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?

Remus, erm, the religion is pretty central to it. Each character finds their own spiritual 'country' and it features a nun and a pastor. Have you read the Damerosehay trilogy? I think a lot of Elizabeth Goudge's work is pretty religious - her father was a professor of divinity. Maybe give it a try and see if it's too pious?

Can't wait to read your review, Satsuki.

Satsuki

I have got Into Thin Air out of the library because of you guys. I'm not even interested in mountaineering or books where everyone dies (except Game of Thrones obviously). I am such a sheep.

Satsuki I read it a year ago and I still think of FitzRoy wistfully. I nearly name changed to a FitzRoy fan name at the time.

1. No Middle Name by Lee Child

Collection of Jack Reacher short stories, some better than others as you would expect. Good easy read, and I do like a bit of Jack Reacher.

musuem oh dear that doesn’t bode well as I’m feeling super emotional at the moment for some reason - balled my eyes out at the end of Wonder Woman last night I might be introducing you all to Fitzuki Roysakabe next week.

I don’t think you’ll regret the Krakauer. It’s compelling regardless.

Love “goddish”. I don’t mind a bit of goddish personally, very much like tooextra. I don’t think I could read that though as the initial mistaken identity thing would drive me crazy.

*museum

I should be reading, reading nice books, instead I am researching prices of kilner stye jars from China.

Who is the author of This thing of darkness please? I can find more than one book with this title. I have form for reading the wrong author, I was recommended The Girl on the train but read Girl on a train instead, which was an ok book actually.

It’s Harry Thompson and is about Fitzroy, Darwin the Beagle. The other is also written by a Harry but think is part of a crime series? Not sure.

1. The Fatal Tree by Jake Arnott - set in Georgian London and based on a true story of the criminal underworld/brothels and narrated alternately by the two main characters. The book was completely spoilt for me by the authors continuous use of slang so it was impossible to follow the story. I listened to the audible version which didn’t help but there was so much slang you couldn’t keep on looking it up. Having look forward to this one it was a bit disappointing.

Thank you Satsuki

I read Into Thin Air like this , it was brilliant. I spent the next few weeks telling everyone about it.
I read This Thing of Darkness after challenging Remus to suggest a book to me and it was also brilliant. I cried at the end. Genuine, actual tears.

1. Inside the Wave - Helen Dunmore

Her final book of poetry which I think has won the Costa in some way. It's actually her 10th book of poetry. A mixed bag for me, but there were some very sad and poignant poems set on hospital wards reflecting her own situation at the time. Those were very moving indeed.

Checking in with my list:

1. Whistle in the dark by Emma healey.
2. Swansong by Kerry Andrew.
3. How hard can it be? By Alison Pearson. I wanted something lighter and humorous after the last few books I’ve read, but so far I’m struggling to get into this, despite loving the first book all those years ago.

likeazebra - The author of This Thing Of Darkness is Harry Thompson.

I loved that book.

Thank you Cote I have added it to my tbr list.

I'm nearly through January without buying a book only reading what is already on my kindle, I went through my cloud and moved everything onto my kindle that I have bought but not read and have 43 books on there now. I could almost finish the challenge without buying a book however there are so many recommendations on this list that I now want to read I might alternate months of being allowed to buy and then must read from my kindle.

Is this the same Harry Thompson who wrote When Penguins Stopped Play about a cricket team in the (I think( Antarctic? read it years ago : very funny.

Oh it is! And now I have just found out he died! 12 years ago mind, but still feel suddenly sad.

,rushes off to buy book even though tbr pile is out of control and Middlemarch still not finished.

Well my book buying ban lasted two weeks... I blame having a day off work and no kids...

This Thing of Darkness by Harry Thompson - glad it has just been recommended on here as well!
In the days of rain - Rebecca Stott
Mrs Osmond - John Banville
Larchfield - Polly Clark

Am currently reading Howard's End is on the Landing by Susan Hill, as have had it on my bookshelf for ages and not read it. The irony.

Am powering through books at the moment, mainly due to DS taking up football practice, so hours spent sitting in cars waiting for him to finish. Kids do have their uses.

14. Housekeeping- Marilynne Robinson. This was the first of her books I have read but will definitely read more. A short but very intense book about 2 orphaned teenage girls being brought up by their eccentric aunt after the death of their mother and grandmother. Set in a remote North American town which is dominated by the mountains, lake and railroad. It is one of those books where not a lot happens but the strength of character more than makes up for it. Her writing is incredible if quite dark in places.

Must read This thing of darkness, however really need to get my too read pile down.

On a separate note, went to book club last night and only two of us had read the book or even part of the book!! Think I might be turning into a Grumpy Old Woman but this really winds me up. Sorry rant over -off to iron!

Ellisisland, I was expected to watch my DS play Saturday morning football, so I read on the side of the pitch completely ignoring the game surrounded by keen parents shouting things like 'go on, tackle him' etc.

7. Aaron’s Rod – D.H Lawrence
Unless your idea of fun is trawling through 300+ pages of misogynistic musings on the notion of masculinity (from a character that decides to abandon his wife and three children) I would advise you very strongly not to read this. This is the second worst novel I have ever read, the first being The Plumed Serpent, also by D. H Lawrence. Yet Sons and Lovers, The Rainbow etc are amongst my favourite novels. Why D. H Lawrence, why?? Aaron’s Rod made me so cross I felt cheated that D. H Lawrence was dead and I couldn’t harangue him. I was not impressed by Aaron OR his rod.

Toomuchsplother this is the bane of my (bookclub) life - people not bothering to read the book. I have wasted money and hours of my life ploughing through pages of utter, utter shite (Judy Finnegan's Eloise being a standout low) only to turn up and find that the majority have either not bothered to read it at all or are only half way through. Makes me inwardly seethe.

whippetwoman I read Inside The Wave last year and like you found it a mixed bag. I really didn’t ‘get’ the title poem either. The last two stanzas are so beautiful but all that comes before about Odysseus made me most
What does that poem mean?