50 Book Challenge 2017 Part Two

[southeastdweller]

Welcome to the second 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, it's not too late to join, and please try to let us all know your thoughts on what you've read.

The previous thread is here.

How're you getting on so far?

thank you Southeastdweller
I've just started Alias Grace for my fourth book of the year. Was interested to read all the Atwood love/hate/indifference on the last thread. This is my first of hers, and I actually really like it so far.

Thanks SouthEast - wow, that was quick for the first thread!

I'm listening to The Dark Net on audio, really enjoying it but trying to stretch it out as I've got decorating to do.

Reading Forty Autumns by Nina Willner, very interesting subject matter (one East German family divided by the Iron Curtain) but goodness her writing is clunky.

Thanks, checking in. I thought it seemed particularly busy this year, I wonder how many threads we'll get through.

Just updated on last thread so marking my place here while I decide what to read next. Think I might go for a non-fiction read next...

Checking in, currently got NW on the go.

2nd thread on 14 Jan

Just looked and last year's thread 2 was started on 14th Jan, too

I'm reading The Virgin Suicides now & have The Dark Net on my Kindle, but i think I'll have to start with the Handel book soon.

Satsuki Yes, we always have loads of people at the beginning of the year. Sadly, not so much towards the end. I hope this year will be different.

I've had the Virgin Suicides on my kindle for ages and never choose it, so your review might be the spur I need. I thought Middlesex was great but found the Marriage Plot just so so.

I also remember some sort of argument at the beginning of last year when several newbies took it as a personal affront when we said we would like to see a short review of the books everyone reads I think that debacle may have pushed up the no of posts, too.

Yay new thread :)

Finished number 4 The little book of Hygge: the Danish way to live well Meik Wiking. Read this in a couple of days and found it really interesting to have a bit more of a tangible idea of what makes something Hygge and how to achieve it even if some aren't really possible in my life and not easy to achieve for many people. If you enjoyed the others this is a simple read with research findings and some lovely photos too.

Now starting book 5 E is for Evidence Sue Grafton. 6 chapters in and enjoying so far.

Cote hoping to stick around more this year, last year was a challenging one to say the least.

I hope you stay this year, too, eitak

I loved Middlesex, too.

Thank you, southeast.

Just checking in so I don't lose my place.

I'm still reading Touch by Claire North.
I'm finding it a bit waffley with a lot of introspective thoughts and memories.

Hopefully something will happen soon!

Checking in on the new thread - thanks southeast

Thanks for the new thread southeast

1. Ready Player One, Ernest Cline. Oh good lordy I loved this. Every word. I loved it in a "Now that I'm done I've got to go back to the beginning and read it again, immediately" sort of way. You know how some people feel when they shake hands with a famous person they love? Where they never want to wash that hand again? Well I kind of feel like that, but a book version. If I don't read anything else, ever again, then my last book will have been the most "me" book I've ever come across. I'm not going to do that of course (the very thought )...but it has occurred. If you like 80s music, tv, or films, or you're a gamer, read this.

1. A morbid taste for bones by Ellis Peters. The first Cadfael book. Read several a few years ago and enjoyed them. This is the first time I've read this one and it's as good as I remembered the others to be. A nice easy murder-mystery read that tells the story of how St Winifred ended up at Shrewsbury Abbey (sort of anyway ). The only problem is reading the description of Cadfael because in my head he now looks like Derek Jacobi!

New thread already, good going everyone!

1. Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King

This is 4 separate stories. For me, they got better as they went on. I didn't really like the first story but did like the last one and the middle two were good too. I haven't yet read enough King to know how this compares to the rest of his work but I would say it's worth a read!

Missed that there was a new thread. here's my American Goods review on the new thread, as well as the old (I was annoyed by it so much I want to say it twice).

Book 5
Ugh. I enjoyed this on first reading but hadn’t realised that Gaiman now insists on publishing it in its’ truly intended’ original, bloated, pre-edited version. Clearly the man is an idiot because this has changed a half-decent read into something so ridiculously over-long and padded that it loses track of itself. This felt like hard work. A shame, as there’s a decent central character and some good ideas hidden inside. Not quite as annoying as The Fifth Heart but almost.

Looks like my 2017 reading is getting progressively worse. Started with two 5 star books, then a 3 and a 4 with reservations, and now a 2.

Monty Great review!

I love The Virgin Suicides so much that I've read it four or five times. Wasn't so fond of Middlesex.

Signing in.

Got two books on the go and at 50% on both -

How to be a Tudor - Ruth Goodman and
Misery - Stephen King

No prizes for guessing which I'll finish first.

Monty - I'm glad you loved Ready Player One I saw it recommended on Reddit and brought it over to MN 50-Book threads, where quite a few of us read it since 2013. I think there has been an unprecedented near-100% approval for it. It is one of the very few fiction books both Remus & I have loved, so it really is special

Now, whatever you do DO NOT read his next book Armada.