50 Book Challenge 2016 Part One

[southeastdweller]

Thread one of the 50 Book Challenge for this year.

The challenge is to read fifty books (or more!) in 2016, 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.

Who's in for this year?

[frogletsmum]

I'm in too. Managed 67 last year and aiming for around the same again this year, though starting new full-time job next week so will have to see how less time at home vs. longish commute impacts on reading time.

I've got a couple of the go at the moment: Gossip from the Forest by Sara Maitland (about traditional stories/ folk tales) and The Wild Girl by Kate Forsythe (about the Brothers Grimm).

[AlbusPercival]

Can I join in please?

Have just started Dinosaurs and Prime numbers, and have the last Terry Pratchett lined up for afterwards

[ThingWithFeathers]

Please may I join in? I have just started Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay by Elena Ferrante after loving her first two Neopolitan novels.

[Wobblystraddle]

I'd like to join - my first time in the thread. I am an English teacher, mostly reading YA fiction.

I'm going to aim for 52 books, starting with Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz.

[NatashaBolkonskaya]

Gosh, these threads move quickly don't they?

ElleSarcasmo I'm really loving W&P so far in spite of the occasional clunkiness.

Thanks for the links to those articles antimatter and Satsuki, I've bookmarked them and will have a read later. I wish I could read in Russian but that is totally beyond me.

I should have pushed on with AK. I know it was me being lazy rather than a fault with the book. And I'm sure you're right that the main focus is Levin and Kitty. I always feel much more sympathetic to Karenin and really dislike Vronsky. Somebody on here recommended the Rosamund Bartlett translation to me months ago - so I may give that one a go. I'm determined to actually finish it this year.

Satsuki The Bondarchuk film is the Russian version from the 60s - it's about 6 hours worth of film, IIRC. I've never actually seen the Audrey Hepburn one all the way through, just clips. I simply don't believe in Mel Ferrer as Prince Andrei, somehow.

I'm another English graduate who was never put off reading. Like Satsuki, I revelled in being able to read what I wanted to read. And was glad not to have to write essays on any of it.

[Theknacktoflying]

Please can I join in too?? I am trying to break my habit of spending too much time gawping at a screen.

Just started Bone Clocks ...

[DancingDuck]

Will have a go. Book no 1 is Alex Marwood's new thriller The Darkest Secret. Already several chapters in.

[CoteDAzur]

"I'm another English graduate who was never put off reading. Like Satsuki, I revelled in being able to read what I wanted to read. "

May I ask a question to all the Eng Lit graduates on this thread who were put off reading by their university degree? Why did you study Eng Lit if you did not actually enjoy reading English Literature? I mean, you must have known before starting your degree that you would not be studying much YA, crime fiction, or sci-fi, right?

[Chillywhippet]

Satsuki yes iPad kindle would work for sitting with DS when he can't get to sleep but is unwilling to try lying still in a dark room with eyes closed alone

Cherrypi thanks for the Book Thief comment. You've helped me to think I'll be ok on the thread. The thing is I really loved how it started - the narrator's monologue and the pictures painted of the sky etc but then it kind of grinds to a halt. Will def get it finished in case it all comes together in a very satisfactory way.

[TenTinyTadpoles]

I'm like Satsuki, I was glad to get back to reading what I want to read and not having to write essays about it. I was asked to review a book in return for a free copy and found myself wanting to compliment the author on her good use of language for effect - not what she had in mind for some light weight fiction :)

[whitershadeofpale]

Do people include books that they've re-read in their tally?

If I've enjoyed a book I'll often revisit it years later.

[pterobore]

I'm in too. Finally made 30 last year so going for 40 this year. Just started the Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.

[BestIsWest]

Yes to re-reading books counting.

[Waawo]

I'm in - first time on one of these threads, usually just lurk for suggestions. Trying to get to 50, do more reading rather than spending random time on the Internet (seems to be quite a common theme).

Currently reading Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Høeg which is in turns gripping and frustrating me.

[BugritAndTidyup]

First finish of the New Year, although I did start it last year:

1. The Monogram Murders, by Sophie Hannah

I'm not sure how to feel about this one. I was enjoying it, but found the solution unnecessarily convoluted.

I think with many Agatha Christie's, while they might appear bafflingly complicated at first glance, when you are shown the solution it's often blindingly clear and actually startlingly simple so that everything slots neatly and perfectly into place. That simplicity and clarity was missing here. Or maybe I just wasn't paying enough attention.

Maybe I'll give the denouement a reread.

Now reading Miss Carter's War, and trying to make a list of my tbr pile. I'm at 40 already and have barely made a dent.

[snozzlemaid]

I'm in too. Wanted to read 30 last year but only managed a paltry 18, so really need to make more of an effort this year.
First one finished today is The Cornish Stranger by Liz Fenwick. A great read with a modern day story and one character's memories from WW1.
Now reading The Heroes' Welcome by Louisa Young. Really looking forward to this as I loved My Dear I Wanted To Tell You.

[NatashaBolkonskaya]

I was asked to review a book in return for a free copy and found myself wanting to compliment the author on her good use of language for effect - not what she had in mind for some light weight fiction


Cote I wasn't put off but I think the reality is, that when you've studied one doorstop after another - as you do for a nineteenth century novel module - it can be a bit exhausting. Also, reading for essay writing or seminar purposes is a very different thing from reading for pleasure. You can take your time over a lengthy novel if you're just reading for yourself. You don't have the luxury of doing that if you're writing an essay on Vanity Fair this week and preparing for study group on Dombey and Son the following week.

Even if you start out full of enthusiasm for literature, you can feel a bit jaded by the end of a degree course. I, for example, never wanted to have to read DH Lawrence ever, ever again. And I never have.

[Pluto]

I'm joining too. Starting with The Poisonwood Bible; should get the first chapter read before Sherlock in an hour!

[Wobblystraddle]

Cote, you are expected to read very long books you might not choose yourself in, say, one week. You have to force yourself sometimes. Not that fun.

[Wobblystraddle]

Plus sometimes it's nice to be able to switch off from analysis - I enjoyed much chick lit when doing my secondary English PGCE

[Wobblystraddle]

Pluto, I highly recommend the bean tree and pigs in heaven by Barbara kingsolver - really different but much better, I thought.

[CoteDAzur]

"Cote, you are expected to read very long books you might not choose yourself in, say, one week. You have to force yourself sometimes. Not that fun."

Yeah, I got that feeling at Book Club sometimes Of course, reading a book/week is... um... slow to many regulars of these threads.

[DinosaursRoar]

Hello, back for 2016!

[KittyOShea]

I'd like to join too please. Have spent far too much time messing about on Internet last year and miss reading as much. I'd also like to improve my reading- not to read classics necessarily but something that moves me instead of distracts me.

Am currently being distracted by
1 Kushiel's Chosen- a rubbishy but riveting fantasy novel on kindle. It's the second part of a trilogy so I will realistically read the third as well after I finish

2 The Guilty by David Baldacci on Audible- the poor mans Jack Reacher back when he was good.

Lining up for afterwards
1 Go Set a Watchman on Audible
2 Gilead by Marilynne Robinson (I think) on kindle.

Has anyone read either of these?

[MPP81]

Hello! I'd like to join please! Huge reader and currently in my second year of English literature and creative writing with the OU. Spotted this thread in the last couple of weeks so thought I'd wait and join this year. I have a Linwood Barclay that I'm about to start though not sure which one as it's upstairs awaiting bedtime reading. Looking forward to seeing how many I get through and what others think of what their books. :)