*2021 - 50 BOOKS FOR THE YEAR*

I am a voracious reader at the best of times, so I would love to join in. First time posting on gransnet so a little nervous ?

love reading managed more than 50 last year will continue to read a least one book a week again this year. Have a huge reading list ready

I’ve been rereading Terry Pratchett books, first the guard’s series then the Witches and now on the last of Deaths books. Such imagination. I managed 50 books + last year and after watching Dame Margaret Rutherford Miss Marple 4 films which were on each afternoon this week I think I will reread all her books next.

Forgot to say, I am currently reading ‘A Song For Tomorrow ‘ by Alice Peterson. A new author for me (a charity shop find) but really enjoying it at the moment.

I read loads but I've never counted before. I think it will be way more than 50. I've made some plain bookmarks and I intend to keep a record of the titles on them. Currently reading The Lord of the Rings and also The Discovery of Witches. I read a lot of scifi and fantasy.

I have just finished Murder in the Snow by Gladys Mitchell, a reissue. I had a long, lazy bath this morning while reading. I will count this as number one.

I’d also like to join this thread. I’m an avid reader (read 85 books in 2020, down from 101 in 2019!) but I love to get recommendations and see what others are reading. I’ve found it harder to concentrate on reading during lockdowns but always like to have a book on the go. I’m currently reading ‘The Mortal Word’ by Genevieve Colman, fifth in the Invisible Library series, sort of Dr Who meets detective fiction! ?

This is such a good idea. I am a very slow reader but joined a book club and it helps to give me a structure and goals to my reading even if I do not like all the books. This is another way of getting me inspired and hearing what others say about books is so helpful. Last year my great achievement was to read East West Street by Philippe Sands which is non fiction. I was also introduced to Stefan Zweig including his book 'Beware of Pity'. These books have given me so much pleasure and education. I also listen to audio books as I used to do a lot of driving before lockdown. Mainly books from the Library. We are so lucky to have public libraries and to have so many amazing books to choose from both from them and to buy. I am reading Saturday by Ian McEwan at present which is a good contrast to the others I mentioned.

Sorry, that should be Genevieve Cogman, not Colman ?

What a good idea! I am reading a fantasy book called 'The Shadow Wand' by Laurie Forest. Part of the Black Witch Chronicles. The book was a Christmas present from my daughter. I have read the other books in the series.

I am not sure how to get back to this list. I would like to follow it. I don’t know how many books I have read this year but an awful lot. I am currently reading the Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel. I have read the first two in the series about Thomas Cromwell. For light reading I am also reading Call the Midwife. I take this with me if I have to wait anywhere. The M & L is too heavy to carry about.

I would like to join again this year please. Last year I stopped recording and posting but I am determined to do better this year.
I am currently listening to the audiobook of Career of Evil the third of Robert Galbraith's (J K Rowling) Strike novels. I'm going to count it as book number 1 of 2021 as I am nowhere near finishing it. The protagonist is a retired soldier and a private detective and the 'case' involves a murderer who has a personal connection to him (Strike). It involves some pretty graphic descriptions of murder and body parts and very bad language, I'm really enjoying it?.

Kartush, that is a lot of books! I think I have too many distractions, I'd like to read more.

Glad to see the thread has garnered lots of responses already, I think there are a lot of enthusiastic readers out there.

Just started Slade House by David Mitchell

Yes I read the excellent "Troubled Blood" what a tome! with over 900 pages it should count as three books, mind you nothing slows some readers, me, down more than The Thursday Murder Club a dull book, irrespective of the number of pages.

Hi Nellie54 - I’ve read all of Philippa Gregory’s historical novels - some twice! Not tried these titles though - do you recommend?
I belong to two book groups which we’ve managed to keep going virtually during 2020. I probably read around 18 books with them plus my own choices so may read around 40 - will have to keep count this year! I recommend Where the Crawdads Sing and am looking forward to Richard Osmans The Thursday Murder Club and The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe both of which I got for Christmas from family.

I like to read a lot and often find interesting suggestions on threads like this. I keep my list of books read on my kindle app -it also tells me how long my ‘reading streak’ is in days or weeks. Evidently I didn’t read on January 11th or May 27th in 2020. I wonder why not?

I would like to join. I have no idea how many books I read in a year. I have discovered that one of the dubious joys of old age is that I can re-read books from years ago and enjoy them, as I have completely forgotten the contents.

At the moment, I am reading some of the books I was given at Christmas. I am just finishing Diary Of A Somebody by the poet Brian Bilston, which I have greatly enjoyed. The poems are clever and the main character is a bit of an Adrian Mole. Then I am embarking on The Dutch House by Ann Prachett and The Provincial Lady In Wartime by E. M. Delafield. I usually like to have a couple of books on the go at the same time.

I'd love to join in too please. I think I must have read over 50books last year as I have been reading a couple of books a week during lockdown.Currently reading "The Mirror and The Light" and have jotted down a few recommendations from this thread ☺️

I've just reinstated my TBR pile with Christmas books.Last book I read was 'Burial of Ghosts' by Ann Cleeve.Didn't empathise with the heroine much, although I was clearly meant to and this has left me a bit cautious regarding Ann Cleeve, outside of 'Vera' and 'Shetland'. Am starting 'Christmas Shopaholic' by Sophie Kinsella soon (Xmas choice of daughter). Nothing if not a broad church, my TBR pile.

I am reading The Alice Network by Kate Quinn which is good. I am writing a review of My Brilliant Friend for my WI book group. My walking netball set up a book group due to COVID and the Obama book is next to read! It is lengthy!
I have also finished The silent Treatment which was okay.
So many loaded onto my kindle plus on my shelves. I thought I would read avidly during these times but I struggle some days ?‍♀️

www.heraldscotland.com/arts_ents/18342708.book-review-clearing-samantha-clark/ I loved this book so much that I bought copies for DH and a special friend. The book shop owner told me she had loved it too when I mentioned I might have to read it again as I wanted to take notes but had not been able to put it down to do so. I have mentioned it so much to others that another special friend bought a copy for me! (The one I'd read had been a library book). Imagine my delight when I realised that the author moved here to Orkney after writing it!...and her beautiful art work is on the walls of the foyer in our new hospital!!! BTW, I read about 10 books a month... My New Year resolution is to write to her soon...

Musicgirl thanks so much for mentioning Murder in the Snow by Gladys Mitchell. I have most of her books, but I’ve never read that one and I can get it on Kindle. I’m halfway through a series of medieval stories by Roberta Gellis at the moment so I’ll buy the GM book for later (unless I can’t resist it).

Hello can anyone recommend a free app to download on to my iPhone for free audio books thank you .

How lovely to see this new reading thread for 2021! I managed to get the 50 target on Terribull’s 2020 thread, by dint of some creative book accounting.

I began a new book when I went to bed after midnight so my No 1 is The Doll Factory by Elizabeth Macneal. It was a Christmas gift from one of my dds.