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50 Books Challenge 2023 Part Three

997 replies

Southeastdweller · 12/02/2023 22:56

Welcome to the third 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 and the second one here.

OP posts:
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9
MaudOfTheMarches · 13/02/2023 20:16

@Gingerwarthog The Strangled Vine sounds brilliant. I'm currently reading The Plant Hunter by T Mogford, which has a similar feel - will review properly when I've finished it, but basically it tells the story of a young man who makes a perilous journey into the interior of China just after the opium wars, looking for an almost mythical plant. He is accompanied by his plucky Jack Russell, Wilberforce, and an equally plucky young widow who is out for adventure.

Gingerwarthog · 13/02/2023 20:23

@MaudOfTheMarches
Thank you for the recommendation. Have added it to my list!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 13/02/2023 20:43

Historical romps sound worth a punt.

RainyReadingDay · 13/02/2023 21:06

A new thread, already. That was quick!

My list so far, this year:-

  1. Days Like These - Brian Bilston
  2. Why Did You Stay? - Rebecca Humphries
  3. It Ends At Midnight - Harriet Tyce
  4. The Skeleton Key - Erin Kelly
  5. Troubled Blood - Robert Galbraith
6 Until It's Over - Nicci French
  1. The Stubborn Light of Things - Melissa Harrison
  2. Snowblind- Ragnar Jonasson
  3. These Precious Days - Ann Patchett
10. One of The Girls - Lucy Clarke 11. I Found You - Lisa Jewell 12. Mrs Harris Goes To Paris - Paul Gallico 13. The Tidal Zone - Sarah Moss 14. Shrines of Gaiety- Kate Atkinson

I finished reading Shrines of Gaiety this evening and must admit to feeling a bit disappointed by it. I had been looking forward to reading it, especially since it was based (loosely) on real characters from between the wars, but it's left me feeling rather flat. The storyline felt rushed in places and inconclusive in others.

I've read most of Kate Atkinson's novels and still think her best was Behind The Scenes At The Museum although the Jackson Brodie series was very good.

RainyReadingDay · 13/02/2023 21:07

No idea why my numbering and paragraphs went weird at the start 🤔

Palegreenstars · 13/02/2023 21:12

Thank South!

my list:

  1. InK Black Heart By Robert Galbraith
  2. The Fell by Sarah Moss
  1. Spare by Prince Harry.
A good argument for abolishing the monarchy whatever you believe.
  1. Becky Sarah May.
A 90s take on Vanity Fair with Becky now facing class struggles in Murdoch-esque tabloid Britain. I found Becky a far less developed character than her predecessor and the main nods to the original were names but this was enjoyable none the less. It reminded me a bit of Career Girls by Louise Bagshawe which was set In 80s/90s media empires - preferred the latter, this mainly made me want to reread VF.

my husband just handed me a valentines gift which was a nice surprise as we don’t always bother…. Looks great, although not sure what he’s trying to tell me.

50 Books Challenge 2023 Part Three
BestIsWest · 13/02/2023 21:20

Thanks Southeast. Marking place.

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 13/02/2023 21:37

@Gingerwarthog

I got my first Mr B's as well. I got A Net For Small Fishes by Lucy Jago. I wouldn't have picked it and I am interested but the print is absolutely tiny, which keeps putting me off.

Whosawake · 13/02/2023 21:40

Me so far:

1 Queenie- Candice Carty-Williams
2 Small Things Like These- Claire Keegan
3 Burial Rites- Hannah Kent
4 The Marriage Portrait- Maggie O'Farrell

And 5...

Mrs England by Stacey Halls

I enjoyed this, atmospheric and well written- but could see the final reveals coming a mile off. I'm still not sure if this was intentional and the reader was supposed to be frustrated with Ruby's naivety. Enjoyable though.

Passmethecrisps · 13/02/2023 22:18

Thank you for the new thread.

I have only recently updated so I will update with what I have just picked up.

Book 13 will be the 2nd Ambrose Parry book, The Art of Dying. I think I am going to like this series

in the car I have a few things ongoing. view from the cheap seats and Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman have been on the go for a long time. I enjoy Fragile Things when i
want something I don’t need to hold the thread of. I have also downloaded the Stephen Fry narrated version of Orwell’s 1984 and Animal Farm. I have never read either but I feel I know the stories well so that will be interested. I also have The Signalman by Charles Dickens. It lasts almost exactly the same as my commute so I will save it for a suitably dank morning or dreich evening. I can’t count it as a book though as it’s too short!

Gingerwarthog · 13/02/2023 22:21

@EineReiseDurchDieZeit
Just googled that one! Wouldn't mind receiving A Net for Small Fishes as March's Mr B....

MegBusset · 13/02/2023 22:46

I love the idea of the book spa at Mr B’s. Sadly I live the other side of the country.

Anyway thanks for the thread @Southeastdweller. I’m currently reading From Sir With Love and listening to Notes From A Small Island on Audible.

ICrunchCrispsNotNumbers · 13/02/2023 23:11

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 13/02/2023 07:04

@ICrunchCrispsNotNumbers I really love the film version of About A Boy and have seen it many times. Perfectly cast imo.

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie I watched the film for the first time yesterday and I absolutely agree with you. ❤️ I loved the on screen connection between Hugh Grant and Nicholas Hoult 🙂

ICrunchCrispsNotNumbers · 13/02/2023 23:14

Going to catch up on the thread now ❤️

noodlezoodle · 14/02/2023 02:01

Thanks southeast!

The Strangler Vine and The Plant Hunter both look great - added to my kindle wishlist. Perhaps if we mention them enough, they'll pop up in a 99p deal Grin

(Yes I know it's just a coincidence when this happens, but a girl can dream).

kateandme · 14/02/2023 04:39

Tarahumara · 13/02/2023 18:16

Good choices! I like all the ones I've read that are featured here.

Show quote history

i really liked the list. and have added yet more to my list.ouch i dont no whether my list can even handle more haha. i really liked seeing some of my favorites and their choices though.really interesting actually

kateandme · 14/02/2023 05:06

currently reading light of the moon by elizabeth Buchan

autienotnaughty · 14/02/2023 05:16

Hi I'm aiming for 120 books. Last year I did 105. I've read some very good books so far this year including -
It starts with us Colleen Hoover
Mad Honey Jodi Picoult
The people Next Door Kia Abdullah
No place to Run Mark Edwards
It girl Ruth Ware

All very good. I'm about to start book 13.

LadybirdDaphne · 14/02/2023 06:32

Got Haven by Emma Donoghue for Valentine’s Day (following heavy hints to DP Wink)

Waawo · 14/02/2023 06:45

Thanks for the new thread @Southeastdweller

Reading has slowed down a bit due to pressures of a new job, currently I’m perched on the lower slopes of Everest in 1922 in Wade Davis’ epic Into the Silence

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 14/02/2023 07:06

@ICrunchCrispsNotNumbers It’s a proper feel good film. I must have seen it at least ten times!

Best line? I am an island. I’m fucking Ibiza.
Not sure if I’ve remembered that correctly but 😂😂😂

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 14/02/2023 07:07

@Waawo Into the Silence is incredible, although I could have coped with less religion iirc. Must re-read it at some point.

ICrunchCrispsNotNumbers · 14/02/2023 07:15

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 14/02/2023 07:06

@ICrunchCrispsNotNumbers It’s a proper feel good film. I must have seen it at least ten times!

Best line? I am an island. I’m fucking Ibiza.
Not sure if I’ve remembered that correctly but 😂😂😂

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie yes, you're correct. 🙂 I loved that too!

I really enjoyed it. I loved it that they made it more current and that it came out much later than the book. I was nine when the film came out so I remembered things like Sketchers trainers, ( I had a few pairs myself, and they were awesome) it also kept it's faithfulness to the book as well. I'll definitely watch it again 👍🥰

ICrunchCrispsNotNumbers · 14/02/2023 07:24

I'm currently on book 27: 'The Paris Library.' By Janet Skesilen Charles. It's a beautiful novel based on the true story of the invasion of The American Library of Paris during the war. The librarian characters are so incredible. ❤️

ICrunchCrispsNotNumbers · 14/02/2023 07:27

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