50 Book Challenge 2018 Part One

[southeastdweller]

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?

Cheerful would miss you on these threads.
Noodle I was looking at the pop sugar reading challenge. I had half an eye on it last year and like you found it quite restricting at times so didn't really do it properly.
Quite pleased there wasn't any thing in the monthly deals as I have way to much on my Kindle and in paper to read!

Here!

Have been putting the bank holiday to good use to finish:

1. Darkness At Noon - Arthur Koestler

A powerful, bleak novel (but based on true events) set in the Soviet Union in 1939. Rubashov, a Bolshevik hero of the Russian Revolution, has been imprisoned on suspicion of counter-revolutionary activities and faces interrogation and trial in a Kafkaesque world where truth and falsehood have simply become tools of the Party and State. The story is a powerful examination of the fate of the individual in the Soviet state and stands up with the likes of 1984 as a warning from history of the dangers of totalitarianism.

indigo I found I had to read a big chunk of all the light we cannot see to really get into it. It was a good read. It fell a bit short for me but others loved it unequivocally so well worth seeing it through to see what you think.

Can I join please? I think I joined last year and the year before but got out of the way of posting- I'll try harder this year!

I managed to read 70 books in 2017, aiming for 60 this year so I can fit in a few longer books. I've just finished book 1, The Way Back Home by Freya North. It was ok, good for a slightly knackered, full of the cold New Year's Day as it didn't require too much thought.

Looking forward to getting some inspiration here, happy reading everyone.

I read 52 last year, just finishing my 52nd yesterday.

I normally have at least 3 books on the go, some can take me a couple of days to finish, others take me 6 months.

I'm starting easy this year. I'm 50% through when Hitler stole pink rabbit, and nearly finished better than life. Better than life is a re-read, but I haven't read when Hitler stole pink rabbit before.

indigo I was underwhelmed by All The Light as well. It's not a bad book by any means, but I don't think it's deserving of the rave reviews.

Happy new year everyone! I would like to join as well please. Do audiobooks count too or is this mainly for paper/Kindle books? I think I may do a mix of both.

I’m in! I aimed for 60 last year, managed 59 1/2! Let’s see if I manage to get that half this year!

I’m just finishing the half (Gaudy Night) but will count my next book as number 1. I still have a pile of recommendations from the 2017 thread to work through!

Yes, audiobooks count!

I just can't get on with audio books. Tried to do it on my walk to work. Started with Game of Thrones but the narration just ruined it for me. The characters just sounded plain wrong!

Possibly should have anticipated that having seen the show and perhaps having a more 'set' idea of what the characters sound like, but an elderly man impersonating a young woman having an orgasm is just wrong, IMO.

Me please! I might read some teen books I have bought my dc to get started - the lie tree and book thief.

I haven't joined these threads before as they get so long, but I'll have a go this year.
My first book of 2018 is A Year in the Life of the Yorkshire Shepherdess by Amanda Owen.

Sweet, thank you southeastdweller. I've started to get back into reading via audiobooks in 2017. I think I'll continue on that path for a bit longer and start reading shorter paper books to transition back to full paper.

I liked All the Light until the ending, which I thought really spoiled it.

The Kindle monthly sales are getting worse and worse. I've bought Victorians Unwrapped but couldn't see anything else I fancied. The first Ladies Detective Agency is on there, if anybody likes a nice, gentle read and hasn't yet discovered this series.

Yumyumpoppycat The Lie Tree is very good. We had it for book club and everyone loved it. Definitely not just for children.

Count me in! Today I devoured "Then she was gone" by Lisa Jewell.

Due to an extremely lazy day by the fire I've completed my first book
He Said/She Said by Erin Kelly of Broadchurch fame)
The story starts with an alleged sexually attack in the aftermath of a total eclipse which is witnessed by another couple. The story unfolds over two time periods set 15 years apart I found it had a great start and great ending but the middle part dragged. An easy read that I'm sure will give us lots of discussion points at book group next week.

Book 2 is to be The Mitford Murders by Jessica Fellowes

(Whispers) I didn't like The Lie Tree terribly much. Thought I'd love it, but it fell v short for me.

Ok- checking in, like i did last January...and possibly the year before...hopefully i will manage to stay on board a wee bit longer this year!

LOVE The Book Thief though, although it got v mixed reviews on here.

I loved The Book Thief too.

I’ve decided not to buy anything new for a bit. Have got a huge TBR backlog and I want to do some re-reading this year.

We’ll see how it goes. Not very well probably - these threads are dangerous.

Yes please! This sounds great. Starting the year off with the hate u give. So far it feels like it's a teenagers book but it's had rave reviews so will plough on!

Welcome newbies

I hated The Book Thief. Silly juvenile heartstring-tugging children's book. Especially the robot called Death, droning on about the color of this, the color of that.

I didn't manage many books last year, but hopefully will do better this year

I'm currently reading Pompeii by Mary Beard, and The Wandering Earth by Liu Cixin