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.

So I finished The House at Riverton, quite enjoyed it. I also read Brooklyn at the same time (and finished it earlier). I d already seen the film of Brooklyn so had a vague idea of the story. So I’m currently on book 15. It was going to be another book I was sent by the Willoughby Book Club, called Britt-Marie was Here, but I was several pages in and realised I had no clue what was going on!! It’s a Swedish book originally so I’m reading the translation. I might just put it aside for now and choose “The Dun Cow Rib” by John Lister-Kaye instead. Don’t know if I’ll finish it by the end of the year. That’s 15 books for the year... considering I’d only read 4 in the first half of the year, reading 11 in the second half is pretty good!! Perhaps next year I’ll aim for more like 20. It’s not that I read slowly, I just put a book down (for the night, say) and then don’t pick it up for a few days, because I’m doing something else or watching YouTube or whatever. I get distracted easily

41 - Changing Places
42 - Me mam, me dad, me - highly recommend!
Back for a burst of Alexander Hamilton then I'll read Schindlers List for my final one in the 25 books list. I'm also reading an Advent book which is the "specific area of my life" book.
And I have really enjoyed this year of reading!

21. Ross Poldark by Winston Graham. I found this slow and meandering (a good description of Cornwall itself!) but loved it all the same. It was such a relaxing comfort read and I can't wait to read more of them.

I'm not going to be reaching 25 books this year but I have read some massive ones so I'll let myself off!

Still on the next chunk of Alexander Hamilton, but I fancy doing this next year:

www.ft.com/content/99936410-fdf8-11e8-aebf-99e208d3e521

I thought I wouldn't have time but I have squeezed in another one before the end of the year:

26: The Tattooist of Auschwitz.

Beautifully and engagingly written and incredibly heart wrenching. I had to stop for a break about half way through as it brought me to tears. An important read I think in the holocaust literature

39. The Secret - Kathryn Hughes
40. My name is Lucy Barton - Elizabeth Strout.

I'm now reading Ma'am Darling but don't think I'll finish it before the end of the year.

I can't believe I managed to read 40 books and think a lot of that has been down to this thread and the great recommendations here. I've so enjoyed all your company and hope we will have as new 25 books thread again for next year.

I agree tinkhasflown, I've really enjoyed updating my reads on here and reading everyone else's reviews. Although I only managed 21 (and a half!) books this year I hope to reach 25 next year. Looking forward to the new thread!

I hope we have another thread next year too Tink.

I’m currently on book 23, really don’t think i’ll make 25 but I’m pleased with how many I’ve read.

I tend to keep an eye on this thread but as I go over the 50 normally I update on the other thread. However the recommendations here tend to be more my style and the others move too fast! so if there’s one next year I’ll keep an eye out

Do you have to have read it cover to cover or do bits count?

I only count cover to cover, not sure about others

I read the whole text with fictional books, but parts of non-fiction.

I'm the same as purple, I've read an Advent book which is therefore no 43, but I missed a few days.
Now on Schindler's List and determined to finish before the 31st.

I'm just about to finish my 25th book (Melmoth by Sarah Perry - excellent) but this involved some speed reading towards the end!

Definitely doing 25 on my Goodreads challenge again!

19. ‘A Keeper’ by Graham Norton I really enjoyed this Irish family saga and read it in a few days. Quite gritty in places but also told with warmth and humour. As good as ‘Holding’, if not better, but I can’t help thinking of them both as poor man’s John Boyne...

Hoping to get to 20 by NY. I’ve loved this thread and have definitely taken inspiration from it so would love to do it again next year.

I've managed 39 this year. Latest one is Clawthorn by Keith A Pearson - the third in the 'Clement' series.

I squeezed in 26 as we had a little city break to Paris and I actually had time. I read Three Things About Elsie. I thought it was pretty terrible actually- the twists were predictable way in advance (I had a suspicion from the Very start) , the characters were one dimensional and some of the spoken phrase were unrealistic. Whilst readable I didn't really enjoy it and gained nothing much from reading it so I wouldn't recommend but I know it's been popular so maybe just me!

I've nearly finished Schindler's List, think I'll make it by tomorrow.

I squeezed in Skin Deep by Liz Nugent. A really good read, but then I have really enjoyed all of her books.

I’ve no idea how many books I’ve read in 2018. I love reading but it tends to go in fits and starts depending on how busy I am with work (and life!) But I’m defo going to keep an eye on this thread for suggestions and book recommendations

I am so glad that this thread has lasted the year and apologies for going AWOL half way through!! I have had lots of things happen this year which has meant I haven't read as much as I normally do but after not reading anything for months I did manage a couple more books now at the end of the year and have lurked a little bit over the last month or so but to be honest felt that after not contributing for so long I couldn't just jump back in which is probably exactly what I should of done!

Anyway I managed around 15 books I think but really lost count. This is less than I have done in recent years and I am planning on reading more again in 2019 which will hopefully be helped by joining a book club, the first book is The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden (or something like that!)

Happy New Year all!!

Hi all,
Happy new year!
I've just started a new thread for 2019 - hope that's ok and I'm not stepping on anyone's toes.

I've got so much inspiration from this thread and am looking forward to reading with you all in 2019.

I managed 35 in total.
33. Guardians of the scroll - Steven Loveridge. Second in a series of books I'm reading to try and encourage my daughter to read. Ok. But the writing is a bit simplistic, even for a kids book, considering the idea is quite complex.
34. Behind the scenes at the museum. Kate Atkinson. Heard her on Desert Island Discs and was inspired to re-read this as I read it when it first came out and have been meaning to re-read it for a while as I could remember nothing about it but that I enjoyed it! I enjoyed it this time too. Clever interweaving of past and present.
35. Local girl missing. Claire Douglas. A thriller, ish. It was ok but I won't bother to keep it and re-read.

I didn't think I'd get to 35. I'm quite pleased with myself. Thanks for the thread, and for all the recommendations I've picked up! Off to join the thread for this year now.