50 Book Challenge 2016 Part Two

[southeastdweller]

Thread two 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, it's not too late to join, and please try to let us all know your thoughts on what you've read.

Previous 2016 thread here

I thought 'Nightwatch' was spectacularly uninspiring. I won't try any more of hers now.

Well! I've only read 2 Waters' books, as I said, loved the Paying Guests but agree with Phoenix about Tipping, Nan/Nancy hardened so much, more than circumstantial/growing up. And then the neat ending after all that? Quite disappointing. I still really enjoy the process of reading/listening to her work though, easy yet satisfying as well-written.

Sadik, thanks for recommending Let it go, just sampled the audiobook, what a fascinating life and determined inspiration she sounds! She's not the best narrator, imho, but makes it real being her own story so think I shall add it to my list.

Chillie he wrote a version of Devils a few years ago but it was somewhat different. He'd done a lot of research. Not sure how much but I can ask him.

He sent me an e-copy of the new book to read and give feedback but I struggled to download it. Might have another look if I can get it onto the laptop at least.

Some of my non-fiction favorites from the past year or two:

How We Learn by Benedict Carey - a neuroscience-based update on learning and memory, written by a science journalist, enjoyed this very much.

Making Learning Whole by David Perkins - an extremely useful and motivating book for anyone who teaches others.

A Mind for Numbers by Barbara Oakley - I read this book as a part of an online course and it is meant to facilitate STEM learning. However, it really helps you with any type of problem solving.

Naked Economics by Charlie Wheelan - a fantastic primer for people who want to understand some basic issues in economics.

The Pursuit of Perfect by Ben Shahar - a beautifully written book on perfectionism and how to overcome it.

Overwhelmed by Brigid Schulte - a really smart research-backed book on time management for working women.

The Birth of the Pill - we all take the Pill for granted, I had no idea how complicated and haphazard the backstory was.

Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel - a book written by a sex therapist could be a hot mess. This one explains how people's sex lives change in long-term relationships.

First post!
1. Miss Peregrines home for peculiar children by Ransom Riggs
Quite weird, ethereal but unique and enjoyable.

2. The 5th Wave and 3. The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey
Really good YA, cataclysmic and pacey.

3. The One plus One by JoJo Moyes
Not my normal type of book but I read it in two days so it must have been quite good!

Just adds the Esther Perel book to my basket frugal

Let It Go? Am I the only one who can only think of the Frizen song when I read this?

Thank fuck DC finally forgot about it. I think. I hope.

Finished #2: Dark Fire (Shardlake 2)- enjoyed it, but was much more interested in the Elizabeth storyline that the Dark Fire one, so was a bit irritated at the end as if it was tied up as an after-thought. I like the series though, so will read the next one.

Now on #3: The last kingdom (Bernard Cornwell)

1. Case Histories - Kate Atkinson

First in the series of the Jackson Brodie books, this is set in Cambridge and follows former police inspector turned private investigator Brodie looking into three murder cases while dealing with his own personal tragedies. I found this extremely entertaining and well-written, and didn't mind so much a certain big coincidence that I could see coming quite early. She writes with so much compassion for her characters and some passages I found very moving. I'm very much looking forward to reading the other three Brodie books.

Now on The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a Fk, by Sarah Knight.

1. Our Endless Numbered Days by Claire Fuller.

I won this copy from the author on Twitter. It's a very thought provoking read about an 8 year old girl whose father takes her off to live in a hut in a forest, telling her the rest of the world is gone. An enjoyable read that sucked me into Peggy's world and way of thinking.

Excellent, lots of recommendations! Have watched a few , the Dorothy Hodgkins book esp looks interesting and the birth of the pill...

Ooh - thanks Frugal (adds several books to wishlist). I am a bit rubbish nowadays at finishing non-fiction, was aiming to read 50% non-fiction and so far managed 1 out of 9. Ground to a halt with To Sell is Human again. Currently trying with The Dalai Lama's Book of Wisdom which is shorter.

1. Fair Play, Tove Jansson.

I read the Summer Book as a child and liked it, despite the absence of Moomins. So thought I'd try this. If you prefer fast moving, densely plotted drama, this is not your book. It's about the relationship of two older women, Jonna and Mari. There's no big overarching plot here, it's a series of little vignettes of them at home or an island, watching films, struggling to get into the mood to work on art, arguing, travelling, having visits from impossible people. Completely different to my normal reading, I thought I wouldn't finish it a chapter in but it grew on me. I liked the writing very much.

1. Georgian London: Into the Streets - Lucy Inglis.

A tour of London from 1714 - 1830, district by district. Crammed full of detail, almost too much in some parts as I found her writing slightly disjointed in places. It was pretty interesting overall though, but I didn't find it quite as engaging as Judith Flanders, even though I prefer the Georgians to the Victorians overall.

glitter good non fic I have read recently are Freakonomics and the follow up books, The Gift of Fear, and a book about Mexico drug lords called El Narco. And Lean In!

I'd love to read the Freakonomics books too - have enjoyed things on their website and I love the NPR Planet Money podcast. I should also read some Tove Jansson Moomin books to DC. Have just been to the local library with DD2. Should really finish something but keep getting distracted...

Late joining the thread but

1 - summer at sea - very easy read, not a very substantial book but I enjoyed it, a nice easy read.

I am currently half way throughthe good girl by Fiona neill but still can't quite decide if I like it or not!

Might download something else to read alongside it.

Personally I was disappointed by Freakonomics - it started well, with some really interesting chapters, and then went downhill. It almost seemed to me that the authors were trying to fill the pages. The chapter on children's names was really tedious!

Book 10
The Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux
This was okay but not as good as I’d hoped it would be. The Japanese and Siberian sections were good, as were parts of the Vietnam section, but overall there was far too much tedious description of sitting in train dining cars, and it’s also pretty clear that Theroux is a raging snob and pretty misanthropic too. I’d probably read more of his, but wouldn’t expect quite so much.

Remus, my favourite of his is Riding the Iron Rooster.

Thanks, Tumble. Not read that one.

Remember quite enjoying Freaknonomics a while back to dip in and out of, bit like much of Malcolm Gladwell's stuff, rarely warrants an entire book to cover and exemplify the main thesis.

Just finished book 10. My sister lives on thmantlepiece. Which turned out to be quite a thought provoking, touching read. Had chosen it entirely due to it being narrated by the wonderful David Tennant (and I wanted a fix having recently seen him on stage) . But the story itself was fine too, concise and refreshingly and convincingly from the perspective of a 10 year old. I realise now that it probably is actually a YA book-would certainly share with mine, but a good quick read (or even better listen to DT) for adults also.

Am very grateful for this thread, not read so much in years! My sleep and work has gone to pot though.

The Great Gatsby F Scott Fitzgerald Book 6. I didn't know what to expect as I have never heard anyone say what this book is about except that they enjoyed it. The story I thought moved slowly but as the writing was so good it didn't matter. I can't say I liked any of the characters. As they were all too selfish and self involved. I wasn't even sad at the end but I do think this book will stay with me a long time. The book is about deception whether it is self deception or deceiving others and how this effects other people when the characters actually stop playing a part.

I liked The Kingdom By The Sea too, where he goes round the UK, but it must be 20 years since I read Paul Theroux.

Have read, 'The Kingdom by the Sea' but must have been about 25 years ago.