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...
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My favourite books this year

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I have so far read  87 books this year. Here are ten of my very favourite ones, without any special order, except the first one with is my absolute favourite.  

Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami

"In Killing Commendatore, a thirty-something portrait painter in Tokyo is abandoned by his wife and finds himself holed up in the mountain home of a famous artist, Tomohiko Amada. When he discovers a previously unseen painting in the attic, he unintentionally opens a circle of mysterious circumstances. To close it, he must complete a journey that involves a mysterious ringing bell, a two-foot-high physical manifestation of an Idea, a dapper businessman who lives across the valley, a precocious thirteen-year-old girl, a Nazi assassination attempt during World War II in Vienna, a pit in the woods behind the artist’s home, and an underworld haunted by Double Metaphors. A tour de force of love and loneliness, war and art—as well as a loving homage to The Great Gatsby—Killing Commendatore is a stunning work of imagination from one of our greatest writers."

I really loved this novel, but found it difficult to review. So much magical realism where the real world meets another world. What is real and what is not? That is the big question.

Two novels of historical fiction by Linda Lappin is on the list. Loving Modigliani: The After Life of Jeanne Hébuterne and Katherine's Wish (about Katherine Mansfield). Insightful and beautiful written accounts of two women. 

Two novels also from Lucy Foley. This time thriller/mystery tales of murder among old friends. The Hunting Party and The Guest List. 

One biography; about one of our great, female writers Selma Lagerlöf. A thorough account of her life by Anna-Karin Palm, Jag vill sätta världen i rörelse.

One classic from Pär Lagerkvist, Barabbas. A fascinating tale about the man who was set free in order to prosecute Jesus. 

A new historical, detective kind of fiction is The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner. Two timelines, two stories and an insight into London at the end of the 18th century.

To finish off this list I have two Nordic writers. The Son of the Thunder God by Arto Paasilinna (Finland) and Löpa varg by Kerstin Ekman (Sweden). The first one a somewhat different tale of the son of a God who is sent to try to convert people on earth. The second one about a hunter who, with age, takes a look at his life, his relationship with nature, animals, especially the wolfs and the people around him. 

Comments

  1. Stephanie @ Bookfever29 December 2021 at 12:18

    I really wanna read The Lost Apothecary. Hopefully in 2022!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Marianne 29 December 2021 at 16:39

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisbeth 31 December 2021 at 13:58

      It was a real surprise for me. The first book by Lagerkvist I have read. I have also read The Sybil, which was good as well.

      Delete
    2. Marianne 31 December 2021 at 14:42

      Sorry, wrong link.
      My favourite books 2021 are in my Statistics.

      Delete
    3. Marianne 1 January 2022 at 18:33

      I don't know what happened to my post. I know I made a mistake and wanted to delete it and then put a new comment in.

      Anyway, looks like you could read it anyway, even though we can't. I think I said that I have "Barrabas" on my TBR pile.

      Thanks for visiting my TTT this week.

      Delete
    4. Lisbeth 2 January 2022 at 11:01

      Enjoy Barabbas!

      Delete
    5. Marianne 2 January 2022 at 11:27

      Thanks, I'm sure I will.

      Delete
  3. Marianne 31 December 2021 at 14:39

    I still have Barrabas on my TBR list but that is the only title I recognize. Oh, to have more time to read!

    My favourite books 2021 are in my Statistics.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisbeth 2 January 2022 at 11:00

      For the time being there is more time to read. Not so much else to do, although I have a few other projects that take time. To read a good book, beats a lot of other chores for sure.
      Barabbas is really god, and not too long.

      Delete
  4. LyzzyBee1 January 2022 at 18:05

    What a lovely set of books - I hope you have as good reads this year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisbeth 2 January 2022 at 10:58

      Thank you. I do hope. Having lately read so many recommendations of best books from 2021, I am sure I will most likely beat this year.

      Delete

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