50 Book Challenge 2022 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 2022, 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.

If possible, please can you embolden your titles and maybe authors as well of books you've read or going to read? It makes it much easier to keep track, especially when the threads move quickly at this time of the year.

Who's in for this year?

Joining in, Happy New Year all! Started Vaxxers by Dr Sarah Gilbert last night and also listening to Wintering by Katherine May on Audible.

BTW, Kindle deals have changed today. Picked up Sorrow and Bliss and The Nanny State Made Me

@SOLINVICTUS have you read that Stuart Marconie one? Thought I'd tag you in case you hadn't and wanted a 99p deal

Thanks @FiloPasty, will check her out.

Count me in this is a great thread, I really want to read more this year.

@Midnightstar76 as a pp said the Victoria Wood programme was Housewife, 49. Not sure if you know but it was based on the real life diaries of Nella Last, published as Bella Last’s War plus a couple of sequels. You may want to look those out if you liked the TV programme.

Signing in! Thanks southeast.

Nella Last’s War not Bella!

@highlandcoo Tracy Chevalier is a quilter herself, but she also commissions quilts to tie in with different projects she's involved with. There's a really interesting article here if you're moved to find out more - she asked the stitchers of Fine Cell Work - who are all prison inmates producing sewn items for sale - to make a quilt on the subject of sleep.

A side-note for anyone who's into sewing/quilting/beautiful things generally, and doesn't know about her already - Florence, aka Flossieteacakes, the author of that blog, makes the most amazing patchwork and is well worth a follow.

Thanks @highlandcoo not read Old Baggage Trilogy so will keep an eye out for that as well.
Thanks @ChessieFL* will look out for this too. I saw the film a good few years ago now but it definitely stayed with me, very good.

Happy new year all! I would love to join in this year. I have always been a big reader but covid and a little one (and too much phone!) has meant I've hardly read the last few years.
I'm making reading everyday my priority. I have started A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara and The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki. Really enjoying both so far

My top three books from last year - tricky choice but maybe

Motherwell by Deborah Orr
Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli
Letters to my weird sisters by Joanne Limburg

@Plantsandpuddlesuits I'm not very far in yet but so far so good! It feels more lighthearted than Girl, Woman, Other so far, but I suspect that might change.

@LittleDiaries I've tried reading The Suspicions of Mr Whicher twice now and gave up quite quickly both times. I just can't seem to get on with it. It sounds like it's worth persevering with though? I also live nearby!

Finished the first one of the year
I wouldn't recommend it. What was meant to be a psychological thriller boded well for a light Xmas read - Xmas day in a secluded log cabin with and unexpected visitor. The Merry by Kelly Utt did nothing for me. More about relationships than the creepy read I was expecting and the ending was truly awful 😞

@Terpsichore, thank you very much for the link. Great article.

The collaborative aspect of making a quilt is really powerful. I'm not a quilter but have made very simple quilts with infant classes, where the children have each designed and cut out a shape in felt; we've done animal or nursery rhyme themes but there are loads of possibilities. The excitement and sense of achievement once the whole quilt is pieced together is brilliant.

The idea of purposeful activity for prisoners is so important. The Clink restaurants are another excellent venture but I'd never heard about Fine Cell work until now. So so interesting.

I really loved Mr Loverman when I read it.

Hello!

Joining in again this year. Was here for (parts of) the 2021 thread but didn't make it to the end.

First book I'm reading is awful, but I'm ploughing on

I've read these threads for a couple of years to get my book inspiration but never contributed. My reading has tailored off in the last two years and I only managed 43 last year so hopefully joining in will keep me on track.

My first book is Trustee from the Toolroom by Neville Shute which I'm enjoying so far.

@MegBusset I read We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families nearly 20 years ago and it is excellent and horrifying in equal measures.

I am hoping to stay on the thread this year, I always start with good intentions but then drop off. I am currently reading The Only Plane in the Sky and a Julia Quinn book , which I started last year.

I'd love to join in- i've never done this before. My 10 year old daughter has been chosen to be part of a team to do the world book day quiz this year. She has a list of 20 books to read and it's inspired me to start reading more (i read a lot pre children). I might try some from her list as well as some more grown up stuff. I'm going to use my library membership as we already have so many books. We've just visited for the first time since Covid hit and i want to make it a habit for all of us (2 kids aged 10 and 6 both love reading). Hoping to get some good ideas here for books to try.

So glad I've caught the start of a new year thread-I'm a long time lurker on these threads, dip in and out for reading inspiration and for general opinions on books I've read. I have commented once or twice (under different names) but can never keep up.

I read 60 books in 2021 with one dnf. My favourites being the Tales of the City series -one left to go, Small Pleasures and Shuggie Bain

I've realised I've not read any Penelope Lively and will download The Photograph in a minute however just wondering if that is a good one to start with or another? I really didn't enjoy the book I finished yesterday so need a good page turner to erase the memory!

First book finished!

1. Perfect Tense - Michael Bracewell

A splendid start to the reading year with this short, very funny, albeit bleak novel based on a day in the life of an anonymous middle-aged London office worker in the early 90s. Absolutely on point about the monotony and pointlessness of office drudgery, the superficiality of workplace interpersonal relationships and the occasional transcendant moments that hold daily life together.

Joining in.
Joined last year but fell off around June when I was right on target. However between renovating/moving and having a baby I lost my mojo. Finished the year on 27 books. Would love to read more this year and aim for 50.
However I may need to steer clear of people’s recommendations as my to be read list ended up way too long last year!

Happy reading everyone x

Hello, I'd like to join in.

I'm starting the year reading all the Discworld books in order. A lot of them will be rereads for me, but there's a few I've not read before, including the final one.

I started The Colour of Magic this morning.

Hi everyone, I’d like to join. I read 65 books in 2021, but I’m aiming for 25 this year due to a new baby due in March. I’m currently reading Lillian Boxfish Takes A Walk by Kathleen Rooney

Hello friends, old and new.
Spent most of today lying around reading The Railway Children. Two of the DC have Covid so no one is going anywhere very exciting and I've got a pile of new books but felt drawn to old favourites.