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

I read Ghost a while ago wetaugust.

It has been made into a film with Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan which is actually a pretty good adaptation and definitely worth a watch if you haven't already seen it.

Thanks Cardiff. I shall look out for the film. Was reading a review of the book that said, if true, it could explain why the Blair Govt acted in the way it did.

1. Longbourn by Jo Baker. I enjoyed this immensely while reading it but felt a little bit manipulated after I'd finished. I can imagine it as a huge movie.

1. You had me at hello by Mhairi McFarlane. Fine. Predictable piece of genre fiction, not as funny as I'd hoped.

1. Love, Nina by Nina Stibbe. I'd heard such great things about this one that I expected too much. Nina comes across as a really warm, funny woman and the book's enjoyable but not brilliant (for me).

What did you think of the Little Stranger, Debbie? I found it a little disappointing compared to Waters' previous books.

Book 5 finished "The Husband's Secret" by Lianne Moriarty, took me over a week to get through. I didn't really enjoy it to be honest. When I put it down, I didn't feel that "pull" to pick it back up and read it again. It felt more like a chore than a pleasure.

Finished 6 books now, all 3 of the Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson, alloy of law also by Brandon Sanderson. Books 5 and 6 by Diane chamberlain, the first lie and necessary lies. Not sure if the first lie counts as it was very very short! Starting the bone bed by Patricia cornwell next and also the princess bride by William Goldman.

Thought, yes, you can see where she's coming from (without condoning all subsequent actions....) The victim's behaviour is judged by a very different standard than hers. The part about post-partum madness inherited from her mother is interesting - no concerns about the "taint" being passed to a son....

Hi riverboat, I haven't read any of her books before so had nothing to compare it with. I quite enjoyed it, although I kind of lost interest towards the end. Less spooky than I thought it would be too. Would probably make a good tv drama though.

ok finished Wool bu Hugh Howie!

Shaky start tbh and though he got into his stride fairly quickly, I thought the dialogue was a little forced at times and some of the action stretched crediblity quite a bit.

Nonetheless I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys dystopic type fiction. Waiting now for reductions on kindle to buy the next two parts of the trilogy.

So far:-

1. Carrion Comfort by Dan Sims (vg)
2. A Perfect Proposal by Katie Fforde (ok)
3. Loot, Inside the World of Stolen Art by Thomas McShane; (ok)
4. Wool by Hugh Howie (vg)

& now

1. A Feast For Crows by George RR Martin - Game of Thrones book, really enjoying this series too and it's finally my turn at the library!

no. 2 The Point of Rescue - Sophie Hannah

no.3 How it all began - Penelope Lively

1. The Resistance- The French Fight Against The Nazis, by Matthew Cobb. Really enjoyed it, learned a lot.

I'm going for Where'd You Go, Bernadette, by Maria Semple next. I have bought The Secret History after enjoying The Goldfinch so much, but I like to vary between genres a bit to avoid getting morose!

book 4: Robin Hobb, Assassin's Apprentice. I first read it about ten years ago and I think I enjoyed it more the second time around. 4/5

1. Climbing Everest - The Complete Writings of George Leigh Mallory

Totally fascinating and very poignant, although I would have liked some maps charting the various expeditions' paths.

Just finished 3) Stoner - John Williams. I was going to read Augustus by the same author, but there has been so much hype about Stoner that I decided to read it instead.

Loved it. Such a wonderful story which epitomised for me Thoreau's quote about most men living lives of quiet desperation.

Just starting
4) The First Casualty - Ben Elton

Just finished
3) Jane Eyre (audio book)
4) Universe versus Alex Woods

Liked both (although an audiobook feels like I am cheating)
4) was an enjoyable easy read & made me think of Curious Incident of the Dog.... although that's probably due to the main characters having similar traits.

Just started 5) The Sleeper, Emily Barr

4. Fall of Hyperion - all right/pretty good if complex sci fic epic
5. The Rosie Project - slick rom-com about academic (possibly) with Asperger's

wiltingfast I read the two Wool sequels and they do continue to draw you in, but imo if any of his stylistic tics annoy you now, they will continue to do so! There were a few elements that aggravated me but he did keep me reading right until the end!

Mysterious Hampster - I'm about halfway through Hyperion, and a bit dubious about it tbh, despite the stellar reviews on the back. Could you tell me more about what you thought of Fall of Hyperion? I'm not sure that I'd keep on going if it wasn't for this 50 Book Reviews project of mine.

I'm still ploughing through Mansfield Park (#2)!

I can now see why people describe Austen's books as works of social commentary - there are an awful lot of words to describe very little actually happening.

Was delighted to reach chapter 30 today and think I was on the home stretch. Then I checked the contents page and realised.there are 48 chapters, not 38.

Still, the characters are sympathetic so I will keep trucking. It normally only.takes,me.a few days to get through a book though so am finding it v. frustrating - am going for 'Mad About The Boy' next in.the hope of gaining some ground .

DumSPiroSpero - Mansfield Park is my least favourite Austen. I do like the Crawfords though and want them to win out because Fanny is really very dry.

Me too, Anne. Crawfords far more fun than prissy Edmund and bloomin' boring Fanny.

Just finished #5 The Horologicon: A Day's Jaunt Through Lost Words of the English Language by Mark Forsyth. Felt like hard work. Read one of his other books last year and enjoyed it but this didn't do it for me.

The to read folder and pile are dwindling. Looking forward to getting to my new books!

1. Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich. Predictable but enjoyable lightweight crime novel.

Nearly finished no.6 The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. Really enjoyable.

Book 2: The Storyteller - Jodi Picoult
Listened on Audible, and absolutely loved it. Just sat and absorbed the last two hours in one go! The book had five narrators of the story and the audio book may have an edge on the novel because each one had a different actor which really brought it to life. The story was fascinating, though some of the descriptions of Auschwitz are not for the faint hearted. Saw the twist coming a mile off, but it didn't spoil it, definitely Jodi Picoult's best in a long time!

The to read folder and pile are dwindling

Mine are growing 'cos it's taking me so long to read this blooming one!

I have four more already lined up on my Kindle and have added about another 6 to the list this week alone!