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.

Finished Book 8 "The Marriage Pact" - I thought this was clever and an intriguing concept, end was a bit meh but overall giving it an 8/10.

Not sure what to read next...

OK I am taking a break from:
20 - Alexander Hamilton (I am admitting defeat after 320 pages out of 800 and taking it back to the library and re-reserving it)
17 - Tale of Two Cities and
19 - Eagle of the 9th
with... drumroll... 21 Parenting Illustrated with Crappy Pictures!
(though I suppose if I finish it first it's really 17 in place of TOTC?)

tinkhasflown I'm enjoying Eleanor Oliphant I think, only about 50pages so a bit confused bit intrigued. I'll have to have a look at a man called ove.

I've read 10 books so far this year, so need to get a move on if I'm going to read 30 this year. It's difficult to find the time at the minute with a sleep hating 8month old!

Finished PIWCP so that is officially #17

I finished Eleanor Oliphant last night and really enjoyed it but perhaps I would have enjoyed any half decent book after The Greatest!!!. Like a lot of fiction there were parts which felt a little unrealistic but it was a nice feel good book.

No idea what will be next but I am going away for 10 nights next Thurs evening so need to get some books together for the holiday

I also need to count back to see where my current total is up to, I think it is around 10.

Heard the author Jordan something on Chris Evans this morning and thought the book they were discussing sounded interesting, can't remember the exact title, something along the lines of 12 rules for Life. Anyone read it or heard any reviews?

Drspouse you're flying along, we'll done!!

Just looked back through the thread and Eleanor Oliphant was book 11 for me

Two more.
Book 14. The Siege - Helen Dunmore. Really, really enjoyed it. About the siege of Leningrad by Hitler during 1941. Not a pleasant read but really made history personal.
Book 15. Never Forget: Dunblane. Mick North.

I really need some more cheerful books!

I'm back to Eagle of the 9th which is still no 19!

Finished The Woman In The Window i thought it was very good

Now reading Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead it’s very harrowing and a very good book

Finished Book 9

The Last Mrs Parrish.

Quite good, well written story, good twist at the end.

Finished Eagle of the 9th and I have Still Me by Jojo Moyes on a library request now. No 20, really enjoying it.
Sadly Hamilton is now waiting for me again at the library but the speed with which it came suggests I won't have to send it back for another reservation.

Book 17: Why Mummy Drinks. Just read this as short on time and energy atm and wanted to keep reading
So chose light hearted. It was funny, made me laugh out loud but it was full of stereotypes and a bit shit in many places

10. The Core - Peter V Brett (demon cycle no.5). Finally finished this series! The last book was massive and it's taken me an age to finish, mainly due to lack of reading time. It was probably a bit longer than it needed to be but it ended the series well I think. If anyone likes fantasy then I would definitely recommend this series. The first book was definitely the best out of the lot though.

Onto a bit of non-fiction next

Finished Book 10 - the way we were before by Leah Mercer

I really enjoyed this. A bitter sweet story of a marriage that experiences the worst kind of loss and makes you examine what holds a couple together or not.

I really must read a book now that doesn't focus on marriage

12. My name is Leon - Kit de Waal - really enjoyed this, and it was an easy read (if sad, in places), can recommend.

Still reading Derren Brown's 'Happy' - this one will take a while as it's so dense. As my book club is reading Eleanor O for June, which I've already read, I'm taking advantage of a free month by reading a 500+ pager - Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood. Her writing is so effortless.

Hi all,
I've only just stumbled upon this thread having long given up on the 50 novel group! Here are my books so far this year.

1. The Remains of the Day - Ishiguro. Enjoyed this. It's slow but very beautiful.
2. Aunt Margaret's Lover - Mavis Cheek. A re-read of a much-loved favourite. Such a witty and warm novel.
3. In Custody - Anita Desai - excellent. I've read quite a lot of Indian literature and this is amongst the best.
4. The Secret River - Kate Grenville. Australian epic. Starts slowly but improves. Very dark in places but beautifully written.
5. Jacob's Room is Full of Books - Susan Hill. Reflections on her year in reading. I didn't enjoy this one as much as Howard's End is on the Landing, but it was beautifully written and I love books about books.
6. The Light Behind the Window - Lucinda Riley. I've recommended this on several MN threads now as it is a wonderful read. Darker and meatier than her other novels. Very tense and exciting throughout.
7. Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen. Another re-read. Not my favourite J.A but still wonderful.
8. North and South - Elizabeth Gaskell - a wonderful book which I have really enjoyed but it has taken me 3 months! So dense and detailed and I didn't feel that I could read much at a time. Definitely one which will stay with me for life but I feel like I need to move away from the 19th C now and into something lighter.

I've got Eleanor Oliphant and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society on my bedside table to start on tomorrow.

Some great recommendations on this page which I will enjoy investigating.

Book 16. An Equal Music. Vikram Seth. A re-read, but it's one of my favourites. I love it.

Good list Chickoletta. It looks as though we may have similar reading tastes so I will have a look at some of those that I don't know from your list.

Ooh can I join?! Just finished Eleanor O which I really enjoyed. Read Handmaids Tale earlier in year and the unlikely pilgrimage of Harold fry. Can’t think what else right now but delighted to have some inspiration from this thread!!

Chickoletta Eleanor Oliphant and the Guernsey literary and potato peal pie society are both great!

I'm reading This is Going to Hurt, secret diaries of a junior Dr. Really enjoying at the moment.i went away for a few days and forgot to take a book so the first thing I did was find a bookshop and they recommend this.

Anyone else find a lot of similarities in the stories of Eleanor O and Em in the list things? Both on the outskirts of society largely because of their mental health. Enjoyed both. Didn’t like Em at first but grew to like her.

Em in the LOST things 🙄 as in the keeper of the lost things.

Hi, can I come back?

Sorry, I’ve been awol on this thread for ages but it dropped off my ‘I’m on’ list and then I’ve had a stressful time recently and not read much anyway.

I’ve just started The Time Travellers Wife though to get me reading again and I’ve got The Martiage Pact and Howard’s End is on the Landing waiting for me to pick up on Monday so its game on again

And I know it was a million years ago but, Brox, i hope you enjoyed The Handmaid’s Tale and yes the TV series is definitely worth watching. Season 2 is airing now on C4. Unfortunately you can’t watch S1 free in the U.K., you either have to buy the DVD, or download on Amazon/iTunes etc. It’s so worth it though.

I’ve been reading my book 4 a lot more than usual. Hopefully I’ll finish soon. I think I’ll choose a couple of smaller books that I can get through faster. Having said that, it took me a while to get through The Russian Interpreter, but then maybe that was because I didn’t particularly enjoy it.
I’m not a slow reader, I just spend too much time playing The Sims and watching YouTube videos.