50 Book Challenge 2018 Part Three

[southeastdweller]

Welcome to the third 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 and the second one here.

What are you reading?

Sorry, Pepe and others, I can't find a way to link to the Half Term Sale. However, if you go to the Kindle Books page on the website there should be a link on there. Alternatively, search for The Phantom Tollbooth kindle edition, and there is a link to the sale from the book's page.

Try here?

Thanks South for the new thread.

Bringing my list over. One stand out read of the year so far, even though it is a young adult book.

1. The Hate You Give - Angie Thomas

1. The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen - Hendrik Groen
2. The Other Mrs Walker - Mary Paulson-Ellis
3. The Good Girl - Fiona Neil
4. The Child - Fiona Barton
5. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harry Fry - Rachel Joyce
6. Roanoke Girls - Amy Engel

1. Archangel - Robert Harris

Fluke Kelso, a Russian historian is in Russia taking part in a symposium on the old USSR. He is approached by an old Russian man who claims to know a secret that could destabilise the current government. Kelso then sets out on a journey across Russia to discover what the secret it. A very well written thriller which kept me engaged throughout. I didn't like it quite as much as Fatherland or Munich but I think that is because I am much more familiar with World War 2 than I am with history of Russia.

The book did contain one fact about Stalin which I find incredibly shocking. Due to him and his policies the population of Russia is half what it would have been otherwise. Whilst I knew that Stalin had been responsible for 1,000s of deaths I did not appreciate the impact that he still has today on the demographics of the country.

Now reading Dissolution by C J Sansom. This has been recommended to me by several people so looking forward to it. From what I understand though it is not the best of the Shardlake books so trying to not build up my expectations too high.

Just finished:

3. Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy

Loved this! The characters were so brilliantly realised that I really felt I knew them. The difficulty of Anna's situation was very clear and I really felt for her when she went into her downward spiral emotionally. All that second guessing and misreading of a situation felt so familiar.

I feel like I'd like to see a film or tv adaption of this although I'm not sure it would do justice to the story.

No idea what to read next - think it will have to be non-fiction as I want this story and characters to stay with me a while longer.

1. The Black Friar by S G Maclean

This is the sequel to Seeker which I read a few weeks ago. A body is found walled up in the old Blackfriar priory which is now a ruin. The cloak he's wearing is old but the body is fresh. Investigations follow. It's entertaining enough but not as good as the first one. I found it hard to believe that an anti Cromwell conspirator would accidentally let slip a key plot point in front of someone known to be working for Cromwell's team and then be surprised when he goes straight back to his bosses and tells them about it.

I've started SPQR by Mary Beard which is very interesting so far but is going to be a slow read I think.

1. Tiger Hills by Sarita Mandanna Recommended by others on last year's thread. A family drama set in Southern India from 1878 up until the early 1940s. It tells the story of Devi and Devanna who grow up together as friends and their ongoing life together. An easy but compelling read.

Third thread already? Goodness.

Current list is:

1. Stephanie Garber - Caraval
2. Jo Nesbo - The Thirst
3. Mercedes Lackey - Magic’s Pawn
4. Mercedes Lackey - Magic’s Promise
5. Mercedes Lackey - Magic’s Price
6. Neil Gaiman - Norse Mythology
7. Lee Child - No Middle Name
8. Sue Lloyd-Roberts - The War on Women
9. Genevieve Cogman - The Lost Plot

10. Iain Banks - The Wasp Factory 11. Mercedes Lackey - Arrows of the Queen 12. Mercedes Lackey - Arrow’s Flight 13. Mercedes Lackey - Arrow’s Fall 14. Lucinda Riley - The Shadow Sister 15. Susan Hill - The Travelling Bag 16. Charlaine Harris - Midnight Crossroad

And finished today: 17. Trudi Canavan - Thief’s Magic
Set across a couple of worlds, in one Tyen is a student of history and sorcery at his world's Academy. He uncovers an ancient book in an archaeological dig, a book which a sorcerer made out of a living woman and which can retain the knowledge of everyone who touches it. The Academy stores it away in their library vault but when it is stolen Tyen is framed for the theft and, having got hold of the book, goes on the run. In another world, Rielle has been taught that using magic is stealing from the angels, but she can see the evidence of magical use which means she can also use it. When desperate times cause her to do so, she has to try and keep her secret from the priests and everyone around her.

10. The QI Book of General Ignorance

A book debunking well known 'facts' - taken from the 'General Ignorance' section of the TV show. It was, indeed, quite interesting and ideal for dipping in and out of whilst in the bath.

11. Haunted by Chuck Paulanuik

One of my favourite authors. This is a quirky book. The premise is a group of wannabe writers attending a mysterious three month writing retreat who find themselves unable to escape.

This is, tbh, a minor plot point. Each character gets a chapter devoted to them, which starts with a poem and then tells a key story from their life usually linked to why they are on the retreat.

Being chuck paulanuik, these stories are not for the faint hearted and shouldn't be read by someone of a sensitive nature. In fact some of them are pretty fucked up.

However I really enjoyed this book. The writing is fantastic, it's funny, quirky and downright surreal at times. A really enjoyable read.

12. Rant: The Oral History of Buster Casey

Another one by chuck paulanuik. As the title suggests, this is written as an oral history - a collection of interviews from people who knew the title character.

It's hard to go into the plot without spoiling it, as you very much think you're reading one thing and it turns into another.... Then another....

It is very cleverly done and a very entertaining read. The last bit was a little confused I felt but overall I enjoyed.

Right now off to catch up with the thread!

Sorry to hear Sleeping Beauties isn't up to much.

I must admit I looked at the synopsis on amazon and thought it looked a bit dodgy. Think I'll wait til I see it in a charity shop for that one.

Due to him and his policies the population of Russia is half what it would have been otherwise.

Wow! Russian history is one of those things I would love to know more about. When i retire...

My short list
1. Our Endless Numbered Days
2. The Universe versus Alex Woods
3. Skellig
4. A Monster Calls
5. Skeleton Crew
6. Wolf Hall
Stephen King's Skeleton Crew short stories were a mixed bag, some much better then others. Not sure what period the stories were written over but he shows some seriously outdated sexism in his writing. Overall an enjoyable read though.

I discovered I had Wolf Hall as an audio book as well as on my Kindle (don't remember buying both) so this was a reread/relisten. I know I lot of people can't stand Wolf Hall, but I love the way she brings these historical characters to life and makes the pantomime baddy Cromwell such a sympathetic character. Mantel does make the reader work quite hard, on first reading I really struggled with it, until I read a review that said assume the ubiquitous Mantel 'He' refers to Cromwell. It usually does, and when it doesn't it quickly becomes apparent. Apparently this overuse of 'he' is meant to make the action more immediate - you're meant to feel like you're inhabiting Cromwell's thoughts. By the end of the book she's using 'He, Cromwell, ...' far more so maybe she realised how confusing it can be for the reader! Simon Slater makes a wonderful job of narrating the Audible book and as he has a 'Cromwell voice' it's far easier to tell who is speaking/thinking when. I'll definitely be rereading Bring Up The Bodies before her final book in the trilogy is published next year, but not as my next book. Still deciding what that will be.

13 NHS for sale
This is really academic a mate of mine who works in comms for the NHS leant it to me. Basically discussing the NHS since the coalition govt came to power. Grim reading but well and accessably written for what is essentially a 300 page essay. Enjoyed
Started The Power today.

desdemona I liked Wolf Hall though found it slow in the middle, but I didn’t have any problems with the narrative as others seemed to, I didn’t give it that much thought so perhaps that helped! Bring Up the Bodies was better I think, and much tighter on the affectations and grammar - lots of “he, Cromwell” from the start - so I would think you’ll enjoy it when you get to it.

Sleeping Beauties was v disappointing. It felt like Stephen King by numbers and as if King himself hadn't had much of a hand with it, and was just using it as a chance to market his other son (since Joe has presumably already done well from trying to replicate his dad).

1. Logical Family, by Armistead Maupin. I absolutely adored this. I have read and re-read many of his Tales of the City series and love his writing, and I enjoyed this even more. I'd describe it as a memoir more than an autobiography, and it's fascinating. I know of him as a gay writer living in San Francisco, so hearing about his childhood in the South, and how he served in the navy in Vietnam was very unexpected. He intersperses these stories with 'flash forwards' to his later life, and I found the structure, the writing and the content worked together to make a fantastic book. I actually finished this a couple of weeks ago and have thought about it a lot since, which is always the hallmark of a good book for me.

1. Startup, by Doree Shafrir. Light but very funny and perceptive book about the startup world in New York. It has different strands focusing on sexual harassment at work, startup culture, online journalism and millennial expectations of the workplace. I wouldn't describe it as great literature but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

14. What Dark Clouds Hide - Anne Holt

Scandi crime. I’ve read several of Anne Holt's books and enjoyed them a lot. In a former life she was Norway's Minister for Justice and knows her stuff. This isn’t an action-packed book but rather a quiet and poignant story featuring Johanne Vik, a recurring character, who finds herself drawn reluctantly into the death of the young son of a couple she’s known slightly for years. The twist is that he dies on the same day that Norway is traumatised by the terrible killings on Utøya island. I won’t say more in case anyone wants to read it, as there’s a crucial plot point that mustn’t be given away - but will just note that another Anne Holt story with Johanne Vik is about to be serialised on BBC4 from tomorrow (series 2 of 'Modus').

I’m starting 'Into Thin Air' next after snapping it up for 50p in a charity shop - hurrah! - and also snaffling Sara Wheeler's biog of Apsley Cherry-Garrard, which I notice is highly-praised on the cover by none other than...Jon Krakauer

24. Arrowood by Laura McHugh

A woman goes back to her childhood home, where her twin sisters vanished 17 years ago. Gradually she uncovers what happened this day. A bit predictable but I liked the descriptions of the old house.

1. Mythos Stephen Fry
2. Origin Dan Brown
3. Mitford Murders Jessica Fellowes
4. Paris Edward Rutherford

*5) The Four Quarters - T S Eliot.
*
I last looked at these years ago after studying them for A Level and hating g them. Was looking for a quote yesterday and stumbled across them and was mesmerised by them. Everything seemed to make sense, the words flowed, I finally understood the abstract contents of time, love, war, nature, beauty, destruction, life, death and redemption. I could also properly recognise the elements of earth, air, water and fire. It felt like a coming home. I was totally entranced by the words and rhythms and felt immersed in the poetry. So strange, as I've never been a fan of poetry (and definitely not an Eliot fan), but something "spoke" to me yesterday and the Four Quartets is possibly my favourite read of the year, so far.

Now off to finish the Magus of Hay

Ohhh I've already ordered two books just reading this thread. Love it!

Work and children mean I can't read half as much as I'd like so I've only read a couple of books this year, but fully intend to sort that by charging my phone downstairs so idly surfing MN instead of reading becaines a thing of the past.

My 2018 list includes:

Days without end - Sebastian Barry which I absolutely loved and recommend to everyone

How to stop time - Matt Haig which was quite interesting but not as great as I'd expected. Liked its descriptions of old England though.

Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine - Gail Honeyman - I am 3/4 way through this and really enjoying it. It's so different and surprising, and I can't wait to pick it up each night.

Welcome growingboys, I hope you enjoy this thread as much as I do. It has encouraged me to read a much more diverse range of books. Speaking of which, I have added Four Quartets to my wish list, BellBook.

11. Small Island by Andrea Levy.

Set in 1940s Britain (and to a lesser degree Jamaica), this award-winning book is centred on four main characters and each of them tell their story from the first person viewpoint. I liked this book; I thought it evocative of the time dealing with marriage, relationships, racism, expectations. A good read.

12. The Invisible Guardian by Dolores Redondo.

Crime novel set in Spain - introducing Inspector Amaia Salazar investigating the deaths of young girls. As part of the investigation she must return to where she grew up. Unsurprisingly there is trauma from her childhood, not entirely fully explained by the end of the book. A bit formulaic but quite nicely written (and not too gory) so I think I’ll read the second to see if there are any interesting character developments.

Welcome growingboys (and any other newcomers I may have missed)

I love the Four Quartets and often reread them or think of an odd line. My first introduction to Eliot was hearing a recording him reading The Waste Land at university and it was so haunting I read everything else and got a bit obsessed. I love Burnt Norton especially.

I often think you need to read the right book at the right time- and often I think we give children poetry and novels that they would enjoy far more if they could come to them T their own time. Yet other books are much better when read with the hormones of adolescence! Mind has obviously now gone blank, but I loved Rebecca recently, but found it dull as a teen, loved the beginning of Jane eyre as a preteen but didn’t understand the rest.

19. The Clever Guts Diet by Michael Mosley. This is very interesting, based on recent research into the gut microbiome, and Mosley does do a good job of making it easy to read (sometimes I think he over simplifies, but I guess his job is popularising this sort of stuff). I would like to eat better (as am gluten intolerant), but I suspect I willl use this as a stick to beat myself up with because I have eaten the wrong stuff! However, maybe some little things will help.

Piggy, I would be interested int he things from the Didou book too- thread in education maybe?! If you have the energy!

I have a few go to authors if I am in a book slump, struggling at the moment to get into anything as so many things going on in real life, Lee Child, Sue Grafton, to name a couple, basically easy reading, formulaic books which don't need you to think to much.

10 One Shot by Lee Child as stated formulaic but rolling read, good guy set up to take the blame for something Reacher comes along and helps. Good guys win in the end. Not to much scientific detail about guns, scientific processes which helps

@Tanaqui - I totally agree with you re: the right book/poem at the right time. As I've got older I've thought more about how English lit lessons must turn do many young people off great books/classics as they are forced to read/study things that have no relevance to them. Literature should be a pleasure not a chore.

10. My Sister’s Grave - Robert Dugoni

Tracy’s sister was murdered twenty years ago and a convicted rapist was sent to jail for her murder. No body was ever found. Tracy was never convinced that the right man was imprisoned and when the body is discovered twenty years on she sets out to find the truth.

Last of my kindle unlimited books from my wish list and the one I enjoyed most! May even go on to try more books from this author

Now to get rid of my library pile so I can start on the books I own