50 Book Challenge 2015 Part 4

[southeastdweller]

Thread four of the 50 Book Challenge for this year.

The challenge is to read fifty books (or more!) in 2015, though reading fifty isn't mandatory. It's still not too late to join, any type of book can count, and please try to let us all know your thoughts on what you've read.

First thread of the year here, second thread here, and third thread here.

Happy reading

45. I Saw A Man - Owen Sheers

A 'thriller' about a newly bereaved man moves to London and makes friends with some neighbours but later makes a decision that affects his and lives forever. The flowery, overblown dialogue here was almost unintentionally funny, the first half of the book was a s boring as hell, and in general this read like a poor man's version of how Ian McEwan would write this story. And he has no idea of how to write three-dimensional characters. Not recommended, even as a library loan, and I really hope this doesn't make the Man Booker longlist next week.

Hah I had typed in "dicklit" and then decided I didn't want to be offensive heh heh should have known better!

Cote have you read the Pierre Lemaitre thrillers? I read Alex and thought it was vg. A bit graphically violent for me so haven't read any others. I'm recommending it based on your love of jack Reacher but I warn you there are some feelings in the book

Book 93 - 'Life in the Freezer' by Alastair Fothergill
A natural history of the Antarctic. Interesting info about whales, seals, penguins etc and some absolutely glorious photographs. It cost me thirty pence from here. If anybody is near Lichfield I recommend this as a second hand bookshop that has more interesting stock than ten copies of, 'Fifty Shades of Grey' and a couple of battered Harry Potter books.

Book 92 - 'The Existential Detective' by Alice Thompson

This was ridiculous and I really didn't like it. I should have stopped after ten pages but carried on because I haven't got many 'real' books at the moment. She appears to be unable to write a sentence with more than seven words in it; the plot was (although I suppose this was deliberate) implausible and the whole thing had an air of the writer thinking she was really clever and a bit of a poet, whilst never really being either. Absolutely NOT recommended.

My inability to concentrate has continued meaning that whilst I have read a little, its mostly inconsequential stuff.

Book 39: Best Staged Plans - Claire Cook
Book 40: The Other Side of the Bridge - Katharine Swartz
Book 41: Body Blow - Dianne Pugh

But have broken the back of it and am now back ...
Book 40: On Being Mortal - Atul Gawande is one I'd really recommend, especially if you have elderly parents and are having to think about the inevitable. It really examines the "living a good end of life" subject and has helped me to deal with a subject that is hammering on my door and has caused much of my low mood.

I am now reading Go Set a Watchman ...

On the subject of favoured writers, my 5-star listing on Goodreads is split 18 male, 10 female. I used to prefer dick-lit as my sorbet reads, but chick-lit is appearing more, especially when my mood is low.

Oh & I meant to say, hope your post-op recovery is going well Best and may even

*maybe

*maybe even (sigh)

Bloody wi-fi ...

all for the good wishes. What a lovely bunch you all are .

Glad to say the operation was a success and I'm feeling a lot better already.

I have a few weeks off work and a pile of books to read but nothing is grabbing my attention at the moment.

What's in your pile, Best?

Glad to see you back Best.Pleased to hear all went well. Enjoy your time off work . I'm still trying to sort out consultant appointment to get my foot looked at. Taking forever

Good luck with your foot Duchess, hope you don't have to wait too much longer

Remus, I have

Landmarks - Robert McFarlane
The Observations - Jane Harris
Murder in Mesopotamia - Agatha Christie
Round Ireland in Low Gear - Eric Newby
Evelina - Frances Burney

I've read the first few pages of each but nothing is grabbing me. Might stick with the Poirot.

Evelina is okay, but it doesn't half go on! I think sticking with Christie is a v good plan.

Good to hear that your operation went well, Best. My best wishes for a speedy recovery

wilting - I haven't read any Pierre Lemaitre books. I just checked out Alex and it sounds a bit graphic but I do enjoy serial killer stuff on TV like Criminal Minds so might read it at some point. Thanks for the recommendation

Poirot sounds like a really good plan for recuperation :) Nothing too heavy-going.

As an alternative, Landmarks is entertaining. There were a few naughty words in the lists which did make me laugh. And if you are in the mood for a bit more nature writing, I'd recommend Waterlog by Roger Deakin. I loved it.

Meanwhile, I'm currently reading Armada by Ernest Cline. Yes, that Ernest Cline, the author of Ready Player One. This is his new book, out just last week

oh there's something terribly comforting about a 'safe' murder mystery like a Poirot. Murder in Mesopotania is a good one for that, if I recall correctly, you really won't care much for the victim!

Ah Poirot, he was always my favorite detective Best :) Have you tried Janet Evanovich? One for the Money etc? V light alleged PI type read, lots of entertaining silliness. The series gets repetitive but I really enjoyed the first few...

Just a heads up cote, there are three inter related books and Alex is not the first. I think Irene is the first. Amazon led me astray when I was purchasing!

Irene is 99p on kindle. I just bought it, looks good!

no 61
another non-fiction Blackout - by Sarah Hepola

It's a memoir of an alcoholic, frankly it's terrifying (she started stealing her parents beer at age 7) but gripping to find out how she beats the booze

Thanks ladydepp. Just bought Irene on kindle after seeing your post. Wanted to read it before I read Alex

I got Irène, too. Thanks for the heads up

Just finished the Guernsy Literary Potato peel Pie society. I really enjoyed it, tender and funny, but incredibly sad and moving in places.