2022 50 BOOKS - OR AS MANY AS YOU CAN MANAGE

Think I may be near your wavelength eazybee - thanks for reminding me of John Mortimer. Which Pym might be her best? I think I’ve tried in the past but not been taken with her. On the other hand I loved Ali Smith’s seasons and plan to reread them soon - though I think they may have dated a bit.

Becoming...Michelle (Obama) Far too long.
Summer's Lease John Mortimer; v. enjoyable
An Academic Question;Barbara Pym good but not her best.
Joanna Trollope x 2; entertaining but cannot remember the titles (one about a family pottery business), returned to the charity shop;
The Other Side of You; Salley Vickers; bit convoluted
The Travelling Bag Susan Hill, short stories, not a patch on Woman in Black.
Tried to read Winter by Ali Smith. Seriously bonkers!

#19 William Boyd ‘Any Human Heart’. I found this an interesting comparison to my #18, ‘Still Life’. 20th century coverage, picaresque life story, even longer. Less beauty, less narrative arc, more experiences, more grit, and for me more convincing and absorbing.

#17. Our House by Louise Candlish.

Having just watched this on tv, I ordered it from the library, really surprised a copy was available so soon.

Of course, I know what happens…..

The Shakespeare Secret was OK, but I don`t think I`d go as far as recommending it, there were so many names it got confusing. Just started book 24, Interest of Justice, by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg. It`s started well, I think I`m going to like it, but it`s a little dated, 1993.

No 10 Erebus by Michael Palin, about the ship that was lost, along with the Terror, on Franklin’s last voyage to find the NW Passage.

#17 All These Worlds Dennis E Taylor. Audiobook read by Ray Porter.
Number 3 in the Bobiverse sci-fi series. Great fun and much better listened to than read.
#18 Grave Peril Jim Butcher.
Again number 3 in a series, this time The Dresden Files about "Chicago's only Wizard P.I". Very entertaining.

Latest book: Springtime at Hope Hall by Pam Rhodes. I thought this was going to be one of my easy enjoyable books to read but it wasn’t! Set just about 3 years ago but very dated in it’s outlook. Characters described well but just boring at the end. I can only give it 5/10 and won’t be reading any others in the series.

#16. The Truth About Melody Browne by Lisa Jewell.

I loved Sweet Heart, but it was quite creepy in places. Now on book 23, The Shakespeare Secret, by J.L.Carrell.

Liked The Reapers, but it was quite violent. Now reading Sweet Heart, by Peter James, but it dates back to 1990, it`s book 22.

I loved Perfect People, but it was sad. Now on book 21, The Reapers, by John Connelly, a Charlie Parker book.

Enjoying everyone’s comments. Thank you all

#18 Sarah Winman ‘Still Life’. Whopper of a book: 450ish pages, ranges over 20th century, drama of WW2 and 1966 floods in Florence. Charming and moving by turns.

#19 was An Unfinished Business by Ann Granger, which tied up the loose ends of an old murder case. Very enjoyable.
#20 and #21 were two books on my kindle that have recently been reprinted and were first published in the mid-nineties:
The Greenway and The Secrets by Jane Adams. They introduce DI Mike Croft and are set in my native Norfolk.

I LOVED A Thousand Splendid Suns, was sad to finish it actually.
Am liking Perfect People, a bit different to Peter James` books about Roy Grace, this one deals with designer babies.

Latest books:
The Couple at No. 9 by Clare Douglas, A good thriller and page turner type of book. 8/10.
Gifts by Laura Bennett. A book about different people who are all connected in some way giving Christmas gifts. May not sound interesting but I found it enjoyable and read it quite quickly for me so must have been good. 8/10.
The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan. I always enjoy a book by Jenny Colgan. Just an easy read which is fine with me these days. 7/10.

Finished #9 Death on the Nile, Agatha Christie excellent as ever.
About to start #10 A Thousand Splendid Suns for book club. Have heard good reports of this one.

#15. The Locked Room by Elly Griffiths.

Really looking forward to reading the latest Ruth Galloway book, glad to have reached the top of the waiting list from the library.

I have just finished book 13
The Gardener - Salley Vickers
She is becoming one of my favourite writers.
This is a story about a house, sisters, and an Albanian gardener
Very gentle prose, likeable characters, and a real feel for the countryside. It’s a book about endings and beginnings, I would recommend.

Sara1954... it was a fascinating read, I hope you enjoy it, it certainly made me think !

Bridie
Just ordered the Julie Birchill, sounds really interesting

Wish you were here by Jodi Picoult...Lovely topical read, thought provoking not just a love story .

Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood...3rd time read...love this book, one of her best.

Welcome to the woke trials by Julie Birchill...How identity killed progressive politics. The authors take on " wokeism" is jaw dropping, eye opening, scary and very humouress. Excellent read.

Ardrishaig was home by Angus Mcdonald...Gallipoli 1915, story of a young Scottish soldier and a Queens Alexander nurse and their journey through the war...simple but lovely .

The coffee shop in Kabul by Deborah Rodriguez...Lovely book of war torn Kabul and a little centre of hope and happiness amidst the strict country traditions .
8

#15 The Apartment K L Slater.
A disappointing 'psychological thriller' with an unbelievable plot and badly written characters. I finished it but wish I hadn't wasted my time.
#16 Kiss The Girls James Patterson.
Second book in the Alex Cross series. Recommended by my DH, I really enjoyed it. Think I'm going to find something a bit lighter next though as I feel as though I have been through the wringer!

I found Everything But the Truth a little boring. Book 20, just started, is Perfect People, by Peter James. So far, I`ve only read the Roy Grace books by him, but have great hopes for this one.

Loved American Dirt, also couldn't put it down riveting! It would make such a good film or series even, come on Netflix or similar please!