50 Book Challenge 2018 Part Seven

[southeastdweller]

Welcome to the seventh 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, the fifth one here, and the sixth one here.

Oh, Welshwabbit, the Dark Tower series is a treat. I'll look forward to hearing what you think. Stick with it - The Gunslinger is quite different to the rest of the series.

45. The Adam Kay book much reviewed on here.
46. A Chinese Cinderella Adeline Yen Mah This was DD's book but I liked the look of it and read it. Found it hugely enjoyable and enriching. If you have a sprog ages 10-14 seriously get them to read it-of for nothing else than to teach them how lucky they are.

Scribbly, I bought Bluebird, Bluebird for DH for his birthday. It got a general thumbs up, I think. I also bought him Into Thin Air, thanks to all the reviews on here, and he loved it. I’m keeping Into Thin Air for that really bad stretch of mediocre books that’s bound to happen at some point. I’ve read too many good books recently, really shouldn’t complain. In fact I’ve probably jinxed myself and a mediocre stretch is just around the corner.. 🤐

Noodle, I might try to get Feel Free from my library..

42. Passing - Nella Larsen

A short read (around 90 pages) that packs a big emotional punch, dealing subtly and insightfully with race and relationships. Irene, a black woman who lives in 1920s Harlem bumps into an old friend, Clare, who has been 'passing' - living as a white person, with a white husband who's as racist as they come ; gradually Clare's life becomes more entwined with that of Irene and her family, but at huge danger to both of them and soon events are careering out of control.

Froglet I second your recommendation for Chinese Cinderella. DD aged 10 loved it.

Yes Satsuki we do...and I still haven't forgiven you for not loving The Goldfinch . I listened to A Good Read at the weekend they were talking about Crooked Heart which I hated and you really liked, iirc?

Scribbly the phot is a bit blurry but this was over our house this time last year - and is only a part of the total flock.

Shakeitoff, hope you enjoy Feel Free if you do borrow it.

As I dropped that off at the library I collected Lethal White which had just come in on hold; not only am I looking forward to reading it but it was good exercise lugging it home!

Well I see Milkman has won the Booker. The only one of any of the nominated books I have read this year.
My review, looking back , was probably a bit on the lukewarm side. For all the difficulties I had with the style and the way it was written it has really stayed with me.

Very envious of Remus’ social life. I used to have one!

50. Oranges are not the only fruit Jeanette Winterson This was one of those books I’d heard the title of and knew it was well known, considered a modern classic by some, been adapted for the bbc etc, yet I’d managed to get to the age of 39 without having the faintest idea what it was about. I didn’t love it particularly, quite a fascinating story but I’d have probably preferred it told a bit more straightforwardly, all the asides and the lashings and lashings of fairytale/myth used as metaphors just had the effect of distancing me from the story and dulling any emotional impact for me, and I normally LOVE a fairytale motif.

Yay 50! Personal target is 62 but we shall see. I’ve slowed down in the second half of the year but I have also deleted all the stupid games and other distractions (apart from mumsnet) from my devices AND we’ve cancelled SKY so in theory I’ll waste less time on other stuff and have more for reading. Also I’m starting a longer commute in November so back to the audiobooks.

New thread here

It would be nice if this thread could get full

Ha ha south yes I did like Crooked Heart. I did get very frustrated with The Goldfinch it’s true though would still like her to hurry up and write something else.

We shall have to try and find some common ground on the next thread

41. The Mother of All Jobs by Christine Armstrong

Armstrong interviewed a lot of working mothers who seemed to have found a good balance between work and family life for an article. However, it was the gap between what they said on the record and when the tape stop rolling that proved most interesting to her, and this book came from exploring those real experiences, given anonymously, about the real difficulties and low points of trying to hold onto a career but still be there for your children. There’s nothing massively new here, but if we read to know we are not alone then this fits that bill - it tries to shine a light on the reality behind having it all, and also offer practical ideas to help shape that reality into something more manageable for everyone concerned, based on case studies of real women. It is set up so you can read the chapters of most relevance to you, and it doesn’t neglect dads and the importance of partnerships, friendships and local support. I found it quite funny and an easy read, especially recommend if you are thinking about going back to work after maternity leave or a long break raising children.

Still reading Everything I Never Told You, which is sort of bleakly compelling. I am feeling the dark mornings a bit and could use something lighter next.

Going to join new thread now, but posted review here to ingratiate myself with south

Me too. The working mothers book sounds interesting, Satuski. I’m trying to find something good for friends returning to work after mat leave that isn’t Lean In.

pepe the subtitle is “How to Have a children and a career and stay sane(ish)”. I would say it takes the approach “if you’re going to lean in, what do you need to make that work? What are you going to have to delegate or just not do and are you ok with that?” and “it’s ok to lean out for a bit if it’s not working, just make sure it’s what you want and doesn’t become the default”. It covers a spectrum of different scenarios, including going back full or part time, solo parenting, dads as lead parent etc. It’s very much a don’t believe the Instagram pictures, this is what we’re really up against type of book.

Still posting here just to please south.

Finished 122. The Secret Barrister, by Anon
I think the author is shining a light on some very important issues, namely the damage done by short-term political interests to the criminal justice system, which has a massive impact on the most vulnerable people in our society. I wouldn't say it was a page-turner though.

I'll just pop over to the new thread then

Really pleased about the Booker outcome from a position of near-ignorance (i.e. Milkman was the only one I'd read). Am still reading The Gunslinger (enjoying it so far) but thought I'd post on here to help fill up the thread!

Nothing to report as I'm STILL intermittently reading my Wilkie Collins (enjoying it, though!) as well as about 3 other things.

But this will help push things towards 1000 messages See you on the new thread.

This little end of thread space probably a good place to note another reader for Maggie O’Farrell’s high concept memoir. A bruising read - never mind laugh and cry, it’ll make you gasp and rail.

35 I am, I am, I am by Maggie O’Farrell

I need to finish this thread

Before I go to bed

(Yes, okay, it's early afternoon but it rhymes)

Think I'm nearly done