50 Book Challenge 2017 Part Four

I'm in the mood for some good history / non fiction. Preferably cheap on Kindle! Any recs?

I quite fancy The Fall but it doesn't seem to be available on Kindle.

Fortuna I read The Fall years ago - DH bought it for me. It was a great read! I must revisit it sometime as I've completely forgotten what happens...

What's the historical novel about Tanaqui? I've seen the series about the magician but never been tempted yet.

I quite like Ruth Galloway too Best, but I read Griffiths' historical novel and hated it!

I'm glad you enjoyed Sophy Remus!

12. Out of Bounds by Val McDermid. I'd read some of the Wire in the Blood series (on various holidays), but have never been inclined to look them out, although I like the way the author comes across in interviews. I liked this better- more Scottish, very firmly placed in time too (references to Spotify and Nicola Sturgeon and so in, so it might date quickly). It's the 4 th in a series so I've probably been spoilered for the earlier ones, but I might look them out anyway. Good solid detective fiction for those that like this sort of thing!

46. The Chalk Pit - Ellie Griffiths . Latest in the Dr Ruth Galloway series. I do enjoy these, they are nice light reading if unbelievable.

Now got two books on the go, one non-fic about a Welsh conscientious objector in WW2 and Resistance by Owen Sheers about which I'm liking very much. 1944 and the Germans have invaded Britain and made it to the Welsh borders.

I work in aviation, it's being bandied around, but I wouldn't worry just yet. Part of the US ban was to force people onto US carriers so they get the passenger data and can do more with it under US data laws than that of other counties, as the ban was only on non-US airlines from certain countries.

Putting lithium batteries in the hold is a really fecking stupid idea and there is a lot of opposition to it.

I heard a rumour that the tablet ban is going to be exteneded to all flights which means if so i wont be doing any reading on holiday as i cant be bothered with paperbacks on the beach and its a risk to put tablets in the cases.

15. God Bless You, Mr Rosewater - Kurt Vonnegut

This tale of two contrasting branches of an old American family - one rich, one poor - is written with typical Vonnegut wisdom and charm, but a bit unsatisfying - the story felt rushed and some interesting characters were abandoned along the way. Not his best by a long way but still a good quick read.

Ooh, thanks for the Grayson Perry tip off Remus. Will get that later.

26. The Fall by Simon Mawer - details the intertwined lives of two generations of friends, moving between modern day and wartime Britain, set against the backdrop of climbing/mountaineering.

I could not put this down, it was a real page turner. I don't think the climbing setting and subsequently the jargon involved was too intrusive or offputting. I thought the ending was fairly inevitable, but really enjoyed meandering through the story to get there. The jumping around between time frames and the different relationships kept it interesting. Not so much about a climbing accident as I initially thought.... I really am naive.

Just bought the Grayson Perry, thanks for the rec Remus, looks interesting.

The Man in the High Castle is also 99p, but it's crap!

I read the sample of The Three Body Problem but didn't think it was for me.

Anyone who hasn't read it, The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu is also 99p on kindle today.

Book 36
The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer
This was a silly, light, extremely predictable romp. I enjoyed it.

Grayson Perry's The Descent of Man is 99p on Kindle today. If it's anywhere near as good as Playing to the Gallery it will be well worth a read.

33 Fermat's Last Theorem by Simon Singh

The story of how the mathematician Andrew Wiles finally proved Fermat's Last Theorem after 350 years. This was absolutely fascinating, definitely a highlight. As much as anything, it's a book about how mathematical proofs work and the way in which a new proof is built up using previous breakthroughs. There's also lots of history in the book - I'd heard of Sophie Germain primes, for example (here on MN!) but didn't know anything about her life.

I'd absolutely recommend this, and it's not necessary to know any maths to read and enjoy it (I've got A level maths but it was a very, very long time ago ) I'll definitely look for other books by the same author.

Happy Easter everyone! I've just caught up on a whole week of this thread as come the Easter holidays we've had all kinds of viruses, doctors appointments and antibiotics going on in the Whippet household. Absolutely typical. There has quite literally been blood and tears here. Not mine luckily

It's taken me an hour just to read what I've missed here so will update my books in a bit but I cheered myself up with purchasing Lincoln in the Bardo yesterday as I just couldn't wait!

Expressed not expresses

Southeast you have very eloquently expresses what I liked and disliked about the Alan Bennett. He is wonderful.

I quite liked Olive Kitteridge but not been tempted by her others

spinningheart - Whilst I'm not blown away by Lucy Barton I do think Strout is a good storyteller, so was intending to still give Olive Kitteridge a whirl - so glad to hear that you enjoyed it.

Lincoln on the Bardo is also on my TBR, so look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Ooh spinning I want Lincoln in the Bardo, but was a bit steep for me at the moment, look forward to seeing what you think.

Ah thanks RMC. I will leave it at the bottom of my pile.

Convivial - I was really disappointed by My Name is Lucy Barton. It may be because I listened to it on audible. Maybe I would have liked it better if I read it. I found the dialogue stilted. I had loved Olive Kitteridge by the same author - if you haven't read that I think it's worth a try. And Homegoing sounds fantastic, I haven't seen or heard anything but positive reviews of it.

25. The Maid's Version by Daniel Woodrell. This is a about a community in the Ozark region of Missouri, where an explosion at a local dance hall killed 40+ people in early 1900s. The cause of the explosion never fully elucidated and this story is narrated by the grandson of a maid working for a local wealthy family who claims to know what happened on the night of the explosion. I like Woodrell's style - the subject matter may sound like the stuff of thriller but he writes with very sparse prose, the style is a foil to the subject. It's a short book and that serves it well too - if it was longer I would have expected more from the pace and the plot.

26 The Mountain's Story by Lori Lansens. This is about an 18 yr old boy who goes hiking on a mountain in California that he knows very well. He meets 3 women who are inexperienced hikers and as they look like they are very likely to get dangerously lost looking for an off-trail beauty spot, he agrees to act as their guide. The story takes place over the next 4 days. It's a quick read, good pace and I liked the tempered voice of the narrator.

27 I'll Take You There by Wally Lamb. I really did not like this at all. It's about a 60 year old man looking back at his life in the form of a movie, with a ghost guide at his side. I don't have a lot to say about it really. I haven't liked the last few books by W Lamb and unless the next one gets amazing reviews, I'm going to pass.

Currently reading The Wangs Vs the World by Jade Chang, Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift, and listening to Dark Places by Gillian Flynn.
I was being so good this year so far, abstaining from buying any books but I caved this week and bought Lincoln on the Bardo by George Saunders and Pachinko by Min Jin Lee.