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Original poster

25 (ish) books in 2018 anyone?

598 replies

Homemadehopeful · 08/01/2018 22:41

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.

OP posts:
Chickoletta · 01/08/2018 21:56
  1. 'Funny Girl' by Tony Parsons Very warm, witty book set in the world of 60s TV sitcoms. Not sure I would have picked this up if it had 't been recommended by a friend but I really enjoyed it.
tomhazard · 02/08/2018 09:23

23: Notes from an Exhibition - Patrick Gale. I picked this up in a charity shop after being recommended it some time ago when looking for author recommendations on here.
I absolutely loved it. It's main character has mental health problems but this book is about how this has an impact on her choices, and ultimately on her family. It is not really about mental health.
So beautifully written, engaging and thought provoking I can't wait to read some more books by him.

Iamblossom · 03/08/2018 16:38

Book 18 - The Guilty One, Lisa Ballantyne. Really enjoyed this, great characters, great story, sad in places but lots of love in the pages well written.

CakeBeTheFoodOfLove · 08/08/2018 16:16
  1. Dissolution - C. J. Sansom. I loved this! So readable and draws you in from the start. The descriptions of people and places are so believable that you really get a feel for what it is like. Definitely recommend. I'm looking forward to reading the rear of the series!
CakeBeTheFoodOfLove · 14/08/2018 17:09
  1. Life and laughing - Michael McIntyre. This was an easy and funny read (as was hopeft expected!). I don't usually read autobiographys but it came recommended. I think it would have been funnier if I had listened to it rather than read it. Although I enjoyed it I think I will carry on not really reading autobiographys......
drspouse · 14/08/2018 22:30

24 (I think) The House of Unexpected Sisters - Alexander McCall Smith
25 Logical Family - Armistead Maupin - love this!
26 Finally finished Tale of Two Cities
Now reading Tender is the Night while on holiday in the Cote d'Azur, is set there. The characters are annoying (some of them are from The Great Gatsby) but it's interesting.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 17/08/2018 11:38

Managed to finish Circe. It was hard to get into at first but glad I persevered. I’ve also read A Family Recioe by Veronica Henry, read that one in a day whilst on holiday and now I’m rereading Mort by Terry Pratchett which I bought when it was on the Kindle daily deal a couple of weeks ago.

toffee1000 · 17/08/2018 18:58

Have dropped off this thread a bit. Still reading #9, The Silkworm. I do know who did it (looked it up Blush) but it’s still interesting to read the book anyway. Trying to decide what #10 will be. Don’t know if I’ll get to 25, I’d be happy with 15-20.

Iamblossom · 18/08/2018 15:41

Finished book 19, forever is the longest time by camille pagan. Bit slow in the middle but sweet ending. 7/10

Chickoletta · 20/08/2018 08:56
  1. ‘The Essex Serpent’ by Sarah Perry. Wasn’t sure what to expect from this but I really loved it. Character driven and evocative.
babybythesea · 20/08/2018 19:53
  1. Adventure on the High Teas - Stuart Maconie.

A travelogue, Bill Bryson style. Some bits great, others so-so. Don't feel the need to hang on to it for a re-read!

tomhazard · 22/08/2018 17:35

24: A perfectly Good Man- Patrick Gale. I enjoyed this as much as 'Notes from an Exhibition' . I love his non-linear narrative and characterisation. I want to read everything by him now (but don't have time!)

Chickoletta · 22/08/2018 18:45

tomhazard I'm a big Patrick Gale fan too. You should definitely read A Place Called Winter - it's grittier than the 2 you've read so far but very gripping. I know Patrick Gale a little bit (smug boast) as we live fairly close and often play in orchestras together - very nice man and also an excellent musician. He's got a new one coming out next week.

tomhazard · 22/08/2018 18:51

Chickoletta I think part of my new love for him is because I am a professional musician as well as avid reader!
I am super jealous that you know him I want to live in the beautiful West Country and play in his orchestra too!

Tinkhasflown · 23/08/2018 11:04
  1. The Colour Purple - Alice Walker
  2. Diary of A young Girl - Anne Frank
  3. Lying in Wait - Liz Nugent (this book kept me intrigued, but isn't as good as Unravelling Oliver imo) Currently reading 32. The Woman in the Window - A. J Finn
toffee1000 · 23/08/2018 14:18

Done with #9 The Silkworm, I enjoyed it. I do want to read Career of Evil at some point but I have enough unread books to be getting on with without adding another one!!
#10 is a short book, “Hiroshima” by John Hersey. I told my mother I didn’t really know that much about it... (she’s very into WWII so knows more than I do) so got me the book. Not a cheerful subject. It’s also a non-fiction book, and was originally published in The New Yorker (author was a journalist at the time).

drspouse · 24/08/2018 20:03

Finished 27 - Tender is the Night.
I still have a few from the challenge book list to do but I'm reading Wonder (I think the book came first but I've seen the film)

Iamblossom · 25/08/2018 13:26

@tink I enjoyed the woman in the window.

  1. Forever is the longest time. OK, bit slow. By camille pagan, ending redeemed it somewhat.

  2. The Island Villa by Lily Graham, perfect reading for my holiday, easy to read and enjoyed the story. Great descriptions of the sights and smells of being on a small island off ibiza.

  3. Girls' Night Out by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke, good story if a little laborious in places about the details of the three women''s friendship., repeated some details a few times. Another good holiday read though (can you tell I am on holiday? :-))

Iamblossom · 25/08/2018 15:13

Counted wrong so number 22 is the summer of impossible things by rowan Coleman. Really enjoyed this, unexpectedly so, great story, and believable colourful characters.

babybythesea · 26/08/2018 08:30
  1. Gracie's secret - Jill Childs. It was a daily deal on kindle a while back otherwise I wouldn't have bought it. Not my sort of thing but I did quite enjoy it. Towards the end, about 4 chapters before it finished, it got very tense but then the actual ending was disappointing.
Tinkhasflown · 26/08/2018 22:49

I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed The Woman in the Window. I was hooked the whole way through. I definitely recommend it.

I'm thinking of starting The Rosie Project next ad my library copy has become available - not sure though, it has gotten very mixed reviews. Anyone here read it?

Robots1Humans0 · 26/08/2018 23:16

I'm not on this thread but love books! Would definitely recommend The Rosie Project and it's sequel, nice easy-to-read feel good story!

Tinkhasflown · 27/08/2018 12:15

Thanks Robots

Iamblossom · 27/08/2018 17:40

Agreed I loved that book

Iamblossom · 28/08/2018 08:43

23, why mummy drinks, very funny and I agreed with absolutely everything she said

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