50 Books Challenge 2024 Part Six

[Southeastdweller]

Welcome to the sixth thread of the 50 Book Challenge for this year.

The challenge is to read fifty books (or more!) in 2024, though reading fifty isn't mandatory. Any type of book can count, and please try to let us all know your thoughts on what you've read.

If possible, please can you embolden your titles and maybe authors as well of books you've read or going to read? It makes it much easier to keep track.

Some of us bring over to the new thread lists of the books we've read so far, but again - this is your choice.

The first thread is here, the second one here , the third one here, the fourth one here and the fifth one here.

What are you reading?

Just catching up on the thread after a family issue. I have around 1000 unread kindle books, I'm being a lot stricter on not buying new books, and not finishing books I dislike so am hoping to make some inroads! I have a couple of reviews from recent reads. I have a bit of a cold now so am just going to pick some easy reads that don't require too much concentration.

65 He Said / She Said by Erin Kelly

Laura and Kit witness a sexual assault at an eclipse festival. We follow the couple over the next 15 years, gradually coming to understand the impact the event had on the four people involved, and why Kit and Laura live in a state of hyper-vigilance and fear. I thought this was really good, it kept me guessing all of the way through, and although I partially guessed the twist, it took me a while and was still enjoyable when it came.

66 Alvar the Kingmaker by Annie Whitehead

The late Anglo-Saxon period is one of my favourites, and isn’t that popular with fiction authors, so I was looking forward to this. It centres around the life of Earl Alvar of Wessex, and his role in the reigns of several English Kings. Ultimately it was a bit disappointing as I think the author just tried to cover too much ground, which meant that nothing was covered in enough detail. The jumps to the each section felt very sudden and gave the book a disjointed feel overall. I also didn’t like the way that the author simplified the names of historical figures, but that’s a minor issue I guess.

67 The Burning Air by Erin Kelly

The MacBrides go to a bonfire night celebration, leaving the baby with the new girlfriend of one of the siblings. When they return neither the baby nor the girlfriend are anywhere to be seen. While they don’t deserve what happens in the book the MacBrides are a truly awful set of people, just smug, superior and self-centred. It was fairly predictable overall, but there was one twist about half way through that did stop me in my tracks.

68 The House With the Golden Door by Elodie Harper

The second in the Wolf Den trilogy. Not as good as the first, but certainly less grim and traumatic. I’m looking forward to the third in the trilogy, although I’m going to be very disappointed if Felix doesn’t get a big block of Mount Vesuvius to the face, or get his balls burned off in pyroclastic flow.

69 Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

Keiko, is in her mid 30s and has worked in a convenience store for the past 18 years. It’s a job that suits her, makes her happy (after a fashion), and gives her life some much needed structure. Although it’s never spelt out, it’s clear that Keiko is on the autism spectrum and we hear about her struggles to identify and follow the rules of society from childhood. I felt sorry for Keiko that even finding her niche wasn’t enough for her to be considered normal. Despite holding down a job, and living self sufficiently, this isn’t enough for her family and friends who constantly ask why she is not married or working at a better job. I really felt for Keiko and loved the moments where she was authentically herself, or as authentic as she felt she could be in the circumstances she faced.

23. The Eighth Life (for Brilka), Nino Haratischvili trans. by Charlotte Colins and Rith Martin
    A huge (944 pages) of epic family saga spanning the twentieth century set in Georgia. This reminded me a little of Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi because it is really a book about generational trauma. Set against the background of the Russian revolution and the Soviet Union, but refreshingly told from the viewpoint of Georgia. Real life figures appear, such as Beria, who is referred to throughout as ‘the little big man’. As many 50 bookers know, Russian history and literature is something that I am really interested in so I was familiar with a lot of the big events mentioned here, but it was eye opening to read it from the point of view of one of the other Soviet states. There is a tinge of magical realism with some enchanting hot chocolate, but that didn’t really add very much and I am not sure why it was there. The writer is spare and to the point, which I always find more hard hitting than very flowery language. There was more than one moment where I had to stop and just take a moment. Since it is a story that spans 100 years, it is not a spoiler to say that people die, but one person in particular who lives in exile for much of the story really got me and I had to go and have a bath and clear my head. I will look out for more of Haratischvili’s writing.

24. The Pedant in the Kitchen, Julian Barnes
    Picked this up at the Manchester meet up from @FortunaMajor’s library discarded pile. I do enjoy Julian Barnes so this little rant about recipes, cookery and entertaining was good fun. I agree with most of what he says – indeed what is a cupful, exactly? Is it my cup or Betty up the road’s cup. My recipes, almost never, ever turn out the way the book says.

25. The Museum of Innocence, Orhan Pamuk trans. by Maureen Freely
    I have so many thoughts about this, that I am not sure I will get them all out, or I will be at all coherent. Firstly, I have given this 4 stars, because I feel sure it is going to stay with me and my next visit to Istanbul will include a visit to the titular museum when I have a full day to myself (I read most of this in Istanbul this year and tried to finish so I could visit, but it was not to be).

This story is narrated by Kemal, who is an Istanbul socialite in the 1970s who falls in obsessive love with Fusun, a distant relative and shop girl. For various reasons, it does not work out and we follow Kemal as he pursues his dream of marrying Fusun, in spite of her marriage to Feridun. The story is narrated by Kemal, and we never truly know what other people think of his love and obsession, much less what Fusun thinks. He presents it as a great love story, but it read a little like Lolita to me, Kemal sees what he wants to see and shares that with us. His obsession is presented as such, but that it is a good thing and just proves how much he loves Fusun.

He fuels his infatuation by collecting objects related to Fusun and her family. He steals earrings, salt shakers, ornamental dogs that sit on top of her family TV. In later years, he buys post cards, trinkets, posters and paraphernalia from Istanbul’s collectors to create an actual museum to document their love. The book is like a catalogue for the museum, and near the end is a ticket so that the reader can enter for free. I am really intrigued by the museum and cannot wait to visit.

It has to be said, that Kemal is unlikeable, as are the other main characters – there is no one you really feel for, not even Fusun as the object of Kemal’s mania. Pamuk (or Freely’s) writing is wonderful though and I really felt transported to Istanbul, helped by actually walking about Nisantasi whilst reading. I am making a point to read more Pamuk over the coming year – I have read half of My Name is Red but I left the book on a boat on another visit to Turkey, so will go back to it as I was enjoying it. Pamuk reminds me a little of Tolstoy – he has something to say about something, this book has a lot to say about heritage and the way one experiences museums and cultural spaces, as well as how they are curated.

@MegBusset I read the Red Riding Quartet a few years ago and thought it was excellent. Depressing as hell for the most part, but so well written.

@Terpsichore I really like Mary Lovell’s The Mitford Sisters for a good overview of the family. I’ve heard the Letters between the sisters are also very good, but I’ve not read them.

23 Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter? Nicci French
According to the guardian review i just googled, this is, 'compelling, moving and beautifully written'. Well shows we are all different 'cos i thought it was absolute drivel. In 1990, Charlotte goes missing never turning up to her husbands 50th birthday party. She leaves four grieving teenage/young adult children. After this intial section we rejoin the action when the children are middle aged and a podcast is being made about the disappearance.
Few books annoy me, but this did. When eventually and tortuously the perpatrator is revealed they seemed to be chosen almost at random. I was like 'really?' 'that's it?' 'Ive read all this for that?' There was not even the merest hint of their motivation apparent in the preceeding sections. I didnt enjoy the writing (in fact it was cringy at times - particularly the many sections describing Charlotte's wonderousness). The characters were uninteresting and the podcast element seemed to add nothing except making things seem a bit current. Anyway, the far more literary than me, guardian critic disagrees, so perhaps best to ignore my view.

@AgualusasLover @Terpsichore

Do I need to sound my READ THE LETTERS BETWEEN SIX SISTERS Klaxon?! It would seem so.

Hahaha, I do have the letters, I’ve just not got to them yet.

@AgualusasLover @EineReiseDurchDieZeit I think I have those letters too, tbh…..weirdly I kind of know quite a lot about Mitfords generally anyway, from some strange process of literary osmosis, so I'm not 100% sure why I thought I needed to read the Laura Thompson biog. Maybe because I just had it on the shelf and hadn’t ever got round to it! Anyway, it’s now joining the on-going great book declutter…

@Terpsichore I read your review of Ruskin Park with interest. I made a note of it when I saw an interview with the author when it first came out and I thought it sounded interesting, but then never heard any more about it. Great to hear your thoughts.
@PepeLePew Did you know that Abi Dare has recently released a sequel to The Girl With The Louding Voice? It is called And So I Roar, released earlier this month I believe.

A very active family holiday with zero time for reading and then a lot of hours absorbed in the Olympic coverage combined to mean that I didn't really read much in late July and early August.
My recent reads...
31. None Of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
Two strangers meet in a restaurant and discover that they are both celebrating their birthdays. Both are mums, one a podcaster with a lifestyle that appears enviable, the other living a smaller life in a relationship that appears to be unhappy. As a relationship forms between the women, we know from chapters where the narrative flashes forward that not everyone will survive unscathed.
This worked really well on audio - I enjoyed the narration and the fictional podcast excerpts worked really well. As a psychological crime novel, it kept me engaged.
32. You And Me On Vacation by Emily Henry
Two friends go on holiday together every year. Their friendship has drifted apart, but they are back together for this year's trip. Will their friendship be restored...or will spending time together bring them closer than ever? This is a romance novel, so you can probably guess the answer!
I've previously read Book Lovers and Happy Place by the same author and preferred those novels to this one. Meh.
33. Still Life by Sarah Winman
Soldier Ullysses meets art historian Evelyn in Tuscany in the last days of WWII. He returns to London after the war and we meet the cast of characters who fill his life there - the wife he hasn't seen for years, older friends and children, the pub landlord and his talking parrot. Circumstances lead Ullysses back to Italy, and we follow his story along with those of his old friends and the new ones he makes along the way.
Historical fiction with strong settings (made me want to go to Italy!), an interesting cast and a warm heart - this is a world where life can be tough but everyone ultimately wants to help each other and the joy of life comes from connection and company, with a bit of art appreciation along the way. I enjoyed this and I'd read it again - feel like I could get even more out of it with a reread in future.
34. Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt by Harry Whittaker & Lucinda Riley
The eighth and final book in The Seven Sisters series...and it's hard to say much more without spoiling! I've read the whole series over the past 14 months or so, and while they are quite easy straightforward reads, they are so long that the opportunity cost has sometimes felt quite high. This finale didn't disappoint, however. Various questions are answered and threads come together. A satisfying conclusion for me, I enjoyed it.

In contrast to previous years, I think my reading has gone up as we have started to get back into some semblance of routine at the end of the summer. Currently racing through Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris.

In my wisdom, I decided I would remove everything from my bookshelves and incorporate DS1’s books as DS2 is moving into his room as he goes off to uni in Sept. I loftily began emulating Daunt books and their regional shelves and by the thirds shelf lost the will to live and just put things back neatly and encroached in a totally disorganised way on every other shelf present. I am sitting here very satisified with one whole shelf though.

75 Sister in Law - Harriet Wistrich

Definite bold. I am in awe of Harriet. After a 20 year law career, she founded the Centre for Women’s Justice. Her career included working with the victims of John Worboys and later appealing (successfully) the parole decision; working with many women deceived into relationships with undercover cops; Sally Challen’s appeal; working with the family of Jean Charles de Menezes. A powerhouse.

238 A Taste of Greek Summer by Mandy Baggot

Ex chef and food writer Lydia goes on holiday to Corfu where she meets Greek chef Thanos, and helps him build up his new business while also falling in love. This zipped along and was a great holiday read.

239 Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones

Mr Watts is the only white person on a tropical island where civil war is raging, and he helps teach the children by reading them Great Expectations. I loved the idea of the children being fascinated by this book that was so far from their own experiences, but the rest of the book was just ok and I never really got into it.

Going home from hols today and have managed to read 10 books over the fortnight which I'm very happy about! A combination of prioritising a super-chilled holiday and having teens that don't emerge until after 11 has been very helpful. I've been reviewing as I've been going along but my final two are:

72. Borderline - Mishell Barker. Urban fantasy. The first person narrator Millie has Borderline Personality Disorder. The book starts with her recovering in hospital after a suicide attempt which ended in two amputations on her legs. A mysterious woman comes to visit her and recruits her to work for her agency. Various adventures involving fey intertwined with Hollywood ensue, complicated by Millie's BPD. I thought this was original and fun.

73. How to Say Babylon - Safiya Sinclair. Shortlisted for the Women's prize non-fiction list, this is Safiya Sinclair's memoir about growing up in a strict Rastafarian family in poverty in Jamaica. It centres around her father and his increasingly violent and proscriptive behaviour. Powerful and eye-opening, with lyrical language and descriptions that you'd expect from a poet. The ending was not as strong but I'd still recommend this.

@CluelessMama - I hadn't seen that was released. I knew it was coming - I shall add it to my library list. Thank you!

Interesting to read your review of The Eighth Life (for Brilka) @AgualusasLover , I keep on thinking about reading it but the length dissuades me. Your review has bumped it up the wishlist again. Glad you enjoyed The Pedant in the Kitchen after us all raving about it.

It is quite repetitive and there is A LOT of misery and trauma. I’ve probably been over generous because (a) I m interested in the topic more broadly, (b) it’s set in the Caucasus which automatically gains a star.

2 bolds in a row for me which is very unusual!

143 Maus by Art Spiegelman
A graphic non-fiction telling the story of Spiegelman’s parents, Vladek and Anja, who were holocaust survivors. It also tells the story of Vladek and Art’s relationship and the inevitable survivor guilt and intergenerational trauma. Telling it through the graphic novel format allowed Vladek’s own voice to be heard and also was used effectively to show emotions throughout. An excellent read.

144 The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka
As you can see the spinner is taking me to lots of backlist books which is great. This one won the Booker a few years ago and I’m sure I’m last to the party yet again! Maali is a war photographer who we first meet just after he has died. He tries to negotiate the ‘in-between’ while finding out how he died and watching over those he left behind- his lover and government minister’s son DD and his best friend Jaki. This also explores corruption, violence, race and other aspects of the Sri Lankan Civil War. Moving, darkly funny at times and thought provoking.

Now reading My Friends by Hisham Matar (DH has bought me the 2 of the Booker longlist I’m most interested (the other is The Safekeep) in so I’m ignoring the spinner to stick these two in) on physical, in ebook I’m about to start The Beasts of Paris by Stef Penney and on audio I’m listening to Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Patchett ( a bit meh so far)

@Ulldemoshul I think you mean Ann Tyler re Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant. (just jumping in to defend Ann Patchett here as she's one of my favourite authors )

Oh, and thanks for mentioning the new Stef Penney book - I didn't realise it was out and have enjoyed some of her other stuff.

Apologies @highlandcoo , you are quite right!

85. The Kill by Jane Casey

Maeve Kerrigan #5

Every time I think I'll take a break from Kerrigan and Derwent I get sucked back in...the duo investigate murders of serving officers.

Some believability issues in the case and though I'm not remotely close to being in the Met, I do question all the misogyny, it could be realistic and yet it could also be a poor reflection of modern standards, I'm not sure either way

You're racing through the Maeve Kerrigan books @EineReiseDurchDieZeit !

@FuzzyCaoraDhubh

I know!

They are reasonably untaxing and that's all I want right now. I'll be sorry when I've run out! They are good, if you want light procedural with a likeable heroine.

59 Challenger - Adam Higginbotham

Utterly gripping, and understandably harrowing account of the 1986 space shuttle disaster- one of the first major news stories that I remember being really aware of (I was 9). Meticulously researched and detailed, covering the history of space flight accidents from the Apollo program onwards and the culture at NASA which made such a devastating accident just a matter of time.

@AgualusasLover and now it goes back down again (for the repetition rather than the topic). Plus after spending nearly 2 months on King Hereafter and still having A Place of Greater Safety on my TBR shelves I think I need to concentrate on the short novels for a while.