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?

Thanks vander will definitely give it another go once I've finished North and south.

I read Handmaid last year and have to say I didn’t ponder it too deeply but found it a straightforward enjoyable read. I’ve not read any others of hers, but downloaded the Penelopiad as it’s cheap and I like spins on myths so pleased to hear a positive opinion on it. I’ve also been tempted by Hagseed since finding out it plays with The Tempest - would anyone recommend?

mamapants no I haven't. Primarily because im not overly fond of Elizabeth moss as an actress. even irritates me in my beloved the west wing but I suffer through her scenes

I might try another of Atwood's books at some point as there were several passages i did enjoy. Mainly those involving Moira. I found I read through to see what happened with her as opposed to offred. So I can see how a writer Atwood is from that.

I suppose it didn't help that there were several typos distracting me.

I wasn't impressed by Hagseed Satsuki, in fact I didn't finish it. I seem to remember someone else on here was a bit 'meh' about it. Having said that my mum loved it (but then she's a definite Atwood fan, whereas I've only liked her earliest books).

1. Into Thin Air - Jon Krakauer

A re-read of this excellent book about the ill fated Everest expedition in 1996. I think quite a few of us have read this and I haven’t heard anyone say a bad word about it.
You don’t need to be a fan of mountaineering books to read it (although you may become one).

I liked Hagseed . There was one meh aspect for me, which was the unrealistically cosy portrayal of convicted criminals in prison, but overall it worked for me.

Sadik, which early Atwood is your favourite? Mine is Life Before Man, but I'm a fool for a museum setting.

Probably The Edible Woman vanderley

Hi to all the newbies.

Can I ask people to put titles and writers in bold so it's easier to scan the thread? Somebody mentioned it earlier, but it might have got lost as the thread has moved so quickly.

I seem to remember a lot of discussion about Margaret Atwood this time last year. Must admit I find her rather wearing, although I did enjoy Handmaid.

I recently read Alias Grace (my third Atwood, after The Handmaid’s Tale and The Blind Assassin) and really enjoyed it. Completely agree with the comments about her versatility - all three books are very different.

Thanks sadik. Might scan it if I see it in the library, and will see how I find Penelopiad first. I think there was a lot of talk about whether Atwood thought she was sci fi or something.

Yes it was me with the bold thing, thanks remus. And also worth reiterating cote’s point to leave a short review of the books you read as well so everyone can get an idea of them.

I'm another who didn't enjoy Hagseed thought I would having absolutely loved the three other Margaret Atwood books I'd read Cat's Eye Alias Grace and most of all The Blind Assassin

I really liked Alias Grace and although I was given The Blind Assassin a few years ago, I've yet to read it - this has inspired me to have another go.

I will also re-read Oranges are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson as the writing style is just up my street, and if anyone hasn't read We Were Liars then I'd really recommend as it has a good twist that I didn't see coming at all.

I also enjoyed Once in a House on Fire by Andrea Ashworth based on the authors experience of growing up through financial hardship in the 70s, domestic abuse and discovering her love of different authors who inspire her.

If you like Atwood try The Robber Bride. Read this about 5 yrs ago and it was really good. About women being horrible to women.

I keep meaning to read more Atwood as I loved The Handmaid’s Tale. The only other work of hers I’ve read was a collection of short stories which didn’t grab me (can’t remember what it was called).

when Hitler stole pink rabbit I loved this when I was a child. I have kept my original copy for a lot of years

First book of 2018 finished (although started it In 2017)

1.) Gossip from the Forest, by Sara Maitland -- a non-fiction book mixing history, natural history, social sciences and discourse on fairy tales. It follows the course of the year, with each chapter exploring a different British wood in a particular month of the year. Each chapter is then accompanied by a retold fairy tale linked somehow with the theme of that chapter.

I enjoyed it on the whole, but I can't say I was thoroughly convinced at all times, and given the nature of the book, it would have made more sense for the fairy tales to be closer to the originals rather than retellings. It's also a bit waffly at times, but the descriptions of the various forests are lovely. There are photos included, but they're black and white, so a little pointless. Colour photos would have been a beautiful touch and made the differences between the various woods that much clearer.

Next up, more woods, with The Ritual by Adam Nevill, a horror novel about four British men who get lost during a hiking holiday in Sweden. Technically a reread since I've listened to the audiobook already, but I'm looking forward to reading it again. 'Twas creepy as hell, and it should be a quick read.

I started and finished books 1 and 2 yesterday. I wrote out a longer review but the page decided to close just as I was about to post it, so forgive me for being brief.

1. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
   I loved this. I rarely give books a star rating but this would be a definite 5 star read for me. The imagery was so powerful, and the characters so engaging that I could barely bring myself to pause to attend to other matters.
   It reminded me of how much I love Dickens, and that I really need to read those works of his that I haven't yet attempted.

2. Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson
   I thought that I'd enjoy this more than I did. It's a short book but felt much longer. I did enjoy the first half which was a fascinating look into the bizarre(to me) and alien world of the Pentecostals, but she kept lapsing into a sort of fairy tale and I lost interest every time she did. I'll probably try it again in future though, and see if it holds more appeal next time.

Me! But I started reading a book at end of Dec 17 so if I finish it this week does count as 1 book for 2018?!

I also started and finished book number 3 today which was
Whatever Happened to Baby Jane by Henry Farrell.

I really enjoyed this one. It was an easy read, but a wonderfully effective thriller, much more so than many modern examples. It wasn't subtle but it's very disturbing and has such a real sense of claustrophobia and madness about it that I began to feel like Blanche.

Satsuki I was a bit meh about Hagseed tbh, and I love Margaret Atwood and The Tempest. It just never seemed to really get going, and I couldn't connect with the main character. There were still little sparkles of greatness in there though, she still writes beautifully in it. My favourite Margaret Atwood remains one of her older books, Cat's Eye which I've read a few times now. It still gives me shivers down my spine.

Chessie maybe try Atwood's earlier stuff? I also love The Handmaid's Tale but haven't enjoyed her later, more sci fi themed writing as much at all.

I'm in again. Last year I read a lot more non-fiction than usual so I got through 92 in total. Started with a novel this year:

1. Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Once a year a week-long game is held on the Isla de los Suenos, with a single wish as the prize offered by the mysterious Master Legend. Sisters Donatella and Scarlett have been invited to play and Donatella sees the game as a means of escaping their cruel and controlling father. But at Caraval nothing and nobody is what it seems and the game may be more dangerous than they know.

It's a debut novel, reasonably interesting although Scarlett is kind of annoying and it is deliberately unclear as to what is actually going on. Garber has also clearly set it up for a sequel. I'm not desperately wanting to know what will happen next but I wouldn't rule out reading the follow up.

I've finished generation A. It was alright, I prefered the first half to the second half. But I'm not a big fan of short stories anyway.I thought the idea was better than the actual story.

Next is twist of faith. No idea what this ones going to be like, it was my choice from the kindle first selection this month.

Thankyou Exexpat I think I'll read The Dark Flood Rises soon.