Page 12 | 50 Books Challenge 2023 Part One

Southeastdweller · 2023-01-01T08:17:17+00:00

Welcome to the first thread of the 50 Book Challenge for this year. The challenge is to read fifty books (or more!) in 2023, 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?

bettbburg · 04/01/2023 05:40

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 03/01/2023 19:14

I'm going to have to read that one just to see if I'm mentioned in it

Dibs on you being the ex who bought him a Marianne Faithful LP

Lol no

I will put it next on Tbr

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 04/01/2023 06:46

Okay. I’ll bite.
Not the bloody boring butler again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ChessieFL · 04/01/2023 06:48

Out Of The Corner by Jennifer Grey

I’m a big Dirty Dancing fan so was keen to read this. Unfortunately I was disappointed. There’s not much in the DD section I didn’t already know, and most of the rest of the book is her moaning about either her nose job or her various boyfriends. She also likes to say fuck a lot.

DuPainDuVinDuFromage · 04/01/2023 07:05

2 Watching Neighbours twice a day… - Josh Widdicombe A memoir of Widdicombe’s childhood themed around the TV he watched (and he watched a LOT of telly, so it’s mostly about that). Previous reviews on last year’s thread mentioned that the relevance of the memories very much depends on whether the reader grew up with the same cultural references; luckily I’m almost exactly the same age as Widdicombe so almost everything he mentioned was familiar to me (either I watched it, or I was aware at the time that I was missing out on it, or - in the case of all the sport - my brother watched it). So for me it was a lovely, gentle bit of nostalgia. Definitely a possible present for anyone turning 40 this year…

Whosawake · 04/01/2023 07:28

Passmethecrisps · 03/01/2023 23:36

I wouldn’t normally update quite so quickly but I have just finished another of the Darklands series of books Hex by Jenni Fagan and I wanted to immediately talk about it.

The setting is the North Berwick Witch trials and Geillis Duncan waits in a cell for her execution. She is greeted by Iris, a visiter from the future who comforts and guides her to what has to happen. Don’t be put off by the time traveller element - this is a story of wrongdoing and anger as well as, incredibly, love and positivity. It’s another novella so one to take in over one sitting. I am typically a very fast reader - I almost scan the text so miss huge chunks if not careful. This had me narrating it in my head. The prose is wonderful - furious, damning and beautiful - which made me slow right down and read every single word.

I haven’t read any of the author’s other books so I would love to hear if others have and enjoyed them.

I read ThePanoptican a couple of years ago passmethecrisps and thought it was brilliant. Have added Hex to my list, thank you :)

WinterFoxes · 04/01/2023 07:36

Please can I join in? Not sure I'll make 50 as I'm a slow reader but would love to read more.

Currently reading Real Estate - an autobiography/musing by Deborah Levy on what women own, and the 'unreal estate' of ownership of our thoughts, desires and fantasies. I read everything by Levy.

Janedownourlane · 04/01/2023 08:21

Thanks for the comments. After one day I’ve decided to leave the thread. Sorry to be boring.

Newyearhappy · 04/01/2023 08:36

Hello - can I join too? I'm having a much needed digital detox (except MN of course ;) and determined to read more. Just started The Herd by Emily Edwards, which isn't the greatest book I've ever read but it is a very easy read so a good one to start of with for 2023.

RainyReadingDay · 04/01/2023 08:44

I finished book 1 last night - Why Did You Stay? by Rebecca Humphries.

She wrote this as a result of the very public breakdown of her relationship with the comedian Seann Walsh whilst he was appearing in Strictly Come Dancing in 2018. It forced her to examine the nature of her relationship and realise that she had been emotionally abused and that he had been gaslighting her for years. She realised how easily she had allowed that to happen, becoming co-dependent upon him, accepting his word that his career was more important than hers.

It was a very interesting read, and good to see that she had come out the other side, with the help of her therapist, mental health and sense of humour in tact.

Not really surprising to see how easy it is to end up in a toxic relationship. I know I have come across men like that, including one boyfriend, luckily dodging a bullet there.

Wafflefudge · 04/01/2023 08:50

The Match by Harlan Coben

Sequel to Into the Woods main character was found as a boy living in the woods. Previous book he was working on a separate case and here he is trying to learn about his past. Typical Harlan Coben novel enough mystery and intrigue to keep you reading. I enjoy his books as quick, light reads and this is no different.

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 04/01/2023 09:01

Janedownourlane · 04/01/2023 08:21

Thanks for the comments. After one day I’ve decided to leave the thread. Sorry to be boring.

I didn't find your comments boring! I love Remains of the Day. I haven't read Klara and the Sun. I think it gets mixed reviews on here.

EsmeShelby · 04/01/2023 09:03

2/50 Bleeding Heart Yard --Elly Griffith's
Really enjoyed it. 3rd in series with Harpinder Kaur

FiveShelties · 04/01/2023 09:17

Can I join too please? I fell off last year's thread but I did end up with a huge list of books I wanted to read!

I have just finished my first book What lies beneath by Adam Croft which is the first book in the Rutland Crime Series. I enjoyed it, an easy read and will look out for the next one in the series.

Number 2 will be The Chalk Pit by Elly Griifiths and is number 9 in the Ruth Galloway series. This series was recommended on here and I am thoroughly enjoying them - so thank you to whoever it was.

RainyReadingDay · 04/01/2023 09:22

I enjoyed The Remains of The Day too. Quiet and thoughtful, not boring at all.

VictoriaBun · 04/01/2023 09:22

1/50 Bleeding Heart Yard - Elly Griffiths ( waves @EsmeShelby )

Also enjoyed but not as much as her Ruth ones . Sad the last one of those is due to be published next week.

Original poster

Southeastdweller · 04/01/2023 09:25

The Remains of the Day is a masterpiece of fiction. The film is wonderful, too.

@Janedownourlane i don’t understand why you’re leaving?

OP posts:

FiveShelties · 04/01/2023 09:33

@EsmeShelby and @VictoriaBun how strange we should all be reading Elly Griffiths at this time.

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 04/01/2023 09:35

Southeastdweller · 04/01/2023 09:25

The Remains of the Day is a masterpiece of fiction. The film is wonderful, too.

@Janedownourlane i don’t understand why you’re leaving?

Yup, it's amazing. Absolutely heartbreaking. I think all you naysayers have heart of ice .

@EineReiseDurchDieZeit I really enjoyed Rosemary's Baby but have yet to see the film. I think Levin is great - The Stepford Wives and The Boys from Brazil also have that brilliant, quiet menace.

MamaNewtNewt · 04/01/2023 09:51

The Remains of the Day is one of my all time favourite books. In my opinion it's an absolute masterpiece.

WinterFoxes · 04/01/2023 09:52

DuPainDuVinDuFromage · 02/01/2023 22:50

I’ve finished my first book of the year…

1 Exit - Belinda Bauer I got this from the library on the basis of reviews of Bauer’s books on last year’s thread, and I really enjoyed it. It’s a crime thriller but very much at the lighter, cosier end of the genre - the tone was very similar to Richard Osman, although a bit less frivolous. Good plot, funny bits, and some very moving bits too. Definitely recommended.

She's a very good writer - one of my favourite thriller writers. Hadn't heard of this one so will give it a go.

BestIsWest · 04/01/2023 10:18

I read Rosemary’s Baby aged 14. I had nightmares for months. It’s one book I won’t be returning to.

SolInvictus · 04/01/2023 10:29

@Janedownourlane Don't go. TRoTD (I've not read it or seen the film as I try to avoid AH films because I think he is a repugnant human being) is a marmite book on here, as are others. We often have splendidly heated rows about them.

1. The Murder Room by PD James

This is the first book I've stayed up to finish in a very long time. It is so much more than one more book in a detective series. It covers love, hate, feminism, 20th century UK politics. the rich, the poor, the past, segues effortlessly into sexual quirkiness with masks of the glitterati reminiscent of Profumo meets Eyes Wide Shut and is just very very good. Absolute 5 stars. Best PD James I've read. It's the 12th Adam Dalgliesh and there were only two more written before she died. I did start reading them in order (last year I think) but they don't need to be read in order, and I think I'll read the last 2 first. The first ones are beautifully written (no creative writing classes needed for Phyllis) but very much of their time (early 60s onwards) whereas this was much more relatable. Still fundamentally about ordinary people driven to do not ordinary things because of circumstance.
Google tells me there was a TV adaptation starring the delicious Martin Shaw. Who I imagine makes a better Dalgliesh than Roy Marsden or the new fella. Must find it to watch.

SolInvictus · 04/01/2023 10:31

Three Hours by Rosamund Lupton is in the 99ps today. The last one I read in one day. Well worth it for a psych-thriller-tense wotsit. Just avoid her other books which are pretty shit. (I always feel guilty about saying that as I reviewed Three Hours and she herself sent me a lovely message. Then I read the others and slunk away in despair. )

Tarragon123 · 04/01/2023 10:34

Passmethecrisps · 03/01/2023 23:36

I wouldn’t normally update quite so quickly but I have just finished another of the Darklands series of books Hex by Jenni Fagan and I wanted to immediately talk about it.

The setting is the North Berwick Witch trials and Geillis Duncan waits in a cell for her execution. She is greeted by Iris, a visiter from the future who comforts and guides her to what has to happen. Don’t be put off by the time traveller element - this is a story of wrongdoing and anger as well as, incredibly, love and positivity. It’s another novella so one to take in over one sitting. I am typically a very fast reader - I almost scan the text so miss huge chunks if not careful. This had me narrating it in my head. The prose is wonderful - furious, damning and beautiful - which made me slow right down and read every single word.

I haven’t read any of the author’s other books so I would love to hear if others have and enjoyed them.

I've not read any of Jenni Fagan's books yet, but she is a really interesting person. I dont know how I havent read Luckenbooth before now. Both Luckenbooth and Hex are going on my TBR pile.

Tarragon123 · 04/01/2023 10:38

EsmeShelby · 04/01/2023 09:03

2/50 Bleeding Heart Yard --Elly Griffith's
Really enjoyed it. 3rd in series with Harpinder Kaur

You have just reminded me that my Mum gave me The Postscript Murders in paperback and I read it last year. I very much enjoyed it and want to read more of the Harpinder Kaur series.