Blogging Anniversary - 10 years

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A while ago I checked when I did my first blog post, in order to celebrate with an anniversary post. Well, that day came and went without any reaction from me. Better late than never, so here a reminder of my very first blog post from 24 October 2012.  The book was New Finnish Grammar  by Diego Marani. Marani is an Italian novelist, translator and newspaper columnist. While working as a translator for the European Union he invented a language ‘Europanto’ which is a mixture of languages and based on the common practice of word-borrowing usage of many EU languages. It was a suitable book to start with, being a book about letters, languages and memories. With a beautiful prose, the novel went directly to my heart.  "One night at Trieste in September 1943 a seriously wounded soldier is found on the quay. The doctor, of a newly arrived German hospital ship, Pietri Friari gives the unconscious soldier medical assistance. His new patient has no documents or anything that can ide...
5 comments

Classic Spin #15

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Time for Classic Spin #15 with the Classic Club. What is the spin? Here is what they say over at the Club.

"It's easy. At your blog, before next Friday, March 10th, create a post to list your choice of any twenty books that remain "to be read" on your Classics Club list.

This is your Spin List. You have to read one of these twenty books in March & April. (Details follow.) Try to challenge yourself. For example, you could list five Classics Club books you are dreading/hesitant to read, five you can’t WAIT to read, five you are neutral about, and five free choice (favourite author, re-reads, ancients — whatever you choose.)

On Friday, we'll post a number from 1 through 20. The challenge is to read whatever book falls under that number on your Spin List, by May 1, 2017. We'll check in here in May to see who made it the whole way and finished their spin book!

Here is my spin list, but it is also available under Challenges 2017.

  1. Portrait of a Lady by Henry James
  2. The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot
  3. Goodby to Berlin by Christopher Isherwood
  4. Karin Lavransdotter by Sigrid Undset
  5. Buddenbrooks by Thomas Mann
  6. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce
  7. Women in Love by D.H. Lawrence
  8. A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
  9. Richard III by William Shakespeare
10. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
11. The Overcoat and Other Stories by Nikolaj Gogol
12. Sweet Bird of Youth by Tennessee Williams
13. The Taming of a Screw by William Shakespeare
14. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
15. Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
16. Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
17. Tom Jones by Henry Fielding
18. The Divine Comedy by Dante
19. The Go-Between by J.P. Hartley
20. Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder

Are there some I am dreading? Yes! For example; The Mill on the Floss and possibly The Divine Comedy. The plays; yes, I find it difficult to read plays. Much nicer to see the actual play in the theatre. Otherwise most of them are classics that I look forward reading.

Comments

  1. Jeanie7 March 2017 at 16:02

    Wow! This is an ambitious challenge and one I don't think I can carve the time for right now but it looks like a good one -- especially when I see a number of books on this list I haven't read. I'll have to think about that one but wish you well!

    And a quick thank you for that wonderful comment on my Gypsy post about our baby and grandparenting being the dessert of life. I love that. I'll hold that expression close to my heart and remember it many times over the course of years!

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    1. Lisbeth 8 March 2017 at 18:58

      Yes, it is great. Unfortunately, I have only been able to finalise three books during the time I have been participating. But, at least it is three books.

      Delete
  2. FictionFan7 March 2017 at 17:58

    I love Tennessee Williams but, like you, I find it much easier to see a play than to read one. The Go-Between is one of my all-time favourites so I kinda hope you get that one. Whatever one you get, I hope you enjoy it! :)

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    Replies
    1. Lisbeth 8 March 2017 at 18:59

      I bought the Go-Between because somebody said it was one of the best books she had read. Looking forward reading it.

      Delete
  3. Brona7 March 2017 at 23:08

    We share the Isherwood at no.3. A lot of your books are on my cc list take 2 either as new-to-me or rereads.

    Happy spinning!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisbeth 8 March 2017 at 18:59

      Good. Would be nice to read at the same time. Let's see what number will come up.

      Delete
  4. amanda @ simplerpastimes11 March 2017 at 19:28

    An interesting list--I'd say it's a good thing you didn't get The Divine Comedy--that took me three months to read! I agree, it's easier to watch plays than read them, though when I can I will do both. I'm not familiar with the Williams title the Spin selected, but hopefully it's one you will enjoy. Happy reading!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisbeth 12 March 2017 at 13:40

      I hope I will enjoy it. I have only seen his dramas before, not read them.
      Yes, the Divine Comedy. I really want to read it, but it is not a book you just read from page to page, I guess. You have to stop and reflect on what he is saying, so I guess it will take a longer time to read! Did you enjoy it though?

      Delete
    2. Amanda12 March 2017 at 21:40

      I did! I was really glad I had a version with notes, though, as there were many references I wouldn't have understood otherwise.

      Delete

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