26ish books 2026

OK I'm going for:

1. His and Hers by Alice Feeney

Finished book 4 The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden. I know a few in here haven't enjoyed it but I really liked it!

Off to choose book 5 now.

I've finished Safekeep, book 5. I loved it. I doubt I can keep this pace for past January, though. Not sure what to read next

I’m not really a fan in general of authors narrating their own books, I just don’t think they’re as good (for a good reason, they’re not highly skilled and experienced audio narrators) even Michelle Obama while lovely to hear hee voice lost me in parts because she fell into monotony sometimes. Roxanne Gay is a good example of comparing when an author reads their own book and when a proper narrator does - Bahni Turpin (one of my favourite narrators) did Bad Feminist and Roxanne did Hunger, the difference is night and day - and I ADORE Roxanne and have gone to her talks etc. so to be honest for pleasure listening (ie not work) I tend to avoid books read by authors…..unless they’re an actor!

my favourite narrators though are: El Potter, Fiona Hardingham, Rebecca Lowman, Dominic Hoffman, Vikas Adams, Hilary Huber, Dion Chapman, Bahni Turpin, Ros Watt. Lots of others too so let me know if you want more recs!

Book 2- My Father's House by Joseph O'Connor
This was good but not really what I expected, it was simultaneously lighter than I expected but still quite literary. It's very different to the only other book of his that I have read which was "Star of the Sea". I couldn't put that down but the subject matter was traumatic and has long stayed with me.

Michelle Obama's autobiography was one of my favourite audio books.

I’ve got to admit - I am really struggling to get back into reading for fun. Joining this thread really gave me an extra push to finish my first book for the year though.

1. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman - short chapters, endearing characters, overall an effortless read.

I have to pick up the pace if I’m going to read 25 books over the next eleven months.

@CitygirlrurallifePlease could you recommend some of your favourite narrator-book combos? I’ve 2 audible credits to use before I cancel and nothing on my wish list is grabbing me.

Morning 👋 Finished book three...

(1) The French for Christmas by Fiona Valpy
(2) The Outside Boy by Jeannie Cummins
(3) Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Description taken from amazon:

“Sunrise on the Reaping is a propulsive, heart-wrenching addition to The Hunger Games, adding welcome texture to the cruel world of Panem ... This is the project of dystopian fiction: to shine a light in tyranny's greasiest corners and show how people - ordinary, determined human beings - might take it apart” - New York Times
“Collins is an excellent writer, and there are moments of surprising lyricism ... Sunrise on the Reaping contains enough both to snare new readers and to satisfy the most bloodthirsty fan” - Guardian
“A brutal, tender tale that adds depth to the franchise, weaving pertinent themes of misinformation and propaganda around the thrills and action.” - The Observer
When you've been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for?
As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honour of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.
Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.
When Haymitch's name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He's torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who's nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town.
As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he's been set up to fail. But there's something in him that wants to fight . . . and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.

I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to seeing the film adaptation when it is out later this year!

Onto the next - The New Neighbours by Claire Douglas

Happy reading everyone :)

I finished book 4, All the Little Bird Hearts by Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow. It was so atmospheric, languid and beautiful, narrated from the perspective of an autistic mother in the 80s before people really understood anything about autism. Sad too.

Next, I'm starting on The Safekeep.

Agreed. I was fortunate enough to direct the audio for it, the narrator was not professional but was the sister of the woman the booked is based on and had to leave Sri Lanka in the 80’s and remains an amazing activist. Working on the book with her was just astonishing. The author had specially asked her to do the audiobook

update here:
4: Knights of the Spiral Stairs - Einar Már Guðmundsson. classic Icelandic book that often leans into streams of consciousness if the first person narrator, a young boy. Beautifully told but I never quite connected with him

5: The Testament of Mary - Colm Tobin. listened to the audiobook which was BRILLIANTLY narrated by Meryl Streep. TBH I’m usually wary of famous tv and movie actors narrating books as it’s a totally different beast but she was perfect for this, a tragic retelling of the story of Christ from Mary’s POV

6: The Woman in the Dunes - Kōbō Abe. Finally read this after watching the film (1950’s or 60’s I think?) years ago. The writing, as with a lot of classical text in translation I think, was a bit stiff and I again never connected with the protagonist but the situation is def a Kafkaesque nightmare and I enjoyed it for that

all my books this year have been relatively short (under 300pages) hence so many, and apart from Real Life none of them have grabbed me, I really need something to disappear into. Starting tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow so not sure if that’s going to be it but holding out some hope…..

Also loved this. Was one of my best reads of last year.

Book 6 finished - A Life on Our Planet by David Attenborough. Can’t believe it’s taken me this long to get round to reading it. Makes for grim reading really but it has demotivated me to keep going with making changes in my life to contribute towards a more sustainable future.

Next up - My Friends by Fredrick Backman

4 - Brotherless Night by V.V Ganeshananthan
this book was extraordinary. Beautifully written and so very sad in places - some of it was hard to read. But I learnt a lot about Sri Lanka’s recent history and am really glad I read it - I think I’ll be thinking about it for a while.

Yep! I love the way he really describes what it is to be human through his characters. How they are all flawed in relatable ways and they all have light and shade. The Beartown books are quite different to his others which are lighter and less intense. I love them all.

Hello, I would like to join in please. I think I am likely to get closer to 50 than 26 but the 50 threads move very quickly and I prefer reading more literary books that 210page quick reads. I do not think the number is important more the habit and that you get something out of it.

1. The List of Suspicious Things - I thought this was well written and I enjoyed it. It sort of plodded along but I felt the way it dealt with complicated issues from a young adolescent's view was extremely well done - the feeling that something was wrong but the characters didn't know how to say it becuase it was outside their knowledge of the world.

2 The Last Samuari by Helen De Witt, the first 300pages are a bit hard going and I did skim a bit but you can tell she really can write. I do not share her views that left to their own devices young children are going to teach themselves ancient Greek etc. After about 300 pages it turns into the most brilliant writing. I loved it. It is deeply moving. It is humorous (many allegedly humorous books are not imo). It is great story telling. It is many things. I can see that the author does not really like writing readable books hence her other books are rather short. That is her choice but a shame as she can write so well.

Both bold but The Last Samuari is much more memorable and exceptional.

3 The Confidence Game by Maria Konnikova non fiction - this is about the psychology of the con. I think anyone, at the wrong time, can be caught out by a con and I have an interest in the area. It was very interesting, it relates tales about various con artists, how how we view ourselves can affect what we will believe ie I am a nice person, who would not believe this story, the reasons why we believe. It has a tiny bit about cults. Interesting if you have an interest in that sort of thing. I enjoyed it. I got it from the library but will probably buy a copy.

Joining in belatedly over here! I was on the 50 books thread but, being realistic, with other interests and general life stuff and my dodgy attention span these days, very unlikely to achieve it. My only aim this year is to get back into the habit of reading- I've made more of an effort since the start of the year and have noticed a huge difference on the days I manage to read- my mind feels a lot calmer and I've noticed I'm sleeping better, even if I'm not reading immediately before bed. Need to keep reminding myself of that...

So far, I've read Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie, Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (audiobook) and The Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz- all were excellent.

Currently reading Jane and Prudence by Barbara Pym and Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers. I'm only at the part where they've managed to get William out the house and very much hoping they're going to give him a bath and a haircut in the next chapter.

Also listening to The Secret Commonwealth by Phillip Pullman on audiobook to remind myself of the story before I tackle The Rose Field.

I read The Diary of a Provincial Lady many years ago and loved it. It's somehow relatable even though my life is nothing like hers.

This is interesting as the whole time I read it, I kept thinking how Kadi's story felt like it was tagged-on for effect - what effect, I wasn't sure. But I enjoyed her story the most, particularly the description of Guinea. I still think it was a good read, as her storytelling is so fluid and immersive, but I agree on characters and that it wasn't as strong as Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah, which I both loved.

@Pigtailsandall I loved The Vanishing Half, hope you get back into it as it’s well worth it!

Just finished book number 3
The Killing Stones by Ann Cleeves. I really enjoyed the story and catching up with Jimmy Perez.

Next up is Brimstone by Callie Hart. Not very high brow I know but good for a bit of escapism.

Ive read all the Bear Town ones. I loved those.
Do all his books make your heart ache? 💔

Finished book number 4 - As long as the lemon trees grow by Zoulfa Katouh. The story of pharmacy graduate in Syria as she is forced by circumstances to treat casualties in the war torn hospital. Salama is torn between staying to be loyal to her country and taking the boat to escape.

I loved this book. It was so well written and tugged on the heartstrings.