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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:
Slippery · 03/02/2018 21:54

Iklboo I too have a Literature degree, and also write as a hobby. I love to read things that are beautifully-written, but at the end of the day you can't beat a cracking story, however it's written.

I'm happy to read high-brow, low-brow, whatever, as long as I enjoy it.

Slippery · 03/02/2018 21:56

Also, can I put in a plea for everyone to join their local library? Books are free then Grin. But also, libraries are struggling all over the country, so the more people that use them the better.

drspouse · 03/02/2018 22:19

This is about my speed!
I've read How Hard Can It Be (Allison Pearson) and Justice Hall (Laurie King).

Currently finishing Thinking About It Only Makes It Worse (David Mitchell).

drspouse · 03/02/2018 22:22

Oh I forgot - I read The Gender Trap (Emily Kane). A bit too academic in style but interesting.

Rainboho · 03/02/2018 22:22

Just finished reading Ink because my daughter really wanted me to read it and I actually really enjoyed it!

drspouse · 03/02/2018 22:23

Oh I read A Suitable Boy when I lived somewhere with no telly and nothing much to do at the weekends except go to the beach. Still took me about a year to read!

Nearlyadoctor · 04/02/2018 09:25

Book 7 - Murder most Unladylike, Robin Stevens

Another purchase for Dd which she wanted me to read first, very Mallorytowersish, sets in a 1930's boarding school.

Next book I'm going to read is The Book Thief , one of those books I can't believe I haven't actually read after everyone's recommendations, and it has been sat on the bookshelf a while.

earlylifecrisis · 04/02/2018 17:39

I have just finished my 6th book of the year which was 'How to Stop TIme' - Matt Haig. I really loved it, the themes are lovely and I read it in one sitting while I had a rare weekend away from the DC!

Storminateacup74 did you enjoy 'I Saw A Man' ? I read it last year and really enjoyed it although someone else I know thought it was really slow.

drspouse · 04/02/2018 20:22

Finished Thinking About It Only Makes it Worse, now reading Herring in the Smoke by LC Tyler (so this must be no 5).

Also like low brow, literary fiction that's easy to read, quirky non-fiction (so not huge tomes of history, but things like "Mail Obsession").

Storminateacup74 · 04/02/2018 22:16

earlylifecrisis I did enjoy I saw a man but I found it very slow to begin with. I almost gave up but my mum heard it read on radio 4 and told me to keep going as she loved it. It definitely picked up pace after the big event was revealed and I am glad I carried on, I didn't really like Michael's character but sure he was flawed due to his grief which obviously played a huge factor in the further events of the story.

generalleiaorgana · 05/02/2018 18:19

Nearlyadoctor the book thief is so good - enjoy!!!

I finished Hidden Figures yesterday. It has taken me the best part of a month because it's quite dry/technical. I'm not sure I'd recommend it but I adored the film so if you haven't seen that definitely do. Onwards to The Book of Dust. Smile

Tinkhasflown · 05/02/2018 20:06

Finished Hide Her Name this morning so have moved on to Ballymartin Road, the last book of the trilogy. I'm quite enjoying it but find some elements a bit annoying (like the constantly reappearing ghost ). I feel like I have to get to the end of the trilogy though.

drspouse · 06/02/2018 10:30

Right people, and Goodreads friends, stop reading things I want to read!
I just ordered a Lent book and Bluestockings by Jane Robinson from Ebay and put myself on the waiting list for the ebook of Not My Father's Son by Alan Cumming at the library.
Plus two other books that are actually IN the library so I have a note to take them out when I can.

Lokisglowstickofdestiny · 06/02/2018 23:52

3.True Confessions of Adrian Albert Mole

  1. The Lost Diaries of Adrian Mole

Both audiobooks, do quite a bit of walking so can get through them. Still funny and Adrian is delightfully pompous as ever.
I tried with Alias Grace - managed 70 odd pages but couldn't get into it so I'm having a trip to the library tomorrow to see what I can find. In the mean time in my continuation of Sue Townsend books, I have started listening to Queen Camilla.

babybythesea · 07/02/2018 07:54

Book 4 done. Hollow City - the second in the Miss Peregrines Peculiar children series.
I really enjoyed it - have bought the third one.... (so much for not buying books this year).
Before I can read it I need to read the book for my book club. The Comedians by Graham Greene. I haven't read any by him since I did Brighton Rock at school so it should be interesting.

Taffeta · 07/02/2018 08:03

It’s funny I do a fair bit of walking but I download podcasts - had never thought of audiobooks.

What are they like? What if you find the narrator annoying? Do they go at the right pace?

Foghead · 07/02/2018 09:10

It’s february and I’m still reading my first book of the year - The Power im nit enjoying it but I’m determined to see it til the end though (I have to as it’s a book club book).

TheBitterBoy · 07/02/2018 14:49

Those of you who are in bookclubs - where did you find them? I feel like it would do me good to socialise with other readers, and be pushed a bit to read outside my comfort zone.
Currently halfway through book 4 - Flash & Bones by Kathy Reichs, definitely one of my easy read choices of author, when I know I can just enjoy it without too much brain strain.

babybythesea · 07/02/2018 17:05

My bookclub already existed in my village. I live in The Archers. Well, not really but it's very much like it. We have a village hall in which, on varying nights of the week, you can do yoga, short mat bowls, WI .... We even have a village pantomime. And we have a village newsletter delivered free of charge to every house. In this, there was a book review which caught my eye. So I phoned the number at the bottom and asked if I could join. I am the youngest member (used to be by about 30 years but I co-opted a friend of mine and now I'm only the youngest by a decade). But they are a lovely bunch of ladies and I certainly have read things I might not otherwise have done. I did toy with the idea of setting up a book group with some of the mums (or dads, if they wanted) from school and there were a few who were up for it but I haven't done much about it. We don't buy our books - we get them all through the library which does 'book group sets' - PM me if you'd like details!

Nearlyadoctor · 07/02/2018 17:16

babybythesea I wonder if we live in the same village - not sure ours does short mat bowls though Smile

Foghead · 07/02/2018 20:51

My book club was started by a mum at school. My sister set up a book club by putting a post up on mumsnet local and netmums meet a mum page.
We both really enjoy it. And I usually enjoy the books too.

Lokisglowstickofdestiny · 07/02/2018 21:04

Taffeta, a narrator can make or break an audiobook. I gave up on a Stephen King one as I didn't like the narrator - can't remember for the life of me who he was now. I used to be a member of Audible and have built up a fair number of books from them but now use my library - not such a wide choice but free!

babybythesea · 07/02/2018 21:09

Nearly - what region of the UK are you in? I'm in the south west....

Nearlyadoctor · 08/02/2018 06:58

baby So am I !! Devon

babybythesea · 08/02/2018 14:18

Ah. Not the same village then. You'd need your passport and possibly a visa to come here - I'm all the way over the Tamar in Cornwall!!

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