2026 - 50 Books a Year Challenge

29 London Falling - Patrick Radden Keefe

I found this book compulsive, having been glued to it for the past couple of days. An account rather than a novel, which by coincidence has a double page spread in yesterday's Sunday Times as I was reading the book.

19 year old Zac Brettler, living a Walter Mitty existence in inhabiting the persona of the son of a Russian Oligarch falls from the balcony of a 5th storey luxury block of flats, right opposite M16 Headquarters, into the murky waters of the Thames. In the aftermath their son's death, his bereaved parents, Matthew and Rachelle try to piece together what lead up to that moment, was this a suicide? or did he in fact jump to escape danger, entangled in his own web of deceit. What they uncover are the hidden depths of murky finance and criminal opportunism. In particular Zac's association with two men whose veneer of wealth belied a dark underbelly of criminal activities. The narrative rewinds to Zac's early years, growing up in Maida Vale and his school days, in particular to his teen years when he boarded at his public school, Mill Hill where he was well known for embroidering the truth and fabricating a myriad of lies where his alter ego of Zac Ismailov was borne, the son of a dead Oligarch. Possibly inspired by some of the actual Russian school mates he associated with. In truth his background was less glamorous, the second son of a comfortable Jewish middle class family. His grandfather was the fairly well known, Rabbi Hugo Gryn. Zac was to disassociate himself from the close knit fabric of his family life to dabble in a murky underbelly of those who appear superficially incredibly wealthy, in reality, supposed wealth as fragile as a pack of cards with hidden trails of debt. It's into a setting of ingratiating himself under the guise of a fabrication of an immense wealth he's about to inherit, he is to cross paths with smooth, urbane operator by the name of Akbar Shamji and his associate , gangland drug trafficker Verinder Sharma. The latter whose balcony he is to jump from posing the question was it to escape danger overplaying his hand or was it suicide?

Gripping, an outstanding page turner.

13 The Secrets of Willow Bay by Phillipa Nefri Clark

Set in a small coastal town in Victoria, Australia, one of a series of books but all featuring different characters. Lost loves and friendships, with a secret at the heart of it all which could have devastating consequences when it is revealed 25 years later.

Escapism in a lovely setting.

31 The NEW Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency by John Seymour.

One of the books I was determined to read and decide whether to keep or let go. I think I bought this when I was thinking about being self sufficient but decided not to go ahead. One for the charity shop I think. Now back to the Mirror and the Light.

30 Bring up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel

No. 2 in the Wolf Hall series and just started the Mirror and the Light. after that back to reading what I already have and not buying any more - I hope.

38-Need You Dead-Peter James
Although I enjoy the TV adaptions of the Grace series, the books of the same name are more exciting. This one in particular has so many different parts in the plot and the ending that it almost seems nothing like the TV version. So don't be put off reading the books just because you've seen it on the screen.

stewaris I'm a great Wolf Hall fan and have read it several times. Good to hear that you enjoyed it.

Book 29 The Road to Lichfield by Penelope Lively
I haven't found a book of PL's that I haven't enjoyed! Her characters are "normal" and relatable.

This book is the story of family life. Anne Linton's father has suffered a stroke and is in a nursing home, and most weekends Anne abandons her husband and 2 teenagers to make the long drive to Lichfield to be with her father before he dies.

But the longer she spends there, including sorting out things in her father's home, the more she is drawn into another life. Over a lingering summer she is drawn into an affair with a man who had been her father's neighbour, and also discovers that her own father was not the man she had always imagined him to be.

This is a thoughtful and touching story. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 10/10

29 Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
I've been meaning to read this for ages and finally got around to it. I really enjoyed it and have bought Bring Up the Bodies and The Mirror and the Light. However, I joined this thread as I hoped it would make me read all the books I have but haven't got around to reading not make me buy more. Okay, make is too strong-encouraging would be better. Hopefully I will win in the end.

#36. A Deadly Episode by Anthony Horowitz.

Just started this, the latest ‘Hawthorne’ book.

First to get it from the library👍🏻.

Looks really promising, as usual for AH.

37-Change of Season-Anna Jacobs
Back to my favourite author again, with an unputdownable story of a bullied wife finding her confidence after 25years in a long distance marriage. Sensitively written, great characters.

Diggingdoris I love Traitors on tv so I'll give it a try

36-A Game of Lies-Clare Mackintosh
The second in the Detective Ffion Morgan series. If you love Traitors on TV you'll love this. When 7 contestants arrive in the Welsh mountains to compete for a life-changing prize, they discover this is not quite what they expected. Packed with twists and turns on every page. A great read.

#28 After Annie by Anna Quindlen another lovely book by this author.

When Annie Brown dies suddenly, her husband, her 4 children and her closest friend are left to find a way forward without the woman who has been the lynchpin of all their lives.

This is a deeply moving story about love, loss, friendship, marriage, and family and community. The characters are flawed, not sugar-coated, and they fumble their way through their grief.

I didn't want this book to end. I give it 10/10

The Waiting Game!

Book 15: The Wating Game by Nicola Clark -The untold story of the women who served Henry 8th's Queens. Fascinating . It gives an interesting account of these women who are not normally spoken much about.

Thank you for your reply folks.

I’m just starting “The Morville Hours” for the second read.

It is one of the loveliest books I have read.

Just finished “Wuthering Heights”

12 It Takes a Village by Hannah Ellis
Not my usual kind of book but the setting appealed to me as it is set in an area of Devon I particularly like.
The struggles that a single father encounters when taking on his newborn baby alone. Predictable but enjoyable if you're looking for an easy read.

28 Dead Heat Sabine Durrant

A good page turner if you happen to be heading off to Greece for a beach holiday. Down on his luck, 50 something journalist Matt is staying, courtesy of friends, in a guest cottage in the garden of their home in Greece. Specifically the Mani Peninsula near the ancient city of Sparta. Later joined by long term friends, Celia and Adam property owners and their entourage of various children along with their respective friend and partner. Adam, a previous protegee of Matt's whose career has long since overtaken his own. Matt down in the doldrums, having been let go at work, broken up with his partner and as a consequence lost his home to boot, he is now in the process of writing a screenplay, which may or may not be his salvation. Matt's, complicated relationship with Adam blows hot and cold between best buddies and simmering resentments about Adam's treatment of his much nicer wife Celia who he is very fond of. Adam having all the hallmarks of a self absorbed louche narcissist are brought to the fore when into their circle comes Reynash, owner of a newly built glass palace perched in an enviable position across the bay. Reynash and Adam have a shared history the latter having been bullied at school by Adam, but has since emerged as a millionaire heading up a tech company. Tensions rise as Gatsbyesque parties play out at the new house, until a fatal accident occurs, or was it?? plus the mystery of Reynash's business partner who went out for a run a few days before and has never returned, possibly having met with an accident. The narrative is laced with a fair sprinkling of ambiguities, prevalent throughout but in particular as to the ending. I enjoyed it, not as good as a couple of her previous books.

Qwerty

Allira - I found having read the books first made it more confusing as various aspects of the plot were changed for TV. It will be interesting to see if you find the same!

Why do they always change things?

Allira - I found having read the books first made it more confusing as various aspects of the plot were changed for TV. It will be interesting to see if you find the same!

Book 5 Peter James, One of us is Dead.
Book 6 Peter James, Dead Man's Grip. Enjoyed both of these stories.
Book 7 Linwood Barclay, Too Close to Home. Always great thrillers by this author.
Book 8 Lee Child No Middle Name. Short stories
Book 9 Tracy Chevalier, The Glassmaker. Highly recommended.
Book 10 Carol Drinkwater, The Olive Farm. True account of how the former actress and her husband renovated a run-down farm in Provence. Very entertaining
Book 11 David Baldacci, Simply Lies. Not the best story.
Book 12 Erin Littken, The Memory Keeper of Kyiv. Excellent read.
Book 13 Susie Dent, Guilty by Definition. Her first novel. Rather a convoluted story!

AliBeeee

#28 The Offing by Benjamin Myers
Summer of 1946, 16 year old Robert leaves school and decides to leave his Durham village for an adventure and to see some of life before he follows his father and grandfather down into the mine. He sets off on foot, picking up odd jobs and places to stay, or camping, as he goes. After a few weeks he is heading for Robin Hood’s bay when he meets Dulcie, an eccentric, world wise and outspoken older lady who lives in her ramshackle cottage with her dog Butler. She introduces him to the pleasures of good food, alcohol and poetry. They come from very different worlds, but as the summer progresses, a growing friendship develops which will change both their lives.
Very well written, with great characters and only 250 pages. 9/10

Sparklefizz I’ve enjoyed a few of Anna Quindlen’s books but not read that one. It sounds like one I’d enjoy so I’ll add it to my list.

My bookclub loved The Offing. As did my DH as he knows the area well. I also would highly recommend it.

Sparklefizz

Qwerty I watched Secret Service and enjoyed it and have reserved a couple of Tom Bradby's books from the library to see what I think of them.

We watched it too and wished I'd read the book first because the plot was complicated.
However, I did suss out who the culprit was 🙂

I read a Tom Bradby book many years ago and it was very good.

Qwerty I watched Secret Service and enjoyed it and have reserved a couple of Tom Bradby's books from the library to see what I think of them.

I've read several books so far this year but haven't posted about them. However recently I've read the trilogy by Tom Bradby "Secret Service", "Double Agent" and "Triple Cross". I thoroughly enjoyed all three. So I was excited to read that "Secret Service" was being televised as a five part thriller with Tom Bradby involved in the writing and production.
Has anyone else read the books/ and or watched it on TV? I ask because we loved the books but didn't enjoy the TV version much. Some of the casting seemed "off", although Gemma Arterton and Roger Allam were extremely good; Julie and Imogen didn't fit their sexy, assertive roles. Also the plot had been messed around with significantly. All in all a disappointment in our view. Anyone else feel the same or disagree? I'd be interested to hear.

#28 The Offing by Benjamin Myers
Summer of 1946, 16 year old Robert leaves school and decides to leave his Durham village for an adventure and to see some of life before he follows his father and grandfather down into the mine. He sets off on foot, picking up odd jobs and places to stay, or camping, as he goes. After a few weeks he is heading for Robin Hood’s bay when he meets Dulcie, an eccentric, world wise and outspoken older lady who lives in her ramshackle cottage with her dog Butler. She introduces him to the pleasures of good food, alcohol and poetry. They come from very different worlds, but as the summer progresses, a growing friendship develops which will change both their lives.
Very well written, with great characters and only 250 pages. 9/10

Sparklefizz I’ve enjoyed a few of Anna Quindlen’s books but not read that one. It sounds like one I’d enjoy so I’ll add it to my list.