50 Book Challenge 2014

[juneybean]

Hopefully nobody minds me starting this thread.

The idea is to read 50 books in 2014 (or more as many people have achieved this year!)

Please also check out our group on Goodreads if you're stuck for ideas of what books to read!

www.goodreads.com/group/show/59438-the-book-vipers

Annewentworth A few were reduced on the kindle to 99p so I couldn't resist. I will read that next. I am really enjoying them.

Mumslife, Kaysbag, I'll post the list tomorrow when I'm not on my phone which should reduce typos! I shall continue on with May We Be Forgiven tonight and make some progress.

1. The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

Like lots of others on here, a good read. Now, what next?

Book 4: The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenburgh.

The story covers the life of a young woman who, having reached 18, is now emancipated from the care system she has lived in since the age of about three weeks. She has an affinity for flowers and uses the Victorian language of flowers to communicate her feelings of mistrust and dislike for those around her. While living rough in a public park where she creates her own garden, she persuades a florist to give her a chance and starts to build her own life. But then she encounters someone from her past, from the last foster placement she had at the age of 10 before being put into group homes, and is forced to confront a painful secret from her past as well as learning to love other people - and herself.

It's beautifully told, with the story of what happened to Victoria age 10 being unveiled in flashbacks, and while she isn't the most sympathetic character because she is so determined to keep people at arms length through her generalised hostility, you can understand her and the way she has become. I borrowed this from someone at my book club and I really, really loved it.

This thread has been moving so fast, I can't believe how some of you get through books so quickly!! I am quite a slow reader but have finally finshed my first book, The Goldfinch, all 771 pages!! I found it slightly long winded at times but I had a smile on my face when I finished and overall really enjoyed it.

I am also about a third of the way through reading Private Peaceful to the DC so that will probably be the second book I finish.

Am off to bed to read through the last few pages of this thread as it always provides inspiration for future reads

Do we count rereads in this? Probably about 30% of what I read generally comes from my bookshelves of stuff I have read and loved before...

Just finished #2: Candide - Voltaire. It reminded me a bit of Don Quixote, but also of Shakespearian plays. So much happened in so short a time, very much of the 'action' was incredible to the point of farce. I know that there were some satirical observations about the human condition but to be honest, it didn't really do it for me. At least it's one of the classics I can cross off my list now. Pondering about rereading Cervantes now...

riverboat - I count rereads, audiobooks, etc. If you've read/listened to it in 2014 then it counts

Personally I don't count reread but others do - it's up to you really!

Book 1 - the Crimson Petal and the White - Michel Faber
Book 2 - The Blackhouse - Peter May
Book 3 - The Universe Versus Alex Woods.
Book 4 - Mad About the Boy

Got to 30% in The Luminaries and seriously needed a break hence Book 4.

Bridget Jones is Bridget Jones. It got on my nerves a bit but then so did the first 2. I wanted her to mourn and hurt more. I know the story is one of moving on but I wanted to read it differently. A few lovely tender moments but I think her comedy missed the mark a bit. Not a bad novel but not great either.

Back to another 30% of Booker goodness.

I buy second hand copies of Christie wherever I see them because I am collecting them and some of the older ones have great illustrations on their covers.

I am reading Poirot in order and they are great for in between bigger reads.

I have the Luminaries for the summer as there is no way I can dedicate the time with uni at the moment.

After all this audiobook talk I am considering getting an iPod and going down that route as I want to start walking to work so won't be able to read.

Currently reading The Foundation Pit by Andrey Platonov during the day and the Twenty Questions of Jane Austen at bedtime. Enjoying both immensely. One is a satirical take on Soviet Russia and the other is non fiction that addresses such perplexing questions as what the characters in Jane Austen call each other, do sisters sleep together etc. it is scholarly but accessible.

No. 2 - Mystery of Mercy Close - I need to start getting my skates on.

No. 2 finished this morning,
Dark Fire by CJ Sansom, the second in the Shardlake series.
V enjoyable

Next on my list is The Knife of Never Letting Go, a recommendation from a fellow MNer

1. Allegiant - Veronica Roth.

I think I should probably read something a bit more high brow next. 4 out of the 5 books I've read so far are ya and very quick to read. Enjoyable but I'm that my reading choices are so fluffy when you lot are all reading books that are so much more worthy and improving. I probably won't read anything More worthy though. I'm eyeing up priceless by Shannon Mayer. More urban fantasy which seems to be my default.

1. Stranded - Emily Barr

Loved it, as have all of her books.

Have just joined. I used to be an avid reader as a teenager but A' level English kind of killed the pleasure of reading for me. I joined a book club in the summer and it's getting me back into reading.

I don't think I'll manage the full 50 but am willing to try!

Think I'll be starting with 'To Kill A Mockingbird' as my son's just read this.

1. Agatha Raisin and the Witch of Wyckhadden. 2.5/5

Dontyouknow
I'm an Emily Barr fan too. Her last one (can't remember title) based on the night train is pretty good too. They're so bloody far fetched but I invest in every single one of them!

Late to the party but I'd like to join, if only to keep a record of the books I read this year.

So far in 2014, I have read:

1. Forgive Me by Lesley Pearse. (Loved it - need to look out for more by her.)
2. One Day by David Nicholls (OK - bit over-hyped)

I have started the Playdate by Louise Millar. (slow start, just getting into it.)

I'm also planning to use the 'wasted' time on my commute to and from work so I'm borrowing audiobooks from the library. They have to be kids/YA books otherwise they aren't free but I don't mind a bit of light listening to distract me during a dull journey. I'll be including those in the total too.

Hope you enjoy To Kill a Mockingbird, Lindt70 - it's fab!

1. Eating Less by Gillian Riley, to help me with my other new year's resolution. Interesting stuff - maybe this year I can be well read and slim!

1. The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty. Quite good, very readable.

Have just finished 1. The Fault in our Stars, had me sobbing a fair bit I must admit. Going to carry on with Morrisseys autobiography to cheer me up a bit (now that's a sentence I never thought I would say!)

Just started book 3: Of Bees and Mist - Erick Setiawan. Liking it so far :)

1. Fire fly Lane by kristin Hannah

Very readable, not what i was expecting. I cried at the ending. 9/10

4. Mr Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore. Definitely the most surprising and original book for me so far. Its quite a short novel, a mystery of sorts concerning the interplay between the world of computers and the world of books. Quirky characters, gripping story with lots of twists and turns, and some really interesting ideas. I'd say it kind of lacks poetry or style or whatever you want to call it (until the very last pages which are beautifully potent) which could have elevated it to a higher level. But I definitely recommend it nonetheless.