Welcome contributors to a new reading year! Some of us may achieve the 50 book bench mark, even surpass it, some may not, I didn't last year, that really isn't important. This is a thread for those who would like to keep a running tally of their reads over the year. Please come and share your thoughts, recommendations and even dislikes of the books you are reading.
As in previous years, all types of reading and listening matter can be included, fiction, non fiction, audio, biographies, memoirs even children's books if a trip down memory lane is your preference.
Here's wishing all those who wish to partake enjoyable reading for the coming year.
Hellogirl I loved Three Hours! I couldn't put it down!!
46 was The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory. The first of this author for me and enjoyed it. Have another couple of hers on the shelf waiting to be read.
47 is Elizabeth is Missing by Helen Healey. When I started reading the story it seemed familiar and I realised that I had seen a dramatisation with Glenda Jackson on TV a little while ago.
Mrshat, I thought that Three Hours was a very good read, sad though.
Book 127 is Cinderella Sister, by Dilly Court, I love her books.
No 44 The Seafarers by Stephen Rutt. It’s non-fiction, a book about the many and varied seabirds that live around Britain’s coast, written by a young man who left his stressful life in London in order to focus on his well-being.
I seem to be a way behind here!!
#31. A Thousand Roads Home - Carmel Harrington
#32. From a Low and Quiet Sea - Donal Ryan
#33. A Man called Ove - Fredrik Brackman
#34. Three Hours - Rosamund Lupton
#35. The Woman in the Window - A.J. Finn
#36. Postcards from a Stranger - Imogene Clark
#37. The Burning Chambers - Kate Mosse
#39. Buried Angels - Patricia Gibney
#40. Silent Voices - Patricia Gibney
#41. Little Bones - Patricia Gibney (Currently Reading)
#61. After The Party by Lisa Jewell.
Haven’t finished the Sun Sister yet, but have put it aside now I have some library books. The SS is one I can go back to later.
Book 126 is A Mother`s Secret, by Dilly Court. Loving it.
#82 Anxious People Fredrik Backman.
Wonderful. By turns very funny and very sobering. A stand out read of 2021 for me.
#83 Hard Time Jodi Taylor.
The second in the Time Police series. Ms Taylor is one of my favourite authors and I find all her books a delight.
No 43 Keeping Mum by James Gould-Burn. A book group choice. It was ok, that’s all.
#60. The Sun Sister by Lucinda Riley.
Loved Hold my Hand. Book 124 was The Boy With no Boots, by Sheila Jeffries, a nice story. Now on 125, I Invited her In, by Adele Parks, not too keen, but will finish it.
No 41 The Chimneys of Green Knowe by Lucy M Boston. It’s a children’s book, a time travel story, first published in 1958, I think. It reflects the attitudes of those times towards race so it’s not a book I’ll pass on, it can go in the paper recycling.
No 42 The Doctor Will See You Now by Amir Khan. An account of a GP’s life in a busy inner-city in Yorkshire.
#59. Meghan, A Hollywood Princess by Andrew Morton.
Haven’t finished my previous book, but just dipping into the interesting (i.e. gossipy bits) of this one.
Meghan, actress, humanitarian, style icon, blogger, oh and of course, soon to be a duchess, as the book finishes prior to the wedding.
And thereby hangs a tale…
I have just started For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway. I think I may have read this at school decades ago!
A couple of audiobooks.
#80 The Accidental Alchemist Gigi Pandian. Mildly entertaining while I was doing things around the house. That's the best I can say really.
#81 For We Are Many Dennis E Taylor.
This is book two of the 'Bobiverse' sci-fi series. Hugely enjoyable and very well narrated.
I enjoyed My Mother`s Secret, but not keen on the ending. Book 123 will be Hold my Hand, by M.J.Ford.
No 40. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. A classic which I’ve somehow never read before.
The Chain by Adrian Mc King... very good , usual psycho killer story from a different angle.
The Storyteller by Dave Grohl... I.m.o. dave is a rock legend so I'm biased, this book is the story of his life and music, its brilliant, interesting and very funny and emotional in parts.
Every woman for herself by Trish Ashley... a funny and easy read.
Listen by Kathyrn Mannix ... a self help book, full of guidance on different situations and how to just listen and hear .
#58. Piece Of My Heart by Peter Robinson.
#78 A Threat of Shadows J A Andrews.
Part one of a fantasy trilogy but could be read as a standalone. I enjoyed it but probably won't seek out part two yet.
#79 The Likely Resolutions of Oliver Clock Jane Riley.
A charming quirky book about an approaching forty funeral director and a diary. I loved it.
Cuckoo wasn`t bad, but not the best I`ve ever read. Am just about to start on My Mother`s Secret, by Sanjida Kay, book 122
No 39 Islands of Mercy by Rose Tremain. I’ve always loved her books but I have no idea what she was thinking when writing this! It reads like a trashy historical novel, not her usual, articulate writings.
I loved The Red Dahlia, but I always enjoy books by Val McDermid. I`ve just started book 121, Cuckoo, by Julia Crouch, it`s not up to much yet, hoping it will get better.
30: The History of Bees by Maja Lunde. Quite thought provoking. Its 3 separate stories set in different eras and countries, all relating to bees ( or absence of).
31: Paris by the Book by Liam Callaman. Not great.
32: The Kingdom by Jo Nesbo. Hadn't read any if his books before but enjoyed it a lot and will look out for more of his.
33' Hotel World by Ali Smith. Strange story, would not recommend it.
34:A Patchwork Planet by Anne Tyler. Always enjoy her novels.
35 & 36: Alan Johnson memoirs, This Boy and Please Mister Postman. Enjoyed both books, but the second one less so as it concentrated more on his work as a trade unionist.
37: Crooked letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin. Good thriller
38:Less by Andrew Sean Greer. Funny book.
39: The Humans by Matt Haig. Enjoyable story.
40: Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler. Great story-telling, as always.
41: Psychedelic Suburbia (David Bowie and the Beckenham Arts Lab ) by Mary Finnegan. Interesting book about David Bowie's early life in Beckenham.
42: Saint Maybe by Anne Tyler.
43: The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler.
44: One summer by David Baldacci. Sentimental slop is the best way to describe this novel!
45: The Beginner's Goodbye. Another by Anne Tyler.
#71 was Blood at the Bookies by Simon Brett. This is one of his Fethering mysteries, which are lovely, gentle reads with a touch of humour and very little blood and gore.
#72 was The Silent Town by Anni Taylor. This completed the trilogy and was suitably scary and satisfying all at the same time.
#73 was The Puffin Book of Modern Fairy Tales, edited by Sara and Stephen Corbin, which I enjoyed.
#74 was The Witch Finder’s Sister by Beth Underdown. This is a very skilful imagining of the real life reign of terror of the self-appointed witch finder of East Anglia, Matthew Hopkins, in 1645-1647.
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