50 Book Challenge 2014 Part 4

[Southeastdweller]

Thread four of the 50 Book Challenge.

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

Here are the previous threads...

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

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

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/adult_fiction/2094773-50-Book-Challenge-2014-Part-3?msgid=49151537#49151537

Has anyone read Umberto Eco's The Prague Cemetery? I'm 32% in and suffering beyond belief. Just would like to know if there is light at the end of the tunnel.

And I say that as someone who loved Foucault's Pendulum and admired U Eco for writing it.

Interesting list, Suzanne. It prompted me to go off and read some extracts from Anatomy of an Epidemic on Amazon. Did you find he made a convincing case?

Cote, I loved Foucault's Pendulum and I liked The Name of the Rose although it requires some judicious skipping. But I haven't been able to engage with anything by Eco and I don't try any more.

Biblio, yes I enjoyed 'anatomy of an epidemic ' and read several books in a similar vein.

All very thought provoking, I found Edward Shorter's theories re psychosomatic illness very interesting.

52. The Underground Man by Mick Jackson

Really enjoyed this but oh my word one scene really unsettled me. Am not normally squeamish but ...

I was roped into reading this because it was supposedly "Umberto Eco 's best book since Foucault's Pendulum"

Thanks, Suzanne. Does sound good.

Currently reading Ian Sansom's The Norfolk Mystery, which I'm really enjoying. A sort of pastiche of 1930s crime fiction, with some great characters.

I've just started 'Confessions Of A Sociopath - M E Thomas' recommend by Cote
VERY interesting! :o

I couldn't get on at all with, 'The Prague Cemetery' or, 'The Name of the Rose' and haven't tried any of his others.

Book 101 - a book about 19th century drama for work. T'was okay.

I quite enjoyed The Prague Cemetery personally, but Eco can be a bit heavy going at times. Foucault's Pendulum is his best, in my opinion, it's one of my favourite books.

Book 73 Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison

I bought this on eBay when I was re-reading the Rachel Morgan/The Hollows series earlier in the year but have only just got round to reading it. Rachel has been shunned by the coven for dealing with demons and using black magic, and now finds that they are hunting her. She faces either life imprisonment or a lobotomy, and is understandably keen to avoid this. With lots of magic-related violence, the odd smidgeon of sex, and a lot of cunning plans, this was a pretty good outing in the series. Must order the next few, there are still several to go.

52. The Silkworm - Robert Galbraith. I really struggled with the first half of this. It took me about a week to read. However I thought the second half was much better and now I've finished it I'm sort of missing Cormoran and Robin.

I really need something absorbing now. Looking for detective recommendations.

60. Dead Water by Ann Cleeves A book group read, this was more enjoyable than I expected. The false mystery & ending are both a little irritating but, otherwise, it was an enjoyable read.

I had to set aside Dare Me for the Ann Cleeves and I've been given a proof of an upcoming big release (which I'm not naming as it could out me) so I'm going to swing between them both.

Oh hey!! Hope you don't mind me posting on this thread, I'm a total bookworm and I would love to join in if that's ok?

Welcome frog.

What number are you up to frog? If you have kept a record of what you've read so far then add your list.

I love looking through other people's reading lists, and discovering new books

Thanks bsshbosh and duchessofMalf I'm on book 76 at the moments (according to good reads challenge) I shall update later with a list

I'm on Goodreads too - what's your user name over there, frog?

I'm under my actual name on GR I can pm it over if you want to add me

Amazing start to the day!! One of favourite authors has sent me his newest novel which isn't released until November. Super super excited

I'll pm you a link to my Goodreads page and then, if you want to, you can send me a friend request :)

Oh go on, frogbubbles, who is it? I'm assuming it's not Nick Hornby, is it - I know his new novel is due out in November, but I imagine it's closely under wraps!

If it is Stephen King I will hate you forever!

Ha ha no it's not Stephen King, that would be very special!!! It's not nick Hornby either is an author called R S Pateman, I read his debut 'the second life of Amy Archer' earlier this year, I would highly recommend it, it's pretty amazing. I chose it for my bookclub and everyone loved it. The one he sent today is called the prophecy of bees - cant wait to get stuck in!!!