50 Book Challenge 2017 Part Four

[southeastdweller]

Welcome to the fourth 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 first thread of the year is here, the second one here, and the third thread here.

What are you reading?

"the life and times of Tinker Bell "

Well yes, that's sort of what historical fiction based on true events would mean, right?

10. The Shadows In The Street by Susan Hill Another Simon Serailler. This time we discover that lovely middle class Lafferton does have its social problems, namely drugs and prostitution. This change from the usual fluffy milieu made it feel more realistic than some of the others.

Is the Simon serailler series what was turned into Wire in the Blood? I have a vague sense that I have read at least one but the mental image of Robson Green put me right off.

I don't think so, I think they post-date Wire In the Blood. Totally understand the Robson Green caution though.

Wire in the Blood was based on some Val McDermid novels IIRC.

@ cote and at "Robson Green caution". I love it.

I have been horrendous about keeping up with thread no.4 but I promise to be better on the next one. Thanks for the mention of The Last of Us, LadyMcNet - it sounds right up my street and can't wait to read it!

murine you've reminded me to look out for Burial rites

Ah! That's right. Should have been a good series but kept seeing Robson flopping Green a la Soldier Soldier.

The middle class crime can stay in not to read list

23. Motherland by William Nicholson. Rather enjoyable (but very easy) read about three young friends (Ed, Larry and Kitty) involved in Operation Jubilee - the disastrous 1942 Dieppe assault which ended up a bloodbath. A love story really but also about God and duty. The story moves on to life in post-war England including a stint in India prior to and immediately after Independence then France and Jamaica. It's a deceptively simple read (Nicholson is an award-winning screenwriter - Shadowlands, Les Mis so it would probably make a good film!!) and I suspect some would find it too clichéd. I like at the odd bit of cliché now and again though!

I fell off thread 3 as the desire to read abandoned me as I became bogged down in The Luminaries and The Dark Forest. But I have just spent 2 hours catching up!

9. Amy, Chelsea, Stacie, Dee- terrible YA along the lines of Room. I was hoping for a Caroline Cooney-esque experience (like The Face on the Milk Carton), but this wasn't it- broke my readers block though!

10. The Dark Forest by Cixin Liu. I really slogged at this- I love the plot but the characterisation really creaked for me, and I suspect some of that was the translation. Must try and get the third before I lose momentum.

11. the Woman in Black by Susan Hill. I didn't love this but was interested to read it. Are the Serrailler novels mentioned upthread better?

Also, does anyone know if it is possible to get cheap or free (library?) copies of the adult Noel Streatfields? I loved her as a child but am skint and they are ££ on the kindle :(

Simon Serrailleur novels are completely different Tanaqui. I don't know if they're better but I do like them.

Glad you liked Night Waking Murine

13 The Queen of Distraction: How Women with ADHD Can Conquer Chaos, Find Focus, and Get More Done by Terry Matlen A much recommended self help books. I found it variable in quality/usefulness. About the first half of the book is genuinely packed with helpful ideas that are fairly unique. The last half was mostly discussion of obvious issues that I have seen written about better elsewhere.

At 196 pages I would recommend this as a book for any woman newly diagnosed with ADHD or who hasn't read up much previously thought.

Satsuki - re Madonna in a Fur Coat:

This has been quite talked about in the past couple of years and I have wondered if I should read it. Do you think I would like it? I like introspective stuff about people's inner worlds but can't stand books that bang on about ^feeeeeeeliiinnnnnnnngs" (oohhh wow wow, feeeeeeliiiingsss ).

"I didn't enjoy the writing style that much, this could be due to the translation"

Interestingly, it may have been translated into Turkish from Turkish. The language underwent a literal revolution starting in 1932, as Arabic, Farsi, and Persian influence was systematically rooted out and new words with Turkish roots were invented to take their place. (Yes, really ) It is very likely that the original language of the book (written in 1943) could very well be incomprehensible.

20. Maul by Tricia Sullivan Bonkers sci-fi. I'm not sure I can precis the plot in a breezy sentence. Um, teen girl gangs bring chaos to a shopping mall with a crazy shoot out, but, hang on, do they actually exist, or are they bugs, or components in a game being played by a captive blue-skinned male who is a lab exhibit in a fun park, set in a future dominated by females, as most males have been wiped out by a Y-plague? A fun and imaginative romp through gender politics and more.

21. The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida with a foreword by David Mitchell. Translated from Japanese, a 13 year old boy writes about his experience of autism in a question and answer format. A quick read, and although there's nothing that's a big revelation here, it is charmingly done, and serves as a good reminder to the non-autistic person to treat the autistic person with patience, as it's so easy to forget what an effort they are going through to interact and process certain things.

Thanks Best- I shall add to my list (I think they have some at the library!).

Tanaqui I had a look online at my local library catalogue, and they list a couple of adult non fiction Noel Streatfeild books, most of these seem to be held in the county reserve.

So I guess it depends on the library. Also, as I recall, the cost for requesting a book from another county was exorbitantly expensive the last time I looked - something like £15.

LOL @ "Bonkers sci-fi" as a sub-genre

Interestingly, it may have been translated into Turkish from Turkish

cote You have blown my tiny mind

Would you like it. Hmm. I found it rather sentimental and overwrought, so, you may well shock me and like it, but...

It has some thoughtful things to say about human nature and life etc, a little about masculinity and femininity that was probably avant garde when it was written, but it wasn't resonant in the way I was expecting from the reviews, and felt slight. I read a BBC article (after I'd read it) that said it was very popular with young adults and I could see that it might have an angsty appeal.

Having said that, it is 1.99 and 168 pages - not a huge sacrifice to satisfy your curiosity and I'd like to read your review

I picked it up after remus mentioned it upthread and I was intrigued, but don't think she's reviewed it yet.

I'll have to find a way to get a Turkish copy, Satsuki. It won't be right away, but I think I'll give it a go

11. Mitzi Bytes, by Kerry Clare: The title describes my opinion of the book. It really and truly bites. Mitzi Bytes is a pseudonym for Sarah Lundy, a seemingly mild-mannered mother and wife who has a secret life as an acid-tongued blogger and merrily exploits her family and friends for copy. At the beginning of the book, she receives an email from someone threatening to out her. Is she outed? Yes. Does she ultimately have any reflection or growth? No. Is the character developed beyond a single note? No. Will I ever read anything else Kerry Clare writes? NO.

12. By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept, by Elizabeth Smart: prose poem novella that explores Smart's relationship with the poet George Barker. Moving, particularly in light of her biography and the scandal that its publication caused (Smart's father was a very influential, connected lawyer in Canada's capital, and her mother was able to have the book banned in Canada. She then bought up as many remaining copies as she could and had them burned.) Classic.

13. How to Be a Heroine, by Samantha Ellis: memoir that explores how literature and literary women have shaped the author throughout her life. Thoroughly enjoyable exploration of heroines, writers, and how books help us become who we are. I think that you mentioned this book last year, Sadik? If so, thank you!

14. Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries, by Kory Stamper: Stamper is a lexicographer who works at Merriam-Webster, and her first book is part memoir and part explanation of how and why dictionaries have the form and function that they do. A very interesting, enjoyable read for word and/or reference publication nerds.

15. Fifteen Dogs, by Andre Alexis: At one of the oldest bars in downtown Toronto, Hermes and Apollo make a wager: they'll grant human intelligence to 15 dogs and see, without interference--if any of them are happy at the moment of their death. The book tells the story, often with emphasis on the sensory, of the 15 dogs and how they choose to navigate the world with human intelligence. This book won the Giller Prize, a major Canadian literary award, and has had much acclaim. While I appreciate the concept, the writing, and how the book incorporates philosophy in the narrative, I didn't have the emotional reaction to it that most readers seem to have.

Satsuki and Cote I felt that the title of Madonna in a Fur Coat seemed somehow familiar and remembered that it was translated into Arabic a couple of years ago in the title of "مادونا صاحبة معطف الفرو" and is very popular in Egypt and KSA.

Will look for it in English as no access to Arabic books atm, Arabic books cost a fortune here!

Cote I am in Paris and am sure I could track down a Turkish copy if you need.

Tanaqui I would read the Serrailleurs in order if you can as the family background story plays a big part in the books.

The children have broken the charger for my kindle

They've bent the metal bit that goes into the kindle 😭

And we're going to PILs for the long weekend and there's very limited car space for physical books once everything else is crammed in
and we were supposed to set off over half an hour ago as well

DH is not being as understanding of this distressing event as he should be and is fussing about getting everything in the car instead