Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

Original poster

50 Book Challenge 2015 Part 4

991 replies

southeastdweller · 01/06/2015 22:15

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 Smile

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 20/08/2015 11:52

Biblio - I enjoyed, 'House of Silk' but a friend who has read, 'Moriarty' too also said that he was really disappointed with it. I probably won't bother with it now you've both said it. Will look out for, 'The Mangle Street Murders' though.

ChillieJeanie · 20/08/2015 11:53

Sonnet I only found him by accident, browsing in a second hand book shop. I think I've now read all of his books, aside from the ones for younger readers. A few other people on these threads seem to be trying him out as well. That's the great thing about these threads, you can pick up so many books you might not have come across otherwise.

I'm a bit nervous about the TV series as well. The woman playing Merrily doesn't fit my picture of her at all! I think it's going to be on ITV Encore, which is only on Sky so I will have to wait for it to be on a channel I can get anyway.

bibliomania · 20/08/2015 12:19

Remus, yes, I really don't recommend Moriarty. Would be interested to hear how you get on with The Mangle Street Murders if you do read it.

Currently on The Sleeper by Emily Barr and enjoying it so far. She writes psychological thrillers, usually with a travel element.

BestIsWest · 20/08/2015 12:29

Sonnet and Chillie, you have both reminded me I have book 3 of the Merrily Watkins series on Kindle. We are off to Hay-on-Wye and Hereford for a few days tomorrow so that will be perfect holiday reading.

A TV Series? Who have the cast? Off to google.

mmack · 20/08/2015 14:38

  1. The Light Between the Oceans by M.L. Steadman. A lighthouse keeper and his wife find a dead man and a healthy baby in a boat that washes up on their island. The wife has suffered 3 miscarriages and persuades her husband to let her keep the baby. I liked this-it was sort of old-fashioned and predictable but in a good way. It might be a good book for a teenager getting into adult fiction.

  2. Missing by Sam Hawken. A builder living in a border town in Texas lets his step-daughter go to a concert with her cousin on the Mexican side of the border and the girls disappear. Early in the investigation the whole police force on the Mexican side gets suspended because of corruption and the army takes over. The stepfather sets out to find the girls with the help of the policeman who was in charge of the case before he was suspended. This is a gripping thriller and even though the main plot is fictional the parts about the drug cartels, corruption and suspension of the police force are all based on actual events.

  3. Someone by Alice McDermott. The story of a girl growing up in an Irish-American neighbourhood in Brooklyn in the 19020s. Simply written but totally gripping. I am probably biased though as she is one of my favourite writers.

I am about 40 pages into One Flew Over the Cuckoos next and enjoying it so far.

Sonnet · 20/08/2015 15:41

Chilie - I generally do feel let down by TV adaptions and I have so much enjoyed the series that am almost sure I will switch off in disgust Smile
Was it you that picked these books up in Hay-on Wye Chillie and read most of them back to back?

Best - you luck thing you - twice over! first because you are only on book 3 so have the rest to look forward to and secondly you are visiting Hereford and Hay-on-Wye. The books really made me want to visit there... Perfect atmospheric holiday reading Smile

Thank you Biblio
DD2 has "House of Silk" on her book shelf - good to hear it is a recommended adult read - might try it now

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 20/08/2015 16:54

Thanks, Sonnet. Just bought it. Have also been to the library and now have a huuuuuge pile to read!

ChillieJeanie · 20/08/2015 21:52

Sonnet yes, that was me. I picked up The Wine of Angels and then read 11 of the books in the space of a month and a half. That's the most use my Kindle has ever had!

Original poster
southeastdweller · 20/08/2015 22:11
  1. The Secret History - Donna Tartt

A working class student falls in with a group of affluent misfits at an American college and becomes involved in their isolated world, a world influenced by their mysterious tutor. This is easily one of the best novels of the past few years I've read, wonderfully written and very hard to put down, though the writing is a little deeper in The Goldfinch.

Onto the recent Julian Clary book next.

OP posts:
ChillieJeanie · 21/08/2015 10:07
  1. Visions by Kelley Armstrong

Olivia Jones is still coming to terms with the discovery that she was adopted and that her birth parents are convicted serial killers. Having proven, with the help of the morally ambiguous lawyer Gabriel Walsh, that two of the murders were committed by someone else, she continues to research her parents' case. Then she finds the body of a missing girl dumped in her car, made up to look like Olivia. Convinced the killer is still in Cainsville, Olivia and Gabriel go on the hunt.

It's Armstrong, so you know there's a paranormal element to the story. Olivia sees visions and omens, although she is still trying to find out what this means. This is the second in the Cainsville series so some of the secrets of the town are starting to be revealed, but it seems there are several different supernatural elements interested in Olivia so there's a lot more to reveal yet. I like Armstrong's writing and am enjoying this series after her 'Women of the Otherworld' series finished.

Lilaclily · 21/08/2015 10:13

Hi everyone
It's me , Esiotrot but I had to name change when I reset my password not sure why !
No 68 : Far From The Madding Crowd : re reading in time for watching the dvd of the new film i ordered :-)

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 21/08/2015 10:29

Biblio Am enjoying, 'The Mangle Street Murders' v much so far.
Esio It's a great film (I liked it better than the book). Let me know what you think of the utterly gorgeous actor playing Gabriel Oak!

107 - 'Miss Billy' by the Pollyanna writer (another one for Cote to hold up her hands in horror about!)
If I'd read this before the Pollyanna books, I'd have probably really liked it. As it is, it's virtually the same book again - girl captivates everybody's hearts, misunderstandings about who loves who, crotchety aunt who learns the errors of her ways etc etc. It's a nice enough story, but I think I've had my fill of these for a while now!

Lilaclily · 21/08/2015 11:37

Remus - ooh I'm even more excited now!

Esio xx

bibliomania · 21/08/2015 12:00

Remus, that's great!

Sonnet, I wrote a post which got lost - not sure how old your dd is, but The House of Silk does have a child exploitation angle to it. It's not particularly graphic, but depending on how sensitive your child is, it's worth having a look before deciding if she should read it. I wouldn't say it's aimed at a youngish teen.

(That said, in my youth we guzzled down Flowers in the Attic with no obvious harm. Now excuse me, my brother awaits me in the boudoir).

bibliomania · 21/08/2015 12:12

Embarrassed at being excited because I'm managed to reserve Bill Bryson's new book, The Road to Little Dribbling, at the library. It's not out till October, so with any luck, I'll be first on the list...

JoylessFucker · 21/08/2015 14:39

Sonnet & ladydepp, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your father(s). Good to hear that reading does provide solace for when the same comes to me - all too soon I suspect.

Duchess & Remus, sorry to hear that you're both still struggling with illness. Hope wellness returns soon.

Duchess, you're right, I am on the list but have not been able to find out which passwords are on the list, so have gone through the far too many sites I'm registered on and have changed ALL my passwords which has taken forever [wish there was a grumpy face icon]. Mumsnet have been in regular touch by email throughout and I do hope it'll all settle down.

Back to the main business - reading - that Booker list won't read itself Smile

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 21/08/2015 15:48

Thanks for all the kind messages - have had a better couple of days. The weather being a bit cooler certainly helps.

BILL BRYSON HAS A NEW BOOK COMING OUT?! Sorry to shout, but that excites me very much! Googles immediately! Grin

DuchessofMalfi · 21/08/2015 17:16

Thanks everyone for the good wishes. Have another hospital appointment next week. so hopefully will start to find out more.

Original poster
southeastdweller · 21/08/2015 18:56

Joyless, I haven't seen anything from MN about changing passwords for all online accounts. Do you think I should change mine as I too was on the list?

OP posts:
BestIsWest · 21/08/2015 21:59

I can't wait for the new Bill Bryson book either. It's about time.

I am here in Hay-on-Wye. What a fantastic place. Have been before but had forgotten how nice it is, book shops everywhere.

DuchessofMalfi · 22/08/2015 06:23

Best - very envious of your trip to Hay Smile I've been several times with DH but not recently (DC wouldn't enjoy it). My favourite bookshop was the Old Cinema - goes on for miles Grin. Loved lunch at The Granary and dinner at The Blue Boar Smile I want to go now Smile Smile

ChillieJeanie · 22/08/2015 11:07

I love Hay on Wye. I just never have enough money for all the books I want! There are so many gorgeous Folio Society editions around, aside from anything else. The Old Cinema is a lovely bookshop, with a decent cafe, and there's a crime specialist one up the street from there where I first discovered Phil Rickman's novels. I had a lovely lunch in the Three Tuns once as well. Hay is only about 1.5hrs from me, but I have to ration my visits!

  1. The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett

With the last ever Pratchett novel coming out next week I decided to have a re-read of the first of the Tiffany Aching novels. I don't suppose I will get through all of them again before The Shepherd's Crown is out but it's worth a try! The Nac Mac Feegle are brilliant.

I presume Granny Weatherwax will put in an appearance in The Shepherd's Crown. Looking forward to reading it, but still sad to know it's the last one.

tessiegirl · 22/08/2015 17:44

Hi all, I have been back home to the UK and also on holiday to Spain so haven't been on here for a few weeks...just had a catch up on what you have all been reading Smile I finished Big Little Lies (eventually) and I have to say I liked it but didn't love it as I did The Husbands Secret Confused

I have been finding it so hard to concentrate on reading since finding out I'm pregnant, my mind just won't relax! I keep starting books that fail to hold my attention for long...however, I noticed a few of you reading Agatha Christie who I absolutely love and thought I would try one of hers in an attempt to start reading properly again. Pleased to say I flew through Crooked House and enjoyed it and now reading The Murder at the Vicarage as I have never read any of the Miss Marple series. Very much enjoying it so far and so pleased Agatha has given me my love of reading (and concentration) back! Long may it continue! Grin

BestIsWest · 22/08/2015 17:47

Ate in the Three Tuns (very good) last night and had cake in the Granary. Smile. I remember the Old Cinema from last visit but not been yet this time. I plan to treat myself to some cookery books amongs other things.

Have finished Kane and Abel. It wasn't great.