26-ish books 2024

[Tinkhasflown]

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.

5. Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Well didn't really think much of this. I had known about this book and all the rave reviews for some time but never felt the urge to read it. Then I read Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and loved it. Saw this in a charity shop and thought why not! Wish I had not bothered. Just dull and really, I could not have cared any less about any of the characters if I tried. But I did finish it as it was very very easy to read in its bizarre interview type format.

5: The Knowledge - How to Rebuild our World from Scratch by Lewis Dartnell
This was okay, but in the event of some kind of apocalypse or major event (the book predates the Covid pandemic) I don't feel I have it in me to maintain or reinvent the scientific and technological advances of the modern world! Definitely an interesting reading, but one that I won't (and hope wouldn't have to) put into practise.

Just finished book no 8 The Act of Oblivion Robert Harris. I thought it was alright. Intriguing plot based on actual historical events but the chase was a bit blah, as I couldn't feel the tension. It was also 100 pages too long. So for me it was an ok read. I'm still looking for that 'cant put it down' book. A really gripping one. Any suggestions?

6. Trespasses. Louise Kennedy. Loved this book. Could not put it down. Beautifully written in a very simple way, loved the characters and she sets the scene of Northern Ireland in the 1970's brilliantly. Would recommend.

coolmum123
I recently read Fingersmith by Sarah Waters.
A fantastic page turner set in Victorian times.
I highly recommend it.

Thank you I'll take a look! 😃

3. Verity - Colleen Hoover. Loved it.

I'm presently reading Savages, Shirley Conran. I'm loving it but I've read it a few times.

Can anyone recommend anything similar? I love reading survival type books where characters are stranded, etc.
Fiction preferred but I don't mind non fiction.

4: Real Tigers (Slow Horses 3) by Mick Herron. I am really enjoying this series on audible but you have to listen carefully as it jumps about between different scenes / pairs of characters all the time.

5: One Boy, Two Bills and a Fry-Up by Wes Streeting. Wes is a shadow cabinet minister but I didn't know much about him before listening to this memoir. As the son of poverty-stricken teen parents he has overcome a great deal to become a Cambridge graduate and MP, I found this book to be very engaging, despite significant social issues his family have been a huge support to him.

I’ve managed book 4 of 2026 House of Flame and Shadow. It was OK.

4. The Vet's Daughter by Barbara Comyns. Finished this acouple of days ago and been mulling it over because I wasn't sure what I made of it. Have decided it is enjoyably strange.

Oops ,I’ve been absent for the last month and reading a bit less . Busy in half term while travelling etc. I’m yet to finish my no
6.Come and get it - Kiley Reid
I haven’t gotten into so well to be honest but will likely see it through ,I do want to find out what happens ! In the mean time I got a new book I spotted in a newspaper article last week ,started it on Fri and am soon finished .
7.Troubled - Rob Henderson ( A memoir of foster care , family and social class ) Very absorbing and highly recommended !

#7 Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

Really, really enjoyed this. Funny but also very moving. A strong 4 out of 5.

Can't work out how to edit my post but wanted to add about Vet's Daughter - I listened to the Backlisted episode on it and someone described it as being like Outsider Art. And yes, that's it, that's the feel of it.

8 - True Republic by Andrew Raymond. This is the 4th in a series about journalists who are always in mortal danger as their big scoop (that must be published at all costs) normally involves “very dangerous people”. It was just ok. Not the best in the series. But I have kindle unlimited and need something easy to fall asleep to on said kindle.

9 - The Ashes of London by Andrew Taylor. 1666, the great fire of London is raging, crime drama ensues. I enjoyed this, extra points for the fact the series is on kindle unlimited at the mo.

6: The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher. First read this about 20 years ago and it is proper old fashioned feelgood stuff, just the thing for this dismal winter/spring.

1. A Matter of Honour Jeffrey Archer

It was ok. Bit blah for me. Have now restarted Never by Ken Follett. I had read 100 pages previously and put it down so hoping I get into it this time round.

Finished reading and listening to book #6 Limberlost by Robbie Arnott. It was just gorgeous. My favourite read so far.

I did exactly the same with Never @coolmum123 ! When I did pick it up properly it was one of the highlights of last year. (Book wise obv)

@MaryasBible Yes! It took me ages to get to 100 pages the first time round and then I gave up. This time I'm at the same place in less than 2 days so fingers crossed! Good to know it's worth reading! Ill.let you know once I have finished. 😀

10 - The Easy Way to Stop Smoking by Allen Carr. (Audible) I haven’t entered this on goodreads as I’m too embarrassed to admit to people that know me that I’ve struggled to stop smoking but I can log this here as none of you know me. It’s worked so far. Any time I think “hmmm this situation calls for a smoke” I think “ISN’T IT MARVELLOUS THAT I DON’T SMOKE ANYMORE” and various other mantras. There’s another book he recommends for people who are still struggling called Stop Smoking Now (I think) which I’ll be downloading for emergencies.

11 - A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel. I don’t know anything about the French Revolution so I had my heart in my mouth for most of this book. It was really quite difficult to follow at times and I occasionally lost track of which character was speaking. It was a pleasure to read, the complexity of it, what she does with words. I wish I was as articulate in my reviews as some on here, to manage to do justice to this book. But I’m not. Outstanding.

8 Hags. I think the message of this is important, and it articulates some things I have been feeling, but it seemed to make a very similar point again and again. Or maybe I just missed some of the points!

I haven't updated in a while so here goes:

Book 8 Freckles - Cecelia Ahern it was a light listen and quite enjoyable.

Book 9 Other Women - Emma Flint really liked this. Set after the Great War a murder that connects two very different women.

Book 10 Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe - Fannie Flagg It's been on my list for years and I finally got round to it. I'm glad I finally did.

Book 11 Strange Sally Diamond - Liz Nugent Audio version and I really liked this book.

I'm currently reading the 4th book in the Aisling series, so a very light read and listening to *The Mystery Guest - Nita Prose. It's book 2 of the Maid, but just more of the same. I can't wait to finish it...

Finished my
7.Troubled -Rob Henderson which I thought was good .now returning to my
6.Come and get it -Kiley Reid which has been more slow going but I want to finish . Not sure what after it but will try to read more, I’ve slowed down a bit …

I've nearly finished The Other Guest, Heidi Perks.
Really enjoying it.

10 - The Reading List - Sara Nisha Adams

I hadn't been sure about this, I was worried it would be a bit twee and, I don't know - obvious, being set in a library and books.
But I loved it! I loved the characters and the ideas for my next reads. Some of the books on the reading list I have read but not all. I really recommend it.