Carsten's (ctpress) 2023 - Take and Read

Photo from a hike in Sweden in june 2022

Welcome to a new year of book-sharing, novel-talk, fiction discussion, chit-chat, and/or deep philosophical musings.

I'm living in Copenhagen, Denmark. Working as a journalist, and in 2023 I will turn 60 (ehem). I read a lot of classics and lately also theology and history - but new literature and modern novels will slip through.

I love hiking, watching movies, and my church fellowship.

Currently reading:

Book:



Audiobook:

Books read:

October
22. God on Mute by Pete Greig (2007) 5/5
21. The Island of Dr. Moreau by H. G. Wells (1896) 4,5/5 (reread)

July
20. Orkansæsonen og stilheden af Anne-Cathrine Riebnitzsky (2018) 3/5
19. Songbirds, Christy Leftery 4/5 (2021)
18. At se Gud i Skønheden by Jacob Munk 3/5 (2023)

May
17. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzhenitsyn 5/5 (1962) (reread)
16. Den Sidste Spion (The Last Spy) by Leif Davidsen 2,5/5 (1993)

April
15. The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass, Aged 37 3/4 by Adrian Plass (1987) 5/5 (reread)
14. Smaragdsliberen by Anne-Cathrine Riebnitzsky (2018) 4/5
13. As You Like It by William Shakespeare (1599) 3/5
12. Når Gud er Tavs by Leif Andersen (2015) 4/5
11. Solaris by Stanislaw Lem (1961) 2/5
10. The Art of Holy Week and Easter by Sister Wendy Beckett (2021) 4/5
09. The First Epistle Of Clement To The Corinthians by Clement of Rome (96 AD) 3,5/5

February
08. The Clouds by Aristophanes (423 BC) 3/5
07. Miss Julie by August Strindberg (1888) 3/5
06. The Pilgrim Continues His Way by Anonymous (1881) 3,5/5
05. How to Read Prophecy by Joel B. Green (1984) 4/5
04. Rembrandt Is in the Wind by Russ Ramsey (2022) 4,5/5

January
03. The Rose Code by Kate Quinn (2021) 4,5/5
02. Jeg Mindes by Louis Nielsen (2022) 4/5
01. A Confession by Leo Tolstoy (1882) 4,5/5

Welcome back, Carsten! That’s a gorgeous picture.

>3 drneutron: Thanks Jim. Looking forward to another year of reading. Thanks for arranging. Yes, that was a beautiful evening in the Swedish mountains.

I've got you starred Carsten. Hope you have a wonderful year of reading in 2023!

Wishing you a comfortable reading year in 2023, Carsten. Lovely topper.

>5 mdoris: Thanks, Mary - and a great reading year to you too.

>6 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. I must visit your site to see what you plan to read in the new year.

Very best of reading this year, Carsten.

Happy new thread for the new year Carsten and a beautiful photo to start it with.

>9 richardderus: Thanks, Richard - and a happy reading year to you.

>10 WhiteRaven.17: Thanks, Kro. I had a lovely time hiking in Sweden and have been there many times.

Enjoy your 2023 reading!

>12 thornton37814: Thanks, Lori.

OK, time for a MEME - always have a blast making these from last years reads. Borrowed from Paul, who borrowed it from someone else who....)

Describe yourself: The Magician's Nephew

Describe how you feel: The Darkest Day

Describe where you currently live: The Lighthouse

If you could go anywhere, where would you go: King Solomon's Mines

Your favorite form of transportation is: Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes

Your favorite food is: Strong Poison

Your favorite time of day is: Prayer in the Night

Your best friend is: The Inklings of Oxford

You and your friends are: The Insulted and Humiliated

What’s the weather like: “It rushes in the forest” (Danish book)

You fear: Tears of the Giraffe

What is the best advice you have to give: Have his Carcase

Thought for the day: I'm Afraid Debbie From Marketing Has Left for the Day

What is life for you: The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club

How you would like to die: Death in Venice

Your soul’s present condition: When Do The Good Things Start?

What was 2022 like for you? The Last Battle

What do you want from 2023? The Abolition of Man

Book 1. A Confession by Leo Tolstoy
129 pages, hardcover, 4,5/5 stars.
Date of publication: 1882



This a fascinating account of Tolstoys search for answers to the basic existential questions - who am I, and what is the meaning of my life? He was depressed for a long time as he rejected science, philosophy, wealth, and pleasure to answer his search for truth and meaning. Also, rejecting a lot of orthodox beliefs and church dogmatic but finding an answer in the simple life of faith that the peasants and poor people display.

Great start to the new year. My favorite century (19th century) of writing. And reading a classic about faith.

Book 2. Jeg Mindes by Louis Nielsen
235 pages, paperback, 4/5 stars.
Date of publication: 2022



One of my dear friends through many years, died in 2020. Before that, he managed to write his memoirs. It was great to read about his life. He served as a pastor and preacher for many years.

Happy reading in 2023, Carsten!

>17 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita.

>14 ctpress: Gosh Carsten your final MEME answer had me sweating - you want the abolition of man?!

While I still have not been abolished I will quickly wish you a great Sunday.

>19 PaulCranswick: Ha, ha - happy you've not been abolished yet :)

Book 3. The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
656 pages, audio, 4,5/5 stars.
Date of publication: 2021
Read for Book Club



We know from the outset that there's a spy in Bletchley Park - but it's not - at least for a long time - the story's center. We get to know the experiences of three girls who begin to work on breaking codes during WW2, their relationship, and the men they fall in love with. It's a riveting story. And it all leads up to a tremendous spy-solving ending.

Book 4. Rembrandt Is in the Wind: Learning to Love Art through the Eyes of Faith by Russ Ramsey
278 pages, e-book, 4,5/5 stars.
Date of publication: 2022



A great combination of art history, biographies of painters and reflections on humanity and faith. I'm inspired to explore more of the artists he mentions.

Book 5. How to Read Prophecy by Joel B. Green
154 pages, paperback, 4/5 stars.
Date of publication: 1984



A good balanced overview of the prophetic literature in the Bible.

>22 ctpress: Looks like a good one!

>24 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita - It was fascinating to learn more about some famous painters and their struggles, especially Van Gogh.

Book 6. The Pilgrim Continues His Way by Anonymous
130 pages, e-book, 3,5/5 stars.
Date of publication: 1881



A russian orthodox pilgrim recounts his journey while practicing the Jesus Prayer and the secret of continuous praying. I liked the first book more - Way of the Pilgrim - there was more journey and conversations with people the pilgrim met. This one were mostly teaching on prayer - at least the second half of the book.

Hi Carsten, Weird because I had you starred and then I heard nothing further from you and then checked again today and you had been unstarred. How did that happen? So you are turning 60 this year, you spring chicken! i'm going to be turning 75. Yikes. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend with lots of book time and relaxing.

>27 mdoris: Well, good that you succeeded with that star, Mary :) Yes, it is becoming serious now with that big 6-0. Retirement is not that far away anymore. Still a way to go the 75 :)

Book 7. Miss Julie by August Strindberg
109 pages, e-book, 3/5 stars.
Date of publication: 1888

Book 8. The Clouds by Aristophanes
113 pages, e-book, 3/5 stars.
Date of publication: 423 BC
List: Book Lover's Guide to Great Reading



Aristophanes parody on science, Socrates and his rhetoric.

Book 9. The First Epistle Of Clement To The Corinthians by Clement of Rome
48 pages, e-book, 3,5/5 stars.
Date of publication: 96 AD

Book 10. The Art of Holy Week and Easter by Sister Wendy Beckett
96 pages, e-book, 4/5 stars.
Date of publication: 2021

Happy Easter, Carsten! I have a thread in the 75’s . Do stop by for a visit .Looks like you got some great Easter reading done .

>33 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deborah and a Happy Easter to you! Good news - great to have you back in the 75s. I've missed you.

I have been reading a lot the last two weeks, and have been behind logging on LT. Reading mostly history and theology lately, but also some novels.

I’ve missed you too , Carsten! Wonderful to “ see “ you.

Book 11. Solaris by Stanislaw Lem
224 pages, audiobook, 2/5 stars.
Date of publication: 1961



A Sci-Fi classic, but a very strange one. It started ok but soon went into a lot of philosophical speculations about the mystery of the planet the space station was hovering over. Some more action, please, Stanislaw.

Book 12. Når Gud er Tavs by Leif Andersen
107 pages, paperback, 4/5 stars.
Date of publication: 2015



The book's title is "When God is Silent". Leif Andersen deals with the fundamental question - if God is almighty, is he behind everything that happens in the world, and how do pain and suffering fit into God's overall plan?

Firstly he writes as a spiritual adviser to people who suffer - then he tackles the question more theologically.

Book 13. As You Like It by William Shakespeare
98 pages, paperback, 3/5 stars.
Date of publication: 1599

Hello Carsten, over to say hello and hoping all is well!

>36 ctpress: Sorry that was a bad read for you, Carsten. When God is Silent by Leif Andersen sounds like an interesting read.

>39 mdoris: Doing well, Mary. I turned sixty 1. April. And tomorrow, I will celebrate my 25th anniversary on the job at DR (Danish Radio). So soon I can concentrate on something other than parties and celebrations :)

>40 vancouverdeb: Sci-Fi is often hit-and-miss for me. Not my favorite genre.

Leif Andersen is one of my favorite Danish authors, and he's always bringing some interesting perspective to theological subjects.

As I told Mary - 25 years at the same place. Where have all the years gone? I've had many good years, also some hard years, but always many good colleagues.

Congratulations on 25 years at Danish Radio , Carsten ! Enjoy the many celebrations, my friend! Congratulations on your 60 birthday too! Just a youngster still . I turned 62 in January. 🥳🎂🎉 to Carsten!

>43 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deborah. Just a youngster, I'll buy that :) I will enjoy the celebrations tomorrow - I'm actually now the oldest person in the department....hmmm.

Yes, you are a spring chicken by my estimates. I am 74! It is a blink between 60 and 74 so watch out, the time flies. Good for you celebrating a 60th birthday and a 25th work anniversary so close together. You are my third pal to have a birthday on April 1st! They are very good people too, Ellen and Ken!

>45 mdoris: Good people born on April 1st. I like that. And you're right about time. Better enjoy each day, I also feel time is moving faster the older you get.

Yes, good people born on April 1 st . My brother in law is also an April Fool’s baby .

Slightly belated birthday, dear fellow.

>47 vancouverdeb: In good company, your brother-in-law is, Deborah :)

>48 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul.

Book 14. Smaragdsliberen by Anne-Cathrine Riebnitzsky
328 pages, paperback, 4/5 stars.
Date of publication: 2018



Read for book club. It's not translated into English. Here's a description of the novel, which I enjoyed a lot:

Pierre Levy falls dead from a cardiac arrest but miraculously returns to life. Nothing is as it was, but Pierre resumes playing chess with his childhood friend, the Muslim jeweler Youssef, and sets about what will become the masterpiece of his life: the grinding of an unusually large emerald.

Pierre's peaceful world stands in stark contrast to his daughter's life. Zara travels around the world as an art historian, and while mapping ancient cave paintings, she is kidnapped in the border area between Georgia and Azerbaijan.

Faced with the presence of death, both Zara and Pierre struggle to maintain an eye for the beauty of life.

Book 15. The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass, Aged 37 3/4 by Adrian Plass (reread)
128 pages, audiobook, 5/5 stars.
Date of publication: 1987



One reviewer called this "Bridget Jones' Diary for British Born-Agains". That is spot on. One of the funniest books I've ever read. And now I've listened to it again - read by Adrian Plass himself.

Both a hilarious and honest look at life in an evangelical church and life as a Christian in everyday life. How humiliating and embarrassing :)

You are doing really well with reading this year, Carsten! Happy reading!

>51 ctpress: That sounds fun, as a fellow Christian.

>52 vancouverdeb: I had a few weeks of very little reading, but now back to full steam. Yes, I recommend Adrian Plass for a good laugh. I also enjoyed his follow-up: Theatrical Tapes of Leo Thynn.

Glad to read that you are planning on read more of the Maisie Dobbs' series, Carsten . And I hope you enjoy The White Lady when you get to it. I can't quite remember where I heard of the new book, The White Lady, but I'm glad I did. Glad you reading at full steam - I'll be checking up on your new reads.

Stopping by to wish you well dear Carsten.

>54 vancouverdeb: I can see that I've read the first three Maisie Dobbs - not as many as I remember.

Right now, I've started on two very long books. A 32-hour audiobook Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell - very strange...and The Brothers Karamazov (a reread), 800+ pages. (That is besides some non-fiction slow reading).

>55 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. Yesterday after being at the stadium to watch my home town football team (we lost a derby...) I watched at home the end of the Liverpool-Tottenham match. That was a crazy finish!

Book 16. Den Sidste Spion (The Last Spy) by Leif Davidsen
270 pages, audiobook, 2,5/5 stars.
Date of publication: 1993



It took me a long time to find out the main plot. If there ever was one.

Book 17. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzhenitsyn
208 pages, audiobook, 5/5 stars.
Date of publication: 1962



“He ate his supper without bread. A double helping and bread--that was going too far. The bread would do for tomorrow. The belly is a demon. It doesn't remember how well you treated it yesterday; it'll cry out for more tomorrow.”

The novel is based primarily on his own experiences as a prisoner in one of Stalin's prison camps in Siberia. As the title indicates, the Russian author has zoomed in on a single prison camp, where we follow one day in one man's life.

Nevertheless, it is understood that this day represents all prisoners, all their days in all camps.

Although the prison tries to take away Ivan Denisovich's dignity and humanness, there’s something they can’t get to. His heart. His mind. His thoughts. His attitude towards the punishment.

The novel's great paradox and also miracle is that the reader experiences this day as one of the worst punishments: hunger, starvation, beatings, endless roll-calls, working in extremely cold winter weather, etc. We fear and dread to experience one of those days, while for Sjuhov, this is one of the good days.

Ivan Denisovich (also called Shuhov) manages to get an extra bowl of porridge in the morning, he doesn’t get sick at work, he keeps himself warm during the day, is lucky to buy some tobacco in the evening. And therefore, the novel ends prosaically:

“A day without a dark cloud. Almost a happy day. There were three thousand six hundred and fifty-three days like that in his stretch. From the first clang of the rail to the last clang of the rail. Three thousand six hundred and fifty-three days. The three extra days were for leap years.”

Time is a crucial factor. It's time that gets stolen from the prisoners, ten years, fifteen years, twenty years of punishment, but also times of the day, like waiting in line, like having to work on Sundays. The only time the prisoner has for himself is during the 5-10 minutes he eats his food. Shuhov takes extra good care of enjoying that time. Tasting carefully every spoon of soup. Not talking to anyone.

It’s my fifth reading - and with every read, I reflect on how precious life and time are. If Shuhov can sleep contended and satisfied, how much more I (with so much free time, a refrigerator full of food, etc.)

>59 ctpress: Hello Carsten. I just finished this book too, but unlike you it was my first time reading it! You are right. It is wise to reflect on how precious life and time are.

>60 mdoris: Thanks for the reply, Mary - have been away from LT for a while.

Book 18. At se Gud i Skønheden (Experience God in Beauty) by Jacob Munk
128 pages, ebook, 3/5 stars.
Date of publication: 2023



Description: "Jacob Munk himself has experienced how the experience of beauty can be an opening into the reality of faith. In the book, he unfolds the subject from theological and philosophical thinking and formulates a distinct theological contribution to the aesthetic debate".

It was very hard to follow Munk as he tries to develop an aesthetic from a theological viewpoint. But there were some interesting examples of art that I enjoyed.

Carsten , fabulous to see you! How are you keeping ? Glad to see you reading , and here on LT.

>63 vancouverdeb: I'm keeping up pretty well, Deborah. For the next two weeks, I'm on vacation - first in Sweden (Skåne) and then at a Bible camp in Denmark.

Book 19. Songbirds, Christy Leftery
336 pages, audiobook, 4/5 stars.
Date of publication: 2021



I think Leftery is best known for The Beekeeper of Aleppo, which I have to read also.

Description: "A stunning novel about the disappearance of a Sri Lankan nanny and how the most vulnerable people find their voices."

Best not to know too much of the plot going into this one. Beautifully written. Read for book club.

Enjoy your holiday. Hope it is a wonderful time for you!

>66 mdoris: Thanks, Mary. I am looking forward to some time off work. Going to do some hiking in the first week.

>65 ctpress: I will get to this one soon, especially after your enthusiasm.

Enjoy your hiking, Carsten.

>68 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul - it was a good trip, and I enjoyed the nature-walks very much.

Book 20. Orkansæsonen og stilheden af Anne-Cathrine Riebnitzsky
342 pages, audiobook, 3/5 stars.
Date of publication: 2018



Not as good as "Smaragdsliberen" I read earlier this year by her. This one has too many characters and storylines that are hard to follow, and some are not developed satisfactorily.

Book 21. The Island of Dr. Moreau by H. G. Wells (reread)
138 pages, paperback, 4,5/5 stars.
Date of publication: 1896



A.K.A. The Case Against Evolution.

This one was better than I remembered it. It takes some imagination to picture Doctor Moreau butchering the animals to create the perfect human - a vision that only leads to frustration. Along the way, there are philosophical ideas about the limits of technology and man's fate in a cold, impersonal universe.

After reading, I watched the movie adaptation The Island of Lost Souls (1932) on Criterion Channel. It was pretty good and suspenseful, as the plot differed significantly from the book. Added were two love interests (of course, Hollywood) and a very condensed riot among the creatures. With an (as always) excellent Charles Laughton as Dr. Moreau.

Carsten , so good to see you! I’ve never read The Island of Doctor Moreau but your review makes a compelling case to do so. Wonderful to have you here in the threads!

>72 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deborah. It's actually scary stuff at times. I'm planning to reread a few more of H. G. Wells soon.

Book 22. God on Mute by Pete Greig
304 pages, paperback, 5/5 stars.
Date of publication: 2007



A very personal and honest account of suffering and unanswered prayer. How God sometimes seems to be "on mute."

>74 ctpress: God on Mute sounds very interesting, Carsten . I’ve definitely experienced times in my life when I’ve wondered where God was . Unanswered prayer and suffering, yes . Fortunately lately life has been good .

>75 vancouverdeb: Yes, he tackles some complex issues - speaking of the pain, the doubt, the confusion, the unbelief amidst unanswered prayers - also admitting that often, we simply don't know what the reason is or what the answers are.

It's so good to hear that you are in a good place at the moment, Deborah - I have some weeks of work, a little sabbatical if you will for seven weeks - so I'm getting back to reading again, which is so good for my soul :)

Book 23. The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare
160 pages, paperback, 3/5 stars.
Date of publication: 1590



I'm not sure how to interpret The Taming of the Shrew. It's so wildly exaggerated slapstick—a parody of both male and female misdirected behavior. It's not ideal at all to read; it has to be experienced at the theatre, where I'm sure I would laugh a lot more than I did reading this.

Trying to read some classics and then watch an adaptation.



10 Things I Hate About You - 3,5/5 - watching this modern adaptation was a lot of fun. Julia Stiles is perfect as the grumpy teenager who hates everybody, until - of course - Heath Ledger steps in.

Book 24. The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (reread)
960 pages, paperback, 5/5 stars.
Date of publication: 1880



Massive, monumental. A wonderful reread. I think it loses some steam in the last third; too many characters and plots are not followed through. Dostoevsky's last novel - he did think about a follow-up novel focusing on Alyosha - but he died a few months after the book was published.