The Content Reader

In the latest Classic Club spin , the number ended on 19, which directed me to Orlando  by Virginia Woolf. I thought I had all the time to read, but alas it was a little bit longer than I expected. I could not read it straight through, so divided it into smaller parts. Anyway, I did finish it on 11 June (instead of end of May), but flexibility is needed sometimes. It is a very strange book and I don't really know what to think about it. It spans over more around 400 years. Orlando is a nobleman in the times of Elizabeth I and becomes one of her many favourites. He lives a life of leisure and tries to become a poet. At the age of 30 he is changed into a woman, who then lives on for centuries. The story continues up until 1928, which was the year Woolf's book was published. It is a satire of English life and English literature. The pleasantries of life come and go, but through the ages they fail to be a reason for living. Poetry is the one reason that never fails. Orlando,...

Tamara at Thyme for Tea is hosting another Paris in July  event this year. One of my favourite events, so can't really stay out of it. Paris in July is a French themed blogging experience running from the 1st – 31st July this year. The aim of the month is to celebrate our French experiences through actual visits, or through reading, watching, listening, observing, cooking and eating all things French!  Here's a link to some of my previous reviews. There will be no rules or targets in terms of how much you need to do or complete in order to be a part of this experience – just blog about anything French and you can join in! Some ideas might include; reading a French themed book – fiction or non-fiction, watching a French movie, listening to French music, cooking French food, experiencing French, art, architecture and travel I have not really decided what to do yet. Watching a French film and/or TV-series is one option. Listening to some French music should be good...

This weeks book is the much debated 12 Rules for Life, An Antidote to Chaos  by Jordan B. Peterson. A recent purchase, not yet read, just to know what all the fuss is about. Book beginnings on Fridays hosted by Rose City Reader "This book has a short history and a long history. We'll begin with the short history." The Friday 56 hosted by Freda´s Voice "The original Man and Woman, existing in unbroken unity with their Creator, did not appear conscious (and certainly not self-conscious). Their eyes were not open. But, in their perfection, they were also less, not more, than their post_fall counterparts. Their goodness was something bestowed, rather than deserved or earned."

Isabel Allende is a beloved and well-known author. Perhaps mostly known for The House of the Spirits , she has written numerous books. They are mostly based on her own experience and historical events. She also includes and dedicates her books to women and their stories. I have only read Island Beneath the Sea , which is slightly different from her other books, being more based on historical events during the Haitian revolution. I really loved that book. Of Love and Shadows  is another book to love. From the back cover: "Set in a country of arbitrary arrests, sudden disappearances and summary executions, Isabel Allende's magical new novel tells of the passionate affair of two people prepared to risk everything for the sake of justice and truth. Irene Beltrán, a reporter, comes from a wealthy background; Francisco Leal, a young photographer secretly engaged in undermining the military dictatorship, is strongly attracted by her beauty. It does not matter that Irene´s fianc...

From reading 12 books in March the number has gone done quite a bit. April ended on 5 book, May on 4 and so far in June I have read 4 books. Probably summer and mostly a bit of travelling. The reviews have been even rarer. So here are a few shorter ones on some of the books. Med Örnen mot polen by Svenska Sällskapet för Antropologi och Geografi (Scientific account of the Andrée expedition 1897) An old book that stays open when you put it on the table! Aahh, the pleasure of an old book. I think I got this from a friend who moved. It is printed in 1930, the same year as the Andrée expedition was found. It is put together by the Swedish Society for Anthropology and Geography. As such I did expect a little bit of dry scientific account. Far from it! There are extracts from the diaries of the expedition members, accounts on the various scientific tasks the expedition had, as well as information on equipment, clothes, food and everything daily life. Also a report from one of the...

Back with a book beginning and a page 56 quote. This month´s book is  Of Love and Shadows  by Isabel Allende. A wonderful book set in ”... a country of arbitrary arrests, sudden disappearances and summary executions...” Review will follow. Book beginnings on Fridays hosted by Rose City Reader ”The first sunny day of spring evaporated the dampness that had accumulated in the soil through the winter months, and warmed the fragile bones of the old people who now could stroll the gentle orthopaedic paths of the garden.” The Friday 56 hosted by Freda´s Voice ”'Are you on the Blacklist?' she asked candidly, without lowering her voice.   'No.'   'Then we can talk. Wait for me outside and when I finish here I'l join you.'"

Inspired by Brona's Books  I took a look at my shelves to remind me of what I have there. To list titles from A-Z seems a good idea. You sometimes forget what is there. I could not fill all the letters, not even O! Letters X, Y and Z are more difficult to find, but obviously also O. I aimed at only using English titles, but had to add a Spanish and Swedish to make it. I even had to ignore a couple of "The" and "An". Here we go. A Divided Spy by Charles Cummings B efore we met by Lucy Whitehouse C leopatra by Lucy Hughes-Hallett D octor Copernicus by John Banville E leanor, The Secret Queen by John Ashdown Hill F reedom by Jonathan Franzen G abriele d'Annunzio - Poet, Seducer and Preacher of War by Lucy Hughes-Hallett H oward's End by E.M. Forster (An) I nstance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears J ukebox by Åke Edvardsson K epler by John Banville L a Regenta by Leopoldo Alas Clarin M orgon i Jenin by Susan Abulhawa N ine Parts of Desire...

Tina at As Told by Tina  is announcing a new challenge, quite suitable to me. I follow several challenges aimed at reducing the number of TBR books. Lately, since I came back to Sweden, I tend to borrow books at the library and thus they are not taken off my shelves. Here I can add these kind of books. The rules are simple (for full rules and sign up go to link above). Tina says: Print Only is very simple, just read as many physical books as you can. These can be books you’ve purchased, sent, or borrowed! As long as it is a physical book, then it counts.  Print Only Challenge Details: Print Only challenge begins on January 1st – December 31st and you can sign up at anytime. Every book must be a physical book. Hardback/Paperback/ Soft Board books count. All Genres Count. Re-Reading / Crossovers are totally encouraged. If you are a blogger, I’d love for you to make a sign up posts (you can also include all the other challenges you are in, it doesn’t have to be just...