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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.

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Doobydoo · 31/01/2018 21:31

Not yet read full thread.So far I have read.Lullaby.Anatomy of a Scandal.The Betrayals.Then She Was Gine.Victoria.Upstairs at the Whitehouse.The Good Wife. I am currently reading Small Great Things,White Bodies and My Life in Houses.I usually have a few on the go as it depends on my mood.I also have The Roanoke Girls to read.

Tinkhasflown · 31/01/2018 22:09

Can I join please? I read 22 books last year so 25 is a good target for me. I'm off to a pretty good start this year as I have started book 6 and 7 already, but they have been mostly very light reads, chick lit type books. I ended last year reading George Orwell's 1984 and I found it a real drag. I didn't enjoy it and it took me an age to finish as a result, so everything since has been an easy read.

So far this year I have read:
Can you keep a Secret - Sophie Kinsella.
The Letter - Kathryn Hughes
Remember Me - Sophie Kinsella
Harry Potter and the Philosophers' Stone (I read this to my daughter, so I'm counting it here Grin )
The Four Streets - Nadine Dorries

I'm currently reading Hide Her Name by Nadine Dorries. The Four Streets was just OK but is part of a trilogy so the nosiness in me needs to find out what happens next, hence I'm on to book 2. I'm also reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets to my DD. My list isn't great, but it is what it is.

I read Alias Grace last year and much preferred it to the Handmaid's Tale. I was truly hooked from the beginning, but maybe because it was based on a true story. The mini series is currently on Netflicks for those interested

Nearlyadoctor · 01/02/2018 06:53

Welcome Tink - I was always taught it doesn't matter what you're reading as long as you are reading. I find if I read something a bit ' heavier' I need some light relief after it.

Doobydoo I enjoyed Small Great Things, read it just before Christmas, tempted by some more Jodi Picoult but have so many in my unread pile after a couple of recent shopping trips that I better not buy anything else for a while.

Tinkhasflown · 01/02/2018 08:32

Oh I agree Nearly I just mean there is nothing from the list that I can recommend as a great read. They were all just ok (apart from Harry Potter - I'm actually loving those Grin).

earlylifecrisis · 01/02/2018 09:10

Hello I'd love to join this thread- 50 isn't realistic for me - 25 I could do! So far:

  1. The Underground Railroad
  2. The Power
  3. Small Great Things
  4. The Dry
  5. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely...

I've enjoyed all of these, although I found the main protagonist in Small a Great Things unlikeable. I just finished Eleanor Oliphant and I thought is was superb, wonderful characters.

generalleiaorgana · 01/02/2018 09:19

Hello all. I would love to join if that's ok.

So far I have read:

Robert Webb's biog (2/5)
My Name is Lucy Barton (4/5)

I'm now reading Hidden Figures but struggling with it a bit with it. I loved Eleanor Oliphant so much.

Taffeta · 01/02/2018 11:13

General - what did you make of Robert Webb’s biog?

I read that, Eddie Izzard’s and Simon Amstell’s in quick succession - prob an overdose of funny peeps navel gazing tbh - and was left thinking less of all of them.

generalleiaorgana · 01/02/2018 18:10

@Taffeta I read it really quickly so I obviously liked it but I felt a bit deflated afterwards tbh! I think maybe I was expecting a bit too much as had watched lots of interviews with him about it. I wanted to know more about his time with his wife/kids. And it ended a bit abruptly. Sorry probably being a bit harsh - I did enjoy it. What did you think of it?

generalleiaorgana · 01/02/2018 18:11

Ohhh how was Eddie Izzard's?? I do love him.

Taffeta · 01/02/2018 18:34

Yes general agree re more about his wife and kids. But I think that, in itself, spoke volumes. It was all about The Me. The “struggle” to get into Cambridge [hollow laugh].

I read Eddie Izzard’s right after and having been a fan for many years, it has totally turned me off him.

He’s like a baby man that dresses up as a woman. He came across as exceptionally self obsessed and shallow. Like a very spoilt little boy. Sad.

Robert Webb and Izzard have many similarities, most of which are that they both seem spoilt little boys who have lived charmed easy lives.

Taffeta · 01/02/2018 18:36

Although Izzard’s mother died so maybe not easy. I take that back - but was so disappointed!

TheBitterBoy · 01/02/2018 20:03

I finished The Dry yesterday. I enjoyed it a lot, it really gives an insight into small town rural Australia and all the tensions that bubble under the surface.
Trying to decide what to read next, I think it will be The Witchfinders Sister, after i heard a really interesting interview with the author on Radio 4 a couple of weeks ago.

Brox · 01/02/2018 23:52

Tinkhasflown could you expend on what it was about George Orwell's 1984 you fond a bore? It’s on the bookshelf to read.

generalleiaorgana · 02/02/2018 08:51

Taffeta - that's rubbish. I guess these books enhance the navel gazing.

Brox -1984 is horrible to read in parts but one of those books I read years ago that I still remember so well. I would say give it a go (and give up if you get bored - I do this frequently!!).

Tinkhasflown · 02/02/2018 10:18

Brox I didn't find the book boring just a bit drawn our maybe or a bit depressing. So I never looked forward to reading it hence it took me so much longer to read than it should have. I was disappointed given that it's in the top 10 of every must read list. Give it a go though as my view definitely doesn't seem to be the norm.

Brox · 02/02/2018 21:49

generalleiaorgana thanks for the advice. Tinkhasflown I will.

The Suitable Boy arrived today, postman couldn’t fit through the letter box - it’s a brick - why didn’t anyone warn me it’s nearly 1500 pages! So, so far, my 25 list has only books of 5cm spine depths and above 😳

Original poster
Homemadehopeful · 03/02/2018 10:55

Decided I wasn't getting out of bed this morning until book 3 (The Keeper of Lost Things) was finished! Enjoyed it in a nice lightheated kind of way but not blown away by it. What did you think Tafetta? Laura's rant at Freddy near the end felt totally out of character and unrealistic to me, like the author didn't want it to be a straightforward happy ever after.

I am planning on reading 1984 in the near future as it is one of those books that I feel I should have read but never have so interesting to hear people's thoughts on it. Apparently it was the most bought book on Amazon right after Trump's election!

Am about to go into town so may need a little trip to Waterstones!

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Original poster
Homemadehopeful · 03/02/2018 11:01

Sorry also meant to say Hi to the recent newcomers! The more the merrier Grin

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Taffeta · 03/02/2018 11:34

Brox - haha me too - postman had to leave it in porch Grin

Home - yes agree, a nice light read. I was hoping for a little more depth as the beginning seemed promising. I know what you mean about the Freddy rant - it turned it into formulaic twaddle!

Original poster
Homemadehopeful · 03/02/2018 12:12

I saw it described as "schmaltzy" and I can see why the poster used that word. That said I did enjoy it as a non-challenging, and like you say, slightly formulaic read.

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Original poster
Homemadehopeful · 03/02/2018 15:52

Trip to Waterstones resulted in Hot Milk by Deborah Levy and All That Man Is by David Szalay joining the tbr pile Grin

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iklboo · 03/02/2018 17:07

Finished Skeleton Crew, this book three. I've stated 'Forgiven' (book 3 of the series).

I've just downloaded Fried Green Tomatoes At The Whistle Stop Cafe. I've heard good things and the film is one of my favourites.

babybythesea · 03/02/2018 19:26

I have a Very Important Request.
Please can you all stop posting the titles of interesting-sounding books. I have made a vow not to buy any books this year as I have over 800 unread books (mostly kindle). You lot are Not Helping. I keep seeing things I think I would like to try and now my Amazon wish list is growing. I have also repurchased a Suitable Boy because I had it and loved it and leant it to someone and it never came back. I kept promising myself I would get another copy and then after reading about people buying it on this very thread I've been and gone and done it. I couldn't cope any longer.
So stop telling me about the good books. I am trying to get my book hoarding addiction under control!!
(Please do t make me leave the thread. I like having a number of books to aim to read.)

babybythesea · 03/02/2018 19:27

I really enjoyed Fried Green Tomatoes. I also enjoyed Welcome to the World Baby Girl which is by the same author but FGT was best. Love the film, one of my all time favourites, and it was so interesting to see where it differed from the book. Unusually for me, I saw the film before I read the book.

Storminateacup74 · 03/02/2018 21:38

Can I join too? I read 27 books last year. 50 is unrealistic to me due to work and other commitments. I am on my 5th book this year already but always read more in the winter and summer months rather than Autumn and spring. I have read Engleby by Sebastian Faulks, I saw a man Owen Shears, To kill a mockingbird - Harper Lee and The girls- Lori Lansen. I started What a carve up. By Jonathan Coe on Thursday and it is brilliant a political sattire on upper class 1980's life. My son says I have an addiction to books!!