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2023 - 50 BOOK CHALLENGE

(1001 Posts)
TerriBull Sun 01-Jan-23 07:26:08

Happy New Year GN readers, here it is the all new 50 Books for 2023.

Once again that 50 figure is a mere benchmark to aspire to, if you would like to join in and don't think you will reach 50, please don't let that deter you from partaking in the challenge. I imagine some of you will know that I got the idea for 50 Books from MN they also have one on their site for 25 Books a Year, but their reading community is considerable, ours of course is much smaller so I think starting up two different threads is unnecessary here on GN, I guess anyone who thinks 50 is a daunting number could maybe state they'll aim for 25, but I'll leave that up to the individual.

Primarily this thread will hopefully be ongoing throughout the year for book lovers who enjoy discussing what they've read. Do come here with your recommendations, similarly if you haven't enjoyed a book feel free to say so. Either way it's good to have a range of opinions, or just merely state your reads in a list form if you don't much care for waffling on.

For any newcomers, the choice of book is entirely up to you and can include fiction, non fiction, biographies memoirs, audio/Audible, even a favourite childhood book should you fancy a trip down memory lane.

So that's it! let's commence and happy 2023 reading.

I haven't got book number 1 yet, still reading The Ink Black Heart, 900 pages in with only a 100 to go now, but I included it in last year's total, so I'll start my number 1 in a day or so.

Calendargirl Wed 12-Apr-23 17:10:07

#20. The Gentle Art Of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson.

Musicgirl Wed 12-Apr-23 13:07:27

Book 32 was Ask No Questions by Claire Allan. This was a thriller set in Derry at the time of the 25th anniversary of a terrible murder at the tail end of the Troubles. It promised far more than it delivered.

Hellogirl1 Tue 11-Apr-23 20:08:02

Thunder Bay was a great read. Just starting book 57, The Sanctuary, by Raymond Khoury.

teabagwoman Tue 11-Apr-23 19:28:25

Book 24. The Deadly Code by Lin Anderson. Lin Anderson’s books are a recent discovery and I’m glad to see there’s a whole series. Engaging characters, interesting plots and a great sense of place.

Sparklefizz Tue 11-Apr-23 17:47:35

Thank you to the person who recommended the author Mark Billingham (sorry, I can't remember who it was)

I decided to take Good as Dead by MB from the library and am thoroughly enjoying it. It's good to find a crime novel that isn't gory or creepy, and I am very pleased indeed to find that he has written loads of books!

Diggingdoris Tue 11-Apr-23 10:55:44

36 The Forgotten by David Baldacci . A real thriller that felt like a Bond movie running through my head, as I was reading. Paradise is a delightful retirement area until a gang of people smugglers use it, and some pensioners notice what is happening.

teabagwoman Tue 11-Apr-23 10:33:25

Book 23. The Pure in Heart by Susan Hill - ok but I won’t be rushing to read another one of hers.

Sparklefizz Mon 10-Apr-23 18:36:00

We read it at my Book Group, Sara1954 and everyone seemed to enjoy it.

Sara1954 Mon 10-Apr-23 18:02:42

Sparklefizz
You should, it’s lovely

Sparklefizz Mon 10-Apr-23 17:27:00

Sara1954 I loved The Dutch House. I read it a few years ago and now that you've mentioned it I might give it a 2nd read. smile

Sara1954 Mon 10-Apr-23 16:28:31

Book17
The Dutch House - Ann Patchett
Loved this, happy I managed to find time to finish it before I’m back to work tomorrow.

It’s the story of a house, and the people who live in it, either loving it or loathing it.

It’s the story of an unbreakable bond between a brother and sister, a missing mother and a wicked stepmother.

The characters are all so decent, not the wicked stepmother of course, but you warm to them all, and are constantly hoping for happy endings.

Definitely recommend.

Juno56 Mon 10-Apr-23 09:09:56

#19 This Charming Man C K McDonnell.
The second in the Stranger Times series. Bonkers but so enjoyable.

Hellogirl1 Sun 09-Apr-23 19:14:10

The Righteous Men was really very good. I`m now just starting book 56, Thunder Bay, by Douglas Skelton.

Sparklefizz Sun 09-Apr-23 14:19:54

I finished The Herd by Emily Edwards today and can highly recommend it. It's very thought-provoking, especially for anyone who has had children.

teabagwoman Sat 08-Apr-23 18:28:48

Book 23. Broken Homes, another Ben Aaronovitch, I’m getting addicted.

Calendargirl Sat 08-Apr-23 15:39:44

#19. Sidney Chambers And The Perils Of The Night by James Runcie.

Sara1954 Sat 08-Apr-23 09:20:24

Book 15
Big Little Lies- Liane Moriarty
Loved this, full of bitchiness, tiger mums, and school politics.
A good range of characters, a little unbelievable at times, but a definite page turner.

Book 16
Troubled Blood - Robert Galbraith
900+ pages, but it didn’t seem too long, a cold case for Strike and Robin, lots of suspects, but I definitely didn’t see the murderers identity, a hint of romance at the end?
My only complaint, I got a bit bogged down and confused with all the zodiac stuff.

Musicgirl Fri 07-Apr-23 23:44:15

Just finished book 32, Lost Property by Helen Paris. It came up in my kindle feed and I decided to give it a try. It was ok but nothing outstanding. A fairly predictable feel good book.

Hellogirl1 Fri 07-Apr-23 21:48:25

A Necessary Evil was really good. Now on book 55, The Righteous Men, by Sam Bourne. Wasn`t too sure about it to begin with, but getting into it now.,

sodapop Fri 07-Apr-23 21:00:34

I enjoyed The Herd Sparklefizz easy reading but certainly relevant and food for thought.

Sparklefizz Fri 07-Apr-23 19:23:22

I'll give it another try at some point.

SueDonim Fri 07-Apr-23 13:45:51

Did all the rowing put you off, Sparkle? grin. If so, it recedes into the background quite soon.

Cs783 Fri 07-Apr-23 13:12:07

#20 Robert Peston ‘The Whistleblower’. The interest for me was not the murder mystery - though I thought that well handled - but some of the detail of the Whitehall/Westminster environment.

Sparklefizz Fri 07-Apr-23 11:05:57

SueDonim I was given Lessons in Chemistry for Xmas but couldn't get into it. Perhaps I'll give it another try.

Started on Book 29 last night - The Herd by Emily Edwards - and enjoying it.

SueDonim Fri 07-Apr-23 01:19:34

No 13 Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. This was for my book group. I really enjoyed it, it was a quick read but not flimsy, if you know what I mean.

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