Fifty Books a Year (or fewer)

I have recently lost my husband of 52 years. I find the house so quiet and empty that I have been downloading Audible books from Essex County Libraries. Kent and Suffolk libraries do this too. It is a free service and you can download e books too although sometimes there is a waiting list. I listen during the day to keep me company. I have recently listened to The Glass Room by Ann Cleeves and Broken by Daniel Clay. I don’t sleep so I read light books in bed and have just finished The One who got away by Helen Warner which I really liked but it made me cry. I have now started Veronica Henry Christmas at the beach hut as I have read all her other books and enjoyed them. Great post I hope to find lots of inspiration.

I have been retired 7.5 years and I've read 291 books that's about three a month. I guess it depends on how much you read and what you read. I read when I wake up for about an hour a day. I read fiction and non-fiction.
My best book of last year was Becoming - Michelle Obama

Ok

I managed 27 books last year I think

Currently reading Perfect Death by Helen Fields, a police procedural fictional book, third (I think) in a series of “perfect” books featuring Detective Luc Callanach and DCI Ava Turner based in Edinburgh. Recommended.

I nirmally record this information on the Good Reads site but happy, so long as I remember, to do it on here too.

I am so sick of reading the books written by "Creative Writers " that seem to be so similar
Ie -alternate chapters written in the first person by different characters going back and forth in time so that one gets confused.
There is often an attic involved where a suitcase is found containing letters etc written by a relative who was possibly a maid who eventually either married or had an illegitimate child by the Lord of the Manor's son.
In some cases younger writers do not check facts about times before they were born.
In the last book written by a "Creative Writer" I tried to read there was an anachronism on the second page.
It was 1956 and Cliff Richard was mentioned.
Cliff Richard was Harry Webb in 1956 and would have probably been still at school .
Another book mentioned Heathrow Airport when it was still known as London Airport.
I have now decided to reread the books I enjoyed as a teenager and have started with the books by Nevil Shute.
They are very well written and I am finding them most enjoyable although I don't know if I can bring myself to read "Requiem for a Wren " again.
I dare say that I am in the minority but surely I am not unique n wishing that the "Creative Writing " approach has had its day.

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

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

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 “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.

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

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

"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!

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!

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.

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 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,

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 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.

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.

"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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.