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.

I've finished Nos. 2 and 3. I read them both in one night (not the same night).

No. 2 was 'The Tattoist of Auschwitz' by Heather Morris. It's an incredible story but I didn't think it was particularly well written. I didn't feel like I made any connection to the two main characters or really got to know them.

No. 3 was 'Unravelling Oliver' by Liz Nugent. This was a much better read and really drew me in.

I think No. 4 will be 'A Keeper' by Graham Norton. I've heard good things about it.

@GoldenBuns I'm going to bed an hour earlier than usual and dedicating a solid hour to reading each night. It's made a big difference.

@PerfumePonce93 as I get older, I have less patience for books that I'm not enjoying. Life's too short.

drspouse there are lots of books I have given up on but I normally do try to persevere for a few chapters to see if I can get into it. Just that slowing down is enough to get me out of the habit of reading and then I find it hard to get started again. Maybe I should give up as soon as I think it’s a bit rubbish!

Strawberrypenguin they do but unfortunately it's not compatible with Kindle. Bloody typical!

There are workarounds, but I didn't tell you.

Just finished book 2.
1. As Good as it Gets by Fiona Gibson.
2.The Heart's Invisible Furies' by John Boyne

I posted above that the Boyne book didn't grab me. I only realised just now that he wrote The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I hated that as well!
Next up, not sure I have a huge TBR pile, some library books and a book club book.

Hamzilla , if you don’t mind reading on phone/tablet you can read library ebooks via the Overdrive app. I don’t find it as good an experience as a proper e-reader though.

Finished 1 and 2.

1. The Girlfriend - Michelle Frances. A readable thriller but nothing amazing. The author has a history as a tv writer and I could see how well it would transfer to the small screen.

2. The Unexpected Joy Of Being Sober - Catherine Gray. Very enjoyable, I read the first 3/4 avidly but found my attention slipping towards the end. I think mainly because I am looking at moderating my drinking rather than giving up completely. Definitely one I would recommend, though.

I paid Waterstones a visit on Saturday and came away with The Woman in the Window - AJ Finn and The Binding - Bridget Collins. I can't decide which to read next!

Goldenbuns I really enjoyed Woman in the Window, it kept me gripped the whole way through.

Tayto Liz Nugents other books are very good too and definitely worth a read.

Still working my way through Why Mummy drinks. It's just ok so taking longer than it should to read.

I picked up Also Human and The Keeper of Lost Things at the library today that I'd reserved. Now I want to finish my current book!

Tinkhasflown - started reading the Woman in the Window last night and I'm loving it! It's that Holy Grail of totally compulsive and well written. I think I'm probably going to end up reading most of today - not ideal as there's loads to do here!

I might manage this too. I do have phases when can’t read but this seems to be an on phase just now! I have a heap of unread books, fiction and non fiction, and will try to deal with that. A couple of crime novels are out in paperback next month. I am buying these but nowt else.

Reading and enjoying Sue Lawrence‘s The Night He Left. Straddles time from late 19th century to 21st. Set in Dundee in Scotland and begins with some of the fallout from the Tay Bridge disaster.

Hello can I join please? A bit late to the party I know!

Currently reading The Bees by Laline Paul , really enjoying it so far about half way through.

Great to see so many new joiners - welcome!

I'm still reading Kate Morton's The Clockmaker's Daughter, which I'm enjoying but not loving as much as her other books.

Planning to read Normal People next after lots of recommendations on here and in real life.

3. The Woman in the Window - AJ Finn - I couldn't put this down, absolutely loved it. Great writing and plotting. Many, many Hitchcock and other classic suspense films are referenced in the book and it really draws on them for atmosphere. The house that it is set in is pictured so clearly, you feel that you are there with the main character.

I now want to go on a Hitchcock watching binge. First up is Rear Window...

Finished 3 starting 4.

3. And the Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks - brilliant, loved it.

And now for something completely different..
4. How To Be Happy by Eva Woods

Just finished book 4 Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston I was given an ARC copy and while it's not a subset of genre I read very often (YA gay romance) I actually really really enjoyed it.

Last night finished #1, the Sue Lawrence book as above. Quite good, a few editing errors - that pisses me off - but a good story. Tonight I plan to get on with next Philip Kerr novel with the Bernie Guenter character. I love that series, will be sad when I’ve read them all. This is the 9th in the series. Man Without Breath

I finished No. 4 'A Keeper' by Graham Norton. I wasn't all that impressed with it, although I liked some of the characters especially the hairdresser friend and the cousin (Noeleen?).

I'm a good way through No. 5 'After You' by Jojo Moyes. It's the sequel to 'Me Before You' which I've read although I don't remember it very well. I'm enjoying it so far and I like the wry humour in it.

I've also lined up No. 6 'The idea of perfection' by Kate Grenville. It won the orange prize for fiction in 2001 so hopefully it's a good read.

I usually have a few books on the go e.g. a physical book and then a kindle book for when DH goes to bed early and complains about my lamp keeping him awake. I buy some books and get some from a swap box we have in work. I noticed somebody has placed a copy of the Maastricht Treaty in the box - think I'll give that a miss!

So, I've got off to a good start in January. Let's hope I can keep it up.

Finished No.4 How To Be Happy by Eva Woods - cheesy, predictable, stereotypical characters, easy read.
Now for no.5
The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain

Finished After Me Comes The Flood, no 3.
This also means I've got 10 books to send to Ziffit which is very pleasing.

Loved The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain
A lovely easy read story. Will see if library have more by Laurain.

Started no. 6 Island by Aldous Huxley

Finished book two, Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. I found it a bit "meh" if I'm honest. I didn't find it particularly well written, didn't much care about any of the characters and the plot wasn't interesting enough to grab my attention. There are a couple of chapters in the middle of the book that fill in the background history of Mia which I found enjoyable and from that point on I enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first but there was nothing in the book as a whole that made me want to read anything else by the same author.

So that makes books read so far this year:

1. History of Wolves by Emily Fridland
2. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Not sure what book three will be yet. I have a novel and a book of short stories to choose from. I feel inclined to go for the palate cleansing short stories before tackling another novel but I'll see how the mood takes me later on!

Finished Pandora's Boy by Lindsey Davis, the last in a series of over 2 dozen books about a private investigator, or "informer" in ancient Rome. This is the first time I've read anything from the series, and I love ancient Rome (the classical world in general) - I just saw it on the new books stand in the library. Once I got over the slightly anachronistic language ("bling" especially jarred) I got into the story, which was rather simple. More interesting was the overarching background of the main character, the adopted daughter of the original hero of the first 20 books. I'm tempted to dive back to the beginning of the series, if I can source them from the library.

Back to The Plague by Camus, which gets more interesting the more the narrator's voice drops. I'm still only 20-odd pages in, though!

My current list:

1. Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
2. Lucifer Book 2 by Mike Carey et al (GN)
3. Pandora's Boy by Lindsey Davis

I'd like to join please - 25 in a year is probably about right for me (although do have an 11 day villa/pool holiday this year so that may bump up my tally).

Currently on number 1 for this year I See You, by Clare Mackintosh. I've been reading it for weeks now as been unwell and didn't feel like reading, but will be back to commuting very soon so reading much more.

Oh, I'm a fan of Lindsey Davis - must find some of that newer series!