Book Reviews

‘The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - which you had thought special and particular to you. And now, here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out, and taken yours.’ Alan Bennett

“Many a book is like a key to unknown chambers within the castle of one’s own self.” ― Franz Kafka

Thursday 1 November 2012

German Literature Month - November 2012



To find out more just follow the links above. 

This is my first time taking part, and the second time that the event has taken place. I am excited to be taking part, as German was my undergraduate degree subject, with literature making up a significant part of it. I will be reading some works in translation but trying to read at least something in German too. 

Some notes from the hosts:

While we focused on countries last year, this year we are structuring the month around genres and literary formats.
Week 1 (November 1-7) Novellas, plays and poems
Week 2 (November 8-14) Literary Novels
Week 3 (November 15-21) Genre Fiction – Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Romance
Week 4 (November 22-30) Read as you please
2012 is also the bi-centennial of the birth of the Brothers Grimm. We can’t let it pass without a Brothers Grimm Readathon. So we’ve put that in the calendar from 22-26 November.
My intended plans:

Week 1 - Stefan Zweig novella or The Wall Jumper by Peter Schneider, and The Collini Case by Ferdinand von Schirach (crime novella)

Week 2 - Stefan Zweig novel - The Post Office Girl (hopefully, time permitting)

Week 3 - Daniel Glattauer novels - Love Virtually and Every Seventh Wave (Romance)

Week 4 - Gunther Grass - Mein Jahrhundert (reading in the original German), and Berlin Tales - Lyn Marven

Looking forward to exploring all the other posts by those taking part!


12 comments:

  1. Hi Lindsay,
    I am taking part too although I am not as ambitious as you in terms of the numbers of books I will try to read! My post to go up today too. The Wall Jumper is excellent, so this is a great choice in my opinion! I listened to a Radio 4 adaptation of Love Virtually a couple of months ago - very interesting. Good luck with it! Sarah

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    1. Hi Sarah, thanks for your comments, I was waiting for The Wall Jumper to arrive, it has now so I've made a start. I have already read and written my review for Love Virtually so I know I have something to post! Good luck with yours too.

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  2. Good luck with all your German-language reading this month :)

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    1. Thanks very much Tony, same with yours too! :)

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  3. I have read a liked a few of your choices and hope you will enjoy them too. The Grass is quite ambitious, it's rather long, isn't it? I'm looking forward to your reviews.

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    1. Thanks Caroline, I am looking forward to them. I think with the Grass I will read what I can, it may not be the full text.

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  4. I might join you in reading The Post Office Girl, it's supposed to be very good.

    Happy reading :)

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    1. Thanks Sam! I really want to read that one.

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  5. My knowledge of German literature is as good as non-existent so I won't be taking part but am going to await all participants' reviews with interest! The Tin Drum by Gunter Grass is one of my all-time favourite reads. Enjoy your choices Lindsay :-)

    Marie
    http://www.girlvsbookshelf.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Marie! I read so much German literature at University in the original language yet it seems so long ago now. I am looking forward to this!

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  6. Nice post, Lindsay! Your reading plan looks wonderful and all the books you have chosen look so great! I read 'Love Virtually' when it came out and I liked it very much. I want to read von Schirach's 'The Collini Case' sometime. Nice to know that you are reading Stefan Zweig's novel now. Happy reading! Looking forward to reading your reviews.

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    1. Hi Vishy, thanks very much for visiting and commenting. Looking forward to reading your posts too.

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