25 (ish) books in 2019

[Chickoletta]

Inspired by, but also slightly overawed by, the 50 book thread, this is a thread for those who love to log their reading but don't have the time or inclination for such a high target. The aim is to read 25 books but it really doesn't matter if you don't get close to that or far exceed it - the idea is to exchange recommendations and thoughts.

I loved this thread last year and was really inspired by some of the suggestions so have taken the liberty of starting this year's version.

I only managed 19 books last year due partly to being a slow reader (even though I'm an English graduate and teacher) and also it being a rather busy and stressful year. I'm definitely hoping to beat that score in 2019.

Please number your books and give titles in bold to make it easy to follow as well as sharing thoughts about them.

My favourite book of last year was The Heart's Invisible Furies', as recommended here.

Just finished my first book of the year:

1. 'Why Mummy Drinks' by Gill Sims (bought for me by my own mother for Christmas - no offence taken!!)
Light hearted and well-observed, this was very enjoyable. Some laugh out loud moments as well as many wry observations about family life. I think I would have enjoyed it more if her children didn't sound so totally insufferable!

Looking forward to sharing our reading this year.

@ritzbiscuits I am really enjoying Heart's Invisible Furies and actually gasped a couple of times when reading the first few chapters!

I’d like to join too please. I have just finished 1. Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine
Which was fantastic. I would highly recommend it and I have just started
2. The Burning Air by Erin Kelly

Finished book 2 Look alive 25 by Janet Evanovich it was OK for the familiarity of it but didn't make me laugh out loud like the earlier ones did.

I’ve started well but only because I’ve not been working!

Done
1 Peter May Coffin Road
2 Perfect Family Shallani Bollan (audio)
3 Sunny Side Up Susan Callman (audio)

In progress
Peter May Black House

I finished the Guest cat last night.... it was quiet, elegant and slightly odd like all the Japanese books I’ve read ( all three of them ). It didn’t have the most gripping story lines but it was short.Lol. I managed with my foggy menopausal brain though. I would give it 3 out of 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

I’m just about to start The Wicked Cometh by Laura Carlin who I am not familiar with, I don’t think, but I like historical fiction so I’m looking forward to it.

Signing up. I used to be a huge reader but I haven't read to the same extent since having DC. I'm also guilty of spending too much time on social media. 25 books is probably a realistic goal.

1. The Clockmaker's Daughter' by Kate Morton. I didn't enjoy it as much as her earlier books. I enjoyed reading the stories of the individuals who lived in the house but the link between those stories (I'm being careful not to give too much away) caused the story to drag quite a bit.

Next up is *The Tattoist of Auschwitz' by Heather Morris. Anticipating a difficult read.

I'm read The Heart's Invisible Furies. Not seeing what the fuss is about so far, although it's an easy read. The genre and writing reminds me of Jeffrey Archer (who is great storyteller).

Hi all.

I’ve finished Mary Poppins The Complete Collection (Can I count it as 6 books )

Just started Vox by Christina Dalcher. Not very far in but so far it’s too similar to The Handmaids Tale, which is one of my all time favourite books but I don’t want it rehashed with slightly different characters. I’ll see how it goes.

Still plodding away with book 1 here, will wait until I've finished to give my opinion.

It was my birthday at the weekend so my tbr pile grew a little with presents One of these was Becoming which I am really looking forward to.

I've seen lots of people mention The Heart's Invisible Furies on MN over the last couple of months so once I read some of the books I already have I will have a look at that. Shouldreadmore I often find that with a book that I have high expectations of!

I really enjoyed Vox sharkadder (great name btw) but I've never read Handmaids tale.

Is it still ok to join the thread?
I manage over 25 but less than 50 books a year.

Last night I finished Jo Nesbo's take on Macbeth.

Tonight I'm about to start Libby Carpenter's 11 Missed Calls

I told myself I wanted to read more last year and different books to what I normally pick I managed to read 28 books so hopefully I'll reach the same this year.
First book finished today.
1 One day in december by Josie Silver

Thank you, Strawberry, it’s from my favourite book when I was a kid

I was always rather fond of Hugo sharkadder I met Kaye Umansky once at a children's book festival, she was every bit as wonderfully bonkers as you'd expect her to be!

What did you think of the take on Macbeth @claraduck78? I read Hagseed recently which is Margaret Atwood’s take on The Tempest but I don’t know the original and wondered if I would find the concept annoying for a play I know reasonably well.

I’m hoping to finish my first book today. I’m wondering if I’m up to tackling some non fiction...

I met her too, Strawberry, she came to my school when I was 10. I’d been reading (and re-reading) Pong books for about 4 years by that point. It was the most star struck I’ve ever been!

Joining again, enjoyed last year's thread and managed 31 in the end.

I do wonder if Mumsnet is one of the richest sources of John Boyne's royalties, as I too am starting the year with:

1. The Heart's Invisible Furies

I finished Reservoir 13 but didn't love it as much as others. I got a bit bored and couldn't wait for the end.

Started book 2 Why Mummy Drinks by Gill Sims. Not sure so far but I'm not far in so will keep going.

1 Peter May Coffin Road
2 Perfect Family Shallani Bollan (audio)
3 Sunny Side Up Susan Callman (audio)

In progress
Peter May the black house

Oh and why mummy drinks on audio book

Finished Finding Audrey, no 2.
Now started After Me Comes The Flood by Sarah Perry, it's her first novel, a Christmas present.

I read Don't You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane over the weekend as well and I loved it as I love her writing and her characters. I do agree with a pp though it wasn't as laugh out loud as her others.

I'm still reading The Silent Companions but it's really hard going tbh.

Can I join? I was thinking of doing the 50 book challenge, but it's just not realistic. I used to be an avid reader, but parenting and my addiction to MN and social media have got in the way! My New Year's resolution is to go to bed earlier - partly because I have been sleeping badly recently and my MH is suffering, but also to read more.

I like to be entertained - my days of heavyweight literature seem to be behind me, so most of my choices will be fairly lightweight. I have also developed a taste for self-help books!

I am currently reading the Unexpected Joy of Being Sober (NY Resolution #2 - drink less). I am really enjoying it and am surprised at how readable and entertaining it is.

I am also reading The Girlfriend by Michele Francis, which is a lightweight thriller and fairly enjoyable.

I am dipping in and out of The Chimp Paradox by Prof Steve Peters - another self-help book. The premise is good, but I don't expect to finish it any time soon as I don't find the style very engaging.

I'll be following updates with interest - looking for some good tips.

@GoldenBuns That was my favourite book from last year. It shocked me into stopping drinking and I'm one year 'sober' this weekend! Her style is very entertaining given the subject and not preachy at all.

I’m on a roll this year, I’ve just finished number 3! I don’t think I’d read 3 books in the first 4 months of last year.

So here’s it is:

3 The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler. Like all of her other books I’ve read this one is very well written and totally absorbing.