50 Book Challenge 2019 Part Six

[southeastdweller]

Welcome to the sixth thread of the 50 Book Challenge for this year.

The challenge is to read fifty books (or more!) in 2019, 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.

That’s reassuring pepe. She seems quite eclectic in her writing.

I have a charity shop copy of The Signature of All Things on my bookshelf that I really must get around to at some point.

I read Why You Should Read Children's Books, by Katherine Rundell. It wasn't quite what I expected - an essay rather than a full-length book. I enjoyed it but found it slight - it's mainly just rhetorical points about the value of children's books, without going into the literary merits of any particular writers.

Two books on prisons:
The Prison Doctor, by Amanda Brown (by a GP) and The Dark Side of the Mind: True Stories from My Life as a Forensic Psychologist, by Kerry Daynes. Despite the slightly lurid title, the latter book is much better - she's a better writer, interleaves her own experiences of misogyny and stalking, and is more thoughtful about the criminal justice system. The first one is okay, but the second one is recommended.

Just seen The Road to Somewhere by David Goodhart is on offer today - it's an interesting read and very relevant to the times, whether or not you agree with him (actually, I imagine most people whatever their politics would find some bits really interesting and some deeply annoying, just different bits!)

63. Under the Knife: a history of surgery in 28 remarkable operations - Arnold van de Laar

Interesting and fact-packed account of 28 historical operations, many involving famous figures like JFK and Louis XIV, but only recommended if you like A LOT of pus and guts in your entertainment. Not really a history of surgery in that it's not chronological and doesn't trace development of surgical techniques over time in a consistent way. This made more sense when I read in a the acknowledgements that this is a compilation of a series of articles. Gets bonus points for the immortal line, 'A lot can go wrong in and around the anus.'

64. Convenience Store Woman - Sayaka Murata

Keiko has worked in the same Tokyo convenience store for 18 years, and while she's happy with her lot, her family and friends pressure her to conform by finding a 'proper' job or a husband. Keiko has a similar mentality to the narrator of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (with worrying shades of Dexter Morgan) and the exploration of the way the routines of the convenience store allow her to construct herself as a 'normal' person is fascinating. But there wasn't a lot going on plot-wise, and I'm left with a 'huh? what was that all about?' feeling.

I do enjoy the tying up of loose ends in Busman's Honeymoon Remus, but I agree it isn't her best- do you have a favourite? I can never decide! (5 red herrings, 9 Tailors and Murder Must Advertise are probably my most read though).

53. Money in the Morgue by Ngaio Marsh and Stella Duffy. Duffy wrote this from a few chapters and notes by Marsh, and I think did a good job (better than the Sophie Hannah Poirot, but tbf the original material is weaker). Funnily enough I'd just read an article by Duffy linked from a feminist thread, then saw this while looking for my last Marsh novel, so I think the universe is suggesting I try one of her own novels!

Sadik, re The Bear and The Nightingale, you may like it. I’ve noticed we cross-over somewhat in our liking of fantasy. It’s fairly easy to see where the story is going but enjoyable nonetheless. I would say she is similar to Naomi Novik.

I don't have a favouriteWimsey and generally find him far too wittering. Overall prefer him without Harriet, although most on here would disagree.

104 The Military Philosophers by Anthony Powell
This is book nine in the Dance to the Music of Time, and the war is drawing to a close. Nick continues to float through life without us really ever knowing too much about him and what drives him, while the cast of characters around him continues to grow, and his encounters with school friends, university friends, people he once met at a party and long lost relatives carry on in a similar vein. I was delighted that Mrs Erdleigh made an appearance and amused and horrified again by Widmerpool.

The writing is exquisite – I almost don’t mind about the plot (or lack of, because there isn’t really a plot, as such – people move through life against a recognisable backdrop of historical events and things happen or don’t happen to them, much as in life) because each description of a person or place is a perfectly formed sketch that stands on its own merits. I’m still not entirely sure I can disentangle all the different male characters, although I was pleased with myself for doing better at remembering who at least some of them are than in previous books. And they are funny, in places, and very evocative of a certain period which I can imagine my grandparents (on one side of the family at least) being completely at home in. And while they are clearly about a very small, very privileged section of society (Nick has some vague competency with languages, fails an interview but nonetheless is rescued from the front for a desk job liaising with Allied officers) they are a fantastic social history and conjure up a very real sense of place and time.

If anyone is thinking ahead to a reading challenge for next year, I would recommend this series without hesitation – each one is short enough to be easily manageable, they zip along, and there are 12 of them.

173. Gotta Get Theroux This- Louis Theroux This is an excellent memoir covering Louis’ life and career to date, including his documentaries about the Westborough Baptist Church, the Hamiltons, Scientology and, of course, Jimmy Saville. Louis ponders the way in which he is perceived- his ‘faux-naiveté’- which is very interesting. I have always thought of Louis Theroux as quite a private person, so I was surprised that one or two arguments with his wife Nancy are reproduced almost verbatim. I listened to this book on Audible, which added a great deal to the experience.

174. The Salt Path- Raynor Winn This was interesting, but I couldn’t quite see what all the fuss was about. I think I prefer Wild by Cheryl Strayed which has a similar theme (i.e. the author goes on a long hike after some difficult life events).

175. Picnic at Hanging Rock- Joan Lindsey This is a bit dull and has a frustrating ending, as previously mentioned on this thread. However, I very much enjoyed all the mentions of Australian flora and fauna.

176. The Lost Continent- Bill Bryson Another amusing Bill Bryson book, my fourth of the year.

177. The Subtle Knife- Philip Pullman I’m really enjoying His Dark Materials so far, never having got round to reading it earlier. I particularly appreciate the various references to Oxford.

178. Murder and Crime: Leeds- Margaret Drinkall A short and rather nondescript book about 12 Victorian murders in Leeds.

179. The Liar- Stephen Fry The sixth Stephen Fry book I have read this year, and my least favourite. I enjoyed the childhood scenes inspired by his excellent first memoir Moab is my Washpot, but the plot didn’t really grab me.

180. Little Lord Fauntleroy- Frances Hodgson Burnett One of my childhood favourites, this time read expertly by Johanna Ward.

181. Oliver Cromwell- Hourly History This was weaker than some of the other Hourly Histories.

Hi Fran, good to see your review of the Louis Theroux book. I have a love/hate affair with his father's non-fiction writing, so hoping to glimpses into his childhood.

Bibliomania, there is plenty in it about Louis' childhood. I haven't read any Paul Theroux yet, but have been meaning to do so. Where should I start, the railway one?

The only book I've read by Paul Theroux is The Mosquito Coast, after enjoying the Harrison Ford/Helen Mirren film, it was a long time ago now but I think it was a good read. I'm a big Louis Theroux fan so the autobiography sounds interesting.

And just found the Louis Theroux book on BorrowBox so should be able to listen to it for myself in mid November when it becomes available

36. Hormonal by Eleanor Morgan

A non-fiction look at how women’s bodies work, and the impact of hormones and the monthly cycle on our lives as a whole. This is scientific but also a bit personal as the author shares her own difficulties in coming to terms with her periods and in seeks ways to alleviate some of the problems she’s had as a result. Women have for so long sought to free themselves from being defined and constrained by our biological role, this book suggests there can be freedom in acknowledging the pain and discomfort and the affect of hormones on mental health, and find ways to work with it, rather than endure pain, discomfort and confusion. If you have ever had issues with your monthly cycle, this book provides a little pause to consider the facts behind the feelings.

35. Fleishman is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner

I concur with Pepe’s review of this upthread. Some good writing and insights into life and relationships, but disappointing overall. And too much sexting

Our Spoons Came From Woolworths by Barbara Comyns

I read this thanks to Keith’s review of it upthread and finished it in an afternoon. It begins as a story of a young couple entering into an ill-advised marriage, and really becomes a dissection of life in poverty, and the everyday awfulness that could be visited on women. It is certainly extremely bleak and yet has a light oddness about it that keeps it skirting the edges of the abyss, whilst giving the reader a long hard look into it. It is about endurance and redemption and the beauty and pain that comes from keeping calm and carrying on. It seems very ahead of its time in its frank depiction of reproductive issues and the way it shines a light on different forms of domestic abuse and the exploitation of women in marriage in the middle of the last century. It made me grateful anew for the second-wavers and all that has been achieved for women in a relatively short time. I look forward to exploring her other books.

There's a good Backlisted on Barbara Comyns's The Vet's Daughter , if you haven't already heard it, Satsuki

Re. Paul Theroux, I haven't read any of his novels but I'm quite partial to his travel-writing. He's opinionated, though. And pretty Marmite, I think. As for the lovely Louis, if you want a laugh, seek out the podcasts where he talks to his old friend Adam Buxton. They're hilarious (as are most of the Adam Buxton podcasts - some of my favourite things to listen to).

Just finishedMrs Palfrey. Sweet and sad, but all a bit anticlimactic although I assume that was the point. I liked it on the whole but do wish the ending had been different.

182. Fierce Bad Rabbits- Clare Pollard The book of the moment! This was as enjoyable as expected: it was lovely to read the author’s thoughts on some of my childhood favourite picture books such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, The Elephant and the Bad Baby, Dogger and Meg and Mog. It was also interesting to discover that several of the authors had lives marred by tragedy.

183. Empire of the Sun- JG Ballard Already very familiar with the novel and film, this time I listened to the audiobook, which was beautifully read by Steven Pacey. He has a talent for accents, although I wasn’t sure if the Japanese ones were quite PC!

34. The Break - Marian Keyes
Haven't read a Marian Keyes novel in years and this is just what I needed this week. Funny and heart-warming and heart-wrenching in equal measure.

75. The Scholar by Dervla McTiernan I really enjoyed this. Detective novel set in Galway. Second one by M Tiernan. Her 3rd isn't due out until 2020. Grrrrr come on Dervla, write faster!!

Dnf: Dark Pines by Will Dean
Those pines were just too dark for me.

76. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark I believe this is a classic, it was recommended upthread. I just didn't get it. I think Miss Brodie had very poor boundaries and was not a great teacher or indeed very nice person. I'm a bit mystified.

I actually thought I was reading a book I'd already read about an old lady who possibly lives in an apartment block. "somebody lives for a day" or a similar title. I must have a Google

Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day is the one I was thinking of. Also set in the 1930s like Miss Jean Brodie

Miss Pettigrew is lovely. Miss JB isn't. I liked the latter when I read it years ago, but found it excruciating when I tried to re-read last year.

Loved Miss Pettigrew, hated Miss Brodie!

Erebus by Michael Palin is 99p on today's kindle deal.

Going by the recommendations here I've bought it.

Just came to mention Erabus but Magi has beaten me to it. Definitely worth a go.

59 Song of Susannah: Dark Tower VI by Stephen King

Back to the Dark Tower after a break, I enjoyed this more than I expected to. I did not love the topple over into meta at the end of the last volume, but I have reached a state of acceptance and am being dragged along by the story. To be fair I reckon King could write virtually anything and it would be compulsively readable. I have already started volume 7 and it's holding up the pace admirably despite being almost 700 pages long.