26-ish books in 2021

[MercedesDeMonteChristo]

Thought I’d kick start the new thread for this year.

I’m starting with Outlander by Diana Gabalon and reading Anna Karenina Tolstoy one chapter a day, so expect to finish September sometime - I’m on chapter 4.

Hi everyone, would love to join. I generally have a physical book for before bed, and an audiobook for on the go.

Currently reading Invisible Planets edited by Ken Liu, which is a Chinese scifi short story anthology.

'Read' Bringing up the bodies by Hilary Mantel. Really enjoyed this, it's read by someone very good and I enjoyed feeling relatively good about the times we live in now. Mantel uses such rich imagery and somehow makes Cromwell likeable. Now 'reading' Testaments by Margaret Astwood.

First book finished. *Away with the penguins by Hazel Prior.
It was an xmas presents. Easy enough read, little bit far-fetched. An 86yr old decides to go to the south pole. It was a nice bit of escapism from what's happening in the world.

Ooh, lots of new people! Welcome everyone.

I'm excited about the Hamnet love, has it come out in paperback yet?

@CharliesMouse I'm going to read the Secret Commonwealth next, I think. I loved the HDM series 2, after being a bit precious about the first series not living up to what was in my head (much like the film), but I love that they've woven the narrative of all three books.

Just finished my first, Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell. First I've read of hers and I enjoyed it, mainly because it did the unexpected without being ridiculous and far-fetched (well, not by psychological thriller standards anyway).

@Itsmainingren ahhhh I absolutely ❤️ The Testaments !!

I enjoyed The Testaments but LOVED A Handmaid’s Tale.

I’m also excited about the resident Hamnet love, think it might be my next book.

Margot no, it’s only out in hardback at the moment. I got it for £10 on Amazon.

Finally finished book 1, which was in my library pile, A Stranger City by Linda Grant. I love her books, and this is set just post Brexit vote so it's very timely now. Beautiful writing about London and family and being an immigrant.

I've finished my 1st two books, although I started both before the New Year.

1. What Alice Forgot - Liane Moriarty an easy read about someone who lost her memory and hence the last 10 years of her life. I enjoyed the book as a light read, but people's reactions to her memory loss irked me a bit. They all seemed a bit blasé about it... Some characters I found quite annoying too.

1. Dear Leader - Jang Jin-Sung he was part of the North Korean inner party and fled North Korea. This is his story. It was pretty hard going. Some parts were difficult to follow with all the acronyms and as I was reading an ebook I couldn't just flick back to the glossary easily. Mad to believe it's a real story and not some work of fiction aka 1984!

@MargotMoon I got Hamnet through Borrowbox at my local library as an ebook. Borrowbox has saved me an absolute fortune in books over the last few years. I always check there first before I make any purchase.

1. Outlander, Diana Gabaldon

2. Diary of a Provincial Lady, E M Delafield

Thanks to @countfosco and @drspouse for recommending this. Lovely and light and very witty. It’s obviously been mentioned before on thread, but it is what it says on the tin. The Provincial Lady in 1930s Devon is basically juggling keeping up with neighbours and friends, domesticity and motherhood. I thought I’d finish it in a day as it was very short but took a few days as though I liked it and very much enjoyed it when I was reading but didn’t feel compelled to keep reading if you see what I mean. Definitely worth it though, particularly if you read on Kindle as in sure it was 99p or similar.

I’m going to read Bridgerton next as another easy read and just want to see what the fuss is about (though can’t really watch for a good while).

Anna K continues, and I’ve read my requisite chapters of Frenchman’s Creek and am eager to find out what happens next.

Mercedes Diary of a Provincial Lady sounds comforting, will look it up.

Just checked, it's 77p on Kindle.

I appear to have purchased 14 Kindle books and 2 hardbacks since I got my vouchers on Christmas Day. I need to stop.

@MercedesDeMonteChristo so glad the Du Maurier love is going strong!

I thought The Testaments was ok, honestly the best part was Aunt Lydia’s story but I was disappointed becauseThe Handmaids Tale is one of my favourite books of all time and I love so many of her others

@BaconAndAvocado I loved A Man Called Ove as well, you should try Beartown by him as well

I didn’t start any books at the top of the year but bought Shuggie Bain at the airport yesterday and read half of it on the flight....I feel like it’s all building up to something terrible and almost can’t bear to keep reading

Thanks Kobani I may well try Beartown.

I agree re The Testaments. For me, Cat’s Eye is Atwood’s best book.

First book of the year completed!

1. The Spy & the Traitor - Ben Macintyre
Started off strong with a very enjoyable non-fiction book on “the greatest espionage story of the Cold War”. A real page turner.

*2. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig.

An original and ultimately life-affirming tale of life's (and lives') rich tapestry. It's also about possibility, philosophy and an angry polar bear. Highly recommend.

Finished Reflection but forgot to post. I’m a couple of chapters into The Red Ribbon by Lucy Addlington.

Finished my first two today (Wonder in fairness I’ve been reading with DD and we’ve been reading it for a few weeks)

1. Wonder by RJ Palacio - read this with DD(9) for her bookclub, we really enjoyed reading it together and discussing with her friends. It’s been a lovely view into the minds of 9yr old girls discussing its themes. Watching the movie altogether tonight (via zoom )

1. Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart, last years Booker winner and a debut at that. Binge read this one which was great, haven’t had a book do that to me in a while. It’s pretty heartbreaking and his descriptions of place and character are nuanced and beautiful. Excited to see what he comes up with after this one.

I’ve also decided this year to only count books I have to read for work if I properly read them rather than just prep them

Kobani You get to read novels for a living? I’m intrigued....what’s your job?

I remember reading Wonder with my 2 younger DCs, we all loved it.
Enjoy the film later.

I’m going to count books I read with DS9 because I actively read at least 50% (we take the pages in turn as he is a reluctant reader) and passively read the other 50%. I’ll be discerning though. We’re currently reading one of those football heroes books and it’s at least novella length.

@Kobanidaughters are you the poster who directs audiobooks?

9 days in and I’m still managing my chapter a night of War and Peace.
I’m reading Lady Chatterly’s lover on kindle and also re-reading the Trebizond series (I’ve read four of them so far). My eldest Dd isn’t much of a reader but this series has captivated her so I’m rereading them alongside her.
But I also have a stack of magazines by my bed which is now just about taller than my bedside table so I’m trying to read my way through those too!

Mercedes I like the sound of The Provincial Lady too, so will try it. I note it is actually a series of 5 books and you can get the full set on kindle for 49p!

I've read 3 pages so far of my first book of e year
Housework and walk this morning then after dinner I am going to sit and read no matter what!

1.Away with the Penguins by Hazel Prior - far-fetched but enjoyable, light easy reading.