Good Morning and a Happy New Year to all.
Well here it is on this new year's day, the brand new 50 book challenge and hope that all our regular posters will continue to contribute and anyone new who enjoys their books will consider joining us.
For the benefit of anyone who isn't familiar with this thread, I will run through my introductory spiel. Firstly I would like to point out that if you are someone who thinks that you wouldn't read 50 books in a year but would still be interested in joining in, don't let that number put you off, do come here and join us anyway, particularly if you think you would enjoy ongoing discussions about books which is the essence of this book challenge. This is a thread that I filched from MN, over there they have two threads running concurrently, one for 50 books a year and one for 25. Our reading community here on GN is relatively small so I think it's preferable to keep us as one group allowing for the fact that we all read at different rates, given time constraints or whatever else we have going on in our lives.
The choice of books you opt for is entirely up to you, anything is permissible, fiction, non fiction and I would particularly like to stress your reading material doesn't have to be a novel if you want to opt for something factual, biographies, memoirs, even a children's book if you want to revisit a childhood favourite maybe, audio/Audible. Again how you post is down to you, merely list your books, maybe a brief description, or feel free to waffle on, I do, particularly if I've been enthused about a book I've read. Sometimes we interject and comment on other posters choices, more often than not agreeing with their opinions, and taking up recommendations, occasionally interjecting with our own dislike of maybe one they have favoured, but always with a view of agreeing to disagree. Books as with most other forms of entertainment are subjective and will of course divide opinions as well.
I hope I have outlined all the relevant points for anyone who is contemplating joining us and I would like to wish everyone a happy year's reading and all the best for 2024.
Book 38, A Home From Home, by Rosie Hendry. A Quick, easy read, but enjoyable, a story of land girls during WW2.
Calendargirl, I like Camilla as well.
I read the Penny Junor biography and enjoyed it, so I’ve put this one on my wish list
Sara1954
Calendargirl, did you enjoy it?
The Duchess of Cornwall one?
Yes, it was quite readable. Published just before the late Queen died, so some speculation about the future.
Personally, I like Camilla. Nowadays, of course, he would have married her in the first place, despite her ‘past’ i.e. non-virgin which mattered 40 years ago, but irrelevant now.
The late Queen had to rethink and accept that finally, Charles was determined to marry her, come what may.
Calendargirl, did you enjoy it?
#14. Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall by Angela Levin.
No. 11 The Bee Sting by Paul Murray. This book was recommended by GNers on this thread and, for me, certainly didn’t disappoint. I have now ordered Skippy Dies from the
Library. Looking forward to reading it.
Thanks for the tip Alibee, I'll bear that in mind.
Incidentally, for Kate Atkinson fans of which I'm one, her new Jackson Brodie book is out now, according to a Waterstones newsletter.
Book 37, Obsessed, by James Patterson and James O.Born. It`s one of the Michael Bennett series (he with 10 adopted children), and a very enjoyable read.
My #15 was Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson. Set in London in 1926, the Coker family, headed by matriarch Nellie, run a group of nightclubs. Their empire is under threat from multiple angles with enemies and police out to bring them down. It was wonderful, Kate Atkinson’s fantastic and witty writing was an absolute pleasure to read. 9/10
TerriBull I read We Were the Mulvaneys a couple of years ago, I think it’s the only one of her books I’ve read. I enjoyed it, but thought it was about 150 pages too long.
TerriBull
Sparklefizz glad you're enjoying River Kings, I read it a couple of years ago now but they were a fascinating lot the Vikings and some interesting facts in the book as regards to their extensive trading routes, way up the silk road if I remember rightly!
I’m finding it fascinating how much can be discovered using up to date technology. Absolutely amazing.
Another big Anne Tyler fan, especially her earlier books.
My all time favourite is Digging to America.
Book 10 The Ice Hotel by Hania Allen. I am not sure if I am enjoying this or not because the author is padding it out with trivia. Still I have started so I will finish.
Just seen the other posts that have appeared, another fan of Ann Tyler, The Amateur Marriage was the last book of hers I read, highly recommended.
13 Ordinary Human Failings - Megan Nolan
This is the story of a dis -functional, inter generational Irish family, who up sticks from their native Waterford to London in the early '90s, ostensibly because the daughter of the family, Carmel aged 16 becomes pregnant. Their rationale is that pregnant out of wedlock wont be such a big deal in the anonymity of London as opposed to small town Waterford where they are known to most of the community. Due to various factors, their remoteness and the alcoholism of Carmel's brother and the sometimes violence of the games played by Lucy the child of Carmel, they are deemed as misfits, It's into this setting that a local toddler is found strangled and as Lucy is the last one seen playing with the little girl she fits the frame for her murder.
An ambitious tabloid journalist ingratiates himself to the family as he sees the opportunity of a major exclusive scoop. Given this is a relatively short book, just over 200 pages the author very cleverly gives the reader a breakdown of the psychological back story of all family members and in doing so how those have shaped family dynamics.
Incredibly well written, only a second book by the author, Megan Nolan a native of Waterford herself, she has already received quite a few accolades for her writing including Sunday Times Young Writer Of The Year Award. Based on this book, I imagine she has a promising writing career ahead of her.
Another huge fan of Anne Tyler. She writes so stylishly doesn’t she? I’ve devoured all her books over the years. I couldn’t choose a favourite.
Right, off to start my book number 4!
Sparklefizz
Just finished Book 16 The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler.
Michael and Pauline fall for each other in a whirlwind romance before he quickly enlists in WW11 at her instigation. He is wounded during training and when he comes home, they marry without really knowing each other. This is the story of their marriage and family.
I love all the Anne Tyler books. Particularly Ladder of Years, how many women have at least once thought ‘I’m off!’
I’m only finding time for one a month! I’m becoming a slacker!
I’ve just finished Any Human Heart by William Boyd. It was great, although certainly long. The events of Logan’s life from his schooldays till his death are, varied, sad, astounding and entertaining.
There are one or two areas where I felt global events would have inoacted more on his life, but that’s the novelist’s license.
Sparklefizz glad you're enjoying River Kings, I read it a couple of years ago now but they were a fascinating lot the Vikings and some interesting facts in the book as regards to their extensive trading routes, way up the silk road if I remember rightly!
Urmstongran, I’m sure you will enjoy it, please let us know
Cabowich and TerriBull Thank you so much for mentioning River Kings which I started yesterday and am about halfway through. I'm really enjoying it as I've been interested in the Vikings since I learnt about them at school.
Ooh The Hours of the Night by Sue Gee I’m going to download this after such great recommendations. Thank you.
That will be book number 5 for me as it’s non fiction. I quite like my idea of alternating genres.
Here’s the book.
Hello all.
I’ve decided on this book. Bought it on my Kindle just now.
I don’t watch Loose Women but I have seen this actress (? Actor) in ‘Birds of a Feather’ years ago and liked her. She comes across as warm and good hearted. And - as far as I know - still good friends with Pauline Quayle. Oh gosh … re Bering the vamp lady now too - black hair, red lipstick the man-eater. Can’t recall her name. Lesley something or other?
Anyway Linda has apparently had problems with the Demon Drink. This autobiography is a tell-all of difficult times.
Honestly group what am I like? I involve you in great detail even at my pre-read hehe!
🤣
Just finished book number 3.
“Love Marriage” by Monica Ali.
Our book club read for next Wednesday.
😇 finished in time.
It was a bit wordy. In paperback it is apparently 510 pages long!
Glad it was on my Kindle easier to handle. It was an engaging read although somewhat stereotypical. Way too much medical terminology of cases on the ward rounds (who cares? It didn’t drive the story any further along so surely shorter references would have been less tiresome to read). Some serious editing would have been a Good Thing here.
But overall, a decent read. Interesting dynamics and assumptions within a family, laid bare at the end, kept my interest.
Now the pleasurable anticipation of ‘what next to read’?
I think I will stick to my latest thinking of alternating fiction with non fiction. I will pop back later with my choice of book number 4. I love choosing, don’t you?
Book 36, Cross Down, by James Patterson and Brendan DuBois. Another enjoyable Cross/Sampson story.
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