FAH Reading Challenge discussion
Nathalie's progress
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message 51:
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Drama
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Jul 30, 2024 02:57PM
How amazing to read a work by someone you know! :).
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Read for the Fahreadingchallenge: Born to be wild - Ines Nijs: a Flemish crime book and a first of a crime trilogy. About a female journalist who gets acquainted with a motor club which turns out to be a real gang and for which several people in her neighbourhood are warning her. Cosy crime with a Flemish "couleur locale" taking place in a village in which each year the most famous rock festival of Belgium and surroundings takes place, Werchter. Good writing style and nice set up. The title refers to the song, this rock festival and the feeling of being free on the road with a motor.
Read for the category Book set in a hospital (for a part)
Cover: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.c...
De randen (literally translated: The edges) - Angelo Tijssens: a short Flemish novel about the difficult coming of age with a mother who neglected and abused him, and a lost love of a gay man. A rather down book with some difficult mixture of perspectives. Still nice though.
Read for the category Book with an LGBTQ main character
Cover: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.c...
The dead - James Joyce: my first book finally of this famous Irish writer! A short novella of course which also figures in his short story collection The Dubliners, which is also on my reading list! Read in English.
Read for the category obviously written by a James.
Cover: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.c...
De theorie van de 1 of 2 (literally translated: The theory of the 1 or 2) - Ish Ait Hamou:
A short essay by this Belgian Moroccan writer about his theory that from a lot of minority communities in our society, only 1 or 2 people of this community will get into the things that are common for the majority group, like when younger a party, disco or a cultural club, or something like that, and when older a job, a house, etc. That achievements for a bigger group of certain people are still difficult to get because of discrimination of the larger population and that the own community is proud and jealous at the same time. The latter look up to those who have made it but also want them to pave the way or even get out of the way for them because of the few spots that exist for their group. Not only for example for immigrant groups, but also because of gender, orientation or disabilities. The conclusion is that they need to support each other more and give each other honest feedback and constructive criticism.
Read for the category Book featuring a party. That was namely one of the anecdotes.
Cover: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.c...
Also, I've reached the Anne Flanagan level! Covers can be found under my "read books". I might still add them when I'll put on my laptop another time... ;-)
Congratulations!! Anne and Foil, Arms & Hog are so proud. Good book choices too!
Donatella wrote: "congratulations Nat!!"Thx, but please can you use Thalie, or Nath to abbreviate my name? 'Nat' means 'wet' in Dutch. 😂
Melissa wrote: "Congratulations!! Anne and Foil, Arms & Hog are so proud. Good book choices too!"
Thank you!
PS: I've just added the covers. I was too lazy yesterday night. Also, counting the books I've read outside the challenge, I'm at 42 titles in fact. :-)
ooh, I didn't know that. Sure, which one do you prefer? Or do you puto be called Nathalie?
Usually by my full name, yeah. I also find it funny sometimes to tell this little titbit. :-) I understand in writing it can go quicker of course. I often leave names as it is in writing fact. Usually, it's clear who you're chatting with, no? 😉
Drama wrote: "How amazing to read a work by someone you know! :)."It is certainly another feeling. I'm already respectful to those who dare to put a publication out in public, even if I wouldn't like the genre or book when I've read it, as I don't dare to do this myself. Let alone to someone I've known and/or am friends with...
Mod
Congratulations Nathalie!
What did you think of The Dead? Would you try Joyce again or was once enough? :)
Read in August still: Mr Loverman by Bernardine Evaristo.This is an older book by this British-Nigerian writer from the award winning book 'Girl. Woman. Other' which I have read in English.
I thoruougly enjoy her writing style and the diversity she writes about.
Mr. Loverman is a 74 old Antiguan man settled in Hackney, London, with his Antiguan wife, Carmel(ia). He has also had a relationship with his childhood friend and soulmate Morris for 60 years (!). As his longtime marriage is going into meltdown, he feels like he has to take some choices but which is at the same time very difficult for him. He feels insecure and fearful for all the reactions of his own community who is still very much anti-gay, which he is fully aware of.
But t is also a funny book with hilarious observations and statements, and written in what is probably the typical language for this Antiguan born Hackney settled man who is still living his life and partying, like he has always done and can't leave this living style behind. So, that is quite something to get used to and acquainted with for a non native English speaker/reader. 😄
'Barry' is mischievous, not that friendly for women, certainly not for his wife and her female friends, but has kind of a lovable, charming character over him because of how he behaves in life.
Recommended book. Read for the category "Read a book set in a country in the sketch Countries guess who they are”.
Cover: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.c...
Drama wrote: "What did you think of The Dead? Would you try Joyce again or was once enough? :)"I really liked the story but I read somewhere the line that it's one of the most beautiful stories/short fiction ever written and I think that is a bit exaggerated. 😉 It is really heart-breaking near the end. And I still want to read more from Joyce!
I've long not commented here, but I'd just like to report here that I have only just finished lately one (children's) book since end of August, I'm afraid. BUT it was a really beautiful one too! I've also not a good idea anymore if I will still try to fit some books in this challenge or not. It will depend on what I will still be reading and find an appropriate category or so.
Nathalie - The books you wrote about sounded very interesting. I loved your updates.
I hope you are doing okay and enjoy what you read, no matter what it is.
Thank you, Melissa. Another 10 days of waiting, and I'll be off to Dublin! Two FAH-gigs and one (a first for me) opera I will see there: Rigoletto! I'm already looking forward to it... I lack the concentration to read more now really.
Very cool plans! It will be awesome. Please report on the trip. FAH --->Skittish --->Opera ---> Rigoletto
(You've seen the new show, so you know what I mean.)
I saw FAH in Los Angeles and San Diego last week. It was a great trip. I got my photo with them wearing my "The Book Was Better" t-shirt.
Mod
Enjoy your time in Dublin ^_^ Had you already seen the new show? Or will the one in Dublin be the first time?
Absolutely do not feel obliged to continue reading for the challenge (I am finding it difficult, sigh), I set this challenge up for the FAHns readers and it is a safe place, it's for fun
Hello all! I'm back from Dublin since yesterday. I've met really a lot of FAHn-friends, have seen Skittish again (I already went to Amsterdam too) and I liked it a lot! I won't say more than that because you won't like it me spoling things for you of course! I went to see the opera 'Rigoletto' (by the Italian composer Verdi) in the Bord Gais Energy Theatre. Although I've probably not understood half of it - it was sung in Italian and I couldn't read the English surtitles as I was seated too far away in fact - I found it very fascinating and passionate. I was certainly glad I have done this.
All in all, I've had three days with a lot of fun. (Only the accommodation in Dublin, I find it really expensive for the quality in fact. And I miss good continental breakfasts usually, with better quality products like bakery products, dairy, fruit, etc. Sorry but nothing can tip Belgian bakery products I think. 😊)
Thanks for the report! It must be cool to see the guys on their home turf.
I would love to go to Dublin for a book festival (any type) and to see FAH.
Glad you had a great time- can I ask the name of the hotel?
Donatella, I was in the Generator Dublin hostel at Smithfield and had a small private room. Showers and toilets were shared. I thought I could handle that for a couple of days, and I could but I still find it more comfortable to have a private bathroom in fact. :-) The hostel is adjacent to a bar (with loud club music until about midnight) and a café/restaurant. It's got also to do with the Jameson Distillery in fact.
Next time, I will try probably the StayCity Hotel chain just like the other Fahns I think. ;-)
Donatella wrote: "Glad you had a great time- can I ask the name of the hotel?"
Nathalie wrote: "Donatella, I was in the Generator Dublin hostel at Smithfield and had a small private room. Showers and toilets were shared. I thought I could handle that for a couple of days, and I could but I st..."Thank you Nathalie - yes, I know the Generator, a good friend of mine usually use it. She doesn't mind sharing bathroom etc, though (I do, I mean, ok with friends but not with strangers)
I have been at the one very close to Vicar Street and it's perfect. If you are staying more than 2 days it's very convenient to have a kitchenette in the room ^_^
