50 Book Challenge 2020 Part Eight

[southeastdweller]

Welcome to the eighth 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, the fifth one here, the sixth one here and the seventh one here.

What are you reading?

I thought I stood a decent chance of hitting 100 (which has been my secret aim for a couple of years) but I've stalled for similar reasons to BookWitch. I might get close depending on how things develop in the next few weeks, but probably won't do it now.

I'm not that bothered about the numbers, in all honesty. I know I get through a fair amount of dross quite quickly, and I'm more impressed by those who work their way with quiet determination through more demanding books.

102. Dear Reader: The Comfort and Joy of Books, Cathy Rentzenbrink.
I was immediately seduced by the title, and thid was a pleasant Sunday night rread. I love a bibliomemoir. She tells us about growing up a reader and falling into a career as a Waterstones bookseller and eventually becoming a published author in her own right.

I have high expectations of the gene and this is not in the premier rank. Her prose style is nothing to write home about. She thanks "three wonderful editors", and I sincerely wish one of them had cured her habit of using "aggravated" to mean annoyed. It offends my pedantic little heart. Her book recommendations are all very predictable, mostly recent literary fiction you'll have heard of, even if you haven't read. All in all, one to read but not too cherish.

I'm not that bothered by numbers except a feeling a disappointment this year that the numbers have nose dived over the last two years when I somehow managed over 200 - all those hours with DC at sports training - giving me time to read.

Children of Time 99p today #TeamSpider

I did idly wonder if I would make 100 this year (highest previous total 76) but then I went back to work and started reading Infinite Jest so I doubt it. Target is 82. Currently on 71. Reckon I'll read IJ and 10 more normal books.

betts I used to spend MANY hours per week poolside reading. Training started back a couple of weeks ago with limited pool time and parents not allowed in the centre. I really miss that reading time, and when I think of some books I've enjoyed, the memory of them is tied up with sitting by the viewing window and the smell of chlorine, the background noises of the sports centre.

Also meant to say Invisible Women in the deals today - enjoyed, if that's the right word, by several on this thread.

@bibliomania

She's also written a pretty good autobiography, about her brother and losing him to a persistent vegetative state. The Last Act Of Love

Thanks, Eine, I haven't read that one, but she does refer to it a few times in this book.

Oh dear. Self promotion is always a turn off I find.

Thanks for the heads up re Invisible Women, I've just nabbed that.

Piggy I honestly thought it would make me weep too but it just... didn't. At times I felt like it was trying too hard to do so which possibly had the opposite effect.

Just to add, I'm definitely not in it for the numbers, tidy or otherwise. BUT I'm quietly confident (might regret saying this!) that I will finally hit the big 5-0 this year

I'm definitely not going to make 50 this year, after pushing myself to get there for the last few years. I am a teeny bit disappointed, but not enough to deliberately start seeking out novellas and easy re-reads to improve my stats, although the thought did cross my mind!

I also used to be a swimming mum who got through a lot of books poolside! (Until DD gave up swimming a year ago.)

A couple more for my list:

49. Platform Seven by Louise Doughty. A thriller with the twist being that the narrator is a ghost. This was a slow burner - nothing much happened in the first 25% or so, but things picked up after that and I ended up enjoying it. However, it's not as good as the other books I've read by this author; I liked Apple Tree Yard and Whatever You Love and loved Black Water.

50. The Things That Keep Us Here by Carla Buckley. Like a few others on this thread, I've been indulging in a bit of pandemic-lit recently (much as I might read books set in a foreign country while I was there on holiday), and actually I think that the pandemic aspect did add some interest to this otherwise unremarkable specimen of chick lit. Still a rather lacklustre way to hit my 50!

Fell off the thread about due to Robert Bloody McFarlane. I'm really annoyed with him now. Underland would work so well as a series of essays in the Sunday papers, but reading it beginning to end is as much of a trek as some of his trips through cave systems. I might have to start skimming some of it.

Can you split it up into chapters, Remus? I have to say I've stayed away from it up until now as I was worried it would be a bit too much!

I haven’t started it yet but think that how I will attack the MacFarlane - I’ve had my fingers burned previously.

@BookWitch

I am aiming for 75 this year. I am not obsessed or anything, but it keeps me motivated. I was well ahead during lockdown in April/May, but I fell seriously behind in July and August when I read virtually nothing during my mum's swift (and terminal) illness. I am back into it and have not had a bad september, and almost back on track again. I think reading Challenges like on Goodreads should count pages rather than books. Surely the 900+ page Troubled Blood is "worth" more to us counters than a 200 page fluffy something?

On goodreads if you click on 'my books' at the top then 'reading stats' down the side you can change whether it tells you books or pages etc. I have read just over 31k pages so far this year, way short of previous years.

@MuseumOfHam

Children of Time 99p today #TeamSpider

I did idly wonder if I would make 100 this year (highest previous total 76) but then I went back to work and started reading Infinite Jest so I doubt it. Target is 82. Currently on 71. Reckon I'll read IJ and 10 more normal books.

betts I used to spend MANY hours per week poolside reading. Training started back a couple of weeks ago with limited pool time and parents not allowed in the centre. I really miss that reading time, and when I think of some books I've enjoyed, the memory of them is tied up with sitting by the viewing window and the smell of chlorine, the background noises of the sports centre.

I did most of my degree poolside, I'd be there for a day to watch various DCs swim for 30-60 seconds so I'd take all my course work and research essays. I don't think I did any work at home, it was mostly poolside or at various cricket pitches.

My numbers vary a lot (113 books in 2016, my first year on the thread, to 89 in 2018) - but the higher numbers tend to be from light-reading series, so I reckon it averages out overall. On which note, another Neal Stephenson brick:

88. The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson Set in a far future Shanghai, where nano-technology has transformed the way people live, and where physical countries have been replaced by 'phyles' or tribes who live in enclaves where their own laws and norms are enforced. One of the most successful phyles is New Atlantis, or the neo-Victorians, who hark back in manners to mid 19th Century English upper middle class society and who dominate nano-technological engineering. Their technology is used to produce an incredibly sophisticated interactive book, the Young Lady's Illustrated Primer, which near the start of the novel falls into the hands of a small thete (tribeless underclass) girl called Nell.

Like all of Stephenson's books that I've read, this is dense, long, messy, and driven far more by ideas than the (rather improbable) plot.

I didn't love it the way I did Anathem. It's 25 years old, and I think it does feel it's age rather, probably particularly on a first reading - I suspect if I'd read it when it was published in 1995, I'd have been less picky about some aspects (particularly the way he uses rape & group sex within the plot, and the way he writes about Chinese culture).

Having said that, he's such a good writer and his world building as ever is so immersive that it's still a really excellent read - just not, for me, quite up to the standards of some of his other books.

I normally hover at or around 50, but I'm not sure if I'll make it this year. I've found it so hard to focus on reading, despite it normally being my refuge and salve. Also no work travel or holidays which is normally when I get some uninterrupted reading done.

@FortunaMajor I also have a copy of Ducks, Newburyport on the shelf but I haven't started it yet because I'm scared of it Although I loved Milkman I found it hard going, and I'm worried that Ducks might be a similar but much longer experience!

I’d really recommend Ducks, Newburyport. It’s really not a difficult read and you’ll know very quickly if it’s your thing or not. (It’s certainly no Infinite Jest. I don’t think a woman would write such a showy offy book)

It’s one of my highlights of the year, no question. What Ellman does is very clever and very subtle, I think. And it’s got it all - pandemic anxiety, Trump, baking...

I think my total this year will be a lot lower than previous years - probably around 110. I’m not motivated by the number, particularly, but the lack of holidays has definitely had an impact.

NB mentions bereavement.

After two nights good sleep I finally finished The January Man and promptly fell asleep only to dream of a really good review I was writing on here to much critical acclaim

Sadly I don't remember any of the review so the critical acclaim will have to wait. Part memoir, part UK (with a modicum of abroad) travelogue and part reflections on his life with his father this well written little book draws on the influences of Wainwright and other authors about writing to describe monthly walks through different parts of the UK and older walks undertaken with his father and experiences with a life long friend who shares similar interests. The book gave me an interesting insight into the character of his father and gave me some insights into my own late father. The book does deal with the death of his father and so had some potentially bittersweet moments but sensitively handled and didn't, interesting, trigger grief for me but be aware if you have had a bereavement, particular if it's a terminal illness bereavement. I'd recommend the book, it's lovely and descriptive but not in a way that is overpowering and has lovely illustrations and little sayings at the start of each chapter. It's quite a comforting, pleasant read without being saccharine.

Finally, I note that Rewild yourself is on the daily deals today. If you would like to waste some time reading a book which states the obvious then it's 99p well spent but if not you might want to pass.

@PepeLePew

I’d really recommend Ducks, Newburyport. It’s really not a difficult read and you’ll know very quickly if it’s your thing or not. (It’s certainly no Infinite Jest. I don’t think a woman would write such a showy offy book)

It’s one of my highlights of the year, no question. What Ellman does is very clever and very subtle, I think. And it’s got it all - pandemic anxiety, Trump, baking...

I think my total this year will be a lot lower than previous years - probably around 110. I’m not motivated by the number, particularly, but the lack of holidays has definitely had an impact.

I agree Pepe, I thought it was terrific. I'd also add that it's got a lot of very interesting American history, as you say, subtly done.

Thanks for the rec Betts. I might look that one up.
I’ve just finished the latest Strike and that deals in part with it too and quite well I though.

Troubled Blood - Robert Galbraith

Yes, it’s over long and yes it needs editing in parts but I thought it was really good.
She has a bit of a fixation with the occult and a lot of the book revolves around the horoscopes of various characters. The whole of it added nothing as far as I can see apart from to confuse me.
That said, I thought it was a cracking read, dealt sensitively with several issues and the ongoing relationship between Strike and Robin is lovely.
It’s also a very feminist book, underlining the issues that JKR has been speaking out about lately. I liked it a lot.

Your dream made me laugh betts!

Betts - Happy to supply you with critical acclaim anyway. Please consider yourself applauded, and us impressed.