Paris Time
Water and windmills, greenness, Islets green;—
Willows whose Trunks beside the shadows stood
Of their own higher half, and willowy swamp:—
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Name : Judith
Blog : Leeswammes' Blog
Willows whose Trunks beside the shadows stood
Of their own higher half, and willowy swamp:—
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Name : Judith
Blog : Leeswammes' Blog
City / Country : (near) Utrecht, The Netherlands
Welcome Judith!
Tell us a little bit about you.
I’m a forty-something woman, but I don’t know how that happened: I do think I must be younger than that, for sure! I have a husband and 2 sons of 13 and 11. I don’t work right now. I enjoy being “at home” for the moment.
My hobbies are reading and blogging. I used to do a lot of genealogy, but I reached the point where I’ve found out enough about my ancestors and the rest is nit-picking. I also like swimming (once a week, with a friend) and walking (around the lake near my home, or in the woods).
Tell us a little bit about your blog.
My blog is mainly about books. I also like trying out new recipes, so sometimes you’ll find something food-related on my blog.
Tell us a little bit about your blog.
My blog is mainly about books. I also like trying out new recipes, so sometimes you’ll find something food-related on my blog.
Have you ever lived anywhere else in the world?
Yes, I lived in England for 15 years.
What countries have you visited?
Besides the Netherlands and UK, I’ve been to Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Austria, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Malta, South Africa, and USA (AZ).
Houses at the lake near where I live (it's a residential area with a lake in the middle)
What countries would you like to visit?
Houses at the lake near where I live (it's a residential area with a lake in the middle)
What countries would you like to visit?
I would love to visit New Zealand and maybe Japan. I would also like to go to the Far Oer islands that are situated between Scotland and Iceland.
According to you, what are the positive and negative aspects of being a book blogger in The Netherlands?
According to you, what are the positive and negative aspects of being a book blogger in The Netherlands?
Positive is that internet connections are usually good and we have no power cuts to speak of. I can get hold of most books that I want to read one way or another.
Negative is that there is no blogging community. I’ve looked for it during the last Bloggiesta but could not find anything like what I’m used to in the international community that we all belong to. I’ve started a Dutch blog recently (http://boekblogger.wordpress.com/) so I hope to get into contact with more Dutch bloggers that way.
What Dutch authors and books would you recommend?
My favorite author is W. F. Hermans, who published books between the 1940s and 1990s. My favorite book of all times is his book Nooit meer slapen, which is translated as Beyond Sleep.
Negative is that there is no blogging community. I’ve looked for it during the last Bloggiesta but could not find anything like what I’m used to in the international community that we all belong to. I’ve started a Dutch blog recently (http://boekblogger.wordpress.com/) so I hope to get into contact with more Dutch bloggers that way.
What Dutch authors and books would you recommend?
My favorite author is W. F. Hermans, who published books between the 1940s and 1990s. My favorite book of all times is his book Nooit meer slapen, which is translated as Beyond Sleep.
I also love Renate Dorrestein, a more contemporary author. Her Crying Shame is brilliant but really you can’t go wrong with her books. They are slightly surrealistic (you’d almost not notice) which is good fun.
How many languages do you speak?
How many languages do you speak?
I speak Dutch and English, a little bit of German and a tiny bit of French.
Do you read more in English or in Dutch?
Do you read more in English or in Dutch?
About equal I think. I read Dutch writers in Dutch (of course). For English writers, it depends on availability and whether I read them because they’re such good wordsmiths or because of the story. If it’s just for the story I might get the book in Dutch, but otherwise, I’ll try and get the English version.
Where do you usually buy your books?
Where do you usually buy your books?
I buy books from the local book store, from second hand stalls, and online: bol.com (the Dutch equivalent to amazon) or bookdepository.com.
Is getting your hands on foreign books tricky or easy (not mentioning online stores)?
Is getting your hands on foreign books tricky or easy (not mentioning online stores)?
Our local book shop has a selection of newly published English books, so that’s useful and the book store in Utrecht has a lot of English books, so I always check there when I’m in the neighborhood.
Every country has its clichés. What cliché about The Netherlands do you consider disproportionate?
Every country has its clichés. What cliché about The Netherlands do you consider disproportionate?
The drugs! You can get them at each street corner and no one bats an eyelid. Well it’s not true. You can get them at some street corner shops in Central Amsterdam and otherwise you really have to know where to go, because although it’s sort of legalized (soft drugs only), you can’t just buy it everywhere. And did you know that a higher percentage of UK and USA young people have tried some form of drugs than Dutch?
One of my overflowing book shelves (I'm getting new ones in a few weeks' time)
One quarter of The Netherlands is below sea level. If you could live under the sea, what creature would you like to be and why?
I honestly don’t like deep water all that much - I like to be able to stand in water! So, I’d have to be a shallow-water creature. Maybe I’d be seaweed and go with the flow.
Quick Q&A:
One of my overflowing book shelves (I'm getting new ones in a few weeks' time)
I honestly don’t like deep water all that much - I like to be able to stand in water! So, I’d have to be a shallow-water creature. Maybe I’d be seaweed and go with the flow.
Quick Q&A:
Favourite thing about living in The Netherlands: Low poverty level, most areas are neat and tidy.
Least favourite thing about living in The Netherlands: So many rules and regulations!
Favourite typically Dutch food: : Vla - it’s a bit like custard but more silky. It’s sold by the liter and people eat it for desert, usually plain. You can get vanilla vla, chocolate vla, strawberry vla, apple and pear vla, vanilla and caramel vla, etc.
Favourite place in The Netherlands: : I actually love the town where I live. Before we moved (back) to the Netherlands, we actively checked out towns to see which one we would like best. This was the one!
Favourite bookshop: Selexyz Broese in Utrecht.
Least favourite thing about living in The Netherlands: So many rules and regulations!
Favourite typically Dutch food: : Vla - it’s a bit like custard but more silky. It’s sold by the liter and people eat it for desert, usually plain. You can get vanilla vla, chocolate vla, strawberry vla, apple and pear vla, vanilla and caramel vla, etc.
Favourite place in The Netherlands: : I actually love the town where I live. Before we moved (back) to the Netherlands, we actively checked out towns to see which one we would like best. This was the one!
Favourite bookshop: Selexyz Broese in Utrecht.
Favourite Dutch author: W. F. Hermans.
Favourite Dutch singer/band: None, I don’t listen to music much.
Favourite Dutch singer/band: None, I don’t listen to music much.
Favourite kind of book to read while travelling: Something chick-lit.
Plane or train: Train: it’s great to be able to see the country side.
Plane or train: Train: it’s great to be able to see the country side.
Boat or bus: : Boat: they both make me feel sick, but on a boat at least you can get some fresh air.
Bike or feet: Bike: we Dutch do everything by bike, even short distances.
Bike or feet: Bike: we Dutch do everything by bike, even short distances.
Windmills are less common than you might think.
I only sometimes buy flowers, even though they’re quite cheap and cheerful here.
I only sometimes buy flowers, even though they’re quite cheap and cheerful here.
Thank you Judith! It was a pleasure having you up on the hill!
12 commentaires:
It is always nice to see someone else's pespective on your own country. I do think we think quite similarly about the Netherlands. And oh yes, the drug stereotype, even in Sweden that is the first thing people ask about. Always always having to explain it and always always getting asked for weed once people notice your Dutch on foreign pop/rock festivals.
Those houses, I think I see them regularly when we drive to family. I didn't know you lived there, they're so nice :)
I have only read one book by Renate Dorrestein and didn't enjoy it, although it was well written "een hart van steen". But you know so much more about Dutch authors, maybe I should let you make me a list of books to read :)
EEKS! Your fav bookstore really is Broese Selexyz??? I *have* to shop there sometimes but I really don't like it. They don't pick up the phone, they're awfully difficult about returning books, expensive... No, I prefer my indie bookstores in Utrecht!
Also: hopjesvla is my favourite! :))
@Iris, those houses are in the middle of a housing estate, so unless your family lives practically next door, you would not see them. You must know some other nice houses just like it!
I know you don't read many Dutch books so where do I start with recommendations? Well, maybe the book mentioned in the interview, Nooit meer slapen, would be a good start. It takes place in Norway, not too far from where you are now. A Dutch geologist goes to Northern Norway and has a difficult time there. I think it's brilliant!
@Gnoegnoe: Yes, I love Broese. They have such a great choice but I've never had to deal with customer services. I just buy one or more great books and leave again.
But my local indie is also really nice. It just doesn't have quite as much - especially the English section is smaller.
I think stoofpeertjesvla is my favorite (that's stewed pear vla).
That book shelf made me smile :)
I loved looking at your photos! The houses by the lake were so lovely :)
I only recently discovered Judith and her Book blog so this was an interesting read to learn more about her.
So great to hear more about you Judith! And yes, I would imagine the fact that they are more legalized there makes it less of a 'breaking the rules' thing so kids wouldn't care as much!
Oh that picture with the houses and lake is o pretty! I love this feature and seeing where everyone else lives :)
Love that you dont know how you became 40 something - me either.... I still think that doesnt fit me.... :)
What a fun post! I loved reading this one.
I love these kind of posts. It's always interesting to read more about other bloggers :)
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