*2021 - 50 BOOKS FOR THE YEAR*

Kartush

I read over 200 books last year but am off to a slow start this year, decided to read the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, am up to book 8 but its a hard slog

I got to book 3 and found them a hard slog - everyone else I know seemed to love them.

Im reading The Third Wife by Lisa Jewell

Loved Ridge Hill, in fact, really loving re-reading this family saga. Now on next book in the series , Hallam Square, book 33.

No idea what number but
Just started

“Apeirogon” by Colum McCann.

#21. The Way Through The Woods by Colin Dexter.

Number 10 The House By The Lake by Thomas Harding. It was very interesting from a factual historical point of view, and he has so much self motivation and persistence.
Number 11 The Horse the Fox and the Mole. Brilliant, easy to read book with fantastic drawings and very positive messages.
Number 12 Us by David Nicholls . I loved this book. I had previously watched the series on TV, but the book was far better, as recommended by another a Gransnet reader. I felt sorry for Douglas whom I thought had not been treated very kindly by his family.
I started reading Three Hours but it upset me too much, so I handed it back to the library.

Polarbear
I know!
You can’t actually imagine two people more physically different.

#s 21 and 22 Pawn Of Prophecy and Queen Of Sorcery both by David Eddings. They are the first and second books in The Belgariad. A fantasy series I reread every few years. #23 is The Queen's Secret by Karen Harper. It is a novel about the Queen Mother set mainly during WW2. Real people and events but just like the series The Crown this author attributes fictional thoughts, conversations and secrets to the protagonist, some quite scandalous. I enjoyed it. My next read will be Coal Miner's Daughter Loretta Lynn.

#17 The Lost Lights of St Kilda by Elisabeth Gifford. As you can probably guess, this is set on the islands of St Kilda, time-slipping between the late 1920’s and wartime France. It’s a love story set in amazing surroundings.

Jennywren it’s nice to find someone else who enjoyed the Mrs Hancock book! No one seems to have heard of it so I’ve been pressing it onto people to read.

Mumstheword we still have a signed copy of A Year in Provence on our book shelves. There’s a similar book which predates it, but is just as lovely, Perfume from Provence by Winifred Fortescue, published in 1935. It’ll transport you to sunnier climes!

I've just finished Klara and the Sun by Ishiguru. Not his best book, I found the narration by the AF (artificial friend) rather irritating and the plot a bit thin. Pity as usually I'm a fan of his books.

sara1954 I had to laugh at the description of Reacher compared to Tom Cruise in the films. Still good films though too.

Polarbear
I have just discovered the Jack Reacher books, I decided to give them a try as everyone seems to rave about then, started at book one, so I’ve got a lot to look forward to.
I didn’t expect to like them, but they are very fast paced, rather gruesome at times, but very hard to put down.

I am reading A Year in Provance by Peter Mayle about as its title set in France I love travel books with good stories only and have loved The Island by Victoria Hislop Amazing read
I Volunteer in a book shop that gives them away free so that they are saved from Landfill so have lots of time to browze many titles I do love a Danelle Steele sometimes and have learnt some historical facts i wouldnt have known about before she must do her research throughly Especaily The Jewels all about Russian times in history approx 100 years ago Keep looking for that good read and escape I say

I’ve discovered I really enjoy Lee Child’s Jack Reacher books. Never expected to so haven’t tried before. Can’t put them down! Better late than never ?

I read over 200 books last year but am off to a slow start this year, decided to read the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, am up to book 8 but its a hard slog

High Street was very good, I`m enjoying re-reading this family saga. Now reading the next in the series, Ridge Hill, book 32.

#26 The Mystery of Henri Pick by David Foenkinos. A translation of a French novel, chosen for my book club’s latest read. It was ok, quite quirky, but not one I’d particularly recommend.
#27 The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gower. An historical novel, set in 1785-6 about a merchant, Jonah Hancock, who discovers that one of his ship’s captains has sold his ship for what appears to be a mermaid. It’s very descriptive of life in London at the end of the 18th century and, as in many historical novels at the moment, there’s a thread of magic and fantasy running through it. I enjoyed it.
#28 Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh About 2 sisters on trial in New York for the murder of their father, but they are accusing each other. Gripping if gruesome in parts!
I’m going to have a change from fiction next and read I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai, about the girl who was shot by the Taliban.

#25 was The Littlest Library by Poppy Alexander, a frothy, enjoyable light read. #26 was The Amulet by Ann Bennet, a straightforward story set in Singapore during WW2 and the year 2000. I enjoyed it very much. Sometimes a lighter book hits the spot.

I loved Salem Street, have just started the next in the Gibson saga, High Street, book 31.

#20. The Secret Of Annexe 3 by Colin Dexter.

6 Forgive Me - Susan Lewis, first I've read of hers, it was okay, not sure I'd rush to read another.
7 The Night Hawks - Elly Griffiths, love the Ruth Galloways, sometimes more for the ongoing characters and the way EG describes the North Norfolk coastal landscape, which gave me the impetus to visit that area so those descriptions do resonate. As always enjoyable read.
8 The Midnight Library, hugely successful, glowing reviewed book, not for me I thought it may have been a kind of Life after Life type of novel, from the description, insomuch as the main character, whilst in the library of the title gets the chance to right the wrongs and disappointments that have occurred at various junctures of her life. It didn't engage me, I found it pretty boring and do what I always do with books that disappoint just speed read it and just glad when I reached the end.
9 Real Tigers - Mick Heron My husband, who has been urging me to read this series, loves these books about mis fit MI5 agents consigned to Slough House to see out their working life as pen pushers, I gather this genre has loads of fans, I don't think I'll become one, I didn't enjoy this book at all, I don't feel tempted to try another.
10 Not so, for Val McDermid's Karen Pirie series, having discovered these I find them much better than her other books, I really enjoy them. This latest one "Still Life" was very good.
11 A Friend of the Family Lisa Jewel, one of her early ones, it was okay, I think she has got so much better, I love a lot of her later stuff.
12 The Burning Air - Erin Kelly. Erin Kelly, one of the writers on Broadchurch no less! This was quite good, without being outstanding, psychological crime would best describe her genre.
13 The Lies You Told - Harried Tyce. I loved her debut novel. Blood Orange, which seemed to divide opinions. This follow up was quite enjoyable. Two strands to it, female barrister coming back to London with daughter after stint in New York. Focus of the book, her first legal case after her career had been put on hold, due to marriage, motherhood and relocation to the US she returns due to marriage break down, and after inheriting the house of her not very nice mother, who makes a condition in her will that the granddaughter must attend the school that her mother attended. During school run she encounters a hard core clique of school gate/pta mothers with whom she has numerous runs ins with...however that changes after a while!
14 The Red Room Nicci French. Not one of her best but not one for the bin either.
15 Little Disasters - Sarah Vaughan Again loved her debut novel "Anatomy of a Scandal. Halfway through this one, really good so far, uncomfortable subject, baby under observation at hospital with a fractured skull. Examining doctor and mother of baby good friends.

Book 16: ‘The Shortest Day’ by Colm Tiobin.
Book 17: “The Saracen’s Mark” by S.W. Perry.

#16. Giving Up The Ghost by Hilary Mantel. It’s her memoir and quite stunning.

#19. The Night Hawks by Elly Griffiths.

Liar wasn`t the best book I`ve ever read, but passable. 29 was The Mother and Baby Home, by Sheila Newberry, a nice light read, but enjoyable, set in the 1950s. Will be starting book 30 tomorrow, Salem Street, by Anna Jacobs. It`s the first of 5, the Gibson family saga, beginning in 1820. I`ve read all but this, the first one, but it was a while ago, so will read them all again.

Shuggie Bain, was a hard book to read, but worth every tortured word.
The Sleepover by Samantha King.... every parents nightmare when an everyday sleepover goes wrong, and the perils of the Internet.
The Muse by Jessie Burton... a complex book, about art and Spanish uprising, needed my concentration but worth it.