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.

@Chickoletta it is isn’t it?! He’s an absolute marvel and lovely to boot. God I love this geeky thread

1. The Unlikely Thru-Hiker by Derick Lugo

This is a work book but I loved it and read it without prep (so now need to go back and prep) super easy read - Lugo is a part hispanic, part black self confessed metrosexual from NYC who had never camped or hiked when he decided to do the Appalachian Trail. It’s a fun read that definitely inspired me to want to get outdoors again. He’s going to be narrating it himself and having spoken to him yesterday I think he’ll do a pretty good job so I recommend the audio version when it’s published

Well, we're on day 14 and I've just finished my book 1. Hercule Poirot's Christmas. It was interesting to read a Christie again having spent years just watching the TV version. The book was certainly a lot less picturesque. It had a good story though. I found it very hard to get into and to keep on reading. It's a skill I'm going to need to work on this year.

I've already got book 2 on the go, The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths, as an audiobook. I'm finding that hard going too to be honest. Going to persevere. I may not make 26 books this year, but I want to relearn the habit of getting enjoyment from reading.

1 Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams. I wasn't sure about this for the first 2/3 but it got better by the end. It's the story of a twenty something who's struggling with work, love life, family, friendships and racial identity. It is set in contemporary South London.

I took my own advice and book 3 was another Maggie o'farrell novel The Hand that First Held Mine. I really loved it and am delighted to have discovered this author last year.

I should warn this book starts with a traumatic birth that could be triggering to some. It is about two main characters one is an art critic and reporter working in 1960s London who finds herself pregnant and the other is a present day artist who has just given birth to her first child in a traumatic birth. I can't say much more about how they relate without giving the story away, so I'll just recommend it as a great read.

Finished 3rd book tonight. The other passenger by Louise Candlish.
Really enjoyed this book. It's about two couples who are friends and how their lives are effected by jobs, money status and what those things can lead people to do
It was a bit of a slow star but after a few chapters I really got into it. Didn't see the twist coming.

@princessspotify I read a Louise Candlish book early last year, Those People, and found it quite good. I might add this one to my ever growing tbr list.

@Tinkhasflown I read Those People for a bookclub. I must admit I didn't really enjoy it. It just sort of ended.

3. Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
A fantastic book. What a talented writer O'Farrell is - a tale of loss so movingly told and the way she depicts the landscape and wildlife is beautiful. The ending is perfect too.
Best book I've read this year haha!

1. Outlander, Diana Gabaldon
2. Diary of a Provincial Lady, E M Delafield
3. The Duke & I, Julia Quinn

4. Pachinko, Min Jin Lee

This felt like my first more serious read of the year. I really enjoyed it, I found myself powering through but also consciously slowing down to keep it going.

A family saga set in Korea and Japan its the story of Sunja and her family and their experiences as Korean migrants in Japan from the 1930s until 1989. I have a basic knowledge of East Asian history so this was a fascinating look at Japanese imperialism, war and immigration from a totally different perspective.

I’d definitely recommend.

Due to homeschool and general situation I have to crack on with uni stuff this weekend so I think I’ll probably pick the next Bridgerton or something silly for my next read as I cannot afford to get sucked in.

Feel like I need to read Hamnet now!

@princessspotify I did enjoy Those People, but I do remember finding some of the characters very annoying too!

@BaconAndAvocado Hamnet was my favourite book last year!

I’m also going to need to read Hamnet I think. It’s £8.99 on Kindle - it does sound worth it though.

Started Circe last night.......not sure about this one.
The style of writing isn’t doing it for me but we shall see.

MercedesDeMonteChristo (full name as I have an official query!)
What are the rules of commitment in 26 Books?
If I’m unsure about a book, I usually give it until page 50 to decide whether to abandon ship.

Erm, I don’t think there are any official rules- you don’t even really have to finish 26 books. I only joined last years so others may know better, but I think largely it’s your list to manage as you see fit. I know on 50 books they don’t count DNF (did not finish) and I personally wouldn’t count a book I haven’t finished but it’s up to you.

Oh I’ve reread your message and I think I misunderstood, rules of commitment are up to you I think.

Bacon I loved Circe.
I found it hard to get my head round things like the matter of fact descriptions of Zeus as her father riding across the sky but once I’d got used to it I loved it. It’s a very distinctive style though.

First rule of 26 books, there are no rules.

DrSpouse said it better and more succinctly.

drspouse 😂

I’ve subscribed to audible and have started listening to Circe.

baby it is very fanciful (for me) but I’m going to give it a good try.

It’s a book group book and not one I would have chosen myself. Sometimes this works well and I’m introduced to a new author, genre that appeals to me. Other times, it’s just a waste of time! Such is the nature of book groups I suppose.

It’s halfway through January and I’m only halfway through my book.
I was hoping to have finished it by now but tbh, the book is not gripping me. It’s a good book, gentle and wonderfully written but I think I need a bit more going on in my books.
(Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher)

InterstellarDrifter Have you read the Midnight Library?
There’s a lot going on in it. It’s really original and interesting and easy to read.
I loved it and finished it in 2 days, unheard of for me.

@BaconAndAvocado no and it’s on my list but I’m waiting for it to be available in paperback next month.

I’m getting The Ten Thousand Doors of January delivered soon. It looks so good and will push me to finish Winter Solstice.

1. The Silent Patient - finished this today. An easy read and a brilliant twist at the end. Completely did not see it coming. Set in a psychiatric hospital and from the point of view of the psychotherapist. I won't say any more than that but as psychological thrillers go I'll give it a 4/5.

2. The Fast 800 - need I say more? I'm using this to shed some Christmas weight. So far I have lost 10lb in less than 2 weeks and the recipes are good. Recommended. As weight loss and health books go it is easy to get your head around and a good read. 5/5

3. Toksvig's Almanac - so far so good. Will finish it in December of course.

Moving onto Grown Ups by Marian Keyes