50 Books a Year - The 2025 Challenge

#49. The Nidderdale Murders by JR Ellis.

Book 75, Mystery, by Jonathan Kellerman. A once beautiful girl is found with her face shot away.

Book 26
Shy Creatures - Clare Chambers
I loved this so much, and am really sad to have finished it

A disturbance in a house finds an old lady, and a man with a beard down to his waist, having a massive argument, it appears he hasn’t been outside for more than twenty years.

Both are taken to Westbury Park, a mental health facility. The Aunt dies, and William is alone, but it appears he has a talent for drawing, which spikes the young art therapists interest, and determines her to find out more of Williams story.

Helen of course has her own story, an illicit affair with one of the doctors.

But the whole book is so beatifically written, the whole cast of characters are warm and real, so ordinary, and yet so complex, I am fast becoming a real Clare Chambers fan.

33. The Boyfriend, Freida McFadden

Our heroine Sydney gets embroiled in a net of murder, intrigue and internet dating that certainly keeps your interest. A page turner with lots of twists and turns and an unexpected ending. A good read, even if there are times when you just want to tell naive, trusting Sydney to give her head a wobble.

Sara1954

Book 26
Shy Creatures - Clare Chambers
I loved this so much, and am really sad to have finished it

A disturbance in a house finds an old lady, and a man with a beard down to his waist, having a massive argument, it appears he hasn’t been outside for more than twenty years.

Both are taken to Westbury Park, a mental health facility. The Aunt dies, and William is alone, but it appears he has a talent for drawing, which spikes the young art therapists interest, and determines her to find out more of Williams story.

Helen of course has her own story, an illicit affair with one of the doctors.

But the whole book is so beatifically written, the whole cast of characters are warm and real, so ordinary, and yet so complex, I am fast becoming a real Clare Chambers fan.

Sounds good Sarah, I'll make a note of that one for my "to read" pile. I did enjoy Small Pleasures, and have always meant to read another of her books.

#50. The Brewery Murders by JR Ellis.

Book 27
Heat Wave- Penelope Lively
Just under 200 pages, so a quick read, but a very enjoyable read.

Worlds End Cottage is the isolated country home of Pauline, a literary editor, the adjacent cottage is normally let out, but this summer, Pauline’s daughter, Teresa, her husband Maurice, and their little boy take the cottage for the summer.

Maurice is writing a book, so research takes him frequently to London for research and meetings, and he frequently invites a couple back for the weekends, Carol and James.

Pauline watches helplessly as history repeats itself, she is certain Maurice is having an affair, and she is certain Teresa knows, but no one talks about it.

Pauline relives her marriage to Teresas father, his constant infidelity’s, his lies, his charm.

All set against the backdrop of a perfect summer.

Loved it

16.
Raising Hare - Chloe Dalton
True story.
Chloe found a baby leveret and, after waiting a bit to see if its mother comes for it, she takes it into her home.
Chloe looks after the leveret as it grows into a hare, with a few anxieties along the way. She finds out as much as she can about hares from books, but that doesn't always agree with the behaviour of the actual leveret/hare in front of her.
Chloe also finds that her outlook on life is changed while contemplating the countryside around her and the wildlife living in it, including the Hare.

Book 76, Victims, another by Jonathan Kellerman. Some very gruesome murders, but a really good read.

35. Guilty by Definition, Susie Dent

This was my reading group’s choice, and not one I’d have gone for myself, written as it is by yet another celebrity author. I’m so pleased though that it was forced on me, so to speak, as it was one of the best books I’ve read this year.

Martha’s sister disappeared 10 years ago, and when cryptic letters and postcards start arriving at the offices of the Clarendon English Dictionary, where she works as a lexicographer, Martha and her colleagues soon realise that they contain hints and clues as to what happened to her.

I did feel that the author was a bit too keen to share her love of Shakespeare and of language, and a lot of the cultural and linguistic references were beyond me, but I enjoyed playing along. And I was so pleased with myself when I solved one of the clues before the team did, even though it was an easy one obviously slotted in to keep the bottom stream happy. The book would also appeal to anyone who loves Oxford, as her descriptions of the city and its quirks and traditions are beautifully written.

Sara1954 I like the sound of Heat Wave from your write-up, so have added it to my list, but I didn't really warm to Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers although I've enjoyed her other books, particularly Small Pleasures.

60-I Will Find You Harlan Coben

Wowzer! What a gripping story this is!
It's a while since I've read one of his, and must say I'm never disappointed.
David Burroughs awakens to find himself covered in blood, and his 3 year old son dead beside him. He is accused of murder, but cannot believe he's guilty.
How far would you go to prove your innocence?

Sparklefizz, strange isn’t it? I really loved it, but I think you will enjoy Heat Wave, I’m pretty sure I’ve read it before, but still enjoyed it

My reading has been erratic of late.

No.11 Conclave - covered here extensively already and well critiqued by those readers.

No.12 ‘Between Sisters’ by Kristin Hannah.
Quite readable. I was stressed and an event two-thirds through upset me. The story stretched credibility at times (what - both sisters later in life meeting drop dead gorgeous men, one about to break into Nashville mega-stardom and the other hunk, supposedly a recluse but a renowned brain surgeon? Hmm).
It needed serious editing in my opinion. One of her earlier books and her plots/writing have gotten so much better and tighter, since.

No.13 this ⬆️
I just loved it. The gentle Japanese village life, the characters were interesting, believable and well rounded. It spoke to me in my sadness and I shall remember it for a long time to come.

I had ‘Raising Hare’ as my next read.
However I might go for ‘Heat Wave’ for pure escapism.
Thank you for the recommendation Sara1954

I really enjoy reading Japanese novels so will look out for that one thanks FriedGreen😃

Hope you don’t mind my abbreviation of your name?

Not at all Oreo. 😊

Book 28
Three Days in June - Anne Tyler

I’ve noticed quite a few of you have already read this, so I won’t bore you all with the details, just say that the three days in the title, cover a wedding.

I like Anne Tyler a lot, but on the whole I’ve preferred her earlier work, this was an exception though, I thought it was perfect.

I love her characters, she writes kind, gentle people, ordinary people, normal families, her characters are always believable, and the dialogue flows naturally, and often with humour.

I thought Max and Gail were really nice people, people I would be happy to know.

#51. Unleashed by Boris Johnson.

Sara1954 The library emailed yesterday to say that Three Days in June is ready to collect, so I'm looking forward to reading it next week. Glad you liked it.

Oh Sparklefizz, I’m sure you’ll love it, it’s not very long, but a real joy.

I loved 3 days in June so much I think I’ll re-read it later this year. A perfect little novel in every way.

I’ve ordered Heat Wave.
And saw I’ve not read Sunburn yet …. 😁

FriedGreenTomatoes2, I completely agree, Three Days in June was just perfect.
I’ve had a run of excellent books lately, but that was probably my favourite.