50 Book Challenge 2015 Part Five

[southeastdweller]

Thread five 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, third thread here, and fourth thread here.

Happy reading

[BestIsWest]

I think the sequel is about her brother, the pilot. I had mixed feelings about Life after Life. The beginning was boring and the ending unsatisfactory to say the least but the section on the blitz was very good.

[CoteDAzur]

Seems that last post has lost the at the end

[CoteDAzur]

Sequel to Life After Life? Let me guess - The most boring woman in the world lives another twenty very boring lives. Outstanding.

[CoteDAzur]

You are very welcome, Joyless

[Calfon]

66. The Art of Asking – Amanda Palmer. Audiobook read by the author. I had listened to her TED talk on asking and had read some of the controversy about her Kickstarter to fund her album. I loved this. It was an honest account of her life, her relationships to her fans who she sees as friends and her family and loved ones. Ultimately it is a book about life, asking, artistry, relationships, fear, fame, love and trust. As a huge Gaiman fan I loved the insight into Neil the author and their life together. Really loved this and am buying the hard copy to have on my shelf for when my oldest daughter is old enough to read it.
    
    
67. The Winter Ghost – Kate Mosse. I saw this suggested as a Christmas read so gave it a go. It was the story of Freddy who was grieving years after the death of his brother in WW1. He goes to France on holidays and ends up in this small village where he meets this woman who seems to touch his emotions in a way he had previously been unable to. The following day he cannot find her and nobody seems to know who she is so he investigates and uncovers the burial site of a group from the Cathar sect of 600 years previous who had been walled into a cave during a period of religious persecution. Predictably she was the ghost of the one of these cathars and by the end of the book he had recovered emotionally from his deep mourning and ready to resume life. Was ok but would not be rushed to reading another of her’s.
    
    
68. Agatha Raisin and the Christmas Crumble – M.C. Beaton. My first and last Agatha Raisin. I was initially disappointed to discover that I had bought a novella rather than a novel but the story was so poor and the characters so obnoxious I was relieved it didn’t take up to much time.
    
    
69. Hogfather – Terry Pratchett. I read this most years to get me into the Hogswatch spirit and it never fails. The Hogfather is dead and DEATH steps in to deliver the gifts etc in order to keep the belief alive. Hilarity in true discworld fashion ensues.
    
    
70. Over Sea Under Stone – Susan Cooper. This is the first in the Dark is Rising books. While on holiday in Cornwall the Drew family children discover this old manuscript which leads them into a quest to find the Grail. This is about the age old and ancient battle between good and evil. Enjoyable story but looking more forward to the Dark is Rising which is the second book in the series and which I plan to start reading this evening.
    
    ChillieJennie A reread of Feet of Clay is on my new year to do list. I love rereading discworld.

[ChillieJeanie]

99. Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett
    
    The Patrician is being slowly poisoned, and the City Watch is at a loss. Golems are destroying themselves across the city, and Corporal Nobby Nobbs is discovered to be the last known descendent of the Earl of Ankh. Commander Sir Samuel Vimes is on the case, distracted only by the occasional attempts by members of the Assassins Guild to fulfil the contract currently out on his life.
    
    I felt in the mood for another re-read. I'm also reading Clive James' translation of Dante's The Divine Comedy at the moment, and Purgatory is proving to be a bit of a slog. Hell was brilliant though, it really rattled along. A bit of Pratchett was just the thing for a lighter break.

[Sonnet]

yes I eagerly awaited the Emma Watson version (I think it was on Boxing day 2008 I watched it) but much preferred the BBC serial in the 1970's (I think?). Other than the book my favourite was actually a dramatisation of an audio book by the BBC.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Sorry - thought I was on the which books would you like to see dramatised thread!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Over a long bubble bath and bedtime, yep. It is my curse - that and being bloody awkward mean I can never find enough books to read.

They did a version with Emma Watson in a couple of years ago, but it was all wrong.

[Sonnet]

Ah Ballet Shoes Remus - one of my favourites. Did you really read it all in one sitting??? You are the quickest reader I know

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Just received a copy of, 'A Woman on the Edge of Time' by Jeremy Gavron in the post, for the non-fiction book club. Anybody else?

[JoylessFucker]

Also a belated and big "thank you" to cote for sharing her review of "Lock in". It was a book club read for me, a pick by our science guy who's sci-fi picks are usually winners and I really did enjoy it very much. Reading your review made me twig that it was the quality of the world building that brought it alive for me (I'm learning!) He's taken to bringing me selections from his sci-fi shelves because of books I've read as a result of recommendations here, so thank you all for my growing sci-fi reputation!!

[JoylessFucker]

Oh a very big yes please to doing it all again next year! This thread has been fantastic and has done amazing things for my TBR list/pile. Yes, its added to the size but, more importantly, it has increased the depth of it.

69: Hercule Poirot's Chistmas - Agatha Christie. Just finished this and 'twas great fun. And no, I didn't guess the killer but I've never guessed Agatha's killers, despite being great at it in most books/TV/films.

Currently reading Bob Dylan's Chronicles and a modern verse version of Canterbury Tales. Enjoying the latter way more than the former which means I may have to accept that his Dylan-ness might be a truly boring fucker. His paintings in the NPG last year(?) certainly proved his creative talent didn't extend in that direction either

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Yes please to doing it all again next year btw! And welcome to all newbies. Bring your friends! :)

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Book 153 - 'The Twelth Department' by William Ryan
A murder mystery set in Stalin's Russia, pre-WW2. I picked this up at random in the library and am glad I did. It was an easy but gripping read, and I'd definitely read more of his.

Book 152 - 'Ballet Shoes' by Enid Blyton - emergency bath read.

[BestIsWest]

Welcome Magimedi by the way. I very much hope we are doing this again in 2016. Southeast, you're in charge of thread starting [Smile].

We're going to need another thread before the end of this year too.

Currently reading book no 99, Rebecca,for what must be the tenth time. The writing is so brilliant, I love the way the tension builds. I'm not usually a fan of descriptive passages but I love every word of this book.

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

Oooh, I didn't know there was a sequel to Life After Life.

[Sonnet]

Quog thanks for the tip on Marlon James - I had downloaded a sample and put it on my to read list but would have missed the 99p price - downloaded it now !

[Sonnet]

pterobore - also got that free and looking forward to it now.
whippetwoman - couldn't agree more about Susan Cooper. dark is Rising is by far the best and perfect for this time of year ( I re read a couple of weeks ago)
Ladydepp I read The Taxidermists Daughter - a great read!

Book 85 - A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson the sequel to Life After Life which I know is controversial both on here and in real life . I am a Kate Atkinson fan and have to say that while I enjoyed this book I did not enjoy it as much as Life After life. It left me rather sad in places. I did enjoy reading about Harrogate and York as I was brought up there and indeed the reference to Stonefell Cemetery hit a cord as it was where my Father was cremated earlier this year. This was the Audible version and was beautifully narrated by Alex Jennings

Still reading A Secret History Tartt and thoroughly enjoying it

Really enjoyed this thread this year - thanks everyone

[Quogwinkle]

TooExtra - yes novellas count, whole numbers, otherwise I'd get really confused with my numbering :). I wouldn't count a one-off short story though, if it took less than an hour to read. There's no rules on here except keep reading and record everything here, saying whether you liked it or not (and perhaps a short review, or link to it if you wrote one on Goodreads or MN review section).

My New Year's resolutions will be to keep reading the books I already own and not keep looking around at so many wonderful new books .

[southeastdweller]

75. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time - Mark Haddon. Re-read of this modern classic, recently adapted into a play, this tale of a 15 year old with Asperger's Syndrome trying to find out why a neighbour's dog died is as funny, moving and fresh as ever.
    
    
76. All of Me - Patsy Palmer. Frank and absorbing memoir from the actress best known as Bianca in EastEnders, I was surprised how open she was about her drug taking.
    
    I've Rebecca and Untold Stories to read before the end of the year. Really looking forward to two lovely long train journeys this week

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

Magic Stars by Ilona Andrews (novella)
Driven by Kelley Armstrong (novella)

Do novellas count? Maybe I should put them down as 0.5 each when I start counting properly on 1 Jan.

Anyone got a reading resolution? Mine is to finish books I start; and to read book club books earlier so I'm not frantically racing through them the night before the discussion.

[BestIsWest]

Quog, thanks, bought that too.

[whippetwoman]

I just picked up A Man Called Ove, price dropped to 99p today. I love a good Kindle price-drop. I also use ereaderiq. Tis fab.

109. Over Sea, Under Stone - Susan Cooper
110. The Dark is Rising - Susan Cooper

Ah, wonderful nostalgia, especially The Dark is Rising, a much stronger read than Over Sea, which although very good is a tad Famous Five-ish. Dark is Rising is a great novel to read at Christmas, starting on mid-winter eve and going all over the Christmas period. It's been so lovely rediscovering Susan Cooper and a wonderful way to round off the year, although I might squeeze one more in.

Thanks to everyone for their brilliant recommendations. I have read every word of the 50 book challenge threads and it's been lovely

[ladydepp]

Quog - thanks for the tip on the website, looks great, I shall add my wish list to it in 2016!

I have just purchased the last 3 Game of Thrones books for £10 and free postage from Amazon. I needed a little break from reading them but I am now keen to get stuck in again.

Currently reading the Taxidermist's Daughter by Kate Mosse, only just started but enjoying the gothic feel and spookiness so far.