50 Book Challenge 2016 Part Six

[southeastdweller]

Thread six 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, fourth thread here and fifth thread here.

Bibliomania it took me about 2 weeks which was quite a long time for such a short book! I actually gave up looking at the maps to try to understand where they were, just went by the descriptions. I don't think it mattered too much to not quite get all the details, to be honest. It is enough to understand that they are using narrow channels through the sands round the islands. One of the maps in my edition had quite small type face so I couldn't read it properly anyway. Not my favourite book of the year but I'm glad I read it.

It's funny that My Antonia came up on this thread already. I re-read it a couple of months ago having read it first at university years ago. Then it coincidentally pops up on here. Willa Cather is a good writer. Unfortunately she stopped writing because she was accused of not being 'realistic' enough about contemporary problems during the Great Depression.

Yes, and yet it is the nostalgic tone of her writing that makes it feel timeless, and universal, despite being about a specific time.

Oh, Cather. Such a beautiful writer.

41. American Housewife by Helen Ellis. A collection of short stories, often satirical, ranging from warring neighbours in an NYC co-op to a "rescue" service for child beauty pageant contestants. Ellis is sharp and sharply amusing. The collection is a quick, but not insubstantial, read.

93 The Examined Life by Stephen Grosz

Reviewed upthread - stories from the author's experience over many years as a psychoanalyst. I realised quite quickly after starting this that I'd read it before a couple of years ago when it first came out. It well withstands revisiting though, short and easy to read (would recommend it to any of you looking to up your book count!), but still very thought provoking. I'm glad I've now bought a copy, and will definitely put it on my shelves to re-read again in the future.

Sadik - it is good isn't it? I've read it twice and will definitely read it again.

Looking forward to My Antonia now. Have started Riders of the Purple Sage and am enjoying it so far.

Just bought Joan Aiken's Mansfield Park spin off, which I'm also enjoying. Bought her Midnight is a Place too, which I remember loving as a child but can remember v little about.

I need fiction recommendations...

I like the sound of Slade House and My Antonia.

I have quite a large reading pile already - just got Mr Mercedes, Finders Keepers and The Forgetting Time in a 3 for 2 offer. At this rate, I've already got the first couple of months of 2016 sorted.

Meg What sort of thing do you fancy?

What's your jam Meg ?

Books like... what have you previously enjoyed?

I like : Raymond Chandler. Thomas Pynchon. Philip Pullman, David Mitchell, Susannah Clarke. Hilary Mantel. Some Stephen King - Dark Tower, Talisman. Loved HhhH. Want something engrossing but not too long.

Have you read any of the Bernie Gunther books by Philip Kerr? You might like The Black Eyed Blonde by Benjamin Black - this is a pen name of John Banville and his 'recreation'of Chandler. Iirc it started off a little slowly but was then pretty good.

Have you read A Place Of Greater Safety by Mantel? It's not short but goes by fast

French Rev

Yes I have - and love it (I know we Mantel fans are in the minority on here)

Will get a sample of the Gunther

meg David Foster Wallace short stories? Any Murakami?

I've got The Circle by Dave Eggers on my to read, you might like if you haven't read, don't think it's over long.

Dan Simmons Hyperion, v readable space opera type quest thing (eloquent description)

Satsuki - you're promoting The Circle so much they ought to pay you!

It's vg Orwellian, you can see it as a film.

I really enjoyed The Versions Of Us and Ghana Must Go last year.

Oh d'you know what I really liked ? Notes From An Exhibition Patrick Gale

I'm just psyching myself up for it, I'll probably hate it

93 The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

Children's novel set (what a surprise) in a school for magic. Nothing special, but I've had a long day & wanted something mindless, & it fitted the bill. I can imagine it would appeal to older preteens/younger teens who like fantasy novels.

Meg, my suggestion for gripping and not too long is Black Water by Louise Doughty.

I second Hyperion if you haven't yet read it, Meg.

102. The Life Project, Rachel Pearson

Science writing for people who are afraid of science, this traces the history of the birth cohort studies in the UK from the end of the 1940s to date. I think she underestimates her audience - she steers well clear of any scary statistical analysis or details of medical research, so what's left is a lament about the difficulties of getting funding, the logistical challenges, and the risks of getting into bed with politicians, along with a few human interest stories.

It's very readable, but I felt like I had ordered a three-course meal and been given a cream tea - enjoyable in its own right, but I'm left with a lingering feeling that I could have done with a bit more fibre.

16. The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S Lewis, a bedtime read to DS and a re-read for me as I loved these books when small and have re-read them many times. He really enjoyed it which was lovely.

I've been quite slow about reading at the moment but am nearing the end of Affinity by Sarah Waters, I worked out what was going to happen about half way through so it's been a bit of a slog. But maybe I am wrong We shall see!

48. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari. This book looks at the development of humans over the last 70,000 years - socially, cognitively, scientifically etc. It manages to deal with such a long period by examining global trends, and why these trends arose, rather than the details of each period or area. For example, there is a section about colonisation, and one about scientific progress in the second half of the 20th century, but rather than talking about any one empire or discovery in any detail, the author looks at the general direction of movement and the influences and drivers behind that movement. It's very readable, and he's not afraid to throw in his personal (sometimes controversial) opinions too.

It's fascinating stuff. This is the best non fiction book I've read this year - highly recommended.

42. Wolf Winter - Cecilia Ekback

A family move from Finland to Sweden and discover a dead body near their homestead. The novel then follows the theme of secrets and the supernatural as they try to find out who killed the man.

I really enjoyed this - the description of the setting was brilliant and the characters were convincing and it was easy to empathise once their secrets began to be revealed. It was similar in the way it dealt with relationships in small communities and the role of the orthodox religion in a superstitious community to The Good People. I enjoy this as a theme though as the portrayal of the homesteaders was compelling. The historical detail was good although I was a little surprised at the ending. It was the only thing which felt slightly flat to me. I would recommend this book as a great winter read.

43. The Forgetting Time- Sharon Guskin

This should have been right up my street - a mystery, possible reincarnation- but it did not live up to the hype and glowing reviews for me. It started with the initial character introduced who seemed a bit of a cliche and became quite predictable. I was waiting for the 'explosive debut' and 'truly remarkable' to kick in and it didn't quite get there for me. It was good and worth reading - the theme of tragedy and mother love was moving- but I think I had been spoilt by the two previous novels. Had I read this one before the other two, I probably would have praised it more highly...Enjoyable to read but not remarkable.

150 If Walls Could Talk by Lucy Worsley

I really enjoyed this. It's the history of how our homes and the way we use them developed. It's not a heavyweight academic book by any means. It's easy to read,chatty, and covers lots of interesting topics broadly arranged into bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchen.