This book was published already in 1992, and has been a bestseller for many years. It is planned as a twelve-week program, and designed to help creators to finding their inner creative confidence, take away internal blocks - such as fear, perfectionism, and self-doubt, that I guess most creative people have. The base for the exercises is “Morning pages” and “Artist Dates” and they repeat themselves over the weeks. Morning pages should be a stream of consciousness way of writing; free-flowing, unfiltered and often illogical. It should capture the writer’s immediate mental state, including ideas, shifts of focus etc. Don’t think of the grammatical structure, just write. This way of writing is typical for established authors like James Joyce and Virginia Woolf. It is a sort of relief to get things down on paper. I must admit I have not been able to write every morning, but I try. The idea is to write three pages. I use an A5 notebook, but I think you are meant to have an A4. Anyway … the important thing is to write, and I quite enjoy it. “The Artist Date” - is a block of time you set aside weekly to nurture your creativity. Two hours a week might be a good start, but I guess you can choose yourself. The idea is to do something creative - on your own - that inspire and promote your creativity. It could be going to an exhibition at a museum; playing the piano, trumpet, drums or whichever musical instrument you fancy; you could go to a café and read a book etc. It should qualify as quality time. This is something that I do rather often myself. You choose yourself, and you don’t have to take into consideration other people’s interests. Just concentrate on what you are doing at the time, and being inspired and hopefully it would lead to a creative output. I have started with the first two weeks, but will have to stop for a month since I am going away. I was thinking I could do the morning papers anyway, but alas, the travelling has been too intensive so no time for that. I will probably start from the beginning once I am home again. I hope that after following this “course” I will be more directed towards the things I want do to, and achieve. And above all, not just start a lot of projects which are never finalised. I also bought Julia Cameron’s book  Write for Life , A toolkit for writers. I hope it will add something useful to my writing goals. The book is a six-week programme for writers of all levels. What are your goals for 2026? Reading? Creating? Or just take life as it comes?

I must have read about this novel, with its distinct gothic touch, on one of the blogs I follow. When something catches my interest, I usually download it—if available—through my Nextory app. This one turned out to be a surprising story that keeps you guessing until the very end. In other words, exactly the kind of story I love. "At seventeen, Lenora Hope Hung her sister with a rope Now reduced to a schoolyard chant, the Hope family murders shocked the Maine coast one bloody night in 1929. While most people assume seventeen-year-old Lenora was responsible, the police were never able to prove it. Other than her denial after the killings, she has never spoken publicly about that night, nor has she set foot outside Hope’s End, the cliffside mansion where the massacre occurred. Stabbed her father with a knife Took her mother’s happy life It’s now 1983, and home-health aide Kit McDeere arrives at a decaying Hope’s End to care for Lenora after her previous nurse fled in the middle of the night. In her seventies and confined to a wheelchair, Lenora was rendered mute by a series of strokes and can only communicate with Kit by tapping out sentences on an old typewriter. One night, Lenora uses it to make a tantalizing offer—I want to tell you everything. “It wasn’t me,” Lenora said But she’s the only one not dead As Kit helps Lenora write about the events leading to the Hope family massacre, it becomes clear there’s more to the tale than people know. But when new details about her predecessor’s departure come to light, Kit starts to suspect Lenora might not be telling the complete truth—and that the seemingly harmless woman in her care could be far more dangerous than she first thought." (from Story Graph) I was hooked from page one. Early on, there’s a reference to the Lizzie Borden murders of 1892, and in a way the setup feels similar: everyone is dead except for one person. Yet the police struggle to determine whether that person really did it. The narrative unfolds through two voices, Kit and Lenora, each revealing small pieces of what has happened—and what is still happening—until a fuller picture slowly forms. As we delve deeper into the events, the atmosphere grows even darker. The house—built on a rock above the sea—is literally crumbling, leaning ever closer to disaster. And gradually, we learn the truth of what happened on a tragic day fifty years earlier. It’s described as a gothic tale, and I think that fits well. Sager structures the story along parallel lines: the decaying house with its slanting floors and walls, worsening as the plot progresses, mirrors the two timelines unraveling fifty years apart. It’s all done with impressive skill. I looked into Sager’s other novels and it seems he often writes what could be called horror. I’m not usually drawn to horror, but if it’s written the way it is here, I’m all for it. There’s an uneasy undertone throughout. Since I listened to most of it at night before sleep, there were a few evenings when I simply couldn’t continue—too atmospheric for the dark hours. If you enjoy thrillers, murder mysteries, and gothic tales, this is definitely a book for you.

For some time, I have been thinking if I can somehow develop my book blog, which is now more of a newsletter. After 12 years of blogging I feel it is time to change a few things. I recently read a post from Travellin’ Penguin on Getting Ready for 2026 on various things she wants to pursue during the next year. It seems to be the right time to consider new goals. In my last post I talked about joining the 52 Book Club, and that is one of the reading goals I have. But, there are a few other things on my mind. My Personal Curriculum I follow quite a few channels on Youtube, and once you start looking for something, there pops up a lot of other videos on the same subject. I don’t know if it is because I was looking for it, or because this is a trend now, but it seems to be popular to make your own personal curriculum. Meaning, you want to learn things, but not necessarily go to school, or university to learn it. Instead you look at the curriculum of classes you are interested in, and add the books, or whatever practical exercises you need to learn more. This is something up my alley, so I started to think of what I would like to learn more about. I am reading quite a lot, but I would like to learn more from my reading. Not just finish a book and then start the next. So what is on my curriculum? Subjects I could easily put up 5, 6 or more subjects that I would like to study more, but one has to be realistic, and it seems that three subjects is what you should aim for. I have chosen Literature, History and Languages. Literature Of course! Reading is part of my daily life. For a long time I wanted to read more of the classics, going back to Antiquity where it all started. Searching the internet I have found three ages: Theocratic Age (Foundational work) Late Medieval and Renaissance - Aristocratic Age 19th Century To start with the beginning, I have a list of the books from Antiquity, and I started with Hesiod’s Theogony and Works and Days . Theogony is the origin story of the Greek cosmos. The background story of the births of the gods, the rise of Zeus, and the cosmic battles that shaped the world’s order. This is the foundation of later Greek religion and storytelling. Here is where the Greek myths are born. Works and Days tells the story of everyday life. You find practical wisdom, moral lessons, and advice on farming. It is a handbook for living responsibly in a difficult world. Maybe it will even be relevant today? Now I am on to Pindar’s Complete Odes which honour victors of the ancient Greek games. They praise athletic achievement as well as linking it to divine favour and heroic lineage. It is rich in myth, imagery and moral reflection. I find it a little bit difficult to read. Simultaneously, I am reading Argonautica by Apollonius of Rhodes. This is a recount on Jasons’ voyage aboard the Argo in search of the Golden Fleece. The story has always fascinated me, although I don’t really know the details. Here we find adventure, heroism but also psychological depth. It is said to be more subtle and literary than Homeric epic. It is a traditional story of a hero’s quest including a little bit of romance. Nothing wrong with that. History To make things easier for me, you can say that literature and history are connected. To learn more about history, I have to read literature. That these two subjects are combined should make it easier. I found the following list of what to learn on this subject. Perspectives: Understand that historical events are interpreted differently by various people. Continuity and change: Identify what has stayed the same and what has changed over time. Cause and effect: Analyze the reasons behind historical events and their consequences. Evidence: Learn to evaluate and use historical evidence to support arguments. Significance: Determine the importance of specific events, people, and developments. Contestability: Recognize that historical accounts are open to debate and reinterpretation. Broad historical periods: Study major eras such as ancient civilizations, the Roman Empire, the medieval world, the Renaissance, the Industrial Revolution, and the modern era, including both World Wars and the Cold War. Global and national events: Investigate key historical trends and movements, from the rise of early civilizations to the fall of empires and the rise of modern economies and nationalism. Regional and local history: Learn about your personal, family, and local history, as well as the history of your state or territory. Thematic studies: Explore specific themes across time, such as the development of politics, social sciences, philosophy, religion, art, and music. Connections to other fields: Integrate history with other subjects like geography, literature, economics, and politics to gain a more complete understanding. I have an extensive reading list for literature, but, so far, not so much for history. I am sure there are recommendations to follow, but I have not yet looked for them. Time you know. Languages I have chosen three languages, of which I have some knowledge of two of them: French, Russian and all new to me is Classical Greek. I am now studying French and Classical Greek. The latter is very difficult, but I choose the classical version of Greek because I want to be able to read text from ancient stones. That should keep me busy for 2026. But, I have other ambitions … Outside the Curriculum Several of the subjects and goals are intertwined, like my blogg and newsletters. They are connected to the literary part of the curriculum. I would also like to do more photography, learn my camera better, and use apps to edit the photos. Journaling is something I have not had time to do. I have a big bunch of memorabilia from my travels, they just have to be put into my journals, which is something I have to do next year. Once I have caught up, I hope to do it more regular as I travel. Not piling up things. Another thing that will happen in the beginning of next year is a small renovation at home. The biggest one is my office. I will make it into a dark academia theme and hopefully it will be a more pleasant space than it is now. I hope the new room will give me inspiration for writing, reading, blogging and studying. A smaller bedroom renovation and a few other things around the house are also on the plan. I think next year will not be less busy than this year. I feel good though to have made a plan, to have a structure, and a set of goals. I also have to streamline my various tasks to make them easier to work with. As it is now, I am all over the place. As you might notice on this post? What about you? Do you have any plans for your blog, reading or whatever you like to do in your spare time?

Soon, a new year is coming. This is the time of year when you look back to what you have read during the year, and looking forward to deciding what to read in the coming year. I tend to make lists, big or small, of books I want to read. When the time comes I usually choose something else. Well, that is life, or is it just bad discipline? One challenge I will follow this year is the 52 Book Club. The aim is to read 52 books in 52 weeks. To guide you along the way, they provide you with a list of prompts to follow. From the prompts you choose the book you see fit. You can be flexible with your interpretation of the prompts. Please let me know if you are interested in participating. It would be nice to exchange views and tips. If you don’t read 52 books, it is still ok to join. The aim is to read more books. I personally like, in general, to choose a book from prompts, which makes it more interesting. This also tend to lead you to finding books in a genre you might not read much. There is also a Facebook group where you can share your reading experience, and get ideas which books to read. As far as I can, I will choose books from my TBR (To Be Read) shelves. Going through my list of TBRs, I find these books that could be suitable: Set in an ancient civilization - The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony by Roberto Calasso Has a dust jacket - Columbus, The Four Voyages by Laurence Berggren Title starts with the letter “O” - Ofredsår by Peter Englund Title starts with the letter “P” - Påven Johanna (Pope Joan) by Donna Woolfolk Cross A three-syllable word in the title - Darwin’s Sacred Cause, Race, Slavery and the quest for Human Origins by Adrian Desmond and James Moore Spans a decade or more - Inheritance: The Story of Knole and the Sackvilles by Robert Sackville West My Newsletter(s) I will slowly phase out this website and go over to My Bookish Corner . You can subscribe for free (and unsubscribe at any time), or just go inside to read from the website (click no thank you when asked to subscribe). If you subscribe you will receive an e-mail with the full post. If you are interested in reading about my trips, history, culture and other things that make life more interesting, please subscribe to The Content Reader Newsletter . When life works well, I publish once a week, on Fridays. Den svenska versionen heter: Den tillfälliga besökaren It is for free and you can unsubscribe any time.

November was a bad literary month for me. I did read, but it seems I hardly finished a book, and only reached five books. I was not able to follow my two challenges - Nonfiction November and Novellas in November. I only posted four posts, and they were only introductions to the challenges. My excuse is that I have been very busy during the end of October up until now. First I was on a three week trip to South Korea and Japan. Although I did read a few books during that trip, I did not have much time to blog. Coming home saw a huge amount of administration and activities, leaving me with just the tip of the nose above water level. December will also be busy, the calendar is rather full already, and over Christmas and New Year we will go to Egypt for a ten day classical tour. We have not been back to Egypt since we left the country in 1994. I worked there for 3,5 years and met my husband there. Now we are going back to show our son Hannes and his girlfriend the country. The most anticipated visit will be the new Egyptian museum. Having seen some videos on youtube it seems fabulous. Ok, we are here to talk about books, so let's start. November it was ... Read in November Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris Curtain: Poirot's Last Case by Agatha Christie ​A Shilling for Candles by Josephine Tey Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin​ Utan spår (Without Trace) by Anders Sundkvist Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris After having read three books by him, Harris is becoming one of my favourite authors. I have read An Officer and a Spy about the Dreyfus affair, and V2: A Novel of World War II about the building of V2 and bombing of London. Act of Oblivion is the thrilling story of the hunt for two of the persons who signed the death sentence for Charles I. They managed to fly to the US and the hunt continues for several years. The story is so well built up and it gets more exciting as we near the end. Harris is well researched in history and it is really a pleasure to read his books. Detective stories Neither Agatha Christie nor Josephine Tey need a closer introduction. AC's book is about the last case of Poirot and it was ok, a little bit sad of course. I have followed Poirot for many years, and have also seen the tv-series of this case. JT's story was a little bit slow, but had a surprising ending. A well written account on how the police is working and how to have a break through in the investigation, although it seems hopeless. Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin I have wanted to read Giovanni's Room for a long time, but got hold of this partly auto biography. It is a collection of essays where Baldwin explores important topics of his time; race, identity and the Black experience in America. He mixes personal memories with social critique. Baldwin is blending personal memoir with social critique, and reflects on his turbulent relationship with his father. Racism in daily life and how it is to live as a Black man in a segregated society. His analysis are sharp, and he examines how hatred - both personal and societal - shapes individuals and communities. His conclusions is that to understand each other we have to show empathy, and confront injustices. It is a thought worthy book, and although the harsh realities of life he describes is difficult to read, it is all written in wonderful prose. His writings give way to deeper thoughts about how people live and how our lives are so differently shaped. It is also a mirror of the time he lived in. It was written in 1955 and the first edition was not a success. But, already reprinted two years later, it received good reviews. Today, it is considered a classic. I am even more excited now to read Giovanni's Room. Utan spår (Without Trace) by Anders Sundkvist This is Sundkvist's first crime novel and it takes place in Luleå which is in the north of Sweden. "In the June twilight, a shipment of drugs washes up in the Luleå archipelago—a discovery that looks like a windfall for small-time crooks Dagge and Branislav, until it becomes clear the shipment was meant for far more dangerous hands. Detective Demian Vide has traded the pressure of Stockholm for what he hopes will be quieter police work in his hometown. But Luleå offers anything but calm. Tasked with mentoring rookies Khaled and Julia, he soon finds himself in the middle of two thorny investigations: mapping the city’s drug network to learn who lost the shipment, and reopening the troublingly flawed case of journalist Lisa Wegelin, who vanished two years earlier. As the threads tighten, it becomes evident that nothing about these cases is as simple as it seems." It was a very good first try and the crime story was very interesting. Well-built characters add to a good work, and a surprising ending, although I was on the track rather early. Nonfiction November and Novellas in November As you see, no nonfiction read in November, and only Baldwin's novella. I did read a few novellas in October . Under the link a few short posts on those I read. I am still reading these which I hopefully will finish before going away. Thirst for Love by Yukio Mishima (200 pages) Perdu by Paride Rombi (165 pages) Den sista vargen by Laszlo Krasznahorkai (127 pages) My Bookish Corner I will phase out my blog on this link during 2026 and it will be replaced by an e-mail from my Substack book blog. You can find that here: https://mybookishcorner.substack.com/ You can either go in an read the posts on line. In that case say no thank you to subscription and you will find the home page when you enter. The other option is to subscribe and in that case you will receive an e-mail with my post. My Newsletter If you are interested in reading about my trips, history, culture and other things that make life more interesting, please subscribe to The Content Reader Newsletter . When life works well, I publish once a week, on Fridays.

Week 4 is hosted by Rebekah at She Seeks Nonfiction . This week is about Mind Openers. Week 4 (11/17-11/23) Mind Openers:  Nonfiction books are one of the best tools for seeing the world through someone else’s eyes. They allow us to get an idea of the experiences of people of all different ages, races, genders, abilities, religions, socioeconomic backgrounds, or even just people with different opinions than ours. Is there a book you read this year from a diverse author, or a book that opened your eyes to a perspective that you hadn’t considered? How did it challenge you to think differently? I haven’t read many nonfiction books this year, which is unusual for me. Still, I came across three titles that—if not completely eye-opening—made me reflect on how fragile our world is, how quickly circumstances can change, and how easily everything you take for granted can be lost. Jag såg kärleken och döden (I Saw Love and Death) by Erik Eriksson is a memoir by the Swedish journalist reflecting on his career, especially his years as a foreign correspondent covering the Vietnam War. I stumbled upon the book in a second-hand shop and picked it up as I was preparing for a trip to Vietnam earlier this year. Reading Eriksson’s account of the conflict—its brutality, chaos, and human cost—stood in stark contrast to the peace and natural beauty I encountered in Vietnam today. That contrast made the book even more powerful. It’s clear that what he witnessed left deep and lasting marks, and his reflections offer a sobering reminder of how dramatically a place can change, while the memories of those who lived through its darkest moments remain. The Lost Café Schindler by Meriel Schindler is a deeply personal account of her family’s history. They once owned the renowned Café Schindler in Innsbruck, Austria, a social and cultural hub in its time. Meriel Schindler, the granddaughter of the last owner, grew up in England, far from the world her family left behind. It was only after her father’s death—while sorting through his old photos and papers—that she felt compelled to uncover the full story of her family’s past. The book traces what the café meant to the family, both as a livelihood and as a symbol of identity and belonging. It also lays bare the tragic way they lost it: as Jews in Austria during WWII, they were stripped of the business, their rights, and ultimately their safety. What makes the story a true mind-opener is how it exposes the slow and bureaucratic dealing in destroying a family’s life. It shows how ordinary people—neighbors, officials, even acquaintances—can become complicit in injustice not through dramatic acts, but through silence, convenience, or personal gain. The book reminds readers that war shapes everyday tasks and choices. The small people have nothing to put up against an efficient, and corrupt bureaucracy. Tunnel 29 by Helena Merriman tells the gripping true story of the desperate and daring attempts to flee East Germany after the Berlin Wall went up. At the center of the narrative is Joachim Rudolph, a young engineering student who escaped East Germany in 1961 and soon made the extraordinary decision to return—not for himself, but to help others gain their freedom. In 1962, Rudolph and a group of fellow students came up with a plan as bold as it was dangerous: to dig a tunnel beneath the Berlin Wall. With escape routes above ground increasingly sealed off and heavily surveilled, the underground became the only remaining path to freedom. Over several months, the group endured exhausting physical labor, constant fear of discovery, and the looming threat of Stasi informants infiltrating their ranks. Their 135-meter tunnel stands as a testament to determination, courage, and human solidarity under an oppressive regime. The mind-opener in this story is not just the tunnel itself, but what it reveals about life under totalitarian control: how fear becomes an everyday tool of the state, how ordinary people can be turned into informants, and how the simplest freedoms—movement, speech, trust—can vanish almost overnight. The book forces readers to consider how fragile freedom can be, and how extraordinary the bravery of those who risk everything to reclaim it.

Thank you to Emma @ Word and Peace for hosting this popular challenge. I usually try to do a French dinner if I have time. This year it coincided with the 65th birthday of my husband, Martin. It was a perfect time to invite a few friends for a French celebration. Here is the 6 course menu de degustation that I made. Dinner with nice friends so it turned out to be a lovely evening. I had to explain how the Paris in July challenge works and I think they were all impressed by our efforts. We had such a nice time, and I was busy preparing the food, so I totally forgot to take a photo of the crowd.

Week 3 (11/10-11/16)   Book Pairings:  This week, pair up a nonfiction book with a fiction title. Maybe it's a historical novel and the real history in a nonfiction version, or a memoir and a novel, or a fiction book you’ve read and you would like recommendations for background reading. Or maybe it’s just two books you feel have a link, whatever they might be. You can be as creative as you like! This week is hosted by Liz at Adventures in reading, running and working from home . I always find this week difficult. Although I do enjoy reading a nonfiction book when I have read a historical fiction novel. I am eager to see how the author handled historical sources. Many years ago I read the book series of Angelique by Sergeanne Golon. It made my fascination for Louis XIV and France history. This year I read Ludvig XIV (Louis XIV) by Andreas Marklund, but I have read several nonfiction books about the Sun King. Always fascinating reading. Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris is another book I read recently. Robert Harris has turned out to be one of my favourite authors. He so well captures historical events in his fiction. The novel is about Charles I's killers and how his son, Charles II, pursued the people who signed the death warrant for his father. After having read Harris I am eager to read the historical facts and found two books that covers the lives of Edward Whalley and William Goffe, who managed to escape to America. Charles I's Killers in America: The Lives and Afterlives of Edward Whalley and William Goffe by Matthew Jenkinson The Great Escape of Edward Whalley and William Goffe: Smuggled Through Connecticut by Christopher Pagliuco

Week 2 (11/3-11/9)   Choosing Nonfiction:  There are many topics to choose from when looking for a nonfiction book. For example: Biography, Autobiography, Memoire, Travel, Health, Politics, History, Religion and Spirituality, Science, Art, Medicine, Gardening, Food, Business, Education, Music. Maybe use this week to challenge yourself to pick a genre you wouldn’t normally read? Or stick to what you usually like is also fine. If you are a nonfiction genre newbie, did your choice encourage you to read more? This week is hosted by Frances Spurrier at Volatile Rune .   I am a little bit late in posting due to a three week trip to South Korea and Japan. A fantastic trip and we saw so many nice, varied and interesting things. My blogging has been suffering though, but hope to catch up now that I am at home again. I am an avid nonfiction reader. Most of my TBR books are nonfiction, and most of them cover history. I do like other genres; biographies and memoires, books about religion, and not to forget, books about food. Since we are supposed to challenge ourself this week, I went to my book shelves and choose three books that are a little bit out of my comfort zone, although I find them interesting. They will have to be my reading for November. Carl Michael Bellman (1740–1795) was a Swedish poet, songwriter, and performer, best known for his humorous, vivid, and often bittersweet songs about 18th-century Stockholm. His works blend satire, romance, and realism, featuring memorable characters, drinking culture, and social life. He is considered one of Sweden’s greatest literary figures and a key influence on Scandinavian music and poetry. I have a book with his Dikter i urval (Selected poems). At the end of the book they have printed some of his compositions. Many of his songs are still popular today in Sweden. His poems is another genre for me. I don't often read poetry, but would like to read more, and improve my understanding of this kind of writing. Another book that has been on my shelves for a long time is Augustinus' Confessions . It is a Swedish edition translated by Sven Lidman. I am curious about this classic confessions, and I am not sure if I will manage to understand it. Have any of you read it? What do you think? Last, but not least antoher book I wanted to read for a long time. It is Montaigne's Essais. I see that it is volume 3, but hope that it can be read independantly of the other two volumes. On the back of the book it says that it may be considered the highlight of the entire work. Together with other challenges like Novellas in November and The Classic Spin, I will be happy if I manage to finish these three. If you are interested in reading about my travels, and other adventures, you can follow me on Substack. It is free and you can unsubscribe at any time. The Content Reader Newsletter Den tillfälliga besökaren

Novellas in November is hosted by Cathy of 746 Books  and Beck of Bookish Beck . I have been on a trip to South Korea and Japan in October/November so I did start a little bit earlier with a few novellas. Völsungasagan by Katarina Harrison Lindbergh (168 pages) - The Völsunga saga takes place in a colorful ancient time with warriors, gods and dragons. The story revolves around Andvar's treasure, which has been cursed. When the young Völsung Sigurd gets his hands on the treasure, he is drawn into the merciless tragedy of gold. It is a thrilling and exciting story that takes you back to the old times in Iceland. Wonderfully written in a modern take on the old Iceland sagas. Epic of Gilgamesh (71 pages) is an epic from ancient Mesopotamia, and one of the oldest known works of literature. Gilgamesh is the powerful but arrogant king of Uruk. The gods create a wild man, Enkidu, to challenge him; the two become close friends. Together they undertake heroic adventures, defeating beasts like Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven. When Enkidu dies as punishment from the gods, Gilgamesh is devastated and sets out on a quest for immortality. He ultimately learns that humans cannot escape death and returns to Uruk wiser, realising that one’s legacy comes through human achievements and compassion rather than eternal life. Like all religious writings it teaches you of the right path, even if not everyone is able to follow that path. It was an interesting account of a very old story. We have always lived in the castle by Shirley Jackson (176 pages) - a classic gothic horror, follows Merricat Blackwood, who lives in isolation with her sister Constance and their elderly Uncle Julian after most of their family died from poisoning years earlier. The people in town fear and resent them, thinking that one of them killed the rest of the family. One day their cousin Charles arrives, and disrupts the balance of peace in the house. Their secluded life is suddenly threatened. As tensions escalate and unexpected occurence leave destruction in its wake. A dark, scary undertone is lingering all through the story, with a surprising revelation in the end. A classic tale, and although I don't read a lot of horror stories, I did like this one. The Vegetarian by Han Kang (160 pages) - is a three-part novel set in modern-day Seoul and tells the story of Yeong-hye, a part-time graphic artist and home-maker, whose decision to stop eating meat after a bloody nightmare about human cruelty leads to devastating consequences in her personal and familial life. This is not an easy book to read, and I must admit I did not take to it, or really understood Yeong-hye. It is not so much about vegetarianism, as finding a place in our time. I wanted to read this one while I was travelling around South Korea. I have to try a few other books by authors from this country. These are the novellas I have read so far this month. What comes next? I will probably start with the two first ones, since I have them on my shelves. The other four are on my Nextory app. Thirst for Love by Yukio Mishima (200 pages) Perdu by Paride Rombi (165 pages) Den sista vargen by Laszlo Krasznahorkai (127 pages) - I should try another Nobel Prize winner, or will it be too much? Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin (95 pages) Água Viva by Clarice Lispector (79 pages)

Week 1 (10/27-11/2)   Your Year in Nonfiction:  Celebrate your year of nonfiction. What books have you read? What were your favorites? Have you had a favorite topic? Is there a topic you want to read about more? What are you hoping to get out of participating in Nonfiction November? ( Heather ) What nonfiction books have I read so far this year? When looking back I thought I had not read that many, but it turned out to be 25 books. I did not write many reviews this year, but I link those I did. Those connected to Paris are short reviews, in the same post. The rest of them mostly are mentioned in my wrap-up for each month. Jag såg kärleken och döden by Erik Eriksson Vad gör alla superokända människor hela dagarna by Fredrik Lindström ABC-bok för vuxna by Sara The Lost Café Schindler by Meriel Schindler Min bokvärld by Kerstin Ekman The Most Beautiful Walk in the World, a Pedestrian in Paris by John Baxter A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway Talk to the Snail, Ten Commandments for Understanding the French by Stephen Clarke Voltaire in Love by Nancy Mitford Before Wisdom: The Early Poems by Paul Verlaine Otroliga Historier, Ur vår danska historia by Birgitta Petrén The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas by Gertrude Stein Ludvig XIV (Louis XIV) by Andreas Marklund Scott Fitzgerald by Andrew Turnbull Tunnel 29 by Helena Merriman Meditations by Marcus Aurelius Madame de Pompadour by Nancy Mitford 101 World Heroes: Great Men and Women Who Changed History by Simon Sebag Montefiore Lagom finns bara i Sverige, och andra myter om språk by Mikael Parkvall Tamara, Memoirs of St Petersburg, Paris, Oxford and Byzantium by Tamara Talbot Rice Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by david sedaris Nine Parts of Desire, The Hidden World of Islamic Women by Geraldine Brooks Drakspår by Bo Ericsson Sex with kings, 500 years of adultery, power, rivalry and revenge by Eleanor Herman Gilgamesh Kungar, En världshistoria by Erik Petersson What were your favourites? Tunnel 29 by Helen Merriman was a fantastic, true story on escaping through the Berlin wall. More fantastic than any story you can make up. Sex with Kings by Eleanor Herman, and Kungar, en världshistoria (Kings, A World History ) by Erik Petersson. Petersson's history of the power of leaders were really interesting and gives a different view on historical events, and they way nations are led. Herman takes us into the bed chambers of kings and the tough life of being a royal mistress. It also fitted well with Mitford's Madame de Pompadour . Drakspår (Dragon trails) is another interesting book looking into the origins of dragons. Have you had a favourite topic? I am mostly interested in nonfiction history books, and that is what I mostly read. It is mixed with biographies, mostly about authors, but also other interesting people. Is there a topic you want to read about more? I stick to history here as well. I would like to do more connected reading. Concentrating on a specific historical era and learning more about that time. Maybe even trying to learn a language connected to it. I am presently travelling in South Korea and Japan. I have downloaded a few books, both nonfiction and fiction, to read during this time. Not much time to read though. The history of South Korea is very interesting, and I don't know very much about this area. We have a great guide, so also get a lot of information about how Koreans live today, and how the society works. It is all very interesting. What are you hoping to get out of participating in Nonfiction November? The great things with this challenge is to discuss nonfiction with other enthusiasts. To see what interested other readers, and how they get around to read the nonfiction they like. The variety of interests from other bloggers. A great month in other words. Would you like to get an email whenever I update my blog? I’ll be phasing out this blog at the end of next year, but I’ll continue sharing my thoughts on books over on Substack. If you’d like to keep reading, please visit My Bookish Corner and subscribe! Are you interested in travel, history, art, and culture — all the things that make life a little more interesting? Then you might enjoy my newsletter! You can choose to read it in English or Swedish. It’s free, you can unsubscribe anytime, and I’d love to have you join. Use the links below to subscribe. The Content Reader Newsletter Den tillfälliga besökaren

The title of this post might explain that I have been very busy lately. Coming home after several months of travelling always generates a lot of administration and other things to take care of. It also makes me tired, so reading is a nice relaxation. Although starting very slowly in September I did read 11 books. Many of them crime novels which I tend to turn to when there are too many other things that need my attention. But, I managed a few other good books as well. Crime Novels I am on a quest to read all of Agatha Christie ’s books, which is why they occur rather commonly. This month I read, or listened to, four books. Mrs McGinty’s Dead, Black Coffee, Dead Man’s Folly and The Second Gong. I usually put them on when I go to sleep. The problem is I fall asleep rather quickly listening to a book, so when I start next time, I have to find the spot which I remember before falling a sleep. All of them are with Monsieur Poirot. Din tid kommer by Carl-Johan Vallgren . For those of you who are not familiar with Vallgren, he is a Swedish author, more famous for fiction. I read his novel Den vidunderliga kärlekens historia (The Wonderful Story of Love) which was published in 2002 and won the August prize in Sweden for best fiction book of that year. I would describe it as magic realism, although not promoted as such. But the story takes place in a world which seems outside the ordinary one. An excellent book. The Jury’s motivation was that the book plays with strong emotions and big ideas with the help of ingenious plotting . An “original and gripping” novel about love that goes from the most intimate feelings to evil, violence and hatred. A strong novel in other worlds. Now Vallgren has written a crime novel. It seems he has already published two crime noir novels under the name Lucifer, which I have not read. Considering his background in other kind of novels, his excellent writing is also visible in this crime story. A couple of young girls disappear mysteriously, and the inspector, and a new member of the team, are trying to solve it. He has created a different kind of investigating team which feels fresh against the usual crowd. The characters are well drawn, the milieu beautifully described, and the suspects leave you guessing until the very end. And even then … did you really get who did it? History Now Face to Face by Karleen Koen A historical fiction which takes place in the beginning of the 18th century. It turns out to be the third in a series, but it was not a problem. Barbara Alderley Devane is a young widow and becomes involved in political intrigue across England, France and colonial American. She has to deal with love, loss and betrayal, as she becomes involved in espionage and colonial adventures. The novel is full of romance and adventure with rich historical detail. Highlighting the difficulties for an independent woman in those days. I really liked the story, the characters, and above all the historical details of this fascinating century. Sex with kings, 500 years of adultery, power, rivalry and revenge by Eleanor Herman Herman’s look into the hidden world of royal mistresses is a fascinating story. She explores their lives, not always as pleasurable as you might imagine, and their roles as political players, cultural trendsetters and ruthless rivals to queens. This well researched book takes you behind the scenes of the passion, politics, and power of royal courts. From Louis XIV and his legendary and famous mistresses to England’s Charles II and his glamorous companions. We soon realise that being a mistress to a king is not always an easy task; the status through wealth, the influence they could gain and how they used it, but also jealousy, scandal, and downfall. You had to protect your position with all means available. A highly entertaining read and full of historical gossip, Sex with Kings paints a portrait of how desire and ambition were part of the royal courts — showing that behind every powerful man often stood a formidable woman pulling the strings from the shadows. The system of royal mistresses seemed most prominent in France and England, though it likely existed across many European courts. Perhaps these two countries were simply more open—or more documented—about their affairs than others. What do you think? Drakspår (Dragon Trails) by Bo Eriksson Dragons are popular these days, not least through fantasy literature. Eriksson shows that they have existed in the human imagination for thousands of years, all over the world. He takes us on a dramatic cultural-historical journey: from the oldest myths in Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt, via the Fafner of the Viking Age and the bestiaries of the Middle Ages, all the way to Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones. So do dragons exist in reality? No, Eriksson is clear here. But why have we humans always lived with the dragon as a symbol and mythical figure? How can a creature that never existed play such a central role in cultures around the world? These are questions he seeks answers to – and much more – in this entertaining book. A particularly interesting aspect is the difference between East and West. In Europe and the Middle East, the dragon became a symbol of chaos, threat and sin – often linked to Satan and the eternal struggle between good and evil. The hero must defeat the dragon to restore order and security; think of Saint George and the dragon, but also countless examples from Nordic and Greek mythology. In the East, however – in China, Japan and other parts of Asia – the dragon developed into a creative and lucky force. It symbolized water, rain and fertility, i.e. life force. There, the dragon became more of a blessed nature creature and a symbol of rulership, especially cherished by the Chinese emperors who saw it as a guarantor of balance between heaven and earth. Eriksson believes that the dragon reflects people’s worldview and values. The West needed an enemy image, the East a protector. There is therefore no “true dragon” – the creature has been given the role that people have had to give it. The book provides a solid overview of the origin and development of the dragon myth. What did the dragon look like? What roles did it have? From ancient times to our own time, we can follow its journey through myths and stories. This makes the book worth reading for anyone interested in history – even those who have no particular interest in dragons. Eriksson writes in a matter-of-fact but accessible manner, transforming the material into exciting stories from different parts of the world. Dragon Trails is both educational and entertaining. In addition to giving us the background to one of humanity’s most enduring mythical figures, it also shows how deeply intertwined our beliefs are with religion, society and culture. Fiction The Dutch House by Ann Patchett is the best book I read this year. Review under the link. Lady Susan by Jane Austen the first book written by her, but not published until after her death. It is an epistolary novel (told through letters). Beautiful, intelligent, and manipulative widow Lady Susan Vernon is on a mission to marry her daughter off to a wealthy but foolish man. It does not end exactly as she hopes, but for the reader it is a satisfying ending. Already here we see Austen’s sharp wit and critique of selfishness and social ambition. It was an enjoyable read, and it will end up by my favourite Austen novels. promenader i natten (walks in the night) by Lina Wolff is a short story collection. As usual she examines the darker sides of man, like loneliness and desire. Through a number of stories she describes relationships characterised by power, shame and a longing for closeness. She mixes everyday realism with somewhat surrealist features, to investigate what lies beneath the surface. I always think her stories borders on magical realism. She takes you to a place where you don’t know if it is real or just in your mind. Would you like to get an email whenever I update my blog? I’ll be phasing out this blog at the end of next year, but I’ll continue sharing my thoughts on books over on Substack. If you’d like to keep reading, please visit My Bookish Corner and subscribe! My Bookish Corner