50 Book Challenge 2020 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 2020, 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.

So, we're now almost half way through the year - how's the first half of the year gone for you, reading-wise?

I am a way off 44 too!
Is it okay to be chuffed that @StitchesInTime bolded Howls Moving Castle? It's one of my all time favourite books.

34. Raven Black by Ann Cleeves I unexpectedly watched the first couple of series of Shetland, and enjoyed them, so thought I would give this a go. Different from the programme mainly in timing, I enjoyed it and have put her newest one into my library holds! Might try the Vera ones too as I haven't seen them on the TV.

I usually struggle to hit 100 a year, sometimes hitting 100 on New Years Eve, it's INSANE that I am nearly there and will probably hit it mid July. That's what happens when you have rinsed Netflix and you can't leave the house!

Also, I feel compelled almost addicted. I have mentioned my poor health before but I literally didn't read a single book in 2018. I read 1 in 2019 which was a reread of a Binchy, I just had neither the mental or physical energy.

I felt like I had lost part of my identity, so as a new years resolution, I got a Reading App and FORCED myself "Just Do An Hour Eine" and now it's like all day I am like 🙏🏻waiting for my reading time, usually not able to before 9pm, and now I am constantly thinking about books.

Though it is nice to be reading again, it has gone from drought to intense compulsion. Literally all or nothing approach 🤔

That’s so lovely @EineReiseDurchDieZeit. It’s definitely addictive when you are in your flow.

I’m much slower this year (26!) but enjoying the experience so much. Totally influenced by everything on here. My tbr terrifies me sometimes but mostly I love it.

eine it’s great you’re back into it, don’t worry too much, it’s been an intense and unusual year.

I usually get between 50-65, also a bit feast or famine, either 4 a week or a month of struggling to get into anything. Hate being between books.

Oh, trying to make sure your next read is the right read, the struggle is real!

I have to have something nothing like the last, like a palate cleanser

I 'm in awe of your book tally Fortuna, would love to be able to read that many books! Am a bit behind with my reading but hoping to catch up again. Have started 11.22.63 by Stephen King, first tried to read its few years ago but gave it back to the library unfinished when it got reserved. Can hardly put it down, I forget how good a storyteller King is sometimes.

I love the variety of reviews here. It's brilliant when loads of us have read a book and we can have a row discussion. But it's also brilliant when people read things you've never heard of and widen your reading horizons, even if only vicariously. I've picked up so many brilliant recommendations from you all.

81. The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters

Frances Wray and her mother have slipped into genteel poverty following The Great War and as a result are forced to take in lodgers to make ends meet.

We all went over Sarah Waters books on the last thread so I won't bore on. I love Fingersmith and I strongly admire The Little Stranger. The only one I have left is Affinity

I have had this on TBR for six years and have never been able to get going with it. I'm surprised she hasn't had a new one since to be honest.

Sigh.

I think I knew when it took me 3 hours to read less than 200 pages how this was going to go.

I mean, it sort of feels like she is parodying herself here.

Everyone In London Is Secretly A Lesbian.
A Straight Woman Can Be Turned By Little More Than A Chaste Kiss.
It's A Period Piece So Clearly The Lesbians Must Live A Life Of Punishment And Shame.
I've Been Boring On About Scrubbing Floors And Miserable Food For Too Long So I'll Throw In An Implausible Murder For Drama.

Sarah, love, No.

You write beautifully, Fingersmith is stunning, stop writing the same old tropes and characters in every bloody book whilst changing the period and style a bit.

Write a book about happy lesbians who are free to love for a change, or something.

Don't Recommend. Very dry first half, ludicrous second.

Thank you southeast, this continues to be my favourite corner of the internet. I love hearing everyone's thoughts and how much variety there is in what we're all reading.

I was doing really well with my reading early this year but have really struggled since lockdown and losing my Mum a couple of months ago. Everyone on here was so kind, and suggested re-reading old favourites, which helped. And throughout, I've really loved reading this thread and filling up my TBR list, and have finally started to get my reading mojo back, mainly by forcing myself to read a couple of chapters every day.

My list so far this year:

1. Me, by Elton John
2. Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber, by Mike Isaac
3. Conviction, by Denise Mina
4. The Sober Diaries, by Claire Pooley
5. Nine Elms, by Robert Bryndza
6. Fleishman is in Trouble, by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
7. The Vagina Bible, by Jen Gunter, MD
8. Long Bright River, by Liz Moore
9. The Most Fun We Ever Had, by Claire Lombardo

10. Flash Count Diary, by Darcey Steinke 11. Class, by Jenny Colgan 12. Underland, by Robert McFarlane 13. Uncanny Valley, by Anna Weiner

And new additions since I last posted:

14. Dancing at the Pity Party: A Dead Mom Memoir, by Tyler Feder
    Graphic novel by an artist who was at university when her Mum died of cancer. Sounds weird but was absolutely brilliant - made me laugh and cry and despite the fact that I'm considerably older than she was when her Mum died, it brought me great solace. (I sent a copy to my sister and she and my BIL both loved it too).

15. Rachel's Holiday, by Marian Keyes. Re-read of an old favourite. Marian Keyes has a beautiful lightness of touch even when she's tackling serious subjects. This story about Rachel Walsh's 'holiday' in rehab is funny and sad in equal measure, and very well told.

16. The Night Fire, by Michael Connolly. The latest Bosch and Ballard novel. Always a reliable old faithful, this was undemanding but engaging.

17. Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead, by Sara Gran. I absolutely adored this but based on the Goodreads reviews I'm unsurprised to see it's a real marmite book. It's a highly eccentric detective novel with a protagonist who embraces the I Ching, dreams and other metaphysical methods of detection. Set in New Orleans shortly after Katrina, it's incredibly evocative and I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.

The conversation about adjusting stars is fascinating. My immediate reaction to books is mainly based on how much I enjoyed them (even if they're not great!), but I sometimes change my mind later if a book has really stayed with me. And some of the 'best' ones are not always enjoyable, but do leave a lasting impression - I found The Underground Railroad utterly traumatic to read, but still think about it a couple of years on.

I watched the excellent documentary "I am Not Your Negro" last night on BBC2. I'm sorry to say that I have never read any James Baldwin - is there anyone who has and can recommend which book of his would be a good one to start with?

Thanks you for the new thread southeast.
Finished book 21 which was Dear Mrs Bird, a very light read.
Currently halfway through If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin. I got this through BorrowBox after it got a good review on here (sorry, I can't remember who from). The writing style is really interesting. I'm fully invested in the main characters and I can't guess where the plot is going but suspect it's not going to be a happy journey. Will have a look on iPlayer for that documentary.

Boiledeggandtoast I plan to watch the Baldwin documentary, thanks for the reminder. I loved If Beale Street Could Talk, and have Giovanni's Room lined up on the kindle - just waiting to be ready for something as heartbreaking as that sounds.

Just wanted to add that Home Fire is on daily daily today - this was probably my favourite read of last year - I found it amazingly powerful.

I read If Beale Street Could Talk last year and loved it. It’s very very good. It’s the only Baldwin I’ve read but DP speaks very highly of Giovanni’s Room.
I’m Not Your Negro is outstanding. It deserved all the acclaim it got.

Giovanni's Room is superb. I need to screw my courage to tackle some more Baldwin at some point.

Eine - great review! 😁

Many thanks TurnoftheScrew and PepeLePew. I thought James Baldwin came across as such an erudite, thoughtful and truly remarkable and progressive man, in spite of the shocking and terrible events he lived through and described in the film. I'm glad you both loved If Beale Street Could Talk and will definitely try to read it as my next book (book shop supplies allowing, and once I've finished my current read The Birds Fall Down by Rebecca West).

Thank you too Remus. I think perhaps I should order both If Beale Street Could Talk and Giovanni's Room.

I really recommend Baldwin’s short stories too - Going to Meet the Man is a collection, and his autobiographical Go Tell It On The Mountain is a coming-of-age type of novel.

I’ve got When Beale Street Could Talk.

Didn’t finish - I meant I’ve got Beale Street still to read and read Giovanni’s Room years ago. You can’t go wrong though really.

Eine that sums up everything I disliked about Sarah Waters. Thank you.

Thank you Satsuki. There's obviously much to look forward to with James Baldwin, I can't think how I've not read him before.

And thank you CluelessMama, sorry I somehow missed your post.

And of course, Backlisted have covered Baldwin - they look at Tell Me How Long The Train’s Been Gone, and talk about the documentary as well. Makes some interesting points and made me think a lot this morning about the film.

Such a wealth of information on James Baldwin - I knew this was the right place to ask! Thanks everyone.

Thanks for the new thread southeast

I have "I Am Not Your Negro" lined up to watch this evening, so pleased to hear positive reviews. Also have not read any James Balwin, so have made a note of the recommendations here - thanks everyone.

31. On Chapel Sands – Laura Cumming

Observer art critic Laura Cumming recounts the true story of her Mother’s abduction from a Lincolnshire beach in 1929.

This started well. I liked the writer’s wistful, thoughtful style and she set the stage for an interesting family story. However, I ran out of the steam with it about two thirds through and stopped looking forward to reading it as my interest in the protagonists waned.

Ultimately this is a story about ordinary folk in a rather dull Lincolnshire village and I just don’t think it gripped me. The blurb describes the book as a mystery, perhaps it wasn’t mysterious enough for me, perhaps the story was too subtle and I just prefer something with a bit more oomph.

Having said all that, I enjoyed the writer’s style; my favourite sections were the parts where she digresses to analyse various art works and I see that she has published a book on Valazquez which looks interesting.