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.
Happy New Year to you too, ComeOnGran. I’m a newbie here too but it’s lovely to share thoughts with like-minded people. I was just wondering what you thought to Gentlemen and Players? I see it’s the first book in a trilogy, will you read the others? I’m not a massive Joanne Harris fan but this looks rather different from her norm.
Glad it’s not just me, Sparklefizz, finding myself skipping through it now, it sent me to sleep this afternoon but I needed a nap anyway!!
I’m slogging on with the Michelle Obama, it’s all a bit ‘search for your inner light’ at the mo
Yes, Pigma I found it a bit boring.
I read 54 books last year. Some were ebooks a couple were audible (but fell asleep listening and missed an important bit).
I read mostly thrillers, murders, but enjoy some of the Virginia Andrews books. If I like the sound of the Title I am open to giving it a try. I am currently reading 3rd book for 2023.
I’m really pleased to have discovered this thread. I guess it might be a bit late to wish you all a Happy New Year, but I wish you all a happy reading year ahead.
So far in 2023 I’ve read Gentlemen and Players by Joanne Harris, ready for my work book club and the Royal Secret by Andrew Taylor (finished last night). I’m going to read The Storytellers by Caron McKinlay next. I’ve also got Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Rings on audiobook read by Andy Serkis on the go for when I’m at the gym or preparing dinner.
I’m slightly envious of anyone who has yet to read Three Hours!! I’m slogging on with the Michelle Obama, it’s all a bit ‘search for your inner light’ at the mo. So alongside I am reading book number 8, The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson as a bit of light relief after the Jon McGregor. Classed as ‘the rollercoaster thriller of the year’ and a Sunday Times thriller of the month but I have to say it’s not grabbed me yet.
The Ruth Rendell Wexford story finished with a twist as usual. I have read all the Wexford's now and they are enjoyable as I try to work out the culprit, and mostly they are a short read.
No.7 starting Margaret Dickinson's 'The Brooklands Girls'. I read this a year ago, but it is the middle one of a trilogy. I have just read The Poppy Girls(1st one) so I thought I'd refresh my memory with a quick whizz through this before I start the 3rd book which I've ordered from the library. Does that make sense?
Chocolatelovinggran
Oh Calendargirl- you'll have to let us know what you make of Spare!
Will do, am about 100 pages in so far.
I've read and enjoyed both Small Pleasures and The Vanishing Half thought they were unusual and very good.
Teabagwoman
I’ll put it on my list, fascinating subject, but seems so wrong that black people feel the need to be white. And that lighter people look down on darker people, many years ago I read a Fannie Flagg novel with a similar theme, and found that very strange.
Litterpicker
You will definitely enjoy Three Hours, brilliant read.
Litterpicker I found Three Hours by Rosamund Lupton un-put-downable. Absolutely gripping. Hope you enjoy it.
Sara1954 I agree with you. Small Pleasures is a lovely gentle book with wonderful characters.
Oh Calendargirl- you'll have to let us know what you make of Spare!
Book 2. The Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena. A group of disparate people are isolated in a hotel, by snow etc., and the killings begin. A modern take with plenty of twists. Enjoyed it.
Sara1954 have you read The Personal Librarian? It’s based on the true story of. Bells Da Costa Greene who worked for JP Morgan and became an important figure in the art world. She was a black woman who could pass as white and had to hide her true identity. It’s a very good read as well as a fascinating exploration of the subject.
My next book is The Good People by Hannah Kent, so far very good but early days.
Book 2
Small Pleasures- Clare Chambers
I really loved this book, just my kind of read, gentle and slow, full of wonderful characters.
It’s the 1950s, Jean is a journalist on a local paper, writing articles on household tips and gardening, when a letter comes in from a reader, insistent that she has had a virgin birth.
Jean is assigned this story, because obviously it’s woman’s stuff, and off she goes to meet the family.
Gradually she becomes very involved with them, they give her a lot of joy, which is so different from the life she leads with her elderly mother.
It’s a tender, beautifully written book, and without giving too much away, the ending is unbearably sad.
Book 3
The Vanishing Half - Brit Bennett
I enjoyed it, but not sure it was deserving of all the hype around it.
Unbelievable tale of a whole black community who are so light skinned, they can pass as white, twins, raised in this community run away from the boredom, two inseparable girls go there separate ways, as one twin find she can easily pass for white and passes over.
It’s very unsettling, so racist on every level, and none more racist than the light, black community.
Some good characters, I really liked Early and Jude, but it’s not a comfortable read.
#1 Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus - a very enjoyable and satisfying read
#2 will be Three Hours by Rosamund Lupton
I finished An April Shroud, but not over impressed with it. Have just begun book 7, The Complaints, by Ian Rankin, it promises to be good.
Musicgirl
@Sparklefizs, I forgot to add that the long journey each way was in a day. I think that most people might have stayed overnight. Did your daughter do the journey in one day? If so, l eat my words. I take my hat off to her either way. I think I have read all the other books in the Ruth Galloway series and enjoyed them very much but for some reason had missed this one out. They are fantastic books.
Musicgirl Yes, my daughter did the long journey both ways in one day .... but did say she was absolutely shattered the next day!
This is my first time here. I will try and read the fifty books. I used to read a lot more but less as I get older. Hopefully this thread will enthuse me once again.
I have two books on the go at the moment: ‘War light’ by Michael Ondatije, author if the English Patient’. I am enjoying it, a strange tale. My other book is Jodi Picoult ‘Wish You Were Here’ but have not enjoyed it so far, will reserve judgement until I have finished it
@Sparklefizs, I forgot to add that the long journey each way was in a day. I think that most people might have stayed overnight. Did your daughter do the journey in one day? If so, l eat my words. I take my hat off to her either way. I think I have read all the other books in the Ruth Galloway series and enjoyed them very much but for some reason had missed this one out. They are fantastic books.
Hi newbie here . I’d love to join in.
1st book was the bullet that missed , the 3rd thursday murder club book . I enjoyed it, an easy read .
2nd is the black dress by Deborah Moggarch . Which I’ve just started . I’ve read a few of her books. She’s very insightful about normal people and normal life .
Calendargirl
#3. SPARE by Prince Harry. 👑👑👑👑👑
Apparently am first to get this from my library, although I was 15th on the list. They must have ordered more copies.
(Felt I had to do the title in capitals).
.... or people have cancelled their reservation!! 
Musicgirl My daughter used to drive 5 hours each way to Brighton University to visit her daughter (my granddaughter). True, it's a slog!
Are you going to read the other Dr Ruth Galloway books in the Elly Griffiths' series?
I have just finished my first three books of the year:
#1 was A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths. I enjoyed this very much but was slightly amused by the idea of Harry and Michelle Nelson driving to Brighton and back from Kings Lynn in order to visit their daughter at university there. It is probably a five hour journey each way.
#2 was The Outback by Patricia Wolf about two missing German backpackers in the Australian bush. I quite enjoyed it but am not tempted to read any more in the series.
#3 was The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley. I truly loved this imaginative, magical tale.
#4 As The Crow Flies Jeffrey Archer.
An engrossing rags to riches story by a master storyteller. I was in the mood for a good 'yarn' and this fit the bill. It is a very long book but I read it in a few days.
#3. SPARE by Prince Harry. 👑👑👑👑👑
Apparently am first to get this from my library, although I was 15th on the list. They must have ordered more copies.
(Felt I had to do the title in capitals).
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