50 Book Challenge 2018 Part Four

[southeastdweller]

Welcome to the fourth 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, the second one here and the third one here.

How're you getting on so far?

Butting in to this brilliant thread yet again with The Ashes of London by Andrew Taylor
Really wanted to like this, and the start - the description of the great fire and London in the aftermath - was good. But overall I was disappointed. It had loads of potential:fascinating period of history with the restoration and great fire - but it didn't spark into life (no pun intended). The two protagonists weren't compelling and for a "thriller" I thought it lacked suspense, I had no sense of what was actually at stake, who was doing what, or why! It wasn't until the last few pages when things came together that it felt like the page-turner I was expecting, and by then it was all done and dusted. I've read a couple of his other books (The American Boy and The Scent of Death) and enjoyed both of those, so a bit underwhelmed by this one.
On to the next one..

PrivateParkin I am reading the sequel to Ashes of London at the moment and although I enjoyed the first one, I am liking the sequel a lot better. Haven't finished it yet though, so it could all go downhill still!

Thanks clara, there is a lengthy postscript at the end of the edition of Into Thin Air that I read where Karakauer talks at length about how Boukreev's account differs from his and the conflict this caused between them until Boukreev's death in 1997. I would definitely be keen to read his and Beck Weather's accounts if I can get my hands on copies.

Just seen your comment re: Beck Weathers, remus, I'll reconsider and perhaps not seek that one out!

Ah that's interesting Ellis - I had such high expectations! The potential was all there but I just didn't feel it came to fruition. I will definitely give the sequel a go - thanks.

It’s not a stellar read by any means, but don’t necessarily discount it if you see it, a bit of fun if a little overlong (still only around 300 pages)

36 Electra by Sophocles

More fun times in the cursed house of Atreus.
Electra muses on whether it’s the right thing to do to kill your mother who killed your father who killed your sister to get some favourable sailing winds. Orestes her brother comes out from hiding but pretends he is dead in an urn but then reveals he isn’t and then kills his mother and her bit in the side. Sophocles ponders subtly whether revenge killing isn’t all rather bit daft.

37 The Guns of Navarone by Alistair Maclean.
Brave band of allied sabouteurs fight evil nazis in a boat and on a cliff and in the snow and in a cave and in a fortress in order to blow up some giant guns. Cracking stuff.

Scribby Just ordered the sample of The Guns of Navarone. Sounds like something I might like.

Remus it’s relentless derring-do. I really enjoyed it as a complete escapist action adventure.

Ive seen the film but never checked for the book scribbly have got sample too.

I loved Guns of Navarone as a teenager. I recall Ice Station Zebra being a good read too.

I sat with a grin on my face for most of yesterday with dh repeatedly interrupting going “What’s happening now? Have you finished yet? Are they all very brave? What’s happening now? Have you finished yet?”
BUGGER OFF

This conversation has just inspired me to find the book of one of my favourite films - Ice Cold in Alex. Not on Kindle unfortunately but found on Abe books.

Another WW2 adventure Satsuki?

Yes - an ambulance crew in Egypt have to evacuate their post but get lost and have to try to make it back across the desert alone to British territory. Along the way they pick up a South African man of whom they become increasingly suspicious, but they need all hands on deck in the extreme conditions. What keeps the protagonist going is the thought of the ice cold beer he will have in Alexandria if they ever get there. It is tense, dramatic, and moving and I have to watch it every time it’s on!

Never thought of finding the novel.

I was just about to ask if it’s got John Mills in it but thought I'd google instead and yes it’s got John Mills in it . Sounds really good, lots of frustrated brow mopping and cigarette smoking I bet.

Yes John Mills is excellent in it! I wonder if I’ll need a cold beer to properly enjoy the book

Well at least one in the fridge ready for when you finish it.

Oh, Ice Cold in Alex (the film) is great. Sylvia Syms is just so gorgeous too, even when slogging through the desert. Dear old John Mills, he really was the action man par excellence of the period.

He played Scott too; it's mentioned in the Apsley Cherry-Garrard book that the surviving members of the expedition visited the film set. What a weird experience that must have been!

23. Diamonds - K A Linde

17 year old Bryana meets a sexy older gentleman in a club. She should walk away but she can’t help herself.

This was a very easy read but quite short and I don’t really feel compelled to spend money finding out what happens in the rest of the series but needed a break from murder and sadness.

Yes he was - he and Alec Guinness more than earned their reputations, fine actors. He was so believable as a quiet hero. That is weird about the survivors visiting set - never considered the possibility. That was another one I watched an awful lot as a child.

I often think how much my children will miss having ceebeebies available at all times, and only Cash in the Attic on in the day on the main channels. I watched dozens of classics just because they happened to be on during holidays etc. and there was little choice on a rainy day.

60. Uniquely Human: A different way of seeing Autism - Dr Barry M. Prizant with Tom Fields-Meyer I think it was Stitches who recommended this book. Thank you so much. A really insightful book. It reflects a lot of the practice our school aims for but there were things to learn too. Will recommend to others.

61. My name is Leon - Kit De Waal. Have been reading 2 books at the same time which is unusual for me. This book was engaging and zipped along at a pace. Set in 1981 it is the story of a young boy called Leon who ends up in care after his black father goes to prison as his white mother suffers a breakdown following the birth of his baby brother. Set in against the backdrop of race riots and The Royal Wedding it is told from Leon's perspective. Highlights the failings of the care system, specifically when children are not communicated with effectively. I liked this, didn't love it but the writing shows promise. De Waal's novel A trick to time is on the Women's Prize short list and is my next read, so will be interesting to see how she develops as an author .

I'm listening to The Trick to Time at the moment splother. It’s very good and incredibly moving. I'm not an overly weepy person but one chapter had me crying so much that while listening on the dog walk two strangers stopped and asked me if I was OK, which was a little embarrassing.

Scribbly will let you know. I have seen some very good reviews