50 Books Challenge 2026 Part Seven

[Southeastdweller]

Welcome to the seventh thread of the 50 Books Challenge for this year.

The challenge is to read fifty books (or more!) in 2026, 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 as this makes it much easier to keep track of books or authors that may appeal (or not appeal) to everyone else.

Some of us bring over our updated lists to the new thread. Again, this is up to you.

The first thread of the year is here the second thread here, the third thread here, the fourth thread here, the fifth thread here and the sixth thread here

Ooooo

Oooh that's interesting. It's one of those I loved when I read it (many years ago) but then found myself agreeing with subsequent criticism and changing my opinion somewhat, I'm easily swayed clearly. I've never re-read, but would be interested in the sequel - not sure whether I'd need to re-read the first one beforehand or not.

I'm still on a bit of a slump, managed to finish The Summer Book - Tove Jansson which I started on the last weekend that actually felt like summer where I live, a RWYO that's sat on my kindle for ages. It was sweet enough, I can't say I was blown away completely but I enjoyed it.

That's me at 40, so I'm still optimistic I'll reach 50 by the end of the year, but I'd like something I'm excited about reading and nothing is really doing it for me at the moment.

60 . Our Noble Selves by Kate Atkinson

Former Burmese POW Harry Flynn gets a job working on the Festival Of Britain. Intrigue ensues when a woman he goes on a date with disappears.

I preordered this book and to be honest I’m gutted, it wasn’t for me at all. I didn’t like anything not the style, the tone or the characters

I did think it reminded me of Barbara Pym who I also don’t get on with. This will be a cause for celebration for some on the thread, I know

It could very much be me and the fact that I am in a funk generally but I actually dont think it is on this occasion

Sigh. Life After Life it isn’t

I gave up on Our Noble Selves a few days ago and returned it to Amazon. It reminded me of Shrines of Gaiety - too much going on, too many characters, dull story.

Yes! All the colleagues at the Festival just blended into one for me

That’s disappointing to read about Our Noble Selves - it was going to be what I used this month’s audible credit on. I didn’t dislike Shrines of Gaiety as much as some, though I can’t remember a thing about the characters or the plot really now - something with someone dressed as a mummy? A teenage pregnancy? So definitely not stuck with me in the way her best have.

It's my self bought birthday present. Hopefully, I'll like it...

Fingers crossed it works for you

Sorry to hear the disappointment with Our Noble Selves. I suppose I'm not the massive Atkinson fan that some of you are and therefore wasn't as excited about her new book.
Life after Life it certainly isn't - that's in a class of its own in my opinion!

Now, if someone tells me that the new Kingsolver isn't up to scratch I will be absolutely gutted!!!!

Funny you should say that because there was something about Transcription that reminded me of Pym and I know we’re on the same page regarding her. I feel very mixed on Atkinson’s non Jackson Brodie books.

Our noble selves definitely has Transcription vibes - I've never ready any Pym so can't comment on that!

The new Kingsolver is on preorder as well @nowanearlyNicemumand I need it to be great

I have mixed feelings about both Atkinson (loved Behind the Scenes at the Museum, Life after Life and Jackson Brodie, not bothered about the rest) and Kingsolver (loved Poisonwood Bible, Demon Copperhead okay but far too long and overhyped). I do like the sound of Partita but think I’ll wait for some of your reviews before I invest (and think I’ll leave the Atkinson going by reviews here)

I'm in a total slump at the moment, but I pre-ordered The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw today. I loved her collection of short stories, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, so I'm excited to read what I think is her first full length novel.

I banned myself from buying more books for myself this year, but this comes out in hardbook in January and I won't be charged until then, so I've decided it doesn't count 😁

Oh I loved The Secret Lives of Church Ladies too. Hope this lives up to it- will look forward to your review in the new year 😊

Thank you! Have clicked ☺️

I've been gifted Our Noble Selves this afternoon by a friend who's just finished it (and enjoyed). I liked Transcription so not yet put off by the reviews here so far.

93. Dancing in the Mosque by Homeira Qaderi - A memoir by an Afghan woman growing up under the Taliban. Part of my sporadic attempt to read more books in translation, this was very hard hitting as I found out early on that the author is slightly younger than me. While I know the situation for women in countries like Afghanistan is dreadful, it is in the abstract. Reading about someone growing up at the same time as me with recognisably similar ambitions but in such very different circumstances - well it shook me. The story she tells is very balanced - not every Talib soldier is a monster, not every man tries to control her, her husband is not evil but a product of his upbringing - but the overall result is horrifying. Each chapter is divided between memoir and a letter to her toddler son whom she is banned from seeing after her husband divorces her (by text). I liked it very much.

I started this yesterday. And finished it the same day!

It's very entertaining. Like you I would read anything by Lissa Evans.

I can see why it's compared to Adrian Mole but the main character, Philip, is much more likeable.

You're doing my TBR list no good, you know! 😁

40 - The Journal of Mrs Pepys - Sara George

Picked this up at a charity shop. It's pitched as Elizabeth Pepys' answer to 'Sam's' diary and I was kicking myself for not reading his first, or alongside (having now found it online). They lived in interesting times and you hear about the plague and the Great Fire but it's mostly about their marriage and their life together as Sam rises through the Court ranks. It was interesting but I do wish I'd found Sam's diary first to see how they accord.

I'm not a big Kate Atkinson fan - I'm completely confused by the Jackson Brodie books, as I haven't read them in close enough succession to be able to remember characters and plot-lines. But a comparison to Pym is catnip to me, so I've reserved both Transcription and the new one.

@bibliomania I’ll be really interested to hear what you think. I didn’t like Transcription and I’m not keen on Pym as I’ve said but I adore Jackson Brodie. I think I was virtually the only person on these threads who liked Death At The Sign Of The Rook.

Best, I liked it. I liked Transcription too, though I didn’t think it was one of her best. I’ve reserved the new one at the library (though, as previously mentioned, I'm 43rd in the queue!)

@Terpsichore ah, we often like the same things! Glad I’m not alone.

I also liked Death at the Sign of the Rook. I also liked Transcription and Shrines of Gaiety although I do agree they’re not her best. Love all the Jackson Brodies and Life after Life.