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.
Glad you enjoyed it Hellogirl1, maybe it was just me , my concentration is rubbish at the minute, so might reread it at a later date ?
Oops, not updated on here for a while!
#69 The Ice by Laline Paull. Brilliant, set in the Arctic in the not-to-distant future when the ice cap is disappearing rapidly. An element of murder-mystery too!
#70 My Animals and Other Family by Claire Balding. Interesting memoir of the author’s childhood.
#71 The Appeal by Janice Hallett. Different take on a murder mystery whodunnit, where the reader is involved in solving the mystery.
#72 Swimming Pool Sunday by Madeleine Wickham. Enjoyable ‘Aga saga’ from the ‘90s, a genre that seems to have gone out of fashion.
#73 Saving Missy by Beth Morley. A heart-warming feel good story about a lonely elderly woman, with something of a twist at the end.
#74 Till the Cows Come Home by Sara Cox. Another childhood memoir, about growing up on a farm in Bolton. OK, but got rather boring!
#75 Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers. Really good. I love Clare Chambers’ writing.
#76 Reflection by Diane Chamberlain. Ok, didn’t enjoy it as much as her other books.
#77 A Comedian’s Prayer Book by Frank Skinner. Surprising and thought-provoking insights into the stand-up comedian’s Catholic faith.
#78 Everything but the Truth by Gillian McAllister. I thought I hadn’t read any books by this author until I got partway through and some incidents in the story sounded very familiar - I checked my book journal and realised I read it 4 years ago! ? I couldn’t remember the outcome so kept reading and enjoyed it - again!
Author of Saving Missy should be Beth Morrey not Morley
#63 Long Shadows Jodi Taylor.
Part 3 of the Elizabeth Cage paranormal mysteries. As usual with this author's books I enjoyed it very much.
The End of Her was very good. Just starting book 104, Buried, by Lynda la Plant.
#49. The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell.
#64 Mansfield Park Jane Austen.
I 'had' to read this at school and hated it so decided to reread it to see whether my youthful impression had changed. It had, the book addresses the social issues of the time and I found it interesting in a way that my 15 year old self did not. However, it is very definitely at the bottom of my JA enjoyment scale.
#65 What Could Possibly Go Wrong? Jodi Taylor.
Another reliably enjoyable book in the St Mary's Chronicles.
I thoroughly enjoyed Buried, can`t wait for the next in the series.
I`m just about to start a book that`s been lent to me, not sure about it really. It`s The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared, by Jonas Jonasson.
I`m persevering with the Hundred Year Old Man, but not really enjoying it, finding it a bit silly, but it`s upping my total to 105.
Finally finished the One Hundred YEAR Old Man, but still think it was a silly book. I`m just about to start book 106, The Chocolate Girls, by Annie Murray.
34. Bear Town by Fredrik Backman. This is ostensibly about a boys ice hockey team in the north of Sweden but it turns far darker than it seems at the outset. Well worth a read.
#50. The Making Of Us by Lisa Jewell.
Book 26
The Fabric of Sin-Phil Rickman
Another good read, I love the Merrily Watkins books, creepy and atmospheric while still being believable. A good cast of characters, though Jane still gets on my nerves.
Book 27
The confession-Jessie Burton
I found this to be a big disappointment, I loved The Miniaturist, but this was exceedingly dull in comparison.
The characters weren’t very likeable, the story wasn’t very believable or very interesting. Not recommended.
Book 28
Last Seen Alive-Claire Douglas
This was a quick and easy read, but I enjoyed it, it had enough twists an turns to keep you interested, and I definitely hadn’t seen the ending coming.
Book 29
A Day like Today- John Humphrys
John Humphrys is one of my favourite all time news presenters, so I was really looking forward to this.
I was not to be disappointed, it’s a very readable autobiography, very candid and it doesn’t dish dirt as such, but we do see a different side to many of our politicians.
He questions the future of the BBC, and deals with some tough subjects, like the Jimmy Saville case.
I really enjoyed it. Well Done John, I knew you wouldn’t let me down.
Book 30
The Darkest Evening-Anne Cleeves
What could be more comforting than an autumn evening, and a new Vera?
Of course because of the televising of the novels, we feel we know her so well, this was a good one, enjoyed it very much.
I loved Chocolate Girls, now for the next in the series, The Girls of Bournville Green, book 107
Didn`t have my wits about me yesterday, it`s The BELLS of Bournville Green, not Girls!
#66 The Secrets Of Strangers Charity Norman.
A hostage drama. We learn over the course of the book why the gunman did it, who and what type of people he and his hostages are and the decisions that they and the negotiating team make. Very good.
#67 The Convenient Marriage Georgette Heyer.
I first read Ms Heyer's Georgian novels fifty years ago and I return to them at regular intervals. Lovely.
#63 was Emily Noble’s Disgrace by Mary Jane Paulson. This was a story of a boarding house in Edinburgh’s Portobello region and the mystery surrounding it. Very good.
#64 was The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths. This was set in Sussex and was a mystery with links to a short story. I enjoyed it.
Mary Paulson Ellis, I should have said.
I loved The Bells of Bournville Green. Book 108 will be The Lies We Tell, by Jane Corry.
35 Dear Reader - the comfort and joy of books, by Cathy Rentzenbrink. It’s a gentle meander through the titles that have sustained the author through her life.
I've just read a Cathy Rentzenbrink, SD, "Everyone is still alive" I hadn't heard of her until I recently read a review of this book. I enjoyed it very much.
#68 The Lost Plot Genevieve Cogman.
Number 4 in the Invisible Library series. I'm really enjoying this series and the strong female lead.
#69 The Two Lives Of Lydia Bird Josie Silver.
Loved it! Sad, hopeful and very romantic.
The Lies We Tell was better than I expected. Have just started All the Days of Or Lives, by Annie Murray. Book 109.
#65 was Mr. Finchley Discovers His England by Victor Canning. This was first published in 1934 and is a delightful story about a middle-aged solicitor’s clerk (when did such posts disappear?), who, through a series of misadventures, finds himself on an alternative holiday to the one he has planned.
“66 was The Vintage Teacup Club by Vanessa Greene. I had started three books before this and found l had either read them before or just did not care for them. This light as a feather book was just the thing to suit my mood after these disappointments.
#51. Children Of The Revolution by Peter Robinson.
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