50 Books Challenge 2026 Part Six

57. The Opposite of Murder by Sophie Hannah

Once again, I am left with the feeling that what Sophie Hannah really likes is to think of some incredibly improbable scenario and to then build a story around that.

The actual murder motivation actually wasn’t too unbelievable this time, but the whole backstory behind it was hard to swallow.
Not to mention the way the detectives are carrying on at the end. I know they’re just as human as the rest of us, but there’s some seriously unprofessional game playing going on there.

If there’s any bookshops nearby then an emergency trip to see one would be fully justified.

Maybe a bookshop excursion will be just the thing.

Checking in, late as always. In holiday packing mode, thanks for all the suggestions re a kindle. I’ll do some research first but it does make sense. In the meantime I’m trying to smuggle into the suitcase more books than the rest of the family put together 😊

We regularly order stuff to holiday cottages. Just remember to delete the address on the app. Last year a delivery of frozen dog food went to a cottage in Wales we had stayed at instead of to my house! Luckily I was not to blame!

Ah, @minsmum - just seen that you don’t have internet where you’re going….that will complicate matters 😬 How's your data allowance?

i thiink it is always useful to have a 'spare' kindle in case of accidents. So this could be a good opportunity to purchase a spare? I have two and now make sure I never take both out in the same bag.

Yes, just download the app to your phone, @minsmum. I don’t have a Kindle, I read all my kindle books on my iPad/phone via the app.

Alternatively, the internet tells me (and I have actually tried this):

You can read your Kindle books directly in your web browser without downloading any apps or hardware using Amazon Kindle Cloud Reader. Simply log in with your Amazon account to instantly access your library, read online, adjust fonts, and bookmark pages.
Quick Steps to Read Online:

1. Open your web browser (like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge) on your desktop or mobile device.
2. Navigate to Amazon Kindle Cloud Reader.
3. Sign in using the same email and password linked to your Amazon account.
4. Click on any book cover in your library to start reading directly on your screen

Do you have the Kindle app on your phone? If not, download it and you'll be able to access all your books.

Oh no! I would literally go home for the kindle or order a new one 😂 or order some books on amazon as @MaterMoribund says, for a less drastic option! Hope you find a solution.

Order some books from Amazon to the address you are in? Desperate times and all that.

Yikes. Find a national trust place or similar with a second hand bookshop!

Disaster I am off on holiday for 2 weeks, no internet, no tv, just me, Dh,ddog and wine. I have left my kindle behind

Yay! A kindred (footballing) spirit.
Full disclosure, we also follow Arsenal (my kids spent their early years within a stone's throw of Highbury and are all arsenal fans first and foremost) and our current local team, Plymouth Argyle who my DH has followed since childhood.
We did all get up to Elland Road a couple of years ago for an FA Cup game and the rest of the family were gratifying impressed by the ground, team, fans and city!

Did I miscount again and there’s 5 of us @Terpsichore that’s quite the percentage of the overall thread! YNWA

One of my most favourite reads so far this year is
Because I killed him by Edith Birde

With all this football talk I need to see if I have any fellow supporters - MOT / ALAW!

It's OK, @EineReiseDurchDieZeit. I can’t pretend to be an avid fan but I count myself as a dyed-in-the-wool red. I have to be, my dad was from Anfield!

56. Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood

Rue and Eli are brought together when the biotech firm she works for is the target of a hostile takeover from the private equity firm he works for.

The author has added a note at the beginning of the book promising a happily ever after, so it’s obvious that Rue and Eli will end up together. On the way to the happily ever after, there’s the conflict set up by the hostile take-over to overcome, Rue’s personal issues, a dastardly boss, and there’s also lots of very explicit sexual content. That took me by surprise a bit, but I guess it really shouldn’t have given that the author used the phrase “erotic romance” in the note at the beginning of the book.
Anyway, there’s enough of a plot in there that the book would work without the sex scenes, and it all moves along quite nicely. Although it’s probably not one that will stick in my memory for all that long.

I’m on holiday and it’s so hot, all there is to do is lie in the shade and read! So today’s finished book is
101 Son of Nobody by Yann Martel
Hotly tipped for the Booker longlist (mainly because of Mary Beard being the chair of judges) this book tells the story of the discovery of an Ancient Greek manuscript telling another perspective on the Trojan war, from the perspective of Psoas, a commoner, son of nobody. It’s presented like an academic work with the translated epic at the top and footnotes at the bottom which also tell the story of the translator’s life and translation. The two tales dovetail in theme. It’s a great idea, but for me it didn’t work. Both stories are a bit preposterous and predictable in the case of his real life story. Just okay. I don’t think it deserves to be long listed but we will see!

I saw him play once when he was still with Watford! I’ve only been to two or three football matches in my life but even I could see he stood out on the pitch and I think he scored twice. Breaking the heart of the Birmingham City fan I was going out with at the time.

@AgualusasL0ver JB lives locally. He was a big deal in the 80s and suffered some vile racial abuse so I can imagine he was a hero to non white fans!!

I am surrounded by Reds in my house (even though none of us has any connection to Liverpool - something to do with John Barnes and immigrant communities my husband says).

I’m checking in late though don’t have much to update - but want to get out on threads I’m on.

Im working my way through Night Waking -Sarah Moss on kindle* and Why be happy when you could be normal - Jeanette Winterson *on audible but work has gone so hectic as has life in general really so I’m mostly just sleeping when I eventually make it to bed, therefore not getting through anything with any speed.

Got a long drive (alone) tomorrow so hopefully will make some good progress on the audio at least,

Thanks @Southeastdweller for the thread!

Thanks @AgualusasL0ver - that's encouraging!
I’m heading to Cornwall for DD’s graduation and a few days R+R. How quickly did those 3 years whizz past??