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50 Book Challenge 2018 Part Six

999 replies

southeastdweller · 05/06/2018 08:12

Welcome to the sixth 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, the third one here, the fourth one here, and the fifth one here.

How're you getting on so far?

OP posts:
CorvusUmbranox · 15/06/2018 18:11

At least Wide Sargasso Sea was short. Grin I kind of want to do a fanfiction reworking where Mr Rochester isn't quite so jaded and bitter...

I really liked The Terror, Remus, although perhaps it fizzled out a little bit at the very end. Have you read The North Water? I couldn't help but notice strong parallels between the two books -- would be interested to know if it was just me.

Has anyone been watching the TV series of The Terror on AMC? I actually think they've done a damn fine job, except for the bloody stupid-looking CGI.

And finally house is a little tidier and I've finished my Audible book:

58.) A Head Full of Ghosts, Paul Tremblay -- When Marjorie Barrett begins to act strangely, her parents first try getting her medical help. When that fails, in desperation her father turns to a Catholic priest, and from there the family find themselves the stars of The Possession, a reality show centred around Marjorie's exorcism. The story is told through the eyes of Marjorie's younger sister Merry fifteen years later, who now blogs about the horror genre and has watched The Possession obsessively.

A horror novel, although it was more creepy than scary, with some nods to We Have Always Lived in the Castle, although I'd probably say that about any novel focusing on the relationship between two sisters. Still, 'Merry'...

I was expecting a bit more of a twist at the end, although I liked the inclusion of the blog posts about the reality show and all the meta stuff. Not as scary as I'd been hoping for.

EmGee · 15/06/2018 21:07

Keith the second Ferrante book is miles better than the first. I was a bit disappointed by the first; assumed I would automatically love it as it sounded right up my street. But the second was so much better.

Indigo agree re The Magician's Assistant. Just loved it. Fell on it by chance in a charity shop. A pound well spent!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 15/06/2018 22:03

Corvus - yes, have read The North Water. I thought it was okay, but that it got a bit cartoonish and repetitive.

Anything that's got people getting cold and wet and miserable, whilst bad things happen in a time that isn't the 21st century has at least a fighting chance with me though!

noodlezoodle · 15/06/2018 22:05

Dottie, I really like the sound of the Inspector Chen novels, and lo and behold Death of a Red Heroine is 99p on Kindle so I'm snapping that up!

Dottierichardson · 16/06/2018 07:44

Noodle hope it turns out to be the kind of thing you like!

YuleABUnREASTIEable · 16/06/2018 08:00

Hello, can I join? Historically I was never much of a reader but then have been gradually getting more and more into books over past 3 years. Last year I challenged myself to 52 books in the year which I did :) this year I’m up to 31 so far. I log them all on the website goodreads and I’m trying to work out how to copy and paste a list from there onto here but I’m not sure I can as they save them as book front covers rather than written title and authors, does anyone know?

Great to get some ideas for new books and your thoughts on what you’ve all read so far :)

Frogletmamma · 16/06/2018 09:01

Hello Yule and welcome. I'm on 31. So we are about the same. Slowed down by the current one which is GoT part 5? or maybe 6?and weighs in at 700-800 pages. Sorry no idea how to do your copy and paste thing. I don't have a list on here I just comment on latest book.

YuleABUnREASTIEable · 16/06/2018 11:26

Thanks frogle, I might have to just start my list from now

Interesting chat about my brilliant friend and ferrante . I had heard good things so was really excited to get three of her books second hand recently, now I’m wondering if I’ll enjoy them as much as I was hoping.

Echo Sadik’s comment about the book factory girls . I read it last year and found it interesting reading about the lives of the women who work in Chinese factories.

Currently reading all the light we cannot see by Anthony doerr

ScribblyGum · 16/06/2018 17:05

Yule I don’t think you can (transfer from Goodreads to here). I keep a list on my iPad too (pages).

English teachers, is The Cruicible suitable to take a 13 yo and 14 yo to? It’s on at our local theatre and I'm wondering if they would enjoy going. Neither of them have studied it.

ScribblyGum · 16/06/2018 17:06

Spells Crucible correctly.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 16/06/2018 17:09

Definitely suitable for 13/14 but they'll probably need a synopsis beforehand.

Piggywaspushed · 16/06/2018 17:14

The Crucible is definitely suitable but - be warned- there have been some absolute stinkers of productions...

My DSs are not very cultured but I try to take them to the theatre once a year or so. An Inspector Calls, Christmas Carol, Curious Incident and Woman In Black have all been hits. I haven't tried them on Shakespeare yet...

ScribblyGum · 16/06/2018 17:25

Thanks Remus and Piggy. I'll buy tickets.

southeastdweller · 16/06/2018 17:26

Yule If you go to 'My Books' then copy and paste that info into here then delete the extraneous stuff you'll get your list.

OP posts:
Piggywaspushed · 16/06/2018 17:27

I want tickets to Hamilton really but not sure I can justify £75 each, especially to drag along a reluctant DH.

ScribblyGum · 16/06/2018 17:33

Dd2 asked casually if for one of her birthday presents I could get some tickets to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I said I could not.

Piggywaspushed · 16/06/2018 17:33

Oh you meanie!! Grin

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 16/06/2018 17:35

Only seen 'The Crucible' once and it was superb. Glad I got lucky!

ScribblyGum · 16/06/2018 17:41

Harry Potter is going to have to go on tour to the North and then I might consider it.

I saw The Crucible years ago at university and remember very clearly coming out with my friends all quiet and shocked. Can’t remember at all what happens now so wanted to check it would be age appropriate quiet and shock I'll be exposing my daughters to.

TheTurnOfTheScrew · 16/06/2018 18:02

Piggy I bought myself Hamilton tickets for my birthday a couple of months ago - it's well worth the money (I think our tickets were £60 each). Best thing I've seen in the theatre. I think it's a strange concept for people to get their heads round but it's just superbly executed.

DC1 and I are going to see War Horse tomorrow - I've not read the book so have no idea what goes on, other than it not being a barrel of laughs.

Piggywaspushed · 16/06/2018 18:04

War Horse is very sad in places but is fantastic on stage I have heard.

Piggywaspushed · 16/06/2018 18:05

I was in The Crucible at school. Elizabeth Proctor. Had to kiss a boy. Bleurgh. He ate half my face off. He got the wrong ideas and asked me out afterwards.

Wasn't best pleased as I, of course, wanted to be Abigail.

SatsukiKusakabe · 16/06/2018 18:48

Piggy I’m coming back from my 2nd trip to see Hamilton right now. Totally worth it and your dh will not be reluctant 5 mins in. Even better the second time because you notice things you missed first time, so intricately woven and powerful.

Sadik · 16/06/2018 19:45

I'm going to see Hamilton with DD in August :) (Her 16th birthday present - but it was a joint one from me / ex-H!)

Piggywaspushed · 16/06/2018 20:43

I think he will... he hates musicals. and hip hop.