanks, Birgit.

Yesterday was the second day The Dutch celebrate Carnaval and Lonne stayed overnight so her mum and dad could go downtown. She brought some facial paint and Grandma painted her face and she did mine

Me



and Lonne



Rianne and Jeroen looked like this



Jeroen is on the left



Rianne is on the left

Rianne and her friend were mermaids, Jeroen and his friend were fishermen who wanted to catch the mermaids.

>79 connie53: Laissez le bons temps rouler!

>80 rocketjk:, In my best French: Ils le feront certainement

Great costumes! Hope everyone has/had a great time!

Great costumes and face painting

Love the face paint, especially Lonne's work on you :) great costumes!!

Yes, I look really comfortable with that paint. ;-)

Looks like everyone had lots of fun!

I finished De Innamorati by Midori Snyder and give the book , ROOT # 5, Forumchallenge # 5

My Review

You have the commedia dell'arte and you have the Innamorati.
This book is about the last group of people. They are all darkened souls who in most cases have not had much luck in life. There is a siren - banned by Orpheus from her home island and sworn to 10 years of silence, a professional dueler with lots of duel won and lots of victims, a poet who always wants to speak the truth and therefore can no longer write poetry and more people like that.
In the first part, all main characters are highlighted and we get to know them a little. They actually all feel cursed.
In the middle part they are all attracted by the story about a labyrinth where everyone could be freed from that curse. In order to reach that goal they have to overcome all kinds of obstacles, fight with saters and that kind of fantasy creatures.
The book reads easily and I really found it a nice experience to do so. I doubted between a 7 and an 8, but in the end it became an 8.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~``

Now I will continu in a book that has been neglected for weeks.



The Gilded Cage by Lynette Noni

The Blurb NOT my review

Kiva Meridan is a survivor. She survived not only Zalindov prison, but also the deadly Trial by Ordeal. Now Kiva's purpose goes beyond survival to vengeance. For the past ten years, her only goal has been to reunite with her family and destroy the people responsible for ruining their lives. But now that she has escaped Zalindov, her mission has become more complicated than ever. As Kiva settles into her new life in the capital, she discovers she wasn't the only one who suffered while she was in Zalindov-her siblings and their beliefs have changed too. Soon it's not just her enemies she's keeping secrets from, but her own family as well. Outside the city walls, tensions are brewing from the rebels, along with whispers of a growing threat from the northern kingdoms. Kiva's allegiances are more important than ever, but she's beginning to question where they truly lie. To survive this time, she'll have to navigate a complicated web of lies before both sides of the battle turn against her and she loses everything.

Finished The Gilded Cage by Lynette Noni Forumchallenge # 6 and the book gets

My review

What is this a wonderful continuation of the Prison Healer. I enjoyed it every minute that I read it. Kiva is staying in the Royal Palace and has still been able to keep her true identity hidden from everyone, but her own family knows better. If she visits them it is a nice reunion, but not everything is what it seems and Kiva has to fight to keep her secret for Jaren and the rest of his family. Then everything changes when the rebels strike. I will not tell anymore because of spoilers. Recommended.

On in part 3 of this series.



De verrader van Evalon by Lynette Noni e-book

The blurb NOT my review

She'd failed them. All of them. And now she was paying the price. Kiva thought she knew what she wanted--revenge. But feelings change, people change . . . everything has changed. After what happened at the palace, Kiva is desperate to know if her friends and family are safe, and whether those she wronged can ever forgive her. But with the kingdoms closer to the brink of war than they've ever been, and Kiva far away from the conflict, more is at stake than her own broken heart. A fresh start will mean a perilous quest, forcing mortal enemies and uneasy allies together in a race against the clock to save not just Evalon, but all of Wenderall. With her loyalties now set, Kiva can no longer just survive--she must fight for what she believes in. For who she believes in. But with danger coming from every side, and the lives of everyone she loves at risk, does she have what it takes to stand, or will she fall?

And as a Tree-book



Stikdonker by Kim Faber & Janni Pedersen. Original Danish

The blurb NOT my review

After his temporary exile in Sandsted, inspector Martin Juncker returns to Copenhagen. Immediately a new murder case is assigned to him: a young woman is strangled and left half naked in a bush. Her clothes are neatly folded next to the body. Although there are no clear indications to follow, the murder reminds Juncker immediately of an unsolved case from ten years earlier. Would this be the same murderer?

Detective Signe Kristansen is happy that her partner is back. She is investigating the murder of a young neo -Nazi during a political action. If it turns out that the two things have a link, Juncker and Kristansen must join forces. But finding out the truth can have life -threatening consequences ...

The pictures of the face painting are amazing, Connie. I like your new dining room set. It looks so sleek!

Thanks, Meg.

What fun Carnaval pictures and Lonne, oh my heart, beautiful!

Thanks, MJ. She is such a lovely girl.

Here are the other two in their outfits

Hi Connie, just doing a little catching up on Roots today. What great pics of Carnaval costumes!! So imaginative!! Looks like a fun time.

Lovely dining room table.

>92 connie53: so cute!!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Thanks Lynda.

Finished De verrader van Evalon by Lynette Noni and this book gets

My review

I really enjoyed this 3th and final part in the series just I did part 1 and part 2. Of course I can't tell much about the story because of spoilers, but all the great main characters participate again and there is a quest in it, which is always good. Occasionally I had a little trouble when Kiva started to doubt herself again and that was extensively described and was too frequently the case. Is was an excellent ending of the series.

Mrs. Noni has written even more and I want to go look for those books.

>92 connie53: Oh my goodness, Marie's ladybird costume! Gorgeous!!

>92 connie53: Such cuties!

>92 connie53: Fabulous costumes! Funnily enough, I made a similar choice when I was nine, I dressed up as a cat. No photos, alas.

>97 MissWatson: That's a pity, Birgit.

>95 Jackie_K:,>96 curioussquared: Thanks ladies, I think they are pretty cute too.

I got my birthday presents from Peet, at least the first two entered the house by mail. Thursday the last one will arrive.



Sterrenvlucht by Brandon Sanderson, Skyward part 1

The blurb NOT my review

Spensa's world has been under attack for decades. Now pilots are the heroes of what's left of the human race, and becoming one has always been Spensa's dream. Since she was a little girl, she has imagined soaring skyward and proving her bravery. But her fate is intertwined with her father's - a pilot himself who was killed years ago when he abruptly deserted his team, leaving Spensa's chances of attending flight school at slim to none.

No one will let Spensa forget what her father did, yet fate works in mysterious ways. Flight school might be a long shot, but she is determined to fly. And an accidental discovery in a long-forgotten cavern might just provide her with a way to claim the stars.



Cytonic - Brandon Sanderson, Skyward part 3

The blurb NOT my review

Spensa’s life as a Defiant Defense Force pilot has been far from ordinary. She proved herself one of the best starfighters in the human enclave of Detritus and she saved her people from extermination at the hands of the Krell—the enigmatic alien species that has been holding them captive for decades. What’s more, she traveled light-years from home as an undercover spy to infiltrate the Superiority, where she learned of the galaxy beyond her small, desolate planet home.

Now, the Superiority—the governing galactic alliance bent on dominating all human life—has started a galaxy-wide war. And Spensa’s seen the weapons they plan to use to end it: the Delvers. Ancient, mysterious alien forces that can wipe out entire planetary systems in an instant. Spensa knows that no matter how many pilots the DDF has, there is no defeating this predator.

Except that Spensa is Cytonic. She faced down a Delver and saw something eerily familiar about it. And maybe, if she’s able to figure out what she is, she could be more than just another pilot in this unfolding war. She could save the galaxy.

The only way she can discover what she really is, though, is to leave behind all she knows and enter the Nowhere. A place from which few ever return.

To have courage means facing fear. And this mission is terrifying.

Hi Connie, I just came by to see how you are doing, and to see how fast your grandkids are growing :-)

I decided to skip ROOTing this year, and instead go for reducing my long wishist at the library. Some older titles are disappearing, getting them from a library outside our province costs 4,50 euro for each book. I might come back here next year.

>100 FAMeulstee: I know I'm not Connie, but how nice to see you Anita! I hope you're keeping well!

>100 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita, so nice to see you here. I do hope you com back next year! Please!!!??!!

I finished Dochter van het moeras by Karen Dionne, ROOT # 6, Forumchallenge # 7,

My review

This is a book that I had to think about for a long time. Because it is not pleasant what happens to Helena. Although she does not realize that in the beginning, because she is too young to realize what is going on when it all starts.
Helena lives with her mother and father in a swamp in Michigan, Us. Her father is a hunter and a real outdoor person who has a lot of knowledge about nature and the survival with shortage and dangers. Moreover, he has hardly any contact with the outside world and is very manipulative and narcissistic. If he wants to pass on his knowledge, he kidnaps a 14 year old girl who stays without a name. With her he has a daughter, Helena, whom he takes with him from a very early age and he learns everything he knows. When Helena realizes around the age of twelve that her father is not a nice man, she decides to escape with her heavily abused mother. Eventually she manages to get her father in prison.
Years later, when Helena herself has 2 young daughters, he escapes from prison and tries to approach her again, but this time he wants to take more than just Helena. Helena has to fight for her freedom and for her family. Well written, but not a pleasant book to read.

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



And started in Juniper Wiles by Charles de Lint.

The blurb NOT my review

Juniper Wiles once starred as a plucky teen detective in the popular TV show, Nora Constantine. When the series ended seven years ago, Juniper made a decision to leave L.A. and return home to Newford where she joined friends at the artists' collective, Bramleyhaugh, the center of which is her pal, beloved faerie artist Jilly Coppercorn. Now, out of the blue, the fictional world of Nora Constantine is bleeding into Newford, starting with the inexplicable murder of a young man. Juniper may have wanted to leave her role as a detective behind, but when she's accosted by the ghost of that young man everything changes. To solve this crime will require all the skills she learned training for Nora Constantine. And the effervescent Jilly, always up for a new adventure, is ready to come along for the ride.

>101 Jackie_K: Thanks Jackie, I left a message on your thread. All is well here.

>102 connie53: I intend to come back next year, Connie.
This year I was even late at the 75ers. My eyes got badly infected around Christmas, and it took some weeks before I could look at the computerscreen for longer than five minutes. By that time I had decided to go mainly for the library books this year. I guess my own books will feel neglected by the end of this year ;-)

>104 FAMeulstee:. I guess they will, Anita. I will go and find your thread at the 75ers.

I finished Juniper Wiles by Charles de Lint and give this book

"

The blurb NOT my review

Juniper Wiles once starred as a plucky teen detective in the popular TV show, Nora Constantine. When the series ended seven years ago, Juniper made a decision to leave L.A. and return home to Newford where she joined friends at the artists' collective, Bramleyhaugh, the center of which is her pal, beloved faerie artist Jilly Coppercorn. Now, out of the blue, the fictional world of Nora Constantine is bleeding into Newford, starting with the inexplicable murder of a young man. Juniper may have wanted to leave her role as a detective behind, but when she's accosted by the ghost of that young man everything changes. To solve this crime will require all the skills she learned training for Nora Constantine. And the effervescent Jilly, always up for a new adventure, is ready to come along for the ride.

My review

I read this book in memory of M, a friend of my FF reading club who recently died. She was a huge fan of Charles de Lint's books and as a reading club we decided to read the two Juniper Wiles books she still wanted to read in her honor.

I have never read anything by Charles de Lint before, but I don't think it will be limited to these books. I really like them. Alternative worlds, a variety of characters who all have a special magical talent. shapeshifters, people who have the internet in their heads, werewolves, spirits from other worlds seeking their salvation in the world of Juniper.
If she is approached by Ethan and she does not want to speak to him and brushes him of, she is surprised to read in the paper that Ethan has been dead for a week. That makes her think again and she and her friend Jilly decide to investigate Ethan's death. Very nice and pleasantly readable written.



Starting Juniper Wiles and the Ghost Girls by Charles de Lint

The blurb NOT my review

Juniper should have known better after her last foray into the otherworld. But when she’s asked to look into a mysterious box full of poltergeists she ends up making a promise to seven teenage ghosts that puts here directly in the crosshairs of a blood witch’s deadly ire.

>106 connie53: That's a lovely way to honour a friend who has passed.

Finished Juniper Wiles and The Ghost Girls by Charles de Lint and this book gets

My review

Just like book 1, I enjoyed this book very much. Delightful and also very nice to hear that Charles de Lint has already written a few new Juniper books that only have to be edited.

This time Juniper and Lilly are looking for the person who has killed seven girls. Juniper has found these girls when she is called for help by the police. The girls are kept as ghosts in a box and Juniper is the only one can see them. The whole team they start investigating and that occasionally brings them into dangerous situations. Juniper receives help from Joe, when it comes to action. And Jilly keeps investigating the internet and papers, together with a number of residents of the house on Stanton Street. There are also some other things. There is Duncan who is looking for his sister Daisy. (LGBTQ+), and there is Nida Dill, one of the most powerful wizards of Kingsmoor College (a kind of Hogwarts) to be stopped. Those things all have something to do with each other and that makes it all read well.

I can't wait for more Juniper.

I've read a few Charles de Lint books but not the Juniper series, Connie. Glad to see you're enjoying them!

Yesterday I had a nice day out with some of the members of my RL Bookclub.

And of course we visited a big bookstore and I bought two books



De Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

The Blurb NOT my review

1954, eighteen-year-old Emmett Watson is driven home to Nebraska by the warden of the juvenile work farm where he has just served fifteen months for involuntary manslaughter. His mother long gone, his father recently deceased, and the family farm foreclosed upon by the bank, Emmett's intention is to pick up his eight-year-old brother, Billy, and head to California where they can start their lives anew. But when the warden drives away, Emmett discovers that two friends from the work farm have hidden themselves in the trunk of the warden's car. Together, they have hatched an altogether different plan for Emmett's future, one that will take them all on a fateful journey in the opposite direction--to the City of New York. Spanning just ten days and told from multiple points of view



Besjes in het bos by Margaret Atwood

The Blurb NOT my review

A dazzling collection of fifteen stories from Margaret Atwood, the internationally acclaimed, award-winning author of The Handmaid's Tale and The Testaments Margaret Atwood is celebrated as one of the most gifted storytellers in the world. These stories explore the full warp and weft of experience, from two best friends disagreeing about their shared past, to the right way to stop someone from choking; from a daughter determining if her mother really is a witch, to what to do with inherited relics such as World War II parade swords. They feature beloved cats, a confused snail, Martha Gellhorn, George Orwell, philosopher-astronomer-mathematician Hypatia of Alexandria, a cabal of elderly female academics, and an alien tasked with retelling human fairy tales. At the heart of the collection is a stunning sequence that follows a married couple as they travel the road together, the moments big and small that make up a long life of love -- and what comes after. The glorious range of Atwood's creativity and humanity is on full beam in these tales, which by turns delight, illuminate and quietly devastate.

I finished Hotel op de hoek van bitter en zoet by Jamie Ford - Root # 7, Forumchallenge # 8 -

My review

This book is really beautiful in all its simplicity. It is the story of Henry and Keiko who get to know each other in primary school in 1942. They are both the only non -American children in that school. Henry is a Chinese boy and Keiko a Japanese girl.
Henry's father wants his son to grow up as an American but also that he complies with some Chinese values.
Keiko has modern parents who do everything to offer their daughter a good future. Keiko does not speak Japanese, because she was not raised that way.
Henry's father is absolutely against their friendship and refuses to talk to his son and forbid his wife to speak to Henry too. The tension in the house is often very difficult to live with.

This book also taught me things that I didn't know. One is that Japanese people in America were interned in all kinds of camps spread over America and as far as possible from the oceans. The government was afraid that the Japanese people would spy for Japan who was 'the enemy' in WO II.
At a certain moment, Keiko and her family are also transported to such a camp, Minidoka.

Henry and Keiko are now more than just friends. Henry tries to visit Keiko in the camp as often as possible. They write letters, but through time they lose sight of each other due too Henry's father.
Henry marries and becomes a widower and in 1986 he finds some objects that belong to Keiko's family in the cellars of Hotel Panama. The hotel has been nailed shut for years and the property that some Japanese families have placed there is left undisturbed through the years.
With the help his son, Marty, Henry goes in search of his lost love, Keiko.

I really enjoyed this book. Its a nice easy moving story and is beautifully written. Indeed bitter and sweet.

>111 connie53:
I read Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and liked it too. I listened to the recorded version and it was a good story to listen to in the car.

Hi Benita, I'm glad you liked it too.

I'm now reading De jasmijnzussen by Corina Bomann, Forumchallenge # 9, ROOT # 8

Original German writer.



The Blurb NOT my review

Fashion photographer Melanie Sommer has just returned from a work trip to Vietnam, the land of her ancestors, when she is told that her fiancé Robert had a car accident on the way home and was seriously injured ans is in a coma. She is really very desperate and confused with all that is happening around her. When she is on the brink of a burn-out she is invited by her great-grandmother Hanna and grandmother Marie to stay with them for some rest and a change of scenery.

Hanna notices how much her great-granddaughter is struggling with her fate and starts telling something about her own life for the first time. About her dramatic youth in the Exotic Saigon, about the beautiful Berlin of the 1920s and the great love she found there, about the difficult circumstances during the war and the new start she then made as a hat designer in Paris. Hanna has lost a lot, but also won a lot. If Melanie realizes that, she also has the courage to see the light in the darkest times.

Finished another ROOT

Stikdonker by Kim Faber & Janni Pedersen ROOT # 8, Forumchallenge # 9 -

My review

I found this third part in the series about Martin Juncker and Signe Kristiansen very exciting and well written. The story takes place in 14 days and follows the police investigation by the two detectives closely, with the occasional step aside to the private lives of Martin and Signe.
Signe is struggling with what has happened to her in the past and what does not get better if she has to work together with inspector Mikkelsen who is the cause of her current problems and Martin, who has been operated for prostate cancer and has to wait for the results of the Histological research. But as expected it all ends well. I want to read more by these writers.

Now starting in De laatste leerling by Naomi Novik



The blurb NOT my review

In Wisdom, Shelter.
That's the official motto of the Scholomance. I suppose you could even argue that it's true--only the wisdom is hard to come by, so the shelter's rather scant.
Our beloved school does its best to devour all its students--but now that I've reached my senior year and have actually won myself a handful of allies, it's suddenly developed a very particular craving for me. And even if I somehow make it through the endless waves of maleficaria that it keeps throwing at me in between grueling homework assignments, I haven't any idea how my allies and I are going to make it through the graduation hall alive. Unless, of course, I finally accept my foretold destiny of dark sorcery and destruction. That would certainly let me sail straight out of here. The course of wisdom, surely. But I'm not giving in--not to the mals, not to fate, and especially not to the Scholomance. I'm going to get myself and my friends out of this hideous place for good--even if it's the last thing I do.

A new book into the house



Het gouden rijk by S.A. Chakraborty

The blurb NOT my review

Daevabad has fallen. After a brutal conquest stripped the city of its magic, Nahid leader Banu Manizheh and her resurrected commander, Dara, must try to repair their fraying alliance and stabilize a fractious, warring people. But the death of his people and loss of his beloved Nahri have unleashed the worst demons of Dara's dark past. To vanquish them, he must face some ugly truths about his history and put himself at the mercy of those he once considered enemies. Having narrowly escaped their murderous families and Daevabad's deadly politics, Nahri and Ali, now safe in Cairo, face difficult choices of their own. Though Nahri is finding peace in the rhythms of her old home, she is haunted by the knowledge that the loved ones she left behind and the people who considered her a savior, are at the mercy of a new tyrant. Ali, too, cannot help but look back, and is determined to return to rescue his city and the family that remains. As peace grows more elusive and old players return, Nahri, Ali, and Dara come to understand that in order to remake the world, they may need to fight those they once loved and take a stand for those they once hurt.

Hi Connie, I’ve finally made it to your thread. Looks like you’re doing some good reading!

It’s lovely to see your family photos, and your new dining furniture! We recently got new dining chairs and it’s made a surprising difference (and improvement) to how the room looks. We also bought a small table that’s the perfect size for board games and jigsaws - I know you’re a jigsaw fan, so I’m sure you’ll appreciate how life-enhancing this is ;)

>116 connie53: Oh, I really need to get started with that series!

>117 Rebeki: Thanks, Rebecca. I know and I do appreciate the jigsaw space I now have.

>118 MissWatson: I need to start the series too. I just waited until the third part was translated before starting. So now I can.

Another book came into the house



Ze hadden hun schaapjes geteld by Benny Lindelauf

Original Dutch. The title meaning: They had counted their sheep.

It's a Christmas story for kids and I think It wil not be long before Fiene can read it by herself.

The blurb NOT my review

Gili wants to become a shepherd just like her brothers, but they have their doubts. Are girls not too weak to herd sheep? To make matters worse, Gili lets her favorite sheep escape from the herd on a cold December night.

Will the brothers be right?

In the vast hills of Bethlehem, and in the pitch dark, Gili goes in search of her sheep. It is better he does not get lost or fall into a canyon. And she would rather not think of dangerous wolves at all. But the point with getting lost is that you only realize it when it has already happened.

And wolven eyes see a lot, if not everything.

>119 connie53: That will be a great step, reading by herself. I'm sure Fiene will enjoy it.

>120 MissWatson: She can already read by herself, but just the simple books. This might be a bit to complicated right now, but she enjoys other books and doesn't want me to read to her at bedtime. Instead she reads to me.

Finished De jasmijnzussen by Corina Bomann, ROOT # 9, Forumchallenge # 10,

My review

I read this story about Melanie with pleasure.
Melanie, who after an accident were her fiancé Robert gets into a coma, stays with her great -grandmother Hanna, her grandmother Marie and her mother Elena on their house outside the city.
Melanie is not going to stay there for a long time, because her place is with Robert, but she needs the care of her family for a while. Her great -grandmother is originally a Vietnamese woman and during the days that Melanie stays on the estate, Hanna tells her life story.
Actually it is not such an exciting book, but it was just an uncomplicated read. It is actually about the power that women often have to deal with setbacks.

Two new books into the house. I'm going too fast with my buying. It looks like all my favourite writers publish new books in the beginning of the year.



Levenslang by Harlan Coben

The blurb NOT my review

David and Cheryl Burroughs were living the dream life when tragedy struck. Now, five years after that terrible night, Cheryl is remarried. And David is serving a life sentence in a maximum-security prison for the brutal murder of their son. Then Cheryl's sister, Rachel, arrives unexpectedly during visiting hours and drops a bombshell. She's come with a photograph that a friend took on vacation at a theme park with a boy in the background who has a familiar, distinctive birthmark ... and even though David and Rachel realize it can't be, they both just know. It's David's son, Matthew, and he's still alive. David plans a harrowing escape from prison, determined to do what seems impossible-save his son, clear his own name, and discover the real story of what happened that devastating night.



De lelievallei by Tracy Rees

The blurb NOT my review

1897. Rowena Blythe is wealthy, entitled and beautiful. As her twenty-fourth birthday approaches, she's expected to marry - and to marry well.An unsuitable match . . .Her parents commission a portrait of Rowena to help cement her reputation as a great society beauty. However, Bartek, the artist's young assistant, is unlike any man Rowena has met before - wild, romantic and Bohemian. While society at large awaits the announcement of Rowena's engagement, it is Bartek who captures Rowena's heart along with her likeness.A scandal in society . . .Rowena knows her parents would never approve of Bartek, who in their eyes is nothing but a penniless foreigner. As her feelings grow, she has no-one to turn to. Dare she risk everything for love?

Finished another ROOT # 10, ROOT # 10, Forumchallenge # 11

De laatste leerling by Naomi Novik

My review

In the beginning I had to get into the story and also get used to the style in which it is written: the I-form. It is a very long monologue by El (Galadriel) al through the book.
She is now in the fourth and final grade of the Scolomance and has collected a small group of femal friends around her. Orion is of course also there. He is a master in killing the malifications, the Mals, who try to kill as many students as possible. El believes that there could be a way to save all students and not just the students of her own year. That is the what the book is mostly about. More and more students are joining the planning of this action. The end is exciting enough to continue directly in the last part.



Continuing in part 3 De Gouden Enclaves by Naomi Novik

The blurb NOT my review

The one thing you never talk about while you're in the Scholomance is what you'll do when you get out - not even the richest enclaver would tempt fate that way. But that impossible dream has somehow come true for El and her classmates. And what's more, she didn't even have to become the monstrous dark witch she's prophesised to become to make it happen. Instead of killing enclavers, she saved them, and now the world is safe for all wizards. Peace and harmony have enveloped all the enclaves of the world. Just kidding. Instead, someone else has picked up the project of destroying enclaves in El's stead, and everyone she saved is at risk again with a full-scale enclave war on the horizon. And so, the first thing El needs to do after miraculously escaping the Scholomance, is to turn straight around and find a way back in.

Finished another ROOT De escaperoom by Megan Goldin ROOT # 11, Forumchallenge # 12,

My review

Very exciting story. Also well worked out.
Sara Hall has finally found a job and at a very successful investment agency on Wall Street too. She searched for a long time for a jon like this after completing her studies.
She is added to the team, lead by Vincent de Vries. That team consists of Sam, Jules and Sylvie and Lucy, a timid but brilliant IT specialist.
Sara feels, just like Lucy does, a kind of outsider in the team. When Lucy discovers a large-scale fraud done by the 4 members, she shares this knowledge with Sara, with whom she has become friends in secret. When Lucy dies under suspicious circumstances, Sara seeks revenge for her friends death and sets up a trap for the rest of the team that she suspects to have had a hand in Lucy's death.

Starting in two books. One Tree-book and one e-book



De Gouden Enclaves by Naomi Novik book

The blurb NOT my review

The one thing you never talk about while you're in the Scholomance is what you'll do when you get out. Not even the richest enclaver would tempt fate that way. But it's all we dream about: the hideously slim chance we'll survive to make it out the gates and improbably find ourselves with a life ahead of us, a life outside the Scholomance halls. And now the impossible dream has come true. I'm out, we're all out--and I didn't even have to turn into a monstrous dark witch to make it happen. So much for my great-grandmother's prophecy of doom and destruction. I didn't kill enclavers, I saved them. Me and Orion and our allies. Our graduation plan worked to perfection: We saved everyone and made the world safe for all wizards and brought peace and harmony to all the enclaves everywhere. Ha, only joking! Actually, it's gone all wrong. Someone else has picked up the project of destroying enclaves in my stead, and probably everyone we saved is about to get killed in the brewing enclave war. And the first thing I've got to do now, having miraculously gotten out of the Scholomance, is turn straight around and find a way back in.

And



The House That Walked Between Worlds by Jenny Schwartz

The blurb NOT my review

A tornado of chaos is tearing through Reality and in its path is the newest House, a bleak and forbidding fortress built of magic and grief by the most unlikely of sorcerers, a human.

A reckless act of compassion costs Dr. Kira Aist her family and her future on Earth. To escape her enemies, she calls on her heritage as a descendant of Baba Yaga and walks between worlds.

As Kira roams the paths of Reality, strangers are drawn to her House. Some seek refuge, some seek power, and one just wants kitty treats.

With the fate of multiple worlds hanging in the balance, Kira must discover what it means to be a sorcerer and the keeper of a House.

Ooh, I loved the Scholomance series! I read it in English though. At first I thought it was just a cute magical school story, but it really punched above its weight. Glad you're enjoying it!

>127 pnppl: Hi Pnppl. Thank you for visiting my thread.

I do enjoy these books very much.

I just finished The House That Walked Between Worlds by Jenny Schwartz,

My review

I enjoyed this first part of the 'Uncertain Sanctuary' series very much. It is not a particularly exciting story, but it is easy to read with some humor (which I like in my books) and many different life forms in it. Cyborgs, elves, wizards, goblins and more of that kind of creatures.
Kira Airts uses the magic talents of one of her ancestors, Baba Yaga, when she suddenly has to flee from her enemies who recently killed her parents. Kira turns out to be a formidable sorcerer and she creates a House (with a capital H, its more a gigantic castle) for herself that can walk or fly if need be across the worlds and through space. On her escape she finds a few others that need to flee from the place they are staying, including Evander Zami, who becomes her head of safety.
Kira wants to take revenge for the death of her parents and so she has to investigate. Parts 2 and 3 are next on the reading list. Very nice, uncomplicated read.

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Now starting in House In Hiding by Jenny Schwartz

The blurb NOT my review

Just when Kira thinks she is getting a handle on what it means to be a sorcerer, the Emperor calls and drops a bundle of trouble in her lap. And he's not the only one. For a woman intent on protecting her privacy, a whole lot of people seem to know how to contact Kira to draw her into their problems.

But when one of those problems involves saving children's lives, how can Kira refuse to help?

Magic is misbehaving across Reality and Kira sets out to discover why. Her allies stand ready to help—and hinder—as she traverses the paths of Reality in a House which is developing its own quirky personality.

I finished House in Hiding by Jenny Schwartz and the book gets

My Review

Second part in the 'Uncertain Sanctuary' series and it was almost as good and entertaining as part 1. There is some more information about the operation of the house and the planets and worlds where it can travel to. Technical information that I usually can't do much with, certainly not because I have read the book in English. That makes it harder for me to understand. But the story of Kira and Evander, Madra and all other residents of the House was just as delicious as in part 1. On part 3.



The House That Fought by Jenny Schwartz

The blurb NOT my review

Still reeling from betrayal, Reality's newest sorcerer finds herself at the heart of a centuries-old conspiracy that could destabilize worlds. Billions of lives are at risk.
Hidden motivations are everywhere.

Evander has family trouble.
Lennu has a theory.
Gale has gossip—doesn't she always?

And Kira has a plan. Maybe. If her magic would just behave.

Finished The House That Fought by Jenny Schwartz, Forumchallenge # 13,

My review

Third part in the series about 'The House'. Kira and Evander decide to fight the different nations who ensure a shaky balance in space. Together with Gale, Sylvestery and Lennu, they make a plan and implement it. I thought this was the least part. But hope for more books in the series, a little more story and fewer technical things. That is less interesting and more incomprehensible to me.

Now reading Een Noorse winternacht by Karen Swan

The blurb NOT my review

Bo lives a life most people can only dream of. She and her boyfriend Zac are paid to travel the globe, sharing their adventures with their online followers. And when Zac proposes, Bo's happiness is complete. With Christmas coming up, Bo can't wait to head to the snow-fringed fjords of Norway. Arriving at the picturesque and remote hillside farmhouse that will be their home for the next few weeks, Bo's determined to enjoy a romantic Christmas under the Northern Lights. Everything should be perfect. But the mountains hold secrets from the past and as temperatures plunge and tensions rise, Bo must face up to the fact that a life which looks perfect to the outside world may not be the life she should be living . . .

Finished Een Noorse winternacht by Karen Swan, ROOT # 12, Forumchallenge # 14,

My review

At times this book was quite exciting. But also very predictable.
Bo and Zac are vloggers who have made their work of it. Together they visit all kinds of unique places in the world and then post videos and photos on their blog. They have a photographer, Lenny, who takes all the photos and also arranges all things, such as airline tickets and overnight stays. They often also advertise a certain clothing line. Around Christmas they travel to an inhospitable part of Norway. They will live there for a month in a mountain farm, a primitive building with only the most necessary facilities. Their neighbor is the very old Signy, who has been living on that same spot all her life. Signy lives there on her own. Her grandson Anders takes care of her and he lives in a village in the area.
Bo gets a great scare when an old 'anonymous familiar' writes some posts on vlog. This man has been following her for very long, but she thought she had escaped his attention and was safe from him. When Bo is taken sick and has to live in a more comfortable house she stays in Anders house for a few days and she trusts him enough to share her fear when her stalker contacts here again.

Started yesterday and finished today.

Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh, ROOT # 13, Forumchallenge # 15,

The blurb

There is a Wild Man who lives in the deep quiet of Greenhollow, and he listens to the wood. Tobias, tethered to the forest, does not dwell on his past life, but he lives a perfectly unremarkable existence with his cottage, his cat, and his dryads. When Greenhollow Hall acquires a handsome, intensely curious new owner in Henry Silver, everything changes. Old secrets better left buried are dug up, and Tobias is forced to reckon with his troubled past--both the green magic of the woods, and the dark things that rest in its heart.

My Review

Short and charming book about Tobias Finch who has been living in the forest around Greenhallow Hall for 400 hundred years. It is an enchanted forest with dryads, nymphs and paths that change their places to keep people away from his house. On a rainy evening a soaked Henry Silver arrives at his house and he invites the new young owner of Greenhallow Hall to stay with him until the rain stops. However, Tobias is not the only one in the forest, there is also the dreaded Lord of Summer.

>134 connie53:
I read Silver in the Wood and enjoyed it. I hope that the author writes a sequel.

You have been doing lots of reading lately. Now that I am retired, I hope to get more reading done. Mostly, I have been listening to books while I drive back and forth to Kansas to set up home health care for my mother.

>134 connie53: I have this one on my e-reader! I'll have to read it soon.

>135 benitastrnad:, >136 rabbitprincess:.

I will read the sequel soon. I have it on my reader and it is called Drowned Country
At least I think this is the sequel. It is situated around Greenhallow Hall too.

I did finish De gouden enclaves by Naomi Novik and the book gets

My review

Exciting last part in the Scholomance series. Although I found the idea behind the enclaves in the beginning rather unclear, it slowly became clearer at the end of the book and I was able to let myself be flow with the story. Galadriel (EL) Higgins tells it the whole story and I thought that was a bit strange in the book 1, but I got used to that too. I am not going to tell much about the story and its outcome, because then I would spoil too much. I want to tell one thing, at the end I also dropped a tear or two.

>126 connie53:

>138 connie53: I just finished this one earlier this month, Connie. I thought it was a great end to the series!

>139 curioussquared: Thought so too.

Dropping in to wish you a lovely weekend, Connie!

Thanks Birgit. Getting ready to celebrate my sons 40th birthday this afternoon. So it will be great. The weather is sunny and warm, compared to last week.

>142 connie53: Oh enjoy your day - and I hope he enjoys his birthday! I'm glad the weather is being kind to you (it isn't in Scotland right now!).

Congrats to your son, and all the best wishes that the weather holds for a nice party!

Thanks Jackie and Birgit!

I finished Mortuarium by Patricia Cornwell and this book gets

My review

It has been a while since I read a book by Patricia Cornwell. This fitted well in one of the categories of the Forum Challenge of my reading club and that is why I read it. I can't remember earlier books that I have read about Kay Scarpetta that they were so messy. It sometimes looked like parts were left out or put in the wrong place in the story. The story difficult to follow too because it was about a technical subject, namely Nano Robotics. Not at all my thing. So I thought it was a moderate book.

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Now starting in De valkentroon by Karen Miller

De blurb NOT my review

When kingdoms clash, every crown will be tarnished by the bloody price of ambition. The bastard lord Roric, rising up against his tyrant cousin, sheds more blood than he bargained for. A child prince, believed dead, sets his eyes on regaining his father's stolen throne. A duke's widow, defending her daughter, defies the ambitious lord who would control them both. And two royal brothers, Grefin and Balfre, divided by ambition, will learn the true meaning of treachery. Houses will fall, empires will be reborn, and those who seek the Falcon Throne will pay for it in blood.

Finished De valkentroon by Karen Miller,

My review

Nice and a BFB in an old-fashioned fantasy setting. Family feuds, battles around territories, jealousy and murder, love and unreachable love.
Roric is one of the main characters, he is a bastard son and can therefore not make a claim a on anything, let alone his kingdom. Due to an armed coup, Harold the reigning duke, is killed and Roric becomes the Duke of Clemen.
Clemen is a part of an island that is separated by a swampy area from Harcia where his cousin Balfre is in charge. Balfre is a manipulator and a man of intrigues and manslaughter.
In the swamp, the cheerful pig is a sanctuary where Harcian and Clemen people meet and where Marie and Edo provide food and drink in their tavern. Benedikt is Marie's son and they also take care of Willem, (who is actually Liam, son of Harold), but who has been saved by Ellie, his nanny, from the massacre around the killing of Harold. These are all parts of a very easy -to -read book. That tastes like more, but I have not been able to find the second part so far.

And De jongen, de mol, de vos en het paard by Charlie Mackesy

The blurb

A journey, in search of home Charlie Mackesy's beloved The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse has been adapted into an animated short film, coming to BBC One and iPlayer this Christmas. This beautifully made hardback celebrates the work of over 100 animators across two years of production - with Charlie's distinctive illustrations brought to life in full colour with hand-drawn traditional animation and accompanying hand-written script. "I made a film with some friends about a boy, a mole, a fox and a horse - their journey together and the boy's search for home. I hope this book gives you courage and makes you feel loved.

My review

It is and remains a beautiful, beautiful book. This is a publication made from the film and is just as cute with some more story and beautiful drawings.

Now reading



De lelievallei by Tracy Rees

The blurb NOT my review

1897: Rowena Blythe is wealthy, entitled and beautiful. As her twenty-fourth birthday approaches, she's expected to marry and to marry well. Her parents commission a portrait of Rowena to help cement her reputation as a great society beauty. However, Bartek, the artist's young assistant, is unlike any man Rowena has met before -- wild, romantic and Bohemian. While society at large awaits the announcement of Rowena's engagement, it is Bartek who captures Rowena's heart along with her likeness. Rowena knows her parents would never approve of Bartek, who in their eyes is nothing but a penniless foreigner. As her feelings grow, she has no-one to turn to. Dare she risk everything for love?

Finished De lelievallei by Tracy Rees and this book gets

My review

Another cozy book by Tracy Rees, which turns out to be a sequel on De rozentuin. That was unexpected but very welcome. The story takes place in 1897 and then society was clearly divided into ranks and positions.
This time the three main characters are Rowena Blythe, a daughter of a rich family who grew up with every convenience and enough personnel to answer to all her wishes. She does not think about the many servants who keep their house in running and is destined to enter into a marriage to a wealthy man.
One of this servant is Pansy Tilney, a girl who is forced to this work due to circumstances, but is not happy with that.
And Olive Westfallen, a consciously unmarried young woman from a harmonious family with enough money to give the lesser happier and privileged people a new chance. Olive has adopted a daughter, because she wants to be a mother. Which places her in an unconventional position. But she couldn't care less.
These three women, who would never have come into contact with each other, form the pivot of the story.
That all starts when Rowena runs away with the assistant of the painter who comes to paint her portrait. That ensures the necessary commotion.
A nice book to read, without having to think too much. Read with pleasure.

Another book read BFB # 4

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Atlas, het verhaal van Pa Salt by Lucinda Riley & Harry Whittaker - 698 pages

The blurb

1928, Paris : A boy is found, moments from death, and taken in by a kindly family. Gentle, precocious, talented, he flourishes in his new home, and the family show him a life he hadn't dreamed possible. But he refuses to speak a word about who he really is. As he grows into a young man, falling in love and taking classes at the prestigious Conservatoire de Paris, he can almost forget the terrors of his past, or the promise he has vowed to keep. But across Europe an evil is rising, and no-one's safety is certain. In his heart, he knows the time will come where he must flee once more. 2008, the Aegean. The seven sisters are gathered together for the first time, on board the Titan to say a final goodbye to the enigmatic father they loved so dearly. To the surprise of everyone, it is the missing sister who Pa Salt has chosen to entrust with the clue to their pasts. But for every truth revealed, another question emerges. The sisters must confront the idea that their adored father was someone they barely knew. And even more shockingly: that these long-buried secrets may still have consequences for them today.

My review

What a great end to this series. I hope for many more books to come as spin-offs, but due to the death of Lucinda Riley I'm afraid that will not happen.
Many characters come together in this book. All sisters and their families and the team around Pa Salt are gathered on his yacht and there they all read his diary that tells about his flight from Russia, how the feud between him and Kreeg Eszu was created and how that feud led to the adoption of the sisters. And about his great love for Elle and the dramatic end thereof.
I have been jotting down 6 sheets of paper to try to understand all the connections, but that is extremely complicated. And a summary is therefore also difficult to give. Of course I can't spoiler here, so I won't tell much about the story itself.
I tried to read the last pages through my tears and with a sigh ended the book with the strong tendency to read all the books again. A well -deserved 5 stars.

A bit difficult to find a new book after Atlas, het verhaal van Pa Salt but I found one



Nooit meer by Colleen Hoover

The blurb NOT my review

Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most. Lily hasn't always had it easy, but that's never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She's come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up--she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily's life suddenly seems almost too good to be true. Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He's also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn't hurt. Lily can't get him out of her head. But Ryle's complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his "no dating" rule, she can't help but wonder what made him that way in the first place. As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan--her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.

Finished the book in >150 connie53: and this book gets

My review

I thought I would read a chick-lit book, comfortably outside in the garden in the spring sun. Of those thoughts, only the sun and the garden were true. This was a beautiful and at the same time a harsh book, about the relationship between Ryle and Lily and how it went terribly wrong, but still had a happy ending. I won't say much about the story anymore because I would like new readers to get the same surprise as I did. I will only tell that (again) tears have been shed.

Based on the writer's own story

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On with another book by Colleen Hoover - Mijn belofte aan jou

The blurb NOT my review

Quinn and Graham's perfect love is threatened by their imperfect marriage. The memories, mistakes, and secrets that they have built up over the years are now tearing them apart. The one thing that could save them might also be the very thing that pushes their marriage beyond the point of repair. All Your Perfects is a novel about a damaged couple whose potential future hinges on promises made in the past. Can a resounding love with a perfect beginning survive a lifetime between two imperfect people?

Finished Mijn belofte aan jou by Colleen Hoover an this book gets

My review

My second book by Colleen Hoover also deals with a subject that can disrupt a marriage.
Graham and Quinn meet in the corridor of a hotel in front of the room where his girlfriend and her fiancé are making love together. They decide to confront them together and that is the start of their own relationship. They immediately feel enormously connected and at ease with each other. A few years later they get married and everything is perfect until they decide it is time for a baby and then it all goes wrong.

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Started in Levenslang by Harlan Coben

The blurb NOT my review

David and Cheryl Burroughs were living the dream life when tragedy struck. Now, five years after that terrible night, Cheryl is remarried. And David is serving a life sentence in a maximum-security prison for the brutal murder of their son. Then Cheryl's sister, Rachel, arrives unexpectedly during visiting hours and drops a bombshell. She's come with a photograph that a friend took on vacation at a theme park with a boy in the background who has a familiar, distinctive birthmark, and even though David and Rachel realize it can't be, they both just know. It's David's son, Matthew, and he's still alive. David plans a harrowing escape from prison, determined to do what seems impossible, save his son, clear his own name, and discover the real story of what happened that devastating night.>

Hi, Connie! I looked over your book list and you have some that look mighty interesting! I may have to add a few to my monstrous queue. I am not reading as much as I would like to but I hope to catch up a bit. The girls are gorgeous and the carnival pics were magical! Lovely makeup and costumes!

>153 enemyanniemae: Hi EAM. thank you for visiting. Now I'm curious as to which books you have selected from my list.
Thanks for the compliments. I just had a quiet hour recuperating from 48 hours with Fiene and Marie. I was exhausted when they left.

I finished Levenslang by Harlan Coben last Friday evening and gave the book

My review

Harlan Coben is one of my favorite writers. This book was not disappointing, but is not one of the best books I have read by him. A little too messy and with too many characters, yet entertaining and exciting enough to keep intriguing. I just wanted to know how it ended.
A nice book.

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Started reading Toen de wereld brak by John Boyne yesterday

The blurb NOT my review

An elderly London resident befriends the little boy who moves in downstairs, but his parents' fighting brings her back to her harrowing escape from Nazi Germany at age twelve and grim post-war years in France with her mother. Ninety-one-year-old Gretel Fernsby has lived in the same well-to-do mansion block in London for decades. She lives a quiet, comfortable life, despite her deeply disturbing, dark past. She doesn't talk about her escape from Nazi Germany at age 12. She doesn't talk about the grim post-war years in France with her mother. Most of all, she doesn't talk about her father, who was the commandant of one of the Reich's most notorious extermination camps. Then, a new family moves into the apartment below her. In spite of herself, Gretel can't help but begin a friendship with the little boy, Henry, though his presence brings back memories she would rather forget. One night, she witnesses a disturbing, violent argument between Henry's beautiful mother and his arrogant father, one that threatens Gretel's hard-won, self-contained existence. All The Broken Places moves back and forth in time between Gretel's girlhood in Germany to present-day London as a woman whose life has been haunted by the past. Now, Gretel faces a similar crossroads to one she encountered long ago. Back then, she denied her own complicity, but now, faced with a chance to interrogate her guilt, grief and remorse, she can choose to save a young boy. If she does, she will be forced to reveal the secrets she has spent a lifetime protecting. This time, she can make a different choice than before--whatever the cost to herself....

Finished Toen de wereld brak by John Boyne, ROOT # 21 -

My review

The main character In this book is the 91 year old Gretel. Gretel has been living in a luxury apartment in Mayfair in London for decades. All the while she has had the last name Fernsby, but that is just one of the many last names she has ever used.
Her past is a big secret for everyone around her. She only told two people the whole story. To David, the man she wanted to get married and to Edgar, whom she married. The book contains different timelines. London 2022, Paris 1946, London 1970, Sydney 1953, Poland 1943, London 1953.
In the timeline of 2022, Gretel has to deal with new downstairs neighbors. And she is a bit worried about what that will change in her daily life. That turns out to be quite a bit. Madelyn, Alex and their son Henry Darcy-Witt apparently have a luxurious life, but nothing could be further from the truth. Alex is a dominant and manipulating husband and father and he does not hesitate to mistreat his wife and son and Gretel hears the arguments and the fights upstairs in her apartment. When she gets to know Henry, her thoughts are taken back to the death of her brother Bruno. Through the stories in the timelines we find out what actually happened.

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Now reading Augustus by J.D. Barker - ROOT # 22, Forumchallenge # 20, BFB # 5

The blurb NOT my review

After the loss of his parents, young Jack Thatch first met Stella as a child--this cryptic little girl of eight with dark hair and darker eyes, sitting alone on a bench in the cemetery clutching her favorite book. Gone moments later, the brief encounter would spark an obsession. She'd creep into his thoughts, his every waking moment, until he finally finds her again exactly one year later, sitting upon the same bench, only to disappear again soon after.

The body of a man found in an alley, every inch of his flesh horribly burned, yet his clothing completely untouched. For Detective Faustino Brier, this wasn't the first, and he knew it wouldn't be the last. It was no different from the others. He'd find another just like it one year from today. August 9, to be exact. Isolated and locked away from the world in a shadowy lab, a little boy known only as Subject "D" waits, grows, learns. He's permitted to speak to no one. He has never known the touch of another. Harboring a power so horrific, those in control will never allow him beyond their walls. All of them linked in ways unimaginable. A heart-pounding ride that creeps under your skin and will have you turning pages long into the night.

Augustus by J.D. Barker is finished and gets

My review

This is really a very exciting and intriguing book. There are many people involved, but the main characters are Jack, Stella and David. They are all three children of three couples who have been at Penn State University with some other young people. Jack meets Stella when he is 8 years old on August 8 and he is instantly in love with her. In most of the following years, he always meets her on the same bench on the 8th August near his parents' tombstones.
In the meantime, victims are found every year on 8 August who look burned but are not. The bodies look emptied from the inside, but they still wear their normal clothes. Investigators Faustino Brier and Joy Fogel are researching these cases. There is a macabre search for the cause of all these dead people and Jack and Stella form the center.
Really very exciting and you want to keep on reading until the book is finished

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Now reading



Besjes in het bos - Margaret Atwood

The blurb NOT my review

The two intrepid sisters of the title story grapple with loss and memory on a perfect summer evening; "Impatient Griselda" explores alienation and miscommunication with a fresh twist on a folkloric classic; and "My Evil Mother" touches on the fantastical, examining a mother-daughter relationship in which the mother purports to be a witch. At the heart of the collection are seven extraordinary stories that follow a married couple across the decades, the moments big and small that make up a long life of uncommon love and what comes after.

And as an e-book



Horen, zien, zwijgen by J.D. Barker

The blurb NOT my review

wo days to save her... They've found the killer. The killer that Detective Sam Porter has been hunting for five years. But it's too late to put him behind bars. He's already dead. One day to save her... But even death can't stop this murderer. His last victim is still alive, struggling to escape and the police have no idea who or where she is. Zero. Now Sam Porter must race against time, as her chances of survival slip away, to stop this serial killer from claiming his final victim...