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50 Book Challenge 2017 Part Two

992 replies

southeastdweller · 14/01/2017 11:26

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?

OP posts:
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6
HappyFlappy · 04/02/2017 18:31

Fortuna

Re: The Book thief - this is one of the few books that has a lovely film adaptation, too. Really enjoyed both.

HappyFlappy · 04/02/2017 18:32

Starlight

The strange and beautiful sorrows of ava lavender by Leslie Walton.

I am going get a copy of this somehow - for the title alone!

RemusLupinsChristmasMovie · 04/02/2017 18:35

Lord of the Flies and All Quiet both in the top ten novels ever, in my book.

HappyFlappy · 04/02/2017 18:36

It wasn't a jumping up and down kind of concert

I', disappointed in yu, Cote

It could have been a jumping up and down kind of concert if you'd only had the courage of your convictions.

BestIsWest · 04/02/2017 18:46

I agree Remus. Thanks for making me read both!

CoteDAzur · 04/02/2017 18:51

Happy - "I', disappointed in yu, Cote"

Are you pished? Grin

HappyFlappy · 04/02/2017 19:20

More often than not Cote Grin

Sadik · 04/02/2017 20:00

15 Blue Lily Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater (third in the Raven Cycle series)
YA fantasy, but a cut above a lot in the genre (unlike the same author's werewolf books) with convincing characters, plenty of plot and not too much romantic teenage angst-ing. I'd recommend the series to anyone who likes this sort of thing.

I'm half way through The Year of Living Danishly, having picked it up in the library, but not sure there's enough to it to be worth finishing.

onemouseplace · 04/02/2017 20:03
  1. The Sellout by Paul Beatty. Last year's Booker Prize winner, a satire about post-racial America where the main character, who is black, is on trial for keeping a slave and attempting to re-segregate an area of LA. It was enjoyable enough, very intelligent and clever, but I suspect an awful lot of it went over my head.
FortunaMajor · 04/02/2017 20:18

Bloody hell, I consider myself told on Lord of the Flies. I shall pencil it in for a slower re-read in 12 months. I am keeping my mouth firmly shut about Dickens. I'm trying to add in one book off the 'should have read' list every month.

Happy I haven't watched the film of The Book Thief yet. I have a rule that I can't watch a film until I have read the book and I've built up quite a backlog. I've recently been reading the book and then immediately watching the film, which then annoys me because it isn't 'right'. I'm leaving a grace period this time.

  1. His Bloody Project by Graeme Macrae Burnet. I loved this. I enjoyed trying to piece it together in advance. I was most taken with Jetta. I feel angry for her.

I'm in a funk for what to pick up next. I'm 5 chapters into The House at Midnight by Lucie Whitehouse, but not overly bothered with it.

CluelessMama · 04/02/2017 20:26

Finished 5. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. I found this interesting, liked the way that the perspective of a nine year old boy meant that aspects of the plot and setting were revealed gradually, but with our adult's point of view and knowledge of history there's an ominous feeling because we know more of what's going on than he does. Couldn't figure out how it would end though, didn't see it coming at all. Know there were lots of comments from others saying that they found it simplistic, and I do get that, but I think I took that as deliberate because the author wanted the book to be accessible to young readers and looking from a child's perspective. Only issue I really had with it was that I was listening to the audiobook and the narration really reminded me of another book I listened to before Christmas, which was distracting. I haven't had that problem before, will be choosing something very different for my next listen!
In book form, have popped Hurrah for Gin to one side to return to and treated myself to His Bloody Project after seeing so many positive mentions on here...looking forward to it :)

RMC123 · 04/02/2017 20:49

Just finished book 13. Have slowed down this week due to various domestic stuff and trying to write again.
Book 13. Everyone Brave is Forgiven - Chris Cleave. Really enjoyed this. Thought the dialogue was fantastic. Would love to be able to write dialogue like this

Passmethecrisps · 04/02/2017 21:09

Just checking in to keep you on my list.

I agree with you fortuna. Having just finished part one of His Bloody Project there were sections which made me sigh deeply with frustration and sadness. Slower going than some of my other reads recently but I am enjoying taking my time.

EverySongbirdSays · 04/02/2017 21:51
  1. The Road by Cormac McCarthy

On the blurb this says "terrible beauty" and I can only echo that, some stunning writing, very strange, anticlimactic unresolved end though

What was the boy, if indeed anymore than just a boy?

EverySongbirdSays · 04/02/2017 21:52

Sorry that was 6.

BestIsWest · 04/02/2017 22:08

It's good to disagree Fortuna Grin. FWIW, I've never finished a Dickens book.

CoteDAzur · 04/02/2017 22:09

I think I'll have to read The Road at some point Smile

BestIsWest · 04/02/2017 22:12

Me too. 2017 is turning out to be a year of post apocalyptic fiction for me. I hope it's not prophetic.

CoteDAzur · 04/02/2017 22:12

Meanwhile, we are coming to the end of the 2nd thread of the year Shock

@southeastdweller - Are you around? We will need you to set up the new thread soon.

CheerfulMuddler · 04/02/2017 22:16

The Road is ... Not cheerful.
Read All Quiet for the first time last year. Was surprised by how much I liked it and how modern it felt. Made me realise how rare it is to read a contemporary early-twentieth-century novel about working-class characters. I think that's why I felt like I was reading a historical novel IYSWIM. But yeah ... Wow. Powerful book.
I did Lord of the Flies for GCSE. #nostalgicface

Sadik · 04/02/2017 22:29

I've just realised why I've been being confused all this time by posts about The Road . . . have been thinking of The Crow Road by Iain Banks (and possibly getting that somewhat muddled in my mind with The Bridge - it's a long time ago I read them).
I've now read reviews of The Road, and your discussions make a lot more sense!

FortunaMajor · 04/02/2017 22:41

Clueless I agree that the simplicity of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is the point of it. It feels so innocent. I also didn't suss out the ending until just before and when it dawns on you it's horrifying. I have never been able to bring myself to watch the film.

I definitely won't be reading The Road. I still haven't got over being given Stephen King's The Stand to read when I was seriously ill with the flu as a teenager. I will never forgive my brother for that little gem of wisdom.

Original poster
southeastdweller · 04/02/2017 23:02

Hi all. Yes Cote I'm here Smile

OP posts:
RemusLupinsChristmasMovie · 04/02/2017 23:10

Dickens = shit. Read Wilkie Collins instead.

Waawo · 05/02/2017 06:57

"Dickens = shit."

That's the kind of high quality thoughtful reviewing you just don't get on other book sites ;)

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