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Original poster

26-ish books for 2023

767 replies

Tinkhasflown · 01/01/2023 13:15

A shiny new thread for 2023. There didn't appear to be one do hope it's ok that I have created it this year.

All welcome and note 26 is just a number. Everyone can set their own target and you are welcome here even if you only read 3 books a year.

I personally count the larger novel style books I read to my children and audio books I listen to. Others don't and there are no rules.

I look forward to all your suggestions again this year.

OP posts:
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9
GalileoHumpkins · 25/09/2023 15:24

61 Only Ever Yours by Lousie O'Neill

BobDear · 25/09/2023 15:17

17. The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
SUPERB

But oh my god, I need to discuss the ending with someone....

Original poster
Tinkhasflown · 23/09/2023 14:09

My last few books have been just ok....

The Maid by Nita Prose - a bit farfetched in places.
Haven by Emma Donnoghue, my least favourite of her books. It was quite boring.
Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena. It was enjoyable but I thought the ending was a bit crap.
I've a Lisa Jewell book from the library next so looking forward to getting into that.

OP posts:
Original poster
Tinkhasflown · 23/09/2023 14:00

I've embraced audio books too, they make me get out for my walks. I recommend you sign up to your library audio app and get them all for free :)

OP posts:
Amdone123 · 22/09/2023 22:05

I read Bella Mackie, How To Kill Your Family, so funny, highly recommended. It's her 1st book, too. Brilliant.
I really enjoyed James Patterson, Hide n Seek - read it in a day ( I'm on holiday).
Just started The Serial Killers Wife - Alice Head. I'll probably finish it on the flight home.

toffee1000 · 21/09/2023 13:30

Book 11 was going to be The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy but I gave up on it as I didn’t really understand what was going on. According to the introduction there’s no real plot. The character would be doing something and then start retelling anecdotes from her life and I just wasn’t really following what was happening.
So now I’m considering what will be the new Book 11.

GalileoHumpkins · 21/09/2023 13:15

60 She is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran.

Scout2016 · 20/09/2023 22:28

30 Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi I think this might be the first graphic novel I've read, and I've had it ages and gone to start then changed my mind loads. Once I finally made a start I really enjoyed it. The first half more than the second, but that's because the first half set such a high bar and I was more interested in the wider political and social narrative than her personal "journey" and difficulties.
It's autobiographical. We meet Marjane aged 10. It starts in Iran in 1980, just after the Islamic Revolution, and we see Marjane dealing with monumental changes to her way of life.

Yawningalldaylong · 18/09/2023 07:07
  1. Dead Man Talking Roddy Doyle (The Commitments). This was a £1, quick reads story. I've ordered a few, it's nice to finish a book in one sitting, although this was very confusing!
Wildernesstips · 17/09/2023 18:53

17 - The Night Circus by Erin Morganstern

I loved this one - it was such a rich read that I just wanted to immerse myself in it.

I go on holiday on Thursday, but I don't want to start my "holiday reads" - can I squeeze another book in before I go?

Yuja · 17/09/2023 08:31

Just finished 16 - The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin

Really enjoyed it, an interesting premise of how you might live your life if you knew the date of your death.

Scout2016 · 16/09/2023 15:01

29. Blow Your House Down by Pat Barker
Set in a North East town and following the lives of several women who are sex workers at a time when a serial killer is targeting them. Strong echoes of the Yorkshire Ripper case but it’s not a crime / detective novel.
This really kept me gripped. The characters and diologue are believable, the narrative shifts work well and there's elements of social observation around class, society, sex (in both definitions of the word) and power that weren'ttoo didactic. I'm not sure it would be right to say I enjoyed it given there's some graphic violence against women, including sexual violence- in fact violence against women is a theme throughout. It's unflinching, rather than gratititous, but casually refered to at times in a way which jarrs, and I think is intended to. I would recommend it, especially to anyone who has read Joan Smith's work about the Ripper case and the misogyny surrounding the investigation and response.

Yawningalldaylong · 15/09/2023 10:22

Few books started but not finished for many reasons

  1. Mortal Remains Sally Rigby
  2. None of this is true Lisa Jewell

Love this thread. Everyone dipping in and out. I'm going to read back through the thread for recommendation.

I've decided to embrace audiobooks, they just fit my life style right now, so any Audible recommendations very welcome.

Scout2016 · 14/09/2023 13:42

28. Chums by Simon Kuper. "How a Tiny Caste of Oxford Tories Took Over the UK."
Interesting read, doesn't read like a textbook at all. Nothing particularly surprising but discusses several aspects I hadn't considered.

Breathmiller · 13/09/2023 06:31

Yes, i get a bit excited when I've read the book - its like knowing an answer on mastermind 🤣🤣. "Oohh..i know this one! - Get me!"

BaconAndAvocado · 12/09/2023 20:39

Breathmiller
Yes it is great and I enjoy listening to how they review books I’ve read too.

Breathmiller · 12/09/2023 20:38

Woops that was to baconandavocado

Breathmiller · 12/09/2023 20:37

Yes! Its great isn't it? I also bought a poetry book off a recommendation from the programme. Its worth a listen for those that don't know about it. You can listen to it on BbC Sounds.

GalileoHumpkins · 12/09/2023 19:26

58 Motherthing by Ainslie Hogarth
59 Such Small Hands by Andrés Barba

BaconAndAvocado · 12/09/2023 17:57

Breathmiller · 11/09/2023 21:42

  1. Gilead - marylinn Robinson
  2. The Return of Faraz Ali - ammina ahmed
  3. A River in Darkness - masaji ishikawa

Thoroughly enjoyed all 3 of these.
(Gilead is nothing to do with Handmaids Tale.)

Going to have a look through for ideas for my next one.

Breathmiller Are you a Radio 4 Good Read listener?
Your first 2 choices featured in the same episode I think.

Nordicmom · 12/09/2023 01:17

I have not finished my last book by Stephen King ;” Billy Summers “but I’ve started on another the new “ Holly “ . Generally I haven’t read so much this summer so hoping to get back into this fall !

Breathmiller · 11/09/2023 21:42
  1. Gilead - marylinn Robinson
  2. The Return of Faraz Ali - ammina ahmed
  3. A River in Darkness - masaji ishikawa

Thoroughly enjoyed all 3 of these.
(Gilead is nothing to do with Handmaids Tale.)

Going to have a look through for ideas for my next one.

GalileoHumpkins · 10/09/2023 15:26

57 The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

Amdone123 · 10/09/2023 14:38

I'm reading How To Kill Your Family, Bella Mackie. I'm loving it - it's really funny / dark.

thefinaltwist · 10/09/2023 08:39

Book 23 Dead Mens Bones by James Oswald. Really enjoying this series since I found book 3 in a charity shop

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