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?

best so sorry to hear about your Dad. I lost mine suddenly a few months ago, if you need to talk to somebody who's been there I'm here.

42. Love, Nina by Nina Stibb eI’m sure this has been read by almost everyone!

Unfortunately yes.

Hamnet is very good indeed. I read it over last weekend but haven't yet got round to writing a proper review. It was the first book I've read in a while where both the plot and the style appealed, if that makes sense. And while the subject matter is gruelling the story telling is gentle and it emphasises love (both maternal and romantic) which was I really appreciated. Immersive and well worth 99p, I'd say.

I had trouble sleeping last night and woke up this morning to find if purchased a copy of a biography of RS Thomas - is this something that was recommended on here? It looks good but have no idea why I have it!

A new low (or high?!) in adding to my to be read list.

Sending love to Best and to Chessie.

I'm halfway through Hamnet now and enjoying it - definitely worth picking up for a quid.

Sadik mentioned it on Sat, Satsuki - it s sounded good and was on cheap. But if sleep-Kindle-book-buying becomes a thing, I am so screwed....

Thanks biblio and er thanks sadik, I think

I looked up the review and remember reading it but hadn’t made plans to buy it as I’d already picked up a couple - in fact had wishlisted the JL Carr. I rewound the podcast I’d been listening to to see if it had been recommended on there and was completely puzzled. Buying books in my sleep is not a thing I want to get into the habit of but it does look good - a very persuasive review sadik.

The Ravenmaster is a great read, it's by Chris Scaife who is the current Ravenmaster at the Tower of London. It's a good mix of facts and entertainment with the facts delivered in a way that is informative and clear without being patronising. He's an ex-soldier (as are all the Yeoman Guards) who lives in the Tower of London and so sheds some light on life in the Tower as well as his duties with the birds.

The Night you Left by Emma Curtis. Nick goes missing after going out to the shop for something. It starts off well but then got rather tiresome later on before finishing with a complicated ending which didn't seem that plausible and I ended up skim reading to finish it. It skips back and forth in time which was necessary for the book but I don't think it was done particularly well - though I don't like time skip novels so that could be just me

Botanical Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland A good read, enjoyable and not too demanding. Recommended on here and with good reason so thank you PP.

Closer KL Slater. Another psychological fiction but not a demanding one. Worth reading when I couldn't sleep but not the best one I've read. Maisie's parents split up and her Dad is in a new relationship with somebody his soon to be ex wife knows. There are complications and Maisie is in the middle of them.

I'm excited - I have an appointment to visit my local library (suitably masked up) in two weeks time.

I buy enough Kindle books when I am awake - really don’t want to be buying them in my sleep too....

45. High Stakes - Dick Francis

This is one of my all-time favourites of his books so I have probably read it in the last few years but I am sticking to reading them in order.

The main character, Steven, is a racehorse owner with relatively little knowledge of horses. However, he has worked out that he is being swindled by his trainer and removes his string of horses from his stables. Unsurprisingly, this is not well-received and Steven has to deal with the consequences whilst also trying to ensure he is not ripped off further. A cracking story with a good cast of characters.

38. Just One Damn Thing After Another by Jodie Taylor

First in a series introducing Max, a troubled student of history who joins a mysterious institute to further her career. As an historian at the unconventional St Mary’s, Max quickly becomes at home and discovers a radical new approach to studying history in real time. Reviews on here have been good generally.

I wanted to read something a bit more fun as I’ve had a run of serious or intense subjects (in life as well as reading material!!) but I’ll be honest, I didn’t love this. The concept is interesting and opens up a world of possibilities that is fun in theory. I thought the first third was good, but then it began to drag and I found myself skimming the last third to finish it.

I just found the main characters really irritating and couldn’t get on board with them at all. I think this wasn’t so much because they weren’t likeable (I’ve enjoyed lots of really horrible characters before now) just some of lead characters narration and the ‘wisecracking’ conversational style grated on me eventually. I’ll probably not return to this series.

@slightlyjaded A Fine Balance has to be one of my all time favorite books!

💐 Best, and Chessie I do hope your dh has a speedy recovery.

I love High Stakes @TimeforaGandT, one of my favourite Dick Francis.

45. Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders. I know lots of you have read this, and I thought it was brilliant - in places. Some parts were so sad I ha to put it down to recover a bit, and yet some parts I felt were just too busy. I had an ebook and I do wonder if the formatting wasn't great- I shall look in a paper copy and if it is better I shall retract that a little. An incredibly interesting way to write though, and I enjoyed a great deal of it.

@JollyYellaHumberElla, I couldn't get on with St Mary's either, I just didn't find it funny and didn't engage with the characters either. A bit like Rivers of London, which in theory should have been right up my street, but I just didn't gel with.

47. Murder at the Vicarage, Agatha Christie. The first Miss Marple. It's narrated by the vicar, who only seems to encounter the old lady occasionally, so we don't see enough of her, and the ending is perfunctory - "I've guessed who it is, let's set a trap, all done'. But I like a dose of 1930 St Mary Mead. Oh, those pesky servants make one's life so hard!

Yes Tanaqui I was also looking at Rivers but might give those a swerve too. If it doesn’t click, it just doesn’t.

I hope you like the RS Thomas Satsuki - I was obviously very persuasive if it led to sleep-book-buying!

Miss Peregrine - gorgeous books, amazing photographs but I thought they were a matter of style over substance, ultimately.

I thought Just One Damn Thing was bloody awful.

Just bought Hamnet.

I'm also halfway through Hamnet and enjoying it.

Best so sorry to hear about your Dad and hope your daughter is feeling a bit better

Chessie I hope you and your DH are doing ok. What a worrying time for you

Also just bought Hamnet.

I’ve started The Summer of the Bear after finding it stashed with some charity shop bought holiday books from last year.

Sorry to hear things are tough for you just now Chessie and Best.

Best My condolences for your loss. I hope your daughter is feeling better soon. Chessie Hoping for the best for you and DH.
44 The Amber Shadows Lucy Ribchester
A young woman, working at Bletchley Park during the war, is sent mysterious parcels and begins to investigate their origins. I think the author's intention was to write a suspenseful, atmospheric story , exploring the impact of the stories children are told about their origins. Unfortunately the plot is suffocated under the weight of endless repetitive description and the protagonist's every waking thought.

11. Labyrinth - Kate Mosse

Three secrets. Two women. One holy grail. The story follows the journey of Alice and Alaïs on the journey to find the secrets of the holy grail, seeming to be destined to discover the truth.

This is one I’ve actually been meaning to read for a while (I know I say that a lot but it’s been busy few years), after seeing an extract for it in one of the GCSE papers. that and I really want to see the film adaptation so I can see Katie McGrath being the bad girl again

I am absolutely amazed by it. The thrilling concept of it, the dreams, ‘flashbacks’ to Alaïs’ past and back to the future. I like period style dramas but also modern things so this was the perfect balance of both

Just adding Celestial Bodies to my Want To Read list on Goodreads (thanks for the review @mackarella) and realised that the list is well over 200 books long. Yikes!

My reading has slowed down since a recent bout of studying so I need to pick up the pace!

Fantastic reviews, everyone. It's my first year on this thread and I am absolutely loving it.

for Best and Chessie.

bibliomania - are you actually going to get to browse the shelves at your library? (jealous!)

My local library is offering a service where you can look at a list of the books in the branch online, select a few, and the librarians will bag them up for you to collect after a minimum 72 hr quarantine period. We’ve got to make appointments both to pick up and drop off library books.

It’s good that they’re opening at all, but the new style of doing things is going to take a bit of getting used to!