50 Book Challenge Part Five

[southeastdweller]

Welcome to the fifth 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, the third thread here and the fourth one here.

What are you reading?

I've read about 1/3 of Lincoln in the Bardo and am transfixed.

I was lucky enough to be in the audience when Saunders was interviewed for a popular literary radio program/podcast and to meet him afterwards. He is as generous, kind, and humane as his prose suggests.

I've just bought Lincoln in the Bardo but it'll be a while before I get round to it, my 'to read' list is rather long.

I've also just discovered the new 'Prime Reading' library, which is great because I don't subscribe to Kindle Unlimited. I've borrowed up to the limit within an hour! The Butterfly Garden is in the Prime library, and I've also picked up The Etymologicon to feed my love of the English language and Trail of Broken Wings.

I'm coming towards the end of my second read through Skulduggery Pleasant: Resurrection since it came out on the 1st, review to follow shortly.

My The City and the City review is finally bringing me fame and fortune, I see.

Do I want to read Lincoln?

Re: Lincoln I think it has themes that may be up your street, remus. Illness, death, perceptions of the afterlife, entwined with the lives of historical figures. I've only read the sample but wanted more so have been hoping for it to come down in price.

74. The English Girl by Katherine Webb

I wasn't particularly excited about reading it, but I did because I have read and enjoyed all her previous books. I didn't love this, but I did enjoy it more than I thought I would. It's set in Oman, and tells the story of the first woman (Maude) to cross the desert in the early 1900s, and a second woman (Joan) who meets Maude in Oman in the 1950s. I really liked the descriptions of the desert setting.

75. The Durrells of Corfu by Michael Haag

A biography of the Durrell family. It's not just about their time in Corfu - I enjoyed hearing about their childhoods in India (they were all born there). It's not a particularly long book so doesn't go into masses of depth, but if you're interested in finding out more about the family this is a great start and full of photos.

76. My Family & Other Animals by Gerald Durrell

I was inspired to reread this after reading the above book! I have read this several times and still love it (but I seem to remember from earlier discussions on this thread, maybe last year, that others don't feel the same on rereading it).

77. Birds, Beasts and Relatives by Gerald Durrell

Second in The Corfu Trilogy. It's been raining heavily all day today so I loved reading the descriptions of sunny Corfu. I love the way Durrell writes - I can really visualise what he's describing.

You may have already guessed that book 78 (started today) is The Garden of the Gods which is the third in the trilogy!!

Thanks, Satsuki. Have bought it. I love the fact that you know that, 'illness and death' are right 'up my street'!

I'm really enjoying that Amazon exploration one btw. Has anybody else bought it?

I know - I was thinking as I was writing it that I wouldn't recognise you if we passed in the street but I'm presuming to know what sort of book you might like Love this thread.

Is it Lost City of Z? I was tempted by that one and have wishlisted for later in the month when I've finished some I've got on the go.

I think these threads help us to 'know' each other pretty well. And I look like this, in case you pass me in the street.

Yes re Z. It's v interesting so far.

That's just how I imagined you Remus.

And I'm on that 6 books thread too (Eleanor Oliphant).

25. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine - Gail Honeyman. Really wanted to like this tale of a lonely 30 year old woman in Glasgow learning to let go of her past and embrace the future but I found so much of it contrived, unconvincing and unfunny. I was close to buying this and am glad I didn't bother.

That's exactly how I imagined you, too, Remus

Yes, we do get to know each other pretty well on these threads. Case in point, I'm quite enjoying Lovecraft as you thought I would

The new thread is up now so come over and mark your place

remus