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50 Books Challenge Part Eight

1000 replies

Southeastdweller · 05/11/2024 07:06

Welcome to the eighth 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 , the fifth one here , the sixth one here and the seventh one here .

What are you reading?

OP posts:
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Southeastdweller · 25/12/2024 14:29

Happy Christmas everyone 🌟

I'm reading my final book of the year, None of This is True, which is absorbing but a bit cookie cutter.

OP posts:
Sadik · 25/12/2024 14:39

Nadolig Llawen i gyd / Happy Christmas all

I was very impressed by DP's thoughtful choice of book which I assumed he'd chosen because I've been reading lots of books set in India. He then 'confessed' that he'd asked the bookshop chap for suggestions of books I'd expressed interest in - very sensible, except it must have been someone else entirely who wanted Fertile Earth, as it wasn't on my list at all. Fine for me, as it looks right up my street, but I suspect someone else will be unwrapping Empusium or another 50 bookers recommendation so I hope they like them GrinGrin

Kinsters · 25/12/2024 14:47

51. Her Royal Spyness Book 6: 12 Clues of Christmas - Rhys Bowen after the navel gazing dreariness of You Are Here - David Nicholls I wanted something light and entertaining. I haven't read books one through five in the series but that didn't seem to matter too much. A cozy Christmas mystery set in a big posh house in the 1930s in rural Devon (Cornwall?) that was an enjoyable read although a somewhat disappointing ending. I'll probably read more in this series at some point.

Merry Christmas all. I've had a nice day with my three small children. Everyone was very kind to me on this thread when I thought I was having a miscarriage so I'm pleased to share she's now a beautiful 2.5 month old baby.

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 25/12/2024 15:09

Oh @Kinsters How Lovely! Congratulations!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 25/12/2024 15:21

That’s amazing news @Kinsters Huge congratulations.

Piggywaspushed · 25/12/2024 15:46

Oh, gorgeous news! A Christmassy baby!

BlueFairyBugsBooks · 25/12/2024 16:00

Merry Christmas Bookers. That's lovely news @kinsters

Only 1 book for me (although still have lots of presents to open)
But I did get the lego bookcase set which I'm so happy about.

MegBusset · 25/12/2024 16:02

Congratulations @Kinsters !

Love the brooch and nails, @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie

Thanks for the Amis recommendations, will look up Experience as a starting point

Midnightstar76 · 25/12/2024 16:35

Merry Christmas 50 bookers!!! And lovely news @Kinsters . Roll on 2025!!!

MamaNewtNewt · 25/12/2024 16:40

Congratulations @Kinsters what lovely news!

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 25/12/2024 16:49

I asked for a nice edition of A Christmas Carol and I got this one. Yay!

Congratulations @Kinsters 🎊
Lovely news.
I like your brooch @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie 👌

50 Books Challenge Part Eight
ÚlldemoShúl · 25/12/2024 16:53

Congrats Kinsters, what lovely news 🙂

I got the new Alan Hollinghurst, a Samantha Harvey - I think The Western Wind. And bizarrely from DH a Kate Bush biography- while I quite like some of Kate Bush’s big hits, I’m not a really big fan and I hate music biographies so that’ll be one for the charity shop!

MamaNewtNewt · 25/12/2024 17:10

Finally home after a lovely lunch. Here's my book haul, plus I have an Amazon voucher, and my birthday is just around the corner so scope for more books. Which I absolutely need of course 😊

50 Books Challenge Part Eight
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 25/12/2024 17:15

I bought Meat Free Mowgli in the sales in January. I still haven’t actually cooked anything from it, but it’s lovely for browsing.

BestIsWest · 25/12/2024 17:38

I love the Mowgli cookbooks. I haven’t got that one but have cooked a lot from the others. Might add to my list of things to but with my Christmas money from DM.
I’ve just taken her home after a Christmas lunch where I had to cater for a vegan, a pescatarian, a coeliac and your usual turkey eaters. My head is fried.

bibliomania · 25/12/2024 17:43

Congratulations @Kinsters !

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 25/12/2024 17:57

@MamaNewtNewt

You've been given my favourite ever non fiction

That's your next read, trust me!

BestIsWest · 25/12/2024 18:16

@kinsters I missed your excellent news. Congratulations.

JaninaDuszejko · 25/12/2024 18:23

@MamaNewtNewt I loved the letters between the Mitford sisters, although they got iess lively after Nancy and Jessica died. I'm quite jealous that you've got 'Are you my Mother?'. Wanted to read that for a while.

My family are fans of the Amazon wishlist so all but one (DH went rogue by accident) of the books I got were wanted. The chocolate on the top were little book shaped chocolates from my DDs.

50 Books Challenge Part Eight
Terpsichore · 25/12/2024 18:43

Lovely news @Kinsters ❤️

I got two books - Michael Palin's latest volume of diaries and a collection of early Nigel Molesworth outings from Punch before he was 'famous'; Geoffrey Willan created him in the late 1930s but he didn't come to full, glorious life as the Curse of St Custard's, with accompanying illustrations by Ronald Searle, until 1953, as any fule kno.

I also got a £30 book token, and three books I wanted popped up on the 12 Days of kindle this morning, so I think I’m doing quite well 😊

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 25/12/2024 19:01

@Terpsichore

Thanks for the reminder, I just got a few things. I'm doing Read What You Own joining @ÚlldemoShúl for at least January so I've got my eye for deals before that!

MamaNewtNewt · 25/12/2024 19:16

I'm looking forward to the Meat Free Mowgli cookbook having eaten there a couple of times.

@EineReiseDurchDieZeit I remember you recommending it when The Mitfords have come up, I find them fascinating so I think it will be up next.

@JaninaDuszejko this is one DH selected, he normally chooses me a couple of graphic novels, and also got me The Secret to Superhuman Strength a couple of years ago, which I have just remembered that I have not actually read yet. He generally does really well with his picks, so it should be good.

A few recent reads:

121 Beach Read by Emily Henry

Two authors with writers block swap genres. Enemies to lovers, with some family trauma getting in the way. Not great. This is the third book I’ve read by the author, only one of which I liked, so I will prob give any others a miss.

122 Mercy by Jussi Adler-Olsen

The first Dept Q book. Carl Moerk is recovering from a shooting that resulted in the death of one of his colleagues, and the serious injury of another, when he’s asked to head up Denmark’s new cold case squad. The squad, which consists of Carl and a cleaner / assistant named Assad, investigates the disappearance of a female MP five years previous. I really enjoyed this, Carl is cranky without being obnoxious, the investigation was interesting, and I found Assad and his mysterious past intriguing. I've already started the next one.

123 And Then She Vanished by Nick Jones

Man discovers he can time travel and decides to go back to save his sister who disappeared without trace when she was 7. He enlists the help of his therapist, aka Dr Drama Queen. The plot has more holes than a golf course. Just absolute drivel.

124 Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave

Mary volunteers when WWII breaks out, and to her dismay is assigned to teach children. Much to her surprise she begins to love teaching, and becomes involved with Tom, who works in the education department. We also get to see the journey of Mary’s best friend Hilda, and Tom's best friend Alastair, who joins the army early in the war. I enjoyed the conversations between Mary and her mother, and Hilda, they reminded me of the quick fire, witty conversations from classic Hollywood films. However I found the racism and use of the n word, about a pupil of Mary’s, really jarring and off putting. I get the contextual argument but I think the author could have got their point across without this. Honestly I think some authors use this word because it feels a bit daring and because they can.

125 So Late In The Day by Claire Keegan

I don’t generally like short stories, but I have liked those by Claire Keegan that I have read so far. I find her skill in developing a story and character in so few words impressive, and this was no different. Not as good as her other books, but I did like it.

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 25/12/2024 19:19

@MamaNewtNewt

I wouldn't touch a Chris Cleave after The Other Hand. Dire.

Hope you love the Letters as much as me

RomanMum · 25/12/2024 19:19

Just catching up (late as always).

Merry Christmas lovely 50 bookers! 🎁📚

I got no books this year, but a book token from DD which is nearly as useful.

Inaptonym - I might be treating myself to the book on Victorian women detectives, looks intriguing.

StowicktheVast - I bought DD Material World for Christmas on the advice here, I'd be interested to see what you make of it.

Elkie - love your resolution! I must pick one from my list that I really want to keep and gift it to myself.

Bibliomania - your gifting dilemma made me lol, it's a stressful part of the whole Christmas experience that DH and I have opted out of this year, too much else going on.

Congratulations Kinsters, glad all turned out well.

I'm off to put my feet up with a plate of cheese and crackers and something funny on the telly.

MegBusset · 25/12/2024 19:46

No book gifts for me but will spend a few £££ on Kindle books to get me started for next year. Handily, Experience is 99p in the Kindle sale!

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