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.
I have just come on to this thread to check what everyone is reading and goodness, it looks like we have reached the end of the line and this post will be the last here! Am going to start a new one tout suite!
Book 63 Earthly Joys by Philippa Gregory
This is based on the true story of John Tradescant, gardener to King Charles I and also to the Duke of Buckingham, set in the time as the country slides towards Civil War.
Philippa Gregory is known for her historical research and this book is good for people who enjoy both history, plants and gardening. I enjoyed it.
SueDonim
33 The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell. Another winner from MO. It’s not as good as Hamnet but it’s an excellent read.
I loved it too.
33 The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell. Another winner from MO. It’s not as good as Hamnet but it’s an excellent read.
45 The End of Us Olivia Kiernan, my third Irish writer in a row. This was so good! lived up to the dark, twisty thriller blurb, so often books don't. Myles and Lana live in an up market enclave in Wimbledon Village, having overstretched themselves on their mortgage borrowings, ok until Myles investments go wrong, jeopardising the desirable house and life style. When they get invited to dinner at their new and seemingly wealthy next door neighbours, Myles and Lana over share their financial worries and a solution is suggested by the newcomers......Life Insurance Fraud! Therein lies the premise of what follows a clever multi layered plan, where the main players are not quite what they appear to be on the surface. Revelation upon revelation right up to the final pages! Definitely 5* for me!
62-Book of the dead-Patricia Cornwall. Kay helps to find out who is torturing and killing in Italy and USA. This is one you have to concentrate fully on. Lots of technical detail but as usual good story telling. Kay's assistant Marino goes missing, so I must read her next book.
#46. Murder Is Easy by Agatha Christie.
The Fear Index wasn`t very good, but maybe just not my cup of tea. I got very confused with technical and business terms.
Have just started book 105, The Vanishing Point, by Val McDermid, I think I`m going to like this one.
36. And Away, Bob Mortimer
Honest, funny and warm, a good comfort read.
And 37 is Swing Time by Zadie Smith. I loved White Teeth, but didn’t care for The Autograph Man. I’m only a couple of chapters in, but already know I’m going to like this one. 
Book 62 - Contacts by Mark Watson - well written and poignant but also witty in places.
James Chiltern sends a goodbye text to all his 158 contacts after important things in his life have all gone wrong.
Across the world the 158 phones light up and all of them wondering how to get hold of James, and can they find him before it's too late.
I enjoyed it, and it's something different.
44 Atlas - Harry Whittaker and Lucinda Riley - The very final instalment of the Seven Sisters books wrapping up the series and providing all the revelations to the cryptic conundrums that characterised the central character, Pa Salt. This book I imagine from sleeve notes was compiled posthumously by Lucinda Riley's son Harry Whittaker, with the aid of her publishers. It will only resonate with those who have read at least some of the series, if not all, it really isn't a stand alone book as it constantly draws on much of the content in those previous books. It does reveal his origins, how he came to acquire the seven daughters from different parts of the world and the reasons behind the enmity between him, Atlas/Pa Salt, and his arch nemesis Kreeg Eszu (anagram of Greek Zeus! ) Ultimately whilst winding up the loose ends, I did at times feel the book was going over very well trodden ground in a somewhat tedious manner and at 750 pages, towards the end it all became very long winded. Having said that I have loved some of the series, particularly the ones set in Brazil, Australia, The Weald of Kent and the last one regarding the missing sister set largely in Ireland. Lucinda will be missed by many of her readers I'm sure.
Juno
I read The Killing Floor, a few years ago, and since then a couple more.
Not my usual reading choice, but I enjoyed it, and have another one on my TBR pile.
#45 Killing Floor Lee Child.
This book was mentioned up thread and I remembered that I had the audiobook in my Audible to be listened to 'pile'. The earlier commentator said they did not like narrator and could not finish it. The book is written in the first person and for me the narrator sounds exactly as I imagine Jack Reacher would speak. Quite violent but really exciting; I enjoyed it. It is the first in the series and I think I will probably look out for the next one. Not just yet though, I think I need something gentler.
I finished The Informant. Didn`t think I was going to like it, not really keen on sleazy gangland stuff, but I actually enjoyed it. Have just started book 104, The Fear Index, by Robert Harris.
#45. Innocent Blood by PD James.
The Good Patient by Alex Stone - book 61.
An OK read but rather disjointed and kept jumping around. I wouldn't recommend it.
61-The Dressmaker of Draper's Lane by Liz Trenow. Life in the 1700s of a single woman running her own business. She was a foundling and wants to find out about her family. This gives an insight to life in those times. Thank goodness we've moved on!
35. Sing, Wild Bird, Sing, Jacqueline O’Mahony
Goodness, I loved this book, despite its subject matter of pure unrelenting misery! The main character is an unloved and motherless child who grows up to have a really hard life, first as a young wife during the Irish Famine - the story of the people of Doolough, who walked miles for help that didn’t come, is one I’d never heard, and was so hard to hear - and later as a betrayed and abused widow in New York and the American West. It’s beautifully written, and I’ll be looking for more by this Irish author.
The Intercept was really good, but I was disappointed when one of the good guys was killed off. Now reading book 103, The Informant, by Susan Wilkins, a gangland story.
32 The Wild Silence by Raynor Winn. It’s a follow-on to The Salt Path.
My daughter lent me Wrong Place, Wrong Time, I really enjoyed it.
I`m liking The Intercept up to now.
#54 was Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister. I found the time travelling aspect leading up to why a crime was committed fascinating. I only gave it 4 1/2 stars rather than five because I felt that there was far too much gratuitous use of the F word.
66-Falling by Emma Kavanagh-a plane crash and a murder nearby. Is there a link between them? Good plot but confused by out of context thoughts here and there. A bit like my mind at times!
#44. An Unsuitable Job For A Woman by PD James.
Book 36
French Braid - Anne Tyler
Just a pleasant easy read, maybe not one of her best, but still enjoyable.
Focusing on a family, gradually fragmenting, but still caring about and respecting one another, it’s classic Tyler.
Book 37
Snow - John Banville
Enjoyed this.
A priest is found murdered in an Irish country house.
He has been castrated.
A young detective is sent along to deal with it, knowing to some extent it will be hushed up whatever he discovers.
The inhabitants of the house all claim to know nothing, but gradually more things about the likeable Father Tom are discovered, making the motive clearer.
All set against a backdrop of snow.
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