50 Book Challenge 2018 Part Two

[southeastdweller]

Welcome to the second thread of the 50 Book Challenge for this year.

The challenge is to read fifty books (or more!) in 2018, though reading fifty isn't mandatory. Any type of book can count, it’s not too late to join, and please try to let us all know your thoughts on what you've read.

The first thread of the year is here.

What are you reading?

Ellisisland I count books of poetry. I count anything that goodreads accepts as a book as otherwise my end of year totals won’t tally. I like a nice tallied book total. I count graphic novels, novellas and plays too. No idea if thems the rules for the thread but hey, it’s got a relaxed vibe and no one had said No! Stop that! Not allowed! (yet).

I received the complete works of Emily Dickinson for Christmas. Had no idea it was going to be such a mighty tome. It’s certainly the fattest book I got for Christmas. Strange question did you just start at the beginning and keep going? Is there a recommended method for reading her poems? There are such a lot!

Ill child today so able to do a lot of reading. Finished This Thing of Darkness or, rather it finished me. Will review when I have time to compose myself

I count poetry. I often spend as much time on poetry as a short novel l, as I find I reread and think about them. I can recommend favourites of Emily Dickinson but otherwise plunge in!

Hope you’re feeling better soon teufelsrad

Satsuki can I hear your recommendations please? The poems are all just numbered, yes?

It’s so big I keep doing that thing that you do with the bible, just opening it at a random page and expecting God (or Emily Dickinson) to speak profound words of wisdom to me. So far, somewhat disappointingly no life changing moment of sudden clarity has occurred so I guess I just need to start at page 1 and crack on.

ScribblyGum - have you tried Gerard Manley Hopkins' poems? Or Coleman Barks' Rumi translations. Guaranteed God and profound poet on every random page you open. Bliss.

I have not. Thanks gingerclementine I shall add them to my poetry TBR.

Do you have an index of first lines? As I have an old edition and they are divided into sections with the numbers not going very high so suspect they may be different. Otherwise I’ll see if I can find some online that correspond.

Book number 5 Almond For A Parrot done. A strange concoction of a book. As previously noted, very rude! But also a good story with some lovely writing and heavy doses of (sometimes a bit bewildering) magical realism. I actually found myself slightly teary at one point in the middle.

It is more than a bawdy bodice ripper and I hope Wray Delaney( as she calls herself) writes another book without the filth! It is one of those books with short chapters, which keeps one reading as each chapter seems so manageable.

It is compared with Fanny Hill, Sarah Waters and I imagine it's rather like that Mermaid book everyone is raving about, too. I read Memoirs of a Geisha many years ago and I think it may have shades of that, too.

The only actual sexually aggressive language is used, appropriately, for a rape scene.

I did think part of the end was a touch homophobic (towards men, lots of lesbians sympathetically drawn!) but she does try to right that wrong with some ghostly poetic justice. The ending itself is ambiguous and there is a very rushed courtroom scene.

I do recommend it, unless you are a bit prudish with your reading choices (as, to be fair, I normally am!) . It has some interesting feminist touches.

I do indeed have an index of first lines.

For an atheist, I really rate Gerard MH.

I don't count poetry, but do read a fair bit.

Things are getting a bit steamy in The Thorn Birds and I'm still thoroughly enjoying it.

Piggy - Have got the sample of An Almond for a Parrot which sounds fun. Have you read Dora Damage? Rather rude and good fun.

Glory be to God for dappled things.

Scribbly I’ve sent you an inbox message (at least I think I have!) of first lines, just a selection of remembered favourites and famous ones, hope it gives you something to get started on.

ScribblyGum I read it from front to back as I didn’t know her poetry well enough to be selective. I enjoyed most of them though and I found a lot I will go back too

I like a bit of Manley Hopkins too, and that’s a lovely one best. He is great to memorise and to say out loud. Let them alone, wildness and wet, long live the weeds and the wilderness yet.

Logging in. I've been reading marjorie morningstar by Herman Wouk and it's a whole lot of book for the 10p I got it for in a charity sale. It's a first edition too so may be worth oooh 50p.

Marjorie is a well brought up Jewish girl in the 30's US who does some flirting and being in love and trying to be a star. Enjoyed it in small doses but net effect was kind of cynical.

Now reading The Tainted Relic . Its by various writers doing a chapter at a time of murder mystery across the centuries. Don't usually like these as some bits are inevitably better than others. MIL recommended it though so will give it a whirl.

Thank you Satsuki, and to all for the Manley Hopkins recommendation.

3. Hot Milk by Deborah Levy. A mother and daughter in Southern Spain searching for a cure for the mother's mysterious illness.
I'm undecided about this rather odd book which I think is trying to be more profound than it manages to be. A nice worm-turning moment but mostly vague themes of family, abandonment but I'm not sure what else was going on. I think my ignorance of Greek mythology meant I missed some clues along the way. Great descriptions of Mediteranean heat, parched landscapes, sandy, salty beaches and sore skin. Not bad and I'll continue to ponder it until I start my next.A Girl is a Half Formed Thing

Gosh remus , are you trying to convert me to more smut?! It's all that Thorn Birds rubbing off on you! Fnarr.

Am happily ensconced in The Muse now which I am rather enjoying but fear Jessie Burton will let me down with a poor ending again...

My DM's late husband (well, husband number three of five...) read Pied Beauty at their wedding which was rather lovely.

A bit late to the discussion but just to throw in my twopence-

I adore the film of Remains of the Day - it’s one of my favourite films and IMO one of the few occasions when the film is better than the book.

Not keen on Life After Life. Not sure why really as it should be just my kind of thing. Not planning to read any more Kate Atkinson after trying that and Behind The Scenes at the Museum.

1- This is going to Hurt- Adam Kaye
2- The Secret Garden

1. Call the midwife
2. Exit West - Mohsin Hamid.

book 5 - Mort by Terry pratchett

I've read shockingly little Terry Pratchett and so as part of my challenge this year i want to read the Death series.
I think I'd like to read them series by series as i found The Colour of Magic hard going.
Also want to read a good nunber of classics and modern classics.

I abandoned The keeper of Lost things found it utter fluff /chick lit. Got through a few chapters but gave up.

By the way, for those of us who do like Atkinson (although I too am not sold on God In Ruins/ Life After Life) she has a new one out in September.

She is one of the authors I always get on pre order, so I have done it. I feel loyal o her as I went to York and love Behind The Scenes. When Will There Be Good News? is fabulous. Emotionally Weird I agree is weird!!

Yes indeed. A new Kate Atkinson book is always an event so I'll also be buying Transcription in September.