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've just watched To Walk Invisible. I don't have a television but having read about it above, I managed to find it on iPlayer. I thought it was wonderful. I'm now going to reread all my Bronte's. Is the Brian Hill book worth a read?

And now back to my text books...

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

This finished my re-read of the series. I imagine this doesn't need reviewing, so I'll just say that these have a special place in my heart. I remember vividly buying the books as they came out when I was a child. I think these are a big part of why I'm such a big reader. I've loved re-reading them all.

Do you mean the Bronte bio, MrsDO? It's a good summary of their lives - not sure it's the best re-telling. There are a lot out there and I've only dipped a toe in those waters.

Ladydepp I like Margaret Atwood but I think I understand where you are coming from with the comment about her writing being sterile. That is part of what impresses me. Her books are never comfort reads but they are precise in their language which is something I could never hope to achieve.

The Blind Assassin is definitely less "sterile" than the other books of hers that I have read. Maybe a little brittle though.

Ladydepp did you like Half of a Yellow Sun? I really loved it but not sure whether I would like Americanah.

Thanks Bibliomania - I'll have at look at some other Bronte books and see what looks good.

Nearly finished American Gods but think it will be my final Gaiman. He can create interesting characters and has some good ideas, but I think he's on the whole just a not terribly good writer, trying to churn out work without taking enough time to hone his craft.

I have American Gods on my TBR pile, a present from DS, who likes Gaiman as a writer and who also gave me Neverwhere recently.

I haven't read much of this sort of stuff before .. is it classed as fantasy? I quite enjoyed Neverwhere but have to agree with Remus about the quality of Gaiman's prose at times. His vocabulary choices were occasionally repetitive, or his phrasing of a sentence might be rather clunky .. the sort of thing that interrupts the flow of a novel and would never happen with a really good writer.

Also have American Gods TBR. At least I only paid 99p for it.

highland - yes, I'd class Neil Gaiman's stuff as fantasy.

I really enjoyed American Gods when I read it a few years ago. Also Neverwhere.

I have american gods. I've liked some of his other stuff, so worth a punt for 99p.

I'm trying to curb my kindle spending habits. Damn you Amazon one click!

At the risk of sounding like a broken record - all you disappointed Gaiman readers, try Stone Junction by Jim Dodge!

I think I have American Gods and Anansi Boys. Fair way down my TBR LIST THOUGH!

I love Margaret Atwood but have found some a little too upsetting to finish. I've turned into an absurdly sensitive soul post children.

1. Life, Death and Vanilla Slices by Jenny Eclair. I read it as someone recommended her up thread. I had no idea she could write - and her writing is good especially compared to most comedians who write books in my experience. It's about a middle aged woman and her difficult relationship with her Mum. The chapters alternative perspective. I liked it but thought some of the characterisation was a bit 2D, especially of her teenage sons who were cliche unlikeable little shits. I wasn't sure what that added to the overall story.

Now re-reading Equal Rites because I've been re-reading all the Pratchett witch books lately.

Might also try Essex Serpent as so many have recommended.

Also has anyone read Vile Bodies? I saw it in a Guardian list of funny books. Downloaded sample but it's all introduction.

I'm about a third of the way into American Gods and am finding it an enjoyable first read of a Neil Gaiman book.
I've also got the latest Karin Slaughter book, The Kept Woman on the go, I've got a bit of a soft spot for her books!

Apologies if anyone's mentioned this already but a TV adaptation of American Gods is broadcast later this year. Trailer .

Crikey Southeast looks like you'll be needing to start a new thread pretty soon.

Great thread! FYI The Handmaidens' Take has been made into a ten part series on Hulu, one to look out for. Also if you like dystopian feminist fiction, checkout The Power by Naomi Alderman, v thought provoking!

I've read Vile Bodies Blerg, about 20 years ago but I remember enjoying it!

The trailer looks quite good, but the only bit that jogged any memories was the bit on the plane. Was that Lovejoy?!?!

meg I'll look it up.

Well, I've made a start on the room, it's very readable so far and I'm enjoying it.

Yep that's him, as well as (excuse me for lowering the tone ) Calvin from Hollyoaks!

Vile Bodies is great. Very Waugh and very silly.

I did enjoy American Gods when I read it before, but this version is as bloated as a corpse that's been dredge up after a few months in a bog.

Anansi Boys is his best imho. I didn't like Neverwhere and really disliked Stardust and The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Coraline and The Graveyard Book were okay.

That trailer looks pretty good - very stagey.

1. The Sword in the Stone by T.H. White. I re-read this (for the first time in 25 years or so) after I read H is for Hawk. It's the story of the young Arthur and his tutelage under Merlin before he becomes king. I quite enjoyed it, and felt I got quite a bit out of re-reading it now, not only with my new-found knowledge of falconry but also just generally have a better idea to the theme of harking back to Merrie England.