50 Book Challenge 2017 Part One

[southeastdweller]

Welcome to the first thread of the 50 Book Challenge for this year.

The challenge is to read fifty books (or more!) in 2017, though reading fifty isn't mandatory. Any type of book can count, please try to let us all know your thoughts on what you've read.

Who's in for this year?

I didn't realise that When swill There be Good News had a similarity to a real event. I suppose when you read crime novels or police procedurals you have to accept that some inspiration must have come from fact to a degree. What is different is where the novel is not an overt crime thriller so the reader maybe isn't as prepared.

I strongly dislike emotional manipulation in books like what you find in Jodi Picoult books or the true life accounts of abuse. I understand the victim's need to write the book by what enjoyment people get out of reading them is beyond me.

Oh, on a completely different note another book I very much enjoyed last year (I don't imagine it will be new to anyone here though) was Elizabeth is Missing. The description of the main character's worsening dementia in her day to day life is brutal but doesn't shy away from the humour which can be found in the ridiculous. I loved the interweaving of her past and the sadness of her teenage loss. I enjoyed it enough to ignore the slightly neat and blue sky ending

I read half of Elizabeth Is Missing and gave up. It was during the period I was struggling to read, I should go back. I half want to ask you how it ended so I don't need to bother

I thought Room was dreadful. Clearly written with making it into a film in mind. I thought We need to talk about Kevin was brilliant - I didn't anticipate the ending. But, I've realised I try not to with most books and often only appreciate their crapness/greatness in hindsight.

2 books I re-read/read last year I'd recommend were Camus' The Outsiders and The Central Park West Trilogy (well, book 1 -The Nihilesthete) by Richard Kalich. Seriously creepy, felt slightly uncomfortable about how much I "enjoyed" it.

I do think it is worth it every but it also took me a very long time. I was straddling Life After Life, Elizabeth is Missing and We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves at the same time. Much as it pains me to say it, reading Girl on a Train got me back into the swing and gave me the impetus to finish them all.

Yes every the crime at the start of case histories that put me off was something that actually happened to a girl and I remember the news story vividly.

I don't like crime much, unless there's a historical aspect. Room Kevin and the like are the kinds of books I would never bother to pick up I must admit. They always seem dull.

I never realised about Case Histories til you said Satsuki I either don't know that case...or it didn't spring to mind but Good News absolutely had that uncomfortable effect on me.

I couldn't get the news story out of my head reading it so ditched it.

Still reading Primo Levi but lightened the mood by reading no.3 Gone without a trace by Mary Torjussen, who I think is a mumsnetter. Sniggered to myself at the pampas grass reference. Really enjoyed it. Started like lots of other psychological thrillers that I've read but developed into a nice twist that I did see coming but not until much later into the book than I normally work it out.

Finished book 1. The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters. Hard to write how I feel about it without giving anything away. Having read some of Waters' books before I immediately guessed the relationships that would develop between characters. Vivid portrayal of the mood of the 1920s and interesting to read the place in society for women at that time. Found myself gripped with how the story progressed. Going to get around to reading Affinity at some stage throughout this year.

Was intending to read The Girls by Emma Cline next as it was recommended in an online group I'm on. Possibly reconsidering now I see resembles the Manson cult.

Oh dear, I might have to join Diva in the corner. I thought both Room and Kevin were good reads - I had minimal expectations and so the endings of both were unexpected. But both completely absorbing throughout.

ChillieJeanie hope you feel better soon. But hurrah for having Terry Pratchett to keep you company in the meantime. I loved Mort, the humour was exactly in line with my sense of humour and I thought it was hilarious in parts. Although I made the mistake of recommending it to DM who just didn't get it at all! The vipers Goodreads choice for the month is Good Omens which I'm really looking forward to - it's next up on my Kindle!

And those of you in a book group - where did you find them? I get all the bad points but I'm looking for the social aspect - just don't know where to start!

The book club I'm in is in a bistro, friends noticed it when they were eating there, invited me to go, they cancelled on the day, I thought sod it and went alone, the rest is history. Been going three years. We have booze with our discussion.

There are drawbacks, there was someone who dominated the group and it put people off massively, some just didn't come back. They have now permanently left because of extenuating circumstances and the whole thing seems to have chilled which is good.

The book club I've started going to is at the main downtown branch of the city's public library. I found out about it when an author whose books* I love tweeted that she was going to be a guest at the next book club meeting. I went, liked the group and particularly the librarian who runs it, so I've been back several times. I like that the group attracts all different kinds of people with whom I'd not otherwise discuss reading and books.

I've also been to a couple meeting of the local chapter of The Girly Book Club; nice women but the books are generally not for me. It is a welcoming group, though.

The author was Katrina Onstad and the book under discussion was her second, Everybody Has Everything*.

Well my number 4 was going to be How to be both which I'm still reading.

However DP and I sometimes read to each other (boak I know) and he presented me with Chess by Stefan Zweig tonight in bed (it's crazy non stop passion round here I tell you) so we read that for a bit then he fell asleep so I finished it mysel. It's a short novella, from googling seems to also be called Chess Game or The Royal Game depending on edition. Despite having next to no interest in the game of chess it was actually quite gripping. Very short psychological drama looking at obsession and the need for focus/stimulation. So that's 4.

Back to How to be Both now. I'm also listening to Toast:The Story of a Boy's Hunger by Nigel Slater on audiobook. Got a free audible trial, forgot to cancel, didn't realise till I'd paid a good few months and amassed a fair few credits. So I'm trying to use them up, but I don't really love the audiobook format tbh, find myself dozing off if I try to listen, perhaps best kept for dog walking! I'm enjoying Toast but can't help thinking I'd prefer to be reading the actual book.

diamantegal - I just googled my home town and 'book groups' for latest one - found via an FB group. Went on my own. Previous was friends. Also, local libraries run them but day time only, usually, I think.

Ok, finished number 2. The Ice Princess by Camilla Lackberg. I saw every single plot twist coming, plus the relentless attempts at Scandinavian realism that just degenerated into savage bitterness got really too much. Though it had its moments.
Right. I have read two light books. Next on my list is Immortality by Milan Kundera. I am fascinated by Bettina von Arnim.
Oh, and I fully agree re Jodi Picoult - cynical manipulation of the reader.

Check your local library notice board diamantegal. Ours usually has different bookclubs posted there.

I was in a book group that was made up of a group of friends who all knew each other beforehand. The book reading was very much secondary to the social side!

I found Kevin absolutely compelling. I knew nothing about it before I started reading, which may have helped, and I just couldn't put it down. The twist was really obvious to me from early on though (and I never get twists!). I thought the film was a bit too focused on dramatic close-ups rather than getting on with the plot. I haven't seen the film of Room but I enjoyed the book. Not as good as The Sealed Letter by the same author.

Thanks diamantegal, I'm just about back to normal today.

Pratchett is one of my go to authors if I'm not feeling good or am just not sure what I want to read, although it has been a while since I last read Mort. I had forgotten it was one of my signed copies too, so that was nice.

Currently re-reading a Phil Rickman because I didn't have the energy to go hunting through the bookcases for something new yesterday.

Vidora I love Sarah Waters, although I marginally prefer Affinity to The Paying Guests . I thought the latter was a tale of two halves, and I preferred the quieter, more character driven first half over the more plot-based second half. Still great though.

1. Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift

Jane is a maid engaging in an affair with a rich young man living nearby. In the book she reflects on the events of a single day (Mothering Sunday, 1924), and the impact of it on her life as a successful writer.

I really liked this - especially the slow, light descriptions of the surroundings. Jane's character was well-developed for such a short book. I found it a bit like On Chesil Beach, only with more likeable characters and less cringeworthy sex.

About 20% through The Road. I'm enjoying it so far, it is bleak but the writing style is almost...soothing. First book I've read of his though.

Another Terry Pratchett fan here, loved Mort and Death is one of my all-time favourite characters. Like chillie he is one of my go-to authors.

Really enjoyed Good Omens with Neil Gaiman (sp?) too.

I liked Kevin and whizzed my way through it, however (and possibly due to the wanky 'book club questions' at the end) was left with the feeling that the whole point of it was to pose the question: Was it Eva's fault Kevin turned out like he did, or was Kevin inherently evil?

I have several problems with this, not least that the father and other agencies get off remarkably Scott free from the judgement, but it's just too simplistic an approach.

Might give Room a bash.

I've looked at book clubs but the ones by me all seem to be very bestseller orientated and focussed on a certain type of book (ie girly-thrillers such as Gone Girl and Girl On A Train). I'd be kicked out in the first week I think

I found Kevin compelling, and couldn't put it down, although I don't think I could say I liked it. It's not exactly a pleasant book to read.

I found it extremely disturbing and grim, and the ending took me completely by surprise (although looking back at the rest of the book, the clues were there). I don't think the film did the book justice.

It was a much more emotional powerful book than Room IMO.

I'm another Terry Pratchett fan - Wintersmith and The Hogfather are my favourite comfort reads. I find his work is so full of wisdom and endlessly quotable. Still can't quite believe that he is dead.

I've just started my first ever Phil Rickman - the first in the Merrily Watkins series. I like the idea of it being a crime novel but with a bit of occult stuff thrown in.

I haven't read Room although I saw the film and it was tough viewing, I don't think I could bear to read the book as it would feel unbearably claustrophobic inside my head if that makes any sense. Film was easier.

I have read Kevin and really liked it at the tie, and I though the film was decent although nowhere near as good as the book. Tilda Swinton cast at the mum I felt worked well in the film. The ending was difficult and I found the very end of the book profoundly moving and that has stayed with me for a long time (I read it before having kids).

First book of 2017 is finished and it was Girl Unknown by Karen Perry.

A good, fast read with a bit of a twist to it. Slightly unsatisfying in some ways but an easy read that keep me interested until the end.

Now moved on to What Remains Of Me by Alison Gaylin. Enjoying it so far!

Jus to be clear, I did enjoy reading both room and kevin. I enjoyed the writing and the general pots but I had issues with the underlying theme. And I 100% agree about the book group questions at the end of kevin making you feel a bit like it had all been a bit leading. It reminded me of being given the chance to play computer 'games' at primary school only to discover that it was actually MATHS!