So after nearly eight years in Texas, the military has decided that it's time for my family to relocate. . . (drumroll, please) and we're going to . . . .
Germany!!!
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| Not my new house. It's Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. |
We'll be moving sometime this summer, probably late June or early July -- only three months away. I'm going to do my best to keep up with blogging, but of course I have lots to do with sorting, packing, and putting our house up for sale. I hope everyone will understand if I'm not posting as much as usual. Of course we're sad to leave all our friends here in Texas, but I'm really excited to be moving to Europe -- especially because I lived in Germany on a summer exchange program back in high school.
And what to do with all my books??? I have to decide how many to take with me -- unread books, or beloved favorites? A combination? And I have to decide if I should read as many library books as possible before I leave -- (the base library won't have nearly the selection as the millions of books here in our public library system) -- or read my own books so I don't have to pack them!
I'm also trying to decide if I should read lots of shorter books and knock them off my TBR list, or try and read some of the big fat books because they're heavier and take longer. I'll have so much to do I suspect I won't be tackling any especially taxing books in the next few months -- probably a lot of easy comfort reads in the near future. Bloggers, what would you do? And which German authors do you recommend?
Wow, that's exciting news! And I'm so glad that you're thrilled about going there. Since you've been there before it will at least make part of the move easier. I've been to Cologne, Passau, Wiesbaden and Lörrach (on the Swiss-German-French border). I had expected to be unimpressed with Germany, but I really loved it.
ReplyDeleteIf you're near a city, perhaps you can find a good English bookstore. As for German authors, I really like Heinrich Heine for poetry. Otherwise, I read The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann ...... interesting psychologically, but I wouldn't call it an enjoyable experience. Nietzsche I'd only read if you want your brain to explode. ;-) I've enjoyed children's authors, like Cornelia Fünke and Michael Ende.
Have a wonderful, wonderful move and all the best in your journey and this new exciting experience!
Love the Magic Mountain
DeleteI think you will love the boost you get from dealing with a different culture. I have never regretted being suddenly planted in the us when I thought I was headed for Paris. I am not really knowledgeable about German authors, but I am sure there are some very interesting ones to discover ( for us).
ReplyDeleteDo go to Berlin, patricularly East Berlin. It gives a perspective to our post WWII reading.
Thank goodness for e-books when there are weight and volume limits.
Enjoy!
Oh, that is so exciting!! I need you to post lots about where you end up. (Also I *just* acquired a book called Germania, all about German culture and stuff, and it looks really fun. Just saying.)
ReplyDeleteThat IS a problem though. I say read a lot of little short books now and knock them out, then take the heavy ones. Or get used to reading a Kindle? It just is not possible to take an adequate supply along, and books are expensive in Germany, and your base library really won't have as much as you want. Oh dear. But hey, think of all the lovely fun you will have. :)
Oh, and I like Stephen Zweig.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is exciting news! Germany is a fascinating country, and I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time.
ReplyDeletePicking books to take with you is always such a challenge! I'd definitely recommend taking at least a few favourites to have on hand. I usually always take at least one Terry Pratchett book with me wherever I go, because I know I'm always in the mood to read his books. :)
I haven't read much German fiction, although I did read 'All Quiet on the Western Front' a while back, which was a tough read but very much worth it.
How exciting for you and your family, and the fact that you are so happy about it will probably make the transfer easier. It's easy to say what one would do when it's someone else and not oneself, but I would probably leave my read books and bring unread books. In the caos of packing and stuff I would read short books because my concentration would be almost non-existing.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for you Karen! and maybe I'll come visit you in Germany sometime. :D I'll miss you around here, though. As for the books, I'd totally go with your gut as much as possible. Don't stress it! Both times that I was moving, I just wanted to read fluff. Totally okay. :)
ReplyDeleteWow. That's an exciting move. Think of all the places in Europe you can go see just by hopping on a train! Be sure to take a few of your favorite books; I always want something familiar when everything else is foreign. Wish I knew some great German authors, but I've only read a few like Nele Neuhaus (she writes thrillers/mysteries) and, of course, The Sorrow of Young Werther by Goethe. Good luck!!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! You are going to have SUCH an adventure. I hope your fam/friends will send along care packages full of proper salsa and that sort of thing, haha.
ReplyDeleteSee if your local library offers borrowable e-books. Of course if you prefer print it's not quite the same, but it will at least expand your selection of free reading material while you're overseas. Our local library also has borrowable e-movies and e-music. And if I remember correctly, if your card number expires but you keep your Texas "residency" you should still be eligible to renew it, if your library is a member of TexShare.
Whaaaaat! That's amazing! I hope you and your family absolutely love it.
ReplyDeleteFor the books question, I vote for bringing some favorites and depending on Scribd or a similar service for new books. And YES you should totally renew your Texas library card early so you can keep using their online holdings.
This sounds like such a fun move! I have some friends that moved to Geneva and it seems like a great experience.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite German author, Walter Moers, doesn't write about Germany at all but a fantastical world called Zamonia.
That's so exciting, Karen! My father was based in Germany at one point so I was born in Hemer and several of my first words were German rather than English.
ReplyDeleteAll the best as you read your way through German landscapes...and weed your book collection!
That's definitely going to be quite a change from Texas. I only know Bavaria but I must say that it isn't my favourite place, it'll at least be cooler. I think I would take comfort books and you can read lots of classics on your Kindle.
ReplyDeleteWhat exciting news. A whole new country to explore. The book choice will be tough--I would opt for a mix of both old and unread. You'll need some comfort reads, but having new titles is always exciting.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes...I assume this means you won't be at the JASNA AGM this Oct :)
How exciting. I'm always a little envious when someone gets to pack up and start something new. Have you read The Lost Honor of Katerina Blum by Heinrich Boll? That might be a good one for after your move.
ReplyDeleteBig changes are both exciting and scary. Ive only visited Texas I once, and I have family in Germany... my preference is Germany... good luck with the plans and the TBR pile. Im atrocious atvreading under pressure so i cant give advice. Just pick things you'll enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited for you. My husband travels to Germany on business and tells us how beautiful the architecture is. Well, he shows us pictures and video. This should be a great experience for you. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy Germany! I hope you keep book blogging.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! I lived in Germany for most of the 1990s and as I recall the German libraries in Stuttgart and Frankfurt had an excellent selection of books in English. Also, you can check out your local Amerika Haus or British Council (provided you live near a bigger city which has such organization) which will probably have a library in them. Where I lived in Düsseldorf there was also an English library run by volunteers called Die Brücke (I just googled it, it is still there). So if you poke around, you will find stuff I bet! And you can always plan a weekend in Amsterdam. As I recall, there was a really lively second hand market for books there.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I haven’t read much German literature. So I really can’t recommend any German authors! Although I have been curious to read Effi Briest by Theodor Fontane. Maybe I should pick that for my 2016 Back to the Classics book in translation!
I do hope you keep blogging even if it is less frequent than normal!
How exciting!! My husband is German so we travel to Germany every year to visit his family and I love it. I wish we could live there and hopefully we will get a chance to do so in the future. And, you are moving at a perfect time - just in time to escape the Texas heat! :)
ReplyDeleteHow exciting for you, I am a little bit jealous. How great to move to Europe and be employed so you can stay a while. Think of all the countries you can visit. Don't worry too much about your dear books, a library or friends would love to have any you don't ship over there.
ReplyDeleteI kept thinking about this post since I read it.
ReplyDeleteFirst, congratulations. It's going to be a wonderful adventure for you, I'm sure.
About books. Lately I'm using my library overdrive (application that can be used on phones or electronics, through which you can read books or listen to audios). If your library has this digital service, you can return or place hold on books no matter where you are in the world. You will surely find your books and book stores, etc. I'm sure of it! And we'll be here to read all about it.
So excited for you!! Even as I realize the stress of it all. Read all the short ones and . . . Oh whatever. Can't you temporarily store a few books with friends? If I was there, I would accept some. But yea, NOT HELPFUL!! Sorry.
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