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50 Book Challenge 2021 Part Four

999 replies

southeastdweller · 01/03/2021 10:59

Welcome to the fourth thread of the 50 Book Challenge for this year.

The challenge is to read fifty books (or more!) in 2021, 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. Could everyone embolden their titles and/or authors as well, please, as it makes the books talked about easier to track?

The first thread of the year is here, the second one here and the third one here.

OP posts:
StitchesInTime · 11/03/2021 21:57

15. In Bloom by C J Skuse

Sequel to Sweet Pea. More of serial killer Rhiannon, who’s now pregnant and who has framed someone else for her crimes.
I preferred the first book on the whole, but I’m still interested to see where the next book in the series goes.

16. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

I’m sure that everyone is familiar with this one.
A lovely heartwarming Christmassy story. Even if it is March at the minute.

Tanaqui · 12/03/2021 08:08

@PermanentTemporary, that is an excellent way to classify the Dick Francis books!

  1. Just Kids by Patti Smith. This was an interesting read for me as it centres on people and a place of which I have practically no context. Although I knew a bit about Robert Mapplethorpe (I think there must have been a lot of retrospectives when he died, and I would have been old enough to read), the era is a generation before me, but not that of my parents, and so the music, the art the places - even Smith's literary references are mainly french and so not in my lexicon. So it was a bit like reading complete fiction for me! However, I really enjoyed it and now have about a million people to look up and listen to, read, or look at the art of.
BookShark · 12/03/2021 08:52
  1. The Inheritance - Tilly Bagshawe

Inspired by the bonkbuster chat upthread,I decided to go for something trashy. This is really a Jilly Cooper wannabe - even the cover looks like one of her books. Tatiana Flint-Hamilton has always assumed she'd inherit her family estate, but when it's left to a remote cousin instead,

BookShark · 12/03/2021 08:54

Oops...

She'll do anything to win it back. Cue many village-related dramas with a few sex scenes thrown in for good measure. It's no Jilly Cooper, but a nice easy escapist read.

yoshiblue · 12/03/2021 09:35

10. All The Light We Cannot See - Anthony Doerr

Absolutely beautifully written book set in WW2, following the lives of a blind girl in France, a German orphan and a hidden diamond. It completely drew me in and I loved the short chapters which encouraged me to page turn to see what happens next. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend to read this if you haven't.

Welshwabbit · 12/03/2021 10:47

Two to update! Both easy but interesting reads.

16. In Your Defence by Sarah Langford

As is the way of things, I tend to go through phases of buying books with the same or similar themes, so this is hot on the heels of Alexandra *Wilson's" recent book about being a young Black pupil barrister. Langford's book is different, focusing more on the stories of the individuals she represented both in the criminal and family courts (suitably anonymised). I liked this book better as it reflected my own brief experience of practising criminal and family law; I felt so drawn in by the lives of the (mainly) young people I represented, and angry that I was unable to do more for them in the short periods for which we were in contact. Most of my clients were charged with very minor crimes, and I definitely felt that many of them would not have come before the courts at all, had they had families who either cared enough or had the cultural capital to argue their corner. I ended up learning an awful lot about London football teams, because as soon as I mentioned their favourite players (i.e. showed any interest in their life) the kids would come alive and talk honestly about what had happened. Sarah Langford is a better woman than me, because I couldn't hack the responsibility or the hopelessness, and went off to do employment law, which combines the human aspect with a lot of interesting law and is much better paid. Definitely worth a read if you want to see some of the human stories and a bit of the law behind the legal headlines.

17. Reflections in a Golden Eye by Carson McCullers

Like most of McCullers' output, a small but perfectly formed novella about the tensions between a group of people living on an army base in the deep South. In beautiful, economical prose, McCullers lays bare their desires and failings, although one character, who is really the catalyst for all the action, remains closed to us. This has it all in 125 pages - love triangles (or perhaps pentangles or hexagonals) a-plenty, repressed homosexuality, illness, madness and a suitably gothic ending. The characters are all so well-drawn that you can see them, including Anacleto, the Filipino servant, who has much more agency than most characters of that kind in literature of the time. Apparently there is a film with Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando, which I think I will now seek out.

PepeLePew · 12/03/2021 14:28

18 In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden
Highly recommended by Viking up-thread as a “well-written modern-ish novel about nuns”. Philippa leaves a high flying job to become a nun in a Benedictine monastery (I believe it’s strictly speaking a monastery not a convent, if I remember the endnotes). Over the course of the novel, we learn more about Philippa’s past and her struggles, but along the way we have a few minor miracles, some amusing interludes, and see many of the other nuns make their own difficult decisions.

I really loved this. It took nun-ning incredibly seriously, and was satisfying in the level of detail about what it’s like to be a cloistered nun, but also was very deft in drawing all the nuns as very serious about their vocation while also showing them as very human. And didn't set out to overwhelm anyone with theology, either. So good, I think it’s going to be a while before I find anything else that is as satisfying.

19 Ducks, Newburyport by Lucy Ellman

I believe it was Fortuna who recommended this as an audiobook. I read it at the start of last year and thought at the time it was one I’d go back to at some point. And I am so glad I did because the audiobook format is just phenomenal for a book like this. The narrator managed to bring another dimension to the story that just wasn’t there in my head, in terms of the humour, anxiety and freewheeling association. It reminded me of Milkman - I struggled with that when I started reading it, switched to the audiobook and then it clicked. Perhaps I need the audiobook version of Ulysses - maybe I need to listen to, rather than read, experimental literature.
40 plus hours is a big commitment but it works brilliantly. I loved the way the plot was free to come out and how the different threads of her internal monologue come together and build on each other over the course of the book. If anyone has toyed with the idea but was daunted, I would strongly recommend the audiobook – it’s taken my appreciation of it to even greater heights.

Terpsichore · 12/03/2021 16:01

Glad you enjoyed In This House of Brede, Pepe, it's a very old favourite of mine too. Rumer Godden is such a satisfying writer.

Onwards with my latest non-fic:

30: Murder on the Home Front - Molly Lefebure

This was originally published in 1955 as Evidence for the Crown, but was re-titled and re-issued in 2013 when they made a TV drama out of it - I'd fancied reading the book but it was harder to track down until this reprint.

Molly Lefebure was a young, lively journalist with a gift for writing when she took a job as secretary to the forensic pathologist Keith Simpson (later to become very eminent), and spent most of the war accompanying him to autopsies and crime-scenes all over London and beyond. A lot of this book is quite amusing, if graphic, and Molly's approach generally of the breezy 'we ate our hasty lunch of sardine sandwiches in the mortuary as usual' variety....which is all fairly entertaining until you crash headlong into her judgment on various murdered girls (basically 'she was no better than she should be so she deserved it').
A reflection of the times, I suppose, but it sits very uneasily now.

Stokey · 12/03/2021 16:16

I'd like to try Ducks, Newburyport. I don't think I have enough listening time to do it on audible though!

Do plays count? I just read Psychosis 4:48 by Sarah Kane. It's short and intense, she committed suicide quite soon after she wrote it and it's been called an extended suicide note. It's quite experimental, there are no stage directions and it's unclear how many characters there are. I'd love to see it performed, it's been done lots of different ways with different numbers of actors. I'm also intrigued to read her earlier work.

VikingNorthUtsire · 12/03/2021 17:37

Pepe , I'm really glad you enjoyed Brede. My recommendations tend to be a bit hit and miss on here Grin

19. Fast Exercise, Michael Mosley

Mosley's book about HIT and how short, carefully planned, bursts of intense exercise can give more benefit than much longer periods spent exercising at a lower intensity. This is accessible and convincing, although I spoke to some friends who know more about training than I do, and they said that Mosley isn't a great source, that he tends to pick and choose the studies that he quotes and speaks with more authority than he should considering that he's a generalist and not an expert. It did make me think about planning my exercise more mindfully - I do like my slow-paced runs with friends but will plan some more HIT sessions in the hope that it improves my fitness.

20. Stasiland, Anna Funder

Recommended here (thank you) and via Radio 4's A Good Read. Funder is an Australian journalist who spent time living in Germany after reunification. She became interested in life in the GDR (the old East Germany) and sought out people to tell her stories about the Stasi, including some who resisted, some who were forced into resistance by life circumstances (a heart-breaking story of parents whose child had his life saved by a transfer to hospital in West Berlin but who were then unable to visit him for years), and others who worked as part of the regime. It's non-fiction but told in the vivid and disturbing tone of a thriller - readable, informative and terrifying.

21. Why Germans Do It Better: Tales from a Grown Up Country, John Kampfner

I actually picked this up first but went back to read Stasiland before moving on to this, another account by a non-German writer who has spend significant time living in Germany. Kampfner's focus is post-reunification Germany, and how its social and political features reflect the way that Germans have dealt with the difficulties of their past. Kampfner admires the willingness of Germans to accept and reflect on the terrible things that have been done by their country, comparing this to the wilful blindness of England, France and other countries when faced with their own colonial atrocities. He argues that Germany are more measured, more careful, more collaborative - because they can't not be. He is obviously a Merkel fan and while he points out some of her weaknesses, he makes a convincing case for her skill, intelligence and morality as a politician.

Despite the cheerful cartoonish cover, this book is pretty heavy going at times - there are a number of long and quite complicated chapters recounting the history of alliances and feuds between the different political parties, most of which are known by three-letter acronyms, so you can easily forget who is who. It's no Year of Living Danishly - we don't get much of a peek into the lives of average Germans, their homes or the way they spend their days. The parts I enjoyed most were the anecdotes and phrases which sum up the German attitude to life. Kampfner tells us that when Merkel was asked what Germany means to her, she replied “I am thinking of airtight windows. No other country can build such airtight and beautiful windows.”

Sadik · 12/03/2021 17:41

Just checking in to get this back on my TIO list. I've got a few things on the go but nothing that gripping - enjoying the chat bits of Claudia Roden's Book of Jewish Food, and dipping in and out of Working by Studs Terkel but that's about it.
I've just treated myself to In Your Defence though Welshwabbit , it sounds fascinating, and great to hear the recommendatino from someone who has experience in that world.

PepeLePew · 12/03/2021 18:07

sadik, I’m doing the same with the Claudia Rosen. Can’t motivate myself to cook anything from it but maybe I should try. Am sure my children would eat anything if it was wrapped up as a dumpling.

PepeLePew · 12/03/2021 18:10

Roden! I do know her name.

FortunaMajor · 12/03/2021 18:38

Pepe I completely agree that some books gain something in the audio version. Milkman is the perfect example. Eimear McBride also suits being narrated. Sadly those who I think would love Ducks aren't willing to make the time commitment to it.

I'm going to abandon any thoughts of a list this late in the thread and will throw some reviews in once I've remembered where I'm up to.

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 12/03/2021 18:41
  1. Columbine by Dave Cullen

An account of the famous school shooting in the US in 1999.

This was an odd thing. I read it quite compulsively but there were issues with it in terms of structure and focus.

It's written quite simplistically but this works quite well within the heavy context of the subject.

But then it goes a bit weird, Cullen zeros in on Eric Harris, one of the shooters, and the likelihood of his being a psychopath, and Dylan Klebold, the teenage depressive who was merely taken in. From reading around I sense that actual victims dislike this take. Dylan himself killed 5 people, so to "downgrade him" next to Eric feels slightly crass, particularly as the author also paints the Klebold parents in a better light than the Harrises.

The book has been revised several times and there is this sense that the revisions are excessive, unnecessary, and make it a bit tautologous in places. There is also a lengthy section in the appendices were the author seems to feel the need to justify his various use of adjectives throughout.

I was left frustrated that the heavy focus on Eric The Psychopath caused things that I felt deserved more weight, such as the victims and their loved ones, and the ensuing aftermath to get a lesser focus which I felt was wrong.

Still a worthy non fiction read.

yoshiblue · 12/03/2021 18:57

@Welshwabbit I'm listening to In Your Defence on BorrowBox ATM and really enjoying it - a free library listen if anyone is interested.

FortunaMajor · 12/03/2021 20:07

These are going to be short and sweet.

  1. The Thirteenth Tale - Diane Setterfield
    A famous elderly reclusive author invites a young biographer to her home to reveal the secrets of her life that she has spent decades hiding by spinning lies about herself. The biographer is sceptical, but launches her own investigation to find the truth. God this was long, really unnecessarily long.

  2. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - Betty Smith
    Marvellous coming of age of a young woman in pre-Depression America growing up in the slums. This captures the spirit of the age perfectly.

  3. The Memory Police Yoko Ogawa
    A Japanese dystopian tale. On an island the population are ruled by an oppressive organisation who make item disappear from human consciousness in collective anmesia. A small number of people are immune from the phenomenon. Anyone found to be in possession of these items is in danger. This is very odd but strangely compelling.

  4. The Secret Barrister - The Secret Barrister
    Fascinating but worrying look at the judicial system in England and Wales. Well worth a read.

  5. The Green Road - Anne Enright
    Four children leave their rural home and scatter across the globe. Recalled by their mother at a time of crisis they struggle to reconnect and regain any sort of relationship with one another. I usually love Anne Enright, but this was awful. Too many characters, no real connecting narrative and the short vignettes about each one were not long enough to sufficiently develop the characters. There was no plot to speak of and ultimately it was boring.

  6. The Cut Out Girl - Bart Van Es
    The author explores what happened to a young Jewish girl who was briefly fostered by his grandparents during the war. He finds her again in her 80s and strikes up a friendship as he discovers more about her life story. This was incredibly interesting but also heartbreaking.

  7. All Things Bright and Beautiful (ACG&S #3-4) James Herriot
    More pre-war vet shenanigans. Not as funny at the first two, but still a glorious and charming escape into a simpler time.

  8. The Echo Wife - Sarah Gailey
    An award winning scientist is rocked when her husband leaves her for another woman. She discovers he has stolen her research on cloning and has used it to make himself another version of her.
    I really liked this, but I think it would cause as much controversy as NLMG. It's brilliant from a human element, but I think the science would enrage some on the thread. Perhaps not one for Cote

  9. That Old Country Music - Kevin Barry
    A short story collection that explores Irish rural life. There were some really interesting voices in these.

  10. The Liar's Dictionary - Eley Williams
    A victorian lexicographer disgruntled with life sneaks fake entries into the new dictionary he is working on. A hundred years later an intern is tasked with taking them out. Fun but slow moving, not one for the plot, but for the glory of the language within.

  11. Dark Horses - Susan Mihalic
    Follows a 15 year old Olympic eventing hopeful and her attempt to escape from the abusive relation with her father who coaches her.
    I cannot recommend this. Rather than exploring the abuse that can happen in sports coaching this revels in it and almost glorifies it. The attempts to justify and rationalise the abuse as acceptable is sickening. It's a graphic, grim and gratuitous.

  12. I Hate Men - Pauline Harmange
    Feminist essay on how using misandry can be advantageous to women. A fun and feisty read for IWD. I would like to read more on this explored in greater depth.

  13. Consent - Annabel Lyon
    The lives of two sets of sisters become linked following a tragedy. This explores family dynamics and relationships. This reminded me a little of Anne Tyler, in that nothing much happens and it's more about the small observations. Sadly it was too ambitious in scope and didn't suitably develop any of the characters as a result. It lacked the depth of Tyler and didn't have enough plot to cover this. It was still worth a read, but I'm not convinced it's prize worthy.

  14. Exciting Times - Naoise Dolan
    Millennial stream of consciousness. Irish TEFL teacher in Hong Kong falls in with the wanker banker crowd and has a crisis of class and self as she explores relationships outside of her comfort zone. Vague Brexit references try to make this insightful of modern times. It was an interesting character and voice but was a bit Sally Rooney.

noodlezoodle · 12/03/2021 20:11

Fortuna I was really tempted to buy I hate men in my local bookshop the other day, but decided it was too impolite, given that there were two men staffing the till Grin

FortunaMajor · 12/03/2021 20:17

Noodle that would have made my day to see. Do it! Grin

It wasn't anything revolutionary, but an interesting topic to mull on.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 12/03/2021 20:17

Fortuna
Loving a bit Sally R as a new insult.

FortunaMajor · 12/03/2021 20:20

Remus Grin I couldn't help myself, but you all know what I mean. Could be seen as a compliment by some...

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 12/03/2021 20:21
Grin
mum2jakie · 12/03/2021 22:08

Have read a few over recent weeks:

Seven Dials Mystery - Agatha Christie
A re-read for me and one that is a bit daft, based on a secret club and fairly illogical reason for murder. Easy reading in stressful times.

Ready Player One - Ernest Cline
Dystopian novel set around an online gaming theme. Teenager is following clues set up a by dead millionaire/geeky internet guru which turns into a life and death mission. Not my usual read and a lot of eighties references that might appeal to a particular demographic but easy escapist reading.

The Thursday Night Murder Club - Richard Osman
Listened to this as an audiobook. Enjoyed Lesley Manville's narration and liked the characters and meandering story. Pleasant reading - I'd certainly read the sequel.

Doing Time - Jodi Taylor
Spin off from the St Mary's series featuring the Time Police. Good cast, a bit rushed at the end - and a bit muddled at one point with a murder that was wasn't very explained but I think anyone who has enjoyed Jodi Taylor's previous novels would likely enjoy this one. First in a new series.

SapatSea · 12/03/2021 22:20

Totally agree about Consent, Fortuna. I was really surprised to see it on awards lists.

FortunaMajor · 12/03/2021 22:32

I'm glad it's not just me Sapat. I always feel mean saying it, but that was my gut reaction.

Bernadene Evaristo, chief judge this year, was keen to point out it's a "storytelling" prize not a literature prize, but I think there are stronger books out there.