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26-ish books 2024

695 replies

Tinkhasflown · 01/01/2024 11:51

A shiny new thread for 2024.

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.

OP posts:
Orangebadger · 12/02/2024 16:21

@SlightlyJaded totally. In that way it reminded me of a gentleman in Moscow. Not much actually going on but totally engrossing.

BaconAndAvocado · 12/02/2024 20:18

Goodbyeimgoinghome
No, I haven’t.

I loved Fingersmith and Tipping the Velvet. Couldn’t get on with The Paying Guests but I know how well-loved it is in these parts.

The Nightwatch and Little Stranger are definitely on my wish list....although I’m not doing any actual purchasing of books until I’ve made a dent in my current TBR pile.

Currently reading The Appeal. An unusual and quite entertaining read.

Orangebadger · 16/02/2024 08:32

4. Still Life by Sarah Winman
I had high hopes for this one. Took a while to get into and eventually I grew to enjoy it, but not love it.
The great characters were the best thing about it.

drspouse · 16/02/2024 10:30

No 6, The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner. Book group book. Somewhat gripping story but way too many anachronisms (Ms in the 18th century? Please!).

MaryasBible · 16/02/2024 12:29

Sorry this is long!!

When reading comes up in general chit chat people ask what type of books I like to read. I feel daft saying “anything really” but it’s the truth. I’ll give anything a go. Nearly every genre I’ve tried I’ve liked. I’ll start out unsure but it doesn’t last long.

I thought I didn’t like crime but I’m a total convert. Loved the Vera books, and Roy Grace. Too many others to list but those are the stand outs so far.

I didn’t think I’d fancy historical fiction. It’s too trashy, not accurate enough, the discrepancies would be annoying. Wrong again.

I really didn’t fancy any fantasy until I read A Song of Ice and Fire in 3 weeks.

This is a bit of a ramble so try to stick with me. I’d heard mixed things about this next book. Time travelling, fantasy, historical fiction?? Nah. Not for me thanks. I downloaded a sample on to my kindle about 3 years ago. My choice to avoid was confirmed. Hideous. Not. For. Me.

It was reduced to 99p at the time the latest in the series came out. Huge glitzy displays in book shops.

I parted with 99p. It’s sat there. Ignored on my kindle.

You all know where this is going by now.

7- Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. 10 stars. Utter dross. I loved every moment. I couldn’t tell you why. I couldn’t tell you what I like about it. There’s a lot I could say that isn’t very flattering. But I’m too busy deciding whether the sequel is worth £4.99 or if I need to wait until I see it in Oxfam.

Iamblossom · 16/02/2024 20:26
  1. This Christmas
  2. A Terrible Kindness

Loved 2. A lovely story that covers being a chorister in Cambridge and the Aberfan Mining tragedy

I loved the TV series Outlander, haven't read the books but have heard they are amazing.

Scout2016 · 16/02/2024 20:59

3. The Good Immigrant 21 writers reflect on race in contemporary Britain. Edited by Nikesh Shukla.
Very much worth reading, if a bit depressing. Covers a wide range of topics.

alloutofcareunits · 16/02/2024 23:46

@Aurora93 I've seen the film and read the book though it was a good few years ago. I enjoyed both though probably preferred the film (unusually) as I like Kate Winslett. Despite enjoying the book I found the characters all difficult to like.

TrustPenguins · 17/02/2024 12:02

Something Special by Iris Murdoch

A (very) short story of a 'bold' Irish woman and 'respectable' young man. Surprising end. Not sure I quite got it.
It's the first Iris Murdoch I've read and doubt this is by far her best work...
2.5 out of 5.

DiggoryVenn · 17/02/2024 16:54

@TrustPenguins I went through a stage years ago of reading a lot of Iris Murdoch. I think my favourite is The Unicorn.

Asiatoyork · 18/02/2024 13:32

My list of book ideas is ever growing!

3 Remarkably bright creatures. A bit contrived and daft, but I enjoyed it a lot

4 The Fifth Sun (non fiction). Found this interesting, but not gripping

Asiatoyork · 18/02/2024 13:33

Oh actually, that’s 4 and 5!

TrustPenguins · 18/02/2024 21:59

DiggoryVenn · 17/02/2024 16:54

@TrustPenguins I went through a stage years ago of reading a lot of Iris Murdoch. I think my favourite is The Unicorn.

I'll look into her books; feel I should give her another go on one of her 'proper' novels.

SlightlyJaded · 19/02/2024 11:24

Bit of a slow start but just finished my fourth.

4.City of Girls - Elizabeth Gilbert. Perfectly fine but didn't enjoy this as much as I expected to. Can't pinpoint why. It had notes of Shrines of Gaiety but I didn't like it as much.

About to start Mrs England - Stacey Halls.

drspouse · 19/02/2024 20:12

Finished no 7, Hags by Victoria Smith.

Masses of really interesting information but depressing as heck!

DrMadelineMaxwell · 19/02/2024 20:43

I am SOOO far behind where I was at this point last year.

3 - At Home, by Bill Bryson.
4 - Smoke gets in your eyes by Caitlyn Doughty - biography of the woman who does the 'Ask a mortician' youtube things. DH likes her so bought me one of her books for my birthday.

5 - From Here to Eternity, travelling the world for a good death.

Asiatoyork · 20/02/2024 04:43

6 Alan Carr: the easy way to enjoy flying. Functional rather than reading for pleasure! Didn’t help FYI

Asiatoyork · 20/02/2024 04:44

I have Hags on my kindle @drspouse Have put off reading it because I fear it will be demoralising

drspouse · 20/02/2024 09:54

It is @Asiatoyork but in a kind of "well I'm not going to let that get me down" way.

Breathmiller · 20/02/2024 12:40
  1. Pachinko - Min Jin Lee

I had a reading haitus. And missed it.

I really enjoyed Pachinko, I like these generational stories in other countries that give me a better understanding what it was like to live through the historical events that affected them. It brings it to life in a way a historical factual book doesn't.

I have just got a 30 day free trial of Prime and thought I'd get a couple of free books while I do, but there's nothing much I like the look of. I've downloaded The Reading List to try. Any recommendations that are on there?

I've also treated myself to Prophet Song for after my 30 days free books.

Going to catch up on all your reads.

Breathmiller · 20/02/2024 12:48

Woops! Just looking back and my numbering has gone all to cock. Not sure why. It didn't do that last year when I copied and pasted from my notes.

I've read 9 books this year but each one has come up as number 1. Maybe its a sign I need to read/watch Groundhog Day 😅

EffortlessDelegation · 20/02/2024 13:20

It's the auto formatting that MN have introduced @Breathmiller. If you want to use any number other than 1 you have to use a different punctuation mark instead of a . otherwise it re-sets to 1. I have complained to no avail as it's a pain on these threads.

Citygirlrurallife · 20/02/2024 14:54

@drspouse and @Asiatoyork I have that on my shelf! I’ll read after I’ve finished Ministry of Utmost Happiness (started it last night)

6 The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak. I really enjoyed this book, a lot of trauma and grief but the writing was somehow really comforting

Asiatoyork · 20/02/2024 23:42

7 Alex Rider: Stormbreaker. This was at my son’s request as he wanted me to experience how awesome it was. Still counts though, right?!

Asiatoyork · 20/02/2024 23:44

I think I’ll read Hags now