50 Book Challenge 2016 Part Four

[southeastdweller]

Thread four 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.

First thread of 2016 is here, second thread here and third thread here.

How're you getting on so far?

My knowledge would be from school which was almost a decade ago so hoping may be some snippets. Fancied a fairly light non fiction read.

It's fine - I just expected a bit more from Bryson. Will deffo give you a light read, with some useful info.

20 Poems that make Grown Women Cry - edited by Anthony and Ben Holden This was a birthday present and a welcome one as I'm a sucker for a poetry anthology. 100 women choose poems that move them. Some old favourites (including my mum's favourite Abou Ben Adhem which makes me cry just because it's her favourite), some new, some translations of Persian and Korean poetry, all with a commentary by the woman who chose each poem. Think I might buy a copy for my mum too.

That is book 29 not 20.

Hi all, I've been enjoying the discussions on Lolita / Cummings / kindles. I read Lolita many years ago and don't seem to remember much about it. Will consider a re-read - although as others have said, I'm not sure that's a wise idea now I have a pre-teen daughter!

Meanwhile, I've finally finished:
18. Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges. This was a Cote recommendation and I loved it - thanks Cote! It covers Turing's early years and time at public school, his role in cracking the Enigma code during the war, his post-war work and his interest in the very early computers, and his personal life (he was a practising homosexual at a time when this was illegal). It's the book that the film The Imitation Game with Benedict Cumberbatch is based on. The film is good too, but obviously the book goes into loads more detail. Well researched and fascinating. Recommended for those of you who like scientific / mathematical autobiographies.

It is quite a long and difficult book, so I need a sorbet book now!

50. The Undead Pool, Kim Harrison. This one's a bit woo - introduces an elf goddess and "mystics", which are sort of floating goddess thoughts. However, Rachel finally gets off with Trent (this is really not a spoiler given that she's been lusting after him for 3 books now), which I liked.

Now on the last in the series, The Witch With No Name, where Rachel finally tries to save Ivy's soul. I don't get what took her so long - she's been supposed to work on this for books and books and just never bothered. If Ivy is really that important to her you'd think she'd get her finger out. Also Rachel does much moaning about how Trent should be with his ex wife based on nothing.

"Shakespeare is okay only imho."
Missed the previous context to this - I thought you were about to explain why Shakespeare was so very over-rated as a playright, Remus . . .

tumble - I'm glad you liked it If you haven't read them already, I think you would really enjoy The Strangest Man and Measuring The World, although they are not as technical/mathematical.

Dark Eden by Chris Beckett is 99p in the Kindle store today.

I read this last year, and I thought it was an excellent amd gripping science fiction novel. About the descendants of a small group of stranded astronauts on an alien planet. Well worth a read if you like science fiction.

Cote I've already read and loved the Dirac book. Measuring The World is waiting on my kindle!

Guthrie, I read Asking For It by Louise O' Neill at the end of last year (never got around to listing my last few books of 2015 on here). I'm from approximately that part of that world, which is how come I read it - my mother bought it because the author's sister works locally and then gave it me. I thought it was interesting as a portrayal of rural Ireland grappling with the early 21st century. My parents read it as the Americanisation/pornification of Irish youth (and why can't we still be like the Fifties?), while I read it as the Valley of Squinting Windows being alive and well, everyone knowing your business and having to put the best possible face on things, and what will the neighbours think and why can't you just fall in line (and how come we're still stuck in the bloody Fifties?)

The Kindle talk made me remember that I recently read Sophie Hannah's The Narrow Bed which, as usual, is enjoyable till you get betrayed by the ludicrous ending. The Kindle bit is relevant but I won't say why in case anyone wants to venture there.

I'm reading The Novel Cure: an A-Z of literary remedies by Ella Berthoud and Susan Elderkin (free on Kindle Unlimited if anyone's interested, although I got it from the library). Entries are listed by ailment (broken heart, flatulence, missing your family etc) and the authors recommend books that will help you feel better. I like reading book reviews so am enjoying it in that spirit. I'm a bit suspicious of bibliotherapy, not because I disagree with it - if anything, I'm a passionate adherent - but because it feels like people trying to sell me a service that I can do better for myself. It's the kind of read you're meant to dip in and out of, but I'm reading stolidly through, because that's how I roll.

Also reading In the Land of Giants by Max Adams. I failed to get through his book The King in the North, about Dark Age political manoeuvring (non-fiction). This is an account of the walks he took to the various Dark Age remnants scattered around the UK. He's an archaeologist by training. This is the kind of thing I love and the kind of journey I'd like to make if I didn't have a reproachful 8-year old in tow. Really enjoying it.

Well, going through rather a time of it so reading easy stuff, varying quality and quite a lot of autobiographical work, often an inspiration. Shall be v brief:

33. Chessman Peter May (?) - it was okay, good description, somewhat implausible ending.

34. Outcast dead Elly Griffiths, rather disappointing though not read in order. Didn't rally enjoy this much but listening in long dark nights so provably missed a few bits. And yes. Another audiobook, not asecond rate experience imvho but each to their own!

35. Things I couldn't tell my mother Sue Johnston, loved this, especially as read brilliantly by Sue herself, really brought it alive and she's had a fascinating life- hanging out with the Beatles in their early days at the Cavern club, colourful depiction of her London life then of course the Brookside years, very much my era and was an avid fan!

36. Also enjoyed Orange is the new black Piper Kerman, much better than the increasingly sensationalist tv series. Recommend.

Thanks Grendels. Just saw your post. re: Lolita and HH being clever vs oblivious, I didn't mean he was not aware of what he was doing, just that he lacks empathy and the ability to really understand the impact of his actions on the girls he is so obsessed with. He's certainly crafty enough to know it's wrong and take steps to cover it up, he's extremely sophisticated and obviously highly intelligent. But he has a massive blindspot that enables him to do what he does and yet say he 'loves' her or whatever. And a complete delusion about who he is and what he has done. That's what makes the novel so clever, because he's so articulate you find yourself thinking he is interesting or whatever and then he'll make a little slip that reveals the gaping chasm of morality and you just gasp at what a monster he is.

Moving thanks for the rec for Orange is the New Black. I gave up on the series half way through season 3 for the reasons you mention but hadn't thought of exploring the book, will add it to my list, ta.

I'd second the recommendation for Orange is the New Black, far superior to the TV series.

Currently reading Names for the Sea, by Sarah Moss, about a year spent living in Iceland with her family, but not enjoying it as much as I'd hoped.

Started a sample of Case Histories by Kate Atkinson, I enjoy her style but the first two chapters were just so bleak it didn't really suit my state of mind at the moment so left it.

Eventually picked up A Visit from the Goon Squad which I started a couple of weeks ago but put down again as it didn't grab me, just because I needed something. I'm not enjoying it particularly but nearly half way through.

33. Summer Knight by Jim Butcher

Back to The Dresden Files, and Harry is in a bad way following the events of Grave Peril. And just when it seems that he has hit rock bottom things take a turn for the worse - the White Council is debating whether to hand him over to the Red Court of the vampires in an attempt to end the war, and along comes Mab, Winter Queen of Faerie, to make him an offer he really can't refuse. All he has to do is find out who murdered the Summer Queen's Knight, clear the Winter Queen's name, and stop a war between the Faerie powers of Summer and Winter. Oh, and there's also the small matter of a ghoul assassin who keeps trying to kill him.

23. Shadowboxer by Tricia Sullivan Way back on thread one this year, someone recommended Tricia Sullivan as a writer of feminist SF. I checked her out, and her adult books looked a little heavy going for me, but I decided to take a chance on this more YA oriented novel, especially as it was only 99p. Seventeen year old Jade is a streetwise promising MMA fighter. She also has anger management issues, and when she loses it with the wrong person, she is sent to Thailand to practice her sport and cool her jets. Elsewhere in Thailand, people exist who can travel into another world, a forest of immortal beings and lost children, and those that want to exploit this for their own ends. Jade returns to the USA but is already more connected to this strange and dangerous world than she realises. The writing was good, Jade' s voice sounded real. I could have stood it being longer, as there were some fantastic and well written supporting characters whose story I wanted to know more of.

I really enjoyed this. I usually find supernatural world books too twee and cloying, but found the juxtaposition with the tough MMA scene made this more palatable. I will be putting her adult books on my wish list based on this. I'm not a habitual reader of YA, so don't know how it compares to others in the genre. If anyone fancies it based on this review, it's still 99p on kindle. Though do remember, I was one of the people encouraging Remus to read the Cumming book, and we know how that went

13 Do Less, Get More, Shaa Wasmund

This was a MN giveaway and I have pasted my review from that thread here, but in a nutshell : a complete pile of tripe, avoid, avoid, avoid!!!

I have read the whole thing, properly, literally from cover to cover. I'll prefix my review by saying that this is clearly a very successful woman who has obviously done extremely well. Having an MBE in her professional field and clients including Sir James Dyson and Sir Bob Geldof are not to be sneezed at.

So, I actually feel hugely disappointed and wonder whether I have spectacularly missed the point of this book!

My first impressions on receiving the book were favourable - I loved the covers. Minimalistic, clean and to the point, in keeping with the theme. The testimonials on the back made some bold claims "A potential life changer", "devastatingly effective" and "my guide book on how to live a life filled with meaning".

Unfortunately I cannot agree with any of these sentiments.

As some previous reviews here have said, the tone of the book is irritatingly chatty. I felt as though I was being talked at at 100 miles per hour, not being engaged with, even the 'exercises' didn't help draw me in. The same points were made over and over and the relentless use of rhetorical questions was infuriating and felt patronising.

There is nothing new here. This is a very shallow drawing together of common sense notions, presented as though they are groundbreaking ideas. Using post-it notes. Drawing a 'mind map' / brainstorm. Delegate the things you do not love doing (hardly realistic advice when it comes to the daily grind of parenthood).

What was unforgivable in my opinion, was the complete lack of references. Throughout the book the author makes many references to scientific studies from various respectable academic institutions and seems to expect us to take her on her word. The inclusion of Abraham Maslow's 'Hierarchy of Needs' is casually dropped into page 76 without credit or explanation. A credible non fiction book would use a formal referencing system. The 'Inspiring words' resource list is not a substitute.

I did like the layout however; the many subtitles help to break up the sections and make it (thankfully) very easy to put down and pick up in short bursts. The vast majority of the illustrations were superfluous and seemed to be 'space fillers'. The inclusion of little stars and love hearts scattered throughout were ridiculous and reminded me of a teenager's secret diary.

I loathed this book and felt obligated to read it as part of the giveaway. Ordinarily I would not have read past the first five pages.

31 Lamentation by C J Sansom -The (allegedly) Chinese curse "May you live in interesting times" was never more apt for Matthew Shardlake. He seems, for a barrister in Lincoln's Inn, to wind up in the most appalling scrapes. I thought nearly drowning on the sinking Mary Rose in Heartstone was pretty bad, but there's more. For the last three novels he has been working for Henry VIII's sixth wife Catherine Parr. He appears to have developed a bit of a crush on her and will do almost anything she asks of him., leading frequently to life threatening dangerous situations.

This time the Queen has gone too far with her radical religious reform. She has written a book, Lamentations of a Sinner, which expresses her most strongly held beliefs and which, if it falls into the wrong hands, could lead to a charge of heresy and, possibly, execution. Needless to say the book goes missing and her faithful friend and lawyer Matthew Shardlake is called in to try and find it. Mayhem, murders, espionage and back stabbing political intrigue as the religious factions battle back and forth whilst the King is slowly dying. Shardlake is charged with finding the book in secret, under the cover of a supposed missing jewel. No one must know that the book even exists. At the same time there is the missing writings of the religious martyr Anne Askew which have been smuggled abroad for secret publication.

There was a good story in there. The plotting and historical references are, as ever, good. But it really didn't need to be over 700 pages long. It could have done with some tighter editing to bring it down to around 500 pages of tautly plotted thriller. It rambles around rather too much and too much navel gazing.

One final thought - I know it is the author's prerogative to do what he wants with his characters but really did he have to do that to Jack Barak? That wasn't nice. But at least we have got a new young handsome assistant called Nicholas to help the ageing and increasingly depressed Shardlake in his adventures.

Hopefully there will be more adventures to come, in the new era of the reign of Edward VI.

Quogwinkle, with a new NN :)

33. A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

This was ok. It's another non linear, overlapping snapshots of interconnected characters type job, set around the music industry, and I didn't really feel it was clever enough to stimulate me, or the characters interesting enough to move me to care too much about the story. Dull people living dull meaningless lives and disliking getting old. Some chapters were better than others. One was in the style of a PowerPoint presentation, and was probably the most emotionally engaging. There was the usual post apocalyptic/dystopian chapter, which promised to be more interesting than it turned out to be. That pretty much sums up the book, really. Easy enough to read and pass the time with while you wait for the goon squad to catch up with you, but no great shakes for me.

Mermaid -

Jack B :( :( :( :(

I know, poor Jack :( I felt so sorry for his wife Tamasin and could see why she was angry with Shardlake.

14. Lamentation - CJ Sansom - thanks Mermaid (great name change!) for the detailed review which I am more or less in agreement with. I felt the story moved quite quickly at the beginning then slowed a little too much, quite liked the actual storyline though.

With to regard to Barak just - I still can't really believe the author did it.

I am pleased to be up to date on the series and try and start the SJ Parris books later on in the year.

15. Audio version of The Night in Question - Laurie Graham - this is the story of Dot Allbones, musical theatre star set in 1888 and telling the story of living in London during the Jack the Ripper murders. The storyline involves Dot's friendship with one of the victims Catherine Eddowes. As always when trying to merge fact and fiction you have to take it with a bit of a pinch of salt but I very much enjoyed the book. It certainly gives a flavour of how it was to live in London at the time. She doesn't seem to have much of a following on this thread but I really like her books.

24. The Children Of The New Forest - Frederick Marryat

Having just got back from holiday in the New Forest, I thought I would read this children's classic which I've never got round to before. I did enjoy it in an easy-to-read kind of way although it's very of its time in its black and white view of morality and class, piousness and the fact that the girls just get to sit around sewing and cooking while the boys get on with the important stuff!