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Recent Book Activity

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ABOUT ME:
In short, I'm a social, bookwormy gardener with too many ideas and not enough time, married, 3 children, 3 cats & many spiders. Many books, much dust. Englishwoman who loves living in the Netherlands.

BOOKS READ IN 2012:
JANUARY (Ultimate Challenge theme - Non-fiction, real settings / people):
?. Het huis van de moskee - Kader Abdolah. Library book for Nijmegen Book Club. STILL READING.
5. Jeanne d'Arc: De maagd van Orléans - M.J. Krueck von Poturzyn. 303pp. (France, historical fiction). TBR since June 2009. READING NOW.
4. Rigoberta Menchu - Elisabeth Burgos. 284pp. (Guatemala, native Indians, oppression). TBR since June 2010.
3. The China Voyage: A Pacific Quest by Bamboo Raft - Tim Severin. 337pp. (Vietnam, China, Japan, Pacific, expeditions). TBR since May 2008.
2. Anita and Me - Meera Syal. 328pp. (UK, British Asian, immigrant experience, semi-autobiographical). TBR since Oct. 2010.
1. Ergens in de verte - Youp van 't Hek. ??pp. (NL, observational humour). TBR since June 2009.

BOOKS READ IN 2011:
DECEMBER (Ultimate Challenge theme - Transport, Travel):
82. The Old Man and the Sea - Ernest Hemingway. 118pp. (Cuba, Fishing). TBR since Dec. 2010.
81. Tussen Orinoco en Amazone (In Trouble Again) - Redmond O'Hanlon. 403pp. (Venezuela, Exploring). TBR since March 2010.
80. A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian - Marina Lewycka. 324pp. (UK, Immigrants, Aging, Families). TBR since Oct. 2010.

NOVEMBER (Ultimate Challenge theme - Time & Space):
79. Endymion Spring - Matthew Skelton. Own copy in English. 442pp. (Teens, Historical, Magical, Books & Libraries, Germany, UK). TBR since 2009? To be reviewed on GoodReads in English. TBR
78. De tijd stopt niet voor muizen - Michael Hoeye. 270pp. (Children's Fantasy, Detectives). TBR since June 2009.
77. Durftevragen: de kracht van sociale overwaarde - Nils Roemen & Fanny Koerts. 109pp. (Inspiration, renewal, social media, networking, making the world a better place, social surplus).
76. Die nacht in Lissabon - E.M. Remarque. 250pp. (Germany, France, Portugal, WWII, Jews). TBR since June 2009.
75. If Not Now, When? - Primo Levi. 328pp. (Poland, Russia, WWII partisans, resistance). TBR since June 2010.
74. Night - Elie Wiesel. 120pp. (Biography, Holocaust, Rumania). TBR since May 2011.
73. Once - Morris Gleitzman. 150pp. (Children's 11+, Holocaust, Poland). TBR since 2010.
72. Een vriendin voor dag en nacht - Ton van Reen. 102pp. (Children's 10+, spooky). TBR since March 2009.
71. British as a Second Language - David Bennun. 309pp. Rec'd 10th Nov. 2010 from Annimanni (Two Worlds VBB).

OCTOBER (Ultimate Challenge theme - Halloween):
70. The Pumpkin Eater - Penelope Mortimer. 158pp. (Women, feminism, family life, UK).
69. A Place of Execution – Val McDermid. 404pp. (Crime, murder, UK). TBR since May 2008.
68. Odd One Out: The Maverick’s Guide to Adult ADD – How to Be Happy and Successful by Breaking the Rules. 162pp. (Mental Health, Self-Help). TBR since Oct. 2011.
67. Salem Falls – Jodi Picoult. 486pp. (Crime, sexual abuse, USA). TBR since Oct. 2009.
66. As If – Blake Morrison. 144pp. (True crime, murder, UK). TBR since Sept. 2011.
65. Bombs on Aunt Dainty - Judith Kerr. 335pp. (Autobiography, WWII, refugees, expats, London). TBR since June 2010.
64. Het magische spoor - Cliff McNish. 200pp. (Children / teens, Fantasy, magic, witches). TBR since Sept. 2008.
63. Een vaas voor de keizer, een schaal voor de meid - Mansfield Kirby. 70pp. (China / NL). TBR since Sept. 2008.
62. Het demonische schoolhoofd - Gillian Cross. 135pp. (Children, school, England). TBR since July 2011.
61. Sprookjes - Elsa Beskouw. 96pp. (Fairytales). TBR since 2000!
60. Zwerfkind - Libby Hathorn. 134pp. (Children, foster children, England). TBR since March 2009.
59. Vlaamse frieten, heilige koeien en groot applaus - Peter Hoogenboom. 256pp. TBR since 2008.
58. Het oploskind - Kirsten Boie. 139pp. (Teens, peer pressure, environment). TBR since March 2009.

SEPTEMBER (Ultimate Challenge theme - Favourite books):
57. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life - Barbara Kingsolver. 352pp. (Sustainability, food industry, gardening, cookery). TBR since Sept. 2010.
56. Whistling for the Elephants - Sandi Toksvig. 300pp. (Strong women, growing up). TBR since 2010.
55. The Book of Proper Names - Amélie Nothomb. 126pp. (Teen, Anorexia, France). TBR since Aug. 2011.
54. Sushi for Beginners - Marian Keyes. 564pp. (Chicklit, relationships, Ireland). TBR since June 2010.
53. Kafka on the Shore - Haruki Murakami (own copy). 505pp. (Japan, magical realism). TBR since Sept. 2009.
52. The Sunday Philosophy Club - Alexander McCall Smith. 297pp. (Murder mystery, Scotland). TBR since 2010.

AUGUST (Ultimate Challenge theme - Summer, holidays, gardening):
51. Journey to the River Sea - Eva Ibbotson. 296pp. LyzzyBee’s ring, signed up Nov. 2010 (rec'd 14/06/11). Bookring.
50. Empire of the Sun - J.G. Ballard. 375pp. (China, WWII, 1001 book, Movie book). TBR since June 2010. 10 ***.
49. Not On the Label: What Really Goes into the Food on Your Plate - Felicity Lawrence. 236pp. (Food Industry). TBR since Aug. 2008.
48. On the Black Hill - Bruce Chatwin. 249pp. (Rural England). TBR since 2010.
47. Mr Rosenblum's List: or Friendly Guidance for the Aspiring Englishman - Natasha Solomons!!!. 324pp. (Rural England, Immigration). TBR since July 2011.
46. The Pilot's Wife - Anita Shreve. 293pp. (Mystery, Relationships, USA). TBR since April 2010.

JULY (Ultimate Challenge theme - Elements, Metals, Substances):
45. Want dit is mijn lichaam - Renate Dorrestein. 92pp? (Murder, NL). TBR since summer 2010.
44. Tilled Earth - Manjushree Thapa. 184pp. (Short stories, Nepal & diaspora). TBR since Feb. 2010

JUNE (Ultimate Challenge theme - Body Parts):
43. Het neusje van Peru - Martine Salomé. 168pp. TBR since June 2010
42. Kerewin - Keri Hulme. 783pp. (NZ, Maori, child abuse). TBR since Feb. 2009
41. Ik.nl: Wie wil je zijn op internet? - Carlijn Postma. 119pp. (Personal branding). Own copy.
40. Ja maar, wat als alles lukt? - Berthold Gunster. 273pp. (Motivation). Own copy

MAY (Ultimate Challenge theme - Movies, TV, Radio):
39. The Whale Rider - Witi Ihimaera. 168pp. (NZ, Maori, modern life / myth). TBR since March 2010
38. De schuilplaats (The Hiding Place) – Corrie ten Boom. 276pp. (Netherlands, WWII, Occupation, Jews, Movie Book). TBR since April 2010.
37. Chocolat: a novel - Joanne Harris, own copy. TBR since Sept. 2009. 306pp. (France, romance).

APRIL (Ultimate Challenge theme - Food & Drink):
36. De garnalenpelster – Nilgün Yerli. 178pp. (Teens, Turkey / Netherlands, Immigration). TBR since June 2010.
35. Het geheim van Mories Besjoer. 159pp. (Teens, mystery). TBR since Oct. 2009
34. De eilander – Cynthia Rylant. 60pp. (Children’s). TBR since March 2009.
33. Het Sixtijnse geheim. 283pp. (Mystery, Religion, Vatican). TBR since Aug. 2008.
32. Being Invisible - Thomas Berger. 262pp. (USA, humour?). TBR since Dec. 2008.
31. The Gargoyle - Andrew Davidson. 499pp. (Fantastical, Fairy-tale, Historical). Brilliant!!!
30. The Last Will and Testament of Senhor da Silva Araujo - Germano Almeida. 152pp. (Cape Verde)
29. Stanley Park - Timothy Taylor. 423pp. (Canada, Vancouver, Culinary tale). Canada Reads book.

MARCH (Ultimate challenge theme - Non-fiction):
28. The Reluctant Fundamentalist - Mohsin Hamid. 209pp. (Pakistan, 9/11). World Book Night book.
27. Koninkrijk in de wolken: mijn jaar in Bhutan - Britta Das. 303pp. (Bhutan, Developing World).
26. Sisyphus in de delta? Ontwikkelingssamenwerking in Bangladesh. 143pp. (Bangladesh, Developing World).
25. News from Tartary: A Journey from Peking to Kashmir - Peter Fleming. 389pp. (Travel, Silk Route, China, Turkistan, India).
24. Things My Mother Never Told Me - Blake Morrison. 338pp. (UK, Biography, WWII).
23. De pianoman - Bernlef. 89pp. (UK / NL, Based on true story).
22. A Life Stripped Bare: My Year Trying to Live Ethically - Leo Hickman. 343pp. (UK, Environment).
21. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close - Jonathan Safran Foer. 326pp. (Grief, Love, 9/11). TBR since Sept. 2009.
20. Natascha Kampusch: het meisje in de kelder - Allan Hall, Michael Leidig. 285pp. (Austria, true crime).
19. White Cargo - Felicity Kendal. 319pp. (Autobiography, India, theatre). TBR since ?

FEBRUARY (Ultimate Challenge theme - Love):
18. Orlando - Virginia Woolf. 215pp. (Fantasy, England, feminism). 1001 book.
17. Rachels rokje – Charlotte Mutsaers. 319pp (abandoned after 55pp.) TBR since Dec. 2008.
16. De liefdesboom - Jos Vandeloo. 189pp. (Belgium, loneliness). TBR since March 2009.
15. Ik mis je, ik mis je – Peter Pohl, Kinna Gieth. 215pp. (Sweden, teens, twins, grieving). TBR since March 2009.
14. A Whiff of Scandal – Carole Matthews. 342pp. (England, chick-lit). TBR since May 2008.
13. Sally - Freya North. (Chicklit). TBR since June 2009. (Abandoned after 53pp.)
12. The Reader - Bernhard Schlink. 216pp. (Germany, Holocaust, second generation). 1001 book. TBR since June 2010.
11. All Because of You - Melissa Hill. 449pp. (Romance, chick-lit).
10. Nineteen Eighty-Four - George Orwell, 247pp. Own copy. (Dystopia, sci fi). 1001 book. TBR since long ago.
9. People of the Wolf - W. Michael Gear & Kathleen O'Neal Gear. 435pp. (Prehistoric Native Americans, Beringia = prehistoric landbridge between Siberia & North America). TBR since Sept. 2008.

JANUARY (Ultimate Challenge theme - Creatures):
8. Als broer en zus - René Appel. 90pp. (Thriller, NL). TBR since Aug. 2008.
7. Naar het sneeuwgebergte - Bart Vos. 259pp. (Travel, Irian Jaya = New Guinea). TBR since June 2009.
6. Het andere kind - Tom Gilling. 190pp. (Fantastical historical, Van Dieman’s Land =Tasmania). TBR since April 2009. Read 17/01 - 21/01/11.
5. Niemand weet waar ik ben - Julia Samuël, Elise G. Lengkeek. 253pp. (Autobiography, Africa, cancer). Rec’d 26th Nov. 2010. Read 15/01 - 17/01/11.
4. Archer's Goon - Diana Wynn Jones. 241pp. (Fantasy). Rec'd 13th Nov. 2010. Tsjara’s ring. Read 11/01 - 15/01/11.
3. De dochter - Jessica Durlacher. 239pp. (Netherlands, 2nd generation holocaust survivors). TBR since April 2009. 8 stars.
2. Crossing Paths - the Bookcrossing Novel - Debbie Robson. 598pp. Chamonix44’s ring. Rec’d 7th Dec. 2010. Finished 7th Jan. 2011. Read first 224 pages in 2010.
1. Het verhaal van de bamboesnijder - Pauline van de Ven. 223pp. (Japan, fairy tales).

RINGS, RAYS AND RABCKS:
N.B. I now only sign up for rings if it is something truly irresistible, and keep them on a separate shelf so they won't get lost! Rings are always at the top of my TBR pile. And luckily I'm at the end of many rings, so they won't all arrive at the same time - or at least, I sincerely hope not!

RINGS / RAYS IN MY POSSESSION:
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NON-URGENT RAYS & RABCKS IN MY POSSESSION:
Hoe overleef ik mijn familie? - John Cleese. Rec'd 07/01/09 from Nefertete. Thank you!
Moominsummer Madness - Tove Janssen. RABCK birthday lottery from Moriquen. Thank you!
Keeping Mum: A Wartime Childhood - Brian Thompson. Thank you Maid-of-Kent.
The Wee Free Men - Terry Pratchett. 320pp. (Fantasy). Rec'd 7th Sept '09.
Zwellend fruit - Peter Verhelst. Rec'd 4th Feb. 2010 from PaperAeroplane (Soloo's virtual bookbox).
De sariwinkel - Ruba Bajwa. Rec'd 4th Feb. 2010 from PaperAeroplane (Soloo's virtual bookbox).
Good Bones - Margaret Atwood. Rec'd 9th Feb. 2010 from Lils74 (J4Shaw's Expat book box).
The Potter's House - Rosie Thomas. ?pp. Rec'd 6th Sept. 2010 from Feria (Eerste pagina VBB).
Holy Fools - Joanne Harris. Rec’d 20th Jan. 2011 from ScottishHoosier. RABCK.

NOT HERE YET!
Dear Fatty - Dawn French. Autobiography. Gizmopuddy's ray. Sign up http://www.bookcrossing/forum/20/6010819. (stalled since July 2010@ BertieBassett, MarthaK-H, Elhamisabel, bookworm-lady, Fifna, me, GingerWhinger)
Change the World for a Fiver: We Are What We Do. Madmadge's ring. (me next - stalled @BirminghamRose since Aug.09)
When We Were Orphans - Kazuo Ishiguro. Ghostofarose's ring. (15/02/10 LindyLouMac sent to molekilby - lost in post? LadyTrinity, bumbelbee, me, Hayes13)
Nip the Buds, Shoot the Kids (Pluck the Bud and Destroy the Offspring) – Kenzaburo Oe. Perryfran’s ray (signed up 14th Feb. 2011

RINGS STARTED BY ME:
De avonturen van Beertje Paddington - Michael Bond. Sent to Ingootje (-> Dettie --> -Nika-). Back home & released to school.
De toevallige tourist - Anne Tyler. Sent to Ingootje (-> Dettie --> -Nika-). Back home & released to OBCZ Lux.
De schaduw van Skellig - David Almond. 189pp. (Teens, Fantasy, England). Ring: Janna2, koekiebak, anyrock, oehoeboeroe.
De bijenkoning - Mick Jackson. (WWII, Village life, UK). 226pp. Ring: Zipenzoep.
Everything is Illuminated - Jonathan Safran Foer. Niksu, Kiki66, Charly83, Oedde, Griote, eggs2805.

RESERVED FOR RINGS / BOXES:
The Floating World - Cynthia Kadohata For Two Worlds VBB
Crome Yellow - Aldous Huxley For 1001 Library.

CHALLENGES 2011: (need to check details and links!)
1. The Ultimate Challenge 2011 . Read & release books. Extra points for a monthly theme.
2. Reduce Mount TBR Challenge 2011 - challenge yourself to read a certain number of books on the To Be Read shelf, or which were in your possession before January 1st 2011: my goal is 75 this year, as my BookCrossing MountTBR is higher! See here.
3. SIY Challenge:
• 3 1001 books
• 3 thick books
• 9 books set in different countries (to fit the 6 countries, 6 continents, 6 books challenge)
• 6 of my TBR books which have been on my shelf the longest
• 3 non-fiction
4. Personal Read-My-Way-Round-the-World Challenge (see my map below)
5. 6 Books, 6 Countries, 6 Continents Reading Challenge. Started anew in 2011.
6. 2011 Pages Read Challenge. Goal 24,000.
7. The Movie Books Challenge
8. 1001 books challenge, http://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/6/417760/6656967.

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WHERE I'VE TRAVELLED TO IN MY BOOKS 2012:
Add new map

I'm tracking which countries I've read about on the maps below. So far I've visited (not yet added to map):

PLACES READ ABOUT IN 2011:
2011 Europe: Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, UK, Vatican City, France, Poland, Romania
2011 Africa: Mozambique, Cape Verde, Libya
2011 Asia: India, China, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, Nepal, Japan, Turkey
2011 Australasia/Oceania: Tasmania (Australia), Irian Jaya (New Guinea) - politically part of Indonesia, but geographically part of Oceania, New Zealand
2011 North America: USA, Canada, Cuba
2011 South America: Brazil, Peru, Venezuela

MAP OF PLACES READ ABOUT IN 2011:

visited 32 states (14.2%)
Create your own visited map of The World or website vertaling duits?
2010:
Europe: England (18x), Netherlands (4x), France (2x), Germany (2x), Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Sweden, Ukraine
Africa: Botswana, Kenya (2x), South Africa (2x), (Kenya, Benin, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Rwanda), (Liberia, Sierra Leone), (Egypt, Sudan, Uganda), (Sudan, Ethiopia), (SA, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria)
Asia: Burma (= Myanmar), China, Israel, Malaysia
Australasia/Oceania: Australia 2, Marshall Islands
North America: Canada (3x), USA 16, Caribbean (St. Andrews), Hawaii, Falklands
South America: Mexico 2, Falklands
2009:
Europe: England, Scotland, Channel Islands (Guernsey), Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Spain
Africa: Botswana, Congo, Ethiopa (fictionalised as Azania in 'Black Mischief'), Eritrea, Sudan
Asia: Afghanistan (2x), China, India (several times), Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia
Australasia/Oceania: Australia (4x), New Guinea (politically part of Indonesia, but geographically part of Australasia/Oceania)
Americas: Argentina, Brazil? (The Lost World), Canada, Chile, USA, Venezuela

VISITED IN 2009, 2010 & 2011

visited 117 states (52%)
Create your own visited map of The World

WHICH US STATES I'VE TRAVELLED TO IN MY BOOKS

In 2011 I have read books set in
In 2010 I read books set in Alabama, California (2x), Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota (2x), New York (3x), North Carolina, Pennsylvania (2x), Texas, Virginia.
In 2009 I read books set in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New York and Tennessee.


visited 15 states (30%) - last updated 2nd Jan. 2011
Create your own visited map of The United States

1001 BOOKS TO BE READ:

16. Don Quixote - de Cervantes (but this is huge, so I probably won't try this one unless I've achieved my goal!) - BC
*16 (v.2010). Small Island - Andrea Levy - BC
24. Moll Flanders - Daniel Defoe - BC
25. Gulliver's Travels - Jonathan Swift (own copy)
102. Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
109. Uncle Tom's Cabin - Harriet Beecher Stowe (own copy)
117. Adam Bede - George Eliot (own copy)
120. The Mill on the Floss - George Eliot (own copy)
*121. Max Havelaar (Dutch) - Multatuli - BC
140. Great Expectations - Charles Dickens (own copy)
134. The Moonstone - Wilkie Collins (own copy)
143. Middlemarch - George Eliot (own copy)
*145. The Robber Bride - Margaret Atwood (own copy)
*183. Possession: A Romance - A.S. Byatt - BC
197. The Time Machine - H.G. Wells (own copy)
298. Burger's Daughter (in Dutch) - Nadine Gordimer - BC
401. The Power and the Glory - Graham Greene (BC)?
413. The Little Prince - Antoine de Saint-Exupery (own copy)
*457. A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute (own copy)
484. Lucky Jim - Kingsley Amis (BC)
488. The Go-Between - L.P. Hartley (own copy)
*541. The Garden Where the Brass Band Played (in Dutch - De koperen tuin) - Simon Vestdijk - BC
*594. Back to Oegstgeest - Jan Wolkers (borrow from library)
731. Rituals - Cees Nooteboom (borrow from library)
*893. The Shipping News (in Dutch) - Annie Proulx (BC)
*919. Forever a Stranger (Oeroeg) - Hella Haasse (own copy)
* 965. The Corrections - Jonathan Franzen (BC)

Usual disclaimer: The books on my bookshelf which are listed as TBR do reflect my taste in reading. The rest, though, do not necessarily, as the majority come from the English club (www.icon-nijmegen.com), with generous donations from a number of fellow Bookcrossers in the Netherlands, especially Moem, Hema-verf and 061019alexandra who responded to my forum posts talking about setting up an English-language OBCZ by giving and sending me yet more English books. Most of these books have now been transferred to the ForeignExchange BCZ (http://www.bookcrossing.com/bookshelf/foreignexchange), which is currently a number of boxes in my back room which can be "borrowed" by members of ICON.

I am always happy to receive English books, and English or Dutch children's books (for the school "library" shelf). English books from my personal shelf will be released to the ForeignExchange shelf when I have read them, in most cases. Books from the ForeignExchange BCZ will be added to another OBCZ when there are no more ICON members wishing to read them. PM me about anything on my shelf, and I will decide on an individual basis if it's time to let it go yet ;-) I use the status to mean the following:
AVL / Available = Please ask me about it
TBR / To be read = Waiting to be read by me. If you're interested, why not ask me to read it soon!
PC / Personal Collection = I'd like to keep this book, but you can always ask if I would lend it to you
RES / Reserved = Either it's waiting to be transferred to ForeignExchange BCZ, or it's part of a ring, or I have to send it to somebody
TRAV / Travelling = No longer in my possession; it's either in the wild, or on it's way to the next reader

WHY BOOKCROSSING?
Apparently I taught myself to read before I went to school, and I haven't stopped since. If there wasn't anything better to read, I'd read the label on the ketchup bottle or the cereal packet. My family always leaves me behind in museums and zoos, because I want to read all the information. Many's the time I've burnt the dinner because I'm reading my book instead of paying attention to the food - and that's assuming I could tear myself away from my book to cook in the first place.

It came as no surprise to my friends and family when I ruled out my original career choices of ballet dancer or opera singer as impractical, and decided to do a degreee in Library Studies. In my sandwich year, I worked at the library of the British Standards Institute, but since then I haven't pursued my chosen career formally. That doesn't mean to say that I haven't been able to indulge my love of books; our house is full to overflowing with them, & I'm often to be found staggering home under a load of books from the local library or a bookshop, especially when we visit England. I just can't resist.

And now I've discovered another way to share books - Bookcrossing. A couple of years ago, I read an article in a British newspaper, and loved the idea of releasing books into the wild, but I put the article into a filing tray, & it hasn't emerged since (filing isn't one of my hobbies!). Then, during a visit to a local hospital to have my daughter's hearing checked, I discovered a book "in the wild". It wasn't a book I wanted to read - it was an old and uninspiring book in French. But it did make me come and have a look at the Bookcrossing site, and the rest, as they say, is history. I'm hooked. I hope to register some of my own books & set them free at some point, but at the moment I've got more than enough to do. And this is why.... For a number of years I've belonged to an English-speaking Expat Club, Foreign Exchange (now called ICON) based in the Nijmegen region. At some time in the past, a number of boxes of English books were left at a cafe, & were initially brought out once a month so that our members could swap their books. Gradually, it came to a standstill, and the books were left to gather dust in a cafe attic (or was it a basement?!). In any case, they started to feel neglected, & nobody knew what was there. Sad. So I had the inspired idea (I think so, anyway) to register all those books as Bookcrossing books. Now all the ICON members (and anyone else who cares to look) can see what there is & send me a PM (Private Message) if they're interested in anything. At the moment all the books are in my back room (to the displeasure of my husband :-( , so I'm keen to start up a bookshelf somewhere (or several, preferably) so that people can swap books at will. All the books are now listed on the ForeignExchange bookshelf.

BOOKS READ IN 2010:
DECEMBER (Ultimate challenge theme - Mystery):
88. Crossing Paths - the Bookcrossing Novel - Debbie Robson. 598pp. Chamonix44’s ring. Rec’d 7th Dec. 2010. READING NOW - p.224 (stopped to try and meet my goal for the 1001 books challenge).
87. Vernon God Little - DBC Pierre. 277pp. (1001 book, USA / Mexico, Texas). TBR since September 2009 -> ForeignExchange
86. Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck. 118pp. (1001 book, USA, California, 1930s). TBR since November 2009 -> ForeignExchange
85. The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde. 208pp. (1001 book). TBR since May 2008 -> ForeignExchange
84. No Man’s Land: A Personal Journey into Africa - John Heminway. 298pp. (Africa, travel). TBR since April 2010. -> Loveamystery.
83. Head Above Water - Buchi Emecheta. 243pp. (Autobiography, Nigeria, UK, feminism ). TBR since June 2010. -> Loveamystery.
NOVEMBER (Ultimate challenge theme - Series):
82. Joan Makes History - Kate Grenville. 285pp. (Australia, historical, women’s role). TBR since May 2008.
81. When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit - Judith Kerr. 192pp. (1930s, Germany, Switzerland, France, refugees). ApoloniaX’s ray.
80. John Dollar - Marianne Wiggins. 234pp. (Burma / Myanmar, Anderman Islands, 1918).
79. The Left Hand of Darkness - Ursula LeGuin. 256pp. (Sci-fi, future). SENT to Twinfather 26th Nov. 2010.
78. Simon's Night - Jon Hassler. 310pp. (Minnesota, ageing, humour). AVL.
77. Everything is Illuminated - Jonathan Safran Foer. 276pp. (Ukraine, Holocaust, WWII). Reserved for ring.
76. The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox - Maggie O'Farrell. 277pp. (Scotland, mental health, history). AVL.
75. A Civil Campaign: A Comedy of Biology and Manners (A Vorkosigan Adventure) - Lois McMasters Bujold. 534pp. (Romantic Sci Fi, Alternative History). AVL.
66. The Emerald Cloak - June Packwod. 256pp. (Fiction, Ireland, Canada, Historical). AVL.
65. The Cloning of Joanna May - Fay Weldon. 351pp. (Fiction, Relationships, England). AVL.
64. Psychics & Swords: the Amazing and Totally Plausible Adventures of Steve Walton - J.M. Naydol. 304pp. Rec'd 18th April 2010.
63. A Swiftly Tilting Planet - Madeleine L'Engle. Hayes13's ring. PM sent to Ana-b.
AUGUST (Ultimate challenge theme - Animals):
62. Dave Gorman’s Googlewhack Adventure - Dave Gorman. 343pp. (Humorous fact). -> Meeting Eindhoven.
60. The Pearl (simplified) - John Steinbeck, M.J. Paine. 69pp. (Fiction, Mexico). AVL.
58. Monkeewrench - P.J. Tracy. 404pp. (Techno-thriller, USA, Minnesota). Gripping! -> ForeignExchange.
56. Dances With Wolves - Michael Blake. 313pp. (Historical fiction, USA). AVL.
54. The Big Sleep - Raymond Chandler. 216pp. (Detective, USA, 1001 book). AVL.
53. A Wind in the Door - Madeleine L’Engle. 203pp. (Sci-fi). -> AnaB.
51. A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L’Engle. 190pp. (Sci-fi). -> AnaB.
JULY (Ultimate challenge theme - Summer Fun):
50. The Rector's Wife - Joanna Trollope. 284pp. (England, rural life). Expat Book Box -. Kathmeista.
49. Australië op blote voeten: mutant message downunder - Marlo Morgan. 195pp. (Fiction, Australia, aboriginals). -> Meeting Eindhoven.
48. Alone on a Wide Wide Sea - Michael Morpurgo. 313pp. (Teens, Australia, Tasmania, Falklands, sea travel). Wishlist RABCK from ApoloniaX. Vielen Dank! AVL.
47. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe - Fanny Flagg. 403pp. -> Plinius.
46. What is the What - Dave Eggers . 475pp. (Biography / History, Sudan, Ethiopia). Plinius' ring. Rec’d July 7th 2010. -> Plinius.

JUNE (Ultimate challenge theme - Weapons):
45. To the Heart of the Nile. 470pp. (Biography, Africa, Egypt / Sudan / Uganda). TBR since June 2009. -> ForeignExchange.
44. The Camel Bookmobile - Masha Hamilton. 308pp. (Fiction, Africa, Kenya). TBR since Sept. 2009. AVL.
43. Ongebroken - Wangari Maathai. 417pp. (Autobiography, Kenya, Green Belt Movement).
42. Het koninkrijk van Sebah - Vamba Sherif. 316pp. (Africa, Netherlands, refugees, immigrants). Started June 8th. TBR since July 2008.
40. Say You're One of Them - Uwem Akpan. 292pp. (Africa: Kenya, Benin, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Short stories).

MAY (Ultimate challenge theme - Movies):
39. Een werewolf in de leeuwenkuil - Paul van Loon. ?pp. (Children’s, fantasy). Sent to z0nnebl0em.
38. The Secret Song - Michael Williams. 178pp. (South Africa, Karoo). AVL.
37. A Story Like the Wind - Laurens van der Post. 474pp. (Botswana, Kalahari). AVL.
36. Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell. 509pp. -> EvaCG.
35. Het beloofde land - Adriaan van Dis. 123pp. (South Africa, travel). Finished 4th May. SEND TO Audje.

APRIL (Ultimate challenge theme - Humour):
34. Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch - Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett. 412pp. (Humour, Fiction). -> Moriquen.
33. Daar komen de gekken - Kamran Nazeer. 128pp. (Autism). Hoisvolbuukske's ring. Rec'd 18th April 2010. Finished 25th April. Posted to -Nika- on June 8th.
32. Me Talk Pretty One Day - David Sedaris. 272pp. (Humour, New York / France). TBR since Jan. 2008. Posted to HunterRyu June 8th.
31. De wraak van de kangoeroe (sagen uit het moderne leven) - Peter Burger. ? pp. (Urban legends). Flashmob release Amsterdam ;-D The JE was lost in the site update
30. Spilling the Beans - Clarissa Dickson-Wright. 316pp. Starflash's ring. Rec'd 4th March 2010. Posted to Kobie03 (Newfoundland) on June 8th.
29. Mr Toppit - Charles Elton. 343pp. Sneeuws' ring. Rec'd 27th Feb 2010. SEND BACK TO SNEEUWS.
28. I'm Not Scared - Niccolo Ammaniti. 226pp. (Italy, Crime, 1978). Filmed. 1001 Book. Posted to Jozebedee June 8th.

MARCH (Ultimate challenge theme - Video Games):
27. Crome Yellow - Aldous Huxley. 174pp. (Britain, Society, 1920s). 1001 book.
26. Kinderen van Udim - Gila Almagor. 150pp. (Israel, jewish orphan village, 1953). Filmed as Under the Domin Tree. AVL.
25. The Consul's File - Paul Theroux. 202pp. (Malaysia, Expat life, 1970s). Reserved for Two Worlds VBB.
24. The Wrong Boy - Willy Russell. 507pp. Vekiki's ray. Sign up here. Rec'd 27th Feb 2010. Started 17th March. Finished 22nd March. PM sent to silvia-pco June 8th (Tsjara asked to be skipped)!!!!!!
23. The Thirteenth Tale. 456pp. Kerriou's/Imawinn2's ring (replacement). Rec'd 16th Feb. Finished 17th March. Posted to Penelopewanders 7th June. ***** Superb!
22. Verborgen gebreken - Renate Dorrestein. 238pp. (Family drama, thriller).
21. Korte metten - Renate Dorrestein. 143pp. (Feminist articles, humour). Signed -> Anyrock.

FEBRUARY (Ultimate challenge theme - Valentine's Day & Love):
20. The Other Side of the Story - Marian Keyes. 648pp. (London, Dublin, publishing, relationships) -> ForeignExchange
19. The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold. 372pp. (USA, Pennsylvania, afterlife). Reserved for friend.
18. Italian Shoes - Henning Mankell. 247pp. Yilla's ring.
17. Foreign Correspondence: A Pen Pal's Journey from Down Under to All Over - Geraldine Brooks. 210pp. (Australia, USA). Posted to LineP ☺
16. The History of Love - Nicole Krauss. 385pp. (Relationships, New York). Own copy. Finished 15th Feb. ***** Brilliant!
15. The Notebook - Nicholas Sparks. 213pp. (Romance, North Carolina). Started 9th Feb. Finished 11th Feb. -> ForeignExchange.
14. Silences of the Heart. (Emigration, families, Canada), 232pp. Loveamystery's Two Worlds Virtual Bookbox. Rec'd 23rd April '09. Started 4th Feb. Finished 9th Feb. -> Two Worlds VBB.
13. Friends Like These - Victoria Routledge. 374pp. Started 2nd Feb. Finished 4th Feb. -> friend.
12. Aardappelsalade per post - Lena Gorelik. 198pp. Dettie's ray. Rec'd 31st Dec. -> Antonettes ☺.

JANUARY (Ultimate challenge theme - Birthdays & Parties):
11. Open huis - Jill Mansell". 283pp. (UK, romance, humour, 1980s.) -> ?
10. Behaving Badly - Catherine Heath. 224pp. (UK, aging, families, 1980s). -> ForeignExchange.
9. De tuin van de samoerai - Gail Tsukiyama. 303pp. Zijdewerkster's ring. Rec'd 22nd Sept. Sent 29/01/10 -> Zijdewerkster. ☺
8. Hallo nachtvlinder! - Koos Meinderts. 94pp. (Teens, Netherlands).
7. Ruby fruit jungle. 206pp. (USA, Pennsylvania, ?).
6. Rode rozen en tortilla's (Like Water for Chocolate) - Laura Esquival. 236pp. (Mexico, Love, Magic, Relationships, 1001 book). ***** Wonderful - get the DVD!
5. Transit - Hella S. Haasse. 92pp. ?
4. Weerborstels - A.F.Th. van der Heijden. 94pp. ?
3. Sushi & Chardonnay - Yoyo van Gemerde. Last in ray! ?
2. Alias Grace - Margaret Atwood. 420pp. (Canada, True Crime, Historical, 1001 book). Last in ray. Soloo's VBB.
1. De schaduw van Skellig - David Almond. 189pp. (Teens, Fantasy, England). -> Ring