50 Book Challenge 2018 Part Eight

[southeastdweller]

Welcome to the eighth (and probably final) 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 and please try to let us all know your thoughts on what you've read.The lurkers among you are also very welcome to come out of the woodwork and share with us 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, the sixth one here and the seventh one here.

How have you got on this year?

[SatsukiKusakabe]

49. A Month in the Country by J L Carr

Wonderfully written, elegant and poignant, this slight novel contains much about love, life, grief, trauma, art and graft, in the often funny tale of a WW1 veteran who takes a job uncovering a work of art in a country Church for the summer, and uncovers a lot more besides. Really beautiful; one that will stay with you.

50. How Not to Be a Boy by Robert Webb

I enjoyed this memoir, Webb is engagingly honest, looking back on his childhood and it’s impact on his later life with an endearing self-awareness that he put some work into acquiring. Exploring how gender roles and stereotypes can be damaging to both sexes and hinder relationships, it was thoughtful and earnest.

[SatsukiKusakabe]

shake I find it useful to read a parenting book from time to time as even if I don’t agree with things, it’s more that I’ve set the time aside to think about how I parent and reflect on how I do things so good to have a recommendation as there is so much.

[SatsukiKusakabe]

70% women
70% paper
24% library
22% non fic
Of 50 books I can say I really enjoyed about half of them, with half of those again being real standouts that I absolutely loved and these were fairly evenly spread throughout the year. Only about 3 absolute stinkers with nothing going for them!

[Welshwabbit]

My 59 and 60 were the first two Villanelle novels - short, pacy and great fun, perfect for relaxed end of year reading. A bit like the Salander novels but less earnest (albeit also less compelling plot wise) the interest is primarily in the characterisation of Villanelle and Eve although the setting of the adventures is also enjoyable. I'll have to watch the TV series now.

[CoteDAzur]

4% women
18% non-fiction
24% SF
12% about dead musical geniuses
8% paper

This is the first year since 50 Book threads started (5 years ago? ) that I barely reached 50, and that is because music now takes up most of my free time. I play the piano a minimum of 2 hours per day, then go to the Conservatoire for music theory lessons, harpsichord lessons and harpsichord practice. And singing - my voice found its way out over the past year of singing practice and I now sing soprano . I took part in 4 concerts in the past 3 months, both singing and playing) and there were quite a few rehearsals for them, too.

[ChessieFL]

204. The Girl I Used To Be by Mary Torjussen
     
     Psychological thriller - Gemma has dinner with a client but realised the next day that she can’t remember what happened after dinner ended. Then someone starts sending her pictures of that night... I enjoyed this, it kept me interested and I didn’t guess the twist. The author is a Mumsnetter too!
     
     
205. Whiskey In a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon
     
     I like her as an actress. This is very light and fluffy, full of beautifully posed pictures of Reese and her kids. It’s basically a book about the sort of lifestyle you could have if you’re a rich Southern belle. As I said very fluffy and didn’t take long to read, but there are some nice sounding recipes I might try so worth it for those.

[toomuchsplother]

Women-67%
Non fiction - 22%
Paper - 40%

Was surprised by the paper. Didn't realise I used my Kindle so much.

[Tarahumara]

53. Milkman by Anna Burns. This is set in Ireland during the Troubles and told from the perspective of a nameless young woman. It is very well written, and gives a really chilling insight into the experience of trying to live a 'normal' life within a community beset by terrorism. I agree with previous reviewers that despite its 'stream of consciousness' writing style, it is still an accessible read. Very highly recommended, and definitely deserving of its Booker. In fact probably my top book of the year, so a great one to end on!
    
    My stats: 64% by women, 66% fiction.
    
    Will south be cross with us if we finish this thread and she has to start a final 2018 one which only gets a few posts?!

[southeastdweller]

Of course I was thinking of that (you lot know me so well!). One time, I started the thread for each year a couple of days before the new year started once before so I might do that again. Or do you all want a little 2018 thread for the last few days? I guess it could get quite a few posts if we perhaps post our full lists and maybe top tens (and yes, I know I'm overthinking it and being anal, as usual).

By the way, I checked the total posts the other day of the previous final thread for each year going back since 2013 and 2018 has been the busiest!

[Tarahumara]

Good idea south - I like the idea of a final 2018 thread for all our final lists and top tens before moving on to 2019

[CoteDAzur]

I guess we will have to have a 9th 2018 thread just for today & tomorrow. We get new blood at the beginning of every year fueled by NY resolutions, but this is the first year when many of them have actually stuck with us

[Matilda2013]

Got myself this book poster to try encourage myself to read “better” books and I’m actually surprised how little I’ve done but I own quite a few of them I haven’t bothered to read. Any recommendations on where to start?

[ChillieJeanie]

96. Miranda Aldhouse-Green - Sacred Britannia
    
    A look at the pre-existing deities and beliefs in Britain before and during the arrival of the Romans, and how these were adopted, adapted and absorbed under Roman rule, along with the belief systems brought by the Romans themselves. Quite an interesting read but I felt it was a little lightweight in places. Of course, the big problem is that Iron Age Britain has not left a written record so ideas of the gods worshipped and the sort of cult beliefs in practice come from the writings of the Romans and other visitors to these islands as well as assumptions made from the archaeological evidence of statuary, burials, and what are believed to be sacrifices such as Lindow Man and the deposits of weaponry in water. I find it a fascinating period of time.

[Piggywaspushed]

I like the idea of an end of year thread, she says pointlessley taking up another post on this one.

[Matilda2013]

Full list if it’s any clearer

[KeithLeMonde]

Sorry South, I would love a last 2018 thread as I have a book I have just finished and hope that I might squeeze one more in as I have a flight on NYE.

[MuseumOfHam]

Yes please to a final 2018 thread southeast . I have two completed reads to review, one more likely 2018 finish on the go, and stats and top picks to post!

[CoteDAzur]

Prisoners of Geography is 99p on the Kindle just for today. It's a fantastic review of regional politics, focusing on the circumstances of various countries that make conflict inevitable. Very well done and highly recommended. Here is my review from earlier this year.

[SatsukiKusakabe]

cote you’re like a Renaissance woman Very inspiring.

Yes I’d be in for a round up thread. I’ve nearly finished 51 which is making me twitch a bit with its oddness.

[PepeLePew]

Interesting list, Matilda. I've read about 2/3 of them (some so long ago I can't remember much). Very little in translation which surprised me but then I don't know the criteria. My picks from that list would be All Quiet on the Western Front, In Cold Blood, 1984 and War and Peace, but only because they are the ones I really enjoyed and would consider reading again.

[Terpsichore]

Yes please to a small extension thread, southeast (and sorry for filling this one up). I’m on track for finishing another book before the old year’s out!

This has been my favourite thread this year. Not trying to curry favour btw

[southeastdweller]

My last book of the year is:

62. Person-Centred Counselling in Action - Dave Mearns and Brian Thorne. This is an accessible read and fascinating insight into the Humanistic philosophy formed by psychologist Carl Rogers in the 1940s and is great for illustrating how the theory fits into practice.

I'll do another thread shortly.

[Tarahumara]

When I explained the 'new thread or not new thread?' dilemma to DH, he suggested that we manage without a book thread for two days until 2019

[southeastdweller]

Oh my goodness, Tara, that's certainly a good reason to LTB in my view!