My favourite cooking books One of my favourite cooking books is Nigella Express. Nigella Lawson shares her fast recipies in this book. I think none of the recipes take longer than half an hour to make. There is something for all situations; in busy daily life, as for a weekend treat with friends. I have used her recipes for many years and they never disappoint. Another celebrity cook that is a favourite is Jamie Oliver. I have several of his books, and his recipes always work. I think only one dish did not turn out as well as it should, but otherwise, they are easy to make and ends up on your plate as they should ... and tasting good. I like his no-nonsense way of cooking.

Today I have been to a second hand shop to buy a few Christmas presents. We, that is, my family, decided to buy second hand Christmas presents. Usually, you can find some nice presents there. You never know what to find, so it is always exciting. I will not eveal exatly what I bought, except for the fact that I found seven books for myself. Even without any effort, because I did not really want to add any more book to my TBRs. Well, things happens sometimes. I am quite pleased with the books which were: From bottom to top. Vävda tapeter (Woven Tapestries) by Jack Lindblom. A book that looks at tapestries as "historical documents", and they are like paintings. I am looking forward to learn more about this art. Otroliga historier (Incredible stories) by Birgitta Petrén is a book about the Skåne (Scania) as it belonged to Denmark. The history is very intersting and I am looking forward to learn more about this time. Ljus och skugga (Facing the Light) by Adèle Geras. Set in a splendid country house in England, this rich and absorbing novel begins as Leonora, daughter of a famous Edwardian painter, is about to throw herself a huge house party to celebrate her 75th birthday. Guests will include her two grown daughters and their spouses (and lovers), a film crew making a movie about Leonora's father, and numerous family legends. Even happy families have their secrets, and Leonora's stunning revelations make for thrilling reading. Musik & tystnad (Music & Silence) by Rose Tremain. Set in seventeenth-century Denmark, Rose Tremain's dazzling, prize-winning tale is a pungently atmospheric, richly provocative, and masterfully orchestrated romance of point and counterpoint: loyalty and deception...tenderness and violence...community and alienation...peace and conflict..."Music & Silence." Peter Claire is an English lutenist summoned to Denmark to join King Christian IV's royal orchestra. Designated the king's "Angel" because of the purity of his physical beauty, Peter falls helplessly in love with the lovely companion of Queen Kirsten, the king's adulterous wife. The young musician finds himself dangerously torn between loyalties, ensnared in the deep-seated unrest of a royal court where the forces of good and evil, of harmony and dissonance, are ensconced in a battle to the death. Husmoderns rådgivare (The Housemaid's Advisor) av Kerstin Wenström. A book from 1924 with advices for the "modern" woman. It is always interesting to read these kind of books, on the "work" that women had to do in the old days. Jag såg kärleken och döden (I saw love and death) av Erik Eriksson. A Swedish journalist who reported from the Vietnam war. He experience bombing and fightings first hand, and saw lovers adieu in Hanoi. I thought it could be an interesting book to read, since we are visiting Vietnam at the beginning of 2025. Skånes historia i årtal, från 550 till 1720 (Scania's history in years, from 559 to 1720) by Jonny Ambrius. A history of the area where I live is always interesting. It is also good to use as a dictionary when you want to know what happened a special year. These were the books I found without even looking closer on all the books they had in the shop.

"I think books are like people, in the sense that they’ll turn up in your life when you most need them." – Emma Thompson That is true. Sometimes when you are down and out a good novel can take you into the right track again.

Today I have been to St. Pauli church here in Malmö to listen to the Christmas Gospel of Luke, and other related texts, as well as listening to the beautiful choir singing gospels and Christmas songs. A pieceful hour, awaiting Christmas. "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them." (Luke 2:1-7)

The day before the big day, at least in Sweden. We celebrate Christmas on the December 24. The evening before used to be the big day of decorations and preparations for the 24th. I think people start earlier these days. Maybe because December is a dark month, and we need light to cheer us up. If you look around you, you se lights from balconies, windows and gardens. It is beautiful. Maybe, later in the evening you can sit down with a good book, or just read before falling asleep. A favourite book? A new book? I have used an audio book lately to fall a sleep. A detective story from the 19th century, where a few women come together to solve crimes. It is also the story of how women were treated in those days. Days when women did not have any rights, and were always dependent on a man; be it a father, brother or husband. The book is Död mans kvinna (Dead Man's Woman) by Katarina Wennstam. It is the second book in a series, and it was nice to meet the characters from the first book again. I am usually not very fond of audio books, and they don't always work for me. These stories do.

Today I prepared for my trip to Karlskrona to celebrate Christmas with my family. Days are grey and not very Christmas like. The best would be to enter into a bookish world of Christmas, where it always seems to be snow and merry people. I don't even have such a book. On top of that, reading has been slow lately. That is when I ran into this quote by Maya Angelou. I totally agree. “I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.” – Maya Angelou

Christmas Eve is here. I celebrated with my father, brother and niece. It was a quiet Christmas. As usual we started with Disney favourites and a visit to Santa Claus Workshop. It is a tradition in Sweden since 1960. Then it was time for our traditional julbord (Christmas table) with special food. It was a small buffet this year, but all the favourites were there. Afterwards, we enjoyed a few Christmas presents. I got three books, all Swedish. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. MERRY CHRISTMAS

This meme is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey , and I found it through Nancy at Readerbuzz . It is all about the first book you read during the year. Others are probably more organised than me, and plan what to read. I just go along with the first book I finished. It turned out to be an audio book. I am not all into audio books, but some of them are working out very well. My first book, started already last year, turned out to be one of them. A psychological thriller, with unexpected twists and turns. Here is the main story. The story is told from the wife and husband's point of view. Although we are given what happens from the very beginning, the development of the story from the past months is thrilling. The characters are well defined with both their good and bad sides. Hurst slowly builds up the events until we reach the end. By that time we have been lured into thinking we know the whole story. But we are deceived. Is madness lying beneath a normal appearance? It was an easy book to listen too, maybe because the story is clearly told. By the time I reached the end another twist of events followed. I thought this was the end of it. Left to the reader to figure out how it all ended. But, no. I discovered that this is the first book in a trilogy. Although it was rather late at night, I started the second book; The Doctor's Widow . The third book is The Doctor's Mistress . I can't wait to see where these two books will take the story. About Daniel Hurst Daniel Hurst is an Amazon #1 bestselling author of fast paced psychological thrillers. His most popular titles include Til Death Do Us Part , The Passenger and The Doctor's Wife, the latter title reaching #1 on the Amazon UK Kindle store in February 2023. A regular KDP Select All Star since he became a full-time author in 2021, Daniel prides himself on writing fast, releasing stories often and engaging with his readers. You can visit him at www.danielhurstbooks.com, where you can also download a copy of his FREE thriller ' Just One Second .' (From Goodreads) Plans for 2025 The end of 2024 was difficult for me. Not feeling entirely well, a lot of things to do and plans for Christmas and New Year. Looking at events world wide, the prospects were not so good in 2024. I do hope this new year will make the world a better place. Having written very few reviews, at least at the latter part of the year, I hope to improve in 2025. I will also consider how I want to proceed with the blog and my reading. To start the year, my aim will be to finish the books I am currently reading. Turn out to be eleven books(?). Brook, Timothy - Vermeer's Hat (NF) - Following a story on a Vermeer painting. Camus, Albert - Myten om Sisyfos ( Le mythe de Sisyphe ) (NF) - a book I read while waiting in the car. Difficult. Desmond/Moore, Adrian/James - Darwin's Sacred Cause, Race, Slavery and the quest for Human Origins (NF) - interesting account on Darwin's thesis, and how it changed the world. Ekman, Kerstin - Min bokvärld (NF) - Kerstin Ekman, and which books have influenced her. Eriksson, Erik - Jag såg kärleken och döden (NF) - Swedish journalist who went to Vietnam in the 1960s to write about the war. Reading it for our upcoming trip. Gibbons, Edward - The Rice and Fall of the Roman Empire, I (NF) - A classic and I am always interrested in the Roman Empire. Johannesson, Jan - Experimentet - The second book in a series, based on Tycho Brahe's scientific exploits, and a secret society trying to follow his research some four hundred years later. Nietzsche, Friedrich - Also Sprach Zarathustra, Ein Buch für Alle und Keinen (NF) - A classic tale. Difficult read so it will go slowly. Schindler, Meriel - The Lost Café Schindler (NF) - A family saga of the Schindler family. How a daughter is following in the footsteps of her parents to discover a new world to her. Vincent, Patrick (ed.) - Chillon, A Literary Guide - A guide I bought while visited this castle in Chillon. Byron was here! Walker, Matthew - Why we sleep - unlocking the power of sleep and dreams (NF) - Can this book help me sleep better. One can always hope. In mid January we are heading for South East Asia so my reading will mainly be e-books. I might take with me a few pocket books that I will leave behind. Hopefully, giving someone else a good read. I wish you all a very good reading year.

Recently, I have not participated in any challenges, due to time restraint, mainly because I have been travelling quite a lot. I think I will have some time in the summer so will join this challenge and try to read 20 books from my TBR. The challenge has been taken on by AnnaBookBel and Emma of Words and Peace . Head of the their websites for more info. Here is the challenge in short. The #20BooksofSummer2025 challenge runs from Sunday June 1st to Sunday August 31st The first rule of 20 Books is that there are no real rules, other than signing up for 10, 15 or 20 books and trying to read from your TBR. Pick your list in advance, or nominate a bookcase to read from, or pick at whim from your TBR. If you do pick a list, you can change it at any time – swap books in/out. Don’t get panicked at not reaching your target. Just enjoy a summer of great reading and make a bit of space on your shelves! Here is a Bingo sheet for thos who wants to get some help on the way. I will be bold and go for 20 books. Here is a preliminary list, which might change. Reading in no particular order. Aurelius, Marcus - Meditations (NF) Austen, Jane - Lady Susan Brook, Timothy - Vermeer's Hat (NF)  Brooks, Geraldine - Nine Parts of Desire Byatt, A. S. - The Children's Book Craike, W.A. - The Brontë Novels (NF) Desmond/Moore, Adrian/James - Darwin's Sacred Cause, Race, Slavery and the quest for Human Origins (NF) Edwards, Amelia - A Thousand Miles Up the Nile (NF) Fitzgerald, Penelope - Edward Burne-Jones - A Life (NF) Franzen, Jonathan - Freedom Gabaldon, Diana - The Scottish Prisoner Geras, Adèle - Ljus och skugga (Facing the Light) Johannesson, Jan - Experimentet Koen, Karleen - Och nu ansikte mot ansikte (Now Face to Face) Laoutaris, Chris - Shakespeare and the Countess Lucas Correa, Armando - De som färdas om natten (La viajera nocturna/The Night Travellers) Merriman, Helena - Tunnel 29 (NF) Oates, Joyce Carol - Blondie Roy, Arundhat - The God of Small Things Talbot Rice, Tamara - Tamara - Memoirs of St Petersburg, Paris, Oxford and Byzantium (NF) This is a mixture without any order. Eight of them are nonfiction and the rest fiction. I have been trying to choose some books that have been on my TBR for a long time. There are a few very thick books here as well. I am not sure I find that many that will fit with the Bingo titles, but never mind. I will enjoy the reading, I am sure, and will feel happy when some of these books leave my TBR shelves. Looking forward to seeing what you are reading this summer.

To my own surprise, I have made a strong start with this challenge, hosted by Annabel at   AnnaBookBel  and Emma of Words and Peace . Since my last update, I have read four more books. One of them I started before June, so I am not sure if it counts? I am including it anyway. Also, three of the books were not on my original list. Surprise, surprise. The books Madame de Pompadour by Nancy Mitford - I bought this during my trip to Paris in May, and a review will follow as part of Paris in July. One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by Agatha Christie - I listened to this one, wonderfully narrated by Hugh Fraser. It is a typical Christie novel, full of scattered clues that make it diffult to identify the culprit until the end. I found it a bit confusing, probably because I listenen to it while falling asleep and had to rewind frequently after dozing off. Still, it is another tick on my goal of reading all, or most, of Agatha Christie's books. (This book is not on my list.) 101 World Heroes: Great Men and Women Who Changed History by Simon Sebag Montefiore (NF) - Montefiore is one of my favourite historians, and this book is excellent for reading in bits and pieces. Each figure gets a two-page spread (the format is quite large), and another page is related to a historical event or context. It is engaging and accessible, perfect for readers who might not be deeply into history but want an overview of important figures across time. Highly recommended. (Also not on my list.) Isbrytare by Kristina Ohlsson - I recently discovered this Swedish thriller writer, and she is fantastic. Isbrytare is the second book in a series featuring August Strindberg - a young economist who leaves Stockholm for a small village on the west coast, where he opens a second-hand shop. Yes, he share a name with the famous author, but that is all. Ohlsson's murder plots often goes back to events from 20-30 years ago, adding a rich layer of backstory. The local police team - one man and one woman - are great characters: strong friends who complement each other well, each with flaws and private challenges. But refreshingly, they break the typical characters in such books (not your usual middle-aged, depressed man or overwhelmed single mother). I loved the first book, and after reading this second one, I have already downloaded three more in the series. Some of her other series have been translated into English, but unfortunately, it seems this one featuring Strindberg hasn't - yet. Statistics Including Montefiore's book which I started before June, I have read seven books so far. I am pleased with the outcome, and my hope, being able to read 20 books this summer, looks promising. How are you doing with your 20 books of summer reading? 20 books of summer - June to August Aurelius, Marcus - Meditations (NF)
 Austen, Jane - Lady Susan Brook, Timothy - Vermeer's Hat (NF) Brooks, Geraldine - Nine Parts of Desire Byatt, A.S. - The Children's Book Craike, W. A. - The Brontë Novels (NF) Desmond/Moore, Adrian/James - Darwin's Sacred Cause (NF) Fitzgerald, Penelope - Edward Burne-Jones, A Life (NF) Franzen, Jonathan - Freedom Gabaldon, Diana - The Scottish Prisoner Geras, Adèle - Ljus och skugga (Facing the Light) Johannesson, Jan - Experimentet Koen, Karleen - Och nu ansikte mot ansikte (Now Face to Face) Laoutaris, Chris - Shakespeare and the Countess Lucas Correa, Armando - De som färdas om natten Merriman, Helena - Tunnel 29 (NF) Madame de Pompadour by Nancy Mitford Oates, Joyce Carol - Blondie Roy, Arundhat - The God of Small Things Talbot Rice, Tamara - Memoirs of St Petersburg, Paris, Oxford and Byzantium Not on original list One Two, Buckle My Shoe by Agatha Christie 101 World Heroes: Great Men and Women Who Changed History by Simon Sebag Montefiore (NF) Isbrytare by Kristina Ohlsson

As mentioned in my earlier post, I will use my 20 Books of Summer list to go through this challenge. It is hosted by Sue Jackson on Book by Book . The list Big Book Summer Challenge The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt (615 pages) Freedom by Jonathan Franzen (562 pages) The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Galbadon (507 pages) Facing the Light by Adèle Geras (403 pages) Tychonium - Experimentet by Jan Johannesson (448 pages) Now Face to Face by Karleen Koen (586 pages) Shakespeare and the Countess by Chris Laoutaris (416 pages) Blondie by Joyce Carol Oates (862 pages) Isbrytare by Kristina Ohlsson (548) So far I have read two books, although the last one was not on the list from the beginning. I wanted to read something easy going and had Kristina Ohlsson's Isbrytare on my shelves. I read the first book in the series, featuring economist August Strindberg who leaves his busy life in Stockholm to settle in a small village on the west coast. More under link above. So far so good, and I am pleased with reading any of all the thick books I have on my shelves. I

Time for the June Wrap-up for 20 Books of Summer challenge. It is hosted by AnnaBookBel . I did a rather good start, and am pleased with my reading. I must admit that not all books I read are from my original list, but that is life. I needed something easier to read so found some very good Swedish detective stories, and an Agatha Christie. A must summer read. I read 9 books in June. Books read marked in bold. Here is my adapted list: 1. Aurelius, Marcus - Meditations (NF)
 2. Austen, Jane - Lady Susan 3. Brook, Timothy - Vermeer's Hat (NF) 4. Brooks, Geraldine - Nine Parts of Desire 5. Byatt, A.S. - The Children's Book 6. Craike, W. A. - The Brontë Novels (NF) 7. Desmond/Moore, Adrian/James - Darwin's Sacred Cause (NF) 8. Fitzgerald, Penelope - Edward Burne-Jones, A Life (NF) 9. Franzen, Jonathan - Freedom 10. Gabaldon, Diana - The Scottish Prisoner 11. Geras, Adèle - Ljus och skugga (Facing the Light) 12. Johannesson, Jan - Experimentet 13. Koen, Karleen - Och nu ansikte mot ansikte (Now Face to Face) 14. Laoutaris, Chris - Shakespeare and the Countess 15. Lucas Correa, Armando - De som färdas om natten 16. Merriman, Helena - Tunnel 29 (NF) 17. Madame de Pompadour by Nancy Mitford (NF) 18. Oates, Joyce Carol - Blondie 19. Roy, Arundhat - The God of Small Things ( Not finished ) 20. Talbot Rice, Tamara - Memoirs of St Petersburg, Paris, Oxford and Byzantium 21. One Two, Buckle My Shoe by Agatha Christie 22. Isbrytare by Kristina Ohlsson 23. Nattankare by Kristina Ohlsson 24. Skuggläge by Kristina Ohlsson 25. Frälsekransen by Kristina Ohlsson Emma @Word and Piece helps us highlight what we read with a questionnaire. 1. If your #20BooksofSummer25 TBR were a beach, what’s the most surprising thing you’ve unearthed so far – a hidden gem, a total shipwreck, or something unexpectedly delightful? I took a rest from my list to read a couple of detective stories by Swedish author Kristina Ohlsson. I had read the first in the series a while ago and really liked it. A little bit different set-up of characters than the usual ones. It takes place by the sea a little bit north of Gothenburg, on the west coast of Sweden. There is a murder where the story goes back many years and affect people today. Water, harbours and beaches are always within reach. The stories are so well built up, and for all of the books the stories get more and more exciting. As you near the end it is impossible to put the book down. I am now on the fourth book, which is the fifth(!) (I missed out no. 5 and thought it was no. 3, so already read the last one). They can be read in which order you want, but relationships do develop through book. Very good, easygoing reads this summer. A good start. 2. Imagine your reading progress as a summer road trip. Which book has been the scenic route, which has been the highway, and is there a rest stop book you’re looking forward to? The scenic route is definitely the books I talk about under no. 1. The highway would be Tunnel 29 by Helena Merriman . The adrenalin was pouring all through this very exciting, real life thriller. My review under the link. The rest stop book I am looking forward to is Lady Susan by Jane Austen. 3. If one of the books you’ve read this month was turned into an ice cream flavor, what ingredients would it have, and what would it be called? It would be Madame de Pompadour by Nancy Mitford. A subtle, regular flavour like vanilla, which is also my favourite flavour. I can see Madame de P eating ice-cream in her parlour, or maybe in the garden to her private palace or gazebo. 4. If you could swap places with a character from one of the books you’ve read this month, purely for the summer, who would it be and what items would you absolutely take with you? Maybe swap with Madame de Pompadour, to be able to live in France in the 18th century. Live in a palace and feel the atmosphere, and the bad smell, as it seems to have been. I guess I don't need to bring a perfrume to take away the odour. I can't really think of anything I could take with me, going back in time, but probably would have to take with me my medications. 5. “Plot twist!”: If your summer reading challenge were a book, what unexpected event just happened to shake things up? Or did life get in the way of your reading plans? Well, I am heading towards a holiday with our van. Although I do bring books, there always seem to little time to read them. We are heading to Norway to visit our son and girlfriend, so a few busy days in Oslo. Then on to discover the southern part of Norway. I do hope to have time to continue my 20 Books of Summer. A nice way to wrap-up the June reading for this challenge. Looking forward to July reading, which will also compete with Paris in July. I see you there as well.