26-ish books for 2023

[Tinkhasflown]

A shiny new thread for 2023. There didn't appear to be one do hope it's ok that I have created it this year.

All welcome and note 26 is just a number. Everyone can set their own target and you are welcome here even if you only read 3 books a year.

I personally count the larger novel style books I read to my children and audio books I listen to. Others don't and there are no rules.

I look forward to all your suggestions again this year.

24. Sea of Tranquility - emily St John Mandel

Just finished this in one day. I was blown away. I had loved Station 11 but I think I loved this more.

22. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

Not had much time to read lately so it has taken me a while to get through this. It didn't quite grip me though so it was a bit of a slog. 3 out of 5.

The House we Grew up in - Lisa Jewell

Heavy hitting issues in this but so well done. I really enjoyed this. I absolutely love Lisa Jewell books.

Now listening to another of her books The Family Remains a follow on to The Family Upstairs.

I'm also reading Maggie O'Farrell - I am I am I am which I'm enjoying so far.

I also loved 'The House we Grew up in' - Lorelei is one of the most beautifully drawn characters I can recall - and definitely a few personal triggers for me in her. There is one moment in the book (this isn't a spoiler) but someone is trying to talk to her about something serious and she brushes it aside with something like "come round, we're having so much fun making pasta necklaces...' and for me - this captured so much about her.

I read this a few years ago and she has really stayed with me.

I'm on Goodreads @pinkpixie83. I tend to use it to keep track of what I've read.

I use Goodreads too - I keep my tally on it.

I use GoodReads too.

I just keep track of my books on the notes app on my phone!

69 Death of a Book Seller by Alice Slater.

I kept on reading my Pratchett books.

91 Reaper Man
92 Soul Music
93 Pyramids
94 Thief of Time
95 Going Postal
96 Making Money
97 Moving Pictures.
98 Guards Guards
99 Men At Arms
100 Feet of Clay.
Then a bit bored of them...
101, 102, 103, 104 and 105 are the Ilona Andrews Innkeeper series that I'm sure I prob re-read back in Jan at the start of my count.

24: Tidelands by Philippa Gregory

Loved this. I picked it up as it was the oldest on my "to be read" shelf and thought I would find it a slog. But I had forgotten how good Philippa Gregory is, and was also really encouraged to see it is the first in a series.

25. And Away - Bob Mortimer.

I have premium Spotify amd you can now get free audiobooks with it so I listened to this. I liked Bob's reading style actually.

I also just have my list on my phone notes

32. Going Gently by David Nobbs.
Told by a 99 year old woman who is in hospital after a stroke. She runs through memories of her life and there's a sub plot about who might have murdered one of her husbands. I'm not sure that storyline added much for me, it was an interesting idea but didn't come off that well, whereas the flashback parts were more consuming. The main character is repeatedly said to be incredibly witty, bold and outspoken, intelligent, sexy, charming, beautiful...that got a bit grating! Some funny bits, engaging story.
The author wrote Reggie Perrin if that helps anyone get an idea of the sort of plot twists, characters and diologue. I particularly liked the Welsh characters.

Book 25 The Damage Done by James Oswald

25: The People on Platform 5 by Claire Pooley

A real feel-good book which was also a nice quick read.

23. Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes

This is the second MK book I've read (previously read Grown Ups which I really enjoyed). I had high hopes for this as had heard good things but it didn't quite live up to the hype for me. It was very long and a bit slow going at times. I persisted with it though and rate it 3.5 out of 5.

I‘m halfway on my book no
19.Fourth Wing -Rebecca Yarros
then still need to finish Billy Summers .
I have a few waiting in the drawer now again
and I might have just ordered the new Britney Spears Bio …
Not sure I’ll get to my 26 this years it’d be a hurry for me since I’m normally too tired to read much at a time .

17. The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith
Loved this!!
Can't wait for the next Strike.

70 Wakenhyrst by Michelle Paver

33: Slow Horses by Mick Herron. I'd seen the TV series and had the books recommended by a friend, thoroughly enjoyed this.

24. The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami

Hadn't heard of this but picked it up in the library. Having read Norwegian Wood by the same author (which I loved), I wanted to read more of his stuff.

Anyone any recommendations for other Murakami stuff? Or similar?

20: Dark Places - Gillian Flynn

Really enjoyed this. I mean 'enjoyed' as much as you can with some very dark themes (family annihilation / abuse / violence) but as ever with GF her female protagonist is pretty dark and damaged and thinking about it, there isn't one redeeming character - they are all broken/flawed - but it is so good and what it does. It just builds and builds and seems to speed up and up until you get the answers you were looking for.

Currently reading the Maigret series by Georges Simenon.

ooh I only just finished The Ink Black Heart, excited to see this new one from Rober Galbraith (Running Grave).

We were in the Ship and Shovell pub on Saturday featured in TIBH, gave me such a thrill, saddo that I am.

I am at 24 books. Last 4 have been Red Room, Nikki French - The Bullet that Missed, Richard Osman - TIBH, Robert Galbraith - and Someone Else's Daughter by Jennifer Harvey.

I am half way through A Gentleman in Moscow, which is beautiful but takes effort to concentrate so I tend to bob about in between.

Also planning Demon Copperhead next.