50 Books Challenge 2023 Part Eight

[Southeastdweller]

Welcome to the seventh 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, the second one here, the third one here here, the fourth one here, the fifth one here, the sixth one here and the seventh one here

@Terpsichore That sounds devastatingly excellent. I've had to ban myself from books about German history for a while, though.

@GrannieMainland I had a similar desire for lightweight nonsense so have bought a couple more Susan Scarlett books. Ridiculously predictable and cutesy but quite readable for days when only a 'flimsy book' will do.

@Stokey If she wants fluffy, simple but 'clean' romance, then maybe Susan Scarlett mght be worth a go, especially if she has previously liked things like Ballet Shoes.

Ooh I’m in search of a new podcast @DuPainDuVinDuFromage - is it in English? That sounds up my street. My degree was in French and History but was all a bit more modern (and I can’t remember most of it anyway).

@AliasGrape yes it’s in English - done by a very pompous-sounding (but quite young) American who can’t pronounce a single French word correctly, but very informative. He started at the beginning (prehistory) and has been going chronologically ever since (now at the crusades); there are also lots of guest episodes, some of which are excellent, others utterly dull (I’ve ended up skipping a few). Highly recommended for a complete history of France 😊

I've read The Familiars too!! I didn't think I had but I remember it now. Shows how memorable I found it!!

@Stokey does she like fantasy? I still the Belgariad by David Eddings, or the Wheel of Time books are good and they are about teenagers so more relatable. Cynthia Murphy writes very fast paced books, I like Win Lose Kill Die. They aren't high literature but are lots of fun. The Deadly Education books by Naomi Novik are good as well, and I love her Temeraire books although she might find them a bit slow.

Or the Rivers of London books by Ben Aaronovitch are pretty exciting. The first one is scary but not as scary as the Hunger Games!!

I read loads of YA - these were just off the top of my head, but I can think of more.....

@DuPainDuVinDuFromage I love amelia peabody!!!!!

Mary or The Birth of Frankenstein by Anne Eekhout Yet another book about the Shelley's, Byron and their entourage in Lake Geneva and Byron's challenge to them to write a better ghost story than any they had read. Ho Hum.

@minsmum and @PersisFord good to hear you like the Amelia Peabodys too! I think I should have a re-read…unfortunately I only own one of them and BorrowBox doesn’t have any - maybe I should actually buy something for once!

Thank you all, I knew I'd get some great suggestions on here! I've bought the Agency of a Scandal to start. Frances Hardingye is a good shout as she liked the Lie Tree. She's never done Terry Pratchett though her younger sister read a couple of the Tiffany Aching books, and I've got a few on Kindle so could try those. She loved Eleanor and Park earlier this year on your recommendation Eine so will try Roll my Thunder. I haven't heard of Amelia Peabody but they sound right up my street! She's enjoyed Agatha Christie in the past, just at the moment doing it at school has put her off ( although I'm totally jealous!). I'd forgotten about the Belgariad @PersisFord , I remember loving those when I read them about 20 years ago. Will check out your other recommendations too. I have a couple of the Rivers Of London books but thought she may find them a bit scary. I think I had just started reading Stephen King at her age, but she's definitely a bit more sensitive than I was.

Also The Giver by Lois Lowry @Stokey

136. Ultra Processed People by Chris Van Tulleken (Audible)

Much Science. Brain Hurt. Pringles Bad.

Ha@EineReiseDurchDieZeit Great review

@Stokey - I read loads of YA as it's easier on my poor tired brain and would suggest the following to your DD, all strong female characters:

Jonathan Stroud - the Lockwood & Co series (half of these are now a Netflix series too, but alas I think it's been cancelled!) and the Scarlett & Brown books

Maureen Johnson - the Truly Devious series and sequels, and the Shades of London series

M A Bennett - the S.T.A.G.S series

Kathryn Foxfield - various books including Getting Away with Murder - her books are usually told from different viewpoints

And not a female lead, but the Alex Rider books are a cracking read!

@DuPainDuVinDuFromage and @minsmum, I love Amelia Peabody too, cleared a charity shop out of their stock not long ago as someone had obviously donated a whole set - it's now mine

Oooh yes and the Bartimeus books by Jonathan Stroud are good too. I was actually just coming on to say Lockwood snd Co after remembering them in the shower, so a fist bump to @ClaraTheImpossibleGirl . The Netflix series is terrifying, though....I sat down to watch it with my kids and had that awful thing where you can't find the remote to turn it off and the kids are screaming!! Many nights spent sleeping with the light on!

Philip Pullman’s Sally Lockhart books are great. A better read than His Dark Materials imo, as not trying to be too clever.

Just seconding @EineReiseDurchDieZeit recommendation of Roll of Thunder Here My Cry and the sequel Let the Circle Be Unbroken. Loved both when I read them. They are compelling stories and genuinely challenged my thinking.

I'm still making progress with TheTennant of Wildfell Hall. Nearly got to the end of Helen's diary.

Just adding The Hate U Give to the YA recommendations if she's not read it, it's one my dd & her friends really loved.

I'm failing to read anything at all here apart from (just about) keeping up with my daily Madame Bovary chapter. I always have this great expectation that things will calm down once the growing season slows - and so I arrange to do all the things I've been putting off since the start of may and run round in circles twice as fast 🤦.

Calling @Southeastdweller we’re going to need a new thread soon!

The Raging Storm - Anne Cleeves
Third in the Matthew Venn series set in Devon. This was ok. I like the characters she’s created, especially Jen, Matthew’s detective sergeant. Too many characters though and I wish she wouldn’t shoehorn the Brethren into each of these books.

Thanks @Palegreenstars

@Stokey

Have a look at John Green also

Just checked and these threads are moving really quickly (they began in 2012 and this is the second busiest year). 2020 was the busiest year for 50 bookers, so far. I wonder if we'll beat that one?

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/what_were_reading/4917725-50-books-challenge-2023-part-nine

Amazing list @ClaraTheImpossibleGirl 🙏

She's read The Hate U Give (and prequel) and the Fault in Our Stars (that was the cancer /death bit)! But these are all around what she like.

Wow @Southeastdweller, we're rushing through.

Loved the netflix series of Lockwood and Co. Top tip, after watching some YA scariness watch 2 episodes of Hey Duggee and all will be right with the world again.

We've moved @JaninaDuszejko

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