The Content Reader

Here I am, on my odyssey in Sweden, my bag full of books. Do I read any of them? No, not so far. It is funny how interesting books tends to turn up at every turn you do. This is one of them. My aunt Maggie received it as a present. It is a thick book, but sooooo nicely designed, containing pictures from the expedition and is so very nice to read. The story is totally fascinating and I read it in one evening and one morning. The André expedition in 1897 was aimed at travelling to the North pole by air balloon.  The three persons that was part of the expedition were scientists, but not really explorers. They were badly prepared for disaster and expected to fly to the North pole, put a flag there, collect samples of various interesting species or whatever they would find, and return by balloon to Sweden. Unfortunately, the last time they were seen alive was when they flew away. For thirty-three years nobody knew what happened to them. In the 1930s they were found on the White Islan...

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...

We have already reached week 4 of Nonfiction November. Time passes very quickly when you have fun. So many interesting posts on the various themes. I have also found new blogging friends. Christopher @ Plucked from the Stacks  is hosting this week, and the theme is:  Week 4 (November 22-26) Stranger Than Fiction : This week we’re focusing on all the great nonfiction books that almost don’t seem real. A sports biography involving overcoming massive obstacles, a profile on a bizarre scam, a look into the natural wonders in our world—basically, if it makes your jaw drop, you can highlight it for this week’s topic. I had a quick look back on nonfictions I have read, and have chosen a few of them. Bess: the Life of Lady Ralegh, Wife to Sir Walter by Anna Beer It is always interesting to read about strong women, especially when they lived in a time when there was not so much independence for women. I think Bess Throckmorton is one of those women, who had to endure a lot, but seems t...