50 Book Challenge 2022 Part Two

[southeastdweller]

Welcome to the second 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, it’s not too late to join, 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 the 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.

The first thread of the year is here.

What are you reading?

I know quite a few of you have read The Outrun by Amy Liptrot. It was announced yesterday that there is going to be a film made of it staring Saoirse Ronan (who actually looks quite like Amy), filming to start in Orkney later this year.

I did live The Outrun- I believe she has another one coming out later this year.

I like Saoirse Ronan, although so much of the film is internal that I'm not sure that it will be a gripping watch. Nice scenery though, presumably.

On the subject of films, I've just watched the 2020 film of Emma on Netflix - they were pretty unlucky with the Feb 2020 release date in cinemas. It was an unexpected delight and I found it true to the spirit of the book. I thought the cast was great - the Eltons were fab, and Mr Knightley was delightful.

@Terpsichore

I've read all the Serailler books apart from the most recent (still waiting for it to drop to 99p) and I wrestle mightily with my hatred of the whole crew. But somehow I can't stop reading them

Same here. I start each one knowing I won't like it, but do it anyway.

bibliomania - love the sound of windswept

Only two chapters in, nowanearlyNicemum, but I'm really enjoying it so far.

11. The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman

OK so the plot is far-fetched, but I found the dialogue amusing and it's good to see older people portrayed as brave, witty and resourceful rather than the over-used device of them being lonely and curmudgeonly until rescued by the love and attention of younger neighbours etc etc. Some of those books can be so patronising while trying to tug on the readers' heartstrings. I can't be doing with them.
I couldn't read this sort of stuff all the time but it entertained me.

Just finished 9. The Man In the Brown Suit Agatha Christie
Can’t add to previous reviews really, I read this for the read Christie challenge - still not sure whether I’ll do the full challenge or just dip in and out. As has been said, it’s rather convoluted and I’m still not entirely sure what went on with the diamonds or what the point of it all was, but Anne Beddingfield and Eustace Peddlar were enjoyable characters.
Less so the racist aspects, and the very ‘romantic’ men threatening to beat their love interests black and blue should they dare to marry another man - to say it hasn’t aged well is an understatement. Still, with the previous reviews to forewarn me I knew what I was in for and didn’t actually hate it. I’d have loved it as a teenager - what a shame I came to Christie so late.

I loved the costumes in Emma.

I joined, but haven't posted about any of my read books yet. So apologies for the list but.

1. Mrs England by Stacey Halls I enjoyed this, I thought the characters were well described and thought out, the setting was nice and atmospheric. I wouldn't say it held too many surprises but was an enjoyable read.

2. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman I listened to this as my first audiobook. I thought it was really good, a comfort read*

3. Passing by Nella Larsen I saw this come up on a must read list but had never heard of it. It happened to be available at the library so I gave it a go. I'd never heard of the term Passing in this context and so found it an interesting read. This story of life, of prejudice, of hiding your identity or having pride in your identity, of love, envy, extravagance and duty was fascinating, the ending took me by surprise and its probably the book that has stayed with me longest so far this year.

4. The Doll House by Charis Cotter I was looking for a spooky read and I found it. Atmospheric and a hint of malevolence, but I have forgotten most of it already so I'm not sure I would recommend it. I listened to this on audiobook and I think would have enjoyed it more as a book. The narrator has a young voice, but the way the story is told feels like an older person relating the story. I thought it jarred a little.

5. Jane and the twelve days of Christmas by Stephanie Barron I love Jane Austen and will happily read fanfiction for hours, have even written some back in the day. As a bit of fun while I was at home with COVID this book was brilliant. I liked the voice of Jane, that quotes from the novels have been woven into the text and the little details about life in the Regency era. I'll read some more of the Jane Austen Mystery series for sure.

6. Boudica: Dreaming of the Eagle by M C Scott I may have been wrong about Passing, Dreaming of the Eagle has made me think as well. I loved learning more about the age of Boudica, the magic and the dreams. This one was recommended by several people on here and I need to thank them for their good taste as I loved it and will read the rest of the saga before the end of the year.

7. Hungry by Grace Dent Another Mumsnet recommendation when I asked for Biography suggestions. I've never taken to Grace when I have seen her on Masterchef so wasn't really excited to read it. But thought I'd give her a go. I'm also new to reading Biographies and have to say this was a fairly easy and encouraging start. Its a fairly unsensational story that Grace tells of her life, but that makes it relatable. She's nothing like me, but there are familiar themes in families and what is important. Overall I thought she told a good tale and showed that to get ahead in life you need to work at the stuff that needs to be done, be persistent, and quite tough.

5. First Lady: The Life and Wars of Clementine Churchill by Sonia Purnell

This was written by Sonia Purnell who wrote "A Woman of No Importance" about Virginia Hall and her work with the French Resistance in WW2, which I really loved. If I hadn't read that, I may well not have picked this up, as I have never thought much about Clementine Churchill, other than knowing her name as the wife of Winston Churchill.
I enjoyed it, good writing, and very readable. I liked the account of her early life (and raised my eyebrows at the connection to the Mitfords). She was born into a previously aristocratic family, with emotionally absent parents and led a semi-impoverished life in northern France in the early years of the 20th Century. The majority of her biography though naturally focuses on her relationship with Winston during their long marriage which spanned the historical events of the 20th Century, including two world wars. Winston was a difficult man to live with and she must have the patience of an absolute saint just to tolerate him, let alone support him. They had five children, one of which tragically died of illness at the age of 2.

Winston was First Lord of the Admiralty during WW1 when Clementine was a young mother, and she still remained steadfastly loyal to him, often losing friends when she defended him despite disastrous decisions which cost thousands of British lives. During WW2, Clementine was a more mature woman with grown-up children and was able to throw herself into the war effort.

Very interesting account of the life of a public family who were far from perfect.

6. Pale Rider by Laura Spinney

I know this has been much reviewed on here, but an interesting read on the causes, spread, and long-term effects of the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918. While it was obviously written before the Covid pandemic, it was particularly interesting to see how the Spanish flu spread around the world, how different countries tried to stop it at borders (with various but usually minimal success), and how debates raged about the causes and cures. Long-running discussions on whether schools should be closed, whether masks are effective and the banning of large gatherings- sound familiar?
The Spanish Flu happened at a time when the knowledge of viruses and bacteria was in its infancy and many people still genuinely thought the disease was a punishment from God (but then I have heard that about Covid too!)
Surprisingly readable and informative. It will be interesting to see how people will write about Covid in 50 years' time.

1. This Much is True by Miriam Margolyes on Audible. Thank you so much whoever suggested listening to this rather than reading it - Margolyes has such a beautiful speaking voice, as well as being brilliant at imitations / accents for the bits of dialogue, that this was an absolute pleasure to listen to. She has led a really interesting life, much of which I didn't know about, and while she is very complimentary about many of her co-stars she does not hold back about the ones she dislikes! John Cleese in particular sounds like an unpleasant chap. I also liked the chapters about the parts of her life outside the world of acting, such as her feelings about being overweight and getting old. Recommended.

Would any kind enabler be willing to post the link to the Kindle monthly deals pretty please?

1. Matrix by Lauren Groff - I really, really liked this book. In the late 1100s, teenager and illegitimate relative to Eleanor of Aquitaine, Marie is sent to stay at a convent and help out with their finances. Over time she takes ever greater control of the running of the abbey and transforms their fortunes, becoming a powerful, rich, female led community which threatens the church and the crown. It's a very strange novel - full of historical detail, earthy and sensual but also mystical. Beautifully written. Not like anything I've read for a long time, I'd really recommend it.

@Hoolahoophop I read Passing just before Christmas. It's been made into film and is available on Netflix.

@Tarahumara

7. This Much is True by Miriam Margolyes on Audible. Thank you so much whoever suggested listening to this rather than reading it - Margolyes has such a beautiful speaking voice, as well as being brilliant at imitations / accents for the bits of dialogue, that this was an absolute pleasure to listen to. She has led a really interesting life, much of which I didn't know about, and while she is very complimentary about many of her co-stars she does not hold back about the ones she dislikes! John Cleese in particular sounds like an unpleasant chap. I also liked the chapters about the parts of her life outside the world of acting, such as her feelings about being overweight and getting old. Recommended.

This might have been me. I've been listening to this since late Dec. I'm enjoying it so far and am also loving her naming all the names!

@GrannieMainland

8. Matrix by Lauren Groff - I really, really liked this book. In the late 1100s, teenager and illegitimate relative to Eleanor of Aquitaine, Marie is sent to stay at a convent and help out with their finances. Over time she takes ever greater control of the running of the abbey and transforms their fortunes, becoming a powerful, rich, female led community which threatens the church and the crown. It's a very strange novel - full of historical detail, earthy and sensual but also mystical. Beautifully written. Not like anything I've read for a long time, I'd really recommend it.

I loved this too, and for similar reasons. Glad you enjoyed it! I do very much hope the real Marie de France was like this/led this life (or one similar).

@IntermittentParps I only discovered she was a real person after I finished it!

It is tantalising, isn’t it?

Link to kindle deals [[https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?ref=lp_3017941031_sa&rh=n%3A3017941031&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&fs=truer]]

Sorry, messed that up - posting on phone.

Nothing appeals in the Kindle deals, except maybe the Alan Garner - but I really hated the last one of his I read (a recentish one that I've forgotten the name of).

Thanks for posting the Kindle deals Biblomania, although the monthly ones do seem to be getting worse. I'm going to have a look in a minute.

1. Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead. This was a recent 99p Kindle buy, bought because I loved Great Circle last year. This was very different, it reminded me more of a slightly mean Ann Tyler. The main character is 60 year old Winn Van Meter whose daughter is getting married. He is going to their island house to join the wedding party. He is an East Coast American, full of Ivy League universities and gentleman's clubs. The book takes a satirical swing at Winn's need for tradition and fitting in. It has multiple points of view, the main other one is his younger daughter Livia who has recently broken up with her boyfriend. It was an easy enough read. I found myself coming away thinking how odd it is that I know such a disproportionate amount about that part of East Coast life considering I've never been there.

Sorry I posted too soon. Not particularly from this book, but a disproportionate amount of American literature seems to be based in these Hamptons style locations.

R.E. the monthly deals - I’m considering:

Strong Poison, Dorothy L. Sayers - which I think is the first one with Harriet Vane in? I’ve heard those are the better ones (I’ve only read the first and wasn't completely sold on it)

Road Ends, Mary Lawson - I know nothing of her writing except that Anne Tyler, whose writing I admire very much, rates her

Unwell Women, Elinor Cleghorn - recommended on here

and

Imperial Twilight, Stephen R. Platt - a historical account of the Opium war between Britain and China

I may also get the book about the making of All Creatures Great and Small, because I love the programme and the Herriot books.