THE BRAND NEW 2024 50 BOOK CHALLENGE

Book 17: Noah's Compass by Anne Tyler

19 The Guest - Emma Cline

Alex is a 22 year old escort who has a propensity to attach herself to older rich men. Right at the beginning of the novel she is a guest at the beach house of 50 something Simon. Emma Cline alludes to people and places in this book without really defining where they are or who they are. Alex started dating Simon in "the city" which is almost undoubtedly New York and now they have moved out to his house on the beach for the month of August. All the descriptions of where this house is situated conjures up Long Island, a mere train ride away from the city. Alex's background is murky, she owes her flatmates a backlog of rent, someone called "Dom" is on her case via numerous text messages as to a large amount of money she has stolen. Simon, his moneyed life style and social circle provide a temporary safe haven from the menacing Dom and place to the city she doesn't want to return to. Unfortunately for Alex she blots her copy book with Simon when at a party they are invited to, she drunkenly falls into the pool and then cosies up to the hostess' husband whilst in there. Simon being none too pleased buys her a one way ticket back to "the city". but with the promise of getting together again at a party he will be hosting in a week or so's time. Abandoned at the railway station with her one way ticket, she decides not to return, but seeks out the opportunity of attaching herself to various social groups she has tenuous links to during her brief time on the island, endeavouring to front it out before the looming party on the horizon where she hopes to be welcomed back into the arms and home of her meal ticket. Manage she does in the interim by ingratiating herself to various different individuals, some she knows, some she doesn't but persuades them that she does by invoking her powers of ingenuity and blagging to find places to stay, with the occasional night on the beach. Each casual acquaintance provides opportunities to filch some money here and there from handbags and the like casually abandoned and given they are often stuffed with wads of money she only ever takes a 50 dollar bill here and there, careful to keep all her pilfering under the radar.

This is essentially the tale of a grifter, the book never reveals too much of where Alex originated from, only vaguely alludes to a difficult and possibly poor background, who is both a user and allows herself to be used. I think some readers might find the lack of such salient details and the inconclusive up in the air ending unsatisfactory, I did at times, but strangely found it quite a compulsive read. I remember enjoying Emma Cline's previous book, The Girls, which was about a Mason like cult, which gave me the impetus to want to read this one. Overall I enjoyed it but I think it's fair to say a bit of a Marmite choice.

I am on holiday at the moment so have been reading but not keeping up with this thread. I’ve got through 4 more.

#18 Past Lying by Van McDermid. The latest Karen Pirie book which I know many of you have read. I read the whole book on a long flight, it was a wonderful way to pass the journey. 8/10

#19 The House at Sea’s End by Elly Griffiths. I am working my way through the Ruth Galloway books in order and brought this on holiday. Really enjoyed it. 8/10

#20 Reluctantly Home by Imogen Clark. This was a Kindle cheapie in case I ran out of reading material on my journey. Pip is a successful barrister who returns home to live on her parents farm while she recovers from a tragic event. While there, she becomes interested (obsessed?) by the story of a local television actress who became a recluse 30 years ago and she sets out to meet her and understand why.
I haven’t read this author before, it was an easy read, but I wouldn’t rush to read any more. 6/10

#21 Road Ends by Mary Lawson. Another author I haven’t read before, I found it on the charity bookshelves of my local Tesco.
Set in late 1960s, Megan leaves her family farm, her parents, and her numerous brothers, in rural, northern Canada and moves to London for a new life. She has a difficult start and is painfully homesick. Meanwhile her family is unraveling and falling apart in her absence.
I enjoyed this and rattled through it, I would read this author again. 8/10

I spotted a few comments about The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton. I am in the “loved it” camp. The follow up, The House of Fortune, not so much.

Book 57, The Room in the Attic, by Louise Douglas. Loved it, great for lovers of ghost stories.

#15. Just squeezing into March, Embrace the Night Karen Chance.
Number 2 in the Cassandra Palmer series. Cassie has recently become Pythia, the world's chief clairvoyant, but has to contend with vampires, mages, Fae and others who wish her harm.

Book 41 Conviction by Jack Jordan - an easy read but don’t think I’ll bother reading any more by this author as although it had an intriguing heroine and a twisty plot it was too unbelievable and characterisation was paper thin.

I totally agree Musicgirl, unbelievable, for me, especially regarding the speed of Tara’s educational achievements!

Granny Bear, l didn’t like Educated either. It seemed so unbelievable at times.

Finally finished #13 The Franchise Affair by Josephine Tey. It was first published in 1948 and it shows - plodding and very dated, both in style and attitudes.

Simon Mayo - Tick Tock. It's an excellent book.

Oops! I can’t count … books 14, 15, 16 above!

No. 17 - Prophet Song by Paul Lynch. I loved this book! It is set in Dublin during a time of social unrest following the imposition of sweeping new powers by the far-right National Alliance Party. It’s both scary and believable!

No. 14 - The Outback by Patricia Wolfe.
No. 16 - Educated by Tara Westover.
These were both Book Group choices and I was in the minority when I said I didn’t really rate or enjoy either one.

Sarah I agree Blood Orange was so much better than the follow up you've just read.

A dark tale it certainly was Maggierose, but I did think it was a terrific book in a bleak sort of way.

Book 40 His Bloody Project by Graeme Macrae Burnet. I liked the sound of this one when it was mentioned on this forum. Just finished it - the best part is in the recreation of the crofter’s life in the West Highlands in the mid 19th century. I also enjoyed the multiple narrative viewpoints based on contemporary records.
The terrible crime at the centre defies any logical explanation - is 17 year old Roddy an incurable psychopath or a vulnerable boy who cracked under the repeated baleful persecution of his family by the local constable? I was glad to finish this one. I’m looking forward to something lighter next.

Book 16: Murder by the River Usk by Pippa McCathie

Book 18
The Lies You Told - Harriet Tyce
I didn’t enjoy it as much as her first book, Blood Orange, but it was nevertheless a good read.
Sadie and her daughter flee a failed marriage in the US and turn up in London.
Sadie’s estranged mother, has left her home in trust to Robin, the granddaughter she never wanted, providing she attend a high achieving girls school where her mother had gone and hated it.
Well that’s the first dilemma I have with this book, no one would send their child to a school they had loathed every day of.
Anyway, we enter a world of over achieving little girls, their horrific toxic parents, which can only end badly.
As this unfolds, we have Sadie back in chambers, part of the team defending a young teacher accused of having sex with a pupil, but she’s not sure about him.
It all builds to a climax, Robin is in danger, that’s my second dilemma, would you entrust your daughter to people you knew could be potentially dangerous?
The ending wasn’t expected I have to say, but in some ways it wasn’t very satisfying, because Robin is still in danger.
I sound really picky, but I did enjoy it.

23-Death of a Dustman-M.C.Beaton. A little light relief now with one of the Hamish Macbeth series. A tongue in cheek amusing story of the Highland policeman and his colourful villagers trying to solve a murder.

I'm another one who loved The Miniaturist and it's a book that has stayed with me.

I’m glad there were at least three of us for the Miniaturist. It was a slow starter but I am a quick reader so wasn’t put off. It wasn’t a best seller turned bbc tv thing for nothing. ( although I missed it then).

#24. Now You See Them by Elly Griffiths.

Just started The salt path by Raynor Wynn Enjoying it so far- anyone read her other books?

No 9 Politics on the Edge by Rory Stewart. The author was a Tory MP and this is his account of his time as a politician. It’s really very depressing to read of the low standards that now seem to permeate our government.

I also liked it a lot. So there you are that's at least 3 òf us!