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Original poster

Last book of 2013, first book of 2014

63 replies

Cheboludo · 31/12/2013 22:18

What is the last book you read in 2013 and what will be the first one you read in 2014? Are they connected?

My last was How to be a Heroine by Samantha Ellis. It's a wonderful memoir told through the authors favourite books and heroines. One of the books she writes about is Pride and Prejudice which reminded me that I have Longbourn in my TBR pile so that's going to be the first book I finish in 2014.

OP posts:
Original poster
Cheboludo · 01/01/2014 11:54

LCHammer - I'm all about good easy reads at the moment. I have a 2.5yr old and a 6mth old who's not keen on sleeping so I prefer my books to be non-taxing right now.

OP posts:
LCHammer · 01/01/2014 11:32

The Husband's Secret was ok. A very easy read.

Original poster
Cheboludo · 01/01/2014 11:24

Bisjo - thanks for the review; Apple Tree Yard has slid down my TBR list now :) I tried to listen to The Goldfinch on catch up a couple of weeks ago but I'd just missed it, which is a shame as I've a feeling lizzabadger is right and some editing would be beneficial.
Hopelass: the Husband's Secret has taken Apple Tree Yard's slot on my TBR after that recommendation.

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Hopelass · 01/01/2014 11:13

I finished Liane Moriarty's The Husband's Secret yesterday and immediately downloaded What Alice Forgot by the same author because I enjoyed The Husband's Secret so much!

LCHammer · 01/01/2014 11:09

Cherrypi - I'm about 90 pages in. I'm waiting for something to kick in and shake their beatific world.

CharlieAlphaKiloEcho · 01/01/2014 10:44

I'm part way through the Prague Cemetery for my new book club so that is technically counting as the last book of 2013 and the first of 2014.

But the last book I finished in 2013 was the first Enders Game one. I've never read sci-fi before but really enjoyed it.

The next one on the list is let's discuss diabetes with owls which again is for book club. I thought I'd get a chance to read more over the holidays but turns out it's hard to fit in my usual hour of commute reading when I'm home.

Lizzabadger · 01/01/2014 10:42

The new Bridget Jones was complete shite.

Lizzabadger · 01/01/2014 10:42

I am finding The Goldfinch gripping in parts and boring in parts. It is VERY long. I suspect they cut heavily for Book at Bedtime which, imho, would improve it.

bisjo · 01/01/2014 10:36

I thought Apple Tree Yard was marginally better than Gone Girl (which I hated). I had no sympathy for any of the main characters. I didn't think the story was believable at all and I thought the ending odd (I think the author was trying to be clever but didn't succeed).

I listened to the Goldfinch on Book at Bedtime a while ago and thought it was superb.

Cherrypi · 01/01/2014 09:28

Enjoy the circle LCHammer. I loved that book. I'm currently reading S by JJ Abrams and American Gods by Neil Gaiman. I have the Goldfinch lined up next. The connection between the last two is they were both kindle bargains.

Original poster
Cheboludo · 01/01/2014 09:14

I loved both The Dinner and Fingersmith. The Cuckoo's Calling, Beautiful Ruins and Bridget Jones are all on my TBR. So far I've been avoiding The Goldfinch due to a really bad encounter with The Little Friend, but if everyone continues to rave about it I may have to overcome my fear.

OP posts:
Taffeta · 01/01/2014 08:54

Finished Fingersmith
Starting The Cuckoos Calling

LCHammer · 01/01/2014 08:50

Finished 'The dinner' and started 'The Circle'.

DuchessofMalfi · 01/01/2014 08:45

I read Big Brother a couple of weeks ago. Really enjoyed it. Have The Goldfinch lined up to read shortly :)

Lizzabadger · 01/01/2014 07:49

85% through The Goldfinch. Big Brother next.

SuperScribbler · 01/01/2014 07:40

I'm three quarters of the way through Instructions for a Heatwave. Loving it. Not sure what's next as I have about 600 books in my to-read pile!

MimsyBorogroves · 01/01/2014 01:23

I'm a third of the way through The Secret History. Will read either The goldfinch or Bridget Jones next, thanks to kindle reductions.

TheFunStopsHere · 01/01/2014 00:32

Last book of 2013 - May we be Forgiven by a.m.homes. I liked it a lot. I had been put off her a little by some of her other books, but this was very funny as well as dark.
First book of 2014 - Beautiful Ruins, by Jess Walter.

RustyBear · 01/01/2014 00:30

My book queue is so long, I'm currently reading three just to keep up! My current kindle book is PG Wodehouse's letters, my main book is Lucy Lethbridge's Servants and my bedtime book is Longbourn.

Original poster
Cheboludo · 01/01/2014 00:27

If you've been re-reading Ballet Shoes you might enjoy The book I ended 2013 with- How to be a Heroine...she talks about it and some other Noel Streatfeild novels, as well as Anne of Green Gables, What Katie Did, Little Women and many more classic books

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TheNightIsDark · 01/01/2014 00:10

Just finished Ballet Shoes Grin

Not a clue what to start 2014 with. Possibly something grown up like the railway children or Pollyanna.

Original poster
Cheboludo · 01/01/2014 00:06

What did you think of Apple Tree Yard? It's on my TBR.

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bisjo · 31/12/2013 23:11

Just finished Apple Tree Yard and started The Silent Wife.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 31/12/2013 23:04

I failed with that. And with, 'Tender is the Night.'

eveylikesv · 31/12/2013 23:01

Halfway through 'The beautiful and the damned' by F. Scott Fitzgerald, not yet sure what l will read next, have few other books in the queue.

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