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50 Book Challenge 2014 Part 3

999 replies

Southeastdweller · 01/06/2014 10:31

Thread 3 of the 50 book challenge. Here are the previous threads...

The idea is to read 50 books in 2014 (or more!)

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/adult_fiction/1951735-50-Book-Challenge-2014

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/adult_fiction/2000991-50-Book-Challenge-2014-Part-2?

OP posts:
mumslife · 21/06/2014 19:50

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Provencalroseparadox · 21/06/2014 19:53

Mumslife the scene with the crazy woman attacking the preacher had me in stitches. But I agree some of the religious stuff just leaves me cold.

All the end bit when she is no longer in Stamps I found really interesting.

I think there might be a few more. This one ends v early in her life.

MegBusset · 21/06/2014 21:43
  1. Shane & other stories - Jack Schaefer

Technically a reread as I studied Shane for 3rd year English. A brilliantly written collection of short Western stories where the quality of writing puts it far above 'genre' fiction.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 21/06/2014 21:45

Loved, "Anansi Boys" but, "Neverwhere" didn't do anything for me.

mum2jakie · 21/06/2014 21:48
  1. 3am by Nick Pirog.

A Kindle freebie. Novella so a really quick read. Took me less than an hour to read this morning when the kids were up at silly o clock! A really fun and engaging read about a man who has a condition that means he is only awake for an hour each day and witnesses a murder. Recommended for a quick, easy and quirky read.

WednesdayNext · 22/06/2014 10:03

I've downloaded that one mum, I look forward to it.

  1. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn "Cancer Ward". Clearly not a light read, but brilliant. Beautifully written and powerful. Highly recommended - maybe not as a holiday read though :)
CoteDAzur · 22/06/2014 12:51
  1. The Day Without Yesterday - Stuart Clark

This is the 3rd and final book in 'The Sky's Dark Labyrinth' series. This time, we follow Einstein, Hubble, and Lemaître as relativity & quantum physics are discovered. As with previous books in this series, I really wanted to like this book as it ticks so many boxes for me, but found it insufficiently researched, heavy on the romanticised family sagas but weak on the scientific struggles and discoveries of these important personalities. Having just read Quantum Theory Can't Hurt You, I could also spot some mistakes, like: It wasn't Einstein who coined the term 'space-time' but his former mathematics professor (who also famously called Einstein a "lazy dog" who never bothered with mathematics Grin). There were some interesting bits on Einstein's life as a Jew in a Germany increasingly polarised under the Nazis, though.

juneybean · 22/06/2014 15:42
  1. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
MegBusset · 22/06/2014 19:15
  1. George's Marvellous Medicine - Roald Dahl

A re-re-reread, but too good not to include! This time read to DS2 over many bedtimes.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 22/06/2014 19:19

I've started Terry Pratchett's, "The Long War," but am finding it really hard work - clunky and boring. Has anybody read it? Should I carry on? I enjoyed, "The Long Earth."

Have bought, "The Silkworm," today, so might move onto that anyway.

ChillieJeanie · 22/06/2014 21:43

I thought The Long War was weaker than The Long Earth, Remus, but am quite enjoying The Long Mars so far.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 22/06/2014 22:09

Thanks, Chillie. So weak that I should give up, or worth persevering?

ChillieJeanie · 23/06/2014 06:09

I'd say it's worth finishing, although I did have a bit of a 'was that it?' reaction at the end.

ChillieJeanie · 23/06/2014 09:38

Book 48 The Long Mars by Stephen Baxter and Terry Pratchett

I think this is the last of this partnership - I'm sure I read there were only going to be three books in the Long Earth series. The story follows several different threads as humanity is still exploring the new reality of the 'Long Earth' - different versions of Earth which can be reached either by using a box called a stepper to shift you from one to another, or by the rare few humans with a natural ability to step between worlds. There is the exploration itself, as two craft called twains are sent out further into the parallel worlds than any others have been before. At the same time, a small expedition is finding out that it is possible to step between different versions of Mars, reached through the Gap, a universe where Earth had been destroyed. Then there is the discovery of a new type of human, far more intelligent and in many ways 'other'.

As I said to Remus, I think the middle book of the trilogy was probably the weakest. This one I found intriguing for the diversity of the threads, as well as the myriad worlds created by Baxter and Pratchett. At heart, though, it is an exploration of humanity as much as an exploration of imaginary worlds. Good book.

CallingAllEngels · 23/06/2014 19:57

Haven't been on to update for ages. 1st trimester is killing my brain so have been taking it easy.

  1. Harry Potter and the philosopher's stone re-read
  2. HP and chamber of secrets - re-read
  3. The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
  4. HP and the prisoner of Azkaban - re-read
  5. The Hourglass Door - Lisa Mangum (recommenced by one of my students, pretty lame teenage angst) 26 Macbeth (re-read)
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 23/06/2014 20:01

Thanks, Chillie. I've moved onto, "The Silkworm" for now but will give, "The Long War" one more chance once I've finished that.

Cheboludo · 23/06/2014 21:00
  1. Bury Her Deep by Catriona McPherson

This is the third Dandy Gilver mystery and this series is fast becoming a firm favourite. I really like the way there's usually a secondary mystery (of which the reader may not have even been aware) which gets solved in the final paragraphs. The reader can usually solve the primary mystery before Dandy but the gentle way she sleuths is a real joy.

  1. Fabulous Nobodies by Lee Tulloch

I saw recommended on twitter as the best book on clothes / fashion ever written. I don't think it could ever live up to such hype but it was funny and endearing.

LornaGoon · 24/06/2014 09:26
  1. Moral Disorder by Margaret Atwood
  2. The Grass Is Singing by Doris Lessing
  3. Ariel by Sylvia Plath (plus, lots of bits and pieces about her work because I have no clue about poetry; I know I enjoyed reading it but couldn't really tell you why)
  4. Fludd by Hilary Mantel
  5. The Code of the Woosters by PG Woodhouse

I've started 'Me Before You' as an audiobook. I'm not sure I'll finish it; I loath the main female character so far. She is such a weak streak of pee. I don't like abandoning a story unless I've really given it a chance though!

CardiffUniversityNetballTeam · 24/06/2014 20:07
  1. Two For The Lions by Lindsey Davis

Book 10 of the series featuring ancient Roman detective Marcus Didius Falco. This time he enters the murky world of the gladiator arena after the murder of a lion. I love these books. Grin

Provencalroseparadox · 24/06/2014 20:10
  1. Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. A first reading for me but what a lovely book. Thoroughly enjoyed
WednesdayNext · 24/06/2014 20:50
  1. Anne Rice "The Vampire Armand". Really starting to enjoy the series again - this was quite a page turner.
Sonnet · 24/06/2014 22:15

Just finished book 37 - the wine of angels. Loved it!
Book 38 is my book club read - The Rosie Project

Nessalina · 24/06/2014 22:54

Glad you enjoyed Anne of GG Provençal Smile It really is lovely isn't it? A proper feel good tale, with some very weepy bits!
A good read in a similar nostalgic vein - The Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It's a read once-a-year book for me, never fails to make me smile.

You're making me want to reread the Vampire Chronicles Wednesday! Maybe the later ones deserve a second chance...

I'm halfway through 'Salem's Lot by Stephen King on one hand, and Yes Man by Danny Wallace on the other - variety is the spice of life!

MegBusset · 25/06/2014 00:19
  1. Stephen King - On Writing

Very interesting and helpful. I write write a lot of copy for my day job and will definitely use the tips in this!

Provencalroseparadox · 25/06/2014 08:30

Nessalina yes lovely. Wondering whether the sequels are worth reading.

Will look out The Little Princess as I adore The Secret Garden.