50 Book Challenge 2016 Part Three

Glad I didn't bother carrying on with it, Satsuki.

14. The Narrow Road to the Deep North

I didn't really like this. The writing style I found quite dull and didn't engage me. After the quiet dignity of the Railway Man it seemed lurid and the horrors of war rendered in a gratuitously graphic manner that was so relentless it left them devoid of meaning and real emotional impact. Took a while to get going, the middle part at the POW camps was compelling, but it largely faded away again toward the end. I found the relationships unconvincing, which took the heart out of it for me I guess. The plotting was contrived in parts, the main character didn't seem real. It felt like a bombardment of 'plot' at times, and at other times was very wishy washy, with lots of musings on things that seemed to come from the author more than any of the characters. Some of the different points of view were done really well, others seemed a bit, well, ludicrous - a poetry-loving Colonel who is obsessed with necks because he enjoys beheading, was one that didn't really work for me. Bit of a disappointment, was glad to finish it.

Don't know what next.

13. The Wild Places - Robert Macfarlane

A bit like Wolf Hall, I don't need to say too much about Macfarlane's writing, because you lot already know if you like it or not

Suffice to say that imo this is top-notch nature writing, thought-provoking but accessible, on the subject of wildness and whether there are still wild places in the British Isles, and what wildness means to us.

whitewine - if you're interested in reading more about the history of Guernsey and its people from www1 up to the 1960s I'd recommend The Book of Ebenezer Le Page by G B Edwards. I read it years ago and often think about it even now. Long overdue for a reread.

1. A Man Called Ove - seems very popular both here and on Amazon but I have to say I really didn't like it. Rather tedious and formulaic for me. I could see what the author was trying to do (reveal Ove's hidden kindness) but I didn't engage with the story/characters. Southeast let me know what you think.

1. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Schaffer. This was a re-read for book group purposes and I actually enjoyed it more second time round. A lot of really sad information about Guernsey in the Second World War but the book is humorous and the story told through a series of letters.

27. The Visitors Book and other ghost stories by Sophie Hannah. This barely qualifies as a book as it only took me just over an hour to read. It's 4 short stories, all with a supernatural theme. They were good but they really were short!

Book 20
Clouds of Witness (Lord Peter Wimsey) by Dorothy L Sayers
I really enjoyed the first three quarters or so of this. It was very funny and very ‘English’ in a whimsical, self-deprecating sort of way. Having said that, I was a bit disappointed by the ending – the stuff in court was a bit dull and I thought it all got a bit silly and lost. Would probably read others of hers though.

I've only read one Julie Myerson one and absolutely detested it - was supposed to be a post-apocalyptic thing iirc, but it made me v cross.

Thanks to whoever recommended Tanya byron's Skeleton Cupboard, hadn't expected it to be quite so fascinating and enlightening.

book 8 Bill Bryson a short history of nearly everything I have been diligently ploughing my way through this book. What can I say except I really enjoyed it. It is so out of my comfort zone and yet so accessible achieved by bryson's engaging almost chatty narration. I will definitely be adding more Bill Bryson to my reading list.

for book 9 I will be reading It's in the blood this book looks at Henry v111 personality from a genetic and psychological view point. In other words was Henry bad or was he just born that way.

18 Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein. This was recommended over on the 'books that have changed your thinking' thread.

It's a novel that recounts the story of a young man, Johnnie Rico, leaving school and signing up to become a starship trooper, following him through his training.

I have to say, I'm not sure it did change my thinking. Some of Heinlein's political perspectives I agree with, most I don't, but I don't think this book changed my views, or even really challenged them. IMO it was very much a book that could only have been written by an American and before Vietnam. I think most Europeans for example, particularly in 1959, would have taken pretty serious issue with the view that it is a soldier's moral duty to follow the orders of senior officers without question in all cases, leaving the ethical decisions up to politicians and generals.

Having said that, I did enjoy it. Heinlein writes well, and the protagonist was both convincing and likeable. The SF setting was pretty light - essentially it is the story of a young man becoming a marine - and well done for what it is.

26. Blood, Sweat and Tyres: The Autobiography by The Hairy Bikers. They come across as really nice blokes with a genuine friendship. The book is funny and an easy read and it's nice to know more about them as I enjoy their programmes and books.

south, I'll be keen to hear what you think!

Rhu yes, it's marvellous. I know the translator and have been wanting to read it for ages. DS1 now wants to read the Wild Wood one too.

Five - I loved Grandpa's Great Escape too :). David Walliams writes so well for children. Dementia is such a hard subject to talk about wiith children. He got it spot on and I found myself getting quite upset whilst reading it to DS.

We're reading Billionaire Boy now and enjoying that too.

13. Bite Club by Rachel Caine

Book 10 of the Morganville Vampires series. Daft YA that gets dafter and more nonsensical with every book. In this one there's a sort of vampire/ human fight club.

Updating with my latest:

11. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – JK Rowling. In this second book in the Harry Potter series, someone has opened the chamber of secrets. Legend says that the chamber will be opened by the heir of Slytherin who will release the monster and as many muggles as possible will be killed. Many suspect that Harry is the heir and he along with Ron and Hermione set out to discover the truth and defeat the evil. This was an audiobook read by Stephen Fry and listened to on the school run. Superb.

12. The Gospel of Loki – Joanne Harris. This was a really enjoyable telling of the story of Asgard and the Norse gods told from the perspective of the mischievous Loki. If you like myths and fantasy then I would recommend this highly.

13. A Symphony of Echoes (St Mary’s Book 2) - Jodi Taylor. In the second book from St. Mary’s Max and her colleagues visit many different destinations, people and events in time, from Victorian London and Jack the Ripper to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon (or are they?) to Mary Queen of Scots and 16th century Scotland. This was a bit of fun and I will probably read book 3 but not in a great hurry to do so.

I am listening to A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson while walking and pottering and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban on the school run. I also started Armageddon's Children which is the first in the Genesis of Shannara books by Terry Brooks. I loved the Shannara books year ago and recently found out Brooks had published a few more so am really looking forward to them.

Great House - Nicole Krauss

Just a reminder that if anyone is in the Epsom/Sutton area there is a big book sale at the Methodist Church - 60,000 books starting Thursday ...

7 Grandpa's Great Escape by David Walliams

A funny and poignant introduction to children on demntia. Grandpa has dementia, can't live on his own anymore and can't ,I've with his fa,ily so he is put in Twilight Towers. needless to say there is the great escape, based on the Great Escape. My DD aged 10 loved it, DS concentration veered at times (this was put read loud book) but he still enjoyed it. Another solid bit of writing from David Walliams.

I had a lovely hour in Waterstones. today and binge bought books so now have a huge pile to catch up on.

16. Lean In - was persuaded to read these after seeing mainly positive reviews on MN. Had previously dismissed "leaning in" as as gimmick with book deal attached. Which is true but Samdberg is highly persuasive, articulate and inspiring. And has the guts to call herself a feminist, yay! Nothing revolutionary said really, but to raise the issue from such a position of power (Chief Operating Officer of and major shareholder in Facebook) is both remarkable and admirable. Well worth a read.

Place marking, thank you. Have started War and Peace (13 chapters in; 2%) so I suspect I might not be seen again until thread seven...

I feel like I've fallen horribly behind, but I think that's because I've not been able to carve out the time to read and I'm missing it horribly. Goodreads says I'm on target but I'm fed up with bastard life getting in the way of my living!

Book 7: The Marrying of Chani Kaufman - Eve Harris. Story of a young bride-to-be in the North London strict Jewish community, alongside the story of the Rabbi's wife who is preparing her for marriage. Lots of doom & gloom about the life available (to women in particular) in this community, along with a bit of ooooo errrr-ing at some of the rituals which may or may not be common knowledge. Can't say I'd recommend it, even as a sorbet read.

Book 8: Our Turn to Eat - Michaela Wrong. Story of Kenya and corruption, focussing on John Gothingo who worked within the government trying to uncover and bring those involved to justice, but who ended up realising it went all the way to the top and having to flee the country. Wrong provides detailed background of the economic situation, tribal allegiances and the complexities of the corruption scandal(s). This is a fascinating story of a part of Africa that always appeared to have avoided the failings of the rest of the continent. It lost pace when the story moved from John Gothingo and onto background, but is still well worth a read.

Now time for me to go & catch up on the end of the last thread ...

Place marking - thanks for the new thread Southeast

Just marking my place. Still making my way through To Kill a Mockingbird