Fifty Books a Year (or fewer)

I have also just read the Girl in the Corner (on kindle) by Amanda Prowse, which I enjoyed - just light reading. I have joined Kindle Unlimited for 3 months at £1.99. Of course not all the best authors are on there, but quite a few good ones. I also just read several Joy Ellis detective stories set in the Lincolnshire fens.

I have a proper book I ordered from Amazon - The Lie of the Land by Amanda Craig. Not read it yet but a friend enjoyed it at her book group, it has won book of the year 2017 from quite a few newspapers.

This is a great thread, thanks for starting it Terribull. I have also just joined my local library online, so will be ordering some of these books.

Finally I must work out the best way to easily record all the books I've read - if possible in alphabetical order of author.

Great thread terribull.

I’ve just finished Anita Anand’s Sophia: Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary in time for Book Group tonight!
Not so much a biography as a history of the Sikh Kingdom, the Indian fight for Independence, the Suffragette movement and the Great War, but a great read.

Thank you for starting this thread Terribull - it's interesting to see what everyone else is reading and find some ideas for the future.

I've just finished Thursdays in the Park by Hilary Boyd, which I think could have been a GN Book Club choice a while ago, although I bought my copy in a charity shop. It was quite different to the type of novel I normally read but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Just about to start Fingers in the Sparkle Jar by Chris Packham.. Autobiographical.

My reading tastes have changed over the years. I can't be bothered with novels now. In fact any fiction.
I certainly haven't read 50 books in a year. Last night I finished 'Roughing it' by Mark Twain - about his journeys to western USA and Pacific Islands in the ?1860s. Nearly 600 pages. I've been reading it since? July.
I've just bought his book Innocents Abroad, and look forward to reading it, slowly.
I think travel books are my favourites.

I hit send too soon. I meant to ask if anyone who has an Alexa listens to a book at bedtime via her? I still cannot decide about getting one.

What a wonderful and inspirational post! Gransnet at its best and thank you to Terribull

I am actually off to the local library today (first trip out for a while) I have already read of some really good books on here and it is so lovely to think we can pause and reflect on works read, whilst sharing with others. Lovely.

My last (e) read was Discovery by Commander Byrd. Having been to Antarctica and (in the dim past) completed some of Shackleton trek, this book meant so much for me. I absolutely recommend to those who only read non-fiction as well as to everyone else.

Fiction; I am returning to my youth with Sillitoe and the other Angry Young men.

A recurring memory from childhood was returning from school and being told firmly to shoosh as Alvar Lidell was reading The Cruel Sea (Monserrat) to my mum on her talking book. Woe betide us if we even rustled until the end of a chapter.

Just finished The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris. A wonderful read and a true story. Makes you wonder how kindness can still survive in such a terrible place.

I'm reading The Circus Train Conspiracy by Edward Marston, followed by A Christmas Railway Mystery by the same author.
I have just finished The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce, which I really enjoyed; very touching book.

Just finished This is going to hurt, Secret Diaries of a junior doctor by Adam Kay- hilarious and heart breaking in equal measure.
Just about to start Th Secret Barrister because the law and people’s misconceptions about it fascinate me.

"Vibrational Medicine" by Richard Gerber, about some alternative medicines because I am nosey; "Spark Joy" by Marie Kondo, Japanese handbook on tidying, because I need help with ordering too many possessions; "The Celts" by historian Alice Roberts. Fifty books - no problem.

Hi everyone, this is my first post on Gransnet.
Drawn in by book discussions. Have just finished The Pier Falls by Mark Haddon. Short stories and just right for Christmas period, didn't have to retain a complex plot in my poor brain for too long!!
As for children's books, my 5 year old GD just loves The Book with No Pictures by B Novak. Very clever, puts the listening child in control of the adult reader.
Happy reading all.

I agree with you 100% Lancslass. I too am sick of books revolving around long lost letters/postcards/suitcases etc etc they are becoming tiresome.
DH is currently reading his way through a stack of Neville Shute books and having a bit of a chuckle at some of the dated phrases and attitudes but is really enjoying them.

I also love Hilary Boyd , she has written about 6/7 books mostly about family relationships, the first one I read was Thursday's in the Park,

I recently read Three things about Elsie, by Joanna Cannon, a great thoughtful read ,with gentle humour of old age , with a surprising ending, I really enjoyed reading it,

Just finished all 800 pages of the new Shardlake. A long read but never boring.
Now embarking on Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver. Really looking forward to this. I went to hear her talking about it recently in Brighton and she is one impressive lady! She has a lot to say about big contemporary issues but does it in a creative and engaging way.

I've already read King of Assassins by R J Barker (third book of an epic fantasy trilogy) and The Cobweb Bride by Vera Nazarian (paranormal series book 1). Not sure what to read next as I have a huge reading pile of books I got for Christmas plus a number of ebooks in the queue - I will have made my mind up by bedtime though. My Goodreads Reading Challenge is 100 books for this year - last year I managed 85/100, mainly due to having read a lot of 500+ page books. Hoping I will actually hit my target for 2019.

I am at the moment reading 'Daughter of Empire', by Pamela Hicks, daughter of Louis Mountbatten. Doubt whether I shall get through 50 books in a year!

"The Comforts of Home", the latest in the Simon Serailler detective series by Susan Hill. Waiting for me is "The Kingdom of the Blind" by Louise Penney, the latest in the Inspector Gamache series, set in Quebec. I love a good detective novel, and these two are very, very good indeed!

Dictatorland: the men who stole Africa by Paul Kenton. Interesting so far as I remember the names and events.

My first book of the year is “Day of the Dead” by Nicci French.

I’m reading “The Clockmaker’s Daughter” at the moment, find Kate Morten’s books such good reads. Am looking forward to following this thread & getting ideas for what to choose at the library.

sodapop I read "The Clockmaker's Daughter" recently and loved it, second favourite book of last year after "The Heart's Invisible Furies". Kate Morton's books are well worth the wait, as are the other Kate (Atkinson) her latest "Transcription" is on my to read list for this year. My other must read come hell or high water will be "Educated" by Tara Westover. I've heard it's wonderful.

I’m reading Lies Sleeping by Ben Aaronovitch, I’ve read all his books, all set in London

I like the Luc Callanach books as well
Neilspurgeon I have the Shardlake book waiting and The Clockmakers Daughter. Nice long reads.