Philip Larkin (1922-1985) English poet, novelist and librarian His poetry often explored themes of mortality, loss, and the passage of time. Although a celebrated author, he kept his work as a librairan all his life. From 1955 until his death, he held the position as librarian at the University of Hull. He preferred a quiet, provincial life which also shaped his poetry. He often deals with themes of "time, death, and the unfulfilled promises of life". Although a controversial person due to some of his private views, he is highly regarded and considered one of the greatest British poets of the 20th century. The Whitsun Weddings collection has a place on my poetry shelves. I choose to recite one of his most famous poems, as well as my favourite. An Arundel Tomb Side by side, their faces blurred, The earl and countess lie in stone, Their proper habits vaguely shown As jointed armour, stiffened pleat, And that faint hint of the absurd— The little dogs under their feet. Such plainness of the pre-baroque Hardly involves the eye, until It meets his left-hand gauntlet, still Clasped empty in the other; and One sees, with a sharp tender shock, His hand withdrawn, holding her hand. They would not think to lie so long. Such faithfulness in effigy Was just a detail friends would see: A sculptor’s sweet commissioned grace Thrown off in helping to prolong The Latin names around the base. They would not guess how early in Their supine stationary voyage The air would change to soundless damage, Turn the old tenantry away; How soon succeeding eyes begin To look, not read. Rigidly they Persisted, linked, through lengths and breadths Of time. Snow fell, undated. Light Each summer thronged the glass. A bright Litter of birdcalls strewed the same Bone-riddled ground. And up the paths The endless altered people came, Washing at their identity. Now, helpless in the hollow of An unarmorial age, a trough Of smoke in slow suspended skeins Above their scrap of history, Only an attitude remains: Time has transfigured them into Untruth. The stone fidelity They hardly meant has come to be Their final blazon, and to prove Our almost-instinct almost true: What will survive of us is love. If you want to visit the tomb it is situated in Chichester Cathedral. It is now widely, though not quite certainly, identified as that of Richard FitzAlan, 10th Earl of Arundel (d. 1376) and his second wife, Eleanor of Lancaster (d. 1372). In the Wikipedia article An Arundel Tomb there are a few interesting notes on what Larkin himself thought of the poem and the background to it.

I went for a walk with a friend this morning. It was fresh, and rather cold, so we went to a café for a coffee. On the way home, I passed by the Little Black Library , a street library where you can give and take a book. It was decorated for Christmas. I found this wonderful little book. Carina Burman (born 1960) is a Swedish novelist and literature scholar. Her research has been focused on Swedish 18th and 19th century literature. Burman's novels have historical motifs, often taking the form of a pastiche. Maybe you wonder what a pastiche is? I did. "A pastiche is a work of visual art, literature, theatre, music, or architecture that imitates the style or character of the work of one or more other artists. Unlike parody, pastiche pays homage to the work it imitates, rather than mocking it." I have read several of her books, and love them. I have another one, unread, on my shelves, about Carl Michael Bellman, a famous Swedish troubadour in the 18th century. That books is 637 pages long, with the appendixes over 100 pages. Islandet - The Ice Country - takes place during the 19th century. "During a grand Christmas celebration in the three days of 1799 at the Ransäter manor in Värmland's Bergslagen, the reader meets a broad-shouldered young man with one blue eye and one brown eye, who will soon marry a girl from his hometown who can make rye dough and pour candles. But Fate intervenes: pain, joy and strong emotions await. It is the budding poet, historian and composer Erik Gustaf Geijer who has the one leading role in the romantic adventure which, much later, is depicted in an exchange of letters between a German baroness and a young Swedish writer. Time for a change of scene. Uppsala, the city of learning and youth, spring 1816. This is where everything happens. It is here that Geijer meets the famously beautiful and witty Amalia von Helvig. Academic lectures and literary salons where famous contemporary figures appear: Malla Silfverstolpe and Atterbom among others. Ice removal and cheerful outings in the surroundings. And a stormy swearing, but also great sadness. Iceland is Amalia's story, told by her sister. It is a novel about memories and dreams, about Värmland and Uppsala, about how cold Sweden meets Europe." (Google translation from Swedish). In the afternoon, I went to the nearby shopping mall for some errands and enjoyed their beautiful Christmas tree. You can't really see the wonderful colours of the tree, so I add another photo that I took some years ago. Slowly getting into the Christmas mood.

Martin Cruz Smith Today is December 6, and that is also the title of a thriller by Martin Cruz Smith (In England it was published under the name Tokyo Station). Martin Cruz Smith is, for me, forever connected to the exciting thriller Gorky Park , of which was made an excellent movie with William Hurt. I still, sometimes, think of the fantastic ice skating scene with the powerful music from Tchaikovsky’s The Swan Lake . A plot summary from Wikipedia: "In late 1941, Harry Niles owns a bar for American and European expatriates, journalists, and diplomats, in Tokyo's entertainment district, called the "Happy Paris". With only 24 hours until Japanese fighters and bombers attack Pearl Harbor, Niles has to consult with the local US ambassador, break up with a desperate lover, evade the police, escape the vengeance of an aggrieved samurai officer and leave the island, the exit points from which are all closed. Having grown up in Tokyo, Niles is fluent in the Japanese language and culture, and is highly streetwise." I am thinking it could be a good thriller to read on a cold, December night. Have you read it?

In the foot steps of Jo Nesbø Tomorrow, on Sunday, December 8, I am heading towards Oslo for a couple of days. I found a quote from Nesbø, on Oslo. " Until the Eighties, Oslo was a rather boring town, but it's changed a lot, and is now much more cosmopolitan. If I go downtown, I visit the harbour to see the tall ships and the ferries, and to admire the modern architecture such as the Opera House or the new Astrup Fearnley Museum on the water's edge ." That is probably true, and I can add the new Munch museum in the same area, making it to a cultural treat. I wrote a short newsletter this week on Oslo, available on my: The Content Reader Newsletter . While looking on the web, I happened to find a website, helping you to follow in Harry Hole's footsteps. As mot of you know, Harry Hole is the famous detective creative by Nesbø, appearing in many of his novels. I have not read that many of his books, but I will make a note for my next trip. In the footsteps of Harry Hole throught the street of Oslo A few examples of a tour with Harry Hole (from Strawberry website, link above). Restaurant Schrøder - Waldemar Thranes Gate 8 - a five-minute walk from Harry Hole's flat. This is also the restaurant where police officer's regular meet. " Everyone who comes in wants to know the same thing: which table does Hole sit at when he's here, " adds Khalid with a smile." Harry Hole's apartment - Sofies gate 5 - in the Bislett area of Oslo. Teddy Softbar - Brugata 3A - " Entering Teddy's Softbar is like taking a journey back in time. Since its opening, the restaurant has been a gathering place for all Oslo residents from the east to the west side. " It seems that Nesbø has choosen a few places that looks really inviting. Maybe I will pass by some of them? I have to keep my eyes open. Have you read Nesbø's books? He has sold over 50 million books, and is Norway's most popular author. It might be a good time to read another one, while in Oslo.

Second of Advent and the day to light the second candle. Here in Sweden it is rather dark this time of the year. December is therefore a rather nice month, because we add a lot of extra lights; advent chandeliers, electric and candles, electric star, we decorate our balconies, trees, and other vegetation in the garden. I remember when my husband first came to Sweden for a Christmas - many years ago. He went by bus from the airport, travelling through villages, cities, and countryside. The first thing he sad upon arrival was: "Is it obligatory in Sweden to have an electric advent chandelier in the windows?" It is not, but most people have them. These days, I think it is rather common all over Europe. It makes an extra touch of warmt during the cold, dark, and sometimes foggy winter. Enjoy the photos.

Christmas reading I am not really a person who reads Christmas novels. I have read, maybe the most famous one, Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. Otherwise, I have no real interest in specific Christmas reading, unless they are nonfiction. I thought it would be interesting though, to check out which seasonal stories are available. I found the following on Wikipedia (I am sure there are others as well): Novels Agatha Christie, Hercule Poirot's Christmas - which I read recently Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol - which I have read Charles Dickens, The Chimes Charles Dickens, The Cricket on the Hearth Charles Dickens, The Battle of Life Charles Dickens, The Haunted Man and The Ghost's Bargain Janet Evanovich, Visions of Sugar Plums Frederick Forsyth, The Shepherd Jostein Gaarder, The Christmas Mystery John Grisham, Skipping Christmas Maureen Johnson, John Green and Lauren Myracle, Let It Snow C. S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - which I have read Christopher Moore, The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror Kate Douglas Wiggin, The Birds' Christmas Carol Short stories Hans Christian Andersen, "The Fir-Tree" Truman Capote, "A Christmas Memory" (published in Mademoiselle) John Cheever, "Christmas is a Sad Season for the Poor" Agatha Christie, The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding Agatha Christie, A Christmas Tragedy Fyodor Dostoevsky, "A Christmas Tree and a Wedding" Fyodor Dostoevsky, "The Beggar Boy at Christ's Christmas Tree" (Mal'chik u Khrista na yolke) (from A Writer's Diary) Arthur Conan Doyle, "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle" Nikolai Gogol, "Christmas Eve" (from Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka) O. Henry, The Gift of the Magi E. T. A. Hoffmann, "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" (Nussknacker und Mausekönig) Leo Tolstoy, "Papa Panov's Special Christmas" (translation of Saillens) Dylan Thomas, A Child's Christmas in Wales Philip Van Doren Stern, The Greatest Gift Kurt Vonnegut, While Mortals Sleep (book of short stories) I got a little bit curious on Fredrick Forsyth 's The Shepherd which seems to be a little bit of a ghost story. I might try that one for Christmas. As for the short stories it would be interesting to read H.C. Andersen 's The Fir-Tree. His stories are always related to society and thought worthy. Dostoyevsky is a favourite so it would be interesting to read his two attemps on a Christmas story. The same goes for Tolstoy . The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E. T. A. Hoffmann is the short story on which Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker is based. I like Hoffmann and it would be interesting to read the story. I love the music by Tchaikovsky, but I find the ballet a little bit boring. Do you have any specific novels or short stories that you read for Christmas. Please let me know.

The Nobel Family Today is December 10th, and in Sweden it is the Nobel day - the day this year's laureates will receive their prizes in Stockholm. In the evening, the grand gala dinner takes place, leaving those of us not invited to imagine the delicious dishes served. Recently, I watched a TV series about the Nobel family. While Alfred Nobel is the most famous, the entire family made remarkable contributions to the world. His brothers Ludvig and Robert ran major business in St. Petersburg and Baku, focusing on oil, until they were forced to flee during the Russian Revolution. The Nobel brothers were ahead of their time when it came ot labor conditions. In Russia, their factories included worker housing, school for employees' children, and a pioneering welfare system providing health care. Despite facing challenges, the family always seemed to find their way, helping each other out, when necessary. Alfred, who became the most famous, left Sweden to establish a successful business in Europe. Innovation ran deep in the family: Afred alone held 355 patents. Ultimately, it was his will that secured his legacy. Alfred's legacy Unlike his brothers, who were all married and had families, Alfred remained a bachelor. Though he sought companionship, his introvert nature made forming close relationships difficult. At one point, he placed an advertisement in the paper, seeking an intelligent, educated woman who serve as his secretary and housekeeper, with a possibility of marriage. Bertha Kinsky, an Austro-Bohemian noblewoman, responded to the ad and took the position. Alfred and Bertha developed a close friendship, and Alfred may have wanted to marry her. However, Bertha was already engaged to Baron Arthur von Suttner, whom she later married. Bertha von Suttner was a pacifist and novelist, whose ideals likely influenced Alfred. She wrote Lay Down Your Arms (1889), one of the most influential anti-war novels of the 19th century. It is believed her advocacy played a role in Alfred's decision to include the Peace Prize in his will. Alfred already troubled by the destructive uses of his inventions, sought to mitigate som of the harm through his legacy. The will When Alfred Nobel passed away in 1896, he left behind what was then the world's largest private fortune - 31,5 million Swedish crowns. His will instructed the creation of a fund whose interest would annually reward those who had "conferred the greatest benefit on mankind." The prizes would be awarded within the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine or physiology, literature and peace. The Peace Prize, uniquely, was to be awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. In Sweden his will sparked a lengthy legal battle with the Nobel family. Once resolved, the Nobel Foundation was established in 1900, and the first prizes were awarded in 1901. The first Literature Prize was awarded to French poet and essayist Sully Prudhomme. Selma Lagerlöf, the first woman to receive the Literature Prize, was honour in 1909. Bertha von Suttner, became the first female Peace Prize laureate in 1905. Today, the Nobel Prizes remain one of the world’s highest honors, celebrating individuals who leave a profound and positive impact on humanity.

Second hand books I love going to second hand shops. More and more people discover the pleasure of shopping there. It is exciting, since you never know what to find. An ordinary shop has a theme, a certain kind of goods, but here, you can find anything. Especially, when it comes to books. Often there are even new books on the shelves. But, what I enjoy is when you find a rarity, a book that you probably cannot find in an ordinary book shop anymore. There might be classics, books you missed to read when you were younger, and thought you could not get hold of anymore. The shelves for nonfiction sometimes hide unique books on a theme you are interested in. I often find interesting historical books there. In Sweden books are very expensive so to find a book in a second hand shop is a good deal. Are you a customer of second hand shops? In the English speaking world there seem to be a lot of thrift shops for books, alas, not so much in Sweden. While in Ireland, earlier this year, I visited Charlie Byrne's Bookshop in Galway, which is said to be Ireland’s best-loved, independent bookshop. My review, and a list of the fantastic books I found, under the link.

I have been to Oslo for a couple of days. Always nice to visit, even in the winter. I did not have time to read anything, and reading has been very slow in December. So far I have not finished even one book. The good news is that Netflix has adapted Gabriel García Márquez' novel One Hundred Years of Solitude into a TV-series. I read the novel some years ago and loved it. It is not an easy read, you have to rest in between the chapters. Márquez magic realism takes you into an almost crazy world, but you can't help loving the peculiar family of Buendía as you follow them over generations. Márquez got the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982, " for his novels and short stories, in which the fantastic and the realistic are combined in a richly composed world of imagination, reflecting a continent's life and conflicts ." The novel has one of the best first lines in literature. It is quite remarkable. “ Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice. ”

Today is the Saint Lucia day, a Swedish tradition leading up to Christmas. Lucia brings warmth and light in the darkness that is prevailing this time of the year. But, where does the custom come from? The Origins Lucia's roots are a fascinating blend of history, myth, and culture. The celebration honors Saint Lucia, a Christian martyr from 3rd-century Sicily, known for her compassion and bravery. According to legend, Lucia secretly brought food to persecuted Christians hiding in the Roman catacombs, wearing a wreath of candles to free her hands. In Scandinavia, her story was mixed with local folklore about light conquering darkness during the long winters. The date, December 13th, was significant in the Julian calendar as the winter solstice, marking the year’s longest night. Over centuries, Lucia became a symbol of hope, light, and generosity, and is deeply rooted in Swedish traditions. Celebrations today Lucia Day in Sweden begins early, with Lucia processions (Luciatåg) taking place in schools, workplaces, and churches. Each procession features a "Lucia" dressed in a white gown with a red sash and a crown of candles (these days often electric for safety!). She is accompanied by attendants, known as "tärnor" (maidens), "stjärngossar" (star boys), and sometimes even "pepparkaksgubbar" (gingerbread men). The procession sings traditional Lucia songs, including the iconic Sankta Lucia , filling the air with hauntingly beautiful melodies. It's not uncommon for families to wake up to the sound of children singing, offering saffron buns ( lussekatter ) and gingerbread cookies. If you want to see what it is all about, go to youtube and search for Sankta Lucia Sweden.

There are some favourite authors where I am thinking of reading all, or, at least most of their works. For now, I am trying to go through the collection of three authors. Agatha Christie I think this lady does not need any further introduction. I have mostly seen TV-series of films of her works, but never really read very much. It is a pleasure to read her works. They are sometimes rather easygoing, one could even say simple, but to solve the crimes is really difficult. She wrote 66 novels and 14 short story collections. I have so far read 29 novels and short stories. There will still be a few to read in 2025. Donna Leon Donna Leon is mostly famous for her crime novels set in Venice. Her protagonist is Commissario Guido Brunetti. A smooth Italian detective with no illusions about either crime or politics. Great novels, especially if you love Venice. She wrote 33 novels about Brunetti. There are also a few nonfiction books by her, but I concentrate on the Venice set. I have so far read 13 novels. Daphne du Maurier Another interesting author, and not within the crime genre. du Maurier is more into historical fiction as well as nonfiction. Rebecca is probably her most famous novel. She also wrote The Birds , a short story, on which Hitchcook based his famous film. I think she wrote 33 books, including short stories and nonfiction. I have so far read 12 of them.

Today I am reading a blog post from my blogging friend Jeanie over at The Marmelade Gypsy She and her partner Rick were recently visiting England and have given us a few posts from their trip. This post (linked above) is about their visit to the British Library. While reading I was thinking that I actually never visited the British Library. What a mistake. It seems you can easily get a day pass for the reading room if you want to do some research. You can also visit the Treasure room and discover old copies of Shakespeare, Beowulf as well as a Gutenberg bible from 1455. There are also notes from famous composers, handwritten notes from famous authors and a lot more. On top of my list for my next visit to London? Yes, the British Library.