Last book of 2013, first book of 2014

[Cheboludo]

What is the last book you read in 2013 and what will be the first one you read in 2014? Are they connected?

My last was How to be a Heroine by Samantha Ellis. It's a wonderful memoir told through the authors favourite books and heroines. One of the books she writes about is Pride and Prejudice which reminded me that I have Longbourn in my TBR pile so that's going to be the first book I finish in 2014.

Finished 'The dinner' and started 'The Circle'.

Finished Fingersmith
Starting The Cuckoos Calling

I loved both The Dinner and Fingersmith. The Cuckoo's Calling, Beautiful Ruins and Bridget Jones are all on my TBR. So far I've been avoiding The Goldfinch due to a really bad encounter with The Little Friend, but if everyone continues to rave about it I may have to overcome my fear.

Enjoy the circle LCHammer. I loved that book. I'm currently reading S by JJ Abrams and American Gods by Neil Gaiman. I have the Goldfinch lined up next. The connection between the last two is they were both kindle bargains.

I thought Apple Tree Yard was marginally better than Gone Girl (which I hated). I had no sympathy for any of the main characters. I didn't think the story was believable at all and I thought the ending odd (I think the author was trying to be clever but didn't succeed).

I listened to the Goldfinch on Book at Bedtime a while ago and thought it was superb.

I am finding The Goldfinch gripping in parts and boring in parts. It is VERY long. I suspect they cut heavily for Book at Bedtime which, imho, would improve it.

The new Bridget Jones was complete shite.

I'm part way through the Prague Cemetery for my new book club so that is technically counting as the last book of 2013 and the first of 2014.

But the last book I finished in 2013 was the first Enders Game one. I've never read sci-fi before but really enjoyed it.

The next one on the list is let's discuss diabetes with owls which again is for book club. I thought I'd get a chance to read more over the holidays but turns out it's hard to fit in my usual hour of commute reading when I'm home.

Cherrypi - I'm about 90 pages in. I'm waiting for something to kick in and shake their beatific world.

I finished Liane Moriarty's The Husband's Secret yesterday and immediately downloaded What Alice Forgot by the same author because I enjoyed The Husband's Secret so much!

Bisjo - thanks for the review; Apple Tree Yard has slid down my TBR list now :) I tried to listen to The Goldfinch on catch up a couple of weeks ago but I'd just missed it, which is a shame as I've a feeling lizzabadger is right and some editing would be beneficial.
Hopelass: the Husband's Secret has taken Apple Tree Yard's slot on my TBR after that recommendation.

The Husband's Secret was ok. A very easy read.

LCHammer - I'm all about good easy reads at the moment. I have a 2.5yr old and a 6mth old who's not keen on sleeping so I prefer my books to be non-taxing right now.

Still in the middle of Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver. Really enjoying it but have completely ground to a halt over Christmas. The house is quieter now and the weather is lousy so might get back into it today.

Not quite sure what my next book will be .. probably Blue Lightning, the fourth in Ann Cleeves' Shetland crime series. And I'm planning to reread some classics this year so will be having a hunt through the bookshelves to see what I fancy. Maybe some Edith Wharton to start with.

Last book of 2013 was 11.22.63 loved it having not read any Stephen King for many years. First book of 2014, I'll have 2 on the go, Mad about the boy by Helen Fielding and All Hell Let Loose by Max Hastings. Is piddling down with rain here so am going to hunker down with kindle for the rest of the day.

Read "A night before Christmas" to my DNiece - was lovely

First book of 2014 ? Possibly something from the "Anthology of Japanese literature" I gave myself for Christmas.
In fact you've made me go and pick it up now .....

Just as well as it's bucketing it down outside ATM ... so that will be perfect to dip into before I go first footing round to a friend's this afternoon ... always think I should have some coal to take with me ?!

Finished The Green Mile yesterday morning in the recommendation of one of my A level students. Really liked it, not usually a King fan.

Fave book of 2013 was the Snow Child. Hauntingly beautiful.

No idea what's next, will peruse the thread for ideas.

Last book of 2013 was'Life after life' by Kate Atkinson which I loved so much. .a bit weird as I read it on my Christmas kindle and I've never read on a kindle before. Now picked up incendiary something by Chris cleave from the library but realised I've read it before. Want to read the year of the flood but don't know if I can face those pigoons again

Last one I read was called Stolen Child. It was one I've had on my kindle for ages, was a cheap one and having read it I can see why. My first one of 2013 is either going to be the first Hunger Games or the second Cazalet Chronicles.

I think Lizza maybe correct re editing. It was on over two weeks but then so is the One Hundred Year Old Man and that book is half the length of The Goldfinch.

I'm currently reading The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver - very good. Not sure what next book will be.

I don't know whether to download The Goldfinch or not. I love The Secret History but struggled massively with The Little Friend.

Do it!

Finishing To kill a mockingbird and non-fiction All hell let loose. Have The goldfinch ready to go, crossing my fingers as has been stated previously I too loved Secret history yet struggled with My little friend.

I finished Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfield last night will start Dr Sleep later, happy days!