Shalee lhaih 2013: Shiaghtin 40

Jerrey daeedoo hiaghtin ny Shallee Lhaih. Ren Blogger scryssey magh ny screeu mee lesh cree as laue, my shen ta mee fergagh dy liooar. Shoh ny lhiah mee yn çhiaghtin shoh chaie:

Toradora y.l. 2 (Takemiya Yuyuko)

Ny smoo er daa aegidagh ta cur aggle er sleih gyn yeearree, as ny contoyrtyssyn oc rish shirrey graih. Er lhiam nagh row eh wheesh mie as y chied lioar. Ta ny karracteyryn corragh dy liooar, as ny mraane erskyn ooilley, as ta shen jannoo y skeeal faase. Chammah's shen, ta lheid y skeeal lhiggey er dy vel raghlid mraane lhiggalagh tra nagh beagh raghlid fir, as dy vel eh aitt ga dy beagh eh agglagh dy yinnagh fir ny reddyn cheddin.

Toradora y.l. 3 (Takemiya Yuyuko)

Ny smoo reesht. Er lhiam dy vel y skeeal shoh faagail y bun neuchramp v'echey, mychione daa aegidagh gyn caarjyn shirrey caarjys as graih, as t'ad jannoo assyn skeeal mychione mraane aegey caggey son gilley.

Foiled y.l. 1 (Jane Yolen)

Skeeal anaasoil as taitnyssagh mychione ben aegidagh ta currit da cliwederaght. Rish insh y skeeal, ta shin feddyn magh mychione y vea eck as y lught-thie. Cha nel caardjyn eck er y fa nagh vel ee ry-chur ayns possan sheshoil erbee 'sy scoill, agh ta bree as sheiltynys dy liooar eck. As eisht ta reddyn yindyssagh goaill toshiaght. By vie lhiam Aliera, as yn annym jialgagh eck, as y ven-vooinjerey eck myrgeddin. Cha nel eh dyn lhiettal dy vel ad cloie gammanyn cloie paart noadyr :)

Jones y plisman (John Aelod Jones)

Cha row mee shickyr cre'n torçh dy liooar v'ayn hoshiaght, agh dooar mee dy nee skeeal aitt as kiune t'ayn, mychione cooish 'olliaghtagh ayns balley beg çheerey Vretin, as dooiney er coayl. T'eh er Jones y chooish y 'easyley (gyn monney mian, son t'eh lhiastey dy liooar, agh ta'n ven echey shassoo er) agh ta ymmyrkey quaagh ny cummaltee, sheiltynys goan Yones as cooney saggyrt goaldagh cur er reddyn ve lane fud-y-cheilley. Ga dy vel JA Jones screeu dy goan, ta'n skeeal baghtal as screeuit dy mie, er lhiam. By vie lhiam eddyr-obbraghyn ny karracteyryn as feaysley jerrinagh ny cooish.

Celtic design : a beginner's manual (Aidan Meehan)

Laue-lioar ellyn er aghtyn dys jannoo jesheenaghey 'sy çhenn aght Celtiagh. Fondagh dy liooar, er lhiam, agh cha nel mee jesheenaghey monney! Ta ny caslyssyn ymmydoil, agh beagh eh ny share dy beagh ny coontaghyn roo ny s'leayrey.

Aqua y.l. 1 (Amano Kozue)

Manga kiune mychione ben aeg ta goll dys Mart dys ynsaghey dy ve ny gondoleyr. Ta'n skeeal jus mychione Mart, eddyr-obbraghyn marish co-obbree, as y lheid. By vie lhiam yn aght kiune echey, agh shegin dou gra nagh vel monney taghyrt 'sy skeeal! S'goan ny focklyn t'ayn chammah, myr shen she skeeal ass caslyssyn t'ayn, bunnys. Agh ta ny caslyssyn mie dy liooar.

Oreimo y.l. 3 (Fushimi Tsukasa)

Shegin dou gra nagh noddym lowal anaase y 'neen er y chooid cheintyssagh t'ee currit da; agh t'eh jeeaghyn dy vel y lheid ny s'cadjiney 'syn Çhapaan aght ennagh. Er y laue elley, s'mie lhiam foast eddyr-obbraghyn ny karracteyryn, as yn aght ta shuyr as braar çheet dy ve nyn caardjyn gyn scansh da'n scansh aigney as ymmyrkey t'eddyr oc. As s'mie lhiam lhaih stoo er nerdyn elley :)

Agh chionnee mee yn chooid smoo jeusyn ta heose, as hug my charrey dou fer elley 'syn Çheenish!

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The end of week forty of the Reading Project. Blogger inexplicably deleted my long, lovingly-written piece so I'm very annoyed. Here's what I've read this week:

Toradora v. 2 (Takemiya Yuyuko)

More about two adolescents who unintentionally frighten their classmates, and their slow-burn attempts to help each other win over their crushes. I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first. I found the characters a bit erratic, particularly the girls, which I felt weakened the story - people inexplicably taking offence or getting angry, and so on. Also, it's inclined to treat female violence as permissible and even basically harmless and funny, whereas of course male characters would be monsters if they acted similarly (and so don't). Not a huge issue, but it's a bit tiresome.

Toradora v. 3 (Takemiya Yuyuko)

And more. I feel like this story is shifting away from its original simple beginning (two youngsters without many friends looking for comradeship and love) and becoming a story about girls quarreling over control of a boy. It's not terrible, but I'm definitely less interested in it.

Foiled v. 1 (Jane Yolen)

An interesting, enjoyable story about a keen teenage fencer. As the story unfolds, we learn more about her life and family. Because her life and interests don't fit any social boxes, she ends up excluded at school, but she's lively and imaginative. Then fantastical things begin to happen. I liked Aliera and her slightly prickly self, and her cousin too. It didn't hurt that they mostly hang out to play RPGs :)

Jones y plisman (John Aelod Jones)

I wasn't sure what to expect here to begin with, but I found it to be a calm and entertaining story about the strange case of a missing man in a Welsh village. Jones the policeman is reluctantly obliged (mostly by his wife's determination) to try and solve the case, but the strange behaviour of the locals, Jones' rather limited imagination and the help of a visiting preacher combine to complicate matters enormously. Although JA Jones writes quite sparsely, the story's clear and effective, in my view. I enjoyed the interactions of various characters and the resolution of the story.

Celtic design : a beginner's manual (Aidan Meehan)

An artistic handbook on techniques for traditional Celtic design. As I don't really do much ornamentation, all I can say is it seemed decent. The illustrations were plentiful and good, but could have done with slightly clearer explanations - maybe a bit of numbering or some arrows to highlight what Meehan was talking about.

Aqua v. 1 (Amano Kozue)

A slow-paced, gentle manga about a young woman who travels to future Mars to become a gondolier (it makes sense in context). The story is basically just about Mars, her getting to know people and such ordinary things. I enjoyed the soothing tone of the story, but I have to say that as a result, not much happens. It's fairly short on dialogue, and at times is almost a picture book. But it's done well.

Oreimo v. 3 (Fushimi Tsukasa)

Well, I've got to say that I can't really condone the heroine's taste for the sort of sexual material she's obsessed with. It seems, from this and a bit of other reading, that that sort of thing is more acceptable in Japan. However, I do enjoy the character interactions, and the way a very different sister and brother are gradually making friends despite their vast differences of taste and opinion. And I do like reading about nerds.

But I bought most of the above recently, and my friend gave me another in Chinese!

Macrotastic

I've ended up creating several macros for work recently, some of which took a bit of research, so I thought I should share them here.

This is not the most elegant code in the world. I was asked to do a load of jobs involving repetitive, tedious and precise changes to large numbers of spreadsheets, with quite short deadlines for turnaround. It was also not clear how many there'd be in the future. In this situation, spending a lot of time producing beautiful, elegant, foolproof, robust code is a mug's game, and I'd just have missed my deadlines. Instead, I hacked together something that would work.

In a few cases I've tried to make things flexible or robust, but others are rigid. One issue is, of course, that unless you've got good information on the data you're going to be working on, you can't make things that robust. For example, it often:

• wasn't possible to establish how many rows or columns might be involved
• wasn't possible to guarantee that columns would have exactly the same names
• wasn't possible to guarantee unique terms in any column title
• wasn't possible to guarantee that data would come with particular formats
• wasn't possible to guarantee clean data

This sort of this puts the kibosh on many techniques for automatically selecting data for processing, but I did my best.

Find and replace macro

Sub Nullify()
'
' Removes NULL from workbook
'
    Cells.Replace What:="NULL", Replacement:="", lookat:=xlPart, SearchOrder _
        :=xlByRows, MatchCase:=False, SearchFormat:=False, ReplaceFormat:=False

End Sub

Replace value in a single column

Sub Dating()
'changes date values and formats that still show the default value 01011900
    
    Dim lngRow As Long
    Dim BotRow As Long
    
'selects the last used cell in column Y, without using the problematic "UsedRange" group of properties
    Cells(Rows.Count, "Y").Select
'select all cells above this cell, i.e. all of column Y that might contain data
    Selection.End(xlUp).Select
    BotRow = Selection.Row
    For lngRow = 1 To BotRow
'straightforward replacement of text
        If Cells(lngRow, "Y") = "01011900" Then
            Cells(lngRow, "Y") = "NOT"
        End If
    Next
End Sub

Insert new fields in predictable places

As is often the case, this isn't the most elegant way to achieve something - in this case, repeatedly calling the same function. However, it is extremely simple and very easy to error test, compared to anything involving looping through arrays.

Sub New_Fields()
'inserts new fields by calling Insertion repeatedly

    Dim Ws As Worksheet
    Set Ws = ActiveSheet

    Call Insertion("Surname", "Surname and Initials")
    Call Insertion("dept", "preferredDept")
'...etc
End Sub

Sub Insertion(LookFor As String, Entitle As String)
'inserts a column to the left of a specified existing column
  Dim t As Range

'search the top row
  With ActiveSheet.Rows(1)
'find a column called "LookFor"
   Set t = .Find(LookFor, lookat:=xlWhole)
     If Not t Is Nothing Then
'when found, insert a new column to the left with name=Entitle
        Columns(t.Column).EntireColumn.Select
        ActiveCell.EntireColumn.Insert
        ActiveCell.Value = Entitle
     End If
  End With

End Sub

Populate a blank field by concatenating existing fields

Sub Concatenate_Name()
'creates the "Surname and Initials" field based on existing fields

  Dim sur As Range
  Dim ini As Range
  Dim rangeList As String
  Dim r As Range

'search the top row
  With ActiveSheet.Rows(1)
    Set sur = .Find("Surname", lookat:=xlWhole)
     If Not sur Is Nothing Then
    Set ini = .Find("Inits", lookat:=xlWhole)
         If Not ini Is Nothing Then
    
        'find a column called "Surname"
           Set t = .Find("Surname and Initials", lookat:=xlWhole)
                 If Not t Is Nothing Then
        'when found, create a range based on this column
                Let rangeList = t.Column & t.Row & ":" & ActiveSheet.UsedRange.Rows.Count & t.Column
                'select a range from the top of the found column, to the end of this column; the following code picks the last row number used on the sheet, which is a passable proxy
                Set r = Range(Cells(t.Row, t.Column), Cells(ActiveSheet.UsedRange.Rows.Count, t.Column))
                    For Each Cell In r
                    'activate that cell so it can pull in the corresponding name details
                        Cell.Activate
                        If Cell.Value = "" Then
                        'if blank, concatenate the values from the existing name cells
                            PartOne = Cells(ActiveCell.Row, sur.Column)
                            PartTwo = Cells(ActiveCell.Row, ini.Column)
                            Cell.Value = (PartOne & ", " & PartTwo)
                        End If
                    Next
            
            End If
        End If
    End If
    End With

'freeze the sheet so the top row and the new "Surname and Initials" column are visible
    Cells(t.Row + 1, t.Column + 1).Activate
    ActiveWindow.FreezePanes = True
End Sub

Rename columns

Sub Fix_Names()
'renames fields from exports to match those required by departments.

'call a load of instances of Change_Name with the appropriate parameters
    Call Change_Name("ABC", "abc")
    Call Change_Name("Multiple Submission", "multipleSubmission")

'...and so ad infinitum
End Sub

Sub Change_Name(LookFor As String, Alter As String)
'changes the value in a top-row cell
  Dim t As Range

'search the top row
  With ActiveSheet.Rows(1)

'find a column called "LookFor"
   Set t = .Find(LookFor, lookat:=xlWhole)
     If Not t Is Nothing Then

'when found, replace the cell's value with the value of Alter
        Cells(1, t.Column).Value = Alter
     End If
  End With
End Sub

Changing borders and colours

A weird one. There were some quite specific formats demanded in terms of how some spreadsheets looked, and doing this by hand (and checking you'd done it) was a pain. Nobody will be copy-pasting this, but you might find something relevant in here.

Sub Decorator()
'
' Decorator Macro
' Changes the format of grids and cells
'

'select all cells
    ActiveSheet.UsedRange.Select

'remove existing borders and add new grey ones
    Selection.Borders(xlDiagonalDown).LineStyle = xlNone
    Selection.Borders(xlDiagonalUp).LineStyle = xlNone
    Selection.Borders(xlEdgeLeft).LineStyle = xlNone
    Selection.Borders(xlEdgeTop).LineStyle = xlNone
    Selection.Borders(xlEdgeBottom).LineStyle = xlNone
    Selection.Borders(xlEdgeRight).LineStyle = xlNone
    Selection.Borders(xlInsideVertical).LineStyle = xlNone
    Selection.Borders(xlInsideHorizontal).LineStyle = xlNone
    Selection.Borders(xlDiagonalDown).LineStyle = xlNone
    Selection.Borders(xlDiagonalUp).LineStyle = xlNone
'sets the left border to be continuous thin grey
    With Selection.Borders(xlEdgeLeft)
        .LineStyle = xlContinuous
        .ThemeColor = 1
        .TintAndShade = -0.349986266670736
        .Weight = xlThin
    End With
'and so on for the other borders
    With Selection.Borders(xlEdgeTop)
        .LineStyle = xlContinuous
        .ThemeColor = 1
        .TintAndShade = -0.349986266670736
        .Weight = xlThin
    End With
    With Selection.Borders(xlEdgeBottom)
        .LineStyle = xlContinuous
        .ThemeColor = 1
        .TintAndShade = -0.349986266670736
        .Weight = xlThin
    End With
    With Selection.Borders(xlEdgeRight)
        .LineStyle = xlContinuous
        .ThemeColor = 1
        .TintAndShade = -0.349986266670736
        .Weight = xlThin
    End With
    With Selection.Borders(xlInsideVertical)
        .LineStyle = xlContinuous
        .ThemeColor = 1
        .TintAndShade = -0.349986266670736
        .Weight = xlThin
    End With
    With Selection.Borders(xlInsideHorizontal)
        .LineStyle = xlContinuous
        .ThemeColor = 1
        .TintAndShade = -0.349986266670736
        .Weight = xlThin
    End With
    
'main body cells
    Range("C5").Activate
    With Selection
        .HorizontalAlignment = xlGeneral
        .VerticalAlignment = xlCenter
        .Orientation = 0
        .AddIndent = False
        .IndentLevel = 0
        .ShrinkToFit = False
        .ReadingOrder = xlContext
        .MergeCells = False
    End With
    With Selection.Font
        .Name = "Tahoma"
        .Size = 10
        .Strikethrough = False
        .Superscript = False
        .Subscript = False
        .OutlineFont = False
        .Shadow = False
        .Underline = xlUnderlineStyleNone
        .TintAndShade = 0
        .ThemeFont = xlThemeFontNone
    End With
'headers
    Rows("1:1").Select
    With Selection
        .HorizontalAlignment = xlLeft
        .VerticalAlignment = xlCenter
        .WrapText = True
        .Orientation = 90
        .AddIndent = False
        .IndentLevel = 0
        .ShrinkToFit = False
        .ReadingOrder = xlContext
        .MergeCells = False
    End With
    With Selection.Font
        .Name = "Arial"
        .FontStyle = "Bold"
        .Strikethrough = False
        .Superscript = False
        .Subscript = False
        .OutlineFont = False
        .Shadow = False
        .Underline = xlUnderlineStyleNone
        .TintAndShade = 0
        .ThemeFont = xlThemeFontNone
    End With
    
'sets columns to be various colours
  Call Colourize
End Sub Sub Colourize()

  Dim myColour As String

'set all the headers to various colours, but leave other cells as some rows contain highlighting of some kind - at least it'll persist in the white columns
  Range(Cells(1, 1), Cells(1, ActiveSheet.UsedRange.Columns.Count)).Select
  Selection.Interior.ColorIndex = 2

'go through an array of column names, and call the Colourer function with the name and a set of RGB values
  greys = Array("div", "dept", "staff") 'and so on
  For i = LBound(greys) To UBound(greys)
    myColour = greys(i)
    Call Colourer(myColour, 191, 191, 191)
  Next i

  loranges = Array("startdate", "startcon", "contrend") 'and so on
  For i = LBound(loranges) To UBound(loranges)
    myColour = loranges(i)
    Call Colourer(myColour, 253, 253, 217)
  Next i

'and you get the idea - there's quite a few of these in the full version

End Sub

Sub Colourer(LookFor As String, ColourR As Integer, ColourG As Integer, ColourB As Integer)
'changes the fill colour of a column
    Dim t As Range
'search the top row
  With ActiveSheet.Rows(1)

  'find a column called "LookFor"
      Set t = .Find(LookFor, lookat:=xlWhole)
      If Not t Is Nothing Then
  'make that column the chosen colour
          Columns(t.Column).EntireColumn.Select
          Selection.Interior.Color = RGB(ColourR, ColourG, ColourB)
  
      End If
  End With
End Sub

Shalee lhiah 2013: Jerrey Mean Fouyir

Jerrey nuyoo vee ny shalee.

Hoshiaght ny bleeaney: 128 lioaryn

Hoshiaght ny mee: 79 lioaryn

• Lhaiht aym:
• Sheyoo hiaghtin jeih as feed: 1 (chionnit)
• Shiaghtoo hiaghtin jeih as feed: 1 (chionnit)
• Hoghtoo hiaghtin jeih as feed: 2 (1 chionnit)
• Nuyoo hiaghtin jeih as feed: 3 (2 chionnit)
• Nagh row er y rolley: 0
• Goit aym: 4
• Scryssit er bun elley: 0

Myr shen, ta mee er scryssey 2 ass y rolley as ta 77 faagit er. Agglagh!

• Lioaryn lhaiht aym y vlein shoh (y chied cheayrt): 84 (ny smoo na ta er-mayrn!)

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End of the ninth month of Reading Project.

The Beginning: 128 books

The start of this month: 79 books

• Read this month:
• Week thirty-six: 1 (new)
• Week thirty-seven: 1 (new)
• Week thirty-eight: 2 (1 new)
• Week thirty-nine: 3 (2 new)
• Not on the list: 0
• Bought: 4
• Chucked out unread: 0

That takes two measly books (okay, one quite large one) off the list, leaving 77.

• Books read (for the first time) this year: 84 (more than are left!)

Shalee lhaih 2013: Shiaghtin 39

Jerrey nuyoo hiaghtin jeih as feed ny Shallee Lhaih. Shoh ny lhiah mee yn çhiaghtin shoh chaie:

The Gods Themselves (Isaac Asimov)

Skeeal far-skeealaght heanse bentyn rish ynlaght noa: saase dy vaylartey stoo eddyr rieaughidyn, as myr shen dy gheddyn bree. Ta'n ynlaght shen stiurey bishaghey deiney rish bleeantyn, as shimmey eiyrtys mie t'echey, agh ta fer ny ghaa feddyn magh dy vel eiyrtys atçhimagh ry-heet. Ta'n skeeal rheynnit ayns tree: rheynn 'sy theihll ain, rheynn meanagh ayns 'sy rieughid elley, as jerrey 'sy teihll ain myrgeddin. T'eh castreycair, agh er lhiam nagh row y mean wheesh mie; s'doillee ass towse eh screeu ass tuarym cretoor ass rieughid elley, dy shickyr, as dennee mee dy row y rheynn shen trome as beggan moal, ga dy row anaase echey. Er lhiam dy row eh soilshaghey bea as aigney ny cretooryn elley, son y chooid smoo, as ga dy row ny cooishyn shen anaasoil dy liooar ny keayrtyn, cha row ad agh bentynagh rish y skeeal hene. Ny yei shen, ghow mee soylley jeh'n oik-reill as politickaght ho-chredjue lhiett sleih voish feaysley ny doilleeidyn v'ayn. As cha ren Asimov eab moal er screeu ass tuarym joarree noadyr.

Haganai y.l. 2 (Hirasaka Yomi)

Skeeal aitt elley mychione possan dy 'leih aegey gyn caarjyn, er y fa dy vel ad quaagh dy liooar. T'ee ommidjagh, agh cha nel mee shassoo noi 'sy skeeal shoh. Ghow mee ram soylley jee. Chionnee mee ish son lioar aashagh ayns shiaghtin chreoi; cha nel ee ass y charnane, atreih!

Haganai y.l. 3 (Hirasaka Yomi)

Rere heose.

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The end of week thirty-nine of the Reading Project. Here's what I've read this week:

The Gods Themselves (Isaac Asimov)

A hardish sci-fi story about a new invention: a way to obtain limitless energy by exchanging matter with parallel universes with different natural laws. The invention determines human development for years, with many admirable results, but a small group of scientists discover some terrible consequences to come. The story's in three parts, with the middle section in the parallel universe. To be honest I found this a bit mediocre; with the difficulty of writing from an alien point of view in an alien culture, the section felt quite stodgy, heavily focused on expositing the aliens' (admittedly semi-interesting) lives and mostly tangential at best to the rest of the story. On the other hand, I enjoyed the believable way that bureaucracy, politics and personal interests obstructed the good of humanity. Asimov's characterisation continues to feel a little bit lacking, but it's by no means awful.

Haganai v. 2 (Hirasaka Yomi)

Another fun read about a group of teenagers who don't have any real friends because they're all bizarre. It's daft, but I don't have a problem with this kind of daftness here. I enjoyed it; sadly these are something I bought for an easy read in a tough week, so they don't shrink the pile.

Haganai v. 3 (Hirasaka Yomi)

As above.

Shalee lhaih 2013: Shiaghtin 38

Jerrey hoghtoo hiaghtin jeih as feed ny Shallee Lhaih. Shoh ny lhiah mee yn çhiaghtin shoh chaie:

The Mammoth book of short fantasy novels (ymmodee)

As ish ny lioar-haglymit, verrym shilley bieau da dagh skeeal. Trooid as trooid ghow mee ram soylley assjee; va skeeal ayn nagh b'vooar lhiam ee, as daa elley as troyn oc voir orrym.

• "The Gate of the Flying Knives" liorish Poul Anderson. Tappee as lane anaase; she contoyrtys beg t'ayn, picaresque as pishagys anaasoil aynjee.
• "Unicorn Tapestry" liorish Suzy McKee Charnas. Fansee "jeianagh" beggan quaagh, lane dy chooid fallsoonagh-shickoaylleeagh v'ad coontey mooar jeh ayns ny 1970yn. Ben-hickoayllee smooinee er va surransagh oc ny hooder-folley ny dyn, as er jibbag. Ronsaghey ennagh er aigney ben 'sy çhymbyllaght shen, foddey, agh cha by vooar lhiam ee, chamoo v'ee olk. Quaagh, shen ooilley.
• "Sleep Well of Nights" liorish Avram Davidson. Skeeal neughooghyssagh, cha nee fansee hene t'ayn. V'ee meein as kenjal, as ga dy row eh dooillee toiggal eh ny keayrtyn, ghow mee soylley jeh.
• "Black Heart and White Heart" liorish H. Rider Haggard. Contoyrtys-yillyn rere y çhenn aght 'syn Affrick. Ta contoyrtyssagh bane ayn, lane henelys as kialgagh dy lioor; dy cadjin ta'n lheid screeuit myr ard-charracteyr y skeeal, as yn ughtar gyn cur enney da falleilys yn 'er, agh ta Haggard toiggal dy mie. Ta'n skeeal feeit mygeayrt cummaght olk yn 'er, as she ny fir ghorrym ta feniee y skeeal, ga dy vel drogh-ir nyn mast'oc myrgeddin. Beggan creoi ny keayrtyn, er coontey reddyn olk ta taghyrt, agh mie dy liooar.
• "Red Nails" liorish Robert E Howard. Um. Wahll, by vie lhiam y chaayr ard-yindyssagh varroo, as ny cummaltee keoie as y sheer-chaggey folley eddyr oc, as y caggey noi y jiolgan atçhimagh. Agh t'eh goaill toshiaght marish ben-feniagh ta goll er ceau magh rish duillag ny ghaa er son Conan. As ta Conan, 'sy skeeal shoh, ny vaarder as ny vock mooar, ta loaghtey y ven noi e mian tra t'ad shirrey aght dy scapail y veishteig. Cha nel tro erbee echey ta feeu yindys agh y schlei caggee echey. Atreih.
• "Storm in a Bottle" liorish John Jakes. Skeeal aitt, as y karracteyr shirrey aght dy scapail ny mooie-cheeaylley ree as y pishagagh echey, as y jees oc lane chialg.
• "Ill Met in Lankhmar" liorish Fritz Leiber. Screeut dy mie, as lane phishagys quaagh as dorraghey. Ta'n skeeal hene dorraghey dy liooar, agh she contoyrtys mie t'ayn ny yei shen. By vie lhiam ny karracteyryn, as by hreih lhiam dy varr eh ny mraane - dennee mee dy row blass beg "fridging" er shen, ga nagh row yn eie shen ayn tra screeu eh eh.
• "The Lands Beyond the World" liorish Michael Moorcock. Feer whaagh, agh ayns aght mie. Ta Moorcock jannoo obbyr 'ondagh jeh seihll ashlishagh as ard-charracteyr nagh vel ny ghooinney agh red ennagh elley. Ghow mee ram soylley jeh.
• "A Man and His God" liorish Janet Morris. Ach. Hoshiaght, cha nel eh baghtal ny ta taghyrt ny keayrtyn, ny cre'n fa, as t'eh doo dy liooar. Cha by vie lhiam aght Morris lesh y charracteyr "Ilsig", noadyr. V'eh feer faggys da'n aght screeu ad er sleabyn gorrym. Ta'n cailtynagh Ilsigagh gymmyrkey gollrish moddey thie rere coontey Morris, as t'eh gooashlaghey yn ard-charracteyr Tempus dy bolvaneagh. Rish duillag ny ghaa ta Tempus torçhaghey y fer boght dys raad y vaaish, agh cha doig mee y chabil shen rish tammylt; chreid mee hoshiaght dy row ad jannoo jibbag, faggys, 'syn aght quaagh t'eh screeuit - as ta'n cailtynagh boght foast cur graih er! Agh t'eh leodaghey foast, chaardjyn. Ta'n broutid shen er y fa dy cheayll Tempus coraa y chailtynagh 'sy thie raad v'eshyn ny chappee as goll er torçhaghey. Gyn gra dy row laue yn 'er 'sy chooish shen, ny çheet er niart as aigney sleabyn, shegin da goll er marroo, rere eie Hempus. Smooinee foast, ny fir va kyndagh rish goaill as torçhaghey eh, t'eh lhiggey da fer 'sy jees goll seyr - ga dy row adsyn nyn vir jeh deiney Hempus hene ren brah eh! Shegin dou gra, cha by vooar lhiam red erbee 'sy skeeal shoh, ga dy row blass anaasoil ny ghaa aynsyn ny keayrtyn. She drogh-'er faghidagh eh yn ard-charracteyr, as cha nel Morris toiggal shen, er lhiam. Ny jumm traa er, charrey.
• "Spider Silk" liorish Andre Norton. Ard-charracteyr bwoirrinagh, fy-yerrey! Skeeal feer anaasoil as noa, ga dy dod mee insh rolaue ny haghyragh dy mennick (bentyn rish yn ennym, foddee) - cha nee neuyerkallys ta jannoo skeeal mie, vel? As va reddyn ry-insh rolaue ayns ne skeealyn elley myrgeddin. Fondagh.
• "Where is the Bird of Fire?" liorish Thomas Burnett Swann. Cha lhaih mee eh; rere coontey giare dennee mee dy beagh eh trimshagh, as cha row mee son shen.
• "Guyal of Sfere" liorish Jack Vance. Skeeal mie, mea, noa as anaasoil. Ta pishagys quaagh as agglagh aynsyn, as by vie lhiam yn aght screeuee cramp as shenn-emshiragh v'echey. Feer vie.
• "Tower of Ice" liorish Roger Zelazny. Skeeal mie elley, ass y raad cliaghtagh as lane dy reddyn neuyerkallit aym. T'eh jannoo obbyr vie lesh folliaghtyn beggey nagh vow soilshaghey erbee.

Mayo Chiki y.l. 1(Asano Hajime)

Skeeal quaagh dy liooar ayns scoill Hapaanagh, lane dy inneenyn quaaghey as guilley boght ta fud-y-cheilley bentyn rish ny reddyn quaaghey t'ad jannoo. V'eh castreycair. Ta ram cooid lieh-cheintyssagh ayns stoo Shapaanagh, er lhiam, tra nagh vel feme erbee ayn... shen quaagh dy liooar dooys.

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The end of week thirty-eight of the Reading Project. Here's what I've read this week:

The Mammoth book of short fantasy novels (various)

As it's a compilation, I'll quickly address each story. Overall I enjoyed it very much; there was one that wasn't my thing, and sadly two had aspects I was really quite uncomfortable with.

• "The Gate of the Flying Knives" by Poul Anderson. Quite enjoyed this quick fantasy adventure, a sort of picaresque style with some fun magic.
• "Unicorn Tapestry" by Suzy McKee Charnas. A bit odd? Modern fantasy as much as it's fantasy at all, and mostly more of that odd 70s philosopsychological stuff. Possibly supposed to be psychological drama. Not really my thing.
• "Sleep Well of Nights" by Avram Davidson. An interesting supernatural tale, rather than fantasy as such, quite gentle and friendly, if occasionally slightly hard to follow.
• "Black Heart and White Heart" by H. Rider Haggard. No-holds-barred boys' own adventure, with the kind of self-interested and treacherous white adventurer who's so often a protagonist, but Haggard has deliberately built this around the man's failings and the native characters are where the real action is. Slightly tough going at times as it's fairly grim, like all Haggard, but decent.
• "Red Nails" by Robert E Howard. Um. Well, I like the fantastical dead city, and the psychotically feuding inhabitants, and the lich-wizard, and even the fight with the dinosaur. Only the apparent heroine gets demoted from adventuress to feeble woman after the first two pages, in favour of a Conan presented as a smug, lecherous groper with no redeeming features except combat prowess. Shame.
• "Storm in a Bottle" by John Jakes. Pretty fun stuff, with our hero trying to escape treacherous wizards and kings.
• "Ill Met in Lankhmar" by Fritz Leiber. A well-written, dark but enjoyable tale full of weird and sinister magic. My only real regret is that he kills off the female characters (at least one of whom's apparently competent) which felt a bit fridgy to me.
• "The Lands Beyond the World" by Michael Moorcock. Weird, but in a good way. Moorcock does a good job of presenting an odd dreamworld and an inhuman protagonist, and I enjoyed this pretty well.
• "A Man and His God" by Janet Morris. Most notably, it's not really clear what is happening or why in this story, and it's really quite grim at times. Morris' handling of the conquered Ilsig character was uncomfortable reading for several reasons. It's too close to old racial stereotypes, and the eunuch's worshipful style of adoring the hero, described as dog-like, contrasts with the presentation of his white adorer's affection. Within about a page the protagonist Tempus is torturing the poor eunuch and leaving it with mortal injuries, in a scene which initially seemed like it was an unexpected sex scene - in fact the scene was pretty confusing, and it took me a while to work out that Tempus was torturing the eunuch rather than just having sex with him, and that "dead by sunset" referred to horrific injuries from the torture rather than shooting the messenger. Said brutality is explicitly revenge for having heard the eunuch's voice in the building where Tempus was held captive and tortured. Because that must be proof of complicity and guilt, especially with him being a slave. It's a particularly striking contrast that Tempus lets one of the people actually responsible for his torture go free, even though the guy is actually one of his own underlings who betrayed him. I wasn't particularly impressed with any aspect of this story, even though it had some intriguing touches occasionally. Also I didn't notice any reason to care about the protagonist or find him interesting. One to skip, seriously.
• "Spider Silk" by Andre Norton. Hooray, a female protagonist! An interesting and thoroughly creative tale, even though it's predictable in many plot aspects (it's not like most of the other stories aren't). Good stuff.
• "Where is the Bird of Fire?" by Thomas Burnett Swann. I didn't read this because the blurb made it sound depressing.
• "Guyal of Sfere" by Jack Vance. A nice, rich, creative quest tale with strange and terrible magic, in a compelling style (especially if, like me, you quite like wordy writing). Thoroughly enjoyable.
• "Tower of Ice" by Roger Zelazny. Another great one, unusual and full of good and unexpected touches.

Mayo Chiki v. 1 (Asano Hajime)

A strange story set in a Japanese school (like so many), full of strange girls (ditto) and an unfortunate youth who gets dragged into their bewildering schemes (ditto). It was okay. Manga seem to be quite keen on unnecessary semi-sexual content, which I find a bit weird.

Shalee lhaih 2013: Shiaghtin 37

Jerrey hiaghtoo hiaghtin jeih as feed ny Shallee Lhaih. Shoh ny lhiah mee yn çhiaghtin shoh chaie:

Bakuman y.l. 18 (Ōba Tsugumi, Obata Takeshi)

Lane vie.

Va mee currit ass as fud-y-cheilley yn çhiaghtin shoh chaie liorish doilleeidyn thie. Cha row cree ny bree aym son lhaih. Chionnee mee Bakuman noa, as aalhaih reih-lioar ny ghaa nagh row feme aym er bree erbee dyn lhaih.

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The end of week thirty-seven of the Reading Project. Here's what I've read this week:

Bakuman y.l. 18 (Ōba Tsugumi, Obata Takeshi)

Great.

This week was a mess because of various home crises that sapped any will or energy for reading. I treated myself to a new Bakuman and reread a couple of old favourites that required zero effort.

Shalee lhaih 2013: Shiaghtin 36

Jerrey heyoo hiaghtin jeih as feed ny Shallee Lhaih. Shoh ny lhiah mee yn çhiaghtin shoh chaie:

Bakuman y.l. 17(Ōba Tsugumi, Obata Takeshi)

Lane vie.

S'treih lhiam gra nagh dug mee jerrey er lioar erbee elley yn çhiaghtin shoh chaie, agh ta mee er lieh-lhaih daa. Ta mee ro-skee.

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Bakuman y.l. 17(Ōba Tsugumi, Obata Takeshi)

Great.

Sad to say I haven't finished any other books this week, but I'm halfway through a couple. I'm worn out.

Beggan Gaelg

Ec y traa t'ayn, cha nel mee jannoo monney 'sy Ghaelg - jus postyn ny Shalee Lhaih as beggan veg er y wiki nish as reesht. Ta shen er ymmodee oyryn.

Shalee Lhaih

Ta mee jannoo my chooid share geill fondagh y chur da'n çhalee. Myr shen, ta mee lhaih mysh daa lioar 'sy çhiaghtin (as ny smoo dy cadjin - ta mee gobbraghey trooid kuse dy lioaryn skeealeen çhaglymit beggan er veggan, chammah's ny lane lioaryn). Cha nel mee lhian ynrican, agh screeu barel beg er dagh lioar; lieh son dy yannoo shickyr dy vel mee cur tastey daue, lieh dou cooinaghtyn ny barelyn v'ayms ec y traa, as mish lhaih wheesh nagh bee'm cooinaghtyn dy mie erreish da tammylt. Ta'n obbyr shen gee traa as soo bree; eer mannagh vel mee lhaih car y traa, s'cosoylagh nagh vel monney bree heyr aym.

Obbyr hallidagh

Ta mee jannoo obbyr hallidagh ec y traa t'ayn, ayns rheynn elley, as gobbraghey er shalee scanshoil. 'Sy staartey shoh, cha nel wheesh traa ny caa aym dy smooinaghtyn ny obbraghey er cooishyn 'sy Ghaelg. Shegin dou cur sliss fondagh dy hraa orroo dys reaghey my aigney as goaill orrym gien cooie; cha nod oo jannoo obbyr vie liorish thurrick er thurrick. As ta mee ceau ny smoo traa er co-earrooder ec y traa t'ayn, myr shen cha nel mee son ceau smoo foast orroo 'sy traa seyr aym.

Shaleeyn elley

Ta mee jannoo eab dy chur jerrey er shalee ny ghaa elley t'er fuirraghtyn orrym rish meeghyn, goaill stiagh creelaghyn-fynneigagh, troggal as peintal Dreadfleet (chionnee mee mysh blein er dy henney) do noddym eh y chloie fy-yerrey, as coorse co-earrooaght. Cha nel eh mie dou wheesh dy reddyn y ve orryms gyn jerrey, as ta mee jannoo my chooid share ad y ghlenney magh.

...chammah's shen, ren mee goaill toshiaght croo gamman ny ghaa as ta my aigney cur ram geill dou, join ny dyn.

Liorish ooilley ny cooishyn heose, cha nel eieyn aym er skeealyn ny dy chroo. As ta mee er chur Gaelg er ny skeealyn sassey dou Gaelg orroo y chur hannah, myr shen cha nel eh aasagh çhyndaayssyn noa y yannoo noadyr. Cha nel monney stoo cooie as mie ry-gheddyn ass coip-chiart, as ta sleih elley (Nat Ní Shim, myr sampleyr) cur Gaelg er lioaryn jeianagh fo chied yn ughtar - cha nel peiagh erbee shirrey orryms shen y yannoo.

Lhag-chreeaght

Ta lhag-chreeaght orryms, as myr shen cha nel wheesh bree aym er chor erbee. Chammah's shen, s'doillee dou jannoo reddyn moal, ny reddyn nagh vel gientyn freggyrt erbee. S'mie lhiam ass towse y Ghaelg - agh cha nel peiagh erbee lhaih y blog shoh aym, as cha nel agh tree jin gobbraghey er y wiki son y chooid smoo, ny loayrt er ayns buill elley noadyr. T'ad coloayrt rish y cheilley 'syn 'eill foddey jeem ayns Mannin, ny er Facebook as y lheid; cha nel ad lhiah ny ta mee dy screeu, ny my ta, cha nel ad loayrt er. Cha nel eh dy my ghreinnaghey er chor erbee, as dy mennick t'eh gennaghtyn dou dy vel mee jummal traa mannagh vel anaase ec peiagh erbee er ny ta mee jannoo er wheesh obbyr. Cre'n feeu?

Er çheu elley, ta mee ceau ny smoo traa rish roie myr saase lhee noi y lhag-chreeaght - croo endorphins as myr shen, as jus geddyn rey rish skeeys as creoiys juntagh lurg laa obbree. 'Syn aght cheddin, ta mee jannoo my chooid share dy cheau monney traa rish caardjyn dys sharaghey y gien t'orryms.

---

Myr shen, jus coontey beg dhyt - cha nel mee son faagail jeh'n Ghaelg as wheesh graih aym urree, agh she graih chiune t'ayn ec y traa t'ayn.

Shalee lhaih 2013: Shiaghtin 35

Jerrey wheiggoo hiaghtin jeih as feed ny Shallee Lhaih. Shoh ny lhiah mee yn çhiaghtin shoh chaie:

Y Syrcas Dyfed Edwards

Cha lhiah mee ish dy kiart, agh cur shilley bieau ny hrooid, erreish dou jannoo briwnys nagh by vie lhiam ish. She lioar scoagh t'ayn, as er lhiam dy vel eh jeant mie dy liooar son shen; agh jeh'n torçh dy scoagh ta sollagh as lane raghlid graney. Er lhiams dy row kiart aym, son ta snaie 'sy skeeal bentyn rish ard-lhottey as dunveryssyn agglagh. Share lhiam "scoagh" 'syn aght Lovecraft, lane reddyn quaagh agh nagh verrys orrym gennaghtyn skeeahoil. My ta mee shirrey skeealyn er olk deiney, ta shen ry-lhiah 'sy phabyr naght laa erbee, atreih.

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Y Syrcas Dyfed Edwards

I didn't read this as such, but nosed through it fairly quickly after deciding it wasn't going to be my thing. It's a horror story, but my taste for 'horror' (insomuch as I have one) is distinctly along the Lovecraft lines, full of strange things that affect the narrator but won't make me personally feel queasy. Seems I made the right call; although there's some kind of alien monstrousness going on, there's also a notable strand about a mutilating murderer and people being helpless in each others' power, which I really can't be doing with. If I want to read about the evil men do in their lives etc., then sadly I have only to pick up a newspaper.

Shalee lhiah 2013: Jerrey Luanistyn

Jerrey hoghtoo vee ny shalee.

Hoshiaght ny bleeaney: 128 lioaryn

Hoshiaght ny mee: 86 lioaryn

• Lhaiht aym:
• Kied shiaghtin jeih as feed: 2
• Nah hiaghtin jeih as feed: 2
• Treeoo hiaghtin jeih as feed: 2
• Kerroo hiaghtin jeih as feed: 2
• Queiggoo hiaghtin jeih as feed: 1
• Nagh row er y rolley: 1
• Goit aym: 1
• Scryssit er bun elley: 0

Myr shen, ta mee er scryssey 7 ass y rolley as ta 79 faagit er.

• Lioaryn lhaiht aym y vlein shoh (y chied cheayrt): 78 (faggys wheesh as ta er-mayrn!)

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End of the eighth month of Reading Project.

The Beginning: 128 books

The start of this month: 86 books

• Read this month:
• Week thirty-one: 2
• Week thirty-two: 2
• Week thirty-three: 2
• Week thirty-four: 2
• Week thirty-five: 1
• Not on the list: 1
• Bought: 1
• Chucked out unread: 0

So I've disposed of 6 books from the list, leaving 79.

• Books read (for the first time) this year: 78 (nearlys as many as are left!)

Shalee lhaih 2013: Shiaghtin 34

Jerrey cherroo hiaghtin jeih as feed ny Shallee Lhaih. Shoh ny lhiah mee yn çhiaghtin shoh chaie:

Endangered languages: voices and images (FEL)

Coontey oikoil chruinnaght yn Çheshaght son Myn-hengaghyn 2011. S'anaasoil dy liooar eh, as ghow mee soylley jeh, ga dy nee lioar hrome t'ayn ny keayrtyn, er y fa dy nee artyn ard-scoillaragh t'ayn. Cha dod mee lhiah agh art ny ghaa ec yn un traa, as veagh eh orrym ny smoo traa urree y cheau, agh cha dod mee lhaih y lieh jee. Shen er y fa dy vel ad 'sy Spaainish (va'n chruinnaght 'syn Ecuador) as cha nel coontey giare erbee 'sy Vaarle oc. Ta mee toiggal dy nee obbyr veg t'ayn as nagh vel monney argid oc son çhyndaa; er y laue elley, cha noddym geddyn wheesh feeu assjee, as er lhiam dy row ny h-artyn smoo anaasoil dooys 'sy Spaainish! Atreih.

Aw, as cha row y lioar shoh er y rolley. Mollaght.

A distant neighborhood Taniguchi Jirō

Ny manga sheiltynagh, as fer currit erash 'syn emshir chaie, ny yilley reesht agh aigney aasit echey as fys er ny ta ry-heet. Ta'n ellyn mea as saiagh, ga dy vel eh kiune dy liooar; er lhiams dy vel y myn-ellyn shoh as eh undaahagh cur niart da foddeeaght y skeeal. T'ee ronsaghey aegid y dooinney dy mial, beggan er veggan. Ghow mee soylley jeh, agh er lhiams nagh dod mee er surranse agh yn un lioar rish tammylt - ta trimmid echey, as er lhiams dy darrin dy ve skee. T'ee bentyn rish foddeeaght, currym as freggyrtys, kyndid, kynney, as y scansh t'eddyr yn aegidagh as y fer aasit. Cha nel mee lane shickyr my by vie lhiam ny smoo y lhaih ny dyn. Ghow mee soylley jeh, agh ta blass ennagh echey ta cur orrym ennaghtyn dy bee eh sharroo ny garroo er y chree ny keayrtyn.

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Endangered languages: voices and images (FEL)

The procedures of the Foundation for Endangered Languages conference 2011. Interesting and worth a read, although being a set of academic presentations and articles it's far from light reading. I only managed a couple of articles at a time, and it'd have taken longer, except that half of it was in Spanish and had to be skipped. The conference was in Ecuador, so Spanish was permitted alongside English, but they mysteriously didn't include even an abstract in English, which was a shame. I appreciate it's a small specialist publication without funds for translation, but it means I missed out some of the value of the work, and it's particularly irksome that the most interesting-looking articles for me were all in Spanish! Alas.

And of course, this wasn't even on the list. Pants.

A distant neighborhood Taniguchi Jirō

A contemplative manga about a man who finds himself cast back into his own boyhood, but retaining his adult thoughts and memories. The art is quietly rich, and I felt the detailed monochrome style added to the nostalic feel of the work. It tentatively explores the protagonist's childhood, touching on nostalgia, responsibility, guilt, family and the differences between children and adults. I enjoyed it, but unlike some manga I don't think I could have handled another volume afterwards, because the relative weight of the themes makes it a little more challenging. I'm not entirely sure whether I'll want to read more of this, as I sense some heavy and potentially painful issues on the horizon.

Shalee lhaih 2013: Shiaghtin 33

Jerrey treeoo hiaghtin jeih as feed ny Shallee Lhaih. Shoh ny lhiah mee yn çhiaghtin shoh chaie:

Storiau Glannau Ystwyth (Guittone Gardi)

Shoh lioar dy skeealyn 'jeant far-skeealagh' er bun e chooinaghtyn hene er bea 'sy Vretyn. Anaasoil, aitt son y chooid smoo, as treih nish as reesht. Er lhiam nagh row eh cooie dy dug eh skeeal doo ec y jerrey; share lhiam ren ennagh gennoil verragh jerrey taitnyssagh er y lioar. Chammah's shen, t'eh gra ny nee ass firrinys dy daink ny skeealyn shoh; wahll my she, er lhiams nagh row eh cooie skeeal y yannoo ass baase leah fer as enney echey er, gyn feanish er smooinaghtyn as aigney y dooinney. Ny yei shen, va'n lioar soilshaghey magh bea ny laghyn as ynnydyn shid, as ghow mee taitnys jee son y chooid smoo. Er y laue elley, by ghoillee dou ish y lhaih, er coontey'n aght screeuee feer formoil t'urree. Ga ny nee lioar 1950yn t'ayn, t'ee screeuit ayns Bretnish lettyragh 'ormoil, as cha nel mee cliaghtit rish lhiah agh raa ny ghaa 'syn aght shen, er fograghyn son y chooid smoo. Myr shen, cha yinnin greinnaghey sleih elley ee y lhaih mannagh vel Bretnish lane 'laaoil oc as mannagh vel ad cliaghtit rish yn aght lettyragh.

For All the Tea in China (Sarah Rose)

Lioar feer vie bentyn rish yn aght ghow ny Goaldee tey dou hene ass yn Çheen. She mestey mie t'ayn: bea-skeeal, shennaghys roish as erreish da taghytyn yn ard-skeeal, lus-oaylleeaght, cultoor ny Sheen as ny Victorianee, as sheiltynys er bun feanish. Er lhiams dy ren Rose briwnys fondagh er yn aght screeuee da lhaihderaght neucheirdey; t'ee eddrym dy liooar dy lhaih gyn doilleeid, agh cha nel ee follym noadyr. T'ee çheet er kianglaghyn t'eddyr tey as ny caggaghyn cadleen; jerrey yn East India Company as ny deiyrt er shen; slaynt ny Goaldee, as myr shen er shennaghys; cultoor; as tarmayrnys (bentyn rish yn Impiraght son y chooid smoo). Ta'n irree magh Injynagh, lhongyn 'tea clipper' as obbree Heenagh 'sy chooish myrgeddin. Rere cliaghtey ny lioaryn shoh er shennaghys Goaldagh, dennee mee beggan nearey as corree er son ny ren shennayraghyn aym, as anchairyssyn nagh vel kiartit foast (as cha dod oo kiartaghey, dy jarroo).

Ren baghteyrys ny ghaa gaccan nagh row mynphoyntyn dy liooar ayn, as shen bentyn rish troailtyn Fortune 'syn Çheen erskyn ooilley, chammah's e varelyn er ny ren as honnick eh. "Cre'n aght..." t'ad gra, as "nagh row drogh-ourys ec fer oik erbee er y fer quaagh shoh? nagh row ad lhiggey lesh er son slaa laue?" as y lheid. Agh ta'n lioar hene gra dy jagh pabyryn Fortune er stroaie, as cha nel agh recortyssyn oikoil formoil ayn myr feanish. Bentyn rish contoyrtyssyn, cha dod Rose agh aascreeu ny screeu Fortune hene 'sy lioar echey, as er lhiams nagh beagh shen ny share na cowraghey y lioar hene dasyn as anaase oc er y chooish, myr ren ee. Ta mooadys mie ec y lioar t'ayn hannah; cha nel mee laccal ny smoo.

S'treih lhiam fakin nagh vel Rose er screeu lioar elley foast.

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Storiau Glannau Ystwyth (Guittone Gardi)

A book of 'romanticised reminisences' (a rough translation of the Welsh) based on the author's own life in the Ystwyth region of Wales. It's interesting, often funny, and sometimes sad. I felt that the last story was problematic, though. For one thing, in a book of largely cheerful tales, the choice of a long and tragic story seemed somewhat jarring and gave it a downer ending. More importantly, if this really is a reminiscence, I felt it was inappropriate to include a fictionalised (and somewhat poetic) version of a tragic early death like this, of a man the author presumably knew. It seems improbable he'd have any particular insight into what really happened or the man's actual feelings, and in general I was uncomfortable with it. If it isn't based on reality, then its inclusion seems bizarre.

On the whole I did quite enjoy it. However, there's a strong caveat because of the formal and antiquated style of the writing, which made this slender volume of short stories quite hard work to read. Despite being from the 1950s, it's in some of the most formal and literary Welsh I've seen, and I'm not used to reading more than a line or two at a time. So for that reason, I couldn't really recommend anyone else to read it unless they're entirely fluent and comfortable with the literary style. I also won't bother looking for more of his writing.

For All the Tea in China (Sarah Rose)

This interesting book discussed how a Scottish botanist made his fortune by stealing the secret of tea from Imperial China. A pleasant and well-balanced mixture of biography, historical background, botany, cultural discussion and informed speculation. It's well-judged for a lay audience, fairly light and easy to read without being fluffy; Rose Touches on the relationship of tea to issues like the opium wars, the end of the EIC and the changes that brought about, health and culture, and economic balance across the Empire. Note that it is based only on company and public records and the writings of others, as none of his own papers survived. Of course, there was the usual guilt stirred up by any book dealing with British history, and anger at some of the injustices that were inflicted.

A few reviews I've seen complained of a lack of detail, particularly in terms of Fortune's actual adventures in China, his encounters with the locals and with officialdom, and his views on all he encountered; the problem is, as far as I can see, that there isn't really much Rose could add. The only record of what Fortune did or said is his own book on his travels, since all his papers were destroyed after his death, and it seems to me there is little point Rose simply repeating his words, padding out a perfectly-sized book, when she's already directed us to the source.

I was very impressed with the book, and sad to see it's her only one so far.

Shalee lhaih 2013: Shiaghtin 32

Jerrey nah hiaghtin jeih as feed ny Shallee Lhaih. Shoh ny lhiah mee yn çhiaghtin shoh chaie:

Chinese Liverpudlians (Maria Lin Wong)

Lioar anaasoil bentyn rish cummaltee Lerphoyll Sheenagh ny ass fuilleeaght Heenagh. T'ee soilshaghey magh beggan shennaghys, bea as cooishyn ny cummaltee shen, eddyr 1900-1950 son y chooid smoo. Ga dy nee bea doillee v'ayn son y chooid smoo, as by neareydagh eh drogh-ymmyrkey ny Goaldee as y reiltys, ghow mee taitnys jeh'n lioar. S'treih lhiam nagh vel ee er ny jannoo ass y noa rish ny feed blein jeih neayr's hug magh ad ee - er lhiam dy beagh ram naight noa ry-gheddyn.

Bakuman y.l. 16 (Ohba Tsugumi & Obata Takeshi)

Lioar anaasoil elley, as y nane shoh bentyn rish ny h-ellyneyryn co-streeu dys scughey y fer share ass y chied ynnyd. T'ee mie. Y red smoo baghtal dou, shen nagh vel caillin Mashiro ry-akin 'sy lioar (as y lioar roee, foddee?). Shen mie er laue ennagh, er y fa nagh vel monney ry-ghra er y chooish ghraih eddyr oc; er y laue elley, as Akito as Kaya poosit, t'eh faagail skeeal er ellyneyryn co-streeu son y 'traih share, as ga dy vel shen anaasoil, ta ram jeh er ny lhaih aym hannah. Agh foddee dy vel ad son taishbyney Mashiro faagail anaase aynjee trooid yn obbyr echey? Er lhiam nagh vel, agh eh ny shinney, foddee dy vel.

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Chinese Liverpudlians (Maria Lin Wong)

An interesting book about the Chinese Liverpudlian community (obviously). It discusses the history, life and experiences of the community, especially in the 1900-1950s. Despite the hardship described in most of the book, and the deeply shame-inducing behaviour of both government and non-Chinese locals, I enjoyed the book. It's just a shame it hasn't been updated in the last thirty-odd years since it was published, as I'm sure there's plenty more to tell.

Bakuman v. 16 (Ohba Tsugumi & Obata Takeshi)

Another interesting book, this one focusing on the artists' attempts to unseat one another from the first place in a semi-official competition. It's pretty good. One thing I have noticed is that Mashiro's girlfriend isn't in it, and I'm not sure she was even in the last one. On the one hand it's good, because to be honest there isn't much to be said about their affair, given they don't associate; on the other hand, with Akito and Kaya others already (quietly) married, it leaves the story really just about manga artists. Interesting enough, but I've read quite a bit of that over the last fifteen books, and variety helps keep it fresh. I do wonder a bit if they might be showing Mashiro drifting deeper into his work and further from Azuki, but I suspect not. But it's possible; he is older, and potentially wiser about youthful crushes.

Moghrey Souree Dy Row

She eaght v'ayn, ren cagh coardail rish shen. Va Paaie Kinrade neuchooie da Bnr. Mylvoirrey, lane eieyn as barelyn e hene, as cliaghtit rish fockley magh ad. As v'adsyn cliaghtey bentyn rish cooishyn gyn failt da mraane dellal, lheid as ardjaghey faillyn, ny ronsaghey sheiltynagh, ny seyrey obbraghyn bleeantyn gyn leagh son foays deiney. Ga dy nee ish va bun scanshoil da raah y cholught, cha dod yn ard-chione surranse lheid y neuchurmeydys. Dy jarroo, cha nod oo jiooldey obbree v'ayn rish bleeantyn gyn loght erbee dy aashagh ny laghyn shoh. By obbyr meeghyn eh Kinrade y scughey: meeghyn dy leodaghey, as neuhastey, as livrey currymyn harrish da sleih elley "do beagh ny smoo traa seyr eck", as jarrood ish er rollaghyn cuirrey. Bine er bine, lane chiarail as leshtallyn millish follym. Jea, scughey y reih skimmee eck da rheynn elley; jiu, cur shalee noa scanshoil jee gyn poageen dy liooar ish y chooilleeney; mairagh, y çhalee y scryssey kiart roish y laa jerrinagh gyn scansh da'n obbyr chreoi v'ee er chur jee.

Agh fy-yerrey she soilshey ny greiney hug jerrey er. Shimmey treealtys as caa dy vaih argid ta roshtyn colught çhaghnoaylleeaght, as v'eh fo Kinrade adsyn venn rish bree y lhaih as ronsaghey, as briwnys orroo y chur. Tra haink rish treealtys son corys noa as schlei bree ny greiney, honnick ee caa 'ondagh dy yannoo red ennagh foawragh da'n teihll - chammah's dy chur er Mylvoirrey as y possan eck soie seose as cur tastey noa. Cheau ee shiaghteeyn er y chooish: loayrt rish y treealeyder, lhaih artyn oaylleeagh, çhaglym arganeyn as kiarail treealtys do-obbal da'n ving. Ronsee ish leighyn bentyn rish y chooish, polaseeyn y reiltys as ynnydyn-eggey co-hirreyderyn joarree dys jannoo shickyr nagh row doilleeid erbee ad y lhiettal voish y chaa shoh erskyn leagh. Dooyrt ee harrish yn oraid braew rish laghyn. Er y reih laa, hass ee roish y ving, as cur oraid jesh-focklagh as resoonagh rish feed minnid, lane feanish fondagh as caslyssyn cowreydagh. S'cosoylagh eh nagh ghow rieau fillee erbee arrane hug wheesh tostid eaishtagh er ny clashtynee. Tra hoie ee reesht, dy row fer neuchiarailagh er duittym freeney 'sy çhamyr, veagh oo er ny chlashtyn ga dy row carpad eck gyn beeal ny braag, bunnys. Agh eisht, tra va bass-voylley taarnoil ry-yerkal ec peiagh er e cheeayll, she tostid meegherjoilagh v'ayn. Lheie ersooyn ny dreaghyn drualtys, as yeeagh ny stiureyderyn er y cheilley, as creddal keayrt ny ghaa. Yeeagh Kinrade mygeayrt y mooie, shickyr nish dy row red ennagh ass ynnyd, agh gyn fys erbee er c'red v'eh. Hreig e creeaght as e taittin myrgeddin. Fy-yerrey, ren fer jeu loayrt. Fer kenjal dy liooar, as folt lheeah echey - yn Olloo Meier, nee?

"Shen treealtys feer vie, Vnr. Kinrade," as eh. Ass y chree, dy shickyr; va mian baghtal ry-akin er e eddin. "Agh cha nel y colught cur geill da çhaghnoaylleeaght vree ny greiney foast. Ta shin er greck y rheynn shen da colught 'sy Rank, shiaghtin ny ghaa er dy henney."

Yeeagh ee er gyn toiggal dy kiart, as e beeall çhirrym quaagh.

"Va shin resooney magh y chooish neayr's y Nollick. Nagh lhaih uss ny cooinaghanyn?"

As gyn kiarail er enney, snaue e soillyn da eddin Bnr. Mylvoirrey as, 'sy taasaght lieh-'ollit drogh-aignagh hooar ee aynjee, hoig Kinrade ny v'er daghyrt dy jeeragh.

Daag Kinrade gyn musthaa erbee, dy kiune, rere aght ben keirdey. Hoilshee magh ee yn obbyr v'er mayrn da'n skimmee eck, as screeu noteyn ooilley-ghoaillys da'n eiyrtyssagh, as faagail. Cha dinsh ee ny va foee, ny c'raad hie ee.

Gyn Kinrade, va bea Bnr. Mylvoirrey foddey ny sassey, as haink eh lesh y cholught son y chooid smoo rish queig bleeantyn. Dobbree ad er reddyn vondeishagh as çhaglym ram argid. Haink stiagh Bnr. Mylvoirrey dy leah 'sy voghrey, as faagail dy anmagh, ga dy row oik ard eck nish ayns toor ayns mean y valley; by vie lhee jeeaghyn magh er thalloo y cholught, daase ny smoo dagh blein. Va ny stashoonyn-greiney ry-akin dy mie voish yn oik, son ga nagh row Mylvoirrey er gooney lesh, va'n dooinney shen er ngeddyn yn argid raad ennagh. Dy jarroo, chionnee Mylvoirrey lectraghys jeh'n cholught shen: hug eh blass çhymmylaght-ghraihagh er y cholught, as v'eh neugheyr dy liooar nish. Va fainney jeu, foddee, mygeayrt y valley, as ny scaaneyn mooarey glistral nish as reesht rish arraghey ny greiney.

Er laa souree 'sy wheiggoo vlein, ren ben ayns cullee oik shooyl stiagh ayns ard-oik Conney ny Greiney (Çharmaanit) as goll stiagh 'sy çhamyr stiuree. Lhig y kaart eck jee fosley yn dorrys gyn accan. Cha row jeshaghteyryn erbee ayn foast, agh va fys mie eck er ny jeshaghtyn. Rere cliaghtey, ren ee scrutaghey ny taishbyneryn as jannoo shickyr dy row gleaysheyderyn ny scaaneyn foawragh gobbraghey foast, liorish cur orroo arraghey noon as noal. Gyn foill. Ghow ee fodreayrtan beg magh ass e poagey laue, as çhyndaa cour yn uinniag.

Beggan lurg shey er y chlag, rere cliaghtey, ren Bnr. Mylvoirrey kesmad shaghey yn oik failt follym, goll seose 'sy troggeyder, as neughlassey dorrys yn oik eck. Rere cliaghtey, huitt ee y cooat eck er y voayrd as shooyl magh er y valcane dys jeeaghyn mygeayrt as iu y caffee eck. Hug ee my ner dy row ny stashoonyn-greiney feer soilsheanagh jiu, agh cha row monney scansh ayns shen, ga dy row ad dallaghey ish ass cliaghtey. Va'n ghrian faggys ry-akin nish, as ish irree er ny cruink ayns cloagey airhey fo speyr gorrym gyn bodjal erbee. She laa aalin veagh ayn, gyn ourys. Hoie ee sheese er y chaair sonnyssagh as goaill bolgum jeh'n chaffee mea.

Yeeagh Kinrade (v'er ngeddyn ooilley'n argid eck, as kionnaghey boodeeys 'sy cholught beg hug y treealtys traartyssagh jee queig bleeantyn er dy henney) trooid yn 'odreayrtan as çhyndaa y scaane mooar s'jerree rere ny co-ordnaidjyn v'ee er nyn reih as shickyraghey as aahickyraghey, as fuirraghtyn tra skeayll goullyn ny greiney cour y valley cadlee.

As dirree y ghrian s'jerree er Bnr. Mylvoirrey.

Shalee lhaih 2013: Shiaghtin 31

Jerrey kied shiaghtin jeih as feed ny Shallee Lhaih. Shoh ny lhiah mee yn çhiaghtin shoh chaie:

Byzantium (Stephen Lawhead)

Feer liauyr, agh feer vie. 650 duillagyn er liurid! T'ee aainsh bea as contoyrtyssyn monagh ny h-Erin, as adsyn quaagh as yindyssagh. Ta ny contoyrtyssyn hene anaasoil dy liooar, agh er lhiam dy nee coontey ard-schlei t'ayn jeh dooinney ta coayl y credjue echey liorish çheet quaiyl surranse as angaish as sherruid as sondid deiney, as eh y gheddyn erash. As soilshaghey sleih jeh ymmodee pobblyn as ymmodee çheeraghyn myr deiney hene, lane vieys as olkys, as ny kianglaghyn arraghee t'eddyr oc. Cha nel y lioar hene gra quoi t'ayn derrey'n jerrey, agh honnick mee y duillag s'jerree aght ennagh as vrish eh y soilshaghey magh dou. Ga dy nee lioar lane raghlid as reddyn olk, er lhiam nagh vel eh jannoo assee da, as cha dod oo screeu lheid ny lioar gyn shen er chor erbee. Cha by vie lhiam lhaid lioar elley casley rish rish tammylt - ta feme aym er beggan aash as aalid nish - agh t'ee feeu, gyn ourys. As verrys geill da obbraghyn elley Lawhead.

Dodger (Terry Pratchett)

Lhaih mee y lioar shoh ayns un laa. T'ee foddey ny share na Snuff lhaih mee er y gherrid - er y fa nagh vel eh bentyn rish Vimes, foddee. Ta blassyn karracteyryn Discword ry-akin ayns Dodger (goaill stiagh Vimes, as Moist, as Nobby Nobbs) agh cha nel shen jannoo assee jee. Ghow mee ram soylley jeh'n skeeal, as ta'n chooid hennaghyssagh fondagh dy lioar douys (agh cha nel monney anaase aym er Lunnin, shegin dou goaill rish).

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Byzantium (Stephen Lawhead)

Very long, but very good. All of 650 pages! It recounts the life and adventures of an Irish monk sent on a pilgrimage. The adventures themselves would be pretty interesting, but I think one of the strongest points of the book is the way it portrays people. Characters of all peoples and lands are depicted as people, capable of both goodness and vileness, and there are ever-shifting relationships between them all. Aidan, the viewpoint character, seems an excellent depiction of someone experiencing marvels, undergoing horrific hardships, and losing his faith on account of his experiences before finally recovering it. The book itself doesn't reveal just who he is until the end, but I spoiled myself for that by accidentally seeing something on the last page - I recommend avoiding it, as it'll make the developments less striking. Although the book is pretty violent and emotionally tough at times, I didn't felt it was a problem, and in some ways it felt less unpleasant than The Kite Rider. I wouldn't like to read anything else along these lines for a while, I'm feeling the need of a gentler read, but I feel like this one was worth it. And I will be keeping an eye out for further Lawhead books.

Dodger (Terry Pratchett)

I read this in one day. It's far better than Snuff which I read recently, perhaps because it isn't distorted by the presence of Vimes. In fairness, clear traces of Vimes (as well as Moist and Nobby) are visible in this non-Discworld character, but that's almost inevitable given the type of character. I enjoyed the story, and found the historical elements perfectly satisfactory. Though I must admit I don't have much interest in London.

Herbsttag / Laa Fouyir

Herr: es ist Zeit. Der Sommer war sehr groß.	Hiarn: t'eh traa. She sourey mooar v'ayn.
Leg deinen Schatten auf die Sonnenuhren,	Skeayll dty scaa er y chlag greiney,
und auf den Fluren laß die Winde los.	As seyr ny geayghyn er ny lheeantyn.
Befiel den letzten Früchten voll zu sein;	Cur sarey appee er ny messyn meen;
gib ihnen noch zwei südlichere Tage,	lhig daue daa laa elley lesh y jiass,
dränge sie zur Vollendung hin und jage	greinn ad dys creenaghey chooilleenys blass
die letzte Süße in den schweren Wein.	as feoiltee miljid cooie er yn 'eeyn.
Wer jetzt kein Haus hat, baut sich keines mehr.	Cha troggee nish nagh leshyn thie erbee.
Wer jetzt allein ist, wird Es lange bleiben,	Chamoo goaill sheshey ta ny lomarcan,
wird wachen, lesen, lange Briefe schreiben	agh doostey, lhaih dy kiune, screeu screeuyn liauyr
und wird in den Alleen hin und her	as wandrail noon as noal er raaidjyn fouyir
unruhig wandern, wenn die Blätter treiben.	tra huittys duillagyn ny biljyn buigh.

Ta'n daan aalin shoh screeuit ec Rainier Maria Rilke, as hooar mee eh er blog charrey dou. She mish hene ren eab er y lhieggan Gaelg. Agh cha nee agh blass y daan hene t'aynsyn.

Shalee lhaih 2013: Shiaghtin 30

Jerrey jeihoo hiaghtin as feed ny Shallee Lhaih. Shoh ny lhiah mee yn çhiaghtin shoh chaie:

The kite rider (Geraldine McCaughrean)

Lioar elley nagh row er y rolley aght ennagh! Cha mie lhiam feddyn magh lheid y red er chor erbee! She skeeal contoyrtyssyn gilley aeg ayns eash ny Sheen as ny Mongolyn kiart er chur fo haart ny Sheenee. T'eh gynsaghey, dy moal as lane angaish, nagh vel biallys ghlen ny freggyrt cooie da surranseyn bea. V'ee mie dy liooar, screeuit dy mie as anaasoil dy liooar. Er y laue elley, va mee jerkal rish red ennagh ny smoo eddrym as lane aitt, as cha nel ee er chor erbee - she lioar sherriu as folley t'ayn, bentyn rish bree stroailtagh moyrn as sondid, er paitçhyn erskyn ooilley. Er y fa shen cha nel mian er lheh aym ny smoo liorish McCaughrean y lhaih.

The age of absolutism (Max Beloff)

Lioar hennaghys da'n theay (foddee) bentyn rish yn eash 1660-1815, dy ghra myr shen, eash tra va cooid smoo ny h-Oarpey fo smaght reeaghyn ard-phooaral, as va ard-phooarlys hene coardit rish myr aght-reill mie. Ta Beloff soilshaghey magh ny scanshyn v'eddyr oc, ny faghyn v'ad ayn, as ny obbraghyn sheshoil, argidoil as politickagh hug jerrey orroo fy-yerrey (ga nagh vel eh gra monney er y fer s'jerree). Anaasoil dy liooar, foddee, agh by chreoi eh douys as mish gyn fys erbee er yn eash hoshiaght; as t'ee çheet dy ve beggan çhiu ny keayrtyn fo enmyn as taghyrtyn gyn soilshaghey, as sampleyryn gyn yss aym. Dynsee mee red ennagh, gyn ourys, as cha nel ee feer liauyr noadyr, myr shen er lhiam dy nee lioar 'ondagh t'ayn ny yei trimmid as beggan eash (chlou ad ee ayns 1963).

Player's guide to Eberron (James Wyatt etc.)

Lioar choonee son cloie Dungeons and Dragons 'sy teihll noa Eberron. T'ee anaasoil dy liooar as lane reihyn da'n chloieder jannoo ymmyd jeu. Dennee mee nagh row eh ro-aashagh toiggal dagh ooilley red, as shen cooish chadjin 'sy lheid; ta enmyn sleih, buill, taghyrtyn as cretooryn cruinnaghey dy tappee do nagh dod oo cur enney orroo foast. As shen ga dy lhaih mee lioar heihll Eberron er y gherrid, lane fys er shennaghys as nheeghyn y teihill. Ny yei shen v'ee mie dy liooar as er lhiam dy vel ram stoo anaasoil as feeu 'sy lioar. Gyn çheet er reddyn elley, she sampleyr mie t'ayn jeu 'jannoo reddyn noa as shenn eaddagh'.

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The end of week thirty of the Reading Project. Here's what I've read this week:

The kite rider (Geraldine McCaughrean)

Another one that wasn't on the list, somehow! Not a pleasant discovery. It's about the adventures of a young Chinese boy at the beginning of the Mongol rule; he learns painfully and slowly that simple obedience to elders and the teachings of others isn't an answer to all life's challenges. It was a decent read, interesting and well-written. However, I was expecting something much lighter and more fun when I picked it up (a long time ago, but I remember) and had a bit of a shock. This is a pretty bloody book, and one full of bitterness and pain for the characters. That being the case, I'm not especially inclined to look out more of McCaughrean's work.

The age of absolutism (Max Beloff)

A history book that may or may not have been intended as pop history. It covers the 1660-1815 period, when a lot of Europe was under the sway of absolute monarchs and the ideology of absolutism. Beloff illustrates how these various countries came to be that way, the differences between them, and the varying social, financial and political processes that would eventually undermine them (although he doesn't really touch on the downfalls themselves). It's fairly interesting, though having no previous knowledge of this chunk of history I found much of it hard going - there are a lot of names, events and places that I simply don't recognise, and it's assumed that you will. However, I certainly feel like I've learned something, and it's not a very long book, so I rate it fairly well despite its age (1963 publication) and dryness.

Player's guide to Eberron (James Wyatt etc.)

A handbook for playing Dungeons and Dragons in the new (well, compared to the original setting) world of Eberron. It's interesting and has guidance and options for player characters, as well as useful things like what their characters may know about particular things. I felt the name soup was a bit overwhelming despite having read the campaign guide recently, which is a common issue with books like this: continents, cities, kings, species, they all blend together. However, I still thought it was a decent example of the genre, and it had some good stuff in there. Apart from anything else, it's a good example of making something novel from old components.

Shalee lhiah 2013: Jerrey Jerrey Souree

Jerrey hiaghtoo vee ny shalee.

Hoshiaght ny bleeaney: 128 lioaryn

Hoshiaght ny mee: 93 lioaryn

• Lhaiht aym:
• Shiaghtoo hiaghtin as feed: 1
• Hoghtoo hiaghtin as feed: 2
• Nuyoo hiaghtin as feed: 3
• Jeihoo hiaghtin as feed: 3
• Goit aym: 0
• Nagh row er y rolley er fa ennagh: 2
• Scryssit er bun elley: 0

Myr shen, ta mee er scryssey 7 ass y rolley as ta 86 faagit er.

• Lioaryn lhaiht aym y vlein shoh (y chied cheayrt): 69

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End of the seventh month of Reading Project.

The Beginning: 128 books

The start of this month: 93 books

• Read this month:
• Week twenty-seven: 1
• Week twenty-eight: 2
• Week twenty-nine: 3
• Week thirty: 3
• Obtained: 0
• Discovered not to be on the list yet: 2
• Scrapped for any reason: 0

So that makes 7 books removed from the list, leaving 86.

• Books read (for the first time) this year: 69

Shalee lhaih 2013: Shiaghtin 29

Jerrey nuyoo hiaghtin as feed ny Shallee Lhaih. Shoh ny lhiah mee yn çhiaghtin shoh chaie:

Yr un yw'r frwydr (Mair Wynn Hughes)

Skeeal fansee da paitçhyn - yiarrin paitçhyn, cha niarrin sleih aegey, er y fa nagh vel cooishyn cadjin lioaryn sleih aegey ry-akin. Cha nel caarjys ny cochiangley 'sy chooish, ny appeeaght noadyr, agh t'eh goaill stiagh beggan boirey as atçhim. Myr shen, yiarrins paitçhyn 8-12 foddee? She skeeal neuchramp Sollys as Dorraghys t'ayn, as ny braaraghyn cochianglt rish y Tollys rere fadeyrys dy vow ad daa yeantane scanshoil. Ta ny reddyn cadjin ayn: shenn druiaght kenjal, fannagyn drogh-vonney, markiaght dorraghey (y Markiaght Dorraghey!) ta skeaylley olkys, shirveishagh "firrinagh" ta ny vrahder... oh, as cha nel ad marroo y Markiaght, t'eh goll er seiy harrish oirr slogh ec fer quaagh fo-hallooin. Mestey Star Wars as Lord of the Rings, myr shen... Nish, cha nel mee son gra dy row eh gyn feeu. She lioar phaitçhyn t'ayn, as ga dy vel mish er vakin lheid ny h-eieyn reesht as reeshtagh, shegin da cagh goaill toshiaght raad ennagh. Chammah's shen, v'ee screeuit mie dy liooar, ga dy row Bretnish y skeeal beggan trome da'n chooish ny keayrtyn, er lhiams. Va ny taghyrtyn baghtal dy liooar, as hug MWH blass baggyrtagh urree.

Er y laue elley, shegin dou gra dy row immeeaght y skeeal beggan ass ynnyd, er lhiams. Ga dy vel eh fo ny gillyn shirrey er ny jeantaneyn, cha nod ad jannoo shen derrey treen s'jerree ny lioar, as eisht gyn monney fys er c'raad t'adsyn. Derrey'n traa shen, t'ad fo ghlass 'sy ghowaltys er y fa dy vel y Markiaght er chur cowraghyn çhingys yn ollee er ny beiyn, as ta'n skeeal jeeaghyn er taghyrtyn y caggey fansee. Rish shen,t'ee ceau ram traa er y turrys, as caghlaa dy tappee eddyr ocsyn as caggey mooar ec cashtal ny Sollysh. Mie dy liooar. T'ad goll er shelg ec y Varkiaght hene ayns curragh; fondagh. Agh eisht, ta fer quaagh fo-hallooin feddyn ad as coadey ad, t'eh dyn leeideil dys ooig raad ta'n stoo tashtit, t'eh ceau y Markiaght ayns towl dowin, as t'ad "feddyn" ny jeantaneyn as cur jerrey tappee er y skeeal. Er lhiam nagh row monney bree ec y jerrey hene, as cha row monney bree ny jeantaneyn do-akin noadyr. Dy firrinagh, s'goan dy vel ad MacGuffinyn. Dennee mee nagh row fys ec MHW er cre'n jeantane v'ayn ny c'red oddagh ee jannoo maroo. Lhaih mee ny va taghyrt, agh cha dennee mee eh.

De Profundis (Michal Oracz)

Lioar reillyn da gamman... cha nel gamman cloie paart dy jeeragh, agh red ennagh eddyr shen as co-screeu skeeal liorish lettyryn. Ta shiuish goaill erriu hene paartyn karracteyryn rere aght Lovecraft, sleih ta surranse reddyn quaagh, as co-screeu er ny cooishyn shen. Ta ram stoo 'sy lioar son shen, screeuit 'syn aght shen. T'eh caghlaait ass y Pholannish, as er lhiam dy vel beggal er coayl er y fa shen - scansh cultooragh ennagh, foddee. Ghow mee taitnys jeh, agh t'ee beggan liauyr son ny t'aynjee, er lhiams, as t'ee gra ny reddyn cheddin reeshtagh ny keayrtyn. Er lhiam dy beagh eh aitt dauesyn as traa dy liooar oc, as ta mee er groo skeealyn marish sleih elley ny keayrtyn. Ny yei shen, cha bee'm goaill ayrn. Gyn çheet er y fa nagh vel caarjyn aym by vie lhieu lheid y gamman, she goaill ort hene paart peiagh ta goll ass e cheeall liorish feddyn magh reddyn agglagh eh bun y gamman, as ta shen ro-vie er enney dooys, gura mie ayd.

The Dragon in the Sea (Frank Herbert)

Shoh lioar nagh row er y rolley er fa ennagh, agh cha row fys aym er shen derrey lhaih mee ish! She skeeal far-skeealaght heanse t'ayn, ga nagh vel monney sheanse sheiltynagh aynjee trooid as trooid. Ta blass lajer y Chaggey Conrieugh urree - she lioar ny 1960yn t'ayn as shen baghtal dy liooar. Ta fovooiranee Americaanagh caggey noi sleih Hiar gyn fa baghtal, myr t'ad ayns lheid ny lioaryn, as t'ad skeeal mychione shickloayllee ta goll nyn mast'oc dys feddyn magh cre'n fa dy vel ad goll er coayl dy cadjin. T'eh çheet er baanrid caggee as dooghys keeayll as y lheid, as lane aggle fo goulraghey as tranlaase-aggle. V'eh castreycair; er lhiam dy row eh ro-liauyr son y chooid t'echey, as ta eash trome er. Chammah's shen, cha nel eh cur freggyrt da'n 'eysht meanagh, ga dy vel eh lhiggey er shen y yannoo: cre'n fa dy vel ny fovooiraneyn goll er coayl? Baanrid? Laccal mian dy hannaghtyn bio? Shirrey jerrey erbee da'n turranse? T'eh jus quaagh, rere lioaryn elley ny 1960yn dy cadjin. My she sampleyr cadjin obbyr Herbert t'ayn, cha lhaimyn ny smoo jeu.

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The end of week twenty-nine of the Reading Project. Here's what I've read this week:

Yr un yw'r frwydr (Mair Wynn Hughes)

A children's fantasy book. I say children's, because there's none of the usual indicators of YA fiction here: relationships, achieving maturity, moral complexity. However, it does have some sinister touches and moments of worry, so I'd say maybe for 8-12 year olds? It's a fairly simple story of Light and Darkness, with two brothers linked to the Light by a prophecy that says they'll find the two MacGuffins. It has a lot of common elements: old kindly wizard, sinister crows, a Dark Rider (honestly) who spreads evil, a treacherous "faithful servant"... and rather than killing the Rider as such, he gets pushed over a cliff by a bizarre troglodytic bloke the kids meet near the end. So a bit of a Star Wars-LOTR mashup. But though I say that, everyone has to get started somewhere; I may be over-familiar with all those elements, but children won't be. It's also written fairly well, although I occasionally felt the language was a bit stiff for the content. The actual story was clear enough, with a faintly sinister air to it.

On the other hand, I have to say I found the pacing a bit off. Although the boys are supposed to find the artefacts, they don't get to do anything whatsoever until the last third of the book, with screen time spent either on the fantasy battle, or on a Rider-spawned "foot and mouth" outbreak that keeps the family confined to the farm for days. When they do finally get started, with only the faintest idea of where to go, the action switches rapidly between them (hunted by dark creatures) and the battle and betrayal - decent enough technique. The Rider pursues them through a misty swamp, which is fine by me. However, at this point the ending gets skewed. A strange troglodyte finds them and shelters them, then turns out to know where the artefacts are and leads the boys to them. The Rider comes after them and gets thrown in the pit. Then the whole artefact plot just sort of fizzles into a generic victory, without the artefacts doing anything or even getting the spotlight, and without any more scenes from the fantasy setting to show the effects there. It just felt weirdly abrupt to me, and a bit like MHW didn't really have any idea what to do with it.

De Profundis (Michal Oracz)

A gamebook - not quite an RPG, but something between that and a joint epistoliary novel. You take on the roles of Lovecraftian characters, suffering strange events and writing about them. There's a lot in the book, written in the style it wants you to adopt. It's translated from Polish, which I think has lost a little something in the translation; perhaps a slight cultural nuance? I enjoyed it, but it seems a bit long for what it is, and occasionally repetitive. It would probably be fun for someone with the time and inclination. I certainly used to make up stories with people. Nevertheless, I won't be going for this one. Apart from the fact I don't think any of my friends would be interested, it's a game about adopting the part of someone going slowly insane. That's a little bit close to home, cheers.

The Dragon in the Sea (Frank Herbert)

For some reason this wasn't on my list, but I didn't spot that until I'd read it. It's a sci-fi story, though with very little speculative science in it, to be honest. There's a very strong Cold War note to it, being a 1960s book, with American submariners fighting Eastern Powers for no apparent reason. The story itself is about an undercover psychologist joining a crew to see why so many are disappearing (presumably destroyed, though you never find out). It's full of stuff about the nature of sanity, the madness of war, paranoia and a horror of radiation - all very of-its-time. It was okay, I suppose. I found it too long for the actual content, but I suppose he wanted to emphasise tone. Also quite dated. Also, the central mystery of the book never really gets an answer, as much as it acts like it does. Is the problem full-blown madness? Loss of survival instinct? Seeking any end to the horror of war? It just feels a bit strange and somewhat portentious (and pretentious), to be honest, as so many books of that era do. If this is a representative sample of Herbert's work, I won't be reading any more.

Robotyn karree corryl

Er y gherrid, ta mee er chur cooney da kuse dy hroddanyn Indiegogo, as nyn mast'oc troddan as yn ennym Coralbots echey. Ga dy row dagh troddan anaasoil, ta mee son loayrt er ny robotyn rish tammylt.

Skerryn corrylagh

S'cosoylagh dy vel oo er glashtyn nagh vel skerryn corrylagh ayns slaynt vie. T'ad troggal ad hene dy moal, pollyp er phollyp, rish bleeantyn. Agh ta ro-eeastaghey, cur stiagh sampleyryn, lhongvrishaghyn as reddyn elley jannoo assee dy tappee (as trawlal grunt erskyn ooilley), as ta stroos orroo myrgeddin bentyn rish faarkaghyn goll sharroo, ny sollaghey.

Aachouyral

Ta sleih gobbraghey hannah dy aachouyral skerryn, liorish çhaglym meeryn corryl brishtey ta bio foast, as ad y aachiangley rish y sker hene: ta shiartanse dy ghooieyn corryl surranse shen. S'cosoylagh eh shen e skerryn thanney ta so-roshtyn ec thummeyder scuba (wheesh as 600t fo'n eaghtyr), agh t'eh moal agglagh as lane doilleeidyn, er y fa nagh dod oo tannaghtyn 'syn ushtey rish foddey, ny roshtyn skerryn dowin. Shimmey sker jeeylit t'ayn er grunt ny marrey ass roshtyn thummeyderyn. Haink yn eie da'n Olloo Lea-Anne Henry (Ollooscoill Herriot-Watt)dy nod ad jannoo ymmyd jeh robotyn 'syn obbyr (as lhig dou gra s'treih lhiam nagh row lheid yn olloo breeoil gynsaghey y coorse bea-oaylleeaght ayms).

Robotyn

Ta fwirran dy oaylleeyn as çhaghnoaylleeyn gobbraghey er robotyn seyr-obbree aachouyrys skerryn corryl. Ta lheid ny robotyn ry-akin hannah: t'ad tayrn caslyssyn-hallooin er grunt ny marrey, shirrey mianee, patrolaghey ayns ynnydyn coadit, ronsaghey cooishyn marrey as reddyn elley. Ta oayllee gobbraghey er armyn son robotyn noa, do nod ad cur lhieu erash nheeghyn scanshoil: sampleyryn, jeantaneyn ny kishtaghyn recortys etlan. Ta armyn ry-akin er robotyn fo smaght foddey voue ta cummal seose croanyn ooill, karraghey piobyn as cur lhieu ny nheeghyn heose, agh t'adsyn fo stiurey sleih, as ta stiureyderyn schlei goan as deyr! Chammah's shen, cha nel radio gobbraghey dy mie fo ushtey, as myr shen s'doillee eh cummal seose kiangley rish y bot; t'ou croghey er caabyl fysseree (as e ghoilleeidyn hene echeysyn) ny er kiangley er lhag-venkid ta feer voal. Liorish cur armyn er robotyn seyr-obbree, oddagh oo jannoo foddey ny smoo, ny s'tappee as ny sloo deyr. As shen gyn gaue da deiney: ta feanish ayn dy vel thummey gaueagh, ga nagh vel sleih coardail er y ghaue t'ayn. Ayns ayrn, shen er y fa nagh vel fys baghtal er wheesh dy 'leih ta thummey, ny cre cho liauyr. Rere ooryn jeant, t'ad credjal dy vel eh mysh 96 keayrtyn ny smoo gaueagh na imman, agh rere baaseyn 'sy vleih t'eh ny sauçhey, dy baghtal.

Ta fo'n wirran Coralbots robotyn y chroo nod cooilleeney y lane obbyr gyn feme er deiney. Ta daa ghean ec yn çhalee. Hoshiaght, lhisagh ny robotyn feddyn meeryn corryl ta er nyn mrishey voish y sker, ny meeryn er nyn troarey ayns ymmyr corryl; nee ad shirrey ynnyd cooie da'n veer 'sy sker, as ad y aachiangley rish. Agh erskyn shen, ta fo'n wirran ny robotyn y chiangley ry-cheilley myr scruin. Lhisagh ad co-obbraghey rere sniengagnyn ny shellanyn, as 'syn aght shen ta ymmyrkey neuchramp cooilleeney obbraghyn cramp: shen yn aght ta shellanyn ny dooarchooghyn troggal thieyn yl-chast. T'adsyn co-reaghey dys feddyn bee, troggal clein as fendeil yn edd noi beiyn elley. Ga nagh vel monney fys ec unnaneagh erbee, as cha nod ad fakin y lane obbyr, t'ad troggal strughtooryn foawragh as lane vynphoyntyn scanshoil. Ta shen taghyrt gyn ard-reiltagh, liorish biallys da reillyn neuchramp t'er nyn reaghey ec aafilley. Ga nagh vel unnaneagh erbee scanshoil, ta co-obbraghey ymmodee jeu (as co-obbraghey ny reillyn shen) cooilleeney eiyrtys fondagh.

Ta'n olloo David Corne, fer jeh'n wirran, ronsaghey claareyn co-earrooder ta cochiangley jeshaghtyn myr scruin. T'eh jannoo ymmyd jeh co-earrooaght aafilleydagh son shen: croo ymmodee claareyn, scryssey adsyn ta falleil, as croo straih noa rere ny fir hare. Rish jannoo shen ymmodee keayrtyn, t'eh feddyn claare ta fondagh as ta cooilleeney'n dean dy mie. 'Sy chooish shoh, nee eh reillyn vennys rish cur enney er nheeghyn, rheynn obbraghyn eddyr y 'cruin, as feddyn ynnydyn cooie da meeryn corryl. Shegin da Corne feddyn magh paramateryn cooie da'n obbyr, as ny mooadyssyn share daue. Myr sampleyr, ta corryl gaase dy mie my t'eh cour y stroo ushtey (dys beaghey), as ta s'mie lesh kuse jeu soilshey ny greiney. T'eh er Corne ronsaghey as shareaghey algorithmyn bentyn rish laueaghey, fakin as stiurey ny robotyn. T'eh fo y 'wirran robotyn Nessie 4 y chaghlaa son yn obbyr.

Er y fa dy bee ny robotyn lane gollrish y cheilley, t'ad shassoo noi doilleeidyn ny share. Foddee fer erbee jeu caghlaa yn obbyr echey, as cha nel fer erbee femoil. Myr shen, my ta fer jeu brishey, cha nel eh ro-hrome; ta ny fir elley gobbraghey foast as goaill orroo hene yn obbyr v'echey. Cha bee bot erbee stiurey, agh nee ad nyn mriwnys hene er quoi jinnys c'red. Er lesh yn olloo Henry dy nod ad karraghey sker rish ymmodee meeghyn, foddey ny sloo na deiney. My ta ny h-oaylleeyn cooilleeney'n dean shen, er lhieu dy nod oo cur geill da deanyn freayllagh elley: glenney trustyr ass y cheayn, ny marroo deill "attey dy ghrineyn" ta cur naardey y Rinn Vooar.

Cre'n fa?

Gyn çheet er eieyn freayllagh, ny er kiedyn deiney dy chur naardey y seihll mygeayrt y mooin, ta skerryn feer scanshoil son slaynt ny marrey, son coadey slystyn marrey (jeeagh er y ny caslyssyn) as myr oayllyn ymmodee eeastyn as cretooryn marrey elley.

Er raad elley, s'cosoylagh dy nee yn çhalee shoh feddyn magh reddyn scanshoil mychione co-obbraghey robotyn, as shen y traa ry-heet, nagh vel? Scruinyn dy robotyn ta karraghey raadyn, cuirr troaryn, ny aachuirrey keyljyn ny red erbee by vie lhiat, gyn feme er peiagh erbee dyn stiurey. Ny jannoo coloin er seihll elley, my share lhiat.

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Er lhiam dy nee shalee feeu as lane anaase t'ayn, as freayllym shilley er y 'wirran shoh.

(Oh, as jus rish screeu yn art shoh, hug mee my ner dy vel y skeeal er y Veeb nish. Jeant dy mie!)