50 Book Challenge 2013 -The Sequel!

[CardiffUniversityNetballTeam]

Morning all,

As the old thread here is nearly full, I have created a shiny new one for your delight and delectation.

Sign in and update your progress here!

I'm Cardiff and I've nearly finished book 16, so I'm very behind as to be in track we should be approaching 25 by now. Where is everyone else up to?

40. The Coroner - M R Hall. I read this until 1.30 this morning as I couldn't put it down.

38. The Sky's Dark Labyrinth - Stuart Clarke. This is the FIRST in a trilogy (I read the second book a little while ago, not realising). It basically outlines how astrology morphed into astronomy as an accepted theory, underlaid with the struggle between different religious factions, and 'accepted belief' of science. Extremely compelling.

Have just finished no 37, the new Lionel Shriver one, and have embarked on 38, the JK Rowling pseudonymous one. That should put me on course for 50 by the end of the year. However, I am planning to read War and Peace next (bought a second hand copy last December, and have been waiting for the right moment) and I think this will take me several weeks and take me off track. Do I get special dispensation? Maybe W&P could count as four books.

MrsCosmo - That book looks right up my street. Thank you for the recommendation.

Cote I read the second book first, but it was a complete story too, if that makes sense. Just that if you read them in order, there is more of a proper chronological link. I liked how the scientists/philosophers were 'realised' and made human, rather than being abstract names.
I actually have the final book on order now.

I've just started 39. The Kingmaker's Daughter by Philippa Gregory. This fits nicely in with what I have been reading earlier in the year, as it covers the reign of Edward IV and subsequent ascension of Richard III. Only about 30 pages in, but loving it.

It sounds like This Thing Of Darkness, the story of Charles Darwin's long voyage on the survey brig The Beagle captained by Robert FitzRoy, where he developed his theory of evolution. Not just that, their voyage also involves the story of bringing to the UK three "savages" from Terra del Fuego including Jeremy Button, FitzRoy becoming the 2nd governor of New Zealand, and later pioneering meteorology (against some ridicule at the time) and making weather forecast a reality.

Brilliant book, I heartily recommend it.

I reckon War and Peace gets anyone a special dispensation!

I read War and Peace may years ago when the BBC had the series on the tv. I had to get a special dispensation from school to borrow the book from the school library, really enjoyed it though I wonder if the series made it easier to read

Cote -thanks, that sounds like my kind of thing. I'll see if the library can track it down for me! :)

My copy of War and Peace is in four volumes so it obviously counts as 4!!!

Book 43 - Delirium
Book 44 - That Richard Madeley one which I gave up on.
Book 45 The Things We Never Said by Susan Eliott-Wright (very well constructed debut. I really enjoyed this)

Book 46 is Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler

Book 9 - The Jigsaw Maker - Adrienne Dines - thumbs up - will read more by this author
Book 10 - Call the Midwife - Jennifer Worth - EXCELLENT
Book 11 - Just started 'The Yellow Birds' by Kevin Powers

I know I am a million miles behind the 50 target, but I am SO loving getting back into the habit of reading my own books (as well as countless bedtime stories for smaller members of the household!)

Book 50! Flesh Wounds - Christopher Brookmyre

Infinitely better than Bedlam, but still not as good as his first couple of books.

I'm so chuffed that I have got to the 50!

Congrats MrsMaryCooper on reaching 50, can you get to 75 before the end of the year?!

I shall certainly try!

Well done MrsMaryCooper.

38. Touch of Frost - Jennifer Estep

Finished 34, the Michael Volpe dossier on ptsd in whistle-blowers. Some aspects were really interesting, but I don't really think it was what it claimed to be, was very repetitive in one aspect of ptsd to the detriment of many other issues and in parts, not well written.

35 was Neil Gaiman "how to talk to girls at parties". Short, but enjoyable.

42 Fall of a Philanderer - Carola Dunn
43 The Gunpowder Plot - Carola Dunn

Have just discovered this thread, its great for recommendations, and i love to know what others are reading. I have just started the life boat by charlotte rogan, really good.
Hope there is another thread next year I can join.
Happy reading!

25. High Wages by Dorothy Whipple. Excellent, love her books.
26. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson. Excellent, don't know how I missed out on this for so long as it is always being recommended on MN. I actually found this copy in a charity shop where books were 90p each or 3 for 2. It is a beautiful Persephone one and I will be keeping it and looking out for other Persephone bargains to keep on my bookshelf!

69 & 70 The Testament of Mary by Colm Toibin and The Fault in our Stars by John Green.