This is probably the most hyped book of the year. I do like Fantasy, but seldom read it. Thinking back, I think this book might be the first one. I have watched Fantasy on the telly though, if that counts for something, and like it. First to my mind comes Game of Thrones (although it went on too long) and A Discovery of Witches which I really loved. I have had some other fantasy authors on my radar, but so far they did not make it to be read. Not too late though. It is always with a little bit of anticipation that you start a very hyped book. I am also aware that the main audience are aimed at much younger people than me, who probably interprets it quite different. Nevertheless, I did read it. There might be spoilers ahead. Here is the summary: "Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders. But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away...because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them. With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant. She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise. Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret. Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die ." I did like the main story, and I loved the world of the dragons. They made up the nicest characters in the plot. They bond with humans and keep the bond until one of them dies; the dragon, or the human. Their lives are intermingled. The school, I guess you can call it that, and the tests the students have to finalise to make it to graduation are hard and ruthless. Most pupils don't make it. Those who survive form a tight bond, unless you end up being the enemy of a few of them. It seems it is ok to kill each other if you do it fairly.(?) The survival of the fittest is the theme here. Although we mostly follow life at the school, as the story evolves, we realise that their world are isolated, and the world around them might not be as safe as the leaders make them believe. Rebellions happened many years earlier, and it might not be the end of it yet. The week point of the book is the characters. The narrator, Violet is small, rather weak physically and have to train extra hard to make it to the next level. Destined for the profession of a scribe at the library, she was not prepared for this violent life. Xaden is the rebel, a third year graduate and also the wing leader, son of a former rebel who was executed. Thus he holds a grudge against Violet, since it was her mother, the general and leader of their world, who ordered the execution. On the other hand, Xaden's father killed Violet's beloved brother Brennan. There you go. Xaden is as tough as they get. Dain is the childhood friend Violet grew up with and still have feelings for. Rhiannon is another graduate who becomes a good friend. Liam is a second year graduate, friend of Xaden, and appointed body guard to Violet. Unfortunately, Violet is not a very likeable character. Strange really, since she is the heroine of the story, and the narrator. Maybe the language she speaks, maybe her actions and her thoughts. Dain is another unlikeable character, making uncalled for comments and overprotecting Violet in a strange way. Xaden is the most likeable character, at least until he gives in and acknowledge his love for Violet. Rhianna and Liam are my favourites. The love interest is quite easily detected already at the beginning of the book. Violet's and Xaden's dislike of each other, fuels other feelings. Dain is there to make the love triangle, but does not cause any serious threat. Understandably, Violet chooses Xaden, and that is perfectly all right. Violet is attracted to Xaden from the very beginning, although it takes some time before she acknowledge it to herself. However, the physical attraction is strong and every time she sets eyes on him, and his body, she goes weak, stops breathing, admiring his muscles etc. Her reactions are recurring through the novel and gets rather tiresome. Once Xaden acknowledges his feeling for Violet, he turns a bit silly as well. Personally, I prefer sex scenes where things are hinted at. To read details of it all, I find rather boring. These scenes could have been hotter with a different approach. I did like the story of the book, and the dragon world. I must admit I was hooked from page one. It is an easy read. The prose is not very good and the dialogues are simple. They work best with the interaction with the dragons. The love story could have been told in a better way. It fails since, I think, the character of Violet is not worthy the character of Xaden. Although she starts out as a weak person physically, she is mentally stronger, has her own will, is different from others, and will end up the best in the end. The more I was reading, the more I thought I will not read the second book coming out soon. However, as we near the end of the book, the political story takes off again. There is a terrible fight with dragons and other magical creatures which is well written and makes for exciting reading. Violet is made aware that the political scene is not what it seems, and there might be another rebellion coming soon. The last chapter is narrated by Xaden, for a reason unknown to me. Could as well has continued with Violet's narration. Here comes a cliff hanger which I will not reveal here, but it makes me have to read the coming book. The author has created an interesting world with exciting political turmoil. The only thing missing is to improve the characterisation. There are too many clichés that are difficult to ignore. I have not read anything else by Yarros, so can't say wether this is her usual way of writing or not. I must admit though, due to the cliff hanger I am bound to read the next one.

German Literature Month is coming up in November which is hosted by Lizzy Siddal . Head over to her post for more information and her list of books to read. There is only one rule, to read anything you want in any language you want as long as it was originally written in German. I am looking through my TBR shelves to see what I have, which was written in German. Turns out to be only two books: The World of Yesterday, Memoirs of a European by Stefan Zweig and Tornet (der Turm, The Tower) by Uwe Tellcamp. The last one is a very, very, very thick book, which I have just started. I am also interested in reading some poetry by Rainer Maria Rilke, as well as his Letters to a Young Poet. Maybe a good idea to read a book from my Classic list, Vicki Baum's Grand Hotel. Some more books might turn up after I have read other participants' posts.

Paris in July is nearing its end. It has been a very active month from so many participants. Thank you Emma @ Word and Peace for taking over after Tamara @ Thyme for Tea and hosting this year. Thank you also to Deb Nance @ Readerbuzz for collecting all the links to the many posts. I still have to catch up on reading some of them. It has been a busy month with a lot of activities from Emma's side. Here a wrap-up of what I did this month. Reading Notre-Dame de Paris (The Hunchback of Notre Dame) by Victor Hugo (read in June) Axel von Fersen and Queen Marie Antoinette (The Greatest Love Story of the 18th Century) by Margareta Beckman The Elusive Pimpernel by Baroness Orzcy Arsène Lupin, Gentleman Burglar by Maurice Leblanc Michael Strogoff: The Courier of the Czar by Jules Verne Napoleon, A Concise Biography by David A. Bell (audio) I did not write a post about the Hugo and Verne novels. Both classics and as such still vital today. I was much impressed by Jules Verne's story, which can be considered as historical fiction. Showed a good knowledge of a far away country, customs and politics. Other activites Chateau life - through three YouTubers renovating French castles Brigitte Bardot - a tv-series about her life Bingo With a little bit of goodwill, I have possibly four in a vertical row. First row - 1, 3 and 4 (1. Notre-Dame de Paris, 3. Arsène Lupin, 4. Brigitte Bardot (tv-series, but still ...) Second row - none Third row - 1, 2, 3 and 4 - BINGO (1. Napoleon, 2. The Courier of the Czar, 3. A play, could I choose The Hunchback of Notre Dame as a film? 4. Other: Chateau life. Fourth row - none My month in Paris came out more productive than I thought it would. I got to read some French classics and lingered in the modern world with Castles and Brigitte Bardot. A varied month. I am already longing for next year and hope to see you back in Paris. I have discovered new bloggers which is always very nice. I have enjoyed your takes on anything French, being inspired to visit places, cafés, restaurants and museums next time I am in Paris. Au revoir! À bientôt.

Most of my reading this month was related to Paris in July. I did read a couple of books outside that meme. I read 9 books this month and here they are: Ahrnstedt, Simona - Ett otänkbart öde Beckman, Margareta - Axel von Fersen och drottning Marie-Antoinette, 1700-talets stora kärleksäventyr (NF) Orczy, Baroness - The Scarlet Pimpernel Leblanc, Maurice - Arsène Lupin, Gentleman Burglar Kylhammar Martin - Ett hemligt liv, Verner von Heidenstam och Kate Bang (NF) Verne, Jules - Michael Strogoff: The Courier of the Czar Hemingway, Ernest - To Have and Have not Bell, David A. - Napoleon - A Concise Biography Nyberg, Andreas, Red. - Världens största konspirationer Apart from the books I mentioned in my Paris wrap-up I read Ett otänkbart öde by Simona Ahrnstedt. A romantic, historical fiction. During the last years Ahrnstedt has mostly written modern novels, with erotic under tones, but now she has gone back to her initial historical fiction, which I like. It was a little slow in the beginning but picked up around midway. Ett hemligt liv (A Secret Life) by Martin Kylhammar is a biography about Verner von Heidenstam (a very famous Swedish national icon and author), and Kate Bang a Danish woman who had a relationship with him for 20 years. They were also living together, although discretely at the time. We are talking beginning of 20th century. It is a fascinating story of two intellectuals, falling in love and arranging their life as it suited them. Heidenstam was furthermore 30 years older than Bang. Not always easy, especially, since Heidenstam was a very famous person in Sweden. Kylhammar has made extensive research, and also managed to get never before privat correspondence from Kate Bang's family. Two fascinating lives, lived out in private for good and worse. To Have and Have Not by Ernest Hemingway - A classic tale by Hemingway. It was not as I remember it from the film, it seems they did quite a lot of changes. I am not a big fan of Hemingway, although I love The Old Man and the Sea and The Sun Also Rises , and this did not come down as a favourite. I found it rather confusing. I can see though that the way he writes about people would have been quite refreshing in those days. Världens största konspirationer (The World's Greatest Conspiracies) by Andreas Nyberg. Aren't we all a little bit fascinated by conspiracy theories? Most of the time we probably ask ourselves how people can believe in them, and other times we might believe in them ourselves. Here are eight of them, most of which you will probably recognise. The Murder of Olof Palme - still unsolved with a lot of theories behind who did it. Landing on the moon - was it a fake landing or did it really happen? The Murder of John F. Kennedy - is there still something to conspire in? UFOs - obviously not finished yet, since as US whistleblower testified in a Congressional hearing just the other day. The Free Masons - after The Da Vinci Code conspiracy theories got new feeding. Charles XII - the Swedish warrior king who was shot in 1718 at Fredriksten's fortress in Norway. The question is: was he shot by the Norwegians or by one of his own men, tired of the constant wars? I read recently that the latest investigation, most likely, showed that the shot came from the Norwegian side. Probably still up for debate though. The Great World Conspiracy - still going on, probably got new nutrition after The Da Vinci Code. Is the Illuminati's main aim to take world control by acting in the background, influencing politicians and other powerful people? And ... who are the people behind it? Estonia - the greatest sea disaster in the Baltic. It sank in 1994 and a majority of the people aboard died, mostly Swedes. The debate has been going on about explosions or other external reasons for the accident. People are still trying to make it into something else than an accident. Just a couple of weeks ago and unusual dive to check out the front piece of the ship was done. In spite of the fact that in 1995, Sweden, Finland, and Estonia agreed on designating the place where the ferry was lying as a grave site. No new finds were made to the cause of the accident. It was a good reading month, and I enjoyed the different kind of books. Now I am looking for August. I am travelling for the next couple of months, but did bring around 25, or something, books to read on the way. These are books I leave behind in campings and other places where you can plant a book. I have registered them with Book Crossing labels and hope to find that it has travelled a bit. Thank you Deb Nance @ Readerbuzz for introducing me to BC. To read in August? Definitely the books I have brought with me. Since we are heading for Greece at the end of the month, via Croatia, Montenegro and Albania I am set up for books about Greece. The two new books for sure, then we have a huge Greek guide book from The Rough Guide. There will be a lot to read as well. Following a few YouTubers' book vlogs, I am eager to mix my TBRs and nonfiction with a few newer books. I seldom read new books, and it feels like a discrepancy since there are so many good one published all the time. As you saw from my last blog post, I have three to read in the near future.

The other day I visited one of the book stores here in Innsbruck. Wagner’sche Buchhandlung. It is always nice to look around there, maybe sit down in one of the armchairs and check out the books. They have a small, but good English section. There was a whole section of Fantasy books, maybe a hint for me? I did not buy any of these, but could not resist three books that have been on my radar for a while. Atalanta and Elektra by Jennifer Saint. I really loved her book about Ariadne , so have high hopes on these. Bought as preparation for our Greek travels. Babel by R.F. Kuang has been on my list for a while. I know it has got various reviews; some love it some don't. I am still curious about it. I also bought this beautiful book on how to decorate your home with books. A lot of nice ideas. I just wish I had a bigger flat. I enjoyed looking through it while taking a cappuccino and banana bread at the nice café on the second floor. Situated on a terrace towards inner yards of the surrounding houses, it was a peaceful and quiet place. They even had some hanging chairs that would have been nice to linger in. Unfortunately, occupied. I got a comfortable chair though with the black one on the photo. I love book stores like this, where you can walk around looking at books and then rest your tired feet in a café. I think it will not be the last time I go there. They even serve breakfast which could be nice to try.

Novellas in November is hosted by Cathy of 746 Books and Rebecca of Bookish Beck . There is a theme for each week to help us on the way. I will see how I manage since I do not usually read many novellas. Week 1 (starts Wednesday 1 November): My Year in Novellas During this partial week, tell us about any novellas you have read since last NovNov. Week 2 (starts Monday 6 November): What Is a Novella? Ponder the definition, list favourites, or choose ones you think best capture the ‘spirit’ of a novella. Week 3 (starts Monday 13 November): Broadening My Horizons Pick your top novellas in translation and think about new genres or authors you’ve been introduced to through novellas. Week 4 (starts Monday 20 November): The Short and the Long of It Pair a novella with a nonfiction book or novel that deals with similar themes or topics. Week 5 (starts Monday 27 November): New to My TBR In the last few days, talk about the novellas you’ve added to your TBR since the month began. There is also two buddy read options this year, one contemporary and one classic. Please join in reading one or both at any time in November! Western Lane by Chetna Maroo (2023) is on this year’s Booker Prize longlist; whether or not it advances to the shortlist on Thursday, it promises to be a one-of-a-kind debut novel about an eleven-year-old girl coming to terms with the loss of her mother and becoming deeply involved in the world of competitive squash. A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf (1929), an extended essay about the conditions necessary for women’s artistic achievement, is based on lectures she delivered at Cambridge’s women’s colleges. This feminist classic is in print or can be freely read online (Internet Archive or Project Gutenberg Canada). What should I read? I don't usual read many novellas, so must rely on my fellow bloggers to find a few good novellas. From Books Are My Favourite and Best I find a few interesting suggestions. Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote (100pp) Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton (99pp) Eve in Hollywood by Amor Towles (91pp) Nostalgia Has Ruined My Life by Zarah Butcher-McGunnigle (76pp) Come Rain or Come Shine by Kazuo Ishiguro (78pp) The Forester’s Daughter by Claire Keegan (67pp) From Greg and book vlog Supposedly Fun , Glaciers by Alexis M. Smith. From Words&Peace , Jakob von Gunten by Robert Walser. From my own TBR shelves I have few novellas, but I think that Doctor Copernicus by John Banville is rather short. That will probably be more than enough for November, considering the German Literature Month, and hopefully, Nonfiction November. I have not yet seen anything about this year's event, but hope it will be continuing. In the meantime I will think about the weekly themes for the novellas.

I bought this book together with Elektra , to read something from Greece mythology during my trip there. Atalanta is not a goddess but an ordinary human, born to the King of Arcadia. He was hoping for a son and left her as a baby on the mountainside. A mother bear takes care of her and raises her alongside her own cubs. All under the protective eye of the goddess Artemis. As one can imagine she grows up to master survival in nature. Having a pleasant life with Artemis coming to visit from time to time, otherwise growing up under the watchful eyes of the nymphs. She becomes a hunter, excels in running and survival skills. One day Artemis sends her on a quest. She is supposed to join Jason and his Argonauts on their quest for the golden fleece. When she sets out on her journey she discovers a very different world out there. The novel retells the story of the Argonauts and their adventures as they are searching for the golden fleece. Atalanta, the only woman among men, has to show that she can be on the same level as they. As the journey proceeds, her skills come in handy when she discovers that the men can be easily fooled away from the path. Although I liked the independent female character of Atalanta, I did not really take to her. The story was interesting, especially since I wanted to learn more about Jason and the Argonauts, but I did not find the search very exciting. A lack of engagement in the characters. However, the prose is beautiful and was enjoyable. I did like the ending which came as a great surprise. As with Elektra the cover is gorgeous. My favourite story of Jennifer Saint is still Ariadne.

Week 1 of Nonfiction November is here. Thank you so much to this year's hosts for taking up the challenge. Heather of Based on a True Story is the host for week 1. She lives in Ohio with her husband, surrounded by lots and lots of critters! Sounds wonderful. Week 1 (10/30-11/3) 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 books have you read? Lisbon, War in the Shadows of the City of Light, 1939-45 by Neill Lochery Kärlek och kärnfamilj i folkhemmet by Jonas & Orvar Löfgren Det omaka paret, Tjeckernas och slovakernas historia by Ingmar Karlsson Seven Kinds of People You Find In a Bookshop by Shaun Bythell Aldrig mer trött (Never again tired, my transl.) by Pia Norup Aktier, 3 steg till ekonomiskt oberoende (Shares, 3 steps to ekonomic independence) by Ola Lauritzson Tusen år i Uppåkra (Thousand years in Uppåkra) by Dick Harrison Christensen, Inga - Vikingarna i det frankiska riket (A more academic book about the vikings in the Frankish empire) by Inga Christensen Casanova in Venice by Michel Delon & Michèle Sajous D'Ori Messages From a Lost World, Europe on the Brink by Stefan Zweig Tio lektioner i svensk historia (Ten lessons in Swedish history) by Ola Larsmo Kärlek i hatets tid (Liebe in Zeiten des Hasses/Love in a Time of Hate) by Florian Illies Sanningen är alltid oförskämd, Biography of August Strindberg by Göran Hägg Van Gogh's Ear by Bernadette Murphy Axel von Fersen och drottning Marie-Antoinette, 1700-talets stora kärleksäventyr by Margareta Beckman Ett hemligt liv, Verner von Heidenstam och Kate Bang by Martin Kylhamma Napoleon - A Concise Biography by David A. Bell Världens största konspirationer by editor Andreas Nyberg Marie Antoinette by Stefan Zweig A Fortune Teller Told Me by Tiziano Terzano That is 20 books out of the 101 books I have read so far. What were your favorites? As usual my favourite nonfiction is within History. The best book, even including fiction, this year is Florian Illies' Love in the Time of Hate, Art and Passion in the Shadow of War, 1929-39 . It is such a different take on the sad history of Europe during this time. Making it more real by looking into the loves and lives of creative people. Can highly recommend it. Other favourites are: The love story between Axel von Fersen and Marie Antoinette, with an insight into their relationship and correspondence. Ett hemligt liv , "A Secret Life" about the love story between Verner von Heidenstam, a Swedish national poet and his long time partner Danish Kate Bang which took place in the beginning of the 20th century. Napoleon - A Concise Biography was very interesting and makes for more reading about this unusual man. Looking forward to the upcoming film by Ridley Scott which premieres in Sweden on 22 November. I guess where you are it is already in the cinemas. Most of the books are about history which is a big interest of mine. Biographies are also interesting I find. Bernadette Murphy's quest to find out what happened when Van Gogh cut off is ear, is a thrilling detective story. Several of the nonfiction books I have read in connection with our travels. Always interesting to read up on local history, customs and traditions. Is there a topic you want to read about more? I am interested in the Evolution and have a couple of books on that subject. Travels, Culture and Traditions are other subjects. What are you hoping to get out of participating in Nonfiction November? To be inspired by other people's reading of nonfiction. I so often just stay with history and biographies, but would like to be inspired by other areas as well. Considering the dire circumstances in the world today, I don't read so much of contemporary nonfiction. For the time being I am happy to sink into another world with my nonfiction reading. What am I reading? Having just come back from two months travelling with a camper van through Montenegro, Albania and, mostly, Greece, I am letting myself sink into the Ancient Greek and Roman Worlds with The Classical World, An Epic History of Greece and Rome by Robin Lane Fox. It promises to be a very interesting read, and I can go back to remember the ancient places we visited in Greece.

One of my favourite challenges is coming up, Nonfiction November. Four of the five bloggers are new hosts for this year's event. Welcome and thank you for keeping the tradition going. The Hosts Liz , blogs at Adventures in reading, running and working from home , is an editor, transcriber, reader, reviewer, writer and runner. She likes reading literary fiction and nonfiction, travel and biography. Frances blogs about the books she has read at Volatile Rune and is a published poet, reviewer, sometime storyteller and novelist. Heather of Based on a True Story lives in Ohio with her husband, surrounded by lots and lots of critters! Rebekah reads and writes about social justice, atheism, religion, science history, and more on She Seeks Nonfiction . Lisa blogs about the books she’s read at Hopewell’s Public Library of Life . How it works Each Monday, the weekly host will post a topic prompt and include a linkup where you can link your posts, connect with other bloggers, and dive deeper by reading and sharing nonfiction book reviews. Feel free to use our official Nonfiction November graphics, too! Here are the topic prompts for each week: Week 1 (10/30-11/3) 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) Week 2 (11/6-11/10) Choosing Nonfiction: What are you looking for when you pick up a nonfiction book? Do you have a particular topic you’re attracted to? Do you have a particular writing style that works best? When you look at a nonfiction book, does the title or cover influence you? If so, share a title or cover which you find striking. (Frances) Week 3 (11/13-11/17) 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. You can be as creative as you like! (Liz) Week 4 (11/20-11/24) Worldview Shapers: One of the greatest things about reading nonfiction is learning all kinds of things about our world which you never would have known without it. There’s the intriguing, the beautiful, the appalling, and the profound. What nonfiction book or books have impacted the way you see the world in a powerful way? Is there one book that made you rethink everything? Do you think there is a book that should be required reading for everyone? (Rebekah) Week 5 (11/27-12/1) New To My TBR: It’s been a month full of amazing nonfiction books! Which ones have made it onto your TBR? Be sure to link back to the original blogger who posted about that book! (Lisa) What will I read? I have just been on a two month vacation with our camper van, visiting Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and Greece. Most of the time was spent in Greece, and I brought with me a few Greek fiction books to read. Greece has a varied history from Ancient times to Hellenism, Roman times, Byzantium and Ottoman times. A little bit of influence by the Venetians and the Franks as well. I have collected a few nonfiction books from my shelves which covers part of that history. I will not be able to read them all, but will see how far I can go. My main interest in nonfiction is history and biographies, but I am sure you will inspire me to read something in other areas. Homerisk hemkomst (Homerian homecoming my trans.) by Sven Delblanc 29 filosofer (29 philosophers) by Gunnar Fredriksson Byzantium by John Halton Byzantium - The Surprising Life of a Medieval Empire by Judith Herrin Turkiets historia (The History of Turkey) by Ingmar Karlsson The Classic World - An Epic History of Greece and Rome by Robin Lane Fox Working IX to V, Orgy Planners, Funeral Clowns, and Other Prized Professions of the Ancient World (2020) by Vicki León Byzantium II: The Apogee John Julius Norwich Byzantium III: The Decline and Fall John Julius Norwich Most of the books have been on my shelves for some time, so a good opportunity to tackle them. Looking forward to seeing what you will be reading.

German Literature Month has started. It is hosted by Lizzy Siddal . Here's a list of the rules, which I think I forgot last time. Reading schedule Nov 1-7 Read as you please Nov 8-14 Poetry Nov 15-21 Read as you please Nov 22-28 Rulebreakers Nov 29-30 Read as you please The extension into the first week of December to catchup on reviewing will be maintained. My reading It seems I am behind with everything this November. Probably due to a long absence due to travelling, and all there is to catch up on when you arrive home. Furthermore, I enrolled in three challenges this month; Nonfiction, Novellas and German Literature. This post covers week one and two. Week one - read as you please I started the week by reading Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke. This is quite a fantastic novella, or letters. Rilke received a number of letters from a poet he did not know. Kindly he answered the letters, but they are not only letters, more like short essays, where Rilke discuss the man's efforts to write poetry, but also overall questions on life in general. It seems Rilke did write extensive letters to people who contacted him, which must be considered very generous. It was nice to read these letters in preparation for his poetry. Week two - poetry While being in Innsbruck recently, we had a dinner guest who cited a poem by Rainer Maria Rilke by heart. It sounded so beautiful, so I decided to by his poems and read them in German. I found Gedichte , which I have already started. There are quite a lot of poems, and longer ones as well, so I am not sure I will be able to finish it this month. I read very slowly in German. Will do my best though. Week three - looking forward The World of Yesterday, Memoirs of a European by Stefan Zweig is one of his master pieces. Looking forward to reading this one for German Literature Month and for Nonfiction in November.

Frances is this week's host for Nonfiction November. She blogs about the books she has read at Volatile Rune and is a published poet, reviewer, sometime storyteller and novelist. Thank you so much for hosting and keeping this challenge alive. This week has a few interesting questions on how we choose which nonfiction to read. Week 2 (11/6-11/10) Choosing Nonfiction: What are you looking for when you pick up a nonfiction book? Do you have a particular topic you’re attracted to? Do you have a particular writing style that works best? When you look at a nonfiction book, does the title or cover influence you? If so, share a title or cover which you find striking. (Frances) My thoughts What are you looking for when you pick up a nonfiction book? It has to be a subject that is interesting. If the back cover text is inspirational, I can go outside my comfort, or interest, zone. Do you have a particular topic you’re attracted to? My interests lie mostly with history, biographies of interesting persons, the evolution, human behaviour etc. Do you have a particular writing style that works best? Not exactly, however, I like when a nonfiction is written almost like a fiction. Modern historians seem to write their facts in a very thrilling and easygoing way, which make their books interesting to read. Some academia is ok, but not too much. When you look at a nonfiction book, does the title or cover influence you? I think the title often is a guide to the subject of the nonfiction book. So that is important. I love a good cover, but if I find the subject interesting I would read it even if the cover is not so good. If so, share a title or cover which you find striking. I love a good cover, but can't think of any in a haste. I took a look on my bookshelves and found these, three, favourite books, which I find striking. Jag tänker på Linné, Han som såg allt by Karin Berglund (I am thinking of Linné, He who saw everything by Karin Berglund The Brontës by Juliet Barker The Mitford Girls, The Biography of an Extraordinary Family by Mary S. Lovell Week one Since I visited my parents (250 km from where I live) I took the opportunity to listen to a nonfiction. I am not much for listening to books, but it worked very well with this book. When you sit in a car you can't do much else either, so a win-win situation. I listened to Kampen om Romarriket (The struggle for the Roman Empire, my translation.) by Eva Queckfeldt. She looks at the power play and intrigues that characterised Rome's political elite between 100 BC to 20 BC. It is a dirty story where power hungry men did not stop at anything. There were bribery, murder, betrayal and love. We meet some of the most famous men in Roman history. It is interesting and intriguing, and I was drawn into this eventful years of the 2nd century BC, the last years of the Republic. I liked it so much, I downloaded another book by her, about Women in the Roman Empire, which I am listening to. Women, as we know, are not very visible in historical sources, and even less so in the 2nd century BC. There is always Cleopatra of course, but very few others. As we come into the first century AD, during the Empirical time in Rome, there are more written sources on women. Not there yet. I am also reading The Classic World - An Epic History of Greece and Rome by Robin Lane Fox. So much into the Greek and Roman worlds for the time being. Have you stayed more in tune with our own times? Or what are you reading.

Novellas in November is hosted by Cathy of 746 Books and Rebecca of Bookish Beck . Thank you for keeping up the tradition. Week two is already here, and I have hardly got used to week one. Week 2 : What Is a Novella? Ponder the definition, list favourites, or choose ones you think best capture the ‘spirit’ of a novella. During week 1 I read Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton. I have not pondered too much on the 'spirit' of a good novella. Now, when thinking of it, I presume that Ethan Frome is a very good example of a good novella. Although it covers only a short time, it seems that we know the characters. There is a story before the the novell starts, the story itself, and an ending continuing into the future. Although we are only meeting the characters in the middle of the story, we seem to know their whole life. It is actually the first book I read by Edith Wharton. It was a great surprise and her writing is wonderful. "Ethan Frome works his unproductive farm and struggles to maintain a bearable existence with his difficult, suspicious and hypochondriac wife, Zeena. But when Zeena's vivacious cousin enters their household as a hired girl, Ethan finds himself obsessed with her and with the possibilities for happiness she comes to represent." It is a sad and tragic story of love and hardship set against a harsh environment. Ethan's efforts to try to solve the situation leads to devastating consequences for all of them. I loved this story, sad as it is. Mostly because of Wharton's wonderful prose which is so lively and vivid. She makes her characters come alive and we feel we have known them a long time. A wonderful novella, and a good start to Novellas in November. Some years ago, I read The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe. I just remember that I did not really grasp the story and the ending. It is now a limited series on Netflix, and someone said it was very good. I am thinking of re-reading the novella this week, as I watch the tv-series. Have you read it? Seen the series? What do you think about it?