Den Hand Som Skälver

Finished the eight "Ann Lindell" book by Kjell Eriksson the other day. It is by far the best one in the series in my opinion. Kjell just announced that the series will end with the tenth book. These books should be coming to the U.S. in an English translation eventually. The problem is that usually it takes years before the translations are done. The one who waits though, will have something to look forward too.

I need to do some fly tying but only got to do half a dozen soft hackles the other night before I got a sore throat and my third cold of the season. I just can' t win this year. Not much else going on, signing off.

A productive weekend

I finally got all my fall duties done. I put in the second toilet in our second bathroom. I got my truck washed and now we are all set. It has been a long working around the house November. I got to go hiking with friend one Saturday though. I'm done with Kjell Eriksson's "Stenkistan". It was not one of his best but still, any Kjell Eriksson is good. I was sad to hear that he is wrapping up the Ann Lindell series with the tenth book. Currently, I'm reading another Malcolm Gladwell. It's called Blink. It is not as good as outliers but still a necessary read if you like Malcolm's books. Next I need to finish up a couple of more of Kjell Eriksson's and then move on to Malcolm Gladwell's "The Tipping Point. As you can see, fall is my reading time. I'm going to go on a hike Sunday after thanksgiving. Besides that not much else going on.

Harry Middleton

I finally finished Harry Middleton's "On The Spine Of Time". It is not an easy read as far as the flow of the language goes. It is very rich and describing in both terms of landscape and personalities. It is a decent read and one I recommend all fly fishers who fishes around these parts. I have actually read the book once before but didn't retain as much from it the first time. I still consider it to be an average book. It is recommended more for the idea that a well versed fly fisherman from the smokies just ought to have read it, if that makes sense. It has some funny parts in it and it will make you think twice about getting potato salad from a roadside diner next time you are out.

I have began another of Kjell Eriksson's "Ann Lindell" mysteries in my native language Swedish. It is a nice series of books which I found out will end with the tenth book, which just got released in Sweden. I guess I will have to get that one when I'm over in Sweden for Christmas.

A few old movies revisited

I have been hurting real bad in my arm after my accident two weeks ago. I have been trying to rest my arm and since we are having all this rain I thought it would be a good idea to watch some old movies again. I watched Sergio Leone's "A Fistful of Dollars" as well as "For a Few Dollars More", both are the weaker siblings in the Leone "Spaghetti western trilogy". However, I do not by any means suggest that they are not good. They are just not as good as "The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly. If you like the genre and if you like some operatic filming you are in for a treat with these. Another movie which I had forgotten how good it is, is "The Ballad of Cable Hogue". Jason Robard's, and Stella Stevens are out of this world in this one. It's a tragic love story with comedy mixed in. If you can stand westerns, with some humor you would love this one. The humor is not on par with Leone's but still, Peckinpah knew his stuff.

As for reading, I am currently rereading Harry Middleton's "On the Spine of Time". I will report on it later. I also just finished a swedish novel by Kjell Eriksson. It's in the Ann Lindell series. This particular one "Den Jord Som Skälver", has not yet been released in the U.S. I never understand how the book labels reason. They publish books out of sequence from foreign authors most of the time. Go figure.

Fishing will be done tomorrow if the rain holds off.

Another Swedish TV series and a book

I began watching another Swedish TV series "Mäklarna" It's starring the great Kjell Bergqvist who is so expressive in his whole being. No one can show emotions, feelings, and general despair as good as Kjell. I have loved him ever since I saw the great "Den Bästa Sommaren" in 1999. Mäklarna is a crazy comedy type of deal directed by Ulf Malmros, who directed "Smala Sussie" among other films. Smala Sussie is actually availalbe in the U.S. as an import if anyone is interested.

Mäklarna is kind of related to the American TV series"The Office" in the way it presents the story. In this show, we are in the world of real estate instead of the newspaper business. It begins in earnest, when Kjell loses his job, his wife, and his mom, all in the same day. He seeks help from an old real estate friend and soon after the friend dies. In the meantime, Kjell gets involved in a deal to help the friend with his daughter who also works in the real estate firm. The problem: She can't do anything right and our misfit Kjell has to take charge. Obviously this is not going to be easy. I don't want to write a review since I don't do reviews but let me say this: If you like bizarre crazy comedies you will love this. I doubt it's available in the U.S. though but if you are ever in Sweden or if someone makes a trip over there. Be on the lookout for it.

As for reading. I am currently reading the first book in the "Ann Lindell" series by Kjell Eriksson. It was published in 1999. I don't understand why his American label, published "The Princess of Burundi" first since it is actually in the middle of the series. I have noticed that a lot of translated work is not put out in chronolgical order. This is irritating to say the least. The first book is called "Den Upplysta Stigen" Which means; The shining path. Yes it is in reference to the Peruvian rebel group . It will probably be translated eventually into English. I have read about halfway through it and so far so good.

That's about it. Next weekend will be a very busy one. I have to take my truck to the shop for new tires and new spark plugs. I am also going to shampoo our carpet in the house as well as clean the entire house. Phew! I'm tired just writing about it. Until later.......