50 Book Challenge 2016 Part Five

[southeastdweller]

Thread five 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.

The first thread of 2016 is here, second thread here, third thread here and fourth thread here.

How're you getting on so far?

I have a particular affection for Some Tame Gazelle.

84. The Tortoise and the Hare, by Elizabeth Jenkins

More mid-century women's fiction - a portrait of a marriage where the wife is coming to realize that her husband doesn't want what she has to offer any more. He has fallen for another woman, who is a far cry from the usual femme fatale. It's familiar Virago territory, always a land I'm happy to visit. Although it's of its time, there's something there that still applies to modern relationships: what happens when you are still being who you are supposed to be, and suddenly that is no longer enough?

I find mid-century novels more astringent than modern novels about parent-child relationships (okay, with the exception of We Need to Talk About Kevin), which is refreshing.

Book 90
The Other Side of Silence by Philip Kerr
The latest in Kerr’s Bernie Gunther series, but not one of the best unfortunately. The usual formula – Gunther is unhappy, and having woman troubles, and ends up getting into something that he’d rather not be getting into, whilst falling into another relationship which is clearly not going to make him any happier in the long term. He’s a great character, and this one included Somerset Maugham and various references to the Cambridge spy circle, but overall it didn’t really excite me. The beautiful but potentially dangerous woman thing is just too overdone now, and some of the dialogue felt as if it had been just copied and pasted from history text books. Okay but by no means great.

I haven't updated my list since the beginning of July - life has very much been in the way recently, although for good reasons, so I shouldn't complain.

34. Allegiant, Veronica Roth. Third in the Divergent series. This was ok. I didn't enjoy it as much as the first or second. I found it a bit highly strung.

35. The Humans, Matt Haig. Professor Andrew Martin has solved a mathematical problem - the secret of prime numbers - guaranteeing a technological leap forward for humankind. The Vonnadorians, an alien race, aren't willing to trust humans with that knowledge, so send one of their own to kill the professor and erase every trace of his discovery. I quite enjoyed this. It was lightly funny, and spent some time looking at the slightly ridiculous things humans do.

36. Us, David Nicholls. A book of thirds for me. The first third sets up the story of an unhappy family. One night Connie wakes her husband up to tell him she thinks their marriage is at an end. They've already planned a trip around Europe with their son before he leaves for college, so husband Douglas decides to do all he can on the holiday to win her back. Not too bad so far, although this isn't the sort of thing I usually read. The middle third follows the first half of their journey, and felt endlessly waffley. I nearly gave up on it. The final third picked up somewhat, with a realistic sort of ending, but that middle section went on for so long that I was just desperate for it to finish. Not recommended, but I may not be the best judge as I don't naturally gravitate towards this genre.

37. Lords of the Bow, Conn Iggulden. Book two in the Genghis series recommended by Remus. I loved this just as much as the first, although there was less focus on the relationships between Genghis and his family, and more on his increasingly impressive conquerations (I'm aware this isn't a word, but in Genghis's case, I think it should be ) as he collects the Mongol tribes together and turns his eyes towards the Chin cities.

Best - The book is far more about the mathematics around Enigma and even Alan Turing's contribution to the field of mathematics. Don't plan to read anything for the next four weeks or so

Crikey, Cote, just as well I'm off on my hols next week. I feel quite sorry for him so far, parents in India, being palmed off on a series of 'foster' parents and boarding school. No home life as such.

Liking 'conquerations' a lot, Monty.

Haven't updated for ages. Have been on holiday and have had several bouts of being unwell but have just about managed to keep reading.

62. The Lemon Grove by Helen Walsh. Awful tripe. Deeply unpleasant characters get exactly what they deserve. Do not recommend.

63. Never Mind by Edward St Aubyn. The first in the Patrick Melrose series. Loved it. Well written, clever, sharp one liners surrounding a shocking tale of abusive family relationships set in the south of France. Brilliant stuff.

64 In Plain Sight: The Life and Lies of Jimmy Savile by Dan Davies. I think reviews on here before. I thought it fascinating insight into JS's life through interviews with him and with those who knew him, following his death and the uncovering of the truth about his life. Shocking in many parts, as you would expect but a gripping read.

65. and 66. Bad News and Some Hope by Edward St Aubyn. Books two and three in the Patrick Melrose series. Still brilliant.

66. Common Ground by Rob Cowen. Nature writing at its finest. An in depth look at an area of wild overgrown land behind a housing estate in Bilton, nr Harrogate. Doesn't sound that interesting on that premise, but it was superb. If you like Robert Macfarlane and John Lewis Stempel then this will appeal.

It seemed appropriate.

Sadik I didn't read any Dick in my 20s, probably because I'd heard lots of people describe his writing as weird, or make unfavourable comparisons with Blade Runner, and I didn't want to ruin it either.

48. Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir Fictional account of the life of Lady Jane Grey, told in a straightforward chronological manner, and seen through the eyes of mostly female characters, including Lady Jane herself. Some would say that in her first novel, Alison Weir, as a historian, has played it fairly safe, by sticking almost entirely to the known facts, and fleshing them out with entirely plausible imagined details, conversations, feelings and motivations - no flights of fancy here. I thought this simple, solid approach made Jane's story all the more moving, and really enjoyed this. I was reading this as the HHhH debate was unfolding on the thread - I think these two books are possibly at completely opposite ends of the scale in narrative style for historical fiction. I definitely prefer this more traditional style - no splinterry arse for me on this one.

"Some Tame Gazelle" >licks pencil< note duly made. Will be back to throw the gauntlet down later

47. No One Gets Out Alive by Adam Nevill

Down on her luck Stephanie takes a cheap room as a lodger in what turns out to be a brothel haunted by the tormented ghosts of women murdered there. Grim and horrible and not recommended.

Meg - No, I don't think 11.22.63 is connected with Dark Tower (although I've not read those, so could be wrong). Have just seen it's on Sky Box Sets as well - not sure whether it would work as a TV series, but may watch at some point!

47. In The Unlikely Event by Judy Blume - Picked this up on a whim as an easy holiday read. I didn't realise before seeing this that she writes for adults. It's set in 1950s New Jersey and mainly focuses on 15 year old Miri Ammerman, although the story switches between characters in her town. It's set against the backdrop of a series of tragedies which happen that winter (real-life events) but tells the story of the individual characters as well. It was quite enjoyable as an easy read but more depressing in some ways than I thought it'd be.

48. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J K Rowling - No review needed! Re-read in preparation for seeing Cursed Child next year. Aiming to read one a month.

No real links to Dark Tower in the Kennedy novel, nope. Definitely worth a read or two - I liked it better on the re-read.

Best I also read the Alan Turing biography on Cote's recommendation. It's excellent but a definite brain hurter!

Thanks tumble I will have to alternate it with something non taxing perhaps. Some chick lit perhaps.

Is it ok to just join in the challenge? I've just got back into reading so I'm only on my 9th novel of this year,the shame!

Book 9.The Ballymara road by Nadine dorries. This is the last in her four streets trilogy. I loved the first two but found this last one lacking. It felt as if she was in a rush to finish it off and concentrated on minor characters rather than the main ones that you get to know in the first two.
But if you want to know about Irish families in Liverpool in the early 60's and the struggles they face this is a great series, I loved their sense of community.

Bit late to the party as I missed this somehow.

I've probably already read 50 plus this year but haven't been counting. I read a bit of everything from classics to YA fiction and fluff with pretty much everything else squeezed in between.

I only have a record of some of the books read on my kindle which are the books which I updated to Goodreads want to remember to do this more often in the future..

1. The Last act of Love - Cathy Rentzenbrink - Latest Richard and Judy offering. Was o.k. Can't say I enjoyed it as that would be the wrong word in the circumstances. Not usually into tragic true life stories but was readable.
2. The Truth about Melody Browne - Lisa Jewell - Enjoyable fluff
3. The things we wish were true - Marybeth Mayhew Wilson - Kindle first this month only tried it as nothing jumped out at me. Actually surprisingly enjoyed it.
4. The Ice Twins - SK Treymayne - meh not my thing. Ended a bit quick like there were chapters missing.
5. Life after You - Lucie Brownlee - Another Richard and Judy offering. Ok.
6. The Versions of Us - Laura Barnett - Confused the life out of me.
7. The Angels of Lovely Lane - Nadine Dorries - Easy read, enjoyable and not to much thinking.
8. Our Endless numbered days - Clare Fuller - Predictable but enjoyable nonetheless.
9. The House we Grew up In - Lisa Jewell - Loved this book. It made me cry and I'm generally not a crier at books.

10. The Girl on the Train - Paula Hawkins - Only read to see what the fuss was about as the rest of the world of readers appeared to have read it. Was o.k. but don't really see what the fuss was about. Was quite obvious imo what happened from early on. 11. The Bones of You - Debbie Howells Loved this book. Read it in a day. 12. Moving - Jenny Eclair - First Jenny Eclair and won't be the last. Couldn't put it down. 13. In a dark dark wood - Ruth Ware - Another book club offering. Again really enjoyed it, the plot whilst obvious was still readable.

I've several more on my list but promised to walk DS and the mad dog.

Welcome Debs and Crooked

82 Binary by Stephanie Saulter

Sequel to Gemsigns, reviewed upthread, set in a future London where genetic modification of humans is commonplace, and the 'gems' have just won their freedom from the companies that created them.

Better written than the first book (which I definitely enjoyed, but was a bit clunky in places) - the plot rattles along a good pace, and the characters are well developed & interesting. It's easy-read sci-fi, but lots of nice touches, I'd recommend it.

Thank you Cote and Remus for, against all odds, finding and recommending a book you both liked. I added This Thing Of Darkness to my tbr list a while ago when you both mentioned it. I've just started it and it's bloomin' marvellous!

Welcome new joiners! It's never too late.

85. Shakespeare in Swahililand, Edward Wilson-Lee
How Shakespeare has been adopted and adapted in East Africa (Kenya, where the author grew up, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan). Explorers and missionaries carried the plays as proof of civilisation and a defence against the Dark Continent; Indian indentured labourers put on the plays for leisure; future African politicians translated it and used the language to argue their case for independence. This is not going to be for everybody, but it happens to hit a confluence of my interests, so I enjoyed it.

67. Fool Moon by Jim Butcher

Second book in the Dresden Files series about a wizard P.I. I didn't really get into it. It was about a case involving werewolves, and it just didn't interest me.

68. Runners by Ann Kelley

YA near future dystopia set in Cornwall. It's about a teenage boy and his five year old sister looking for safety in a world where drastic measures have been taken to limit population growth. Quite a good read, though I'm not sure about the underlining logic of it all.

69. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

Probably the best book I've read so far this year. It's the story of the great wizard Kvothe's childhood and youth, with occasional "present day" interludes. Really well written and captivating. The only problem is that it is the first in a trilogy, and the story is clearly unfinished at the end of the book.

70. The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende

Irina starts work in a retirement home and becomes close to resident Alma, whose life story is recounted throughout the book. I really liked the episodes in the past, but Irina's story seemed a bit tagged on. Liked the ending though.

71. Daylighters by Rachel Caine

Last book in the Morganville Vampire series. I wouldn't recommend it.

72. After Me Comes the Flood by Sarah Perry

Loved the writing and the set up, but wish it had actually gone somewhere with it.

73. The Various Haunts of Men by Susan Hill

The first in the Simon Serrailler crime series. It draws you in, barely seeming like a crime novel at first, with strands of different people's lives that gradually come together.

74. The Rose Petal Beach by Dorothy Koomson

A woman's life begins to unravel when her husband is arrested. It's a sort of chick-litty thriller that piles on twist after twist. Not a great work of literature, but perfect if that's the kind of thing you want.

75. A World Without Princes by Soman Chainani

The sequel to The School for Good and Evil. Agatha and Sophie now have to deal with the consequences of the story they created for themselves. Quite good, I preferred it to TSfG&E.

76. Flip by Martyn Bedford.

14 year old Alex wakes to find himself in the body of a boy called Philip (or Flip for short). It's a well written and quite thought provoking YA novel that follows Alex as he tries to find out what has happened and find a way to live as Flip.

77. The Ice Princess by Camilla Lackberg

When the body of her childhood friend is found, writer Erica finds herself drawn into the investigation. Decent crime novel, though at times Erica's life resembles a chick lit novel, she even references Bridget Jones at one point, but the plot keeps you moving forward.

78 Blood Harvest by Sharon Bolton

Thriller about a family who have just moved into a village with some strange customs and who seem to be haunted by a little girl. Creepy and gripping.

Welcome, newbies!

Monty - you're in for a treat. Buy tissues.

Book 91
Nazi Women by Cate Haste
In theory, this should have been great. It’s an examination of the role women played in Hitler’s life, and in the Nazi party, as well as how women were affected by the Nazis. Unfortunately, it verged on sensationalism in places, and on failure to stick to the topic in others. Some of it was potentially fascinating – how ‘society’ women embraced Hitler in his rise to power, and how young girls were caught up in the excitement of girls’ groups (the female equivalent of Hitler Youth) but it suffered from poor writing and, at times, rather lazy research too, I thought.

Sorry, just placemarking! Shall update asap!