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?

"Feeling a bit intimidated by all the English grads on this thread! Anyone else from a STEM background??"

I have a STEM degree at university, plus an MBA (Econ & finance), and I'm not a native speaker of English. Still, I don't find this thread intimidating. It's great to be among fellow bookworms

I'm in too, I just managed my 35 challenge for 2015 so going for the same. I too have just bought an alarm clock so I can't be distracted by my phone in bed- amazing how much time you lose! So already reading more.

I read I Saw A Man yesterday which was good, starting The Utopia Experiment today.

I also only managed my 35 last year by choosing short-ish books, I'm going to try to stop that this year, felt a bit like cheating or bending the rules!

im reading Stephen King bazaar of bad dreams. I love it and I don't care 😊 I have read everything he has published, it was my teenage promise to myself 😏 Tbf mostly I've enjoyed them immensely, like my old favourite uggs.

I haven't rtwt but the last post made me wonder if it's for me. Okay, to save the bother of reading I'll just throw it out there: I loved the girl on the train, hated the husbands secret.

Will I fit in yes or no 😊

Maybe I won't fit in because of the uggs, not the books

Economics grad here too though I work in IT. What I love about these threads is that there's such a wide variety of books being read and no one is sniffy about anyone else's reading choices. I'll happily admit that sometimes I read rubbish and I don't feel that I can't mention it here because, as Cote says, it's good to be among fellow bookworms.

Fucky, you'll fit in just fine

I'm also reading Stephen King, Mr Mercedes.

And currently wearing v old uggs

Perhaps "intimidated" was the wrong word to use... I love reading and I love this thread. This will be my fourth year on it!

Welcome to all the newbies

Have finished my first:

1. The Ice Twins - thought this was OK but not great. Enjoyed the setting but thought the plot and characterisation were lacking. Worked as an easy read alongside War and Peace though.

Am now about 30% of the way through W&P - really enjoying it at the moment.

Have also started The Taxidermist's Daughter as the light read.

AnneEtAramis - ah OK, not the same group then!

If it makes you feel better despite my academic credentials I specialised in SF so hardly reading war and peace! I like this thread for its great mix and acceptance of all types of books

Morning all! Started on "Letter from America" by Geraldine O'Neill. It's set in Ireland, so I'm reading all of the characters dialogue with a really bad Irish accent! 3% of the way through according to the progress indicator.

Looking The name is a little flight of fancy.

I know what you mean about some bits being a bit awkward but, when I was looking into which version to get, reviews seemed to suggest this is the best one?

I suppose, with translations, it's a case of 'you pays your money and you takes your choice' and I know a lot of people think very highly of P&V. The most irritating thing I've found so far is Denisov's dialogue - some of the time I'm actually having to guess what he's saying - it really, really doesn't work for me. That said, I am still enjoying the novel. And, yes, it's good to know there are other people out there reading it.

I'm looking forward to the adaptation and am very curious to see what Andrew Davies has done with it.

elsbethy - welcome to the thread (and all other newbies :)). I had a bereavement in October last year and found comfort in reading, although found it hard to concentrate on anything too complex.

Okay then I'm in!

I've set up a challenge on good reads too. I'm aiming for 40 books, on kindle as well.

My dh keeps on at me to re start the game of thrones series (I've read the first book) but I don't know. I mean, I enjoyed the first one so maybe. But, GOT is a commitment right? I not sure I'm that loyal anymore. However i loved I am pilgrim and that was a big book too. Decisions decisions.

"despite my academic credentials I specialised in SF so hardly reading war and peace!"

SF as in science-fiction or speculative fiction? Outstanding! I would be very interested to read your analyses of the SF books we read

Fucky - you'll fit in just fine :) Always wanted a pair of uggs, but never got them!

Ash - I bought The Hollow Crown in the kindle Christmas sale. Will be interested to read your thoughts on it. I plan to read it later this year. I also want to read more history books. Fascinated by the Plantagenets and Tudors.

I've gone for the Maude version, after reading comparisons of the various translations on a couple of websites (here and here) as well as the article antimatter linked to upthread.

I'm in! Didn't manage many last year 18 I think, but got loads of books for Xmas and have made a start already.

Maybe this will be the year that I read War and Peace! Yay!

I don't think English grads are very intimidating. I'm certainly not, I still read pony books on a regular basis.

What intimidates me is (are? - sounds wrong whichever way I say it) those people who manage to have two or three books on the go at the same time. I have never been able to do that successfully.

Marking my place :-)
After not reading properly for years this thread did inspire last year and I managed to read 36 books!!

Aiming for higher this year ....

Currently reading A man called Ove. Enjoying it so far although feel it may be a tear jerker!!

I loved ove! Didn't think I would but just goes to show happiness lies in the most random of books 😊

Ok - just finshed Paying Guests (fab) - does that count as started last year .. Now starting Bone Clocks audio after several MN recommendations.

Natasha- I'm one of those who typically has 2-3 books on the go... All dusty and often unfinished!

Bone Clocks is great & an achievement for any author but David Mitchell's best is Cloud Atlas imho.