50 Book Challenge 2014 Part 3

[Southeastdweller]

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?

Being realistic (huge pile of books to read atm) the Niall Williams is the only one I really want to read, and will make time to do so.

Wondering whether David Nicholls's novel is worth a try. Didn't particularly like One Day (was ok, but very lightweight chick-litty, film unwatchable imo). He can write, but at Booker level?

Yes, I was surprised to see him on the list (although possibly that's just snobbery on my parent - haven't actually read One Day).

Cote I've no idea how many pages it was, as I read it on Kindle. Not in an afternoon though - I've been reading it on my kindle app for a weekish. Always have something on Kindle app to read whilst queuing.

You don't like short books then?!

Wednesday, I thought I was teasing Remus

37. Handsome Brute: The True Story of a Ladykiller by Sean O'Connor

The story of Neville Clevely Heath, a handsome RAF pilot who brutally murdered two women in 1946. Very very interesting book with lots of period detail about the war years and directly after. I very much enjoyed this one.

33. A Brief History Of The Samurai: The Way Of Japan's Elite Warriors - Jonathan Clements

Finally done. Very well-researched, amazingly detailed, and indeed fascinating. But "brief" it certainly is not. This is a book about the 700-year history of the military class ruling Japan, with endless wars between various samurai clans and Shoguns as de-facto rulers in the name of the emperor. Highly recommended if you are interested in Japan's history.

I wasn't being offended!! More making a note to add short books to the list of things you don't like!!! I'm reading a much more respectable length book now

Cote - if you are interested in Japanese history, and can stoop to a bit of YA fantasy, the series that begins with Across the Nightingale Floor is v good indeed.

Wednesday No, it was just a tease. YA and chick-lit are pretty much all that I don't like re books.

Remus - Thanks but I really don't want to read YA ever again

Spoilsport - they are good.

And the female characters are far more intelligent/interesting than that idiot in, 'Dune.'

We can agree on chick lit. I'm a fan of YA though. Adding that recommendation to my list Remus

Just back from hols and not caught up yet :
43 - The Goldfinch - Donna Tartt.
44 - Perfect - Rachel Joyce
45- The Darkest Hour - Barbara Erskine
46 - Precious Things - Colette McBeth
47 - White Crow - Marcus Sedgewick
48 - The Absolutist - John Boyne
49 - The Various Haunts of Men (Simon Serrailler book 1) - Susan Hill
50 - The Pure in Heart (Simon Serrillier book 2) - Susan Hill
51 - One Night in Winter - Simon Sebag Montefiore
52 - Midwinter of the Spirit - Phil Rickman

Of these, Perfect was a let down and on reflection is possibly not my type of book. The Darkest Hour was also disappointing. I first found Barbara Erskine about 4 years ago and loved her earlier books. This one seemed somewhat hurried and lacked the intrigue of her earlier novels. I loved Goldfinch and The Absolutist. I bought the first two Simon Serrailler novels on a recommendation from this thread - I think I may have read the first one before, but not sure so maybe a later one. Anyway enjoyed both immensely. One Night in Winter is a gripping read and comes highly recommended by DD 1 and me. Thank you too whoever recommended Phil Rickman as I am loving book 2.
Will now catch up on the test of this thread

Thank you Duchess it was you who recommended the Simon Serrailler series - I am so pleased to find nine in the series to get my teeth into. DH reading the first one now!

Sonnet n really pleased you like Susan Hill's Simon Serrailler books. I've just finished the fifth one, and taking a break for a short while to read other things but can't wait to get the rest of the series.

I think they get better and better. Book 4 is so very sad though. Be prepared.

I'm wondering now what series next to read that could possibly match that. Anyone have any good recommendations?

Autocorrect fail - should read I'm, not n .....

Ooh Susan Hill has just tweeted there's a new Simon Serrailer short story out. A Breach of Security. Going to look on Amazon now.

Duchess, have you read the Shetland series by Ann Cleeves? I love Jimmy Perez. Or the Lewis Trilogy by Peter May?

I haven't read either of those. Thanks, Best. They sound just the sort of thing for me

For those who like Susan Hill I can recommend her book Family which details her quest for motherhood.

52. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

Rowell's characters are endearing but I wish she had resisted the obvious ending in this novel. Eleanor and Park is definitely her best book.

Book 77 - The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
Enjoyed it but he's not as good as Chandler.

Remus - Female characters in Dune are also "more interesting than that idiot in Dune" imho.