50 Book Challenge 2015 Part 4

Btw Remus I loved The Book Thief too. Have you seen the film? It's good too - although not as good as the book.

Just bought Fahrenheit 451 and Brick Lane - thanks all!

Oh I've just purchased "Fahrenheit 451" as well, hope it's good!

LadyDepp 'Fahrenheit 451' is well worth a read.

Book 112 - 'I Am The Messenger' by Markus Zusak (of, 'The Book Thief' fame)
I know that lots of people on here didn't rate, 'The Book Thief' but I really loved it. Sadly, this one is nowhere near as good. It's just a pretty bog-standard YA novel, although it does have aspirations to being something more than that. It's okay and there's nothing really wrong with it, but it didn't really do much for me.

Has anybody read, 'Heroes and Villains' by Angela Carter? I got it from the library and have been ignoring it because it just doesn't seem to be calling to me yet.

Thank you for all the congrats everyone

So, I started I Let You Go and am finding it a bit slow....please, someone tell me it picks up!!

Fahrenheit 451 99p on kindle today. One of those books I've always meant to read.....

Feeling tempted by a Raymond Chandler now, please stop recommending books though as my shelves are groaning with books waiting to be read

33. My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrente (translated from Italian). I bought this for 99p on kindle a few weeks ago and what a bargain. I really loved this story of two girls growing up in Naples in the 50s and 60s. It's the first in a trilogy, this one finishes with them in their late teens. Definitely NOT for those of you who dislike "women's" fiction

Ioved Brick Lane when I read it a few years ago - the story haunted me for a long time afterwards.

Finished 46 - The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver after a reading fest yesterday and today as I just wanted it finished. Afraid it didn't do it for me. I preferred by far The Poisonwood Bible.

Have started another 'easy listen' on Audible - Rack,Ruin and Murder by Ann Grainger.

Not sure what to read next - I am putting off my book group read... So off to peruse my book shelf..

Cote - there are so many of us who like The Big Sleep that if you truely hate it, it might be better not to say so... I think you will like it.

I've finally finished another book without abandoning it!!! I don't know what's been going on, most have been a bit shit, but also I've really struggled to concentrate recently (of course this could be linked to 2yo DD being in a 'big girl bed' this summer and as it's gone cold the last couple of weeks she's been waking up at 3am because "my bed fell down" - her duvet falling off her, she was in a sleeping bag all last winter and had been sleeping through, not sure I like his development.).

Anyway:

44. Dead Water - Ann Cleeves - yet another of her Shetland series, this one was a bit more 'open' with list of suspects, lots of bits intertwinned histories between the different people/families on the island, not clear what is relivant and what is just "small community history" - I didn't guess who'd done it at all. Well written, also covering the grief of one of the main characters, wouldn't read unless you've read the book before (which is set 6 or so months before this one) so it's clear what's going on.

70. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey. I was always nervous about reading this because the film is so amazing I thought the book might disappoint me. I needn't have worried. Chief Bromden was always my favourite character in the film and he narrates the book. Highly recommended.

71. Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind by Ann B. Ross. A wealthy widow living in North Carolina finds herself in charge of her husband's son, which comes as a shock as she didn't know her husband had a second family. Hi-jinks ensue. A nice, funny, gentle read.

72. Brick Lane by Monica Ali. I don't think I ever read a book that dealt with such serious topics in such a readable, humourous, heartbreaking way. 18 year old Nazneem moves from her village in Bangladesh to an arranged marriage with an older man in the Tower Hamlets. The book follows her though the birth of her children, 9/11, a secret love affair and the rise of fundamentalism. Everyone should read this.

It's not old school - it still feels really quite fresh and modern (well, imho anyway). Do read it - I'll try not to hate you if you don't like it.

Uh-oh. Maybe I won't read it, just in case! I'd hate to see this vales friendship that has stood the test of conflicting opinions on so many books

I'm not a big fan of old school lit. On The Beach was the last I read from 1950s and we all know how that turned out

Yy to Chandler being all man :) and starting with The Big Sleep.

I think his writing spanned from the 30s to the 50s. I really rate him - if you hate him, we can no longer be friends.

How long ago was the book first published?

oh I loved the Big Sleep when I read it years ago - not 'girly' in the slightest. (although some bits seem a little cheesy now, because the film with Bogart and Bacall was such a hit and many detective films of the time then tried to ape the style)

That might go on my 'to re-read' list - after abandoning so many books half read recently I need something I'll actually finish!

69. I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett.

Went back to this one for a re-read after The Shepherd's Crown so that's the whole of the Tiffany Aching series this week - even if slightly out of order.

Being a witch is hard, so Tiffany Aching isn't finding the time to eat or sleep properly, but being to be a witch is to be needed so she gets on with it. But a spirit of hatred and evil has awoken and suddenly to be a witch is also to be suspected and feared by the people for whom you work hard. And it's coming for Tiffany.

This one is really Tiffany coming into her own as a witch of her own steading, following her training in the mountains. It's kind of a coming of age novel, although by this stage Tiffany has already faced more than many witches have to deal with in their daily round.

Ah OK. I'll start with #1 The Big Sleep, then

Positive. I lied though - I meant, 'The Big Sleep' not, 'The Long Goodbye.'

The Long Goodbye is #6 in the series. Are you sure that I won't miss anything if I start there? No character development or background building in the first 5 books?

Not a series - can read in any order.

Chandler is all man, Cote. Classic hard boiled crime fiction. I think you'd really like him. Start with either, 'Farewell My Lovely' or, 'The Long Goodbye.'

Was it published a long time ago? (Don't care much for "old-style" lit)

I see that it is the second in a series. Does one need to start with book #1?

Peerless crime thriller with dark humour? Sounds awesome.

Someone please let me know if I would like it. Does it have any "women's fiction" characteristics, for example?