Great to already have presents before Christmas. Got this one a few days ago from a very good friend, and sooo happy about it 🙂 This is the perfect Holiday read before the upcoming festivities. It is pretty "arschkalt" up here in the North, torrential rain and gale-force winds are the best excuse ever to not... Continue Reading →
Day 22 Penguin Book-a-Day (Favourite Festive Scene)
I love the festive Christmas fest at Hogwarts on Christmas Day. All the professors and any students that remain at Hogwarts over the Christmas holidays attend the fest. It is prepared by the House elves in the kitchen and the hall looks wonderfully festive. For dessert flaming puddings are served and I always wanted Wizard Crackers... Continue Reading →
Eine blaßblaue Frauenschrift – Franz Werfel
Als englischsprachiger Bookclub lesen wir eher selten deutschsprachige Bücher, es war also eine schöne Abwechslung und wir hatten eine spannende Diskussion über das Buch. "Eine blaßblaue Frauenschrift" ist die Geschichte über die Konsequenzen einer Affäre, die lange her ist, aber nie wirklich vergessen wurde. Leonidas stellt etwas dar, ein schöner Mann, der elegant mit seiner... Continue Reading →
Day 20 Penguin Book-a-Day Challenge (Set where I live)
Thomas Manns late work "Doktor Faustus" is quite a few things combined. A "Künstlerroman" based on the "Faust" story, a novel about the role of Music and also a novel about the Munich society. I had a go a few years ago but have to confess that I failed tremendously a few chapters into the... Continue Reading →
Mister Aufziehvogel – Haruki Murakami
Der Titel des Buches "Mister Aufziehvogel" bezieht sich auf einen merkwürdigen Vogel, den nie jemand tatsächlich zu Gesicht bekommt und dessen Ruf irgendwie ein Überbringer schlechter Nachrichten zu sein scheint. Die Geschichte ist nicht einfach wiederzugeben. Man wird von Anfang an in eine Art hypnotischen Strudel hineingezogen, in dem sich das Suchen nach verschwundenen Katzen,... Continue Reading →
Day 18 + 19 Penguin Book-a-Day-Challenge (Massive tome + travelling home reading this)
OK - confession time! I have commitment issues. There are so many beautiful books out there and so little time, so committing myself to one big book for a period of time is a tough one for me 😉 Mr Murakami also has the habit to bring out these massive tomes but somehow picking them... Continue Reading →
Day 17 – Penguin Book-a-Day (Funny Read)
Had to pick Ignatius J. Reilly - because it is a really really funny book and it is a wonderful sunny beach picture. Makes a nice change in this grim wet weather. If you haven't read "The Confederacy of Dunces" it is a Pulitzer prize winning comedy about Ignatius a 30 years-old, "genius", an expert on Boetius with... Continue Reading →
Day 16 Penguin Book-a-Day-Challenge (For someone I love)
I loved this book so I keep recommending it to my loved one and it made its way at least to the bedside table but has not actually been devoured by her yet. If you have read other books by Jonathan Coe especially his classic "What a carve up" this book might come as a... Continue Reading →
Day 14+15 Penguin Book-a-Day-Challenge (Read at School + Favourite colour cover)
I know - I know. Another combined day, it looks as if I'm getting lazy. But! But! I really had a reason for combining it. It really is both. We did read it at school (ok in German but still) and it is one of my absolute favourite colour cover books. Promise. If you don't... Continue Reading →
Wir haben Raketen geangelt – Karen Köhler
Jaaa das Buch ist in aller Munde und es gibt einen ziemlichen Hype darum, ist mir aber alles ganz und gar egal, denn es ist richtig richtig gut und eines meiner absoluten Lieblinge 2014. Ich hätte das nicht geglaubt, Kurzgeschichten haben es ohnehin immer schwieriger bei mir und wenn unisono alle jubeln, dann bin ich... Continue Reading →