50 Book Challenge 2015 Part 3

Hi everyone,

Also best wishes to everyone with medical tests etc. I have been for a good few appointments lately for a variety of things. It makes you feel such an old crock, of course all the while being pleased it's nothing serious.

Finally got to no 20. The War Workers - EM Delafield mentioned up thread and on Kindle offer. I love The Diary of a Provincial Lady series so thought I would give this one a try. The story of a group of office war workers and their upper class boss and their relationship with her. It was Ok but I found it rather unexciting. I wasn't expecting a riveting storyline but just couldn't rally warm to any of the characters, even the ones you are supposed to like.

Not sure what next but I do have The Slaves of Solitude on my Kindle and just saw that recommended unthread. Don't want to get too bogged down in war stuff though!

The waiting for test results is so shite isn't it. Bestest doodahs to minsmum, Duchess, Cote and Remus. Hope the release from the brace brings good news too Lammy. I've just had a chest x-ray re-done as "there's something there but can't see what as lungs aren't fully inflated" says my GP. "They won't be", says I, "'cos I was given no instructions by the trainee radiologist and the senior one was nowhere to been seen." The xray receptionist was incandescent and persuaded me to make a complaint. Not even time to read as my xray department is at a small cottage hospital with walk-in service.

Anyway, have finished books 24 & 25 after a quiet month on the reading front. "First Fifteen Lives of Harry August": tumble's review has it pretty spot on. Also read "The Girl on the Train": decent enough thriller, good sorbet read.

TBR list looms large - not sure what to choose next ...

Not you as well Cote or maybe . We're a bunch of old crocks now aren't we? Just had my MRI scan and having a coffee. Not nearly as bad as I thought it would be

Cote for you too

Good luck to all going through diagnostic tests. I've been benched for several weeks now with groin pain, recently diagnosed with a "mechanical" problem in the hip joint that means I might get early arthritis and hip replacement. Oh the joy

26. The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North. I'm not quite sure why I read this, given that it's a time-slip novel exactly like the ones some of us (including me) were moaning about a few pages ago! Luckily this one is quite good. A clever handling of the theme, and it didn't feel as disjointed as some others of the genre. It would have been much more original if written a few years ago though!

Good luck with the tests minsmum, Duchess and Remus

Welcome to all the newbies

Agree with you Lammy7 about the Undomesticated Goddess by Sophie Kinsella !
I read her shopaholic books in my twenties & loved them but this was awful !

Hi everyone, can I join you all please? I had started keeping count at the start of the year by taking the read 100 books in 2015 on Goodreads but I forgot to keep it updated, logged in today and I see I have only 1 book logged on it so 50 might be more managable so here's my list so far....

1. Empty Cradles (oranges & sunshine) by Margaret Humphreys
2. philomena by Martin Sixsmith
3. Chapter & Verse by Bernard Sumner
4. The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud
5. Against the light by Paula Yourell
6. Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
7. Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen
8. The Girl on the train by Paula Hawkins
9. The Lie by C.L Taylor (not finished it yet, have a few pages left to go)

Will read through the rest of the thread now and get some recommendations for what to read next

Have been MIA for a while due to exams, good luck to all those going through tests and shit.

42. Rage Against the Night - Various

A fairly mediocre collection of horro stories. One or two stood out, but the bulk were very cliched and showed a lack of imagination.

43. Pharmakon - Dirk Whittinger

The story of a family, the father of whom is almost killed when a psychology experiment goes wrong. The bulk of the tale is told from the perspective of the youngest son, who was born two years after this life-changing event. An interesting book which I enjoyed, although it got a bit dull towards the end.

44. Allotments for Dummies - Sven Wombwell

As expected from the 'for dummies' series, a useful how-to guide for a complete novice. Very good.

45. Love, Anthony

Hmm, not sure about this one. The parts of the book written from the perspective of Anthony, a non-verbal autistic child are really well done, but the rest of th book was clunky and a bit chick-lit for my taste.

46. Rant - an oral history of buster Casey - chuck paulanuik

My favourite book so far this year. This is a selection of transcripts from people involved with the protagonist throughout his life. This starts off as a fairly typical rural american tale and developes into something with a scifi dystopian feel. I love CP's style of writing and the way more and more was gradually revealed about the wider world. Fantastic book.

Congrats to Tessie and love to all going through tests. Am part of that brigade too - more bloods and another ECG next week. At least waiting around for tests gives us some reading time, I guess.

Duchess and minsmum hope you feel better.
My DP has just got a date for his MRI scan for his back so you are not alone in the doctor prodding annoyance Duchess.

Congrats to tessie

Hi Duchess: I am on the count down :) finally.....12 weeks in this brace and have x ray on Friday and hoping it can come off (fingers crossed), thanks for asking. Really hope they can help you once they do that scan on your back

Thanks, Lammy :). How are you now?

For anyone who still buys paperbacks, the Book Depository are doing a big flash sale NOW :)

Duchess hope the MRI goes well (I know all about back trouble!)
Tessie: Congratulations....get all your reading in before the baby arrives lol
Mimsmum: hope you are better soon!

Book 30 for me is Ben Elton's Two Brothers....I love his books but this one is different. About 2 boys born in Berlin in 1920 who are twins but not by blood. I gather they end up fighting on different sides in WW2. The story is akin to what happened his father in real life I think....Only started it and hooked already. One of those books that you can't wait to go to bed to read. It is a big book so don't expect me back here too soon!

I am so SLOW!

Finally finished no. 10. Do No Harm - Stories of Life, Death and Brain Surgery by Henry Marsh.

I really enjoyed this book and it was nice to read some non-fiction for a change. Some of the stories are very sad and I wouldn't recommend this to anyone about to undergo brain surgery! Marsh writes in a very simple, easy to read style about a very complex and difficult job. I recommend it, but not to the squeamish. It is a good book to dip in and out of.

I am now attempting to read 4 books at the same time, oh dear.

Just seen We are all Completely beside ourselves on Kindle daily deals. I really liked this book and would recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it.

minsmum - Thanks. I hope this latest round of tests has the answer. Was quite scared of the list of illnesses the GP wants to rule out though.

southeast- Jeremy Irons has put on this rather disturbingly smooth and slightly creepy voice for the narration. I like the story though. Looking forward to the next part today.

can I join?

1. Marie Kondo - the life changing magic of tidying
2. Nathan filter - the shock of the fall
3. lianne Moriarty - what Alice forgot
4. Lucy Atkins - first time parent
5. Paula Hawkins - the girl on the train
6. Gillian Flynn dark places
7. Sarah ockwell smith - the gentle sleep book
8. Neil gaiman - stardust

Hope they find out what it is for you Duchess. At least when you know they can start treating you. I will be thinking of you

Virtual handhold, minsmum - I'm about to undergo the next round of tests next week and am off for an MRI scan this week to find out what's going on with my back. Getting a bit fed up with being poked and prodded about by doctors.

Books 57 - 60
Four children's books; all re-reads; all old; all books of which Cote would not approve! No point reviewing as they were for comfort reading only, and nobody would be interested in them.

Book 61 is taking ages - 'Phantom Fortune' by Mary Elizabeth Braddon
It is long (444 pages) and, like 'Lady Audley's Secret' all rather self-indulgent. Am quite enjoying it, but can't say I'm desperate to be leaping into bed to read more of it each night!

Still dragging my arse through The Bone Clocks...

Book 19 The Skeleton Road by Val McDermid.

A very classy bit of crime confection.

The story of a Croatian general told from several points of view. Lots of great characterisation, humour and not too much gore (something VD is often criticised for).

I haven't been here for a while I am still mostly reading quick reads

21 Marked - Sarah Fine an interesting plot well written I quite enjoyed this
22 Sea Swept - Nora Roberts an easy read following her usual formula
23 The Masterful Mr Montague - Stephanie Laurens recency romantic crime
24 The Art of Unpacking Your Life - Shireen Jilla a freebie from mumsnet a group of friends go on safari to celebrate a special birthday. Really enjoyed this. I would recommend it.
25 Loving Rose - Stephanie Laurens as above
26 Kingmaker- Winter Pilgrims - Toby Clements set during the wars of the roses. It is quite bloody and follows a group of archers through various battles. Not enough history for me
27 A Morbid Taste for Bones- Ellis Peters The very first Caedfael mystery, very enjoyable
28 The Lie- Nora Roberts . A mystery enjoyed it
29 The Collector - Nora Roberts Another easy mystery.

I have been told after many blood tests that my current inability to concentrate may have a medical basis so assuming that is so my next read is going to be

Cesar Vallejo' s Season in Hell by Eduardo Gonzalez Viana

I will let you know how it goes