25 (ish) books in 2018 anyone?

[Homemadehopeful]

I know there is the 50 books thread but that is totally unrealistic for me so wondered whether anyone wants a slower paced thread with a hopefully more achievable target?

I read 22 books last year and have set myself a target of 25 for this year.

I've started with The Handmaid's Tale, nearly finished and really enjoyed it.

There's some on that list that I'm really looking forward to crossing off but some that I think will be really difficult to find and I might have to read something I don't really want to read! The banned books and a book from a 100 years ago are going to be particularly tricky I think.

Everyone has read so much already!

1. Robert Webb autobiog
2. Eddie Izzard autobiog
3. The Bees
4. Dark Matter
5. The Keeper of Lost Things
6. Simon Amstell’s autobiog
7. Eleanor Oliphant
8. Teenagers Translated

I’m about 150 pages into A Suitable Boy but I’m frustrated at not being able to get to it often enough, so I have to keep checking back to the family trees at the front to remind myself who the characters are.

In the meantime I’ve read Teenagers Translated as we are having a few teen challenges here. It was excellent. I know a fair bit about emotional intelligence and neuropsychology and it has been well researched and easily explained in a handbook style. Is really helping us, so thoroughly recommend for anyone with teens. I’ve bought Untangled to read next year, when it’ll all kick off with my DD (it’s a girl teen specific one).

So I think I’m going to cheat and read The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and come back to A Suitable Boy afterwards.

I have just finished number 2 The Girl Before. I really enjoyed it and didn't guess the plot twist. I have just started A Meal In Winter which whilst short is already harrowing. I plan on finishing it during ds2s nap tomorrow. I need to find more time to read if I am going to read 24 books this year.

Wonder for the banned books there are quite a few South African books that are really good that were banned. Some would be a re- read for me. Or (also a re-read) Persepolis was apparently banned in some US schools (as well as in Iran!) and is great (and quick).

Here's a link to the list

www.hannahbraime.com/2018-reading-challenge/

And here's a list of banned books.

www.banned-books.org.uk/all

I don't think I'm going to count the ones that were just "complained about" in US libraries and schools but there's a lot of others to choose from.

I finished book 5 - Hot Milk last night so my list so far is

1 - Handmaid's Tale
2 - If only they didn't speak English
3 - Keeper of Lost Things
4 - Molly's Game
5 - Hot Milk

I really enjoyed it even though it was a bit quirky in parts. It reminded me of The Vegetarian in its style (which I also enjoyed) The reviews on the back use words like hypnotic, mesmerising and atmospheric. I wouldn't go as far as to say I was hypnotised by it but I can see why these words were used to describe it.

As an aside it is set mainly in Almeria, Spain just in case anyone is planning a trip there and looking for a book set somewhere you are visiting for the challenge Wonder posted

Undecided what will be next but I am off work until Thurs as it is half term this week where we are so will probably start a new book straight away.

Thanks for the parenting teens recommendation Taffeta, will see if the library has it later.

Finally finished The Book Thief (10), absolutely loved it, I thought it was so well written. Such an original idea the way it was narrated. I could actually see this becoming a school GCSE or A level set text in the future. ( if it's not already)

I now don't know what to read next, although I've got lots on my tbr pile l don't want to let go of The Book Thief, if you know what I mean

The Dr those links are really useful. Not had chance to read at all today and now I'm too tired

1. How to read a graveyard (Peter Stanford) Very interesting historical accounts of various graveyards around UK and Europe. Also includes the history around burial and funerals. I did get a bit depressed on and off as it got me thinking about my own and my family's mortality, but all in all an interesting read. Maybe something a bit lighter for my next read!

Just starting book 5 which is This Must Be The Place by Maggie O'Farrell. I love her writing so I'm hoping this one will grab me fast and be a quick read to keep me on target.

I finished A Man Called Ove last night. Thanks to all those who recommended it on here, I really enjoyed reading it.

My library download of The Breakdown by B A Paris became available yesterday so I am going to start into that next. I really enjoyed the Couple Next Door by the same author.

Book 6 - What Happened by Hillary Rodham Clinton. I am only about a third of the way through this so far but I am REALLY enjoying it. I didn't dislike her before starting this book, I didn't know enough about her to really have an opinion but she has definitely gone up in my estimation. If you are remotely interested in equality I would highly recommend it. could well be back in a couple of days to retract all this!!

Finished Call The Midwife last night - book 7. I've started the second one in the series. I'm off work for a couple of weeks so should be able to get a bit more reading done than normal.

1. The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

Very, very odd and confusing but overall a thumbs up. Agatha Christie meets Source Code!

I had to order a couple of Usbourne card sets for birthday presents and may have ordered a few books on a spend X get a discount. One I think is a dreadful chicklit with my name as a character.

Oooh homemade Hillary's book is on my TBR pile from xmas. Glad to hear you're enjoying it!

Sounds good home. I'm adding Hilary's book to my tbr pile too.

I recently joined Borrowbox through my local library and am loving the number of great books I have access to for free to download onto my kindle. I'm saving a fortune on books. I highly recommend it if you can get it through your local library.

10. The Lie of the Land - Amanda Craig

An easy page turner exploring themes of marriage, rural vs city life, money.

Finished book 8, After You with the Pistol, and the next one up is Not My Father's Son, by Alan Cumming.

Book six done. Christmas at the cupcake café by Jenny Colgan.
I was given it as a present so I felt I had to read it. Really not my sort of thing though. Light and fluffy and the characters were shallow and not all that convincing. Really one dimensional. Didn't take long to read though and it's a space on my bookshelf as I can give it away now!

10. The Book Thief - Marcus Zusak
11. Wonder - RJ Palacio

Wonder was another book bought for Dd but she wanted me to read first. An excellent book particularly for preteens and young adults with an underlying theme of tolerance, kindness and compassion. I know her teacher Yr 6 has also recently read it and recommended it to the class.

Next book Kate Atkinson - God in ruins, not sure about this one as I never managed to finish Life after Life.

1. The house we grew up in (Lisa Jewell) Started this yesterday morning and just finished - couldn't put it down! I liked how the story kept on moving quite quickly so no boring bits with nothing happening. Also liked the story coming from all the different perspectives.

Nearlyadoctor I picked up A god in ruins from a charity shop last week, haven't read a Kate Atkinson before. Will be interested to know what you make of it.

I've just downloaded Of Mice & Men and The Grapes Of Wrath. Amazon has a load of Steinbeck novels for 99p at the minute.

CakeBe please read Life after Life before A God in Ruins. You don’t need to exactly but it will mean a lot more to you if you do. For what it’s worth I adored Life but didn’t think Ruins quite matched up.