The New Fifty Books A Year Thread 2020

I agree Urmanston about putting aside books that don't "hold" you. I used to plough through books that I disliked and then I had an eureka moment and realised it did n't matter if I finished a book or not. These were usually library books so it did n't cost me anything.
These days when I buy books on Kindle and also still go to the Library, it seems that the Kindle books are the ones that are left unfinished. Probably because I can judge a book by its cover,although the proverb tells us no.
One new book from the Library that I enjoyed was "The Inheritance of Solomon Farthing" by a Scottish author Mary Paulson-Ellis who wrote "The Other Mrs. Walker".
It is set in present day Edinburgh and also in the trenches of the 1st World War.

So do unfinished books count towards the fifty?

I am looking forward to joining in this year of books, I am an avid reader and can't be without a book.

I have just finished "Perfect Remains" by Helen Fields.
Great thriller set in Edinburgh with a French lead character. I don't know how I missed hearing about this series... I am starting the 2nd "Perfect Prey" tonight.

As for unfinished books, if I can't get into it or really don't like it, then I will only persevere if it is for the book club I am a member of, otherwise I leave it and very rarely revisit.

Shh! I’m reading .....
?

Just finished The Dry by Jane Harper again set in the Australian outback and you can just imagine it. I may order The Salt Path from library.Now there is a book about the SAS by Damian Lewis which I am dipping into!

Book number two of 2020 is Stephen Fry's 'Heroes' the companion book to 'Mythos' which I read a few months ago and really enjoyed.

I can’t wait to read the sequel to The Salt Path by Raynor Winn called The Wild Silence

Can I join please, as I always have a book on the go?

Currently reading The Scarlet Nightingale, by Alan Titchmarsh? It's set in the 2nd world war, not read much yet, but it's very well written.

Although I bought this book, I'm also a member of NetGalley - they offer free e-books and ask you to review them at Amazon and occasionally Good Reads.

Interesting seeing what others have enjoyed reading.

I have just finished Thirteenth Tale and have thoroughly enjoyed it. You were right Sara65.
I kept this quote from the Chapter called Rain and Cake as I thought that all book lovers may feel the same after getting lost in a good book. Do you agree?

‘ do you know the feeling when you start reading a new book before the membranes of the last one has had time to close behind you? You leave the previous book with ideas and themes -characters even- caught in the fibres of your clothes , and when you open the new book they are still with you.’

My next book is from the January book club, Haven’t they grown by Sophie Hannah, it will have a hard job to better this last one I think.

CARAMAC- I live on the Rame Peninsula and have dogs, so have walked the coast path as far as Polperro.

Crocky.

So pleased you enjoyed it.

When I am reading a book that is really enjoyable I feel sad that it is coming to an end. That to me is a sign of a great read. Unfortunately it does n't happen that often, even less now as I am getting older.

Today I finished reading ‘A Place Called Freedom’ by Ken Follett.. I really enjoyed this book although I felt the ending was a little abrupt. I’m hoping there is a sequel. I have a few more Ken Follett books on Kindle and will look to see if I’ve already got it.
Follett’s research ensures his books are interesting and educational, in the context of history and social justice.
@Crocky I’ve been to the Rame Peninsula, breathtakingly beautiful.

I finished Melmoth last night. It didn’t get any better. I hated everyone in it. I wish I’d followed through on Urmstongran’s advice.

I decided to list all the books I read last year and it totalled 76, I would never have believed it if I hadn't written them down. I did this so I could look out for favourite authors. I tend to read when I go to bed and if I wake early before I get up and in the bath!

I have just finished 'The Yorkshire Shepherdess" by Amanda Owen from the tv programme 'The Yorkshire Farm'. I really enjoyed this book and admire the way the live their lives. It wouldn't suit most people but they all seem to be happy with their lot.

Finished ‘Haven’t they grown’ by Sophie Hannah. This book for me was fast paced, with more conversations between characters than details, therefore it could be quickly read and if I skimmed a little I didn’t miss anything! I did engage with it though.
I get my books from the mobile library. It comes every four weeks and I can order online, books that I want to read. Also I can use an app called BorrowBox as a library member and get free ebooks and audible books online.
My next book is ‘Dead in Devon’ by Stephanie Austin.

Late joining here and my first post - hello all - an avid reader, so am hopeful of completing the 50 books!
First completed read of the year is The Pearl Locket by Kathleen McGurl. Story of a family over two time periods the 1940s and present day. An easy read with some emotional moments.

maytime2, I get where you are coming from when a good read comes to an end-

Just finished ‘Wakenhyrst’ by Michelle Paver. Wasn’t sure about this book when I started it, but I couldn’t put it down and ended up eking it out because I didn’t want to get to the end! It’s described as a ghost story but it really isn’t; its much darker and more rooted in realism than that. Very suspenseful. Next book will be Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker, which I read last year but as it was on a library waiting list I didn’t have time to savour it. DD bought me a copy for Christmas.

I've just finished reading "Haven't they grown" ( no question mark) by Sophie Hannah, and was disappointed by it. I'm reading a Maeve Binchy novel on my kindle now, "A week in winter" which I am enjoying - though I've always enjoyed her books. Im also dipping in and out of Mary Berry, "The autobiography" which is an interesting and easy read. When I've read these, my next one will probably be the Trevor Macdonald aotobiography my DH bought me for Christmas.

Two good reads I had for Christmas were 'The Prime Ministers' by Steve Richards and 'A year in the White House' by Jonathan Sopel. Both fun to dip in and out of.
I tend to leave books I don't much like on one side for months before admitting to myself that I'm never going to finish them. Will be bolder this year.
Current bedside book is the latest (I think) Donna Leon, 'Unto us a child is born'. Gets off to a slow start.
Thanks for all the recommendations of The Salt Path, so many of us are going to read it now we should have a thread within a thread in about April!

I just finished The Salt Path, it was so descriptive I felt along for the treck, and learned so much from it- A beautiful, inspiring read-

My first book for 2020 was 'Tell Nobody' by Patricia Gibney. It is #5 in a series.
Almost finished #6 'Final Betrayal' and will probably start #7 'Broken Souls' in a day or two!!
(I'm inclined to 'batch read!!)
I will then start on 'The Salt Path' recommended by my daughter.

Forgot to say I managed to read 49 books last year! Hopefully, I will manage the full 50 and possibly more during 2020!

Book 4 My Name Is Eva by Suzanne Goldring
I enjoyed this where Eva has survived WW2 but continues to write to her beloved husband who did not survive. She is now in a home for the elderly where she feigns forgetfulness to avoid answering awkward questions about her past. I loved how she ‘got one over’ her niece by this play acting as Eva remains as sharp witted as ever.