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Fifty Books a Year (or fewer)

(805 Posts)
TerriBull Tue 01-Jan-19 07:58:29

Here it is then, GN very own 50 books a year thead, or as the title suggest for those who think that may be a tad too many for them, whatever your personal best may be after a culmination of reading for a year. Don't be daunted by the "50" benchmark, as this is the first thread of its kind, it is experimental and will evolve as it progresses.

So to recap, start off with what you are reading now, or with a new book. How often you come to the thread is up to the individual. Over on MN, some seem to up date every so often with the next few they've read. If you feel so inclined post a review or a synopsis of the book. Definitely share if it's something you've loved......or hated, or shelved hmm Reading material is not restricted to fiction, it can be anything, factual, audio, childrens, The Hungry Caterpillar or the like even!, such books count towards the 50, so who knows, you could be at that figure by the end of today grin

At the end of the year post your complete list with your best read in bold, worst in italics and mention your top five, or top book if you've just read five sad

Here's wishing those who partake a great reading year ahead in 2019.

Sar53 Wed 02-Jan-19 14:19:31

I've just finished BlackBerry and Wild Rose by Sonia Belton. A Gransnet book club novel. A lovely story set in 18th century London about Silk weavers. This is Sonia's first book and I am looking forward to reading more from her.
My next book will be The Fox by Frederick Forsyth, a Christmas present.

libra10 Wed 02-Jan-19 14:02:59

I love reading and usually read around 50 books a year.

As a member of NetGalley www.netgalley.co.uk/ I am frequently offered free books to read and review, and have read some fabulous books before they are published.

Am currently reading Tell Me A Secret, by Jane Fallon, and enjoying it immensely.

Have also purchased some books from Smiths, on a Caboodle giftcard, which I won last year. I love reading and always have a book on the go.

Ellie Anne Wed 02-Jan-19 13:54:45

Reading Cross and burn by Val mcDermid just now.

mrswoo Wed 02-Jan-19 13:49:58

What a great thread!
I’m a Kindle-only reader these days and have the app on my iPad where I can also see at a glance all the books I’ve read. So I hope to keep up with this challenge throughout 2019. I read 37 books in 2018 so must try harder this year.

I’m currently reading a 99p download called Toxic by Vena Cork - it’s not very enjoyable but I can’t put it down. If that makes sense!

annodomini Wed 02-Jan-19 13:35:36

Only fifty? grin

bonji Wed 02-Jan-19 13:31:38

I’m a bit confused here - DH says it doesn’t take much! I joined the other forum on reading 50 books a year but this seems to be another on reading 50 books or fewer in a year. Not sure if I read 50 but always have a book ‘on the go’ so will comment on what I have on either forum. At present reading The Married Girls by Diney Costeloe - a light read which I am enjoying. These days I only read for pleasure so most of my books are ‘light reads’, not like DH who only reads non-fiction, but so interesting to hear about what you are all reading. Just off to the library to see what’s available today.

SueDonim Wed 02-Jan-19 13:31:25

Yet you have time to waste by commenting on a thread you're not interested in, Mabon? confused

I'm now reading Laurie Lee's A Village Christmas.

nettyandmasey Wed 02-Jan-19 13:30:53

I havé just started The Stranger Diaries by Ella Griffiths. A stand-alone book. Her series set in Norfolk about Dr Ruth Galloway forensic archaeologist and Detective Harry Nelson are excellent.

Conni7 Wed 02-Jan-19 13:25:53

I'm waiting for the next Lucinda Riley sister. Is it out yet? I think we've had five already.

Gills61 Wed 02-Jan-19 13:22:09

Becoming by Michelle Obama. Enjoying this very much and is written in such an easy to read style.

Ruby41 Wed 02-Jan-19 13:21:43

Another Eleanor Olliphant fan here - read it last year and loved it. My first book for 2019 is 'Meet me at the Museum' by Anne Youngson - a beautifully written novel in the form of correspondence between an English woman trapped in an unfulfilling life and a lonely Danish museum curator. Only two thirds of the way through but thoroughly recommend so far!

Keeleklogger Wed 02-Jan-19 13:16:33

I did 35 books last year. Just Finished "We Can see You" by Simon kernick. here is my review on Goodreads

You have it all. Success, a beautiful home, a happy family. Until, in a heartbeat, it's gone. We've kidnapped your daughter, and we know everything about you. Including the dark secrets from your past you thought were forgotten. We tell you not to contact the police - and that we'll know if you do. Because we can see you. And now you know this is no ordinary abduction. It's worse. Within hours you're on the run, with only one thought in your head: That you will stop at nothing to get your daughter back. Even murder.

The story is told in alternating chapters between Brook and the Detectives Tyrone Giant and Jenna King. There is plenty of twists and some secrets in this fast paced novel right from the start. The story is action packed and I was rooting all the way for Brook to find her daughter safe and sound. With tension building from the start, this is a well written and gripping story. Loved it.

An emotionally punchy book blended with the pace and action of a high-octane thriller, WE CAN SEE YOU will keep you breathlessly on the edge of your seat, wondering which character you can trust, if any at all, until the final brilliant twist!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for an advance copy in return for a fair and honest review

Seakay Wed 02-Jan-19 13:15:02

I'm reading "Killing the Lawyers" by Reginald Hill. It's not a Dalziel and Pascoe one, the PI protagonist is Joe Sixsmith.

I hope to join in for the whole year but I'm a bit confused - do we just randomly add to the thread or is there a way of keeping our posts (and therefor our book lists) together?

queenie68 Wed 02-Jan-19 13:10:45

I will give this a go I have just started Sleeping Beauties by Jo Spain so that’s my book 1

rascalsgran Wed 02-Jan-19 13:09:33

Just started Where Daffodils bloom by Leya Delray-a true story set in my hometown about a local girl who meets an American during the 2nd World war -enjoying it so far.

Conni7 Wed 02-Jan-19 13:09:01

Lovely to have all these recommendations. I'm reading "Down Under" by Bill Bryson, having just finished "The Road to Little Dribbling" which was a hoot. I received Gyles Brandreth's "Have you eaten Grandma?" for Christmas. Can recommend this to all fellow pedants.

pennyh47 Wed 02-Jan-19 13:05:40

Another fan of Eleanor Olliphant is absolutely fine. Once I got into it I was eager to find out her story. Clever writing

Chucky Wed 02-Jan-19 13:04:00

As you say, may get up to 50 very quickly. I have just read the Gruffalo to one dgs and the 12 Engines of Christmas to other dgs. Love my cuddles when reading to them! However, I will attempt to read some more Adult reads. My favourite author is “Phillip Margolin.” Not everyone has heard of him, but if you like American Legal Thrillers I can recommend him (I enjoy him much more than John Grisham), though they are NOT for the faint hearted!

marionk Wed 02-Jan-19 13:02:52

Have just finished Elinor Oliphant is Absolutely Fine and I thoroughly enjoyed it

Sarahmob Wed 02-Jan-19 12:45:54

CassieJ I love the Lucind Riley seven sisters, I’ve read them all so far, thoroughly recommend all of the others in the series.

Jane43 Wed 02-Jan-19 12:40:19

I want to read more this year. I used to read a lot but now I spend too much time on this iPad or watching tv, usually simultaneously. I got Michelle Obama’s ‘Becoming’ for Christmas so that will be my first read.

GrannyBeek Wed 02-Jan-19 12:35:26

Great thread! I record all books read (no time for reviews) on the www.bookcrossing.com website (I have been an avid Bookcrosser for about 12 years). I’ve just started This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay (Christmas present from my wishlist). I can see I’ll be getting lots of recommendations here for books to read.

blossom14 Wed 02-Jan-19 12:34:36

My first read this year is The Frozen Lake by Elizabeth Edmonson. It appears to be a story of two families who live in mansions beside a lake in Westmoreland and begins with the Christmas holidays in the mid 1930's when the lake is frozen over well enough to ice skate. Not my usual genre but I am gradually being drawn in.

Gransey Wed 02-Jan-19 12:28:55

What a wonderful thread. A great resource for seeking out our next read too. Thank you so much for starting it Terribull. I too read on Kindle and very fast so I have Kindle Unlimited. If I’m not working I can read more than a book a day. I have spells of reading non-fiction, do they count? Travel accounts etc? I just finished a true story called ‘Educated’ by Tara Westover, not my usual thing, quite harrowing but was highly recommended. Currently reading Everything is Lies by Helen Callaghan, a thriller, quite twisty.

sunnydayindorset Wed 02-Jan-19 12:18:39

Just finished "The Witchfinder's Sister. It is an account of the identifying so called witches during the civil War from the viewpoint of an imaginery sister of Matthew Hopkins, the witchfinder general and is set in Suffolk and Essex. I really enjoyed it. Just about to start Helen Duncombe 's Birdcage Walk. I enjoyed the previous one I read about an airman's greatcoat.