50 Book Challenge 2021 Part One

[southeastdweller]

Welcome to the first 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, and please try to let us all know your thoughts on what you've read.

Who's in for this year?

I would like to join. I read 26 books last year so may fit in better on the 26 books thread but I thought I’d push myself and aim for 50.
Currently reading Small Gods by Terry Pratchett.

@LadybirdDaphne
You're making me nostalgic with the mention of Adrian Mole. I've often fantasised about buying every single one of them and re-reading from the start - bliss!

@QueenofBrickdon

I'm in. Never managed it before but I have a shiny new Kindle for Christmas and lots on it.

Just started The Midnight Library - Matt Haigh.

I'll look forward to hearing what you think of it as I am hoping to read it. It'll have to be in 2022 though as I have committed (or should be committed?) to not buying any books this year.

1. London Belongs To Me - Norman Collins

Wrote about this a bit on the last 2020 thread so won't add too much other than to say that it's a terrific read, based around the intertwined lives of the residents of 10 Dulcimer Street, Kennington from 1938-1940. It's beautifully realised, with characters who never become caricatures, and both poignant and very funny. Absolutely deserves a place in the canon of great London novels.

Shotgun and any other Dark Is Rising (and/or Robert Macfarlane) fans, don't miss this year's Backlisted podcast Christmas special

Oh blimey, Meg. You've reminded me that I still haven't finished bloody Underland.

1. Conjure Women - Afia Atakora

Set in the deep South before and after the civil war, this tells the story of the three women on a plantation whose lives are entwined. A healer/midwife, her daughter and the plantation owner's daughter. A baby thought to be cursed is born on the plantation and is blamed for all the issues that take place in the new found and difficult freedom time.

I started this last night, chosen by virtue of being first alphabetically on my list. Overly long and insufficient plot to carry it through. I wouldn't recommend it.

I should finish number 2 tonight. Lynda LaPlante's Prime Suspect which is bloody brilliant. It's years since I saw the TV show so I had no recollection of the crime/plot. I was hooked in straight away. Pure escapist entertainment.

Hi, I’m in! I fell off last year’s thread. I managed 83 books, but I’ve had a bit of a lull recently as I moved house.

I’m re-reading Stephen J Gould’s third book of collected essays, The Flamingo’s Smile.

@finisterreforever I got it from the library via BorrowBox. I very rarely buy books and certainly never new. Library, swaps or free kindle books (such as old classics) for me!

I'm in! My goals are to read 50 books and not buy or borrow any books this year but go through my TBR pile

I'm starting with Wintering by Katherine May. Seems appropriate for the season and the circumstances we all find ourselves in

@LadybirdDaphne oh I have Adrian Mole in my TBR mountain - might have to read it soon, I used to love it when I was a teenager.

Just finished my second book (both started in 2020 so will definitely not be keeping up this pace).

*2. 52 Times Britain Was a Bellend by James Felton
*
James Felton is one of my favourite people on Twitter so my husband got me this book figuring that my love of the author and history would make this right up my street. Felton picks 52 of the more horrendous tales of British bellendry and gives a humorous snapshot of each. The British habit of trucking up and claiming countries, regardless of whether they were already inhabited, gets a lot of airtime and each each chapter is infused with humour by holding the British up to ridicule, while never losing sight of the terrible impact we had on the world. Definitely recommend as a whistle stop tour.

Just flinging myself in to remind any Adrian Tchaikovsky fans that Bear Head (his follow up to Dogs of War is out next Monday and if it’s anything near as good, it will be fabulous. That is all

Thank you Meg I’ll take a look at that.

I'd like to join too, although I read 14 books last year so nowhere near 50! I'd like to aim for 20 this year which I think is doable. I just finished Wild by Kirsten Hannah and really enjoyed it. I'm not sure what I fancy next, I got a Kindle for Christmas so the world is my Oyster really!

I'm in this year and will try and stay on the thread. 2020 was not the best year for me in terms of reading as I found I just couldn't concentrate. A combination of working from home and home schooling just about finished me off.

I am determined this year will be better and am starting off with A Room of One's Own by Virginia Wolf for the sole reason that it's just really really short...

I'm in, wouldn't be without this thread. Thank you southeast and hello everyone.

I'm debating whether to read Shuggie Bain or not - might just be too much misery for me at the moment. Those who have read or are reading it now, what do you think?

@Blackcountryexile I didn't dare start Ducks, Newburyport last year because I thought it would take me an age to finish, so I'll be starting it soon.

R&R, the first Adrian Mole is currently 99p on kindle - I couldn't resist.

At risk of further enabling, I think Adrian Mole is in the current kindle sale (the first one). Might buy it for the DSes.

Just an encouraging word to everyone not to be fazed by how quickly the thread moves in the first couple of weeks - it settles down. And it's fine to drop in and out, read low brow books of all kinds and read fewer than 50. You only get told off if you fail to bold book titles in your posts

Ooh, jinx Noodle !

Shuggie Bain has a transcendent loveliness to it but it IS miserable, and bleak.

Thanks @KeithLeMonde That is encouraging.

Have lurked on the 50 books thread for some time. Hoping to read as much as I can this year, but work is going to be pretty busy for the next year as well.
Finished Born to run today. Not sure what to read next but have a lot of books in kindle to choose from

I'm in. I've been lurking about and getting recommendations literally for years, so its about time. I'm just working on finishing Orfeo by Richard Powers, which I am undecided about yet.

Just finished

In the ditch by Buchi Emecheta

Recommended by a colleague, this is a semi autobiographical tale of Adah, a Nigerian single mother of five children living in
London in the 60s. At the beginning of the story she has a job in the civil service and is studying in the evening but has to give up her job and go on the dole. It is the story of her period living with other 'problem families' in poor housing and how she gets through it. A quick and easy read with some funny and touching points but no great depths.

Hello all, I would love to join in.
I wasn't in on the 2020 challenge but I did read around 30 books last year and if I didn't spend so much time reading fan fics (oh god confession there) then I could have easily read 50 books.
I'm going to start gently with The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman the bloke off Pointless. I expect it to be quite light.
To the PP reading A Place of Greater Safety, please let us know when you get to the end, would love to hear your thoughts on the conclusion.
I usually walk each day and listen to an audiobook and then have a paper book on the go at home.
Good luck everyone!

First book finished Dissolution by C J Sansom this was a re-read I enjoyed it more the second time around.

noodle, Ducks, Newburyport was my stand out fiction read of last year. So good in fact that I am going back for a second round this year and I almost never re-read.