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Original poster

50 Book Challenge 2018 Part One

999 replies

southeastdweller · 01/01/2018 09:26

Welcome to the first thread of the 50 Book Challenge for this year.

The challenge is to read fifty books (or more!) in 2018, 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?

OP posts:
BookWitch · 01/01/2018 14:12

What book was that,Bookwitch?

this one

I don't even know if it's any good, just fancied it, and 9.99 was just too much of a stretch for a kindle book

I've also been looking at the Alison Weir Six Tudor Queens series. Anyone read them? Only the first two out so far. I've read some of her non-fiction and have enjoyed it.
Alison Weir series

Teufelsrad · 01/01/2018 14:15

Thank you for the link, BookWitch!

AnnaMagdalenaGluck · 01/01/2018 14:26

Wow, Japanese. You're very brave - I should imagine it's very hard going. I think German is pretty bloody hard, tbh, but I think that's more because I don't have a natural aptitude for learning languages. I can't imagine ever being able to learn Japanese.

I know Dutch has some similarities with German - maybe one day... We had Dutch neighbours when we lived in France; their French was good but their English was near native level. I don't think I ever heard them actually speak Dutch!

I know what you mean about getting obsessive. I try not to but it can kind of take over, can't it?

VanderlyleGeek · 01/01/2018 14:55

Happy New Year everyone, and thank you, southeast!

River of Teeth is my first read this year; I hope to finish it today or tomorrow. My main goal for the year is to use my time well, which I hope will encourage more consistent reading habits.

I'm impressed by those who are learning other languages! I once tried Finnish. 😄

Chickoletta · 01/01/2018 15:17

Hi! Very excited to see the new thread and keen to join in. I am a slow reader (something of a handicap as I'm also an English teacher!) so don't expect to get anywhere near 50 but love the recommendations and discussion here. Happy new year everyone!

Original poster
southeastdweller · 01/01/2018 15:32

Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher is my recommended pick from the current Kindle sale. A few people here have enjoyed the most recent Man Booker winner, Lincoln in the Bardo, and Home Fire which was longlisted - both are cheap now on Kindle.

I've bought Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race which is also on sale.

OP posts:
Tarahumara · 01/01/2018 15:45

Checking in on new thread Smile

CramptonHodnet · 01/01/2018 15:45

I used to post on 50 Books (under a different NN) but didn't join last year's thread. Had a long break from MN but am hoping to be here for 2018. Happy New Year :)

Minniemagoo · 01/01/2018 15:50

Another lurker going to take the plunge and join. Have started to reread Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. Love TP but have never managed to finish this so hope to do so this time.

falaciousreasoning · 01/01/2018 15:55

I'm joining this year. I've downloaded the goodreads app, again, and am hoping to make my way through the books I already own before buying any new ones.
I'm going to start with Murder on the Orient Express as my DD bought it for me for Christmas.

annandale · 01/01/2018 15:58

Ooh I've eyed these threads in the past and would like to join. I'm just starting Manhunt by Peter Bergen about the hunt for Bin Laden, and have got Ali Smith's Winter after that. I'm a heavy library user so either have quite random choices from the shelves or reserve stuff. I've signed up for a long walk thing later in the year so might give audio books a go while training.

DesdemonasHandkerchief · 01/01/2018 16:16

Happy New Year everyone 🍾🥂
I'm in again for this year. Last year was my first on these threads and I only reached 26 books, so this year I'm aiming for 30+.
I'm halfway through Our Endless Numbered Days, with another, non fiction book, on the go and also listening to Wolfhall on Audible (which I've read before) I was hoping Mantel would be releasing the final book of the trilogy this year and wanted to refresh my memory, but having googled it, I'm being a bit optimistic there as she's now saying 2019 is a more realistic release date for The Mirror and the Light Confused

gingerclementine · 01/01/2018 16:17

Yes please. I'd love to join in. I read no novels at all last year, except for re-reads of old favourites, so want to change that this year.

Got a list drawn up to start off with:
And the Mountains Echoed - Khaled Hosseini
The Luminaries - Eleanor Catton
God in Ruins - Kate Atkinson
All the Things I Never Knew - Karen Joy Fowler
Lincoln in the Bardo - George Saunders

Would love some recommendations for new(ish) literary/classic fiction.

MercuryRising · 01/01/2018 16:17

I would like to join you. Although if I manage 25 books this year I will be pleased. I am starting 2018 reading The Quality of Silence by Rosamund Lupton.

gingerclementine · 01/01/2018 16:18

Mercury I'd love to know what you think of it. I read Sister by her and thought it was really good - great, original twist that I didn't see coming.

carbuncleonapigsposterior · 01/01/2018 16:25

gingerclementine I found "The Luminaries" overly long and dull, just my opinion of course, loved "A God in Ruins" though.

MercuryRising · 01/01/2018 16:26

I loved Sister although I read it quite a long time ago. I was excited to start it Ginger

Toomuchsplother · 01/01/2018 16:29

Gingerclemtine I really enjoyed And the Mountains Echoed and The Luminaries. Lincoln in the Bardo was my stand out of last year.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 01/01/2018 16:35

Thanks, South.

Hi everyone and happy new year. I really hope 2018 is a better reading year than 2017 for me!

I've started Our Man in Havana but struggling to get into it.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 01/01/2018 16:36

Ginger
I absolutely detested And the Mountains Echoed, I'm afraid.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 01/01/2018 16:38

Oops - crossed posts with you, Splother!

I wasn't a fan of Lincoln and thought The Luminaries was far, far too long for a not v satisfactory ending, although I did like lots of it.

Foxjar · 01/01/2018 16:41

I'm in.

Currently reading All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda,can't put it down.

Stitchosaurus · 01/01/2018 16:50

Hello, I'd like to join please! I wasn't on last year's thread but really got back into reading and made the most of the library only charging 50p to get new books!

I've just bought The Dry and Lincoln in the Bardo on the kindle, and got Hillbilly Elegy for Christmas so those will be my first few.

CoffeeOrSleep · 01/01/2018 16:53

OK, just finished:

1. The Snow Child - Eowyn Ivey
set in 1920s Alaska, a couple (Mabel and Jack) who have struggled with infertility and loss of a baby have moved to take on a Homestead. Mabel is depressed, Jack is trying to build the farm from scratch, money is running out and they are worried about keeping through the winter. They build a 'snow child' in the first snow of the winter, and then a strange small girl seems to arrive out of the forest to them. She won't stay, and comes and goes through the winter. It's not clear to start with if she's real, a figment of their imaginations, some sort of supernatural being...

Book looks at depression, loneliness, isolation and parenting, and supporting a partner who is depressed. Swings between the hardships of their day to day lives, Mabel not coping and Jack trying to keep everything together, and then this odd spirit from the woods. References back to Russian folk tale of the snow child regularly.

A bit too angsty in parts for me, ends well.

Frogletmamma · 01/01/2018 16:54

Started MC Beaton Death of a Cad this morning. Its my 6th MC Beaton of the Christmas hols but the first of 2018!