50 Book Challenge 2015 Part Six

[southeastdweller]

Thread six 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. 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, fourth thread here and fifth thread here.

How did you get on this year?

103 - The Bletchley Girls: War, secrecy, love and loss: the women of Bletchley tell their story - Tessa Dunlop.

A nice social history read, the author has a lovely touch with the women, several of whom are in their nineties now, neither patronising nor sycophantic. Most interesting for me was Gwen Watkins who married the poet Vernon Watkins. I'd like to know more about her. I was hoping for more technical details but this book isn't the place for that really so I may go looking for more on that next year.

And that concludes my reading for 2015. Happy New Year everyone, see you on the other side.

Hi - I'd like to join the 2016 thread! I love reading but have got out of the habit; my attention span has shrunk and I find it very hard to stay focused these days. My New Year's resolution (one of them) is to try and read a book a week. Due to my short attention span, I will be starting with some 'easy' reads and see if I can branch out a bit as I go on. I have just started The Rosie Effect, which I am finding pretty entertaining so far - not quite as much fun as The Rosie Project.

I have some Christmas money burning a hole in my pocket and am thinking of buying a Kindle. I have never used an e-reader before and I'm a bit worried that I won't 'take' to it. What do people think of Kindles here? Would I save much money in the long run?

Book 156 and the last one of 2015!

'The Ice Age: A Very Short Introduction'
Dp bought me this for Christmas, after some heavy hints. It was okay, interesting enough, but not really what I was hoping for. I wanted a guide to glaciation but it was more a history of scientists arguing about glaciation. Not the best one of these books that I've read, but I do still heartily recommend the series for anybody wanting a scholarly read that is small enough to fit into one's pocket!

I would heartily recommend the Kindle. I love mine. But I'm not sure it will save you any money .

Agree re the Kindle. Thought I would hate it but it's been brilliant. It hasn't saved me any money though!

Damn, I seem to have ended my reading challenge with a whimper rather than a bang. That's what happens when you have family visiting for December, I guess! Disappointed that I didn't make it to 70, although was really pleased to get to 50 having not achieved that target previously. I think I got distracted by ticking items off on a specific challenge mid-year on top of my annual Booker readathon. Not sure I'd bother with that again, as I already seem to be reading an increasingly wide range of books from the recommendations on here

Looking forward to 2016's reading and the excellent company of you lovely lot! Happy New Year all, may it be a good one for us all

Think I'm going to take the plunge with the Kindle - my hand is hovering over the 'place order' button. Slightly annoyed that it was on sale yesterday and now the price has been raised again!

My last books of the year:

61. My history by Antonia Fraser Very engaging, readable memoir - Fraser is very likeable and I loved the little touches, like discovering she played rugby at school. I sometimes wished she'd realised just how privileged her upbringing was (she waltzed into her first publishing job on the strength of her mother's connections ) but a good read nonetheless.
62. Granta 133 Usual mix of short stories and articles from Granta - not one of the best, I felt, but worth reading.
63. Joshua’s story by James Titcombe James Titcombe's baby son Joshua died in hospital as a result of medical incompetence. It was Titcombe's determination to find out what had gone wrong that led to the investigation into Morecambe Bay and the damning Kirkup report. A very moving read but also very shocking - if Titcombe hadn't been so persistent, none of the poor practice and cases of negligence would have come to light.
64. The Leopard by Lampedusa This is about the life of a Sicilian prince during the 19th century campaign for Italian independence, and is apparently one of the great 20th century novels. I so much wanted to like it but to be honest felt a bit meh. I didn't mind it, and found it interesting enough, with a few clever bon mots but I just wasn't captivated by it. Probably just me.
65. The rise of Islamic State by Patrick Cockburn Patrick Cockburn is a journalist who reports on Middle Eastern affairs - this is a very compelling account of how ISIS came into being and why they've been so successful. I read it to make myself better informed - would definitely recommend.
66. A book for her by Bridget Christie A Christmas present! Found it moderately amusing, but that's all, really.

Currently reading 1606 by James Shapiro, which is excellent (about what Shakespeare was writing in 1607 and the political and social context) but won't finish it in 2015.

Hurrah! To finish the year:

114. The Children Act - Ian McEwan
     An Ian McEwan novel I didn't hate! But it reminded me of other Ian McEwan novels and his precise, crafted style makes me feel claustrophobic somehow. It's too 'written' if that makes sense? Probably not...

115. The Brothers - Asko Sahlberg
     Dark, wintry turn-of-the nineteenth century Finland is the setting for this novella. Strangely compelling (and short at about 114 pages).

That's it for the year. Won't read as much next year due to PhD but I will attempt 50 and I fancy a few good long books to tuck into for January.

My favourite books of 2015 were:
The Secret History - Donna Tartt
This Thing of Darkness - Harry Thompson

Thanks for all the great recs you lovely lot.

Pants which Kindle are you looking at? I would love one but don't know which one to choose?

I have to say I don't love the kindle.
It has it's benefits, lighter suitcase on holiday and easier to carry than a book if, like me, you never go anywhere without a book. It's the inability to just flick through the pages that I hate. Mine is 1st generation so buttons rather than touch screen. I'm happy with that and when it dies I will get a paperwhite as I prefer not to have a backlight (I can use the app for that).
The book I am reading now is the worst possible kind for a kindle. Story flits back and forth between characters and times. If I had a paperback I would find it much easier to look back and remind myself who is who. The State We're In by Adele Parks. Is it worth persevering I wonder?

My last few to finish the year:

61. Gilead, 62. Home, and 63, Lila, all by Marilynne Robinson - trilogy set in 1950s small town America, each one in a different voice exploring ideas of goodness and grace and humanity. Quietly compelling and very moving.

62. The talented Mr Ripley, Patricia Highsmith. Thriller and study of a psychopathic mind.

63. Walking Away, Simon Armitage. Account of Armitage's walk along the South West Coast Path, supporting himself along the way by giving readings of his poetry and passing round an old sock for donations. Gentle and amusing observations, though less about both poetry and walking than I expected.

64. The King in the North, Max Adams. Non-fiction about Oswald, 7th C king of Northumbria who became a cult figure after his death. Fascinating and very readable, especially the dip into forensic archeology. Thanks to whoever recommended it on here.

65. The Driver's Seat, Muriel Spark. Dark and disturbing novella about an unhinged woman who takes a trip to a southern European city where bad things happen.

66. Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck. Last read in school several decades ago. Had forgotten how powerful and sad it is.

Am now reading Kate Forsyth's The Wild Girl, the story behind the Brothers Grimm, and already have a pile lined up for next year. Looking forward to hearing about everyone's reading in 2016 too - I love reading these threads and my resolution is to join in more regularly. Happy New Year all!

I prefer paper books but recently bought a Paperwhite and it's wonderful to use, so quick and smooth and the built-in light is very handy.

whippet I know exactly what you mean about Ian McEwan. Claustrophobic is exactly the word for how he makes me feel too.

Forgot to mention my favourite books of the year:

H is for Hawk, Helen Macdonald
Mrs Hemingway, Naomi Wood
Early One Morning, Virginia Bailey
All the Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr
and the Marilynne Robinson Gilead trilogy.

78. Mindfulness - Professor Mark Williams and Dr Danny Penman. Helpful and inspiring book that mainly encourages mindfulness meditation. I started meditating last year to help with depression after reading a similar but not as in-depth book by Ruby Wax and now I'm even more convinced how powerful it can be. This was a relaxing and comforting read, and a great book to end the year on.

Happy new year everyone! New thread will be up tomorrow morning.

101. Dante, translated by Clive James The Divine Comedy

Not being an Italian speaker I have never read the original, but I heard very good things about this translation, and it lived up to expectations. James has opted for quatrains rather than the terza rima because quatrains work better in English, and I think it's an incredible piece of work.

Glad you said that Chillie I want to read Inferno,The Divine Comedy and the other two but needed a recommendation for a good translation :)

Sorry,should've said I wanted to read separatelyy or all in one and have been eyeing up the Clive James translation on Amazon

I love my Kindle, it is just a old basic Keyboard model. I have saved hundreds of pounds since I bought it - my Wishlist is very long and I usually purchase books when they are 99p. If I live until around 175 years old I should just have run out of books to read - this is the only downside, it is just so easy to order books.

Oops sorry, forgot ---

Happy New Year everyone.

frogletsmum, we are on the same wavelength with Ian McKewan

Or McEwan even!

gailforce - I've just ordered a paperwhite - it seems to be the one that is most recommended. I do love the familiar feeling of a book, so I don't think it will take them over completely, but I live in a small house and I have an overflow problem - not just books - everything!

cote I listened to Born to Run on audible - the narrator was very engaging. I find it can be hit and miss but if they're good it can make a book.

I'm not a great runner - I was just starting out but I found the passion of the author really motivating. The imagery was compelling and I loved the two college kids as you say an unconventional cast of inspirational characters.

I've got an old basic kindle. I was initially very resistant - I love paper - but actually it's been transformational and I love it. I also use audible a lot - anyone else?

Oh and happy NY