26-ish books in 2022

[StColumbofNavron]

Roll up, roll up ...

Shiny new thread for 2022.

I am setting my target at 25 this year.

I want to read at least a min of 5 in hardcopy and at least 4 non-fiction.

I’ve just finished my second title Shuggie Bain. I struggled with the subject matter for the first 80 pages then something switched and I just found it completely absorbing. It’s beautifully written and I can completely see why it won the Booker. I’m not sure what my third book should be but preferably something a little lighter.

I listened to the audio of Shuggie Bain this time last year and absolutely loved it, but it was pretty heart-wrenching in places.

@Divebar2021

I’ve just finished my second title Shuggie Bain. I struggled with the subject matter for the first 80 pages then something switched and I just found it completely absorbing. It’s beautifully written and I can completely see why it won the Booker. I’m not sure what my third book should be but preferably something a little lighter.

I felt the same, took quite a few pages to get into it, then loved it (if you can love a book about the subject matter!).

I thought Shuggie Bain was a compelling read.
Heartbreaking, heartwarming, with unforgettable characters especially little Shuggie ❤️

Shuggie Bain is on my to read list for this year. I’m saving it for a holiday when I can give it my complete attention. I’m intrigued by A Gentleman In Moscow now too.

Anyway, I’m about to start Rose Tremain’s Restoration. I can’t remember where I got my copy from but I have just noticed that she wrote it in 1989. I didn’t realise she had been writing for so long. I love The Road Home.

@LadyMacnet I love Rose Tremain as a writer and she's so versatile. You will find Restoration completely different from The Road Home but excellent in its own way. Music and Silence is also very much worth a read.

Agree with all the praise for Shuggie Bain and A Gentleman in Moscow - two of my favourite reads in the last year.

Music and Silence is one of my favourite novels of all time! She's deeply underrated.

Anyone looking for a good non fic read Common people by Alison Light, an incredible social historian is 99p today.

agree that Rose Tremain is underrated. I read Music & Silence, and The Road Home a few years ago and loved them both.

So far for me:

1. All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. I had this for ages and it just wasnt calling to me, despite so many recommendations. I initially hated the very short chapters, but once I got over that - my goodness, what a book. The two main characters have really stayed with me.
2. To Throw Away Unopened by Viv Albertine on audiobook. Great narration and I really love the warmth and honesty of this book. Current read is American Dirt about half way through and, despite its brutal subject matter, I'm finding it a fast paced, enjoyable read.

Love all of Rose Tremain's books, Music and Silence and Restoration are my favourites.

All the Light They Cannot See for me is in the same league as Gentleman in Moscow and Shuggie Bain.
Very very special books.

Oh how I loved Shuggie Bain and A Gentleman in Moscow and American Dirt….you are my people!!

1. Piranesi
2. The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Neil Gaiman

This was mad, utterly mad and intense and brilliant, such an incredible use of folklore experienced by a child remembered by an adult - I wish it were 3 times longer

I loved American Dirt too

I’ve got American Dirt in my pile to read. I’m onto number 3 though which is my Bookclub title The Frequency of Us by Keith Stuart. Apparently it was a Radio 4 Book at bedtime and a BBC2 Between the Covers book club pick… I don’t know Between the Covers book club so I don’t know if that’s much of a recommendation

1. The Inheritance Of Loss by Kiran Desai

2.The Perfect World of Miwako Sumida by Clarissa Goenawan

1. Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson - I really enjoyed this, although I have mixed feelings about the ending. Mary was a compelling protagonist, and my thoughts keep going back to the story even after finishing the book, so it's definitely worth a read.

I'm starting Milkman by Anna Burns today on the recommendation of a friend.

I just finished Killers of the Flower Moon, it's coming out as a film this year I think, can't wait!

I'm now reading American Dirt.

How depressing is Shuggie Bain? I keep thinking I'd like to read it but I'm never in the mood for anything too depressing at the moment!

Looks like I need to give A Gentleman in Moscow a go!

Manteo I was initially dubious about reading SB thinking it would be far too depressing.

The subject matter is bleak but the relationships between the main protagonists is what lifts it. Read it you must!

I enjoyed American Dirt too.

I'm back for another year - thanks for the new thread @StColumbofNavron.

After a big career change last year I'm paring back my expectations on the number of books I'll get through again this year. I will again count the chapter books I read to the children though. I managed 34 last year, but quite a few of these were the books I read to the children.

@StColumbofNavron I think I'll follow your example and try the Series of Unfortunate Events with the children.

I'm kicking off the year with Radium Girls as my own read.

2. Lethal White - Robert Galbraith

I love Strike’s interactions with posh people. I cried, I laughed, I swore out loud, and I was nearly too scared to read some parts. 5/5

Books 3 & 4 both on audio

1. Fall by John Preston biography of Robert Maxwell.
2. Who do I think I am by Mark Steel

Can I join, please. I have a few books waiting to be read and really need some fresh recommendations.
I'm starting with The Readers' Room by Antoine Laurain.

@VittysCardigan what did you think of Fall?

I had to read it for book club and I must admit I found it a bit of a struggle. All I can recall is what a monster he was, however I think I knew that before I read it.

@Manteo - I didn't find Shuggie Bain depressing as such, it's hard-hitting and there were times when I did have to pause for the day before carrying on with it the next day (audio). But heart-warming too.

@Tinkhasflown - I loved the Radium Girls, but there were parts I found upsetting, what those poor women went through was horrendous. Fascinating read though, I'll never moan about Health and Safety again.

@highlandcoo I think i would have struggled to actually read it. I tend to listen to non fiction on audible.
I chose it because it won the costa award for biography. It was interesting to hear his story but agree that he was a monster. Was vaguely aware of some of the stories about him, such as his cheating to ensure that the spot the ball competition in his paper could never be won.
I gave it 3 stars on goodreads as it was well written.

@Divebar2021 I read a few of the books featured on Between the Covers last year and generally enjoyed them (including one of my absolute top picks last year The Girl with the Louding Voice ) Obviously no book will be to everyone’s taste, but their recommendations generally seem solid to me, if quite mainstream.

That said, The Frequency of Us was a bit of an odd one for me. I read a previous book by the author which I ended up loving much more than expected, but this one didn’t match up. It was readable, with some good stories within it... won’t say more as don’t want to give spoilers, but would be interested to see what you think!