The Jew's Beech | Annette von Droste-Hülshoff A Picture of Life among the Hills of Westphalia Where is the hand so fraught with gentle art That tangled skein of narrow mind may part, So steadfast that untrembling it may throw The stone upon a wretched creature's woe? Who dares to measure surge of vain ambition, … Continue reading The Jew’s Beech | Annette von Droste-Hülshoff #DEUnovella
Miriam left the gaslit hall and went slowly upstairs. In my very first spur-of-the-moment bookish decision of 2022, I decided to join in #PilgrimageTogether. It popped up on my Twitter radar at the end of last year. It's aim, to read all thirteen novels in the Pilgrimage series written by Dorothy M. Richardson. My aim … Continue reading Pointed Roofs | Dorothy Richardson #Readalong
His mother waited upstairs while the servants took coats and scarves and hats from the guests. Some books are not easy to review. If you had asked me a couple of month ago, I would have said, unreservedly, that I was a fan of Colm Tóibin, particularly his Irish stories, since that is all I … Continue reading The Magician | Colm Tóibin #IRLfiction
May 7th. I love my garden. I am writing in it now in the late afternoon loveliness, much interrupted by the mosquitoes and the temptation to look at all the glories of the new green leaves washed half an hour ago in a cold shower. It would be very easy to read this lovely novella … Continue reading Elizabeth and Her German Garden | Elizabeth von Armin #GBRfiction
The German House by Annette Hess was a fascinating read.Translated into English by Elisabeth Lauffer, it's essentially a coming-of-age story about a young woman who works as a translator during the Frankfurt Trials of 1963-65. Her story is complicated by childhood memories that her parents gloss over, a controlling fiance, a co-worker with demons from his … Continue reading The German House | Annette Hess #DEUfiction
Hamish Hamilton | Penguin AustraliaIn 1989 Saul Adler (a narcissistic young historian) is hit by a car on the Abbey Road. He is apparently fine; he gets up and goes to see his art student girlfriend, Jennifer Moreau. They have sex then break up, but not before she has photographed Saul crossing the same Abbey … Continue reading The Man Who Saw Everything by Deborah Levy
Week 2: (Nov. 4 to 8) – Book Pairing (Sarah of Sarah’s Book Shelves): This week, pair up a nonfiction book with a fiction title. It can be a “If you loved this book, read this!” or just two titles that you think would go well together. Maybe it’s a historical novel and you’d like to … Continue reading Week 2 – Non-Fiction November
I wasn't sure that I would like Confession with Blue Horses. The blurb and the cover made me think this would be a bit too kitsch or light for my usual reading tastes.Tobi and Ella's childhood in East Berlin is shrouded in mystery. Now adults living in London, their past in full of unanswered questions. … Continue reading Confession with Blue Horses by Sophie Hardach
During my recent blogging malaise, Maisie Dobbs kept me sane and calm. She is familiar, comfortable and cosy. Although some of the crimes are getting a little nasty now that Hitler is involved, Winspear still avoids gory details and gruesome forensic descriptions, for which I am eternally grateful! Journey to Munich is book 12 in … Continue reading Journey to Munich | Jacqueline Winspear
Paving the New Road is the fourth book in Gentill's charming cosy, crime series featuring Rowland Sinclair and his three Bohemian friends. Usually set in Sydney in the 1930's I have thoroughly enjoyed these books for their fun mix of history and fiction, their art deco flair and jazzy lifestyles. Paving the New Road proved to … Continue reading Paving the New Road by Sulari Gentill
After is the fourth book in Gleitzman's series about Felix. After came as a bit of a surprise for all of us, including Gleitzman himself. We all thought the story was done and dusted after Now. But it turns out that Felix had more to say. After takes us back to the war. Felix is … Continue reading After | Morris Gleitzman
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