50 Books Challenge 2023 Part Two

[Southeastdweller]

Welcome to the second thread of the 50 Books 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, it’s not too late to join, and please try to let us all know your thoughts on what you've read.

The first thread of the year is here.

What are you reading?

I think that Guardian piece has been massively misconstrued. It doesn't read at all like she's saying you have to be middle class to own books; she's obviously and explicitly criticising what she calls a 'cult' of book ownership, and defining it as smug and middle class.

I really need more bookcases, my books are kept in a bookcase on the upstairs landing but I've had to put them in two deep and then more piled on top of each row of books. I mostly read library books though to save on space and money (I can't get on with ebooks, I lose focus too quickly with screens) but whenever I visit a charity shop or flea market and see books in English I buy them (its pretty rare to find any in English here, though I once found a whole pile of Agatha Christies), stick them in my bookcase to read at some point, saving them for a rainy day (i.e. run out of library books) and then forget about them. I should try to read some this year.

@ClaraTheImpossibleGirl Enjoy your reread! I've been looking a bit more and found out German amazon prime is available in my country so I'm going to wait until the 3rd season comes out then do a month trial and watch them all with DD (as long as they're not dubbed, that is!)

You'll love them, @Natsku. They're great 🙂

Enjoy your reread, @Clara. ❤️

Not had chance to read any of the part 2 thread but had caught up with part one. Just one thought Penis Yoga 😂🤣 I really do enjoy this corner of mumsnet but yep that’s an interesting topic 😁
Just reporting in book 4 done.
How to Stop Time by Matt Haig was not to sure about this one to be honest but as it went on was not that keen. I don’t think I will recommend. I listened on borrowbox and it was narrated well but I kept daydreaming so it didn’t hold my attention and was quite boring in parts. It was about a man who lives for centuries and does not age at the same rate. Interesting concept but did nothing for me.

Just finished rereading 'The Catch.' By TM Logan. Started watching the tv adaption on Channel 5 but couldn't remember the book so brought it on Kindle for 99P. 🙂 brilliant read and can't wait to see how the TV Series progresses! ❤️

@Midnightstar76 I've started a couple of Matt Haig books before but have never managed to get into them. His concepts for books always seem a little strange.

I find Matt Haig earnest and well meaning but rather trite and twee. He seems like a very nice man though.

I absolutely hated How to Stop Time but agree the author seems like a lovely man and he does a lot re mental health awareness.

My opinion of Matt Haig is formed based only on The Midnight Library. I think his ideas are good, he is just not able to execute. I found him very writing by numbers and don’t plan to read anymore.

Can't be doing with Matt Haig. He might as well be writing in bullet points for all the depth he brings to the page.

Thank you @StColumbofNavron and @EineReiseDurchDieZeit. Those are my exact thoughts about him as well. I think he does raise awareness of MH issues, which is excellent. But he just doesn't know how to execute them and make his stories filter though, if that makes sense?

I've just finished 'River Sing Me Home.' Took me a week to read it, but what a book! Really moving and timely as well. ❤️

I have a vague recollection of flinging Reasons To Stay Alive away in disgust at Matt Haig’s attitude towards women in his life as support humans. He annoyed me intensely, self-absorbed twonk.

Now starting number 16: 'Love and Galato.' By Jenna Evans Welch. 🙂

@BoldFearlessGirl I read a kindle sample of this but I found it a bit 'one size fits all.' I suffer from anxiety and depression as well and it just felt a little preachy.

1. Snowblind by Ragnar Jónasson

Continuing with my plan to read from my extensive unread kindle books, I chose this one.

Tbh I thought the plot thin and disappointing but I did like the descriptions of the remote snowbound town of Siglufjörður - its claustrophobic atmosphere, surrounded by snow-laden mountains, the only means of access to and from via a single track tunnel hewn out of the mountain, liable to be closed off by avalanches in winter. That all felt authentic (the author's family are from there), but the story just didn't do anything for me

I shan't be in a hurry to read any more from the series, although I have got one more of them on my kindle. It can wait.

I think Matt Haig is generally liked by people who don't read much. I also found the ones I've read a bit sentimental and obvious.

5. The History of the world in Bite size chunks - Emma Matriott

This does what it says, it's a quick look at the key events and empires of the world. Ive now got a list of events to research further so as an introduction to some elements of history it was really enjoyable and was easy to pick up whilst moving.

My books are currently in boxes so currently working my way through Kindle Unlimited. Next book is The Lord of the ring - JRR Tolkein will see how I get on as I loved The Hobbit but I'm not usually a fantasy reader.

I also found Matt Haig self absorbed and extremely irritating.

Damning with faint praise there @Stokey 😂

The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan*

A bit of a boys own adventure this, complete with dated attitudes to the Empire (it was written in 1914) and a heavy dose of antisemitism in the first chapter that had nothing to do with the rest of the plot. Those features aside once our hero Richard Hannay realises his life is in danger it's all great fun as he continually escapes his pursuers by the skin of his teeth across the Southern Uplands. If you enjoyed The Famous Five as a child this is a grown up version!

I read The Humans by Matt Haig a few years ago. I have never felt the need to read any more by him since.

I’ve just finished my sixth of the year - Daisy Jones and the Six, Taylor Jenkins Reid
My first by TJR and I’ll probably read more as it was easy, escapist and fun. The interview/ transcript format grated a bit at times, and the characters were a bit one-note but I still enjoyed myself reading this.

@RainyReadingDay I see we are doing something similar- and with similar books too! How long/ how many books are you planning to do it with? I’m just trying to fit it in at the end of each month- after reading things I want to read (most of which were also already on my kindle-I have a serious book buying problem!)

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett I read this for book group and found it a really good read. It’s about mixed race identical twins from 1960s Louisiana, one of whom leaves her identity and family behind to live as white. I’d had reservations about reading what sounded like a real ‘issue’ book but from just a few pages in I was hooked. Yes some things are laid on a bit thick but I liked the characters and the way you come to sympathise with them all.

DNF L and G.

Just about to start 'Raven's Gate.' By Anthony Horowitz.❤️

@AliasGrape and anyone else that liked Daisy Jones and the Six, it’s released on Amazon Prime on 3 March.