26-ish books in 2022

2. I See You - Patricia MacDonald

This follows the story of Hannah, Adam and Sydney who are living with new identities in a new town.

They're unexpectedly thrown into the spotlight and danger from someone in their past.

Literally finished this five minutes ago, another great read for me, uncomfortable at points to read re: abuse but gripping all the same 5/5

1. The Hoarder by Jess Kidd Really enjoyed this.

A mystery story with dark humour and added saints.

1. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Felt a bit let down by this book, after hearing of so many good reviews.
It was ok. Diverting and an easy read but, for me, nothing special.
I also thought that the black characters were somewhat stereotyped.

1. The Hogfather by Terry Pratchett
2. Piranesi by Susannah Clarke
3. The Red House by AA Milne

I’ve just started my fifth book - Foe by Iain Reid. Don’t know anything about this book really other than I loved his other novel (I’m thinking of ending things) so wanted to give this a go.

That sounds like an intriguing read @AColdDuncanGoodhew (great name!).

I've just finished

1. Wintering Katherine May

A poignant and personal look at the quiet, introspective times that come to most of us to one degree or another. Beautifully written and not without humour, I wanted it to go on and on. I rarely want to start a book over straight away but with this one I do.

As luck would have it, it's being read on Radio 4 starting Mon 24th Jan over the course of that week, in the afternoons but will be available to listen to on catch up. There is also a podcast called The Wintering Sessions so I will be giving that a go.

Will definitely be seeking out more of her writing.

1. The Couple at No.9 - Claire Douglas

Saffy and Tom, a young married couple expecting their first child move into a cottage owned by Saffys Gran. In the process of having their garden dug out as part of their extension the builders find two bodies.

The book then follows the investigation into who the victims are and what happened.

Great first book to get me into reading again, it had such a big twist that I didn't see coming. Really really enjoyed it. I had it on my kindle and then downloaded the Kindle app on my phone so I could read it out and about if I didn't have my Kindle with me. Highly recommend.

[quote Divebar2021]**@TheAnswerIsCake

The programme is with Sara Cox isn’t it? I’ve watched it a couple of times… I read
Fleishman Is in Trouble off the back of it. ( which I enjoyed but didn’t rate quite as highly as their guest did). There is also a pretty good book programme with Andi Oliver ( maybe Sky Arts?) - I know I sound completely useless but I just stumble across these programmes. I will report back about Frequency of Us but it’s not taxing so far which is what I wanted.

To the PP concerned about Shuggie Bain I would say there is a reason that it won the Booker… and as a debut novel too. I have been put off books before because of sad or distressing elements then absolutely loved them. Norwegian Wood is an example. I also dithered about The Handmaids Tale and 1984 and all three of those would make my top 10. I think time will tell of SB will make my top 10 also - so far I’m still thinking about the characters and looking forward to his new novel.[/quote]
That's a good point, The Handmaid's Tale and The Kite Runner would probably be in my top ten and they are pretty darn miserable!

1. Klara and the Sun Kazuo Ishiguro

Finished this yesterday on Audio. I think this is a grower for me. My thoughts on finishing were that I enjoyed it up until about half way then it seemed to flatten out a bit and didn't go where I wanted it to go. It was generally quite meloncholy but I didn't mind that. Since yesterday I keep revisiting my thoughts and am coming round to the fact that I liked it a lot more than I initially thought but for different reasons. Thought provoking. 7/10

I too thought Shuggie Bain, All the light we cannot see and Piranesi were outstanding books. I have a Gentleman in Moscow on my list so glad to see it gets a big thumbs up here. Ditto American Dirt.

Currently reading Wintering and Salt Path (both non fiction) but not sure what my next fiction will be but probably something a bit more upbeat.

@MaggieCassidy I’m about half way through Other Minds - it’s absolutely fantastic, really compelling. I keep foisting facts from it on my family and colleagues 😂

@Fridafever I’ve got Other Minds on the shelf ready to read too. I read The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery last year and then watched My Octopus Teacher on Netflix. I was totally blown away, what a fascinating subject.

1. Gaudy Night by Dorothy L.Sayers

Finished my first one and I really enjoyed it. It was the perfect after Christmas read, with a glass of Stones ginger wine and Al Bowlly on Alexa. It is a wonderful portrayal of an Oxford woman's college in the mid 1930's and concentrates more on Harriet Vane than Peter Wimsey. There are lot's of classical references which I had to look up, so I haven't been able to totally abandon my phone but the eye strain is noticeably better already and concentration too.

I'll be ploughing through the books that I have had hanging around for years first and keeping note of recommendations in the thread for later on. I'll also have to look on Prime. A Gentleman in Moscow has gone on it already, it looks like it is being made into a series with Kenneth Branagh.

Second book is The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter.

1. The House at Old Vine by Norah Lofts
2. The House at Sunset by Norah Lofts
3. Paperback Crush: The Totally Radical History of '80s and '90s Teen Fiction by Gabrielle Moss

5. Rules of Civility - Amor Towles
This is the debut novel by the author of A Gentleman in Moscow, which I read last year and enjoyed, and was mentioned a lot on the best reads of 2021 thread, so I thought I'd move it up my TBR list.

After recognising a familiar face in a image from a photography exhibition, Katey recalls the trials and tribulations of a year from her past. I am a big fan of historical fiction and I loved the setting of this book - late 1930s New York City - which was an era I don't think I've ever read about before. As with A Gentleman, the writing was wonderful and to me this book felt the easier to read of the two.

@TheAnswerIsCake

The programme is with Sara Cox isn’t it? I’ve watched it a couple of times… I read
Fleishman Is in Trouble off the back of it. ( which I enjoyed but didn’t rate quite as highly as their guest did). There is also a pretty good book programme with Andi Oliver ( maybe Sky Arts?) - I know I sound completely useless but I just stumble across these programmes. I will report back about Frequency of Us but it’s not taxing so far which is what I wanted.

To the PP concerned about Shuggie Bain I would say there is a reason that it won the Booker… and as a debut novel too. I have been put off books before because of sad or distressing elements then absolutely loved them. Norwegian Wood is an example. I also dithered about The Handmaids Tale and 1984 and all three of those would make my top 10. I think time will tell of SB will make my top 10 also - so far I’m still thinking about the characters and looking forward to his new novel.

@Divebar2021 I read a few of the books featured on Between the Covers last year and generally enjoyed them (including one of my absolute top picks last year The Girl with the Louding Voice ) Obviously no book will be to everyone’s taste, but their recommendations generally seem solid to me, if quite mainstream.

That said, The Frequency of Us was a bit of an odd one for me. I read a previous book by the author which I ended up loving much more than expected, but this one didn’t match up. It was readable, with some good stories within it... won’t say more as don’t want to give spoilers, but would be interested to see what you think!

@highlandcoo I think i would have struggled to actually read it. I tend to listen to non fiction on audible.
I chose it because it won the costa award for biography. It was interesting to hear his story but agree that he was a monster. Was vaguely aware of some of the stories about him, such as his cheating to ensure that the spot the ball competition in his paper could never be won.
I gave it 3 stars on goodreads as it was well written.

@Manteo - I didn't find Shuggie Bain depressing as such, it's hard-hitting and there were times when I did have to pause for the day before carrying on with it the next day (audio). But heart-warming too.

@Tinkhasflown - I loved the Radium Girls, but there were parts I found upsetting, what those poor women went through was horrendous. Fascinating read though, I'll never moan about Health and Safety again.

@VittysCardigan what did you think of Fall?

I had to read it for book club and I must admit I found it a bit of a struggle. All I can recall is what a monster he was, however I think I knew that before I read it.

Can I join, please. I have a few books waiting to be read and really need some fresh recommendations.
I'm starting with The Readers' Room by Antoine Laurain.

Books 3 & 4 both on audio

1. Fall by John Preston biography of Robert Maxwell.
2. Who do I think I am by Mark Steel

2. Lethal White - Robert Galbraith

I love Strike’s interactions with posh people. I cried, I laughed, I swore out loud, and I was nearly too scared to read some parts. 5/5

I'm back for another year - thanks for the new thread @StColumbofNavron.

After a big career change last year I'm paring back my expectations on the number of books I'll get through again this year. I will again count the chapter books I read to the children though. I managed 34 last year, but quite a few of these were the books I read to the children.

@StColumbofNavron I think I'll follow your example and try the Series of Unfortunate Events with the children.

I'm kicking off the year with Radium Girls as my own read.

Manteo I was initially dubious about reading SB thinking it would be far too depressing.

The subject matter is bleak but the relationships between the main protagonists is what lifts it. Read it you must!

I enjoyed American Dirt too.