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

#3 Wolf Hall - Hilary Mantel. Really enjoyed this. I wish I'd read these books in order though as it'd have made them even more gripping. Loved the interpretation of characters. I can't wait for the next.

I've got one more book on my shelf to read, then I'll be dipping into the vipers' recommendations.

AnneWentworth...I guessed
It's my favourite Austen by a mile, and in fact I think it's my favourite love story ever.

#1 - Finished Ken Follett's "Fall of Giants" finally! Phew what a book to start on! Did really enjoy though, I thought the characters were well developed and likeable on the whole, and also feel like I have learnt a huge amount about the circumstances of the First World War, plus what life was like at that time. I did drift off a bit during the more detailed war strategy pieces however.....8/10.

#2 - Have now started "The Goldfinch", and am really enjoying it so far. Am vastly relieved it is nothing like "The Little Friend" as I loved "The Secret History".

I don't know if I'll make 50, but it's a damn good target to aim for. Especially as I'm on track so far (if only because I picked easily readable books, and started the year with a week's leave!)

1 - The Serpents Shadow by Mercedes Lackey - I'm generally a fan of fantasy stories with female protagonists, and have already read one book in this series. Very much enjoyed.

2 - Wideacre by Philippa Gregory - Re-read. My Nanna leant me the trilogy this book is from, and I read them all about 5 years ago. She died recently and I found the books when helping to clear the house, so have added them to my To Read pile.

3 - The Fault In Our Stars by John Green - Love, love, LOVED this book! I got it for two reasons; firstly because the film seemed to be generating some buzz, and secondly because I discovered the author's youtube channel and decided I very much wanted to read what he had written!

Next up is the next in the series I started the year with;

4 - The Gates of Sleep by Mercedes Lackey

1. Bill Bryson - One Summer. Loved it, fascinating though I wish there were more women in it.

Back to The Luminaries, should I persevere?

I'm stuck. Two of my current books are interesting but hard-going, and since I work full time and don't usually get chance to read until at least 9 at night, I'm just not academically strong enough for them by then. The Morrissey autobiography is so boring that I don't think I can finish it, and I haven't got anything else. I've lost my stride. I'd planned to read at least 150 this year, as always, but this has really slowed me down.

Book 3 - The Poison Tree by Erin Kelly. Really enjoyed this.

Not fully decided which book I am going to read next but it will probably be Stoner which was a Christmas present, though I also have The Snowman by Jo Nesbo, The Night Circus and Life after Life all waiting to be read too.

Also still reading Private Peaceful to the children and will be counting that too once I have finished it.

DumSpiro glad I wasn't the only one!
Mad About the Boy was my first read of the year, and surprisingly I enjoyed it much more than i thought I would.

I'm reading A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki at the moment, and also have Dear Life (short stories by Alice Munro) on the go, which I'm dipping into. Bit of a Canada-theme going at the mo :)

Funnily enough I posted about it on FB this morning and a friend (who I met on MN) had just read exactly the same chapter and been reduced to tears as well.

MIL has kindly donated '12 years a slave' to my reading pile - not something I'd usually think to read but it will be handy to have a 'proper' book on the go for bath time reading as I don't really like taking the tablet in with me .

1. A Pirate of Exquisite Mind
2. The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox
3. Longbourn - just started while on the way home on the bus today

1. Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child

A Jack Reacher book. It does exactly what it says on the tin. A good story, well executed. And Jack Reacher is definitely fit (except when he is Tom Cruise).

Remus, get yourself to the library/local bookshop and find some inspiration! Don't waste the limited time you have struggling with books you're not really enjoying. I work full time too so I'm a firm believer that any spare time I get should be spent doing things that make me happy, even if that is reading trashy thrillers my dad has given to me!!

Duchess and Thursday - I had completely forgotten my username!!

I am still reading my non fiction Jane Austen book and The Foundation Pit but hoping to get them finished soon.

remus just ditch it! life is too short for boring or over flowery books IMO.

I have just completed book number 3. The Ask and the Answer by Patrick ness? Thanks God I had the next one ready to start last night so am off to go and read it now.

Remus the Patrick Ness Chaos Walking trilogy is brilliant if you need inspiration.

Anyone on here been a book giver before by the way?

Soz cardiff didn't RTT first hence x post!

Have read Chaos Walking. Loved first 2; much less fond of third.

Have plodded on with another 50 pages or so just now. My problem is that I only currently have these three books, so if I ditch it, it'll have to be a re-read of something.

I've been a book giver before, yep.

1. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov. Found it quite difficult at the start to get into as my mind kept wandering to the fact the main character is a paedophile. By the end I saw him more as a person who was simply consumed by obsessional love. Can't say I particularly enjoyed the book or the style of writing.

1. The Circle - Dave Eggers. Read it after a few recommendations on here. As a fan of dystopian book, Brave New World and 1984 some of my favourites, it came as no surprise I really liked it.

Hi CC I've been a book giver too and hoping to be one again this year.

It was a really good experience.

Never mind a dull book, life is too short to waste any time on Morrissey! He thinks about himself quite enough Remus, save yourself the trouble

1. Vanished Years by Rupert Everett. He's quite a character. You certainly can't accuse him of being too discreet and reticent like some celeb autobiographies!

Checky, I'm two thirds through the Ask and the Answer, I'm enjoying it just as much as the first one. I too have the third one lined up on my bedside table!

#3 Mad About The Boy... loved it!

What is a book giver?

1. The Goldfinch was beautiful. (Also, a bit in love with Boris!)

1. Margret Atwood's The Year of the Flood, so good I've ordered Madd Adam from the library.

1. A series of essays by Johnny Truant including The Universe Doesn't Give a flying Fuck About You. Actually more positive and empowering than you might given the title.

It's taking me a while to make much progress on my second book, I usually read before bed but have been falling asleep far too quickly!