*2021 - 50 BOOKS FOR THE YEAR*

5 The Offing by Benjamin Myers. I didn’t finish this. It’s awful, so overwritten with ridiculous metaphors bursting out of the pages. It’s also badly researched with oil seed rape and alpacas being raised in 1947 Yorkshire?

6 Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome. Can’t really go wrong there, can you?

Happy to share the idea of my favourite book of 2020. The name of the book is "IKIGAI." This book reveals the Japanese secret to a long and happy life. The word "iki" means life, and "kai" means realizing hopes and expectations. The concept of this book is well structured with simple language. It is a small but beautiful book to read and has more cultural values, ending with little curiosity. I enjoyed reading this book, and I strongly recommend this book to people who are conscious about their health and stay long life with more happiness. I completed this one last week.

Now started reading the book "The Unspoken Name" by A. K. Larkwood.

Please recommend to me some books related to Science fiction..

‘Bloody Amazing - 123 taboo smashing poems
...it’s about bleeding time’
Remarkable collection of poems by women writing about their bodies and their reaction to them. I wish it had been published years ago as it would made me feel I wasn’t alone at various stages of life! Several poems about the impact of first periods especially touched me.

Elrel
I’ve not heard of it, but sounds really interesting, something for our granddaughter’s to read maybe

#11, Mum and Dad by Joanna Trollope. A good read, although I thought it was quite similar to her other recent books. I’ve heard a lot about Where the Crawdads Sing so that’s going to be my next read.

Finished ‘Execution’ by S. J, Parris. Giordano Bruno triumphs against, but what a page turner! I suppose I shall have to catch up on the previous ones in the series now.
Current read is ‘Quantum Curators and the Faberge Egg’ by Eva St John. Mildly diverting at the moment but I’m only on page 22!

I started on The Goldfinch by Donna tart. Not my kind of thing at all. Has anyone enjoyed it? Did it ever get to the point?

Book number 3 - The Wildflowers by Harriet Evans. I have read and enjoyed other books by this author but didn’t think this was one of her better ones. Good story which eventually revealed the family secrets but took 509 pages to get there so became a bit tedious to read. If the library was open to get other books I don’t think I would have finished this one! Hope the next book is better.

Blinko
I found the Goldfinch really hard to get into, I knew from the start it was going to drag out, because the opening scenes seemed, quite unnecessarily, to go on for ever

If you ever get that far, there is a period in the middle, which is a bit faster moving, but found it really disappointing.

tidyskatemum I have read West with Giraffes too - I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it, but like you, I thought it was wonderful. I can really recommend it. I wouldn’t be surprised if it is made into a film.

Ready to start The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri.

Sara1954

Blinko
I found the Goldfinch really hard to get into, I knew from the start it was going to drag out, because the opening scenes seemed, quite unnecessarily, to go on for ever

If you ever get that far, there is a period in the middle, which is a bit faster moving, but found it really disappointing.

Cheers, Sara1954. I think life's too short...

#9 This Time Next Year Sophie Cousens. I enjoyed this more than I thought I was going to. It is about a couple who are born a minute apart at new year at the same hospital who meet again when they are 30. It is a lovely rom com and I think it would make a good film.
#10 Agatha Raisin: Blood of an Englishman M C Beaton on audiobook. Passed the time and I absolutely love Penelope Keith's narration of these books.
My#11 is a recommendation from a friend The Second Sleep Robert Harris, looks interesting, I will start it today.
Thank you tidyskatemum and mrswoo for recommending West With Giraffes I have it on my Kindle and will definitely read it.

I have just finished #12, The Radium Girls by Kate Moore. I think it will stay with me for a very long time. It is the true story of the girls and young women who painted the dials and numbers on the luminous clocks and watches in factories in the USA in the early twentieth century. They were lied to time and again and had to fight long and hard in order to achieve justice for themselves, their families and future workers as they suffered unimaginable pain. They were so very courageous and their legacy lives on. Even now, almost a hundred years after it all happened, the grounds of the former factories are still dangerously radioactive and the women's bones still glow.

I also have West With Giraffes on my Kindle and am looking forward to reading it.

Just finished The Convent by Sarah Sheridan, was gripped from beginning to end!

#6 The Betrayal Of Trust.

Cannot really take to Simon Serailler, find him rather arrogant, self centred, conceited, though he is a good detective.

Just started Still Life by Val McDermid.

Calandargirl
The only thing I don’t like about Simon Serailler, is his name, I’m never sure if I’m pronouncing it correctly in my mind. I would have preferred that he was called something simpler.

So far this year
The Glass House by Eve Chase
The Other Passenger by Louise Candish
Raven Black by Ann Cleeves
Now reading Remain Silent by Suzie Steiner. Have read another of her’s. May appeal to fans of Ellie Griffith’s books,
Does anyone have recommendations for a something similar to Kate Moreton’s books?

Anannymous
Have you tried Katherine Webb? I think you would enjoy her books if you like Kate Morton.

#10 - Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler.
Really enjoyed this book (the first one I’ve read). Will look for more by her.

Sara1954

Calandargirl
The only thing I don’t like about Simon Serailler, is his name, I’m never sure if I’m pronouncing it correctly in my mind. I would have preferred that he was called something simpler.

I pronounce it ‘Su-ray-l-yuh’ if that makes sense, but no idea if that’s correct.

It’s a glam sort of name for a glam sort of detective.

Simon Smith would be a bit naff.

?

DISSENT by Françoise Montgomery is such a good, fast read - especially well suited to women readers who are not of the Snapchat generation. Get it on Amazon and enjoy it.

Calandargirl
That makes sense, in my mind it’s more like Sir Rayler, your interpretation is more classy, but I’m still not keen.

The Faithful Spy Alex Berenson 2006. Another from my friend's loft but oddly prophetic. ?
Breakfast with the Borgias DBC Pierre wierd , quick read. ?
Started The President is Missing - Bill Clinton & James Patterson - a better bet for a good read ?