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?

I was quite underwhelmed by the first one, far too long and not that engaging. I've never bothered with the rest despite them being very popular. I'd run for the hills personally, life is too short for books which do nothing for you.

If anyone is ambivalent about the Booker list, I'd definitely wait for the shortlist. I'm struggling to pick more than 2 at this point. Nothing shockingly bad bar Orbital, but very little that impresses either. The Women's Prize had a much better showing. Not that prize list are the be all and end all, but they give shape to my ridiculous TBR. I do love a list.

48 Patchwork by Ellen Banda-Aaku

I have been trying to read paper rather than Kindle books on holiday so have just finished this in favour of Camus in translation. The most recent Shelterbox pick, set in Zambia, it's the story of Pumpkin (a nickname), the daughter of a powerful businessman and his mistress. Pumpkin originally grows up with her mother, but as it becomes increasingly clear that her father ("Tata") has passed her over for younger lovers, Pumpkin's mother slides into alcoholism and Pumpkin is taken to live with her father and his wife. This, predictably, doesn't go well. There are harrowing storylines in the book, but it's not wholly depressing for two reasons: Pumpkin is a sparky, flawed heroine and it is packed with really interesting details about life in Zambia in the late 70s. The final, shorter part of the book takes place around 20 years later, when Pumpkin is grown up and has her own family. The deep scars caused by her childhood, particularly her father's faithlessness, continue to drive her actions, although a kind of peace is reached at the end. This novel packs a lot into its short length and I would recommend.

@Stowickthevast I looked up RoroReads last night, he's very amusing isn't he? His description of Orbital as 'shit' made me laugh. The only two Booktubers I regularly follow are Katie Lumsden and Jack Edwards but I think I'll start watching him too

Walked past a bookshop this morning and was literally* mugged. This thread, honestly.

*walked in and spent some money

I also have a Pavlov's swot response to a book list 😅Just in practical terms, a major prize listing usually ensures a book will be readily available from my library, so I'm usually happy to give things a go, and happy to DNF.

@InTheCludgie my favourite bits of Enlightenment were the callbacks to The Essex Serpent TBH. If you haven't read that, it's much more fun, and the Victorian-ness actually fits.

Similar feelings about Stone Yard Devotional: I much preferred the author's earlier The Natural Way of Things which has overlap, but is more sharply (and bluntly) focused on the feminist, climate/nature horror and women's relationships elements. (Though even more animal slaughter, if that's a hard pass for anyone.) SYD's primary themes of regret, mourning and guilt (so much Catholic guilt) didn't land for me to the same extent - maybe also due to the disconnected diary-of-reflections style. However, she writes so well - lean and unpretentious without shying away from big ideas - and I find her intensely embodied intellectualism unusual and appealing. On that basis, it's my favourite so far, but of a meh bunch.

In blunt star rating terms:
Stone Yard Devotional 3.5/5
Enlightenment 3/5
Headshot 3/5
James 3/5 (yup)
DNF: This Strange Eventful History (plodding)

Hopes of better to come! TBF I only had 2 bolds from the WP list, and some worse stinkers (The Maiden, Trace of Sun, 8 Lives...)

More positively, I've been immersed in In Ascension by Martin MacInnes from last year's Booker longlist (was sceptical at the time, but then it won the Arthur C. Clarke and DP was going through wild 'this is brilliant/this is shit' oscillations while reading).
Also just gulped 200pgs straight of Passiontide by Monique Roffey - unless she spectacularly screws up the ending I'm already calling it for next year's Women's Prize list. Esp recommended for fans of Fire Rush.
If there's a WPNF list next year, Private Revolutions by Yuan Yang would be a solid contender. Insightful but as gripping as a novel, though I found ending a bit too neat/optimistic (TBF not the worst characteristic in a new MP!)

A few recent reads
145 Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Ann Tyler
The story of Pearl and her three children, their relationships and lives. It even touches a little on the next generation. I listened to this on audio and it got me through a busy few days but it was a bit meh. We never really get to know the depths of Pearl, or Jenny her only daughter. The focus is firmly on the two sons, neither of whom was terribly interesting. It’s a book about ordinary people doing ordinary things but nothing- not the characters, the writing or the plot lifts it above ordinary at any stage.

146 The Rachel Incident
Also an audiobook and the complete opposite of the one before. Plotty, full of character and a strong voice. The writing and character lifted this well above the ordinary despite a plot which has been done lots of times- young girl goes to uni, makes gay best friend, becomes a bit obsessed with her older married professor- but O’Donaghue gives it a unique twist. Not quite bold but really enjoyed it.

147 My Friends- Hisham Matar
Exploration of exile and its impact on three young men who cannot return to Qaddafi’s Libya after being shot protesting outside the Libyan embassy in London. The separation from family and homeland affects each man in different ways. Very moving and beautifully written. A bold for me.

I have DNFed The Beasts of Paris by Stef Penney for now, probably for good. It’s set during the 1870 Siege of Paris and centres around the lives of three people caught up in the events. I couldn’t connect or care about any of the three and only found one (Anne) interesting to read about. I gave up at 40%. Disappointing as I loved The Tenderness of Wolves by the same author many years ago.

Now starting The Safe Keep (my only other Booker read) and listening to Ian Kershaw’s Hitler (which is Hubris and Nemesis combined). This is a reread so will prob intersperse chapters with another audio. My book club book for September/ October is Anna Karenina which I may start a day early today.

I've also finished Death at the Sign of the Rook! All the things you'd expect from a Jackson Brodie, very playful and tightly plotted, and very well controlled writing as she builds up the mystery. I have to say I couldn't quite remember who some of the characters from earlier books were - Reggie is a main character and Louise Monroe makes a cameo - but I still really enjoyed it.

And some quick reviews of my other recent books...

Exiles by Jane Harper. Latest (and maybe last) Aaron Falks mystery. This time solving the disappearance of a new mother in wine country, following a close knit group of friends who may or may not be hiding secrets. Anyways solid and enjoyable.

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors. Novel about 3 sisters dealing with the death of the 4th from a painkiller overdose. Definitely Little Women influenced - we have the sensible one, the tomboy, the family oriented one and the wild beautiful one. It takes a while to cover not very much ground, but does ultimately have some interesting things to say about addiction and family.

Playing Games by Huma Qureshi. More sisters, this time struggling writer Mina and older lawyer Hanna. Mina overhears Hanna having an argument with her husband and uses it as inspiration for the play she's working on, and the book deals with the fallout. I wouldn't say the writing here sparkles, but it was a well plotted and an interesting take on art and ethics.

It’s a book about ordinary people doing ordinary things

Standard Anne Tyler approach. I've liked some and not others, I've read 4 I think.

I've also just finished My Friends by Hisham Matar. Best book I've read this year.

Rural Hours by Harriet Baker Looks at the influence of living in the country on the lives and work of three women writers - Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Townsend Warner and Rosamond Lehmann. Virginia Woolf was probably the least interesting, but possibly because I've read too much about her and don't find her particularly sympathetic. I loved Sylvia Townsend Warner, who had a surprising and unconventional life which she chronicled with a wonderful turn of phrase; I've not read any of her novels but have bought Lolly Willowes as a start. I found Rosamund Lehmann quite different from how I imagined her, having very much enjoyed her books.

Outlive by Dr Peter Attia Really interesting and clearly explained approach for living with better health for longer. It's quite science based but he is very good at describing the underlying biological processes which lead to the four main problems affecting health in later years - cardiovascular disease; cancer; Alzheimer's and neurodegenerative conditions; and diabetes and metabolic dysfunctions - and setting out strategies to help us live longer and in better health, both physically and emotionally. It's a bit American at times, but nonetheless a fascinating, scientifically rigorous and thought-provoking read. And so much better that Ultra-processed People.

I'm currently reading A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel and loving it. Fabulous writing as always from Hilary Mantel and despite its size it proceeds at a cracking pace, drawing you in completely.

@EineReiseDurchDieZeit That’s good to know. Can you remember which ones you liked?

@Boiledeggandtoast its the only booker book I see getting universal good reviews. Glad to hear that its getting so much love.

@ÚlldemoShúl Have you read The Return, about HM's search to find out what happened to his father? It's also excellent.

No I haven’t @Boiledeggandtoast I’m glad to hear it’s just as good. Adding it to my wishlist for when I’m allowed to buy books again. (Am trying not to buy again in 2024 apart from 99p deals!)

Yes! It's very good

@ÚlldemoShúl

Of the ones I've read I liked A Spool Of Blue Thread best, Dinner was ok, French Braid shoehorned the pandemic in and was a bit strange. A Patchwork Planet and Accidental Tourist I don't remember enough about, neither were bolds

Thanks eine. I seem to have picked up French Braid, The Accidental Tourist, Redhead by the Side of the Road and Noah’s Conpass over the years- undoubtedly on kindle deals and unfortunately none on your favourite list!

Yes I think I picked up all mine in deals as well!

It’s been ages since I have caught up on the thread. I was away while you had your meet up otherwise would have loved to come along. I hope it went well. Reading wise things have ticked along. I’m not especially inspired but neither am I completely at a standstill.

34. The Love Algorithm by Claudia Carroll
    Passable Irish romantic comedy about a woman who sets up a dating app and tests it on her colleagues and their families.

35. The Wake-Up Call by Beth O’Leary
    I don’t think this was quite as good as her previous books but engaging characters. A man and a woman work in a hotel and hate each other. I wonder how this romantic comedy will end?! I found the ‘endearingly flaky’ protagonist unbearable. I couldn’t work with her either. But I sort of warmed to her in the end.

36. A Bird in Winter by Louise Doughty

A bold. In fact I enjoyed it so much that half way through I bought my Mum a copy as a late birthday present- she read it in a couple of sittings. My Mum and I used to both love Radio 7 and still listen to a lot of the old radio dramas now on Radio 4 Extra (esp Paul Temple, Lord Peter Wimsey and my personal favourite, the Reverend Syn). One of our favourites was/is Rogue Male by Geoffrey Household- a wartime spy thriller full of derring do. This novel had a quote from Rogue Male at the start which was an auspicious beginning.

A woman who works for MI5 investigating the ‘bent coppers’ of the spy world suddenly has to go on the run. As she makes her way across the country trying to escape her back story is revealed. This was beautifully paced and well told.

37. None of This is True by Lisa Jewell I can’t even remember much about this. A thriller. Lots of unreliable narrators. Something about a podcast and some birthday twins. Meh.

38. Traces by Patricia Wiltshire

Bold, Bold, Bold. My book of the year so far. You know when you read a book and start to tell people about how interesting it is and then have to ask if you have already bored them about this because you have been telling everyone...

Pat Wiltshire is a palynologist. She studies pollens and microscopic particles and has used her knowledge of plants and pollens to pioneer the field of forensic ecology- helping to solve crimes by using clues in the natural world. Utterly fascinating, moving. A very very well written autobiograpy. My only single criticism was that some of the personal biographical bits were spaced out clumsily- there were a few things repeated in slightly different contexts that made me want to say ‘but we have heard about this before...’ But is is a very minor criticism. Highly recommended.

39. Zero Days by Ruth Ware

A woman and her husband run penetration tests where they are paid to test the security of companies. I did enjoy this but it wasn’t quite a bold. I listen to a couple of techy podcasts and enjoyed Ghost in the Wires which gave more interesting technical details.

40. Ranger Confidential by Andrea Lankford

Another bold. Memoir about working in the US National Park service. Reviewed by lots of other upthread. Thank you for the recommendation. I enjoyed this.

41 Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

In my defence I was on holiday in the Highlands and wanted something to get me in the mood. I am not sure I quite expected it to get me in the mood in that way. A woman falls through time from the 1940s finding herself caught up in Jacobite intrigue.

My goodness there was a lot of sex. And some very dated attitudes to homosexuality. And some very weird conversations like the very graphic description given by Jamie’s sister to her husband, brother and sister in law about what it felt like to have sex while heavily pregnant. Made me think Diana Gabaldon (who I know nothing about) probably hadn’t been pregnant and almost certainly had never had a brother or sister in law when she wrote it.

42. War Paths: Walking in the Shadow of the Clans by Alistair Moffatt

Couldn’t resist this in the Grantown-On-Spey Museum shop. Highly recommended both as a holiday destination and also as a small museum. Moffatt has written lots of books about Scottish History. Here he went on journeys across Scotland looking at battle sites and discussing what happened in the battles and what the terrain looks like now. Not usually my sort of thing and if I had concentrated too hard I think I would have struggled with this. However, it was enjoyable to read across the surface listening to the names and the tales rather than the granular detail of the battles (not for me!)

@ÚlldemoShúl I've read quite a few of Anne Tyler's books and can second A Spool of Blue Thread, also enjoyed Searching for Caleb and Digging to America. Wasn't as keen on Morgan's Passing or Redhead by the Side of the Road. Vinegar Girl was okay, it's a modern day retelling of Taming of the Shrew.

One of her novels was a Pulitzer Prize winner (Breathing Lessons) but not read that one yet.

I've also read 4 of Anne Tyler's books. I've liked them all but like Eine, none have been bolds. A Spool of Blue Thread, Redhead, Back When We Were Grownups and A Patchwork Planet.

Thanks @elspethmcgillicudddy for your review of Patricia Wiltshire's book. I hear her Desert Island Discs and I think it was one of my favourites. She was fantastic. I have just got it for free on Kindle (due to Prime membership) so just alerting anyone else who might fancy it.* *

To be fair to Outlander the attitudes to homosexuality reflect the period. But there is a lot of sex….

Jumping back a bit - I'm astonished to find this post is still here as I wrote it late on Tuesday and then a fuse blew in the downstairs electricity circuit - we still had lights downstairs and mains electricity upstairs but have only been able to plug the modem in and get internet back on Saturday. I spent Friday afternoon in the local library with my laptop but didn't think this would be here still and I had some other things to catch up with.

@PepeLePew and @FuzzyCaoraDhubh

I meant to respond to the François Mauriac posts earlier - Le Nœud de Vipères was one of my set books for my French A level course - looking back, a novel about a very grumpy miserable old man looking back on his life seems like a very odd choice for a bunch of 16 year olds (our first book) but I loved it (and I disliked two of the others and got fed up with Emile Zola's Thérèse Raquin.

I was also lent a copy of Thérèse Desqueyroux as extra reading.

However, I really didn't like the English translations of Mauriac - both Le Nœud de Vipères and Thérèse (a trilogy in one Penguin paperback, I think) are translated by Gerard Hopkins.

I took a couple of Comparative Literature courses at university but I was a bit lazy about reading in French rather than translation, and only remember reading one novel in French (Une Vie by Maupassant who I think of as a short story writer).

@inaptonym thanks for the Monique Roffey. I loved Fire Rush and The Mermaid so will definitely look out for it.

I've just finished A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes - a retelling of the aftermath of the Trojan war from the women's perspective. I enjoyed it and it fitted in very well after The Song of Achilles.

If anyone is after any more ancient content with a modern spin, there's quite a fun new show on Netflix called Kaos with Jeff Goldblum as Zeus. Enjoyed the first few episodes with my teens last night.

Oh and on the Booker possible duds, Orbital is 99p today. I've picked it up to see if it's as bad as everyone says!