The name of the feeling

© The Tiger Rising. Kate DiCamillo.

Regrets on clearing clutter 1

I am not a hoarder, when I think something has served it's purpose I get rid of it. But I now have sympathy for hoarders, and understand they will have no regrets over things they have given away or even ruthlessly thrown away.

I completed my studies, okay I don't want to tell you how many years ago, and some years later I threw out my books, projects, the silkscreen frame etc.

When I was helping G move his office I came across a copy of a book I had thrown out. My heart was sore. I wondered how it was possible that I could not have valued that book. I asked G if I could have it and so now I have a replacement. Although to be honest it doesn't feel quite right.

Book review

Over the past few months I have read this pile of books.

A colleague at work asked if I had read A man called Ove, but I hadn't. It was obviously the flavour of the month because it was sold out everywhere. My colleague had downloaded to his Kindle but I'm old-school, I want to hold the book, feel the weight of it and turn the pages in anticipation. Eventually I found it and enjoyed it so much . A loveable, grumpy character with a heartbreaking story. As must-read, a book you lend to everyone you know.

As I read Nataniel's Zip I hear his voice recounting the stories. As lovely as always, humour with truth and sadness, a well-balanced combination.

Since I have enjoyed Matthew Quickest other books I bought this one too, Love may fail.

I have been waiting and waiting for the next Kopano Matlwa book and here it is at last - Period Pain. That great underlying sadness that was also present in Spilt Milk, with the catch-your-breath ending. I loved it, but not for everyone. 

Circling the Sun by Paula McLain was recommended by the Facebook group The Good Book Appreciation Society. A wonderful read, a book of fiction based on a real person, Beryl Markam. It kept me at home one weekend because I didn't want to interrupt the flow of the story by running errands. Amazing.

Argh, and now for the most disappointing book Hitman Anders and the meaning of it all. Boring, repetitive, shallow. Oh my word, after The Hundred-year-old man and The King of Sweden this is a huge letdown. It's not one of those books where you say: That's just my opinion, read it and judge for yourself. No, don't buy it, not worth it. I don't know if I will buy another Jonas Jonasson book. Ever.

My book club 2016

I am part of a group on Facebook: The Good Book Appreciation Society and have been following everyone's posts. So on New Year's Eve I went out to buy a few books to read during 2016. I bought many of them based on the group's reviews. I can't wait be get started. In fact I have already read The Grownup and I thoroughly enjoyed it. On the last page I went: OMW! and turned the page for more, despite the fact that I knew it was the end.

The Buried Giant

It's taken me three weeks to read this book. The last 54 pages took me a week. I tried to read in bed, late at night but kept falling asleep. Eventually, one evening, as soon as I got home from work I ran a bath, lots of bubbles, and I soaked while I finished the book.

So, although I could guess how it would end I was hoping I would be wrong, but I was not. There was no happy ending. I cried: no, no, no! But, alas, the author showed me no mercy and had it his way.

"This country awakens so many memories, though each seems like some restless sparrow I know will flee any moment into the breeze."

"...and I know my god looks uneasily on our deeds of that day. Yet it's long past and the bones lie sheltered beneath a pleasant green carpet."

The Buried Giant © Kazuo Ishiguro 2015

The Age of Magic

Read this book while I was manning the stand at Kamers. What a wonderful book, every page had a sentence I wanted to etch into my mind forever.

"They stood there, waiting for something to happen, when in fact everything was happening."

Here and there

A collection of books

Wow! Collectors Treasury, books and antiques. You could just get lost in the wonderful chaos of this collection of books. It's amazing what memories seeing some of the titles brought back. Mrs Beetons!

Collectors Treasury

OMW! How awesome is this place!

Another parcel came in the post!

Thank you. Can't wait to read them all. Hurray for the long weekend.

Weekend reading

Got this great book from a friend. So looking forward to reading it this weekend.

Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore? – Henry Ward Beecher

Books I read during the holidays.

Reading in bed

Book club for 1

Books I have read over the past 2 months.

This and that

one - I love reading. two - Trish embroidered my jeans for summer, can't wait. Need to get the right sandals and colour nail polish. three - My birthday present, all the way from England. four - I have to take this picture every time I go. Love the light, shadow and patterns. five - I am crocheting up a storm. Love it. six - Asked someone for their heirlooms because I know I can make something fantastic with it. seven - My first attempt at embroidery. It's fun.

For a laugh!

Eddie Izzard and John Cleese were both in town this past weekend but I stayed at home and read Woody Allen. In fact, I have been staying home a lot lately and have been reading a lot.

Blog is in the post

Someone recommended I read 'Born to blog' and although it was an interesting read I could tick none of the boxes. My blog does not curate, teach, sell or tell a story. I have no life-changing experience/hardship to share. I give no thought to attracting readers with captivating headlines and keywords. It's just my journal, it's just for me (and my brother, and Trish, and Cobus) but I am grateful to every person who stumbles upon it and finds something of value.

I enjoy reading

I enjoy reading and seem to have consumed a few books lately.

In the meantime

In the meantime Trish and I made a Peter Pan for a baby. I saw a Peter Hall painting I liked but ZAR 45 000 is out of my range. I'm so happy to be home with my dear dogs again. My knob-thorn tree is in bloom. I have read a million books, well, in fact it's only been 9. I had broccoli soup for breakfast. Made a cheese and tomato jaffle on the coals. The tree is burdened with guavas and I was enjoying the afternoon sun. An ordinary life.

Solo, the story of an African Wild Dog

Many years ago, maybe 20 or more, I bought this book for someone.
I was thinking about it just last week, wishing I had had opportunity to read it.
Some years back I started to look for it in second-hand and out-of-print bookstores, way before google search etc. The only copy I ever came across was a paperback for a gazillion rands. So on Saturday, at the book sale, the first box I look into, there it is - a hardcover copy, a little water damaged - OMW, serendipity.