Fifty Books a Year (or fewer)

Trying to get into A Gathering Light by Jennifer Donnelly.. but it is not getting to me. Anyone out there with words to encourage me to persevere?

I read it a long time ago PECS, it was a book on one of my children's reading list when they were at school and it was brought home so I read it too, yes so quite a while back. I quite enjoyed it, can't remember too much about the story other than I think it was set upstate New York at the turn of the 20th century and French Canada figured in it somewhere. Probably doesn't help though other than to say I didn't find it tedious, quite enjoyable without being one of the best.

I’ve just finished (thank goodness) my book 3, The Librarian by Salley Vickers. Despite the praise heaped on it by Philip Pullman et al, I found it very tedious and ended up skipping through it. It was my reading group’s choice, so I’ll be interested to hear their views next week.

Just finished Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine and loved it. Next up is Rogue Herries by Hugh Walpole -I read the series years ago so I wonder if I'll enjoy as much this time round,

No 4-Lies Sleeping-Ben Aaronvitch.
7th book in Rivers of London series.

Finished my first Roy Grace book. An enjoyable read. Moving on to the second book Looking good dead.

Book 5 Clock Dance by Anne Tyler.
“A bittersweet novel of hope and regret,fulfilment and renewal.”

Finished book 6 Into the darkest corner...brilliant psychological thriller, couldn't put it down !
Book 7...Among the lemon trees by Nadia Marks, looks like a lighter read this time.

I agree wholeheartedly about The Librarian Maggiemaybe - very tedious.
I’ve finised my 4th book Quintin Jardine’s “Cold Case” and really enjoyed it. I know the area it’s set in very well.
My next book is Margaret Atwood's “The Handmaid’s Tale”. I didn’t watch it on TV and I’m not convinced I’ll like it.

Oh good, Overthehills, I’m glad it’s not just me!

My book 4 is Jo Nesbo’s The Snowman, and it’s so much better, less stilted for a start even though it’s a translation into English.

Hi matson, I haven't read 'Among the lemon trees' but I would recommend another of her books 'Secrets under the Sun'

Thank you, I will bear it in mind if I enjoy this one.

Just finished The Stranger Diaries by Ellie Griffiths. A stand alone novel, there does seem enough scope to continue writing about DS Kaur, a likeable character. Enjoyed the present day story, found the Gothic ghost bit rather tedious. The new Ruth Galloway book is out in a week or so, really look forward to that. My next book will be the latest Rebus, been a while since I’ve read about him.

Started a Richard Russo but had to leave it for the time being, I will go back to it in another week or two. Read instead "I Won't Be Home For Christmas" Amanda Prowse, an easy read which I wanted because of this lurgy.

Going to read "The Heart's Invisible Furies" now.

Finished book 7 Elizabeth is Missing Emma Healey - just made me feel sad

I decided against The Handmaid’s Tale for my fourth bookin favour of Robert Goddard’s The Ends of the Earth because it’s library book and overdue! It’s the third in a trilogy about a WWI flying ace trying to solve the mystery of his father’s murder. I enjoyed the first book but the second was a bit tedious. The third is better and I’m enjoying the twists and turns.

Just finished my second Roy Grace novel. A very easy read. Now starting Sarah Waters The Little Stranger. For some reason the blurb is ringing a bell for me. Maybe have read it before, oh well I’ll soon find out!!!!

My first one was A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. This really resonated with me because I’ve done short walks on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia so could picture the scenery accurately. It was interesting not only for the amusing way Bryson recounts his experiences with Katz his old school friend who accompanied him, and the people they met, but also for all the information about the changing ecology of the Appalachians.

Then I moved on to Lizzie Siddal by Lucinda Hawksley, a fascinating account of the life of one of the few women artists of the 19th century to have achieved any acclaim, and her tortured relationship with Dante Gabriel Rossetti. She was the model for Millais’ Ophelia and many other paintings.
Anyone interested in the Pre-Raphaelites and their circle would enjoy this book.

Just finished the second in the series by Ann Cleeve, " White Nights" . those of you who have read them, are the rest of the books set in the same place with Fran and Pereze? I'd like a change of scene so going back to L.J.Ross books about D.C.I.Ryan
Tho I may find the same thing happens there!

Just finished a book I picked up at a local car boot sale which turned out to be such a good read 'Wax Fruit' by Guy McCrone. A family saga set in Victorian times in Glasgow, for anyone who knows Glasgow I'm sure this would be even more enjoyable, as someone who has only been there one, it was educational! I enjoyed the book so much I have bought the two follow-ons to read on my Kindle. It was different as it focused on about 10 years in the family's life so was quite in-depth. On a completely different note, as a dog lover I really enjoyed 'Daisy's Gift' by Claire Guest which is all about how she founded the charity Medical Detection Dogs. Absolutely fascinating how dogs are able to sniff out diseases and be helpers to people with chronic life-threatening diseases.

Is there any way of compiling a list of all the books mentioned here other than trawling through and extracting them myself?

Just finished East End Angels byRosie Hendry. This is about ambulances drivers and is set in London’s East End at the time of the Blitz. I was born in Walthamstow in 1947 so can identify with some of the book from odd things my parents and grandmother said. It was an ‘easy read’ but some of the incidents described quite horrific. Just started The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths as really enjoyed her books in the Dr Ruth Galloway series.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Book 6. Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal.
Oh er, this might be too saucy for my gentile upbringing. ?

Don’t worry, it won’t be. I read it a few months ago and found it quite entertaining if a bit on the silly side. Let us know how you get on with it.