venerdì 28 dicembre 2018

E' morto lo scrittore israeliano Amos Oz


ROMA, 28 DIC - Amos Oz, uno degli scrittori israeliani più celebri e tradotti in tutto il mondo, è morto a 79 anni. Era malato di cancro. "Il mio amato padre è spirato a causa di un tumore, poco fa, dopo un rapido deterioramento, nel sonno ed in pace, circondato dalle persone che lo amavano", ha scritto su Twitter la figlia dello scrittore, Fania. "Rispettate la nostra privacy. Non potrò rispondervi. Grazie a tutti quanti lo hanno amato". (ANSA).

giovedì 27 dicembre 2018

2019 Cruisin' Thru The Cozies Reading Challenge


Sfida ospitata da Socrate's book review.


This year's cozy mystery reading challenge has two ways to participate and you can choose whichever suits you the best:
A) Read only cozy mysteries of your choice.
Or
B) Read one book from these sub-genres:
- One from culinary (anything dealing with food: restaurants, baked goods, etc.)
- One from animal related (cats, dogs, birds, etc.)
- One from craft related (any kind of hobbies - knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, etc.)
- One from paranormal (witches, vampires, etc.)
- One from cozy mysteries based outside the US (example: Belinda Lawrence series (British))
- One career-based cozy mystery (housekeeping, wedding planner, etc.)
- One holiday based (set during any holiday - Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentines, etc.)
- One travel mystery (character could be on a cruise, touring another area, etc.)
- One historical mystery (any mystery not set in the present)
- One is your choice! (freebie!)

Here are the levels you can join for either A or B…
Level one (Snoop) --> 10 libri
Level two (Investigator) --> 20 libri
Level three (Super Sleuth) --> 30 libri
Level four (Sleuth Extraordinaire) --> 40 libri

*************************

Libri letti:

1 - (culinary) --> Morte sotto spirito (Brigitte Glaser)
2 - (animal) --> Il gatto che amava Brahms (Lilian Jackson Braun)
3 - (outside US) --> Lo smeraldo maledetto (Edgar Wallace)
4 - (free choice) --> Il gatto che giocava all'ufficio postale (Lilian J. Braun)
5 - (historical) --> Morituri te salutant (Danila Comastri Montanari)
6 - (travel) --> Delitto in cielo (Agatha Christie)
7 - (craft) --> Il caso tricot (Barbara Solinas)
8 - (paranormal) --> If walls could talk (Juliet Blackwell)
9 - (career-based) --> Un paio di scarpe (Ellery Queen)
10 - Poirot sul Nilo (Agatha Christie)

Sfida dei 10 libri completata il 23 ottobre. Manca, idealmente, solo la categoria "holiday based".

2019 What An Animal Reading Challenge


Sfida ospitata da Socrate's book reviews.

The challenge will begin on January 1, 2019 and end on December 31, 2019.

Any book read for this challenge has to have an animal that plays a major role in the book (which could be fiction or non-fiction.) It also counts if a main character is (or turns into) an animal (define that however you'd like).  

These are the levels.
Level 1 - Read 6 books
Level 2 - Read 7-12
Level 3 - Read 13-20
Level 4 - Read 21 or more

The animal can be any type of animal (real or fictitious)--dog, cat, monkey, wolf, snake, insect, hedgehog, aardvark...dragon, mermaid, centaur, vampire, werewolf...you get the idea...

Books can be fiction or nonfiction.  

***************************************


Just the Facts, Ma'am 2019 (Vintage Mystery Challenge)


Sfida ospitata da My reader's block. Probabilmente questa non la completerò ma ci provo comunque.

Participants in the 2019 version of the "Just the Facts, Ma'am Challenge" will be playing detective. The objective is to answer all the important questions of Who, What, When, Where, How and Why to complete cases in either the Golden or Silver Mystery Eras (or for the more adventurous, both).

Challenge Levels
Constable: 6 books -- one from each category
Detective Sergeant: 12 books -- two from each category
Inspector: 18 books -- three from each category
Inspired Amateur: 24 books -- four from each category
Chief Inspector: 30 books -- five from each category
Superintendent: 36 books -- six from each category
Chief Superintendent: 42 books -- seven from each category
Deputy Chief Constable: 48 books -- eight from each category
Chief Constable: 54 books -- nine from each category
Master Detective: 60 books -- all ten books from each category

Golden: Pre-1960

Silver: 1960 - 1989

Rules
~All books must be from the mystery category (crime fiction, detective fiction, espionage, etc.). The mystery/crime must be the primary feature of the book--ghost stories, paranormal, romance, humor, etc. are all welcome as ingredients, but not be the primary category under which these books would be labeled at the library/bookstore.

~To complete the challenge and to be eligible for the participation drawing at the end of the year, participants must earn the rank of Constable: six books read from a single Vintage Era. If you choose to do both eras, you must use separate notebooks. You may not, for example, answer three golden questions and three silver questions to claim the minimum six.

~Challenge runs from January 1 to December 31, 2019.  

~For most of the "Who" category, the who may be the sleuth, victim or other quite prominent character. It should not be a minor character who only shows up once or twice and isn't really crucial to the plot.

~An example for the item "Timing of crime is crucial" might be that X murders Y to prevent an inheritance OR X knocks off Great-Uncle Y to prevent him from changing his will. Just be prepared to explain what the crucial element is.

~For the "Made a best of list" item, the "best of" list can be a well-known list from a journal or newspaper, form GoodReads, or even from a fellow blogger. Please reference the list you have used.

~For "Simon Says"--Simon (that's me!) says to read the book at the bottom of your current TBR stack. If you don't have a stack, but have a TBR shelf--then read the book at the right-hand end of your shelf. If you have so many books that they're not really organized into stacks or shelves, then go to your hoard (list, whatever) and pick a book at random. You're on your honor to not put any thought into it. Just grab one.

*****************************************

Libri letti:

Golden: Pre-1960
Who --> Un paio di scarpe (Ellery Queen) --> a writer/medical field
When --> Poirot sul Nilo (Agatha Christie) --> during vacation
Where --> Poirot a Styles Court (Agatha Christie) --> country house
Why --> Delitto in cielo (Agatha Christie) --> c'è il film

COMPLETATA 05/12/2019.


Silver: 1960 - 1989
Who -->
What -->
When -->
How -->
Why -->
Il gatto che amava Brahms (Lilian Jackson Braun) - da decidere, va bene in tutti

Calendar of crime challenge 2019


Sfida ospitata da My reader's block.
This is another reading challenge that will allow mystery readers to include any mystery regardless of publication date. If it falls in a mystery category (crime fiction/detective novel/police procedural/suspense/thriller/spy & espionage/hard-boiled/cozy etc.), then it counts and it does not matter if it was published in 1892 or 2019.


The Rules
~Challenge runs from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. all books should be read during this time period.  
~All books must be mysteries. Humor, romance, supernatural elements (etc.) are welcome, but the books must be mysteries/crime/detective novels first.
~ Twelve books, one representing each month, are required for a completed challenge and to be eligible for the end-of-year prize drawing. Each month comes with several categories (see chart above) that may be selected to fulfill the month's reading.  
~To claim a book, it must fit one of the categories for the month you wish to fulfill. Unless otherwise specified, the category is fulfilled within the actual story. For instance, if you are claiming a book for December and you want to use "Christmas" as the category, then Christmas must figure in some way in the plot.  
~The "wild card" book is exactly that. If July is your birth month, then for category #9, you may read any mystery book you want. It does not have to connect with July in any way--other than a July baby chose it. The other eleven months, you must do the alternate category #9 if you want to fulfill that slot.
~For the category that says "Book title contains a word that starts with the letter A," the following do not count: "A" and "An."
~Books may only count for one month and one category, but they may count for other challenges (such as my other mystery challenge, Just the Facts, Ma'am). If it could fulfill more than one category or month, then you are welcome to change the category/month at any time prior to the final wrap-up.
~Books do not have to be read during the month for which they qualify. So--if you're feeling like a little "Christmas in July" (or May or...), then feel free to read your book for December whenever the mood strikes.

*************************************

Libri letti:

JAN: author's birth month --> Un paio di scarpe (Ellery Queen)

FEB: couple/triangle/love major role --> Morte sotto spirito (Brigitte Glaser)

MAR: money/fortune/inheritance has major role --> Il prezzo dei soldi (Petros Markaris)

APR: author's birth month --> Lo smeraldo maledetto (Edgar Wallace)

MAY: book title has word starting with "M"--> Morituri te salutant (Danila Comastri Montanari)

JUN: author's birth month (e anche il mio) --> Il gatto che amava Brahms (Lilian Jackson Braun)

JUL: takes place in US --> Il chirurgo (Tess Gerritsen)


SEP: author's birth month --> Delitto in cielo (Agatha Christie)


NOV: family relationships play major role --> Blacklands (Belinda Bauer)

DEC: primary action takes place in this month --> Il senso di Smilla per la neve (Peter Hoeg)


COMPLETATA 11/12/2019

Creativity Reading Challenge 2019


Sfida ospitata da "Whatever I think of!". L'ho scoperta quest'anno per caso.

This challenge is about reading books on creativity, art, crafts, writing, film making, photography, cosmetology, DIY, cooking, music and any other topic that helps you live a more creative life.

You are by no means limited to what is suggested in the links above. Any books you find that fit the challenge description may be read toward the challenge.

Challenge Guidelines:
Begins January 1, 2019 and ends Dec 31, 2019.
I won't be creating different levels. Read as little or as many books as you want.
Books may be nonfiction, memoir, how to, self help, coffee table books, instructional, picture books, and even fictional if they are about people who are creative.
You may include books of any format including traditional books, ebooks or audiobooks
You may reread books.
Books may count towards other reading challenges in which you are participating.

**********************************

Libri letti:


Monthly Key Word Challenge 2019


Sfida ospitata da My reader's block.

Your task is to read at least one book for each month whose title includes one or more of the key words for that month. 
GUIDELINES
*The challenge runs from January 1 to December 31st, 2019.
*Key words may be tweaked. If the key word is dance, you may use dancing or danced. You may also be more creative and use "tango" or "ballet" or "waltz."



***************************************

Libri Letti:

JAN: snow, winter, year, jewel, hat, dance, top, car, why
FEB: red, love, heart, rose, candy, hope, bottom, walk, who
       Il gatto che amava Brahms (Lilian Jackson Braun)

MAR: shamrock, luck, Irish/Ireland, pot, gold, faith, emerald, carry, what
        Lo smeraldo maledetto (Edgar Wallace)

APR: shower, time, bunny/hare, basket, cross, hunt, parade, all, where
        Cielo di sabbia (Joe R. Lansdale)

MAY: mother, daisy, memorial/memory, you, mountain, day, wind, sky, when
        Via col vento (Margaret Mitchell)

JUN: dress, father, man, woman, flag, happy, some, bride, how
        La principessa sposa (William Goldman)

JUL: fire, work/s, stream, lake, field, family, cloud, bear, because
        Delitto in cielo (Agatha Christie)

AUG: sand, swim, hot, ride, there, few, sad, camera, they
        I fiori di sabbia (Corban Addison)

SEP: book, here, back, school, speak, train, leave, paper, them
        Hygge (Louisa Thomsen Brits)

OCT: fall, wolf, ghost, witch, halloween, scare, night, creature, he
        Il circo della notte (Erin Morgenstern)

NOV: leave/s or leaf, thanks, food, family, share, dream, live, have, she
        Miss Alabama e la casa dei sogni (Fannie Flagg)

DEC: star, night, Christmas, angel, gift/present, tree, wise, dear, it

Color coded challenge 2019


Sfida ospitata da My reader's block.
Avevo provato anni fa questa sfida, poi l'avevo abbandonata, ma voglio riprovarci.

The color may either be named in the title or it may appear as the dominant color for the cover of the book. For "implies color" the image implying cover should dominate the cover--for instance a large rainbow, a field of flowers, or the image of a painter. Get ready for a rainbow of reading in 2019.

Here are the rules:
~Challenge runs from January 1 through December 31, 2019 and any book read after January 1 may count regardless of when you sign up. Sign-ups accepted until November 1, 2019.

~Read nine books in the following categories:
1. A book with "Blue" or any shade of Blue (Turquoise, Aquamarine, Navy, etc.) in the title/on the cover.
2. A book with "Red" or any shade of Red (Scarlet, Crimson, Burgandy, etc.) in the title/on the cover.
3. A book with "Yellow" or any shade of Yellow (Gold, Lemon, Maize, etc.) in the title/on the cover.
4. A book with "Green" or any shade of Green (Emerald, Lime, Jade, etc.) in the title/on the cover.
5. A book with "Brown" or any shade of Brown (Tan, Beige, Sand, etc.) in the title/on the cover.
6. A book with "Black" or any shade of Black (Jet, Ebony, Charcoal, etc.) in the title/on the cover.
7. A book with "White" or any shade of White (Ivory, Eggshell, Cream, etc.) in the title/on the cover.
8. A book with any other color in the title/on the cover (Purple, Orange, Silver, Magenta, Pink, etc.).
9. A book with a word that implies color in the title/on the cover (Rainbow, Polka-dot, Plaid, Shadow, Paint, Ink, etc.).

************************************

Libri letti:

3. "Yellow" --> Cane giallo (Martin Amis)
9. A word that implies color --> Alla fine dell'arcobaleno (Irene Pistolato)


Completed on September, 2019 !

European reading challenge 2019


Sfida ospitata da Rose City Reader.

The idea is to read books by European authors or books set in European countries (no matter where the author comes from). The books can be anything – novels, short stories, memoirs, travel guides, cookbooks, biography, poetry, or any other genre. You can participate at different levels, but each book must be by a different author and set in a different country – it's supposed to be a tour.

WHAT COUNTS AS "EUROPE"?: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Vatican City

LEVELS OF PARTICIPATION
• FIVE STAR (DELUXE ENTOURAGE): Read at least five books by different European authors or books set in different European countries.
• FOUR STAR (HONEYMOONER): Read four qualifying books.
• THREE STAR (BUSINESS TRAVELER): Read three qualifying books.
• TWO STAR (ADVENTURER): Read two qualifying books.
• ONE STAR (PENSIONE WEEKENDER): Read just one qualifying book.

Read all books between January 1, 2019 and January 31, 2020. I like having 13 months so there is extra time to finish after the holidays.

********************************************************

Back to the Classics 2019



Sfida ospitata da "Books and chocolate" per il sesto anno. 
How it works: 
Complete six categories, and you'll get one entry in the drawing; 
Complete nine categories, and you'll get two entries in the drawing;
Complete all twelve categories, and you'll get three entries in the drawing 

THE CATEGORIES: 

1. 19th Century Classic. Any classic book originally published between 1800 and 1899.

2. 20th Century Classic. Any classic book originally published between 1900 and 1969. All books in this category must have been published at least 50 years ago. The only exceptions are books that were published posthumously but were written at least 50 years ago.

3. Classic by a Woman Author.

4. Classic in Translation. Any classic originally written in a novel other than your native language. You may read the book in your native language, or its original language (or a third language for all you polyglots!) Modern translations are acceptable, as long as the book was originally published at least 50 years ago. Books in translation are acceptable in all other categories as well.

5. Classic Comic Novel. Any comedy, satire, or humorous work. Humor is very subjective, so if you think Crime and Punishment is hilarious, go ahead and use it, but if it's a work that's traditionally not considered humorous, please tell us why in your post. Some classic comic novels: Cold Comfort Farm; Three Men in a Boat; Lucky Jim; and the works of P. G. Wodehouse.

6. Classic Tragic Novel. Tragedies traditionally have a sad ending, but just like the comedies, this is up for the reader to interpret. Examples include The Grapes of Wrath, House of Mirth, and Madame Bovary.

7. Very Long Classic. Any classic single work 500 pages or longer, not including introductions or end notes. Omnibus editions of multiple works do not count. Since page counts can vary depending on the edition, average the page count of various editions to determine the length.

8. Classic Novella. Any work of narrative fiction shorter than 250 pages.

9. Classic From the Americas (includes the Caribbean). Includes classic set in either continent or the Caribbean, or by an author originally from one of those countries. Examples include Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (United States); Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys (Jamaica); or One Hundred Years of Solitude (Columbia/South America).

10. Classic From Africa, Asia, or Oceania (includes Australia). Any classic set in one of those contents or islands, or by an author from these countries. Examples include Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz (Egypt); The Makioka Sisters by Junichiro Tanizaki (Japan); On the Beach by Nevile Shute (Australia); Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (Nigeria).

11. Classic From a Place You've Lived. Read locally! Any classic set in a city, county, state or country in which you've lived, or by a local author. Choices for me include Giant by Edna Ferber (Texas); Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser (Chicago); and Buddenbrooks by Thomas Mann (Germany).

12. Classic Play. Any play written or performed at least 50 years ago. Plays are eligible for this category only. 

THE RULES: All books must be read during read from January 1 through December 31, 2019. 
All books must have been written at least 50 years ago to qualify; therefore, books must have been published no later than 1969 for this challenge.
Recent translations of classic novels are acceptable.
E-books and audiobooks are acceptable! You may also count books for this challenge that you've read for other challenges. Books may NOT cross over within this challenge -- that is, you may not count the same book multiple times within this challenge. You MUST read a different book for each category in this challenge, or it doesn't count. 
Multiple books by the same author are acceptable.
Children's classics are acceptable, but no more than three total for the challenge!
And please, no picture books.
Single short stories and short poetry collections do not count, but you may use full-length narrative poems (like The Odyssey) and short story collections such as The Canterbury Tales, as long as you read the entire book.
You do NOT have to list all the books you intend to read in your sign-up post, but it's more fun if you do!
You may certainly rearrange or change the books for this challenge, and books may be read in any order. 

*****************************************

Libri letti:

1. 19th Century Classic. --> Canto di Natale (Charles Dickens)

2. 20th Century Classic. --> Lettera al padre (Franz Kafka)

3. Classic by a Woman Author. --> Delitto in cielo (Agatha Christie)

4. Classic in Translation. --> Tropico del cancro (Henry Miller)

5. Classic Comic Novel. --> Tre uomini in barca (Jerome K. Jerome)

6. Classic Tragic Novel. --> Morte a Venezia (Thomas Mann)

7. Very Long Classic. --> Via col vento (Margaret Mitchell)

8. Classic Novella. --> Lo smeraldo maledetto (Edgar Wallace)

9. Classic From the Americas --> Cent'anni di solitudine (Gabriel Garcìa Màrquez)

10. Classic From Africa, Asia, or Oceania --> Il paese delle nevi (Yasunari Kawabata)

11. Classic From a Place You've Lived --> Rime nuove (Giosuè Carducci)


-------------------------------------

Sei categorie: completato il 04/06/2019 (2-4-7-8-9-10)
Nove categorie: completato il 18/07/2019 (3-6-12)
Dodici categoria: completato il 24/12/2019 (1-5-11)

2019 Monthly Motif Reading Challenge


Sfida ospitata da girlxoxo

JANUARY – New to You 
Author Read a book by an author whose writing you’ve never read before. 

FEBRUARY – Cover Love Yes. 
We’re giving you permission to judge a book by its cover and read a book with a cover that really caught your eye. 

MARCH – Royalty, Kingdoms, Empires, Governments 
Read a book in which the character is involved in a ruling or governing body in some way. 

APRIL – Crack the Case 
Read a mystery, detective story, true crime, cozy mystery, or book involving a puzzle to solve.

MAY – One Sitting Reads
Read something that is short enough you could get through it in one sitting- try a graphic novel, comic book, short story, essay, or short collection of poetry.

JUNE – Diversify Your Reading
Read a book with a character (or written by an author) of a race, religion, or sexual orientation other than your own or read about a culture you want to learn more about.

JULY – Through The Years
Read a book involving time travel, a book with a ‘time’ setting such as The Great Gatsby (20s), read a historical fiction/nonfiction, or choose a book published in your birth year.

AUGUST – Mode of Transportation
Read a book where the mode of transportation plays a role in the story (ex. Murder on the Orient Express or The Boys in the Boat)

SEPTEMBER – Animal, Number, Color, Name
One of those things needs to be in the title of the book you choose (ex. Water for Elephants, Red Queen, Fahrenheit 451, Rebecca, Harry Potter)

OCTOBER – Tricks and Trades
Read a book set in a theater, an amusement park, a circus, or a book involving magic, illusions, or characters with special powers.

NOVEMBER – Seasons, Elements, and Weather
Embrace a winter wonderland setting, pick a beach read, or read about a natural disaster. As long as a season, element, or the weather plays a key role in the story or is part of the title, it counts. (ex. Little Fires Everywhere, The Snow Child, On The Island) 

DECEMBER – Last Chance
Finally read that one book that you’ve been meaning to get to all year long.


******************************************

Libri letti:

Reading challenges 2018


Inizia ad essere ora di tirare le somme. Sono abbastanza soddisfatta, ma sinceramente credevo di fare di più. In dicembre poi le mie letture si sono abbastanza rallentate, e quindi alcune sfide che pensavo di chiudere non le ho chiuse. Peccato. 


* european reading challenge --> completati i cinque libri a maggio.

* monthly motiv --> completata il 21 dicembre.

* cruisin' thru the cozies --> ho ovviamente puntato al primo livello. (Ho in lettura l'ultimo libro)

* what an animal reading challenge --> ho puntato al primo livello, leggere almeno 6 libri e l'ho completato a fine settembre.

* popsugar reading challenge --> come sempre, uso questa sfida come suggerimento ma so in partenza di non riuscire a completarla. Si tratterebbe di leggere oltre 50 libri che solo raramente riescono ad incastrarsi con le altre sfide. Coi miei ritmi (lenti) di lettura dovrei scegliere tra seguire questa sfida o seguire tutte le altre. E preferisco le altre, anche per un discorso di condivisione con altri lettori. 

* birth year reading challenge --> sfida nuova che incoraggia a leggere libri pubblicati nel proprio anno di nascita. Purtroppo ne ho letto uno solo. Ce n'erano altri che mi ispiravano ma non riuscivo ad incastrarli con altre sfide e ho lasciato perdere. 

* what's in a name --> è incredibile, è una sfida di soli 6 libri e non riesco mai a completarla! Non riesco ad incastrarli con le altre sfide.

* back to classic --> il primo livello (leggere 6 libri) l'ho completato a maggio. Alla fine ho letto 8 libri, con uno in più avrei completato anche il secondo livello. E va beh.

* kitty lit reading challenge --> nuova sfida trovata per caso. Leggere almeno 3 libri con gatti. Potevo farmela scappare?? I 3 libri li ho finiti il 29 settembre. 

* monthly key word reading challenge --> l'avevo persa di vista dopo che era cambiato l'host, ma quest'anno l'ho riprovata volentieri. Purtroppo non sono riuscita a leggere il libro per il mese di novembre; quello che avevo scelto (il testamento francese di Makine) si è rivelato troppo lento, troppo pesante, e sinceramente non ho nemmeno voluto finirlo. Peccato


per quanto riguarda le sfide su più anni:

* around the world in 80 books --> nel 2018 ho letto 7 libri (Tanzania, Argentina, Afghanistan, Polonia, Svezia, Botswana, Kenya) che mi fanno raggiungere un totale di 46 Stati visitati e 34 mancanti (scad. 15 ottobre 2018). Ecco, ovviamente ho passato la scadenza senza arrivare al mio traguardo. Purtroppo mi sono resa conto che completare le altre sfide mi ha portato a leggere libri che solo raramente riuscivano ad essere di nazionalità diverse. Forse avrei dovuto concentrarmi solo su questa sfida e lasciar perdere le altre, ma amen.

* around Italy reading challenge --> nel 2018 ho letto 1 libri (Veneto) che mi fanno raggiungere un totale di 8 regioni lette e 12 mancanti (scadenza 23 maggio 2019)