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50 Book Challenge in 2013. Who's with me?

991 replies

CardiffUniversityNetballTeam · 05/01/2013 16:58

Tidying up after Christmas it has come to my attention that I have nearly 100(!!) paperbacks in stacks down the side of my bed waiting to be read. BlushBlush
I am going to challenge myself to try and read at least 50 of them this year. That's nearly one a week so I am going to have to really apply myself and stop faffing around and doing other things when I could be enjoying a good book.
I wondered if anyone else would like to join me? We can post what we are reading and then post when we have finished each book and what's next.
I know I would love to hear what others are reading and enjoying (or not enjoying) so I can go out and buy more books in a few months time!
My first book of the year is President Down by Terence Strong about spies and terrorists which my dad lent me about a year ago! I'm only about 20 pages in, but so far so good.

OP posts:
Schnarkle · 20/01/2013 17:39

Just finished Farenheit 451 and onto The handmaids tale. I'm seeing a trend. I downloaded a couple of the 20p specials so I think I'm set for a while to come. I grabbed Life of Pi, The 100 year old man, The expat.

Handmaids Tale is my book 4.

MiddleAgeMiddleEngland · 20/01/2013 17:42

Ooh, my first ever MN post! Have been lurking for a while. Can I join the 50 books challenge, please? Actually, I read 78 books in 2012 but some of my to-read list ones are very long (such as A Suitable Boy) so getting to 50 may be a problem.

WednesdayNext · 20/01/2013 18:29

I got a new kindle for my birthday and just downloaded new books. Oops. I've bought: The Capital (a 20p bargain), The Unit, Game of Thrones (book one), The Painted Bridge, The Night Circus... And that might have been it! Reading wise I'm still on book 5 'Fortune's Daughter' really enjoying it. I'm a massive Alice Hoffman fan!

Schooldidi · 20/01/2013 19:35

I've just finished book 4. SO far I've read

  1. Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
  2. Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews
  3. The Snow Child
  4. Magic strikes by Ilona Andrews
I've just started Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews today. I am really enjoying this series and intend to read them all, with some book club reads in there as well, and I'm doing a challenge on Goodreads which should be a challenge as I tend to stick to what I know I like. I read paranormal/urban fantasy stuff normally, I like reading to be a bit of an escape from day to day life.
Southeastdweller · 20/01/2013 20:15

WednesdayNext Thanks so much for the Capital heads-up! Bargain indeed. About to kindle.

WednesdayNext · 20/01/2013 20:39

You're very welcome! Check out the bestseller list- they have a few 20 p bargains!

Allalonenow · 20/01/2013 22:46

I've finished my second book, "The Mayor of Montebello" by Revel Barker, a retired Fleet Street hack.
The book is about a veteran Fleet Street hack who becomes the mayor of a town on an Italian island. Full of stock characters such as the simple fisherman and the mafia boss, and with every luscious young woman he meets deseperate to leap into bed with the old boy, it is an easy, though not gripping, read.
I'd never heard of Revel Barker before, I think he must have worked at "The Sun".

MrsMaryCooper · 21/01/2013 07:58

Finished the House at Seas' End and also my No 9 A Room Full of Bones - Elly Griffiths.

So now on to Dying Fall (Ruth Galloway 5) - Elly Griffiths which is No 10 on my list.

NicknameTaken · 21/01/2013 10:30

The thing with Elly Griffiths is that I love the characters and setting, but the plot can be a bit pointless - Ruth Galloway doesn't actually do that much in A Room Full of Bones. As far as I can see, her only role in resolving the mystery is in sending off some material for further analysis. I'm quite interested in her personal life, but that's the main attraction.

Thanks for the suggestions upthread to look up Gillian Flynn's other books (besides the one I read, Sharp Objects). I'm now on Dark Places and it's gripping. She manages to show damaged characters in crisis without it feeling exploitative.

PurpleStorm · 21/01/2013 14:25

Finished book no. 3 - E.L.James - Fifty Shades Darker. And am wondering if Ana would be quite so keen on Christian if he wasn't a billionaire.

MercuryRising · 21/01/2013 22:13

Ooo Schnarkle Im very jealous - is it the first time you have read The Handmaid's Tale? It is fantastic- enjoy!

Schnarkle · 21/01/2013 22:33

MercuryRising
Yes, my first time reading it, I'm about half way through now.

I'm loving reading it, I'm finding the bit's where she refers to her daughter really pull on the heart strings hormonal

tumbletumble · 22/01/2013 07:27

Just finished my second book, the 100 year old man, and enjoyed it. Will have to speed up a bit to reach 50! (To be honest I'd be happy with 30.)

NotGeoffVader · 22/01/2013 12:15

Hmm, lots on here I might have to add to my list of 'to read'.

For anyone who downloads to kindle, a friend of mine just had a deal on her ebook, but not sure whether it's still on offer. If you like a bit of magic & mystery then it's for you, although it doesn't fit well into any genre. A bit like feisty chick lit without the obvious plotlines. :)

mumslife · 22/01/2013 12:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WednesdayNext · 22/01/2013 17:02

I'll be starting book 6 this evening! I'm not sure if it will be Dawn French ' oh dear silvia' (which a friend just lent me) or Paul Cohelo 'Veronika Decides to Die'. Can anyone recommend either?

Book 5 was Alice Hoffman 'Fortune's Daughter' : a must read for any Hoffman fans, but not her best. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

CandyLoo · 22/01/2013 21:13

I'm lagging behind a bit, just finished Book 1 - 'The Rose Petal Beach' by Dorothy Koomson. It's 500 + pages and was a book group choice, really enjoyed it. Easy to read but a great storyline that brings up lots of issues, will definitely look for more from this author. Book 2 - 'Toast' by Nigel Slater (should be a quick read!).

moonshine · 22/01/2013 22:18

Thanks for replies re: the Aaranovitch novels - think I'll give them a miss as my to-read list is ever growing and I'm an annoyingly slow reader. I'm also annoyed at myself for watching too much crap tv, spending too long on the computer and falling asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.

NicknameTaken - I shall hunt you down if I don't enjoy it Wink No really, my choice - it's on my wishlist so am not sure when I'll get round to reading it.

I am nearly half way through 11.22.63 and really enjoying it. So why do I keep wasting all my free (reading) time on useless activities Confused?

MegBusset · 22/01/2013 22:33

Book 3 (The Clay Machine Gun) done.

Might read V For Vendetta next.

NotGeoffVader · 22/01/2013 23:04

Mega, I'd be interested to hear what you think of V for Vendetta as I really liked the film. It was one of those times that I switched on the TV and found it by accident, and was gripped. Silly to an extent it may have been, but it was quirky enough to keep my interest. I'm usually someone who prefers the book to the film, hence the question!

Books 3, 4, & 5 now finished. LOVED the Joanne Harris short stories, "A cat, a hat and a piece of string". She is such a great author.

If anyone was following my reading list then I can report back that 'The Long Earth' was strange and compelling. You got straight into the story and there was no 'help' with the terminology - so you had to go with the flow and let your imagination take over. I'm now waiting for the sequel. There has to be one!

'Fasting, Feasting' - didn't really do it for me. Normally I enjoy books set in India but this one was quite dull. It reminded me a bit of when I reread 'Mill on the Floss' and wanted to lamp Maggie for being so dull.

'A Gathering Light' I enjoyed far more than I expected to. Had to look up a few words (logging terminology), but it was an engaging read, and I wanted to find out what happened. The only criticism is that the timeline jumped around a little, which was initially confusing. And I didn't like the way the chapter headings were typeset (picky?). It's based around a true event, with fictional characters bringing it into context.

My unknown/untried/self-published author is up next. I know you should't judge a book by the cover, but I already am, and am not feeling inspired. However, it was a gift, and I don't have much else around to read, so I'll be good and get on with it.

MegBusset · 23/01/2013 09:23

It's very good so far. I haven't seen the film either; I like Alan Moore's other stuff (Watchmen etc) so thought I'd give it a go. I'll prob watch the film at some point.

WednesdayNext · 23/01/2013 10:00

Started the Dawn French one. It's an easy read and quite interesting so far.

Brockle · 23/01/2013 11:05

Perfect thread for me as I had already given myself that challenge after seeing how many books I had on my kindle and by my bed. Just finished The Poison Tree which I really enjoyed and just started The Casual Vacancy and have Hunger Games on my kindle Right going to read rest of thread now Smile

tumbletumble · 23/01/2013 16:52

WednesdayNext I enjoyed Veronika Decides to Die - I think it's my favourite Paulo Coelho

WednesdayNext · 23/01/2013 19:04

Thanks tumbletumble I started the Dawn French but that will definitely be my next book!!

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